When you pull out the sofa bed, do your guests groan at the sight or start plumping up the pillows with a smile?
If it’s the former, you’ve come to the right online guide.
Our list of the best sofa bed mattresses in 2022 will help you pick a new mattress for your sofa bed, improving the quality of sleep for whoever is staying over. And don’t forget to check out our buying guide right at the end of this page, so you can shop for a new mattress quickly and efficiently with all the right know-how.
Quick Summary
No time to leisurely scroll through our list? Here are our top choices – you can’t go wrong with one of these sofa bed mattresses.
1. Best Overall – Select Luxury 4.5 Inch Mattress Replacement, for all the features you need at the best possible price.
2. Best Affordable Foam – Sleep Options Classic Memory Foam Mattress, for a decent mattress that is a complete bargain for the budget-conscious.
3. Best Trifold – Milliard Trifold Foam Folding Mattress, for having a simple yet effective design and great firm comfort for back sleepers.
4. Best Latex – Plush Beds Slice of Heaven Latex Mattress, for 100% natural and eco-friendly latex that’s hypoallergenic and wonderfully breathable.
How We Selected These Sofa Bed Mattress
The market for sofa bed mattresses, although quite small, can still be daunting to browse through. It will certainly take up an afternoon of your life that you’ll never get back. Or at least, it did before we created this guide. When choosing the top 10 best sofa mattresses of 2022, we looked for these key areas:
- How compatible is the mattress with sofa bed models? If it wasn’t foldable or was a nightmare to pull-out and push back in, it didn’t make the list.
- How comfortable is the mattress? This is a huge factor, so we’ve included mattresses that range from firm to soft so everyone will find something comfortable.
- How much does it cost? Compared to traditional mattresses, most sofa bed mattresses are ultra-affordable… but that doesn’t always mean that they’re worth the money.
10 Best Sofa Bed Mattresses 2022: Detailed Reviews
If you’re hunting for sofa bed mattresses on your own, always make sure you consider compatibility, comfort, and cost before you buy.
1. Best Overall: Select Luxury 4.5 Inch Mattress Replacement
- Type: Gel Memory Foam
- Sizes Available: Twin, Full, Queen
- Delivery: Free US Shipping in 5+ weeks
- Trial Period: N/A, Non-Returnable
- Warranty: Optional 10-Year Plan
This gel memory foam mattress by Select Luxury completely won us over. At first glance, the 4.5-inch thick design doesn’t appear to be anything special. But then, it’s certainly a challenge for any sofa bed mattress maker to fit anything special into the limited space they have to work in.
There are 2 layers of foam, a 3.5-inch dense base layer that provides support for back and side sleepers, plus a 1-inch gel foam layer that adds a little contour support for side sleepers and wicks away excess heat to keep you cool overnight.
It’s wrapped in a dust mite resistant and hypoallergenic knit cover and there’s an optional 10-year warranty protection plan that won’t cost you a fortune either.
2. Best Affordable Foam: Sleep Options Classic Memory Foam Mattress
- Type: Memory Foam
- Sizes Available: Twin, Full, Queen
- Delivery: Free US Shipping in 2 weeks
- Trial Period: Return Within 180 Days
- Warranty: 3-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
4 inches of memory foam for this low price, plus you get 6 months to test it out and 3 years of warranty – it’s certainly a bargain and why this Sleep Options memory foam mattress is our best affordable foam mattress on the list.
There’s nothing fancy to talk about, just 2 simple and reliable layers of memory foam to provide contour support… Which is pretty much undetectable in a 4-inch mattress. It’s going to feel quite firm regardless.
It fits twin, full or queen size sofa beds but could also be used in RVs, for camping, bunk beds, or as an additional mattress topper on your permanent bed mattress.
3. Best Trifold: Milliard Trifold Foam Folding Mattress
- Type: Dense Foam
- Sizes Available: Queen
- Delivery: Free US Shipping Within 1 Week
- Trial Period: N/A, Non-Returnable
- Warranty: Optional 10-Year Plan
This CertiPUR-US certified firm trifold mattress is a great way to turn a sofa into a mattress without all the hassle of moving cushions and heaving around heavy metal frames. A trifold mattress folds in 3 places to become a sofa – it’s that simple.
Milliard’s 4.5-inch trifold foam mattress is our favorite of all the trifolds thanks to the high quality, decent price, and comfort when sleeping on it. It’s also comfortable to sit on, whether you’re chilling in front of the TV or chatting with friends. Thanks to the low-to-the-floor design, it’s also easy for young kids to climb up onto without injuring themselves. If there are any spills, simply remove the cover and shove it in the washing machine.
4. Best Latex: Plush Beds Slice of Heaven Latex Mattress
- Type: Latex
- Sizes Available: Single, Twin, Wide Twin, Full, Wide Full, Queen, Wide Queen
- Delivery: Free US Shipping in 2+ Weeks
- Trial Period: 100 Nights
- Warranty: Optional Protection Plan
This latex mattress is made from 100% natural latex, sourced from Sri Lanka and manufactured into premium sofa bed mattresses in the USA by Plush Beds. Not only is latex entirely hypoallergenic and more breathable than foam, but it’s also completely eco-friendly and can naturally decompose once you’re finished with it.
It also has a touchably soft cotton cover and arrives in a box, ready to unroll. Just bear in mind that latex can have an odor that needs airing out, plus the cotton mattress cover isn’t machine washable.
Oh, and Plush Beds always offer a 100-night free trial, even if you purchase this mattress through Wayfair, so if you’re unsure about latex mattresses you can return it easily!
5. Plush Beds Slice of Heaven Foam Mattress
- Type: Memory Foam
- Sizes Available: Single, Twin, Wide Twin, Full, Wide Full, Queen, Wide Queen
- Delivery: Free US Shipping in 2+ Weeks
- Trial Period: 100 Nights
- Warranty: Optional Protection Plan
This is the memory foam version of the latex Slice of Heaven above. It’s good (although we thought the latex option was better) and is made from CertiPUR certified Plushfoam, which is supposedly 3x as dense as regular foam.
At 4.5 inches thick, it has a medium-soft feel and improved contour support over standard foam. It’s also hypoallergenic, free of VOCs, and has a deluxe cotton cover. Yep, you guessed it – this mattress is quite pricey!
It’s one of the most expensive sofa bed mattresses on our list, so we recommend it for anyone who can guarantee that their sofa bed will be used frequently – that’s the best way to ensure you get your money’s worth.
6. Jubilee Mattress Kinsley Cooling Gel Memory Foam
- Type: Gel Memory Foam
- Sizes Available: Twin, Full, Queen
- Delivery: Free US Shipping in 2+ Weeks
- Trial Period: Return Within 90 Days
- Warranty: Optional 2-Year Protection Plan
This is one of the thinnest mattresses on our list at just 3 inches, which makes it a good option for awkwardly sized sofa beds. You can expect a medium-firm feel, despite it being stuffed with gel memory foam, which is great if you need extra back support for sleeping on the sofa bed for more than a few days.
We were also impressed that the hypoallergenic, heat-wicking gel memory foam is delivered in the smallest package possible. No need to worry about lugging a heavy sofa or mattress up the stairs (pivot, Chandler, pivot!) as it arrives rolled up neatly into a box. Plan time to let it unfurl completely before sleeping on it.
7. DynastyMattress Gel Memory Foam Sofa Mattress
- Type: Gel Memory Foam
- Sizes Available: Full, Queen
- Delivery: Free US Shipping in 1-2 Weeks
- Trial Period: Amazon Return Policy
- Warranty: 5-Year Standard Warranty
This gel memory foam mattress from DynastyMattress is simple, yet good quality and at a decent price. The gel memory foam keeps you cooler than a standard memory foam mattress – like the one that arrived with your sofa – and tends to offer a little more support for stomach and back sleepers who prefer a firmer feeling.
You also get a zipper cover with this mattress, so if there are any spills or stains you can simply wash them out.
Both full and queen sizes are available, but just double-check the size by measuring your existing mattress before buying! This might not be fanciest sofa bed mattress, but it still a very decent and reliable mattress to choose.
8. Sleep Philosophy Waterproof Sofa Bed Mattress
- Type: Polyester Foam
- Sizes Available: Full, Queen
- Delivery: Free US Shipping Within 2 Weeks
- Trial Period: Return Within 180 Days
- Warranty: N/A
So, technically this isn’t a mattress all by itself… but it’s still worth considering. Whether you buy it alongside a new sofa bed mattress or to plump up your existing one, this topper is a great choice… especially for messy kid sleepovers.
It fits any mattress size up to 8 inches thick and has moisture management protection and an anti-microbial filling. Ergo, you should pop this mattress cover on when young kids are sleeping over. It will also keep the mattress underneath cleaner for longer and provide extra cushioning for side sleepers.
To receive the free shipping, you’ll need to spend over the threshold so why not pick up your mattress from the Home Depot too?
9. Intex Inflatable Pull-Out Sofa Bed
- Type: Inflatable
- Sizes Available: Queen
- Delivery: Free US Shipping Within 1 Week
- Trial Period: Return Within 90 Days
- Warranty: 30 Days
This queen-sized airbed style sofa bed is intriguing, to say the least! As it’s inflatable, it doesn’t offer you the same support as a traditional mattress, so you won’t want to be sleeping on this one for an extended amount of time. You also will need to manually pump it full of air, which is annoying when you just want to get to sleep.
Regardless, the Intex Inflatable sofa bed is the most portable of all the sofa bed mattresses on our list. Once deflated, it will be easy to store in a box hidden under a bed or even in the boot of your car. Thanks to the waterproof cover, this mattress is also suitable for outdoor use and can be a great way to combine your camping mattress and sofa mattress into one, saving you money and space.
10. Sleeplanner Trifold Memory Foam Mattress
- Type: Memory Foam
- Sizes Available: Twin
- Delivery: Free US Shipping Within 1 Week
- Trial Period: N/A, Non-Returnable
- Warranty: Optional 10-Year Plan
Last on our list is another trifold sofa mattress. This time, it’s a simple, affordable, and small twin mattress that folds up into a neat block-shaped stool. If you’re searching for a sofa bed mattress that your kids can use for a sleepover, this is a great choice. Once folded up, it can slide under a bed or be used as a comfortable seat – great for lounging about, gaming and watching Netflix on before bed.
At 4 inches thick, it won’t be any less comfortable than full-sized trifold memory foam mattresses. Sleeplanner manufactures it with firm memory foam (more popular with younger kids than soft), and a non-slip woven fabric cover that’s gentle against your skin but is still long-lasting and durable.
Sofa Mattress Buying Guide
If you’re going to research on your own, scroll back up to read our ‘How We Selected These Sofa Bed Mattresses’ section. It will give you the rough outline of questions you should be asking as you shop.
To further your sofa bed education (without getting super boring) we’ve created a mini-guide so you can be a smart shopper and end up with the perfect sofa bed and mattress set.
When to Swap Your Sofa Mattress
Sofa bed mattresses are not going to be as oh-so-comfortable as a full bed mattress. Despite this, you can still find sofa beds that are good for your back and result in a restful night’s sleep. And no, it’s not just us saying this – check out the forums of sofa bed lovers.
The big problem is longevity. Sofa beds are designed for infrequent use, for when guests need to stay over now and then. The more the mattress is slept on or folded again and again, the quicker it will lose its quality, start to sag and no longer provide the support you need.
There are no studies on the exact longevity of sofa beds, but from our research, we would estimate that sleeping on a sofa bed every night, then folding it up every morning, will wear out the mattress in 6 to 12 months. Sleeping on the mattress and having it permanently extended will buy you a few years. Occasional use could buy you 5 years or more if you take proper care of the mattress.
That’s not good news!
If you have the budget, we’d recommend buying a higher quality mattress from the get-go, to prolong the life of the sofa bed further. Forget the standard mattress that’s delivered with the sofa, it’s just not going to last.
Once you spot signs of the mattress deteriorating (being excessively noisy, sagging in the middle or edges, a weird odor, etc.), it’s time to buy a new one.
Different Types of Sofa Mattress to Select
Searching for a ‘sofa bed’ returns a very varied selection of products. Underneath the sofa bed umbrella, you’ll find:
- Pull out sofa beds – the most common type of sofa bed is the pull out one. Usually, you remove the cushions and pull on the frame of the sofa to reveal a full-sized mattress that folds back up when you need to reassemble the sofa.
- Futons (Know more details on futon) – the cushions that make up the seat and back of the sofa will fit together to create the mattress, so if you have a futon, you’re reading the wrong guide!
- Trifolds – the mattress and the sofa are one! The entire sofa unfolds into a flat surface to sleep on, then folds back up in 3 places to create your sofa in the morning.
- Sleeper sofas – these have a mattress hidden under the cushions. It doesn’t pull out, so the sleeping area is usually the same size as the sofa sitting area.
Once you’ve selected the right one for your home, you’ve then got the choice of sticking with the supplied mattress or finding a newer, better one. Most sofa bed mattresses are foam or a mix of foam and innerspring, but you could also find latex mattresses if you look hard enough. Here’s what you need to know about them.
- Foam – Often memory foam, these mattresses are the lightest and are easily foldable. This makes them the top choice for sofa bed mattresses. They tend to be best for side/combination sleepers but can make you hot and sweaty overnight.
- Innerspring – This mattress type offers the best support and is good for back/stomach sleepers. It is noisy, however, and can be uncomfortable if the covers aren’t thick enough (a mattress topper will solve this).
- Latex – A rubber-like material that’s as supportive as foam, but more eco-friendly. Far from the norm, you’ll struggle to find a selection of latex mattresses to choose from, but there are some compatible sofa bed mattresses out there.
- Hybrid (know more details on the hybrid mattress)– Potentially offering the best of both worlds (at a price), the hybrid mattress gives you the underlying support of innersprings with the sinkable comfort of foam.
While you’re limited on the thickness and types of mattresses you can buy for your sofa bed, there are still other ingenious ways to boost the comfort of your sofa bed.
- Buy high-quality pillows. If your sofa bed is for guests, pick hypoallergenic ones in case they have allergies. The standard, slim pillows that come with a sofa bed are poor quality. You can easily find plumper, softer pillows without spending a fortune. Check on Amazon, Target, and other online sites where you can grab a pillow set.
- Consider a mattress topper. If your sofa bed only has space for a very thin mattress, consider buying a mattress topper that you can add when the sofa bed is rolled out. This will give it more depth and cushioning comfort, which is perfect for side sleepers in particular.
- Don’t skimp on the duvet. With less padding beneath you and a different room temperature to the bedroom, the duvet and covers on your sofa bed mattress are important to select correctly. Pick breathable covers and either a thick duvet or a thin one plus blankets to layer up.
We Recommend:
Sofa Bed Mattress FAQs
Can I buy a new mattress for my sofa bed?
Yes, we recommend it! The mattress that comes with your sofa bed might not be the best available. If you’re permanently sleeping on the sofa bed or have a lot of guests who visit frequently, then choosing a higher quality mattress is worth the money. Luckily, there are plenty of sofa bed mattresses to browse.
Are sofa bed mattresses different to normal ones?
Yes, sofa bed mattresses are typically thinner than normal mattresses as they need to compress down into your sofa when not in use. They’ll also be structured differently so they can fold up without being damaged. A normal mattress will be too thick or rigid to work with your sofa bed.
How thick should my sofa bed mattress be?
Most sofa bed mattresses are thinner than standard mattresses as they need to fold up into your sofa when not in use. The exact thickness you need depends on your sofa bed – a good rule is to get the same mattress thickness as the mattress supplied with the sofa bed.
If you have a little extra space, you could go for a mattress that is an inch or two thicker, as this will provide more comfort for your guests!
Can I use a memory foam mattress for my sofa bed?
Yes, so long as the memory foam mattress is designed for a sofa bed. It should be the right size and depth to fit your sofa bed and have the flexibility to fold up with your sofa bed when not in use. Look for sofa bed specific mattresses, like the ones on our list, rather than standard memory foam mattresses.
What is the difference between a sleeper sofa and a sofa bed?
You’ll find that the terms sleeper sofa and sofa bed are quite interchangeable! Technically, a sleeper sofa is designed for sleeping on – you simply remove the sofa cushions and voila, there’s a bed ready for you.
A sofa bed is typically the fold-out or futon style sleep arrangement, where you unfold or pull out a part of the sofa to reveal a full-sized mattress to sleep on. You can buy sofa bed mattresses for either style, just make sure it’s a foldable mattress if you have a sofa bed.
More: 5 Most Comfortable Sleeper Sofa Within Your Budget
