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Emma Sofa Bed

Emma Sofa Bed Review UK (2023)

Last updated: 10.11.2023 Reading time: 8 Min.

Finding the perfect sofa bed is no easy task.

They need to be comfortable and functional as both a sofa and a bed with an easy-to-use mechanism.

It's a lot to ask out of one product, and many sofa beds don't make the cut.

So, we decided to see whether the Emma sofa bed lives up to our standards of comfort, durability and ergonomics.

In this Emma sofa bed review, we look at the ins and outs of the product, including the fabric, structure, opening mechanism and much more.

Let's get to it!

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Top features of the Emma Sofa Bed

200-day trial period
200-Day Trial Period
Customisable
Customisable Comfort
Machine-washable
Machine-Washable Cover
Free delivery & returns
Free Delivery & Returns

Advantages

  • Durable polyester fabric with stain- and water-repellent coating.
  • Quick and easy to open into a bed.
  • Double-sided mattress with soft and firm sides.
  • Premium metal and particle board base.
  • Transforms into two singles, a trundle or a queen-sized bed.
  • 200-day trial period.

Disadvantages

  • Only available in the three-seater sofa size.
  • Limited colour choice: dark grey and beige.
  • Doesn't match UK bedding sizes.

Who is the Emma sofa bed suitable for?

  • Front, back and side sleepers
  • Hot sleepers
  • Those with a larger budget
  • Guests staying the weekend

How we test products

Our mission is to take the guesswork out of finding the perfect sleep products.

We've dedicated hundreds of hours to testing mattresses and sleep accessories, and rely on a team of testers of differing weights, temperature preferences, and sleeping positions to evaluate each product. 

Tested products are granted the Sleep Hero tested stamp of approval, a mark of our review's reliability.

To learn more about our testing process, check out our methodology page.

If we haven't personally tested a product, please be assured that we invest significant time and energy into scouring the UK market and researching the best recommendations, and we work with a team of sleep experts who review our articles, ensuring that the insights we provide are not only relatable but also reliable.

Emma sofa bed UK composition

The Emma sofa bed has an impressive composition of high-quality materials that will withstand the test of time.

The main features include:

  • Durable upholstery cover with stain- and water-repellent coating.
  • Thick polyurethane foam mattress with great breathability and comfort.
  • Quick and easy-to-open folding mechanism.
  • High-quality metal and particle board base with fourteen flexible birch slats.

Don’t worry, we take a closer look at each of these elements further down.

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Emma sofa bed UK customisations

The Emma Sleep sofa bed has a timeless style that looks great as both a sofa and a bed.

While it only comes in one size (three-seater), there are a few customisation options to help tailor the Emma sofa bed to your other room furniture.

Choose your colour

The Emma sofa bed is available in two colourways: beige and dark grey.

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We wish there were a few more colour options, such as a statement blue, pastel green, cream or black.

However, a light and dark option still provides some flexibility in tailoring the sofa bed to your interior style.

emma sofa bed beige
Our team tested the beige colourway.

The fabric for both colours is 90% polyester, 5% nylon and 5% viscose with a stain- and water-repellent coating.

Plus, the upholstery is OEKO-TEX certified, so there are no harsh chemicals in the fabrics, which is great for babies and pets!

Choose your firmness level

The Emma Sleep sofa bed has a double-sided mattress with a soft and firm side.

Your guest can choose the firmness of their Emma mattress sofa bed depending on their personal preference.

firmness of mattress
Flip the Emma sofa bed mattress to the firm or soft side, depending on your guest's preferences.

We explain the ins and outs of the mattress further down.

How comfortable is the Emma sofa bed?

The Emma sofa bed is comfortable as both a sofa and a bed. 🎉

But in true Sleep Hero fashion, let's take a closer look in this Emma sofa bed review at how this product performs for either function.

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Using the product as a sofa

The Emma Sleep sofa bed is carefully designed for optimal comfort, using high-quality materials for the structure and mattress.

The Emma convertible sofa has three large cushions for the backrest, filled with polyester to ensure comfort and durability.

polyester filling of Emma sofa bed backseat cushions
The backseat cushions have a polyester filling.

The seat cushion also serves as one part of the mattress if you turn the sofa bed into two singles or a trundle bed.

We explore how to convert the sofa bed further down.

These lightweight cushions maintain their shape even after extended use, providing constant support when you sit. 👌

firmness of Emma sofa bed pillows
The pillows on this sofa bed are quite firm.

The armrests are also well-padded, making it easy to find your perfect cosy spot on the sofa.

The sofa bed has so much space, there are even two smaller rectangular cushions included for a decorative touch.

All the cushions have removable and machine-washable covers, making them very convenient to clean.

We dive into the specific measurements of the sofa bed later on.

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Using the product as a bed

The bed function of a sofa bed is always a little more complex.

There is more to consider regarding firmness, support, breathability, motion transfer, etc.

Emma sofa bed slats
These birch slats support the mattress.

When unfolded, the sofa bed provides a flat and stable surface for the mattress, which is also included.

The fold-out mattress is stored underneath the sofa with the extendable birch slats.

We demonstrate the sofa-to-bed conversion process further down.

The fourteen flexible birch slats create a solid and robust base that prevents sagging and provides excellent breathability.

air flowing through mattress
The polyurethane foam and slatted base provide great breathability.

The mattress is made of high-density polyurethane foam with an open-cell structure that allows air, moisture, and body heat to easily flow from one side to the other.

The mattress sleeps quite cool and will be well-suited for all guests, including those who sleep a little hotter.

The Emma sofa bed mattress is also much thicker than many other sofa bed mattresses on the market.

The Emma mattress is 18 cm (7 inches) thick, while the average sofa bed mattress thickness is only 11 cm (4.5 inches.)

Thicker mattresses are often much more comfortable and suited to longer-term use if you need to use your Emma sofa bed as your daily bed.

inside of an Emma sofa bed mattress
Here you can see the double-sided mattress with the blue and green sides.

This extra thickness also caters for the unique double-sided feature of the Emma sofa bed mattress.

It has a softer green side and a firmer blue side, so you have two firmness levels to choose from. 🎉

Different levels of firmness will be suitable for different types of people:

  • Stomach, back, or heavier-weight sleepers may prefer a firmer mattress for better support.
  • Side sleepers or lighter-weight sleepers often prefer a softer mattress that allows for optimal spinal alignment.

It's important to have a mattress that keeps your spine properly aligned so you don't wake up with aches and pains in the morning.

side sleeper position
Keeping your spine aligned at night helps you wake up ache-free!

The Emma sofa bed gives you options so your guest can choose the right firmness for their sleeping position. 💤

You could also add a mattress topper if you want more softness or a memory foam feel.

We've recommended a few of our favourites below.

Our favourite mattress toppers:

In which sizes is the Emma sofa bed available?

The Emma sofa bed is only available in one size: the three-seater sofa bed.

It is spacious enough to accommodate up to 4 people at 90 x 222 x 92 cm (35 x 87 x 36 inches). 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

The seat height and seat depth measure 55 x 92 cm (22 x 36 inches), providing plenty of room to move or stretch.

people sitting on sofa
Hang out with friends and family on the sofa bed.

This size might not work for everyone, but fortunately, sofa beds and chair beds come in all different shapes and sizes.

Now, let's take a look at the actual mattress sizes in more detail.

Single mattress size

Each single bed has a total sleeping surface of 80 x 200 cm (31 x 79 inches), perfect for a single guest. 🙍

Inconveniently, these dimensions do not match a UK or EU single mattress size, making it very difficult to find suitable bedding.

For example, a UK single mattress measures 90 x 190 cm (35 x 75 inches), and an EU single mattress measures 90 x 200 cm (35 x 79 inches).

The Emma sofa bed is the same length as an EU single mattress but quite a bit narrower.

Emma sofa bed single beds
The Emma sofa bed can be made into two twin beds.

For UK buyers, a single sheet will be too wide and too short for the Emma sofa bed single mattress.

Your best bet would still be to go for an EU-sized sheet, which is available from select retailers like IKEA, or a flat sheet.

Queen mattress size

Alternatively, you can attach the two flat slats together to make an EU queen bed if you have a couple or a larger individual staying with you.

woman on queen mattress
Stretch out on a queen-size sofa bed.

However, if your guests don't want to share a bed, you can make up the trundle bed (a bed stored under the main frame) so they can sleep separately.

The queen bed has a total sleeping surface of 160 x 200 cm (63 x 79 inches).

These dimensions match an EU queen mattress but do not match any UK bedding sizes.

In fact, a UK queen-size bed measures significantly smaller at 120 x 190 cm (47 x 75 inches).

You could try using a UK super king sheet, measuring 180 x 200 cm (71 x 79 inches), for your Emma sofa bed and tuck the extra underneath the mattress.

Alternatively, opt for a flat sheet over a fitted sheet for your Emma sofa bed to make life much easier.

You can also purchase EU-sized bedding at a few retailers, like IKEA.

How to convert the Emma sofa bed from sofa to bed

The Emma sofa bed is designed to be quick and easy to assemble.

Turning your sofa into a cosy guest bed takes just a few seconds.

emma sofa bed mechanism
The mechanism is super easy to use.

To make a trundle bed, you need to:

  • Pull out the bottom of the sofa to reveal a single bed frame.
  • Pull the single bed frame upwards on either side so the legs pop out.
  • Finish with your favourite guest bedding.

Watch the transformation video here:

You can also turn the sofa bed into two singles just as quickly.

To make two single beds, you need to:

  • Remove the backrest cushions, but keep the sofa seat cushion.
  • Pull out the bottom of the sofa to reveal the bed frame and mattress.
  • Keep the two frames separate and finish with bedding.

Or, opt for the largest option and turn your sofa bed into an EU queen-sized mattress.

emma sofa bed as double
The Emma sofa bed can be transformed into various sizes.

To make a queen bed, you need to:

  • Remove the backrest, seat and scatter cushions.
  • Pull out the bottom of the sofa to reveal the bed frame and fold-out mattress.
  • Pull the single bed frame upwards on either side so the legs pop out.
  • Attach the two single frames with the velcro strap.
  • Fold out the mattress and flip it to your desired side (soft or firm.)
  • Finish with your bedding!

The Emma sofa bed is perfect if you have guests over frequently, ranging from one person to couples.

How much does the Emma sofa bed cost?

The Emma sofa bed comes at a higher price point because it's made from premium materials with an easy-to-use mechanism.

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But the question remains: Is it good value for money?

Emma offers a 2-year guarantee period.

man holding £ sign
Weigh up the pros and cons of the Emma sofa bed, including its price and guarantee period.

If the Emma sofa bed is expected to last only two years, that leaves you with quite a high per-year cost.

Other sofa bed brands like Bruno offer a 10-year guarantee, significantly reducing the per-year cost.

While assessing the product's guarantee period is important, this is only one factor.

The Emma sofa bed has many great features that might outweigh the shorter guarantee period.

It all depends on what works for you!

Emma sofa bed delivery conditions

When you purchase the Emma sofa bed, you can enjoy the convenience of free delivery.

The Emma website currently says delivery time will take 4 to 6 weeks after checkout.

The Emma sofa bed is delivered in two packages.

One package has the structure, back cushions and covers, and the other has the mattress rolled up.

The packages are delivered right to your doorstep, and they are compact and easy to move, so they can fit through small doorways.

man thumbs up
The Emma delivery process is quick and easy!

However, you might need help getting the package with the sofa structure up the stairs and into your guest room, as it weighs 60 kg (132 lbs). 😅

Fortunately, the package with the mattress only weighs 5 kg (11 lbs).

It took our testers less than 15 minutes to install with the useful manual as their step-by-step guide.

If you’re not ready to build the sofa bed, the minimal packaging makes it easy to store the boxes in your home.

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Emma sofa bed trial period and returns

With a brand new Emma sofa bed, you have a generous trial period of 200 nights to decide if it's the right fit for you.

Emma sofa bed trial period process

This extended trial allows you to use the sofa bed in various scenarios and really get a feel for its comfort and functionality.

If, within these 200 nights, you find that the sofa bed isn't meeting your expectations, you can opt for a hassle-free return.

Emma Sleep will pick up the sofa bed for free, and you'll receive a full refund.

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Should you buy the Emma sofa bed?

When it comes to a sofa bed, Emma has everything you need.

The Emma sofa bed looks nice in your home and works great for guests staying over the weekend.

The polyurethane mattress is ideal for hot sleepers.

Plus, you can arrange it as either a single, trundle or queen bed, depending on how many guests you have over.

We recommend adding a mattress topper and a luxury bedding set to make your guests feel extra comfy and at home.

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Rating

4.2
  • Material

    High-quality, durable materials. 

  • Comfort

    Thick double-sided mattress with soft and firm sides to choose from.

  • Breathability

    Polyurethane foam has excellent breathability.

  • Motion transfer & support

    Polyurethane mattress may be too bouncy for some.

  • Delivery & returns

    Free delivery and returns. 

  • Value for money

    Expensive with a 2-year guarantee.

Material
Comfort
Breathability
Motion transfer & support
Delivery & returns
Value for money

Contact Emma UK

Customer service: To contact Emma UK directly for complaints, support, or queries, please e-mail them at support@emma-mattress.co.uk or complete their online contact form. You can also call them on +44 330 818 1710, Monday - Friday from 08:00 - 13:00.

Registered office: Emma Matratzen GmbH, Wilhelm-Leuschner-Str. 78, 60329 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Frequently asked questions

  • How do I maintain and clean my Emma convertible sofa bed?


    Maintaining and keeping your Emma sofa bed clean is a breeze, thanks to its fully removable covers that are conveniently machine washable. 

    The Emma sofa bed is equipped with water- and stain-repellent coating, providing an added layer of protection against spills and accidents. 

    To keep it looking fresh, simply remove the covers and toss them in the washing machine for easy cleaning

    This feature simplifies the maintenance process and ensures that your Emma sofa bed remains pristine for years to come. 

  • How to choose the best sofa bed


    Choosing the best sofa bed depends on several factors, including your needs and preferences. 

    Here are a few things to consider: 

    • Decide on the primary purpose of the sofa bed, whether it will be used more as a sofa or a bed. 
    • Look for a model with a sturdy frame and a comfortable mattress that suits your desired level of firmness. 
    • Consider the available space in your home and choose a size that fits well without overcrowding the room. 
    • Pay attention to the sofa bed's mechanism for converting between sofa and bed, ensuring it is easy to use and durable. 
    • Read customer reviews to see how the sofa bed performs for other people. 
    • Check the warranty and return policy of your chosen sofa bed. 

    With these tips, you can make an informed decision and have peace of mind with your purchase.

  • Are sofa beds ever comfortable?


    Yes, sofa beds can be comfortable, but the level of comfort can vary depending on the quality and design of the sofa bed. 

    Modern sofa beds often come with advanced designs and improved mattress technology, offering a more comfortable sleeping surface than older models. 

    Investing in a high-quality sofa bed with a supportive, comfortable mattress can significantly enhance overall comfort. 

    Memory foam or pocket coil mattresses are popular for sofa beds as they provide better support and contour to the body's shape. 

    Ultimately, the comfort of a sofa bed is subjective, and trying it out in person or checking customer reviews can give you a better idea of its comfort level.

  • Does the Emma sofa bed come with a guarantee?


    When you invest in the Emma sofa bed, you receive a 2-year guarantee

    If you encounter any manufacturing defects with your sofa bed within this period, Emma will replace it with a new one, ensuring your peace of mind and satisfaction.

  • References

George arkley image

George

Content Writer

I’m always the first person to try the latest sleep hack - whether it’s drinking coffee or counting sheep. Now, I get to write about the latest sleep gadgets, mattresses and much more in a bid to help you find the perfect night’s sleep.

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