Best sofas

Perhaps the most essential furnishing in any home, the sofa is an age-old staple that can make or break a lounge.

VASAGLE Sofa
(Image credit: VASAGLE)

It goes without saying that a sofa is essential in the living room. Providing you, your family, friends, and guests with a comfy spot to chill, it also serves as a centerpiece, adding charm and style to the space. As you'll likely know, sofas come in all shapes and sizes, from long and thin modernist designs to uber-plush velvet classics. In terms of criteria, you might prioritize comfort over style, or vice versa. Perhaps, too, darker colors might be preferable for those of you with unruly pets or kids.

A quick search online and you'll be bombarded by the glut of options out there. So, rather than overwhelming yourself, take a tip from us. Separating the wheat from the chaff, we've curated a neat list of the very best options money can buy. Drawing together relatively affordable choices, our pick covers a whole spectrum of tastes, offering something for everyone. Some are real statements and some are a little more pared back. Nonetheless, you can rest assured that all are great value for money. 

Oh, and before you ask, yes, we do have a personal favorite. A foldable, achingly cool choice, the Best Choice Products Sofa not only looks good but offers plenty of handy features. To learn more about this, as well as some other top picks, read on.

Staff favorite

Best Choice Products Sofa

(Image credit: Best Choice Products)

Best Choice Products Sofa

Sleek + modern = add to cart

You really can't go wrong with this.

Pros:

  • Convertible
  • Adjustable
  • Affordable
  • Durable
  • Cup-holders included

Cons:

  • Faux leather

A charming choice, this Best Choice Products Sofa offers the user three adjustable positions to choose from, meaning you can switch from napping to watching your favorite sitcom in no time. With a 500-pound weight capacity, this lets you lounge in good company, providing enough space for two people. Oh, and you can enjoy a cool beverage while you sit back thanks to the handy cup-holders located on the middle fold-down armrest. Tufted detailing and chrome feet give it a classy but quirky feel, while the artificial leather upholstery complements most decors. Measuring 30.5 x 65.25 x 31 inches, this futon sofa doubles up as a bed, making it a true all-rounder.

Practical pick

ZINUS Benton Sofa

(Image credit: ZINUS)

ZINUS Benton Sofa

Available in a cool array of colors

Plus, it's easy to clean.

Pros:

  • Cozy
  • Durable
  • Tool-free assembly
  • Easy care
  • Supportive

Cons:

  • Some may find it a little plain

Sometimes, it's good to keep things simple. This ZINUS Benton Sofa is a case in point. Made with polyester fabric, it has foam and fiber cushions, providing you with sheer comfort. Sizing in at an impressive 76.43 x 30.71 x 33.9 inches, it fits three people and looks both sophisticated and understated. A hardwearing choice, it has an exceptional weight capacity of 750 pounds, and it's ever-so easy to maintain – simply wipe cushions with a clean and damp cloth. In terms of the set-up process, it's an absolute breeze: all parts and instructions are packed into one compact box, and set-up should take no longer than 20 minutes. With a timeless style, it will look great in almost any space, and it comes in beige, dark grey, soft grey, and stone grey options. 

Best budget

Serta Rane Sofa

(Image credit: Serta)

Serta Rane Sofa

Cheap and cheerful

Skimp on price, not quality. 

Pros:

  • Quality fabric
  • Easy set-up
  • Contemporary design
  • Great for small spaces
  • Convertible

Cons:

  • No armrests

If you can't splash out but won't compromise on quality, this Serta Rane Sofa is your go-to. Suitable as both sofa, lounger, and sleeper, it's a convertible option available in a whole spectrum of colors. As a sofa, its dimensions measure 66.1 x 33.1 x 29.5 inches, and it is upholstered in quality polyester, finished with metal chrome legs, and stuffed with premium foams. Easy to assemble, it comes with simple instructions and tools, so you'll have it ready to go in no time. Oh, and with an understated style, it's sure to enhance any decor you might place it in. Plus, thanks to the durable wood frame, this sofa should see you through plenty of years' use. 

Blue velvet

VASAGLE Sofa

(Image credit: VASAGLE)

VASAGLE Sofa

Serious comfort, this way

Sumptuous upholstery? Check.

Pros:

  • Modern yet classic
  • Stable
  • Durable
  • Uber-comfy
  • Easy assembly

Cons:

  • Children should be supervised by adults when using this

Can't resist the smooth touch of velvet? Well, this VASAGLE Sofa is right up your street. With sumptuous upholstery and tasteful metal legs, this mid-century modern delight really shines. Plus, as well as looking good, it also offers great support and comfort, making for an ultra-cushy seating experience. Well padded, the seat cushions are, if anything, too comfy – afternoon snoozes might become a problem. Oh, and you needn't panic about a complicated set-up process. This comes with detailed instructions and numbered parts, making it as easy as one, two, three.

Premium pick

Lifestyle Solutions Grayson Sofa

(Image credit: Lifestyle Solutions)

Lifestyle Solutions Grayson Sofa

Bigger is better

Rolled arms and classic style make this couch king.

Pros:

  • Tool-less assembly
  • Exceptional weight capacity
  • Rolled arms
  • Premium foams
  • Great comfort

Cons:

  • More expensive than the other options (although, still very reasonable)

We defy you to sit down in this and not be delighted. The Lifestyle Solutions Grayson Sofa, which is crafted in a tailored and symmetrical design, features tufted back cushions and sleek, rolled arms, setting a refined tone for your home space. Filled with premium sourced foams, it provides maximum comfort, more than justifying the slightly larger sum it asks for. Thanks to its timeless style, it will look chic in almost every lounge, and it comes in either a classy black or dark gray. Upholstered with 100 percent polyester microfiber material, it is complete with wooden legs and a wooden frame. Sizeable, it measures 80.3 x 31.5 x 33.9 inches and can hold up to 790 pounds in weight, making it ideal for groups of three. This really is the creme of the crop.

Sofa so good

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So, have you found your go-to sofa? By this point, we assume you've set your sights on at least one that tickles your fancy. Perhaps, though, you're struggling to decide which is your favorite. Don't fret. We've neatly summarised our chart-toppers below for your perusal.

Our all-time winner, the Best Choice Products Sofa, is a sleek and chic delight, complete with handy features. For a couch at once easy to care for, practical, and well suited to any space, this ZINUS Benton Sofa is a no-brainer. Can't part with too much? The Serta Rane Sofa is a quality option that won't break the bank. Are you a sucker for blue velvet? Well, this VASAGLE Sofa has your name on it. Finally, for a bigger, better, premium option, this Lifestyle Solutions Grayson Sofa is a must-have, although it's a little more to part with. 

Why trust us?

At Real Homes, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money.

We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Joseph Bobowicz
Freelance Contributor

Working across digital and print publications, Joseph Bobowicz is a London-born writer obsessed with books, culture, and all things new. When he's not writing about fashion for i-D and the Independent, he's out sourcing the best homewares to incorporate into any humble abode, fixer-upper, or first-time buy alike.

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