Condor and Sling are two well-known lounge ranges from Apple Bee, but they differ quite a lot. Condor has an aluminium frame with teak, while Sling is made entirely of teak. That affects the look, the upkeep and the layouts you can choose. In this article we compare both ranges side by side, with available examples, so you can see which one suits your patio.
In short: choose Condor if you want a sleek set that needs little upkeep, or a dining garden set from the same range. Choose Sling if you want the warmth of teak and a generous corner set. You can see the full picture in the comparison table.
The key difference: aluminium or teak
The main difference lies in the frame. Condor combines an aluminium frame with teak, usually in the armrests. Sling has a teak frame. Aluminium is lighter and needs hardly any maintenance; teak is heavier, feels warmer and changes colour if you don't treat it. Are you torn between these materials in general, regardless of brand? Then read aluminium or teak garden furniture.
Condor: sleek and versatile
Condor is the range with the most layouts. In our comparison you'll find lounge sets ranging from a duo set with two benches to sets of six pieces, in black and in oyster. There are also separate pieces, such as the 150 cm Condor lounge bench, an 80 cm lounge chair, the Condor stool, and coffee tables with a teak top. Condor is also available as a dining garden set, for example the Condor/Melville garden set with a 160 cm round table, or the Condor garden set with the Saar teak table.
Condor Lounge Set No. 12, 3-piece
Condor Lounge Set No. 1, 6-piece
If you want to dine and lounge in the same style, Condor is the obvious choice. You can compare all the sets on the Apple Bee brand page and under dining garden sets.
Sling: warm and generous
Sling is the teak range. In our comparison you'll find a corner set measuring 260 x 260 cm and the larger Sling XL at 327 x 260 cm, available in a left-facing long version and a right-facing long version. There are also separate lounge benches, such as a 175 cm two-seater and a 242 cm three-seater lounge bench, and a 120 x 85 cm teak coffee table. You can read everything about this range in the Apple Bee Sling lounge set guide.
Sling Teak Lounge Set 260x260 cm
Sling XL Lounge Set 327x260 cm, Left-Facing Long
You'll find more sets with a wooden frame in our teak lounge sets range.
Condor and Sling side by side
| Feature | Condor | Sling |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Aluminium with teak | Teak |
| Look | Sleek and modern | Warm and natural |
| Weight | Lighter, easier to move | Heavier and more stable |
| Maintenance | Mild soapy water, occasionally refresh the teak | Let it weather or oil it |
| Layouts | Lounge sets, dining garden sets, separate benches, chairs, stool | Corner sets, lounge benches, coffee table |
| Colours | Frame in black or oyster | Teak; cushion colour varies by set |
| Cushions | BEE WETT on many sets | BEE WETT on the corner sets |
The warranty varies by product and isn't listed on every set in the product information. Check with the retailer before you order.
Maintenance
For Condor, clean the aluminium with mild soapy water and rinse it off. The teak on the armrests can be left to weather or oiled now and then. Read how to maintain aluminium garden furniture.
For Sling, the entire frame is teak. Left untreated, it turns silvery grey; that's a colour, not damage. If you want to keep the warm colour, clean and oil the wood once or twice a year. Read how to do that in treating teak for outdoor use. For both ranges, store the cushions somewhere dry during long spells of wet weather and in winter, even if they are quick-drying.
Which range suits your garden?
Quick guide
- A sleek, modern patio and little maintenance: Condor
- Dining and lounging in the same style: Condor, with a dining garden set
- Warm, natural wood and a large patio: Sling or Sling XL
- A set you may want to expand later with separate benches: Sling or Condor, both available as separate pieces
Not sure about the size? Read how much space you need for a lounge set. If you'd like to look at other brands too, have a look at our corner lounge sets or read buying a lounge set: what should you look out for?
Combining or buying separate pieces
You don't have to stick to one range. For example, you could place a Condor dining garden set on the patio and a Sling lounge set in a quieter corner of the garden. A neutral base, such as a timber decking or grey paving, ties the aluminium of Condor and the teak of Sling together. If you want to add to an existing set, choose separate pieces from the same range and check the colour in the title: black and oyster are genuinely different in Condor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Apple Bee Condor and Sling?
Condor has an aluminium frame with teak armrests or accents and a sleek look. Sling is made of teak and looks warmer and more natural. Condor is also available as a dining garden set; Sling comes as corner sets, lounge benches and a coffee table.
Which series requires less maintenance?
Condor. You clean the aluminium frame with a mild soapy solution; only the teak needs attention now and then. With Sling, the entire frame is teak: you can let it weather to a silvery grey or oil it to keep the warm colour.
Which series is more expensive, Condor or Sling?
This depends more on the layout than on the series. A large corner set costs more than a compact set or a single bench. Compare the current prices of the set you are looking for on the Apple Bee brand page.
Can I combine Condor and Sling?
Yes. For example, a Condor dining garden set on the terrace and a Sling lounge set in a quieter corner. Do pay attention to colours: the black or oyster aluminium of Condor next to the teak of Sling.
Which series is available as a dining garden set?
Condor. There are Condor dining garden sets with, among others, the 220 cm Zanzibar table, the 160 cm Melville table and teak tables. We do not list a Sling dining garden set in this comparison.
Do Condor and Sling come with BEE WETT cushions?
Many sets do: the name BEE WETT appears in the title of, among others, Condor lounge sets and Sling corner sets. If it is not stated, check the product information or ask the retailer.
