This one, or that one? During the process of furniture shopping (or any kind of shopping), it’s only natural to weigh your options and compare them. Whether your deciding factor is price, style, availability, customization, warranty, or something else, we all like to know that the piece we’re buying is the right fit for us. This is true for recliners and reclining furniture too. That’s why today we’re comparing two of the industry’s most popular recliner manufacturers – Southern Motion vs Flexsteel.
As a furniture retailer ourselves, we’ve got over three decades experience in the upholstered furniture market. We also proudly carry seating from both Southern Motion and Flexsteel. This is why we’re uniquely situated to break it all down for you. Read on to learn about each brand, their products, and what they have to offer furniture shoppers. By the end, you’ll have a much better idea which product line is the better fit for you!
Southern Motion vs Flexsteel | Brand Head-to-Head
In business since 1883, Flexsteel is one of the most established upholstered furniture manufacturers in the business. After developing their revolutionary blue steel spring suspension system in the 1920s, they changed their name to Flexsteel. Unlike other types of upholstery suspensions on the market, Flexsteel’s unique spring eliminates weak points like clips, screws, staples, etc. that can gradually wear out. This is their calling-card and their namesake.
[Editor’s Note: For more info on Flexsteel and their unique blue steel spring, be sure to read our featured brand review on Flexsteel.]
As their name implies, Southern Motion is all about the motion. With a focus on rockers, gliders, swivel chairs, and yes, recliners, Southern Motion was born in small-town Mississippi in 1996. With the stated goal of specializing in motion furniture, they set out to make the best motion seating on the market while keeping their manufacturing local to benefit their community. They remain committed to their local workforce to this day.
Let’s see how these brands measure up as we answer the FAQs we hear on a regular basis:
Is Flexsteel Good Furniture?
Flexsteel isn’t good quality, it’s great quality! While Flexsteel still provides solid value for the price, the top-notch build quality and durability of Flexsteel’s recliners and other upholstered seating is where they really shine. Considering Flexsteel’s trusted and established hundred-year history, we’d consider Flexsteel to be a mid-to-high end brand when it comes to their reclining furniture.
Where Is Flexsteel Furniture Made?
Based in the small town of Dubuque, Iowa, much of Flexsteel’s seating is still made here in America – just like it has been for years. In fact, their stationary seating is actually built nearby in Dublin, Georgia. However, please note that some furniture pieces and some components are made overseas or imported.
Is Southern Motion Furniture Good Quality?
Absolutely. Southern Motion hasn’t been around for quite as long as some other manufacturers, but they’ve been committed to quality, comfort, and competitive pricing from day one. We’d classify Southern Motion as a mid-tier manufacturer that offers shoppers tons of features and lots of bang-for-their-buck.
Where Is Southern Motion Furniture Made?
Southern Motion is exclusively made in the USA, and proud of it! Currently, Southern Motion employs over 1,500 employees across 5 different manufacturing facilities in Mississippi. If buying American-made is a way of life for you, you’ll absolutely love Southern Motion.
Southern Motion vs Flexsteel | Products & Features
So, what should you expect from a Southern Motion recliner? Or a Flexsteel reclining sofa or sectional for that matter? Below are some of the products and features you can expect.
When it comes to upholstered seating for your living space, Flexsteel makes recliners, lift chairs, reclining sectionals, reclining loveseats and console loveseats, and more. Much of their reclining furniture is available in both power reclining and manual, and is upholstered in a range of upholstery fabrics and leathers. Their upholstery options also include things like performance fabrics and high quality semi-aniline leathers. If that’s not enough, they also have a program that lets shoppers choose their own custom upholstery options.
Similarly, Southern Motion crafts a variety of powered and manual recliners, accent chairs, reclining sectionals, reclining sofas, and reclining loveseats. Many of their chairs and recliners have gliding or rocking functions also. Speaking of functions, Southern Motion’s long list of practical, functional features is a real highlight of their lineup. With Southern Motion, you’ll find features like USB charging, wireless charging, heat and massage, cupholders, drop-down tables, adjustable headrests, adjustable lumbar supports, and so much more. Did we mention that Southern Motion offers customizable upholstery too?
Other Offerings | Non-Reclining Products
As we stated above, both of these companies are most well-known for their recliners and other reclining furniture. As such, they’re largely pigeon-holed as “recliner brands”. However, with both Flexsteel and Southern Motion, there’s more to them than meets the eye.
In addition to their vast collection of recliners and other reclining upholstery in a variety of styles, Flexsteel has recently become a whole-home furniture manufacturer. Under their homestyles brand, they now offer both quality upholstery and casegoods (i.e. beds, tables, desks, etc.) for every room in the home!
As for Southern Motion, they also make non-reclining rockers, gliders and swivel chairs in addition to their many reclining pieces. Additionally, in 2018 Southern Motion acquired fellow upholstery manufacturer Fusion Furniture and now crafts stationary sectionals, sofas, loveseats and accent chairs under that brand name too.
Southern Motion vs Flexsteel | Manufacturer Warranties
Southern Motion and Flexsteel both offer furniture shoppers excellent, multi-tiered manufacturer’s warranties. This means that both companies guarantee certain parts for the lifetime of the product, while guaranteeing other components for shorter time periods. Ultimately, Flexsteel’s warranty program is slightly better, but both of these are much better than the industry standard.
Flexsteel shows how much confidence they have in the durability of their patented blue steel spring system by giving buyers a limited lifetime warranty on internal structures including springs, metal bases, wood frames, reclining mechanisms, seat cushion foam and feather filling. Other mechanical and electrical components, sleeper mechanisms and sleeper mattresses all carry a 5-year limited warranty. Finally, finished wood, battery packs, pillow filling and miscellaneous plastic and metal components are covered by a 1-year limited warranty.
By contrast, Southern Motion’s limited lifetime warranty covers the reclining mechanism only. However, the wooden frame, springs, and cushions are covered by a solid 5-year warranty, while all lift chair components are guaranteed for 3 years. Upholstery leathers and fabrics, heating and massaging components, adjustable lumbar supports, and other electrical components are covered for 1 year after purchase.
Still Undecided? Come Try Flexsteel & Southern Motion at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet!
At the end of the day, we love both of these brands for different reasons — and we think you will too! As always, it comes down to what is most important to you. If innovative design, top-notch durability and the most robust warranty on the market is your priority, a Flexsteel recliner or reclining sofa might be perfect for you. If you want affordably-priced, quality upholstered seating that is made exclusively here in the USA, you can’t go wrong with Southern Motion.
If you’re still undecided, what better way than to check both of them out yourself? If you’re here in North Georgia, we’d love to welcome you to any of our 3 metro Atlanta and North Georgia furniture showrooms. Our flagship store in Woodstock/Acworth has over 100,000 square feet of floor space and includes upholstered and reclining seating from reputable brands like Flexsteel, Southern Motion, England Furniture, Parker Living, Bernhardt, Craftmaster, HomeStretch, Catnapper, Signature Design by Ashley, and many more! Hope to see you soon!
