Best Overall
Burrow Block Nomad Sofa
- Leather, velvet, and performance olefin fabric options are available in a host of cushions, with customizable leg finishes and arm styles.
Leather, velvet, and performance olefin fabric options are available in a host of cushions, with customizable leg finishes and arm styles.
- The cushions feel a little firm.
The cushions feel a little firm.
At 85 inches, the Burrow Nomad Sofa is both apartment-friendly and roomy enough to lounge on. Plus, it's a stylish option for anyone seeking a midcentury modern couch. It has three seats and features a modular design, making it super convenient to move around, especially if you have to carry it up a few flights of stairs. It also includes a USB charger and power cord, which are nice added perks. Each section of the couch comes individually boxed and clearly labeled. We only needed to snap the pieces together (no tools necessary), and within thirty minutes, the couch was completely assembled.
We found the couch extremely comfortable and durable and were particularly impressed by how well the seats held up. After three months of testing it in a household with small children who loved to jump on the cushions, we noticed no signs of tearing or color fading. The upholstery is also scratch and stain-resistant—a big plus if you’re a parent to little ones or a pet owner. We inadvertently tested these claims when one of our kids spilled some liquid on the couch. With a little soap and water, we were able to quickly remove the stain.
The couch offers a few customizations, but not so many that we found it overwhelming. Select from block, slope, and arch arm styles and a wood or metal leg finish. Upholstery fabric gives you the most options; choose performance fabric, leather, or velvet upholstery in one of five colors. Ottomans, lumbar pillows, chaises, and a sleep kit that turns your couch into a bed are available as add-ons. Just keep in mind that the couch is quite firm, so might not be the most comfortable to nap on. But, if you like to lounge or just need a spot to put your feet up, it’s our top recommendation.
How it Performed After One Year
After one year of testing, we didn't notice any significant changes in terms of quality. The pillows and cushions did look a bit more lived in, but that's to be expected with any couch over time. However, the fabric looked just as good as when we first got it.
Product Details: Dimensions: 85 x 35 x 33 inches | Upholstery Material: Performance Fabric (Olefin), Leather, Velvet | Number of Seats: Three
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANDREA LAVINTHAL
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANDREA LAVINTHAL
Best Budget
Andover Mills Campbelltown Sectional
- It’s one of the most compact couches on our list, with a movable ottoman piece that lets you stretch out.
It’s one of the most compact couches on our list, with a movable ottoman piece that lets you stretch out.
- The packaging made the cushions look somewhat flat and wrinkled.
The packaging made the cushions look somewhat flat and wrinkled.
Let’s talk about a few pros and cons of the Andover Mills Campbelltown sofa. Pros: The couch is super compact, measuring just 77 inches long. It also includes an ottoman piece that can be placed on either side of the couch, giving it a bit of a sectional-esque appearance. And it’s easy to clean because the seat covers are removable. Considering that the sofa is just $600, we thought the frame felt really secure, and that it was just a well-made couch overall.
Now, onto the cons: the seat cushions came vacuum-sealed, which was good to protect the fabric during travel, but caused them not to plump up as much as we would have liked after we removed the seal. They were also wrinkled and needed to be steamed for the couch to look its best. And there are not many customization options aside from choosing the color.
We wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as your main couch if you’re on the taller side, as it’s extremely compact and probably won’t be the most comfortable. Otherwise, we found it to be one of the best options for small spaces in terms of price and quality. It’s a good option if you’re shorter, live in an apartment, or need a second couch.
Product Details: Dimensions: 35.1 x 77.6 x 27.2 inches | Upholstery Material: Polyester, Nylon | Number of Seats: Three
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ALICIA DOLIESLAGER
Best Splurge
Pottery Barn PB Comfort Slipcovered Sleeper Sofa
- This couch is so supportive that we think it would be a great fit for people with back problems.
This couch is so supportive that we think it would be a great fit for people with back problems.
- Shipping took a very long time—about six months.
Shipping took a very long time—about six months.
Rolled arms, wide cushions, and a generous weight capacity make this couch an irresistibly cozy pick. It’s one of the best couches for small spaces for several reasons. You can opt for two or three cushions depending on the size of your living room and household. There are plenty of other customizations as well; Pottery Barn offers 35 fabric and color options, and there are free sample swatches.
While we found that the slipcover held up well against stains, you can throw it in the wash if you find it getting grimy. Since it is a sleeper sofa, it converts into a bed for visitors. During testing, we were able to convert it from couch to bed in three minutes flat. Because it felt so supportive and comfortable to us, we would recommend it to people of just about any body type, or those with back problems.
Our biggest issues with this couch were the cost and delivery time—it’s expensive, and took around six months for it to arrive. If you just need a basic couch without any bells and whistles, we suggest looking at cheaper options on our list. The bed is also only available in queen size, and the rolled arms were too slender for our taste and didn’t make a good footrest.
Product Details: Dimensions: Closed: 88 x 35.5 x 38 inches; Open: 88 x 90 x 38 inches | Upholstery Material: Performance Fabric, Linen, Boucle, Twill, Suede, Velvet, Chenille, Weave | Number of Seats: Two or three
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DWYER FRAME
Best Sleeper
Joybird Briar Sleeper Sofa
- The pull-out bed is exceptionally comfortable and can be upgraded to a memory foam.
The pull-out bed is exceptionally comfortable and can be upgraded to a memory foam.
- We found the couches capacity to be tighter than advertised.
We found the couches capacity to be tighter than advertised.
The Joybird Briar Sleeper Sofa is compact with slender arms and plush cushioning all over. We like that it comes in eighteen colors so you are guaranteed to find a shade to match your room’s vibe. We found the upholstery to be both pet-friendly and stain-resistant. When a dog jumped all over the couch with dirty paws, we had no problem getting the marks out.
Pulling the mattress out is not complicated—it didn’t take us long to turn the sofa into a bed—and the bed was comfy from the first time we used it. We liked that we could upgrade to a memory foam mattress if we wanted something softer, and we would not hesitate to offer this bed to friends and family coming to visit. There are options for both twin and queen sizes.
Unlike the bed, it took some time to break the couch in. It was firm in the beginning but gradually became softer with continued use. While Joybird says the couch can fit three to four people, we estimate that two grown adults might be the max that could be comfortably seated.
How it Performed After One Year
We used this sofa at home for one year and didn't notice any major changes. It was still easy to convert into a sleeper and the mattress remained in good shape. The sofa did become slightly more cushiony over time, but it was mainly still a firm couch. We didn't think this was a dealbreaker, but worth keeping in mind depending on your preferences.
Our dog got this sofa dirty a few times but this couch and we spilled a few things as well. However, we were able to remove the stains with ease, leaving us confident about the couch's durability over time.
Product Details: Dimensions: Queen: 79 x 36 x 35 inches; Twin: 52 x 36 x 37 | Upholstery Material: Performance Fabric, Velvet | Number of Seats: Three to four
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / AMINA ABDELRAHMAN
Best Slipcover
IKEA Uppland Sofa
- The upholstery is stain resistant.
The upholstery is stain resistant.
- It would have been nice if there was a sleeper sofa version available.
It would have been nice if there was a sleeper sofa version available.
Anyone who’s looking for a sofa that can be cleaned easily should consider the Ikea Uppland Sofa. It features a slipcover that you can remove and wash whenever it gets dirty. Plus, if you want to refresh the look, you can swap the cover for a new one in a different color and it’s like you have a brand-new couch.
We liked everything about the couch, including the fact that the entire piece came in a single box so there wasn’t a lot of package waste. It was also straightforward to assemble—it took us less than an hour. From the moment we sat on it, the couch felt super comfortable. The foam cushions are nap-worthy: plush, bouncy, and cozy. The upholstery is also stain-resistant; we spilled juice on it during testing and just one wash removed the stains without a trace. We also liked that the back cushions are reversible, so you can flip them around if they’re getting too flat or to hide a stain.
Overall, we had no complaints at all with this couch except that we wished it was a sleeper sofa, and would gladly pay the asking price and then some. The couch comes with a ten-year warranty. It is available in eight colors including dark turquoise, beige, light gray, and a red and white print.
Product Details: Dimensions: 88 x 36.25 x 36.25 inches | Upholstery Material: Polyester | Number of Seats: Three
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MICHAEL NAVARRO
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MICHAEL NAVARRO
Best Modular
Linsy Home 3 Seat Couch
- The cushions and ottomans double as storage—a huge plus if you live in a small apartment with little closet space.
The cushions and ottomans double as storage—a huge plus if you live in a small apartment with little closet space.
- There are only three color options.
There are only three color options.
The biggest benefit of opting for a modular sofa like the Linsy Home Rubik III is that you can create your own arrangement. We particularly loved this couch because we were able to style it to suit a small apartment. Don’t think you have enough space for a three-seat sofa? You can easily split up the pieces into an armchair and a two-seater.
It took us about 40 minutes to assemble the entire sofa. We found the cushions, made from a mix of high-density and memory foam, firm, spacious, and extremely comfortable. The couch quickly became our main chill spot to kick our legs up, whether on family movie nights or for occasional afternoon naps.
Our only wish is that there were more color options—the couch is only available in almond cream, dark gray, and light gray. We were initially a little nervous about the almond cream color, especially around small children, but we found the polyester and linen blend fabric easy to keep clean. Replacement covers are also available from the website. The best part, however, is that the cushions and ottoman double as storage—which is a big plus if you live in a small apartment.
Product Details: Dimensions: 94.5 x 35.4 inches | Upholstery Material: Polylinen | Number of Seats: Three
Best with Ottoman
Edloe Finch Park Sofa
- The couch has removable seat cushions that are easy to maintain and webbing for additional support.
The couch has removable seat cushions that are easy to maintain and webbing for additional support.
- It doesn’t provide much head and neck support.
It doesn’t provide much head and neck support.
The Edloe Finch Park sofa and Park ottoman, which is sold separately, is a suitable option for small spaces in need of an upgrade. In addition to its luscious velvet upholstery and foam seat cushions, you can choose to have the legs in a brushed gold finish or matte black finish.
We liked how durable the fabric was, as it held up well when left with crumbs and spilled food on top of it. We found it easy to clean and maintain, plus we weren't left with any stains. Our cat's scratch marks did make a slight imprint, however, the velvet texture made them blend in easily.
The back cushions and side pillows are reversible. During testing, we noticed the cushions were extremely plump and firm upon first use, and then eventually softened. During this process, the cushions didn’t become lumpy, but they had a more used, comfortable worn-in feeling after six months of consistent use. Despite the softer feel, we didn’t experience any neck or back pain.
The matching ottoman was a great addition as it provided a space for us to rest our feet while relaxing. It felt similar to the couch cushions in terms of plushness and is available in the matching olive green color.
Our biggest issue with the couch was the short neck of the couch didn’t provide much room for support. Because of this, we think the couch is best for lounging instead of sitting upright.
How it Performed After Six Months
Although the couch remained in fairly good condition, we did notice some minor wear and tear. We mainly sat in the middle of the couch and noticed that the cushion began to flatten in that one particular spot. However, we thought it made the couch more comfortable so we didn't mind. In fact, we wondered if the cushions were intentionally overfilled so that they could flatten and wear over time.
The fabric on this couch held up beautifully after six months. We spilled food on it throughout testing and nothing has stained. There were a few scratch marks from our cat here and there, but they're mild and blend in with the velvet material.
Product Details: Dimensions: 82 x 35 x 35 inches | Upholstery Material: Velvet | Number of Seats: Two
Most Comfortable
Albany Park Lido Sofa
- This couch retains its shape with consistent use.
This couch retains its shape with consistent use.
- You may need a second person to assist with assembly.
You may need a second person to assist with assembly.
This Albany Park handcrafted couch takes the title as the most comfortable on our list. A high back provides adequate support while a deep cushion helped us feel like we we weren’t sitting on the edge of the couch. Overall, we didn't experience any pain from this couch in our backs or necks and appreciated how there was no bowing or sagging even after consistent use for six months.
When it comes to delivery, we were happy that we could choose a delivery window to ensure we’d be home when the couch arrived. We unboxed and put the couch together ourselves. The boxes were sturdy and protective, but they were easy to open with a box cutter. Each piece of the couch was protected with a layer of plastic, and we didn’t notice any damage that occurred during delivery. Assembling the couch was fairly simple, though we needed two people to provide enough force the pieces together.
As for maintenance and upkeep, the boucle fabric we tested looked practically the same as when we received the couch. There were some loose threads, but nothing too concerning. We cleaned a small black speck with stain remover, and it easily came out. It’s available in various different types of fabrics such as velvet, basketweave, boucle, and leather that can be chosen depending on style preferences and durability.
Product Details: Dimensions: 75 x 37.5 x 32 inches | Upholstery Material: Boucle, basketweave, velvet | Number of Seats: Two
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEY CRAIGER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEY CRAIGER
Best Leather
Sixpenny Aria Leather Sofa
- We sunk into the couch, making it perfect for lounging.
We sunk into the couch, making it perfect for lounging.
- It requires additional upkeep compared to other couches we tested.
It requires additional upkeep compared to other couches we tested.
The leather upholstery has a suede-like appearance and texture, and it’s available in two traditional light brown shades and a more trendy blue color. It comes with the option to choose from two fill types: feather down and poly fill. We opted for the poly fill and found it plushy enough to sink into it, making it ideal for lounging.
While there are two seats, it has enough room to comfortably sit three. The center of the couch never bowed during our testing period, and we couldn’t feel the framing of the couch through the cushions.
Overall, we were impressed with the quality of the couch. The cushions didn’t lose any firmness over the testing period, and we didn’t notice any wear on the fabric from where we sat. We didn’t have any stains or spills to care for during regular use, but the leather requires additional care, including regular brushing to release the natural oils. It may not be the best pick for households where spills and stains are more frequent.
Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 35 x 42 inches | Upholstery Material: French nubuck leather | Number of Seats: Two
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MARIA ROWELLA
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MARIA ROWELLA