The best sofa beds promise a handy two-in-one solution; both a sofa for relaxing and entertaining and a comfortable bed for guests. Historically, though, they have been neither. They seemed to be too firm and unyielding as a sofa and uncomfortable and creaky as a bed. That’s a surefire recipe for back pain.
But the sofa beds of today have evolved, according to interior designer Katy Raywood of Howson Design Interiors. “They used to be poorly sprung, uncomfortable additions,” she says. “They are now comfortable, practical and easy to function.” You can also order sofa-beds flat packed now, for easy home delivery.
Raywood does still only recommend them for occasional use, rather than to replace a bed full time. This is because the mattresses are much thinner than on standard beds. But for an overnight or weekend visitor, it’s great to have the multi-functionality of a sofa and bed in one.
“As an interior designer, I see many clients who need a guest room that doubles as a home office,” says Raywood. “The sofa bed is the ideal solution. Your workspace feels less like a bedroom – and you have more space.” But it can be hard to know which is best for you.
I spent a week testing sofa beds of various sizes around London showrooms. I tried click-clack sofa beds, where the back folds down to create a flat surface and pull-out sofa beds, which conceal a hidden mattress. (There’s more on the difference between them in our FAQ section.) You can read my full reviews below, but if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:
Which is the best sofa bed in 2024? At a glance
What should you look for in a sofa bed?
If you’re looking for a more comfortable sofa to sit on, choose a click-clack sofa bed, says interior designer Naomi Astley Clarke. “A really comfortable sofa would have a spring base, then cushions. If the base contains a pull-out mattress instead of that spring base, it’s going to be less comfortable to sit on.”
However if you’re looking to prioritise the comfort of the mattress, choose a pull-out sofa bed. The mattresses themselves are generally pocket sprung or foam, like a bed mattress, compared to the padded sofa cushions you will be sleeping on with a click-clack sofa bed.
“The comfort of the mattress is key – even when choosing beds for clients, the base isn’t the expense, it’s the mattress,” says Astley-Clarke.