Listen and follow The Wirecutter ShowApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadioHosting overnight guests doesn't mean you need a dedicated guest room—or even a bed. Whether you're working with a small apartment, an uncomfortable sleeper sofa, or an empty corner of your living room, there are plenty of ways to give visitors a cozy place to sleep.In this episode, seven Wirecutter staffers share their favorite guest-bed solutions, including ways to upgrade the bed you already have, alternatives to traditional air mattresses, and options that can be folded up and tucked away when company leaves.This episode coversUpgrade the bed you already have. A mattress topper can soften up a mediocre bed or air mattress; latex and memory foam feel firmer, while down alternative is plusher. Offering pillows in different materials and firmnesses also helps guests find one that suits them.Know what to look for in a sleeper sofa. Traditional pullouts can have uncomfortable metal bars and poorly constructed mechanisms. Look for a sofa designed specifically as a sleeper, and test the actual pullout rather than assuming it feels like the regular sofa.Upgrade an old sleeper sofa. A replacement foam mattress and a folding support board can make an uncomfortable pullout more suitable for guests. They're a less expensive alternative to buying a new sleeper sofa.Use foam furniture as a makeshift bed. Boneless sofas can double as sleeping spaces, while children's play couches like the Nugget can be lined up and covered with a sheet. These options work especially well for kids.Consider a tri-fold foam mattress. Unlike air mattresses, these won't pop or leak, and you can stack two to make a thicker bed or separate them for two guests. They do take up storage space, even when folded.Try a Japanese-style futon. These quilted sleeping pads are soft and breathable, and can be rolled or folded away in a closet or under a bed. They're especially useful for toddlers but can also comfortably accommodate adults.Products we recommendThe best memory-foam mattress topper ViscoSoft 3 inch Memory Foam Mattress TopperViscoSoft 3 inch Memory Foam Mattress TopperThis medium-firm memory-foam topper gives supportive, body-conforming comfort without feeling overly sinky. But it’s not especially soft, and it may retain heat.Buying options: $180 from Amazon, opens in a new tab(queen)$180 from Walmart, opens in a new tab(queen)Best adjustable memory-foam pillow Coop Original Adjustable PillowCoop Original Adjustable PillowFilled with pieces of cross-cut memory foam, this pillow has the loftiest customizable filling we tested, and testers adored its fluffy feel.Buying options: $71 from Amazon, opens in a new tab(queen)$89 from Walmart, opens in a new tab(queen)An ultra-comfortable sleeper sofa that will last American Leather Gaines Comfort SleeperAmerican Leather Gaines Comfort SleeperThis line is unparalleled in its category, with offerings that feel great in both the sofa and bed positions. And custom-order turnaround times are faster than for some ready-to-ship options from other brands.Buying options: $4,200 from Urban Natural, opens in a new tab(queen)A sleeper-sofa mattress upgrade Milliard 4.5-inch Memory Foam Replacement Mattress For Sofa and Couch Beds With Cover (Sofa Not Included)Milliard 4.5-inch Memory Foam Replacement Mattress For Sofa and Couch Beds With Cover (Sofa Not Included)It doesn’t take much to improve upon the busted, old mattress—or the disappointing new one—lurking in your sofa bed. This is a great start.Buying options: $220 from Amazon, opens in a new tab$225 from Walmart, opens in a new tabThe fix for a saggy sofa bed Meliusly Sleeper Sofa Support BoardMeliusly Sleeper Sofa Support BoardThis support board stiffens a sagging mattress and folds flat for storage in the bed or beneath the cushions—and it beats the heck out of an old scrap of plywood.Buying options: $95 from Amazon, opens in a new tab$80 from Walmart, opens in a new tabA modular play sofa The NuggetThe NuggetThe Nugget play sofa comes in four simple pieces that can be assembled into numerous configurations.Buying options: $249 from Nugget Comfort, opens in a new tabThe best air mattress Serta Raised Air Mattress with NeverFlat PumpSerta Raised Air Mattress with NeverFlat PumpThis air mattress was the most comfortable option we tried, and it has a user-friendly pump that automatically turns off when it’s fully inflated. But fully deflating the mattress is difficult, and initially it emits an off-gassing odor.Buying options: $160 from Amazon, opens in a new tab(queen)A comfortable guest-bed alternative Best Choice Products 4in Portable Folding Mattress (Twin)Best Choice Products 4in Portable Folding Mattress (Twin)This high-density foam folding mattress takes up more space than an air mattress but is significantly more comfortable and functional. It comes in twin, full, and queen sizes, but we prefer two twins for ultimate versatility and storage options.Buying options: $80 from Walmart, opens in a new tab$155 from Wayfair, opens in a new tabA compact Japanese futon Fuli Japanese Traditional Shiki FutonFuli Japanese Traditional Shiki FutonThis staff-pick futon is pleasantly pillowy and easy to move and store away, making it a great option for compact apartments. Plus, it’s simple to clean.Buying options: $422 from Amazon, opens in a new tab