We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products Furniture The 9 Best Couches We Tested in Our Own Homes With comfortable picks that stand up to kids and pets By Alida Nugent Alida Nugent Alida Nugent is a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE with over seven years of experience covering home, kitchen, and outdoor content. Her work has been featured in publications such as HGTV, Food Network, Better Homes & Gardens, Bustle, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 5, 2024 04:44PM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Others We Tried What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Erika Reals Whether it's a sectional, sleeper sofa, or loveseat, a couch is the centerpiece of most living rooms, and it's likely to be the most used piece of furniture in the house besides your bed. That means that when it’s time to buy a new one, you’ll want to find a comfortable couch that fits well into your space and will provide hours of lounging for years to come. When shopping online for a couch, there are several things to consider, with a wealth of options available. Most furniture sites offer plenty of customizations, including fabric, size, and even the depth of the cushions. So how do you pick the best option for you? We tested 27 couches for over 1,000 hours and narrowed it down to our favorites that will suit every budget, household size, and aesthetic. While our top pick was the Valyou Feathers Sectional, we have eight other couches that are just waiting for the perfect spot in your living room. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Valyou Feathers Sectional at Valyoufurniture.com Jump to Review Best Budget: IKEA Uppland Sofa at Ikea $849 Jump to Review Best Investment: Albany Park Kova Pit at Albanypark.com Jump to Review Best Modern: Crate & Barrel Lounge Deep 2-Seat Sofa at Crate & Barrel $2,299 Jump to Review Best Kid-Friendly: Burrow Block Nomad Sofa at Burrow $1,449 Jump to Review Best for Small Spaces: 7th Avenue 2-Seat Modular Loveseat at 7thavenue.co Jump to Review Best Velvet: Article Abisko Sofa at Article.com Jump to Review Best Sectional: BenchMade Modern Skinny Fat Sectional With Bumper at Benchmademodern.com Jump to Review Best Firm: Room & Board Metro at Roomandboard.com Jump to Review Best Overall Valyou Feathers Sectional PHOTO: Valyou View on Valyoufurniture.com Star Qualities Incredibly easy and quick assembly Fabric is stain- and scratch-resistant and can be spot cleaned Covers can be thrown into the washer/dryer Red Flags Some feathers came out of the pillow cushions Former PEOPLE shopping editor Erika Reals claims this is not only the best couch she’s ever owned, but it’s the most comfortable couch she’s ever sat on. Thanks to her shedding dog and spill-prone husband, she’s normally apprehensive about light-colored furniture but decided to take a chance on this beige cloud-like couch from Valyou. In the three months she’s been in its company, the couch has seen muddy paw prints, espresso spills, and hours upon hours of lounging. The stain-resistant upholstery is so easy to spot clean; she doesn’t even need to use soap. Additionally, the 110-inch sectional was delivered in two pieces, so there was minimal assembly time (the delivery workers snapped the two pieces together in mere seconds). Type: Sectional | Fabrics: Microfiber and cotton blend | Colors: 4 | Customizable: Size, color, facing left/right | Measurements: Varies People / Erika Reals Best Budget IKEA Uppland Sofa PHOTO: IKEA $849 at Ikea Star Qualities Slipcover is removable and machine-washable Couch stays comfortable and supportive Delivery was quick (it only took one week to arrive) Red Flags No option to get the sofa without a slipcover Assembly is required This affordable sofa from Ikea is made with pocket springs, high-resilience foam, and polyester fibers, and the reversible back cushions will ensure the couch doesn’t lose its firmness over time. Each Uppland sofa comes with one of 15 slipcover options, which can easily be removed and machine-washed. Our tester found that the couch was comfortable and springy, with roomy cushions that even allowed for a mid-afternoon nap. Delivery was quick and simple, and it only took one week to arrive. Assembly was completed in one hour by the tester, and they found it to be a straightforward process. Ikea allows for returns if unopened, and you can do so with proof of purchase after one year, and you can take 180 days (also with proof of purchase) once taken out of the box. For under $900, this is the kind of couch that will last a long time without the cushions giving way, and users can even change up the slipcover to update its appearance. How It's Held Up The couch is still as good as it was on day one and has seen very minimal wear and tear. The cushions are still strong and have retained their shape as well. The fabric has maintained its consistency, and the cover is easy to wash. In fact, the cover has been washed twice within one year, and minor stains were easily removed. Type: 3-seat sofa | Fabrics: Polyester | Colors: 13 | Customizable: Color | Measurements: 88.25 x 36.25 x 36.25 inches Best Investment Albany Park Kova Pit PHOTO: Albany Park View on Albanypark.com Star Qualities Made from high-quality materials Pit-syle sofa is great for napping and lounging on movie nights Red Flags Returns are a bit complicated The Albany Park Kova Pit is made with incredibly luxe materials, like a kiln-dried hardwood frame, a foam-topped webbing and spring suspension system, and cushions filled with a hypoallergenic microfiber blend. The deep seats that are a hallmark of a pit couch make this the perfect option to lay down on, too. While this makes it a little hard to get in and out of, it ends up feeling more like a feather bed than a couch, making it perfect for people who love to lie and watch TV or movies. However, the original shipping was free and quick. The couch came in eight boxes left at the door, with clear instructions. Most of the pieces clicked easily into place, and the whole thing took two hours. Our tester received the velvet fabric, and it stayed velvety and soft even after muddy paw prints and pet hair threatened to stain it — in fact, you can either wipe it clean or remove the covers and machine wash. It's important to note that returns are a bit complicated. They are only eligible for 30 days after receiving the order, and a 20 percent shipping fee is tacked on if the original packaging isn’t sent back, although this is capped at $200. How It's Held Up After a few months of use, the tester noted it’s easy to switch it to a modular couch and change it up for guests (the couch reasonably fits at least four people). Plus, the fabric has remained soft and the cushions are still fluffy. Type: Modular pit | Fabrics: Performance fabric, basketweave, boucle, velvet, polyester | Colors: 12 | Customizable: Fabric, color, with or without storage | Measurements: 121 x 79 x 34 inches PHOTO: People / Jennifer May PHOTO: People / Jennifer May PHOTO: People / Jennifer May PHOTO: People / Jennifer May Best Modern Crate & Barrel Lounge Deep 2-Seat Sofa PHOTO: Crate & Barrel $2,299 at Crate & Barrel Star Qualities Perfect for modern home decor Back cushions are exceptionally comfortable Comfortably fits more than two people Red Flags Brand doesn’t allow for furniture returns This two-seater from Crate & Barrel is high quality, with a benchmade hardwood frame that’s kiln-dried, a spring-up foundation to eliminate sagging, and soy-based polyfoam seat cushions that are wrapped in a fiber-down blend. But all of that wouldn’t matter if it wasn't comfortable, and this is what our tester had to say about it: “I will tell everyone I know that this is the best couch I have ever used.” This praise comes because of the deep cushions that can fit multiple people or one person taking a nap. The back cushions have some give that makes them comfortable to lie against, and they’re full but don’t feel stiff. Several customizations can be made, including three depth options, eight size options, and more than 200 fabric and color combinations. One big drawback to the couch is that it is made-to-order furniture, but the brand does offer services such as interior design help, free swatches, and ‘view in your room’ options to ensure that what you’re buying will fit your home perfectly. How It's Held Up Our tester has used this couch daily, and while there has been some flattening, it’s fairly insignificant, and the sofa’s condition is still excellent. It’s also done well with daily wear and tear: crumbs brush off easily, as does pet hair, and spaghetti sauce was removed quickly with a spot cleaner and water. Type: 2-seat sofa | Fabrics: Microfiber, textured weave, canvas, linen weave, twill, chenille, boucle, velvet, shearling | Colors: 206 | Customizable: Size, depth, fabric, color | Measurements: 93 x 41 x 25 inches Best Kid-Friendly Burrow Block Nomad Sofa PHOTO: Burrow $1,449 at Burrow Star Qualities Fabric is both stain- and scratch-resistant Comes with USB plug and charger Red Flags Couch is firm and not great for napping This couch from Burrow is especially kid-friendly, starting with the fabric — the tight olein fiber is both scratch- and stain-resistant. The three-layer foam is firm, and it’s large enough to fit a few people but not soft enough to nap on for hours. The frame is sturdy to prevent warping, and it even comes equipped with a USB charger and a 72-inch power cord. There are a few ways to customize this couch, including fabric, leg finish, arm styles, and cushion styles. Burrow has a 30-day return policy that requires a 20 percent shipping fee (capped at $250) if the furniture is not in its original packaging, although this goes down to 10 percent if it is. However, initial shipping is free, and the brand offers free swatches and free exchanges, and any damages upon arrival are fixed and covered by the seller. The couch comes in five boxes that are left at the front door, but our tester found the setup to be simple. Boxes are labeled in the order they should be opened, securely wrapped in plastic, and no tools are required to assemble — plus, it only took 30 minutes and two people to assemble. How It's Held Up There has been no wear, tear, fading color, or scratches. When dealing with spills, the tester got them out easily with soap and water. Here’s another kid-friendly feature to appreciate: Burrow mentions that you can clean stains with a bleach and water mixture that will not damage the fabric. The three-layer foam fill holds its shape over time, and after plenty of use, there are no signs of the couch losing its firmness. Type: 3-seat sofa | Fabrics: Fabric, velvet, leather | Colors: 13 | Customizable: Leg finish, arm style, flip-back cushions, fabric, color | Measurements: 85 x 35 x 33 inches PHOTO: People / Andrea Lavinthal PHOTO: People / Andrea Lavinthal PHOTO: People / Andrea Lavinthal Best for Small Spaces 7th Avenue 2-Seat Modular Loveseat PHOTO: 7th Avenue View on 7thavenue.co Star Qualities Has water-repellent and stain-resistant fabric Pillow covers can be removed and machine-washed Red Flags Assembly was complicated (no instructions were included) This couch from 7th Avenue, which is perfect for small living rooms and apartments, is also incredibly durable. It’s made with water-repellant and stain-resistant performance fabric, with removable and machine-washable covers. Our tester noted it felt like an expensive, well-made couch that was comfortable enough to nap on, and no neck or back pain was experienced during testing. The return policy allows for free returns and 100 percent money back or merchandise credit as long as you have the original packaging. The brand also allows for 30-day free exchanges if you’re not happy with the color of the fabric, and damages reported within 10 days of delivery will be repaired, refunded, or exchanged. Delivery was to the front door, and there were nine boxes in total. However, assembly proved a bit challenging: There were no provided directions on assembly, and it took the tester six hours to put it together. How It's Held Up After some time, the couch still remains as good as new, and the tester loved how durable the couch’s fabric is, as well as the option to remove the covers to wash them if need be. Type: 2-seat sofa | Fabrics: Performance textured weave, performance classic weave, premium performance velvet | Colors: 11 | Customizable: Color, depth | Measurements: 94 x 39 x 24 inches Best Velvet Article Abisko Sofa PHOTO: Article View on Article.com Star Qualities High-quality construction with dense cushions Fabric is easy to clean Wide enough to nap or lounge on Red Flags Few customizations available This velvet couch from Article is a great mid-century modern sofa, but its aesthetics are certainly not the only thing to love about it — it’s really pleasant to sit on. While our tester was initially concerned that the firmness of this couch would make it uncomfortable, after testing, the firmness is actually what makes it so comfortable. That firmness means it doesn’t leave people with neck or back strain after sitting on it for long periods of time. Plus, after sitting for a while, the couch begins to settle in a bit more. The tester also found the fabric and construction to be of considerably high quality, with a dense fill and wide cushions that allow for lounging. Besides the color and the fabric, however, there isn’t any available customization for this item. The couch itself was dropped off inside the front door in two large boxes, with text alerts on the day it was scheduled to arrive. Unboxing the couch was more challenging than expected, but assembly only took 20 minutes. For returns, Article allows up to 30 days from the date of delivery if the item is still in as-new condition for a service fee of at least $49, depending on your location. If you do not have the original packaging, an additional $50 repackaging fee is added on. How It's Held Up Over time, the cushions remained firm and didn’t become lumpy or misshapen. Pet hair was visible but easy to remove, and the fabric remained soft and easy to keep clean. Our tester summed it up: “Overall, a great piece of furniture. There is nothing about this couch that I would change. It is a perfect design.” Type: 2-seat sofa | Fabrics: Velvet, fabric | Colors: 5 | Customizable: Fabric. color | Measurements: 91 x 35 x 28 inches PHOTO: People / Abigail Wetzler PHOTO: People / Abigail Wetzler Best Sectional BenchMade Modern Skinny Fat Sectional With Bumper PHOTO: BenchMade Modern View on Benchmademodern.com Star Qualities Comes with 100-day in-home trial Because of the chaise option, two people can lay down Great for larger families and bigger spaces Red Flags Couch and shipping are pricey This large sectional from Benchmade Modern has lots of options for customization, and there are even two options for fill, so shoppers can choose between a fluffier down alternative or the more firm standard option. Our tester went with the firm option, which does offer more support for the back. And even though it has more structure, it’s still a couch that’s comfortable to lounge on while still feeling fully supported. And, of course, since this has a long extension, another benefit of this sectional is the ability to have two people both lay on the couch with their legs fully extended. This sectional is also durable; when the cat scratched the fabric, no threads were pulled, and the couch remained looking as good as new. When pasta sauce was spilled on the cushion, an upholstery foam cleaner and a damp rag left no visible stain behind. Although it’s a pricey couch, it’s a sturdy and comfortable option that’s great for a large space or larger families. Made-to-order items like this couch can be returned within 14 days for the full amount. There’s also an included 100-day in-home trial, which means consumers can return the couch any time in that window and only have to pay a 10 percent processing fee and shipping fee. The brand also has a white glove delivery service (prices start at $249), which allows the consumer to set a delivery day and window. Type: Sectional | Fabrics: Premium fabric, performance fabric, luxe fabric, velvet, leather | Colors: 72 | Customizable: Depth, size, upholstery, cushion fill, legs | Measurements: 95 x 37 x 33 inches PHOTO: People / Jeanne Geer PHOTO: People / Jeanne Geer PHOTO: People / Jeanne Geer Best Firm Room & Board Metro PHOTO: Room & Board View on Roomandboard.com Star Qualities Firm and holds up over time More than 200 colorways and fabrics available White-glove delivery available Red Flags Limited number of ready-to-ship options Our tester loved this Room & Board Metro Sofa and had this to say about it: “This couch is like a firm cloud. You can absolutely lie down and just chill, but it also provides support." There are plenty of options for customization with this couch, including in-stock fabrics and colors that can be delivered in weeks and customized fabrics and colors that come at an up-charge and will take longer to arrive. There are also seven size options, two depth options, and two options for stained leg finishes. Users can easily order fabric swatches to see what might work in their home, too. Delivery of this couch includes white glove service; for $99, the brand will deliver the couch anywhere in the contiguous U.S. and includes assembly, placement, and packaging removal. Returns or exchanges are also free, although users won’t get the original delivery price refunded. How It's Held Up This couch has held up well over time. Our tester has both pets and kids, and the couch still looks like new over six months later. There was no fading, pilling, or staining, and the cushions are still fluffy and look “like they just came out of a showroom.” Type: 2-seat sofa | Fabrics: Boucle, chenille, leather, microfiber, natural fibers, performance, texture, velvet, plain weave, twill | Colors: 288 | Customizable: Depth, size, fabric, leg finish, color | Measurements: 88 x 38 x 27 inches PHOTO: People / Donna Freydkin PHOTO: People / Donna Freydkin The More You Know Support, as it turns out, is an integral part of couch longevity and comfort, with chiropractor Robert A. Hayden, DC, PhD, FICC, noting: “A couch should not take the shape of our bodies; this means it is not supporting the shape we should have while sitting but rather conforming to us.” This will ensure that the user’s back and spine are kept in an ergonomic position and will remain supported as the sofa, which is filled with high-resilience foam, gets used more and more. Other Couches We Tried Maiden Home The Varick Sofa: This couch comes in both a sofa option and a sectional option, and the fabric possibilities are fairly endless: there’s performance fabric, pebbled leather, mohair, and even Belgian linen among the options. However, with prices starting around $3,950, it’s a couch that’s a little stiff. It’s also hard to nap on, with high arms that don’t allow for comfortable laying. AllModern Geo 2-Piece Upholstered Sectional: This chaise sectional comes in both fabric and velvet and is priced reasonably at around $900. However, it’s not a very comfortable couch for two people; it functions better as a reading or lounge chair for one person. It’s also a little stiff and would likely be better for shorter bouts of sitting than something you’d want to lounge on nightly. Stains came off easily, however, so it would likely make a nice addition to a sitting room. What to Know About Couches Fabric Made-to-order couches generally allow you to pick from many different fabric and color options (the Crate & Barrel Lounge Couch has 219 in total), but you should choose carefully. For instance, velvet couches are beautiful and soft but tend to be a bit dust-absorbent. They also make pet hair visible, so those considering the material should plan to use a good vacuum to clean it frequently. And wool, as another example, tends to pill over time, no matter how high quality the wool is. If you have kids and pets, you really can’t go wrong with performance fabric, which is typically treated with a substance that makes the couch water-resistant and stain-resistant. Michelle Castagna, president of Muse Design Studio, recommends performance fabric for anyone: “That automatically means the abrasion testing will have been greater, the cleaning ability will be greater, and potentially it's been treated with something that will have a water bead up or whatever topically has been put on the fabric or integrated into the fabric.” However, she also recommends looking at fabrics that combine both livability and luxury: “You have to know what parts of your personality play the most important role for you and what is pleasing to you in your space. And you make the decisions based on what brings you joy at the end of the day.” If you’re uncertain what that is, look for a retailer that sends over swatches before purchase so you can see the fabric and touch it for yourself. Size You also need to consider the measurements of a couch and compare those to the measurements of the room you'd like to put it in. But Castagna recommends some additional considerations: “Think about the path you’ll take to get the couch to where it’s going ... If you know your space is tight, then you definitely may want a sofa where the legs can unscrew ... anything in your pathway to get to the final destination of where it’s sitting needs to be taken into consideration.” Of course, that is less relevant if it comes in several boxes, like the Albany Park Kova Pit. If that’s the case, you’ll still want to think about other measurements in the actual room, like the size of your coffee table or side tables, to ensure that it’ll also look nice in the space. Fill There are two different reasons to consider fill when shopping for a couch: If it’ll sag over time and if it’ll support your back when you sit. Both Castagna and Dr. Hayden advise against down or down-alternative fill. “The material should resist compression so it retains its shape. Memory foam was invented in the space program for cushions that would not distort their shapes despite multiple G forces placed on them," says Dr. Hayden. "As a practitioner, I am partial to a good stiff memory foam, with or without springs. Softer material, such as down filler, is easily displaced and will not provide support to the body.” People / Jeanne Geer Behind the Scenes We tested 27 couches for over 1,000 hours in our own homes. All couches were rated one to five in the following categories: comfort, ease of use, durability, quality, and value. Setup: When testers received the couch, they timed the delivery in total, from receiving, unboxing, and assembling the sofa.Ease of Use: Testers were then instructed to, throughout the testing period (which was at least six months), sit, nap, and lie on the couch.Durability: Multiple people were required to sit on the couch, as well as pets and kids, if possible. Over time, observations were to be made about sturdiness, comfort, firmness, fabric texture, changes in shape, stain removal, and color changes.Quality: Quality notes were also taken, such as how sturdy the frame is, the quality of the fill, and any notable changes to the fabric with use (such as pilling).Value: Testers, as a final note, compiled their findings to come up with what they thought the overall value was for each of the couches tested. Frequently Asked Questions What’s the best time to buy a couch? Furniture sales tend to happen around the holidays and at the end of winter, especially during big-ticket events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and New Year. Summer is another time when couches tend to go on sale during events like Labor Day, the Fourth of July, and other summer kick-off events. How long should a couch last? Castagna considers this a tricky question, and no doubt there are plenty of different factors that go into a sofa’s longevity. While quality can be controlled by choosing an option that is made from durable materials, there are plenty of other uncontrollable factors that can shorten its lifespan: if no maintenance or care is put into the couch, if particularly rowdy pets or messy kids live in a household or if the user moves frequently, for example. Even the frequency of use and the number of people sitting on it will affect things. The 12 Best Area Rugs We Tested in 2024 for Both Timeless and Trendy Spaces Why Trust PEOPLE? Alida Nugent is a freelance shopping writer for PEOPLE with an extensive background in commerce writing, editing, and strategy. She also writes for Food Network, HGTV, and Better Homes & Gardens. She specializes in tested and researched commerce content for household products, including mattresses, vacuums, furniture, and small appliances. For this article, she digested in-depth insights from testers and researched each couch on this list to compile the best couches of 2024. Our Expert Panel Michelle Castagna is the president of Muse Design Studio. Robert A. Hayden, DC, PhD, FICC is a chiropractor at Iris City Chiropractic Center in Griffin, Ga. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.