﻿Buying Guide and FAQ for Sleeper Sofas, Sofa Beds and Pullout Beds


I received my sleeper sofa today and absolutely love it! Just wanted to thank you for making the entire process so streamlined and user-friendly and with such a fantastic final product!

All the best,


Brooklyn, NY

Sleeper Sofa Buying Guide and FAQs


Sofa Bed Sizes

Perhaps the first step to finding your perfect sleeper is to determine which size to start browsing in.  Often, dimension ranges overlap between one size and the next closest option.  Sizing for our sleeper sofas is determined by the size of the mattress inside. We carry 7 core sizes: Chair (Cot); Loveseat (Twin); Full; Queen; King; Chaise Sectional; and True Sectional.
The dimensions of any particular sleeper sofa will be primarily determined by two factors.  First, of course, will be the bed size within.  After determining the mattress size, the next factor in your sofa's overall size will be the style, as sofas with smaller, more compact arms will have smaller dimensions than sofas with larger arms.  Here is a table showing the ranges for overall dimensions (length) for all our sleeper sofa sizes:
Sleeper Size and Dimension Table
Sleeper Dimension Ranges
Mattress Width
49" to 65"
30" to 34"
50" to 68"
36" to 39"
67" to 83"
52" to 55"
75" to 96"
58" to 62"
King Sleeper Sofas84" to 92"74" to 76"
99" x 59" to 132" x 86"
52" to 66"
113" x 87" to 125" x 65"
52" to 66"
Ottoman (Sleepers)44" to 68"30" to 54"

What are the top sleeper sofa brands?

We offer sleeper sofas from a wide range of brands, including: American Leather, Bernhardt, Lazar Industries, Leather Living, Natuzzi, Palliser, Stanton, and our very own Savvy Sleepers brand.  Find a table of the best sleeper sofa brands below.
Top Sleeper Sofa Brands
Natuzzi:Greatest selection and value in leather
American Leather:Best Sleeper Sofa in the world
Luonto:Best new brand with revolutionary mechanisms
Stanton:Great selection and value made in the Pacific Northwest
Palliser:Superior comfort with sleeper and reclining options
Lazar:Most custom options with exceptional quality
Earth Designs:Most eco-conscious Sleeper Sofa
Bernhardt:Best workmanship and detailing made in America

Once you've selected your favorite sleeper in a particular size and brand, it is time to make the piece truly yours. Our website is tailored to help you do that, first by choosing the perfect upholstery, and then by adding the right mattress upgrade, sheets, and accessories if so desired. You can do all of this within our custom Design Center:


What types of mattresses are there for sleeper sofas?

The mattresses we offer in our sleeper sofas are much better than what used to be available for a sofa sleeper, including terrific memory foam sleeper sofa mattresses.  The mattress options due vary by brand, and you can see the options for any style by clicking on UPGRADES when customizing your sleeper.  For example, our Savvy brand sleepers include a 6.5" thick Dreamsleeper by default, but also offer an Air-Dream upgrade or a Gel-Infused Memory Foam.  American Leather's Comfort Sleeper come standard with a fairly firm Premiere Mattress, but can also be upgraded to a Gel-Infused Memory Foam, or a Tempur-Pedic Top-Tier Mattress.

What's the best sleeper sofa?

About 15 years ago, American Leather introduced the Comfort Sleeper--widely accepted as the best sleeper sofa ever made. In the time since, several imitations have been made, several of which can now rival the comfort and quality of American Leather's now updated versions, including the My Comfort by Palliser and several options from Luonto. All the while, the more traditional bar-and-canvas system has been vastly improved as well, with the bar moved away from the back area and the included mattresses far improved. what's the best sleeper sofa mattress? Sleeper mattress options often depend on the style and brand. Not all sleeper mattresses will necessarily work for all sleeper sofas--so be sure to ask or at least double-check dimensions. Generally speaking, foam mattresses (memory foam or gel) are ideal for sleeper sofas, because there are no metal springs that will deteriorate over time. 


Can a Sleeper Sofa be Used Every Day?

Some sleepers are made for daily/nightly use, but not all. Futons are generally not suitable for this. A sleeper with the bar-and-canvas system is ideal for moderate use of about 3 nights per week, as long as it has an updated mechanism. Premium sleepers, such as those by American Leather, are designed to be used each and every night as a bed. 


How to make a sleeper sofa more comfortable?

Most sleeper sofas are far more comfortable today than they were several years ago. When purchasing a sleeper, make sure you're getting an upgraded mechanism, with the bar moved away from the small of your back. Additionally, consider upgrading to a memory foam or gel mattress for maximum comfort. There are also premium sleeper options, such as the Comfort Sleepers by American Leather, which do away completely with the bar-and-canvas system, in favor of a wood platform bed. 


How much does a sleeper sofa weigh?

Most queen sleeper sofas weigh about 180 lbs. Most of the weight is in the sleeper mechanism, generally made from steel. Smaller sizes weigh less, as do futon sofa sleeper styles. Some premium sleeper sofas, like the Comfort Sleepers by American Leather, weigh approximately 250 lbs. in the Queen size, due to the wooden platform used for the bed. 


How Much Weight Can a Sleeper Sofa Hold?

The sleeping weight limit on a sleeper depends on the size and manufacturer. However, the following is a good rule of thumb: a twin sleeper holds one person who weighs up to 250 pounds. Full size sleepers hold twice that, supporting two people up to 250 pounds each. Queen sleepers support up to 600 pounds, and King sleepers up to 650 lbs. 


How to repair sleeper sofa?

The first step in repairing a sleeper sofa is to diagnose the problem. Sleeper sofas are component based units, including a sofa frame, a sleeper mechanism, cushions, mattress, and more. Once the issue has been identified, that precise component can more easily be repaired, or perhaps replaced. For example, replacing a sleeper mechanism is far more cost effective than replacing an entire sleeper sofa. 


What is the typical lead-time for ordering a sleeper sofa?

We offer MILLIONS of different sleeper sofas. In order to offer this selection and deliver the perfect sleeper for your home, we specially make the sleeper of your choice upon order. Often, building these special orders take several weeks, but every product has different requirements, so lead times do vary. Every product page on our site states the estimated lead time at the top of the page. We also carry up to 150 of our most popular sleeper sofas on hand at all times and ready to deliver. So, if you're in need of something ASAP, be sure to check out our Quick-Ship Gallery.

How to buy a sleeper sofa?

There are many things to consider when purchasing a sleeper sofa. A great place to start is size. For sleepers, the sizes are based on bed size, such as queen and twin. Next, choose between a basic mechanism (widest variety), a premium platform bed sleeper (highest end) or a futon (lowest end). Once you've selected the size and sleeper type, you can browse all the available styles, and finally select your favorite fabric or leather.


Sleeper sofa or futon?

The main difference between a sleeper sofa and a futon is that a sleeper has a separate mattress that comes out when you open the mechanism, whereas a futon folds down to create the sleeping space. This is both the largest disadvantage to a futon, but often also the main advantage. In small areas, lengthwise, a futon is a great space-saving option. However, sofa cushions and mattress are meant to provide different needs, and the cushions used in a futon attempt to mimic both but often fall short on both ends. That said, there are some new premium sleeper sofa options (especially those offered by Luonto) which open in the same way as standard futons, but have specially engineered memory foam which do a really good job of providing the needs for sitting and for sleeping on the same surface. 


Are there sleeper sofas without a mattress?

The vast majority of sleeper sofas include a mattress. But if you're looking for an option that does not require removing the cushions or pulling out the mattress from underneath, there are options available, including futon styles, certain European mechanisms which fold down from the top of the sofa, and some unique new designs available from Luonto. Natuzzi is a brand which offers a great selection of Euro mech sleepers, primarily in leather. Luonto's sleepers offer several unique and ingenious designs there the cushions slide out, in, or around to make a bed. 


What are the common upholsteries for sleeper sofas?

We offer several hundred fabrics and leathers for our sleepers in order for you to match your families needs with the look of your home.  Click START CUSTOMIZING to select your upholstery.  Upholstery choices are grouped by Fabric or Leather (if applicable), and further by our custom tags, such as 'Off-Whites', 'Durables', 'Browns', etc..  Check the description for care information and fiber content.  We focus heavily on exceptionally durable upholsteries that will stand the test of time--and large families!


What is a loveseat sleeper sofa?

Loveseat sleepers provide a comfortable sleeping option for a single adult. Loveseat sleepers are available in a array of styles and upholsteries, from fabric to leather. The most common bed size for this size sleeper is a twin mattress. We offer loveseat sleeper sofas from 8 different brands, so you can easily find an model that will match the style and design of any room in your home. 


What is a chair sleeper sofa?

Chair Sleepers are the most compact way to add an extra guest bed to your home. Chair sleepers now come in all types of styles and upholsteries, and can be made as small as 45" across. Even in the chair size, we offer several mattress options, including 6.5" thick innerspring, memory foam, and gel memory foam. 


What is a cot sleeper?

A cot size sleeper sofa refers to the size of the mattress. A cot is generally a bit larger than a single bed, yet can still sleep a single adult comfortably. The most commong cot size sleeper sofas are Chair Sleepers, which will usually include a cot size mattress. Also, most ottoman sleepers on the market, such as those by Lazar and Emerald, include a cot size sleeper as well. 

What is a sleeper sofa bed?

A sleeper sofa bed is a couch with the ability to convert to a bed, and generally includes a sleeper mechanism and a mattress and 2 positions - closed, for sitting; and open, for sleeping. Other terms include sleeper, sleeper sofa, convertible sofa, and sofa bed. Futons are a similar product type, however generally the surface used for sitting and sleeping is the same, whereas sleeper sofas have a dedicated surface for sitting and a dedicated surface for sleeping, and are generally considered higher quality. 


Overview, in Rap Form

Max from the Sleepers Team shares his advice on finding your perfect sleeper...to a beat!



That's our business in a nutshell.  We hope it helps.  Enjoy!