How to buy a sofa bed

If you often host overnight guests, but don’t have space for a spare bed, a sofa bed could be the perfect solution. 

Sleeping on a sofa bed doesn't have to mean a night of tossing and turning, and a sore back the following morning.

There's a growing demand for multifunctional furniture, and brands are responding by developing sofa beds that are not only comfortable, but also suit most budget and space requirements. 

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Sofa bed types

There is a huge range of sofa bed to suit any space and sleeping configuration.

Click through the gallery for some of the most common examples. 

Prefer a standard sofa instead? See our guide to how to buy the best sofa.

Sofa bed mechanism types

As well as considering the type of sofa bed you want, you should also think about the mechanism by which it turns into a bed. There are three main types. 

Click-clack sofa bed

Perhaps the most simple sofa bed mechanism to operate, all you need to do is fold down the backrest. Your guest sleep on the length of the sofa, with their head on either side. 

Pros: These are the easiest sofa beds to convert, and they are generally smaller and cheaper than sofas with the other mechanism types. 

Cons: Designed to be a cost-effective option, these beds will be a little thinner and less comfortable than the other types. As beds, they can be creaky, and tend to shake when someone moves, making them uncomfortable for two sleepers. 

Fold-out sofa bed

It takes just two steps to turn one of these into a bed. First you fold down the backrest, and then the sofa seat folds out (typically with legs at the base to support it). 

Pros: These are generally a good midway point between click-clack and pull-out beds - they tend to be larger and more comfortable than the click-clack mechanism type, but cheaper than a pull-out. 

Cons: Fold-out beds can be expensive, and they are typically less comfortable than pull-out sofa beds. 

Pull-out sofa bed

Pull-out beds differ from the other types as they contain a separate mattress which is stored within the sofa. To set it up, you fold out the sofa seat. 

Pros: These are most similar to actual beds, providing your guests with a comfortable and stable sleeping space. 

Cons: Pull-out beds can be more expensive than other options. It is also very important to check the quality of the mattress before you buy - a thin mattress will result in an uncomfortable bed. 

Considering a real bed? Check out our guide to how to buy the best bed including divan beds, storage beds and bedsteads. 

How to buy the best sofa bed

There are a few key questions you should ask yourself before you buy a sofa bed:

• How often it will be used as a bed? If you often have guests to stay over, ensure the sofa bed is not just comfortable but easy to convert. Remember to consider whether the sofa bed will fit in your room when folded out.
• Is the bed big enough? A large sofa doesn’t necessarily mean a large bed, so check the mattress size is large enough for your needs.
• Is the mattress comfortable? If you opt for a pull-out bed, make sure you check the mattress. They typically range from 10-14mm thick. Thicker mattresses tend to be more comfortable. 
• Would an air bed be better option? If you only have people staying over occasionally, an inflatable air bed might be better, as you can store it in a cupboard between uses. See our pick of the best air beds.
• What material is it made of? Most sofa beds are made of fabric, because leather can get sweaty overnight. Natural fibres are a great luxury option, but don’t underestimate synthetics – they can be comfortable and durable.

See our guide to faux leather sofas for more advice on durable fabrics

Where to buy a sofa bed

You can buy a sofa bed from most furniture stores, as well as online.

These are some of the most searched-for retailers that offer sofa beds (links take you to the retailer website). 

• Argos offers several affordable own-brand sofa beds (most costing under £750) and chair beds (costing from £200). Delivery starts at £40.
• Cocoon only makes sofa beds, some of which it claims are suitable for everyday use. Prices start at £1,125 for a chair bed and £1,649 for a two-seater. It costs £85 for delivery. 
• DFS stocks a variety of sofa beds of all sizes. Expect to pay around £1,200 except for click-clack sofa beds, which cost around £600. Delivery starts at £99, or you can order and collect from select DFS stores if you live locally.
• Dunelm has a huge range of sofa beds and futons priced between £150 (for click-clack beds and futons) and £2,000 (for large corner sofa beds). Delivery starts at £9.95.
• Habitat also carries a large range of sofa beds, the majority of which cost between £500 and £1,000. Delivery and pick-up are fulfilled by Argos, so you can either collect in-store or have your sofa delivered, which will cost upwards of £40.
• Ikea stocks a wide range of click-clack and fold-out sofa beds, typically costing £400-900. Ikea offers free click and collect, or for an extra £40 you can have your large items delivered on a selected day. 
• John Lewis carries its own range of sofa beds, the majority costing £500-£1,500. You'll find options for each type of mechanism but click-clack is the cheapest. It offers pick up or free standard delivery on some products.
• Next offers Made's budget-friendly click-clack sofa beds for around £440. Delivery costs £15. 

For more information about different brands, see the best and worst sofa shops according to our survey.

Sofa bed guarantees and returns

We delve into the fine print to better understand the guarantees and returns offered by each sofa shop.

Most store policies specify that sofa beds must be returned in their original condition and packaging, with all the labels still attached, so make sure you do a thorough damage check before you cut the labels off.

If you do find any damage, you can return it under guarantee. Typically, these policies cover 'manufacturing defects', which means that brands will replace, repair or refund your sofa if it develops a fault due to a manufacturing issue. 

However, if it gets damaged by normal wear and tear, this won't be covered. 

It's also worth noting that these policies normally only apply to the brand of sofa beds made by the retailers and not any other brand they may sell – for example, if you purchased a Habitat sofa from John Lewis, the guarantee may be different. 

If you're buying one of the above types of sofa beds, make sure you check the specific refund and guarantee information before you make a purchase. 

For more information about guarantees and when you can use them, check out our guide to warranties and guarantees.