The best sleeper sofa can be hard to find. We're thinking you want a sofa bed that's comfortable, affordable, is the perfect size for your space - and stylish! Which can often seem like a tall order. But never fear, our best sleeper sofas list is here to help you out, making shopping for this multipurpose piece of furniture much simpler, whatever your space, style or budget.
It's important to note that while sleeper sofas of the past tended to have a reputation for being bulky, uncomfortable, and not very pleasing to the eye, modern sofa beds are a different story. With new technology, memory foam mattresses and well-known furniture brands jumping on the bandwagon, sofa beds are a welcome place for guests to lay their heads. Our pick of the best sleeper sofas are not only stylish but can guarantee a great night's sleep, too.
All this sleeper sofa talk got you dreaming of updating your couch too? Just head over to our best couch guide to find more great options.
Best sleeper sofa for 2021
Right now, we think the best sleeper sofa is
. We've got this up top because it will suit so many styles and is great quality. Plus, the upholstery, including throw pillows and mattress, are customizable..
Why we like it
Simple, stylish design: As we mentioned, this sleeper sofa will suit so many different spaces, whether you like a coastal vibe in your living room, a farmhouse feel, or a traditional look. Plus, you can choose from 112 fabrics for your sofa, and the same 112 fabrics for the throw pillows that come with it. Coordinate or mix and match, it's totally up to you.
Comfy mattress: Our top sleeper sofa also comes with two different mattress options; a DreamQuest Coil or Innerspring mattress. They're the same price, and we think they're both comfortable.
Reversible cushions: Reversible cushions mean you can get more life out of your sofa by flipping them every so often (or when one side falls victim to a toddler or glass of red wine!).
What to watch for
The only thing we'd note about this sofa bed is that because it's custom made (which is never a bad thing!) it takes 2-3 weeks to ship. So, if you need a sofa bed for guests coming in this weekend, this wouldn't be a top pick for you.
Our pick of the one of the best futon sleeper sofas comes in the form of the Novogratz Brittany Sofa Bed; here's why we love it...
Why we like it
It's got style. This futon features fully-upholstered arms that make it look more like a sofa than the average futon, but it still offers the easy use, streamlined design, and wallet-friendly price of a more standard version.
Great for small spaces: One of the best things about this versatile piece is that it doesn't take up a ton of room because it's not a traditional sleeper sofa.
This means it looks enough like a regular sofa to be kept in a living room, but at 34.5" deep, it's 4" narrower than our number one pick and ideal for smaller living rooms or stashing in a home office.
It's got options: In addition to its upright and laid-flat positions, this futon reclines halfway to a lounge position that's perfect for movie night or binge-watching your latest Netflix fave. The split-back design of this sofa allows each side to function separately with one section of the sofa able to recline whilst one stays upright, so if two people are using the futon one can sit up and the other lie back which we like.
Foam filling for a supportive mattress: This sofa's filling is pretty firm. The foam makes for a crisp-looking seat and makes a firm, but comfortable, mattress.
What to watch for
Some light assembly is required to set up the futon.
After an uber-compact but still super-stylish sofa bed? We think the Movie Twin Sleeper Sofa could be the one...
Why we like it
Fabric choice: we love the range of colors and fabrics; you have a finish to suit every style, from luxe velvet to versatile grey textured-weave.
Sofa design: the low-profile makes a contemporary statement, but will still fit in easily with most existing furniture styles. The back cushion is fixed so you can add your own throw cushions to make it your own.
Super-compact: If you need to sleep an extra guest but have seriously limited square footage, this compact sleeper sofa is hard to beat.
Easy to use: the pull out mechanism is easy to use and once out the 5.25" coil/foam mattress is a comfortable spot for a guest to rest their head.
What to watch for
This twin-size sofa is more of a chair-and-a-half and would accommodate two adults sitting upright, but if you're looking for something for everyday lounging, you might want to opt for something a little roomier.
Need plenty of seating room? The Jameson Upholstered Sleeper Sectional comfortably seats up to four and expands into a very spacious sleeper sofa.
Why we like it
Sofa design: the classic roll-arm design and skirted base of this sleeper sofa immediately caught our eye. It would fit perfectly with a traditional, transitional or farmhouse-style living or family room.
Customizable: Like our number one pick, which is also from Birch Lane, this sofa comes in a great range of colors. Choose from 40 options for both the sofa and the included throw pillows. You can also select either right or left-facing orientation.
Scored high for comfort: A combination of down and synthetic fiber filling gives this sleeper sofa a medium-soft feel and ultra sink-in factor.
What to watch for
This sofa rings it at over $2,000, which is on the high side. Also, the skirt may give it a slipcovered look, but the upholstery is fixed.
Looking for an IKEA sleeper sofa you can pick up at your local store? The Farlov is our choice for combining style and function.
Why we like it
Roomy and stylish: this sofa is deep, so you can really sink into it when you're watching TV, but it still manages to look sleek and refined.
Slipcovered for easy care: The Farlov is slip-covered so you can easily remove the covers for washing, making it ideal for a playroom or family room. One of our team has owned the grey velvet version for years and washed it countless times. Plus, you can buy new slip covers if you want to switch up the look of your sofa; there are a few color options to choose from.
Comfortable mattress: This Ikea sleeper sofa comes with a 4¾" thick foam mattress that makes for a really comfortable night's sleep. To be honest, this sofa is deep enough that if you take off the back cushions it would be plenty big enough for a child or small adult to sleep on without pulling the sofa out.
What to watch for
As we mentioned, this sofa is deeper than the average sofa, so make sure you've measured well and have the space for it.
If you are after a modern sleeper sofa that makes a statement, check out the
.Why we like it
Unique style: The Tandom is another sleeper sofa that's made our list largely for its looks. While this sleeper sofa costs just under $1,500, it's got high-end style that's sure to make it the focus of your living room. The clean lines mean it's well-suited for contemporary, minimalist spaces or Scandi-style spaces.
Easy to use mechanism: The sleeper sofa has a click-clack mechanism, meaning the back simply folds down to create the mattress. Obviously this has its positives – easy to use, takes up less space – but just be aware that click clack models are usually less comfortable and smaller than pull and fold out sofa bed mechanisms since you're sleeping directly on the couch cushions instead of a dedicated mattress.
What to watch for
The sofa only comes in two colors: dark grey and light grey. Great news for grey lovers, but if you're looking for color this won't be the pick for you.
Want to ensure your guests have the most comfortable night's sleep possible? Then
is an ideal choice.Why we like it
It's comfortable: This sleeper sofa comes standard with La-Z-Boy's Supreme Comfort 5.5” thick innerspring mattress, but you also have the option to choose a memory-foam version that many rave about. It will cost an extra $400, but if your sofa bed will get lots of regular use, or maybe you're purchasing for a vacation rental, it'll be money well spent. The sofa features La-Z-Boy's ComfortCore and airform seat cushions designed to provide support and pressure relief.
Lots of options: You can customize almost everything about this sleeper sofa; fabric, legs, and the type of mattress that's included.
What to watch for
The extras, like premium upholstery, a specialty mattress, or embellished throw pillows, can add up pretty quickly.
If you're going for the perfect blend of style and comfort, it's hard to beat the West Elm Harris Sleeper Sectional w/ Storage Chaise. This plush-yet-sleek beauty is sink-in cozy and has a modern-classic feel that suits almost any style.
Why we like it
Roomy design: Ideal for larger spaces, this sofa stretches 109.5" inches and it has a chaise, so you could easily accommodate a large family or group of friends for movie night.
Quality details: The sleeper sofa features a hand-built frame made from Kiln-dried hardwood, with mortise and tenon joinery. Plus, the chaise lifts up via a gas mechanism to reveal hidden storage - perfect for stashing pillows and bedding.
Mattress: The mattress is a traditional spring version with a pocket coil system. West Elm notes it is a more supportive, firmer feel than their sleeper sofas that come with memory foam mattresses.
What to watch for
The sofa comes stocked in a grey color, but other color options are custom made, so if you prefer a different upholstery just note that it'll take up to nine weeks for the sofa to ship.
If you thought you could only get a bed-in-box, think again. This sofa-bed-in-a-box is an awesome find for apartment dwellers who need to navigate their sleeper sofa up a steep flight of stairs or into a tight space.
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Why we like it
Compact design: Not only is the sleeper sofa compact when it arrives, but once you take it out of the box it measures 33" deep x 79" wide. Large enough to sleep two, but small enough to fit in a small living room or home office.
Unique silhouette: This sofa bed marries clean lines with today's turn toward more abstract shapes for a design that looks very on-trend.
Budget-friendly: This sleeper sofa starts at $499, but even the higher-priced color options won't run you more than $550.
What to watch for
Since it comes in a box, there's obviously assembly required (how cool would that be if it just unfolded into its full size like the mattresses-in-a-box-do?). However, it's an easy job that can be done with just one or two people.
How to buy the best sleeper sofa or sofa bed
How often will it be used as a sofa or bed?
If it's to be used more as a sofa, cushion comfort and upholstery durability will be your primary concerns. Used regularly as a bed, you don't want to just think mattress comfort, but how easy it is to pull out and put away, too.
How comfortable is the mattress?
For occasional overnighters you don't need to go to town, but a good quality (for example, memory foam) mattress will give guests bed-like comfort they'll welcome and will help the bed cope with frequent use.
How many sleepers?
Comfort isn't just about the surface but the elbow room, too. So, check the proportions of the sleep surface.
Want more practical advice on choosing a sofa bed? Head over to our comprehensive guide for all the information you need. And see the rest of our sofa bed and sofa guides below: