Which is Better? Flexsteel vs. Bassett Reclining Sofas?

Which is Better? Flexsteel vs. Bassett Reclining Sofas?

Customer Question

I am shopping for leather reclining sofas and am considering the Bassett Williams collection and the Flexsteel Lattitudes Trip collection. The cost is about the same on both. Which is better?

Both of these reclining sofas are mass produced mid-range power reclining sofas. This is a furniture category with a very high percentage of consumer complaints.
 
Neither of these sofas is all-leather. At the prices quoted ($3500+) most people expect to be receiving durable, comfortable "real" leather furniture that will last for 10 years or more. That is not what you are getting.
 
  • The Bassett Williams is "leather match."  This means that the interior portions (seat, inside back, inside arms) are top grain protected leather. The rest of the piece is a matching vinyl or other faux leather. 
  • Flexsteel's Latitude Trip material is unknown. They do not list it on any of the written specifications. It is almost certainly not all-leather. If it was, that would have been very clearly highlighted in the specifications. Also, the Latitudes collection rarely offers all-leather. Most of their products are "leather match" or "bonded leather."
    • Bonded leather is a horrendous material. Do not buy bonded leather furniture at any price! Over the past decade, there have been thousands of consumer complaints about peeling bonded leathers, often within 1 - 3 years after purchase. It cannot be repaired and all furniture warranties specifically exclude coverage for bonded leather problems.
    • Flexsteel's Nuvo Leather is a bonded leather.
    • At these prices, I am inclined to believe Flexsteel is using "leather match" for the sofa, but I would double-check before purchasing.
The biggest problem with reclining sofas in this category is the foam used in the non-removable seat cushions. The foam will begin to compress within one year. After that, the sofas will gradually become less comfortable. 
 
  • Many people find their expensive reclining furniture to be significantly less comfortable after 3 - 5 years. 
  • 5 years is the average lifespan for mid-range reclining furniture with non-removable seat cushions. 
  • If you are larger than average or like to shift the position of your seat more than most other people, there is a good chance that your seat cushion foam will wear out even faster.
  • Better quality (more expensive) reclining furniture can have its lifespan increased by replacing seat cushion cores when they wear out. The cost is prohibitive for replacing foam in non-replaceable seat cushions. 
Fancy power reclining mechanisms with multiple options have more problems than simpler power (or manual) mechanisms.
 
  • Mechanisms add considerable weight to the furniture. This puts extra stress on the frame.
  • Usually, this does not matter since the seat cushions are more likely to wear out before serious frame (or mechanical) problems are experienced.
Many people buy "leather" reclining furniture because they think it will last a very long time. 
 
  • The leather (or leather match) on the sofa will probably outlast all the other parts of the furniture. 
  • Lower cost faux leathers, except for bonded leather, should also outlast the rest of the reclining sofa in most cases.
These reclining sofas sell for $3500 or more, depending on discount sales and options. Are you willing to spend that amount for furniture that may need replacement within 5 years or less?
 
The photo shown above is from the Flexsteel Latitudes Trip Collection.
 
 
 

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