Sofa Etc Reviews (2026)

The main dividing line across these four is whether you want a steady, do-it-all sofa or a seat you can fine-tune throughout the day. Dorset was the most balanced for mixed use, Bedford clearly won on sheer seating space, Buckingham felt best for long sessions thanks to its recline-and-glide support, and Raymond stood out when we wanted power head-and-neck adjustment without pulling the sofa far off the wall.

We put each sofa through the same everyday routine: laptop work blocks, long TV stretches, quick naps, and “hosting mode” with multiple adults rotating seats. For each model, we noted how easy setup felt, how comfort and back support held up during longer sits, how warm the upholstery ran, whether cushions and frames stayed steady over repeat use, how the size worked in real walkways, how much cleanup it took after snacks and pets, and whether the overall performance felt worth it in daily life.

Our Testing Experience

I kept reaching for Dorset on days when I didn’t want a sofa that dictated posture. The button-tufted tight back felt structured the moment I leaned in, so laptop sessions stayed more upright. Marcus ran his sit-lean-stand edge test and the seat never gave that rolling-forward feeling. Mia liked the depth for curling up, but she also flagged the main downside: crumbs love to hide in tufting if you snack on the couch.

What we liked:

• Clean profile with a tidy back that keeps you from sinking

• Seat depth that works for both upright sitting and casual lounging

• Track arms were comfortable to lean on without stealing seat width

Who it is best for:

• Homes that mix laptop work, upright sitting, and casual lounging

• People who want feet-to-floor comfort without a deep, sink-in seat

Where it falls short:

• If you want a pillow-soft, sink-in back, this feels too structured

• Button tufting needs regular vacuuming to stay clean

Pros & Cons

Details

• Brand: Rowe Furniture

• SKU: K520K

• Overall size: 89" length x 37" depth x 33" height

• Seat depth / seat height: 22" / 21"

• Arm height: 25"

• Inside width: 78"

• Material: Fabric

• Back: tight; standard pillows listed

Review Score

Our Testing Experience

Bedford was our “host everyone” pick. The first thing you notice isn’t softness—it’s the sheer span of seating, which lets three adults spread out without bumping elbows. Jenna and Ethan ran their usual couple test (one person constantly getting up while the other stays put), and the scale made those shifts feel less disruptive. The trade-off is immediate: at 98" wide and 40" deep, Bedford needs a room with breathing room and clear walkways.

What we liked:

• Wide, group-ready seating span

• Seat height made sit-downs and stand-ups feel natural

• Enough width that each person gets a real zone

Who it is best for:

• Families and frequent hosts who prioritize shared seating

• Bigger living rooms where a substantial sofa can anchor the layout

Where it falls short:

• Small rooms will feel crowded fast because of the footprint

• If you prefer a lighter, compact look, it can feel imposing

Pros & Cons

Details

• Brand: Braxton Culler

• SKU: 728-004

• Country of origin: USA

• Overall size: 98" width x 40" depth x 38" height

• Seat width: 83"

• Seat depth / seat height: 22" / 21"

• Arm height: 26"

• Motion type: Stationary

• Style: Transitional

• Finish: Available in standard finishes + BC colors

Review Score

Our Testing Experience

Buckingham was the one sofa where posture stopped being a negotiation. Carlos started upright for laptop work and eased back; the recline-and-glide support moved with him, so he didn’t have to keep re-perching. Marcus liked that each seat reclines independently, which avoids the “we all compromise” problem. During longer TV sessions, the high back kept shoulders and neck feeling steadier than a fully stationary frame. The main caveat: this behaves like a comfort system, so placement (and how you use recline) matters.

What we liked:

• Independent recline makes shared seating noticeably easier

• High-back support stayed consistent in longer sessions

• Glide support made position changes feel smooth

Who it is best for:

• Anyone who sits for long stretches and wants steady back/neck support

• Households where different people prefer different recline angles

Where it falls short:

• If you want a simple, fully stationary sofa, the mechanism can feel like overkill

• Needs thoughtful placement so reclining feels natural

Pros & Cons

Details

• Brand: Stressless

• SKU: 1185030

• Overall size: 90 1/2" width x 32" depth x 40 1/2" height

• Seat depth / seat height: 20.87" / 16.93"

• Motion type: Reclining

• Cover options: leather, fabric, knitting (availability varies)

• Key design notes: individually reclining seats; glide system described

Review Score

Our Testing Experience

Raymond was our movie-night specialist. Jamal sprawled first and treated the power headrest like a dial—small tweaks until neck support felt right. Ethan did his constant-shift routine (upright, half-reclined, side-lean, repeat), and the seat stayed resilient instead of going mushy. Marcus focused on edge sitting and quick stand-ups; the sofa felt substantial and steady. It is a deep piece, but the listed “distance from wall to recline: 0” meant we didn’t have to drag it far into the room to recline.

What we liked:

• Power headrest lets you fine-tune neck support

• Seat stayed resilient through repeated shifting

• Wall-friendly recline helps in real layouts

Who it is best for:

• Homes where reclining and head/neck comfort matter every day

• Taller users who want a sofa that feels sturdy under load

Where it falls short:

• Depth and weight can overwhelm smaller rooms

• Not a light sofa you’ll want to rearrange often

Pros & Cons

Details

• Brand: Bradington Young

• SKU: 201-90

• Overall size: 86" width x 43 1/2" depth x 41" height

• Seat depth / seat height: 21 1/2" / 21"

• Full recline length: 69.5; distance from wall to recline: 0

• Material: Leather

• Seat construction (published): spring-down cushions with Marshall coil unit encased in foam; down/feather/fiber wrap described

• Back construction (published): semi-attached; polyester fiber fill described

• Frame construction (published): multi-ply laminated hardwood components; mortise-and-tenon joinery described

• Power features (published): power button standard; battery-pack option noted

Review Score

If you want the most balanced, easygoing option, Dorset is the safest all-rounder. Bedford scores well where space matters, but it takes a clear hit on room fit and repositioning. Buckingham is the standout for long-session comfort and support, while Raymond is the reclining specialist—strong durability and power comfort, with a bigger footprint.

Start with how you actually sit. For mixed laptop work and casual lounging, prioritize a balanced seat depth and a supportive back (Dorset). If you host often and want maximum usable seating, focus on span and footprint (Bedford). If neck and upper-back support is a daily issue and you want to adjust throughout the session, an independently reclining, high-back design is the best match (Buckingham). If reclining is non-negotiable and you want power headrest tuning with a wall-friendly setup, Raymond is the purpose-built option. If you’re shorter, double-check seat height and depth so your feet aren’t dangling; if you’re taller, prioritize back height and leg support in recline.

Buckingham was the easiest to stay on for multi-hour viewing because each seat reclines independently and the high back stays supportive over time.

Dorset felt the most balanced for bouncing between laptop work and relaxed lounging without feeling like you’re fighting the backrest.

Raymond is the best fit if you recline every night and want power features plus headrest tuning in a wall-friendly setup.

Bedford is the best host sofa—wide enough for multiple adults—if your room can handle the footprint.

Upholstery choice matters either way, but in our use the stationary sofas stayed cooler overall, while the recliners felt more dependent on room temperature and how long you stayed planted.