Best Thin Mattress of 2024
Space-Saving, Budget-Friendly Picks

Standard mattress height is between 10 and 12 inches tall. Shorter mattresses offer several unique benefits when compared to those with standard or taller profiles. Thin mattresses are often easier to transport and less expensive, making them great for growing kids or guest bedrooms. RVs, loft beds, and certain foundations may require a thin mattress. Some people simply prefer the look of a thin mattress. 

After considerable research and in-house testing, we’ve devised a list of our favorite thin mattresses. We also cover what type of sleeper is most likely to benefit from a low-profile mattress design.

In-Depth Reviews

Expert Tested. Sleeper Approved.

Over the past eight years, our Seattle-based Test Lab has performed hands-on tests on more than 4,000 sleep products — and nearly 2,000 of them are mattresses. 

As product experts, we stay up to date on the latest news in sleep science and product trends. We use this knowledge to fuel our data-backed recommendations. Many of our testers have worked directly with mattress manufacturers and visited actual mattress factories. On occasion, a sleep health expert might stop by to tweak a firmness rating.

When we test a mattress, we collect data across six major performance categories and combine these results with real-world feedback. We use tools and tech to monitor features like heat retention, motion isolation, and pressure mapping. In order to ensure our findings are inclusive of all sleepers, our team consists of people with varying body types and sleep positions.

Mattresses aren’t one-size-fits-all. The perfect bed for you is going to depend on general points like your body weight and sleeping position, as well as unique points like if you have back pain, if you sleep hot at night, or if you just like the feel of latex over memory foam. Our goal at the Test Lab is to help take the guesswork out of your mattress-buying process.

Who Is a Thin Mattress Best For?

A thin mattress suits children or adults who benefit from moderate support and minimal sink. Lightweight back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and sleepers with back pain may benefit from a thin design with minimal contouring. People with mobility issues may find it easier to get in and out of a shorter bed. 

Since thin mattresses usually cost less, they’re also great for budget shoppers and college students. Frequent movers appreciate that they weigh less than thicker models.

How to Choose a Thin Mattress

Each sleeper is unique when it comes to comfort preferences, budget, and space limitations. Even if the bed’s height is your top concern, it’s still a good idea to consider a mattress’ overall performance. 

What to Look For in a Thin Mattress

Material quality, craftsmanship, and firmness level all impact the way a mattress feels. Most sleepers value certain performance features more than others. Hot sleepers, for example, should focus on breathable materials. Co-sleepers often prioritize strong edge support and motion isolation. 

Make sure to evaluate your unique preferences when choosing a mattress style and height. 

Price

Thin mattresses are generally less expensive than thicker models since they use less materials. This makes them great for college students and other shoppers on a budget. An inexpensive thin mattress may be a good fit for a guest bedroom that’s used only occasionally. The same goes for children who may need a bigger bed within a few years. 

Sleeping Position

Whether on the side, back, or stomach, a person’s sleep position impacts the qualities they should look for in a mattress. Side sleepers generally need a mattress with plenty of cushioning. They’re prone to pressure points on the hips and shoulders if the comfort system doesn’t allow these heavier areas of the body to sink deeper into the surface. 

Back sleepers don’t require much contouring, so a thin mattress can work so long as it reinforces the torso and doesn’t allow the lumbar area to sink too deeply into the bed. 

Stomach sleepers usually need a firm mattress to support the midsection. While thin mattresses can work for this sleep position, stomach sleepers should ensure that they don’t bottom out on a mattress that’s too soft or thin.

Quality Materials

Mattresses made with higher quality materials generally last longer. Thinner mattresses sometimes wear faster since they have fewer layers, making material quality even more essential. High-quality materials are often more breathable, which is important if you tend to sleep hot. 

Firmness Level

Firmness describes a mattress’ relative softness. Thin mattresses tend to have more minimal comfort systems, so they usually feel firmer compared to taller models. Body weight and sleep position also affect how firm a mattress feels. A mattress may feel too rigid for a side sleeper under 130 pounds. The same mattress might be too plush for a stomach sleeper over 230 pounds. 

Pressure Relief

Painful pressure points can develop if a sleeper’s body weight isn’t evenly distributed. A mattress with notable pressure relief combines cushioning with the right level of support to maintain spinal alignment. 

A low-profile mattress might not offer adequate pressure relief if the comfort layers are too thin. Pressure-relieving materials like memory foam or latex can compensate for a thinner comfort system. Also, not every sleeper needs substantial contouring to alleviate tension.

Motion Isolation

How well a mattress isolates motion depends on its materials and construction. Mattresses with coil-based or latex support systems usually transfer more movement from one side of the bed to the other. Foam, on the other hand, tends to be excellent at absorbing motion. Thin mattresses don’t have as many comfort layers to buffer movement, so it’s important to focus on the quality and performance of each layer.

Temperature Regulation

A mattress’ temperature regulation should be a priority for anyone who sleeps hot. Foam mattresses tend to retain more heat than hybrids with ventilated coil support cores. Some manufacturers use open-cell foams, gel infusions, and other cooling features to reduce heat buildup. Because they don’t permit as much sinkage, thin mattresses often sleep cooler than tall models.

Edge Support

A mattress with strong edge support feels more stable when lying or sitting near the edges. A low profile mattress with a sturdy perimeter can also make getting in and out of bed easier for people with back pain.

Contouring

Contouring in a mattress largely depends on its firmness and height. Tall mattresses usually conform more to sleepers’ bodies because they have thicker comfort systems. Contouring needs vary according to sleep position and body type. Side sleepers generally need more contouring than stomach and back sleepers.

Mattress Type

Mattresses are categorized according to their materials and construction method. Each mattress type has its pros and cons, and some benefit certain sleepers more than others. People who value ease of movement may want a bouncy hybrid. Couples might prefer a foam mattress that isolates motion well.

Types of Thin Mattresses

Mattresses are categorized according to their interior components and materials. Each type of mattress has notable features that appeal to certain sleepers more than others. Mattresses of the same type may perform very differently depending on material quality and workmanship.

Hybrid

A hybrid combines a comfort system with a pocketed coil support core. Comfort layers are commonly made from polyfoam, memory foam, latex, polyester, cotton, or wool. Hybrids are valued for their responsiveness, durability, and temperature control. A thin hybrid may be a good option for those looking for a low profile mattress that offers a combination of softness and support with plenty of bounce.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses have a coil-based support core and a minimal comfort system. Innerspring designs are often affordable, making them a frequent choice for children  and people who don’t need a lot of contouring. It’s not hard to find low-profile innersprings since they don’t have as many comfort layers as other mattress types. 

Foam

All-foam mattresses are made entirely of foam. They often have a high-density polyfoam core and softer foam comfort layers. Foam mattresses typically excel at pressure relief and motion isolation. One potential drawback is foam’s tendency to retain heat. Many manufacturers, however, use open-cell foams and gel infusions to minimize heat buildup. 

Thin foam mattresses are exceptionally lightweight, so they’re great for RVs, boats, and dorm rooms. They also tend to be less expensive than other mattress types. 

Latex

Latex mattresses have internal layers made exclusively from latex. The latex may be natural, synthetic, or a combination of both. Natural latex is manufactured using the Dunlop or Talalay methods. The former produces a denser latex, while the latter creates a springier feel. 

Latex is known for its durability, responsiveness, and ventilation. It cushions pressure points but isn’t as body-conforming as memory foam. Natural latex mattresses are often considered luxury, so they tend to be taller overall. Even thinner latex models are usually more expensive than other types of mattresses. 

Airbed

Airbeds feature a support core with an adjustable air chamber, allowing sleepers to modify its level of firmness. The comfort system on airbeds is highly variable, but may include memory foam, latex, or polyfoam layers. 

With their sophisticated design, airbeds are some of the most expensive mattresses on the market. Most are at least 10 inches tall, since air chambers take up significant space. Manufacturers also tend to make airbeds taller to justify their luxury price-point.

Dive Deeper – In-Depth Mattress Guides

If you’re not sure you’ve found a bed that suits your needs, you can narrow down your search by reviewing our recommendations by mattress feel.