Best Twin XL Mattress

Written by Lauren Hapgood, Staff Writer

Our Methodology

Our Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 220 mattresses in our lab, testing each one on its materials, comfort, cooling, support, and other categories.
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Just Updated

We’ve recently re-reviewed all of our top twin XL mattress picks and added more feedback from the testers in our lab – so you can rest easy that if it’s on this list, we’ve personally tested it, slept on it, and stand by its recommendation.

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We’re all pretty familiar with the size of a standard twin mattress. However, if you’re looking for a little extra length in your bed, then you might want to check out a twin XL mattress. These beds measure 80 inches in length, which adds five inches of extra leg room in comparison to a standard twin. Twin XL mattresses are great for kids, teens, single adults, guests, and taller sleepers. In search of the best twin XL mattresses, we tested a number of beds on the market using careful analysis.

However, our testing does not stop at making sure that these mattresses meet the requirements of a twin XL mattress. If you’re going to be spending money on a new mattress, you probably also want to it work well for your body type, sleeping position, and whether or not you sleep with a partner. Here, at Sleepopolis, we run our mattress through a series of evaluations, including a 15-minute rest test, a pressure map test, and a motion transfer test, to name a few.

These tests make sure that the sleepers that we recommend (or don’t recommend) for each of the 10 mattresses on this list are really going to sleep comfortably. Whether you’re looking for extra cooling technology, pain alleviation, or that typical “sinking” memory foam feel, there is a bed for you on this list. Just make sure to check out the Pros and Cons section of each individual mattress’ review in order to see which sleepers these beds are best for.

Our Top Pick for Twin XL Mattresses

The Helix Midnight won our top spot on the best twin XL page because of its high scores in our testing and versatility. Helix has an extensive line of mattresses and the Midnight falls right in the middle range for firmness, making it one of Helix’s most popular mattresses.

In addition to many of its other great qualities, senior product editor Bridget Chapman noted the Helix Midnight’s excellent edge support, which allows you to comfortably sleep across the entire surface of the bed. That could be especially important for twin XL shoppers — this is a smaller mattress size, so every usable inch matters!

Best Twin XL Mattresses of 2023

• Helix Midnight – Best Overall
• Nectar – Best Twin XL Memory Foam Mattress
• Leesa Studio – Best Twin XL Mattress for Kids and Teens
• Saatva – Best Twin XL Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
• WinkBed – Best Hybrid Twin XL Mattress 
• Bear – Best Twin XL Mattress for Back Sleepers
• Layla – Best Flippable Twin XL Mattress
• Dreamfoam Essential – Best Cheap Twin XL Mattress
• Plank Firm – Best Twin XL Mattress for Heavy Sleepers
• Tuft & Needle – Best Online Twin XL Mattress 

Compare the Best Twin XL Mattresses

Helix Midnight – Best Overall

Expert Opinion

Because it scored a 4 out of 5 in every category, we’ve named the Helix Midnight the best overall twin XL mattress. It’s incredibly well-rounded and should accommodate a wide range of sleepers. Its construction features plush memory foam layered over pocketed coils, which keeps its feel balanced between pressure relief and support.

When we laid down on the Helix Midnight, we felt a slight lift from its bottom layer of coils, while also getting some soft body-contouring from its foams, especially in sensitive areas like the hips and shoulders. Overall, the Helix Midnight scored a 6 on our firmness scale, making it just slightly softer then the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress (which is set at a 6.5 on the scale).

What our tester says: “The mattress is bouncy, making it easy for you to roll over or switch positions at night without worrying that you’ll get “stuck” in the bed.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Many of the customers on the Helix website comment on how well this mattress cools them down during the night. This is especially surprising for an all-foam mattress, as usually, these beds retain heat. However, this shouldn’t be a problem on the Helix Midnight, according to these users.

Pros of the Helix Midnight Mattress

• The balance of comfort and support that this mattress has should give back sleepers the pressure relief they need around the lumbar region, helping them maintain a neutral spinal alignment.
• The Helix Midnight does a strong job isolating motion, which can be seen in the results of our motion transfer test. This means that one partner shouldn’t feel the movement of the other during the night.
• Like all of Helix’s hybrid mattresses, the Helix Midnight includes a soft and breathable cover, plus the coils promote plenty of airflow. These are helpful additions for hot sleepers that want to stay cooler for longer.

Cons of the Helix Midnight Mattress

• The Helix Midnight may be too soft for stomach sleepers, especially heavier stomach sleepers (those over 250 pounds), who require added support and a firmer construction from their mattress. We recommend that these sleepers check out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

Ready to sleep on the Helix Midnight? Read our Helix Midnight mattress review or click here for our best deal. If you want to explore more options, see our roundup of the best mattresses of 2023.

Nectar – Best Memory Foam

Expert Opinion

Memory foam is a prized material in the mattress world. It provides plush sinkage and contouring like no other. The Nectar is one of our favorite memory foam mattresses, and we think it’d make for a fantastic twin XL. Plus, the Nectar Memory Foam mattress is also the brand’s most popular and affordable bed.

When we laid down on the Nectar, we experienced deep pressure relief from its thick top layer of foam, feeling it conform around the body and giving that classic memory foam hug. At the same time, a support layer of firmer foam lies beneath and prevents sleepers from sinking too into the bed’s layers. Overall, the Nectar scored a 6 on our firmness scale, once again making this mattress slightly softer than the industry average.

What our tester says: “After spending some time on the bed, I felt more cradled by it than lifted up by it. This deep sinkage and body contouring could be nice for side sleepers or folks who like a pressure-relieving feel.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Users on the review section of Nectar praise this mattress for how well it alleviated their hip and lower back pain. The foams in this mattress do a good job of body-contouring around these sensitive areas, and customers can tell.

Pros of the Nectar Mattress

• Sleepers who suffer with back pain should feel some pain alleviation when sleeping on the Nectar. This mattress scored well on our pressure-map test, with the back region lighting up blue and green, equating to low pressure.
• The Nectar is a soft enough mattress that side sleepers should be able to rest comfortably throughout the night. Plus, the body-contouring feel of this mattress gives sleepers plenty of pressure relief at the shoulders and hips.
• Memory foam is a great material for absorbing motion, so there is not much motion transfer on the top of the Nectar. This is ideal for couples, as they shouldn’t be able to feel their partner’s movements during the night.

Cons of the Nectar Mattress

• Despite the Nectar’s cooling features, it’s still an all-foam mattress, and these beds tend to trap heat. If you’re a hot sleeper looking for something incredibly cooling, we suggest an innerspring, latex, or hybrid mattress, or check out our roundup of the best cooling mattresses.

Ready to sleep on the Nectar Original? Read our Nectar mattress review or click here for our best deal. If you want to explore more options, see our roundup of the best memory foam mattresses.

Leesa Studio – Best Mattress for Kids and Teens

Expert Opinion

Twin XL beds are great for kids and teens because they’re long enough to handle growth spurts. They’re also space-saving, so your kid or teen can devote more of their room to games, toys, or even a desk. The all-foam Leesa Studio is fantastic for these sleepers because it’s one of the best options out there for lightweight folks. When we laid down on it, we felt some pressure relief from its contouring memory foam layer before the transition foam eased us into the high-density polyurethane foam (poly foam) base layer. The result is a nice balance of comfort and support. The support foam also helps keep the mattress durable, even through body changes.

As an added bonus, the Leesa Studio mattress also includes a polyester cover that has moisture-wicking properties. This makes sure that hot sleepers wake up cooler and sleep comfortably for longer. This is great for growing teenagers and kids who are worn out from playing all day long.

What our tester says: “Another perk of the Studio is its value. It’s a quality mattress at an affordable price, so if you’re on a tight budget, this may be worth a look.” — Logan Block, former Sleepopolis director of content and mattress reviewer

What Customers Say

Multiple users actually commented on how much they loved the 100-night trial that comes with the Leesa Studio mattress. This allows customers to really figure out their pros and cons of this mattress before fully committing to the full price of this bed.

Pros of the Leesa Studio Mattress

• The Leesa Studio is a very supportive and firm mattress, which should make it a strong choice for stomach sleepers. These sleepers need a firm mattress to keep their hips lifted in line with their shoulders, promoting a healthy spinal alignment.
• The Leesa Studio often makes our list of the best budget mattresses. So, if you’re a wallet-conscious shopper who still wants a mattress made of quality materials, the Leesa Studio might be the bed for you.
• The high-quality memory foam used in this mattress dissipates motion before it can travel across the surface of the bed. This is great for couples who don’t want to feel their partner’s tossing and turning during the night.

Cons of the Leesa Studio Mattress

• The Leesa Studio isn’t going to be soft enough for most side sleepers. These sleepers need a softer mattress to contour around their hips and shoulders. For this, we recommend that these sleepers look at our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers.

Ready to sleep on the Leesa Studio? Read our Leesa Studio mattress review or click here for our best deal. If you want to explore more options, see our roundup of the best mattresses for kids.

Saatva – Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers

Expert Opinion

Stomach sleepers often struggle to find a mattress that keeps their spine properly aligned. They need sufficient firmness and support that elevates the hips throughout the night. As an innerspring mattress, the Saatva is an excellent choice for this. When we tested it out on our stomach, we felt our hips being lifted and aligned with our shoulders, which helps keep the spine in a proper alignment.

The Saatva brand also sells their Classic Saatva mattress in three different firmnesses: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. This allows for sleepers to really pick and choose the firmness level that works best for their needs and sleeping preferences. For stomach sleepers, we recommend the Firm model.

What our tester says: “The Saatva Classic is a bouncy, high-quality mattress with durability and great edge support. Thanks to the edge reinforcements, I felt just as supported on the side of the bed as I did in the center.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers on the Saatva website actually comment more on the customer service they received at Saatva than the Saatva Classic mattress itself. These users stated that the sales associates on the Saatva website made online mattress shopping easy and informative, without trying to sell these customers on a more expensive model.

Pros of the Saatva Mattress

• The Saatva comes with free white-glove delivery, so it is never compressed in a box. Because of this, customers are able to sleep on this mattress right away, without waiting for an unboxing or off-gassing period.
• The Saatva is made of materials that keep it bouncy and responsive. This is helpful for combination sleepers who need to be able to easily switch positions during the night.
• A large part of the Saatva’s construction is made up of coils — two layers, in fact. This leaves ample room for air to flow through the mattress and keep it cool, a plus for hot sleepers that want to wake up feeling fresh instead of sweaty.

Cons of the Saatva Mattress

• As an innerspring mattress, the Saatva is pretty bouncy and responsive. While this makes this mattress great for sex, it does also mean that a lot of movement travels across its surface. If you’re easily disturbed by your partner’s tossing and turning during the night, we recommend checking out our roundup of the best mattresses for couples.

Ready to sleep on the Saatva Classic? Read our Saatva mattress review or click here for our best deal. If you want to explore more options, see our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

WinkBed – Best Hybrid Mattress

Expert Opinion

Hybrid mattresses combine the cushioning of memory foam mattresses and the support of an innerspring bed by utilizing both ultra-supportive coils and a plush pillow top. These additions also qualify this bed as a luxury mattress. When we tested out the luxury hybrid WinkBed, we felt the coils a bit more than the foam, so there was more of a traditional innerspring feel than that “sinking” feel that’s common with memory foam beds.

If you opt for a twin XL size of the WinkBed, you can also choose from three different firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer. For side sleepers, we would recommend going with the Softer model of this mattress, as it should provide more pressure relief around sensitives areas, like the shoulders and hips. However, back and stomach sleepers should be happy on the Luxury Firm or Firmer models, depending on your sleeping preferences.

What our tester says: “I found the WinkBed to be a comfortable and highly supportive mattress. Lying on the bed, I felt the uplift from the sturdy base, but still felt the plush cushioning of the pillow top layer above.” — Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer

What Customers Say

Almost every single review on the WinkBeds website commented on how well this mattress alleviates back pain. Some of these users even shared that they recently had back surgery, or had been dealing with back pain for up to nine years, and the WinkBed helped to relieve this pain after only a couple of weeks.

Pros of the WinkBed Mattress

• Lightweight sleepers should rest comfortably in all sleeping positions on the WinkBed. The slightly firm feel of this mattress, combined with the softer Euro pillow top, makes it stable enough for lightweight back and stomach sleepers, while still providing enough pressure relief for lightweight side sleepers.
• The WinkBed includes gel-infused memory foam and a Tencel cooling cover to keep sleepers from overheating, in addition to providing some nice cushioning. Plus, the coils leave lots of room for air to flow through this mattress.
• The coiled layer of the WinkBed is extra-tall, creating strong responsiveness and bounciness in this mattress. This allows for combination sleepers to easily change positions throughout the night.

Cons of the WinkBed Mattress

• If you’re looking for the level of contouring and sinkage that’s found in memory foam mattresses, you may want a different option with a more slow-moving feel. The combination of coils and foams in this mattress make it more responsive than body-contouring. Instead, we recommend checking out our roundup of the best memory foam mattresses.

Ready to sleep on the WinkBed? Read our WinkBed mattress review or click here for our best deal. If you want to explore more options, see our roundup of the best hybrid mattresses.

Bear – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

Back sleepers in search of the perfect twin XL mattress require a combination of comfort and support. Because of this, it’s a good thing that the Bear scored a 7 on our firmness scale, making this mattress just slightly firmer than the industry standard for a medium-firm bed.

When we laid down on the mattress, we felt the memory foam layer contouring to our lumbar region for some nice pressure relief. But, at the same time, we also felt on top of this mattress due to the responsive transition layer and high-density support layer included in its construction. These layers also make this bed a good choice for combination sleepers, as it’s responsiveness and bounce makes it easy for these sleepers to change positions during the night.

What our tester says: “I found the Bear’s double poly foam construction produced a firm, supportive feel. Though you’re likely to sink into its top layer of memory foam, this sinkage is curbed by the taut poly foam transition layer. This means most folks are going to be positioned more ‘on top’ of the structure than ‘in’ it.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Users on the Bear website appreciate how firm this mattress truly feels in person. This firmness allows their hips to stay in line with their shoulders, creating a healthy spinal alignment and alleviating pain in sensitive areas like the lumbar region.

Pros of the Bear Mattress

• For an all-foam mattress, the Bear sleeps extremely cool because of its gel-infused foam, which makes it a good choice for hot sleepers. The Bear brand also offers an additional cover made of a soft and breathable material called Celliant (though this will add $130 to your overall total).
• Another bonus of this Celliant material is that it’s designed to absorb your body’s energy, then redirect it back to you for assisted recovery and blood flow. While we haven’t verified these claims, they could be hugely beneficial to sleepers who have just had a long workout.
• The Bear received excellent motion isolation results on our motion transfer test. This means that the Bear should muffling your partner’s movement so you don’t feel it ripple across the mattress, making this bed great for couples.

Cons of the Bear Mattress

• As an all-foam bed, the Bear isn’t the most durable option on the market. If you have a larger body type or weigh more than 250 pounds, you may want to look at a hardier option. For this, we recommend checking out our roundup of the best mattresses for heavier sleepers.

Ready to sleep on the Bear Original? Read our Bear mattress review or click here for our best deal. If you want to explore more options, see our roundup of the best mattresses for back sleepers.

Layla – Best Flippable Mattress

Expert Opinion

Flippable twin XL mattresses are fantastic for those unsure of what firmness level works for them. They’re also ideal for those experiencing body type changes, such as children, because you can flip the mattress as your child develops. One of the highest-quality flippable beds out there is a Layla, which has both a Soft side and a Firm side included in its construction.

The Soft side of this mattress scored a 5.5 on our firmness scale, making it softer than the industry standard for a medium-firm bed, while the Firm side scored a 7.5, making it firmer than this industry average. Layla also offers a 120-night sleep trial for all of their mattresses, which allows customers time to decide if this flippable bed suits their needs and preferences.

What our tester says: “The Layla had fantastic motion transfer results, so you shouldn’t be too bothered by your bed mate’s movements in the night.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Obviously, the majority of customers on the Layla website comment on how helpful the versatility of this mattress is. Both Firm side and Soft side users say that this mattress finds a great balance between comfort and support, keeping them uplifted and contoured at the same time.

Pros of the Layla Mattress

• The Layla includes copper-infused memory foam throughout its layers, which helps to get rid of added body heat in this mattress. Plus, the antimicrobial material used in this bed helps eliminate body odor, making it a good choice for couples.
• Speaking of couples, the Layla showed fantastic motion transfer results on our motion isolation test, so couples should not be able to feel each others’ movements throughout the night.
• Stomach sleepers should enjoy the Firm side of this flippable mattress. On this side, there should be enough support to keep stomach sleepers’ hips in line with their shoulders, promoting a neutral spinal alignment.

Cons of the Layla Mattress

• Combination sleepers are probably going to want to look for a mattress that is more responsive than the Layla. Most sleepers will “sink” into the Layla, so it could be difficult for combination sleepers to move around and switch positions during the night. To combat this, we suggest that these sleepers check out our roundup of the best mattresses for combination sleepers.

Ready to sleep on the Layla? Read our Layla mattress review or click here for our best deal. If you want to explore more options, see our roundup of the best flippable mattresses.

Dreamfoam Essential – Best Cheap Mattress

Expert Opinion

College students and young adults are typically looking at the best product for the best price. While the Dreamfoam Essential may not be the most durable option, it’s still a high-quality option and is our favorite cheap twin XL mattress. It also comes in five different thicknesses and three different heights, so you can choose whatever option fits your body type and sleeping position.

The Dreamfoam Essential comes priced at $349 before discounts for the 6 inch version of this mattress, and the 10 inch mattress, the largest size, is still only $599. Many twin XL beds cost upwards of $600, so this model is an excellent value when compared to other mattresses on the market.

What our tester says: “Memory foam lovers might appreciate the feel of this bed. While firm, it offers some of the sinkage and body contouring that’s characteristic of memory foam.” — Logan Block, former Sleepopolis director of content and mattress reviewer

What Customers Say

A lot of the customers on the Dreamfoam by Brooklyn Bedding website comment on how well this mattress works for RVs. These users love how well this mattress fits in their mobile home, and now, many of them are looking to buy another Dreamfoam Essential for their home.

Pros of the Dreamfoam Essential Mattress

• Because lightweight sleepers don’t compress a mattress’ layers as much as average weight or heavy sleepers, they should be comfortable on any of the models of the Dreamfoam Essential.
• This mattress has a firm support to it, which makes it helpful for back sleepers that are looking for a combination of pressure relief and stability. These sleepers should find that the Dreamfoam Essential keeps their hips elevated and in line with their spine.
• For such a cheap mattress, the Dreamfoam Essential also excels at cooling. It has a breathable cover and cooling gel-infused memory foam. This is helpful for hot sleepers and couples with double the body heat in their bed.

Cons of the Dreamfoam Essential Mattress

• The sinking feeling of this mattress does make it difficult to move around and switch positions without getting stuck in this mattress’ layers. Because of this, combination sleepers might have a hard time resting on this mattress. We recommend that they check out our roundup of the best mattresses for combination sleepers.

Ready to sleep on the Dreamfoam Essential? Click here for our best deal or read our full Dreamfoam Essential review. If you want to explore more options, see our roundup of the best cheap mattresses.

Plank Firm – Best Mattress for Heavy Sleepers

Expert Opinion

Heavy sleepers (those over 250 pounds) might have a harder time finding twin XL mattresses that are comfortable and supportive enough for their weight level. But the all-foam Plank Firm was designed to be extra-firm, so it’s unlikely to sag, despite how much weight you put on them.

We should also mention that the Plank Firm is another flippable mattress. There’s a Firm side that scored an 8 on our firmness scale, and an Extra-Firm side that scored a 9, making both sides of this mattress much firmer than the industry standard for a medium-firm bed. With this construction, heavy sleepers shouldn’t sink too far into the material of this bed. Plus, a super-thick layer of high-density base foam keeps these sleepers more “on top” of this mattress.

What our tester says: “I really like that the Plank Firm is a flippable mattress with two firmness options. This makes it feel like you’re getting two beds for the price of one.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers praise the Plank Firm for its resistance to sagging or sinking, especially around the edges of this mattress. This is especially important for couples that want to spread out and use the full surface area of their mattress without fear of falling off the sides.

Pros of the Plank Firm Mattress

• Lightweight sleepers should sleep well on the firm side of the Plank Firm, especially if they prefer to rest on their back or stomach. This mattress should provide enough support for these sleepers, while still providing pressure relief around more sensitive areas.
• Sleepers who suffer with back pain should appreciate the Plank Firm because it’s foam should fill the space around the lumbar region, alleviating pain in this area and keeping their spine in a neutral alignment.
• The Plank Firms’ heavy duty foams make this bed extra bouncy and responsive. This is the ideal feel for combination sleepers that want to be able to move around during the night without worrying about “sinking” into their mattress’s layers.

Cons of the Plank Firm Mattress

• Because the Plank Firm is an all-foam mattress, it isn’t the best cooling option out there. Brooklyn Bedding does offer an additional cooling panel for the Plank Firm, or you can find some other options on our roundup of the best cooling mattresses.

Ready to sleep on the Plank Firm? Read our Plank Firm mattress review or click here for our best deal. If you want to explore more options, see our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people.

Tuft & Needle – Best Online Mattress

Expert Opinion

The best online twin XL mattress is affordable and comes with a good sleep trial and warranty. We think the Tuft & Needle fits this description. The Tuft & Needle packs a lot of punch for its price category, and it comes with a 100-night sleep trial and 10-year limited warranty. You can often find a twin XL Tuft & Needle mattress for under $800 before sales and discounts.

This mattress is also made of quality foams that get firmer toward the bottom of the mattress for a mixture of comfort and support. And, as an added bonus, all of the foams used in the Tuft & Needle mattress are CertiPUR-US certified, which means that they are completely free from pollutants and harmful chemicals.

What our tester says: “After testing the Tuft & Needle out, I felt it offered a fairly balanced feel. It definitely has a memory foam feel, allowing you to sink in a bit for some contouring. However, I didn’t find myself sinking in deeply and maintained a somewhat ‘on top of the bed’ feel.” — Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer

What Customers Say

Customers love the Tuft & Needle mattress for its ability to get rid of achy joints. This softer mattress really body-contours sleepers, and allows them to sink into its layers. This allows customers to get the pressure relief they need around these sensitive joints.

Pros of the Tuft & Needle Mattress

• The Tuft & Needle bed made our roundup of the best mattresses under $1000, so it is a great budget-friendly purchase for customers that are more consciousness with their mattress spending.
• This mattress should be a good fit for lightweight sleepers, especially those who sleep on the back or stomach. It is just firm enough to help keep these sleepers supported, while still giving them a bit of pressure relief.
• For an all-foam mattress, the Tuft & Needle sleeps fairly cool, thanks to an infusion of graphite in the comfort layer. This is a helpful addition for hot sleepers or couples with double the body heat in their bed.

Cons of the Tuft & Needle Mattress

• Strict stomach sleepers most likely won’t receive the firm support that they need from this mattress in order to sleep comfortably and maintain a neutral spinal alignment. Instead, we recommend that these sleepers check out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

Ready to sleep on the Tuft & Needle? Read our Tuft & Needle mattress review or click here for our best deal. If you want to explore more options, see our roundup of the best online mattresses.

What Are Twin XL Mattresses?

Mattress	Size	Average Price	What It’s Good For
Standard Twin	38” x 75”	$800	Small spaces, budget shoppers, those wanting easy-to-find accessories
Twin XL	38” x 80”	$850	Budget shoppers, children and teens, taller sleepers
Full	53” x 75”	$1,000	Studio apartments, adults, some couples

Read: Twin vs Twin XL Mattresses

Who Should Buy a Twin XL Mattress?

• Parents: Because of its extra five inches in length, twin XL beds allow plenty of room for growth spurts. They’re also narrow enough for small bedrooms.
• College Students: Twin XL beds are light enough to transport to a dorm room and budget-friendly. They’re long enough to accommodate taller students and narrow enough to make room for a desk or to leave more space in the dorm.
• Tall Sleepers: Five extra inches provide leg room for taller sleepers, something standard twin and full size mattresses lack.
• Single Adults: Twin XLs provide just enough room for single adults to sleep comfortably, even if those adults are on the taller side.
• Budget Shoppers: Purchasing a twin XL costs significantly less money than a queen, and less than a full size mattress. You can find quality twin XL beds for well under $1,000. (Read: Best Mattress Under $1,000)
• Those Needing a Guest Room Mattress: Twin XLs are a space-saving and wallet-saving option for guest rooms. They’re great for accommodating many different kinds of guests.
• Those Needing an Adjustable Bed Mattress: Two twin XL mattresses can be used for a split king adjustable bed frame. That way, each person sleeping on the mattress can adjust the bed to their own preferences.

Who Shouldn’t Buy a Twin XL?

Couples

Unless two are purchased for an adjustable bed, twin XL mattresses aren’t big enough for couples. We recommend a queen mattress at the very least, or perhaps a king if you and your partner toss and turn.

Read: Best Mattresses for Couples

Those Who Toss and Turn

If you’re a single sleeper who finds themselves moving all around the mattress at night, a twin XL may not provide enough room. A twin XL with great edge support could work alright, since you can use the entire surface area of the mattress. However, a full size bed or even a queen are safer choices.

Those Looking to Fill Up a Large Room

A narrower mattress like the twin XL may look awkward in a massive room.

Twin XL Mattress Considerations

Firmness

When purchasing a mattress, it’s important to take firmness into consideration. We use a scale from 1 to 10 in order to measure firmness, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. We consider 6.5 out of 10 medium-firm. The firmness that’s best for you is dependent on both your sleeping position and your body type.

Read: Mattress Firmness Guide

Sleeping Position

Side sleeping: If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll want to make sure you purchase a softer bed with sufficient pressure relief. Side sleepers put a lot of weight on the shoulders and hips. A pressure-relieving mattress will cradle these sensitive areas and prevent any soreness or tightness in the morning. We recommend they look for thick comfort layers or memory foam mattresses.

Back sleeping: Back sleepers require a balanced feel, so that their hips are cushioned but also lifted. Normally, medium-firm mattresses are excellent for these sleepers’ spinal alignment. We recommend hybrid, innerspring, or latex mattresses.

Stomach sleeping: Those sleeping on their stomachs should use a mattress with plenty of firm support. If the hips bow and sink too far into the material, this can throw off spinal alignment. We recommend innerspring mattresses.

Combination sleeping: Changing sleeping positions at night requires a mattress with a responsive surface. The bounciness allows for ease of movement. We recommend latex or innerspring mattresses.  

Body Type

Lightweight sleepers (under 130 pounds): Being lighter in weight, these sleepers will generally perceive a mattress as firmer, since they won’t sink in as much. A mattress that isn’t firm enough for many stomach sleepers can work well for lightweight stomach sleepers, as they will rest on the surface. Conversely, a mattress that is soft enough for most side sleepers may still feel too firm to lightweight side sleepers.

Average-weight sleepers (130–250 pounds): Average-weight sleepers are the group most mattresses are generally designed for, so they will often experience the mattress as the manufacturer’s intended.

Heavyweight sleepers (over 250 pounds): A heavier body weight means these sleepers tend to need more support from their mattress than average or lightweight folks. We generally recommend sturdy beds with coils or another form of strong support to ensure these sleepers get the support they need. Heavy sleepers will generally sink into a bed more than others, so they may sink through comfort layers and “bottom out” on the firm support below.

What Do These Weight Categories Mean?

We use these three categories as a benchmark to help sleepers find a mattress that will best suit their needs. “Average-weight sleepers” are the weight category mattresses are generally designed to support, so folks who fall above and below that range (lightweight and heavyweight sleepers) should be aware they might have a different experience. This is especially important for heavyweight sleepers, as sleeping on a mattress that is not supportive enough can lead to pain and discomfort. Many companies now specifically design beds with heavyweight sleepers in mind, using sturdier materials and extra-reinforcement to adequately support these folks.

More Considerations

Responsiveness

A responsive mattress has a bouncy feel. This is often a quality of innerspring, latex, and some hybrid mattresses. Many enjoy a responsive feel because they like to feel as if they’re sleeping on top of the mattress rather than sinking into the layers. Responsive mattresses are great for combination sleepers who need to change positions at night, or anyone wanting ease of movement.

Related: Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers

Pressure Relief

Mattresses with lots of pressure relief are able to prevent the buildup of pressure around sensitive joints. Side sleepers require significant pressure relief because they put a lot of weight around their shoulders and hips. Those with arthritis or anyone with joint pain will want a pressure-relieving mattress, too.

For the best pressure relief, seek out a mattress with a thicker comfort layer. Memory foam mattresses, pillow-top beds, and some hybrid mattresses are great options.

Durability

Mattresses are already so expensive, it’s best to make the purchase worth your while. The most durable mattresses have strong foundations and quality materials. Beds with good edge support also tend to be durable mattresses. 

Cooling

Those who wake up hot and stuffy should invest in a cooling mattress. Most cooling beds tend to be innerspring or latex models. However, hybrid mattresses are generally cooling because they include breathable coils. Memory foam mattresses tend to trap heat, but cooling technology such as gel-infused or ventilated foam can change this. 

Read: Best Cooling Mattresses

Twin XL Mattress Materials

Memory Foam

• Made from viscoelastic polyurethane foam
• Known for its contouring, slow-moving feel
• Ideal for side sleepers, those with joint pain, and anyone wanting pressure relief

Innerspring

• Made with springy coils and a thinner comfort layer
• Known for its firm support and durability
• Ideal for stomach sleepers, heavier sleepers, and hot sleepers

Hybrid

• Made with the coils of an innerspring and the comfort layer of a memory foam bed
• Known for its balanced construction and generally responsive feel
• Ideal for hot sleepers, those who aren’t sure what mattress to get, and those wanting a durable option

Latex

• Derived from a rubber tree and manufactured as either Dunlop or Talalay latex
• Known for its responsive feel and eco-friendliness
• Ideal for combination sleepers, hot sleepers, and those wanting a durable option

How We Test for Firmness

We’ve talked a lot in this review about how firm or soft these twin XL mattress are. But how, exactly, do we determine where these beds fall on our firmness scale? First, we have our Sleepopolis mattress testers complete a 15-minute rest test on top of the mattress in question. During this test, we test out sleeping on our back, stomach, and sides, as well as moving around to test the bed as a combination sleeper.

Once all of our testers have tried out the mattress, we rate the mattress on a scale of one to 10, with one being the softest mattress, and 10 being the firmest. After each tester has scored the mattress, we combine these scores to find one medium firmness score for the mattress.

So, as you can see above, the Bear mattress (which is one of the mattresses on this list) scored a 7 on our firmness scale, which means that our testers must have all scored this mattress at around this score. Now, in general, the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress is scored at a 6.5 on our firmness scale. So any score above this number means that the mattress will be slightly firmer, and any number below this means that the mattress will be slightly softer.

If you know that you enjoy a firmer or softer mattress, than make sure to look at our firmness scale before clicking “check out” on any of the mattresses on this list.

Buying an Online Mattress

Sleep Trials and Warranties

Sleep trials are a set amount of time a company allows customers to try out a mattress. We recommend looking for companies with sleep trials lasting at least 100 nights. That way, you have enough time to see if the bed suits your needs and preferences.

Warranties are an agreement between the manufacturer and the customer that damaged and defective products will be replaced. We recommend looking at companies offering warranties for at least 10 years.

The Best Sales

It’s no secret that a mattress — even a twin XL — can be a big expense. You can save money by shopping around a major holiday, when many mattress brands run their best sales. These include:

• Presidents Day (February)
• Memorial Day (May)
• Labor Day (September)
• Black Friday/Cyber Monday (November)
• Christmas (December)

Don’t Forget About Coupons

When you’re shopping online, some of the benefits are easy price comparison and applying coupons you might not be able to apply in store. Luckily for you, dear reader, we have our own Sleepopolis coupon page for you to peruse as you decide on the best twin XL mattress for you.

FAQs

What is the average price of a twin XL mattress?

Most quality twin XL mattresses cost around $850. Keep in mind that a much cheaper mattress may not offer the same quality of materials or durability. A super expensive bed may not offer you many more features than a mattress a few hundred dollars less.

Can you put a twin XL mattress on a twin frame?

No, a twin XL mattress won’t fit on a twin frame. This is because a twin XL is five inches longer than a standard twin. So, it’s too long for a standard twin frame.

Do two twins make a king?

Two twin beds don’t make a king, since they’re five inches shorter. However, two twin XL beds put together do make a king. A twin XL measures 38 inches by 80 inches and a king measures 76 inches by 80 inches.

How We Chose These Mattresses

We’ve reviewed more than 220 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, comfort, support, cooling, and edge support. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.

Since mattress size isn’t one of our categories, we looked at how much each of these beds costs for a twin XL, then weighed that against its overall score. In an effort to recommend the highest-quality mattresses, we chose products with a score of 3.9 out of 5 or higher. Click here to learn more about our methodology.

Recap: Best Twin XL Mattresses 2023

Lauren Hapgood

Staff Writer

About Author

Lauren is on the editorial team and is a Certified Sleep Coach at Sleepopolis, where she researches the best mattresses for all types of sleepers. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Washington. When Lauren isn’t keeping readers updated on the best sleep products, you can find her playing guitar, going for a run, or reading classic novels.

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