Are you wondering whether to go for Sabai or Medley? Find out who has the better couches!
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Ready to elevate your living room with a top-notch couch? Today, we're diving into the competition between Sabai and Medley to determine which brand offers the crème de la crème of comfy seating options. Get your popcorn ready for this sofa showdown!
Side By Side
Features
Sabai
Medley
Made to Order Lead Times
2-5 weeks
8+ weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$175
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
USA
USA
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$-$$$
$$$-$$$$
Alright, when it comes to picking between Sabai and Medley, here's the breakdown. Sabai offers a faster lead time, free shipping, and a somewhat more affordable price range. On the flip side, Medley shines with lifetime warranties, outstanding craftsmanship, natural materials, and a generous return policy. If you're leaning toward sustainable practices and quick delivery, Sabai might be your choice. However, if you prioritize high-quality materials, craftsmanship, and warranty coverage, Medley could be the winner for your cozy couch needs.
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.
Medley was founded in 2017 by two brothers, Travis and Ryan Nagle. But their story actually begins in 2005 when they were selling sofas out of their living room. They are one of the only couch companies offering ultra-green material options.
Medley | Brand Summary
Medley is a rare company that actually delivers on its promises of top-of-the-line craftsmanship, all-natural material options, and sustainability. They offer an excellent, hand-crafted product, but their prices can be a bit too high for the average consumer and their lead times can be excessive.
But if you want a made in the USA couch with wonderfully-natural materials, lifetime warranties, and a competitive price point, then Medley should be the first place you look. And chances are it will be the only place you have to look.
Extremely high quality materials and craftsmanship
Lifetime warranty on sofa frames and 5+ year warranty on materials
Generous 30 day return policy
Cons
Limited sofa style options
Fabric selection can significantly raise sofa price
Latex + Wool option can be pricey
Lead times can be extremely long
No brick-and-mortar stores
It can be hard to find any flaws in Medley’s business. But while their standard couches usually have lead times of 8-10 weeks (not counting delivery), their wonderful Latex + Wool options often take 14+ weeks to build. That’s a long time to wait, especially when there are no brick-and-mortar stores where you can test out their couches. Their base prices are great considering the high-quality materials and craftsmanship, but choosing a higher-tier fabric and their natural Latex + Wool materials will significantly raise the sofa price. But they’ll still be cheaper than Maiden Home’s offerings. Medley’s styles are nice, but they might be a little bland, depending on your tastes.
However, the pros vastly outweigh the cons. Their plant-based Latex + Wool material options are incredible and put Medley in a class of its own. Their wood is sourced from sustainable forests, their fabrics are eco-friendly, and every aspect of their construction process considers the sustainability impact. They also use a high-quality spring system similar to 8-way hand-tied suspensions. This is top-tier craftsmanship. Their frames also come with a lifetime warranty, the cushion filling has a 10-year warranty, and the upholstery workmanship has a 5-year warranty. Add in their 30-day return policy and there’s a whole lot to like about Medley.
After an in-depth comparison, Medley takes the crown for the best couch brand with its exceptional craftsmanship, natural materials, outstanding warranty coverage, and generous return policy. If you're looking for a top-tier couch that combines sustainability and quality, Medley is the clear standout. Sabai's focus on sustainability and affordability is commendable, but when it comes to overall excellence, Medley reigns supreme in the world of luxurious seating.
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.
