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Despite usually being a step up from an air mattress, traditional sofa bed mattresses have a bad reputation for being uncomfortable, but these mattresses have come a long way from the days of feeling too thin or too firm and offering unbalanced support. Similar to a futon mattress, a space-saving sofa bed turns an ordinary couch into a guest bedroom with a bit of unfolding.
Finding the right sofa bed mattress depends on the mattress type, proper fit, and the right amount of comfort. When these features align, the bed turns any space into a welcome place for guests.
Keep reading to learn about the different kinds of sofa bed mattresses, and check out our picks for some of the best sofa bed mattresses that help guests wake up feeling fresh and well rested.
- BEST OVERALL: Milliard 4.5-Inch Memory Foam Replacement Mattress
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Dynasty Mattress 4-Inch Cool Gel Memory Foam
- BEST COIL: Leggett & Platt AirDream Inflatable Mattress
- BEST COOLING: Classic Brands 4.5-Inch Cool Gel Memory Foam
- BEST MEMORY-FOAM: PlushBeds Sofa Bed Memory Foam Mattress
- BEST LATEX: PlushBeds Latex Sofa Bed Mattress
- ALSO CONSIDER: PlushBeds Cooling Gel Mattress for Sleeper Sofa
How We Chose the Best Sofa Bed Mattresses
We researched the best sofa bed mattresses in a variety of categories with high customer satisfaction. The evaluation process for being selected as part of the top picks list involved the product’s material, thickness, size, and special features included by the top brands.
Memory-foam mattresses were among the most popular options available. However, the list does include innerspring options for those who prefer a firm mattress. The top picks include mattresses varying between 4.5 and 5 inches thick for comfort and support.
The list features mattresses in full, twin, and queen sizes to accommodate a variety of sleeper sofas. Additionally, we prioritized mattresses that are CertiPUR-US certified, dual layered, and hypoallergenic.
Our Top Picks
Once the sofa bed frame has been measured, and the type of mattress required is known, it’s easier to narrow down the selection for the best sofa bed mattress. The following represent some of the best sofa bed mattresses for a variety of situations and preferences.
Best Overall
Milliard 4.5-Inch Memory Foam Replacement Mattress
The Milliard memory-foam sofa mattress takes the top spot not because it is outstanding in any single area, but because it offers a combination of benefits at a competitive price. This all-round value makes it the best sofa bed mattress for the widest range of needs.
The Milliard mattress uses dual layers: one of memory foam and one of polyurethane foam. This maximizes comfort and support. It meets the independent CertiPUR-US standard for low emissions, and high durability. The removable waterproof jacquard cover is soft to the touch, with airflow vents to prevent heat build-up. It is also machine washable.
This mattress is available as a twin, full, or queen to fit most fold-out sleeper sofas, ensuring that buyers have options to find the right size. No matter how many times visitors stay, this mattress returns to its original shape for many years of use, extending the lifetime of the investment.
Product Specs
- Material: Memory foam
- Thickness: 4.5 inches
- Mattress size: Twin, full, or queen
Pros
- 4.5-inch-thick dual foam construction for full body support and comfort
- Soft touch cover is waterproof yet breathable, and can be machine washed
- Available in 2 sizes to fit most modern pull-out couch sizes
Cons
- Like many mattresses, it has a fiberglass inner liner so is not recommended for babies
Get the Milliard sofa bed mattress at Amazonor Milliard.
. Best Bang for the Buck
DynastyMattress 4.5-inch Cool Gel Memory Foam
This cool gel memory-foam sofa bed mattress by Dynasty Mattress checks boxes for important features that contribute to a comfortable night’s sleep. A 2-inch foam support base offers needed stability and support, while a 2-inch gel-infused memory foam adheres to the base layer, giving overnight guests a comfortable surface that conforms to their body, relieves pressure points, and keeps them cool. This material provides alignment for the neck and spine, helping ensure guests wake up without the aches and pains of sleeping on a traditional sofa bed mattress.
Designed to fit most standard sofa beds, this replacement mattress comes in two sizes to ensure a compatible fit. Both sizes are 72 inches long and 4 inches thick, with a width of either 53 or 58 inches. With the right fit, this mattress folds up nicely inside most sleeper sofas. Keeping the mattress clean is easy; between guest stays, remove the zipper cover for machine washing.
Product Specs
- Material: Gel memory foam
- Thickness: 4 inches
- Mattress size: Full or queen
Pros
- Gel offers a cool sleeping surface that provides a pleasant night’s sleep
- Dual layers of foam provide both comfort and full body support
- Zippered cover is easy to remove, and it is machine washable
- High flexibility allows it to fold inside most sleeper sofas
Cons
- Some retailers describe the mattress as 4.5 inches thick but it is actually 4 inches thick
Get the Dynasty Mattress sofa bed mattress at Amazonor Target.
Best Coil
Leggett & Platt AirDream Inflatable Mattress
A critique of traditional coil sofa bed mattresses is that they’re not as plush as other types. This sofa bed mattress from Leggett & Platt uses the support from innerspring coils with patented air-over-coil technology for abundant softness. The steel coil system gives sleepers the firm support and stability they expect from an innerspring mattress, but this one provides similar comfort to a regular bed with an air bladder layer and padded cover.
An included, simple-to-use electric pump fills the comfort layer with air quickly; it takes less than a minute to fully set up, as long as the sofa is near a wall outlet. If the mattress is too firm, the button on the valve cap releases air to customize the firmness level to increase softness. Whereas usual sofa mattresses are between 4 and 5 inches thick, this mattress inflates to an 11-inch depth. Deflated, the mattress is less than 5 inches thick, making it easy to fold back into the sofa. This hypoallergenic mattress fits most sleeper sofas and comes in full and queen sizes.
Product Specs
- Material: Metal and fabric
- Thickness: 11 inches
- Mattress size: Queen or full
Pros
- The hypoallergenic materials help provide sensitive sleepers with untroubled rest
- Soft surface covers a firm and supportive air over innerspring design
- Includes hand-held electric pump for easy inflation in under a minute
- Once deflated, it folds easily back into most sleeper sofas
Cons
- Leaks can be an issue with all air mattresses, although complaints are not common
Get the Leggett & Platt sofa bed mattress at Amazon.
Best Cooling
Classic Brands 4.5-Inch Cool Gel Memory Foam
To keep overnight guests cool while they sleep, this Classic Brands cool gel memory-foam sofa mattress might be the answer. Using a 2-inch-thick gel memory-foam system, the breathable material draws heat away from the body to minimize overheating and creates a plush sleeping surface. Under the memory-foam layer is a 2.5-inch layer of high-density base foam for support. The memory foam cradles all parts of the body, relieves pressure points, and aligns the spine for a healthy sleeping posture. When two people share the sofa bed, the memory foam absorbs jarring movements that would wake the other person on other types of sofa bed mattresses.
Guests can sleep easy knowing this sofa bed mattress meets CertiPUR-US program standards for performance, emissions, and durability. The foam used in this mattress is naturally hypoallergenic, resisting mold, bacteria, and dust mites. This 58-inch-wide by 72-inch-long by 4.5-inch-tall sofa bed mattress gives the coolness and comfort guests are likely to appreciate.
Product Specs
- Material: Gel memory foam
- Thickness: 4.5 inches
- Mattress size: Full, twin, or queen
Pros
- This mattress has been CertiPUR-US certified for durability, performance, and emissions
- Gel-infused and high-density foams combine to offer coolness and comfort
- Its hypoallergenic materials are also resistant to mold, bacteria, and dust mites
Cons
- Some buyers feel that the mattress doesn’t provide the support they expected
Get the Classic Brands sofa bed mattress at Amazonor The Home Depot.
PlushBeds Sofa Bed Memory
PlushBeds Sofa Bed Memory Foam Mattress
Like most memory-foam sofa bed mattresses, the PlushBeds version is made from two layers. The key difference here is in the density of the foam. Cheap mattresses often compress too much, and the sofa’s slats or frame can be felt so they disturb sleep. The higher quality materials in the PlushBeds model offer full support so that doesn’t happen. An additional benefit is the even distribution of body weight eliminates pressure points.
Mattress construction satisfies the independent testing standards of both CertiPUR-US and GreenGuard Gold which regulate emissions and prevent the use of hazardous chemicals or materials.
The PlushBeds memory-foam mattress is hypoallergenic and has a fire-resistant layer made from natural plant fibers rather than the usual fiberglass which can irritate airways. The open cell structure draws heat away so sleepers can retain their naturalbody temperature. The cover is luxurious cotton.
Product Specs
- Material: Memory foam
- Thickness: 4.5 inches
- Mattress size: Single, twin, twin wide, full, full wide, queen, queen wide
Pros
- Uses proprietary foam combination to relieve pressure points and maximize comfort
- U.S. manufacture meets the independent CertiPUR-US and GreenGuard Gold standards
- Available in an extensive range of sizes to fit virtually any sofa bed
Cons
- This mattress comes with a significantly higher sticker price than many competitors
Get the PlushBeds memory-foam sofa bed mattress at PlushBedsorAmazon.
Best Latex
PlushBeds Latex Sofa Bed Mattress
Latex is often seen as the pinnacle of sofa mattress luxury, but many manufacturers use synthetic latex or add fillers. These reduce the support provided, and shorten lifespan. PlushBeds use 100 percent natural latex formed using the Talalay method. This results in superior buoyancy that relieves pressure points, and increases all-around comfort.
A soy-based PlushFoam base layer ensures support for adults of up to 250 pounds and prevents discomfort from the metal structure of the sofa bed. Ventilation holes within the mattress help cool the body for undisturbed sleep. Durability is excellent, and PlushBeds claims its latex sofa mattress will never sag, break down, or lose its original shape.
Made in the U.S., the mattress is hypoallergenic and certified by CertiPUR-US and GreenGuard Gold for low emissions and an absence of hazardous chemicals and materials. The organic cotton cover is certified by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Product Specs
- Material: Latex
- Thickness: 4.5 inches
- Mattress size: Single, twin, twin wide, full, full wide, queen, queen wide
Pros
- Uses 100 percent high-quality natural latex with no additives or fillers
- Dual layers provide sufficient support for adults up to 250 pounds
- Meets exceptional environmental standards with CertiPUR-US, GreenGuard Gold, and GOTS certification
Cons
- Like all latex sofa bed mattresses, this one carries a premium price tag
Get the PlushBeds latex sofa bed mattress at PlushBeds or Wayfair.
Also Consider
PlushBeds Cooling Gel Mattress for Sleeper Sofa
Many people find standard memory-foam mattresses make them hot during the night, leading to excess perspiration and discomfort. Gel memory-foam models like this one from PlushBeds are designed to provide increased cooling to allow untroubled rest.
According to the manufacturer, the upper gel-foam layer dissipates heat up to three times faster than ordinary memory foam. The moisture-wicking design also improves airflow, keeping the body fresh. A high-density PlushFoam core ensures complete support so that sleepers aren’t disturbed by metal frames digging into them.
The PlushBeds gel memory-foam sofa bed mattress is made in the U.S. to environmental, health, and safety standards recognized by independent CertiPUR-US and GreenGuard Gold certification. It is hypoallergenic, and it has a fire-retardant layer that uses plant fibers instead of fiberglass.
Product Specs
- Material: Gel memory foam
- Thickness: 4.5 inches
- Mattress size: Single, twin, twin wide, full, full wide, queen, queen wide
Pros
- Gel offers rapid heat dissipation coupled with moisture-wicking material for dryness
- Made in the U.S. to environmental standards certified by CertiPUR-US and GreenGuard Gold
- Wide range of sizes provides something to suit all popular sofa beds
Cons
- High-quality construction and performance comes at a higher price than many competitors
Get the PlushBeds gel sofa bed mattress at PlushBeds or Walmart.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Sofa Bed Mattress
Each sleeper has individual preferences and needs in a mattress. Finding the best sofa bed mattress that’s comfortable for a variety of future overnight guests can be tricky. The best sofa bed mattress is cozy for most people, fits the sofa properly, and offers buyers a trial period to try it out at home before deciding whether to keep it.
Types of Sofa Bed Mattresses
Sofa bed mattresses come in numerous designs, materials, and sizes. The sofa bed mattress selected depends on personal preference, budget, and the pros and cons of each material. These factors help determine which type of sofa bed mattress is best for individual homes.
Memory Foam
Memory foam creates a plush sleeping surface to boost the comfort of a sofa bed mattress. The foam molds around the body, contouring to the sleeper’s unique shape. Very few mattresses are made entirely of memory foam; most memory-foam sofa bed mattresses come with a top layer of memory foam on a supportive base layer of denser foam, such as polyfoam.
When multiple layers are used, they are laminated together, keeping the mattress in one solid piece rather than separate layers that slide against each other. The base foam in these mattresses usually performs better when it is at least 2 inches thick, since denser foam offers more supportive sleep.
Gel-infused memory foam contours around sleepers the same way as standard memory foam. This style integrates gel into the memory foam to help generate coolness in the mattress. Gel conducts warm air away from sleepers so they don’t overheat.
Coil
Coil mattresses used to be the standard with sofa beds, but they are becoming less common. The perks of coil mattresses are affordability and airflow. These mattresses usually feel quite firm, which can benefit some people with back pain. Using a coil mattress with many springs offers more support for overnight guests.
The springs compress with pressure and revert to their neutral position when a person gets out of bed. Since most sofa bed mattresses are only a few inches thick, coils have limited space to compress and spring back. Plus, the comfort layer above the coils is generally thinner than the comfort layer on other types of mattresses.
Coil mattresses provide adequate support for some, but many sleepers require more comfort. Due to the thinness of the sofa bed mattress, innerspring mattresses are less comfortable for side sleepers and those with pressure-point pain. High-quality mattresses seldom use coil technology unless they are a hybrid mattress type.
Foam
For a quiet and cozy mattress, a foam sofa bed mattress replacement might be the way to go. Polyfoam is a popular type of foam mattress that serves as the base layer for many foam and memory-foam mattresses. Polyfoam offers thick, sufficient support and helps relieve pressure when guests lie down on the mattress.
Comfort layers for foam mattresses are made of additional polyfoam, or cotton, wool, polyester, and more. The foam absorbs motion from a partner’s movement through the night, keeping sleepers from waking each other up. One drawback of foam is heat retention, as some foams can trap warm air and may cause sleepers to overheat.
Due to the softer nature of foam, some sleepers might feel the sofa bed support bar under the mattress; this can be avoided by using a high-density foam with more pounds of material per cubic foot. For the best quality foam mattress, find a material that has a support base with a foam density between 1.8 and 2.5 pounds per cubic foot.
Latex
Made from natural foam rubber, latex is a healthy choice for sofa bed mattresses and offers great durability, body contouring, and support. Tru-latex (or all-latex) mattresses are constructed entirely of latex, making them high quality, but more expensive.
A latex core and comfort layer gives an exceptional sleep surface that supports and contours the body. Similar to memory foam, latex moves with the weight of the sleeper, for spinal alignment and pressure relief, but doesn’t mold as closely to the body as memory foam (which is a matter of preference).
Latex sofa bed mattresses are heavier than other types, making moving, lifting, and cleaning a bit challenging. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications when purchasing a latex mattress, as mattresses with minimal latex can still be labeled as a latex mattress.
Dimensions/Size
Sofa bed mattress sizes are not the same as standard bed mattress sizes, even though they use the same names for sizing. With an average height of 4 to 5 inches, sofa bed mattresses need to be thin so they can fold away when visitors leave. Length for sofa bed mattresses ranges from 68 to 74 inches, depending on the brand.
The widths for typical sofa mattresses depends on the type.
- Twin mattresses are about 24 to 38 inches wide.
- Full mattresses are about 39 to 54 inches wide.
- Queen mattresses are about 55 to 60 inches wide.
When replacing the existing sofa bed mattress, measure the dimensions of the metal frame. Measure the width, length, and height of the inside of the metal frame, and round down to the next inch for proper sizing. If the replacement mattress is too big or too small it might not fold up properly, which could affect how it feels to sit on the sofa cushions and how the mattress wears over time.
Firmness
Firmness is how hard or soft the mattress feels beneath sleepers. Many sofa bed mattresses come in a medium-firm feel. Generally, sofa bed mattresses are only about 4 to 5 inches thick, meaning they don’t have the depth to offer much additional softness. In general, a firmer mattress keeps the body better aligned, and choosing a firmer mattress is often good for the back.
Foam mattresses use indentation force deflection (IFD) as an indication of how firm the foam feels and how much movement there is when weight is added. A higher IFD indicates a firmer foam, which usually ranges from 40 to 60. Softer or medium foams are in the range of 20 to 30. Memory foam also uses IFD, which softens when the foam warms from body heat, changing the IFD.
Each mattress is made differently, and comfort can be affected by different construction styles, making comparison difficult. The best way to determine how a mattress feels is undoubtedly by trying it out, though this isn’t always practical.
Trial Period
Before purchasing a mattress, find out the seller’s policy on returning or exchanging the sofa bed mattress. Some companies allow buyers to return products that don’t meet their comfort standards within a certain timeframe, whereas others take returns only if there is a defect with the product or if it is covered by a warranty.
Once the replacement sofa bed mattress has been installed, it is a good idea for users to try it out for a few nights rather than waiting for an overnight guest to give their review. By personally experiencing it, the level of comfort is known, and buyers can be confident their visitors can get a good night’s sleep.
FAQs
You’ve selected a new sofa bed mattress and want to take care of it so it lasts as long as possible. We’ve assembled some frequently asked questions and their answers to help you get the most from a new sofa bed mattress.
Q. Can you replace the mattress on a sofa bed?
Yes, you can. Measure the dimensions of the sleeper sofa to ensure you get a replacement mattress that fits properly when the bed is set up and when it’s folded away.
Q. How are sofa bed mattresses measured?
Sofa bed mattresses come in various sizes, such as twin, full, or queen; however, they don’t adhere to an industry size standard, so length and width can vary. These are considered “short” versions of traditional-size mattresses.
Q. How can you remove a smell from a sofa bed mattress?
You can deodorize a mattress using simple household products. Lightly spray an equal mix of water and white vinegar over the mattress and let it air-dry, or sift baking soda over the mattress and vacuum it up after 30 minutes to remove smells and boost freshness.
Q. What are the best types of mattresses for a sofa bed?
Some of the most popular options include memory foam, innerspring, and latex mattresses. Memory-foam mattresses are a popular choice due to their ability to conform to the body and provide excellent support, while innerspring mattresses offer a more traditional feel with good support and breathability. Latex mattresses are also a good option for sofa beds, as they offer excellent support and durability. Ultimately, the best type of mattress for a sofa bed will depend on your personal preferences and needs.
