15 Best Places to Buy a Couch, According to Sofa Experts

If you're looking to invest in a comfortable, stylish sofa, Pottery Barn is an excellent option. The reputable brand offers a wide range of modern and traditional styles, plus the option to customize your sofa by choosing the size, configuration, upholstery fabric and more. We surveyed over 100 Pottery Barn sofa owners, who agree that Pottery Barn sells high-quality and comfortable sofas that last for years.

One reviewer says, "I liked the option to purchase the sofa in a performance fabric. This allowed me to choose a lighter color fabric for my family room's color scheme, because I wasn't afraid of spots and stains showing." Users note the ease of ordering, plus the brand offers full-service set-up (although it's an added cost). Keep in mind: It may take weeks, or even months, to receive certain sofa styles, but the brand will provide an estimate at time of ordering.

Return policy: 30 days; excludes made-to-order couches | Delivery options: Doorstep delivery (10% for orders over $300) or white glove delivery (based on delivery zones, starts at $159) | Shipping time: Starts at 1 week for quick-ship items and 8 weeks for special orders

Attention budget shoppers who appreciate cool features, like reclining seats, cup holders and built-in outlets, Ashley Furniture has a variety of great options. Not only is it easy to find a sofa under $1,000 (some even under $500), but users shared positive feedback across the board — from ordering to comfort, appearance and quality. Plus, you have the choice to shop online or in store.

Reviewers found the sofas are more durable than similarly priced offerings from other brands, though maybe not as sturdy as higher priced options. Many noted that Ashley Furniture's couches are easy to clean and hold up well over time. One writes, "It's very comfortable, doesn't flatten with time and is still in the same condition as when it was new." Most sofas include decorative throw pillows, which our reviewers appreciated. Once you pick a style, your choice of fabric and color may be limited and customization isn't an option.

Return policy: 30 days | Delivery options: In-home delivery (fee varies) | Shipping time: Varies based on item; delivery team will reach out within two days to schedule shipment

Amazon has a wide range of sofas with many options costing less than $500. Since the retailer is known for its fast (and usually free) shipping, you can expect to receive your new couch swiftly. You can find sofas from a variety of brands, although most may be unrecognizable and quality can vary. Our advice? Rely heavily on reviews, including photo reviews, before purchasing a couch from Amazon.

The retailer has it own brands, Rivet and Stone & Beam, which offer great options for apartment renters and other temporary living arrangements, since they're affordable and provide easy self-assembly. After purchasing a sofa from Rivet, one reviewer noted, "The price was very good — about $100 less than at a brick and mortar store. I trusted Amazon’s reviews and photos, and the ease of ordering."

Return policy: 30 days, but may vary for some third-party sellers | Delivery options: Free standard shipping for Prime members; fees apply for some third-party sellers | Shipping time: Varies based on seller, but starts at a few days

If having too many choices makes you feel overwhelmed, Albany Park has only five furniture collections — including the popular Kova, Albany and Park collections. Most are available in a variety of styles (think sofas, sectionals and pit sectionals, plus matching ottomans and armchairs), as well as a range of trendy fabric and leg colors.

Albany Park is also ideal for apartment renters or anyone expecting to move in the future because the modular sofas can be easily taken apart and put back together. The brand offers free shipping and delivers furniture in easy-to-move boxes. "FAST shipping — we had our furniture order in a week," says one tester. Note: Assembly should be easy, but you'll have to do it yourself.

Return policy: 30 days, subject to a 10-20% shipping fee | Delivery options: Free curbside delivery | Shipping time: Varies based on inventory; most items ship within 1 week

Perfect for budget shoppers, Wayfair offers an array of stylish sofas at fair prices. From tufted cushions and popular colors to sleeper sofas and reclining seats, you're sure to find a style that elevates your living room design. While most couches are easy to assemble yourself, the retailer also offers full-service set-up for an added cost.

Most reviewers (we heard from 137 Wayfair sofa owners) were satisfied with their purchase, noting "unbeatable prices," great return policies, fast delivery and helpful customer service. "Wayfair ordering was a breeze — fast delivery and fair pricing," writes one reviewer. In terms of durability, some worry that their couch may not hold up well over time, although most found the sofa styles look pricier than they actually are.

Return policy: 30 days | Delivery options: Front door or inside entryway (free); for eligible items, choose your choice of room ($49.99) or white glove delivery and ($149.99) | Shipping time: Varies based on inventory; starts shipping at 2 days

Known for its minimalist and mid-century modern designs, Article offers a curated assortment of stylish sofas — making the brand a top choice for people that like to entertain. Most designs come in woven, leather or velvet fabrics in a limited range of colors. Article's sofas are not as deep as other brands, so they're a practical choice for apartments and other small spaces, though they may not be the most sensible for family lounging.

With Article, you can expect your sofa to ship quickly and for assembly to take between five and 15 minutes. Overall, our reviewers enjoy the size and style of their sofas, plus they found the ordering process simple. One writes, "We love the style and quality that Article offers. And the customer service is phenomenal."

Return policy: 30 days, subject to a $49 return shipping fee and $50 repackaging fee | Delivery options: Front door delivery (free on orders over $999), in-room delivery ($119), in-room delivery + assembly ($199) | Shipping time: Depends on inventory; starts around 1 week

With a variety of customizable couches, Crate & Barrel is a good option for families looking to invest in a comfortable sofa that will stand the test of time. If you're working with a tricky layout, you'll have the option to customize the size and configuration of your sofa or sectional, as well as choose a fabric. Since these couches are an investment, you can order up to five free swatches of the fabrics before settling on a style. Not to mention, there's the option to visit a local store.

In our latest sofa survey, reviewers loved the ease of ordering and the overall comfort, appearance and durability of Crate & Barrel's couches. Many note that the fabrics are easy to clean, with one writing, "I can easily wash off pen marks," and another, "We have two toddlers and have had some minor spills — everything has cleaned up very quickly." Since most of Crate & Barrel's sofas are made to order, delivery may take months.

Return policy: 30 days; excludes made-to-order items | Delivery options: In-home delivery (starts at $149) | Shipping time: In-stock items typically ship within 7-14 days or 2-4 weeks; made-to-order items may take longer

Showcasing a contemporary aesthetic, West Elm is home to a few of our favorite couches, including the best-selling Harmony sofa. (It was rated the most comfortable couch by Good Housekeeping experts, thanks to its cloud-like cushions). While West Elm sofas are a small investment, the prices are still affordable — most are between the $1,000 and $2,500 range, although you may be able snag something cheaper on sale.

Most sofas are available in over 100 different fabrics, as well as various sizes, so you can customize a style to fit your space. While some quick-ship fabrics will ship within one to five weeks, other styles may take months to ship. Overall, we heard from 67 West Elm owners who gave the brand high scores for easy ordering and set-up. One says that their sofa "does not pill" and even after using it as their main sofa for five years, it's "held up very well."

Return policy: 30 days | Delivery options: Doorstep delivery (10% for orders over $300) or white glove delivery (based on delivery zones, starts at $159) | Shipping time: Based on the style, but starts at 1 week for in-stock items and 5+ weeks for others

IKEA is known for its affordable home furnishings, and they offer a number of modern sofa styles — from two and three seaters to sectionals. You'll find a wide selection of simple sofa styles under $1,000, plus a number of stylish choices under $500 and even $300. IKEA also prioritizes convenience, so many couches feature hidden storage and most have slipcovers that can be machine washed or dry cleaned. Hint: You can purchase spare slipcovers to upgrade your space in an instant.

The brand is ideal for price-conscious shoppers who don't mind assembling their own sofa. Ordering from IKEA is also helpful if you're looking for a sofa fast, since you have the option to order online and pick up from the store. IKEA sofa owners love the low prices, and many found the quality to be impressive albeit not as luxe looking as other brands. "Our sectional meets our family's needs and has been sturdy for the past 9 years," writes one reviewer. "My only issue is that if we have to change all the covers (not just the cushions), it becomes a bit hard."

Return policy: 1 year for unopened items; 180 days for opened items | Delivery options: Standard shipping (starts at $19), scheduled doorstep delivery (starts at $29), scheduled in-home delivery ($59) — set-up not included | Shipping time: Minimum of 2 days; same-day delivery available for in-store pick-up

From loveseats and daybeds to sectionals and sleeper sofas, Joybird has a wide variety of trendy styles. With functional built-in storage and modular designs, Joybird's couches help to maximize small spaces. That's why we love the brand for apartment living.

Overall, Joybird owners enjoy the ordering experience and the "excellent array of choices in style and fabric," though they are on the pricey side. The site also offers free swatch kits and design services to help you plan your layout or build a modular sofa. There's also a 90-day return policy, so there's low risk in trying out Joybird.

Return policy: 90 days | Delivery options: Curbside delivery or white glove service on eligible items (fees determined by zip code) | Shipping time: Within 2 weeks for ready-to-ship items; customized items take longer

Lovesac is a smart option for homeowners looking to fill up a large living space or anyone who enjoys the flexibility of rearranging a modular sofa layout at home.

From arm style and configuration to fabric upholstery, Lovesac allows you to custom-design a sofa that accommodates your space. When you order a "Sactional" (a combo of the brand's name and sectional), you can buy as many seats and sides as you'd like — options range from two seats and four sides to the massive 10 seats and 12 sides. While Sactionals are expensive and some users found the sofas difficult to assemble, reviewers love that the couches are comfortable and easy to clean (the covers are machine-washable). "It's expensive, but so worth it," writes one reviewer.

Return policy: 60 days | Delivery options: Free doorstep delivery | Shipping time: Approximately 1-4 weeks; custom covers between 4-10 weeks

If you're looking for sofas with built-in recliners, look no further than La-Z-Boy. As the name suggests, the brand is focused on creating sofas where you can be "lazy" — a.k.a. kick up your feet up and relax. While there are options without reclining seats, the brand stands out for its recliner chairs and sofas.

We surveyed over 350 La-Z Boy sofa owners, who gave the brand high ratings, especially for comfort and appearance. One writes, "I have a bad back and the support of this sofa is amazing." Many also mention the couches are easy to clean and that they appreciate the unique features, like built-in chargers and removable cushions.

The only downside? The site doesn't offer as seamless of a shopping experience as other online retailers — it's more difficult to locate dimensions and choose a fabric. But, at least there's the option to shop in store.

Return policy: 3 days for upholstered furniture, subject to a restocking fee | Delivery options: Standard delivery fee based on zip code | Shipping time: 6-8 weeks for items with fabric covers;15-17 weeks for items with leather covers

RELATED: Best Reclining Sofas of 2024

Burrow features a range of modular sofa designs that blends mid-century modernism with contemporary Scandinavian style. In an effort to maximize convenience, the brand ships all items in boxes that are easier to navigate through doors and hallways, a feature that's especially important for apartment renters. Not only is the modular design simple enough to assemble yourself, but it allows users to rearrange the pieces as needed — like moving the chaise from one side to another the next time you move. Some users reported that the couches are smaller than expected so take note of the measurements.

The "Nomad" is the brand's most popular collection, which starts at $1,599 and allows you to choose your favorite arm style, cushion style, leg finish, material and fabric color. Luckily, the website offers a straightforward, friction-free online ordering process.

Return policy: 30 days, subject to a 10-20% return fee | Delivery options: Free standard delivery | Shipping time: In-stock items ship within 1-3 weeks

If you're someone who prefers to see and feel a sofa in person, consider visiting a Macy's department store to explore a variety of options. We suggest starting online. Once you've found a few styles you like, the website makes it easy to check which showrooms to visit.

Macy's offers an array of timeless sofa styles, plus a range of color choices. Find affordable three seaters under $500, sleeper sofas, reclining sofas and splurge-worthy sectionals, including the well-rated Radley 5-Piece Chaise Sectional Sofa (users found it comfortable and well worth the price).

We had over 200 Macy's sofa owners provide feedback, and most agree the quality is good, but wish certain styles were more durable and a few experienced delivery delays. One user notes the importance of sales: "Some sales are better than others. It’s possible to get a really good price."

Return policy: 30 days, subject to 30% restocking fee | Delivery options: Inside door (starts at $75), room of choice (starts at $100), white glove delivery (starts at $125) | Shipping time: Not listed

Whether you're decorating a bonus room or a small space, or you'd like to score a super affordable couch, few brands can compete with Walmart's low sofa prices. We recently compiled the best couches to buy at Walmart, and options include functional futons, modern sectionals designs, tufted styles and vintage-inspired sofas. Shop an array of stylish sofas for small spaces starting under $200.

The popular retailer sells a variety of third party and private label sofas, as well as options from its value brand, Mainstays. While we haven't personally tested any of Walmart's couches, the brand is worth mentioning due to its affordable prices, fast delivery and easy-to-assemble offerings. Since quality will vary from brand to brand, just be sure to read reviews before buying.

Return policy: 90 days | Delivery options: Free standard shipping with option to add assembly ($89), additional fees may apply for some third-party sellers | Shipping time: Most couches ship within 1 week