As a New Yorker in a small one-bedroom, I try not to encourage too many overnight guests. I work hard to prevent my small one-bedroom from becoming a hotel for friends-of-friends and high school acquaintances. But after moving apartments, I needed a sofa compact enough for my space and comfortable enough for the way I actually live: reading, working, watching baseball, and sprawling out with my senior chihuahua.
I was also looking for something made with higher-quality, PFAS-free materials. As a cancer survivor with skin sensitivities and lingering respiratory symptoms, I've become more mindful about the fabrics and foams I bring into my home. That's what led me to Sabai, and eventually to the Sabai Eclipse, a funky, chunky, colorful sleeper sofa that looks like a statement couch first and a guest bed second. It's rare that I actually like the look of a sleeper in its couch form. Suddenly, the idea of an additional bed in my living room felt like it would be a game changer for movie nights, friend sleepovers, and yes, I suppose, the occasional out-of-town guest.
After a month with the 90-inch Eclipse, including three nights sleeping on it in bed mode, it has become my favorite place to hang out in my apartment.
The Sabai Eclipse is a stylish, sustainably-made sleeper sofa that’s plush enough for everyday lounging and supportive enough for overnight guests. It's available in three PFAS-free fabrics: recycled velvet, upcycled poly, and a hemp blend.
What we like
What we don't like
What is the Sabai Eclipse Sleeper Sofa?
Sabai released the Eclipse Sleeper in response to customer feedback about an interest in a sleeper sofa without a metal mechanism. The 90-inch version, which I tested, comfortably fits three and transitions into a queen-size bed. The sofa is also available as a 70-inch queen two-seater for smaller spaces and a Twin XL sleeper chair. The sizing differences are important to note, as it's not just two sofas, with one being shorter than the other. The 90 inch has a shallower depth of 34 inches (23 inch seat depth) and requires less floor space to expand; the 70-inch design is deeper at 44-inch depth (33-inch seat depth) and flips out further. Both convert to queen sizes mattress, with the 90 inch version, you sleep horizontally across, while the 70-inch your head rests against the back cushions.
I also want to reiterate, this is not the sad beige futon of sleepers past. It looks like a real couch first, and a sleeper second — exactly what I want for a piece that I'll keep in couch form 90% of the time.
The Eclipse has a rounded, statement look that sets it apart from many sleeper sofas. It comes in three upholstery options — upcycled poly, hemp blend, and recycled velvet — across more than 35 colors, including stripes and contrast piping.
The colors are exceptionally vibrant, modern, and distinctive-looking, with hues and combinations you don't see everywhere (indigo with amber piping or cornflower with mustard piping!). I chose recycled velvet in amber with chocolate piping after ordering free swatches, which I highly recommend.
Additionally, I've been eager to break free from the "fast furniture" cycle. Sabai also appealed to me because it's designed to be repaired rather than replaced. The brand sells individual parts, including cushion inserts, sofa arms, and slipcovers, and its expansion kits let you turn some sofas into sectionals if your space changes. Of note, Sabai uses mechanical fasteners, not permanent glues, so components can easily be replaced over time.
Sabai offers returns within 30 days of delivery, but deducts a 10% return processing fee or 15% if you don't keep the original boxes. It backs its products with a one-year warranty, and they offer an optional two-year product protection package that covers things like spills and tears.
Delivery and assembly
From ordering to delivery, the process took exactly one month. Shipping varies according to what you purchase at Sabai, but it is $195 for standard delivery or $245 for White Glove Delivery, which includes assembly. It's just a $50 difference for a hands-off experience.
The white-glove delivery process was smooth, with clear communication throughout. The service that Sabai works with called me the week of the delivery to coordinate a day and timeframe for delivery. During that exact window, a team of three men arrived and quickly got to work assembling the couch; from start to finish, the whole process took 30 minutes. And once they left, and I flopped down on it, the couch felt extremely sturdy and sound.
Most customers assemble the Eclipse themselves; it arrives in four boxes with online instructions (as opposed to printed in the box). They looked straightforward, though I'd want a second person to help. Sabai says its average shipping time is three to five weeks, with some colors noting a couple extra weeks for shipping. However, some online reviewers have reported waiting over two months to receive their couches. Given that the pieces are custom-made, there seems to be greater variability in delivery times
First impressions
Right away, I love how chunky and plush the couch looks and feels. The deep, sculptural cushions are medium-firm and offer a nice balance of bounce and support. The amber-chocolate fabric-piping combo is even more vibrant in person and immediately became the center piece of my living room. It's undeniably a statement piece, but one I quickly feel comfortable being messy and lazy on. My dog started digging on it immediately, and the fabric still doesn't show any tears or scratches. (Though the dog hair does start to accumulate, it easily vacuums off.)
Sitting comfort: plush, deep, and loungey
In its couch form, the Eclipse is really plush and cozy, with the cushions offering enough support that you don't feel like you're melting, but not so stiff you can't relax. Even though the piece takes up a substantial amount of my small Brooklyn living room, I appreciate how deep it is: the cushions are 23 inches deep, which gives me enough room to sit cross-legged or lie side by side with my dog while watching TV. The trade-off is that it's not especially well-suited to working or sitting upright for long stretches. When I sit with my feet flat on the floor, my back doesn't naturally reach the back cushions; when I scoot all the way back, my feet don't comfortably touch the floor. I tend to slouch as a result, which can start to irritate my shoulders after a while. This isn't a major issue for me, since I spend most of the day working at my desk or sitting cross-legged on the sofa, but I usually need an extra throw pillow for back support if I'm sitting upright for several hours.
But the cushions are extremely plush, and the recycled-velvet feels very luxurious against the skin.
Three adults can fit really comfortably on it. But even better, I can lie down on the couch for a nap without even having to convert it to a bed.
Sleeping comfort: Is it actually good for guests?
The conversion style is manual fold-out, which takes literally less than 30 seconds to set up. (Sabai promises less than 5 minutes, but it takes me less than a minute.) Once I make the bed with sheets, I'm still only at 2 and a half minutes. I love that one person can easily open and set up the bed: you just take off the back cushions, and then fold out the seat cushions into the mattress. There are handles on the cushions to help with this.
The mattress itself is medium-firm with that nice foam cushiness and no uncomfy metal bars or creakiness. The bed is stable and secure, and I find it offers enough support that a mattress topper isn't needed. Sheets fit easily around it. Because the bed is a fold-out, there is a little groove in the middle between the two cushions that fold together to form the seat of the couch. So if you sleep directly in the center of the bed (I don't, I always choose a side), you might want to invest in a mattress topper to cover it. But with two evenly spaced adults, that small middle groove is a non-issue.
As for the most important metric, sleep quality, my chihuahua and I slept on the bed for three nights during testing, and I didn't wake up with any nagging back discomfort or soreness. The medium-firm foam is an excellent match with my sleep personality, and it's kind of fun to be so close to the floor (something I enjoy about many beds in Japan). I definitely plan on having sleepovers on it in the future. Folding it back up and returning it to couch form took less than a minute.
Durability and everyday use
After a month of eating, drinking, napping, and burying socks (my dog) on this couch, the piece still looks clean and vibrant. Dog hairs accumulate on it, but no more than any single item in my house, and they come off easily with a lint roller and the vacuum. For small spills, spot-cleaning with water has done the trick, but I imagine I'll want to remove the covers and bring them to the laundromat at some point.
As I've mentioned, my dog is an aggressive digger, and digs on the couch every day, and so far, the velvet is none the worse for it. No tears, pilling, or visible scratches—somewhat miraculously. The fabric is still silky-soft and richly pigmented, even after my dog has scratched it incessantly every day for 30 days straight.
The durability feels a step above all of my past couches. For one, there's no wobbling, groaning, or creaking when I toss my entire body on it dramatically. I really get the feeling that this is built to last—and it damn well should be, because that's what they're promising.
The eco-friendly details that actually matter
Sabai's sustainability claims are a major part of the appeal. The brand uses PFAS-free fabrics and FSC-certified wood, and offers three upholstery options all with a sustainability focus: recycled velvet, upcycled poly, and a hemp blend. My recycled velvet fabric is made from recycled water bottles and is OEKO-TEX certified. The upcycled poly is GreenGuard-Gold certified and made from 100% upcycled Olefin, a material that requires no land or water for production, while the organic hemp blend is 55% hemp and 45% cotton.
The sofa also uses Cocolok, a rubberized coconut fiber, around the frame instead of polyester upholstery fiber. Sabai says it avoids polyurethane foam, a common material in upholstered furniture that can emit VOCs, which may irritate people with respiratory sensitivities.
Just as importantly, the sofa is designed to be repaired. Sabai sells replacement parts and covers, offers expansion kits for some pieces, and has a BuyBack Program that lets customers resell eligible sofas instead of sending them to a landfill.
What I didn't like
The main drawback is that the Eclipse is better for lounging than upright sitting. The deep seat can make working from the couch awkward without a back pillow. It also has no under-couch storage, and the mattress sits low to the ground, which may be difficult for guests with mobility issues. Finally, because Sabai pieces are custom-made, delivery can take several weeks, and some online reviewers report longer waits. This is in contrast to sites like Wayfair and Amazon have spoiled us with next-day delivery expectations, even on big-ticket items like chairs and couches.
The price point is also quite high compared to sleeper options from IKEA, Wayfair, and Target, but on par with other sleeper sofas from Interior Define, Joybird, or even West Elm, and maybe even less expensive.
What are your alternatives
In addition to the Eclipse, Sabai also offers the slightly larger 96-inch Elevate, which converts into a sleeper sofa with a mattress-topper add-on, and the Essential, a mid-century-inspired design with legs. In terms of appearance, Koala Sofa Bed is the closest alternative, with a similarly chunky fold out design and the exact same depth of seats. The Koala is also less expensive, with a range from $1,450 to $1,990, depending on if you get the twin, full, or queen. (Sabai only has queen options, offered in 70 or 90 inches and a twin XL sleeper chair.)
The Coddle Switch Sleeper sofa is another alternative in a similar price area to the Sabai, but it offers even more versatility (it can also fold out into an optional sectional) and cool bonus features like outlets in the armrest. For an oversized, sectional-first piece with loads of pet-approved fabrics, the Joybird Wilder Sleeper Sectional has a traditional fold out design with a really nice range of color options, over 92, including pet-friendly and Greenguard Gold certified fabrics.
The bottom line
This is a stylish, comfortable sleeper sofa that is really built to last and is priced fairly, if higher than options from retailers like IKEA and Wayfair. The range of unique color options across three PFAS-free fabrics makes it a delight. Washable covers and the easy-to-fold-out, medium-firm mattress make it a fuss-free piece that you (and pets) can actually live your life on. With replacement parts available for purchase — cushion inserts, sofa arms, slipcovers — you can refresh the look and feel of your couch if you move without having to toss it and buy a new one. If you often find yourself WFC (Work from Couch), I'd look for options that have less seat depth.
Buy it if:
- You care about non-toxic and sustainable materials that can also be repaired and expanded
- You want a stylish made-to-orderpiece that doesn't look like every other couch
- You want a queen-sized sleeper that is comfortable to sleep and sit on
- You need something pet- and life-friendly
Skip it if:
- You prefer a firm, upright sofa.
- You like having storage under your couch
- You want the most affordable sofa bed
- Need it fast
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
