Sofas have a way of becoming the cornerstone of our lives. We use them for relaxing, entertaining, sleeping, and even working. But shopping for the best sofa is stressful. For starters, there are an overwhelming number of options available from an endless number of brands. Buying online involves the gamble of whether you will find it comfortable. Delivery can take weeks, and then there's the added hassle of getting the cumbersome piece of furniture into your home and, sometimes, assembling it. More importantly, sofas are expensive. You're making a big investment, so you want to make sure that you select a sofa that's comfortable, durable, and suited to your space and lifestyle.
The good news is that we're here to help. To find the best sofas, we tested some of the most popular models from major retailers and direct-to-consumer brands. We used them daily in our own homes for months, evaluating them on the comfort of the cushions and seat back, the quality of the frames and upholstery, the ease of delivery and assembly, and long-term durability against wear, stains, and pets (we love them, but they can mess up a couch).
Read more about how Insider Reviews tests home products.
Our picks of the best sofas
Best overall sofa: Interior Define Sloan Custom Sofa - See at Interior Define
Best value sofa: Quince Sierra Sofa - See at Quince
Best modular sofa: Lovesac Sactional - See at Lovesac
Best sleeper sofa: West Elm Shelter Sleeper Sofa - See at West Elm
Best sectional: Sixpenny Elias Sectional Sofa - See at Sixpenny
Best custom sofa: Benchmade Modern Tyler Sofa - See at Benchmade Modern
Best sofa for small spaces: Burrow Nomad Sofa - See at Burrow
Best Cloud couch dupe: Sundays Movie Night Sofa - See at Sundays
Best sofa for pets and families: Joybird Wilder Sleeper Sofa - See at Joybird
Best overall
The Sloan is one of Interior Define's flagship sofas, available in a range of options, from a two-seater loveseat to a sectional. It's an attractive, modern design that can be customized to your ideal length, color, depth, and feel.
What we like
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Customize it to suit your space and lifestyle. When Insider Reviews former deputy editor Lauren Savoie moved into a new apartment, she wanted a sofa that was comfy and supportive, cat-friendly, doubled as a guest bed, and provided extra storage. Interior Define let her create the couch of her dreams. It felt like a tall order. After selecting the Sloan sofa, she chose the length, depth, fabric, leg type, cushion fill, and seat type. The result: an 83-inch sofa in durable performance velvet, with a generous down-blend bench seat and oiled walnut legs high enough to stash stuff underneath.
It's the perfect balance between cushy and structured. Even with the standard seat depth, the cushions fully supported Savoie from behind her knees to halfway up her back. She spent entire workdays on the sofa without any discomfort, but it's also great for napping. In fact, her husband prefers sleeping on the twin-size seat to their king-size mattress.
The sofa is super durable. Its cushions stayed fluffy and supportive after months of use, while the wine-colored fabric remained velvety and mostly cat-proof. "Her hair does end up all over the fabric, but it vacuums up easily," says Savoie.
Delivery can be effortless. Interior Define offers white-glove delivery for a flat $299 rate. The drivers will carry it into your home, attach the legs, and remove any packaging. Be sure to measure your hallways and door frame carefully, as Savoie was off by a fraction of an inch and needed a disassembly service to get her sofa inside. Interior Define allows returns within 30 days, but upholstery items incur a 50% processing fee.
Read our full Interior Define Sloan Custom Sofa review.
Best value
The Quince Sierra Performance Velvet Curved Arm Sofa is a durable, yet plush, modern design. The sofa is a great option for those looking to pick up a sleekly designed seating option for a fraction of the price of competitors.
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It's a high-style sofa with a low price tag. Quince has gained a fan base for its affordable versions of high-end home goods, like the Sierra velvet sofa. Similar in design to RH's sleek Modena couch, the Sierra comes in three lengths (7-, 8-, and 9- feet), four fabric choices (performance velvet, performance basketweave, performance boucle, and leather), and a sectional option. It's available for quick shipping in three colors, with a variety of shades that are made to order. It's even made in the United States.
Quince doesn't skimp on quality. Writer Morgan Flaherty tested the 7-foot performance velvet sofa in her kids' playroom and found it comfortable, with a sturdy, solid-wood frame and "soft and supportive" foam-and-recycled-fiber cushions. Flaherty says the cushions maintained their shape after weeks of use, and the fabric held up exceptionally well. "There's been no noticeable pilling," she says, "and stains have been easily wiped away with a damp cloth."
White-glove delivery is free. Shipping is quoted as four to six days for in-stock models, and two to four weeks for custom orders, which is pretty fast for made-to-order. Quince provides free white delivery and will assemble the sofa in the room of your choice. Flaherty's sofa was in place in about 10 minutes.
There are risks involved. Quince is a direct-to-consumer brand, so you can't test the Sierra in a showroom. Once it's in your home, returns must be initiated within seven days of delivery and are subject to a 15% restocking fee, which varies from Quince's typical yearlong return period. The sofa's frame has a lifetime guarantee, but other defects aren't covered by a warranty.
Read our full Quince Sierra Performance Velvet Curved Arm Sofa review.
Best modular
Lovesac's Sactional couches are as adaptable as they are comfortable. They're available in a range of configurations, arm styles, colors, and fabrics, and you can add new sections or covers whenever you want.
What we like
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The Sactional is designed to grow with you. Lovesac's modular Sactional consists of seats and sides that can be removed, added to, or rearranged to fit your living area's layout. In fact, Insider Reviews director of partnerships Nneoma Nwaigwe upped her loveseat to a sectional after moving to a new space. "I also moved my couch by myself," says Nwaigwe. "I broke it down, put the pieces in my backseat, and moved them little by little, then built it back up in the new place."
Every element of the sofa can be tweaked. Lovesac lets you pick the sofa's arms, back, and cushion fill; the configuration; and the fabric for the removable covers. Each seat can be rotated for a standard or a deep depth. Fabric options include chenille, velvet, bouclé, woven, poly linen, leather, reversible, and speckled textured weave; most are machine washable. Business Insider senior VP of commerce Chris Meinck chose bouclé, and despite the expected pilling, it's "doing very well, considering animals and kids," he says. "The couch looks really good for what it's been through."
Assembly can feel overwhelming. The Sactional is delivered in a veritable mountain of separate boxes containing seats and sides, and offers no in-home setup, even for those willing to pay. Assembly involves inserting large legs into holes at the base of a seat or side, then sliding the other ends of those legs into a "shoe" — a wooden square with holes that's kept on the floor to hold the seat or side in place. Metal clamps are used to hold separate pieces together. Feeling confused? Lovesac created helpful videos to make unboxing and assembly easier.
Best sleeper
The West Elm Shelter Sleeper Sofa is well-made and durable with an attractive contemporary design, and it’s a great option if you need an extra sleep space for overnight guests.
What we like
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Comfortable for overnight guests. The Shelter Sleeper Sofa comes in just one size, 80 inches, with a queen mattress inside made with high-density foam and gel-infused memory foam. The mattress contours to your body and helps keep you cool on warm nights. A sturdy metal frame prevents the mattress from sagging if you sit or sleep near its edge.
The couch is great too. The Shelter has a contemporary design with tapered arms, a bench seat, and four back cushions. "It's a comfortable option for both lounging and sleeping," says writer Camryn Rabideau, who tested the sofa. The medium-firm cushions showed no signs of sagging after more than two years of use.
Tons of upholstery options. The Shelter's fabric options include linen, canvas, velvet, twill, chenille, and bouclé in neutral and bright colors. The Graphite grey Performance Yarn Dyed Linen Weave is currently the only quick-ship option and takes one to four weeks for delivery. Custom orders take eight or more weeks and aren't eligible for returns. West Elm offers white-glove delivery, starting at $179.
There's room for improvement. The sofa's back is fairly low and may not offer enough support if you're sitting upright for long periods. Transforming the sofa into a bed takes some effort, as there are a lot of cushions to remove, and the frame is heavy. The comfort level of the mattress itself is standard for a sofa bed, but can be upgraded with a mattress topper or support board.
Read our full West Elm Shelter Queen Sleeper Sofa view.
Best sectional
Sixpenny's timeless sofas are handcrafted with natural and recycled fabrics, overstuffed with ethically sourced down feathers and recycled vegan poly fill, and feature a kiln-dried solid hardwood frame. The slipskirt design and extra throw pillows amp up the cottage cozy factor.
What we like
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The Elias takes comfort to another level. Insider Reviews executive editor Sally Kaplan has tested lots of sofas from big brands, and Sixpenny's modular Elias sectional might be her favorite. "It's probably the most comfortable couch I've ever sat on," says Kaplan, "and our friends and family are always dying to know where it came from." The "soft but supple" seat cushions are made with your choice of polyfill or down, with a high-density foam pocket in the center. Kaplan chose polyfill for the seats and back cushions.
Linen isn't your only option. Sixpenny is known for its laid-back linen and linen-blend sofas, but slipcovers and cushions are available in other materials, depending on the model. The Elias is available in cotton canvas, washed cotton velvet, and recycled poly weave. Kaplan opted for a thread-dyed linen fabric with an extremely tight weave that resists pet claws. Note that Sixpenny's fabrics are all non-toxic, with no coatings to make them stain repellent or more durable.
Prepare to wait. It can take up to 12 weeks to get your custom-built piece. Threshold shipping is free, but Kaplan recommends paying the extra $100 for white-glove delivery, since the sofa has a large, heavy kiln-dried hardwood-and-plywood frame.
It's expensive but worth it. Prices vary by fabric, but Kaplan's sofa currently costs $6,049 before tax and delivery. "It has held up beautifully to many movie nights, dog visitors, cat cuddles, and naps," she says. "If it's within your means to shop there, I couldn't recommend it more."
Read our full Sixpenny Elias 5-Piece Sofa review.
Best Cloud-couch dupe
You can arrange the separate pieces of the sectional differently depending on your layout.
It looks like the real deal. Sundays' Movie Night sofa is a bestseller for good reason: The four-piece modular sectional is a clone of RH's iconic Cloud. It has fluffy cushions and wide seats, but at $5,300, it's about $1,000 cheaper than RH's member price for an equivalent-sized Cloud. The Movie Night comes in standard 26-inch depth (114"w x 76"d x 32"h and large 29-inch depth(135"w x 90"d x 32"h) sizes, 12 neutral colors, and a moisture-repellent, stain-resistant fabric.
The Movie Night is a great family room couch. The first time Savoie sat on her large-size couch, "I melted into the cushions," she says. "It's perfect for cuddling up to read a book or watch some TV." Roomy enough for eight people, the deep seats and plush down fill are so comfortable that "we've even had a few folks fall asleep on it," she says. Though Savoie worried about spilling food on its light-colored fabric, the sofa has been remarkably stain-resistant.
Assembly is a snap. Three weeks after placing her order, delivery men arrived at Savoie's home, carried in the couch sections, and assembled them. "Each section is held together by two big clips," she says. "This means that you can add to or shrink the size of your couch as needed if you move into another space — and you don't need any tools to do it."
But there are downsides. The large-size couch is massive, so the standard might be better for most homes. Its deep seats cause you to lie back with your feet off the ground, so it's not ideal for formal entertaining. Like any Cloud-style couch, the cushions require regular fluffing to keep them from flattening.
Read our full Sundays Movie Night Modular Sectional review.
Best custom
The Tyler Sofa is a classic mid-century design that can be tailored to fit your space and style, with custom sizing and more than 100 different upholstery options, delivered in as soon as month.
What we like
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You get to play designer. Online furniture company Benchmade Modern creates custom sofas as you envision them. First, choose the sofa style, then its size and depth, and finally, the little details like chenille, bouclé, woven, velvet, or leather upholstery; leg style and finish; and cushion fill. Before buying, you can order complimentary fabric swatches and life-size printouts of your customized piece to visualize how it will look in your home.
The furniture is built to last. While we didn't test a sofa, Savoie did create a customized leather chair that she describes as attractive, comfortable, and well-made. After two years, the leather had aged nicely, with a lived-in look, no discoloration, and just a few scratches that "add to the patina," she says.
Sofa production takes two to five weeks. Crafting a custom sofa isn't quick. Benchmade Modern has faster lead times (likely because the furniture is made in the United States), with orders taking weeks instead of months, and you'll be given an estimated delivery window at checkout. You can choose threshold delivery, which starts at $149, or white glove, which starts at $299. With threshold delivery, the sofa is dropped off at your door, but you must bring it inside and handle any assembly; with white-glove delivery, two delivery people bring the sofa into your home, handle any unboxing and assembly, and dispose of the packaging.
Customization will cost you. A standard 85-inch sofa with linen upholstery, walnut-finish legs, and foam-cushioned bench seat starts at nearly $3,000, with the price increasing depending on materials and size.
Read our full Benchmade Modern review.
Best for small spaces
One of Burrow’s bestsellers, the fabric Nomad Sofa offers a modern design at a great price point. The sofa can comfortably seat three people and is made with stain- and scratch-resistant olefin fabric. The design is modular, so you can add or remove sections or chaises to accommodate your changing space and needs.
What we like
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It's apartment-friendly. Burrow's popular mid-century Nomad comes in a range of configurations — from loveseats to five-seat corner sectionals — depending on the selected upholstery. Each has a modular design, with individual sections that can be removed, added to, or rearranged to suit the most unique spaces. All sofas feature a built-in USB charger, and the back cushions can be reversed with a plain or a tufted finish.
There are so many ways to style it. In addition to the configuration, you can choose the leg finish, block or slope arms, and upholstery in performance flatweave, performance chenille, top-grain leather, or performance velvet. Writer Jada Wong tested the Nomad Leather King Sectional in black leather with walnut legs and says it showed no signs of scratches or tears after two years. The seat cushions initially felt too padded, but squished down nicely over time.
Setup can be tricky. The Nomad's modular pieces ship to your door in individual boxes. To assemble, place two seats side by side, then secure them with a metal latch between the seats and on their underside. However, Wong says, the metal latches were hard to find and secure. One person had to use their body weight to force the seats flush against each other while the other fumbled with the latches. Most customers said their sofas came together in 20 minutes, but it took Wong an hour. She also notes that the Nomad's underside is covered in a thin, cheap black fabric secured with staples, and that she accidentally ripped it while securing one of the latches.
Read our full Burrow Nomad couch review.
Best for pet parents
The oversized Wilder Sleeper Sectional is comfortable from day to night. It features a classic pull-out design and a Tempur-foam mattress.
What we like
What we don't like
Finding pet-friendly fabrics is a snap. When Insider Reviews senior home editor Jaclyn Turner was searching for a sofa that she and her dog could enjoy, Joybird made it easy. The brand's site offers 90 upholstery options, which can be easily filtered by category: velvet, pet-friendly, stain-resistant Safeguard, sustainable, Greenguard Gold certified, and Pantone. Turner chose the Wilder Sleeper Sectional in Premier Sea, a durable Sunbrella fabric that "repels liquids and stains, and resists any snags from my dog's nails," she says. It's also available in many configurations, including a standard sectional and a slightly less-deep apartment-size version.
It's plush and dreamy. The Wilder Sectional includes a chaise and has deep, plush seats, overstuffed back cushions, and a bed that glides out from the main frame. Joybird offers two 4.5-inch mattress options: standard foam and an upgraded Tempur-Response Memory foam. Turner chose the latter and says, "I never thought I'd see the day when I had a good night's rest on a sofa bed, but I awoke with no aches or pains."
Still, it could be better. There's no storage space in the chaise, and the chaise's orientation is not reversible. The Wilder's deep bench seats — which make feet dangle when you lean back — may not be ideal for older people or those with mobility issues, and they tend to slide forward. Joybird sent a non-slip pad to keep it in place. The upholstery on the large bench cushion also ripples.
Sofas qualify for premium in-home delivery. It costs $179, but it's worth every penny. The Wilder, which measures 123 inches and includes a chase, is bulky and heavy, so Turner appreciated that a crew carried it into her home and helped with setup.
Read our full Joybird Wilder Sectional review.
Best sofa brands, compared
| Brand | Price | Fabric & Upholstery Options | Delivery Speed & Lead Times | Delivery Policies | Warranty | Swatches & Showrooms | Return Policy |
| Interior Define | $$$ | 125+ custom fabrics & leathers | 3-5 weeks (quick-ship); 8-12 weeks (custom) | $299 flat-rate White-Glove delivery (includes setup & box removal) | 10-year frame & suspension warranty | Up to 10 free swatches; physical Design Studio showrooms nationwide | 30 days for stock (15% fee); 60 days for custom pieces (50% fee) |
| Quince | $$ | Performance velvet, basketweave, bouclé, & top-grain leather | 4-6 days (in-stock); 2-4 weeks (custom) | Free White-Glove delivery & in-home assembly | Lifetime warranty on frame (excludes fabric wear) | DTC only (no physical showrooms or online swatch program) | 7-day post-delivery window (15% restocking fee) |
| Lovesac | $$$ | 200+ machine-washable fabrics, velvets, bouclés, & leathers | 1-2 weeks (standard modular boxes) | Free threshold shipping in modular boxes (DIY assembly) | Lifetime frame/insert warranty; 3-year warranty on covers & cushions | Free swatches available; 200+ showroom locations nationwide | 60-day risk-free trial (100% refund) |
| West Elm | $$$ | 80+ fabrics & leathers (linen, velvet, twill, bouclé, canvas) | 1-4 weeks (quick-ship); 8-10+ weeks (custom) | White-Glove delivery starting at $179 (varies by distance) | 1- to 10-year limited frame warranty (varies by collection) | Free fabric swatches online; physical retail showrooms nationwide | 30 days for quick-ship stock; custom/made-to-order items are non-returnable |
| Sixpenny | $$$$ | 100% natural & recycled materials (linen, cotton canvas, washed velvet) | 2-3 weeks (in-stock); 10-12 weeks (made-to-order) | Free threshold delivery; $100 upgrade for White-Glove delivery | Lifetime warranty on frame and suspension | Free swatch kits available; DTC only (occasional temporary pop-ups) | 30-day window (10% restocking fee with original packaging) |
| Sundays Furniture | $$$ | Curated performance & stain-resistant fabrics (12+ neutral tones) | 2-3 weeks average lead time | Free White-Glove delivery & in-home assembly included | 2-year warranty covering manufacturing defects | Free swatches; physical showrooms in select cities (Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver) | 30-day window ($75–$150 return shipping fee deducted) |
| Benchmade Modern | $$$ | 100+ performance fabrics & top-grain leathers | 2-5 weeks (custom-made-to-order) | Threshold delivery ($149–$195); White-Glove delivery ($299) | Lifetime warranty on frame and suspension | Free swatches & full-scale floor printouts; DTC only (no showrooms) | 100-day trial (100% refund within 14 days; 10% processing fee days 15–100) |
| Burrow | $$ | Performance flatweave, performance chenille, velvet, top-grain leather | 1-2 weeks (in-stock modular boxes) | Free threshold shipping in manageable boxes (DIY assembly) | 1-year limited warranty on parts and craftsmanship | Free swatches; physical showrooms in select metro areas (NYC, LA, Chicago) | 30-day window (10% fee with original box; 20% fee without box, max $250) |
| Joybird | $$$ | 90+ fabrics (pet-friendly, Sunbrella, stain-resistant, Greenguard Gold) | 1-2 weeks (quick-ship); 6-10 weeks (made-to-order) | Premium White-Glove delivery ($179 flat rate) | Lifetime limited frame warranty | Free swatch kits; physical showrooms in major metro areas | Made-to-order items are non-returnable; 90 days for stock items (50% fee) |
What to look for in a sofa
Size matters
- Room footprint and scale: Measure your living area to ensure the sofa leaves 30 to 36 inches of open walkway clearance for traffic paths. Interior designer Mina Lisanin of ML Interiors NYC notes that "the right scale helps the room feel balanced and functional." Household size also matters—design historian Alessandra Wood points out that a two-person household rarely needs a pit sectional, whereas spaces regularly hosting four or more people require a sectional or extra-long sofa.
- Delivery entryways: Measure front door frame widths, hallway turn radii, stairwell clearances, and elevator diagonal heights. Entryway miscalculations remain the single leading cause of sofa delivery returns.
Seat
- Seat depth: Standard seat depths (20 to 22 inches) encourage an upright, supported posture. Deep lounge seating (24 to 28+ inches) accommodates relaxed lounging and curling up, though shorter individuals may find their feet dangling off the floor.
- Seat height: Standard seat heights (17 to 18 inches) allow for natural, comfortable standing transitions. Low-profile silhouettes (15 to 16 inches) offer a modern aesthetic but require more physical effort to sit and stand.
Frame and upholstery construction
- Frame: Quality sofas are crafted with a solid hardwood frame and hand-tied springs, says Wood, who advises shoppers to steer clear of inexpensive couches, which may use lower-grade materials such as manufactured wood or plastic. "They're often made with inexpensive frames that can crack or wobble over time," says Woo
- Fabric composition: Sofas come in a wide range of materials, including cotton, canvas, linen, velvet, and leather. When deciding on upholstery, think about who will be using the sofa and how. "A household with kids, pets, or frequent guests will need something more durable than a sofa in a formal sitting room," says Lisanin. "Natural fibers like cotton and linen can be beautiful, while performance fabrics offer added durability for everyday living." Performance fabrics are treated to resist stains, says Wood, and allow them to easily wipe off. "Machine-washable, slip-covered sofas are also a dream," she adds, "because you can quickly launder the entire thing and make it look brand new."
- Durability Metrics: Target Wyzenbeek or Martindale test ratings of 15,000 to 30,000+ double rubs for heavy residential use. Synthetic performance weaves, velvets, and microfibers resist pilling and claw snags better than loose natural weaves like bouclé.
- Care Codes & Swatches: Check tag care codes—W (water-based cleaner), S (solvent/dry-clean only), WS (water or solvent), or X (vacuum only). Order fabric swatches to test colors and stain resistance under home lighting before purchasing.
Cushion fill and upkeep
- High-Density foam cores: High-resiliency foam offers firm, structured support with shape retention and minimal maintenance. Lisanin notes that high-density foam or down-wrapped cushions maintain structural shape while remaining comfortable.
- Down and feather blends: Wood favors down cushions because they "make a more comfortable seat that can be fluffed and plumped to better fit different body types." However, pure down or heavy feather fills require routine fluffing and cushion rotation to prevent flattening over time
Returns and warranties
Policies vary by brand, but many companies offer a limited or lifetime warranty on the sofa's frame and hard components, but not the upholstery. Return policies are also unique to each brand, but many offer a refund if the sofa is returned in good condition within 30 days of delivery, though restocking fees typically apply. Custom or made-to-order pieces often carry a 50% restocking fee or are non-returnable entirely, as with brands like West Elm and Joybird. Be sure to read each company's rules thoroughly before purchasing.
How we tested sofas
We test every sofa in our own homes and spend months — if not years — putting them through the paces. We lounge on them, work on them, sleep on them, play with kids and pets on them, and unintentionally spill food and drinks on them. While we're at it, we're thinking about the following criteria to determine which ones deserve to be named the best sofas:
Comfort
The first thing we test is the seat cushion's comfort and firmness. Is it so deep and soft that we have trouble getting up or so narrow and firm that we can't relax? We also consider how supportive the sofa back is and whether it causes slouching or straining, or feels so uncomfortable that we can't sit for long periods. Lastly, we look at the cushion's edges to see whether they are as firm as the rest of the cushion or cause us to sink.
Construction and durability
In addition to the sofa's feel, we inspect the quality of its construction. We check the sturdiness of its frame, whether it's made from solid, kiln-dried hardwood (our preference), engineered wood, or another material. Upholstery is equally important. We test a variety of materials, including leather, velvet, performance weave, and linen, to verify their quality and claims. Do they pill, fade, or wear over time? How well do they resist stains and stand up to pet claws? And since sofas aren't cheap, we consider whether the cushions maintain their resiliency after repeated use or show signs of sagging.
Assembly & delivery
We tried threshold delivery and white-glove delivery to see what each experience was like and test the quality of service. Is it worth paying extra to have delivery people carry the sofa into our homes, or did sofa pieces arrive in individual boxes that we could manage on our own? We then consider how much time and effort it takes to get the sofa into sitting condition, whether we assemble it ourselves or have the delivery people do it for us. And, of course, we look carefully for any damage to the frame or fabric that might have occurred during shipping and delivery.
Long-term testing
We test each sofa in our homes for at least 6 months to see how well it holds up. We want to see whether the cushions have flattened or lost firmness, whether the couch is more or less comfortable now that it's been lived in, how well the fabric has held up to wear and stains, and whether the frame has become wobbly.
Meet the expert behind the guide
Mark Marino, contributor: I have over two decades of experience in creating lifestyle content, including testing and reviewing the best home and kitchen products such as mattresses, pillows, bedding, sofas, vacuums, and more. For this guide, I analyzed testing insights from BI staffers to curate this list of the best sofas we've tested in our own homes.
Sofa FAQs
How long should a sofa last?
The average lifespan of a sofa is 7 to 15 years, but it could be less or more depending on the quality of its materials and how you care for it. "I'd be cautious with lower-quality frames like particleboard as well as delicate fabrics in high-traffic homes," says Lisanin. Stick to sofas crafted with a kiln-dried hardwood frame and durable, stain-resistant fabrics with a tight weave. "While you might pay a bit more upfront, you'll be able to keep this sofa for decades," says Wood.
Are modular sofas worth it?
Yes, modular sofas are worth it because they're designed to grow with you. The pieces can be added to, removed, and arranged to fit just about any space. Modular sofas are a great choice for apartments, and some are designed with storage space and can convert into beds.
What's the best sofa fabric for pets and kids?
Performance fabrics are the best sofa fabric for pets and young kids because they're treated to resist stains. "You still need to react when you see a stain," says Wood, "but a performance linen can easily be cleaned when muddy paws slip into the house and jump onto the sofa." Fabrics that pull easily, like bouclé and tweed, are not pet-friendly.
Is white-glove delivery worth it?
If you are ordering a modular sofa, which typically ships to your doorstep in several boxes, you probably don't need to pay extra to have someone bring the pieces inside and assemble them. However, most of our testers used white-glove delivery for more fully assembled sofas and found it worth the additional fee to avoid lugging the large, heavy furniture indoors and handling any necessary assembly and cleanup.
