Best Sofa Bed (2021): Reviews & Comparison

Written By Marc Laurance  |  Reviews  |  0 Comments

If space is at a premium in your house or apartment, a sofa-bed is a must consider; your room can go between "guest room" (or bedroom) and "living room" as easily as your sofa bed goes between sofa and bed. 

The Top 5 Best Sofa Beds for 2021 are:

  1. FDW Sectional Sofa Bed
  2. Best Choice Products Modern Faux Leather Convertible Sofa Bed
  3. DHP Emily Futon Sofa Bed
  4. Vonanda Convertible Sofa Bed
  5. Milemont Futon Sofa Bed

Find out which is right for you in our full in-depth reviews below ...

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Unplanned sleepovers won’t stress you out as much anymore (at least when it comes to where guests can crash; no guarantees on anything else!) and you won’t have to give up too much of your precious space to accommodate the sofa (in fact, some sofa beds come with in-built storage space, so that’s your lost space kinda made up!). 

Given all this, it may seem like the natural option to invest in a sofa-bed; however, navigating the types of sofa beds, the many brands, the different fabrics, and tons of buying guides and finally arriving at the best sofa bed for your needs and space is no laughing matter - it isn’t sofa-nny at all. 

Our Reviews of Sofa Beds

To make things a little bit easier, here’s a list of our picks for the best sofa beds in the market, as well as a small guide to help you understand what factors you should consider when picking out a sofa bed.

Image

Name

Rating

FDW Sectional Sofa

FDW Sectional Sofa

Best Choice Products Modern Faux Leather Convertible Sofa Bed

Best Choice Products Convertible Sofa Bed

DHP Emily Futon Sofa Bed

DHP Emily Futon Sofa Bed

Vonanda Convertible Sofa Bed

Vonanda Convertible Sofa Bed

Milemont Futon Sofa Bed

Milemont Futon Sofa Bed

FDW Sectional Sofa

The FDW Sectional Sofa kicks off our list of the top sofa beds for the year, and understandably so - this sectional couch is all kinds of comfortable, practical, and stylish. Though it’s a corner sofa, you can even mix and match the parts to create your own preferred shape for your space, and with super-soft, extra-plush cushions and soft faux leather upholstery, falling asleep within minutes on this couch won’t be a problem!

FDW Sectional Sofa

Source: ebay.com

Specifications

  • Weight: 109.6 pounds
  • Dimensions: 107 x 75 x 36.4 inches
  • Material: PU leather with a wooden frame and metal mechanism
  • Type: Corner sofa

Benefits 

Comfort is a huge factor when it comes to sofa beds and this FDW sectional sofa bed has tons of it! The sofa and its two matching accent pillows all feature a dense-foam/ high-resilience-sponge composition; this means that the sponge is more elastic, allowing you to sit comfortably for long periods.

Such sponges are also quite durable and made to last you in the long run, even with frequent usage. Add to the cushioned back and firm padding an adjustable headrest, and you’re set for some very comfortable lounging sessions!

Additionally, the seats are constructed using the pocket-coil-seating method, which means you have springy goodness and cushions that’ll contour more easily to fit your body. Oh, and did we mention that it can go from sofa to sofa bed in all of three seconds? Full marks for convenience!

Though this sofa bed looks like a million bucks, thanks to some pretty fabulous tailoring and crisp welting, it thankfully doesn’t warrant a million bucks on maintenance - with weatherproof moisture-and-stain-resistant fabric, it’s hard to dirty this couch; in the event that you do, the PU leather allows for super-easy spot cleaning!

The sofa bed is also quite durable, featuring a solid wood construction that’s tougher than pine wood. It’ll take you all of 15 minutes, at most, to assemble the sofa, and to make things easier, the sofa comes with all the tools necessary for assembly. Unlike other sofas, both parts of the couch lock together with an easy hinge, making it easy to assemble or pull apart.

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • High-quality construction - well-sewn seams, great design, lots of storage space, easy-to-pull-out trundle bed on wheels, and a sturdy frame
  • The headrest can be adjusted as desired.

Cons

  • The leather can initially feel stiff and a little bit like vinyl.
  • The sofa bed can take some wearing into.

Verdict 

There’s not much to hate about the FDW Sectional Sofa; actually, it wouldn’t be much of an exaggeration to say that there is nothing at all to hate about the sofa, apart from the very minor wearing into that some users may feel is required. The sofa is extremely comfortable, functional, and can fit into most budgets without too much compromise. 

Overall, we think that this FDW sofa should definitely make it to your shortlist if you haven’t already bought it by now!


Best Choice Products Modern Faux Leather Convertible Sofa Bed 

Among the “best choices” when it comes to functionality and stylishness, this contemporary sofa bed from the house of Best Choice is an excellent idea for comfortable lounging, cup holders, and fold-down armrests replete!

Best Choice Products Modern Faux Leather Convertible Sofa Bed

Source: bestchoiceproducts.com

Specifications

  • Weight: 61.73 pounds
  • Dimensions: 30.5 x 65.25 x 31 inches
  • Material: PU leather and metal
  • Type: Futon 

Benefits 

This convertible futon features a sleek faux-leather-and-chrome-metal combination, giving it quite an edgy look - four chrome-metal legs and steel frame provide stability and sturdiness to the sofa whereas the faux leather upholstery keeps things both classy and comfortable, whether it’s in your studio space or apartment. The sofa is capable of supporting up to 500 pounds. 

Additionally, the sofa features a reclining backrest (you can keep it upright, recline it to 75 degrees or completely flat) with side armrests that are removable, letting you easily convert the sofa into a bed. As mentioned earlier, the sofa also has two cup holders for comfortable movie nights (in the middle fold-down armrest). 

The sofa bed is durable and easy to assemble; for added convenience, there’s a zip compartment in the base where you can store hardware and legs when required. The sofa bed is available in three classy shades - black, brown, and white.

Pros

  • Extremely functional thanks to features such as movable cushions, removable armrests, cup holders, and storage space under the couch
  • Lightweight yet sturdy
  • Easy to assemble 

Cons

  • Many users have stated that the couch gets uncomfortable to sit on and use after a while, especially the armrests, as there is not enough padding. Some users have stated that they can even feel the springs underneath after a year of use.

Verdict 

As mentioned earlier, comfort is a huge factor when it comes to not just sofa beds, but sofas of any kind. An uncomfortable sofa is about as Stan Lee’s cameo in The Princess Diaries 2 (exactly our point! Who knew, right?).

Though this Best Choice futon has everything going for it in terms of stylishness, it doesn’t score too well in the comfort area, so unless you’re only looking for a sofa bed to spruce up your space and not really use (in which case, you might as well just buy a sofa and save some money, too), we suggest that this sofa bring up the rear of your list.


DHP Emily Futon Sofa Bed

If you’ve been designated to sleep on the couch tonight, there’s no reason that you’ve got to be uncomfortable doing so - which is where the DHP Emily Futon Sofa Bed comes into play! Minimal and classy, this sofa bed is all you need for a comfortable movie night or just a good night’s sleep.

DHP Emily Futon Sofa Bed

Source: dhpfurniture.com

Specifications

  • Weight: 71 pounds
  • Dimensions: 71 x 34 x 32 inches
  • Material: PU leather, metal, and wood
  • Type: Futon 

Benefits 

This futon sofa bed comes from DHP, a brand committed to combining functionality and affordability in unique furniture - the DHP Emily satisfies on all these counts. This multi-functional sofa features square tufted upholstery and slanted chrome legs, leading to a strikingly modern end result.

Additionally, the sofa is available in eight different colors, velvet, linen, and faux leather, giving customers more of a choice.

The Emily Futon is built with a split back, which means that each “chair” of the sofa can be individually adjusted by those seated on it; while you’re enjoying being fully reclined, your friend can sit upright instead. Additionally, the sofa bed scores big in the convenience zone - a good wipe is all you need to clean it and assembly is a matter of minutes, with required tools included in the package.

Lastly, the wooden frame keeps the futon sturdy and stable, allowing it to support up to 600 pounds on its foam-filled cushions. You can also pair the futon with a chair, ottoman, or chaise lounge for more space, beauty, and comfort. The sofa comes with a 1-year warranty deal and also includes a zippered compartment at the base into which the legs can be stowed, when not in use.

Pros

  • Excellent quality for a very low price
  • Super easy to assemble and pull apart; comes in one box to make it even simpler and features a hinge in the middle for easy folding
  • Comes well-packaged and protected

Cons

  • Since the back sits quite low, there is no head and neck support. The lumbar support is also lacking, according to some users. 

Verdict 

The Emily futon is a convenient, sleek futon that can save you tons of space - and money! Well designed and reasonably priced, this futon is a great addition to any room, from studios to living spaces. We particularly like that each part can be individually adjusted thanks to the split-back design. 

Some users have stated that the padding is too thin in the sofa, making it uncomfortable for long periods of use; however, considering that you’ll only be shelling out less than $250 for this couch, expecting high-density foam padding in the futon is like expecting a gourmet meal for $5. 

That apart, this couch is a great investment for your space, whether it’s to watch a movie or give your guests a place to crash.


Vonanda Convertible Sofa Bed

This cool single-seater ottoman-cum-bed is a comfortable, high-quality offering from Vonanda, perfect for small spaces and even more for those who like having their beds and sofas to themselves. In fact, spending entire days in this ottoman is a possibility that we strongly foresee!

Vonanda Convertible Sofa Bed

Source: ebay.com

Specifications

  • Weight: 79.5 pounds
  • Dimensions: 74 x 37 x 17 inches
  • Material: Linen and metal
  • Type: Futon 

Benefits 

As mentioned earlier, this convertible sofa bed comes packed with features that give it an edge over other sofa beds in the market - standard features such as an adjustable backrest and tough-yet-beautiful fabric and innovative ones like a built-in magnet and a smart folding design. 

The adjustable backrest on this sofa bed has five different levels, as opposed to the normal three that most other sofa beds have, ensuring more comfort for users. The high-quality linen fabric adds to the comfort, while also being dustproof, breathable, and easy to clean and maintain. 

The built-in magnet allows the attachment of the corner fabric to the sturdy metal frame; the latter keeps the sofa stable and sturdy enough to support 440 pounds. Additionally, the stuffing is of high-density sponge, letting you sit or sleep for long periods without any issues, as well as lasting you in the long run. 

A unique feature of the sofa that stands out, though, is its innovative folding design, which allows you to use the product as a sofa, a bed, and an ottoman, too! What is also super appealing is the fact that the product requires zero assembly and is ready to use straight out of the box.

Not only is this extremely convenient, but it also lessens the risk of losing parts or any damage due to assembly. An instruction manual comes included for other nitty-gritties, along with a pillow. 

Vonanda also offers a great deal on their sofa bed - a 180-day risk-free trial and a 3-year warranty - and their customer service is pretty commendable, too, which means that you can quite confidently buy their product.

Pros

  • 5 adjustable levels to find your ideal resting angle, instead of the common 3 that most other sofa beds feature
  • Zero assembly required
  • Great trial and warranty 

Cons

  • Can be quite heavy to move around 

Verdict 

Truth be told, finding a con with the Vonanda Convertible Sofa Bed is possible only if you put too fine a point on it (there are far heavier sofa beds in the market, and on our list too!). This sofa bed is nearly flawless, with a range of great features, good deals on trial and warranty, zero assembly, space efficiency, a stylish facade that makes it great for any space, low maintenance needs, and versatility, comfort, and durability to meet a range of needs. 

The only other factor that could possibly be a con is the price - at around $400, this may be a bit out of budget for some users. 

Aside from that, Vonanda forever? We definitely think so.


Milemont Futon Sofa Bed 

Rounding off our list is this understated sofa bed from Milemont - classy, modern, and minimal yet luxurious. The Milemont Futon Sofa Bed can excellently complement contemporary, stylish living spaces, game rooms, and bedrooms. Oh, and did we mention the super-comfortable memory-foam padding?

Milemont Futon Sofa Bed

Source: milemont.com

Specifications

  • Weight: 83.8 pounds
  • Dimensions: 42 x 35 x 13 inches
  • Material: PU leather and metal
  • Type: Futon 

Benefits 

What has us super excited about the Milemont Futon Sofa Bed, apart from just how gorgeous it looks, is the high-quality memory foam in the sofa. Thanks to this feature, users’ comfort is considerably enhanced, especially when compared to sofa beds that use innerspring mattresses/ padding.

Memory foam molds better to the body’s shape offers consistent support and can snap back easily into place. It’s also just the perfect mix of hard and soft, giving you cushion-firm/medium-firm comfort that’s hard to fault. 

When you factor in the split back that lets you operate the sofa’s two sides independently, the well-cushioned back and adjustable armrests, the overall comfort this sofa bed gives you is quite hard to beat. 

The futon’s black square-tufted faux leather upholstery is complemented excellently by sleek chrome legs, leading to a luxurious, classy finish. The faux leather isn’t just glamorous; it also makes the sofa easy to clean and maintain. The sofa goes easily from sitting to sleeping to lounging angles, and when folded down, is comfortable enough to lie on without an additional mattress or the need to move/remove cushions. 

Last but not least is the extremely easy assembly; the Milemont sofa bed takes less than 15 minutes to set up, even for those with two left hands and no carpentry know-how! (The legs come conveniently packed inside the zippered pocket on the underside and tools for assembly are included.)

Pros

  • Reasonably priced and good value for money
  • High-quality memory foam provides above-average comfort 

Cons

  • The sofa sits a little low to the ground, which may be uncomfortable for taller folks. 

Verdict 

Sturdy, comfortable, well made, durable and one helluva good looker, there’s no reason to not consider buying the Milemont Futon Sofa Bed. It’s also fairly lightweight (when another person is involved in the moving), making it easy to transport/ shift/ move. The sofa bed is capable of withstanding frequent use quite well, and with its classy looks, can instantly spruce up your room!


What Is a Sofa Bed?

As the name suggests, a sofa bed efficiently combines being a sofa and a bed, switching effortlessly between both; you have an excellent couch for lounging about in the day time and a comfortable bed to sleep in at night, whether it’s for you or unplanned guests.

Sofa beds are especially great for small spaces. and if guests are relatively rare at your place, it makes more sense to invest in a cheaper and more versatile sofa bed than a full-fledged bed.

Picking out a good sofa bed involves the consideration of certain factors. Here’s a round up of the key points to keep in mind when picking out a sofa bed for your needs.

Paintings and a Stylish Sofa Bed

Factors to Consider When Purchasing Sofa Beds 

Types of Beds and Mattresses 

Beds

Sofa beds mainly come in three forms - daybeds, pull-outs, and futons.

Pull-out beds are the most common, traditional beds, featuring king or queen-size mattresses. These are extremely comfortable for both sitting and sleeping (unless the mattress is extremely thin, so ensure you check this before you buy the bed). These are also the most expensive of the lot, costing you $1000 for a decent model.

Futons are the most convenient - lightweight, fold easily, and easy to move. However, what they provide in terms of convenience, the relative lack of comfort dampens - the mattresses in these sofa beds are generally cotton or low-density sponge that lose form, shape, and comfort over time. Naturally, this makes them less expensive.

Mattress

Mattresses are extremely important since they determine how comfortable your sofa bed ends up being. Since sofa beds are designed to fold up and fit in small places, the mattresses used are generally thinner than actual bed mattresses. Further, mattresses can be of two types - innerspring and memory foam.

Innerspring mattresses are bouncy thanks to the spring coils, but they can’t always guarantee a good night’s sleep. How comfortable the mattress is, depends on the number of coils - anywhere over 600 is necessary for average comfort. Additionally, stress-relieved springs are more comfortable, though they’re also more expensive. 

Memory foam mattresses don’t use springs; instead, they’re made of visco-elastic foam, making them more durable, capable of offering more consistent support, molding better to your body, and easily snapping back into place. The flexibility of this material also makes it a great option for adjustable beds. 

Remember, a thicker mattress doesn’t always mean more comfort; check for good hip, lower back, and shoulder support.

Frame 

The frame of your sofa bed is what determines how stable, sturdy, and strong your sofa bed is. Kiln-dried hardwood frames are generally the most strong frames; a combination of furniture-grade plywood and kiln-dried hardwood also works. Stay away from softer woods, like pine and cedar.

Additionally, metal frames are also strong and generally cheaper than wood, though they may result in discomfort if the sofa’s padding isn’t thick enough.

Opening and Shutting 

Since your sofa bed will have to switch between opening and shutting, a smooth mechanism that allows this, without squeaking, getting stuck, or breaking, is necessary. Lock-down bars are a good indication of such mechanisms. 

Additionally, if you’re buying a sofa bed at the showroom, inspect it carefully to see that the open-and-close mechanism is strong and well built, without the risk of breaking off or coming loose easily. You can also choose between one and three-fold-out options; the former lets you pull out the bed in one motion whereas the latter takes three.

Smooth Edges 

Ensure that there are no rough edges on your sofa bed, as rough edges will mean that blankets and mattresses snag and tear easily on them. There’s also a lower risk of you cutting yourself.

Guest Room Amenities

Other Factors 

Apart from these, it’s wise to keep the following points in mind:

  • Before buying your sofa bed, ask yourself whether your sofa is going to spend more time as a sofa or a bed. Sometimes, the sitting part of the sofa is more comfortable than the sleeping part, unfortunately. If you’re only going to use it occasionally for sleeping, it won’t matter so much if the bed part is uncomfortable. You may also have to consider whether you want a one, two, or three-seater sofa.
  • Additionally, if you don’t plan to use your sofa bed often, you don’t have to invest in a very high-end model.
  • The size of your space will determine what size your sofa bed should be. If you have a relatively small space, a queen-size bed may not make much sense. A single-seater futon might be better, like the Vonanda Sofa Bed reviewed above.
  • Chalk out a budget and balance it with your needs. There are plenty of available options, so don’t compromise too much on the cost. It just takes a little looking to find the perfect model!
  • You may also want to consider other points such as in-built storage, whether they’re corner pieces or central pieces and even what material the upholstery is, as this may determine how easy it is to clean and maintain your sofa bed.
Woman Relaxing on a Sofa Bed

Conclusion

Sofa beds present a world of convenience to users and are a great addition to any space. Testing the sofa and measuring it before buying is a great idea; a "pivot" situation a la Ross is great for laughs, but not so much in real life! Testing and measuring may not always be possible while buying online, which is when 180-day trials, like those offered by Vonanda, are an excellent option.

Keep in mind the other points mentioned above, too, and you’ll be picking out sofa beds like a pro in no time, while also enjoying some of the most comfortable and convenient lounging and sleeping!