I Test Sofas for a Living and This Sleeper Sofa Is by Far the Best

Any time I meet someone new and they ask me what I do as a shopping editor for Apartment Therapy, I tell them that I make recommendations on what kind of furniture they should buy for their apartments. Over the past year or so, I’ve looked at so many sofas I have a really solid idea of what’s out there, how to choose, and what’s truly worth buying. This includes sleeper sofas. Out of all the ones I’ve reviewed, West Elm’s Shelter Queen Sleeper Sofa stands out as the best sleeper sofa I’ve tried.

I’ve tested tons of sleeper sofas for AT’s Personal Shopper series, so it takes something truly special to make a lasting impression on me. Believe me when I tell you that the Shelter Queen Sleeper Sofa is it. There are so many reasons to invest in this couch not only for your guest bed or spare room, but even for your living room. Keep reading and we’ll get through them all!

With a lot of pull-out sofas, you either struggle to unfold them or you have to enlist the help of someone else. But with the Shelter sleeper, you’ll have no trouble removing its back and side cushions, as well as the bench-style seat, and pulling out its queen-size gel-infused foam mattress.

A sturdy frame supports the mattress, which features a high-density foam top and a breathable, moisture-wicking cover. As for the sofa’s upholstery, you have more than 90 fabric and color options, so you can truly customize the Shelter to your unique interior decor style.

Despite its relatively deep seat, you’re still able to sit upright on this sofa. And, at 84 inches long, it’s not too big for small living spaces. You’ll also be happy to learn that the Shelter is frequently on sale (it is right now, actually!). The only downside is that its seat is on the firm side. If you enjoy firm seating, this won’t be a problem for you, but in general, sleeper sofas tend to have firm seats for obvious reasons.

When I call this the best sleeper sofa tested in our Personal Shopper series, I’m considering a few different criteria. For one, the Shelter sofa leans neither too modern nor too traditional in appearance. Depending on the fabric you choose and how you style it, the couch could blend in with virtually any home aesthetic, be it rustic, coastal, or Scandi.

The best sleeper sofas aren’t obviously sleepers. With the Shelter sofa, you can’t tell it’s a sleeper sofa just by looking at it. This is important and a compliment in my book, as I’ve seen some dowdy sleepers that look like something you’d find in a cheap motel room.

Next, at under $3,000, the Shelter is relatively affordable, especially when you consider that it’s built to last a long time. In short, this model is extremely versatile and fits a number of lifestyles and aesthetics, which certainly can’t be said of all the furnishings I’ve seen.

If my store visits have taught me anything, it’s that high-quality furniture is worth the splurge. Anyone in the market for a stylish sleeper sofa that’ll stand the test of time should consider this one. At the risk of sounding arrogant, you can’t go wrong with any of the pieces I recommend, but especially if it’s the Shelter — it’s the best sleeper sofa around.

Buy: Shelter Queen Sleeper Sofa, $2,159.20 (normally $2,599)