Couch Comparisons

Joybird vs Castlery: Who Has Better Couches?

Ever wondered how Joybird fares against Castlery in the quest for the perfect couch? Uncover the secrets of these furniture favorites and decide which one steals the show!
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Joybird vs Castlery

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    Step into the ring of furniture fandom as we pit Joybird against Castlery! Get revved up to explore the ins and outs of these chic couch contenders battling it out for your living room throne.

    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 terms of style, durability, sustainability, and overall value, Joybird presents a premium option with a wide range of styles and high-quality materials, ideal for those seeking long-lasting and stylish furniture. Meanwhile, Castlery offers a budget-friendly alternative, focusing on contemporary designs, decent durability, and customer-centric approaches, making it suitable for budget-conscious buyers looking for modern flair in their living spaces.


    BRAND #1: Joybird

    A teal-colored bird logo with the word "JOYBIRD" in uppercase letters to the right of the bird. The bird is standing on two legs with a raised tail. The design appears on a white background.

    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 | PotatoMeter Rating:

    Online Shopping Experience Score 94%
    Durability and Quality Score 91%
    Shipping and Lead Time Score 92%
    Vibe Check Score 92%
    Customer Focus Score 90%
    Overall PotatoMeter Rating 92%
    Read Our Joybird Brand Review

    Joybird | Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Huge fabric selection
    • Very fast lead times
    • High quality materials for the price
    • Tons of couch styles and sizes
    • Lifetime warranty on sofa frames
    • Has some brick-and-mortar locations

    Cons

    • Couches made in Mexico, not USA
    • No free delivery option
    • Returns can be costly
    • Fabrics have different grades/prices

    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 furniture 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.

    Shop Joybird Now

    BRAND #2: 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

    And the winner is...

    After examining style, durability, sustainability, and overall value, Joybird shines as the definitive winner, providing top-notch quality, a wide style range, and a premium feel. Its emphasis on sustainability and craftsmanship sets it apart, making Joybird the ultimate choice for those seeking long-lasting and stylish furniture.

    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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