The best sofas in 2026

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Sofas are an essential part of our every day. 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. 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 comfortability 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).

Our top pick is the Interior Define Sloan Custom Sofa, a cushy-but-structured piece that can be customized exactly as you want it — length, fabric, cushion fill, legs, and all. We also love the Quince Sierra Performance Velvet Curved Arm Sofa, a budget-friendly option that doesn't skimp on quality. To find the best couch that's right for you, check out more of our favorites below.

Read more about how Insider Reviews tests home products.

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Our picks of the best sofas

• Best overall: Interior Define Sloan Custom Sofa - See at Interior Define
• Best value: Quince Sierra Sofa - See at Quince
• Best modular: Lovesac Sactional - See at Lovesac
• Best sleeper: West Elm Shelter Sleeper Sofa - See at West Elm
• Best sectional: Sixpenny Elias Sofa - See at Sixpenny
• Best custom: Benchmade Modern Tyler Sofa - See at Benchmade Modern
• Best for small spaces: Burrow Nomad Sofa - See at Burrow
• Best Cloud couch dupe: Sundays Movie Night Sofa - See at Sundays
• Best for pets and families: Joybird Wilder Sleeper Sofa - See at Joybird

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Best overall

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. 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 with enough height 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 does allow returns within 30-days, but upholstery items incur a 50% processing fee.

Read our full Interior Define Sloan Custom Sofa review.

Best value

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), three fabric choices (performance velvet, performance basketweave, and leather), and a sectional option. It's available for quick shipping in one fabric color, 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 can take two to three weeks for in-stock models, and six to eight weeks for custom orders. Quince provides free white delivery and will assemble the sofa in the room of your choice. Flaherty's sofa was ready 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 year-long 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

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 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, weave, polylinen, 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. Assembly involves putting large legs into holes at the base of a seat or side, then sliding the other end of those legs into a "shoe" — a wooden square with holes that's kept on the floor to keep 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 mattress is top-notch. 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 is designed to contour to your body and keep it 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

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 laidback linen and linen-blend sofas but slipcovers and cushions come 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 repellant 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 $100 extra 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

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, 11 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 so they don't get flat.

Read our full Sundays Movie Night Modular Sectional review.

Best custom

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) that take 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 do any assembly; with white glove, two delivery people bring the sofa into your home, do any unboxing and assembly, and dispose of 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

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. Besides 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 upholstery. 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, you put two seats next to each other, 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 the fabric while securing one of the latches.

Read our full Burrow Nomad couch review.

Best for pet parents

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 space for storage 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 have a tendency 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.

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What to look for in a sofa

Size: The best sofa is the one that fits your needs, aesthetic, and space. Measure your room carefully — including doorways and circulation paths — and consider how the sofa will relate to the rest of the furniture, says interior designer Mina Lisanin of ML Interiors NYC. "The right scale helps the room feel balanced and functional." Additionally, consider how many people will regularly sit on the sofa. "If you're a family of two a pit-sectional is likely too large for your needs," says design historian Alessandra Wood. "Likewise, if you constantly have more than four people sitting in your living space, you will want a sectional or an extra-long sofa."

Upholstery: 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."

Frame construction: 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 can feature lower grade materials like manufactured wood or plastic. "They're often made with inexpensive frames that can crack or wobble over time," says Wood.

Cushions: Seat cushions should feel sturdy when you sit, which is why you want to avoid low-density foam fills that sag very quickly. "High-density foam or down-wrapped cushions help maintain shape while still feeling comfortable," says Lisanin. For her part, Wood loves down cushions. "I think they make a more comfortable seat that can be fluffed and plumped to better fit different body types," she says.

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 30 days from the date of delivery, though restocking fees typically apply. However, some brands, like West Elm and Joybird, do not allow returns on custom-made pieces. Be sure to read each company's rules thoroughly before purchasing.

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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 comfort and firmness of the seat cushion. 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 if it causes slouching, straining, or feels so uncomfortable that we can't sit for long periods of time. Lastly, we look at the cushion's edges, and whether they are as firm as the rest of the cushion or cause us to sink.

Construction and durability

Besides the feel of the sofa, 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 effort and time it takes to get the sofa in 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 a minimum of six months to see how well it holds up. We want to see if the cushions have flattened or lost firmness, whether the couch is more or less comfortable now that it's lived in, how well the fabric held up to wear and stains, and if 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.

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Sofa FAQs

How long should a sofa last?

The average lifespan of a sofa is 7 to 15 years but 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 space for storage and can convert into a bed.

What's the best sofa fabric for pets?

Performance fabrics are the best sofa fabric for pets 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 spend additional money to have someone carry the pieces inside and assemble them. However, most of our testers used white glove delivery for more fully assembled sofas and found that it was worth the additional fee to not have to lug the large, heavy furniture indoors and do any necessary assembly and cleanup.