Best Twin XL Mattress (2025): Smaller Footprint, Superior Comfort

The twin XL Helix Midnight packs a mighty punch in a compact package. The Midnight is the brand’s most popular model and my pick for the best twin XL mattress, thanks to its exceptional performance in key testing categories, including edge support and pressure relief, where it scored a 4 out of 5 or higher.

Edge support was my top criterion when searching for the best twin XL mattresses. A mattress with a secure perimeter provides consistent comfort and support, regardless of where you lie on the bed. And when you have less real estate to work with, it becomes even more critical. 

Fortunately, the Helix Midnight has near-perfect edge support, scoring a 4.4 out of 5 during testing. Our testers were impressed by its solid construction, especially at its reasonable price point (the twin XL version often goes on sale for under $900).

“I felt super-secure when lying near the edge of the bed in all three sleeping positions,” said mattress tester Riley Otis. “These edges felt just as secure as the center of the bed, and I never felt at risk of falling off. I think sleepers will be able to fully spread out and utilize the entire surface of the mattress and still feel supported.”

The Helix Midnight also exhibited consistent, impressive pressure relief. During testing, the Midnight scored a 4.4 in pressure relief. With this model, Helix struck the perfect balance of firm support for back sleepers and deep contouring for side sleepers. Riley had no trouble getting comfortable in either position.

“The Helix Midnight feels great on my side,” Riley said. “It has a lot of really nice plushness on top, but the support coils underneath are preventing me from sinking in. My hips and shoulders are getting some nice pressure-relieving cushioning. On my back, there’s no awkward gapping around my lower lumbar area. This bed feels super comforting overall.”

While the Helix Midnight didn’t show us any apparent drawbacks during testing, its cooling performance was only average (3.5 out of 5). We don’t anticipate being a problem for most sleepers, since our mattress testers found that its temperature remained relatively neutral during testing. However, we might recommend one of our best cooling mattresses instead if you tend to sweat through your sheets at night.

Want to learn more about the Midnight? Head over to our full Helix Midnight mattress review. For a similar option with better cooling, check out the DLX Classic mattress instead.

When recommending mattresses for back sleepers, I typically suggest a medium-firm hybrid model. According to Dr. Dasgupta, hybrid mattresses are ideal for back sleepers and folks with lower back pain due to their blend of support and comfort from innerspring coils and foam layers. They may help distribute body weight, align the spine, and reduce pressure points. For this reason, I chose the WinkBed Luxury Firm as my favorite twin XL mattress for back sleepers. After trying it out herself, mattress tester Riley Otis gave this mattress 4-star ratings or higher in back pressure relief and edge support.

If you’re a back sleeper or someone with lower back pain looking for a twin XL mattress, the WinkBed should be at the top of your list. During testing, Riley found that the WinkBed effectively balanced cushiony comfort and medium-firm support, and awarded it a 4.3 out of 5 for back-sleeping pressure relief.

“The WinkBed is an excellent choice for back sleepers,” Riley said. “In this position, I was able to achieve proper spinal alignment; my hips and shoulders were level, and my lumbar region was cushioned nicely. I felt comfortable and didn’t notice any pressure building. The soft pillow top was a nice touch and helped balance out the firmer support system below.”

Riley also invited Dr. Joe Tedesco, our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, to test the WinkBed with her and offer his professional opinion. According to Dr. Tedesco, the WinkBed is a home run for back sleepers.

“When lying on my back, I feel no pressure buildup in my pelvis or my sacrum,” said Dr. Tedesco. “I feel very supported across the board. My spine feels neutral, and my pelvis doesn’t feel tilted. My shoulder blades, elbows, and wrists are comfortable.”

Better yet, back sleepers will benefit from the WinkBed’s consistent support and pressure relief even at the far reaches of the mattress, thanks to its outstanding edge support. Despite its smaller surface, the twin XL WinkBed offers strong edge-to-edge support that doesn’t falter or sag at any point. Riley awarded this mattress a near-perfect 4.4 out of 5 in this category.

“I felt well supported when lying directly on the edge of the WinkBed,” Riley said. “I thought the edges felt just as strong as the center of the bed, and I didn’t feel the mattress sagging anywhere. When lying on my back, it evenly distributed my weight along the edge, and I felt very secure.”

While the WinkBed performs exceptionally well for back sleepers, I wouldn’t recommend it to side sleepers. Strict side sleepers, especially those with joint pain, will not get the deep contouring and cushioning they need around their hips and shoulders.

I also wouldn’t recommend this mattress to those who sleep particularly hot, due to its average cooling score of 3.5 out of 5. These sleepers would probably benefit from a mattress with stronger temperature-regulation features.

Want to learn more about the WinkBed? Head over to our full WinkBeds mattress review to see how it performed on all our tests. If you’re interested in the WinkBed, but need something that sleeps cooler, check out the WinkBed Plus instead.

The twin XL DreamCloud Hybrid delivers luxurious, hotel mattress comfort in a streamlined silhouette. During testing, this bed-in-a-box delivered a standout performance in back pressure relief, cooling, and edge support, scoring a 4 out of 5 or higher in each category. Despite its upscale construction, the twin XL version of this mattress is often less than $600 after discounts, making it one of the best luxury values on the market.

Mattress tester Riley Otis found that the DreamCloud’s biggest strength was its pressure relief for back sleepers. The DreamCloud earned a rare 5-star pressure relief score for back sleepers, meaning people who prefer to sleep in this position will get the perfect amount of lift to keep their spines in healthy alignment.

“I feel very comfortable on my back,” Riley said. “I’m feeling a lot of pressure relief in my upper back and shoulders. There is some sinkage around my hips that feels soothing, yet my lumbar region still feels supported. I feel like I’m melting into the bed, yet the coils are keeping me lifted and preventing too much sinkage.”

Cooling is another one of the DreamCloud’s strong suits. The cooling fiber-adorned cover layer and airflow-enhancing coil system help prevent overheating, so you stay cool and comfortable throughout the night. During testing, Riley gave this mattress a near-perfect cooling score of 4.5 out of 5.

Riley used a thermal gun to measure the temperature of its surface before and after lying on it for five minutes. After a few minutes of uninterrupted rest, she found that the temperature of the DreamCloud increased by 4.3 degrees, which is exceptional.

“The cover felt cool to the touch when I first lay on the DreamCloud,” Riley said. “As time went on, the cooling fibers did a great job of maintaining a neutral temperature. I have no problem recommending this mattress to people who tend to sleep hot.”

The DreamCloud also delivers exceptional support throughout its entire surface, which is crucial if you’re considering a smaller mattress. Riley gave the DreamCloud a 4 out of 5 for edge support because its perimeter provided enough support for her to sit and lie along the far reaches of the mattress without feeling insecure or falling off.

The only area the DreamCloud didn’t perform exceptionally well was side-sleeping pressure relief. With a side-sleeping pressure relief score of 3.5 out of 5, the DreamCloud isn’t the worst our testers have seen. However, we wouldn’t recommend this mattress to side sleepers with sensitive joints or aches and pains.

Dreaming of better sleep with the DreamCloud? Read our full DreamCloud Hybrid mattress review for more information. If you’re a side sleeper, check out the DreamCloud Memory Foam instead.

After testing the Nectar Classic, I can safely say that it’s one of the few memory foam mattresses that has it all. The Nectar excels at providing pressure relief for both side and back sleepers, while also standing out in areas where all-foam mattresses often fall short, specifically cooling and edge support. My fellow mattress testers and I awarded the twin XL Nectar Classic 4 stars or higher in each of the categories above.

The Nectar Classic is one of the mattresses I readily recommend to people when they ask me for something that offers deep contouring around high-pressure areas, like their hips, shoulders, and lower back. During testing, my colleagues and I gave it a 4 out of 5 for side and back pressure relief. As someone who typically notices a lot of pressure in my lower back, lying on the Nectar felt like a sigh of relief.

Our chief medical product tester, Dr. Joe Tedesco, also agreed that the gel memory foam Nectar mattress was a good option for most back and side sleepers. However, he warned that it likely wouldn’t be the best fit for people who sleep on their stomachs.

“I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this for stomach sleepers,” said Dr. Tedesco. “Your pelvis won’t sink much, and you stay anatomically neutral, but on your stomach, you want to be slightly posteriorly tilted to keep from having back pain. So, you’re almost too neutral in this position, which means you’ll have pressure buildup in your back.”

I would also add that the Nectar Classic might not be the best fit for side sleepers under 130 pounds. The Nectar is on the firmer side for a memory foam mattress, so lightweight sleepers might not get the gentle cushioning and contouring they need around their hips and shoulders.

Aside from its impressive pressure-relieving performance, the Nectar also impressed me with its above-average edge support and cooling. Its strong edge-to-edge support allowed me to sit, lie, and roll around near the perimeter of the mattress without falling off or feeling uneasy. Meanwhile, the lightweight cover and cooling gel memory foam kept me cool and comfortable the entire time. I gave the Nectar Classic a 4 out of 5 in both categories.

Read more about the Nectar in our full Nectar Classic mattress review. If you’re looking for a soft mattress with better contouring for side sleepers, check out the Helix Sunset instead.

According to Dr. Dasgupta, the ideal mattress for stomach sleepers is one with a supportive core that maintains spinal alignment and prevents excessive sinking. Too much sinkage around the lower body can lead to aches and pains for these sleepers. Fortunately, the Luxury Firm model of the Saatva Classic is built with a dual coil system to deliver the kind of balanced support that these sleepers need. During testing, I gave this luxurious innerspring mattress a rating of 4 out of 5 or higher in terms of edge support, cooling, and responsiveness.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Saatva Classic is its dual coil system that provides consistent support, even at the very edge of the mattress. I gave Saatva a near-perfect edge support score of 4.8 out of 5 during testing, because it hardly budged when I sat and lay on the sides and corners. This bed sets the gold standard for sleepers with mobility concerns and those who gravitate toward the edge of the bed.

Its cooling performance also held up well, earning a 4 out of 5 after my thermal gun test showed only a 7.8-degree rise in surface temperature after lying on it for five minutes. That’s an impressive result for a mattress with a thick Euro top, and makes it a reliable choice for average sleepers who want to avoid overheating at night.

Responsiveness, an essential trait for stomach sleepers who sometimes change positions or require an extra boost to feel supported, was another slam dunk for the Saatva Classic. I gave the Saatva a perfect 5 out of 5 here because its coil layers made the bed feel like a springboard as I rolled around and changed sleeping positions during testing.

Although this may not be a significant problem for those using a twin XL mattress, the Saatva suffered in motion isolation, something you’ll want to keep in mind if you ever get a bigger size to accommodate a partner or pet. During testing, I invited my colleague Livvi DiCicco to move around and change sleeping positions on the other side of the mattress. Livvi and I agreed on a rating of 2.8 out of 5 for motion transfer, because I could feel every one of her movements ripple to my side of the bed.

“As someone who owns the Saatva and sleeps on it every night, I’d have to agree with Kenny,” Livvi noted. “Whenever friends or family sleep over, I can feel every movement they make on their side of the bed.”

It’s also worth noting that the Saatva Classic may not be ideal for strict side sleepers. As Dr. Joe Tedesco, our chief medical product reviewer, explained, “The firmer build and coil structure don’t provide enough contouring in the shoulder and hip areas, which could lead to discomfort in that position.”

Want to learn more about the standout Saatva mattress? Head over to Livvi’s full Saatva Classic mattress review. For something with deeper contouring and more cushioning, consider the Saatva Rx instead.

Combination sleepers (those who frequently change sleeping positions at night to get comfortable) need a responsive mattress that allows them to move around easily. If you fall into this category and you’re shopping for a twin XL mattress, then you need something that maintains the same level of responsive support through its entire surface. The Leesa Original offers that maneuverability alongside a sturdy perimeter and effective temperature regulation. After testing the Leesa, Erin Chiles gave it a 4 out of 5 or higher in responsiveness, edge support, and cooling.

Memory foam mattresses aren’t typically known for their trampoline-like response time, and far fewer earn a perfect 5 out of 5 in our responsiveness category. However, the Leesa Original is an exception. During testing, Erin found that she could easily change positions, adjust her pillow, and roll around without ever feeling stuck in the Leesa Original’s pressure-relieving memory foam.

“I feel like it was extremely easy to switch positions because the bed provides enough stability and firmness to make me feel that I’m not sinking so far into it,” Erin said. “I was able to change positions without feeling stuck in the mattress.”

Erin noted that this responsive support stretched from edge to edge on the Leesa mattress. Reinforced perimeters are a must-have on smaller sleep surfaces because they give sleepers more usable space to work with. For combination sleepers, it could mean not rolling off the bed when moving from your back to your side. Fortunately, the Leesa Original excels on this front, too, earning a near-perfect 4.4 out of 5 in the edge support category.

“I did not feel like I was going to roll off the bed when switching positions near the edge,” Erin said. “The sides of the mattress felt firm and supportive. I noticed that it was firm enough to hold me and not have my body rock off the bed.”

Another unexpected positive about the Leesa Original was its outstanding cooling performance. Erin gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 in the cooling category because it kept her crisp and comfortable during testing. After lying on it for 5 minutes, she used a thermal gun to measure the increase in temperature and found that it only rose 3.8 degrees from her initial reading. In other words, this mattress is the rare all-foam unicorn that’s a good fit for hot sleepers.

While the Leesa Original scored high across the board, I wouldn’t recommend this mattress to everyone. At 10 inches tall, it might be too thin for sleepers over 230 pounds. Sleepers in this weight category are unlikely to receive the support they need to maintain a comfortably aligned spine.

Leesa’s 100-night trial also left us wanting a little more. While 100 nights should be enough for most sleepers to determine if a mattress is right for them, it would have been nice to see a 365-night sleep trial come with a mattress of this caliber.

Longing for the Leesa? Read our full Leesa Original mattress review to see how it performed across the board before you buy it. If you’re interested in Leesa but prefer a hybrid mattress, consider the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid.

The Bear Original is the perfect mattress for foam lovers seeking a cool, crisp sleep experience. Across the board, the twin XL Bear stands out for doing what many memory foam mattresses struggle with: providing responsive support while cooling things down. During testing, the Bear earned a 4 out of 5 or higher in cooling, edge support, and responsiveness.

The Bear Original’s standout cooling performance earned it a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5, making it one of the best options for hot sleepers who want the pressure-relieving comfort of foam without the heat buildup that’s often associated with this type of mattress.

“This mattress had a nice cool-to-the-touch feel initially,” said tester Riley Otis. “Over time, I could feel the bed adjusting to my body heat, but I never felt like it was uncomfortably hot. Overall, the Bear Original had impressive cooling for an all-foam bed.”

The edge support was another unexpected win for the Bear Original mattress. Despite its lack of supportive pocketed coils, the Bear provided consistent support across the entire surface. Riley gave the Bear Original a 4.2 out of 5 in this category.

“I never felt unstable or like I was about to fall off,” Riley added. “Although I was less supported on my side, it wasn’t enough to feel uneasy.”

Our colleague and longtime Bear owner Kate Meier agreed, saying, “I’ve never had any issues sliding off the edge or feeling like I was going to fall off the bed.”

The Bear also scored a 4 out of 5 in responsiveness, which is, yet again, unexpected for a memory foam mattress. Riley found that it was easy to change sleeping positions on this bed, meaning combination sleepers should have no trouble getting comfortable on the Bear.

Unfortunately, the Bear Original falls a bit short in pressure relief. Its firmer feel makes it a better fit for back sleepers, while side sleepers might find that it lacks contouring at the shoulders and hips.

Head over to our full Bear Original mattress review to learn more. If you crave more contouring and pressure relief, check out the Bear Elite Hybrid instead.

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is an affordable twin XL mattress that doesn’t cut corners on comfort and support. Priced at just $832 before discounts and often available for under $700, this hybrid model delivers the kind of performance you would expect from a much more expensive bed. During testing, I gave it a 4 out of 5 or higher in both cooling and edge support, two areas where budget mattresses often fall short.

One of the best features of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is its temperature regulation, which earned it a 4.5 out of 5 in our cooling category. Thanks to its innerspring design and breathable comfort layers, this bed regulates temperature effectively (even for hot sleepers like me).

I used a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature of the Signature Hybrid before lying on it for five minutes. During those five minutes of uninterrupted rest, I couldn’t tell that it was warming up underneath me. I found that the mattress only increased by 6 degrees after retaking its temperature.

Another standout feature was the Signature Hybrid’s sturdy edge support, which I rated a solid 4.3 out of 5. If you’re considering the twin XL version, you can expect the same reliable support along the edges as you’d find at the center of the mattress, which is ideal for maximizing every inch of sleep space. During testing, I found that I could lie on its sides and sit on the corners without ever feeling like I was going to slide off.

The Signature Hybrid’s consistent corner-to-corner support also helps promote proper spinal alignment. Dr. Joe Tedesco, our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, praised the mattress for its spinal support when lying on his back.

“Overall, this mattress provides a very supportive feeling,” Dr. Tedesco said. “On my back, I don’t feel any significant pressure building up anywhere, and my hips feel very supported.”

Unfortunately, the Signature Hybrid comes with a few limitations. Its motion isolation and responsiveness scores were just average. So, it may not be the best mattress for couples with restless partners or combination sleepers who frequently switch positions throughout the night. People with restless partners need a mattress with stronger motion isolation to prevent movement from rippling to their side of the bed. Meanwhile, combination sleepers need a springier surface to easily change sleeping positions without feeling stuck.

Want to read up on the Signature Hybrid before you buy? Check out our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid review. If you would prefer an option with better motion isolation, consider the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe instead.

If you struggle with sore joints, whether in your hips, back, or knees, the Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm delivers targeted pressure relief and support that can make a huge difference. This high-quality hybrid twin XL mattress blends orthopedic performance with exceptional comfort, earning 4 out of 5 or higher in pressure relief, cooling, and edge support.

Built with graphite-infused memory foam, a responsive coil base, and a latex-like support layer, the Nolah Evolution lifts and cushions where you need it most. Our mattress testers found that it helps relieve joint pain without letting you sink too deeply. That balance of softness and structure makes it an ideal fit for sleepers managing everything from general joint stiffness to chronic hip pain.

The Nolah Evolution performed exceptionally well in our pressure relief test. When our tester lay on the pressure mapping mat, the image showed a PSI of 12.53 on our average-weight tester’s side, which is significantly lower than the side-sleeper average of 14.9. These results helped it earn a 4.3 out of 5 for pressure relief.

“I liked this bed on my side overall,” said tester Erin Chiles. “It hugged my body nicely, and I felt supported. I felt minimal pressure in my hips, and it was very comfortable.”

Back sleepers will also appreciate its alignment and gentle support. Dr. Joe Tedesco, our chief medical product reviewer and licensed physical therapist, noted that the mattress provided excellent posture and comfort when he tested it in the back-sleeping position.

“I’m not feeling any significant pressure buildup on my back,” said Dr. Tedesco. “My feet, ankles, hips, and knees are aligned. My pelvis is relaxed, and I don’t feel any anterior tilt. I also feel some great weightlessness across my midline.”

The cooling performance is another standout, earning a 4.5 out of 5. Between the breathable organic cotton cover and cooling fiber-infused foams, the Nolah Evolution managed to keep our testers sweat-free and comfortable, even after moving the mattress around in our Charlotte, NC, facility.

“The organic cotton was cool to the touch. Even after all that moving around, this mattress was able to cool me down,” said Sosha Lewis. “I could feel the heat leaving my body on the Nolah. It was incredibly comfortable.”

The Nolah Evolution also impressed our testers with its impressive edge support, earning another 4.6 out of 5. The Nolah made it easy for Sosha and her fellow mattress testers to stretch out or get in and out of bed, which is especially helpful for sleepers looking to utilize the entire surface of their twin XL mattress.

However, the Nolah isn’t the perfect pick for everyone. It’s not the best fit for stomach sleepers, who may find it too soft to keep their spines in a healthy position. Not to mention its premium performance comes with a premium price tag that might alienate budget shoppers.

Read our full Nolah Evolution mattress review to see how it performed on all our tests. For a more affordable alternative, consider the Silk & Snow Hybrid.

Heavy sleepers seeking reliable support and a no-sink sleep surface will love the twin XL Plank Firm by Brooklyn Bedding. This flippable mattress is perfect for sleepers seeking structure, stability, and long-term durability. During testing, its extra-firm side earned a 4 out of 5 or higher in edge support and cooling, making it ideal for sleepers who weigh 230 pounds or more.

Mattress tester Sosha Lewis was impressed with the Plank’s edge support on its extra-firm side, awarding it a 4.4 out of 5 during testing. She was surprised at how secure she felt across all three sleeping positions as she lay on the perimeter of the Plank Firm.

“I felt very supported on my side, back, and stomach,” Sosha said. “Usually, I feel more secure on my back and stomach when sleeping on the edge because I have more surface to work with. However, I felt secure on my side here, too. I had no fear of rolling out.”

Folks with bigger bodies who are prone to overheating will also appreciate the Plank Firm’s exceptional temperature-regulating capabilities. Tester Riley Otis used a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature before and after lying on it for 5 minutes. After resting on the extra-firm side of the Plank Firm for this amount of time, Riley recorded a slight temperature increase of only 5 degrees.

“I didn’t notice the Plank heating up too much when lying on it,” Riley said. “While I don’t think the bed feels particularly cool to the touch, it doesn’t feel stifling either. The temperature remained neutral overall; not too cool, not too hot.”

Despite the Plank Firm’s impressive performance across key categories for twin XL mattresses, it’s not a one-size-fits-all mattress. I generally wouldn’t recommend this mattress to side sleepers, especially those with joint pain, because it doesn’t provide enough cushioning to cradle those high-pressure areas.

Additionally, I wouldn’t recommend the firm side of this mattress to sleepers who share a bed with their pet. The firm side of the Plank only scored a 3.7 out of 5 on our motion isolation test, meaning you will likely feel your fur baby’s movements on your side of the mattress.

Does the Plank sound like a good fit for you? Read our full Plank Firm mattress review to learn more. If you’re looking for a mattress built for bigger bodies with a few more bells and whistles, I recommend the Titan Plus Luxe instead.