Top 8 best futons (2023 comprehensive reviews)

Futon is a convertible sofa that can be turned into a bed, which makes it a cheap alternative to a real bed. You are looking for the best, most comfortable, cheap futon because you want:

An extra bed for guests that might stay over when you host a party.
A convertible couch that can turn into a bed to fit your small living space.
Or, a cheap and stylish couch to decorate a less used room.

You have come to the right place!

In this article, I’ll review with you the best futons in different categories – comfort, design, and price.

Keep reading to find your perfect futon bed!

What makes the best futon for you?

There are a few questions you need to ask yourself before deciding what futon is best for you.

Usage frequency

To decide what makes the best futon mattress, you need to think about what your purpose of purchasing a futon is.

Will you sleep on it a lot?
Do you or any other users who might sleep on it have back pain?
Will you flip the futon between a seater and a sleeper frequently?
What for and how frequently you use the futon essentially determines what kind of futon you will need.

Comfort

If you want to use the futon as a bed occasionally, comfort and durability may be compromised.

You will need a high quality futon mattress if you want to sleep on it daily.

Structure design

If you are planning to flip it between a couch and a bed daily, the structure of the futon and the mattress should be able to handle the wear and tear.

With daily flipping, the mattress should be divided in sections for easy folding back to the sitting position.

That will also help with keeping the mattress in a good condition for long because, otherwise, the mattress will tear and split at the fold.

Comfort needs

Different quality levels of futon mattresses determines the comfort you get.

Body Weight

Generally speaking, a 6 to 8-in mattress will provide enough comfort for a 150lb person.

If you are heavier, look for a high quality mattress with high-density foam filling.

Firm or soft?

Depending on your taste, there are firmer or softer futon mattresses.

However, you should stay away from thin, low-density futon mattresses. They are cheaper, but will become saggy really quick. And you may even feel the futon frame below the mattress, attacking your body.

Back pain

If you have back pain, you will want a memory foam or encased coil mattress to get contouring support.

However, a futon, which is meant to be cheaper than a real bed, does not usually have memory foam filling.

Therefore, if you have back pain, you should invest in a high quality mattress.

How to make your futon more comfortable?

You can work around a lower quality futon by putting a mattress topper on top of it.

A mattress topper is easy to fold and store away, making it convenient to flip the futon daily between a bed and a chair.

Your leg length

If you want to look like a real boss sitting on your futon (or just to feel comfortable), pick one that fits your body.

The seat height should be a bit less than the length from your feet to the back of your knee.

While you sit, your feet should lay flat on the ground while your thighs touch the futon slightly or a bit or are a bit higher than the futon.

Overview of the best futons

KODIAK Monterey Futon Set

Best of best

Medium firm
As a chair: 82 x 37 x 33 inches
As a bed: full size, 8-inch thick
Mattress: 8-inch thick
Supports up to 660 lbs
Upholstery: 100% Polyester
Filling: Polyester, foam, Bonnell springs
Frame: Solid hard wood
Assembly: 1-3 hours
Assembly service at extra cost

NIRVANA Stanford Futon Set

Best warranty

Medium firm
As a chair: 80 x 32 x 33.5 inches
As a bed: 80 x 54 x 22.5 (full size)
Mattress: 8-inch thick
Supports up to 660 lbs
Upholstery: Solid twill or microfiber
Filling: Poly-cotton and high-density foam
Frame: Wood from sustainable source
Assembly: 1-3 hours
Warranty: 4 years for mattress, 5 years for frame

DHP Ivana futon

Best design, good quality

Firm, contouring support, no motion transfer
As a chair: 81.5 x 34 x 34 inches
As a bed: 73 x 44 x 18.5 (bigger than twin size)
Supports up to 600 lbs
Upholstery: Velvety material
Filling: Pocketed coils
Assembly: 1-2 hours
Ships in one box

1. KODIAK FURNITURE Monterey Futon Set

Medium firm, motion transfer
As a chair: 82 x 37 x 33 inches
As a bed: full size, 8-inch thick
Upholstery: 100% Polyester
Filling: Polyester, foam, Bonnell springs
Frame: Solid hard wood - Sturdy
Assembly: 2-4 hours
Assembly service at extra cost

If you want the most comfortable futon for lounging at the weekends or for guests to sleep on, this is it. This futon set is known for its comfort.

The thick and dense foam filling provides even support. And it lasts long!

This guest bed falls into the mid-high price range. So, it is a pretty good deal for all the comfort you get

What makes this futon comfy?

The mattress utilizes 13 gauge bonnell springs and layers of flexible CertiPur-US foam (Polyurethane foam).

Bonnell springs give even support, which is better for sitting and sleeping than those sink-in futon mattresses.

CertiPur-US means the foam qualifies the US standards for health and safety set for mattresses.

Easy to assemble (assembly service available)

If you are relatively fit, this can be a one-person job for about 2 hours.

You may need an extra hand to fold the mattress into the sitting position due to the thick and heavy mattress.

Well, that is probably the most common trade-off between comfort and portability.

If you want a peace of mind, you can pay for professionals to come and assemble it for you.

And you will get your futon after just an hour.

What helps it last long?

The wooden sturdy frame is definitely better than stylish pointy plastic legs of some modern futons.

There is a layer of X between the springs and the foam to prevent the foam from sinking into the spring.

The tufts keep the mattress components in place, preventing them from shifting.

These two points mean it will take a much longer time for the mattress to become saggy.

The unique hinge of the mattress connecting the back to the seat allows easy transformation between the sitting and the sleeping position.

In other words, if you flip the mattress between a lounger and a sleeper daily, the hinge relieves the pressure put on the part where the mattress folds.

That means the mattress and the fabric will be less likely to wear and tear even under frequent flipping.

The down falls: motion transfer and firmness

Bonnell springs are known for motion transfer, which means if you have to get up in the middle of the night, your partner next to you will feel the motion and be waken up.

That means it can be hard to sleep on a bonnell-spring mattress with another person(s).

However, this futon mattress is still good for 2 people to sleep on.

This is thanks to the structure of the mattress – 2 halves (the seat and the back) connected by a hinge.

So, if you bounce on one half of the mattress, your partner on the half will not feel it as much.

This mattress is firmer than cheap futon mattresses and will give even support, which is better for sitting and sleeping.

However, if you are looking for a softer seater or something that provides custom support for different body regions, this futon is not for you.

With that being said, if you have back pain, you may not want to sleep on this futon.

Comfort. Good for long sitting and maybe sleeping as the mattress provides even support
Easy to assemble
Expert assembly service at extra cost
Sturdy frames made from solid hard wood
Lasts long
A good amount of reviews and ratings on Amazon
Reasonably priced
You can use your own mattress on top of the frame

Not good if you prefer a soft bed
Does not provide contouring support like a memory foam mattress or a pocketed spring mattress
Motion transfer, might affect your sleep if you have a partner who rolls a lot

2. KODIAK FURNITURE Monterey Futon Set with Storage Drawers

Medium firm, motion transfer
As a chair: 82 x 37 x 33 inches
As a bed: full size
Mattress:, 8-inch thick
Upholstery: 100% Polyester
Filling: Polyester, foam, Bonnell springs
Frame: Solid hard wood
Assembly: 2-4 hours
Assembly service at extra cost

This futon is a more expensive version of the first one. The difference is that this futon has storage drawers to keep your room look clean.

3. (Best warranty) NIRVANA Stanford Futon Set - Futon Frame with 8-inch Mattress

Medium firm
As a chair: 80 x 32 x 33.5 inches
As a bed: 80 x 54 x 22.5 (seat height) (full size)
Mattress: 8-inch thick
Upholstery: Solid twill or microfiber
Filling: Poly-cotton and high-density foam
Frame: Sturdy, wood from sustainable plantations
Assembly: 2-4 hours
Warranty: 4 years for mattress, 5 years for frame

This futon is the best for its warranty policy. The wooden frame is very sturdy while the mattress is firm and comfortable. The whole set will last for years plus the warranty for 4-5 years.

You can also use your own mattress on the frame once this mattress is wear and tear.

This high-quality futon bed is surely a worry-free purchase!

Attention: The frame and the mattress ship separately. Therefore, the Amazon tracking is only applicable for the frame. To get the tracking code for the mattress, you need to message the seller.

According to customers, the mattress usually arrives a few days after frame. However, the mattress might arrive much later although it’s rare.

Available in full and queen size.

5-year limited manufacturer’s warranty for frame
4-year limited manufacturer’s warranty for mattress
Comfortable, firm and thick mattress — good for sleeping
You can use your own mattress on top of the frame

Frame and mattress ship separately, in which the mattress can arrive much later than the frame
Mattress is not made for converting frequently – heavy and hard to fold into the couch position

4. (Best design, good quality) DHP Ivana Futon

Firm, contouring support, no motion transfer
As a chair: 81.5 x 34 x 34 inches
As a bed: 73 x 44 x 18.5 (seat height) (bigger than twin size)
109 lbs
Supports up to 600 lbs
Upholstery: Velvety material
Filling: Pocketed coils
Legs: Tapered wooden, padded
Assembly: 1-2 hours
Ships in one box

This stylish vintage DHP futon folding bed is very popular on multiple websites and even in Wayfair.

It is very sturdy (support up to 600 lbs) and comfortable. You can order matching accent chairs and ottomans in the same link to give your living room a consistent look.

The best thing is that it’s designed for flipping between a sofa and a bed. This means it will last longer if you plan to flip the futon daily.

Contouring support and no motion transfer thanks to the pocketed coils
Cushion: Thick, comfortable, firm, no motion transfer
Designed for flipping between a sofa and a bed
Sturdy, support up to 600 lbs
Can order matching accent chairs and ottoman

Sleeping on the flipped out part (the back rest) might feel bumpy because of the tufts

5. (Best Storage Solution) DHP Hartford Storage Sectional Futon with Interchangeable Chaise

Firm
Sectional sofa: 60.5 x 84 x 32 inches
Ottoman: 17 x 27 x 51 inches
As a bed (with ottoman): 60.5 x 84 x 17 inches (bigger than queen size)
Sectional sofa: 137 lbs | Ottoman: 44 lbs
Upholstery: Black faux leather or grey Chenille
Assembly: 1-2 hours
Currently only ottoman available

This is a great buy for its sleek design and storage solution. It’s definitely not as comfortable as the thicker mattresses. But, it makes a great guest bed.

It’s a stylish sectional sofa with the back convertible to a lounger and a bed. One person can lounge or sleep comfortably on it.

When flipped out flat, it’s a twin bed.

If you want to turn it into a queen bed, simply add the matching ottoman to your order. It’s in the same link below.

The coolest thing? – It’s the storage solution that this futon bed offers!

You can find a lot of storage space in the sectional and the ottoman. Perfect for a small living space.

Stylish
Big storage compartment in the chaise and the ottoman
The back can flipped back into multiple positions: sofa, lounger, bed

Back rest is short, no head support
Not comfy, which you can fix by putting a mattress topper on it

Currently sold out. Only Ottoman is available

6. (Cheap, for decoration) Novogratz Brittany Sofa Futon Set

Thin, low density foam
A a sofa: 81.5 x 34.5 x 31.5 inches
As a bed: 70.5 x 43.5 x 16 inches
Support up to 600 lbs
Upholstery: Linen
Filling: Polyester and foam
Frame: Wood. Leg: Slanted oak colored wooden
Assembly: 0.5-1 hours
1-year warranty

This futon is best for the price. If you are looking for a stylish yet cheap futon just to decorate the room, then this is it!

Plus, a lot of people have bought it (more than 1200 ratings on Amazon)!

This futon also comes in various stylish colors, and you can order matching accent chairs and ottomans in the same link! It is definitely a good choice for decorative purposes.

However, the mattress does not give enough support for sitting for a long time or sleeping on it. Additionally, when it’s flattened out to make a bed (a bit bigger than a twin size bed), there is a gap in the middle which makes it hard to sleep comfortably.

If you want to turn it into a bed, I suggest buying a mattress pad to put on top of the futon. It will make your sleep more comfortable by giving you better support.

With products that you can assemble yourself and have tiny legs like this futon, I recommend against misuses like bouncing on it.

Suggestion for use

Entry room
Photo studio
Anywhere that the futon will be less frequently used

Stylish and comes in various colors
Can order matching accent chairs and ottomans
More than 1,200 ratings on Amazon
Does not leave you sweaty
Easy to assemble

Not suitable for long sittings
Not suitable for sleeping (however you can put a mattress pad on it if you do want to sleep on it)
Not sturdy enough to withstand misuses

7. Novogratz Tallulah Memory Foam Futon Set

This futon is best for its style. You can order matching accent chairs to give your living room a royal feel. It comes in various vibrant colors that will brighten your place up.

Thin
A a sofa: 83 x 33.5 x 32.5 inches
As a bed: 73 x 44 x 17.5 inches
Support up to 600 lbs
Upholstery: Velvet
Filling: High-density foam and memory foam
Frame: Wood | Leg: wood.
Assembly: 0.5-1 hours
1-year warranty

This futon looks stylish and is available in different plain colors. In the same link, you can also order matching accent chairs, which will give your living room a consistent theme.

What’s good about this futon is it can be reclined to lounge (45 degrees) and sleeping position besides the normal sitting position. Additionally, the two halves can be reclined separately.

When the futon is flipped out as a bed, you can find a fold out leg in each side of the back for extra support (just unzip it).

Regarding the filling, the description says it’s made of memory foam and high-density foam.

However, customer reviews report that this futon falls in the hard category instead of giving contouring support like a real memory mattress would. This maybe because the cushion is not thick enough to give max comfort.

With this being said, it is not ideal to sleep on this futon mattress constantly. It is more suitable for occasional guests or a lounging room.

Suggestion for use

Lounging room
Extra bed for occasional guest

Easy to assemble
Stylish and comes in various colors
Can order matching accent chairs
There are additional legs for the back rest for a stable bed
3 reclined positions
1-year warranty

Harder than a normal memory foam mattress
Does not give contouring support

8. DHP Emily Futon Couch Bed

Thin
A a sofa: 71 x 34.5 x 32 inches
As a bed: 71 x 43 x 16 inches (A bit bigger than twin size)
72.5 lbs
Support up to 600 lbs
Upholstery: Linen or Faux leather
Filling: High-density foam and memory foam
Frame: Wood | Leg: Chrome metal.
Assembly: 10-20 minutes
N/A

This futon is bought mainly for its aesthetic values. With its minimalistic yet stylish design and colors, the futon can add a fancy touch to your room.

Other than the sitting position, it can be reclined to about 45 degrees and flat, making it nice to lounge on.

The cushion falls on the firm end of the spectrum. While some people love hard mattresses, lots of customers do not like sitting or sleeping on it. Some reviews also say that the mattress is so thin that they can feel the frame underneath.

The solution to this is to put a comfy mattress topper on top of the futon, which many customers have done to work around the comfort issue of this furniture. This may be a little more work, but definitely saves money than buying a higher end futon bed.

One thing to keep in mind: the futon bed will tip over if the majority of weight is distributed on the back side. This is because it does not come with extra legs or a longer frame to support the back when it’s laid flat for sleeping. All for the aesthetics!

Suggestion for use

Living room
An extra bed for occasional guest
Need a mattress topper for comfort

Lots of people have bought it (nearly 5,000 ratings, 3.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon)
Stylish, modern design
Can pair with matching chaise lounger and ottomans available in the same link
Easy to assemble

Thin foam
Reported to sag and tear
Need to pay attention to weight distribution (don’t sleep only on the back rest part)

What's my recommendation for the best futon?

If you want to sleep on the futon every night, or just want more comfort, go for the first one on the list Kodiak Furniture Monterey Futon Set

For a worry-free purchase, check the NIRVANA Stanford Futon Set for its generous warranty policy (5-year for frame and 4-year for mattress)

For a stylish couch that is a medium-high comfort, go for the DHP Ivana Futon

If you are only looking for a cheap sofa for decoration, go for the Novogratz Brittany Sofa Futon Set

FAQ about futons

Is it bad to sleep on a futon?

It is totally safe to sleep on a futon as long as it is a high-quality and high-density foam mattress. If you want extra comfort, just put a mattress topper on.

However, if it is a cheap, thin and low-density mattress, you might feel the frame of the futon underneath. The saggy, shifted foam might also cause body pain.

Therefore, it is worth it to invest in a higher quality futon if you want to sleep on it regularly.

Can you sleep on a futon every night?

The short answer is yes. Whether or not you can sleep on a futon depends on your needs and the quality of the futon.

Cheap futons or mattresses that are not well made and do not give enough support for your body may cause serious issues.

In the short term, you might experience body pain the next morning due to the weird support the mattress might give you.

High quality futons that use better foam and springs will give you more support and, hence, enhance you sleep posture at night.

Just keep in mind that a futon cannot be compared with a high-quality bed.

How to make your futon more comfortable?