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Written by
Logan Foley
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Twin is the smallest among the six standard mattress sizes. Specific dimensions vary by model, but most twin size mattresses measure about 39 inches wide and 75 inches long. Twins can be ideal for adults and children who sleep alone, but this size is usually too narrow for two or more people to sleep comfortably. Additionally, people who stand more than 6 feet 2 inches will probably be too tall for a twin size mattress.
There are some benefits to choosing a twin over other mattress sizes. For one, twin sizes tend to be the cheapest options for any given mattress model. Twins also take up the least amount of floor space, making them suitable for people with smaller bedrooms.
Below, you’ll find our picks for the best twin mattress models among beds currently sold in this size. These selections are based on a combination of verified owner experiences and product research and analysis. We’ll also discuss different mattress types, pros and cons of twin sizes, and important factors to look for when buying a new mattress.
Ideal for sleepers who enjoy close body-contouring, the Nectar is designed with three layers of adaptive memory foam that also offer excellent motion isolation. All customers receive a one-year sleep trial and lifetime warranty.
Our best twin mattress picks begin with the Nectar, which is constructed with two memory foam comfort layers and an additional transitional layer of memory foam. The mattress has a medium firm feel, allowing you to feel some gentle contouring without sinking too deeply beneath the surface. A support core of high-density polyfoam reinforces the bed fairly well, and the edge support is above-average for the Nectar compared to other all-foam models. This means less sagging when you get on and off the bed and more stability when sleeping near the perimeter.
The Nectar’s moderate conforming makes the mattress optimal for many side sleepers who weigh at least 130 pounds. The foam cushions the shoulders and hips to align the spine and reduce pressure throughout the body. A sturdy support system also ensures comfortable contouring and minimal sinking for back and stomach sleepers. The bed is virtually silent, as well, so you don’t need to worry about disruptive squeaks and creaks if you switch to a different sleeping position.
The Nectar is relatively inexpensive compared to the average memory foam model. Customers in the contiguous U.S. qualify for free ground shipping. The mattress is backed by a 365-night sleep trial – one of the longest in the industry – and a non-prorated lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.
The flippable Layla is a memory foam mattress that offers medium soft and firm feels. Both sides feature conforming memory foam infused with copper to help the surface stay cool.
Another flippable mattress, the Layla is an all-foam model with a medium soft feel on one side and a firm feel on the other. Both sleep surfaces are constructed with memory foam. You’ll feel more sink on the medium soft side and stronger support on the firm, but both surfaces conform evenly to support your spine and reduce pressure points. We expect side sleepers and people who weigh less than 130 pounds to prefer the medium soft surface, while back/stomach sleepers and those who weigh more than 230 pounds will probably prefer the firm surface instead. However, you may find that both sides of the Layla are equally comfortable.
The memory foam layers are infused with copper, which has cooling properties and can help prevent excessive heat buildup on the surface. The medium soft layer has an additional layer of convoluted polyfoam for added padding and air circulation. Edge support and ease of movement are a bit better on the firm side, while the medium soft side performs better when it comes to pressure relief.
The Layla is reasonably priced for a memory foam mattress – especially a model with a reversible design. Shipping is free if you reside in the contiguous U.S. The mattress is also backed by a 120-night sleep trial and a non-prorated lifetime warranty.
The DreamCloud luxury hybrid is designed with a foam-cushioned Euro-top, adaptive memory foam and polyfoam comfort layers, and a zoned pocketed coil support core for enhanced edge support. All customers receive a one-year sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.
Our final pick is the Dreamcloud, which offers the feel and performance of a luxury hybrid at a budget-friendly price-point. The DreamCloud is constructed with comfort layers of memory foam and gel-infused memory foam, both of which provide close and even body-contouring. The mattress has a medium firm feel, so sinkage is minimal. A transitional polyfoam layer and pocketed coil support core ensure a fair amount of responsiveness and strong reinforcement along the perimeter.
The mattress is an excellent choice for hot sleepers. The coils circulate strong air currents to help the interior stay cool, and the entire bed is encased in a breathable cashmere-blend cover. Pressure relief is another major strength of the DreamCloud. The memory foam cushions the shoulders and hips to promote even spinal alignment for side sleepers, while the coils keep back and stomach sleepers on an even plane. With a profile of 15 inches, the DreamCloud is much thicker than the average mattress.
While the DreamCloud is a bit pricey compared to our other top picks, this is a high-value model given its high-end design and strong performance across different categories. Shipping is free within the contiguous U.S. The mattress is backed by a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty, both of which are much longer than average.
Uber-popular and very reasonably priced, the T&N Original Mattress is composed of an adaptive polyfoam comfort layer and a dense, supportive base layer. Breathable surface materials ensure less heat absorption and cooler sleep.
Next up is the T&N Original Mattress from Tuft & Needle, another budget-friendly all-foam model. The T&N is designed with a comfort layer of graphite-infused, open-cell polyfoam over a high-density polyfoam base. Polyfoam has some contouring properties but it won’t cradle the body closely like memory foam, and you’ll notice a bit more responsiveness on the surface. This makes the mattress ideal for adults and kids who want some conforming without a lot of sink.
The T&N is a particularly good option for people who sleep on their side and/or back. This mattress has a medium firm feel, resulting in a good balance of cushioning and support. The mattress also sleeps very cool for an all-foam model. The open-cell polyfoam found in the comfort layer is breathable and not very dense, so it shouldn’t absorb and trap too much body heat. The graphite infusion may also help to minimize warmth on the surface.
Due to its low price-point in a twin size, the T&N Original Mattress is a good option for growing children or budget-conscious college students. The company will ship for free anywhere in the contiguous U.S., as well. The mattress is backed by a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
Geared toward children ages 3 and older, the reversible Saatva Youth Innerspring offers a medium firm feel on one side and a firmer feel on the other. Saatva offers free White Glove delivery for all orders.
The Saatva Youth is our best twin mattress for kids pick. This reversible innerspring is designed to accommodate children as they grow and require more support from their mattress. One side of the bed is constructed with a comfort layer of zoned polyfoam that reinforces the back and hips while cradling the head, neck, shoulders, and legs. This ensures adequate support regardless of the child’s body type. Beneath the comfort layer, a support core of thick Bonnell coils provides excellent stability and edge support.
When your child decides they need a firmer mattress, you can flip over the Saatva Youth for a completely different sleep surface. This side features a comfort layer of dense convoluted polyfoam, resulting in less cradling and better support. Saatva recommends this side for children ages 8 and older. Thanks to strong airflow through the coils and a breathable organic cotton cover, the Saatva Youth sleeps very cool for kids of all ages. The mattress is also very well made and should perform for at least seven years before a replacement is needed.
The Saatva Youth is a bit pricier than the average children’s bed. However, Saatva provides free White Glove delivery anywhere in the U.S. Most competing brands charge at least $100 for this service, which includes in-home assembly and old mattress removal. The mattress also comes with a 180-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty.
A great alternative to foam and latex beds, the eco-friendly Joybed LX features soft organic cotton and wool batting over a coil-on-coil support system.
The Joybed LX is a bit different from our other best twin mattress picks. This model is not constructed with any foam or latex whatsoever. The comfort layers consist of organic cotton and natural wool batting. These materials do not conform very much but they feel very soft and provide excellent cushioning for the body. The mattress has a firm feel and you’ll notice a significant bounce on the surface. The comfort layers are also highly breathable, and wool has moisture-wicking properties to help sleepers stay cool and dry during the night.
The Joybed LX’s support core features pocketed coils with extra reinforcement along the perimeter. You won’t feel much sinkage when getting in and out of bed, and responsiveness from the coils should help you move easily and feel secure sleeping anywhere on the bed’s surface. The coils also promote strong airflow for added temperature control. We recommend the Joybed LX to anyone who normally sleeps hot, especially if they have had difficulties with foam or latex models.
A twin size Joybed LX has a rather reasonable price-point. The mattress is particularly affordable compared to other models containing certified-organic and sustainably sourced materials. Joybed offers free shipping throughout the contiguous U.S., and the mattress is backed by a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
Although it is the smallest mattress size, a twin can be useful in different situations. Twin models make great beds for children because they are generally inexpensive, so you won’t spend too much on a mattress that will most likely need to be replaced following a big growth spurt. Their affordability and space-saving dimensions also make twin mattresses a great option for college students sharing dorm rooms, or beds for a guest room in your house.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about twin size mattresses, including dimensions, price expectations, and other important factors for buyers.
Choosing the right mattress requires a fair amount of legwork on your part. You should research different brands and models to see how mattresses compare in terms of construction, feel, and price. Some mattress brands advertise their products using exaggerated and unrealistic descriptions. These include claims that their beds offer universal comfort regardless of the sleeper’s body type or normal position, or that a mattress will last forever.
Instead, we recommend using the following qualities and attributes to guide your new mattress search.
The twin size mattress – also known as a single – usually measures about 39 inches wide and 75 inches long. This size is better suited to certain types of sleepers, and less so for others. Couples and co-sleepers often find twin beds too narrow, whereas most single sleepers enjoy ample space to move around during the night.
Based on its dimensions, we recommend a twin size mattress for the following sleeper groups:
The twin and twin XL are the smallest standard mattress sizes. Most twins measure approximately 39 inches wide and 75 inches long. The twin XL shares the same width of 39 inches, but most of these models measure 80 inches long.
Neither size is suited to couples or co-sleepers, but a twin XL will be more comfortable for people who stand between 6 feet 3 inches and 6 feet 7 inches tall. These individuals are a bit too tall for a standard twin and their feet will probably dangle over the foot of the bed, whereas a twin XL provides extra space for their legs and feet.
Like other mattress sizes, twins carry their own pros and cons for sleepers and shoppers. Some notable benefits and drawbacks of twin size beds are listed below.
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Next, let’s take a closer look at the five main mattress types. Mattresses sold today fall into five general categories based on how the comfort layers and support core are constructed: hybrid, innerspring, latex, airbed, and all-foam. Mattress types generally earn the same ratings in performance categories like durability, pressure relief, and temperature neutrality. However, you’ll notice a lot of variation with these categories in terms of feel, price, and other factors.
Definition: Hybrids are technically innersprings, but they are constructed with comfort layers of memory foam, latex, and other materials that conform more closely. As a result, they tend to alleviate more pressure than traditional innersprings. Hybrids almost always have pocketed coil support cores, as well.
All-Encompassing Design: Hybrids are designed to perform well in several different areas. Their contouring comfort layers offer extra support for the spine and more pressure relief for sleepers – side sleepers, in particular. However, their coil systems also provide enough reinforcement for most back and stomach sleepers to lie comfortably without sagging too much. Hybrids sleep cooler than most all-foam models, while also isolating more motion than the average innerspring.
Definition: Innersprings are the oldest mattress type still sold today, as well as the most popular among U.S. consumers. Most feature thin comfort layers of polyfoam (and possibly memory foam) over a support core of open steel coils. As a result, innersprings often feel quite responsive on the surface regardless of the firmness level.
Excellent Temperature Regulation: Innersprings tend to sleep cool for a few reasons. Since their comfort layers are usually somewhat thin, they won’t absorb and trap much body heat from sleepers. Their coil systems also promote steady airflow to help the mattress maintain a cool interior temperature, and their responsive surfaces prevent most sleepers from sinking too deeply.
Definition: Latex is a material derived from the sap of rubber trees. It can be processed with chemical fillers to create a soft, foamy material that conforms to the body while also maintaining some natural responsiveness. Latex is also very durable, so you can expect a healthy lifespan from your twin size latex mattress.
Contouring Without the Sink: Latex beds are suitable for sleepers who prefer some noticeable body-conforming, but don’t want to sink too deeply into their mattress. The latex layers also offer great longevity and won’t develop deep body impressions as quickly as memory foam or polyfoam layers.
Definition: An airbed is constructed with two or more air chambers in its support core. You can add or release air from individual chambers, which in turn changes the firmness in different areas of the sleep surface. Some airbeds also include comfort layers of polyfoam, memory foam, and other contouring materials.
Highly Customizable: Due to their adjustable feels, airbeds offer unparalleled customization compared to other mattress types. However, many airbeds are designed for dual-firmness, or a different feel on each side, to accommodate couples with different comfort preferences. As a result, you’ll have a harder time finding high-quality airbeds in the twin size.
Definition: An all-foam mattress is constructed with comfort layers of polyfoam and/or memory foam, along with a support core of high-density polyfoam. Many models also include transitional polyfoam or memory foam layers to prevent you from sinking too deeply. These mattresses respond slowly to the body and often conform quite closely, so you should expect less springiness and more sink.
Exceptional Pressure Relief: All-foam beds offer closer conforming than other mattress types. For most sleepers, this means better pressure relief around the shoulders, lower back, hips, and other sensitive areas. If you experience frequent pressure points, then you should consider an all-foam bed – but take your body type and sleeping position into account before choosing a model to ensure the bed will be soft/firm enough.
Before you head off to find the right twin size mattress, take a few more minutes to peek at our final considerations for twin mattress buyers.
This is an important consideration because the best twin mattress for adults may be a bit different than the best model for children and teenagers. If you plan to use the twin size mattress yourself, be sure to compare different models based on how the beds feel. The firmness level of the mattress you choose should align with your body type and sleep position, as well as your general preferences for how soft or firm a surface should feel.
If you’re buying the mattress for a child or teenager, first get their input on what kind of mattress they’d prefer. You may want to consider visiting a brick-and-mortar mattress store, where your child can try out different beds and see which firmness and responsiveness levels feel most comfortable. The best twin mattress for a toddler should offer a bit more support to ensure they don’t sink too deeply into the bed.
If you are a college student planning to use a bunk- or loft-style bed, or you have children with the same type of bed, keep in mind the bed’s thickness should correspond to safety rails on the top bunk (more about this in the next FAQ).
Many bunk beds are specifically designed for twin size mattresses. These include standard double and triple bunks, as well as twin-over-loft beds with an open area beneath the top bunk.
One thing to keep in mind when selecting a twin mattress for a bunk bed is thickness. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the mattress used on a top bunk should be at least 5 inches shorter than the guard rails on either lengthwise side. For this reason, a low-profile mattress of about 6 or 7 inches thick will be optimal for most bunk beds.
Before choosing a mattress, take a glance at the brand’s shipping, return, and warranty policies. You may save a lot of money down the road by choosing a model backed by favorable policies for owners.
If you order your mattress online and reside in the contiguous U.S., chances are your standard ground shipping will be free of charge. Folks in Alaska, Hawaii, and other places outside the lower 48 usually need to pay extra delivery fees.
Your mattress will probably come with a sleep trial of at least 90 nights. Most online mattress brands offer free shipping and full refunds for returns within the trial period, but some charge return fees. Be sure to check the fine print on how much of a refund you’ll receive.
All mattresses come with a warranty of some kind, and most last 10 years or longer. If the warranty is non-prorated, then you won’t pay anything to have a defective mattress repaired or replaced apart from some nominal shipping fees. If the warranty is partially prorated, then you’ll pay a certain percentage of the bed’s original price to have the mattress replaced. This percentage usually increases for each year you own the mattress.
Common defects covered under a mattress warranty include body impressions in the surface that measure 0.5 to 1.5 inches deep (this varies by model), manufacturing flaws that cause materials to deteriorate prematurely, and defects associated with the cover. Other issues, such as normal wear and tear or physical damage you cause to the mattress, will not be covered.
