Review: Joybird Eliot Sleeper Sofa

Back in 2020, my colleague Scott Gilbertson tried the Joybird Eliot sofa. And he hated it. Ever since, the Joybird Eliot has been the only pick in the “Avoid” section of our couches buying guide. When Joybird reached out explaining that it had revamped the Eliot (and its customer service—more on that later), I was skeptical about trying it. But I did it for you, reader, and I'm happy to report that after three months of testing, this improved couch earns a passing grade in my book.

From Swatch to Finish

Photograph: Louryn Strampe

Every Joybird Eliot couch is a custom, made-to-order affair. The Eliot is available in several styles and configurations. I opted to try the Sleeper Sofa, since I've been on the hunt for a good couch with a built-in bed for our buying guide. Joybird sent me a swatch kit full of delightful little fabric squares in a rainbow of colors. (Customers can get this kit for free, too.) There are nearly 80 different fabrics to choose from, including pet-friendly options and lush velvet affairs. Some of these fabrics add an upcharge.

After sifting through the swatches for a few days, I opted for the Royale Berry, a durable and plush pink velvet that was labeled pet-friendly and stain-resistant. The mattress had two options—Standard or Tempur-Response Memory Foam (yes, from Tempur-Pedic). The website has helpful tools like AR visualization, plus specific dimensions so you can measure for your space or for delivery.

There are some benefits and some drawbacks to this process. Since the couches are bespoke, the manufacturing process can take weeks. But on the positive side, these couches come with in-person white-glove delivery, wherein a team will come in and place your new sofa wherever it needs to be. This adds an additional fee that varies in pricing depending on where you're getting the couch delivered. Once the couch is ready, you can set a delivery date. Make sure the area where your couch will live is clear and the team will handle the rest. Delivery of my couch took less than 10 minutes, and the team took the packaging materials with them.

The couch looked even better than I was envisioning, with well-constructed cushions and even stitching. It has two seat cushions and two back cushions, with a pull-out sofa bed. I like the mid-century modern styling, which blends in well with the rest of my house, and the hot, berry-pink velvet fabric is soft and plush to the touch. It's also durable and stain-resistant, and it's held up well to numerous spills. I love the way it looks in my living room, and I've had many houseguests say the same thing.

From Sitting to Sleeping

Photograph: Louryn Strampe

One of Scott's biggest complaints regarding this sofa was uneven filling distribution, which Joybird has since reworked. The company said it redesigned the corner blocks, adjusted cushioning, and worked with the supplier to improve the tufted buttons. Some specific Eliot models got further tweaks, like an added support beam. My couch has even fill distribution, and even though I'm the kind of person who sits in the same spot on the couch for hours every day (I usually work from the living room), mine has held up well and remains comfortable to sit on. It's a little on the firm side, which I like in my couches—I don't get that sinking, stuck-in-the-couch feeling that I have with some previous sofas I've tested.

The mattress is comfortable, too. It's still a sofa bed—there's no getting around that—but the Tempur-Reponse foam is thicker and softer than I thought it would be. It's relatively supportive, though I can still feel the middle beam if I lie across it. I usually pop a few blankets down underneath me and that makes the bed even more comfortable. It's queen-size, though a bit shorter than a standard queen. It's still infinitely more comfortable than an air mattress or other couches I've tried. And if you don't pull out the mattress, this couch is still suitable for naps, though the cushions can shift and sag a bit in the middle.

The cushions' movement is my biggest gripe. It's not overtly noticeable, but they do shift and move around a bit, so every few days I have to readjust them and shove them back into place. I very rarely notice this when I'm sitting down, and it's not disruptive to my daily habits. I also wish the arms had pillows, since they're a bit stiff, but adding a throw blanket or throw pillow helped here. And finally, the cushions are quite deep, which was another thing Scott complained about. The 18-inch depth means that it's basically impossible for my 5'1" frame to rest comfortably against the back of the sofa with my feet touching the ground. However, that's a problem with every couch in the world. I usually fold my legs up when I'm sitting on a couch, but if you prefer to sit with your feet resting on the ground, you might benefit from an ottoman or a different sofa entirely.

Photograph: Louryn Strampe

One other slight complaint is with the tufted buttons. They're durable, but they do tend to collect every crumb and piece of dust within a 12-mile radius. I have to vacuum this couch much more frequently than I did previous sofas. I know from experience that this is due to the design—my vintage Naugahyde couch has similar buttons and a similar problem. It's just a factor to consider. I haven't noticed any browning of the cushions like Scott experienced with his older model, and over my few months of daily testing, the sofa has held up well.

The final factor that Scott mentioned was that there were many negative reviews of Joybird across various channels, like Reddit and the Better Business Bureau. I can confirm that I've found multiple Facebook groups devoted to bashing the brand. But this seems to be hit or miss—recent BBB reviews are positive, and even in those Facebook groups there are numerous recent discussions and experiences that are positive. Joybird says that since our initial review in 2020, it's been working on better customer service, including streamlined delivery times and more responsive, transparent, and dedicated support. I can't speak to this side of things since I didn't need to reach customer service. But the Eliot Sleeper Sofa is backed by a warranty—a limited lifetime warranty for wood frames, joints, bases, legs, and hardware; a three-year warranty for springs and bed slats; and a one-year warranty for manufacturer's defects and shipping damage for things like fabric and bed springs.

I think if you want a gorgeous, custom statement sofa, it's hard to find a better option than this for the money. It's the centerpiece of my living room. I never get tired of looking at it, and it's comfortable enough to sit on (or sleep in) for hours.