The 5 Best Futons (2023 Review)

Futons are known for their dual functionality, as they can serve as a couch or loveseat by day and be folded into a bed at night for overnight guests. To help you select the futon that’s right for you, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best futons on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.

Top 5 Futons

• Best Wood Frame: Kodiak Furniture Phoenix Futon Set
• Best Bunk Futon: DHP Twin-Over-Futon Convertible Couch and Bed
• Best Loveseat: Novogratz Leyla Loveseat
• Best Design: Novogratz Brittany Sofa Futon
• Best Value: JUMMICO Futon Sofa Bed

Best Wood Frame: Kodiak Furniture Phoenix Futon Set

Pros and Cons

✔ Made with 100% polyester
✔ Has an innerspring mattress
✔ Can be positioned in sit, lounge or sleep positions

✘ Has a higher price point than other futons on the market
✘ May not be the best option for small spaces

What Customers Are Saying

Our team noted that those who were happy with this futon said it was sturdy, easy to assemble, and well-designed. However, we found that those who were unhappy with it said that the mattress was uncomfortable to sleep on and that the futon frame sometimes broke after minimal use.

Best Bunk Futon: DHP Twin-Over-Futon Convertible Couch and Bed

Pros and Cons

✔ Can hold up to 800 pounds between the two bunks
✔ Features a durable metal frame
✔ Includes full-sized guardrails for safety

✘ Assembly process can be challenging
✘ Top bunk may not be suitable for larger adults

What Customers Are Saying

We noticed that customers liked this product’s sleek design and sturdy build. However, a common complaint among dissatisfied customers was that switching between the couch and futon bed mode was a hassle.

Best Loveseat: Novogratz Leyla Loveseat

Pros and Cons

✔ Has subtle turf seat stitching
✔ Has a large weight capacity of 400 pounds
✔ Can be easily moved from room to room because it weighs about 60 pounds

✘ May be too short to stretch out on in the bed position
✘ The padding on the backrest is thinner than what’s on other futons

What Customers Are Saying

Customers who were satisfied with this product liked its compact design that fit well in small spaces, easy assembly, and multiple color choices. Those we found who were unsatisfied said that the back cushion was uncomfortable to lean against and that the fabric sometimes had a bad odor.

Best Design: Novogratz Brittany Sofa Futon

Pros and Cons

✔ Has stable wood legs
✔ Can put one or both sides of the backrest down at once
✔ Features comfortable polyester foam filling

✘ Has thin armrests
✘ The tufted back may not be comfortable to lean against for sleeping

What Customers Are Saying

Customers we found who gave positive reviews for this futon said it was comfortable, stylish, and easy to put together. Those we found who left negative reviews claimed that it didn’t support the weight of multiple people and that its legs were unstable.

Best Value: JUMMICO Futon Sofa Bed

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes with cup holders
✔ Assembles in as little as 15 minutes
✔ Armrests can double as pillows

✘ Is made of faux leather instead of authentic leather
✘ The folded cup holder section may be uncomfortable to sleep against

What Customers Are Saying

Those who left complimentary reviews enjoyed this product’s leather-like material, quick assembly, and lightweight, easy-to-move nature. However, we found that those who were unhappy with this futon said that it was smaller and firmer than expected.

Buyer’s Guide

A futon can provide extra seating, or a place to sleep as well as being an additional piece of decor in your home. However, there are some important factors worth considering before you decide which futon is best for you. Here are some of the most important factors our team found worth considering when purchasing a futon.

Size

Think about how much room you have in your living space for a futon. Consider a futon’s size in both the couch and bed positions. Consider a small, twin-size space-saving futon if you live in a dorm room or studio apartment. However, if your living room is more spacious, consider a full- or queen-size futon to accommodate multiple people at once.

Type

There are several types of futons, including:

Bifold

This futon type is the most common. It folds in half the long way to create a bed. When it’s in its sofa mode, it can typically fit about three people.

Loveseat

Loveseat futons are smaller than their bifold counterparts, so they typically only fit one or two people in their upright position. Because they’re compact, they’re a solid futon option for small spaces.

Trifold

Trifold frames fold their mattress into thirds, with the additional section being an ottoman. They have a similar length to a loveseat futon when they’re upright, but they’re bigger once they’re opened into a bed. These futons are usually more difficult to fold out than bifold futons.

Cushioning

Futon mattresses have a reputation of being uncomfortable to sleep on, but that’s not always the case. Many modern futons have memory foam, high-density foam, cotton batting, or innerspring foam cushions that feel similar to sleeping on a normal bed.

However, futons made with these materials are typically more expensive than standard futons with sponge filling. If you or your guests are struggling to comfortably sleep on a futon, consider adding a mattress topper for more cushioning.

Design

Futons come in many styles to help you match them with your home decor. If your home has a rustic look, try a futon with a wooden frame and legs. Alternatively, if your other furniture is made from leather or faux leather, try finding a futon with similar material. Futons can also come in many color options to match with your recliner, lounger, couch, or other piece of furniture.

How To Maintain a Futon

Futons are a great item to have in your home or college dorm, but they can get dirty easily. Follow these steps to keep your futon in top condition at all times.

Invest in a futon cover

Using a futon cover will help keep out dust and excess moisture from your futon, helping it last longer and require less overall maintenance. Most covers are easily washable and replaceable.

Clean stains right away

If your futon has a stain or spot, use a fabric cleaner to remove the stain as soon as possible. You can also use a damp cloth or sponge and mild soap solution to eliminate stains.

Vacuum to get rid of dirt and dust

Just like you would with your couch, a futon mattress needs to be cleaned on occasion to ensure it’s free of crumbs, dust, dirt and other allergens. Use a small handheld vacuum to quickly swipe up any dirt from your futon.

Air it out when possible

Airing out your futon for a few hours when the weather is dry can help your futon free of fungus and mold and prolong its shelflife. Fresh air can also keep it from smelling stale and allow its natural lift to stay in place.

Rotate your mattress when possible

Sleeping and sitting on all parts of your futon will help prevent uneveness and lumps developing in certain areas. Rotating your mattress on occasion to the entire futon is being used can help keep it even.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a futon different from a sofa bed?

Yes. Futons are typically folded down to create a bed, while sofa beds or sleeper sofas have a mattress hidden underneath their frame.

Can a futon replace a regular bed?

While you could sleep on a futon long-term, it’s not recommended. It’s not as comfortable as a bed, so it can cause back pain. Plus, it’s not built to be used in its bed position night after night.

How long do futons last?

Your futon’s longevity will depend on how high-quality its construction is as well as how often it’s used. However, most futons typically last between five and 10 years.

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.

We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.

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