After Testing 30+ Couches, These Are Our Editors’ Favorites

Other Couches We’ve Tested and Love

If you’re looking for something different, good news: We’ve tried more than 35 couches over the last three years, and we’ve found options to suit every taste, style, and space. Whether you’re looking for a cushy leather sofa with sink-soft cushions or a slipcovered option that’s a breeze to clean (or made for mess-prone households), we have a few other couches that we recommend.

For example, our team has been testing Pottery Barn’s Cameron Roll Arm Slipcovered Sleeper Sofa for more than ___ years now, and it’s still going strong. If you love the style of a slipcover, or are looking for a convertible sofa that can handle kids, pets, and daily wear, we think it’s worth considering. 

Similarly, we tested Article’s Abisko Velvet Sofa, which we think is a perfect pick for anyone who’s searching for a little more style and personality. This uber-comfy couch offers plush cushions to relax on, and its contemporary styling makes it an eye-catching statement in any living room.

7th Avenue 4-Seat Modular Chaise Sectional with Ottoman

View on 7thavenue.co

Albany Park Kova Pit

View on Albanypark.com

Pottery Barn Cameron Roll Arm Slipcovered Sleeper Sofa

$2,499 at Pottery Barn

Article Abisko Sofa

View on Article.com

BenchMade Modern Skinny Fat Sectional With Bumper

View on Benchmademodern.com

Sixpenny Aria Leather Sofa

View on Sixpenny.com

How We Tested the Couches

Throughout the last two years, we've tested couches everywhere—in our own homes, in The Lab, and even at retail locations—to find the best couches. As a result, we’ve tested a mix of sleeper sofas, sectionals, modular models, and even stylish and slipcovered options.

We start our evaluation during purchasing and consider the ease of navigating each retailer's website, customizing the couch (if applicable), and reviewing any extra services such as free fabric swatches or measurement guides. We also consider the available delivery options, their pricing, and what the actual delivery and assembly processes are like post-purchase.

Once the couch is in place, we get down to the fun part: Kicking our feet up and relaxing! We use the couches daily, treating them like any other piece of functional furniture in our homes.  We consider the quality, comfort, and durability of the couch, and we note any break-in period (which we’ve found is pretty typical regardless of cushion fill material.)

We also keep a close eye on wear and tear over the testing period, whether that’s treating stains from kids (or adults) or washing away mud from pups and other pets. We examine the upholstery overall, noting whether any obvious signs of wear develop over the course of one full year of regular use.

The couches that made our list have stood the test of time, and they’re all products that have become favorites in our testers’ homes. While in general, most of the couches we’ve tested earn high marks for comfort and durability, we’ve found the couches here are standouts in their designs and configurations, sturdy frames, upholstery materials, and inviting cushions.

When Shopping for a Couch, Look For

A Frame and Cushions That Are Built to Last

The materials your couch and its components are made from determine its longevity. So, if you’re searching for one that’ll last a lifetime, you need to take a close look at what’s underneath the stylish upholstery: the frame and the cushion fill. 

The most durable couch frames are solid hardwood, which is tough and least likely to bow under weight. Kiln-dried hardwood frames are even more durable, but they do tend to cost a bit more. That’s because kiln-drying is a specialized process that reduces the amount of moisture in wood, which makes it less likely to warp, shrink, or expand and enhances its stability.

Other common couch frame materials include:

• Particleboard, which should be avoided because it’s prone to warping and breakage
• Plastic, which also breaks and cracks easily
• Pine, an affordable wood option, though it’s less durable than hardwoods
• Metal, which is strong like hardwood but more affordable

Next, you’ll want to consider cushion fill. While cushions are replaceable (and I highly recommend replacing yours at around the five-year mark), the material you choose directly impacts their lifespan. Harder, firmer cushion fill tends to last longer, breaking down more slowly, while softer fill materials can flatten out faster.

Here’s a look at the most popular cushion fill materials:

• High-resilience foam, which is expensive but the most durable fill material
• Polyurethane foam, which is affordable and decently durable, but less dense than high-resilience foam
• Polyester fiber, another affordable choice that’s similar to down alternative fibers and offers a lofty, pillow-like feel
• Goose-down fill, which is incredibly comfortable but very expensive and high-maintenance

But the fill material also affects how your couch feels and its overall comfort for sitting, laying, and lounging. And that’s ultimately a personal preference.

“Depending on how much you will be using it, its [the couch’s] comfort is both important and subjective to each person,” says Jessie Neuman, founder of Numi Interior Design. “Some clients love the loose fluffy feeling of down feathers on a sofa, while others prefer the structure of foam fill.”

In our experience, no matter the fill material you choose, you should expect a break-in period when your couch arrives. All fill materials will feel a little stiff initially, but the more you use your couch, the more it’ll soften, flex, and take form to offer more comfort. If your cushions are too soft or sagging after a few years, that’s a good sign it’s time to replace them.

A Size and Shape That Suits Your Space

There’s nothing more frustrating than falling in love with a piece of furniture, only to discover it won’t fit in your room. The size of your space will also determine the shape, or type of sofa you can fit.

"Size really matters when it comes to buying a sofa, something too big or too small for your room can really affect the flow of your space," says Neuman. "It should fill the room nicely and feel inviting, but it should never feel like it's overwhelming your space.”

If you’re finding it tough to tell just how large a couch will look and feel in your space, Neuman has a pro tip: “Do the blue tape test. Buy yourself some blue painter's tape at any hardware store and tape out the dimensions of the sofa on the floor so you get a good idea of how it will feel in the space."

Also, be sure to measure the doorways and any stairs leading to the room. You’ll want to make sure there’s clearance to fit every piece of the couch into the room. 

If you’re especially pressed for space, you’ll want to consider purchasing sofas that are meant for small spaces. If you have a larger entertaining space, like an expansive basement, you may consider a matching sofa and loveseat for a cohesive look. 

Today, sectionals are an incredibly popular style of couch. Sectionals like the West Elm Harmony Modular Sectional (our most comfortable couch) provide more seating, making them a good solution for large families or big rooms.

Durable Upholstery Fabrics

In addition to frame and cushion materials, you’ll need to consider the upholstery material and be sure to weigh both appearance and functionality. Your couch gets a lot of use—no matter what type of household it's in—so you’ll need a tough, durable fabric to ensure it lasts for years to come.

Many of our favorite couches offer performance fabrics. You can shop for kid- and pet-friendly, indoor/outdoor, durable, and stain-resistant upholstery. 

Personally, I recommend looking for performance fabrics, which tend to be the most durable. These materials are specially created to withstand more significant wear and tear, and they’re often labeled as “family-friendly,” “kid-friendly,” or “pet-friendly,” depending on their exact makeup. Even if you want an eye-catching or trendy fabric, like fluffy boucle or textured linen, opting for a performance fabric (or performance version of the fabric) means you’ll be able to worry less about spills, stains, and general wear or tear.

Another option that can handle the most wear and tear is a slipcovered couch, which has removable couch covers that can be easily thrown in the washer and dryer for easy maintenance.

Here are some of the most popular fabric options and their benefits:

• Leather: durable and easy to clean, but expensive and can fade over time
• Faux leather: durable and easy to clean, but not as long-lasting as real leather
• Cotton: soft and somewhat durable, but stains easily and can shrink (if used for a cushion slipcover)
• Linen: linen sofas are beautiful and upscale, but hard to care for and soil easily
• Microfiber/polyester: soft, durable, easy to clean, and inexpensive
• Chenille: soft and luxe, but hard to clean
• Velvet: soft and stylish, but also trendy

Your Favorite Style

One of the most challenging parts of buying a couch can be finding a style you like. Hundreds of styles are available today, but here's a rundown of the most popular styles you may want to consider. 

• Mid-century: features clean lines, tapered legs, and a low profile, like the Burrow Block Nomad Sofa
• Chesterfield: features rolled arms, tufted cushions, and is often made of leather
• Lawson: features a boxy shape and detached cushions, and prioritizes comfort
• Bridgewater (also called English roll arm): has low arms that lean outward and is very cushy
• Tuxedo: features a boxy shape and its arms are the same height as its back
• Contemporary: modern, unique, and often unconventional
• Camelback: features a curved back with a “hump” in the middle, as well as high arms
• Scandinavian: popularized by Ikea, has clean lines and is minimalistic
• Settee: a specialty loveseat with a high back and shallow depth
• Chaise: an asymmetrical design with just one arm

These are some of the most common couch and sofa styles, but there are many variations of each. As you shop, you’ll want to take note of which features you like and which styles will look best with your existing decor.

Delivery and Assembly Matter, Too

Once you’ve chosen your couch, you’ll be able to choose between standard and white-glove delivery. Depending on the retailer, standard delivery may come at a flat rate.

You can expect your couch to be delivered to your doorstep, but it won’t be unpacked—and you’ll have to carry it inside your home yourself. We recommend having an extra set of hands or two, especially if you plan on carrying your new couch up or down a set of stairs.

If you want to skip the heavy lifting (literally), white-glove delivery is a premium service that most furniture retailers offer. Choose white-glove delivery, and a crew will bring the item into your room of choice, unpack and assemble it, and remove any extra packing materials afterward. It’s convenient, but it’s also often expensive.

Wondering if it’s worth assembling your own couch? It really depends, as the amount of assembly will vary from product to product. For example, the Burrow Block Nomad Sofa (our overall best couch), requires assembly, but we found the process quick, easy to follow, and uncomplicated.

One More Thing

You may have noticed that we listed the number of sizes and configurations available for each of our favorite couches. Almost all of the couches in this list are available in more than one size and in some cases, like the West Elm Harmony Modular Sleeper Sectional, multiple (and even custom) configurations.

When shopping, double-check if a retailer offers a couch design in multiple widths, especially if it's a design you really love. Sometimes online retailers will allow you to filter couches by the width or couch collection, and this is a great way to confirm what's available for your space before eliminating options.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Heather Adams is a senior editor at The Spruce who’s owned a surprisingly high number of couches over the last 10 years, thanks to some less-than-smart sofa investments. Now, after testing couches and shopping for comfier ones both in-person and online, she’s an expert in the upholstery fabrics, frame types, and cushion fills that make the best couches so comfy. In putting together this list, she used testing insights from The Spruce’s at-home couch testing which evaluated each couch for quality, comfort, and durability, along with her own knowledge of different furniture retailers, sofa construction, and materials.

Our Experts:

• Jessie Neuman, founder of Numi Interior Design