The best futons for under $500

Kyle SchurmanJul 3, 2020, 01:53 IST

Futons are space-saving pieces of furniture that do double duty as both couches and beds. If your home has limited space, buying a futon is an easy way to add a seating and sleeping area for guests.
We've rounded up five great futons for less than $500.
The Jerry Sales Montreal X Espresso Futon is our top pick because it works equally well as a pull-out bed and a couch.

Futons were pretty much made for small living spaces, and are perfect for putting up overnight guests. The trick with picking out a futon is finding one that works as well as a couch as it does a bed, and vice-versa. That's especially the case when you're trying to find a futon online, without testing it out first. Plus, if you're sticking to a $500 budget, the objective becomes even more difficult.

We've spent a dozen hours reading professional reviews and scouring the web, and below are our picks in the sub-$500 range.

Uses for futons

When picking a futon, think about how it will be used. Different futons are better suited for different tasks.

Sitting: If the futon will primarily be used as a couch and only occasionally as a guest bed, look for a model that has legs, armrests, and a backrest that's part of the frame for the most comfort. Also look for one with less ridges, which sometimes offer more support in the bed position, but can be purely punishing as a seat.
Sleeping: As Slumberland discusses, some futons take up a lot of floor space when they're unfolded. So if you plan to use the futon as a guest bed on a regular basis, you'll need to have clear space around it. You don't want to put it in a spot where you constantly have to move other furniture in order to unfold it. You'll also want to look for a thick and comfortable mattress, along with a supportive frame.
Mixture: If the futon will be used for both sitting and sleeping equally, look for one that's easy to convert from couch to bed and back again. Loveseat-style futons, which feature leg extensions that fold into the frame, tend to provide the most versatility considering how little floor space they take up, according to Futonland.

Key considerations

Once you've figured out how you plan to use the futon, you can home in on the specific features you want. Do you want to deal with a frame? Is a traditional Japanese futon (that is, a mat on the floor) the best and easiest solution, or do you want a sofa, too? The options are endless, but figuring out what you're basically after first will ease the difficulty.

Bifold mattress: Most futon mattresses are bifold cushions, meaning they fold once when used in the couch setup. However, a few cushions are trifold, which can be a little trickier to set up and use.
Easy to clean: Pick a futon mattress that has an easy-to-clean surface material. After all, there's a tiny chance the dorm room futon will have something spilled on it at some point. And by tiny chance, we mean 99.9%. As The Spruce says, using a removable futon cover is a good solution, because it's easy to throw in a washing machine.
Frame construction: For a futon that's easier to move around, it's helpful if the frame can be taken apart for transport and reassembled later. This can be especially handy if you're moving a lot.
Frame materials: Futons are available with wood or metal frames. Overstock says metal frames offer more durability than wood frames, and are typically less expensive, making them perfect for dorm rooms. Wood futons often fit better into the décor of a room, and can be more comfortable, but if you do spring for wood, you may want to spend more than $500—the cheap particle board that's often used doesn't hold up well over time.
Innerspring coils: For the most comfortable sleep, a futon mattress with innerspring coils inside — similar to a traditional bed mattress — is the right choice. Some futon mattresses are filled with foam or cotton batting, which isn't as supportive.
Size: You can buy futons in a variety of mattress sizes, based on your sleeping needs. Futon Life offers a great list of futon mattress measurements to help you decide what works best for you.
Weight: If you want to move the futon and mattress regularly from room to room, you don't want a heavy frame. Here we should note that innerspring coil mattresses are heavier than their foam counterparts.

Here are the best futons you can buy:

Best futon overall: Jerry Sales Montreal X Espresso Futon
Best small, stylish futon: Kodiak Futon Lounger
Best Japanese futon: FULI Japanese Traditional Shiki Futon

Updated 7/1/2020. Prices and links are up to date. We added recommendations for a Japanese futon (the FULI Japanese Traditional Shiki Futon) and a folding sofa (the Lucid Mattress-Sofa). We aren't currently testing any other futons in the $500 or less range, but will update this guide accordingly when we do.

The best futon overall

Jerry Sales/SearsYou'll pay a bit extra for the Jerry Sales Montreal X Espresso Futon, but it's an extremely sturdy and comfortable piece of furniture for both sitting and sleeping.

If your budget can accommodate it, one of the most comfortable futons for less than $500 is the Jerry Sales Montreal X Espresso Futon.

This model uses an 8-inch thick innerspring mattress that offers plenty of support for sleeping. It's a queen-size mattress, which your overnight guests will appreciate. However, it may be too large for some dorm rooms, so be sure to measure your space. The couch is 85 inches long, which makes it one of the larger futons in our guide. As such, it may be better suited to an apartment than a dorm.

The wood frame includes armrests and good back support, making the Montreal X excellent for sitting, too. More than a dozen mattress colors are available to match the look of your apartment or dorm room. There are several different wood stains available for each frame as well.

You can expect to spend some time on assembly with this futon, but for a piece of furniture with this kind of build quality, the extra effort is well worth it.

Pros: High-quality frame and comfortable mattress, more than a dozen mattress colors available, queen size fold-down bed, excellent back and neck support, large couch for multiple people to sit on

Cons: Assembly is a complicated process, may be too large for some dorm rooms, comparatively pricey

You'll pay a bit extra for the Jerry Sales Montreal X Espresso Futon, but it's an extremely sturdy and comfortable piece of furniture for both sitting and sleeping.

If your budget can accommodate it, one of the most comfortable futons for less than $500 is the Jerry Sales Montreal X Espresso Futon.

You can expect to spend some time on assembly with this futon, but for a piece of furniture with this kind of build quality, the extra effort is well worth it.

Cons: Assembly is a complicated process, may be too large for some dorm rooms, comparatively pricey

The best small, stylish futon

KodiakIf you need a small futon for a dorm room that's also colorful and stylish, the Kodiak Futon Lounger is a great pick.

If you want a splash of style and color in your dorm room or small apartment, the Kodiak Futon Lounger is the perfect answer. You can choose from a spectrum of colors and patterns on Amazon.

This futon works better as a small sofa than as a bed, because when the mattress folds out, it only measures 31 inches in width and 76 inches in length. If you mostly need it for seating, or your guests are comfortable with the limited amount of sleeping space, it's a great pick.

The back cushions remain in place when you turn this futon into a bed, while the sides fold down, so you could choose to leave one side upright to create a lounger.

The mattress is almost six inches thick, making it comfortable to use for sleeping or sitting. However, as The Sleep Judge points out, you'll want to place the futon against a wall for support when using it as a couch, as the back cushions don't provide significant support.

The futon is small, too, measuring only 66 inches in width, so it'll fit well in most dorm rooms, as Heavy says. It's not really made for more than two people to use at once, so it may be too fragile for certain dorm room situations.

Pros: Numerous color and pattern choices, small couch should fit in many dorm rooms, thick mattress, can be set up as a lounger in addition to a bed or couch

Cons: Not much back or neck support as a couch, sleeper mattress is only 31 inches wide, too fragile for more than two people

If you need a small futon for a dorm room that's also colorful and stylish, the Kodiak Futon Lounger is a great pick.

If you want a splash of style and color in your dorm room or small apartment, the Kodiak Futon Lounger is the perfect answer. You can choose from a spectrum of colors and patterns on Amazon.

The back cushions remain in place when you turn this futon into a bed, while the sides fold down, so you could choose to leave one side upright to create a lounger.

Pros: Numerous color and pattern choices, small couch should fit in many dorm rooms, thick mattress, can be set up as a lounger in addition to a bed or couch

Cons: Not much back or neck support as a couch, sleeper mattress is only 31 inches wide, too fragile for more than two people

The best Japanese futon

Tatami mat not included. Amazon

Japanese futons are portable, storable, and often much more practical than their American counterparts, especially in smaller spaces. FULI's futons come in bed sizes from twin to king, and roll up to fit in your closet.

Despite its association with a slatted, fold-out sofa stateside, a futon, which is a Japanese word, is by definition a quilted mattress that rolls out on the floor and is used as a bed. It's a practical piece of furniture that, unlike a bed or a (western-style) futon, does not need to dominate a room when it is not in use.

This one, from FULI, is a three-layer piece made of 100% cotton fabric and 100% polyester stuffing. The queen size weighs only 10 pounds, and can fold to 27" x 37" x 3.5", which means it should fit in most closets and beneath most beds and couches.

It's a pretty simple, quilted pad, which you'll either put directly on the floor or atop a tatami mat. We recommend the tatami mat, both to set up a little support and to keep your futon clean.

Keep in mind, though, that this is not a mattress — at least not in the American sense. It does not have foam, it does not have coils, and it will not offer significant support. It will, however, save you space and put up a friend or two in a pinch (provided they're willing to get cozy).

Pros: Affordable, storable

Cons: Not a ton of support, not a couch

This one, from FULI, is a three-layer piece made of 100% cotton fabric and 100% polyester stuffing. The queen size weighs only 10 pounds, and can fold to 27 x 37 x 3.5, which means it should fit in most closets and beneath most beds and couches.

It's a pretty simple, quilted pad, which you'll either put directly on the floor or atop a tatami mat. We recommend the tatami mat, both to set up a little support and to keep your futon clean.

Pros: Affordable, storable

Cons: Not a ton of support, not a couch

The best folding sofa

LucidIf you want something a little more substantial than a mat on the floor or a polyester-stuffed futon cushion, Lucid's 4-inch Mattress-Sofa is a sweet spot.

High-density foam, a removable and machine-washable zipper cover, and carrying handles make the Lucid Comfort Couch a practical if somewhat clunky-looking step between a bed and a couch.

Let's face it: Futon mattresses tend not to be the most comfortable places to crash. They're not uniformly firm or plush, and they can bunch up over time. This high-density foam makes for a consistently firm sofa (and bed) that won't start to sag or soften, and again, unlike many futon mattresses, it's washable.

The Lucid Mattress-Sofa also comes in various sizes, from a basic twin to a queen, as well as a double-wide king-size (which is the best deal, if you have the room for it).

What's more is that while a lot of futon and sofa brands will only offer a year warranty, Lucid offers a three-year one protecting you from manufacturer defects. You can also purchase an extended 10-year warranty for about $30.

If you're in need of a couch and a second bed, but don't have a lot of space, or plan to car-camp or move frequently and don't want the burden of heavy, full-framed furniture, Lucid's Mattress-Sofa is a functional, affordable, and most importantly comfortable addition to your dorm room, studio, living room, or camper

Another option, and arguably one with a slightly more appealing shape, is the Couchbed. We've reviewed it, and we recommend it, but it sits a little low for some people (and rooms), and the creases it leaves when unfolded into a bed can be uncomfortable.

Pros: Firm, high-density memory foam, various sizes available, easy to move, lightweight, washable cover, more comfortable than the average futon

Cons: Maybe not the fanciest looking thing, but you can dress it up

If you want something a little more substantial than a mat on the floor or a polyester-stuffed futon cushion, Lucid's 4-inch Mattress-Sofa is a sweet spot.

High-density foam, a removable and machine-washable zipper cover, and carrying handles make the Lucid Comfort Couch a practical if somewhat clunky-looking step between a bed and a couch.

The Lucid Mattress-Sofa also comes in various sizes, from a basic twin to a queen, as well as a double-wide king-size (which is the best deal, if you have the room for it).

Pros: Firm, high-density memory foam, various sizes available, easy to move, lightweight, washable cover, more comfortable than the average futon

Cons: Maybe not the fanciest looking thing, but you can dress it up

What else we considered

Couchbed

Couchbed: Another option, and arguably one with a slightly more appealing shape, is the Couchbed. We've reviewed it, and we recommend it, but it sits a little low for some people (and rooms), and the creases it leaves when unfolded into a bed can be uncomfortable. Still, it's a functional piece made with quality foam, and it'll last.

Room Essentials Futon Sofa: While this futon sofa looks like it could tie any room together, it just doesn't seem to be built well enough for our recommendation. It's made with inexpensive wood and assembled rather simply. It also may not be as sturdy as some futon mattresses since it lacks springs.

If you do go for this option, just make sure you assemble it well and tighten the fittings regularly. The particle-board frame will otherwise be prone to giving way. We recommend this if it's something you're planning on tossing in a year or two, but you can find better, especially if you're willing to shop for used furniture.

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