Maybe you have a hand-me-down couch or a thrifted floral sectional that isn’t cutting it. Or maybe your seat cushions are sunken in or stained. Whatever the reason you’re looking to buy a new couch online, you’ve come to the right place. A few of us here on the WIRED Gear team have spent years testing sofas delivered to our door sight unseen, assessing some of the most popular couches you can order online. These are our favorites.
Much like with bed-in-a-box mattresses, ordering a couch online is simpler than it sounds. You simply choose what you want, place an order, and voilà: Several boxes will arrive on your front porch. Assemble the parts and you’re good to go. But it’s important to do your research. Many couch makers offer sample swatches of fabrics, which you should take advantage of to ensure that the color and feel are exactly what you want. Make sure to measure the area where your couch will be, as well as doorframes and stairwells for delivery.
Updated September 2024: We’ve removed a discontinued couch, added a new sofa, and updated pricing throughout.
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Why Should I Buy a Couch Online?
Buying a couch online comes with a lot of benefits. Usually there are more customization options and a wider selection to choose from. Oftentimes it’s cheaper than buying outright in-store, too. The biggest bonus is probably that you get delivery which means you don’t have to rent a U-Haul or big a friend with a truck. If you choose to assemble it yourself, you can do it at your own pace, and if you choose white-glove delivery, they’ll just plop your furniture wherever it needs to go. Unless you’re near a showroom, you lose out on the benefit of being able to try it in person, but most couch retailers have a trial period so you can return it for free if you end up disliking it.
What Should I Do Before Purchasing?
Beforte you order, be sure to measure the area where it will be (a few times!) and consider putting masking tape down to get a feel for the dimensions if you’re struggling to visualize them. If you’ll be assembling the sofa yourself, consider having a friend come help you put it together. (I’ve successfully put together a lot of sofas on my own, but it goes faster with a pal.) Consider your fabric as well. Performance fabrics are more durable and easier to clean, but they aren’t as soft or luxurious as some other finishes like chenille or microfiber. Many couch manufacturers have swatch books available so you can experience the color and texture in-person before committing. After you order but before you get delivery be sure you clear your space.
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Big and Sturdy
Albany Park Barton Sofa
I’ve had the Albany Park Barton in my living room for nearly four months, and the only complaint I have is that a vegan leather couch (or any leather, really) can be too cold to jump onto during the freezing winter months when you just want to cozy up. The secret? Have lots of throws so you can add a barrier between your skin and the cool material. The Barton is the second couch from Albany Park I’ve tested and it’s a noticeable upgrade in build quality. The frame feels more durable, and the plush foam seats are soft, supportive, and don’t need readjusting all that much (unlike the original Kova I tested).
This couch is deep enough enough for two people to comfortably cuddle together (plus a dog). I’m 6’4″ and the Barton is long enough that I don’t need to curl up to fit. I’d recommend adding some throw pillows to the ends so that you can more comfortably rest your head on the arms. Speaking of, my wife and I love the wide arms, which are stable enough to hold a coffee cup while we’re catching up on 30 Rock (just be careful). We regularly eat in front of the TV, and I cannot for the life of me find a stain or mark on the couch. If you do end up spilling something on it, the covers are removable. (I can’t speak for the other materials since I only tested the vegan leather, but there are several other fabrics you can choose from.) You can also choose the stain of the solid wood legs—oak, walnut, or black. Though they’re kind of hard to see, so it doesn’t feel like it matters much.
Fair warning, it does arrive in three separate boxes and you will have a much easier time if you have someone to help set it up. But the instructions are clear and easy to follow and, barring the amount of time it took me to get rid of all the recycled cardboard, it was pretty quick to build. Albany Park has a 30-day trial so you can give a test before committing to the couch.—Julian Chokkattu
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Photograph: Allform
Great Stain Resistance
Allform 3-Seat Sofa
Allform is a sister company of company of Helix which makes our favorite overall bed-in-a-box mattress. This furniture isn’t cheap, but you can customize it to be up to eight cushions long or get it in custom shapes like an L or U. It’s made sustainably, at least partially. The wood used is certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and excess wood is recycled. Glues and finishes are nontoxic and water-based, the steel components are at least 95 percent recycled, and the seat cushion padding is 100 percent recycled. The packaging is both recycled and recyclable.
The couch is comfortable, with deep-set cushions that have stayed fluffy under heavy use, and the three-seater is long enough for my tallest pals to snooze on. The seats are deep enough that I can comfortably sit pretzel-style, and the detached back cushions allow for relaxed lounging. They also make good elbow rests when visiting with a friend. There are leather options available, but I tried a couch made with Allform’s “performance fabric,” which is designed to be stain-resistant and generally tough—two qualities I can verify. One of my hellion cats decided to ralph up a hairball onto a couch cushion while I slept. It sat there until I woke up. Miraculously, all it took was some cleaning solution and paper towels to completely eradicate the evidence. Persuading my furry criminals to stop scratching the sofa arms is another battle entirely.
Assembly was easy and made easier with this helpful video. One thing to note: The boxes this couch comes in are huge. Allform backs the sofa with a 100-day trial and a lifetime warranty on the frame. You can order free fabric swatches here.
