At European Leather Gallery, we frequently hear from customers who want to understand what makes Ekornes Stressless recliners unique and how they stack up against other high-quality brands. While Stressless is a staple in our showroom, we also proudly sell Fjords furniture and have come to admire their blend of Scandinavian design and comfort. Alongside Fjords, American Leather is another popular brand customers often compare with Ekornes.
Let’s explore how Stressless stands out in design, comfort, craftsmanship, and customization and why it might be the perfect fit for your home.
The Scandinavian Legacy of Ekornes Stressless and Fjords
Both Ekornes and Fjords are Norwegian brands with a shared Scandinavian heritage, but they approach recliner design and comfort in distinct ways. Ekornes Stressless focuses heavily on ergonomics, ensuring each piece supports your body in a way that promotes relaxation while alleviating tension. With patented features like the Plus™ system, Stressless chairs adapt to the user’s body weight and movements, providing seamless lumbar support and reclining positions designed for personalized comfort.
Fjords, also deeply rooted in Scandinavian tradition, offers recliners with a similar ergonomic focus but with different mechanics. Fjords recliners use a Continuous Back™ system, which moves with your body to support your neck and back in various reclining positions. While this provides comfort, it lacks the detailed ergonomic adjustments found in Stressless chairs. Fjords offers a broader range of design options, but when it comes to personalized ergonomic support, Stressless has the upper hand.
Ready to experience the ergonomic difference? Browse our Stressless collection online to discover the perfect fit.
Ergonomic Comfort and Support: Stressless Plus™ vs. American Leather Comfort Air®
Comfort is, of course, a primary consideration for anyone in the market for a luxury recliner. One of the standout features of Stressless recliners is the patented Plus™ system, which provides targeted lumbar and neck support that automatically adjusts as you recline. This is particularly important for customers who spend significant time relaxing in their chair and want a design that encourages healthy posture.
American Leather’s Comfort Air® line also provides a highly personalized comfort experience. Comfort Air® chairs allow for multi-dimensional movement, meaning they can support subtle shifts in weight and position as you recline, offering a flexible lounging experience. However, Comfort Air® relies more on a free-range motion rather than targeted support, which can make Stressless the better choice for customers with specific needs in lumbar or spinal support.
Both brands deliver on comfort, but Stressless Plus™ offers a unique support system that is particularly beneficial for those who want a recliner that “thinks” about comfort in a deeper, more ergonomic way. With Ekornes, you get the benefit of ongoing, fully engaged support that follows you from upright to fully reclined.
Looking for personalized support? Reach out to our team for a Stressless demonstration today and see how it feels for yourself.
Craftsmanship and Materials: A Comparison of Quality and Sustainability
Ekornes Stressless and Fjords both prioritize high-quality craftsmanship, but there are nuances in materials and design that set them apart. Ekornes recliners are crafted with European premium leathers and sustainable wood materials that reflect a commitment to luxury and environmental responsibility. Stressless offers a variety of leather grades, fabrics, and color choices to ensure each recliner can be uniquely customized to the buyer’s tastes and needs. Plus, the materials are chosen for durability, ensuring that each piece remains in excellent condition for years to come.
American Leather, a Texas-based company, provides its own commitment to high-quality materials, offering both leather and fabric options with extensive customization. The leather they use is also premium-grade, though it may lack the extensive European sourcing that many of our clients appreciate about Ekornes. Additionally, American Leather’s manufacturing processes are known for speed, delivering products within weeks compared to the custom timelines sometimes associated with Ekornes.
When it comes to craftsmanship, Fjords also delivers high-quality Norwegian materials and a sleek Scandinavian design that appeals to minimalistic tastes. However, Fjords recliners generally have fewer customization options in materials and colors than Stressless, which can be a deciding factor for buyers who desire a completely personalized piece.
Quality and craftsmanship are key. Visit our gallery and showroom to explore material options and see the craftsmanship of Stressless recliners up close.
Customization and Options: The Stressless Advantage
One area where Ekornes Stressless excels beyond both American Leather and Fjords is in customization. Stressless offers a wide range of models, sizes, materials, and color choices, allowing customers to design a recliner that fits their unique aesthetic and comfort needs. Stressless even offers size options for certain models (such as small, medium, and large) to ensure that every customer can find a chair that truly fits their body.
American Leather also offers customization, especially with its Comfort Air® series, including options for fabric, leather, and even the base style. This flexibility appeals to many buyers; however, the options tend to be less extensive than what you find with Stressless. Fjords, by contrast, offers some variety but generally fewer customization options, which might appeal to those seeking a streamlined purchasing experience but may feel limiting to those who want more control over the final look and feel of their chair.
The extensive options available with Ekornes reflect their commitment to providing not just a chair, but a personal experience tailored to each individual. This level of customization is ideal for anyone looking to make their recliner a lasting part of their home. If you’re interested in learning more about selecting the perfect fit, check out our guide on How to Choose the Right Ekornes Stressless Furniture for You.
Making the Choice: Which Recliner is Right for You?
Choosing between Ekornes Stressless, American Leather, and Fjords depends on what matters most to you as a buyer. If ergonomic support and customization are your top priorities, Stressless offers unparalleled benefits with its Plus™ system and extensive range of materials and sizes. For those interested in a unique motion experience, American Leather’s Comfort Air® line offers a different kind of lounging freedom, though it may lack some of the targeted support Stressless provides. Fjords, with its Scandinavian aesthetic and ergonomic focus, appeals to those who appreciate minimalism but can be limiting for those looking for extensive customization.
Ultimately, finding the perfect recliner is a personal journey, and we invite you to explore the options in person. Whether you’re ready to invest in the ergonomic luxury of Stressless or just beginning to compare brands, our team at European Leather Gallery is here to help guide you every step of the way. Come visit us or schedule a consultation to experience the differences firsthand—you may just find that Stressless offers everything you’re looking for in a recliner and more.