We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products Furniture The 7 Best Sleeper Sofas We Tested for Comfort and Durability Turn your living room into a guest room in seconds By Laura Denby Laura Denby Laura Denby is a food, home, and lifestyle writer who specializes in creating thorough and analytical product reviews to help shoppers make more informed purchasing decisions. She has a Culinary Arts diploma from the Institute of Culinary Education and a WSET Level 2 Award in Wine and Spirits. Her work has appeared in leading food and lifestyle publications like PEOPLE, Food & Wine, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, Verywell Family, Southern Living, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 15, 2024 11:21AM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Others We Tried Our Verdict What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Ashleigh Morley If you’ve ever spent the night at someone else’s house, chances are you’ve slept on a sleeper sofa. From childhood sleepovers to late nights at a friend’s college apartment, most people probably remember exactly how it feels waking up on the pull-out — a barely-there mattress that sinks between a weave of metal rods. No longer! In search of the best sleeper sofas, our PEOPLE Tested team put 10 of the leading models to the test in their homes to find better-for-you options that are easy to assemble, comfortable, and durable. What's the Difference? A sleeper sofa includes a mattress and frame that can be pulled out from beneath the seat cushions to convert into a bed. A sofa bed, on the other hand, is made by adjusting the cushions on a traditional or sectional sofa to create a flat area for sleeping. While a sleeper sofa includes a mattress, a sofa bed does not. Over the course of several months, we sat on every sofa for one hour each day (tough job, I know) and slept on each sleeper sofa one night per week for four weeks. Overall, we found that the most comfortable sofas are firm yet plush, with memory foam mattresses that don’t sink or sag. Easy assembly is essential, and durability and ease of cleaning are a must, too. Keep scrolling for the best sleeper sofas recommended by PEOPLE. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Joybird Briar Sleeper Sofa at Joybird.com $2,087 Jump to Review Best Budget: Serta Princeton Polyester Sofa Bed at Target $500 Jump to Review Best Sectional: West Elm Harmony Modular Sleeper Sectional at West Elm $4,598 Jump to Review Best Queen: Pottery Barn Cameron Roll Arm Slipcovered Sleeper Sofa at Pottery Barn $2,339 Jump to Review Most Comfortable: Article Landry Napa Sofa Bed at Article.com Jump to Review Most Durable: Tibbee Full Sofa Sleeper at Ashleyfurniture.com Jump to Review Best Investment: Apt2B Tuxedo Sleeper Sectional at Apt2b.com $4,997 Jump to Review Best Overall Joybird Briar Sleeper Sofa PHOTO: Joybird $2,087 at Joybird.com Star Qualities Super-comfortable mattress is topped with two inches of memory foam Easy to assemble Stains are easy to remove from the fabric Red Flags Only fits two people comfortably Cushions are firm at first but get softer over time This chic and modern Joybird sleeper sofa is ideal for anyone with a smaller space. Available in 18 different colors and fabrics, this simple yet stylish piece features one of the most comfortable beds of all we tested. The thick mattress is topped with two inches of memory foam, which makes it soft yet highly supportive. The couch itself is comfortable, and although we found the cushions to be firm at first, they seem to get softer and more comfortable with each use. We found this sleeper sofa to be easy to assemble and converting it to the bed position was simple and seamless. It’s firm, durable, and easy to clean, too. In fact, we didn’t have any trouble spot-cleaning pet messes or spills over the course of six months. Keep in mind that the seating for this couch is on the smaller side. Although the website advertises that it seats three to four people, we think it’s most comfortable with just two people. Seats: 3, but 2 is most comfortable | Dimensions: 79 x 36 x 35 inches | Assembly: Screw on legs | Care: Vacuum regularly and spot clean when necessary Best Budget Serta Princeton Polyester Sofa Bed PHOTO: Home Depot $500 at Target $358 at Wayfair $420 $357 at Home Depot Star Qualities Easy to spot clean Throw pillows are supportive Backrest is super soft Red Flags Setup is a challenge due to confusing instructions and misaligned holes Only one person can sleep on it at a time This functional, simple couch isn’t the most luxurious of all we tested, but it’s a fantastic option for a lower budget. It’s lightweight and easy to unbox, but we did struggle a bit with setup since some of the holes were a bit misaligned. Once assembled, we noticed that the small couch is best suited for one person when in the sleeping position. Though it has a gentle give to it, we found that the sofa is firm enough to sit comfortably and read the newspaper or sip a cup of coffee. It’s petite and comfortable, making it an ideal option for an office or a playroom. Seats: 2 | Dimensions: 32.7 x 79.9 x 32.3 inches | Assembly: Assembly required, tools included | Care: Spot clean and let air dry PHOTO: People / Elizabeth Leonard PHOTO: People / Elizabeth Leonard PHOTO: People / Elizabeth Leonard PHOTO: People / Elizabeth Leonard PHOTO: People / Elizabeth Leonard PHOTO: People / Elizabeth Leonard Best Sectional West Elm Harmony Modular Sleeper Sectional PHOTO: West Elm $4,598 at West Elm Star Qualities Cushions on the back of the couch act as an extra-comfy headboard Easy to clean different spills and stains Chaise doubles as an extra sleeping space Red Flags Included throw pillows are a bit bulky This cozy West Elm sectional features a chaise lounge that makes sleeping on the pull-out bed even more comfortable. The extra-plush cushions act as a makeshift headboard when the bed is pulled out, and the chaise can be used as another sleeping spot for a toddler or little one. The bed takes less than a minute to unfold, and we found it to be soft and comfortable when sleeping. The couch itself comes in a wide variety of fabrics like flatweave linen, velvet, or textured chenille tweed, and it’s highly customizable, thanks to over 50 color options to choose from. That means it can easily fit in with a variety of style options throughout your home. The easy-to-clean fabrics can also withstand a variety of different messes — like coffee spills, pen marks, and pet stains. Overall, we found the couch comfortable to sit on and easy to convert to the bed position. Though some might find the throw pillows to be too bulky, they’re easy to remove when needed. Lastly, we love that the chaise acts as a storage compartment for bed sheets, towels, or throw blankets. And when you order, you choose whether you want the chaise to be located on the left or right side of the sofa. Seats: 3-4 | Dimensions: 123 x 69 x 37 inches | Assembly: Minimal assembly required — West Elm will assemble upon delivery | Care: Spot clean and let air dry PHOTO: People / Elena Garcia PHOTO: People / Elena Garcia PHOTO: People / Elena Garcia Best Queen Pottery Barn Cameron Roll Arm Slipcovered Sleeper Sofa PHOTO: Pottery Barn $2,339 at Pottery Barn $3,399 at Havenly.com Star Qualities Sofa is soft and supportive Bed is easy to convert and provides a comfortable sleeping experience Fully customizable, so you have the option to choose the number of seats, fabrics, and colors Red Flags Padding on the armrests is thin This comfortable couch is an excellent choice for busy households filled with kids and pets, all thanks to the soft and durable slipcover. As the name implies, the slipcover easily sits on top of the cushions to keep them safe from spills and messes, and it conveniently slips off so you can throw it directly in the washing machine for easy cleaning. With over 70 different colors and fabrics to choose from, this is a fully customizable sofa that’s ideal for families. Overall, we found this to be a very comfortable sofa that’s soft and supportive. The bed is a true queen size, and it’s easy to convert in just a few minutes. The queen-sized bed provides a supportive, comfortable sleeping environment. Although it’s a durable piece of furniture, during our testing, we noticed that the cushioning on the rolled arms is a bit thin, and we wish it was more substantial. That was really the only downside we could find. Seats: 2 or 3 | Dimensions: 74 x 35.5 x 38 inches (for a two-seat sofa) | Assembly: Items are delivered and assembled using Pottery Barn’s White Glove Service offering | Care: Vacuum regularly, keep cushions out of direct sunlight, machine wash slipcovers Most Comfortable Article Landry Napa Sofa Bed PHOTO: Article View on Article.com Star Qualities Converting it from couch to bed is very easy and intuitive Material is high-quality, durable, and stain-resistant Structure is firm and sturdy, and we didn’t notice any sagging or coils or bars poking through Red Flags Mattress could be thicker Price is a bit high for what you’re getting This is a fantastic sofa for two to three people, thanks to the soft material, thick filling, and firm support. Throughout our testing, we found that it was easy to convert from sofa to bed, and when laying on it, we didn’t feel any coils or bars poking through the mattress. It boasts a sturdy frame covered in thick cushioning, so you don’t feel any framing through the armrests when sitting on the sofa, either. We could fit three comfortably on the sofa and didn’t notice any bowing or sagging in the middle. This comfortable sofa is available in 12 colors, all performance fabrics. The memory foam mattress is comfortable and firm, but we felt it could’ve been a bit thicker. Seats: 2-3 | Dimensions: 34.5 x 84.5 x 36 inches | Assembly: Article handles assembly and placement | Care: Spot clean and air dry PHOTO: People / Clarissa Cruz PHOTO: People / Clarissa Cruz PHOTO: People / Clarissa Cruz PHOTO: People / Clarissa Cruz PHOTO: People / Clarissa Cruz Most Durable Tibbee Full Sofa Sleeper PHOTO: Ashley Furniture View on Ashleyfurniture.com Star Qualities Firm, sturdy structure means it’s great for sitting up and reading or working on a laptop Converts easily from sofa to bed Ideal for homes with kids or pets Red Flags Mattress could be thicker Color is lighter in person than it appears online Throughout all of our testing, this sturdy, heavy-duty couch never showed a single sign of wear and tear. We didn’t see any sagging, stains, tears or even a single loose thread. Made of performance polyester, it’s easy to clean off stains or spills with quick and easy spot cleaning, and the polyester is soft and pulled taut across the frame. Though this couch has a sturdy frame and tightly-pulled material, we still didn’t feel anything poking through the armrests or the mattress. It’s not overly plush, but it’s still incredibly comfortable; offering firm support without being hard. This durable sofa is a fantastic option for a home with kids or pets. Seats: 2-3 | Dimensions: 37 x 79 x 37 inches | Assembly: Ashley Furniture offers in-home delivery and assembly | Care: Spot clean and air dry PHOTO: People / Ivy Ford PHOTO: People / Ivy Ford PHOTO: People / Ivy Ford PHOTO: People / Ivy Ford PHOTO: People / Ivy Ford Best Investment Apt2B Tuxedo Sleeper Sectional PHOTO: Apt2B $4,997 at Apt2b.com Star Qualities Cushions are firm, supportive, and comfortable Cushion covers are removable and easy to clean Mattress is comfortable, and we didn’t feel any bars poking through while sleeping on it Even with kids jumping on it, this couch looks great Red Flags Mattress is on the shorter side This Apt2B sofa is so comfortable and supportive, it deserves a special mention on our list, even if the price tag is high. Throughout the testing period, we found this sofa and bed combination to be comfortable, durable, and easy to maintain. Even with kids jumping and roughhousing on it, the sofa and cushions stayed in great shape and held up well to ordinary wear and tear. The two pieces of the sectional come fully assembled and simply get hooked onto one another during delivery. We love that the cushions on the couch are on the firmer side, which means they provide a comfortable place to relax that won’t slump or sink in. The cushions are also reversible and the covers can be removed for easy cleaning. The bed is easy to pull out, and we found the memory foam mattress to be extremely comfortable and supportive. We also found the mattress to be comfortable and we did not feel any sensation of bars poking through. However, we did note that the mattress is a bit short, so it’s not a great fit for users who are on the taller side. In fact, one of our taller testers found that their feet hung off the edge of the mattress during testing. Seats: 5-6 | Dimensions: 121 x 88 x 36 inches | Assembly: Arrives fully assembled | Care: Vacuum and spot clean when necessary PHOTO: People / Ashleigh Morley PHOTO: People / Ashleigh Morley PHOTO: People / Ashleigh Morley PHOTO: People / Ashleigh Morley The 9 Best Couches We Tested in Our Own Homes Other Sleeper Sofas We Tried Mercury Row Velvet Square-Arm Convertible Sofa: This sleeper sofa from Wayfair is one of the prettiest ones we tried, with a shockingly affordable price to boot. Assembly was easy (if you have power tools available), and converting it from sofa to bed is a breeze. Unfortunately, we found this sofa extremely uncomfortable to both sit and sleep on, and the velvet fabric became “crushed” with use, which makes it even more difficult to clean — especially for those with pets or kids. Our Verdict After two separate rounds of testing with a total of 10 sleeper sofas from various retailers, we still stand by our original best overall pick: the Joybird Briar Sleeper Sofa. While the price is a bit steep, it received perfect scores across our comfort, durability, quality, and ease of use tests. What to Know About Sleeper Sofas Comfort Above all, a sleeper sofa should be a place where you can relax after a long day, which means comfort is key. Sleeper sofas are notoriously uncomfortable, and more often than not, users can feel the metal frame poking through the mattress while they sleep. Before purchasing a sleeper sofa, consider the frame material, how much support the cushions provide, and the mattress material. A comfortable sofa should have thick, plush, and supportive cushions that won’t sag over time. Our investment pick, Apt2B Tuxedo 2-Piece Sleeper Sofa, is super comfortable, and we didn't experience any bars poking through during our tests. If you prefer a firmer feel, keep in mind that many cushions get softer with continued use, so the comfort of the couch might change over time. Durability Interior designer Michelle Castagna suggests paying attention to the frame and construction. Wood and metal frames usually equal a durable couch, but she also says to take note of the cushion feel. These parts will play into making a comfortable and durable sleeper sofa. After all, sofas are one of the most-used pieces in any home, which means they must withstand a lot of wear and tear — especially if you live in a house with kids or pets. Before selecting the right sofa for you, consider how much you’ll put it through — do you have little ones who spill milk on the couch or pets who wipe dirty paws everywhere? If so, you’ll want to select a couch that’s strong, stable, and easy to clean (like the Pottery Barn Slipcovered Sleeper Sofa). Mattress Style Sleeper sofas come with a variety of mattress styles, each with its own pros and cons. If you’re looking for a simple sofa that easily converts to a couch, you can opt for a mattress-less style. With this type of sleeper sofa, the couch cushions themselves act as the mattress once converted, which can be a great option if you’re short on space and don’t want to have excess cushions piled up every time you pull out the bed. However, this type of sofa bed isn’t always as comfortable as one with a dedicated mattress. Alternatively, you can select an option that has a dedicated mattress folded into the sofa. In our testing, we found that the sofas with a memory foam mattress — like the Joybird Briar Sleeper Sofa — were the most comfortable overall and provided the most support. Before selecting one, consider the dimensions of the mattress in addition to the dimensions of the sofa itself, that way you can buy the best comforter and sheets to suit your needs. The mattress should be long enough for any guest to sleep on, regardless of height. Price Range For this piece, we tested products in a wide range of prices. Specifically, the couches we tested ranged from $300 to $4,800. These include couches from high-end furniture brands like Pottery Barn as well as more affordable retailers like Wayfair and Target. People / Elena Garcia Behind the Scenes To assess the best sleeper sofas available, we put 10 sofas to the test over several months and recorded our findings every few weeks. Setup: To start, we noted how long the sleeper sofa took to arrive and how many boxes it came in. We followed the manufacturer’s instructions for assembly and recorded how long that process was and whether it was simple or not.Comfort: We sat on each sofa for at least one hour each day and observed how filled or flat the cushions felt and how soft or firm the support was. We slept on the sleeper sofa at least once a week over a four-week testing period. We took note of how firm or soft the mattress felt on the first night and across all the nights we slept on it, observing whether or not it sagged over time. We also assessed how each tester felt after each night’s sleep, taking note of any aches, pains, or sleep-related discomfort. Sleeper sofas are notoriously uncomfortable, so we made sure to pay special attention to the bed’s frame and bar system.Care: Lastly, we cleaned each sofa according to the manufacturer’s instructions and evaluated how simple or complicated the process was. People / Ivy Ford Frequently Asked Questions Is memory foam good for a sleeper sofa? Unlike air mattresses which can be soft or firm depending on how much air you add, memory foam mattresses are generally supportive yet soft, which makes them a great option for sleeper sofas. It conforms to the shape of your body so you’ll feel supported and comfortable no matter what position you’re lying in. Since most sleeper sofas feature mattresses that are thin and lumpy, a mattress that has memory foam is considerably more comfortable than a standard mattress. In fact, of all the sleeper sofas we tested, the products with memory foam mattresses ranked the highest for overall comfort. What are the best couches for sleeping on? The best sleeper sofas are comfortable, durable, and supportive. Throughout our long-term testing, we’ve concluded that the most comfortable couches to sleep on are ones that feature a dedicated mattress. More specifically, the most comfortable couches for sleeping are those that pull out to a bed and feature a memory foam mattress. Why Trust PEOPLE? Laura Denby is a New York-based product reviews writer who focuses on finding the best products for the home and kitchen. As a former professional chef, Laura seeks to find products and gadgets that make her readers become more efficient home cooks and more comfortable in their homes. Laura has over five years of product testing experience and her work can be found in Food & Wine, Forbes, FoodNetwork.com, and more. For this piece, she compared the comfort, durability, ease of assembly, and ease of cleaning of 10 sleeper sofas. She also thoroughly researched and reviewed each product and the insights provided by the PEOPLE Tested team. She also spoke with design expert Michelle Castagna, who provided insight on what to look for in a quality sleeper sofa. Our Expert Panel Michelle Castagna is the owner of Muse Design Studio and president of Florida’s International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA). 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. The 15 Best Washable Rugs for Pet Owners, Parents, and Accident-Prone People