Few purchases are as headache-inducing as buying a sofa, especially online. Once you find a style you like with a price tag you can afford, the questions start creeping in: What if it's not comfortable? Will it look like the pictures? Can I return it … and how, exactly, does one go about such an ordeal?
Frame the internal monologue around an outdoor sofa and you have a whole new host of questions (and elements) to contend with: Can I store it uncovered? Does it hold up to rain? How about ketchup?
This is the lens through which I evaluated Burrow's Relay Outdoor Sofa, the brand's first foray into outdoor seating. Like its indoor furniture, the Relay Outdoor Sofa is modular, sold online and arrives quickly, cheaply and with just a little bit of required assembly. A standard three-piece sofa with arms starts at $2,495, with add-on chairs coming in at $625. The cost of shipping is included in the price.
After three months — during which I tested the Relay Outdoor Sofa through the tail end of winter and a pollen- and rain-heavy spring in New Jersey — here's what I think of it.
Burrow Relay Outdoor Sofa: What We Think
There's a lot to love about Burrow's first outdoor sofa. Performance-wise, it's comfortable, durable and easy to assemble. It's also easy to reassemble — a characteristic you will love if you experience harsh winters and plan to store it inside, broken down, for half the year. Oh, and it looks fantastic, too, with its powder-coated steel frame and neutral-colored cushions.
The watch-outs are limited, though they're still worth addressing: The colors, thus far, are limited to white and gray — neither of which hide stains well — and Burrow's one-year warranty is dwarfed by some its competitors. And while the cushion fabric is indeed durable and easy to clean, the custom-fit covers cost extra. A lot extra: one for the standard three-piece sofa will run you back $549 with the prices quickly escalating from there.
It Has Just the Right Amount of Comfort
The sofa is firm but comfortable. It's not so soft that you can't sit upright and have a conversation but it's definitely comfortable enough to lounge and even fall asleep on — a pastime I'm particularly partial to (weather permitting).
It Looks Good. Really Good
I've found that looks can sometimes take a back seat to performance when it comes to outdoor furniture. Here, however, Burrow nailed it on both fronts. I love the sleek, modern vibe of the frame's powder-coated finish and the specific gray of the Shale colorway is flexible to virtually any outdoor aesthetic.
Modularity Is a Huge Selling Point
Burrow built its brand on the perks of modularity. Its sofas can be built, reconfigured, broken down and carried through tight spaces with ease — a feature that makes shipping quick (and cheap), while amplifying their appeal for renters who desire such flexibility. All that is present with the Relay Outdoor Sofa, which arrives in boxes and quickly comes together — no tools required, except a small ratchet screwdriver that comes included with purchase.
Once the legs and backrests are affixed with screws, the individual modules are connected with easy-to-remove U-clips, meaning you don't need to pull out the toolbox every time you want to change up the configuration or detach one of the seats into a freestanding chair. A note, however, if you plan to break down the sofa every winter for indoor storage: the backrests do need to come for maximum space-saving efficiency, but that's easy work with the wrench (just don't throw it away).
The Cushions Are Resilient ... Fabric Included
So it's one thing to look great on day one. But what about day 100? My review sample still looks more or less new after three months of not just steady use but a spring full of rain and pollen in northern New Jersey.
I've spilled food and drinks on the cushions — both by accident and intentionally for this review — and messes mostly wipe clean with just some water and dish soap. I've left the sofa exposed through now countless storms and I'm still impressed by how quickly the cushions dry — not just the fabric but the inner foam, too. The powder-coated steel frame doesn't show even the slightest sign of rust.
While I feel confident that the sofa is durable enough to withstand many years of use and abuse by the elements, Burrow's standard one-year warranty is outclassed by the competition. Outer and Frontgate offer industry-leading 10-year warranties, while Castlery offers a three-year warranty on its outdoor sofa frame.
Extra Protection Will Cost You
If you live somewhere especially wet, sunny or simply don't have the luxury of storing a sofa indoors through the winter, Burrow does indeed sell custom-fit covers to further protect your investment and add years to its lifespan. The problem is that these covers cost hundreds of dollars. One for the standard three-piece sofa costs $549, while one for the larger six-piece sectional will set you back $899. A cover for just the ottoman costs an extra $125.
Additionally, if you'd like to extend the length of the warranty, you can purchase three- and five-year plans through the third party Mulberry. The cost of an extended warranty "is dependent on the warranty term and the amount spent on the furniture," says Burrow.
Burrow Relay Outdoor Sofa: Alternatives
The market for outdoor furniture has exploded in recent years, thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and consumers' growing interest in outdoor leisure. Burrow isn't the only brand capitalizing on that.
Check out Outer if you like the look of Burrow's Relay Outdoor Sofa. Just be prepared to spend big money. Its Aluminum collection captures a similar aesthetic to Relay, with a few extra features — such as integrated covers — for a considerable upcharge.
Beyond Outer, the usual DTC players — Article, Castlery, etc. — all offer their own suite of outdoor sofas. For more options, check out our full guide to outdoor furniture (updated for 2023).
