Couch Comparisons

West Elm vs BenchMade Modern: Who Has Better Couches?

Curious to find the best couch for your space? Explore the worlds of West Elm and BenchMade Modern to uncover the ultimate sofa solution for you.
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
West Elm vs BenchMade Modern

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    Step into the arena where style and comfort collide! The battleground is set as West Elm and BenchMade Modern go head-to-head in the couch showdown of the century. Join us as we explore the realms of luxury, durability, and design prowess.

    Side By Side

    Features
    West Elm
    BenchMade Modern
    Made to Order Lead Times 8+ weeks 2-6 weeks
    Free Shipping Option
    White Glove Delivery Option $279-$429 $399
    Return Option
    Warranty Included
    Financing Option Affirm Affirm
    Assembly Required
    Large Fabric Selection
    Free Swatches Available
    Manufacturing Origin Import USA
    Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price $$-$$$ $$$$

    As you embark on your sofa quest, exploring West Elm and BenchMade Modern unveils a world of choices. West Elm offers diverse styles with a sustainability focus, whereas BenchMade Modern emphasizes customization and generous warranties. The brands range from mid to luxury price points, providing options for various budgets. When it comes to style, durability, sustainability, and overall value, each brand presents unique benefits, ensuring a tailored sofa experience for every discerning buyer.


    BRAND #1: West Elm

    West Elm logo featuring the brand name in lowercase, black, sans-serif font on a white background.

    West Elm launched in 2002 and opened its first storefront in 2003. They're owned and operated by Williams-Sonoma who also owns Pottery Barn. Despite their corporate nature, West Elm actually has a great emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives.

    West Elm | Brand Summary

    West Elm has stylish, modern furniture with the quality and backing of the Williams-Sonoma brand. They have surprisingly competitive prices considering their selection and their quality. They also get some points for focusing on sustainability and supporting a worldwide community of artisans.

    But operating under the umbrella of Williams-Sonoma does have downsides. Most of West Elm's couches are imported from overseas, they don't have any meaningful warranty program, and the lead times could be better than they are. West Elm's prices are more affordable than other brands with similar styles, but there's also not a strong reason why you should choose West Elm over another brand that has better lead times and a stronger customer focus.

    West Elm | PotatoMeter Rating:

    Online Shopping Experience Score 85%
    Durability and Quality Score 88%
    Shipping and Lead Time Score 84%
    Vibe Check Score 93%
    Customer Focus Score 82%
    Overall PotatoMeter Rating 86%
    Read Our West Elm Brand Review

    West Elm | Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Large selection of stylish sofas
    • In-stock couches ship quickly
    • Competitive pricing, especially on their leather options
    • 3rd party warranty option
    • Strong sustainability initiatives
    • Has brick-and-mortar locations

    Cons

    • Couches are all imported
    • No standard warranty
    • Can't return made to order couches
    • 7 day return window may not apply even to In-Stock options
    • Shockingly low 1.1 star rating on TrustPilot

    Is West Elm good quality? The brand has become a go-to brand for stylish sofas at surprisingly affordable prices. But those lower prices come at a cost. There’s no standard warranty on their couches, made-to-order couches can’t be returned, and their 7-day return window may not apply to their In-Stock or Quick Ship couches. That could make them an expensive gamble. Additionally, West Elm has a very low 1.1-star rating on Trustpilot, which could give you pause. But one saving grace is that you can purchase a 3-year Allstate Protection warranty for your sofa. This covers accidents, stains, material damage, and more.

    On the positive side, West Elm has a huge number of glamorous couches to choose from. They’re also generally available in a wide range of luxury fabrics. So you can really design a couch that you love. The pricing is wonderfully competitive for their quality and the number of sofa styles available. West Elm also has plenty of brick-and-mortar locations where you can test out their couches in person. And if sustainability is important to you, West Elm has some impressive initiatives on that front. However, they are part of a big corporate umbrella, which might negatively affect some shoppers.

    Shop West Elm Now

    BRAND #2: BenchMade Modern

    The image displays the logo of "Benchmade Modern," featuring the company name in a clean, sans-serif font. "BENCHMADE" is written in larger letters, while "MODERN" is written below it in smaller letters, all in black against a white background.

    BenchMade Modern is a brand that prides itself on challenging the norms of the luxury furniture industry. They offer custom-made sofas with surprisingly fast lead times, manufactured in the USA. Their unique selling point is their customization process, which allows you to tailor your sofa to your exact preferences, from the fabric to the leg color and even the depth. While their prices lean towards the luxury end of the spectrum, their lifetime warranty on frames and generous return policy offer peace of mind. With quirky sofa names and a focus on customer satisfaction, BenchMade Modern caters to a new generation of design enthusiasts who value individuality and convenience.

    BenchMade Modern | Brand Summary

    BenchMade Modern is a cool brand with a laid-back energy. BenchMade Modern's offerings include some industry-dominating lead times for custom couches (which are made right here in the USA!). Plus they have lifetime warranties on their frames and a seriously generous 100-day return window.

    BenchMade Modern | PotatoMeter Rating

    Online Shopping Experience Score 89%
    Durability and Quality Score 93%
    Shipping and Lead Time Score 94%
    Vibe Check Score 88%
    Customer Focus Score 92%
    Overall PotatoMeter Rating 96%
    Read Our BenchMade Modern Brand Review

    BenchMade Modern | Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Fast lead times for custom-made sofas (2-6 weeks)
    • Lifetime warranty on frames
    • 10-year warranty on sleeper mechanisms
    • Generous 100-day return window with free return shipping
    • High-quality fabrics (30,000 to 100,000 double rub counts)
    • Offer full-grain and top-grain leather options
    • Wide range of customization options (size, fabric, leg color, depth)

    Cons

    • Expensive compared to similar quality sofas from other brands
    • Use of plywood in some frames
    • Limited cushion options (foam and fiber or foam and trillium)
    • Minimal sustainability initiatives beyond manufacturing in the USA

    BenchMade Modern, the self-proclaimed "rebellious luxury" brand, offers a tempting proposition: custom-made sofas with quick turnaround times, backed by a generous warranty and return policy. However, the allure fades slightly when you consider their premium price point, which doesn't always align with the materials and construction quality.

    While their high-quality fabrics and leather options are a definite plus, the use of plywood in some frames and stapled joints might leave discerning buyers wanting more. Additionally, their online customization process could use some streamlining to avoid potential confusion.

    However, if you're drawn to their unique designs and prioritize fast delivery and a hassle-free return policy, BenchMade furniture might just be your perfect match. Just be prepared to pay a premium for the privilege of owning one of their "rebellious" creations.

    Shop BenchMade Modern Now

    And the winner is...

    In the battle of the couch titans, the crown goes to BenchMade Modern. With its emphasis on customization, premium warranties, and top-notch quality, BenchMade Modern stands out as the champion of this showdown. For those seeking a tailored and luxurious sofa experience, BenchMade Modern proves to be the ultimate winner in this comparison.

    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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