Vegan vs PU vs Faux Leather: What’s the Real Difference?

Shopping for decor, you will see vegan leather vs PU leather vs faux leather used almost interchangeably. They overlap, but they are not identical. Here is a plain-English guide to what each term means and how to choose for your home.

Key takeaways

• Faux leather is the broad umbrella for any non-hide material made to look like leather.
• Vegan leather means no animal products are used; it is a marketing term, not a specific material.
• PU leather is a specific kind of faux leather with a polyurethane coating.
• Genuine leather comes from animal hide and has different care needs.

Faux leather: the umbrella term

Faux (fake) leather covers any synthetic material that imitates leather. Most are fabric with a plastic-based coating. PU and PVC are the two you will see most often.

Vegan leather: about what it is not

“Vegan leather” simply tells you that no animal hide or animal-derived material is used. The material itself might be PU, PVC, or a plant-based alternative. It says nothing about quality or durability, so read the product details. For example, our rattan-style vegan leather cover is animal-free and finished with a woven look.

PU leather: soft and flexible

PU (polyurethane) leather uses a polyurethane layer on a fabric base. It is typically softer and more flexible than PVC, accepts rich colors and textures, and is easy to wipe clean. Most of our covers use it, including the modern square cover and the gold-trim magnetic cover. Worried about wear? Read does PU leather peel?

Genuine leather: the natural option

Genuine leather is made from animal hide. Top-grain leather is among the better grades, with a refined surface. It develops character with age, but it costs more and needs gentler care than synthetics. See our genuine top-grain leather holder for an example.

Which should you choose?

• Easy care and a budget-friendly look: PU leather.
• An animal-free choice: vegan leather, with the specific material listed.
• A classic natural feel: genuine top-grain leather.

Whatever you choose, the care basics are similar: keep it out of strong sun, wipe gently and dry it. Find a style for every room in our room-by-room guide, or see how to use leather accents in our leather accents post.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vegan leather the same as PU leather?

Not always. PU leather is often vegan (animal-free), but “vegan” is a label that can also apply to other materials.

Is faux leather easier to clean than real leather?

Generally yes. A damp cloth with mild soap handles most marks, then dry it right away.

Ready to choose? Explore our tissue box covers in PU, vegan and genuine leather.