Want to know where to find the perfect couch for your home: Joybird or Castlery?
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Are you in the market for a new couch but torn between Joybird and Castlery? Let's explore their features and offerings to help you make the perfect choice for your home.
Side By Side
Features
Joybird
Castlery
Made to Order Lead Times
4-8 Weeks
N/A
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$129-$299
$100-$150
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm
Affirm
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
Mexico
Asia
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$$
$$
In a side by side comparison, Joybird stands out for its extensive fabric selection, fast lead times, and lifetime warranty on sofa frames. Alternatively, Castlery shines with its high style at low prices and impressively fast shipping times. Both brands have their unique perks and drawbacks, making the choice between them a matter of personal preference and priorities.
BRAND #1: Joybird
Joybird was launched in 2013 and instantly charmed the world with their Instagram-worthy couches. They've since cemented themselves as one of the top online furniture brands. They are currently owned by La-Z-Boy.
Joybird | Brand Summary
Joybird has stood the test of time and firmly cemented themselves as one of the best online couch retailers at their price point. They have a professional-yet-fun presentation, offer great quality products for the price, and allow customers to pick from dozens of beautiful fabrics.
I have a few minor gripes with the website shopping experience and I’d encourage everyone to thoroughly examine the shipping and return policies, but overall there’s very little to criticize. Dare I say that Joybird sparks joy? I do dare.
Couch Potato Note: Joybird is almost always on sale for up to 30% off. For this review, their price point is assumed to be 30% off the listed price. You should always wait for a sale before you buy a couch from Joybird (and you won’t have to wait very long). For all intents and purposes, their sale price is their actual price.
Joybird presents itself as a fun, trendy, and flashy brand. And for the most part, their couches deliver on that promise. But there are a few aspects that might detract from their appeal. Their couches are all made in Mexico, which also means that their lead times are not quite as good as other brands. Pricey white glove delivery and potentially costly returns might make ordering online feel like a gamble. And while Joybird has a huge fabric selection for their custom couches, choosing certain fabrics can add hundreds of dollars to your order.
On the flip side, Joybird has many brick-and-mortar locations in major metropolitan areas, allowing you to test out their couches in person. This is rare for an online couch company but is a major perk. Like Apt2B, Joybird has a large selection of stylish couches in a huge range of sizes and configurations. They offer loveseats all the way up through large modular sectional sofas. Joybird also has a great selection of affordable sofa beds and sleeper sectional sofas. They also back their high-quality couch frames with a lifetime warranty as well as a 1-year warranty on their top-tier upholstery craftsmanship. If you want it, Joybird has it.
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 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. Castlery's 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.
In the showdown between Joybird and Castlery, Castlery emerges as the winner with its high style offerings at budget-friendly prices, impressively fast shipping times, and a generous 3-year warranty on sofa frames. While Joybird has its merits, Castlery's combination of affordability and design excellence tips the scales in its favor.
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.
