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The most affordable option for lounging and snoozing.

Futons have always been a go-to for college students living in off-campus apartments, but convertible furniture is having a moment, with guest bedrooms being converted to home offices and visiting distant family a priority this summer. Futons are much more affordable than sleeper sofas and can be just as comfortable, and these days there are modern options on the market in addition to the classic futons with Mission-style wooden frames. Read on our top picks, plus shopping advice and tips.

Mattress quality should be your main focus—especially if you’re using the futon as your bed, not just sleeping space for overnight guests. You’ll likely want one with innersprings, though there are some made with high-density or memory foam that can also offer good support. Futon mattresses don’t always come in standard sizes, which you’ll also want to keep in mind if you’re sleeping on it nightly. If you have pets or regularly eat on the couch, it’s smart to look for futons have a replaceable cover. Classic futons typically have a sloped back and a wooden frame, and there are options that look more like traditional sofas. If you need extra storage, there are also futons with drawers at the base.

Every futon we cover has an average rating of four stars or more. During our research, we read through countless customers reviews and zeroed in on comfort and durability while making our selections. We feature futons in several styles and sizes, including options for extra-small spaces, plus offer choices to suit all budgets, ranging from $550 to roughly $900 on the high end.

Key Specs • Dimensions: 71.5 33 x 32 inches • Upholstery Material: Polyester blend • Frame Material: Solid wood

Novogratz is a brand known for its stylish and well-priced, on-trend furniture and home accessories. This streamline armless futon sofa is covered in a navy polyester fabric, with a textured weave to look like linen, featuring a button-tufted split back and deep seating with thick piping at the edges. The chunky tapered wooden legs are true to the era’s style, and there are middle feet, which gives the foam mattress extra support.

• Dimensions: 76 x 37 x 31 inches • Upholstery Material: Polyester suede • Frame Material: Solid wood

This chic futon is crafted from solid hardwood and covered in a soft polyester suede material. There’s subtle tufting and the armless design gives the futon a clean, modern look. The full innerspring mattress is 8 inches thick with medium firmness, and detaches from the frame, which only comes in a mocha finish. However. there are 12 color and fabric options to consider. including gray polyester suede and linen charcoal.

Key Specs • Dimensions: 44 x 86 x 37 inches • Upholstery Material: Polyester • Frame Material: Solid wood

If you have more to spend, this futon comes in several neutral tones, including gray, black, and chocolate brown, and it has a heftier wooden frame than our budget pick. There’s also a tufted back and has more of a classic style to its design. The innerspring and foam mattress is 8 inches thick, slightly smaller than a standard full size, and several customers note that it's "firm" and "supportive."

• Dimensions: 80 x 37 x 31 inches • Upholstery Material: Faux leather • Frame Material: Solid wood

This handsome, distressed faux-leather futon features a tufted back and contrast stitching, with a hardwood frame and Mission-style-inspired arms. We love the saddle brown with the honey-colored frame, but it also comes in several neutral-tone combinations. The innerspring mattress is a standard full size and the futon gets high marks nearly across the board, with 96 percent of customers giving it four stars or more, saying it “looks like real leather” and that it’s “as comfortable as it is beautiful.”

Key Specs • Dimensions: 83 x 33.5 x 32.5 inches • Upholstery Material: Velvet • Frame Material: Solid wood

If you need extra sleeping space but don’t love the style of a classic futon, look no further than this swoon-worthy sofa. Covered in velvet—and available in neutral and jewel-tone hues—it features a button-tufted split back and arms with diamond-pattern stitching, a detail that adds an elegant touch to its Midcentury-modern-inspired style. It also has classic angled wooden legs and center feet to lend support to its memory foam mattress, plus the back can be reclined to lounge position.

Key Specs • Dimensions: 82 x 54 x 33 inches • Upholstery Material: Faux-suede polyester • Frame Material: Solid wood

Under-bed storage is always a plus, but when you’re living in tight quarters and don’t have room for a dresser, it’s absolutely essential. This futon features double drawers at the base that open on tracks and have wheels underneath, making them easy to slide out on an area rug or carpeting. The frame is crafted out of hardwood and there’s a full-size innerspring mattress that’s detachable and covered in a faux-suede polyester fabric. The futon comes in a choice of six frame finishes and upholstered in more than a dozen shades, including charcoal gray and mocha.

Key Specs • Dimensions: 66 x 33 x 29.5 inches • Upholstery Material: Polyester • Frame Material: Kiln-dried hardwood; metal

Classic Midcentury-modern style paired with sleek polished chrome legs give this tufted futon glam vibes. It’s from top mattress brand Serta and opens to a twin-size bed made with high-density foam, though the futon's seat is supported by coil springs, so it’s just as comfortable for watching TV as getting a good night sleep. The frame is constructed of kiln-dried hardwood and its easy-to-clean polyester fabric comes in a range of hues, including navy and black.

Key Specs • Dimensions: 60 x 41 x 22 inches • Upholstery Material: Polyester • Frame Material: Metal

This lounger is your best bet if you’re short on square footage and want a futon to host an occasional overnight guest. It’s a petite 5 feet wide, covered in a soft, faux-suede polyester fabric, with two cozy overstuffed back pillows and black metal frame that gives it a modern look. There are hinged arms that fold down to create a flat sleeping surface, and while the mattress isn’t as wide as a standard twin, it’s 20 inches longer, measuring 6.6 feet for plenty of room to stretch out. It's available in an array of attractive colors if you're looking to spruce up your space even more.

Key Specs • Dimensions: 32 x 30 x 23 inches • Upholstery Material: Polyurethane • Frame Material: Foam fill

A futon sleeper chair is the answer if you have even less space to spare, and this multicolored striped option is sure to brighten up dim dorm rooms and one-window studios. Made with high-density foam, it offers comfortable floor seating and it opens to a 6-inch-thick cushion perfect for chilling out, afternoon naps, or crashing for the night. It's a customer favorite, with an average 4.6 stars, and one enthusiastic reviewer calls it “super comfy and super cool!” and says it’s “perfect for my son’s college apartment.”