Wirecutter - Wirecutter’s ultimate sofa buying guide

Rozette Rago

When you buy something online, sight unseen, you’re taking a leap of faith. And this is especially true with sofas, which often cost hundreds or thousands dollars and can be a hassle to return. We can’t tell you which exact sofa model is the best one for you and your needs. But after years of research and testing, our experts can walk you through the process and help you balance quality, budget, and space constraints with your unique needs and tastes.

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Here’s our ultimate guide to buying sofas→

Sarah MacReading

Regardless of how well a sofa is made, you won’t be happy with it if you don’t also love the way it looks. Narrow your search to the styles that appeal to you and that will complement your home.

How will you use the sofa?

Be honest with yourself. If you tend to slouch, a daybed or sectional with a chaise will prove more comfortable. If you’re a couch napper, avoid sofas with multiple seat cushions, since they’re prone to buckling and dipping. If you prefer to sit upright, the more-tailored structure of a midcentury-modern–style sofa might be for you.

How many people will sit on the sofa?

Consider how many people will regularly sit on the sofa, as well as how they prefer to sit. Larger families or households that regularly host guests may be drawn to a sectional. But two smaller sofas, or a pair of loveseats, can offer the same amount of seating, or more, while being flexible.‌

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Do you have kids or pets, or host (a lot of) wild parties?

Never underestimate their ability to destroy your furniture. Leather and microfiber upholstered sofas are the easiest to clean and maintain. And they’re less likely to be scratched to bits by a pet’s claws. Overall, stick with upholstery fabrics that have high stain protection and a higher rub count.‌

Sarah MacReading

We’ve all heard horror stories about someone who purchased the sofa of their dreams only to discover it would not fit through a doorway, navigate a stairway, or fit inside a room. Follow these steps to ensure you don’t become a cautionary tale for future sofa shoppers:

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Accurately measure the sofa

A sofa’s online product page should include measurements—at minimum the width, height, and depth of the sofa. You may also want to know its clearance from the floor, the width and height of the arm, and the depth and height of the seat cushions. You can usually find all of this information by downloading a spec sheet or assembly manual, or by emailing the company.

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Check the delivery process

Some sofas are shipped fully assembled, some are shipped with detached legs and separate cushions, and others require more-extensive assembly. Note the sofa’s widest dimension. Also, you can usually find out how a sofa ships by looking in the company FAQ or emailing customer service. (And if you can’t find this information, it’s a good sign that you might want to consider a different company.)

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Measure your entryway

Survey the easiest points of entry into your home, together with any obstacles that could complicate delivery. We found Room & Board’s How to Prepare for Furniture Delivery video particularly insightful for visualizing unforeseen obstacles. 

Jeremy Pavia

Through our research and testing, a few brands and companies stood out for quality, value, online shopping experience, delivery experience, customer service, transparency, warranty, and other considerations.

To name a few, we liked Article for its affordability and good variety of styles and fabrics. If you love deep seats, perhaps Sixpenny is up your alley, whereas Floyd is a good pick for those who need something that’s easy to assemble. And if you want a sofa with a small footprint, check out Sabai.

See all the sofa companies we tested→

To see all of our sofa-shopping advice, explore our full guide here. We discuss how to spot quality construction and how to shop sustainably. And there’s a checklist to complete once your sofa arrives, to be sure it’s the one.

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Happy sofa shopping, and good luck.