All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
15 best sofa beds for 2024, as reviewed by our editors
The best sofa beds serve a strong, if silent, purpose in our lives. They are the often-not-so-pretty piece of furniture that sits quietly waiting for the moment to unfurl their foam and welcome an extra sleeper. There is a spectrum of function for a sofa bed, though, and to make a good choice you need to think about where your needs are on that spectrum.
What are the benefits of a sofa bed?
Investing in one of the best sofa beds on the market will save your bacon on myriad occasions. Ruth Sleightholme, House & Garden's Style Director and resident interiors expert offers the following advice: 'You may just need something for an emergency extra guest who stayed on a little too late; a futon will do for this type of sleepover, when comfort is not the highest priority (especially after a few drinks!). Perhaps you need something, waiting patiently in the wings for occasional use, to see you through impromptu gatherings. If you have a small space, without a spare bedroom for guests, a mid-range purchase with a decent mattress is required. Extra bedding will go along way to adding comfort here. And then there is the big one: a goddaughter coming to town for an internship; the dad with the broken leg forced to relocate to the downstairs living room. In this 'everyday use' case, you are going to need something really good as your home office becomes your unofficial guest room.'
Every type of sofa bed, explained
Sofa beds fall into three main types, on a cost-to-comfort ratio. The ‘click-clack sofa bed', A-frame or futon sofa bed is the simplest kind, where the existing sofa backrest simply folds down flat. This is rarely going to be the most comfortable option, as you are effectively sleeping on the sofa with no seat cushions; but it is cheap, easy, and great for a night or two. Don't underestimate the amount of comfort adding a mattress topper will bring, it's a simple, easy hack but it makes a huge difference. The most affordable examples are from places like Made.com, The Futon Company, or Ikea. They will probably be low to the floor, and on the firm side.
The second type is a daybed or trundle bed, where a single slim sofa - not your comfortable, two-seater, main sofa, but something you’d keep in the spare room or home office - conceals a pull out or lift-off second mattress. These are space-efficient, often charming, and work well for kids and unfussy sleepers. The best example is the Duplet Day Bed by John Lewis which looks great as a daybed or chaise, but whose sturdy trundle raises up to join the main bed frame to make a double with the mattresses zipped together. The Cornish Bed Company do a brass or iron version (without any hydraulic help); it's a traditional design with generous proportions. Finally, Loaf's sofa bed looks lovely when not in use, opting to display its function as a sofa bed rather than hide it away, which makes for a certain charm. It would make a wonderful addition to a playroom or child's room in particular.
Our verdict: how we test and judge
The very best sofa beds are a combination of a few winning factors. A sofa bed with top marks should be comfortable not just as a bed, but as a sofa too, easy on the eye and require only one person to set it up. Anything too heavy for one is a no, and ideally it should be ‘get-up-able' in mere moments. Most of these sofa beds were tested and reviewed by our contributing writer, Jessica Salter, who went on a mission to find the very best sofa beds on the market. Read on for our top picks available to buy now, selected with the above criteria in mind.
The best sofa beds to buy, at a glance:
- Best sofa bed: Swyft Model 04 Large 3 Seater Double Sofa Bed
- Best sofa bed for upholstery choices: Darlings of Chelsea Weymouth Sofa Bed
- Best sofa bed for smaller spaces: John Lewis Bailey II Double Sofa Bed
- Best sofa bed for loose covers: Sofa.com Otto Two Seat Sofa Bed
- Best sofa bed for comfort: Heal's Oswald Sofa Bed
- Best sofa bed for easy delivery: Bennett Brown Leather Sofa Bed
Our top picks 2024
1. Best sofa bed overall: Swyft Model 04 Large 3 Seater Double Sofa Bed from John Lewis
| Fact file | Swyft Model 04 Large 3 Seater Double Sofa Bed |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H86 x W190 x D94cm |
| Upholstery options | 25 options |
| Delivery | Made to order - delivery within 9 weeks |
| Mattress size | W136 x L190cm |
| Warranty | 15 years |
| Mechanism type | 3 fold pull out |
This is a handsome looking sofa that has been designed with enough flair - I like the button detailing on the back cushions - to take pride of place in a main reception room. The core shape is mid century in inspiration, but additional side cushions add comfort and interest. The fabric range is impressive, including bouclé, linen and velvet options, and a full range of colours to feel very customisable (all come with stain-resistant technology).
The size of the three seater is large and comfy. It’s 190cm wide with a 45cm back and cushions filled with double layered high-density foam and then wrapped in Dacron, a polyester fibre that gives it a fuller, softer look. The frame and legs are made from sustainable, traceable pine, plywood and come with a 15 year guarantee.
The bed is actually pretty comfortable and, at 136cm wide and 190cm long, a standard double bed size. It comes with a seven-inch thick, 300 pocket sprung foam mattress, and you can always purchase an additional topper for extra comfort. The arms are removable if you need additional space on the ends (for example, if you have a guest over about 6ft who likes to stretch out in bed).
Pulling out the bed is easy, there are just a few more steps than with a click-clack. First, lift the seat cushion to unfurl the concealed legs, lower the seat cushion (which slides out along runners), pull out the mattress topper from inside the base and flap down the back of the sofa. Then you fit the mattress and the topper on, which has elasticated straps to hook onto the four corners of the bed, and dress it. The Swyft team have timed themselves and, with practice, say it should take 30 seconds.
The sofa bed is delivered in 4 boxes, which reduces anxiety for those who are worried about squeezing frames through tight hallways or curved stairs (the company guarantee it will fit any doorway). The downside is there’s a tiny bit of assembly to do. It is relatively minimal, and requires no tools, but you will need an assistant. You screw the legs on to the base, lift the back and sides on and into the specially designed locks, put the topper inside the base, then put the seat cover on, ensuring the wheels are aligned with the runners. Then add the back and side cushions. There is a handy video on YouTube that helps. Swyft’s website is also very user-friendly with an excellent chat function: I was connected to founder Keiran Hewkin when I used it one rainy Saturday afternoon.
This is a stylish and comfortable sofa bed that would fit a more relaxed space, which has all the benefits of flat pack company - quick delivery and no anxiety about getting into a smaller house - but thanks to clever design, it has very minimal assembly and it is well made enough that the company backs itself to guarantee the base for 15 years. - tested by Jessica Salter, Contributing Writer
Swyft's ‘sofa in a box' business broke new ground when it began, building luxury into flat pack principles. It means that no matter how high up you live, or how tight your doorways are, you'll always be able to get your sofa into your house. For ease of delivery, or anyone concerned about delivery, Swyft should be very high up on your list.
Swyft's sofa bed option, the ever popular Model 04, is available in 51 different, richly hued upholstery options and fabrics–a recent expansion from their original offering of seven. What's particularly interesting is that on their own website, Swyft have categorised their fabrics not just be texture and weave, but by delivery times. One such section is titled ‘24 hour delivery’, another ‘made to order in 10 days'. For those strapped for time, it's a very useful addition. Depending on which fabric you opt for, the sofa bed will take on a very different look. The linen lends the sofa bed a cool, laidback charm where the velvet envelops the sofa bed in a cosy feel. It's also a great choice for those with young children, as the fabric is stain resistant.
Our main drawback is that this does come in several pieces, meaning you need to assemble it at home. This may not be a problem for some but it's not the white glove service you might get with another one of its price point peers. However, once it's up and running this is a smart sofa bed that folds out into a pocket sprung double bed. A minor concern is that this sofa is rather narrow, which makes it a little less comfortable than others when used as a sofa.
2. Best sofa bed for upholstery choices: Weymouth Sofa Bed from Darlings of Chelsea
| Fact file | Weymouth Sofa Bed |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H97 x W174 x D97 |
| Upholstery options | 170 fabrics and leathers to choose from |
| Delivery | Made to order - average lead time 8-10 weeks |
| Mattress size | L241cm x W136cm x D12cm |
| Warranty | 10 year frame guarantee |
| Mechanism type | Pull-out/lift up |
This is a smart, formal sofa bed with gently curved arms and piped detailing on the fabric covered frame and cushions that lends an air of considered design. The fabric options are extensive, and come in a range of colours and finishes: from linen to cotton and the intriguing ‘family friendly' category. The latter includes ’easy clean' recycled velvet and stain-resistant recycled cotton, as well as piping options, cushion colours and arm covers. There is also a choice of colour finishes for the feet.
The sofa, which is 174cm wide and 97cm deep with a very supportive 97cm of back, is very comfortable to sit on. The arms have stabiliser bars embedded in the frame to give extra support, and the back of the frame is made from traditional upholstery webbing with a sprung base. Even the cushions are excellently crafted, with a foam core wrapped in microfibre which enables the seats and backs to spring back into shape. Some plumping is still required (you can also select feather filling for an additional £70). Plus, if the pictured size isn’t right, there are a range of sizes to choose from, starting at a ‘loveseat’ sized sofa bed, all the way up to a 3.5 seater sofa bed.
The bed pulls out to a generous length of 241cm and width of 136cm (larger than a queen-sized, but smaller than a king-sized mattress) with a steel mechanism that pulls out from under the base cushions. It’s very easy to pull out, with no clips or catches to worry about. It comes with a 12cm thick pocket sprung mattress as standard, which is comfortable enough as it is, but you also have a choice to upgrade to an additional memory foam topper.
Darlings of Chelsea’s website is notably helpful for customers browsing online. You can scan the QR code online to view the sofa in your own home, as well as spin the image around on the screen, and chat to an assistant - who is a real assistant in the shop, not a virtual bot - to ask any questions; I was impressed.
The sofa is handmade in the UK to order, takes between eight to ten weeks to make, and arrives fully assembled. There is a range of matching furniture options - including other sofa bed sizes - in the Weymouth range. The bottom line is that this is an elegant piece of furniture, handmade in the UK that, depending on the fabric choices (the linen option makes it less formal), would suit a wide range of rooms. - tested by Jessica Salter, Contributing Writer
Darlings of Chelsea do many things well, ranging from squishy armchairs to comfortable bed frames. But it's their sofa beds that really stand out. Their Weymouth Range - an elegant selection of sofas, armchairs and, the hero of this particular tale, sofa beds - is available in four sofa bed sizes: loveseat, two seat, three seat and three and a half seat sofa bed.
The Weymouth range comes with a fantastic ‘standard mattress’, a pocket sprung piece that measures around 12cm thick and 195cm long (about 10cm longer than most. Tall people rejoice!). If you wish, you can swap it out for a memory foam option that offers a slightly different level of support. That's not the only customisable option here though, as you can switch your seat cushions to feather-wrapped foam which feels delightfully squishy without the need for constant plumping up. Starting at just over £2,000, we think the Weymouth comes at very reasonable prices given it's a handmade furnishing that comes with a ten year guarantee.
Any alterations away from standard can be costly.
3. Best sofa bed for smaller spaces: Bailey II Double Sofa Bed from John Lewis
| Fact file | Bailey II Double Sofa Bed |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H87 x W171 x D93cm |
| Upholstery options | 75 fabrics and colours available |
| Delivery | Within 9 weeks |
| Mattress size | L231 x W143cm |
| Warranty | 25 year frame guarantee |
| Mechanism type | 2 Way Mechanism |
A boxy, compact sofa that could fit into a variety of rooms and settings. The Bailey sofa bed is a bestseller and very customisable, with 75 different fabrics available to choose from; delivery takes around nine weeks. John Lewis have improved their original Bailey sofabed by releasing the mark II, which has 'increased comfort, whilst retaining it's timeless scandi design', according to their website.
The total width of the sofa is 171cm, of which 143cm of that is the seat width, which is snug but the 231cm open depth of the mattress makes it feel comfortable, as does the foam and thick polyester filling in the cushions. As a bed, the mattress is a standard small double - so it can sleep two people, but for those of us used to larger beds, it does feel a squeeze. The foam mattress gives a firm and supportive feel.
It comes fully assembled, which is really handy. John Lewis’ delivery team will put the product in the room you need it in and take away the packaging. Reassuringly it comes with a generous 25 year frame guarantee.
When this is assembled as a sofa, the seats are supported by flexible webbing which is the same support system used in traditional sofas. Setting it up as a bed is easy, as the bed has a two part folding mechanism. Just remove the seat and back cushions, and pull out the under frame. I found that it’s easy and light enough to do with one hand.
There is matching furniture available in the Bailey range including armchairs and different sizes of sofas, including corner sofas and matching footstools.
It’s hard to overlook the fact that the design and shape of the sofa is quite a boring, boxy shape; I wouldn’t have it in a main living space. But its undeniable bonus is that it is comfortable in both its guises as a sofa and a bed and that it is so customisable.- tested by Jessica Salter, Contributing Writer
Ordering from John Lewis guarantees a certain level of quality, and the Bailey II Double sofa bed is no different. It might look compact, but it folds out to a size that can easily sleep two. The mechanism is a ‘two-fold’ one, where you take off the cushions and pull out the sofa bed from its resting place nestled inside the sofa. Whilst the ‘Bailey’ range has a few sizes overall, there is only one size of sofa bed on offer. Furthermore, thanks to the cushions, there's slightly more fuss and faff when setting up this sofa bed than with a click clack mechanism.
4. Best loose cover sofa bed: Otto Two Seat Sofa Bed from Sofa.com
| Fact file | Otto Two Seat Sofa Bed |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H94 x W168 x D102cm |
| Upholstery options | 96 fabrics and colours available |
| Delivery | Average lead time 4-6 weeks |
| Mattress size | L183 x W114 x D10cm |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Mechanism type | Pull-out |
Sofa.com have a large range of sofa beds but it was the sweet Otto that caught our eye. It's a tried-and-tested all-rounder that looks just as smart in white linen as in deep berry brushed cotton (and you have a lot of choice when it comes to upholstery). The Otto is available in four sizes, from the two seater (pictured) which measures 168cm across, to the larger three seat which measures 208 and the newly added four seat sofa (244cm across), so you have quite a lot of flexibility on size once you fall for a particular shape. Possibly the best thing about this sofa bed is that the covers are loose, so you can whip them off in the event of any accidental marks or stains.
What really sets Sofa.com apart is their lifetime guarantee on the sofa bed's frame. This is a product that's built to last, so investing a little more money in it is a sensible choice. Even better, the company offer a recycling service. For a small fee, they will arrange for their delivery team to take away your existing sofa and recycle it. This sofa bed requires a bit of strength to be pulled out, so it's great for guests and planned stays, but for any surprise visits it's possibly not the best choice.
5. Best sofa bed for comfort: Oswald Sofa Bed from Heal's
| Fact file | Oswald Sofa Bed |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H98 x W222 x D103cm |
| Upholstery options | 4 options |
| Delivery | Within 2 weeks or 6-8 weeks, depending on fabric choice |
| Mattress size | UK king size |
| Warranty | 6 years on the mechanism, 1 year on the upholstery |
| Mechanism type | Pull out |
This chic sofa bed is minimalist in design, with soft rounded curves, and enough style to be considered ‘main room’ worthy. It is an extremely comfortable sofa, great for lounging, with a deep 55cm seat depth, and easily fitting three people along the generous 222cm width. The back cushions are made from 30% feather and 70% foam to give a soft, yet supportive feel.
It comes in four fabric options, from Dessin fabric in blue or twist (a mid tone grey), recycled argus ‘Natural’ (a lighter, more canvas-textured beige) or a deep green velvet. It arrives flat packed, but the delivery team will assemble it for you on arrival.
It is extremely easy to convert into a bed: simply pull the little leather toggle, which is visible from the front, to bring the main seat up and down and legs will pop out automatically to support the bed. Then you store the back cushions in the cavity and fold down the back support to form the other half of the king sized bed. It’s a comfortable night's sleep, too: the bed is 150cm deep with individual pocket springs mean that you get an even pressure whatever way you turn, coupled with high resilient yet soft foam layers. It also looks stylish in its folded out form: more like a contemporary daybed.
Thanks to its great design and superior comfort, this is one of the best mattresses and comfiest sofa beds that we reviewed. - tested by Jessica Salter, Contributing Writer
6. Best sofa bed for easy delivery: Bennett Brown Leather Sofa Bed from Barker & Stonehouse
.png)
| Fact file | Bennett Brown Leather Sofa Bed |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | W200 x D102-211 x H87cm |
| Upholstery options | 1 |
| Delivery | 3 weeks |
| Mattress size | W160 x D195 x H11cm |
| Warranty | 2 year guarantee |
Barker & Stonehouse have made a name for themselves making high quality furniture for pretty reasonable prices. The Bennett leather sofa bed only comes in brown leather, but it's a nice neutral that will fit in many types of home. When used as a sofa, it doesn't look too obviously like a sofa bed as some can, which is partly due to the leather finish on this model. The webbing used on the seats and back provide comfort and durability. We particularly like how this sofa bed can be speedily delivered to your home in just three weeks, fully assembled.
7. Sophie Loose Cover Sofa Bed from Love Your Home
| Fact file | Sophie Loose Cover Sofa Bed (1.5 seater) |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H85 x W155 x D90cm |
| Upholstery options | 107 options |
| Delivery | 6-8 week lead time, subject to the chosen fabric being in stock |
| Mattress size | 113 x 182cm |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Mechanism type | Roll-out |
This stylish sofa bed is one of our top picks in this guide–and that's not simply because it looks charming. The deep, double mattress is ideal for everyday use, providing a comfy base for regular sofa use as well as sleeping guests. We like how it is available in two sizes, 1.5 or 2 seater, and the sofa bed can be customised with a premium pocket sprung and memory foam mattress for an additional £113. In addition, the loose covers make cleaning hassle free, so you needn't worry about the beautiful linen becoming dirty or marked. The skinny arms are quite charming, but don't make for the most comfortable armrests when in use as a sofa.
8. 40 Winks Sofa Bed from Heal's
| Fact file | 40 Winks Sofa Bed |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H79 x W210 x D54cm |
| Upholstery options | 2 options |
| Delivery | £79 for delivery, lead time unclear |
| Mattress size | 210 x 115cm |
| Warranty | Not specified |
| Mechanism type | Click-clack |
If you're lucky enough to have space in your home office, or indeed have a home office at all, we'd opt for this slick Chesterfield sofa bed, available in faux-leather or velvet. It's comfortable enough to sit on and can be put into use as an extra place to sleep when needed. Whilst the click-clack mechanism might be the most simple to use, this sofa bed is not the most comfortable for long term stays.
9. Harper Sofa Bed from The Conran Shop
| Fact file | Harper Sofa Bed |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | W212 x H97 x D115cm |
| Upholstery options | 57 |
| Delivery | 10-12 weeks |
| Warranty | Not specified |
| Mechanism type | Pull out |
This handsome and stylish sofa bed is an excellent pick; the level of quality waiting at the other end of those 12 weeks will surely be worth it. The Harper comes in a range of over 50 fabric choices, with bouclés, velvets and linens available. It lends itself well to both the occasional sleeping guest and day to day use, thanks to the easy metal pull out mechanisms. The main drawback here is the higher price point but this isn't surprisingly given that the Harper is bespoke and made to order.
10. Felix Chaise Corner Sofa Bed from Love Your Home
| Fact file | Felix Chaise Corner Sofa Bed (2 seater) |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H87 x W259 x D100cm (depth of Chaise 170cm) |
| Upholstery options | 116 fabrics |
| Delivery | 6-8 week lead time, subject to the chosen fabric being in stock. |
| Mattress size | Double |
| Warranty | Not specified |
| Mechanism type | Roll-out |
Finding a good corner sofa bed can be a hard task, but Love Your Home has solved the issue with its totally configurable left or right hand corner sofa, complete with a wide range of fabric selections. You can choose to upgrade the mattress too, should you think it'll be used a lot as a guest bed. Customisations quickly tally up to cost well over the starting price, however. The main seat covers come off and be cleaned in a flash, making this a total all rounder.
11. Bromley Sofa Bed from Darlings of Chelsea
| Fact file | Bromley Sofa Bed (3 seater) |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | W190 x D94 x H105cm |
| Upholstery options | 113 fabrics and leathers to choose from |
| Delivery | 4-6 weeks |
| Mattress size | W137 x D220/190 x H12cm |
| Warranty | 10 year frame guarantee |
The Bromley range of furniture from Darlings of Chelsea is perennially popular and it's easy to see why. We love how there are eight(!) different sizes of Bromley sofa bed available, making it very easy to find a size that suits. The shape strikes the balance between smart and snuggly, between stylish and welcoming, so well. Our current favourite is this soft grey blue velvet fabric, but there are plenty of other upholstery picks available. Same (minimal) issues as with all of the Darlings of Chelsea products in that any changes away from the ‘standard’ settings can tally up quickly and become costly.
FAQs
What is the best type of sofa bed?
The best option, if you will be sleeping on it for any length of time, is a fold-out sofa bed, where a bed frame is folded inside the structure of the sofa. Here, it is all about trying to marry a good mattress with a handsome sofa, and money will make a difference. We recommend looking for one with a memory foam mattress, as this will be the most comfortable type. At the top end, George Smith can produce almost all of their sofas as stylish sofa beds, and Ensemblier London have a chic design made from beautiful materials - lambswool mattress and feather and down fillings. The ‘Do Not Disturb’ sofa bed by Ligne Roset is known for being deep, generous and comfortable; and Gervasoni’s ‘Ghost’ sofa - a design classic - also comes as a sofa bed. At the high-street end, newcomers Furl are getting excellent reviews and offer memory foam or pocket-sprung bed mattresses with their fold-out sofa beds. Finally, whilst perhaps not the chicest, the humble ‘Otto’ from Sofa.com gets mentions over and over again for its good comfort-to-cost ratio.
Make sure to consider the amount of overnight guests you most frequently have to stay. This will help you decide how large the sofa bed should be. A 2 seater, or loveseat, typically sleeps 2, a 3 seater sofa bed will sleep 3 (albeit 3 little ones)!
Is a sofa bed worth it?
The simple answer is, yes. On one end of the scale you have the affordable but well made sofa bed from some of our favourite furniture shops (we like the Haru collection from Made). These can be spruced up with crisp white sheets or other lovely bedding, as well as a quilt and some cushions. These make a smart purchase for when you have friends over to stay frequently and they need somewhere to doze off. On the other end you have the investment pieces, which often make the very best sofa beds. These are designed to be as comfortable as a normal bed but look as stylish as a sofa, with rich upholstery- so much so that the difference would be imperceptible. Both are excellent options.
