We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping People Tested The 9 Best Couches of 2024, Tested by Real People Our top pick is the Valyou Feathers Sectional By Alida Nugent Alida Nugent Alida Nugent has over 7 years of commerce experience for a variety of publications, including BHG and HGTV, and has published two books. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 17, 2024 05:54PM EDT In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Others We Tried Things to Consider How We Tested FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What is PEOPLE Tested? People / Alli Waataja Whether it's a sectional, a sleeper sofa, or a fancy velvet version, a couch is the centerpiece of most living rooms, and it's likely to be the most used piece of furniture in the house besides your bed. That means that when it’s time to buy a new one, you’ll want to find one that’s comfortable, fits well into your space, and will provide hours of lounging for years to come. When shopping online for a couch, there are so many different considerations to be made, and there are a wealth of options available. Most furniture sites offer plenty of customizations, including fabric, size, and even the depth of the cushions. So how do you pick the best option for you? Michelle Castagna, president of Muse Design Studio, narrows it down to two main considerations: “I think most of us want luxury, but we want livability…I always try to find a happy medium for function and aesthetics…You have to know the way you function.” If you know the aesthetics you like, then we’ve likely narrowed down the best options for you. We tested 27 couches for over 1,000 hours and narrowed it down to our nine favorites that will suit every budget, household size, and aesthetic. While our top pick was the Valyou Feathers Sectional, we have eight other couches that are just waiting for the perfect spot in your living room. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Valyou Feathers Sectional at Valyoufurniture.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Budget: IKEA Uppland Sofa at Ikea ($849) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Albany Park Kova Pit at Albanypark.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Modern: Crate & Barrel Lounge Deep 2-Seat Sofa at Crate & Barrel ($2,299) Jump to Review Best Kid-Friendly: Burrow Block Nomad Sofa at Burrow ($1,699) Jump to Review Best for Small Spaces: 7th Avenue 2-Seat Modular Loveseat at 7thavenue.co (See Price) Jump to Review Best Velvet: Article Abisko Sofa at Article.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Sectional: BenchMade Modern Skinny Fat Sectional With Bumper at Benchmademodern.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Firm: Room & Board Metro at Roomandboard.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Overall Valyou Feathers Sectional Valyou View On Valyoufurniture.com Pros Incredibly easy and quick assembly Fabric is stain- and scratch-resistant and easy to spot clean Covers can be zipped off and easily thrown into the washer/dryer Cons Some feathers have come out of the included pillow cushions (but we’ve only spotted a few!) PEOPLE Senior Shopping Editor Erika Reals claims this is not only the best couch she’s ever owned, but it’s the most comfortable couch she’s ever sat on. Thanks to her shedding dog and spill-prone husband, she’s normally apprehensive about light-colored furniture but decided to take a chance on this beige cloud-like couch from Valyou. In the three months she’s been in its company, the couch has seen muddy paw prints, espresso spills, and hours upon hours of lounging. The stain-resistant upholstery is so easy to spot clean; she doesn’t even need to use soap. Additionally, the 110-inch sectional was delivered in two pieces, so there was minimal assembly time (the delivery workers just snapped the two pieces together in mere seconds). People / Erika Reals Best Budget IKEA Uppland Sofa IKEA View On Ikea $849 Pros The removable, machine-washable slipcover makes cleaning a breeze It’s an affordable couch that remains comfortable and supportive Delivery was quick — it only took one week to arrive after ordering Cons There’s no option to get the sofa without a slipcover Users will need to assemble the couch themselves This affordable sofa from Ikea is made with pocket springs, high-resilience foam, and polyester fibers, and the reversible back cushions will ensure the couch doesn’t lose its firmness over time. Each Uppland sofa comes with one of 15 slipcover options, which can easily be removed and machine-washed (and, of course, you can purchase individual slipcovers in case you want to update it or change the colorway). Our tester found that the couch was comfortable and springy, with roomy cushions that even allowed for a mid-afternoon nap. Delivery was quick and simple, and it only took one week to arrive. Delivery drivers moved the couch into the home in one box, with an additional package arriving for the slipcover. The setup was completed in one hour and done by the tester, but they found it to be a straightforward ordeal thanks to the manual, although it might require another person since the couch is large. Ikea also allows for returns; if unopened, consumers can do so with proof of purchase after one year and can take 180 days (also with proof of purchase) once taken out of the box. For under $900, this is the kind of couch that will last a long time without the cushions giving way, and users can even change up the slipcover to update its appearance. How It's Held Up There has been no wear, tear, fading color, or scratches. When dealing with spills, the tester got them out easily with soap and water. Here’s another kid-friendly feature to appreciate: Burrow mentions that you can clean stains with a bleach and water mixture that will not damage the fabric. Type: 3-seat sofa | Fabrics: Polyester | Colors: 15 | Customizable: Color | Measurements: 88.25" W x 36.25" D x 36.25" H Best Splurge Albany Park Kova Pit Albany Park View On Albanypark.com Pros This couch is made from high-quality materials This sofa is pit-syle, meaning it’s meant for napping and laying and is extra-comfortable for movie nights Cons It’s not so easy to get in and out of, given the deep seating The Albany Park Kova Pit is made with incredibly luxe materials, like a kiln-dried hardwood frame, a foam-topped webbing and spring suspension system, and cushions filled with a hypoallergenic microfiber blend. The deep seats that are a hallmark of a pit couch make this the perfect option to lounge on, too, which allows the user to sit with their legs laid out right in front of them. While this makes it a little hard to get in and out of, it ends up feeling more like a feather bed than a couch, making it perfect for people who love to lie and watch TV or movies. In fact, our tester even slept on it comfortably with their two dogs, although their partner (who is over 6’2") did end up moving after a few hours due to some discomfort. Returns are a bit complicated with this couch — they are only eligible for 30 days after receiving the order, and a 20 percent shipping fee is tacked on if the original packaging isn’t sent back, although this is capped at $200. However, the original shipping was free and quick; our tester received it in eight days. The couch came in eight boxes left at the door, with instructions clear and organized with pre-drilled holes. Most of them clicked easily into place, and the whole thing took two hours, although our tester did need to use a hammer to get some pieces to stay. Our tester received the velvet fabric, and it stayed velvety and soft even after muddy paw prints and pet hair threatened to stain it — in fact, users can either wipe it clean or remove the covers and machine wash. How It's Held Up After a few months of use, the tester noted it’s easy to switch it to a modular couch and change it up for guests (the couch reasonably fits at least four people), and that the fabric stayed soft and the cushions stayed fluffy. Type: Modular pit | Fabrics: Performance fabric, basketweave, boucle, velvet, polyester | Colors: 14 | Customizable: With or without storage, fabric, color | Measurements: 121"W x 79"D x 34"H People / Jennifer May People / Jennifer May People / Jennifer May People / Jennifer May Best Modern Crate & Barrel Lounge Deep 2-Seat Sofa Crate & Barrel View On Crate & Barrel $2,299 Pros This couch is perfect for a modern home and comfortably fits more than two people The back cushions are exceptionally comfortable Cons Crate & Barrel doesn’t allow for furniture returns, so users should ensure the couch is the right fit This two-seater from Crate & Barrel is also high-quality, with a benchmade hardwood frame that’s kiln-dried, a spring-up foundation to eliminate sagging, and soy-based polyfoam seat cushions that are wrapped in a fiber-down blend. But all of that wouldn’t matter if it wasn't comfortable, and this is what our tester had to say about it: “I will tell everyone I know that this is the best couch I have ever used.” This praise comes because of the deep cushions that can fit multiple people or one person taking a nap. The back cushions have some give that makes them comfortable to lie against, and they’re full but don’t feel stiff. Several customizations can be made, including three depth options, eight size options, and more than 200 fabric and color combinations. One big drawback to the couch is that it is custom and made-to-order furniture, but the brand does offer services such as interior design help, free swatches, and ‘view in your room’ options to ensure that what you’re buying will fit your home perfectly. How It's Held Up Our tester has used this couch daily, and while there has been some flattening, it’s fairly insignificant, and the sofa’s condition is still excellent. It’s also done well with daily wear-and-tear: crumbs brush off easily, as does pet hair, and spaghetti sauce was removed quickly with a spot cleaner and water. Type: 2-seat sofa | Fabrics: Microfiber, textured weave, canvas, linen weave, twill, chenille, boucle, velvet, shearling | Colors: 206 | Customizable: Size, depth, fabric, color | Measurements: 93" W x 41" D x 25" H Best Kid-Friendly Burrow Block Nomad Sofa Burrow View On Burrow $1,699 Pros The fabric is both stain- and scratch-resistant, and the brand even recommends cleaning hard-to-remove stains with a mix of bleach and water This couch comes equipped with a USB plug and charger Cons This couch is fairly firm and not particularly conducive for napping This couch from Burrow is especially kid-friendly, starting with the fabric — the tight olein fiber is both scratch- and stain-resistant. The three-layer foam is firmer, so it can stand kids jumping on and off it, and it’s large enough to fit a few people but not soft enough to nap on for hours. The frame is sturdy to prevent warping, and it even comes equipped with a USB charger and a 72-inch power cord. There are a few ways to customize this couch, including fabric, leg finish, arm styles, and cushion styles. Burrow has a 30-day return policy that requires a 20 percent shipping fee (capped at $250) if the furniture is not in its original packaging, although this goes down to 10 percent if it is. However, initial shipping is free, and the brand offers free swatches and free exchanges, and any damages upon arrival are fixed and covered by the seller. The couch comes in five boxes that are left at the front door, but our tester found the setup to be simple. Boxes are labeled in the order they should be opened, securely wrapped in plastic, and no tools are required to assemble — plus, it only took 30 minutes and two people to assemble. How It's Held Up There has been no wear, tear, fading color, or scratches. When dealing with spills, the tester got them out easily with soap and water. Here’s another kid-friendly feature to appreciate: Burrow mentions that you can clean stains with a bleach and water mixture that will not damage the fabric. The tester really liked the quality of the Nomad sofa: the three-layer foam fill holds its shape over time, and after plenty of use, there are no signs of the couch losing its firmness. Type: 3-seat sofa | Fabrics: Fabric, velvet, leather | Colors: 13 | Customizable: Leg finish, arm style, flip-back cushions, fabric, color | Measurements: 85" L x 35" D x 33" H People / Andrea Lavinthal People / Andrea Lavinthal People / Andrea Lavinthal Best for Small Spaces 7th Avenue 2-Seat Modular Loveseat 7th Avenue View On 7thavenue.co Pros This couch is made from performance fabric that is water-repellent and stain-resistant The covers can be removed and machine-washed Cons The assembly was complicated and didn’t come with instructions, so it took six hours to complete This couch from 7th Avenue, which is perfect for small living rooms and apartments, is also incredibly durable. It’s made with water-repellant and stain-resistant performance fabric, which Castagna notes is a great option for a couch: “I always suggest my clients to first take a peek at performance [fabric] for those key pieces.” It also has removable and machine-washable covers. Our tester noted it felt like an expensive, well-made couch that was comfortable enough to nap on, and no neck or back pain was experienced by anyone during testing. The return policy allows for free returns and 100 percent money back or merchandise credit as long as you have the original packaging. The brand also allows for 30-day free exchanges if you’re not happy with the color of the fabric, and damages reported within 10 days of delivery will be repaired, refunded, or exchanged. Delivery was to the front door, and there were nine boxes in total. However, assembly proved a bit challenging: there were no provided directions on assembly, and it took the tester six hours to put it together. How It's Held Up After some time, the couch still remains as good as new, and the tester loved how durable the couch’s fabric is, as well as the option to remove the covers to wash them if need be. Type: 2-seat sofa | Fabrics: Performance texture, performance cross-weave | Colors: 6 | Customizable: Depth, back cushion firmness, fabric, color | Measurements: 94" L x 39" D x 24" H Best Velvet Article Abisko Sofa Article View On Article.com Pros This velvet couch is wide enough to nap or lounge on The luxe fabric is easy to clean ConsCons There are few customizations available for this The return policy is a bit vague This velvet couch from Article is a great mid-century modern sofa, but its aesthetics are certainly not the only thing to love about it — it’s really pleasant to sit on. While our tester was initially concerned that the firmness of this couch would make it uncomfortable, after testing, the firmness is what makes it so comfortable. That firmness means it doesn’t leave people with neck or back strain after sitting on it for long periods of time, and after sitting for a while, it begins to settle in as well. It’s a good width for napping, too. The tester also found the fabric and construction to be of considerably high quality, with a dense fill and wide cushions that allow for lounging. Besides the color and the fabric, however, there isn’t any available customization for this item. Article allows for returns up to 30 days from the date of delivery if the item is still in as-new condition for a service fee of at least $49, depending on your location. If you do not have the original packaging, an additional $50 repackaging fee is added on. The couch itself was dropped off inside the front door in two large boxes, with text alerts on the day it was scheduled to arrive. Unboxing the couch was more challenging than expected, but assembly only took 20 minutes, all that is required is to put on the six legs and attach two separate pieces. How It's Held Up Over time, the cushions remained firm and didn’t become lumpy or misshapen, and there was no wear, tear, or fading during use. Pet hair was visible but easy to remove, and the fabric remained soft and easy to keep clean. As our tester summed it up, “Overall, a great piece of furniture. There is nothing about this couch that I would change. It is a perfect design.” Type: 2-set sofa | Fabrics: Velvet, fabric | Colors: 5 | Customizable: Fabric. color | Measurements: 91" W x 35" D x 28" H People / Abigail Wetzler People / Abigail Wetzler Best Sectional BenchMade Modern Skinny Fat Sectional With Bumper BenchMade Modern View On Benchmademodern.com Pros This sectional comes with a 100-day in-home trial Because of the chaise option, two people can lay with their legs fully extended on this couch Cons This is a pricey couch, and shipping starts at $249 This large sectional from Benchmade Modern has lots of options for customization, and there are even two options for fill, so shoppers can choose between a fluffier down alternative or the more firm standard option. Our tester went with the firm option, which does offer more support for the back. And even though it has more structure, it’s still a couch that’s comfortable to lounge on while still feeling fully supported. In fact, after a few months, the tester noticed that their back pain had actually improved. And, of course, since this has a long extension, another benefit of this sectional is the ability to have two people both lay on the couch with their legs fully extended, which is great for couples or taller people. Custom, made-to-order items like this couch can be returned within 14 days for the full amount. There’s also an included 100-day in-home trial, which means consumers can return the couch any time in that window and only have to pay a 10 percent processing fee and shipping fee. The brand also has a white glove delivery service (prices start at $249), which allows the consumer to set a delivery day and window. As long as there's a spot cleared for the new furniture to be placed, the delivery drivers will bring the couch into the desired room, unwrap the couch, place the two sections down (the chaise and the main sofa), and remove the shipping materials. The legs are already attached, so all that’s left to do is push the two sides together and arrange the pillows. This sectional couch is also durable; when the cat scratched the fabric, no threads were pulled, and the couch remained looking as good as new. Four or five people can sit comfortably on the couch, and when pasta sauce was spilled on the cushion, an upholstery foam cleaner and a damp rag left no visible stain behind. Although it’s a pricey couch, it’s a sturdy and comfortable option that’s great for a large space or larger families, and the ability to customize the chaise to be on the left or right side will help this fit exactly where you want it. Type: Sectional | Fabrics: Premium fabric, performance fabric, luxe fabric, velvet, leather | Colors: 72 | Customizable: Size, bumper, cushions, legs, fabric, color | Measurements: 95” W x 37” D x 33” H People / Jeanne Geer People / Jeanne Geer People / Jeanne Geer Best Firm Room & Board Metro Room & Board View On Roomandboard.com Pros This comfortable couch is firm and holds up over time, remaining practically new after months of use There are more than 200 colorways and fabrics available, as well as many other customizable options Cons There’s a limited number of ready-to-ship options Our tester loved this Room & Board Metro Sofa and had this to say about it: “This couch is like a firm cloud. You can absolutely lie down and just chill, but it also provides support.” Support, as it turns out, is an integral part of couch longevity and comfort, with chiropractor Robert A. Hayden, DC, PhD, FICC, noting: “A couch should not take the shape of our bodies; this means it is not supporting the shape we should have while sitting but rather conforming to us.” This will ensure that the user’s back and spine are kept in an ergonomic position and will remain supported as the sofa, which is filled with high-resilience foam, gets used more and more. This Room & Board Metro Sofa received high marks in both the comfort and support categories, with firm cushions that don’t move when you sit on them. This means that the couch doesn’t have that traditional ‘sinking-in’ feeling that people often assume is the sign of the ideal couch, but Dr. Hayden asserts that it’s actually the opposite: “If it is giving into our shape over time, it is not supporting the shape we should have,” meaning that feeling is indicative of a couch that will likely make your back sore after a while. Delivery of this couch includes white glove service; for $99, the brand will deliver the couch anywhere in the contiguous U.S. and includes assembly, placement, and packaging removal. Returns or exchanges are also free, although users won’t get the original delivery price refunded. There are plenty of options for customization with this couch, including in-stock fabrics and colors that can be delivered in weeks (on the site, there are currently seven) and customized fabrics and colors that come at an upcharge and will take longer to arrive (on the site, there are over 200 options). For this particular couch, there are also seven size options, two depth options, and three options for stained leg finishes. Users can easily order fabric swatches to see what might work in their home, too. How It's Held Up This couch has held up well over time. Our tester has both pets and kids, and the couch still looks like new over six months later. There was no fading, pilling, or staining, and the cushions are still fluffy and look “like they just came out of a showroom.” Type: 2-seat sofa | Fabrics: Boucle, chenille, leather, microfiber, natural fibers, performance, texture, velvet, plain weave, twill | Colors: 288 | Customizable: Depth, size, fabric, leg finish, color | Measurements: 88" W x 38" D x 27" H (34" H with cushion) People / Donna Freydkin People / Donna Freydkin Other Couches We Tried Maiden Home The Varick Sofa: This couch comes in both a sofa option and a sectional option, and the fabric possibilities are fairly endless: there’s performance fabric, pebbled leather, mohair, and even Belgian linen among the options. However, with prices starting around $3,950, it’s a couch that’s a little stiff. It’s also hard to nap on, with high arms that don’t allow for comfortable laying. AllModern Geo 2-Piece Upholstered Sectional: This chaise sectional comes in both fabric and velvet and is priced reasonably at around $900. However, it’s not a very comfortable couch for two people; it functions better as a reading or lounge chair for one person. It’s also a little stiff and would likely be better for shorter bouts of sitting than something you’d want to lounge on nightly. Stains came off easily, however, so it would likely make a nice addition to a sitting room. Things to Consider Before Buying a Couch Fabric Made-to-order couches generally allow the consumer to pick from many different fabric and color options (the Crate & Barrel Lounge Couch had 206 in total), but users should choose carefully. For instance, velvet couches are beautiful and soft but tend to be a bit dust-absorbent. They also make pet hair visible, so those considering the material should plan to vacuum it frequently. And wool, as another example, tends to pill over time, no matter how high quality the wool is. If you have kids and pets, you really can’t go wrong with performance fabric, which is typically treated with a substance that makes the couch water-resistant and stain-resistant. Castagna recommends performance fabric for anyone: “That automatically means the abrasion testing will have been greater, the cleaning ability will be greater, and potentially it's been treated with something that will have a water bead up or whatever topically has been put on the fabric or integrated into the fabric.” However, she also recommends looking at fabrics that combine both livability and luxury: “So you have to know what parts of your personality play the most important role for you and what is pleasing to you in your space. And I think you make the decisions based on what brings you joy at the end of the day.” And if you’re uncertain what that is, look for a seller that sends over swatches before purchase so you can see the fabric and touch it for yourself. Size Of course, potential consumers need to consider the measurements of a couch and compare those to the measurements of the room they’d like to put it in. But Castagna recommends some additional considerations than just ‘will it fit?’: “Think about the path you’ll take to get the couch to where it’s going…If you know your space is tight, then you definitely may want a sofa where the legs can unscrew...anything in your pathway to get to the final destination of where it’s sitting needs to be taken into consideration.” Of course, that is less relevant if it comes in several boxes, like the Albany Park Kova Pit. If that’s the case, you’ll still want to think about other measurements in the actual room, like the size of your coffee table or your side tables, to ensure that it’ll also look nice in the space. Fill There are two different reasons to consider fill when shopping for a couch: if it’ll sag over time and if it’ll support your back when you sit. Both Castagna and Dr. Hayden advise against down or down-alternative fill. Dr. Hayden had this to say: “The material should resist compression so it retains its shape. Memory foam was invented in the space program for cushions that would not distort their shapes despite multiple G forces placed on them. As a practitioner, I am partial to a good stiff memory foam, with or without springs. Softer material, such as down filler, is easily displaced and will not provide support to the body.” People / Erika Reals How We Tested Couches We tested 27 couches for this list, with over 1,000 hours of sitting time to review. All couches were rated one to five in the following categories: comfort, ease of use, durability, quality, and value. When testers received the couch, they timed the delivery in total, from receiving, unboxing, and assembling the sofa. Testers were then instructed to, throughout the testing period (which was at least six months), sit, nap, and lie on the couch. Multiple people were required to sit on the couch, as well as pets and kids if possible. The couch and the space around it needed to be vacuumed regularly. Over time, observations were to be made about sturdiness, comfort, firmness, fabric texture, changes in shape, stain removal, and color changes. Quality notes were also taken, such as how sturdy the frame is, the quality of the fill, and any notable changes to the fabric with use (such as pilling). All of these observations were compiled and recorded, along with pictures. Frequently Asked Questions What’s the best time to buy a couch? Furniture sales tend to happen around the holidays and at the end of winter, especially during big-ticket events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and New Year. Summer is another time when couches tend to go on sale during events like Labor Day, the Fourth of July, and other summer kick-off events. What should people consider when buying a couch online? Shoppers should consider the fact that they likely won’t be able to see the couch in person before making a purchase, meaning they should pay extra attention to specs such as fabric and measurements when shopping. If they can order fabric swatches or take advantage of something like design consultation (some sites offer this), they should — and if not, shoppers should take careful note of the return and exchange policy. Shipping time is also another consideration: some colorways and fabrics are in stock and ready to ship, and some couches take weeks or months to build and deliver. Some couches at Amazon have quick delivery times if you want a new couch quickly.Finally, delivery and assembly should be considered when purchasing a couch online: some will come in several boxes and are left at the front door, while others offer white glove service and packaging removal. While these often differ in price, it may be worth the extra cost, especially if you live alone or in an apartment. How long should a couch last? Castagna considers this a tricky question, and no doubt there are plenty of different factors that go into a sofa’s longevity. While quality can be controlled by choosing an option that is made from durable materials, there are plenty of other uncontrollable factors that can shorten its lifespan: if no maintenance or care is put into the couch, if particularly rowdy pets or messy kids live in a household or if the user moves frequently, for example. Even the frequency of use and the number of people sitting on it will affect things. The 9 Best Standing Desks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Why Trust PEOPLE? Alida Nugent is a contributing writer for PEOPLE with an extensive background in commerce writing, editing, and strategy. She also writes for Food Network, HGTV, and Better Homes & Gardens. She specializes in tested and researched commerce content for household products, including outdoor, mattresses, vacuums, furniture, and small appliances. For this article, she digested the tested insights and researched each couch to compile this list of the best couches of 2024. Meet the Experts Michelle Castagna is the president of Muse Design Studio. Robert A. Hayden, DC, PhD, FICC is a chiropractor at Iris City Chiropractic Center in Griffin, Ga. What is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.