Looking for the best sleeper sofas? We know that finding a good sofa bed can sometimes feel like a tall order - especially when you're trying to tick the boxes of comfort, affordability, style - and find one that's the perfect size for your space!
But never fear, our best sleeper sofas edit is here to help you out, making shopping for this multipurpose piece of furniture far easier, whatever your space, style or budget.
So whether you're in search of a family-friendly sectional sleeper sofa, a comfortable pull out chaise sofa bed, or a compact futon, you'll find options to suit your home and lifestyle in this list.
And if you decide a sleeper sofa isn't the right option for you, just head over to our best couch guide to find more seating options.
But first, it's important to understand a bit more about the types of sleeper sofa available to ensure you make the right choice for your home.
What are the best sleeper sofas to buy?
Sofa beds come in two main types; futon sofa beds which unfold so that the seat and backrest of the sofa bed create the sleeping surface, and pull-out sofa beds where the seat cushions are removed and the mattress pulls out from the sofa base whilst the sofa frame remains static.
The best option for you is likely to depend on which factors are most important to you; from affordability to comfort to the breadth of upholstery options available.
Futon sofa beds tend to be much more affordable, more contemporary in design, more compact and have shorter lead times. On the flip side they are usually made from solid foam, so offer a firm sitting and sleeping experience which is less likely to be suitable for everyday use, the bed is low to the ground once extended and upholstery options can be limited.
Pull out sofa beds in comparison are more expensive, and can take up more room once extended. But they generally offer a more comfortable seating experience - akin to a 'proper' couch, although the bed mechanism will likely make them a little less soft than your regular sofa - and the dedicated mattress offers a sleeping experience most similar in height and comfort to a regular bed. Pull out beds also tend to have more upholstery choice and bespoke options available - such as mattress type and cushion filling - although this can mean longer lead times.
The 10 best sleeper sofas of 2021
The versatile Cailinn 85'' Sleeper Sofa Bed from Birch Lane offers timeless design that will complement a range of decors - from coastal beach retreat to a contemporary apartment or traditional property.
Deep cushioned seating and plenty of seating space means this sofa bed is perfect for everyday use in the lounge, whilst the easy-to-operate pull-out mattress offers a comfortable night's rest when guests come to stay.
The downside is that there's only one upholstery option currently available, but we really like this simple cream neutral, and the matching armchair, loveseat and traditional sofa make giving your lounge furniture a complete overhaul easy as pie.
If you're looking for a budget sleeper sofa that will also add style to your interior, then the affordable Novogratz Brittany Sofa Bed comes top of our list.
It's a futon - meaning the back folds down to become part of the sleeping surface - rather than offering a pull-out mattress, so the sleeping area is a little smaller, and firmer, than you would get with a 'classic' sleeper sofa. But if you're looking for a stylish and affordable way to put up the occasional guest, then this is a great option for smaller spaces and apartments.
In addition to its upright and laid-flat positions, it also reclines halfway to a lounge position - perfect for movie night - and the split-back design 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.
It should be mentioned that this sofa's filling is pretty firm. The foam makes for a crisp-looking design, but it's unlikely to be comfortable enough to use as your main sofa. As occasional seating in the lounge, bedroom or guest room though? We love its contemporary form and bargain price tag.
Want a sleeper sofa with plenty of seating? The Jameson Upholstered Sleeper Sectional comfortably seats up to four and the spacious chaise section offers the perfect opportunity to put your feet up and relax.
Ideal for a classic or farmhouse-style home, the traditional rolled-arm design and skirted base of this sleeper sofa immediately caught our eye.
This family-friendly sofa bed also comes in a great range of bespoke color options. Choose from 40 options for both the sofa and the throw pillows, and ensure this sleeper sofa fits your home perfectly by opting for either right or left-facing chaise configuration.
We would have like to see the slip-covers removable to give the option to freshen up the upholstery, but still think this sleeper sofa is well worth the investment.
A velvet sofa bed will bring a hint of luxury to any room, and is perfect for versatile seating and sleeping in a guest room or bedroom.
We love the soft pale green upholstery of the Imani Square Arm Sleeper from Mercury Row which also comes in six other pretty velvet shades.
A futon-style sofa bed, this option may not offer the biggest sleeping area, but it's perfect for smaller homes and occasional guests, and we like the split-back feature which allows one side to recline and one stay upright for multifunctional use.
A firm seat means this probably won't be the sofa bed for you if you're looking for seating for everyday use, but as an accent piece and additional sleeping space in a boudoir, we think this is a great, stylish option at a very affordable price point.
After an uber-compact but still super-stylish sofa bed? We think the Movie Twin Sleeper Sofa could be the one...
If you need to sleep an extra guest but have seriously limited square footage, this compact sleeper sofa is hard to beat. 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.
We love the range of colors and fabrics; you have a finish to suit every style, from luxe velvet to versatile grey textured-weave, whilst the low-profile makes a contemporary statement, but will still fit in easily with most existing furniture styles.
On the flip side, this twin-size sofa is more of a chair-and-a-half, and although it would accommodate two adults sitting upright, if you're looking for something for everyday lounging, you might want to opt for something a little roomier.
Looking for an IKEA sleeper sofa you can pick up at your local store? The Farlov is our choice for combining style and function.
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. And the 4¾" thick foam mattress 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 actually pulling the mattress out.
Our favourite part is that 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 slipcovers if you want to switch up the look of your sofa; there are a few color options to choose from.
If you are after a modern sleeper sofa that makes a statement, check out the Tandom Sleeper Sofa from CB2.
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.
A click-clack mechanism means the back simply folds down to create the mattress, making it really easy to operate and offering space-saving design. Just bear in mind that the foam sleeping surface is firmer than a 'classic' pull-out sprung mattress.
On the downside this 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.
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.
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.
The budget-friendly design marries clean lines with today's turn toward more abstract shapes for a design that looks very on-trend.
Just bear in mind that since it comes in a box there's obviously some assembly required. How good would it be if it just sprang into its full size like the mattresses-in-a-box-do?! However, assembly is an easy job that can be done with just one or two people.
If you're looking for a leather sleeper sofa then the Revo Top Grain Leather Sofa Bed with its classic design and brass finish nailhead trim is well worth considering.
The pull out couch features a 5-inch thick queen size memory foam mattress that will ensure guests are more than happy to spend the night, whilst six options of premium top grain Italian leather create a sofa that can become the focal point of a room rather than an afterthought.
The seat cushions are foam, so seating is fairly firm, although this ensures that the three-seater sofa maintains its shape, and there are a good range of color options available to complement a classic or modern home; from rich chocolate brown to contemporary steel gray.
If you want a chaise sleeper sofa, but also have a budget to consider, then the Lester Chaise Sleeper Sofa with its futon design offers a compact and affordable option.
There are only two upholstery options available - a denim blue and a cool and contemporary gray - but they're both great options for a modern or classic home, and the sloping arms add a nice touch of period detail.
The sleeping surface isn't the largest and being a futon the sofa bed is fairly firm, but the easy click-clack mechanism makes the bed section super easy to unfold - great for a relaxed movie marathon as well as the occasional overnight guest.
How to choose from the best sleeper sofas
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 the classic 'bed' comfort they'll welcome. You can also increase the comfort levels - and protect your sofa bed - by adding a mattress topper to your sofa bed. Check out our round-up of the best mattress toppers on the market for ideas.
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.
Are sleeper sofas comfortable?
Most sleeper sofas are intended to be used as both occasional sleeping and seating spaces, so they often won't have quite the same comfort levels as a dedicated couch or bed.
That said there are still comfortable options out there, although how comfortable you find any seat - or mattress - can often be down to personal preference.
As a rule futon sofa beds tend to be much firmer for both sitting and sleeping, which some people enjoy, but generally most find a pull out sleeper sofa with a dedicated mattress the most comfortable option.
With a pull out sofa bed you also generally get more options to tailor the couch and mattress to your preferences, so you are more likely to be able to choose the type of filling your seat cushions have, and the type of mattress you prefer, from budget coil spring all the way up to a pocket spring or memory foam mattress that may rival that which you have on your bed.
