Couch Comparisons

Inside Weather vs BenchMade Modern: Who Has Better Couches?

Which brand, Inside Weather or BenchMade Modern, stands out for their sustainability efforts and customization options?
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Inside Weather vs BenchMade Modern

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    Get ready to dive into the world of luxurious couches with a face-off between Inside Weather and BenchMade Modern. Discover which brand excels in sustainability, lead times, and overall customer experience as we compare these furniture giants.

    Side By Side

    Features
    Inside Weather
    BenchMade Modern
    Made to Order Lead Times 5-6 weeks 2-6 weeks
    Free Shipping Option
    White Glove Delivery Option $175 $399
    Return Option
    Warranty Included
    Financing Option Shop Pay Affirm
    Assembly Required
    Large Fabric Selection
    Free Swatches Available
    Manufacturing Origin USA USA
    Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price $$$$ $$$$

    If you're torn between Inside Weather furniture and BenchMade Modern, let's break it down. Both brands offer customizable, sustainably made sofas produced in the USA. While Inside Weather has a broader range of lead times, BenchMade Modern delivers faster. In terms of warranties, BenchMade Modern shines with lifetime coverage on their frames compared to Inside Weather's 1-year warranty. Moreover, BenchMade Modern offers a more extended return window with free shipping, giving them the edge over Inside Weather. If quick delivery and extended warranty coverage are top priorities, BenchMade Modern may be your best bet.


    BRAND #1: 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

    BRAND #2: BenchMade Modern

    The image displays the logo of "Benchmade Modern," featuring the company name in a clean, sans-serif font. "BENCHMADE" is written in larger letters, while "MODERN" is written below it in smaller letters, all in black against a white background.

    BenchMade Modern is a brand that prides itself on challenging the norms of the luxury furniture industry. They offer custom-made sofas with surprisingly fast lead times, manufactured in the USA. Their unique selling point is their customization process, which allows you to tailor your sofa to your exact preferences, from the fabric to the leg color and even the depth. While their prices lean towards the luxury end of the spectrum, their lifetime warranty on frames and generous return policy offer peace of mind. With quirky sofa names and a focus on customer satisfaction, BenchMade Modern caters to a new generation of design enthusiasts who value individuality and convenience.

    BenchMade Modern | Brand Summary

    BenchMade Modern is a cool brand with a laid-back energy. BenchMade Modern's offerings include some industry-dominating lead times for custom couches (which are made right here in the USA!). Plus they have lifetime warranties on their frames and a seriously generous 100-day return window.

    BenchMade Modern | PotatoMeter Rating

    Online Shopping Experience Score 89%
    Durability and Quality Score 93%
    Shipping and Lead Time Score 94%
    Vibe Check Score 88%
    Customer Focus Score 92%
    Overall PotatoMeter Rating 96%
    Read Our BenchMade Modern Brand Review

    BenchMade Modern | Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Fast lead times for custom-made sofas (2-6 weeks)
    • Lifetime warranty on frames
    • 10-year warranty on sleeper mechanisms
    • Generous 100-day return window with free return shipping
    • High-quality fabrics (30,000 to 100,000 double rub counts)
    • Offer full-grain and top-grain leather options
    • Wide range of customization options (size, fabric, leg color, depth)

    Cons

    • Expensive compared to similar quality sofas from other brands
    • Use of plywood in some frames
    • Limited cushion options (foam and fiber or foam and trillium)
    • Minimal sustainability initiatives beyond manufacturing in the USA

    BenchMade Modern, the self-proclaimed "rebellious luxury" brand, offers a tempting proposition: custom-made sofas with quick turnaround times, backed by a generous warranty and return policy. However, the allure fades slightly when you consider their premium price point, which doesn't always align with the materials and construction quality.

    While their high-quality fabrics and leather options are a definite plus, the use of plywood in some frames and stapled joints might leave discerning buyers wanting more. Additionally, their online customization process could use some streamlining to avoid potential confusion.

    However, if you're drawn to their unique designs and prioritize fast delivery and a hassle-free return policy, BenchMade furniture might just be your perfect match. Just be prepared to pay a premium for the privilege of owning one of their "rebellious" creations.

    Shop BenchMade Modern Now

    And the winner is...

    In the battle between Inside Weather and BenchMade Modern, a winner emerges. BenchMade Modern takes the crown with quicker lead times, better warranties, a more extended return window, and high-quality fabric options. If you value convenience, durability, and customer satisfaction, BenchMade Modern is the top choice. However, both brands offer unique features, so the ultimate decision still depends on personal priorities and preferences.

    A smiling man with short brown hair and a beard stands on a beach during sunset. He is wearing a black short-sleeved shirt with small white dots. The ocean and sandy shore are in the background, creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
    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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