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Whether you’re upgrading a guest room or looking for a quality dorm room mattress, taking the time to find a supportive, comfortable mattress is a must — no matter what size you’re looking for.

A twin XL mattress has almost the exact same dimensions as a twin, but it’s slightly longer — by 5 inches — to accommodate adults, teens, and tall children. Although twin XL mattresses can accommodate taller people, they’re still intended to be used by only one person. They tend to be slightly pricier than twin models.

With so many mattresses on the market, settling on a final pick can be daunting. Choosing a mattress requires that you do your research, regardless of the size you’re looking for. In this article, we go over what you need to know when buying a twin XL mattress and showcase our top picks on the market.

There are several types of mattresses out there. Let’s take a quick look at what sets each apart:

  • Foam. Ooey gooey memory foam contours and supports your body but bounces back into place when you get out of bed. Some people love the cozy feel of memory foam while others say it feels like being swallowed by quicksand. If you want the movement isolation of foam without the trapped-in feeling of memory foam, opt for latex.
  • Innerspring. Coils or springs provide the bulk of the support in innerspring mattresses. They’re not great at isolating movement but tend to be less expensive than other mattress types.
  • Hybrid. A combination of foam and springs or coils provides top-notch support and comfort in hybrid mattresses.
  • Airbed. Not to be confused with an air mattress, an airbed offer adjustable support. That means you can change the firmness of the bed to fit your needs. Most airbeds also let you adjust the angle of the head of the bed.

Many companies offer twin XL mattress sizes. To select our top picks, we used the following criteria:

  • Company reputation and transparency. We’re careful to select mattresses from companies that avoid making overblown claims about their products. We also only include products from brands with good reputations and transparent business practices. Additionally, we take into consideration whether the companies are environmentally and socially responsible.
  • Company policies. We try to only list products from companies that offer in-home trials and extended warranties. If we do include products without these policies, we’ll call it out so you know in advance.
  • Customer reviews. Any mattresses we choose have an overwhelming amount of positive reviews. Keep in mind that a mattress purchase is very personal. What feels great for one person may feel uncomfortable for another.

Read more about our product vetting and selection process.

Pricing guide

Twin XL mattresses are slightly longer than regular twin models, which comes with a bit of a price bump. Expect to pay at least $100 more for a twin XL than you would for a standard twin mattress. Don’t forget to factor in extra costs like taxes, delivery, setup, and accessories like bedding.

  • $ = under $500
  • $$ = $500–$800
  • $$$ = over $800

Best twin XL hybrid mattress

Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Signature Hybrid

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11.5 inches

The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid model from Brooklyn Bedding is made of responsive foam and a gel top layer to help with temperature regulation. You can choose from three firmness levels — soft, medium, and firm — which is excellent for solo sleepers seeking a personalized twin XL mattress. The company also offers a 120-night trial and a standard 10-year warranty.

Best twin XL mattress for college

Casper Original Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: memory foam
  • Height: 11 inches

The twin XL version of this Casper memory foam mattress is great for students heading off to college, thanks to its comfortable, medium-firm design. The perforated outer layer made of foam helps with temperature regulation, which may come in handy in poorly ventilated dorm rooms.

Buyers get a chance to try the mattress out for 100 nights, and it comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

Best twin XL mattress for an adjustable base

Tuft & Needle T&N Original Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: 10 inches

Buying two separate twin XL models and putting them together creates a split king mattress, which is an awesome option for couples looking for a more customized sleeping situation.

The Tuft & Needle T&N Original Mattress is a medium-firm model with adaptive foam for a supportive feel. The graphite and cooling gel top layer helps wick moisture away from the body and regulate body temps.

It’s compatible with multiple bases, including adjustable frames. The mattress is also Greenguard Gold certified and contains CertiPUR-US certified foam.

Best foam twin XL mattress

Leesa Original Twin Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: memory foam
  • Height: 10 inches

This highly rated memory foam mattress from Leesa is breathable and supportive enough to accommodate multiple sleeping positions. The company’s foams are CertiPUR-US certified and provide a medium-firm feel.

However, some reviewers still complain of strong off-gassing smells, so make sure you give yourself a few days to air the mattress out before actually sleeping on it.

Best soft twin XL mattress

The WinkBed

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 13.5 inches

The WinkBed is one of the most expensive models on our list, but it’s also highly rated across the board. The combo of gel foam and individually wrapped coils delivers plush support. You can also select from a variety of firmness levels, and the company recommends the soft option for side sleepers.

This model comes with a lifetime warranty, and you can try it out for 120 nights. It’s also CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX Standard 100, class 1 certified.

Best rated twin XL mattress

Avocado Green Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11 inches

The Avocado Green Mattress gets top points for its organic construction. It’s also one of the most popular organic options on the market.

It contains Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified fibers and is Greenguard Gold certified. All the wool in the mattress is also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. If you’re interested in a softer feel, you can customize the mattress by adding a pillow top to it.

Best twin XL floor mattress

Milliard Tri-Fold Memory Foam Mattress

  • Price: $
  • Type: memory foam
  • Height: 6 inches

Grab this floor mattress when an impromptu overnight guest arrives, or use it for a luxurious camping trip. The portable folding mattress is breathable and thick enough to provide both support and comfort.

It’s also CertiPUR-US certified and features a soft bamboo cover that’s machine washable. It arrives vacuum-sealed in a box and takes about 2 days to fully expand once unpacked.

Best twin XL mattress for back pain

Intellibed Matrix Deluxe

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 15.75 inches

This luxury mattress from Intellibed features thick layers of gel material to provide a soft yet firm surface. Pocketed coils add additional support to keep the spine aligned, and a premium quilted cover contours the body.

The mattress comes with a generous 20-year warranty and a 90-night trial.

Buy the Intellibed Matrix Deluxe online.

Pros

  • Ideal for tall sleepers. A twin XL bed provides additional legroom for tall people.
  • Great for tight spaces. These mattresses are excellent for narrow guest or dorm rooms.
  • Cheaper than a full mattress. With a twin XL mattress, you get more sleep space than a twin mattress at a lower cost than a full mattress.
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Cons

  • Not for couples. Twin XL mattresses can’t accommodate two people comfortably.
  • Limited accessory options. It can be tough to find bed frames, sheets, or comforters made to fit twin XL mattresses.
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Goldilocks quickly found the perfect mattress for her, but even she needed to experiment a little to find the right fit. Here’s what to consider before starting your mattress shopping adventure:

Who’s sleeping on the mattress

You need to nail down who this mattress is for. Is it a temporary solution for dorm room living? You might not want to spend a lot of money on something you won’t be sleeping on for long. Is it for an adult? Adults may need more support than kids because they weigh more and typically have more back pain woes.

Mattress type

There are a ton of different mattress types out there. Your choice depends mainly on personal preference. But if you’re buying it for a guest room, you may have success with a hybrid model. Hybrid mattresses incorporate elements from foam and innerspring-style mattresses.

Mattress performance

Some mattresses have extra features that may appeal to certain buyers. If you’re a hot sleeper, for instance, opt for a cooling or temperature control mattress.

Things like motion isolation may be less critical for solo sleepers, but firmness and pressure relief are definitely important. Mattresses that are slightly soft offer more pressure relief than those with a very firm feel.

Most people find a medium-firm surface the comfiest, so if you’re outfitting a guest room, go with this middle-ground firmness option.

Bed frame and bedding

Because twin XL mattresses are longer than twin models, you’ll need a specific bed frame size to accommodate the extra length.

You’ll likely need to purchase a bed frame separately from your mattress. Some mattress companies sell frames along with their mattresses, but design choices are limited.

You’ll also need twin XL bedding for your new mattress.

Company policies

Imagine buying a mattress and hating it. You’ll either have to stick with the uncomfortable surface or pony up extra money for a replacement. Avoid this unpleasant outcome and try before you buy whenever you can. Many reputable mattress companies offer lengthy in-home trial periods and easy returns if you’re not satisfied.

What size is a twin XL mattress?

A twin XL mattress is 5 inches longer than a regular twin mattress, making it 38 inches by 80 inches.

Who should sleep on a twin XL mattress?

A twin XL mattress is a good choice for:

  • taller people (over 6 feet)
  • guest rooms
  • vacation rentals
  • people who want to conserve space in a bedroom

While they’re longer than regular twin mattresses, twin XL models aren’t great for couples. Instead, they’re best for solo sleepers who need a little extra legroom.

What’s the difference between a twin and a twin XL?

The only difference between a twin and a twin XL is the length. XL models are 5 inches longer than regular twin mattresses.

Can twin sheets fit a twin XL mattress?

It depends. Some companies make sheet sets that can fit both mattress sizes, but others make them to fit one size only. Double-check that the sheets have deep pockets (at least 15 inches) if you plan to use them on a twin XL mattress.

Buying a mattress can feel like an impossible task. There are so many twin XL options out there. Remember that even the highest rated mattress may not be right for you. Everyone is different, and the right mattress for you is highly personal.

Whether you’re buying for your room, a guest room, or a dorm room, choose an XL twin mattress from a reputable, transparent company. Also, try to find mattress companies that give you ample time to try out the product at home risk-free.

Looking for something bigger? Check out our best full xl mattresses.

Steph Coelho is a freelance writer with chronic migraine who has a particular interest in health and wellness. When she’s not click-clacking away on her keyboard, she’s probably nose-deep in a good book.