Couch Comparisons

Inside Weather vs Hem: Who Has Better Couches?

Wondering which brand reigns supreme in the couch arena: Inside Weather or Hem? Let's find out together!
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Inside Weather vs Hem

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    Step into the ring of living room luxuries as we compare two sofa superstars: Inside Weather and Hem. Brace yourself for a dynamic comparison between these furniture giants as they battle it out for the top spot in your home.

    Side By Side

    Features
    Inside Weather
    Hem
    Made to Order Lead Times 5-6 weeks 1-7 Weeks
    Free Shipping Option
    White Glove Delivery Option $175 $299
    Return Option
    Warranty Included
    Financing Option Shop Pay Affirm
    Assembly Required Varies
    Large Fabric Selection
    Free Swatches Available
    Manufacturing Origin USA Europe
    Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price $$$$ $$$$

    As you ponder your couch choice, Inside Weather and Hem offer distinct advantages. Hem boasts modern styles and excellent durability in the premium price range, focusing on quality and sustainability. Meanwhile, Inside Weather shines in design flexibility, sustainability, and customer satisfaction at a mid-range price point. With a strong emphasis on style, durability, sustainability, and value, both brands bring unique strengths to the table for your consideration.


    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: Hem

    The image features the word "Hem" in bold, black text against a plain white background.

    Hem is a design-forward furniture company that partners with renowned designers to create modern pieces with a Scandinavian aesthetic. Their commitment to quality is evident in their use of premium materials and focus on durable construction. Founded by Petrus Palmer, Hem aims to be a driving force in the design community, offering stylish and functional furniture that stands the test of time. Their emphasis on sustainability is also noteworthy, with a focus on responsible materials and minimizing waste in production and packaging.

    Hem | Brand Summary

    Hem nails the balance between playful design and grown-up craftsmanship. Their sofas won't fall apart after a month, and the fabrics feel surprisingly luxurious for the price point. While I have a few nitpicks (which we'll get into shortly!), I was pleasantly surprised by how well the brand walks the line between trendy and timeless. If you're looking for furniture with personality but don't want to compromise on quality, Hem is absolutely worth checking out.

    Hem | PotatoMeter Rating

    Online Shopping Experience Score 93%
    Durability and Quality Score 92%
    Shipping and Lead Time Score 93%
    Vibe Check Score 95%
    Customer Focus Score 90%
    Overall PotatoMeter Rating 93%
    Read Our Hem Brand Review

    Hem | Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Stylish, modern designs with a Scandinavian twist
    • Durable construction with quality materials
    • Transparent shipping information and multiple shipping methods
    • Financing options available through Affirm
    • Free fabric swatches
    • Strong emphasis on sustainability

    Cons

    • Limited return window
    • Expensive return shipping and repackaging fees
    • No free shipping
    • Limited customization options
    • Limited information on cushion construction and support systems

    Hem offers stylish, Scandinavian-inspired sofas that boast quality craftsmanship and durable materials. Their dedication to transparency is evident in their clear shipping information and detailed care instructions. However, the limited return window and hefty return fees could be a dealbreaker for some, and the lack of free shipping adds to the overall cost. While their customizable options are decent, they might not satisfy those seeking extensive personalization.

    Overall, Hem is a strong contender for design-conscious buyers willing to invest in quality, but potential customers should weigh the costs and limitations before committing.

    Shop Hem Now

    And the winner is...

    In the battle of the couch titans, Inside Weather secures victory with its emphasis on sustainability, design flexibility, and customer-centric focus. Providing a perfect blend of style, durability, and eco-friendly practices, Inside Weather outshines Hem in this sofa showdown.

    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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