Best Futon

OUR TOP PICK

DHP Twin-Over-Futon

We know. We’re a little shocked ourselves that what is essentially a pair of bunk beds should come out of our sifting process so strongly.

The point about the DHP over-futon is that it combines a somewhat fierce and futuristic styling with a very clean and functional aesthetic. There’s something of the porch swing about the DHP Over-Futon, with its standard couch-futon down below, set in a metal frame that looks as though it’s just crying out for some bookcases or shelves attached either side to let it merge effortlessly into the background of your room.

Then, along the top, where you might expect another storage shelf for books or media, there’s space for a twin mattress on top, so that users – and let’s face facts, in the case of the Over-Futon’s top bunk, we’re probably talking about kids – can have an elevated sleeping zone.

How would this possibly be a useful piece of furniture to own?

Sleepovers seem key to getting the most out of the Over-Futon. If you have limited bedroom space, and your kid needs a place to sleep on the weekends when you see them, the over-futon allows you to make bedtime fun, because climbing and elevation always seem to spark a kid’s imagination. But you can be there on the lower ‘bunk’ – to share time, to share space, and to be there if you’re needed in the night.

Alternatively, for sleepovers of your kids’ BFFs, this is a fun unit to have too, giving them chat-space without having the friend forced to make a pillow fort on the floor.

There are two ladders up to the top bunk, one on either side, though it’s up to you whether you leave both ladders accessible, or whether you slip the Over-Futon into a room-design that blocks one pathway off.

The top-side futon takes a twin mattress, but the guard rail is such that anything more luxurious than a 6-inch mattress begins to run the risk of the elevated sleeper rolling over and plunging to their not-exactly doom, but certainly to their bruising.

The Over-Futon’s metal tubular construction means it’s pretty much a self-construction job, and you may well need an extra pair of hands to make the work go faster and easier. What’s more, you’ll need to buy both the main, lower-bunk mattress and the upper bunk mattress separately, so there’s an inherent increase in the cost before you lay you down to sleep.

But the impressive functionality of the Over-Futon, and the fact that it’s available in five shades, from stark black to pink or blue, allowing it to match with a range of rooms, puts the DHP Over-Futon right at the top of our list of potentially best futons in the current market.

Pros:

• Double bunk functionality means it’s two futons for the price of one
• This is a highly effective option for bedroom-restricted living spaces
• Two ladders make for a fun choice when getting into the top bunk
• It’s available in a range of room-fitting color options

Cons:

• You have to construct the whole futon from scratch
• No mattresses are included, meaning additional cost

EDITORS CHOICE

DHP Emily Futon

We didn’t expect a double bill from DHP at the top of our list, either, but then the Emily came along to dazzle us into compliance.

Compared to the hardcore construction job of the Over-Futon, the Emily is a much more down-to-earth building project. It also has a much lower profile – nothing about the Emily in its couch configuration screams “Sleep here,” its button-tufted design speaking more of a classic, elegant couch design.

But the Emily has a simple secret in its split back, that allows it to transform easily from couch to bed without ever losing that sense of elegance.

The chrome legs are a strong visual feature that help with the semi-disguise the Emily wears in its couch configuration. In fact, it has that look that would see it at home everywhere from a high-end dentist’s waiting room to the medium-sized living room of an eligible bachelor around town.

There’s something altogether proper about the look of the Emily when it’s being a couch, with some vaguely French design cues that give it that touch of above-ordinary elegance.

But with a slide of the back, it’s easy to repurpose as a bed for visiting guests, or even for use as the main bed in the house or apartment, depending on space restrictions.

The cushions supplied made for a firm but springy mattress, and the velvet covering is both soft and warming.

If you’re going to use it as a bed, an under-sheet will help protect the cover of the futon, but it's also reasonably easy to clean after use as a bed, should you feel the need.

And if the firmness is not to your – or your guest’s – liking, a simple mattress topper can turn the firm Emily into the soft Emily with no extra hassle.

While the mattress topped would be an additional expense, it might be worth it if you intend to regularly slide the back down and get nocturnal with the Emily futon, but the joy is that beyond the expense, that’s a hassle-free option to make the Emily ready for anyone.

Pros:

• The Emily is easy to put together, certainly in comparison to some other futons on our list
• With its button-tufting and chrome legs, the Emily adds a degree of elegance to your living room
• It converts easily into a bed, and has a firm mattress feeling which many people love

Cons:

• It can be too firm for some people, meaning you may need to spend extra cash on a mattress topper if you use it regularly as a bed

BEST VALUE

Serta Rane Collection Convertible Sofa

If you like the dramatic looks of the Emily, but are on a tighter budget and also kind of want a slightly more chilled-out and less severe vibe than the Emily’s elegance provides, you’re probably looking for the Serta Rane.

With a modernistic look that doesn’t shout quite so loud about its chic credentials, you still get a couch with some clean lines here, and it’s available in a range of colors to match your room’s décor.

Less Parisian Dentist, more space-age comfort, the Serta Rane is covered in soft polyester, which makes cleaning a breeze, with just a vacuum and a soft brush. It has a shorter back section than the Emily too, so you get less of a feeling of sitting to attention.

That said, it’s also worth noting that while the Serta Rane is easy – even eager – to fold down into a bed, it only has the one fold-down position, so what you see is what you get here.

But when what you see is an effective, comfortable futon with high-density foam in its cushions for a supported seating option and a comfortable sleep, you can afford to take that for all it’s worth.

Beware if you’re on the taller side, though – it’s fine for people up to around 5’ 6’’, but if you’re over 6-feet, you might find your legs are left dangling off the edge of the Serta Rane.

Pros:

• This is a futon that’s a remarkably easy build – you simply have to screw the legs on to the otherwise constructed frame, so for those who are Ikea-challenged, this is a great option
• It slides easily from a couch to a fully reclined sleeping position
• Its cushions are made of high-density foam, so they’re both supportive and comfortable
• It’s covered in polyester, which makes for a soft surface, but also one that’s easy to keep clean

Cons:

• It’s remarkably low to the ground when in sofa mode, which can be disconcerting
• It’s potentially uncomfortable for taller users

RUNNER UP

Maxyoyo Japanese Futon

The Maxyoyo futon is a more authentic Japanese experience, being simply the mattress pad that first developed the idea of having an extra ‘bed’ available at the unrolling of a bundle.

Distinctly a futon for those who embrace the Japanese tradition of sleeping very low to the ground, there’s absolutely no construction involved here, but you do run the risk of potential aches and pains if you’re not versed in the use of such simple bed technology.

That said, there’s some generously plush quilting in the Maxyoyo that should prevent your feeling like you’ve just laid a sleeping bag on the floor.

That’s especially true when you realise the Maxyoyo is actually a memory foam mattress-style futon, so it’s a combination of traditional design and ultra-modern materials.

If you don’t yet have the courage to go traditional old-school, you can also use the Maxyoyo as your mattress topped on a sofa bed futon, and especially if you’re less than keen on things like air mattresses, it can be a great, easy alternative.

At just 4 inches in thickness, the Maxyoyo gives a surprising level of plushness and comfort, but again, it’s one you’ll have to get used to if you’re used to thicker mattresses or sleeping higher off the ground.

It’s also reasonably easy to roll up and store between uses, making it highly space-efficient compared to sofa bed futons, which tend to be relatively permanent, space-eating fixtures.

Pros:

• Using memory foam, the Maxyoyo futon gives you a lot more comfort than you’d imagine was possible in a 4-inch mattress
• It can be used either alone or as a mattress topper for a sofa bed futon to add a layer of comfort and luxury
• It’s a great space-saver compared to a standard sofa bed futon

Cons:

• If used on the floor, it takes some getting used to, especially when you get up

RUNNER UP

Novogratz Tallulah Memory Foam Futon

The Novogratz Tallulah is a combination that will appeal to fans of the Emily who want a more modern feel. Inspired by mid-century furniture fashions, it has a light green upholstery for a stylish look.

But it comes filled with memory foam for a very 21st century level of comfort.

With a simple two-stage recline, the Tallulah is an easy-slide futon that folds all the way flat for use as a bed, but the memory foam gives you all the support and comfort of some more expensive full beds.

As a bonus, the Tallulah acts as an antidote to the likes of the Serta Rane, being a comfortable fit for taller and heavier sleepers. People over 6-feet tall, and people weighing in at up to 360 pounds can each get a comfortable night’s sleep on the unfolded Tallulah, so you get a combination that gives you mid-century style, 21st century comfort, and an all-inclusive feel that can accommodate any guests who happen to drop by in need of a place to crash.

Available in six color variants to match both your décor and your personal sense of style, the Tallulah is a statement couch with more than a few 21st-century comfort secrets stashed up its sleeves.

Pros:

• The Tallulah brings a touch of mid-century charm to your room
• It’s available in six color variants to match – and highlight – any room you put it in
• It has a simple slide-down to a flat bed
• The memory foam here is a touch of 21st century luxury and comfort
• The Tallulah can comfortably sleep people over 6 feet in height, and up to 350 pounds

Cons:

• The mid-century style can feel overly formal for some rooms
• The price of the Tallulah can be off-putting