Are you wondering which brand, Burrow or Medley, provides better warranty and financing options for their couches?
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Are you ready to settle the score between Burrow and Medley to determine who reigns supreme in the world of couches? Get ready to explore an in-depth comparison that will reveal the pros and cons of each brand's offerings, helping you make an informed decision for your next furniture purchase.
Side By Side
Features
Burrow
Medley
Made to Order Lead Times
N/A
8+ weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$175
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm
Affirm
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
USA + Import
USA
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$-$$$
$$$-$$$$
In the side by side comparison between Burrow and Medley, it's evident that while Burrow excels in aspects like a modular design, free shipping, and modern tech options, Medley stands out with ultra-green material choices, high-quality craftsmanship, and generous warranties. Burrow, with its emphasis on modularity and customization, scores well for its modern, small-space options. On the other hand, Medley impresses with its eco-friendly choices, made in the USA status, and long-term warranties on sofa frames and materials.
BRAND #1: Burrow
Burrow is an online-only retailer that was founded in 2016. The original idea was actually a class project before it transformed into a real company. Burrow's goal was to modernize the entire couch shopping and couch ownership experience. Modularity, expandability, and ease of assembly were the core principles.
Burrow | Brand Summary
Burrow provides a clever and creative solution to the many issues that have historically plagued couches – bulkiness, inflexibility, and immobility to name a few. Burrow’s modern, modular methodology has some major benefits over the competition, but it also leads to several flaws that are hard to gloss over. Their emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices are admirable and commendable. However, the materials used for their modular couches are not as high a quality as you’d hope for given the price.
Burrow’s primary goal is to modernize the furniture market. Their couches are designed to be modular and expandable so that they can grow with you. They’re also delivered in boxes and easily assembled and disassembled. Great for apartment dwellers!
Burrow’s couches ship for free via FedEx, though you might end up with a dozen boxes if you order a sectional. Their couches come with a 1-year warranty on craftsmanship. A Mulberry extended warranty is also available, which protects against accidents and damage.
Several of Burrow’s couches have multiple customization options so you can really design a sofa that suits your style. There are also modern, high-tech options like having a phone charger built right into the couch. Perfect for those nights you’re browsing on your phone while half-watching “Love is Blind” on TV.
One of Burrow’s drawbacks is that the material quality could be better. It’s not terrible at the lower end of their price range, but for their higher-priced couches, the cushions could feature higher-quality fill materials. On top of that, their business model implies that their couches will be inexpensive, but they can actually get quite pricey.
Lead times are also longer than you’d expect. If a couch is in-stock it could ship out in 1-2 weeks. It could take 4-6 weeks or even 4 months if not. And once your couch arrives, assembly can be much more challenging than advertised.
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.
After weighing all the factors, it's clear that when it comes to Burrow vs. Medley, Medley emerges as the preferred brand for those seeking superior quality, sustainability, and long-lasting comfort. With its eco-friendly materials, exceptional craftsmanship, and generous warranties, Medley outshines Burrow in overall value and durability. Choosing Medley over Burrow ensures you invest in a couch that not only looks good but also stands the test of time.
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.
