Top Futon Beds Reviews – 2021 Picks

Space is becoming more and more of an issue as people converge on city centers. The trend of living in significant conurbations has never been more prevalent as it is today. Population density leads to lack of housing and an increase in prices in large metropolitan areas.

But another development has come hand in glove with this societal change. Younger generations like millennials no longer require the same amount of living space. Also, they are choosing to remain single well into their thirties. So, consequently, their preferred living space is manageable and practical.

The futon is becoming the bedding of choice because it’ll save a lot of space inside a home. Or you may want to have an option for when a close friend comes round for a visit for a few nights, but you do not want to turn the spare room into an all-our guestroom because it usually acts as a study – the futon solves multiple problems.

We aim to present you with the best mattresses for your futon. You’ll learn all there is to know about this type of bedding. In the end, you should be able to choose a mattress for your seating arrangement. Or in words turn your sofa into a bed.

Futon Mattress Shopping Advice

Comfortability

Comfort has to work in two ways with a futon. For one, you are using this piece of furniture to sit on during the day and to sleep on at night. If you think that ‘comfortability’ also involves your eye, then make sure that you choose a mattress that is not frowzy looking – let’s face it, you’ll most likely be staring at the futon beds whenever you are home, especially if you live in a studio apartment.

The top mattress is good for both sitting and for sleeping. It needs to be able to fold conveniently. Also, if it’s made of springs, durability is essential. In time, through use, springs tend to become less taut and poke through the bedding’s surface.

Just remember this is not just a pure-play bed but also a functional sofa – you sit and sleep on it. Keep that in mind, and you should not go wrong.

Ease Of Use

Ease of use is right up there with the cost, ‘comfortability’ and durability. Nobody wants a bed slash sofa that requires a herculean effort to move into place. If you end up sweating after wrestling with your settee and the mattress is ripped through the center, you have done something very wrong.

Make sure that you read the all the bed reviews before clicking on the purchase button. You can learn a lot about a product’s efficiency and whether customers are satisfied with their new futon. If you read the words, ‘difficult to use,’ or ‘the coils poked through the mattress after a few months,’ or ‘it’s like wrestling with a bear when you want to convert this futon,’ you best continue looking.

Remember, you want something that leaves you feeling happy and relaxed. A creaky and stiff futon will not do that.

The Look and Feel

Aesthetics are a major part of the futon buying process. The way this piece of furniture looks and feels is tantamount to you your mood. If you come home and the first thing you see is the sofa slash sleeping surface in the middle of a room, and it makes you sick, you’ll not be happy.

Not only functionality and durability matter. The way, your sofa bed looks and feels will go along way in improving your sleep and the way your home is represented. If you’re on a budget that does not mean that your futon needs to look ugly.

Be aware of pure-play coil mattresses as they tend to lose shape over time. The most recommended way to go is with memory foam or a hybrid foam and spring solution. If you have ever ordered a foam mattress online, you’ll know of the impressive transformation properties of this material.

Firmness

The firmness is particularly crucial in bedding. Depending on how heavy you are it will alter the way you perceive your mattress. Remember this: the heavier you are, the firmer the sleeping surface. The reason being that higher body weight applies more pressure to the bed consequently influencing your sleep quality you should consider a firmer bed option.

You don’t want to sink into the sleeping and sitting surface and feel as if you’re being sucked in by a marshland. And don’t forget something else.

Have you ever sat on a saggy sofa? If you have, you’ll know where we are going with this.

If your buttocks and back sink into the surface, it can cause pain and major discomfort over time. Be sure to consider firmness when buying your new futon. On the other side of the coin, if the mattress is too firm, it will not be able to bend making the product ungainly.

Durability

The durability of beds is one of the most important attributes when you are in the process of considering buying a mattress for your settee. The toughness of a product depends mainly on the materials used. In order to get the most out of your sofa bed, it is best to take a good look at what went into it.

Although widely in use, coils or springs are the least durable on the market. Constant folding and unfolding of a futon can cause them to snap, poke through the outer coating or lose tension altogether – it will be like sleeping on metal that moves.

Celled coils are good. But they perform even better in conjunction with foam. The two offer better durability. You can also never go wrong with an all-rounder foam mattresses. Take a look at the warranty period to get an idea of the manufacture’s confidence in their creation. Also, look after the mattress for extended durability.

Mattress Materials Available

Foam

Foam mattresses are probably the best material to use for a futon. It’s elastic, durable and it takes on different shape fast and without damage to the overall structure. You can immediately see foam’s versatility when the mattress arrives in your home all rolled up in a box. A few moments later, it lies unfolded on your sofa bed – opt for a memory foam mattress.

Also, foam adapts to the natural shape of your body. You’ll get the right support and pressure relief for the joints and muscles. Just make sure to get foam that contains some gel elements and maybe Tencel covering so that you’ll not get hot while sleeping and sitting.

When you are doing your research on the beds, make sure the foam used inside of the mattress I not harmful in any way. You can get foams that are CertiPUR-US guaranteed for peace of mind. There are other classifications too – keep your eyes open.

Spring & Innerspring Coil

Spring and innerspring coil are the oldest technology in the bedding industry, and they have been with us for years. That does not mean that they are obsolete. Both the spring and the coil bring great advantages when used on your sleeping surface.

For one, the innerspring has top of the range breathability and airflow. You won’t get too hot when sleeping on this baby. And motion isolation is excellent thanks to the individually pocketed springs or coils.

You do have to look out if you’re allergic to any materials used inside the bed. Also, spring and coils are not as durable. The constant motion may damage the internal structure after a few years, prompting the spring to poke you in the bum or back.

However, spring and coils are still the most widely used in combination with a sofa bed. This surface is suitable for sitting and sleeping combined. Just be aware of the fact that the shape may alter over time and that the spring might poke through the mattress surface.

Read the testimonials for better understanding – you’ll soon get a good idea.  

Wool

Wool is often used in futons. The main reason for this is that this natural material absorbs moisture and sits well. You surely won’t feel hot and sticky come summertime when you recline on such a surface structure. The breathability and airflow will whisk away any hotness, providing you with a comfortable and pleasant sleeping and sitting surface.

In the winter, wool keeps the body warm and cozy. Additionally, you’ll get adequate support for the back and seat, which is why many high-end furniture brands use this material.

But a firm and stable support structure are tantamount if you want the wool to work well with your futon. Memory foam, innerspring and latex work well without the supporting structure, but wool does not, which is why it is often used in combination with other materials.

Cotton

Like wool, cotton is an all-natural material. In most cases, it is used in combination with wool. A cotton surface is ideal for comfort and a refreshing feeling when seated or lying. The material breathes allowing for optimal airflow and heat transference throughout the mattress. It’s great for when you live in warmer climes.

Yet, you may find that a cotton and wool combination aggravates you allergically. Besides, such bed filling is a natural breeding ground for dust mites, mildew, and bedbugs. Consider using a mattress cover to avoid this. There are some outstanding products out there that will protect your bedding from most things including liquids.

Cotton as a standalone solution is not the right choice. However, having said that, it does make for an excellent addition to your futon ensemble for precisely the reasons we mentioned above. Also, it is a bio-solution that works.

Other

Latex is the other big boy material for futons and mattresses. It’s durable and offers pinpoint pressure relief on a surface that adapts rapidly to any posture changes. It’s breathable as well. If you go for the all-natural option, you get the same breathability benefits as you get with the innerspring, wool and cotton, albeit without the allergic tendencies.

Interested in Latex? See Our Top Latex Mattresses

There is only one exception – if you’re allergic to bio-rubber, please switch to something else or synthetic latex.

We could not end the section without looking into the hybrid option. A hybrid is nothing other than an amalgamation of various material to gain the top characteristics. You can get them in any combination from latex mixed with innerspring or foam with innerspring to latex, spring and foam combined.

The hybrid is a great solution if you’re looking for something durable and versatile.

Should You Get Futon Pads?

Let us start with what a futon pad is precisely. The pad is nothing other than something you place on top of your mattress for extra comfort and durability of the underlying surface. A pad can work great with your settee in terms of aesthetics and comfort. It’s like another layer of sofa. But beware if the padding is too thick; it may make everything look bulky.

You do not need a pad if the sofa bed is comfortable enough or made of very durable materials. Having said that, the lifespan will be increased considerably, thus spreading the initial cost of purchase over many years.

Futon pads come in multiple variants – anything goes from latex, foam, and wool to a hybrid combination. Keep the various properties concerning the materials in mind ad you should not go wrong.

Why You Should Own a Futon Bed

Both a Sofa & a Bed

The two-in-one solution is perfect if you lack space in your home or room. During the day, you can conveniently fold up the bed to convert it into a place to sit. Make sure the mattress has this dual-functionality so that you have ease of use and adequate lifespan.

When it comes to futons, you need to keep aesthetics in mind. Nobody wants to look at something hideous in the place where one spends one’s free time. There are some pretty amazing products out there that will appeal to both the eye and the body.

Excellent for Guests

Having a bed that folds up into a sofa is ideal when you have guests coming around for a night or two. Maybe you have an extra room that you use as a study or a place to store things. A futon makes it possible to convert that extra space into a temporary bedroom.

Also, some of us have a futon in the living room for when relatives or friends want to visit. It’s the best and easy solution to be able to use all available space in your apartment efficiently. Your visitors will thank you for not having to lie on a regular settee. 

Our Highest Rated Futon Mattress Reviews

DHP – Most Recommended (Amazon’s Choice)

The DHP is one of the favorites on Amazon for a futon bed. The 15-gauge individually celled coils inside of the mattress offer excellent support and pressure relief. Quality foam and polyester between the coils make this bed far more durable than a regular coil sleeping surface.

The product has a microfiber mattress cover to keep things clean inside. Also, the material makeup is hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. It also fits on any futon, making this bed an all-rounder for your living space or bedroom.

The DHP may appear slightly bulky at first glance. However, once it’s in place and if you choose a flattering color from the selection on offer, you’ll hardly notice it anymore – well, not if you’re not sleeping on it that is.

Another thing worth mentioning is that this product has excellent airflow and heat transference. The microfiber cover will keep you cool during the night – a unique solution for your transformable settee.

Serta – Very Comfortable (Editor’s Pick)

The Serta is our editor’s choice for the simple reason that it offers the best value for money. The 8-inch bed with the individually pocketed springs is sure to give any sleeper the perfect night’s rest. You get support and pressure relief where you need it, and the mattress is thin and durable enough to work well with any futon.

The material composition is without ozone depleters, heavy metals and flame retardants making it eco-friendly and non-toxic. You’ll also like the fact that it is breathable thanks to the innerspring nature of the bed. Additional, foam elements provide proper contouring to the natural shape of your body.

When the bed arrives, you may think that it looks a little frumpy on your couch. But purchasing an additional cover can solve that issue. It’s a good idea anyway because you’ll make an already durable product more durable.

Conclusion

Not having a lot of space in your home does not have to mean that it cannot be functional and cozy. By incorporating a futon with the best mattress can make all the difference. One moment you are in a sitting position and the very next you are lying down on a warm, comfortable sleeping surface.

We have given you some great solutions for your bed on a sofa. Take your time to read the reviews and to make the right choice. We are confident that you won’t regret your decision. Be mindful to keep your budget, the material, the brand and your needs as the top priority.