What To Know Before Buying A Couch With USB Charging Stations

If you browse Ikea, Amazon, or any other store where you can shop for modern furniture, you'll find a ton of sofas and couches with USB charging stations. It's actually pretty genius — it means you can just plug your phone or video game controller in without getting up in the middle of a game or stretching awkwardly when the outlet is just too far away. Manufacturers know this, and that's why you're seeing more and more designs integrating outlets into furniture, from tables to beds to couches.

However, as convenient as they may be, they're not harmless. Recently, a nanny cam video of a nursery glider shooting sparks from its outlet while a mom and baby sat in it went viral. It's terrifying to watch, but it raises an important question: How safe are USB ports built into furniture? According to Fox 5's investigation, incidents like this are extremely rare. Members of the Clark County Fire Department told Fox 5 they hadn't responded to any USB furniture fires in the past seven years.

But while the risk is low, it's not zero. And just because incidents don't make it to official channels doesn't mean they aren't happening. In one Facebook post, a customer shared that her sofa started smoking and glowing even though it wasn't in use. Someone else in the comments said they'd experienced the same thing, sharing that their couch shot sparks that hit their newborn nephew.

The biggest concern with USB furniture is that it's a hidden fire hazard in your home. These couches have wiring running through the frame and cushions, and if that wiring gets damaged or you plug in too many things at once, it can short-circuit and potentially start a fire. Another issue is overheating. Even power banks get hot sometimes — now imagine when charging ports are embedded in fabric and foam. If you're charging multiple devices or using fast-charging cables, heat can build up in the cushions, and fire isn't the only potential risk. That heat could also melt the cable and ruin the device you have plugged in.

The truth is, not all USB furniture meets Underwriter Laboratories (UL) safety standards. There's no guarantee that manufacturers, especially those selling budget models online, aren't skipping third-party testing to cut costs. So, to protect your home from a fire, check if the couch has a UL certification mark before you buy. If it doesn't, that's a red flag. Even if it does, it's still important to practice caution with USB furniture. Allow plenty of ventilation and avoid overloading the outlets.

Beyond the risk of fire and your safety, there are practical issues most people don't think about until after they've made the purchase. Many built-in USB ports only provide 1 to 2 amps of power, which is fine, but won't fast-charge modern devices. If you're used to your smartphone or tablet charging quickly with a wall adapter, you might be frustrated by how slowly it charges through your couch.