9 Best Sofa Beds I've Reviewed for 2026, From Dusk to Dunelm
Sofa bed FAQs: Glamour's 2026 guide to choosing the best sofa bedsMeet the experts:André FaustinoDesigner at SwyftHow the best sofa beds compare:Glamour's sofa bed comparison table:Which type of sofa bed is most comfortable?There are two main types of sofa beds to choose from:Click-clack sofa bedThe first is the "click-clack" sofa bed. With the sofa in its upright position, you simply fold the back down and – as the name suggests – use the clic clac mechanism to ‘click it’ flat. Et voila! You've got yourself a double mattress. Click clack sofa beds tend to be cheaper and a bit easier to convert into bed form than their more traditional counterparts.Pull-out sofa bedPull-out sofa beds do tend to be more comfy than the former, but require a little more effort to assemble. You'd need to remove the cushions from the sofa to reveal a pull-out mattress and "bed" frame. Both click clack sofa beds and pull-out sofa beds come in a range of mattress sizes – from single to double – and upholstery options, to suit your interior design style.What should you look for in a sofa bed?According to André Faustino, designer at Swyft, a great sofa bed needs to balance style, comfort, and functionality. He says, “Sofa beds have that extra element that sofas and armchairs don’t. It has to be comfortable to sit on and to sleep on.” Monika Puccio, Buying Director at Sofa Club, agrees: “A sofa bed should never feel like a compromise. It needs to work just as hard in both modes, as a place to relax, and a place to properly rest.” So when choosing a sofa bed, prioritise one that offers both a cosy seating experience and a supportive mattress for a good night’s sleep.André also emphasises that the mechanism should be “smooth and easy to use”, making it practical for everyday living rather than just occasional use. Monika echoes that practical side too: “Form should follow function. Think about how often it will be used as a bed, occasional guests versus regular use, and choose a design that supports that.” Durability, ease of use and mattress quality all matter just as much as aesthetics.Design matters too. André says a sofa bed should “feel like the main sofa in your living room, not just an occasional piece of furniture”, meaning it should blend seamlessly with your décor and not look like a bulky, awkward guest bed. “Sofas are the heart of the living space,” Monika explains, “so when you’re choosing a sofa bed, you can’t just focus on how it looks during the day. You need to think about how it performs at night too.”In short, look for a sofa bed that combines comfort, ease of use and stylish design – so you do not have to compromise on any front.What are the benefits of a good sofa bed?A good sofa bed, personalised to your requirements, will see you through for years to come. Whether you're shopping at sofa.com on the more affordable end of the scale or Darlings of Chelsea at the premium end, what makes a ‘good’ sofa bed is not to do with the price but, rather, the materials. Naturally, these materials can be of better quality with a higher cost, but this is not always the case.Monika says, “One of the biggest oversights is underestimating comfort. People fall in love with the look, but don’t test how it actually feels.” A great sofa bed should feel considered in both forms, supportive to sit on, and genuinely comfortable to sleep on.Our top tips:In click clack beds, look to fibre fill seat cushions for a softer, more plush sleep surface.In pull-out sofa beds, you'll want to keep an eye out for specialist pocket spring and memory foam mattresses.Frames - the bigger your sofa bed, the bigger your mattress, so you and your guests will be more likely to enjoy an uninterrupted sleep.Storage sofa beds are more likely to come in the form of a bigger sofa bed, and who doesn't love a bit of extra storage for all your spare duvets and bedding.Is it OK to sleep on a sofa bed every night?Unfortunately with this one, the answer is, it depends. While many of mattresses included with sofa beds don't provide buyers with ample back support, nowadays, brands like Swyft, Heal's, Swoon and are offering consumers mattresses that just as plush and supportive as the ones you buy for your bed. See, for instance, the Swyft Model 04 sofa bed, which features a pocket sprung mattress.How much should you spend on a sofa bed?Prices vary wildly, from under £300 for a simple futon to over £3,000 for a bespoke luxury sofa with a pocket sprung or memory foam mattress. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for in terms of durability, comfort and design. If you’ll be using it regularly – or every night – it’s worth investing a little more for solid mechanisms and high-quality upholstery that lasts.What size sofa bed do I need?If you're short on space, a two-seater sofa bed or small double will comfortably fit one or two people. Larger households, or serial hosts, might prefer a 3 seater sofa bed or king-size sleeper sofa for a more generous stretch. Always measure up – including doorways and stairs – before ordering to avoid that dreaded delivery-day panic.“Always measure your space, not just where the sofa sits, but how it opens,” Monika advises. “You need to make sure there’s room for it to extend fully without disrupting the flow of the room.”What's the difference between a sofa bed and a sofa sleeper?The terms sleeper sofa and sofa bed are often used interchangeably, but there are differences – and knowing them can totally change your shopping agenda. While both transform from sofa to bed, a sleeper sofa has a hidden mattress and a pull-out frame, which pops up with legs to give you that proper 'bed' feel. In contrast, a sofa bed doesn’t have an internal mattress. Instead, its cushions fold out flat, like a futon.Is it worth getting a sofa bed? The verdict:Naturally, the answer to this question will depend on your personal situation. For instance, if you live in a five-bed property with two rooms to spare then, chances are, you're not as pressed when it comes to space for guests. That said, being able to utilise a spare bedroom as a study or second living space might be on your interiors wishlist. In such cases, single and double sofa beds can be a great addition and allow for more versatility in the home.On the flip side, if you live in a one-bed apartment, a sofa bed will be crucial. Speaking from experience, being able to give my guests an actually comfy place to rest their heads when they stay has been paramount to my hosting through the years. Not to mention it's meant I didn't need a credit broker just to pay the rent that a two-bed would require of me.As Monika puts it: “Customers want furniture that adapts to their lifestyle. That means pieces that are flexible, practical, and still feel elevated.” She also points out that “it’s about the whole experience. Layered lighting, soft textures, and accessible surfaces make it feel intentional, not like a last-minute solution.”After more interiors content? Head over here for the best bed frames for an amazing night's sleep, in this direction for the best sofas, this way for the best mattress for side sleepers.
