Best Couches 2025 – Forbes Vetted
A couch serves as the central gathering spot in many households, where loved ones come together to relax and unwind after a long day—so choosing the right one is essential. To help you find the best couches on the market in 2025, we spent an enormous amount of time testing 20 ultra-popular sofas. 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 tests. Meanwhile, 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 testing 20 models over the course of more than a year, we’ve found the eight best couches you … [+]
When it comes to choosing the perfect couch for your specific space and lifestyle, there are a few key factors to consider. “Think about your priorities for the space,” offers Nomi Dale Kleinman, associate professor in the Textile/Surface Design Department at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. “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.” Meanwhile, “if aesthetics are your priority, focus on the design that appeals to you, and worry less about high-performance standards.” With these considerations in mind, we focused on finding durable, comfortable and style-forward options—couches designed to withstand the rigors of daily life, last for years and offer great value for the upfront investment. Read on for an in-depth look at our top picks, along with guidance on how to choose the right couch for your home.
The Sundays Get Together 3-Piece Modular Sofa is an excellent, “sink-in-able” option, perfect for … [+]
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.”
The Shelter Sofa’s sleeper has a memory foam top, which cradled and supported our tester’s joints … [+]
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.”
The Article Sven Sofa proved to be soft and supportive enough for a full day of work due to the … [+]
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.”
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.””
The Movie Night Five-Piece Modular Sectional’s upholstery held up surprisingly well to cat claws, … [+]
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.”
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.”
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.”
The Nugget Couch is a versatile piece that inspires imaginative play, rough-and-tumble fun or quiet … [+]
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.”
Other Couches We Tested
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.
BenchMade Modern Skinny Fat Sofa: The leather on this sofa aged beautifully, but unfortunately, the cushions started becoming lumpy and misshapen a few months in. The final straw was when the zipper on one of the back cushions ripped, leaving the couch looking consistently worn.
Lovesac Sactional:The modularity and durability of this couch are great, and it’s easy to reconfigure. However, the support in the seat cushions is inconsistent—some are firmer, while others you sink right into. Additionally, the gaps between the couch cushions are large, making it easy to “lose” things like toys or the TV remote between them.
Floyd Sofa: While this popular sofa is visually appealing out of the box, we found it cumbersome to assemble and shallow to sit on. The back cushions became lumpy over time—not something we’d expect at this price point.
Joybird Braxton Sleeper: We would recommend this pick for an office or spare room. It’s available in many fabrics and colors, but the tufted back cushions aren’t necessarily universal in style.
Burrow Nomad: We considered this crowd-favorite for small spaces—but the slim couch was too shallow to get comfortable on and too firm to kick back in for long periods. Other Burrow sofa owners have had issues with deliveries and missing parts. We’d recommend this more for an office than as a primary sofa.
Burrow Field: Our big and tall tester noticed a slight creak when getting in and out of this couch. One cushion arrived with a broken zipper, but the brand quickly sent a replacement. Overall, they found it a tad too firm to truly relax or work in for an entire day.
Wayfair Madison: This sofa was quite comfortable during testing, but it did not hold up well to cat claws. It’s also only available in four fabrics. That said, this sofa is quite deep at 27 inches, which some prefer.
Raymour & Flanigan Wilkinson: A contender for best value, this couch was originally soft and enveloping. But the cushions became misshapen and pilled after just a few months of use. The textured poly-blend fabric also tended to trap dog hair and fray when run through the wash.
Sabai Essentials Sectional: This pick was enjoyable to sit in and its removable cushion covers were easy to wash. But its cushions became misshapen too quickly, resulting in a more rumpled look; the velvet was also not as luxe as we’d like.
Amazon Rivet Revolve: This Prime pick will be delivered in as little as two days, but it’s not the most comfortable nor the best long-term investment. We had to switch positions often when napping to avoid stiffness, and there’s only one upholstery option available.
Macy’s Radley 5-Piece: We liked this pick’s durability when it comes to rowdy kids and pets, and it’s a reasonable price point for families not looking to invest in a forever piece. But since the covers aren’t removable and the silhouette is slightly dated.
Wayfair Brewington 82-Inch (Out Of Stock): This affordable sofa unfortunately scored low marks for comfort. The leather remained too cold to the touch to be inviting, and it doesn’t have any customization options.
How We Tested 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.
Ordering Couches
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.
Comfort Test
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 … [+]
Stain Test
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.
Durability Test
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.
How To Pick The Best Couch
Here are some of the most important variables to consider when looking for the right couch for your home:
Upholstery
When choosing a fabric for your couch, it’s crucial to select one 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 several key factors to find the ideal upholstery for your space.
These include the level and type of traffic the couch will experience, the balance between aesthetics and utility, and the lighting conditions of the room, as fabrics in sunny areas may fade with prolonged exposure. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and dust should also be taken into account, as well as potential allergies caused by the couch materials. Other considerations include ease of maintenance—especially for households with pets, where shedding may be a concern—and affordability, which depends on your budget and willingness to invest in the piece.
Cushion Fill
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 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.
Style
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.
My Expertise
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 and have spent the majority of my career covering lifestyle topics. What’s more, as a professional product reviewer, I’ve tested a wide range of products, from skincare products to mattress toppers.
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, I interviewed two experts about couches, including:
- Nomi Dale Kleinman, an associate professor in the Textile/Surface Design Department at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York
- Sundaresan Jayaraman, professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta
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