Who wins the battle for the top spot in the couch world: Article or Medley?
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
We independently select everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Get ready for a showdown between Article and Medley to determine who reigns supreme in the world of couches!
Side By Side
Features
Article
Medley
Made to Order Lead Times
N/A
8+ weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$199
$175
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm
Affirm
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
Asia
USA
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$
$$$-$$$$
Article and Medley go head-to-head in a detailed comparison. Article stands out with its fast lead times and budget-friendly prices, while Medley shines in sustainability and quality craftsmanship. In terms of warranty, Article offers a 1-year warranty compared to Medley's lifetime frame warranty and 5+ year material warranties. Additionally, Article ships to Canada, making it accessible to a broader market, whereas Medley's all-natural material options set it apart. Both brands lack brick-and-mortar stores, but Medley's eco-friendly focus and superior material quality make it a top choice for those prioritizing sustainability and craftsmanship.
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 TrustPilot. 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.
Medley was founded in 2017 by two brothers, Travis and Ryan Nagle. But their story actually begins in 2005 when they were selling sofas out of their living room. They are one of the only couch companies offering ultra-green material options.
Medley | Brand Summary
Medley is a rare company that actually delivers on its promises of top-of-the-line craftsmanship, all-natural material options, and sustainability. They offer an excellent, hand-crafted product, but their prices can be a bit too high for the average consumer and their lead times can be excessive. Medley was founded with a mission to create eco friendly furniture that not only lasts but also minimizes harmful chemicals and toxins, catering to consumers who prioritize environmental mindfulness in their purchasing decisions.
But if you want a made in the USA couch with wonderfully-natural materials, lifetime warranties, and a competitive price point, then Medley should be the first place you look. And chances are it will be the only place you have to look.
Extremely high quality materials and craftsmanship
Lifetime warranty on sofa frames and 5+ year warranty on materials
Generous 30 day return policy
Cons
Limited sofa style options
Fabric selection can significantly raise sofa price
Latex + Wool option can be pricey
Lead times can be extremely long
No brick-and-mortar stores
It can be hard to find any flaws in Medley’s business. But while their standard couches usually have lead times of 8-10 weeks (not counting delivery), their wonderful Latex + Wool options often take 14+ weeks to build. That’s a long time to wait, especially when there are no brick-and-mortar stores where you can test out their couches. Their base prices are great considering the high-quality materials and craftsmanship, but choosing a higher-tier fabric and their natural Latex + Wool materials will significantly raise the sofa price. But they’ll still be cheaper than Maiden Home’s offerings. Medley’s styles are nice, but they might be a little bland, depending on your tastes.
However, the pros vastly outweigh the cons. Their plant-based Latex + Wool material options are incredible and put Medley in a class of its own. Their wood is sourced from sustainable forests, their fabrics are eco-friendly, and every aspect of their construction process considers the sustainability impact. They also use a high-quality spring system similar to 8-way hand-tied suspensions. This is top-tier craftsmanship. Their frames also come with a lifetime warranty, the cushion filling has a 10-year warranty, and the upholstery workmanship has a 5-year warranty. Add in their 30-day return policy and there’s a whole lot to like about Medley.
And the winner is... Medley! With its commitment to sustainability, exceptional craftsmanship, and generous warranty coverage, Medley outshines Article in terms of premium quality couches. Whether it's the eco-friendly options, lifetime frame warranty, or superior material quality, Medley offers the complete package for those seeking top-notch couches.
Alex Back
Couch.com CEO & Founder
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.
