The Best Couch Covers That Offer Style And Protection

Once you’ve invested in a high-quality couch, it’s natural to be apprehensive of pets, kids or even less-careful family members lounging on it. Stain anxieties are all too real—but a great way to alleviate them is with a reliable couch cover that protects your furniture from spills and scratches. Our team of editors, product experts and researchers spent months evaluating the best couch covers on the market that are not only reliably protective, but are also good-looking enough to contribute to the aesthetic of your space—not ruin it. In 2025, our top pick is the Easy-Going Stretch Soft Couch Cover, which is easy to install and designed to fit a variety of different sofas.

“Couch covers are well worth the cost of preserving your sofa,” says interior designer and founder of Iapicco Design Studio Michele Iapicco. “It will protect from food and beverage stains, dirt from pets jumping on it, sweat, gum, markers and pens, everyday wear and tear and anything else that could stain something you’ve invested a lot of money into.” After months of research and expert consultation with Iapicco and others, we’ve determined that the options ahead are the best covers for most living spaces.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The home team at Forbes Vetted is comprised of product experts who have evaluated countless products to help you make the best of your home, from sofas to rug pads.

• Monica Petrucci is a commerce writer at Forbes Vetted and the author of this article. She has been testing and researching home products for several years, including everything from fake plants to outdoor dinnerware.
• In order to gain expert insight for this piece, we interviewed Dr. Elizabeth Easter, a professor of textile science at the University of Kentucky. She offered expertise about the best fabrics to look for when shopping for durable couch covers, as well as how to care for them.
• We also received insight from interior designer Michele Iapicco, who offered expertise about the style and functionality components of couch covers and how they can be beneficial in the home. She also provided product recommendations based on firsthand experience.
• The Forbes Vetted team prioritizes producing content that is consistently relevant and up to date in order to best suit our readers. This piece was last updated in June 2025.

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How We Chose The Best Couch Covers

We evaluated several retailers and products in order to find the best couch covers that suit several stylistic, functional and budgetary needs.

• We took into account the recommendations provided by textile expert Dr. Easter in order to prioritize the best quality couch cover fabrics.
• We included recommendations offered by Iapicco in order to provide expert-backed products with proven real world performance.
• We prioritized several features that consumers look for, including waterproof and scratch-resistant fabrics, as well as couch covers that stay in place and are machine washable.
• We scoured through consumer reviews in order to collect firsthand accounts of how these products perform in real world settings, exclusively including products with a 4-star rating or higher.

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What To Look For In The Best Couch Covers

There are a few key factors to consider when shopping for high-quality couch covers. According to Dr. Easter, “Couch covers should protect the furniture from dust, soil, dirt and stains,” she says. “They also protect the color of the couch and reduce or prevent wear.”

Easter adds that the best couch covers are easy to put on and remove, they stay in place without shifting and they’re machine washable for easy maintenance. In order to ensure they meet most or all of those standards, here are a few key features to look for.

Material

Iapicco says there are a few common materials used for couch covers due to their inherent qualities. “Various versions of cotton, polyester, polyester blend, velvet and microfiber work best for sofa cushions due to their flexible fabric, washable and often water-resistant properties,” she says.

Dr. Easter advises keeping an eye out for whether a couch cover is made from natural or synthetic fibers, as each has its own respective pros and cons.

“Natural fibers, such as cotton, will absorb liquid and particulate soils, but can be treated with a finish to protect against both,” she says.

“Synthetic fibers, such as polyester, nylon and olefins, are more repellent to liquid stains but attract oil-based soils,” she says. “However, they can be treated with a finish to provide resistance to oily stains.” Keep an eye on product descriptions to see whether the fabric has been appropriately treated to protect your sofa.

Size

Most couch covers are available in a wide variety of different size options. Fitted couch covers are available in sizes suited to specific cushions (seat, back or pillow), while throw covers offer different size dimensions to suit varying sofa types.

The key is to make sure you accurately measure your couch and/or cushions before making your purchase, in order to find the best fit for your sofa.

Usage

Iapicco recommends keeping in mind how often you’d like to use your couch covers before making a purchase decision.

“If it’s occasional use, then a waterproof throw might be a good option,” she says. Those are easy to toss on and off the sofa when you need extra protection, like hosting friends or pets. “If you planning on using the covers every day, then I’d suggest choosing waterproof fitted ones you leave on.”

Care

One of the biggest benefits of couch covers it the ability to remove and wash them regularly. But not all upkeep is simple; before investing in a couch cover, be sure to look into its cleaning instructions. “Washable covers are preferred over dry cleaning-only based on the function of the couch cover,” Dr. Easter says.

If the cover is machine washable, that doesn’t necessarily mean it can be tossed in the washer and dryer on a regular cycle. Read the care instructions carefully to ensure you’re taking care to support the longevity of the fabric without damaging it.

When it comes to stains or spills—especially on a cover that’s not waterproof—speed is key. “Spot clean a spill or stain as soon as possible to extend the useful life a cover and reduce the number of wash and dry cycles,” Dr. Easter says.

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