The short answer to daybed vs futon: a daybed is a real bed dressed up as a sofa, and a futon is a sofa that flattens into a bed. If someone will sleep on it most nights, or you need room for two sleepers, a twin daybed with a trundle is usually the better small-room choice. If the piece is mainly seating and only occasionally a guest bed, a futon gives you a more natural sofa and a lower price. Below we compare both using the dimensions, capacities and prices on our own listings.
What each one is
A daybed is a bed frame with a back and two sides, so it looks like a sofa against the wall. You lay a regular mattress on its slats or deck, and it stays a bed all the time. Many models add a pull-out trundle underneath for a second sleeper.
A futon is a frame with a hinged back and seat. Upright it is a sofa; lowered, the back and seat form one flat surface. The futons we carry are sofa-style models with attached, upholstered cushions, so there is no separate futon mattress to buy.
Daybed vs futon at a glance
Figures come from the product pages linked below. Prices were listed at the time of writing and can change.
| Model | Type | Size (inches) | Sleeps | Capacity | Mattress | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzara Fea Twin Daybed with Trundle | Metal daybed | 76.85 x 40.87 x 44.57 | 2 (twin plus twin trundle) | Daybed 350 lb, trundle 250 lb | Not listed as included; no box spring needed | $321.02 |
| Benzara Ham Daybed with Trundle | Metal daybed | 77 x 39 x 38 | 2 | Not listed | Mattress-ready, no box spring | $294.51 |
| Benzara Tes Daybed with Trundle | Metal daybed | 77.5 x 41 x 43.5 | 2 | Not listed | Mattress-ready, no box spring | $310.99 |
| Benzara Ely Twin Daybed | Upholstered daybed | 78.7 x 43.5 x 33 | 1 | 400 lb | Not included | $480.99 |
| Benzara Ricia Twin Daybed with Twin Trundle | Upholstered daybed | 88 x 43.75 x 36.5 | 2 | Not listed | Needs two twin mattresses, not included | $950.45 |
| Benzara Ian Convertible Futon | Futon | 66 x 32 x 32 | 1 | 250 lb | Attached medium-firm cushion | $330.45 |
| Benzara Gina 71 Inch Futon | Futon | Sofa 71 x 33 x 31; flat 71 x 43 x 17 | 1 | Not listed | Attached foam cushions | $425.52 |
| Benzara Arz Fold Out Futon | Futon | 81 x 32.5 x 32.5; seat depth 22 to 44 | 1 | Not listed | Attached pocket coil seating | $480.86 |
| Benzara Berie Futon Sofa Bed | Futon | 71.5 x 35.5 x 32 | 1 | Not listed | Attached foam cushions | $532.58 |
Footprint: closed vs open
Closed, both pieces take up similar wall space. Our daybeds run about 77 to 88 inches long and 39 to 44 inches deep. Our futons run 66 to 81 inches wide and 32 to 36 inches deep, so a futon is usually a few inches shallower as a sofa.
Open is where they differ. A futon grows forward when it reclines: the Gina goes from 33 inches deep to 43 inches flat, and the Arz seat goes from 22 to 44 inches deep. A daybed without a trundle never changes size. A daybed with a trundle needs clear floor in front of it for the second bed. A standard twin mattress is 38 inches wide, according to the Sleep Foundation, so plan for roughly that much extra depth plus walking room when the trundle is out.
Sleeping surface and daybed mattress size
Most daybeds take a twin mattress, which the Sleep Foundation lists as 38 by 75 inches. The Fea, Ely and Ricia listings say twin outright. The Tes and Ham listings do not name a size, but their 77 by 39 to 41 inch frames match twin proportions; call us to confirm before you order a mattress. If you are deciding between a twin and a longer twin XL, our twin vs twin XL guide covers the difference, and remember a daybed frame built for 75 inches will not take an 80 inch mattress.
A full mattress is wider at 54 by 75 inches, per the Sleep Foundation. The futons we carry do not use a separate mattress, and their flat surfaces are not standard bed sizes. The Gina lies flat at 71 by 43 inches: wider than a twin, but 4 inches shorter. Taller guests should measure themselves against those numbers.
Daybed with trundle for two sleepers
This is the daybed’s biggest advantage. A futon sleeps one adult comfortably. A daybed with trundle gives two separate twin beds that slide together under one frame. The Fea’s trundle rolls on four casters, two of them locking, and is rated for 250 pounds while the main bed is rated for 350. The Ricia needs two twin mattresses, neither included. Budget for those, plus sheets in twin size.
Everyday sleeping comfort
Comfort is personal, and we cannot promise how any piece will feel to you. What the listings do show: a daybed holds the mattress you choose, so you control firmness and thickness, just as with a regular bed. A futon’s sleeping surface is its seat and back cushions joined at a hinge, so you sleep on whatever cushion the manufacturer chose: medium-firm on the Ian, pocket coil seating on the Arz, foam on the Gina and Berie. If anyone has back or joint concerns, talk to your doctor about what kind of sleep surface suits them.
Seating depth and daily use
As a sofa, a futon usually sits more naturally. The Sena futon (listed at $325.32), for example, has a 19.75 inch seat depth and a 14.25 inch seat height. A daybed seat is as deep as a twin mattress is wide, about 38 inches, so most people need throw pillows or bolsters against the back to sit upright. The Ricia builds layered bolsters into its design for that reason.
Conversion effort
A daybed needs no conversion; you just remove the pillows. Pulling a trundle out takes one motion, but you will need to make the second bed. A futon needs the back lowered each night and raised each morning. The Ian and Gina have adjustable backrests, and the Arz uses an iron leg back support for stability when flat. If the conversion will happen daily, a daybed saves effort.
Futon vs sofa bed vs murphy bed
On a futon, the seat and back cushions themselves become the bed when the back lies flat. Sleeper sofas and wall beds work differently; our murphy bed vs sleeper sofa comparison walks through both and also covers where a daybed fits. For styling the rest of the room, see our guide to buying designer furniture online.
Cost range
On our listings, metal daybeds with trundles start at $294.51 (Ham) and upholstered daybeds run from $480.99 (Ely) to $950.45 (Ricia), before mattresses. Our sofa-style futons run from $330.45 (Ian) to $532.58 (Berie), with cushions included. Browse all Benzara furniture for more colors. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight; below that, shipping is a flat $200. Questions? Call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST, and see our return and refund policy before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Is a daybed or futon better for a small room?
For a room that is mostly a bedroom, a daybed, because it never needs extra floor to unfold. For a room that is mostly an office or den, a futon, because it sits like a sofa and is often a few inches shallower.
Can you sleep on a futon every night?
Some people do, but you are limited to the built-in cushion and the futon’s flat size, such as 71 by 43 inches on the Gina. Check the weight rating too: the Ian supports up to 250 pounds.
What size mattress does a daybed take?
Usually a twin, 38 by 75 inches. Our Fea, Ely and Ricia listings specify twin. Some models, like the Leap, are queen size, so check each listing.
Does a daybed with trundle come with mattresses?
Generally no. The Ely and Ricia listings state mattresses are not included, and the Tes, Ham and Fea are sold as mattress-ready frames.
Futon vs sofa bed: which is easier to convert?
On the futons we carry, conversion is one step: lower the back until it lies flat, with nothing to unpack. Sleeper sofa conversion varies by model, so check the steps on the listing before you buy.
