Couch Comparisons

Castlery vs Inside Weather: Who Has Better Couches?

Wondering which brand, Castlery or Inside Weather, will win the battle of the couches?
Castlery vs Inside Weather
Choosing the perfect couch can transform your home, but with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming. Let's simplify the decision by comparing Castlery and Inside Weather side by side.

Side By Side

Features
Castlery
Inside Weather
Made to Order Lead Times N/A 5-6 weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option $100-$150 $175
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option Affirm Shop Pay
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin Asia USA
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price $$ $$$$

So, when it comes to deciding between Castlery and Inside Weather, here's the breakdown. Castlery shines with its fast lead times and more affordable prices compared to Inside Weather. However, Inside Weather takes the lead with its sustainable practices, robust customization options, and made-in-USA craftsmanship. If you prioritize quick delivery and budget considerations, Castlery might be your go-to. But, if you value sustainability, customization, and American-made products, Inside Weather could be the winner for you. The choice ultimately comes down to your preferences and what factors matter most in your couch-buying decision.


BRAND #1: Castlery

The image displays the word "CASTLERY" in all capital letters against a plain white background. The text is written in a serif font, with a minimalistic and clean design.

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 | PotatoMeter Rating:

Online Shopping Experience Score 95%
Durability and Quality Score 86%
Shipping and Lead Time Score 94%
Vibe Check Score 86%
Customer Focus Score 88%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating 90%
Read Our Castlery Brand Review

Castlery | Pros & Cons

Pros

  • High style at low prices
  • In-stock couches ship very fast
  • 3-year warranty on Castlery sofa frames
  • Affordable add-on delivery options
  • Has a 3.6 star rating on TrustPilot

Cons

  • Couches manufactured in Asia
  • 20% return fees
  • Limited fabric selection
  • No free delivery option outside select cities
  • Plywood and LVL sofa frames
  • No brick-and-mortar locations

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. As Castlery furniture reviews reveal, 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.

Shop Castlery Now

BRAND #2: Inside Weather

The image displays the words "Inside Weather" in a bold, black font on a plain white background.

Inside Weather was founded in 2018 with the goal of bringing sustainable, eco-friendly, modular sofas to the masses. Their Bondi Sofa is extremely stylish and has become an incredibly popular option for families.

Inside Weather | Brand Summary

Inside Weather has a gorgeous website and an incredible emphasis on sustainability. They only offer two couches, including the versatile and comfortable Bondi sectional, which is particularly well-suited for households with pets and children. The Bondi sectional is praised for its durability, modern aesthetics, ease of maintenance, and flexible modular design that enhances living space functionality. Both couches are beautiful and extremely customizable (thanks in no small part to the hundreds of cleanable fabric options).

However, the questionable material quality for the price, the farce of a 365 day trial period, and the lack of customer review transparency undermines an otherwise nice offering.

Inside Weather | PotatoMeter Rating

Online Shopping Experience Score 94%
Durability and Quality Score 93%
Shipping and Lead Time Score 91%
Vibe Check Score 92%
Customer Focus Score 87%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating 91%
Read Our Inside Weather Brand Review

Inside Weather | Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Robust customization options
  • All couches are made in the USA
  • Massive emphasis on sustainability (sustainably-sourced hardwood frames)
  • Free shipping (orders over $1,500)
  • High quality, eco-friendly fabric options (some machine washable!)

Cons

  • Misleading and pricey 365-day home trial return option
  • Only a 1-year warranty
  • No spring support system
  • Assembly can be challenging
  • Only 2 in-person showrooms

You might love the way Inside Weather’s Bondi Sofa looks, but here are a few things to consider before you buy it. The return policy of Insider Weather can be misleading and pricey. The 10-25% return fee is based on pre-discounted pricing. And with such large discounts (sometimes 50% off), you could spend thousands to return your Bondi Sofa.

While we love the style of the Bondi Inside Weather couch and its hardwood frame, the support system is elastic webbing, which isn’t super durable and it isn’t great at this price point.

If you don’t pony up for the white glove delivery, you could face a challenging assembly process.

But don’t let the cons spook you. Inside Weather’s Bondi has plenty of pros. There are tons of ways to configure and customize your Bondi Sofa. Inside Weather also has tremendous, eco-friendly fabric options to choose from. They’re super cleanable and many are machine washable.

Their hardwood frames are sustainably sourced, and many of their materials have eco-friendly benefits, too.

Any order over $1,500 ships free, and you can add on white glove delivery (including assembly) for only $175. That’s a budget-friendly white glove option, especially with the amount of assembly required.

The Bondi is also made in the USA using high-quality craftsmanship. This majorly cuts down on Inside Weather’s carbon footprint. 

Shop Inside Weather Now

And the winner is...

In the showdown between Castlery and Inside Weather, Inside Weather emerges as the winner. With their sustainable practices, made-in-USA craftsmanship, and robust customization options, Inside Weather takes the lead over Castlery. If you're looking for a couch that prioritizes eco-friendliness and quality, Inside Weather is the brand for you!

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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.
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