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Chair beds UK promise a convenient two-in-one solution: a peaceful and entertaining sofa, as well as a comfy bed for visitors. They've traditionally been neither; most seem to be too stiff and unyielding for a sofa and too uncomfortable and creaking for a bed.

I have a vested interest in finding a sofa bed that is durable and comfortable enough for entertaining and evenings spent in front of the TV, as well as roomy enough to host weekend guests as a resident in a modest flat in London (I prefer bijou). So I set out to correct the sofa bed's bad reputation by putting the greatest models on the market to the test.

But first, let's talk about what to look for in a couch bed. Traditional pull-out mattress sofa beds, according to interior designer Naomi Astley Clarke, are preferable to click-clack sofa beds, in which the sofa cushion pulls out or down to make a bed.

"Chair beds UK have come a long way - sleeping on one in the 1980s was not nearly as comfortable as it is now." "However, they'll never be the most comfortable sofa or bed," she explains. "A truly comfy sofa would have a spring basis followed by cushions." A sofa with a folded mattress is less comfortable on the inside." She claims that sleeping on the surface of the sofa rather than a pull-out mattress on a click-clack sofa bed undermines the sofa's comfort.

A pull-out sofa bed, on the other hand, may be the ideal alternative if you require a larger couch bed. "The mattress comfort is crucial - even when buying beds for clients, the base isn't the most expensive part, it's the mattress," Astley Clarke adds. If at all possible, choose a pocket-sprung mattress over a foam mattress; it will save you money in the long term.

I'm a bit like the princess and the pea when it comes to sleeping surfaces. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the available options, many of which are significantly more comfy and less creaky than their forerunners. I was unable to test each couch bed at home due to the aforementioned small flat. I could, however, persuade shop clerks to allow me have a shameless lie down in a furniture store. I went to all of the big names – John Lewis, Heals, DFS, Made, and so on to test the bestselling sofa beds for comfort, quality, and convenience of use.

This chair bed's attractiveness is that it may be used in any room. It comes in three styles and 139 fabrics (select from cotton twill, velvet, synthetic neutrals, and linen). The pieces are detachable, so you may shift the chaise to either side to accommodate your living area.

Is it, however, comfortable?

Yes, without a doubt. It's substantially proportioned and properly supportive as a sofa, and it can comfortably seat three adults. It passes the most important litmus test: sitting on it, you wouldn't guess it was a chair bed. Another cushion, hidden beneath the two-seater section of the sofa, simply comes out to reveal a large double bed measuring 204cm x 130cm. It's simple to use, and there's built-in bedding storage beneath the chaise. The frame is covered by a 15-year warranty, and the regular grey version may be delivered in seven days (custom fabric will take up to 12 weeks). I just have one complaint, and it's a little one: when the bed is pulled out, there's a slight gap between the chaise and the sofa mattress. However, I tested the couch bed without bedding; I doubt you'd notice if it was properly done up with a duvet and pillows.

Because it has been in my living room for the past three years, I have extensively tested the Lars. The back of the sofa folds down to become a bed, while the legs fold out from underneath in a simple click-clack design. They're zipped inside the rear cushion to keep them hidden.

With strong oak arms and robust woven fabric, it's a good-looking and surprisingly comfy chair bed. It comes in three colours: I went with the light grey seen above, but there's also a blue option and a forest green that I like. It's perfect for hosting overnight guests because it only takes a few minutes to unfold and is larger than you might think, measuring 211cm x 117cm. I've never received any negative feedback. It has served me well as a sofa; it has a large seat cushion and backrest, so it is quite comfy, though the John Lewis model above beats it to the punch with its built-in chaise and padded armrests.

Overall, it's a small and reasonably priced sofa bed that doesn't skimp on style, it's served me well for three years and I expect it will serve me well for many more. This sofa is not only attractive, but it also folds out into a large king-size bed that measures around 222cm x 150cm; tall guests will appreciate it. It has a softly rounded form and individual pocket springs, making it one of the most comfortable Sofas and beds I've tried. When my department-store nap had to come to an end, I was disappointed. The only drawback is the cost, which will set you back £2,000 for the Oswold.

Is it, however, worthwhile?

Yes, on balance. The fabric is of good quality, with plush cushions and a springy mattress that would please even the pickiest of visitors. It's a simple pull-out mechanism, but it's clear that a lot of thought went into the design — there's a nice leather pull for putting the bed together, as well as built-in storage for the pillows. The MADE Haru chair bed is available as a single (for £229) or Double Couch Bed, and it's smaller, more attractive, and more inexpensive than it appears. The back of the sofa cushion flips down, and the seat cushion flips out, in a simple fold-out design. It's really comfy as a sleeping surface, yet the lack of arms made it less so as a sofa. The double mattress is 182cm x 120cm when unfurled, while the single mattress measures 182cm x 77cm.

You've probably heard of the mattress-in-a-box companies Simba, Emma, and Nectar. Let me introduce you to the sofa in a box. Swyft is one of a new breed of couch companies that offer lightning-fast delivery in small boxes. They've also developed a stain-resistant fabric to protect your Swyft sofa from red wine spills.

The Swyft couch Chair Bed is available in eight beautiful colours, and it's clear that it was created with the Instagram generation in mind. My favourite is the green velvet, though I think the neutral woven 'pumice' fabric would be more durable. It has a straightforward click-clack construction and includes a mattress topper for further comfort and protection (although the 300 pocket-sprung mattress itself is very comfortable). At 208cm × 135cm, it's the same size as a regular UK double bed. There's also built-in bedding storage, and the structure is backed by a 15-year warranty.

The Friheten, an Ikea three-seater corner Sofa Bed, uses a mechanism identical to the John Lewis "Sansa" shown above (to convert into a bed or back to a sofa, simply pull out or push in the secret drawer).

The Friheten chair bed appeals to me because the cloth is soft to the touch, and three persons (or five children) may lie in a row in front of the television. It also sleeps two people comfortably (as long as they don't mind getting cosy - the bed measures 204cm x 140cm, although the entire length of the sofa is 230cm). It comes in a variety of colours, including orange, beige, brown, grey, marled dark grey, and black.