Best Lightweight and Affordable Sleeper Sofas For Compact Comfort

The best sleeper sofas offer comfortable and functional solutions to maximize your living area. Shop the top options on the market to transform any living space.

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

Monroe Sleeper Sofa Ecomm Westelm.comVIA MERCHANT

The best sleeper sofas offer both seating and sleeping options in one functional and stylish piece of furniture. These sofas typically have a hidden mattress stored underneath the seat cushions, which can be pulled out and unfolded to create a sleeping surface. Whether you’re hosting guests overnight or looking to maximize a small living space, the best sleeper sofas can be a game-changer for any home.

“There are a few things to look at when it comes to a sleeper sofa,” says Lisa Beach, Director of Operations at BenchMade Modern. First, consider how it looks when the mattress is folded in. Is it the design and style of sofa you want in your space? Don’t overlook what’s inside, though. “Comfort is key,” she says. “Check what the mattress is made from, and if there are any bars or springs that will create discomfort.” With so many options on the market, we’re here to help you find the perfect fit for your home.

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Cameron Square Arm Upholstered Sleeper Sofa With Memory Foam Mattress Ecomm Potterybarn.com
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Best Overall Sleeper Sofa

Pottery Barn Cameron Sleeper Sofa with Memory Foam Mattress

This simple yet chic sleeper sofa from Pottery Barn lands at the top of our list for its overall quality and comfortable memory foam mattress.  The 5-in. thick mattress is gel infused for cooling effects. This sleeper sofa comes in twin, full and queen sizes, and you can choose from bench-seat, 2-seat and 3-seat options. Plus, the Cameron Sleeper Sofa is available in over 100 different fabric and color options, so you can find the combination that best suits your style.

Pros

  • High-quality construction materials
  • Soft, easy-clean cushions
  • Eco-friendly construction
  • Dozens of fabric and color options

Cons

  • Pricey, but built to last
  • Takes weeks to ship

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Monroe Sleeper Sofa Ecomm Westelm.com
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Best Budget Sleeper Sofa

West Elm Monroe Sleeper Sofa

For an affordable option that still provides a huge bang for your buck, look no further than the Monroe Sleeper Sofa. For a little more than $500, you get a lightweight sofa that unfolds into a full-size bed. The square arms work as space savers in less-than-ideal-sized rooms, and the fabric of the sofa is durable and easy to clean.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Lightweight
  • Space saving
  • Easy to clean
  • Multiple color options

Cons

  • Best for one sleeper

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Cushy Sleeper Ecomm Pbteen.com
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Best Compact Sleeper Sofa

Pottery Barn Teen Cushy Sleeper

This adorable sleeper sofa features a sleek profile with piped edges and square cushions. It’s designed to look like compact lounge seating, but it packs the punch of a pullout full- or twin-size sleeper (you choose). Plus, the seat cushion flips up to become a headboard!

Pros

  • Ideal for small spaces
  • Easy to style
  • Multiple fabric and color options

Cons

  • More expensive than other compact options

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London Sleeper Sectional Ecomm Westelm.com
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Best Sectional Sleeper Sofa

West Elm London Sleeper Sectional

This clean-lined sectional has a trundle that pulls out to create a full-sized sleeping area. High-gauge springs offer extra cushion support on this sleeper sofa, and its sleek simplicity is sure to work in any room of your house.

Pros

  • Cushions offer good support
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Only one color option

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Harmony 2 Piece Sleeper Sectional With Storage Chaise Ecomm Westelm.com
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Best Splurge Sleeper Sofa

West Elm Harmony Sleeper Sectional with Storage Chaise

For an ultra-stylish, minimalist option to match most home decor, choose the Harmony Sleeper Sectional. With foam core cushions and a queen-size, gel-infused foam mattress, it’s one of the comfiest options we’ve seen. The lift-up storage under the chaise section is a multitasking bonus, offering the perfect storage solution for bedding and extra pillows.

Pros

  • Queen-size mattress sleeps two and sofa seats three
  • Convenient storage chaise
  • Minimalist look goes with most home decor
  • Extra-plush, removable sofa pillows
  • Order it in left or right configurations to fit your space

Cons

  • Heavy at nearly 250 pounds
  • Very expensive, but built to last

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Piper Supreme Comfort Queen Sleep Sofa Ecomm La Z Boy.com
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Best Comfortable Sleeper Sofa

La-Z-Boy Piper Supreme-Comfort Queen Sleep Sofa

Turn any room into a functional guest room with this ultra-comfortable La-Z-Boy sleep sofa. The queen-sized mattress is 5-1/2-in. thick and features a quilted innerspring design.

Pros

  • Comfortable, with roomy construction
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • Multiple fabric and color options
  • Great for tall sleepers

Cons

  • Less affordable than other sleeper sofa options

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Gemma Velvet Chair And A Half Sleeper Sofa Ecomm Urbanoutfitters.com
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Best Floor Sleeper Sofa

Urban Outfitters Gemma Velvet Chair-And-A-Half Sleeper Sofa

This floor sleeper sofa is a great compact option to make any small space or apartment stylish on a budget. The velvet sofa opens into a roomy twin-size bed. At only 26 pounds, it’s an easy piece of furniture to move around, too. The arched back makes it a trendy piece for any room.

Pros

  • Fold-out design is easy to fully extend and then put away
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • Comes in five trendy colors

Cons

  • Mattress might be a bit firm for some
  • Only one size option

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Pacifica Square Arm Leather Sleeper Sofa Ecomm Potterybarn.com
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Best Leather Sleeper Sofa

Pottery Barn Pacifica Square Arm Leather Sleeper Sofa

This new leather sleeper sofa from Pottery Barn adds a touch of class. You can choose from nearly 40 different natural leathers and three different sizes: Twin, full and queen. This leather sleeper sofa features a contemporary silhouette and 5-1/2-in. foam mattress.

Pros

  • Durable, well-crafted leather
  • Multiple size and color options
  • Stylish design

Cons

  • Expensive, but durable

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Types of Sleeper Sofas

  • Pull-out sofa bed: This is the most traditional type of sleeper sofa, where the mattress is stored under the seat cushions and can be pulled out to create a bed. These sofas often have a metal frame and come in a variety of mattress options, such as innerspring, memory foam and air coil.
  • Futon: Futons are a type of sofa that can be converted into a bed by folding the backrest down flat. These options are typically more affordable than pull-out sofa beds, but their firmer construction may not appeal to all.
  • Sleeper chair: A sleeper chair is a compact chair that can be converted into a small bed. These chairs are ideal for small spaces, but may only accommodate one person.
  • Sectional sofa bed: Sectional sofas offer plenty of seating and can be configured to fit different room layouts, with some designs featuring storage options. However, they can be expensive, bulky and difficult to move.

What to Look for When Buying a Sleeper Sofa

  • Size: Before buying a sleeper sofa, first measure the size of the room, as well as the doorway and hall passages. If your room is small (a minimum of 70 square feet), your best option is a twin-size sleeper sofa that accommodates just one person. If space isn’t a problem, a queen-size sleeper sofa is a more comfortable solution for guests.
  • Design: Appearance is important. Beach says to ask yourself: “Do you like how the sofa itself looks when the mattress is folded in?” Depending on the design aesthetic of your home or a particular room, the fabric of a sleeper sofa (leather, velvet, chenille, etc.) as well as the color can be crucial.
  • Functionality: Always look at the sleeper mechanisms to determine how easy it is to pull the mattress in and out, advises Beach. 
  • Assembly: As sleeper sofas are usually heavier than their traditional counterparts, many of them come with in-home delivery and assembly. This service may not be included in the price, but it’s well worth it for the ease!
  • Materials:Look at what the mattress is made from, and if the support includes any bars or items that will create discomfort,” says Beach. “Last but not least, a personal preference is how firm the mattress is and how much support it provides, as some people like a super firm mattress and others like something that’s softer.”
  • Extras: Like a regular bed, most sleeper sofas don’t come with sheets, pillows, pillowcases or blankets. Purchase additional bed linens when buying your sleeper sofa if they aren’t included or you don’t already have them on hand.

Why You Should Trust Us

I’m a national award-winning writer and journalist who specializes in outdoor trends, interior design, home decor and gardening. As an Associate Shopping Editor at Family Handyman, I’m well-versed in researching products and recommending the best designs to suit various needs.

For this article, we also consulted Lisa Beach, who is a product expert and the Director of Operations at BenchMade Modern. Beach has worked at BenchMade Modern for nearly a decade, studying the design and functionality of different types of upholstered furniture. She’s held several roles at the company, including Operations Manager, Customer Experience Manager and Design Advisor.

How We Chose the Best Sleeper Sofas

To find the very best sleeper sofas on the market, we did a combination of hands-on testing and heavy analysis. We slept on some of these options either in our own homes or in friends’ homes. After that, we sifted through reviews for the most popular sleeper sofas on the market from retailers like West Elm, Pottery Barn, La-Z-Boy and others. The result? The best sleeper sofas to make your guests feel like they’re getting a five-star treatment.

FAQ

What is the difference between a sofa bed and a sleeper sofa?

“This really depends on who you ask, but they are essentially the same thing and just different names,” reveals Beach.

How much does a sofa bed cost?

According to Beach, a general range for a high-quality sleeper sofa is around $4,500 to $7,500 if you’re looking at something designed and constructed in the United States. “You’re essentially marrying the components of sofa design with the mattress mechanism, so the price will likely be less for a more straightforward design and more for a more detailed sofa design,” she explains.

How long do sleeper sofas last?

Sleeper sofas should last between seven to 10 years, says Beach. “Similar to all other furniture pieces, they may last longer — or not as long — depending on how you care for your furniture,” she says. “Purchasing a high-quality sleeper sofa will absolutely help prolong the lifespan as they’ll most likely be constructed with a high-quality mechanism that will last for years to come.”

How do you make sleeper sofas more comfortable?

“Before you buy a sleeper sofa, look to see what the mattress is made from and if there are bars or springs that can make it uncomfortable,” advises Beach. For example, BenchMade Modern sleepers offer a top-quality solid foam mattress with no bars or springs, she notes. “Comfort can be subjective, so if you want a softer or cozier feel, you can easily add a nice mattress topper,” Beach suggests.

Mary Henn
Mary Henn, MFA is an Associate Shopping Editor at Family Handyman. She’s also a national award-winning writer and journalist. Her expertise lies in interior design, home decor, gardening and outdoor trends. When she’s not working on the latest content at FHM, you can find her reading poetry or hiking with her dog, Henry.