Article and Castlery are both very affordable furniture brands that offer a great selection of chic and stylish couches. So which one is better?
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
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Article and Castlery are both very affordable furniture brands that offer a great selection of chic and stylish couches. This can make it a challenge to choose between the two. So which of these low cost couch companies deserves your cash? Let's find out.
Side By Side
Features
Article
Castlery
Made to Order Lead Times
N/A
N/A
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$199
$100-$150
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm
Affirm
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
Asia
Asia
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$
$$
Based on the chart it’s hard to tell that Article and Castlery are even two different companies. But once we look at the nitty gritty details some of the similarities disappear.
While both of these companies offer warranties, Article only has a 1 year warranty on their couches compared to Castlery’s 3 year warranty on sofa frames and 1 year warranty on material craftsmanship. Castlery has the edge on this one.
When it comes to returns, Article provides a 30 day free return window. You can also choose to exchange your couch for a different one. On the other hand, Castlery has a 14 day return window and the customer has to pay a 20% return fee. It’s also important to note that there might be a $149 (or more) delivery fee for Castlery sofas depending on your location. Both of these factors are huge points in Article’s favor.
Still can’t decide? Let’s break it down even further.
BRAND #1: Article
Article is a Canadian company that was founded in 2013. They proudly state that their brand values are, "Customer obsession, do it differently, ownership mindset, win together." They helped pioneer the online couch market and they're still a major player in the sofa space. Plus, being Canadian, they ship to Canada!
Article | Brand Summary
Article’s clean and uncluttered website makes couch shopping a joy. Their chic couch selection and delivery timeline gives them an edge over the competition. Lack of customization options and a shorter warranty period were the main knocks against them. A few 1 star reviews aren't a major concern, though it does indicate that occasionally an unlucky person might get a lemon.
Article is really punching above their weight class when it comes to offering stylish sofas at budget friendly prices. Even better, their sofas are generally all constructed using solid wood frames. That’s great at this price point. Article also has exceptionally fast lead times for their couches, aiming to deliver to your home within 2 weeks. On top of that, they have a tremendous and generous return policy. One bonus is that Article also ships to Canada. We think Article offers excellent value for their quality. But don’t just take our word for it. The article has a stellar 4.5-star rating on Trust[ilot. Nice!
That being said, Article’s fast lead times and budget couches are made possible thanks to manufacturing their sofas in Asia. This also means that Article has a limited fabric selection and does not have made-to-order couches. Despite their exceptional return policy, Article only has a 1-year warranty on their couches, which isn’t ideal at this price point. Article also cuts costs by not having any brick-and-mortar locations or showrooms. But none of these downsides are enough for us to steer you away from Article’s excellent selection of sofas.
Castlery was founded in 2013 with the goal of making designer furniture accessible to everyone. Their imported, direct to consumer model has allowed them to achieve that goal, as evidenced by their stylish selection of sofas at affordable prices.
Castlery | Brand Summary
Castlery does an amazing job of presenting and displaying their couches. Browsing their website is a joy, and their products are good quality at this price point. They have fast lead times and their customer focus is great for the lower price tier that they occupy.
If you feel priced out by places like Joybird or West Elm or CB2, then Castlery’s stylish, budget-friendly selection will be a pleasant surprise.
Castlery offers a breath of fresh air for those seeking a stylish sofa without the hefty price tag. Their online shopping experience is top-notch, featuring a user-friendly website, glamorous photos that make their couches even more tempting, and impressively fast shipping times. Plus, their 3-year warranty offers a sense of security for your investment.
However, don't let the low prices fool you entirely. Castlery's fabric selection might leave you wanting more variety, and their 20% restocking fee could be a deterrent if you're unsure about your purchase. Additionally, while most of their sofas require minimal assembly (just attaching the legs), it's worth noting that they don't offer white-glove delivery service.
So, if you're a savvy shopper with a penchant for modern design and a willingness to tackle minor assembly, Castlery could be your ideal match. Their combination of style, affordability, and convenience makes them a compelling option for those looking to elevate their living space without breaking the bank. Just be sure to carefully consider your fabric options and be prepared to commit to your purchase, as returns can get a bit pricey.
This one’s a real close call. They both offer a very similar selection of stylish sofas at extremely similar price points. If you value warranties, Castlery is a good option. If you prefer a solid wood frame then Article is a better choice. When it comes to free shipping and generous returns, Article is also the superior option. But it’s hard to go wrong with either of these affordable couch companies.
Alex Back is the founder and CEO of Couch.com. Previously, he was the co-founder and COO of the popular furniture brand, Apt2B, which was acquired by a large US retail furniture chain in 2018. He worked to integrate Apt2B, one of the very first online furniture retailers on the Shopify platform, into the operations of the 100 year old larger business entity and was deeply immersed in the business operations of both online and brick and mortar retail for 4 years before leaving in 2023 to start Couch.com. Working in various parts of the furniture industry since 2004, he has 20 years experience in retail sales, e-commerce, marketing, operations, logistics and wholesale manufacturing and distribution. He has worked extensively with partners such as Costco, Bed Bath and Beyond and Amazon and his work has been highlighted in many publications such as Forbes, CNN and HGTV, among others. Alex is delighted to bring his experience and authority on couches and the furniture industry to this platform, along with many of his industry colleagues who are helping him keep the Couch.com audience informed and engaged on a daily basis.
