This sleeper sofa buying guide comes down to three questions: which mechanism turns the seat into a bed, how big the sleeping surface is once open, and whether your room and the route into it can handle that opened length. Below we cover each mechanism, what listings tell you about the sleeper sofa mattress, how to measure, and a comparison of real sleepers we carry. Everything here is spec based, taken from our product pages at the time of writing; we have not sleep tested these pieces.
Sleeper sofa mechanisms compared
Castlery’s explainer on what a sleeper sofa is draws a useful line: a sleeper sofa typically hides a separate mattress, while “sofa bed” is the broader group that includes fold flat and futon style designs.
Pull out couch
The classic pull out couch folds a mattress into the frame under the seat cushions. You remove the cushions, lift and pull, and the frame unfolds into a bed. Castlery calls it the most common mechanism. The sofa keeps normal seat cushions for daily sitting, but the bed is only as good as the folded mattress inside.
Click clack and futon style
The backrest drops flat to meet the seat, so you sleep on the cushions you sit on; Castlery notes the surface is usually firmer. The Benzara Mala Sleeper Sofa uses a drop down back and goes from 32 in deep as a sofa to 43 in deep as a bed, both 79 in wide. The Benzara Gina 71 Inch Futon Sofa Bed goes from 33 in to 43 in deep when flat.
Pop up and lift tab sleepers
Some sectionals raise a platform from the base instead of unfolding a frame. The Thurston Grey Sleeper Sectional lists a quick pop up bed mechanism and a 53.5 in wide by 99.5 in deep sleep surface. The Logan Camel Sleeper Sectional has lift tabs in the base and a stated sleep surface of 90.5 in wide by 51.75 in deep.
Daybed with trundle
A daybed sleeps one on top and a second on a trundle that rolls out underneath. The Benzara Keo Daybed with Pull Out Trundle measures 81.9 in wide by 42.7 in deep on wooden slats. Our daybed vs futon guide covers that choice in detail.
Chaise sleepers
A sleeper sectional with a chaise gives you a lounging spot by day. The Logan has a right arm facing chaise, the Thurston a hidden storage chaise, and the Rove Concepts Milo Sleeper Sectional measures 88 in wide by 69 in deep with a 660 lb weight limit.
Sleeper sofa mattress: size, type and thickness
Most sleeper complaints come from the mattress, so read this part of a listing first. Castlery advises skipping thin pads in favor of innerspring or memory foam so guests do not feel the bar underneath.
- Size: look for a stated sleep surface in inches, not just “converts to a bed,” and compare it with a mattress you already own.
- Type: the Mala and the Benzara Mea Full Size Sleeper Sofa list pocket coil seats; the Rove Concepts Dresden Sleeper Sofa lists a 3 layer memory foam seat plus elastic straps to hold its mattress topper.
- Toppers and covers: the Rove Concepts Berlin Sleeper Sofa includes a machine washable mattress topper; the Rove Concepts Milo Sleeper Sofa includes a washable mesh mattress cover.
- Thickness: few listings we reviewed state mattress thickness. If it matters, ask before ordering.
Measuring for open length, rooms and doorways
A sleeper has two footprints. Open, it reaches much further into the room: the Mala grows from 32 in to 43 in deep, and the Thurston’s sleep surface runs 99.5 in deep. Measure from the wall to the nearest obstacle (coffee table, bed, door swing) and make sure the opened depth fits with room left to walk around it. Plan where the coffee table goes every time the bed comes out.
Then measure the route in. Rove’s listings ask you to check entrances, elevators and hallways, and state shipping dimensions of 89.3 in by 41.4 in by 25.2 in for the Milo Sleeper Sofa. Our guide on whether a couch will fit through your door covers diagonal depth and tight turns.
Comfort as a sofa vs as a bed
You will likely sit on a sleeper far more nights than anyone sleeps on it, so judge the seat on its own terms. Seat depth is the number to watch: the Berlin lists 28.3 in, the Milo Sleeper Sectional 23.6 in and the Mala 21 in. Our sofa depth guide explains how to match seat depth to your height. The Milo, Berlin and Dresden listings each describe a medium feel.
Weight capacity and product weight
Capacity tells you the rated load: the Milo Sleeper Sofa and Dresden list 661 lb, the Berlin 507 lb, the Mea 440 lb, and the Mala 300 lb per seat. Product weight matters for stairs: the Mala lists 114 lb, the Keo 104 lb, the Gina 75 lb and the Mea 73 lb.
Comparison table: sleepers we carry
| Product | Type | Closed size (W x D x H, in) | Opened or sleep size | Bed notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rove Concepts Milo Sleeper Sofa | Sleeper sofa | 88 x 40 x 31.5 | Not listed | Mesh mattress cover | $2,519.00 |
| Rove Concepts Berlin Sleeper Sofa | Sleeper sofa | 88 x 34.6 x 25.4 | Not listed | Mattress topper included | $3,499.00 |
| Rove Concepts Dresden Sleeper Sofa | Sleeper sofa | 88.1 x 30.5 x 24 | Not listed | Memory foam seat, topper straps | $3,163.00 |
| Rove Concepts Milo Sleeper Sectional | Chaise sleeper | 88 x 69 x 31.5 | Not listed | Mesh mattress cover | $3,779.00 |
| Logan Camel Sleeper Sectional | Lift tab chaise sleeper | 109 x 64 x 37.5 | 90.5 W x 51.75 D | Not listed | $1,867.99 |
| Thurston Grey Sleeper Sectional | Pop up sleeper | 122 x 96.75 x 39.25 | 53.5 W x 99.5 D | Springs and pocket coils | $2,367.99 |
| Benzara Mea Full Size Sleeper Sofa | Full size sleeper | 84 x 34 x 37 | Full size | Pocket coil seat | $1,317.24 |
| Benzara Mala Sleeper Sofa | Drop down back futon | 79 x 32 x 35.5 | 79 W x 43 D | Pocket coils under foam | $703.49 |
| Benzara Gina Futon Sofa Bed | Futon | 71 x 33 x 31 | 71 W x 43 D | Foam padded cushions | $425.52 |
| Benzara Keo Daybed with Trundle | Daybed and trundle | 81.9 x 42.7 x 31.6 | Not listed | Wooden slats | $413.63 |
Prices are at the time of writing. We are an authorized Rove Concepts dealer; see the full Rove Concepts collection.
Sleeper sofa buying guide checklist
- Opened or sleep surface dimensions, not only the closed size.
- The mechanism: pull out, drop down back, pop up or trundle.
- Mattress or cushion construction, and any included topper or cover.
- Seat depth and seat height for everyday sitting.
- Weight capacity, per seat or total.
- Shipping dimensions and product weight for the route in.
For the bigger picture on choosing and ordering furniture, see our guide to buying designer furniture online.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if it is a queen sleeper sofa?
Look for a stated sleep surface in inches and compare it with a queen mattress you can measure. Several listings, including the Rove sleepers on our site, do not state the opened size in text, so call us and we will check before you order.
Is a pull out couch more comfortable than a futon?
It depends on the mattress. A pull out couch hides a separate mattress, while a futon puts you on the seat cushions, which Castlery notes are usually firmer.
Can I upgrade a sleeper sofa mattress?
A topper is the simplest upgrade. The Berlin includes one, and the Dresden listing includes elastic straps to secure a mattress topper. Before replacing the mattress itself, confirm with us the size the frame accepts.
How much space does an open sleeper need?
Use the opened depth from the listing, then add room to walk around the bed and to move the coffee table out of the way. For a sectional sleeper, use the stated sleep surface: the Logan and Thurston list it separately from their overall size.
Questions about a specific sleeper or delivery? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship with free freight shipping; orders below that ship for a flat $200. See our return and refund policy for details.
