Couch Comparisons

Room & Board vs Joss & Main: Who Has Better Couches?

September 11, 2024

Is it Room & Board or Joss & Main that delivers the ultimate lounging experience? Get the lowdown right here!

Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder

Step into the arena of home comfort as Room & Board squares off against Joss & Main in a couch clash like no other. With style, durability, and design on the line, which brand will reign supreme as the ultimate provider of lounging luxury?

Side By Side

Features	Room & Board	Joss & Main
Made to Order Lead Times	4-10 weeks	6-12 weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option	$119
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option	Affirm	Multiple
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection		Varies
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin	USA	Import
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price	$$$	$$-$$$$

For those valuing style diversity and long-lasting sofas, Room & Board's premium range might be worth the investment. Their sustainability efforts are commendable, appealing to eco-conscious buyers. In comparison, Joss & Main offers trendy designs at mid-range prices, focusing on budget-friendly options while ensuring style. If sustainability and top-notch quality are key, Room & Board takes the lead with its durable, American-made couches.

BRAND #1: Room & Board

Founded in 1980, Room & Board is a veteran in the furniture industry, known for its timeless designs and commitment to American craftsmanship. They partner with local artisans and prioritize sustainability, setting ambitious goals for eco-friendly practices and materials. Their transparent approach to pricing and focus on customer satisfaction make them a trusted name in the furniture market.

Room & Board | Brand Summary

Room & Board gets it. They have a beautiful and useful website that makes shopping for a couch delightful. Their quality is excellent, their couches are made in the USA, and they have measurable and attainable sustainability goals. If their lead times were better and if they had an actual warranty on their couches then they would get a MAJOR bump in their PotatoMeter rating.

Compared to other well-known brands that offer stylish and affordable sofas, Room & Board provides a higher-end alternative with superior durability and quality. If you’re OK with those caveats, then Room & Board is a phenomenal choice for your couch purchase.

Room & Board | PotatoMeter Rating:

Online Shopping Experience Score	95%
Durability and Quality Score	91%
Shipping and Lead Time Score	89%
Vibe Check Score	97%
Customer Focus Score	87%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating	92%

Read Our Room & Board Brand Review

Room & Board | Pros & Cons

Pros

Beautiful and useful website
Excellent quality
Made in the USA
Measurable and attainable sustainability goals
"In Stock" fabric options for faster shipping
Free returns with no charge for return shipping

Cons

Long lead times for custom upholstery
Long delivery wait times
No warranty on couches
No sale events (bummer if you're looking for discounts)
Limited information on specific construction details

Room and Board offers a delightful online shopping experience with high-quality, American-made couches and a strong commitment to sustainability. However, their 4 to 10-week lead time for custom upholstery might test your patience. The $119 white glove delivery fee, while convenient, adds to the overall cost. They don't offer a warranty on their couches, relying instead on a guarantee, which could be a concern for some.

Despite these drawbacks, the focus of Room and Board furniture on quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction makes them a top contender for your next sofa purchase. Their "In Stock" fabric options are a great way to get your new couch faster, and their generous return policy provides peace of mind.

Shop Room & Board Now

BRAND #2: Joss & Main

As part of the Wayfair family, Joss & Main leverages their logistical prowess to offer a wide variety of stylish furniture at accessible prices. Their focus on trendy designs and fast shipping caters to those who crave a fresh look without the wait (or the hefty price tag). With curated collections and frequent sales, Joss & Main makes it easy to discover that perfect piece to elevate your home. Their commitment to responsible wood sourcing and use of CertiPUR-US certified foam also reflects a growing awareness of sustainability.

Joss & Main | Brand Summary

Joss and Main furniture nails that combo of current styles and actually getting it into your home fast. Their collection can be seen as the ultimate style edit, offering a curated selection of home decor items that cater to a variety of tastes. Lots of their pieces offer that two-day shipping, which is amazing if you need a new sofa, like, yesterday. Their price points are pretty reasonable, too.

I wouldn’t call Joss and Main sofas the pinnacle of couch craftsmanship (they’re made by different manufacturers across the industry and vary in quality and price point with a focus on the more low cost promotional category), but that’s not what they’re going for. Joss and Main furniture is perfect for style-conscious folks who want a fresh look without spending a fortune or waiting forever. And they do that very well.

Joss & Main | PotatoMeter Rating

Online Shopping Experience Score	92%
Durability and Quality Score	93%
Shipping and Lead Time Score	94%
Vibe Check Score	91%
Customer Focus Score	93%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating	93%

Read Our Joss & Main Brand Review

Joss & Main | Pros & Cons

Pros

Wide variety of trendy and affordable sofas
Fast shipping options available (some as fast as 2 days)
Clear shipping and lead time information
Free white glove delivery for many sofas
Variety of financing options
1-year limited warranty (standard)

Cons

Quality varies across manufacturers, not all high-end
Limited customization options beyond fabric and configuration
Return shipping costs not covered
Most sofas require assembly (though white glove service is available)
Warranty terms could be more generous and transparent

Joss & Main is a haven for the style-conscious shopper on a budget, offering a wide range of trendy sofas with surprisingly fast shipping. While they won't break the bank, don't expect the absolute highest quality craftsmanship – their focus is on delivering affordable style.

The free white-glove delivery for many sofas is a major perk, saving you the hassle of assembly. However, the return policy could be more generous, as you'll have to cover the return shipping costs.

Overall, Joss and Main is a solid choice if you're looking for a trendy sofa that won't leave you waiting (or bankrupt!). But if you're a stickler for top-notch quality and prefer more generous return policies, you might want to explore other options.

Shop Joss & Main Now

And the winner is...

In the battle of couch supremacy, Room & Board steals the show with its premium craftsmanship, sustainability focus, and diverse style offerings. For buyers seeking lasting quality and eco-friendly practices, Room & Board clinches victory as the ideal choice between the two top contenders.

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.

Expand

Learn more about our experts

Copy Link Copied!