4 Best Nugget Couch Dupes, Tested by Creative Kids Who Love to Build

The Figgy is one of the most popular Nugget couch dupes on the market today, and, based on our product testing, it’s clear why: It performed exceptionally well, earning 10 out of 10 scores across the board. It stands out as the overall best thanks to the premium materials, waterproof under-layer and Velcro connectors (more about those later). And it has six individual pieces that are all the same thickness, offering endless building options and a soft landing in every configuration. (Unlike the Nugget, which has four foam pieces of varying depths.) “My kids play with their Figgy daily,” says our tester Katt, a mom of five whose kids range in age from 19 months to 17 years. While it’s best suited for younger children (Katt says it’s ideal for kids 1 to 9), it was also a nice seating option for our product tester’s 17-year-old son who has autism. “I also will recommend to all my other autism mamas! This is the perfect play structure for stimming,” explains Katt, who said her 5’9” son could comfortably lay across the couch.

The basic Figgy play couch comes with six pieces: four flat base cushions and two rectangles. “I would have loved more shapes, to make play more interesting,” notes Katt. (If you’re in the same boat, you can opt for the seven-piece couch or buy some add-on pillows, sold separately.) Initially Katt and her husband had to show their kids how to use the Figgy, but our product tester said “it only took the kids a day to figure out the millions of possibilities.” While her 19-month-old still requires some assistance, Katt says that “the pieces are light enough for my 3-year-old to create his own play structures.” One unique aspect, which our product tester’s kids discovered on their own, is that the zipper covers double as Velcro flaps that help the pieces stick together. “I love this feature, and it definitely made it easier for the play structure to stay together,” explains Katt.

In terms of size, the Figgy is comparable to the Nugget couch. “For us, the size was perfect,” confirms Katt. “We have a less than 2,000 square foot home with seven people and eight animals, and have no issues making room for the Figgy,” she continues, noting that it can be stored upright when it’s not being played with. And you can say goodbye to sibling squabbles over who gets to play with it first, as Katt says “all four of my younger children have played with the Figgy together, and their teenage brother often joins with no issue.”

A kids' play couch has to withstand a lot of wear and tear, and the Figgy received a top score for materials, construction and ease of cleaning. “I raise wild country children who love worms and mud and go barefoot often,” says Katt. In fact, as soon as the play couch was unboxed, Katt’s kids spilled juice on it. Fortunately, “the fabric didn’t stain as much as I expected […] and it was easy to throw the covers in the washer,” she says. Our product tester also appreciated the waterproof lining, which kept the cushions safe despite spills and stains. All in all, Katt says, “it holds up well in a house full of wild kiddos!”

Dimensions: 33'' (L) x 33'' (W) x 4.5'' (H) (base); 22'' (L) x 11'' (W) x 11'' (H) (rectangles); 22'' (L) x 15'' (W) x 11'' (H) (wedge) | Age rating: 12+ months | Weight: N/A | Material: Polyester, foam, Velcro | Number of Pieces: 6-7

With a price tag under $150, this Sam's Club play couch is the most affordable Nugget alternative on this list. “The details and quality definitely exceeded my expectations for the price,” confirms our product tester Elizabeth, who used the play couch with her 2- and 4-year-old kids. “There are others that are very similar quality and are more expensive, but basically feel and do the same thing,” continues Elizabeth, who said she would definitely purchase this one for her kids. (One thing to note is that the play couch is sold exclusively at Sam’s Club, meaning you’ll need a Sam’s Club membership to buy it.)

Besides offering great value for money, this play couch checks all the boxes on functionality—in fact, it scored a full 10 out of 10 across all testing criteria. “It’s the perfect size, especially if you have multiple kids,” says Elizabeth, noting that her toddler and preschooler have plenty of room to sit or play together on the couch. While it does take up a good amount of floor space in their playroom, our product tester said you can stack it differently to make it more compact while not in use. While this pick doesn’t have a waterproof lining, our product tester said the couch is super-easy to clean. “After my kids dropped a condiment on it, I was able to easily spot-clean it and remove the stain,” and then remove and wash the covers, she says.

The four-piece set is made up of a base layer and a cushioned layer that goes on top, plus two triangle wedges. “The bigger piece is more firm and sturdy, then you have the comfort layer on top, which is softer,” explains Elizabeth, saying the “two wedge pillows are pretty sturdy as well.” The large rectangular base also boasts a slip pocket, which can be used to stash a book, tablet or remote control. “I love that the couch also has a pocket to place things in,” shared Elizabeth, who had nothing but good things to say about the design of this play couch.

But it’s not just a hit with Elizabeth: Our junior testers—aka her 2- and 4-year-old—adore it too, thanks to the endless play possibilities. “My children [have] used this play couch almost every single day since we’ve received it,” gushes Elizabeth, adding that it keeps her youngest son entertained for “at least three hours” a day. Both of her kids were excited to see all of the different building configurations, but the slide formation was a particular favorite. “We were able to build a slide by using the firm piece first and adding the softer piece on top,” says Elizabeth, who also helped her kids make a fort by standing the pieces on their sides and placing the wedge pillows on top. Once playtime is over, our product tester says her boys like to sit and unwind on the play couch while reading books or watching TV.

Dimensions: 66" (L) x 33" (W) x 5.75" (H) (base); 66" (L) x 33" (W) x 3" (H) (comfort layer); 22" (L) x 16" (W) x 13.85" (H) (triangles) | Age rating: 2 to 5 years old | Weight: N/A | Material: Foam | Number of Pieces: 4

Foamnasium offers a great Nugget couch alternative with one key difference: Rather than a standard fabric cover, the Blocksy is upholstered in a “rough and tumble” fabric that’s designed to take a beating. The water-resistant covers are made from a wipe-clean faux leather, so while they’re not machine-washable, the point is that you don’t need to launder them—a major plus for parents. “I did a spot-clean test and it was very easy to clean with a quick wipe up,” says our product tester and mom of two Nicole, who gave it a 10 out of 10 score for ease of cleaning. “You don't have to scrub too hard” to remove spills or stains. Plus, the hard-wearing upholstery can handle being pulled and dragged into different areas and building configurations. “While my kids played on the couch, they didn't make any scuff marks and the material seems very durable,” commented Nicole. Plus, she appreciated that the faux leather material was flame resistant without the use of FR chemicals and is also GREENGUARD Gold Certified. And while the fabric is designed for durability and easy care, it still feels nice to the touch: “The cushions are soft and comfortable to sit on, she assures. It’s no surprise that Nicole awarded the Blocksy a perfect score for materials and construction.

This Nugget dupe has two folding bases (one is slightly thinner than the other) and two wedge cushions that can be set up any way your kiddo wants. It’s slightly longer than the Nugget and Nicole says it easily accommodated her two children during playtime—it can even hold up to three kids comfortably, in her opinion. With that said, our product tester wished it was slightly larger in size “so forts can be bigger.”

Despite her qualms about the size, Nicole awarded the Blocksy a score of 10 for play and entertainment value. “My 2- and 4-year-old really love playing with this play couch,” she explained. Her kids use it for creative play, relaxing and, of course, building. “We've done at least four or five different configurations, whether we're building forts or using it to sit or lay down to watch a movie,” says Nicole, noting that it keeps her kids occupied for 30 minutes at a time. Nicole concluded her review by saying: “They look forward to playing with it everyday and it makes their minds be more creative!”

Dimensions: 25” (L) x 70” (W) x 19” (H) | Age rating: 12+ months | Weight: 25 lbs. | Material: Faux leather, foam | Number of Pieces: 4

Looking for a play couch that doesn’t take up too much floor space? This pick by Isabelle & Max received a 10 out of 10 score for size, thanks to its compact design—it’s the narrowest play couch on this list by 5 inches. Yonelba, tested the couch with the help of her 3-year-old son and said it fit neatly into her playroom, creating a cozy atmosphere without dominating the space.

The modular play couch consists of a solid loveseat and two square ottomans, made from a high-density foam. “The ottomans can serve as foot rests or additional seating and can also be used for creating forts and play,” says Yonelba, noting that she also used them as tables for snacks and other activities. While this pick isn’t quite as flexible as other Nugget alternatives, Yonelba says “the modular pieces can be rearranged in various configurations, allowing kids to create their own layouts.” And she notes that “the pieces were lightweight and easy for my 3-year-old to configure and carry.” Parents can also unfold the base and slot the ottomans inside to create a flat nap space for toddlers. With that said, she wished that it came with additional wedge pillows for even more building possibilities.

“The play couch is made from a suede-like material, making it very soft and comfortable for anyone who uses it,” says Yonelba, giving it a top score for materials. In terms of design, she noted that the ottoman inserts were “firm and the overall feel was very soft.” As well as being a cozy spot for toddlers to relax and unwind, this play couch acts as a comfortable seat for adults too. “I personally find the lounger extremely comfortable as someone who is 5’5 [and] 130 lbs.,” shared Yonelba.

Our product tester said her son has been using the play couch on a daily basis since they received it: “He enjoys using it to read his books or configures the set into a play area for his animal toys and puzzles.” Yonelba’s son enjoyed stacking the ottomans on top of the base, and she felt confident that he could play independently. “He is a very independent toddler so watching him be able to do it on his own without getting hurt is a plus for me,” concluded Yonelba, who said she would definitely recommend this product to other parents.

Dimensions: 40" (L) x 20" (W) x 16" (H) | Age rating: 2 to 12 years old | Weight: 14 lbs. | Material: Polyurethane, foam | Number of Pieces: 3