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When shopping for a smaller mattress, you want a lot of comfort packed into a compact sleep surface. The best twin mattresses are comfy, supportive, and sized just right for smaller bed frames. And whether you're buying a new mattress for yourself or your child, you'll find a variety of mattress styles that'll keep you comfy night after night.
Below, the best twin mattresses for every budget.
Best Overall: Lucid 10-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress
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Available in plush, medium, and firm
Ventilated memory foam helps keep you cool
Takes a few days to expand
Memory foam may compress and sag over time
When it comes to mattress materials, memory foam is an extremely popular option—and for good reason. It conforms to the shape of your body better than any other material, relieving pressure points while still providing adequate spinal support. If you’re looking for a twin-size memory foam mattress, this model from Lucid will be your best bet.
What’s great about this product is you can choose your desired level of firmness, whether it’s plush, medium, or firm. It features a 2.5-inch layer of ventilated gel memory foam on top of a 7.5-inch layer of high-density support foam. The mattress is made from open-cell memory foam so it evenly conforms to your body shape, and it’s even ventilated for improved breathability—overheating during the night is a common issue cited by those who sleep on memory foam.
If you're looking for a memory foam mattress to help with your back or joint pain, this one can deliver a more comfortable, pain-free night’s sleep. Also important: This mattress comes with a 10-year warranty.
Runner-Up, Best Overall: Zinus Memory Foam 12-Inch Green Tea Mattress
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Made with three layers of supportive memory foam
Medium-firm support that's great for side sleepers
Takes a few days to expand
Another great option for a memory foam twin mattress is the Zinus Memory Foam 12-Inch Green Tea Mattress. Not only is this mattress a great value, but its quality should assuage any worries about buying a mattress online.
This twin mattress is 12 inches thick and made up of several distinct layers. On top, there’s a 3-inch layer of memory foam to provide pressure-relieving support by contouring to your body. Underneath, there’s a 2-inch layer of “comfort foam” that provides extra cushion and dissipates heat, and finally, the base is made of two levels of high-density support foam. Overall, this mattress is medium-firm, which makes it ideal for side or back sleepers.
The Zinus Memory Foam Mattress comes rolled up in a box, and it takes up to 72 hours to fully expand. The mattress comes with a 10-year limited warranty, and it's incredibly comfortable and great for side sleepers or those with back or joint pain.
"Our 2-year-old son loves this mattress. He had been sleeping on a traditional spring mattress that was very firm and ended up crawling into bed with us for at least four nights a week. We attributed it to sleep regression, variations in his schedule, and his history as a difficult sleeper as a baby. But after switching to the Zinus, he was happy to go back to sleep in his own bed even when he did wake up in the middle of the night."—Katie Begley, Product Tester
Best for Kids: Casper Original Mattress
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Offers three zones of targeted support
Breathable foam helps keep you cool
Pricier than other twin-sized mattresses
May be too soft for some
When it’s time to move your toddler into a “big kid” bed, you’ll likely need to buy them a twin mattress. Luckily, the Casper Original Mattress is an affordable option that's sized just right for kids.
Though some may be skeptical about a “Bed in a Box,” the Casper Original Twin delivers a comfortable and cool night’s sleep for both kids and teenagers. The Casper Original Twin measures 75 x 38 inches and it has multiple layers of high-tech memory foam that support and cradle the body. If you’re on the fence, this mattress is protected by a 10-year limited warranty plus a 100-night free trial. This product is well-made and comfortable, and you can use it as a daybed after your child has upgraded to a larger size.
"If staying cool helps your child sleep more soundly, the Casper mattress is an ally you can’t do without. The company uses open-cell foam in all of their mattresses in order to keep sleepers cool throughout the night."—Katie Begley, Product Tester
Best for Back Pain: Purple Mattress
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Instantly conforms to the body
Excellent breathability
Poor edge support
Touted as the first “no pressure” mattress, the Original Purple Mattress is an ideal choice if you suffer from back pain. Each mattress is topped with a patented Smart Comfort Grid™ to offer back support that is firm but still comfortable. The smart grid is composed of Hyper-Elastic Polymer, which is a gel-like material that’s soft, responsive, and breathable (the design and material are unique to the Purple brand). If you tend to run hot at night, this gel-like topper will help you maintain a cooler temperature.
Along with free shipping and returns, the Original Purple Mattress comes with a 10-year limited warranty as well as a 100-night trial. With its unique build and balanced design, the Original Purple Mattress is sure to put an end to existing back pain and sleepless nights.
"We found that for back and side sleeping, the Purple performed beautifully. It cushioned, conformed, and cooled—earning top marks on all accounts."—Stacey L. Nash, Product Tester
Best Memory Foam: Leesa Original Twin Mattress
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Cooling top layer
Great for back and stomach sleepers
May be too firm for side sleepers
If you’re looking for a memory foam mattress that provides exceptional comfort and support, the Leesa Twin is a great option. It’s made from three layers of foam that are expertly balanced to provide a restful night's sleep. The 6-inch base of dense foam gives the mattress structure while 2 inches of memory foam contour to your body and relieve pressure on your joints. A layer of cooling foam is spread over the memory foam to increase airflow (memory foam is known to be quite hot). It measures 39 by 75 inches, and similar to the Casper Twin, it comes in a compressed package that will expand once it’s out of the box.
"The first time we laid on this mattress we could feel the mix of foam layers at work as our body didn’t immediately sink in. Rather, it offered a gentle cushion with firm support underneath. The foam doesn’t conform to your body right away, which makes this mattress feel firmer at first. In fact, it definitely felt firmer than expected for a mattress that’s rated a 5 on a 1 to 10 firmness scale."—Stacey L. Nash, Product Tester
Best for Bunk Beds: Zinus 6-Inch Foam and Spring Twin Mattress Set
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Two mattresses for the price of one
Made with supportive innerspring coils and foam
Takes a few days to expand
Bunk beds are a popular solution when your kids share a room, but it can be tricky to find mattresses for them. First of all, you need two mattresses, and second, the mattresses must be low-profile. Luckily, the Zinus 6-Inch Spring Twin Mattress Set is a budget-friendly solution for those with bunk beds, as it provides two mattresses for the price of one.
This product comes with two 6-inch mattresses made with supportive Bonnell innerspring coils and CertiPUR-US certified foam. Each mattress also has a quilted tight top cover. The short 6-inch profile ensures your kids won’t be too high off the bed, and these mattresses are great value for the price.
Best for Adults: Beautyrest 12" Medium Innerspring Mattress
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Innerspring mattress with edge support
Memory foam relieves pressure points
May be too firm for some
If you can't fit a queen-size or king-size mattress in your room, you may need a twin size that's suitable for adults. One of your best options is the Beautyrest Silver 12" Medium Innerspring Mattress. Featuring breathable construction to keep you comfy, the classic innerspring mattress offers medium firmness, edge support, and a tight-top memory foam mattress topper for added comfort and support. As an added bonus, the mattress is hypoallergenic and uses pocketed coils to minimize motion transfer.
Best Topper: Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
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An affordable way to make your mattress more comfortable
Gel-infused memory foam helps keep you cool
May need to air out after opening
If you already have a twin mattress but it’s not as comfortable as you would like, you might consider purchasing a product like the LINENSPA 2 Inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper instead of a whole new mattress.
This mattress topper can be used to revitalize your existing mattress. It’s made of a 2-inch layer of memory foam that will provide added comfort and support during the night, and it’s infused with temperature-regulating gel that will keep you from getting too hot—a common complaint about memory foam mattresses. The topper is backed by a three-year warranty, and it’s the perfect way to make a cheap twin mattress more comfortable.
Best Air Mattress: Intex Pillow Rest 16.5" Air Mattress with Electric Pump
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Affordable mattress for occasional use
Features a built-in pump for quick inflation
May not be supportive enough for some
Just need a twin mattress for a few nights? Invest in a product like the Intex Pillow Rest 16.5" Air Mattress with Electric Pump. This air mattress is an affordable sleeping alternative if you're camping, traveling, or just need an extra bed for overnight guests.
Featuring a built-in, high-powered electric pump, the air mattress inflates in about two minutes and deflates easily when it's time to pack away. The mattress features fiber-tech construction for long-lasting durability and support, and you don't have to worry about packing a pillow when you travel—the velvety soft surface has a built-in pillow for added comfort.
Best Budget: Linenspa 6-Inch Innerspring Mattress
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Made with supportive steel coils and a foam layer for cushioning
Great value for the price
May be too firm for some
If cost is your main concern when purchasing a twin mattress, one incredibly budget-friendly option is the Linenspa 6-Inch Innerspring Mattress. It may not be as thick or luxurious as other twin mattresses out there, but it’s a great choice for a guest room, day bed, or other location where you don’t necessarily want to splurge.
This mattress is described as “firm”—best for stomach sleepers—and it’s constructed with heavy-gauge tempered steel coils that allow for ample airflow, keeping you cool as you snooze. There’s a foam layer on top of the coils for added comfort, and the whole mattress is wrapped in a quilted fabric cover.
The Linenspa 6-Inch Innerspring Mattress has a 10-year limited warranty, and it’s a perfect budget option for bunk beds or trundle beds. It’s surprisingly comfortable, and if you want more cushion, you can simply put a mattress topper on it.
The Lucid 10-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress (view at Amazon) is our top choice because you can choose the firmness level that's right for you, and the memory foam is breathable and comfy for hot sleepers. We also love the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress for its layers of supportive, pressure-relieving foam.
What to Look for in a Twin Mattress
Firmness
The position you sleep in plays an important role in determining which mattress is best for your needs. For instance, side sleepers tend to be more comfortable on more plush mattresses or products with a pillowtop, while stomach sleepers often prefer a firmer mattress.
Material
Mattresses can be made of several different materials, including memory foam, gel foam, and innersprings. Each has its benefits—for example, gel foam does a great job regulating body temperature, while memory foam contours to your body for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Thickness
Mattress thickness often impacts how comfortable the product is. Thin mattresses tend to be less expensive, but they often wear down faster and provide less support. A mattress that’s at least 10 inches thick is likely more comfortable, but you may want one that’s bigger or smaller depending on factors like budget, weight, and age.
Standout Features
Third-party certifications
Because you'll be sleeping on your new mattress night after night, you may want one that's been third-party tested for consumer safety. For example, a foam mattress with CertiPUR-US certification is free of heavy metals, ozone depleters, and other potentially harmful chemicals. Similarly, mattresses with OEKO-TEX Standard certification have also been tested for potentially harmful substances.
Breathability
To help keep you comfortable throughout the night, you'll want to consider the breathability of your new mattress. Foam mattresses tend to be hot for some sleepers, so you may want one made with ventilated foam to allow airflow. Choosing a mattress with a breathable cover, such as one made from 100 percent cotton, can also help you stay cool.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was edited and researched by Cristina Sanza, a lifestyle writer specializing in home products and organization hacks. To keep our product picks current and help you find the comfiest twin mattress, she reads customer reviews, third-party articles, and brand websites.
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