Best Couches 2025 - Forbes Vetted

Because your sofa serves as the central gathering spot in your home, our team set out to find the best couches by extensively testing 20 ultra-popular options and identifying the cream of the crop. Thanks to its durable design and flexible modular structure, Sundays’ Get Together Modular Sofa emerged as the clear winner after a cumulative 18 months of testing. For those on a budget, we recommend Article’s Sven Tufted Leather Sofa, a comfortable, well-constructed piece with removable covers for easy maintenance.

After a year-plus of testing, Sundays' Movie Night sectional proved to be the most comfortable ... [+] couch. small apt couch

When testing and evaluating the best couches for different spaces and lifestyles, Nomi Dale Kleinman, associate professor in the Textile/Surface Design Department at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, suggests asking yourself the following: “Is it meant for entertaining? Do you have kids? In that case, you’ll want to prioritize cleanability and choose something washable or labeled as stain resistant. If aesthetics are your priority, focus on the design that appeals to you and worry less about high-performance standards.” Ultimately, we made sure our final contenders are designed to withstand the rigors of daily life and offer great value for the upfront investment. Read on for an in-depth look at our top eight sofas, along with tips from experts on how to choose the best couch for your home.

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

Sundays’ Get Together Modular Sofa is a stylish, durable and—most importantly—ultra-comfortable choice that fits effortlessly into almost any space. Our tester remarked that this couch boasted an “unbelievable” level of comfort and even deemed it “sink-into-able,” mostly thanks to its deep seats. While it shares the cozy appeal of the brand’s Movie Night Sofa, the Get Together offers a more refined and polished design without sacrificing comfort. Also as noted by our tester, this is certainly a more modern sofa, and yet it was traditional-looking and versatile enough to work in her antiques-filled home. For that reason, and because of the multitude of sizes and configurations offered, we think this is an excellent option for almost any space.

Thanks to its modular design, you can easily add or remove sections to perfectly tailor the sofa to your space and needs. The performance fabric options are water and stain resistant, making it a practical choice for busy households with kids. Plus, the machine-washable cushion covers ensure easy upkeep without compromising quality (as evidenced by our tester, who has experienced her fair share of spills and smudges; the couch has withstood each mishap).

The Sundays Get Together is a "sink-in-able" option that looks great with almost any décor.

What our testers say: Deputy editor Rebekah Lowin tested the Sundays Get Together 3-Piece Modular Sofa, and declares it a highly customizable and durable couch that’s ideal for most apartment dwellers and homeowners. “The depth here is remarkable; once you remove the back cushions, it’s almost like a sofa bed,” she says. “Both my husband and I were surprised and thrilled when we first sat down. It’s such a treat to grab your laptop or a bowl of popcorn and curl up here every day of the week.”

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

The Article Sven Tufted Leather sofa is a clear winner for those on a budget: It stands out with its impressive performance and superior construction, featuring a kiln-dried wood frame and premium cushion fill at a price much lower than similar sofas with comparable quality and design. Our tester notes that the couch is on the smaller side, fitting two people "very comfortably" and three people “somewhat comfortably.” Cushions give ample support, and while it’s a couch you’re going to sink into from a depth perspective, there’s also plenty of room to lie down or sit back. The cushions, which are crafted with a well-balanced blend of foam, fiber and feathers, offer the perfect mix of comfort and support, making it ideal for extended periods of lounging or working from home.

During stain tests, the leather upholstery wiped clean with ease; plus, the cushion covers are removable. If you choose velvet or woven options, they can be dry-cleaned and zipped back on with no hassle. In addition to its clean lines and timeless mid-century modern aesthetic, the Sven offers a variety of customization options, including fabric choices and leg finishes, making it an excellent value for the money.

Our tester says Article's Sven proved to be soft and supportive enough for a full day of work.

What our testers say: “This is a very, very comfortable sofa—I spend a lot of time reading, lounging and occasionally napping on it,” offers Spencer Dukoff, Forbes Vetted’s audience development director, who has been using the couch for over a year and a half. “It’s as good as new, just like when we first brought it into our home. It’s held up remarkably well.”

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

The Sundays Movie Night Modular Sectional is the kind of sofa that just exudes comfort, making it perfect for hosting multiple people during a movie marathon or just kicking back on after a long day. Wrapped in multi-density foam, the frame of this sofa offers extra support, with the arms and back conforming to your body. However, due to its fluffy cushions and deep seat, getting on and off the sofa may require a bit of “scooting,” our tester notes. What’s more, regular fluffing and flipping of the cushions is needed to maintain their shape and preserve that laid-back, cozy aesthetic. Of course, all that coziness does come with a price (for some): “This couch has a lived-in look,” our tester reminds prospective owners. “If you like that style, it fits the bill. It's not structured with clean lines, so it just depends on what you're looking for.”

The performance linen blend fabric comes in nine neutral shades and can be dry-cleaned or machine-washed on a cold, gentle cycle, then air-dried. During stain testing, the cushion covers washed up completely clean and remained in excellent condition. While the upholstery stood up well to cat claws, our tester did notice some wear in areas where their dogs like to rest.

Sunday's Movie Night sectional is one you can really sink into—but it's not the most pet friendly.

What our testers say: “It’s very comfortable. The seats are extra deep, so it’s a couch you can really sink into,” says Forbes Vetted executive strategy editor Lindsay Boyers, who has been testing the couch for nearly two years and swears by its luxurious level of comfort. “The only real downside: This is definitely not a pet-friendly couch. The dogs jumping on it have caused the roughness of their paw pads to wear down the material, and while it hides cat claw marks better than others I’ve had, they’re still visible. Considering the price, I’d recommend skipping this couch if you have pets—unless they’re very well trained and don’t go on the furniture.”

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

If you’re in the market for a leather couch that ages beautifully and holds up to pets, the Castlery Jonathan Leather Extended Sofa is a strong contender. During testing, the leather showed no signs of fading or damage, even with two cats frequently lounging on it. While the low-to-the-ground design might pose a challenge for individuals with mobility concerns, the deep cushions are perfect for curling up with a good book or movie. “It’s also retained the richness in the color of the leather, which I was not expecting,” our tester confirms.

One of the sofa’s standout features is its modular design, allowing you to add or remove sections or ottomans to fit your space and needs. However, keep in mind that the cushion covers are not removable—though this isn’t a major issue with leather.

What our testers say: The Castlery Jonathan Leather Extended Sofa is an excellent choice for homes with pets, says Kim Peiffer, director of features and special projects at Forbes Vetted. Peiffer adds, “This couch is very durable—even with two cats that have claws, there aren’t nearly as many scratch marks as I had anticipated.”

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

The Interior Define Rose Fabric Sofa is a beautifully designed piece that delivers on both style and durability. That said, the sofa prioritizes style over plush comfort—the firm, dense seating may not be ideal for napping or movie nights. This piece is best suited for anyone who appreciates sophisticated furniture for a small or medium-sized living room or sitting room. It also works well as an elegant, across-the-way complement to a larger sofa in a spacious family room.

With an impressive range of upholstery options—including performance fabrics, bouclés, vintage velvets and chenille—you can easily tailor it to your personal style. Customizable leg designs, featuring various wood finishes and casters, add another layer of personalization. The sofa is available in two lengths (83 and 91 inches), with your choice of a two-cushion layout or a single bench cushion. For sectionals, you can opt for a standard 114-inch size or a larger 129.5-inch configuration. In terms of durability, the performance fabric resisted stains during testing, standing up to smushed toddler snacks and spilled cups of coffee. Cleaning was a breeze with a soft brush, water and mild detergent, and left no traces of the original spill behind.

What our testers say: “I’d recommend this option for design-minded folks only, as it’s not exactly cushy and comfortable,” says Lowin, “But if that’s you—and you have an appreciation for traditional design—this is the couch you’ll want to add to your space. It’s a phenomenal option that exudes femininity, with English roll arms, beautiful pleating details and the most stunning wooden legs, it’s truly a statement piece.”

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

The West Elm Shelter Sleeper Sofa comes in seven upholstery choices with over 100 color options, including everything from textured neutrals to rich velvet and cozy bouclés. Its design features a bench cushion along with side cushions filled with a blend of polyester fiber, duck feathers and down, which means you’ll need to regular fluff and rotate cushions as needed. Our tester vouches for its versatility, noting that she felt comfortable napping on it both in its original and pull-out configuration.

In our stain tests, the polyester-linen weave of the Shelter Sofa responded well to stain remover and blotting, coming almost completely clean. Though the manufacturer recommends dry cleaning, our tester washed the removable cushion cover on a cold cycle and air-dried it, finding no fading, fraying or loss of shape. Some creaking was noted during jump tests, but this was due to the metal pullout mattress frame, not the wood frame itself.

The Shelter Sofa's memory foam top cradled and supported our tester's joints throughout the night.

What our testers say: Emily Jackson, SVP of eCommerce at Forbes Vetted, found the West Elm Shelter Sleeper Sofa to be an excellent napping couch, particularly because of the pullout element, which has held up well over a year and a half of use. “Overall, the couch has performed really nicely,” she shares. “I’ve spot-cleaned it and used an upholstery vacuum for larger areas that needed cleaning. The material is thick and durable, and the cushions have maintained their shape without sagging or drooping over time.”

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

The Arhaus Owen Sectional is an ideal choice for larger homes, expansive basements and families with taller individuals who often feel cramped on standard sofas. With oversized cushions and deep seats, this sectional can comfortably host three to five people for a movie marathon, offering more space than a typical three-seater sofa. “The sectional is huge,” our tester says. “So many people fit on it. And its depth makes it easy to curl up your legs, rather than having to sit upright—a big plus."

The couch combines classic contemporary design elements, such as sculpted back pillows, piping around the edges and a versatile ottoman that can be moved around or used as a coffee table. When it comes to treating stains, Arhaus recommends a water-free solvent like Imperial Cleaner and Spot Remover for any spills. While this couch is on the higher end price-wise, it features a hand-built frame crafted from cross-directional hardwood laminate, certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, ensuring its durability for many years of use.

The Arhaus Owen Five-Piece Sectional would happily host three to five people for a movie marathon.

What our testers say: “This is such a great couch for napping—several people in my family have used it that way,” says Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung.“Even after a year and a half, it feels exactly the same and truly stands the test of time.”

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

The Nugget is one of the most popular couches for kids, and for good reason. “It’s an incredibly versatile piece of furniture,” our tester shares. “It offers endless open-ended opportunities for your little one to engage in imaginative play, rough-and-tumble fun, or simply relax with their favorite book.” The small “couch” features a two-part base cushion that’s firmer and thicker than the rest, a thinner foldable base cushion and two triangular-shaped firm pillows. The entire couch sits low to the ground, making it easily accessible for even new walkers to get on and off with ease. As your child grows, the highly customizable design offers endless opportunities for imaginative play, transforming into everything from a slide to a tent. The removable covers are also machine washable for easy cleaning. Keep in mind, though, that the couch is not intended for sleeping or napping and does take up significant floor space.

The Nugget Couch inspires imaginative play, rough-and-tumble fun or quiet relaxation with a favorite ... [+] book.

What our testers say: “Our Nugget couch is one of the most used items in our playroom and is lovingly rough-handled on a daily basis,” says home and kitchen editor Sholeen Damarwala. “Yet it still looks brand-new.”

We also rigorously tested 12 other sofas. While almost all of them are more than serviceable, they didn’t make our final list of the best couches.

We prepared for couch testing by collecting a group of panelists from the Forbes Vetted team, most of whom have young kids and pets. In the end, 15 total panelists tested 20 different couches for a year and a half, taking detailed notes and snapping photos of the entire process.

Our testers carefully evaluated the ordering process, noting customization options, the availability of customer photos and reviews, and any issues encountered. They also assessed the shipping time, ease of delivery and whether the couch was difficult to move or assemble.

Our primary objective was to carefully observe how each couch held up to everyday use. Each tester napped, worked from home and hosted movie nights on their couch. They reported on any joint discomfort from prolonged lounging, whether they had to readjust frequently to stay comfortable, and how many people could realistically fit on the couch. They also paid close attention to how easy it was to get in and out of the couch, how much they sank into the cushions, and whether the couch provided a sense of ease or made them feel perched on the edge.

To test for stain resistance, each panelist performed a set of tests on a swatch of their couch ... [+] fabric or leather. The swatches were each stained with a smear of Nutella, a spot of dark juice and a pinch of wet coffee grinds—to simulate a range of common household stains—then treated with OxyClean stain remover, and either blotted clean or run through a cycle in the washing machine.

Each tester conducted a series of tests on a swatch of their couch fabric. The swatches were stained with Nutella, dark juice, and wet coffee grounds to simulate common household stains. These stains were then treated with OxiClean stain remover and either blotted clean or run through a cycle in the washing machine. Testers also took detailed notes on whether the stains were removed, if any residue remained, and whether the fabric's composition stayed intact.

Ideally, each couch on our final list should be able to withstand years of use from kids, pets and adults alike. To test this, panelists lightly jumped on their couches, listening for any springs, creaks, or snaps. Additionally, any cushion covers that could be removed and laundered were run through a standard wash cycle, with panelists checking for shrinkage, misshapenness or frayed edges.

Here are some of the most important variables to consider when looking for the right couch for your home:

It’s crucial to select a couch fabric that can withstand years of lounging, spills and cleaning, while remaining soft and comfortable to the touch. “Comfort is subjective,” says Sundaresan Jayaraman, professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. He recommends considering the following factors: the level and type of traffic the couch will experience, the balance between aesthetics and utility, and the lighting conditions of the room (fabrics in sunny areas may fade with prolonged exposure). Also consider environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and dust, as well as ease of maintenance (if you have pets) and potential allergies caused by the couch materials.

Most sofas are filled with a combination of foam, down, synthetic fiber or spring coils. The choice of fill depends on two main factors: the level of support and comfort you want and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to. Sofas filled primarily with solid or shredded foam offer strong support but are typically dense and firm. On the other hand, fiber- or down-filled sofas tend to be fluffy and plush, offering a softer feel but generally lacking the support needed for extended sitting.

The West Elm Shelter Sleeper cushions are filled with a blend of polyester fiber, duck feathers and ... [+] down, which means you’ll need to regular fluff and rotate cushions as needed.

When it comes to style trends, two distinct designs dominate the market: traditional (like the English roll arm or Chesterfield sofa) and modern, contemporary styles (such as those with curved, soft shapes). To choose a sofa that will stand the test of time, opt for clean lines and a tailored look. Look for square cushions rather than T-shaped ones, straight or sloped arms that are about 6 inches wide, and a low back that complements the overall aesthetic without dominating the space.

The depth of the seat is particularly important if comfort is one of your top considerations. Interior designer Katie Lee Jacobs of Katie Lee Interiors says, “You want to feel comfortable without feeling like the couch swallowed you whole.” Deeper couches like Sundays’ aptly named Movie Night 5-Piece Modular Sectional (26 inches deep) and the Arhaus Owen Five-Piece Sectional (28 inches) are ideal for lounging with a book or settling in for movie marathons, but you might have to compromise with a smaller depth (such as the 24 inches of the Article Sven Sofa and Interior Define’s Rose Fabric Sofa) if you have a smaller space to work with.

As the home and kitchen editor at Forbes Vetted, I’m deeply immersed in the world of furniture and kitchen appliances. I’ve been a journalist for over a decade, covering a variety of lifestyle topics and testing a wide range of products, from skincare to mattress toppers. Further, I, along with the Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team, have a vast amount of experience researching and testing living room seating in particular, including the most comfortable couches, the best sleeper sofas and futons, and the top recliners.

I’m also a homebody who takes great pleasure in curating my home with thoughtful furniture and décor. Since moving out of my parents’ home, I’ve owned nearly every style of couch at almost every price point—starting as a single New Yorker and now, as a mother to a rambunctious 2-year-old who puts our current couch to the test every day with his nonstop jumping.

As part of my research for this story, my team and I interviewed three experts about couches, including:

caterpillar couch We re-evaluated our top picks and updated specs and pricing information for accuracy.