Lumisource Cosmo Mid-Century Bar Stool vs Nathan James Arlo Backless Bar Stool

Buy the Nathan James Arlo if you want a backless saddle stool with a metal frame and a 275 lb weight limit, sold as a pair. Buy the Lumisource Cosmo if you want a mid-century look with a padded faux-leather seat, walnut-toned wood legs and a footrest, and you only need one stool. The Cosmo has the more distinctive design and a taller 26-inch seat height; the Arlo is the sturdier, easier-to-match option for a kitchen island. Owners rate the Arlo well, while the Cosmo's appeal rests on its styling rather than heavy-duty construction.

• Choose the Lumisource Cosmo if you want a single mid-century counter stool with a padded faux-leather seat, wood legs and a built-in footrest.
• Choose the Nathan James Arlo if you need two backless counter stools with a metal frame and a higher weight capacity for a kitchen island.