Faux Leather vs Microfiber Leather: What's the Difference?

Many shoppers search for faux leather when they mean any non-animal leather alternative—often including vegan leather, synthetic leather, leatherette, PU leather, or microfiber leather. This guide explains the differences and why eco microfiber leather is a premium choice for automotive, furniture, and fashion.

What people mean by “faux leather”

“Faux leather” is an umbrella term. It can refer to entry-level PU/PVC materials, or to advanced microfiber constructions that emulate the fiber structure of natural leather for better handfeel and performance.

Microfiber leather at a glance

  • Premium handfeel (including microfiber suede).
  • Lightweight & durable with high abrasion resistance.
  • Consistent color & texture—ideal for large panels.
  • Animal-free and designed for modern manufacturing.
  • Options for automotive interiors, furniture upholstery, and bags & accessories.

Faux leather vs. microfiber leather

CriteriaGeneric “Faux Leather” (PU/PVC)Microfiber Leather (Eco)
Touch & appearanceCan feel plasticky; gloss variesLeather-like grain or suede-like nap; premium feel
Durability / abrasionEntry-level to midHigh for seating & steering touch points
WeightModerate to heavyLightweight
ConsistencyBatch variations possibleExcellent consistency across lots
ApplicationsFashion, cost-sensitive itemsAutomotive, furniture, premium goods

Use cases

  • Automotive: seats, door cards, dashboards, headliners, steering wraps
  • Furniture: sofas, office chairs, hospitality seating
  • Goods: bags, small leather goods, footwear panels

Why choose Viet Ecotex microfiber leather?

  • 1500+ customers trust our materials for automotive, furniture, footwear, and construction applications
  • 80% microfiber leather focus—specialized expertise in premium materials
  • Dual manufacturing—8 factories in China, 6 factories in Vietnam for flexibility
  • Customization—tailor-made solutions for your specific needs
  • Small MOQs—we welcome trial orders and small batches
  • US/EU compliance—certified materials meeting global standards
    OEKO-TEXREACHProp 65

Next steps

Explore our catalog or contact us for samples, MOQ, and color cards.

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