Woman sitting in bed with dog against green background

“It is important to find a good quality mattress for your room, guest room, or child’s bedroom.”

The right mattress can make a difference between tossing and turning and sleeping comfortably. Picking a mattress is difficult. There are many models on the market. How can you make a decision?

We did most of the work for you. We have put together a list of our top twin mattress picks.

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 committed to creating quality products and being transparent. All of 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 here.
  • 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

You might wonder what the terms mean when you are shopping for a mattress.

  • Foam. Foam mattresses are usually made of memory foam, latex foam, or gel foam. They don’t 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. Some people complain about the sinking, sagging feeling of memory foam, which can be avoided with a latex foam mattress.
  • Innerspring. These types of 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, while the foam provides extra comfort and pressure relief.

Pricing guide

Twin mattresses are the cheapest, but even a smaller mattress is a significant purchase. If you are starting from scratch, additional costs include taxes, bed frame or base, delivery and setup fees, and bedding.

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

Best hybrid twin mattress

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11.5 inches
  • Firmness options: soft, medium, firm
  • Pros: great value, works for most sleep styles
  • Cons: not a good choice if you don’t like the feel of innersprings

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature hybrid twin mattress has foam that is responsive for a good feel. Reviewers agree that a cooling gel layer helps keep your body cool. You can choose what works best for you based on your preferences and favorite sleeping position.

Buy the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress online.

Best twin mattress for bunk bed

Helix Twilight

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 12 inches
  • Firmness: firm
  • Pros: sleeps cool, great motion isolation, good edge support
  • Cons: might be too firm for sleepers with lower body weight

Why did we pick this model for bunk beds? The comfortable, firm feel paired with the affordable price tag makes it a great pick for doubling up. The mattress is CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified and features a combination of memory foam and individually wrapped coils. It’s designed to deliver good edge support thanks to a reinforced perimeter, which can help reduce the chance of rolling off the bed.

The size of the mattress is important. The mattress is 12 inches thick, which is thinner than most bunk beds.

Buy the Helix Twilight Mattress online.

Best rated twin mattress

Casper Original Foam Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: 11 inches
  • Firmness: firm
  • Pros: cooler than a typical memory foam mattress, affordable, great motion isolation
  • Cons: some folks might miss the “sinking” feel of traditional memory foam with this mattress

Casper’s original foam mattress is available in multiple sizes, including twin. It’s medium firm and can be an excellent choice for side sleepers who may have issues with shoulder pain. A perforated foam outer layer is included to help ensure breathability. Reviews say it is comfortable, provided you like the feel of a foam mattress. The mattress has more than 20,000 reviews. Reviewers rave about its comfort, cooling, and Casper’s customer service.

Buy Casper Original Foam Mattress online.

Best twin mattress for side sleepers

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: 11 inches
  • Firmness: medium firm
  • Pros: excellent pressure relief, frequently goes on sale
  • Cons: typical memory foam feel might not work for everyone, might not be firm enough for some sleepers

The Nectar memory foam mattress has a multilayer foam design that helps protect spinal alignment. This design makes it great for side sleepers since it can help relieve pressure from your hips and shoulders. It’s also budget-friendly and comes with a 365-night sleep trial, which gives you plenty of time to decide if this is truly the right choice.

Buy the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress online.

Best twin mattress for adults

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 14 inches
  • Firmness: medium firm
  • Pros: cooling materials, affordable price for a hybrid
  • Cons: less-than-stellar edge support

The DreamCloud hybrid mattress has a gel memory foam, individually wrapped innerspring coil and a luxury Cashmere top. If you sleep in a twin bed with a pet, this low motion transfer mattress is a great choice.

Some reviewers don’t love that this mattress is missing support panels on the edges, but the supportive design in the center makes up for it. The hybrid mattress is also CertiPUR-US certified and produces low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions (aka emissions that are harmful to health in the long run).

Buy the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress online.

Best memory foam twin mattress

Leesa Original Twin Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: 10 inches
  • Firmness: medium firm
  • Pros: soft, comfortable foam feel, works for all sleep styles
  • Cons: may not be firm or supportive enough for sleepers with more body weight

The Leesa all-foam mattress has over 17,000 positive reviews. The top layer is designed to be cooling and the second is body-contouring foam. The double layer design can help offset the heat trapping that occurs in memory foam.

The foams used in this mattress are CertiPUR-US certified. The reviewers say the off-gassing smell is strong and sticks around for months, so if that makes you uncomfortable, this might not be the best pick.

Buy the Leesa Original Mattress online.

Best twin mattress in a box

The Puffy Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: 10 inches
  • Firmness: medium firm
  • Pros: soft feel, easy-to-clean cover, convenient shipping
  • Cons: may be too soft for some people

The Puffy mattress is a popular choice. It is compatible with all bed frames. It has a stain-resistant cover that zips off when you need to clean it, which is great for people with allergies.

Many people say they love the soft but supportive feel of the mattress and appreciate the top layer. You might want to check out other options if you like a firm mattress.

Buy The Puffy Mattress online.

Best twin XL mattress

Sealy 12-Inch Plush Memory Foam Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 12 inches
  • Firmness: medium
  • Pros: added length for tall sleepers, great motion isolation
  • Cons: may feel too soft for some

Twin XL (or extra long) mattresses are the same width as traditional twin models, but they offer extra length. This makes them a good choice for adults and a popular choice for guest and dorm rooms.

The mattress brand that made the XL model is well-known and made in the United States. CertiPUR-US is certified by the foam. The mattress is easy to deliver.

Buy the Sealy 12-Inch Plush Memory Foam Mattress online.

Best organic twin mattress

Avocado Green Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11 inches
  • Firmness: medium firm
  • Pros: earth-friendly construction, best for combo sleepers or people who toss and turn, incredibly supportive
  • Cons: not great when it comes to motion isolation

The Avocado Green twin mattress is another highly rated option with thousands of 5-star reviews. The latex hybrid model is one of the most popular organic mattresses on the market. It features Global Organic Textile Standard certified fibers like cotton and wool, and it’s free of polyurethane foam and chemical fire retardants. The Green mattress is Greenguard Gold certified, and its wool components are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.

Buy the Avocado Green Mattress online.

Best hypoallergenic twin mattress

Saatva Latex Hybrid

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 12 inches
  • Firmness: medium firm
  • Pros: organic materials, natural latex foam, 180-night home trial, 15-year warranty, free mattress removal, good for pressure relief
  • Cons: may be too firm for some

The Saatva Latex Hybrid is a good choice for people who suffer from allergies because of its natural latex construction. The mattress features a hypoallergenic cotton cover and it’s treated with a Guardin antimicrobial treatment to prevent mold, bacteria, and mildew growth.

You can feel good about the construction. The mattress has recycled steel and flame retardant wool as an alternative to harsh chemical sprays.

Buy the Saatva Latex Hybrid online.

If you are shopping for a twin or king, keep in mind that one person may not be as comfortable for you. It is a choice. Some of the basic need-to-knows are listed.

  • 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 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 deliver 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 that 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 if this mattress really works for you or your loved ones using it.
  • Off-gassing. Choose mattresses made with nontoxic materials whenever possible. Some synthetic foams and mattress coverings contain volatile organic compounds (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. Check the warranty details to make sure it’s comprehensive and transparent.

How to choose a mattress firmness based on sleeping position

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. Research also suggests that medium firm mattresses can positively impact sleep quality and back alignment. One 2021 review 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 for more support.

It can be difficult to decide on a model for a twin mattress in a guest room. If you host a lot of guests, you might want to consider a medium firm mattress. Look for mattresses that have good reviews.

If you are not sure about mattress choice, you can reach out to a customer service rep. Recommendations can be provided based on popular sleeping positions.

Name Price Features Firmness Height (inches)
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid $$ cooling hybrid design for all sleeping styles – soft
– medium
– firm		 11.5
Helix Twilight $$ – good edge support
– motion isolation		 firm 12
Casper Original $$$ breathable memory foam firm 11
Nectar Memory Foam $$$ good for side sleepers medium firm 11
DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid $$$ – affordable price
– breathable
– cooling materials		 medium firm 14
Leesa Original Twin Mattress $$ suitable for all sleep styles medium firm 11
Avocado Green $$$ – eco-friendly construction
– great for combination sleepers		 medium firm 11
The Puffy Mattress $$ – easy-to-wash cover
– easy shipping		 medium firm 10
Sealy 12-inch Plush Memory Foam $$$ – works for taller sleepers
– motion isolation		 medium 12
Saatva Latex Hybrid $$$ – organic materials
– hypoallergenic 		medium firm 12

Twin mattresses are a good choice for children or bedrooms where space is tight because of their smaller dimensions.

“They don’t offer enough room for two adults, so they’re not a good choice for couples. They have lower weight limits than larger mattresses.”

Twin mattresses can weigh between 40 and 50 pounds. They are the lightest standard mattress size.

Twin mattresses are lighter than identical model mattresses in larger sizes, so they might not have the same upper weight limits.

A twin mattress is 38 inches in diameter. Twin mattresses are larger than the regular mattresses and can accommodate taller people.

“It is important to make sure the twin mattress doesn’t extend above the guardrails. It is a good idea to double-check the guardrail measurements to be sure, as it is usually only a mattress that is 8 inches thick.”

Who are twin mattresses best for?

The smallest bed available is a twin, measuring 38 by 75 inches. Children and adults can sleep on twin mattresses.

Twin models are not a good choice for couples because they have an upper weight limit of around 230 pounds.

How much does a good twin mattress cost?

There are a lot of cheap twin mattresses. A basic mattress under $400 is likely less durable than higher priced alternatives.

Beware of models that are too expensive. It may be too good to be true if it is very cheap.

The midrange models will cost you $600. You will probably have more choices in terms of materials and firmness at this price point. You can expect premium comfort, excellent support, and increased durability at the high end.

What twin mattresses are most comfortable?

This is dependent on your preference. If you sleep on your stomach or back, you might prefer a more firm surface. A hybrid medium firm mattress is the best choice for a guest bedroom. This type of mattress is likely to support all sleeping positions.

How big is a twin mattress?

A twin mattress is 75 inches long. The model may affect the depth. Thin mattresses are less supportive than thicker ones.

Do two twin mattresses make a king?

The width of a king mattress is the same as the width of two twin mattresses. If you stick two regular twin beds together, they will be shorter than a king. You need two twin mattresses to fit a king frame.

Many mattress retailers offer what’s called a split king option that involves two twin XL mattresses, often with a connector between them to prevent slippage.

How long should a twin mattress last?

A twin mattress will last about 8 to 10 years.

Buying a mattress can be difficult. There are a lot of elements to consider when buying a new mattress, a new bed, or a new room.

If you are unsure, choose a mattress that is medium firm and certified for low VOC emissions or that only contains natural latex and organic fibers. Try before you buy, because a generous home trial period is the best way to find the right mattress for your needs.

A writer with chronic migraines, Steph Coelho is interested in health and well being. She is probably nose-deep in a good book when she is not on her keyboard.