Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us. Invest now and you’re set for the next decade or two. Your couch must be one of the most important pieces of furniture you own. Because of the way modern life is set up, you're watching movies and TV on it. You're working on it, hunched over our laptops when, yes, you really should be using a work from home desk and paying attention to your posture. Aside from your mattress, the couch is probably the most used piece of furniture you have, and the bed only wins on a technicality. What we mean is: you need a nice couch. A great couch. If you've got space for a big, comfy sectional, that can work. If you're on a futon budget, that can be okay too. Maybe you want it to recline or be an outdoor sofa. But what we're offering today is the ultimate in luxury fabric, leather. But since leather sofas, like everything else, are made to be dime a dozen these days, we did some digging for you. We did the lounging and sleeping. We did the home testing and reviewing. We hit the showrooms and did the leather quality control. What we ended up with is this list of the 10 best leather sofas money can buy. Burrow is one of the OGs of the online couch-shopping experience. It's easy to joke about its basic looks, but the couches are actually great. We've awarded the brand many times over, and this modular couch is one of its best offerings. The shape is simple but feels a little modern. The cushions are the right amount of firm. In real life, the top-grain Italian leather looks phenomenal. The Mambo comes in this tan leather as well as two fabric options, and we're particularly partial to how easy it is to adjust for your home. Choose from high or low arm rests, and you can add on a matching ottoman and lumbar pillows. When it comes to our favorite sofas, Arhaus is always near the top. The leather-sofa category is no different, as the brand has a handful of top models. Our favorite, though, is the Novato line. It's mid-century in the ways that everyone loves—easy shape to sit on, easy shape to look at, easy shape to incorporate. That said, it looks distinctly different from the millions of mid-century-inspired sofas you can find at Target. This one is luxury. The leather is of a beautiful quality, with all the natural imperfections we love. The wood-plank frame lifts this sofa off the ground to make your space feel more open, but it also serves as a beautiful addition to the design. Add to that armrests that are the perfect height to balance lounging and proper sitting and you've got a winner. We love this sofa, and you will too. When it comes to our favorite home furniture, Article is always near the top. It's well-made and feels like a solid upgrade without veering into the toomuch of an upgrade price range. Article makes most of its couches in both fabric and leather, and the leather versions are not to be slept on. We like this entirely padded, low-profile sofa that comes in this size or a smaller love seat. It's nothing if not instantly inviting, with soft edges and wide seating. It's been treated with wax and oil, so the leather feels soft and lived-in on that first use. It does have a bit firmer of a cushion than we tend to like, but it is just such a good fit for most spaces. Another favorite detail of ours: this comes fully assembled and feels as sturdy as a couch can get. Joybird's chesterfield sofa is one of our favorites for the old-school, fancy living room-feeling couch, thanks to its traditional design that does not feel too old for sitting. It hits all the classic style notes with those rolled arms and deep tufting. It's a reading-den or cigar-cave look, but we really love it as an antidote to the streamlined styles of today. Some reviewers mention buying this couch to match an older house, but we love the idea of putting it in a big city high rise because it'll make any room feel a bit more lived in. If you're into a classic look, and a sturdy last-a-lifetime sofa, this should be the one you get. This two-in-one couch is the ultimate piece for any room in the house. First, this exclusive Crate and Barrel sofa is offered in ten different leather finishes, which means you can find the perfect shade for your space. Second, it easily pulls out into a roomy bed that up to three people (or four small children) can comfortably snooze on. On top of that, the cushions are firm enough that they won't sag over time yet soft enough that they're cozy to sit on. According to one reviewer, "I bought this couch a year ago and it still looks new despite three little kids. It is easy to clean and very comfortable. I rotate the seat pillows every few months to make sure they get equal wear. Very happy with this purchase." Leather looks good in simple, classic shapes, but we really love when it's done up fun and funky. This Strato sofa from CB2, designed by Mermelada Estudio, is the perfect middle ground. The sharp rectangular shape is clean and geometric, which gives the sofa a modern look. But the physical block-ness of the sofa means it commands the eye of a room. The vertical stitching mimics the shape of sitting on the couch, which has an oddly inviting effect. In person, it's our favorite to look at. Add to that some of the best top-grain leather on this list—as well as a walnut base that makes it feel more organic—and you've got the perfect contemporary take on a modern Italian sofa. You know what? There's no shame in getting a reclining couch. This luxe recliner from West Elm is stylish, comfortable, and modern. You can lean back with the push of a button, meaning lazy days just got a whole better. On top of that, you can choose from four different leather finishes (black Ludlow leather, gray smoke Ludlow leather, navy Ludlow leather, and nut saddle leather), which lets you pick the perfect hue for your space. Not to mention, this couch also has some pretty cool features, including armrests with hidden storage spaces (for remotes, books, magazines, and more) as well as a built-in USB port, which means you don't even have to get up if you need to charge your phone. In practice, it's the most practical sofa we've ever found. It's great for anyone that's going to be spending a lot of time with their couch. If you want a leather couch but don't necessarily have the funds, that's okay. You can opt for a vegan-leather couch from Amazon that looks just as nice as the real deal. This affordable option comes in two colors (espresso brown and black) and is incredibly easy to assemble. On top of that, it has firm cushions that don't wear over time. Plus, the cushions are made of strong springs and a high-density sponge that makes this piece durable yet also comfortable and supportive. If you want a leather couch that you can sink into, look no further than this Pottery Barn classic. You can customize this couch to your liking by selecting the right size for your space (it comes in five different widths) as well as the leather finish you want (there are over 40 different options!) and how many seats you want (two or three). Plus, this couch has plush, cozy seats that are filled with down feathers and no-sag steel sinuous springs that provide cushion support. On top of that, this sofa has a timeless construction that'll complement any room in the house. This West Elm couch is a best seller for more reasons than one. First, this couch can be completely customized to your liking. You can choose the width (the option are 60", 76", and 89") as well as the leather color (there are 12 different hues), both of which allow you to be as creative as you please. Plus, it has a hardwood frame that makes this piece sturdy and durable. What we liked, though, is that this couch is firm. (On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the firmest, this is about a 4). It doesn't sag or squish over time, so the cushions are able to last as long as the leather. The bottom line is that this couch is great for any sophisticated space. If you have a movie room that's begging to be used, all you need is this extra-large sofa. It features deep seats, plush cushions, and top-grain leather that's buttery smooth. The overall cushion comfort leans more toward soft than firm, which means you can sink into this couch with ease. Plus, it comes in two different leather finishes (caramel and warm taupe), and you can add an ottoman if you so choose. What we love about this sofa is how easy it is to put together, a rarity in the furniture-in-a-box world. Once you have it assembled, the top-grain leather and firm cushions are a dream, the perfect place to curl up with a book or movie. If you want a sleek, minimalistic sofa that's made with vegan leather to accompany your space, you can't go wrong with this fan-favorite from Albany Park. It features a gorgeous mid-century modern design that effortlessly adapts to any space. Each cushion is filled with plush feathers that are wrapped with foam, making this couch comfortable enough to sink into without being too squishy. On top of that, the distressed vegan-leather material is soft, buttery, and too nice to pass up. According to one reviewer, "I love this sofa. The leather mid-century modern look was exactly what I was looking for. I love the supportive, firm cushions (comfy and cozy without trapping you). I get tons of compliments on it whenever friends come over." Don't just trust our picks, take a look at the grading criteria. Leather Quality: See a full breakdown below, but we will always prioritize higher-quality leathers. Then within each grain and category, we see these sofas in real life to determine the true look of the leather. Durability: This isn't as big a factor with leather sofas as it is with upholstered ones. Leather, no matter its grain, is going to last longer than fabric. It's an exceptionally tough material. Still, there are variations we take into account, like the materials used in the frame of the sofa. Looks:Do we want modern, traditional, or something in between? Case by case. Ease of Assembly: Assembly being possible without a white-glove service is best, but in 2024 we have to make some concessions here. How much time do you have? We can get really nerdy on this, but here is a rundown in order of highest to lowest quality. Full-Grain Leather: This is the outermost portion of a hide that has been tanned. Full-grain leather is used when the surface of a hide is in good condition—no scars or brand marks. That means it has the most true-to-the-animal look. Full-grain leather also doesn't get split from other layers, so it's the thickest and most durable grain you'll get. All this makes it the most expensive grain you'll find, so it's typically used on more specialty goods like cowboy boots, bags, and saddles. The use of full-grain leather in furniture only happens occasionally. Top-Grain Leather: When we're talking about the best leather sofas, we expect top-grain leather. For top-grain leather, the blemished outermost portion of leather is split. The new surface is then sanded and treated and stained to create a uniform look. Top-grain leather is used in handbags, jackets, and couches because you don't need to worry about imperfections in the hide, and you get more use out of a single hide. Genuine Leather: This is going to be the most common option for furniture. Genuine leather (also called split leather) is a blanket term for the stuff after the top grain is split off. The texture is tougher, and the leather requires more staining to get that natural look. But it is, of course, more affordable. Bonded Leather: Bonded leather is the lowest, least natural of what you'll find. It's made up of scraps of various recycled leathers. It gets bonded with polyurethane and returned to a sheet-like format. There aren't any real percentage requirements here, so you could theoretically be buying "leather" but have a mostly plastic material. When it comes to luxury furniture, we know a thing or two. No one tests as many furniture brands as we do. No one tests as many sofas as we do. No one comes close to us in mattress testing. For luxury furniture—especially if you're a manin search of some direction—we are the only voice you need to listen to. More practically, we hit the showrooms and we talk with brands. We've tried a bunch of these sofas in our homes. We've got good taste, and we know which materials and constructions are made to last the longest. We are your on-call Internet decorators.10 Best Leather Sofas to Elevate Your Space
Burrow Mambo Sofa
$3,699 at BurrowPros
Cons
General Dimensions 100"L x 37"D x 28"H Material Top-grain Italian leather Seat Depth 26" Seating 3 Arhaus Novato Leather Sofa
Now 40% Off$6,099$3,654 at ArhausPros
Cons
General Dimensions 73", 84" or 96" x 44" x 30.5" Material Leather Seat Depth 24" Seating 2–3 Article Cigar Leather Sofa
$2,299 at ArticlePros
Cons
General Dimensions 26"H x 92"W x 38"D Material Full aniline pull-up leather Seat Depth 28" Seating 2-3 Joybird Clayton Leather Sofa
$3,506 at joybird.comPros
Cons
General Dimensions 94.5"W x 39"D x 29.5"H Material Top-grain Seat Depth 25" Seating 2 Crate and Barrel Axis Leather 3-Seat Queen Sleeper Sofa
$4,099 at Crate & BarrelPros
Cons
General Dimensions 88" W x 43" D x 32" H Material Top-grain, full-aniline leather Seat Depth 25" Seating 3 CB2 Strato 80-Inch Leather Sofa
$2,799 at CB2Pros
Cons
General Dimensions 80" x 38" x 27.5" Fabric Natural leather Seat Depth 26.75" Seating 3 West Elm Enzo Leather Reclining Sofa
$5,958 at West ElmPros
Cons
General Dimensions 30.5" W x 41.5" D x 31" H Material Leather Seat Depth 22" Seating 2–3 Honbay Convertible Sectional Sofa
Now 13% Off$450$390 at Amazon$600$460 at WalmartPros
Cons
General Dimensions 52" D x 7.6" W x 35" H Material Vegan leather Seat Depth 19" Seating 3–4 Pottery Barn Turner Square-Arm Leather Sofa
$2,799 at Pottery BarnPros
Cons
Material Top-grain leather Seat Depth 29.5" Seats 2–3 West Elm Axel Leather Sofa
$2,499 at West ElmPros
Cons
General Dimensions Customizable Material Genuine top-grain leather Seat Depth 21" Seating 3–4 Castlery Jonathan Leather Extended Sofa
$3,847 at castlery.comPros
Cons
General Dimensions 123.2" W x 39.4" D x 27.6" H Material Top-grain leather Seat Depth 24.4" Seating 4–5 Albany Park Park Sectional Sofa
Now 30% Off$2,199$1,539 at albanypark.comPros
Cons
General Dimensions 114" W x 35" H x 63" D Material Distressed vegan leather Seat Depth 24" Seating 3 How to Shop the Best Leather Sofas
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