14 best sofa beds – I tested over 100 options to find the most comfortable guest beds for overnight visitors

The best sofa beds can help you to transform your home by conjuring up overnight sleeping space for guests in the living room, or allowing you to convert a guest bedroom into a home office or playroom without sacrificing the ability to host friends and family occasionally.

However, finding a sofa bed that's stylish, affordable, and comfortable is a tall order – trust me, over the past four years I've visited 18 furniture stores across the UK to test out sofa beds from John Lewis, Habitat, Argos, IKEA, Darlings of Chelsea, and many more to compile this guide.

In each store, I tested the brand's full range and I unearthed plenty of sofa beds that didn't hit the mark in terms of sitting or sleeping comfort – so I know just how difficult finding a good one can be.

Overall, I've sat and laid down on over 100 sofa beds, testing sofa comfort, bed comfort, and how easy it is to transform from one to the other. I've compiled all of that first-hand testing experience into this guide, so you can jump straight to my top recommendations.

Whilst most sofa beds will feel a little firmer for sitting on than one of the best sofas, I'm confident that this selection offers the most comfortable of the sofa bed crop.

The quick list

Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best sofa beds. You'll find more information on each sofa bed and why I recommend it if you keep on scrolling.

Best sofa beds

Best sofa bed overall

(Image credit: Darlings of Chelsea)

It may be an investment compared to other options in this edit, but if you have more budget to play with then the Bromley sofa bed from Darling's of Chelsea offers a lot of bang for your buck. During testing I felt it nailed the holy grail of the sofa bed search; one that's comfortable enough to use as your everyday seating as well as providing overnight guests with a decent night's sleep.

There are four frame widths available, all with a single roll-out action mechanism that I found made the transformation from sofa to pull-out bed really easy. And, as the seat and back cushions remain attached to the frame, there's no need to find somewhere to store them while your guests are snoozing. (Although that does mean you can't flip the seat or back cushions over like with some other pull-out models).

The roll-action design also means you get a longer mattress than most pull-out sofa beds provide, with a 190cm length sleeping area that taller guests will appreciate. At 12cm, this is also one of the deepest pull-out mattresses I've come across, and you can choose from either pocket spring or memory foam construction.

Seat comfort can be tailored too, with a choice of fibre-wrapped foam or feather-wrapped foam seat cushions, and there are a whopping 175+ upholstery options to choose from. Plus, if a narrow hallway, tight corners, or tricky stairs are an issue, this sofa bed can be delivered flat-packed and built by the delivery team in situ; a real boon for those of us with awkward access.

Best compact double sofa bed

(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

If you're looking for a compact sofa bed that can still comfortably sleep two guests at once, then this Innovation Living option is a great find.

It only comes in one width, but the armless design means the two-seater sofa is only 147cm wide – far narrower than most sofa beds that can accommodate two sleepers at a time. In fact, with a sleeping space that measures somewhere between a double and a king-size bed, the Cubed 140 is a real rarity in the world of sofa beds where sleeping spaces tend to be very narrow. The only comparable-sized sleeping areas I've come across are the Darlings of Chelsea's Bromley sofa bed and Heal's Oswald sofa bed, but, both are far wider in sofa form and more expensive.

I found the transformation from sofa to bed was made simple thanks to an innovative design that sees the base pull forward, flip up, and then fold flat to create the sleeping surface. Whilst firm, I liked how sturdy the sleeping area felt and it's nothing a mattress topper can't soften up. There's also hidden storage underneath the seat that's useful for stashing away bedding.

If your access is awkward, then it may be a boon that this sofa bed is delivered flat-packed, although customer reviews reveal that it doesn't slot together as quickly as the similarly flat-packed Swyft Model 04 sofa bed that's a little lower down this round-up.

Whilst the lack of arms, firm seats, and limited upholstery options mean I don't think it cuts the mustard as a sofa for everyday use, as a compact option for use in a spare room or home office this double sofa bed has a lot going for it.

Best budget-friendly double sofa bed

(Image credit: Habitat)

A large sofa bed at a very affordable price point, it's hard to find a better value double sofa bed than the Kota – as long as you're happy with the fairly limited upholstery options and its very contemporary design.

For under half the price of most sofa beds of this size, you get a generous three-seater sofa with a simple click-clack design where the backrest folds down to create a sleeping surface that's just shy of a regular double bed size.

At first, I wasn't sure how comfortable those oversized Chesterfield-style pockets would be, and whilst it doesn't compare to the Darlings of Chelsea's Bromley sofa bed or Heal's Oswald sofa bed in terms of comfort, it's perfectly acceptable for lounging on. You'll probably want to add a mattress topper for an extra layer of comfort when sleeping – and to protect the sofa upholstery – but that's the case with most click-clack sofa beds.

However, I was a bit disappointed by the side profile of this model in real life. The base platform is very visible from the back and each side of the sofa, so you'll definitely want this option pushed against a wall, and preferably camouflaged by a coffee table either side. The slanted backrest also pushes this model out quite far into the room, so it may not be a good option if you're short on space. However, as occasional seating or sleeping in a home office, kid's playroom, or teenager's bedroom, this great value large sofa bed is hard to beat on price.

Best for everyday use

(Image credit: Heal's)

Heal's Oswald sofa bed is an investment. However, in terms of sleep comfort, this is one of the most comfortable and generously proportioned options I've come across, with the mix of hyper-soft foam layers over a high-resilient foam and pocket-spring core giving the closest feel to a 'true' mattress, and a king-sized sleeping area offering a luxurious amount of space to stretch out.

In sofa form, that sleep comfort translates into a comfortable sitting experience too. It's not a squishy sofa, and I did feel I was sitting more on top of the foam seating than sinking into it, but it still has enough give and bounce to make it a pleasant place to relax.

I also found transforming the sofa into a bed super easy. A slight variation on the usual fold-flat click-clack design, with this model, you pull the leather tab at the front of the sofa to lift the seat section up and out, and the backrest then tilts flat to meet it. The legs extend automatically, and the sleeping surface is a good height from the floor compared to other click-clack options. There's even hidden storage underneath for stashing the sofa back cushions.

The downside is that – compared to the 175+ upholstery options offered by Darlings of Chelsea's Bromley sofa bed – there are only three upholstery options available for the Oswald. But, if you're after a contemporary design that doesn't compromise on comfort and offers a super generous sleeping space, I think this sofa bed is well worth considering.

Best budget sofa bed for everyday use

(Image credit: Habitat)

This budget-friendly sofa bed has just launched at Habitat, and I think it's currently one of the best sofa beds you can buy if you're looking for a sleeper sofa that looks and feels like a classic sofa without breaking the bank.

Yes, Habitat's Kota sofa bed is cheaper, but, in my opinion, the Julien looks far more stylish and will blend far more easily into the average living room. It's also more comfortable for use as your main everyday seating.

It's based on Habitat's bestselling sofa of the same name, and benefits from the same pocket-spring foam seat construction. In practice, that means you sit 'on', rather than sink 'into' it, but it has a nice amount of give and bounce that I found made it comfortable for sitting.

Similar to Heal's Oswald sofa bed, that pocket-sprung seating then becomes the sleeping area once the backrest pivots down. The Julien's sleeping area is a double rather than Heal's Oswald's king size, but it's a true double, which should be enough space for most guests.

Currently, the Julien is only available in two colourways, but true to Habitat's usual form, they're both nice on-trend shades of decent quality. It also offers a *lot* of seating for its price, with a generous 4-seater width, deep seats, and super comfortable armrests.

Best single sofa bed

(Image credit: Habitat)

If you're looking for a single sofa bed, then the super affordable Roma sofa bed from Habitat is my top pick for the best chair bed. It combines a (relatively) low price point, stylish good looks, and acceptable comfort levels for both sitting and sleeping.

There are two options for a single guest, the compact 90cm width that Habitat calls a 'single', and the slightly larger 100cm width that the brand dubs a 'small double', although to my mind that's a very small double indeed and two guests would have a very uncomfortable nights sleep. However, it's a great option for offering a single guest a little more space to turn over. (There is also a 120cm 'double' which, confusingly, offers the sleeping space of a standard small double mattress).

The small footprint makes this a great option for a smaller home, and the price is hard to beat.

The click-clack design means it's also super simple to fold the backrest down to transition from seating to sleeping, with hidden pockets (disguised by the coordinating scatter cushions) opening to reveal hinged legs. That design does mean the sleeping surface ends up pretty low to the ground, but I still found the medium-firm foam cushioning comfortable enough – especially if you add a mattress topper. And it's more comfortable than I expected as a seat too, with the angled back hitting just the right level of recline.

The lack of arms and medium-firm cushioning means I can't quite see it cutting the mustard for everyday use, but, as occasional seating, it makes a great accent chair.

Best quick delivery sofa bed

(Image credit: Swyft)

If you need overnight sleeping space fast, then this quick-delivery sofa bed could be for you.

The majority of sofas and sofa beds come with long lead times (up to 16 weeks isn't unusual) which can make sourcing one fast a bit of a headache. You'll find a range of time-sensitive options in my guide to where to buy a quick delivery sofa, but Swyft's sofa-bed-in-a-box is my top pick as it can be delivered in just 24 hours if you order direct from Swyft, or under a week at third-party stockists.

As well as super fast delivery, this sofa bed's flatpack design is brilliant for anyone struggling with awkward access. that does mean self-assembly, our editor, Heather, put the no-tools build to the test in her Swyft Model 04 sofa bed review and she confirmed it's as easy as the brand claims. It also makes for simple disassembly and reassembly should you move house – a particularly useful feature for those of us who rent – and the sofa arms can be detached if necessary, which is a bonus if you're short on space.

However, the high-level convenience does mean some compromises elsewhere. Heather found the seats firm and without much squish-factor. Upholstery options are more limited too – although all are versatile shades with a mix of hardwearing stain-resistant linen mix fabrics and luxe-look velvets.

On the plus side, this is the only sofa bed to offer a bespoke-fit mattress protector to extend the longevity of your investment, and there's also a handy integrated storage compartment under the seat to keep the protector hidden out of sight when the bed isn't in use.

Best small sofa bed

(Image credit: MADE)

The MADE Haru sofa bed is very similar in design to Habitat's Roma sofa bed further up my list, but, it comes in slightly different size options. The Roma is available in 90, 100, and 120cm widths, whereas the Haru comes in 77, 123, and 143cm options.

I think that makes the Habitat Roma the best single sofa bed as your solo guest will get more space (and the Habitat Roma is cheaper). But, if you want a small sofa bed that can sleep two guests, the MADE Haru offers more upholstery choice, although it is more expensive – the 123cm MADE Haru starts from £450 and comes in 9 upholstery options whereas the 120cm Habitat Roma starts from £300 but is only available in grey as of writing.

For reference, a standard small double mattress should measure 120cm in width and a standard double 135cm. The option of upgrading to the 143cm width in the MADE Haru is also useful if you have a bit more floor space and will no doubt be appreciated by your guests.

Similar to the Roma, the Haru features a click-clack sofa bed design that makes it easy to transition from seating to sleeping. Hidden pockets are disguised by the coordinating scatter cushions open to reveal hinged legs, and the backrest and seat easily unfold to create the sleeping surface.

Both sitting and sleeping are a fairly firm experience, but adding a mattress topper like the Panda Mattress Topper will help with sleep comfort (although it will increase the overall investment).

Best corner sofa bed

(Image credit: Cocoon)

Whilst I haven't tested this exact sofa bed, our reviewer Millie put the brand's most affordable design, the Alice sofa bed, through its paces for our Cocoon Sofa Bed review and gave it the thumbs up for sleep comfort and ease of transformation, even if she found the Alice a little too firm for snuggling up on as everyday seating.

Cocoon's Ashley sofa bed is a very similar design, but the Ashley model comes in that hard-to-find configuration; a chaise or corner sofa bed.

It's available with the chaise section on either the left or right (although sadly you can't swap the chaise section around) and it offers a very generous sleeping space of 150 x 180cm. That's just a bit short of a standard king-size bed which measures 150 x 200cm.

Handily for those of us with awkward access, the Ashley corner sofa bed is delivered flat-packed in four boxes which makes it easier to get through narrow hallways or up twisting flights of stairs. That does mean self-assembly on its arrival, but Millie found hers easy enough to put together.

Unlike most sofa beds I've come across, Cocoon also offers a 14-night sleep trial on the Ashley sofa bed which gives you a chance to test it out in your own home before you commit. It would be great if the trial were longer, but it makes the investment a little easier to swallow.

Best budget buy

(Image credit: Dunelm)

This simple futon sofa bed may be basic, but if you're after an affordable way to put up the occasional overnight guest then the Dunelm Mito Futon makes for a useful and budget-friendly extra sleeping space.

Plus, there are lots of upholstery options available, from plain neutral and colourful options to practical darks and vibrant patterns that are perfect for a teenager's lair or children's bedroom.

The FSC-certified solid pine frame is fairly roughly finished – there were a few sections that looked like they could splinter on the model I tested – and, at this price point, the sleeping is a firm experience. Although, the addition of a good mattress topper can work wonders in terms of sleep comfort. Guests also won't be that far off the floor once the futon bed is extended, which may not be ideal for less mobile visitors.

Whilst guests might struggle to spend a whole week on this temporary bed – which may or may not be a good thing! – if you only need a guest bed for the occasional overnighter and want a cheap and cheerful option that's a little more permanent than a roll-up or inflatable mattress, this budget option could strike just the right balance. Plus, the addition of a good mattress topper can work wonders in terms of sleep comfort.

Best range of matching furniture

(Image credit: Sofa.com)

A deep to-the-floor sofa frame that offers plenty of depth for hiding the pull-out mattress and bed frame, plus super deep and squishy feather-wrapped foam seat cushions make the Otto my top pick of Sofa.com's sofa bed options. In my opinion, those deep seat cushions also make it one of those elusive finds; a mid-priced sofa bed that's comfortable enough for everyday use in the living room as the main living room seating.

Creating a look that's worthy of front room status is made easier thanks to a wide selection of 95+ upholstery choices, and – somewhat of a rarity in the world of sofa beds – the Otto sofa bed has a great selection of matching furniture on offer. I discovered that there's a coordinating armchair, footstool, and a wide range of standard sofa configurations which make it far easier to blend this sofa bed in with other living room furniture if you want to 'hide' a sofa bed in your main living space.

There are also three sofa frame widths available that offer either a single, double, or king-size sleeping area. Although – as is the way with most pull-out sofa beds I've come across besides the Darlings of Chelsea Bromley sofa bed – those mattress sizes do scrimp on length, with the single and double coming up at 183cm long as opposed to the 190cm standard for a regular mattress, which could leave long-legged guests a little non-plussed.

Sadly that shorter mattress length isn't reflected in the Otto's size when extended, so you will need a large room to accommodate this option. It measures 230cm when fully extended – the most floorspace of all the models in this edit.

Best upholstery options

(Image credit: Loaf)

If you have the budget to invest in a really good sofa bed, Loaf has some great options.

The downside is that Loaf seating tends to take up a lot of space. In general, this is furniture designed for grand Edwardian living rooms or open-plan living rather than compact apartments or small Victorian terraces.

However, the Jonesy sofa bed is one of the brand's most compact sleeper sofas, coming in a medium 179cm or large 199cm sofa width. Like all of Loaf's range, it's a pull-out sofa bed, and once extended, it still takes up the most room of any beds on this list – you'll need at least 226cm-worth of floor clearance, but that's less than any other sofa bed in Loaf's collection.

I also found it super comfortable to sit on thanks to its deep and generous feather, foam, and fibre-mixed cushions, so it's definitely an option that can be used as an everyday sofa.

I found the bed comfortable too. At 13cm deep, the pocket-sprung mattress is one of the deepest pull-out mattresses I've come across, and a mix of wool, cotton, and polyester makes it more breathable than most sofa bed mattresses.

Then there are Loaf's fantastic upholstery options, which are the best sofa bed fabrics I've found. There are 149 options to choose from in a whole host of sumptuous shades, and the velvets are especially good quality. Although – sadly – the nicer the upholstery option you choose, the higher the price point goes. If you're looking to splurge on an investment piece though, this sofa bed fits the bill.

Best IKEA sofa bed

(Image credit: IKEA)

If you have a small living area then you'll know that any furniture you introduce into a room needs to work extremely hard to earn its floorspace.

IKEA is an expert in practical small-space solutions, and the brand's LINDÅKRA sofa bed is no exception. A brilliant multifunctional piece of furniture it offers seating for two to three people, hidden storage, and enough sleeping space for one overnight guest.

What's more, the seating is comfortable enough that I'd be happy to use this as my everyday sofa. It's firmish to sit on, but not hard like many sofa beds I've tested at this price point. The seats are well-padded and the back cushions are generously stuffed and pleasant to lean back on.

The clever half-moon-shaped ottoman also offers great versatility. You can pull it in front of the sofa to create a chaise, use it as a coffee table, or as extra seating when you have guests. It also offers hidden storage inside, as does the main sofa seating.

And when night falls, I found that turning this sofa into a bed could not be easier. Simply remove the back cushions and pull the ottoman up to the end of the sofa to create a comfortable single sleeping space.

The downside is that you can only sleep one guest at a time, although I found it a generous fit for one person when I tested it. Plus, the LINDÅKRA is currently only available in one fabric – a dark grey. It's a very good price though, and if you have a studio apartment or compact living space, I think this is a great buy.

Best sofa look-alike

(Image credit: Furniture Village)

If you're looking for a sofa bed that can masquerade as a classic sofa, this is a very strong contender. When I tested Furniture Village's Cory collection in store, I would have had no idea this was a sofa bed had it not been labelled as one.

Both visually and comfort-wise, it's identical to the Cory sofa when it's in seat form. You would never know it hides a pull-out mattress under its cushions, which means it's a great option if you want a sofa bed that can be used as your main living room seating.

Plus, it comes in four size options – a chair bed, a two-seater sofa, a three-seater, and a generous chaise sofa bed option – along with a wide range of matching furniture.

I tested a few models in different upholstery options – with both the classic back or scatter back cushion design – and was really impressed by them all. The seat depth is the perfect compromise between loungey and upright to keep both sitters and curler-uppers content, and the sink-in yet supportive fibre back cushions and fibre-topped foam seat cushions, plus good height armrests make for a really comfortable sitting experience.

My only disappointment is on the upholstery front. Options are fairly limited and they can't compete with Sofa.com or Loaf in terms of quality. But then, this sofa bed is usually far more affordable especially if you can snap it up in one of Furniture Village's regular sales.

Runners up

Myself and the wider Ideal Home team have tested a whole host of sofa beds in order to compile just the cream of the crop for this guide. Below are some of the runner's up which didn't quite make the grade but might still be suitable depending on your requirements.

Where to shop for a sofa bed

Not all furniture stores sell sofa beds, so if you're on the hunt for this multifunctional item, here are my top recommendations for where to shop.

• Argos: budget Habitat sofa beds
• Cocoon: one, two, three, four and even five-seater sofa beds
• Darlings of Chelsea: luxury sofa beds with a price tag to match
• DUSK: affordable sofa beds
• Furniture Village: affordable options in limited fabrics
• Heal's: stylish designer sofa beds
• John Lewis: wide range of own-brand, Swyft, and Innovation Living sofa beds
• Loaf: an investment, but you get squishy seating with great upholstery options
• Love Your Home: stylish and comfortable designs, but they're an investment
• Sofa.com: a good selection of sofa bed styles in a wide range of fabrics
• Swyft: 24-hour sofa bed delivery

How I tested

You'll find full details of the Ideal Home review process on our how we test page. However, to find the best sofa beds I had to take a slightly different approach. Instead, I've spent the past four years visiting furniture stores across the UK to test out each retailer's sofa bed range. As of writing, I've visited (and often revisited) 18 furniture stores and I've sat on, laid on, and tested over 100 sofa beds for comfort and ease of use.

I've visited Bensons for Beds, Darlings of Chelsea, DFS, Dreams, Dunelm, Furniture Village, Habitat, Heal's, IKEA, John Lewis, King Living, MADE, Next, Loaf, Sofa.com, Sofology, Sofas & Stuff, West Elm, and myself or one of the Ideal Home team has also tested the sofa bed ranges of online-only retailers DUSK, Cocoon, Snug and Swyft.

I tested each sofa bed's comfort levels in sofa form, tested how easy each sofa bed was to convert into a bed, and how comfortable the sofa bed was for sleeping on.

I also took into account the range and quality of each sofa bed's upholstery options, any additional features such as a flat-pack design, coordinating furniture, or quick delivery options, and considered its value for money.

Where we've been able to test out a sofa bed in one of our own homes, myself or the team has also assessed the delivery process, and, where relevant, how easy each flat-packed sofa bed was to assemble.

Where possible, I've also thoroughly researched online reviews for each sofa bed, to ensure that my own or the team's experiences with the sofa bed are in line with those of other customers. After all, in-store and at-home testing doesn't reflect how a piece of furniture will perform months, or years, down the line.

In my research I looked for common themes mentioned by reviewers – especially those who had owned a product for a good length of time. I noted any negative experiences, and I've only included products in this guide that have overall positive customer reviews.

How to choose the best sofa bed for your home

A sofa bed can be a great multifunctional solution for the living room, guest room, or home office. But, we've probably all spent a night on a less-than-comfortable sleeper sofa. Plus, considering how much sofa beds cost, we all want to avoid any expensive sofa bed buying mistakes, so how do we get this purchase right?

I've compiled a checklist of what to look for when shopping for a sofa bed below, but, first, it's useful to understand some basic sofa bed terminology.

Sofa beds come in two main designs. There are pull-out sofa beds that hide a concertina bedframe and folded mattress underneath removable seat cushions, and click-clack sofa beds where the sofa seat and backrest fold flat and lock into position (with click-clack noise) to become the sleeping surface. I've broken down the main pros and cons of each style below.

(Image credit: Habitat)

Pull-out sofa beds

THE PROS
+ Look the most like a 'normal' sofa
+ The bedframe lifts the mattress well away from the floor, so they can be more comfortable for less agile overnight guests
+ Usually a wider choice of upholstery options
+ Often have matching furniture available (useful if you want a sofa bed to blend in with a larger suite)
+ Often have more bespoke options available, like the choice of mattress or cushion fillings

THE CONS
- Tend to be more expensive
- Usually have the longest lead times
- The backrest and arms of the sofa generally remain in place, which means when unfolded the bed takes up quite a lot of floor space

(Image credit: Darlings of Chelsea)

Click-clack sofa beds

THE PROS
+ Often the cheapest options (although the ones that are the most comfortable tend to be on par price-wise with a pull-out sofa bed)
+ Tend to be more compact, so useful for small spaces
+ Often have the shortest lead times if you need quick delivery
+ Can be very easy and quick to transform from sofa to bed

THE CONS
- A lot of the cheaper options can be very firm/hard for sitting and sleeping
- Usually have fewer upholstery options
- The sleeping surface is generally quite low to the ground
- Your guests will be sleeping on the sofa upholstery unless you add a mattress protector – but it can sometimes be tricky to find a protector that fits
- Depending on the design, there can be a bit of a gap between the sofa seat and backrest when folded flat

(Image credit: MADE)

Size

Just like sofas, sofa beds come in a range of sizes, from loveseats to two and three-seaters. There are even super-compact chair beds if you only need to sleep a single guest at a time. Larger options can be harder to source, but there are also chaise and corner sofa beds available if you need something more generous.

However, it's important to consider how much space a sofa bed will take up in your house before you invest. And not just when it's in sofa form – ideally, you want enough room that you can comfortably walk around the sofa bed and access all sides when it's extended too.

'Consider the size and scale of a sofa bed carefully so it doesn’t overwhelm the space' agrees Gisela Lancaster, Head of Buying, at furniture retailer Sofology. 'Make sure you take into account that you will need enough room to walk around the bed when it is opened. An easy way to do this is to use an old newspaper to lay out the dimensions on the floor so you get a sense of scale'.

You can find more expert tips on how to measure up for furniture in our guide to getting sofa measurements right, whilst our guide to chair beds vs sofa beds can help you decide if a compact chair bed is the better choice for you.

(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

Sofa comfort

Nothing beats going to test out a sofa bed in person to see if it's the most comfortable option for you, but knowing your way around the specifications can help you narrow down your sofa bed search before you hit the shops.

If you're considering a click-clack sofa bed, check to see whether springs are mentioned in the product description. Because the seat and backrest of the sofa form both the seat and the bed – with no loose cushions to add comfort – the main frame of the sofa is all you have in terms of cushioning and support. A foam seat and backrest with added pocket springs will give things a little more bounce than those without.

A pull-out sofa bed has a few more variables to consider. First, you want to look for a deep sofa base that offers plenty of room for the mattress and bedframe to fold neatly away and leaves room for generous cushions on top. A high-legged sofa bed is likely to scrimp on cushion depth to make room for the bed, so these tend to feel far harder to sit on.

A pull-out sofa bed may also offer a choice of seat and back cushion fill, or it may just be that different models suit your preferences better. There are four main options to consider:

• Feather seat cushions (when plumped) can offer that deep sink-in feeling that many of us dream of when we picture the perfect sofa. However, that luxuriously soft seat can often be an expensive, short-lived and high-maintenance affair, with the plumped air gradually deflating out of the cushion to leave a rather flattened and hard clump of feathers that needs daily (if not hourly) plumping to look and feel its best.
• Foam is far more resilient, bouncing back into shape after it's been sat on and requiring very little maintenance which can make for a smarter look. There are different densities of foam so the feel can vary, but generally, this is the firmest option; you're likely to feel like you're sat on top of the sofa rather than sinking into it, as such it can be a good option if you prefer plenty of support, and it's usually the cheapest option.
• Fibre is a man-made and vegan-friendly alternative to feathers. A fibre cushion is made from hollow-fill polyester fibres that are blown into the seat cushions so that pockets of air are formed which makes for a much softer and more sink-in feel than foam and offers a more 'relaxed' look and feel. As you sit and compress these air pockets the seats will mould to your body shape. This means you will need to plump fairly regularly to maintain the aeration though, and cushions can tend to become a little flatter over time.
• Hybrids offer a keeps-it-shape foam core wrapped with an outer layer of feather or fibre for that sink-in comfort. In our opinion this option makes for the best all-round choice, offering enough squish factor whilst still keeping its shape in everyday use.

The construction of the pull-out bed frame will also have an impact on comfort. Some options are constructed from metal frames or wooden slats which may be able to be felt through the seat cushions, others sacrifice a little support at the feet end of the bed frame to swap out the metal base or hard slats for flexible webbing that has more give to it when sat on.

(Image credit: Swyft)

Bed comfort

Of course, we don't just want a sofa bed to be comfortable when we're sitting on it, it also needs to be comfortable as a bed.

On a click-clack sofa bed, then make sure to look out for those springs. A pocket spring seat will also mean a pocket spring sleep surface, which is much more comfortable – and durable – than just pure foam. If it's a click-clack option with armrests, then check where the arms will be when the sofa bed is folded flat. Some can be on either side of the sleeping area, but other options end up with the arms above the head and feet, which can make the sleeping space cramped for taller guests.

For pull-out sofa beds, sleep comfort tends to come down to the mattress type and its thickness. Pull-out sofa bed mattresses tend to range from 6cm to 12cm deep and can come with either a spring, foam, or memory foam mattress construction.

The deeper the mattress the more comfortable it's likely to be, however, that also means it could be heavier to lift out of the sofa bed frame. That said, this wasn't the case with the deeper mattresses we tested for this guide, as they came with clever cantilever mechanics to reduce the amount of muscle required to extend the bed.

(Image credit: Snug)

When thinking about sleep comfort, you might also want to double-check the size of the sleeping area size before you buy any sofa bed.

Very few sofa beds offer the same width and length as a standard mattress, and many 'double' sofa beds are actually very small for two guests to share comfortably, so make sure to read the dimensions carefully so you know what you're getting.

In this respect, click-clack sofa beds can sometimes offer a larger sleeping space than a pull-out sofa bed can.

For comparison, standard UK mattress sizes are listed below. Compare these dimensions to the sleeping area of your chosen sofa bed to see what size sleeping area your guests will be getting.

(Image credit: Dreams)

FAQs

Which is the best sofa bed to buy?

The best sofa bed for you depends on what you're looking for and how big your budget is. If you want a sofa bed that fits unobtrusively into your living room and offers good sit and sleep comfort, then the Darlings of Chelsea Bromley Sofa Bed is one of the best I've tested, plus it comes in a wide range of upholstery options. But, it's expensive. The Habitat Julien Sofa Bed is a more affordable alternative.

However, if you're looking for a sofa bed for a home office or spare bedroom, you don't necessarily need a classic sofa design, and you probably won't be using it as your main everyday seating. You might also need a more compact sofa bed in this room. In this case, I think the firmer Innovation Living Cubed 140 Sofa Bed is a great buy. And if you don't need a double sleeping area, the Habitat Roma Sofa Bed is one of the most affordable options out there.

Are there sofa beds that are actually comfortable?

This is the million-dollar question, and the answer is yes, a sofa bed can be comfortable both for sitting and sleeping if you know which one to buy. And that's exactly where this buying guide comes in handy, as I've done the hard work of testing sofa beds from all of the major retailers to find and recommend the most comfortable options.

I've encountered a lot of uncomfortable sofa beds during my search – ranging from firm to rock hard! – with plenty of options I wouldn't recommend parting with your cash for. In fact, many I would say to avoid it altogether and suggest opting for a 'normal' sofa and an alternative way to put up guests, like one of the best air beds on the market, instead.

However, the sofa beds that have made the grade and are included in this round-up are those elusive options that offer the best of both worlds; comfortable seating and a useful overnight bed for visiting guests.

(Image credit: Sofa.com)

What is better than a sofa bed?

In terms of multifunctionality, not much is better than a sofa bed. A dedicated guest bed is likely to be the most comfortable option for overnight guests, but that means dedicating an entire room to hosting.

Another alternative is opting for an air bed instead. An air bed is obviously a *lot* cheaper than a sofa bed, and can be deflated and packed away when not in use. But an air bed is less comfortable than one of the best sofa beds on the market, and your guests may not appreciate camping out on the floor.

Our guide to sofa beds vs air beds can help you to decide if one of these affordable solutions is a better option for you.