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The Best Mattresses Guide

Simple advice on the UK’s best mattresses and beds

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5 best sofa beds and futons - 2020 and 2021

If Aunt Maude arrives unexpectedly, a sofa bed or futon is a useful thing to have. Ideally, it will be comfortable enough to put her up for a couple of nights, whilst looking half decent the rest of the time.

Many online guides include detailed descriptions of the 94 different types of sofa bed. They offer confusing diagrams of mechanisms, which are about as interesting as a book about concrete.

However, from what I can tell, there are two main types of sofa bed:
  • those which have a separate hidden mattress (e.g. folding sofa beds)
  • those where you sleep on the sofa cushions (e.g. futons, corner sofa beds, click clack/clic clac sofa beds, lift and pull sofa beds, A-frame sofa beds)

Personally, I prefer the look of a sofa bed with a hidden mattress, as it can easily masquerade as a normal sofa the rest of the time. However, the downside is that the mattresses are thin because there's only so much storage space under the cushions. 

Anyway, that's enough waffle...

​We've picked out five of the best sofa beds on sale in the UK today, by looking at specification, value for money, customer reviews and awards. 

1. Birlea Aurora sofa bed/Birlea Snug sofa bed - £139/£279 - 1 colour choice

Roll up bargain hunters! £139 doesn’t go a long way when you’re looking for a cheap sofa bed, but the Birlea Aurora Sofa Bed gets good reviews for the price or you can upgrade to one called the Birlea Snug Sofa Bed which costs about twice the price and has a thicker cushion/mattress.

They're both what are known as the ‘click clack’ style of sofa bed (sometimes called ‘clic clac’), which means that the back of the sofa flattens out to make the bed. Nothing too fancy but it'll do the job for Aunt Maude (assuming you don’t want her to stay for too long).


Once they've been turned into a settee bed you’ll end up with something which is about 10cm wider and 10cm shorter than a standard single mattress. So, it's not really wide enough for two, unless you’re both very petite.

The Birlea brand was scoring 3.5/5 on TrustPilot or 4.7/5 on Google Reviews when we checked (2021). The cheaper Birlea Aurora was scoring 4.1/5 on Amazon at the time of writing. We couldn't find reviews of the Birlea Snug Sofa bed unfortunately.

If you buy either the Aurora sofa bed or Snug sofa bed from Happy Beds then you get a five year guarantee, which I would say is pretty appealing as a lot of cheap furniture just comes with one year.
Birlea Aurora sofa bed
The Birlea Aurora sofa bed is a simple design and is slightly wider than a single mattress when flat...
Birlea snug sofa bed in grey
...whilst the Birlea Snug sofa bed has a similar design but has a deeper mattress/cushion
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Birlea Aurora Sofa Bed
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Birlea Snug Sofa Bed

2. Dreams Gallway 3 Seater Clic-Clac Sofa Bed - £699 - 3 colour choices ​

This Dreams Gallway Sofa bed does a convincing impression of a sofa in your lounge and it comes in green, grey or navy blue. It's a clic-clac sofa, which means that the seating area and back rest area folds flat and you sleep on the sofa cushions.

That means you get a thicker bit of foam to lie on than you’d get with a fully concealed mattress.

The ‘mattress’ uses pocket springs which should give it a good level of support (pocket springs are posher than cheap 'open coil' springs). 

When it's laid out flat you get a mattress which is 190cm long by 112cm wide. That means that it's the same length as a normal single or double mattress, so you should be able to stretch out unless your name is Richard Osman. It's worth noting that the armrests stay in place at both ends, so your pillow won't fall off the end during the night.

The width of the sleeping area is halfway between a single and a double mattress. It is advertised as being suitable for two people to sleep on but I would say that it would be quite cosy for a couple for more than a night or two. 

Reviews on the Dreams website are currently very positive (4.8/5 after 60+ reviews).


You can buy matching armchairs and footstools from Dreams as well.

Dreams also sell a two seater sofa bed called Haze which works in a similar way and is available in two colours and is a similar price.
Dreams Gallway 3 seater clic clac sofa bed
The Dreams Gallway sofa comes in 3 different colours...
Dreams Gallway sofa bed in mattress position
...and gets good reviews from customers
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Dreams Gallway sofa bed

3. House by John Lewis Oliver 2 seater sofa bed with pocket sprung mattress - from £1299 - 200+ colour choices

This House by John Lewis Oliver Sofa Bed isn't the cheapest but it comes in dozens of different colours and tick most boxes that I look for.

​For a start, it's a 'folding sofa bed' so it actually looks like a sofa, unlike some clic clac sofa beds or futons which can look a bit out of place in a lounge. 

The mattress is also a reasonably good size, as it’s as wide as a double mattress and almost as long. Some sofa beds are barely bigger than a single. It's a 2 seater sofa, but is wider than most of the 2 seaters at John Lewis. 

Most important though is the materials used for the mattress, as it's available as a pocket spring mattress.

For the uninitiated, a pocket spring mattress is far superior to an open coil mattress which is what Grandma has in her spare bedroom which hasn't been decorated since 1953. 

​The mattress itself is 10cm deep. For comparison, most decent mattresses are at least 20cm deep, with a cheaper one being about 15cm deep. Of course, this thinner option is a necessity of a folding sofa bed and 10cm seems to be about as a good as it gets. The alternative is to pick a sofa bed where you actually sleep on the sofa cushions, which of course can be a lot thicker but doesn't always look so subtle in a lounge.

Personally, I would lay a duvet over the top of the mattress before putting a fitted sheet on as that will work as a topper and make the whole thing a bit thicker and comfier.
John Lewis Oliver sofa bed
This John Lewis sofa bed comes in 200+ colours and actually looks like a sofa...
Mattress on John Lewis Oliver sofa bed
...and it has a pocket spring mattress, albeit a thin one
The mattress sits on slats, rather than on some sort of flimsy material base, which is the less posh option. 

​For nerds like me who are interested in the little details, it’s worth noting that the sofa frame is made from birch, which is a hardwood (that’s a good thing for a sofa as it keeps its shape) whilst the frame is held together with glue and staples (that’s less good and is generally seen as a cheap option). The frame comes with a generous 15 year guarantee.

As for John Lewis & Partners, the company itself regularly scores well in customer service surveys. In 2019, it beat Amazon at the Customer Satisfaction Awards.

Finally (and I’m impressed if you’re still reading by this point..) it is made in the UK. Whilst that isn’t a complete guarantee that you’re buying quality, it is worth saying that many of the very best and poshest sofas and mattresses are made in the UK, so it’s a good sign.

A cheaper alternative is the John Lewis & Partners Camden Sofa Bed (£1049+). Instead of a pocket sprung mattress, you get a foam mattress. Other notable differences are that it's not quite as wide and it is made in Romania from a number of different woods (including some cheaper ones). You still get a long guarantee with the frame though.
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John Lewis Oliver sofa bed

4. Chesterfield style three seater sofa bed - £619 - 6 colour choices

This Chesterfield style sofa bed makes our list because of its pretty strong customer reviews (4.1/5 on Amazon when we checked) and decent specification for the price. It comes in a number of colours and has two seater and a wider three-seater option.

The mattress on the three seater version is pretty much a double mattress size, so larger than some sofa beds which are cosy for two people. Like most folding sofa beds, the mattress is relatively thin to allow it to fit into the base of the sofa, but most reviewers say it is fine for occasional use. You might consider a double mattress sized topper to make it more comfortable.

The sofa itself has a hardwood frame, which is a good sign. Cheap sofas use softer wood which loses its shape more easily.
Chesterfield three seater sofa bed
This Chesterfield style folding sofa bed has a hidden mattress
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​Chesterfield style sofa beds

5. Innovation Recast sofa bed with pocket sprung mattress - £999 - 2 colour choices

This Innovation Recast sofa bed is more expensive than most simple sofa beds, but it gets glowing reviews and has a good specification.

It has a ‘pull out base and drop down back’ which basically means that half of the bed bit is hidden round the back. The sofa cushions are then used as pillows.

I reckon this one looks more like a sofa than many sofa beds, so you could get away with having it in your trendy lounge.
​
The real winner for me is that it has pocket springs, which are what decent mattresses have. Foam can be comfortable but most of us are used to the feel of pocket spring mattresses.

Once it folds flat, it is 200cm x 140cm, which is slightly larger than a standard double mattress.

​
It comes in blue and grey and was getting reviews of 4.7/5 when I checked. Most reviewers consider it a firm mattress.  
Innovation recast sofa bed in sofa position
Innovation Recast's sofa bed has a modern and simple look...
Innovation recast sofa bed in mattress position
...and it uses pocket springs which is a sign of quality
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Innovation Recast sofa bed

Related guides from the Best Mattresses Guide

Two pillows on a mattress

10 of the best mattress retailers

Where to start your search for good quality beds and mattresses in the UK​
Firm pocket sprung mattress

10 of the best mattresses of 2020/2021

10 mattresses which have won awards and rave reviews 
Teddy bear on a quilted mattress

Best places to buy cheap mattresses

Where to shop for a mattress on a budget of £500, £200 or £100

Buying advice

Beginners' guide
​
Best retailers
Cheap retailers
Divan or bedstead?
​
How to choose a mattress
​John Lewis mattresses
​Memory foam or springs?

Best mattresses

Top 10 mattresses
Arthritis
Back sleepers​
Bed in a box
Best for bad backs
​Cheap mattresses
Cheap memory foam
​Emperor mattresses
​Best firm mattresses
Mattresses with free trials
​
Front sleepers
​Best for heavy people
​Hybrid mattresses
​Kids mattresses
Best latex mattresses
Medium firm mattresses
Top 5 memory foam
​Pillow top mattresses
Pocket sprung mattresses
​
Queen size mattresses
​Side sleepers
​Single mattresses
​
Single memory foam
​Small double mattresses
​Small single mattresses
Best soft mattresses
Wool mattresses
Zip link mattresses


Other guides

​Adjustable beds
Air beds
​Best bedding
Bedspreads
Blankets/throws
​Bunk beds
​Bunk bed with desk
Best carpets
Chair beds
​Cheap beds
Cot bed mattresses
​Day beds
Double beds
Double bunk beds
Double storage beds
Duvets
​Electric blankets
​Fitted sheets
Folding beds
Guest beds
Headboards
Mattress protectors
​Metal beds
Ottoman beds
Pillows
​Silk pillowcases
Silk pyjamas
​
Sleigh beds
​5 best sofa beds
Best toppers
Trundle beds
TV beds
Weighted blankets
White beds
​Wooden beds
​
​




Brands

Casper
Dormeo
Dunlopillo
Emma
Ergoflex
Eve
Hypnos
Nectar
OTTY
Sealy
Silentnight
Simba
Sleepeezee
Tempur
Vispring

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  • Home
  • Mattress advice
    • How to choose a mattress
    • Best Mattresses beginners guide
    • Memory foam v pocket spring mattresses - which is best?
    • 6 tips for buying the best pocket spring mattress
    • 5 tips for buying the best memory foam mattress
    • The 5 questions you need to answer before buying a bed
    • Is an orthopedic mattress the best for a bad back?
  • Best mattresses
    • 10 of the best mattresses of 2020 and 2021
    • By type >
      • 6 best pocket sprung mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best latex mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best pillow top mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best bed in a box 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best hybrid mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By brand >
      • By brand - A to E >
        • Casper Mattress
        • 5 best Dormeo mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Dunlopillo mattresses
        • Emma Mattress
        • Ergoflex Mattress
        • Eve Mattress
      • By brand - F to R >
        • Hypnos mattresses >
          • The Premier Inn Hypnos Mattress
          • 5 best Hypnos mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Nectar Sleep Mattress
        • OTTY mattresses
      • By brand - S to Z >
        • 5 best Sealy mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • 5 best Silentnight mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Simba Sleep mattresses >
          • Simba Hybrid Mattress
          • Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress
        • Sleepeezee mattresses
        • Tempur mattresses
        • 5 best Vispring mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • Specialist mattresses >
      • 10 best cot mattresses for baby's beds 2020 and 2021
      • 7 mattresses for heavy people 2020 and 2021
      • Best mattresses for back pain and bad backs 2020 and 2021
      • Best mattresses for arthritis 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best wool mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best kids mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By firmness >
      • 5 best soft mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best medium firm mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best firm mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best orthopedic/orthopaedic mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By sleeping position >
      • 5 best mattresses for side sleepers 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best mattresses for front/stomach sleepers 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best mattresses for back sleepers 2020 and 2021
    • By price >
      • 5 best cheap mattresses under £200 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best cheap beds 2020 and 2021
      • 6 of the best mattresses with a free trial 2020 and 2021
      • 5 cheap memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By size >
      • 6 of the best emperor mattresses, beds, bedsteads and divans 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best zip link beds and mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best small single mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best single beds and single mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best single memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best small double mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best queen size beds and queen mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best double beds 2020 and 2021
  • Best Beds
    • Divan base or bedstead - which is best?
    • Day beds, sofa beds and guest beds >
      • 5 best sofa beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best air beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best day beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best guest beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best trundle beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best chair beds and single sofa beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best folding beds 2020 and 2021
    • Bunk beds >
      • 5 of the best bunk beds with desks 2020 and 2021
      • 6 of the best bunk beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best double bunk beds 2020 and 2021
    • Wooden, metal and fabric bedframes >
      • 5 of the best wooden beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best metal beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best sleigh beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best white beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best leather beds 2020 and 2021
    • Storage beds >
      • 6 of the best ottoman beds and storage beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best single beds with storage and single ottoman beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best double ottoman beds and double beds with storage 2020 and 2021
    • Specialist beds >
      • 6 best adjustable beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best TV beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best cheap headboards 2020 and 2021
  • Duvets, pillows & bedding
    • Duvets and blankets >
      • 5 of the best duvets for summer and winter 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best electric blankets and heated blankets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best weighted blankets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best bedspreads 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best blankets and throws 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best wool blankets and wool throws 2020 and 2021
    • Pillows and pillowcases >
      • 5 of the best pillows 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best silk pillowcases 2020 and 2021
    • Bedding, sheets and toppers >
      • 5 of the best bedding sets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best fitted sheets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best mattress protectors 2020 and 2021
      • Which are the best mattress toppers?
    • Other guides >
      • 5 best silk pyjamas 2020 and 2021
      • Which is the best type of carpet material?
  • Retailers
    • 10 best places to buy cheap mattresses and divan beds under £500, £200 or £100
    • 10 of the best mattress retailers online 2020 and 2021
    • Buying a John Lewis & Partners mattress - 5 top tips for 2020 and 2021
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