I really love futons because they are so handy to have! Not only are they lighter than couches but they are a lot more versatile. You can buy futons that can lay flat like a mattress, have armrests, be inflatable, fold only half the mattress down, and so many more features. When looking for the best deal on one, you need to do your research. You have to look around and compare prices from at least 3 different places. Consider the quality, ratings, and comfort. In College, I bought my futon from Target when they were having the clearance sale for dorm room items. It was a fabulous price BUT it was super uncomfortable to sleep on and the actual metal frame bent in only 3 months! The fact that I had to replace it made me actually spend MORE than buying a highly rated futon! Funny how that works huh? So my advice to you is to read online ratings from real customers and decide for yourself if it’s right for you. Some people use futons as their bed (I did for a couple months) and if there’s a metal piece digging into your back, you’re going to have longer term problems 🙂 

Consider Buying a Futon Frame and Mattress Separately 

I would suggest to look on Craigslist where they post garage sales. A lot of people are getting rid of just the metal frames for super cheap. Definitely snatch it up because you can buy comfortable futon mattresses that are designed to fit it! I would NOT recommend to buy a used mattress topper because of the bed bug outbreak that is happening in the US right now! You never know where that mattress has been or what has been spilled/soiled on it, ick.  

I have mixed feelings on using Craigslist just because of some instances that have happened. You should always be very careful when you buy off of this website. A good tip is to plan a meeting in a public place at a busy hour of the day. On a high note, there are TONS of listings for cheap futons for sale. A lot of people get rid of these when they move or graduate from college. Browse your local city and type in “futon” in the search bar. Sometimes you can barter with people and score a REALLY awesome deal!

I know it sounds kind of odd to buy a big furniture item like a futon online but it’s my favorite way. Amazon is such a reliable company and has the best customer service in my experience. They almost always side with the buyer if there ever is an issue. All you have to do is type “futon” in the search bar and sort by price (low to high). I have Prime membership where some listings actually offer 2 day shipping! That is a great deal because shipping such a large item, the shipping costs would be outrageous. I also love Amazon because you can always view their public star ratings. If an item is rated less than 3 or 4 stars I usually ignore it. I like to view the real reviews from customers that actually bought the furniture piece. Try it you won’t regret it!

I don’t use ebay very often but I know there are a lot of futon listings. The best part about ebay is that they have their buyer protection program which helps you stay safe and not get ripped off by people. This is great because you can search for futons and then sort the listings by distance. There might be a great one that is 5 miles from you, if you’re lucky! You can message the seller before you buy as well and if they are in your area, you can definitely barter with them. You might even be able to get free delivery if you can talk them into it 🙂

This website is becoming more popular and that means there are more chances for you to find a steal on a frame or mattress! You just choose your city and type what you’re looking for in the search bar. It will show you the price, picture, and information on how to contact the seller. Check back often because people post frequently. 

This might be an obvious answer that you already thought of but I thought i’d share. These two chain stores offer GREAT prices around their back to school sales. They mark all dorm furniture down which includes futons, sheets, pillows, etc! Check at your local stores around July and August if you need it right away. Otherwise consider September/October when they clearance out all the ones that didn’t sell. You can also watch their prices online, if you are a Red Card holder you can get free shipping to your home!

• Build Your Own Futon

If you are a woodworker or know someone who is good with that kind of thing, consider building your own frame. There are many great tutorials online that you can follow, all you need to do is get the sizes and then go to your local home depot/lowes to find some cheap quality wood. I think it’s really cool when people build their own pull out futon!

The cheapest alternative I found online is this Intex Pull-Out Sofa Queen. It is rated good and is only $52 plus free shipping! It can function as a couch during the day and pulls out to a bed at night. Great for company or a way to save space in your home.