Best Overall
Burrow Block Nomad Sofa
- Comfort4/5
- Durability4/5
- Quality4/5
- Value5/5
- Size5/5
- It was still in great shape after six months of use.
It was still in great shape after six months of use.
- Although it’s meant for three adults, we thought it was better suited for two.
Although it’s meant for three adults, we thought it was better suited for two.
Overall, the best kid- and pet-friendly couch is Burrow’s Block Nomad Sofa. To start, delivery and assembly were a breeze. The couch came in several clearly marked boxes, which helped the assembly move quickly. Thanks to clear directions, it took two people just under a half hour to assemble it with no tools required, a feat especially if you have small kids who need your attention.
Although you’re able to customize your selection, we didn’t find it too overwhelming to make the choices. You can choose from one of five fabric colors and five options for the legs (three wood and two metals), as well as an arm style. This is also a great option for those who love the look of midcentury modern couches.
We liked that the back cushions are flippable; one side is tufted and the other is not, so you have options for changing up the look, especially if one side gets damaged. There are also four options to upgrade the seating—you can add a chaise, a sleeper, an ottoman, and/or lumbar pillows.
During testing, we found this firm and supportive couch to be better for sitting than reclining. We wished we had added the ottoman to our order because it would have lent more of a lounge-type feel to the couch. The couch says that it can fit three adults, but we found this more comfortable for two.
The couch was quite perfectly sized as it was compact with no wasted space. We found this couch to be sturdy, but also lightweight. There are even hidden USB ports for charging tech devices, which is great if your child is using your phone or an iPad for entertainment.
How It Performed Long Term
After six months of testing it at home, the couch was still in great shape. The cushions were still firm without any dents or lumps, and the fabric looked the same with no stains or scuff marks. We were also impressed with the quality of the material and three-layer foam cushioning, which seemed to be doing an excellent job of protecting the shape of the couch.
Even with two little kids jumping on it it's not worse for wear six months in—and yes, pills and messes clean up easily with just a little bit of soap and water.
Product Details: Dimensions: 85 x 33 x 35 inches | Material: Olefin, leather, and velvet | Warranty: One year | Weight Capacity: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANDREA LAVINTHAL
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANDREA LAVINTHAL
Best Sectional
Apt2B Tuxedo Sleeper Sectional
- Comfort4.8/5
- Durability4.8/5
- Quality5/5
- Value4.5/5
- The couch and pull-out mattress were comfortable and it was easy to clean up pet hair.
The couch and pull-out mattress were comfortable and it was easy to clean up pet hair.
- We experienced a few delays during shipping.
We experienced a few delays during shipping.
If you prefer a sectional style, we recommend Apt2B’s Tuxedo style. We found it to be quite comfortable and liked that the cushions were firm but not too hard. Aside from the nap-worthy cushions, however, the memory foam mattress is also quite comfortable, though it is on the softer side. We did note, however, that the mattress felt a bit short—if you’re 5’ 10” or taller, you might find your feet hanging off.
The white-glove delivery service went smoothly, though the actual shipping did not, as our delivery date kept getting pushed back. We noted that if you do order this couch, make sure you are not getting rid of your old furniture until you know for sure it will arrive.
During testing, this couch shared a household with two energetic young boys and a pair of cats. Although the boys did play and roughhouse on it, the couch remained in good condition. Even the hairy cat who seemed to shed everywhere was no match for this couch. We didn’t need to use the lint roller; we just had to rub the couch in a circular motion and the hair was easy to remove.
We did notice the back cushions required some fluffing to stay perky. The couch also has a lower back than our previous couch, so that could contribute to the squishing. Still, we're impressed by the quality of the flat weave material, and the frame seems solid, especially the couch’s square arms.
How It Performed Long Term
After six months of testing, the fabric is still held up quite well despite one of the cats commandeering it as a scratching post. We did notice a couple of snags, but the marled yarn and the fabric disguised them well. Even a small stain cleaned up beautifully, though we did wish the covers were machine washable—they are spot clean or dry clean only.
Product Details: Dimensions: 121 x 88 x 36 inches | Material: Not listed | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty (wood frame); One year on fabric and sleeper sofa mechanisms | Weight Capacity: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEIGH MORLEY
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEIGH MORLEY
Best Sleeper
Joybird Briar Sleeper Sofa
- Comfort4/5
- Durability5/5
- Quality5/5
- Value4/5
- The mattress is comfortable for sleeping—and so is the couch for a nap.
The mattress is comfortable for sleeping—and so is the couch for a nap.
- These cushions might be too firm for some.
These cushions might be too firm for some.
Whether you host overnight guests often or just want to spread out for movie night, Joybird’s Briar Sleeper Sofa is one of the best kid- and pet-friendly couches to consider. It took the delivery team just five minutes to unbox and assemble this couch. We found there was a little bit of a learning curve to convert this to a mattress, but once we got the gist, it took about half a minute to pull it out.
At first, we were concerned about the mattress being too firm but we found that the bed is quite comfortable. It’s the couch itself that needed a little bit of breaking in, but it got softer and more comfortable with every day of use. It ended up becoming a great spot to take a nap as we didn’t wake up with any aches or pains.
We tested this couch in a home with a dog who likes to jump on the couch a lot. Luckily, it was quite easy to clean and there were no traces of her dirty paws. The pet-proof fabric has lived up to its name throughout six months of testing. Even humans have had a few spills on it, but everything cleaned up beautifully, and the color is as true as it was six months ago.
How It Performed Long Term
After testing the couch for months, there were no lumps or imprints. Although we didn’t test this couch in a home with small children, the couch would likely stand up to kids jumping on the couch and other wear and tear.
This couch is an investment, but it’s clearly a high-quality piece of furniture. After months of testing, we were still in love with this couch. The sleeper sofa cushions broke in more but they were still firm and quite comfortable—a departure for us because we've preferred softer seating in the past.
Product Details: Dimensions: 79 x 36 x 35 inches | Material: Various | Warranty: Limited lifetime guarantee; additional one-year warranty available | Weight Capacity: Not listed
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / AMINA ABDELRAHMAN
Best for Cat Owners
Article Nordby Sofa
- Comfort4.5/5
- Durability5/5
- Quality4.2/5
- Value4.3/5
- You won’t be able to tell if your cat decides to use it as a scratching post.
You won’t be able to tell if your cat decides to use it as a scratching post.
- Although it’s a sleeper, the sleep surface is another couch cushion and not a traditional mattress, which we didn’t find as comfortable.
Although it’s a sleeper, the sleep surface is another couch cushion and not a traditional mattress, which we didn’t find as comfortable.
Cat owners will appreciate Article’s Nordby Sofa Bed. We tried this pick in a home with both small children and cats and didn’t notice any damage, proving this sofa is built to last.
This couch comes mostly assembled—just add on the sturdy legs and it’s done. We were able to move this couch around and in between rooms without compromising the structure, which bodes well for its longevity.
The couch is offered in two shades of gray, as well as blue. Although the fabric might not be fancy, our testing proved that it is durable. Even after cats (and some dogs) were all over it, we didn’t see any signs of pilling. The cat took to using it as a scratching post but you wouldn’t know, thanks to the tight-knit fabric.
Overall, we loved the firm, supportive cushions of this couch. However, it’s worth noting that this pick isn’t a traditional sleeper with a mattress. Instead, the sleep surface is another couch cushion, which we didn’t find as comfortable to sleep on. That being said, it might be fine for the occasional overnight guest, but we wouldn’t recommend relying on this couch’s bed for long-term use. Plus, we needed to watch a video on how to pull out the mattress, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it.
How It Performed Long Term
The couch has remained in good condition throughout testing, and the material has held up. We didn’t notice any lumps or imprints throughout use, nor did we see any scratches, loose threads, or fading.
Product Details: Dimensions: 33 x 87 x 35 inches | Material: Polyester | Warranty: One year non-transferable warranty (general) | Weight Capacity: Not listed
Best for Dog Owners
Albany Park Kova Pit
- Comfort4.5/5
- Durability5/5
- Quality5/5
- Value5/5
- The velvet material is surprisingly easy to clean, even when it comes to muddy pawprints.
The velvet material is surprisingly easy to clean, even when it comes to muddy pawprints.
- This low-profile style may not be ideal for taller folks due to the lack of back/neck support.
This low-profile style may not be ideal for taller folks due to the lack of back/neck support.
If you want a couch made for everyone—and every pet—to lounge, this low-profile pick from Albany Park is ideal. The deep design of the seats is pure comfort. They’re so deep that if you sit too far back, your legs won’t touch the ground, so extricating yourself could take a moment.
The couch was delivered in eight boxes. Assembly was rather intuitive, but it did take a while to put all the pieces together—plan to have a partner on hand and it'll go faster. Assembling the couch gave us a chance to really look at how this was made and we were very impressed with its sturdiness.
Taller adults might not love the lower profile of this couch, as the shorter back doesn’t permit a ton of back and neck support if you’re sitting up. We actually wound up reconfiguring this sectional so it felt less like a bed and more like a couch. But if you do prefer to recline on it, know that it feels like a comfortable bed.
We panicked at first when we saw muddy paw prints on the velvety surface of the couch, but luckily they wiped right off without a trace. Even when the dogs dug into the couch with their claws, the scratch marks weren’t very noticeable, though we’ve put down a blanket for added insurance. As regular maintenance, we vacuumed the couch weekly to keep smells and dust at bay and used a lint roller to remove pet hair.
How It Performed Long Term
After six months of use, we were so impressed with its durability. A few of the back cushions did seem to deflate from our dog laying on them frequently, but the couch remained comfortable otherwise. The velvet material is still in good condition and although there were some scratched from the dog, they weren't very noticeable. Overall, we felt that this pick is sure to last for many years to come.
Product Details: Dimensions: 120 x 39 x 78 inches | Material: Microfiber blend | Warranty: Lifetime warranty | Weight Capacity: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENNIFER MAY
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENNIFER MAY
Best Design
Article Abisko Sofa
- Comfort5/5
- Durability5/5
- Quality5/5
- Value5/5
- It’s stylish, comfortable, and durable.
It’s stylish, comfortable, and durable.
- It’s only offered in two colors, which may not be the best fit for every home.
It’s only offered in two colors, which may not be the best fit for every home.
For a stylish yet durable design, the best kid- and pet-friendly couch is Articles Abisko Sofa. The couch is a timeless Scandinavian style that comes in two plush velvet colors, Pacific Blue and Yarrow Gold, so it will command attention in any room you place it in. It's sized nicely and is wider than a standard couch, so you can lie down or even tuck your feet easily, making it an ideal place for a nap.
The couch arrived on time in two large boxes that were not super heavy, but it helped to have a partner to move them. Keep that partner around for unboxing; it was a bit unwieldy to remove all the pieces from the boxes. However, after everything was unboxed, it only took about 20 minutes to assemble the couch—just add the legs and attach the two pieces.
The couch is quite firm—almost too firm, we thought at first. But it is quite comfortable and very supportive, even during long periods of sitting. It’s nice for naps, too—no reports of back or neck pain after sitting or reclining.
The center of the couch did not bow or sink, which is great especially if heavy pets lay on it or small children jump on it. Plus, no matter where you sit, you cannot feel the couch frame. This couch does attract pet hair, but it is quite easy to clean off.
How It Performed Long Term
After six months of testing the couch currently looks the same as it did on arrival. The cushions remained firm throughout the whole testing period—no lumps or color fading evident anywhere. We are impressed by the high-quality fabric and construction of the couches.
Product Details: Dimensions: 28 x 91 x 35 inches | Material: Polyester | Warranty: One year warranty | Weight Capacity: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ABIGAIL WETZLER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ABIGAIL WETZLER
Best Slipcovered
Sixpenny Devyn L Shape Sectional
- Comfort4.5/5
- Durability5/5
- Quality4.5/5
- Value4.5/5
- The covers are washable, which comes in handy with small children and pets.
The covers are washable, which comes in handy with small children and pets.
- We would have liked more stuffing in the arms.
We would have liked more stuffing in the arms.
The Sixpenny Devyn L Shape Sectional has washable covers, which could be the answer to your prayers if have small children and/or pets. We were impressed with its durability during testing and liked that the size of it could accommodate many people.
The couch was delivered by two people who quickly unboxed the three sections of the couch and set it just where we wanted it. Although the couch is large, there were no issues fitting it through the door or into rooms thanks to its low back. Once the pieces were set, it took just two people to lock the pieces in place.
We loved how large the couch was, especially since some people could sit while others could lie down comfortably. It’s quite wide too, so we felt like we were lounging on a twin-sized bed rather than a couch. Although the back is quite low, the pillows were supportive and added height, so it was still comfortable.
This couch shared a home with two young kids, a cat, and a dog. At one point during testing, one of the kids spilled applesauce on the couch. We were able to easily clean it with a wet rag and were impressed that it didn’t leave any marks. Though spot cleaning did the trick, we appreciated the option of putting the couch covers through the washing machine as well.
Overall, we felt that this couch was of higher quality than others we had used in the past. The down-filled cushions add a nice touch, and the fabric and size were appreciated as well. If we could change one thing, we would have preferred that the arms had more stuffing. Although there’s a decent amount, it doesn’t look like it.
How It Performed Long Term
We’re currently long-term testing this couch and will be updating this section in the coming months.
Product Details: Dimensions: 145 x 33 x 98 inches | Material: Not listed | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty | Weight Capacity: Not listed