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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
As the smallest standard mattress size currently available, twin mattresses are ideal for compact spaces like kids' or guests' bedrooms. "If you don't already have a toddler bed, moving right to a twin bed will help you avoid spending extra or having more transitions," says pediatrician Dr. Katy Gibson. "Twin beds can even last until adulthood."
We researched and tested some of the top twin mattresses on the market, assessing them on firmness, material, thickness, and overall quality. Just because they're on the smaller side, our top picks prove that you don't have to sacrifice quality or comfort.
Best Overall
Casper Original Mattress
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Wayfair
Zoned support
CertiPUR-US certified
Encourages air circulation
Takes up to 72 hours to expand
Slight odor out of the box
No matter what size of bed you're shopping for, you can't go wrong with Casper's Original Mattress—a soft yet supportive option that will delight house guests and children or teens alike.
A favorite of our home tester, the Casper Original Mattress has a multi-zoned support system designed to align the spine and alleviate pressure points. The multi-layered construction features high-density foam at the base, while the perforated foam top layer encourages air circulation and helps prevent overheating. We love that the mattress's foam is certified by CertiPUR-US, a non-profit that ensures mattress and furniture foam has no mercury, lead, formaldehyde, phthalates, or ozone-depleting chemicals.
Busy households will be happy to know that the Casper is durable enough to handle wear and tear from even the most rambunctious pets and kids. We found it to be solidly constructed, with a durable enough cover to hold up to repeated wear. And while the price is about what you'd expect for a high-quality mattress, it's still on the more expensive side. Like many other foam options, it also requires a little patience, taking up to three days to expand before it's ready for use. However, the brand's fuss-free delivery and easy setup instructions make it worth the slight inconvenience.
Price at time of publish: $805
Type: Foam | Material: High-density foam, perforated foam | Thickness: 11 inches | Warranty: 10 years
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The Spruce / Katie Begley
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The Spruce / Katie Begley
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The Spruce / Katie Begley
Best Soft
Purple Mattress
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Purple
Body-conforming
Excellent breathability
Motion isolation
Poor edge support
No handles
Soft mattresses are ideal for back and side sleepers—and if you're looking to be cradled, the Purple Mattress is a great option for you. With three layers of foam, this mattress effectively supports your body while relieving potential pressure points. Although it lacks edge support, we found the responsive, sinking-in sensation to be surprisingly comfortable. Unlike some other memory foam models, it won't leave you feeling sucked in or trapped.
Despite being made of foam, a material that's notorious for retaining heat, the Purple Mattress proved to be surprisingly breathable. This is in large part thanks to the brand's GelFlex grid, which uses over 1,400 air channels to help encourage airflow while you sleep. And while it might be less relevant for twin mattresses, another standout feature of this mattress was its minimal motion transfer—ideal for bunk bed setups or those who share a room.
One thing to note is that, at 70 pounds, this mattress is on the heavier side—and since it doesn't have handles, it can be a little cumbersome to move. All in all, though, it's a great option for guest and kid's rooms, along with summer houses or warmer climates.
Price at time of publish: $695
Type: Responsive grid | Material: Hyper-elastic polymer, foam | Thickness: 9.25 inches | Warranty: 10 years
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The Spruce / Stacey L. Nash
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The Spruce / Stacey L. Nash
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The Spruce / Stacey L. Nash
Best Firm
Leesa Original Twin Mattress
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Amazon
Easy to unpack
Cooling top layer
Removable/washable cover
Takes up to 72 hours to expand
No handles
If you're after a firm feel, we recommend the Leesa Original Mattress. It's made of GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certified foam, but unlike many other foam mattresses, has a multi-layer construction that makes it more akin to a hybrid mattress design. Beneath the breathable cover, you'll find a cooling top layer, followed by body-molding memory foam and then a core support layer. This design keeps the mattress cool while still providing the body contouring expected of a memory foam mattress.
During testing, we found this mattress to be firmer than expected; though it's rated as a 5 out of 10 on the retailer's firmness scale, it was realistically closer to a 7. In our experience, it was best suited for back sleepers and less popular with stomach, side, and combination sleepers. Besides the firmness factor, there were plenty of other qualities to love. These include the limited motion transfer (ideal for shared bedrooms) and the removable, machine-washable cover, which makes the Leesa easy to clean between guests or whenever you want to freshen it up. Just note that, because this mattress doesn't have handles, it can be difficult to move. However, the twin size weighs only 50 pounds.
Price at time of publish: $750
Type: Foam | Material: Memory foam, perforated foam, high-density foam | Thickness: 10 inches | Warranty: 10 years
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The Spruce / Stacey Nash
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The Spruce / Stacey Nash
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The Spruce / Stacey Nash
Best for Kids
Saatva Youth Mattress
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Saatva
Double-sided
CertiPUR-US certified
Lifetime warranty
Pricey for kids' mattress
If you're looking for a child-specific twin mattress, the Saatva Youth Mattress is a worthwhile investment. It combines the quality and support of the brand's adult-sized mattresses with thoughtful features, like a double-sided design that's meant to adjust to your kiddo's needs. One side is for ages 3 through 7, with multi-zoned support foam toward the top. The other is for ages 8 to 12, with high-density comfort foam just below the surface. Both sides have an organic cotton cover with a waterproof barrier for accident protection, and there's a steel innerspring core for lumbar support.
As with all of Saatva's mattresses, this pick is handcrafted in the USA with consciously sourced materials, including foam that's been CertiPUR-US certified for chemical safety. Your purchase comes with a 365-night sleep trial; if you—or your child—are unhappy with the mattress for any reason, Saatva will pick it up and refund you the full amount, minus a $99 fee. But based on our experience with the luxuriously comfortable Saatva Classic Mattress, we'd hazard a bet that your purchase will be final.
Price at time of publish: $795 for a Twin, no foundation
Type: Hybrid | Material: Steel coils, foam, organic cotton | Thickness: 10 inches | Warranty: Lifetime
Best Budget
Linenspa 8-Inch Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Body-contouring foam
Supportive innerspring system
Relatively thin
Takes 48 hours to expand
Linenspa's 8 Inch Hybrid Mattress combines body-contouring memory foam with the durable support of a steel innerspring system. It's got a medium-firm feel, which makes it a good fit for any sleeping position. Hybrid design mattresses—which combine the responsiveness of innerspring coils with the form-fitting stability afforded by comfort foam—are typically more expensive, making the Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid a fantastic value.
This bed-in-a-box arrives compressed and takes about 48 hours to expand. At 8 inches, the most affordable Linenspa offering is not the thickest mattress on our list but should be supportive enough for kids and teens. Linenspa also offers 10 and 12-inch thick versions of its Memory Foam Hybrid.
Price at time of publish: $120
Type: Hybrid | Material: Memory foam, rayon, steel coils | Thickness: 8 inches | Warranty: 10 years
Best Twin XL
Serta Perfect Sleeper Firm Innerspring Mattress
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Serta
Temperature-regulating
Motion isolation
Suitable for all sleeping positions
Hard to find bedding size
Need a twin XL size? Go with the Serta Perfect Sleeper Charlotte. This hybrid mattress features pocketed coils, plus a top layer of gel-infused foam. The innerspring system provides support and pressure-point relief, while the gel has a temperature-regulating effect—ideal for hot sleepers and the warmer months.
We love that the Perfect Sleeper isolates movement, which will keep it from disrupting other sleepers in a shared room. It also has edge support to prevent you from sinking in or rolling off, ideal for bunk beds. With a plush pillowtop, this versatile mattress is designed to be suitable for all sleeping positions, though it might be more favorable among stomach and side sleepers. The only thing to keep in mind is that you'll have to buy separate twin XL bedding.
Price at time of publish: $600
Type: Hybrid | Material: Gel-infused foam, pocket coils | Thickness: 11.5 inches | Warranty: 10 years
Best Memory Foam
Nectar 12 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress
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Amazon
Temperature-regulating
Body-conforming design
CertiPUR-US certified
Takes 24 hours to expand
We also like Nectar's Memory Foam Mattress. It's got a high-density foam base, support foam in the middle, and body-conforming memory foam on top. The upper layer is infused with gel to offer a nice cooling effect and help keep night sweats at bay.
Each layer is CertiPUR-US certified, so you can rest assured your mattress is made without harmful substances and won't emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). You'll have to wait about 24 hours for it to fully expand, but this is to be expected for a bed-in-a-box.
Price at time of publish: $399
Type: Foam | Material: Gel-infused memory foam, support foam, high-density foam | Thickness: 12 inches | Warranty: Lifetime
Best Foam
Tuft & Needle Original Mattress
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Amazon
Bounce-back support
Temperature-regulating
CertiPUR-US certified
No edge support
If you like the feel of foam but not necessarily memory foam, go with Tuft & Needle. The brand's Original Mattress features a base layer of perforated foam for maximum breathability, followed by body-contouring adaptive foam. The result is a buoyant sleeping surface with bounce-back support that's less dense than memory foam.
This mattress comes with plenty of other perks, too. Cooling gel and heat-conducting graphite promise to draw heat away from your body while you catch your Zs, and the open-cell structure of the mattress adapts to your movements throughout the night. Just bear in mind this mattress doesn't have edge support—and like many other foam mattresses, there's an off-gassing period of one to two days.
Price at time of publish: $745
Type: Foam | Material: Graphite- and gel-infused foam | Thickness: 9.5 inches | Warranty: 10 years
Best Bed-in-a-Box
Iyee Nature Gel Memory Foam Mattress in a Box
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Easy to unpack
CertiPUR-US certified
No twin XL
Takes 72 hours to expand
If you want something that arrives compressed in a box on your doorstep, Iyee Nature might be your best bet. This all-foam mattress features a high-density support base, followed by a soft comfort layer, then pressure-relieving memory foam on top.
The top layer is also infused with cooling gel to prevent overheating. Each material is CertiPUR-US certified, and the skin-friendly fabric cover carries Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label, ensuring it's free of over 100 potentially toxic chemicals. This is one of the most affordable twin mattresses we found, but it'll take up to three days to expand once you unbox it.
Price at time of publish: $145
Type: Foam | Material: Gel-infused memory foam, support foam | Thickness: 8 inches | Warranty: 10 years
Our number one pick is the Casper Original Mattress. The all-foam, bed-in-a-box design is the perfect balance of support and cushioning, making it ideal for most sleeping styles. For a more affordable option that still includes a lot of advanced hybrid mattress features, check out the Linenspa Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress instead.
How We Tested the Mattresses
We sent some of the top mattresses on the market to our team of home testers, who assessed each mattress on the basis of its breathability, quality, firmness, and overall value. Our writers and editors used these insights to inform our final picks, along with conducting independent research.
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The Spruce / Nusha Ashjaee
What to Look For in a Twin Mattress
Firmness
Most mattresses are designated as firm, medium, or plush. Some companies also add in-between firmness categories, such as medium-firm, with some specializing in firmer mattresses or plush pillow tops. The best options have multiple firmnesses available within the same height profile. When shopping for a child's bed, pediatrician Dr. Katy Gibson says, "A medium-firm surface is right for proper support."
Material
When selecting a mattress, the most popular types that you'll encounter include memory foam, traditional innerspring, or hybrid options that combine the two. Memory foam tends to be heavier but can be compressed and delivered right to your home. Another advantage of a memory foam mattress is that it often lasts longer than innerspring or hybrid options, but it will depend on how much the mattress gets used. Innerspring mattresses are bulkier to ship but may be lighter and easier to move around. The Linenspa 8-Inch Memory Foam and Innerspring Mattress is a convenient bed-in-a-box option that offers the benefits of both innerspring and memory foam options.
Breathability
To help keep you comfortable throughout the night, consider the breathability of materials as well. Foam mattresses tend to be hot for some sleepers, so you may want one made with ventilated foam, like the Casper Original Mattress, to allow airflow. (For optimal breathability, Dr. Gibson recommends opting for natural materials like organic cotton, natural latex, or wool—though these often come at a higher price tag.) Choosing a mattress with a breathable cover, such as one made from 100 percent cotton, can also help you stay cool.
Thickness
Mattresses come in a variety of thicknesses, usually ranging from 6 to 12 inches. Firmer mattresses tend to have a lower profile, while plush mattresses have more layers and a higher overall thickness. This isn’t always the case, so be sure to look at the specifications of a mattress you like. When buying a new mattress and selecting the best thickness, also consider if you will need a box spring. This can add to the overall height.
Standout Features
Certifications
Certifications can validate that safe and sustainable materials and practices were used throughout the manufacturing process and supply chain. For example, a foam mattress with a CertiPUR-US certification is free of heavy metals, ozone depleters, and other potentially harmful chemicals. Similarly, mattresses with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification have also been tested for potentially harmful substances.
"Looking for certifications like GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US can help you find low-VOC mattresses as well as those free from mercury, lead, formaldehyde, and other chemicals," says Dr. Gibson said, using an acronym for Volatile Organic Compounds.
She also recommends looking for a GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification, which maintains high standards for manufacturers describing their products as containing organic textiles and materials.
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What is the difference between a twin and a twin XL mattress?
A standard twin mattress is 38 inches wide and 75 inches long. Twin XL mattresses are extra-long, giving you an additional 5 inches for a total length of 80 inches. This is a plus for anyone over 5 feet 9 inches tall and anyone who prefers to have extra legroom or space for additional pillows.
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How long should a twin mattress last?
As a rule of thumb, most modern mattresses should last seven to 10 years. That said, thinner mattresses made with low-quality materials will likely start to sag or become uneven in as little as four years. A good memory foam mattress pad can help extend the life of an older mattress.
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Who are twin mattresses best for?
As the smallest and often most affordable of the six most common mattress sizes, a twin is generally best for kids. Since it takes up minimal space, it's also a good option for bunk beds, college dorms, and other small spaces.
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Is a king mattress the size of two twins?
A standard king mattress is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. Standard twin mattresses measure 38 inches by 75 inches. Two twin XL mattresses will equal the size of a king mattress because twin XL mattresses are five inches longer than standard twins.
Why Trust The Spruce?
For this roundup, Theresa Holland interviewed Dr. Katy Gibson, a pediatrician and the creator of the online community Unfolding Motherhood, who offered insight into what to look for in a twin mattress. She considered several models our home testers tried first-hand, then researched today's best options. The featured mattresses are supportive, comfortable, durable, and backed by manufacturer warranties.
Holland has been covering mattresses, bedding, decor, and other home goods at The Spruce since 2019. You can find more of her bylines on People, MyDomaine, and Byrdie.
What is Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.