The 13 Most Comfortable Couches, According To Testers And Experts

Dimensions: 126 x 42 x 36 inches | Fabric: Bouclé performance fabric | Seat fill: Down, feathers and poly-fiber padding | Color options: 2 total, including Burbank Pepper and Icon Pearl

What you’ll love: 

• Suited to expansive living spaces and tall individuals
• Lounge-friendly oversized cushions and deep seats
• Thoughtful design details

Keep in mind: 

• May require more effort to get in and out of

When we recently tested the best couches, one of the most comfortable options was the Arhaus Owen Modular Sofa. The oversized piece has low, deep seats that are filled with a combination of down, feathers and poly-fiber padding for a plush feel that will still stand the test of time. Caroline Mullen, contributor to our tested Best Couches story, says of the Arhaus Owen’s design, “The contemporary silhouette and casual nature of the cushions would fit well in a laid-back home, but … the cushions won’t need as much upkeep or fluffing to look more tailored.” 

It’s definitely an investment piece for your living room, but it’s worth it for anyone with a large home, as well as tall individuals who want plenty of space to sprawl out on their days off. Our tester also says that while its depth and oversized nature may make the couch tricky to get in and out of, these aspects also make it an accommodating option for those who often have TV or movie marathons. Bonus for families: Our tester notes that her kids (and certain adults) found the Owen fun to jump on—and that it didn’t exhibit and creaking or breaking.

What our editors say: Deputy editor Jane Sung, who tested a larger configuration of the Owen, notes, “My mom and I have napped on this couch on separate occasions, and we both agree that it’s really great for naps. It’s more cushiony than firm and has some bounce, so I wasn’t sure if it would be too soft for napping—but was pleasantly surprised.”

Dimensions: 72 x 34 x 41 inches (queen) | Fabric: Various leather and performance fabrics, including chenille, polyester and cotton blends | Seat fill: High-density foam | Color options: 84 total, including Vintage Belgian Beige (leather) and Babble Indigo (fabric)

What you’ll love:

• Made from very sustainable, high-quality fabric or leather
• Uses a platform bed (no bars)
• Patented two-panel fold-out design is user-friendly 

Keep in mind:

• Very heavy (over 200 pounds) and a big financial investment

A common complaint regarding sofa beds is that their dual nature means their sleeping surface isn’t comfortable or supportive enough for heavy, regular use. One popular exception: American Leather’s sleeper sofas, which feature a patented multi-panel design that lets you turn its cushions into individual mattresses or, together, into a full bed. Unlike traditional pull-outs, which have uncomfortable bars or wires underneath their sleeping surface, American Leather uses a platform setup to hold a mattress made with 4 inches of high-density and high-resiliency foam. 

Despite the company’s name, you can customize the sofa in both leather and a variety of performance fabrics, from chenille to cotton or polyester blends. (There are dozens of colors and weaves available, too, making this pick one of the most customizable ones on our list.) Another attractive feature: Every piece is crafted in the U.S.A. and made with sustainable materials and processes. The one downside you’ll find is that, because of the high quality of the materials, it’ll be hard to buy an American Leather sleeper that’s less than $3,000 or under 200 pounds.

What the reviews say: American Leather’s sleeper sofas are a favorite in Reddit’s Buy It For Life subreddit. One user shares, “The sofa is designed for people with studios, so it is meant to be slept on every day. The mattress is memory foam and it sleeps great. The downside is that it is extremely heavy.” 

Dimensions: 85 x 35 x 33 inches | Fabric: Performance velvet | Seat fill: Multi-layer high-density foam | Color options: 6 total, including Jade and Midnight

What you’ll love:

• Built-in USB port is helpful for remote workers
• Modular design makes it easy to assemble, rearrange and transport
• Fabric comes in rich colors and are pet- and kid-friendly

Keep in mind:

• The cushioning is on the firmer side
• Composite foam cushioning may be less durable than high-density foam found in older models

The Burrow Nomad Velvet is our home editors’ favorite sectional sofa overall—and not just because it’s cozy and roomy at the same time. It’s also sturdy, thanks to its galvanized steel hardware, hardwood frame and stain-resistant performance fabric. (Bonus: The brand includes a special brush to spiff up the velvet.) It has thoughtful design touches that will stand out to certain households: a built-in outlet for those working from home, a modular design for growing families and parts that come in multiple, smaller packages for those who live in small spaces, for starters.

Our tester also highlights the Nomad’s mid-century modern aesthetic; they say that the sleek, minimalistic style makes it a great addition to apartments, condos and homes with living spaces adorned in a contemporary style. The most important part, of course, is its comfort level—and if you’re a fan of more supportive cushioning, you’ll love the Burrow. The cushions are filled with multiple layers of foam: a high-density core and two layers of lower-density (read: softer) layers. 

What our testers say: Kayla Sigaroudi, Forbes Vetted’s associate director of operations and account management, owns (and has napped on) the Nomad Velvet, sharing, “I wake up feeling refreshed, all thanks to its comfortable yet firm design. The attached USB feature comes in handy for those working from home, while the flip-back cushion adds a nice customizable touch.”

Dimensions: 120 x 39 x 78 inches | Fabric: Polyester | Seat fill: Hypoallergenic microfiber | Color options: 12 total, including Charcoal and Velvet
What you’ll love:

• Covered by a lifetime warranty
• Recently updated cushion design with boosted fill and anti-slip fabric
• Comes in exceptionally vibrant colors

Keep in mind:

• The cushions require regular re-fluffing
• The brand switched manufacturers in early 2024 to improve quality

Groups or families who love movie nights will be able to sprawl out on Albany Park’s Kova Pit, an oversized modular design that’s an impressive 65 inches deep—meaning it can be used as a bed for naps (we found several reviews of users finding themselves sleeping in the Kova Pit more than their own beds). With the ottoman that slides right into its middle, this model resembles a U-shaped sectional, and each seat is covered in a super-plush cushion that the company recently updated with more filling. 

The Kova Pit’s modular design is a highlight, making its configuration highly customizable; it can also grow with your household if you so choose. Plus, along with its cushions, the company updated this modular couch’s frame with sturdy, contract-grade wood. The removable seat cushions, various pet- and kid-friendly fabrics, and reversible back cushions round out the list of features that make the Kova an attractive choice for large and busy households.

What the reviews say: A reviewer who recently purchased the Green Velvet Kova Pit writes, “It’s a beautiful color, and the couch is super comfortable, as well. It’s also huge! Our 160-pound Great Dane fits on it with us and our other animals [with] no problem. I will say that it does require a bit of daily or weekly maintenance with re-fluffing the cushions and with the hair and slobber of five dogs and a cat, but it’s not a deal-breaker for us; hair and slobber are easily removed from the fabric.”

Dimensions: 88 x 67 x 32 inches (88-inch size) | Fabric: Microfiber-cotton blend