Difference Between a Hide-A-Bed & a Sofa Sleeper

Functionality

• Hide-a-beds and sofa sleepers vary in functionality. A sofa sleeper uses its cushions as the mattress, where a hide-a-bed hides the mattress under the cushions. Although both styles of furniture can be stealthy (not showing that they are beds) hide-a-beds will show less wear and tear over the years as the mattress and cushions are separate.

Comfort

• Both styles of furniture can be comfortable, depending on the quality of the cushions and mattress, however the mattress and cushions will wear out over time and replacing the mattress of a hide-a-bed is more convenient than replacing the mattress and cushions of a sofa sleeper. A sofa sleeper, however, can provide a more comfortable sleep if you enjoy a thicker mattress as many sofa sleeper cushions are up to eight inches thick.

Cost

• Hide-a-beds cost more up front but are also more durable. Value comparison depends on how often the hide-a-bed or sofa sleeper will be used. If it is used often a hide-a-bed will give you more value for your dollar, but if used only for an occasional guest spending less on a sofa sleeper is more practical.

Convenience

• Sofa sleepers are more convenient to set up and use than hide-a-beds. To set up a hide-a-bed the cushions must first be removed from the couch, then there is a frame and mattress to pull out of the couch (the mattress is already on the frame in order to keep firmness in the couch throughout the day). This process can be difficult as the frame is usually heavy and made of metal. Sofa sleepers convert from a sofa to a bed by either laying the back of the sofa down and using the back and bottom cushions as the mattress, or by pulling/unfolding the cushions out across the floor to create a bed. Adults and children can more easily manage moving cushions around, making this set up faster and more convenient.