The highest-rated twin mattresses come from trusted brands such as Casper and Nectar. We break down these and our other top picks for every type of sleeper. See which mattress fits your needs in our twin mattress review.
The right mattress can mean the difference between tossing and turning and dozing off comfortably to dreamland. Picking a mattress is a tough task, though. There are so many models on the market. How can you choose the right one?
Thankfully, we’ve done most of the work for you! We’ve put together a list of our top twin mattress picks to ease your shopping stress.
Pricing guide
Twin mattresses are the cheapest mattress size, but even a smaller mattress is a significant purchase. Additional costs to consider include taxes, bed frame or base, delivery and setup fees, and bedding if you’re starting from scratch.
Just because a twin mattress is smaller than a queen or king doesn’t mean you should skimp on quality. Here’s how we chose our favorite twin mattresses:
Company reputation and transparency: It’s important to buy from brands that are committed to creating quality products and being transparent. All our picks have been vetted to make sure they’re reputable, use good business practices, and are transparent with their customers. You can read more about our vetting process.
Company policies: It’s also important that companies offer you a solid in-home trial, return policy, and warranty. These policies can give you some peace of mind as you shop for a mattress since it’s a pretty big purchase.
Customer reviews: We also take a look at how customers feel about our picks and make sure they’re viewed positively by people who have purchased them.
Types of mattresses
When you’re shopping, you might come across different terms for mattress types and wonder what they mean.
Foam:Foam mattresses are usually made of memory foam, latex foam, or gel foam. They do not contain coils. Foam is good for relieving pressure and isolating movement. If you tend to get hot at night, opt for gel foam, which is cooler than latex and memory foam. Some people complain about the sinking, sagging feeling of memory foam, which can be avoided with a latex mattress.
Innerspring: These mattresses use steel coil springs to provide support.
Hybrid:Hybrid mattresses contain the springs found in traditional mattresses along with foam. Coils deliver some bounce and support, and the foam provides extra comfort and pressure relief. Hybrid models also tend to be the most cooling thanks to a construction that promotes breathability.
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How to shop for a twin mattress
Whether you’re shopping for a twin or a king, keep in mind that what someone else loves might not be quite as comfortable for you. It’s a personal choice. Here are some of the basic need-to-knows.
Firmness
Mattresses vary in firmness. There are super soft ones and ultra-firm ones. Don’t confuse firmness and support, though. Firmness is an indication of feel, not of whether the mattress will be supportive.
Support
Support has to do with how well a mattress can keep your spine in alignment. A supportive mattress relieves pressure points and keeps your spine in a neutral position.
Contrary to popular belief, medium-firm mattresses can actually provide more support than firm ones because they have more give. That said, the firmness and support you need often depends on the position you like to sleep in and your body type.
In-home trial
We know we keep preaching that this is a personal choice — but seriously, don’t buy a mattress unless it comes with an in-home trial period.
Many new mattress companies offer this, and it’ll give you some extra time to decide whether this mattress really works for you or anyone else who is using it.
Off-gassing
Choose mattresses made with nontoxic materials whenever possible. Some synthetic foams and mattress coverings contain VOCs, which produce a distinct chemical smell known as off-gassing. They can be bad for your health, particularly if you have any breathing issues.
If you like the feel of foam, opt for natural latex or foams with certifications that guarantee low VOC emissions.
Warranty
A decent mattress warranty should be at least 10 years, which is the average life span of a mattress. Check the warranty details to make sure it’s comprehensive and transparent.
Firmness and sleeping positions
While mattress firmness is a personal choice, you can use your preferred sleeping position to give you an idea of where to start:
Medium soft: A mattress that’s too soft and mushy won’t provide enough support for anyone. But if you’re a side sleeper, you might like a softer sleep surface that doesn’t dig into your hips and shoulders.
Medium firm: Most people will probably find themselves gravitating toward this middle ground for a combination of comfort and support. The authors of a 2021 research review concluded that medium-firm mattresses can positively affect sleep quality and back alignment and found that people who slept on a medium-firm mattress reported a significant improvement in back pain and sleep quality.
Firm or extra firm: Sleepers with higher body weight and those who sleep on their back or stomach may sleep better on a firmer surface that provides more support.
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If you’re buying a twin mattress for a guest room, it might host a slew of visitors, so it can be tough to decide on a model. If you frequently host guests or list your home as a rental, you may want to opt for a medium-firm mattress. Always look for mattresses with generally favorable reviews.
If you’re not sure about mattress choice, don’t be afraid to reach out to a customer service rep. They can provide recommendations based on popular sleeping positions and firmness preferences.
Anatomy of a twin mattress
Anyone can sleep on a twin mattress, but because of the smaller dimensions, twin mattresses can be a good fit for children or bedrooms where space is tight, such as dorm rooms.
They’re not a good choice for couples, because they don’t offer enough room for two adults. Additionally, they typically have lower weight limits than larger mattresses.
Weight
Typical twin mattresses weigh between 40 and 50 pounds. They’re the smallest and lightest standard mattresses you can buy.
Keep in mind that because twin mattresses are lighter, they might not have the same upper weight limits as identical model mattresses in larger sizes.
Dimensions
A twin mattress measures 38 by 75 in. Twin XL mattresses are slightly longer, at 38 by 80 in, to accommodate taller sleepers.
When buying a twin mattress for a bunk bed, it’s important to make sure it doesn’t extend above the guardrails. That usually means looking for a mattress that’s no more than 8 in thick, but it’s a good idea to double-check the guardrail measurements to be sure.
Frequently asked questions about twin mattresses
Aside from a crib, a twin is the smallest bed available, measuring 38 by 75 in. Both children and adults can sleep on twin mattresses.
Because most twin models have an upper weight limit of around 230 pounds and are compact, they’re not a good choice for couples.
There are a lot of super-cheap twin mattresses on the market. For less than $400, you can expect to get a basic mattress that’s likely less durable than higher priced alternatives.
Beware of ultra-inexpensive models from unreputable companies. If it’s very inexpensive, it may be too good to be true and may not meet federal safety standards.
Midrange models will cost you about $600, on average. At that price point, you’ll probably have more choices in terms of firmness and materials.
At the high end, you’ll pay more than $1,000 but can expect increased durability, premium comfort, and excellent support.
This depends on your preference. For instance, if you sleep on your stomach or back, you might prefer a firmer sleep surface. If you’re trying to outfit a guest bedroom, you may want to opt for a hybrid medium-firm mattress, which is most likely to support all sleeping positions.
A twin mattress is 38 in wide by 75 in long. Depth may vary depending on the model. Thicker mattresses tend to be more durable and supportive than thinner models.
The width of a king mattress is equal to two twin mattresses put together. But if you stick two regular twin beds together, they will be 5 in shorter than a traditional king. You’ll need two twin XL mattresses to fit a king-size frame.
Many mattress retailers offer a split king option that involves two twin XL mattresses, often with a connector between them to prevent slippage.
A twin mattress will last as long as any other type of mattress, about 8–10 years.
Takeaway
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your child’s bed, find yourself a new mattress, or furnish your guest room, there are a lot of elements to consider.
When in doubt, opt for a mattress that’s medium firm and certified for low VOC emissions or that contains only natural latex and organic fibers. Always go with a mattress that includes a generous home trial period, because trying before buying is the best way to find the right mattress for your needs.
Last medically reviewed on April 25, 2024
How we reviewed this article:
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