Can a Sleeper Sofa Actually Be Comfortable? (2024)

The age-old question when contemplating whether or not to invest in a pull-out couch is: Is it comfortable? We investigated and discovered the most comfortable sleeper sofa on the market. Gone are the days of waiting to fall asleep on what feels like a bag of nails and waking up with back and neck pain. Those experiences are officially in the past because these sleeper sofas are, dare we say, even more comfortable than a traditional bed.

Sadly, we couldn’t pick one, so we picked 15 instead. They’re all equally comfortable but vary in style, price, and size, so when shopping for your multi-functional piece, don’t let comfort be a factor. Ahead, we break down everything you need to know about buying the most comfortable sleeper sofa to make sure you feel confident (and excited) about your new investment.

What to Know About the Most Comfortable Sleeper Sofas

Just like buying a bed or a sofa, there are a lot of factors to consider before actually snagging it. Here’s what to know.

Size

When we say size, we’re talking about the dimensions of the sofa, the dimensions of the bed, and the number of people it can sleep. As for the first two, you’ll need your sleeper sofa to physically fit in your space when it’s in both positions, so make sure you measure your space before investing in a pull-out couch. Secondly, if you tend to host couples or your nieces and nephews, you’ll need a sofa bed that can comfortably accommodate more than one person.

Weight Capacity

Just because it can fit multiple people doesn’t mean it can support multiple people. So before you invite your guests to tuck themselves in and get cozy, check the weight capacity on your sleeper sofa. Most can accommodate between 400 and 500 pounds, but some—especially the smaller ones—can support only 200 pounds, which likely won’t work for two adults.

Mattress Type

The mattress type is less logistical than the first two elements you’ll need to consider. The mattress type—memory foam, down-wrapped fiber, or innerspring—is more about personal preference. Personally, we think memory foam is the best crowd-pleaser because it conforms to everyone’s specific curves and contours, but also because it’s the perfect halfway point between firm and soft. Otherwise, you can go classic with innerspring or luxury with down or feather-wrapped fiber.

If the idea of putting your back into unfolding a pull-out couch is too much to bear, opt for this sofa bed instead. All you have to do is put a little pressure on the back and it will flatten and lock in place. Otherwise, angle it in any position that feels most comfortable if 90 degrees or 180 degrees are too rigid. It also comes in eight colors, so if teal velvet isn't your vibe, go with charcoal, dusty rose, or even olive green. One warning, it does require assembly, although it's quite easy and only takes a few minutes. For instance, the most difficult part is simply screwing in the tapered legs.

The worst type of sleeper sofas are sleepers sofas that look like sleeper sofas. Don't ask us why, but it's the truth. That's why we love this Frontgate find, which is one of the most comfortable sleeper sofas on the market. We love it, though, because you'd never guess it pulls out into a bed. Whether it's the rolled arms, tufted back, or nailhead details, we're not entirely sure, but it's arguably the most stylish option on our carefully curated list. It's also available in more than 40 fabric and color options, so feel free to customize it however you see fit. When you're sitting on the sofa, enjoy the high-density foam cushions that are wrapped with feathers and down for maximum comfort, and when you're using it as a bed, you'll pass out on the queen-size innerspring mattress.

Sofa beds work in any space, but they're ideal in small spaces because they totally eliminate Sophie's Choice between a bed and a sofa. You can have both! This is also a small sofa—at just 67 inches wide—that unfolds with an easy-to-use pneumatic lift assist system, into a queen-size bed at night. Also, it's not often that we see a stylish leather sleeper sofa, so we're all for this one. Oh, and did we mention that it comes with a storage pocket?

We'll be the first to admit, this photo doesn't do the bed justice because you can order it in 152 patterns and four solids—all of which are performance-grade. The ultimate tailored sofa bed, 's Grady sleeper is easily one of our favorites, with its refined proportions, premium down and feathered back cushions, and perfectly cozy box cushions. The mattress, high-resilience foam, is pretty comfortable too!

This convertible chair may not be a bed you'll want to sleep on every night, but for a weekend, it will work. Plus, if you're working with a small space, you really can't go wrong with a wide chair that unfolds into a twin-size bed that can support up to 330 pounds. Here's the deal, though: Like a few others on our list, it requires some assembly, but the Corrigan Studio chair comes with all the tools you'll need. The matching pillow is also included, so all you really need is a cozy blanket.

If red isn't your color, opt for any of the other 55 hypoallergenic fabrics and sumptuous shades available, including gray tweed and beige linen. You can also choose between a spring and memory foam mattress. The best part? This sleeper sofa unfolds into a queen size, so no matter which customizations you choose, your guests will be comfortable all night. It's also made in the U.S., so you don't have to wait months for it to ship, and delivery is free.

When we think of a traditional sleeper sofa, something like this Walmart finds comes to mind. The only difference, though? This one is much more affordable. It comes in four colors, including a sensuous emerald green, and an adjustable backrest that can sit up 90 degrees or lie completely flat.

Burrow's customer-favorite sofa-in-box pairs perfectly with a sleep kit, which includes a memory foam topper, a custom sheet set and pillowcase, a quilt, and a pillow. Not to mention, an eye mask for quality sleep. It's a space-friendly option if you don't have room for a sofa that pulls out or folds down into a sleeper.

As a sofa, this affordable sleeper has a fold-down armrest with cupholders (a movie night must-have), and as a bed, it's actually pretty comfortable. Technically, it can fit two, but it would be a bit of a squeeze, so you may want to enjoy this sweet find on your own. It requires some assembly, but all of the tools you'll need will ship with your sofa bed.

Not only is this sleeper sectional super roomy, but it also comes with a hidden perk: The chaise seat lifts up to reveal a secret storage compartment, perfect for stowing extra bed linens and pillows when you're not using them. It's also available in five earthy tones, so it will go with pretty much everything.

Here's a stylish and easy-to-stow-away alternative to a pull-out couch in a children's room. If you plan on regularly hosting any nieces and nephews or have kids who love a good slumber party but don't have enough space in their room for a pull-out couch, this foldable floor futon will make you the cool parent.

This may be from PBTeen, but we, non-teens, would certainly buy it for our own homes. The only thing that makes it teen-specific is that it's pretty affordable. Otherwise, it will work in just about any adult's space. Just pick from any of the seven fabrics and colors. One note: some, like the charcoal textured faux suede, can take up to 10 weeks to ship because they're made to order.

Available in two sizes, this daybed transforms into a real bed in a matter of seconds. All you have to do is drape a sheet across it, et voila. As for the comfort level, the cushions are filled with a mix of high-gauge sinuous springs and fiber-wrapped polyurethane foam, so you know it's cozy.

Anthropologie has underrated furniture. Case in point: This over-stuffed sofa bed that's so cozy in couch form that you'd easily fall asleep after just a few minutes. It also folds out into a classic bed complete with an innerspring mattress. It's also made to order, which is both good and bad because, on the one hand, you can customize every detail, but on the other, it takes a long time to actually get to you.

Invest in a midcentury modern-inspired sofa with comfy, loose-back cushions that folds out into an equally comfy double bed. The color and fabric options (there are more than 70) are generous to any aesthetic.

Yes, memory foam sleeper sofas are comfortable. They feel very similar to a memory foam mattress. The good thing about memory foam is that it doesn't need to be a thick pad to feel comfortable. As long as it's thicker than two inches, it will feel plenty supportive.

Yes, sofa beds are okay to sleep on every day. Just be sure the mattress is high-quality enough to offer long-term back support.

The House Beautiful shopping editors apply in-depth product research and testing to find the most comfortable sleeper sofas. We also worked with experts to curate a list of the best sleeper sofas for small spaces!