The best sofas in a box, according to the Good Housekeeping institute (original) (raw)

1

Joint best sofa in a box

Next Mila Compact 2-Seater Sofa In A Box

Score: 87/100

What we liked

With no tools needed and clear instructions, testers found this sofa easy to assemble, completing it within ten minutes. Overall, it was well made, and our panel declared its firm cushions comfortable. The fabric was soft to touch and repelled water, while stains were easy to remove when dealt with quickly.

Things to note

There’s not a lot of give with this sofa, so you won’t get a sink-in sensation. When we replicated the effect of pet scratching, we also noticed slight damage to the fabric after a while.

Who we’d recommend it for

Coming with a lifetime guarantee, this is a great buy for peace of mind. The compact design would suit smaller spaces, but if you like a plumper sofa, either invest in extra cushions or consider an alternative.

Key specifications

2

Joint best sofa in a box

Snug The Rebel 2-Seater Sofa

Score: 87/100

What we liked

This premium design had sizeable sink-in cushions that testers said could rival a traditional sofa. In fact, it scored full marks for its design, thanks to a high-quality finish and sturdy frame. The silky velvet fabric didn’t scratch in our pet tests and fared well against most stains, especially when treated quickly.

Things to note

Our experts found a second pair of hands helped with assembly, but this was down to its weight rather than a complex build – there were just four steps to follow, the instructions were straightforward, and no tools were needed. The velvet fabric wasn’t water repellent though.

Who we’d recommend it for

The frame has a guarantee of 15 years, making it a great long-term investment. Our testers found it could seat three people at a push, so if you want more room, you’d be better sizing up – the model is available in larger sizes and even a corner sofa.

Key specifications

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3

Best budget sofa in a box

Dunelm Crombie Flatweave 2-Seater Sofa In A Box

Score: 84/100

What we liked

Compact and sturdy, this sofa is an affordable buy that’s suited to small spaces. Testers built it within 15 minutes and found it lightweight, making it a good choice if you’re not quite sure where you want to position it. Stains were generally easy to banish, and the fabric was pet-friendly, sustaining no damage after 500 scratches.

Take note

While both our testers and panel found the sofa relatively comfortable, they noted that the shallow cushions mean it’s not the snuggliest to sit on.

Who we’d recommend it for

As it doesn’t have deep cushions, this may not be the best choice for anyone who likes to sink into their sofa. But if you want a reliable design on a smaller budget, this would fit the bill.

Key specifications

4

Best modular design

Swyft Model 03 2-Seater Sofa

Score: 82/100

What we liked

We tested the two-seater, but Swyft’s Model 03 sofa is designed so you can configure the modules to suit your room, even combining them to create a corner sofa. Its tool-free assembly is easy (although best done with two people) and the cosy velvet fabric proved resistant to both stains and pet scratches on test.

Take note

The sofa’s two modules don't secure together, so depending on where you position it and how people sit on it, they could separate and cause you to slip in between. The cushions are well-stuffed, which gives them a slightly domed look and a firm finish. Finally, if you like a tall back or high arm rests, bear in mind that the Model 03 design is fairly low.

Who we’d recommend it for

This investment sofa gives great flexibility and the potential to expand if you move in the future, just by adding another module. It’s not one for fans of squishy cushions, but of all the two-seaters we tested, it is the biggest, making it handy for busy households.

Key specifications

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5

We Do Sofas Oslo 2-Seater Sofa

Score: 78/100

What we liked

Another well-priced design, testers praised the ease of assembly and the helpful Velcro that keeps cushions tidily in place. They found the fabric soft and comfortable and were impressed with its stain removal and durability against consistent scratching.

Take note

This sofa didn’t come with any instructions, so if you’re wary of DIY, it may be best to avoid. That said, testers found its six parts simple to assemble, no tools were needed and only one person was required. Note that fire safety information was provided. Its cushions weren’t that snuggly, though.

Who we’d recommend it for

If you need something ultra-affordable and you’re confident with DIY, assembling this sofa should be a doddle. Given it’s a two-seater, testers found it a decent size, too. But, if the lack of instructions concerns you, we’d recommend spending a little bit more on one of our other models.

Key specifications

The GHI verdict on sofas in a box

If you're after an easy-to-assemble sofa for a smaller space, our joint winner from Next should serve you well. It's also a practical pick, thanks to its soft, water-repellant fabric and lifetime guarantee. Or if you have a slightly bigger budget, this premium design from Snug has a lovely sink-in feel with a silky velvet finish.

For those on a budget, we recommend this Dunelm sofa, which is lightweight and compact, and a steal for less than £200.

And if you want a sofa you can expand in the future if you move to a larger home, this modular sofa from Swyft offers plenty of flexibility.

Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute

We've been reviewing products at the GHI for 100 years, so we know what we're looking for. As well as performing rigorous tests in the lab, from stain removal to replicating pet scratches, we sent each sofa out to our reader panel to see how easy they were to build and how the designs worked in the real world.

Our homes testing manager, Blossom Boothroyd, analysed all the results and scored them based on feedback to help you find the very best sofa for your home.

Our homes editor, Hannah Mendelsohn, has written reviews on hundreds of household products, so knows exactly what to look for when analysing results, and how to turn that into easy-to-follow reviews you can trust.

Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.

Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.

Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.

Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.