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Best Twin Mattress: Space-Savers for Kids and Adults

UPDATED

Written by David Rubin

Reviewed by Dr. Michael Breus

Expert Tested

Table of Contents
And the Award for Best Twin Mattress Goes to…

Layla Memory Foam Mattress

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress impressed us with its flippable design, offering both medium soft and firm options. This versatility, coupled with excellent pressure relief from its all-foam construction, caters to a wide range of sleepers.

Also known as a single, a twin mattress is a cozy choice for children, teens, and solo-sleeping adults. This size is the most compact of the six standard mattress sizes, making it an ideal pick if you’re looking to stretch out without losing precious living space. Twins fit perfectly in most small rooms, from studio apartments to shared bedrooms and dorms.
 
We’ll cover what to look for in a twin mattress and the brands that our Seattle-based testing team awarded for their performance. For more options, check out our guide to the best mattresses of 2023. If you’re considering a space-saving twin but need a bit more length, our guide to the best twin XL mattresses may be a better fit.

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Read on to see why the following six options made our top picks list of 2024’s best twin mattresses.

Sleep Doctor’s Picks

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Best Overall Mattress

Layla Memory Foam Mattress

Dr. Michael BreusReviewer Picture

The Sleep Doctor’s Review

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress has a flippable design with two distinct feels: medium soft (4) and firm (7). This versatility made it a popular model with many of our testers across sleeping positions and body types.

Buy from Layla
Ideal For:

Back Sleepers

Firmness:

Soft, Firm Options

Movement Sensitivity:

Isolates Motion

Value:

Good Value

Pros

  • Flippable design lets you switch between two firmness options
  • Multiple foam layers offer great pressure relief
  • Removable cover allows for easy cleaning

Cons

  • Soft edges make it difficult to sit on the side of the bed
  • Combination sleepers may find it hard to change positions

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress is a flippable memory foam mattress with a reversible design that offers two different firmness levels to choose from. The 2-in-1 design makes this a versatile option for a wide range of sleepers.

Why We Like It

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress is a flippable memory foam mattress with a reversible design that offers two different firmness levels to choose from. The 2-in-1 design makes this a versatile option for a wide range of sleepers.

The comfort layer is made of 3 inches of copper-infused foam and 2 inches of zoned polyfoam. The gel-infused memory foam is designed to help you sleep cool, while the polyfoam conforms to your body to help relieve pressure.

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress’ reversible design makes it a great option for sleepers who don’t know their ideal firmness, or who are curious to try out different firmness levels. We also recommend the all-foam design for anyone who needs a bed with strong pressure relief.

How Does It Feel?

Because the mattress is reversible, you can pick your ideal firmness by testing out each side. One side is medium soft (4), and one side is firm (7). We found the soft side works best for side sleepers under 230 pounds and back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds. The firm side is well suited for side sleepers over 230 pounds and all back and stomach sleepers.

Like most all-foam mattresses, the Layla earned average ratings from our testers when it came to sturdy edges. However, the firm side did slightly outperform the soft side in this category, while the soft side rated slightly higher than the firm side in keeping motion from rippling across the surface when a sleeper moves. Both sides are durable, with minimal off-gassing and great temperature control.

The mattress has a 10-inch profile and comes with a removable mattress cover made with a breathable blend of polyester, rayon, viscose, and poly-lycra.

Read our full Layla Memory Foam Mattress review
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Best Value Mattress

Allswell Mattress

Dr. Michael BreusReviewer Picture

The Sleep Doctor’s Review

The Allswell Mattress’ balanced feel and affordable price-point make it a great choice for most value seekers. Most side, back, and stomach sleepers on our team found the combination of pressure-relieving foam layers and a robust coil system comfortable. It also earned high ratings in our motion isolation tests.

Buy from Allswell
Ideal For:

Couples

Firmness:

Firm

Movement Sensitivity:

Isolates Motion

Value:

Great Value

Pros

  • Balanced hybrid construction without the luxury price
  • Enhanced airflow through coils makes it sleep noticeably cooler than other models
  • Firm edges means you don’t have to worry about rolling off

Cons

  • Side sleepers may feel more comfortable on a softer mattress
  • Thin cushioning can exacerbate pressure points

The Allswell Mattress is a foam hybrid bed with an even balance of cushioning and support. The well-rounded design makes the mattress a good fit for a wide range of sleep preferences and needs.

Why We Like It

We recommend the Allswell if you’re looking for a mattress that combines the cushioning of foam with the strong support of a coil system. The approachable price-point also makes it great for shoppers with a limited budget. The comfort layer includes 3 inches of memory foam infused with graphite and copper designed to provide temperature regulation. The support core is made with individually wrapped pocketed coils. Because these coils help reinforce the perimeter on two sides, our testers found that the Allswell has great edge support.

How Does It Feel?

We’ve assigned the Allswell a firm (7) rating. The mattress felt comfortable for most of the side, back, and stomach sleepers on our team. However, side sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds and stomach sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds may need a softer mattress to relieve pressure points.

Because it includes a thick layer of memory foam, the Allswell is great at absorbing movement and offers a virtually silent sleep. At the same time, the innersprings offered enough support for testers to easily move around or get into and out of the bed. However, the firmness level makes this hybrid less equipped to relieve pressure than other, softer hybrids.

Read our full Allswell Mattress review
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Most Comfortable Mattress

Helix Dusk

Dr. Michael BreusReviewer Picture

The Sleep Doctor’s Review

The Helix Dusk is a medium firm (6) hybrid that felt comfortable for many testers. A thick comfort system cushions sore spots in the joints and lower back, while pocketed coils help you maintain spinal alignment. Our side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds enjoyed this balance the most.

Buy from Helix
Ideal For:

Side Sleepers

Firmness:

Medium Firm

Motion Sensitivity:

Isolates Motion

Value:

Good Value

Pros

  • Innerspring coils offer solid edge support
  • Hybrid foam design helps to relieve pressure points
  • Excellent motion isolation means you won’t feel a partner or pet’s movements

Cons

  • Sleepers over 230 pounds may need firmer support
  • Foam comfort system may trap too much heat for hot sleepers

The Helix Dusk is a hybrid mattress with a medium firm (6) feel. The innerspring coils and adaptive foam layers make this mattress well-suited to a variety of sleepers.

Why We Like It

The Helix Dusk is a perfect middle-of-the-road mattress that balances contouring and sturdy support. We recommend it especially for couples who need a bed that can accommodate different sleep preferences. The mattress comes with a breathable 100% polyester cover. The comfort layer includes 3 inches of a latex-foam hybrid material, which closely contoured to our bodies when we tested the mattress. The transition layer is made of memory foam, and the support core has 8 inches of wrapped coils that gave the bed a sturdy feel and delivered strong edge support. A polyfoam base layer adds to the mattress’ durability.

How Does It Feel?

Our tests showed that the Helix Dusk was best suited for side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds. Back and stomach sleepers under 230 pounds also received a lot of support from this mattress during our tests. The foam layers cradled the body, offering a high level of pressure relief, while the pocketed design of the coils helped prevent motion from transferring across the surface. This might appeal to co-sleepers who wake each other up with nighttime movements.

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Best Luxury Mattress

Avocado Green Mattress

Dr. Michael BreusReviewer Picture

The Sleep Doctor’s Review

Eco-conscious shoppers willing to spend a bit more on a twin mattress made with certified organic materials should look no further than the Avocado Green Mattress. The mattress uses GOTS-certified wool and cotton, as well as GOLS-certified latex. The result is a temperature-controlling mattress with great responsive support.

Buy from Avocado
Ideal For:

Hot Sleepers

Firmness:

Medium, Firm Options

Motion Sensitivity:

Some Motion Transfer

Value:

Good Value

Pros

  • Environmentally conscious materials
  • Optional pillow-top for added plushness
  • Exceptional breathability and temperature control

Cons

  • Side sleepers under 130 pounds may like a softer mattress
  • $99 fee for all returns

The Avocado Green is a latex hybrid that features a pillow-top option for increased cushioning. With the pillow-top, the mattress is medium firm (6), and without the pillow-top, it’s firm (7). The mattress is sustainably produced and made with natural, organic materials.

Why We Like It

The Avocado Green is a latex hybrid that features a pillow-top option for increased cushioning. With the pillow-top, the mattress is medium firm (6), and without the pillow-top, it’s firm (7). The mattress is sustainably produced and made with natural, organic materials. The Avocado Green is a luxurious mattress made with high-end organically sourced materials. If you’re looking for a bed made with sustainability in mind, we recommend this model.

How Does It Feel?

The comfort layer includes a cover made from organic cotton and a layer of organic wool designed to regulate temperature. Next is 2 inches of sustainably produced Dunlop latex, made without harsh chemicals, that our testers found firm yet responsive. The support core features 8 inches of steel coils, which are zoned to enhance pressure relief in areas like your shoulders and hips and to reinforce the edge of the mattress.

If you need extra pressure relief, you can purchase a version of the mattress that includes a pillow-top made of 2 additional inches of Dunlop latex. The pillow-top version of the mattress was an excellent choice for side sleepers on our team who weighed over 130 pounds and back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds. Without the pillow-top, we found this mattress works best for back and stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds.

Because of its reinforced perimeter, the Avocado has very good edge support, making it easy for you to get into and out of bed. The firm feel of the surface also allows you to move and change positions easily.

Read our full Avocado Mattress review

Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

Nectar Mattress

Dr. Michael BreusReviewer Picture

The Sleep Doctor’s Review

All-foam mattresses are typically great at relieving undue pressure on a side sleeper’s shoulders and hips, and the Nectar Mattress is no exception. Thanks to a firmer-than-average feel, the mattress had well-rounded performance during our tests. You also can’t beat the competitive price-point, year-long sleep trial, and lifetime warranty.

Buy from Nectar
Ideal For:

Side Sleepers

Firmness:

Medium Firm

Motion Sensitivity:

Isolates Motion

Value:

Great Value

Pros

  • Performs well for side sleepers of any body weight
  • Memory foam layers conform to heavier parts of the body
  • Cooling gel in comfort layer designed to reduce heat retention

Cons

  • Edges not quite firm enough to sleep near the edge
  • Memory foam can make it more awkward to change sleeping position

The Nectar Mattress is a medium firm (6) memory foam mattress that provides excellent motion isolation and pressure relief, thanks to its combined layers of memory foam and dense polyfoam. Add to that an affordable price-point, and this mattress is a good choice for couples and combination sleepers on a budget.

Why We Like It

The Nectar Mattress is a quintessential memory foam bed, offering excellent pressure relief to sleepers who develop painful pressure buildup overnight. With its ability to absorb most motion and noise, it’s also a great bed for couples.

How Does It Feel?

The comfort layer is made of 2 inches of gel-infused memory foam that conformed closely to our bodies during performance tests. Next is the transitional layer, which is made with 3 inches of polyfoam that promotes contouring but has a firmer feel than the memory foam. The support core includes 7 more inches of high-density polyfoam, giving the mattress its solid, durable foundation.

The Nectar performed well for most side, back, and stomach sleepers on our team. However, we found that back and stomach sleepers over 230 pounds might need a firmer mattress for optimal pressure relief. Because of its thick foam layers, the Nectar isolates motion well. This means you won’t feel your bed partner’s movements as they change position or get into and out of bed. If you tend to overheat in traditional foam beds, the gel infusion in the Nectar is designed to promote cooler sleep.

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Best Mattress for Kids

Nolah Nurture 10

Dr. Michael BreusReviewer Picture

The Sleep Doctor’s Review

The Nolah Nurture 10 has a flippable design meant to adapt with children as they grow. Talalay latex offers responsive cushioning for the spine, while coils help kids maintain healthy sleep postures. Cotton, wool, and latex are also naturally breathable to keep kids cool throughout the night.

Buy from Nolah
Ideal For:

Combination Sleepers

Firmness:

Soft, Firm Sides

Motion Sensitivity:

Some Motion Transfer

Value:

Great Value

Pros

  • Flippable for different stages of a child’s development
  • Strong edges on both sides makes it easy to climb into bed
  • Optional Accident Protection covers accidents, rips, and punctures

Cons

  • Soft side lacks the support needed for children over 130 pounds
  • Higher price-point due to natural and organic materials

The Nolah Nurture 10 is a flippable mattress made for kids. Using natural, organic materials, the Nurture is designed for support and comfort, with a soft (3) side and a firm (7) side to accommodate your growing child’s needs.

Why We Like It

The Nolah Nurture 10 is a flippable mattress made for kids. Using natural, organic materials, the Nurture is designed for support and comfort, with a soft (3) side and a firm (7) side to accommodate your growing child’s needs. We recommend the Nolah Nurture for parents who are seeking a bed made with verified organic materials. The dual firmness options are ideal for children whose firmness needs may change as they grow.

How Does It Feel?

The mattress is encased in an organic cotton cover, and there are handles on the sides of the mattress to make flipping and moving the bed easier. The comfort layer includes 2 inches of natural Talalay latex that helped relieve pressure points during our tests. Next, a layer of breathable wool helps keep the mattress dry and cool. The support core includes 6 inches of zoned pocketed coils that offer targeted pressure relief and support to specific areas of your child’s body for optimal comfort. This is followed by another 2-inch layer of Talalay latex and a final layer of cotton and wool.

The Nurture 10 performed well for all body weights and sleep positions, thanks to the dual firmness options. The plush side offers enhanced motion isolation and pressure relief, so we recommend this side for children who share the bed with a parent or pet and who enjoy the comfort of a soft surface. The firm side has increased edge support, so you might prefer this side if your child has a tendency to roll out of bed. Both sides excel at temperature control, thanks to the breathable cotton and wool layers.

opening quote icon Twin is the smallest of the six standard mattress sizes. Designed for one person, a twin mattress is an affordable option for people who live in dorms, studio apartments, and other places with limited sleeping space. Twin sizes are also ideal for children who sleep in bunk beds or are transitioning to their first big kid’s bed. opening quote icon
Dr. Michael Breus, Clinical Psychologist, Sleep Medicine Expert and Combination Sleeper

Who Should Consider a Twin Size Mattress?

Twin size mattresses, also sometimes called single mattresses, are well suited for anyone who wants to save space and doesn’t need a larger bed. Twins are a great fit for bunk beds and children transitioning from cribs to a larger mattress. This size also provides ample sleeping space for most growing kids and teens. Single adults living in studio apartments or shared living situations may also find the twin size ideal for its space-saving dimensions. 

Keep in mind that a twin may be too narrow for couples and too short for sleepers over 6 feet tall. Couples and taller sleepers who want a narrow mattress might find a twin XL or full mattress more accommodating.

Twin vs. Twin XL

Twin and twin XL mattresses are both 38 inches in width, but differ in length. The twin measures 75 inches (6 feet 3 inches), while the twin XL adds an extra 5 inches, making it more suitable for taller individuals, particularly teens and adults over 6 feet in height. Both sizes fit single sleepers and work well in small spaces, but the twin XL offers that bit more legroom.

How to Shop for a Twin Size Mattress

When shopping for a twin mattress, consider many of the same factors as other sizes to ensure the mattress meets your unique needs and preferences.

Mattress Type

After choosing the right size, consider the pros and cons of each mattress type. Many twin mattresses are constructed of foam and excel in contouring and pressure relief. Latex mattresses are more expensive, but offer durability and a responsive feel. Hybrids combine one of these materials with a coil support core, balancing support and comfort. Less common twin mattress types include innerspring models and airbeds.

Firmness

The firmness of a mattress affects your overall sleep experience, with the right level dependent on your sleeping position and body weight. Softer mattresses may benefit side sleepers and sleepers under 130 pounds, while firmer options are better suited for back sleepers and those with a heavier build.

Support

Support in a mattress is all about maintaining neutral spinal alignment and avoiding pressure build-up in key areas of your body. Support is not only a reflection of a mattress’ quality and construction, but also hinges on whether the mattress is tailored to your usual sleeping position and body weight.

Price

How much to expect to pay for a twin mattress ranges from around $200 for a budget option to over $1000 for a luxury mattress with premium features. Mattress price is influenced by factors like mattress type, quality, brand reputation, and added features, so consider your budget and needs carefully.

Discover More Mattress Solutions

How We Test

When it comes to mattresses, we know our stuff. We research every mattress we review and put each one through extensive testing in our Seattle-based office. Our team includes product testers with a mix of different body weights and sleep styles, to make sure we can confidently say how a mattress will perform for people of different shapes and sizes. We use our years of experience and hands-on testing to give you recommendations you can count on.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dimensions of a twin mattress?

A twin mattress typically measures 38 inches in width and 75 inches in length. That’s enough room for most kids, teens, and single adults to stretch out comfortably, but it’s still cozy enough for smaller rooms.

How much does a twin mattress cost?

You can pick up a twin mattress anywhere from $200 for a budget all-foam model to over $1000 for a premium latex, hybrid, or mattress made with organic materials. Factors like material, quality, brand, and additional features significantly impact the cost.

How much does a twin size mattress weigh?

The weight of a twin mattress depends on its construction and materials, generally ranging from 40 and 70 pounds. The exact weight depends on what’s inside – like foam, latex, or coils. Foam mattresses are usually the lightest, while latex and coils can add significant weight to a bed.

What is the difference between a twin and twin XL mattress?

Twin XL mattresses are 5 inches longer than standard twin mattresses. This makes them more suitable for taller sleepers and anyone needing extra legroom. Both sizes are the same width, so they’re still best for one person.

Is a twin mattress good for teenagers?

Twin mattresses are a popular choice for teenagers. They offer sufficient space for most teens while fitting well in smaller bedrooms, dorm rooms, or shared spaces. Plus, twins are the most affordable standard mattress size, making them a budget-friendly option for teens.

About The Author

David Rubin

Certified Sleep Science Coach, Director of Product Testing


David is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a lifelong passion for well-being and health optimization. His interest in sleep developed with the arrival of his son, when sleep suddenly became a precious commodity.

  • POSITION: Side sleeper
  • TEMPERATURE: Hot Sleeper
  • CHRONOTYPE: Lion

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