Who will win the title of top couch brand in the sustainable and stylish sofa arena: Sabai or Burrow?
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Wondering which couch brand, Sabai or Burrow, takes the crown for comfort and style?
Side By Side
Features
Sabai
Burrow
Made to Order Lead Times
2-5 weeks
N/A
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
USA
USA + Import
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$-$$$
$$-$$$
Sabai and Burrow both offer eco-friendly and stylish sofas, with Sabai providing made-to-order options and Burrow specializing in modular designs. While Sabai boasts eco-friendly materials and a transparent manufacturing process, Burrow stands out with high-tech features like built-in phone chargers. Customers may find Sabai appealing for its sustainability practices, while Burrow caters to those looking for modular and modern couch options.
BRAND #1: Sabai
Sabai is a women-led company on a mission to make sustainable furniture accessible and stylish. Founded with a commitment to environmental responsibility, Sabai uses recycled and natural materials to create modern, comfortable sofas. Their transparent manufacturing processes and unique "Sabai Revive" buyback program further solidify their commitment to a circular economy. With a focus on both design and sustainability, Sabai is a brand that resonates with consumers who want to make a positive impact on the planet without sacrificing style or comfort.
Sabai | Brand Summary
Sabai is making a significant impact in the furniture industry by focusing on sustainability and affordability. Their sofas are eco-friendly, stylish, and comfortable, making them an excellent choice for those who value design and environmental responsibility. The quality of their products is evident in the craftsmanship and attention to detail. From my first impression, Sabai stands out for its commitment to sustainability, reflected in their use of recycled and natural materials alongside a transparent, customer-focused brand vibe.
Eco-friendly materials (recycled and upcycled fabrics, FSC-certified wood)
Stylish and comfortable designs
Made-to-order with reasonable lead times (2-5 weeks)
30-day return policy
Free fabric swatches available
Transparent manufacturing process and sustainable practices
Cons
Assembly required
Limited customization options beyond fabric and legs
Return shipping not covered
No white-glove delivery service option
Limited firmness options for cushions
Sabai, a champion of sustainable furniture, offers stylish and comfortable sofas that appeal to eco-conscious consumers. Their commitment to using recycled and upcycled materials, along with transparent manufacturing processes, sets them apart in the industry. However, their limited customization options and the requirement for assembly might not suit everyone's needs.
While their 30-day return policy is reasonable, the fact that return shipping isn't covered could be a drawback for some. Additionally, the absence of white-glove delivery might be inconvenient for those who prefer a hassle-free experience.
Overall, Sabai sofas offer a compelling combination of style, sustainability, and comfort. If you value eco-friendly practices and are willing to put in a bit of effort for assembly, Sabai could be the perfect brand for your next sofa purchase.
Burrow is an online-only retailer that was founded in 2016. The original idea was actually a class project before it transformed into a real company. Burrow's goal was to modernize the entire couch shopping and couch ownership experience. Modularity, expandability, and ease of assembly were the core principles.
Burrow | Brand Summary
Burrow provides a clever and creative solution to the many issues that have historically plagued couches – bulkiness, inflexibility, and immobility to name a few. Burrow’s modern, modular methodology has some major benefits over the competition, but it also leads to several flaws that are hard to gloss over. Their emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices are admirable and commendable. However, the materials used for their modular couches are not as high a quality as you’d hope for given the price.
Burrow’s primary goal is to modernize the furniture market. Their couches are designed to be modular and expandable so that they can grow with you. They’re also delivered in boxes and easily assembled and disassembled. Great for apartment dwellers!
Burrow’s couches ship for free via FedEx, though you might end up with a dozen boxes if you order a sectional. Their couches come with a 1-year warranty on craftsmanship. A Mulberry extended warranty is also available, which protects against accidents and damage.
Several of Burrow’s couches have multiple customization options so you can really design a sofa that suits your style. There are also modern, high-tech options like having a phone charger built right into the couch. Perfect for those nights you’re browsing on your phone while half-watching “Love is Blind” on TV.
One of Burrow’s drawbacks is that the material quality could be better. It’s not terrible at the lower end of their price range, but for their higher-priced couches, the cushions could feature higher-quality fill materials. On top of that, their business model implies that their couches will be inexpensive, but they can actually get quite pricey.
Lead times are also longer than you’d expect. If a couch is in-stock it could ship out in 1-2 weeks. It could take 4-6 weeks or even 4 months if not. And once your couch arrives, assembly can be much more challenging than advertised.
In the showdown between Sabai and Burrow, the winner emerges as Sabai. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, a wide fabric selection, and transparent manufacturing, Sabai takes the throne in providing eco-friendly and stylish couches.
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.
