Joybird: Ultimate Brand Review And Rating

Joybird Eliot Grand Sofa in teal velvet
Since its inception in 2014, Joybird has been on a mission to disrupt the bland furniture scene. But are their eye-popping color options and stylish sofa selections more form than function? Or have they managed to have the best of both worlds? We break down everything you need to know about Joybird couches and reveal our PotatoMeter rating.

Overall Potatometer Rating:

0 %

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.

96%

Online Shopping Experience

94%

Shipping & Lead Time

92%

Customer Focus

93%

Durability & Quality

94%

Vibe Check

Our Own Rating System

The PotatoMeter is Couch.com’s very own rating system that grades furniture retailers on a variety of – what we consider to be – essential criteria. While we aim to be fair and objective in our assessment, subjectivity based on our expertise and personal biases is unavoidable.

96%

Online Shopping Experience

Joybird: Online Shopping Experience

Joybird’s website is clean and professional. It feels like scrolling through a very well-curated Instagram feed. They were trailblazers in the online couch shopping space and their experience shows. Their information is clearly displayed and they’ve really keyed in on exactly what customers want and need. There are only a few small issues that keep the shopping experience from being perfect.


Ease of Navigation

  • The homepage is beautiful and gives you access to the couch shopping categories without scrolling. I love this decision. You can then scroll down to the fluffy and fun content if you’re so inclined (and you should!).
  • There are a good number of filters to help you narrow your search. Since “width” is a filter, I’d also like to see other dimensional options like “height” or “depth.”
  • Menus are beautiful and feature a nice big image that gets replaced by subcategories when you hover over a main category. Thumbnails for subcategories are also a nice and helpful touch.
  • Product pages took longer to load than other similar websites, which made me less willing to click into a bunch of different couch options. A “Quick View” option on the category page would be helpful here.
  • The “Add to Bag” button has tiny white text and it often gets pushed so far down the page that you have to scroll to find it. It should never be difficult to find the button for adding your choice to your bag for checkout. That’s rule #1 of ecommerce.
  • One personal nitpick is the “Add to Bag” naming convention. It just feels wrong to add a couch to a bag instead of a cart. It feels like it’s devaluing the purchase, which isn’t what you want when spending thousands of dollars on a product.


Information Available “At-A-Glance”

  • Joybird lists the couch name, the price (and any sale price), a couple popular fabric options, the number of additional fabric options, and a few tags to let you know about any special features (Top Seller, GreenGuard Gold fabric options, etc).
  • A “Ready To Ship” tag lets you know if a couch style has the option to order a ready-made couch, which will significantly cut down the lead time.
  • 23 of the 36 couches had a “Top Seller” tag, which devalued the purpose of having a tag like that in the first place. I’d like to only see 3-5 with that tag instead. (The other 13 all said “Trending,” similarly unhelpful).


Product Images

  • The main “Sofas” category page displayed every couch in a gray or “greige” fabric. This made for a bland scroll. I can see the value in showing all couches in one color, but the decision seems to be at odds with the rest of Joybird’s colorful and vibrant presentation.
  • Product pages feature 2 image carousels, one to let you see the couch from every side and another to show the couch’s featured details and other lifestyle images. This second carousel was far off on the left side and I nearly missed it completely. This could be more prominent.
  • Selecting a dark fabric makes many of the details completely disappear in product images. This makes it hard to really judge the fabric. This is especially problematic on the main category page when you pick a dark color filter from the top menu. It’s nearly impossible to tell any of the couches apart at that point.


Quality of Product Information

  • Scrolling down keeps the big couch image on the left side while information changes on the right. This was really nice as it allowed me to keep looking at the couch as I read more information and customer reviews.
  • The truly important details are shown on a “Details and product care + ” link that opens an individual tear sheet page that covers the whole screen. I didn’t love the feeling of being taken out of the shopping window to read this info. However, the tear sheet is extremely detailed and full of super valuable, specific information. That’s a big plus.
  • I’d also like to see more diagrams overlaid over real couch images so that I could get more context for what the dimensions mean. Some styles have it, others don’t. This is an odd omission considering how great the rest of their information and images are.
  • Hovering over a fabric option brings up a small window with more details about the fabric. This was a really great way to handle this info.
  • Different fabrics have different prices, which will be listed when you hover over them. Great! However, they’re listed as +$260 or +$340, so once you click around on different fabrics it starts to get confusing as to what the original price actually was. For instance, clicking a +$260 fabric increases the price on the page, but if you hover over a +$340 fabric it doesn’t change to say +$80. It still says +$340. To make matters worse, those prices are all pre-sale prices, so the math never seems like it’s lining up.
  • There was no way to filter reviews by lowest rating, which always raises one of my potato eyebrows. People always want to see bad reviews and it never feels great as a consumer to get cut off from the juicy stuff.


Extra Bells & Whistles

  • Nice tab system on product pages for switching to “Ready to Ship” options, as well as a tab to lock in your price even if you haven’t chosen a fabric yet (so as to score the current sale price).
  • The AR feature to “see it in your room” works well, but I’d only use it to see if I liked the color and the style. It’s not precise enough to use for determining exact dimensions.
  • Joybird offers slipcovers for a couple of their select couch styles, which is very unique for this type of retailer.

94%

Shipping & Lead Time

Joybird: Shipping & Lead Times

Shipping, delivery, and lead times are always a tricky business in the world of online couch shopping. Joybird’s couches need to be constructed, then shipped across the border, then handed off to a 3rd party delivery partner, then delivered to your home. There are many places along this chain where things can get delayed or go wrong. But Joybird manages to do an admirable job in this department, all things considered.


Made to Order Products:

  • It takes roughly 4-8 weeks for your couch to be built after you place your order. It will then begin the shipping process.


In Stock Items:

  • It takes up to 2 weeks for “Ready to Ship” couches to actually begin the shipping process.


Shipping Time:

  • Once shipped, your couch takes about 2 weeks to arrive at your home. However, Joybird covers themselves by including some language on their website that says their estimates can be off by up to 10 days (which would mean another 2 weeks in terms of business days). So don’t be surprised if the shipping time is more like 4 weeks.

92%

Customer Focus

Joybird: Customer Focus

Our goal at Couch.com is to provide customers with the information they need to find the best couch for their home. We take customer satisfaction very seriously. So how does Joybird stack up to the competition when it comes to customer friendly resources and offerings?


Warranty:

  • Joybird provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty on craftsmanship (frame, joints, sinuous springs, etc).
  • Joybird also has a One Year Limited Warranty on material defects (seams, fabric, cushions, tufting, legs, etc).
  • A 5 Year Extended Warranty from ServeCo covers all sorts of general accidents and problems. It’s $217 for the “Life Happens” plan or $273 for the “Pet Protector” plan, which has added coverage for any pet related incidents.


Return Options:

  • Joybird gives customers 90 days to return a couch, but it must be in like new condition. The customer is also responsible for return shipping costs, which could be hundreds of dollars. Customers are also on the hook for a 15% restocking fee. This can all add up very fast.
  • Joybird has quietly killed their 365 day trial period, which used to be the gold standard in online couch shopping.
  • To get a full refund, you must cancel your order within 24 hours. Otherwise you’ll be charged a 10% fee. It may feel harsh, but not when you consider that placing an order means they start building an entire couch on your behalf, it’s pretty fair.
  • You can exchange for a new couch within 30 days, but you’ll have to pay for the new couch upfront and wait to be reimbursed once they receive the original couch. This means you could be in the financial hole for months.
  • Some couches are FINAL SALE. They do say this on the product page and in your “bag,” but I personally think it could be made more clear to the customer.


Delivery Options & Costs:

  • Joybird provides a flat rate for delivery, which is calculated based on your zip code. This service includes the delivery team bringing the couch into the room of your choice and removing all packaging. However, they do not perform any assembly, should it be needed (usually just screwing in legs).
  • This flat rate price seems to start at $129. I played around with zip codes and managed to get the price as high as $299 (sorry couch shoppers in Marfa, Texas). So $129 – $299 is what you can expect for delivery costs. There are no other options.


Financing Options:

  • Joybird has partnered with Affirm to offer up to 18 month financing between 0-36%APR. You can pre-qualify before you buy.


Is Assembly Required?

  • No, for the most part. You’ll likely only need to screw in some legs or attach your sectional pieces. Otherwise, couches are delivered fully intact.


Customization Options:

  • There are dozens of fabrics to choose from. There are different fabric families, each with their own sets of colors. You’ll definitely find several you love.
  • Certain couch collections are also available in top grain leather, which is one of the highest leather grades.
  • I was surprised that leg stains were not customizable. Most of Joybird’s couches have simple, screw-in legs, so you’d think they could offer several stain colors or looks.


Does Joybird Offer Free Fabric Swatches?

  • Yes, Joybird provides their entire swatch collection for free in one single box. If you want swatches, your only option is getting the entire box. On one hand that’s great, but on the other hand it can be pretty wasteful if you only wanted to see 2 or 3 swatches.

93%

Durability & Quality

Joybird: Durability & Quality

Durability is a major factor when it comes to purchasing a couch, especially when you’re ordering online. Joybird states, “We believe in creating handcrafted furniture from the finest materials, at fair prices, customized by our customers to meet their exact needs.” So do Joybird couches hold up over time as they claim? Joybird utilizes generally high quality materials and construction considering the price point. They have a wide range of fabrics, though some are not nearly as durable as others. However, their overall quality is what you’d hope to find in this price range.


Quality of Materials:

  • Huge variety of fabrics to choose from. They even have an incredible page that details all of their fabrics. BUT (and it is a big “but”) they do not list the double rub count for the fabrics, even on this detailed page. I’m puzzled by this choice since most of their fabrics are well above the 50,000 double rub count threshold to qualify as commercial grade. So why not simply list that info?
  • They use top grain leather, which is among the highest leather grades available. That’s fantastic for the price.
  • Their cushions generally have 2.0 high density foam cores with a softer foam wrap. This is a exactly what you’d hope for in this price range. No corner cutting here.


Cleanability:

  • Their fabrics are generally very cleanable and they do a great job listing the cleaning codes for all of their fabrics. They list their fabrics in tiers, which means Tier 1 will be the least stain resistant, while Tier 3 and Tier 4 will be much more durable.
  • Performance fabrics are extra durable and great for stains, pets, or households with kids.


Quality of Construction & Manufacturing Origin:

  • Joybird’s couches are made to order in Tijuana, Mexico.
  • The couch frames are generally kiln-dried hardwood or engineered wood. Both of these are very durable options for couch construction. But I would like to know how many layers they use for their engineered wood.
  • Their frames are typically block jointed, glued, stapled, and screwed. This is common in this price range, though I’d prefer to see fewer staples used in the process.
  • Most couches use a sinuous spring system, which is a great option for this price tier and should hold up for a long time.

94%

Vibe Check

Joybird: Brand Vibe Check

Vibing with a brand is important. Brands can also promote certain lifestyles and sustainability goals. That’s why it’s my goal to help you find a company and brand that you vibe with so that you’re as comfortable with your new couch as you are on your new couch.

Key Differentiators & Unique Facts:

  • Joybird set the standard for online couch shopping. If they don’t seem that unique now it’s only because they’ve been copied by so many different brands and stores. But we definitely want to give them credit for blazing the trail.
  • That whole Mid-Century Modern interior design boom? Yeah, that was basically due to Joybird’s influence, too. But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what they say on their site, “[We’re] inspired by the Mid Century movement of the 1950s and 60s, from designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Cara Greenburg and Eero Saarinen. […] We live, eat and breathe Mid Century Modern inspired furniture and are thrilled to do what we do.”


Sustainability:

  • Many couches now have GreenGuard Gold fabric options, which are great for people who are concerned about chemicals or off-gassing.
  • Joybird partnered with One Tree Planted to create volunteering opportunities and raise awareness.
  • They’ve introduced a new bedroom collection that features reclaimed hardwood and some fabrics are made from recycled materials.
  • Their couches are built in Mexico, which means that they avoid most of the cargo ship carbon footprint impact, which is actually a bigger deal than you might think.


Overall Brand Presentation:

  • They’ve grown up over the years and have now become an extremely professional, polished, and posh brand. Their vibrant, fun colors and cute styles are the epitome of #stylegoals.

Joybird Eliot Grand Sofa in teal velvet

What are Joybird's top couches?

Signature Best Seller:

  • Briar Sofa ($2,736 but $1,913 at 30% off). This Mid-Century Modern standard has been a top seller for years. Note, you should always buy from Joybird when they’re having a sale.


Couch That Intrigues Me The Most:

  • Denna Grand Sofa ($3,116 but $2,181 at 30% off). You can’t put this many pillows on a sofa and not pique my interest. The knife-edge pillows, the chic platform style seating, and the plush look are all extremely intriguing.


Hidden Gem:

  • Brooks Twin Sleeper Sofa ($2,406 but $1,684 at 30% off). This is a great little sleeper sofa that could be perfect as a guest bed for even the smallest of apartments. It could also make a very practical piece for a nursery if you want to catch some winks after checking on your baby in the middle of the night. It’s also cute as a button.

How much do Joybird couches cost?

You should never buy Joybird couches if they’re not on sale. Repeat, you should never buy Joybird couches if they’re not on sale. Joybird is almost always on sale for upwards of 30% off. This means that their true prices is the discounted price, NOT the full price. Joybird’s prices, with that in mind, are right in that lower to mid-range price tier. They’re priced appropriately for their quality.


Average Range:

  • Joybird couches are typically between $1,600 – $2,800 for a standard 3-seater sofa (when on sale).


Most Expensive Joybird Couch:


Least Expensive Joybird Couch:

  • Korver Apartment Sofa ( $1,813) is the least expensive, legitimate indoor couch available ($1,269 on 30% sale).

Does Joybird have good reviews?

Joybird is a highly-regarded company that usually pulls in stellar reviews.

Overall Brand Reviews:

  • Joybird hovers around the 4 star mark when graded by 3rd party, unaffiliated reviewers. This is great for such a tricky industry.


Top Product Reviews:

  • Briar Sofa 5 star review: “I love my sofa! It’s beautiful and comfortable. Customer service was great, I received updates as the sofa was being built, it arrived just when they said it would, and delivery was easy and professional.” – HB
  • Briar Sofa 1 star review: “Now we’ve had this couch for less than two years and already the couch makes a noise when someone sits on a specific part on the couch. For a couch that was $1,500, these kinds of problems should not be happening. Also, the back cushions are beginning to warp from regular use. If I could go back in time I would have gone with a different company or just buy a real vintage couch. This one wasn’t worth the cost.” – Jenny


Customer Service Reviews:

  • Joybird has great customer service reviews, but the complexity of the couch shipping and delivery industry means that if a customer has a problem it’s usually a big problem. As a result, you’ll find plenty of reviews online saying that Joybird’s customer service is awful, though I’m certain based on the context that most people are just disappointed by the delivery timeline or the 3rd party delivery company as opposed to Joybird’s customer service itself.

What kind of style is Joybird furniture?

Joybird’s bread and butter was once Mid-Century Modern couches, but they’ve since expanded to offer tons of contemporary and modern options. However, they do not have many traditional options like rolled arm, camelback, or slipcovered/skirted. But the options they do have are very stylish and chic and trendy.

Range of Couch Options:

  • Joybird features couch options that range from single armchairs all the way up to massive, modular sectionals. Their primary focus is on standard couches and 2 piece sectional couches. They also have a wonderful selection of chic sleeper sofas that don’t compromise on style.


Range of Couch Styles:

  • Joybird skews trendy, featuring Mid-Century Modern, contemporary, and modern styles. They’re the types of couches you’ll see on Instagram in someone’s impossibly beautiful home.
  • Joybird also has a number of extremely stylish sleeper sofas that you’d never guess had complete mattresses hidden inside.


Does Joybird Have Other Products Besides Couches?

  • Yes, Joybird offers furniture and home decor for the whole house. But their emphasis is still on made-to-order couches.

What are some alternatives to Joybird?

Joybird is a mid-range, predominantly online-only couch company. If you like their style and their price point, here are some similar brands to consider!

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