We Found the Best Sleeper Sofas for Overnight Guests

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For those times when your in-laws come into town last minute, your friend swings by for the night or your kid wants to have a sleepover, a cozy sleeper sofa can save the day. Generally more expensive than traditional sofas at every price point, sleeper sofas are worth the investment, as they help your living room double as a guest room, instead of (or addition to) using even the most surprisingly comfortable air mattresses.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we test both fabric and furniture and used our categorical expertise when choosing the best online sleeper sofas, combining it with our deep understanding of the sofa industry, reputable user reviews and feedback from our panel of consumer testers who we asked about the sofas they personally. Our most recent sofa survey amassed more than 5,800 responses from our panelists, providing us with over 156,000 data points for analysis to narrow down the sleeper sofa picks that real consumers swear by.

Our top picks:

Continue reading after checking out our top sleeper sofas to learn more about key features to look for when shopping, the best places to buy sleeper sofas and tips and tricks to make sleeper sofas even more comfortable. If you really want to impress your guests, browse our list of the best pillows for all types of sleepers, so even the most finicky friends and relatives can get a good night's rest.

Best Cheap Sofas | Best Sofas | Best Sectional Sofas | Best Recliners

Grattan 81.1" Upholstered Sleeper Sofa

This sleeper sofa features a back that reclines to a flat position, creating a comfortable sleeping spot without the hassle of a pullout mechanism. The luxe polyester velvet fabric is on trend and available in both neutrals and bolder shades. According to reviews, the sofa bed is "so easy to put together," with just eight steps. Plus, dozens of respondents from our group of panelists love the simple and seamless ordering process through Wayfair, and online reviewers of this sofa bed agree, adding that Wayfair's customer service is helpful if there are delivery issues or if pieces show up damaged. It is important to note, though, that some reviews complain of the cushions sagging or "deflating" with extended use.

Rane Convertible Sofa Bed

With more than 8,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this modern Serta futon is a great option for college students and teens living in smaller spaces. One Textiles Lab analyst has used this futon-style sleeper sofa before and shared that the couch is comfy to sit on but a bit firm for a bed, and reviewers agree that the cushions are on the firmer side. You have the option to lock the sofa's back into three positions, including upright, reclined and flat, for relaxing and sleeping. One online reviewer who has had this sofa bed in her room for more than five years raved that it's sturdy and durable, sharing, "It's held up really well" to years of regular use.

Bladen Full Sofa Sleeper

Of our panelists, more than 800 have purchased their sofas from Ashley, giving the brand's products rave reviews for both style and comfort. The Bladen Full Sofa Sleeper is a pullout couch with a traditional look and a spacious full-size mattress inside. Online reviewers praise how comfortable the sofa and bed are to lounge on. One impressed reviewer shared, "We've had guests sleep on the bed for a full week without complaint." They also love the faux-leather material's worn-in look and super soft feel. Know that Ashley's pricing for this model does change based on your area code, so the final cost for you may be different from the initial listed price.

Friheten Sleeper Sectional

In small apartments, space-saving pieces can make all the difference. This sleeper sectional from IKEA features storage in the chaise — ideal for holding spare pillows, blankets and sheets. To convert the sleeper sofa into a bed, just remove the back cushions and pull the underframe out and up into place. Like all IKEA furniture, there is assembly required at home, but with this sofa, you have the opportunity to customize the piece while building it: You can choose which side you'd prefer to put the chaise (you can always reverse it later). Online reviewers and a Textiles Lab analyst who have used this couch share that the material, although soft, is prone to pilling.

Nomad Sofa

To convert this sofa into a bed, use the brand's Sleep Kit, which consists of a thin memory foam mattress topper, a custom couch-size sheet set, a quilted blanket, a pillow and an eye mask. No more lending your best new blankets to your guests! Simply open the bagged kit, lay the mattress out on top of the couch, cover the mattress with the sheets and the Nomad is ready for bedtime. Coordinating furniture deliveries can be frustrating, but you don't have to worry about that with Burrow's sofa bed, since it's delivered by mail in three compact boxes. Online reviewers found sofa setup to be much easier than expected and loved the olefin fabric, sharing that it's easy to clean and "feels great." If you don't love a traditional woven material, you can choose a velvet or leather sofa instead. Our tester loved that the included kit's memory foam mattress helped to create a comfier feel for her overnight guests by providing plush support and removing the indentations between her couch cushions. Know that the kit is designed to fit Burrow's Nomad sofa, but you can use the kit on your own narrow couch; it's not ideal for a deeper couch with wider cushions.

Luna Upholstered Daybed Sleeper

A great solution for a space where a sofa would be too big, daybeds are an ideal place to read a book, sit on like a bench or simply lounge and relax. The Luna Upholstered Daybed Sleeper features a trundle that pulls out to convert the daybed into a mattress. (Unlike a standard sofa, this daybed is low to the floor.) The sleeper is available in a range of 36 shades and textures, and Pottery Barn can send you free swatches so you're able to find your dream upholstery before you make a commitment. Know, though, that the price varies depending on the fabric you choose, and it can take more than five weeks for shipment because each piece is made to order. However, our survey panel found Pottery Barn's ordering process and furniture setup to be super easy. Plus, they gave the brand's furniture high marks for comfort, durability, fabric feel and stylish color options.

Sloan Chaise Sleeper Sectional

If you love being able to stretch out on a sectional-style sofa but also want the option of a pullout bed, this sleeper sofa checks every box. Interior Define lets you customize the sofa completely with tons of different fabric options. (It will even send you free swatches to check out yourself before ordering.) You can also specify the leg color, chaise length, seat cushion style and type of fill. Our survey panelists were blown away by the fabric selection of 100-plus options and loved the "individuality" of each sofa. There are even leather styles available for a higher price. Panelists who own this specific sofa model gave it high ratings for style, comfort and support. Survey respondents shared that they experienced elongated delivery times, and the brand notes it can take anywhere between 10-14 weeks for the product to ship, but online reviewers say that when the product arrives, the white-glove delivery process is seamless.

Ravine Centerton 89" Rolled Arm Sofa Bed

Made with a sturdy wood frame and rolled arms, this sleeper sofa has a traditional look with a hidden queen-size pullout mattress. It's available in more than 60 different shades, with the option to receive free samples before choosing a fabric. Reviewers were impressed by this sofa, which has a 4.7-star rating (out of 5), with one reviewer raving that she was surprised "how comfortable the bed was, as sleeper sofas are usually not this comfortable." Some online reviewers experienced dents in the cushions early on, but you have up to 30 days to return the sofa if you aren't satisfied. If you do have any issues, hundreds of our survey panelists have purchased their sofas from Wayfair and praise the retailer's excellent, supportive customer service team.

Eliot Twin Sleeper

Sleeper sofas for small spaces are hard to find, but this sofa from Joybird is a pullout couch with a twin bed. Reviewers love to place this sofa in home offices, nurseries and small apartments. It has medium-firm cushions and a memory foam mattress for support while you sit and comfort while you sleep. You can customize the exact fabric color and the wood stain for a final piece that's just your style. Note that some individuals from our survey panel said it took longer for furniture from the brand to arrive than they anticipated. If you like the look of the Eliot Twin Sleeper, check out the entire Eliot Collection at Joybird for a matching set.

Brittany Linen Futon

With more than 9,000 reviews on Amazon, this affordable sleeper sofa from Novogratz is an Amazon best seller. Specifically, reviewers like that it's super easy to assemble yourself, with many saying it took less than an hour to piece together. Because the sofa has stiffer cushions, some reviewers wish it were plusher, but others love the firm support. Available in a variety of trendy shades, there are both faux-leather and textured linen fabrics to choose from. The back easily folds down flat to act as a mattress, but the sofa arms remain stationary, which could be uncomfortable for taller overnight guests.

Bedford Queen Trundle Sleeper Sofa

This sofa bed from Crate & Barrel has a trundle that pops up to create a bed for guests to sleep on, and it’s easier to maneuver than a traditional pullout couch. According to online reviews, when you extend the trundle, it rests a bit lower than the couch cushions for a slightly uneven sleeping surface. The cushions are constructed with high-density foam for increased comfort; plus, this style offers total customization, with more than 200 color options and multiple fabric types to choose from. (You can even customize the wood stain.) Our survey panelists love their sofas from Crate & Barrel, giving the brand's furniture — including sofas — high ratings for comfort, style and durability.

Rane Futon

With more than 7,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this modern Serta futon is a great option for college students and teens living in smaller spaces. One Textiles Lab analyst has used this futon-style sleeper sofa before and shared that the couch is comfy to sit on but a bit firm for a bed, and reviewers agree that the cushions are on the firmer side. You have the option to lock the sofa's back into three positions, including upright, reclined and flat, for relaxing and sleeping. One online reviewer who has had this sofa bed in her room for more than five years raved that it's sturdy and durable, sharing, "It's held up really well" to years of regular use.

How we choose the best sleeper sofas

At the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we researched sleeper sofas from popular online brands and brands that have performed well in prior evaluations. We considered properties including fiber content and fabrication, dimensions and bed size, cushion type and the conversion mechanism used to transform the sofa into a bed.

We also recently distributed a sofa survey to our panelists, asking them to highlight the couches they currently own or have purchased in the past decade, including sofa bed and futon models. More than 10,000 of the data points collected in the survey covered sofa beds and futons specifically. This survey data provided insight into everything from overall quality and comfort to style to ease of delivery and setup to durability and long-term use. When making sofa bed picks for this article, we reviewed relevant data and chose some models from our panelists' favorite brands.

What to look for when shopping for sleeper sofas

There are a few things you'll need to consider when deciding on the best sleeper sofa for you and your home:

✔️ Size: First, we recommend measuring your space to ensure not only that the sofa will fit perfectly but that it will also be able to fit through your doorframes and into your home. If you have a small space, opt for a sleeper sofa that folds down or pulls out into a twin-size bed. On the other hand, if you're hoping to accommodate more guests, try a larger sofa that converts into a more spacious full- or queen-size bed.

✔️ Mechanism: Sleeper sofas come in a wide variety of styles and shapes, with different mechanisms to convert sofas into beds. Here are the most common ones:

• Pullout couches: This style has a real mattress stored inside. After removing the seating, you pull a handle to transform your sofa to an actual bed. These beds require more space than their counterparts below.

• Sofa beds: These feature a sofa that folds down, creating a bed without an additional mattress. They're a space-efficient and convenient option.

• Futons: They fold flat to make a bed but lack sofa cushions altogether — a great option for small spaces that can't accommodate a full-size pullout couch.

✔️ Bed type: Be sure to consider the bed type and upholstery because both affect the overall look and feel of your sofa:

• Cushions: For sofa beds and futons, the cushions themselves will be used as a mattress, so it's key that you like their feel and fabrication. Typically, the seat cushions are filled with foam that's wrapped in either down or polyester fibers for support and comfort. Although it's more expensive than polyester, down filling gives a plusher feel.

• Mattress: Pullout couches in particular use actual mattresses that are stored inside the couch. The mattresses are typically made of foam without springs, and if there are springs, the mattresses tend to be on the thinner side, so it's easier to compress them into a sofa when not in use.

Where is the best place to buy sleeper sofas online?

Online furniture brands are making it easier than ever for consumers to make big purchases online, thanks to less arduous setups and more lenient return policies. Even before you buy, some companies will mail you fabric swatches free of charge to help ensure you love the shade and feel of the fabric. Plus, you can always reach out to the company to make certain the delivery will be as seamless as possible.

When ordering a sofa, expect delivery wait times to range from one to 10 weeks. To ensure you have your sofa when you need it, schedule delivery far in advance, especially if you're ordering custom fabric.

How to make a sleeper sofa more comfortable

Keep in mind that if you love the look of the sofa but end up not loving the mattress, you can purchase a new sofa mattress — just double-check to ensure it's the correct size. To make your sleeper sofa even more comfortable, we love to add throw pillows and a soft, cozy blanket for a stylish look and an extra comfy feel.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She’s been at Good Housekeeping for more than three years, overseeing in-Lab and consumer tests. She has written multiple furniture features, including stories on the best bed frames and the best sectional sofas. With a degree in fiber science and apparel design from Cornell University, she has extensive product-testing experience. For this article, she used her relevant expertise when making selections and researched picks with rave online reviews.

Amanda Constantine joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home and apparel reviews analyst. She has written about furniture and home goods, including stylish recliner chairs and the best cheap couches. For this article, she reviewed thousands of data points from the Textiles Lab's most recent sofa survey for relevant information regarding sleeper sofas and sofa beds from popular or top-tested brands.

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