15 Most Comfortable Couches for Lounging (2024)

It doesn't get much softer than West Elm's Harmony sofa. On a scale of one to five (with five being the firmest), West Elm rates its Harmony collection as a one. And the second you take a seat, you'll understand why — the cushions are so wide and deep, you basically become one with the couch when you sit down. Our home editors even chose it as the best RH Cloud couch alternative for this very reason.

It's not just plush, though — the couch is very well built, thanks to a kiln-dried hardwood frame and springs for added support. It's highly customizable too. You can select the best configuration for your room, choosing from multiple widths and depths. Not to mention, there are plenty of coordinating pieces in the collection, including a build-your-own sectional. If there's any downside, it's that this couch is so deep and comfy, it can be hard to get out of. One tester said she struggled to get out of the couch when pregnant; another said their elderly parents had some trouble.

Finding a high-quality couch for less than $500 is a tall order, and though this doesn't quite break that threshold, this sofa from Ashley is about as close as you can get. Still, the budget-friendly couch checks nearly all of the boxes the more expensive ones do. It's comfy and inviting, has a classic aesthetic that suits the majority of decor styles and is made largely from genuine leather.

The sofa is on the smaller side — it only seats two — but it has substantial cushions that provide plenty of support. It also has a special platform foundation that's resistant to sagging over time — great for heavy, long-term use. Unfortunately, it doesn't come in a more traditional brown (just cream and dark gray), but there are plenty of coordinating pieces like an ottoman, chair, sofa sleeper and more to build out a room. Overall, this furniture piece yields high ratings across the board, but especially so in comfort and value.

Do you want to basically design your own couch? This is the one for you. There are seemingly endless options — fabric type and color, square or rolled arms, layout, you name it. The couch even comes in variations like a leather sofa and a sleeper sofa complete with a memory foam mattress. Overall, users say this couch has that coveted Goldilocks feel. It's not too plush, but not too structured either. The seat itself also strikes a happy medium — it's not totally upright, but not so relaxed you'll feel like you're reclining.

The couch boasts a high-quality construction too, including a kiln-dried hardwood frame and steel springs to support the cushions. Our panelists gave it high marks all around for comfort, support and appearance. If there was anything some users would change, it was their fabric selection. Some loved theirs; others were disappointed by the wear and tear. Our best advice? Take advantage of the retailer's free swatches before you buy.

If you're targeting a couch that's the prime napping spot, look no further than the Lounge Sofa by Crate & Barrel. It has wide, deep and exceptionally plush seats our panelists say are prime for relaxing, whether that's watching TV or sleeping. It even has thin arms to give you more room for stretching out.

It's a highly customizable option too. Choose from multiple widths, depths and seating configurations and optionally add coordinating pieces like an ottoman with built-in storage. There's also a wide selection of fabrics, including stain-resistant options, in a rainbow of colors. It's made of kiln-dried hardwood for added durability, plus it has steel springs at each seat to prevent sagging over time. On the downside, our panelists say the customization process takes time. Depending on the options you choose, the sofa can take months to arrive.

This couch is proof that you don't necessarily have to go with a luxe brand (with a big dollar figure to match) to get an exceptionally comfortable couch. Sometimes, it's hard to beat the value IKEA offers, and our panelists raved about this sofa's softness and comfort. Its frame is made of particleboard, a cost-saver that's not as durable and kiln-dried wood, but the cushions are extra plush for comfort while lounging.

One of the other big draws to this comfy couch? It's made with a machine-washable cotton slipcover. And, in a pinch, you can flip the reversible cushions to hide a blemish. IKEA also sells extra slipcovers in 13 colors if you want to have a backup or if there's an unsalvageable stain. Another bonus: The couch comes in other sizes and configurations, plus you can pair it with complementary chairs, love seats and sectionals.

Lovesac is one of the coolest modular sofas out there — and it just so happens to be supremely comfortable too. The system has endless configurations, so you can opt for a traditional sofa for a small space or set up a huge sectional for lounging and watching TV. And since each seat and side is a separate piece, you can even add to your couch over time — or break things up into chairs or smaller couches if you move and find yourself short on space.

And the customization doesn't stop there. When ordering, you'll also get to choose the arm style, fill material and cover. And for the ultimate convenience, the covers zip off in a flash and are machine washable for a quick refresh. On the downside, some users complained about assembly — namely that the pieces are very heavy and can be tricky to click together without practice.

Yep, meet the Cloud couch. RH touts it as "the world's most comfortable sofa," and many users agree — as you've probably gleaned from your own social media feeds. Though pricey, it's one of the most popular couches on the market today, largely because of the comfort factor. The brand says the couch is designed to be super spacious and feel like you're sinking into, well, a cloud.

It's also customizable: Shoppers get to choose the frame style, configuration and upholstery. And while this is a huge bonus, it's also where things get tricky, since each piece in the modular style costs several thousand dollars. (A sectional could cost upwards of $10,000 when all is said and done.) The good news: Unlike other pricey furniture brands with lengthy lead times, the in-stock versions of this couch can be delivered in just a few days. And if you have an RH outlet near you, you might just spot one there for a stellar deal.

When it comes to couches, our panelists love Ashley. More than 800 of them have purchased sofas — including this one — from the brand. Overall, they say the brand hits the nail on the head in terms of both style and comfort, even in more challenging categories like sleepers. Users love the Bladen Full Sofa Sleeper because it's a pullout couch with a traditional look and it contains a spacious full-size mattress.

Online reviewers say both the sofa and bed are surprisingly comfortable. One reviewer said they had houseguests who slept on the bed for a full week without complaints. And while most sleepers tend to look bulky and stiff, users say the faux-leather material of this couch lends a chic worn-in look that looks great in a living room or home office. It is, however, important to note that Ashley's pricing for this model changes based on your zip code. We noticed as much as a $200 difference from location to location, so make sure to take a good look at the final price at checkout.

Another surprisingly comfortable sleeper, Interior Define's Sloan Sleeper is a sectional-style sofa that also contains a pullout bed. Like many other comfortable couches, you can customize this one to your liking — choose from lots of different fabric options, as well as leg color, chaise length, seat cushion style and type of fill. You're even entitled to free swatches before ordering to make sure you're happy with your choice.

Our survey panelists couldn't believe how many choices fabric choices they had — 100-plus options means you can essentially design your own couch to have something unique for your space. There are even leather styles available for those willing to splurge. Panelists also gave this couch remarkably high ratings for comfort and support — especially considering it's a sleeper, a type of couch that's notoriously uncomfortable. The biggest drawback was the elongated delivery time; it can take anywhere from 10 to 14 weeks for the product to ship.

Good things come in small packages when it comes to this perfectly apartment-sized ultra-plush sofa. It's just as cushy and ripe for lounging as its larger counterparts but doesn't have the same bulky footprint. The modular pick even has an attached ottoman that can easily be moved from side to side.

It doesn't come in hundreds of colors and fabrics, but users said the selection of 14 was plenty and actually made the decision easier. And pro tip: The velvet material won tons of praise from users because of its chic textured appearance. One of our reviewers called this sofa "warm and soft." Setup is a breeze too. Each piece ships in its own box, and the brand claims the whole process only takes 15 minutes. Though the brand is relatively new, panelists who own this couch told us they love just about everything aspect of it.

Since its launch in 2014, Joybird has quickly become a go-to furniture brand — especially for its couches. The Lewis Sofa is a sure bet for comfort-seekers. It's attractive, has deep seats and is surprisingly spacious for its sleek profile.

The high-density polyurethane foam cushions are plush yet supportive thanks to a sinuous wire suspension system. But it's really the upholstery that users say makes this couch a home run. It comes in an impressive array of 80 fabrics, 47 of which are specifically touted as pet-friendly. Users say you can wipe slobber and dirt right off. Pet hair doesn't settle in, either — a quick vacuum or swipe with a rubber glove will get the job done in a flash. Just note: Some users reported slow shipping.

La-Z-Boy is one of the more popular sofa brands among our survey panelists, and this sectional garners praise for doubling as a recliner — one of the comfiest ways to watch TV or take a snooze. One end features the recliner, which opens with a manual latch or power release. The rest of the couch is super spacious with plenty of space for big families to enjoy movie night together.

The look is undeniably casual, but the plush cushions (even the arms are cushioned) make it a great fit for a den or family room. You can also customize the sectional by changing the shape or specific pieces, plus choose from various color and print options. Overall, our survey respondents gave this couch high ratings across the board, specifically commenting on the comfort. One user with a bad back said it's the "most comfortable sofa I have ever sat on."

Crate & Barrel sofas are pricey, but they're highly attractive, known for comfort and — bonus — ideal for family rooms. These couches are made with highly durable materials that can stand up to kids and pets. This deep three-seater also features spacious seats to fit the whole family and plush cushions for comfort when you really want to relax or even close your eyes.

While this model does have a smaller footprint than other options from the brand, it still fits a handful of kids or two adults comfortably. It's also customizable: When shopping, you can easily change the depth, size, shape and outer fabric to suit your needs and preferences. Because of this, each couch is made to order and could take a few months to arrive.

This relatively petite couch is perfect for apartments and other small spaces. It has deep, plush seats two people can easily sink right into. The pillows are nice and big too so there's plenty of feathered cushioning between you and the couch's backrest and frame. This does give the sofa some bulk, but overall the aesthetic is timeless — especially considering it only comes in eight versions of gray and white.

Users love the durability of the couch too. The fabric is stain-resistant, and the upholstery covers are fully removable. When they need a good clean, you can send them for a spin on a cold, gentle cycle or ship them out to the dry cleaner.

The cloud couch is so sought-after that there are a handful of truly exceptional dupes out there — and this couch by Italian designer Mario Capasa is top of the list. Like the OG, you really will feel like you're sitting on a soft, puffy cloud when you plop down on this couch. That's because the cushions are fashioned out of a high-density memory foam and fiber blend. Combined with the deep seats and soft fabric, you'll never want to get up.

We love the functionality of this couch too. All of the fabric is removable and washable, so you can relax a little around the neutral-colored piece of furniture. A quick wash in a gentle cycle of cold water should lift most spills and spots. Looking for something a little larger? This couch does come in three more sizes, including a six-seater.

Even if comfort is paramount, there are a few things you should consider first, including:

✔️ Type of couch: Think about how much space you have to work with. Standard sofas are generally between 72 and 85 inches long and can accommodate three or four people. Sectional sofas — usually U- or L-shaped — have extra pieces that create a leg rest or more seating space. Love seats are smaller — usually around 48 to 70 inches long — and are best suited for tighter spaces. Sleeper sofas come in all different shapes and sizes and feature a pull-out mattress to give a guest (or two) room to sleep.

Once you've settled on a style of couch, you can begin to think more about the features that directly correlate to comfort, including:

✔️ Material: This largely hinges on your personal preferences, but some of the most common options include leather, polyester fabrics and natural fibers. Leather tends to be the most luxurious and pricey — and is also harder to clean. Polyester fabrics are more affordable and are generally stain-resistant — key for families with kids and pets. Natural fibers — like cotton or linen — are also popular, but our experts say they won't hold up as well to everyday use. These fabrics are best suited for rooms like a living room where aesthetics typically trump function.

✔️ Seat fill: Seat cushions are usually filled with a firm foam wrapped in a softer layer that may include down, down blends or polyester. The former tends to be plusher, but the latter is generally more affordable.

✔️ Frame: Though you won't always find this information in the specifications, our experts recommend doing some digging before you buy. Wood means the frame is solid hardwood and considered durable. Kiln-dried hardwood is even better (albeit more expensive) since the wood goes through a finishing process to help make it stronger and prevent warping. Particleboard, a wood blend, is the cheapest and least durable option.