Twin XL mattresses may be preferred by adults who want to save floor space, especially if you're taller and are worried you won't be comfortable in a standard Twin. You might also consider a Twin XL if you're furnishing a guest room and want a space-saving mattress that will suit most people. It's the most common mattress size in college dorms, so Twin XL mattresses are a good option if you want a mattress that your child won't grow out of anytime soon. Two Twin XL mattresses make up a Split King, which is the most common split mattress size available for couples who prefer different mattresses.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a Twin XL mattress using our test results:
- Pressure Relief and Support: Like with any mattress size, you'll want a mattress that performs well for your sleeping style. Look for a score of at least 7.5 for your body type and sleeping position. If you're buying a Twin XL mattress for a guest room, you may want one with a good score for a range of people.
- Edge Support: Because Twin XL beds are quite narrow, you'll want sturdy edges so that you don't feel at risk of rolling out of bed. Look for a score of 8.0 for edges that make the bed feel a little bigger.
- Cooling: If you sleep hot, look for a score of at least 8.0 for a mattress that will keep you feeling cool. If you're not a hot sleeper or buying a Twin XL bed for a guest room, look for a score of at least 7.5 for a mattress with good cooling performance for most people.
We've tested more than 65 mattresses, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best Twin XL options. We test the Queen-sized version of every mattress, but expect performance and feel to be consistent across sizes as long as the construction is the same. Check out our mattress size guide to easily compare different mattress sizes. We also recommend the best standard twin and best full-size mattresses.
We've tested over 55 mattresses. We purchase each unit independently from major retailers, just like you, to keep our reviews free of manufacturer influence. Each mattress undergoes the same tests to measure objective data on characteristics like firmness, cooling, and motion isolation, so you can easily compare results. Since we buy all our mattresses, we can tear them down layer by layer and isolate the mechanical properties of every component: quilted tops, foams, coils, and any special materials.
Want to learn more about how we operate? Check out our About Us page.
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Best Twin XL Mattress
Side Sleeping7.1Back Sleeping7.4Stomach Sleeping7.5Cooling7.9Motion Dissipation7.8Longevity4.3Firmness Level:Medium-Firm (51 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-Box:YesSee all our test resultsEdge Support:The Bear Elite Hybrid is the best Twin XL mattress we've tested. This Medium-Firm mattress's versatile performance and outstanding edge support make it a great option if you're in the market for a Twin XL bed. It's ideal for combination sleepers, since it offers good support and pressure relief for most people, ensuring your spine stays aligned during back/stomach sleeping and your shoulder and arm are cushioned for comfortable side sleeping. The exception is lighter side sleepers, who won't sink into it enough for proper pressure relief.
Pick if: You're a combination sleeper and want good edge support for maximum comfortable sleeping space.
Skip if: You're a lighter side sleeper, a hot sleeper, or durability is a priority.The comfort layers create a balanced feel, so you won't feel tightly hugged or like you're sleeping on a plank. It's also bouncy and responsive, so combination sleepers won't feel much resistance when changing sleeping positions. Cutting open the mattress reveals edges reinforced with stiff coils, which helps make them extremely sturdy. They won't sink much when you approach the side of the bed, which will help make the Twin XL sleeping surface feel less cramped. It's not ideal if you sleep hot, since it feels a little stuffy when you first get into bed. However, it does a better job of dissipating heat over eight hours, and it'll keep most people comfortably cool. Unfortunately, it's not the most durable option, since it includes lower-density foam that may show signs of wear sooner than denser, more durable materials.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Twin XL Mattress
Side Sleeping8.2Back Sleeping7.4Stomach Sleeping7.2Cooling8.2Motion Dissipation8.2Longevity6.8Firmness Level:Medium (44 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-Box:YesSee all our test resultsEdge Support:The Helix Midnight Luxe 2025 is a less expensive Twin XL mattress that you might prefer if you always sleep on your side. This Medium mattress offers a more enveloping feel than the Bear Elite Hybrid. Our testers found it has better body conformity, so you'll sink further into it, and it does a better job of cushioning your arm and shoulder when you sleep on your side. This helps it offer enough pressure relief for lighter side sleepers, unlike the previous pick. Average-weight and heavier side sleepers who want a more enveloping feel might also prefer it.
Pick if: You're a side or combination sleeper or a hot sleeper.
Skip if: You're an average-weight or heavier back/stomach sleeper and need more support, or durability is a priority.It's also not quite as bouncy and responsive as the previous pick, which gives it a slightly hugging feel, but it shouldn't make you feel stuck in place. It also offers fantastic edge support, so you can use the entire sleeping surface without feeling at risk of falling out of bed. Its great cooling makes it suitable for hot sleepers, especially if you usually wake up later in the night feeling overheated. If your pet likes to curl up at the foot of the bed, you might appreciate its impressive motion isolation, which prevents you from feeling smaller movements. This hybrid mattress includes some durable foam, but mostly uses lower-quality foam for its comfort layers, so it's not particularly durable.
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Best Mid-Range Twin XL Mattress
Side Sleeping7.9Back Sleeping7.7Stomach Sleeping7.6Cooling8.4Motion Dissipation9.0Longevity6.3Firmness Level:Medium (46 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-Box:YesSee all our test resultsEdge Support:The Tuft and Needle Mint is worth considering if you're a combination sleeper or furnishing a guest room, and want a mattress suitable for various sleeping positions and body types. This mattress's very versatile performance, balanced feel, and sturdy edges make it a comfortable Twin XL option for a wide range of sleepers.
Pick if: You're a combination sleeper or want a versatile Twin XL mattress for a guest room.
Skip if: You want maximum durability or prefer springy hybrid mattresses.This mattress is a comfortable option for most people, since we found it offers good enough support for most back/stomach sleepers, unlike the Helix Midnight Luxe 2025. Its pressure relief isn't as strong, but it still offers sufficient pressure relief for most side sleepers. Its edges are also very sturdy, which helps make the sleeping surface feel a little larger, and it's easy to move around on. While it's not very bouncy, its very responsive sleeping surface doesn't hug you or make you feel stuck in place, so it's suitable for guests who feel constricted by enveloping mattresses. It's cooling enough for hot sleepers, with equally strong cooling at the start of the night and throughout the night. However, like the previous pick, it's made from a mix of good- and lower-quality foam. The dense support layer will help the mattress resist sagging, but the comfort layers will be prone to forming impressions sooner.
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Best Budget Twin XL Mattress
Side Sleeping7.7Back Sleeping7.1Stomach Sleeping6.9Cooling7.9Motion Dissipation7.6Longevity5.5Firmness Level:Medium-Plush (39 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-Box:YesSee all our test resultsEdge Support:If you want to spend less on a Twin XL mattress, consider the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid instead. This Medium-Plush mattress's soft comfort layers allow you to sink in and relieve pressure on your arm and shoulder, making it a comfortable option for most side sleepers. It's not as supportive as the Tuft and Needle Mint, so your hips will sink in more relative to the rest of your body, and it's less ideal for people who spend much of the night back or stomach sleeping.
Pick if: You're a budget-conscious side sleeper.
Skip if: You sleep hot or want a more durable mattress.It's worth considering if you need good pressure relief but don't like feeling enveloped, since its bounciness, responsiveness, and low contouring help make it feel easy to move around on. It also offers incredible edge support, so, like the more expensive Helix, its sides won't sink in much when you sleep near the edge, which will help make the Twin XL mattress feel more spacious. That said, it's not quite cooling enough for hot sleepers, especially if you're usually bothered by heat as you fall asleep. The upper layers are also made of lower-density foam and may show signs of wear, like permanent indentations, sooner.
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Best Cheap Twin XL Mattress
Side Sleeping6.7Back Sleeping7.3Stomach Sleeping7.5Cooling8.3Motion Dissipation8.8Longevity6.0Firmness Level:Medium-Firm (54 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-Box:YesSee all our test resultsEdge Support:If you want to spend as little as possible for a Twin XL mattress, you might want the Allswell Hybrid instead. This Medium-Firm mattress's relatively firm comfort layers don't allow as much sinking as the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid's, and we found it offers worse pressure relief and isn't as comfortable for lighter side sleepers. However, it's conforming enough for average-weight and heavier side sleepers, and offers decent support regardless of your weight, making it a good option for a range of combination and back/stomach sleepers as well.
Pick if: You're a combination sleeper or a hot sleeper looking for a cheap Twin XL mattress.
Skip if: You're a lighter side sleeper or want a mattress with an enveloping feel.Its excellent edge support helps make the Twin XL sleeping surface feel a little more spacious. This inexpensive mattress has a bouncy, responsive feel, so your movements feel supported, and it's easy to move around on. It's also a good option for hot sleepers, offering impressive overall cooling, though it's not ideal if you want a mattress with a refreshing feel as you fall asleep. Its excellent motion isolation makes it a good choice if your pet likes to curl up on your mattress as well, since you won't be disturbed by smaller movements like a cat hopping onto the bed. However, as you might expect from a cheap mattress, it's not the most durable option, as it only includes lower-quality foam.
Notable Mentions
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Saatva Latex Hybrid:
The Saatva Latex Hybrid is a Firm mattress that offers better pressure relief and a more durable design than the Bear Elite Hybrid. Lighter and average-weight side sleepers may prefer it, but its edges aren't quite as sturdy.
See our review -
Bear Elite Ultra Hybrid:
The Bear Elite Ultra Hybrid is a higher-end version of the Bear Elite Hybrid with a plusher feel and better performance for lighter side sleepers. Its better cooling performance makes it more suitable for hot sleepers, but its edges aren't quite as sturdy, and it's not as supportive for heavier individuals.
See our review
FAQs
What is the difference between a Twin and a Twin XL mattress?
Twin XL (80" X 38") mattresses are five inches longer than standard Twin (75" X 38") mattresses, so they offer more space for taller individuals or people with pets who like to curl up in bed.
Is a Twin XL big enough for an adult?
A Twin XL mattress is big enough for an adult, especially since they offer five inches of length over a standard Twin-size bed. Of course, some single sleepers will still prefer a more spacious Full or Queen-size bed.
Who should choose a Twin XL instead of a Full or Queen?
You might prefer a Twin XL mattress instead of a Full or Queen if you want to save floor space in a small room with a more compact mattress. Twin XL beds are also a good solution for very budget-conscious shoppers, or for people furnishing guest rooms with multiple beds.
Do two Twin XL mattresses make a King or Split King?
Two Twin-XL mattresses side by side create a Split King, which has the same dimensions as a standard King. You might prefer a Split King over a standard King-size mattress if you and your partner have very different preferences when it comes to mattress feel and firmness. This design can also improve motion isolation.
All Reviews
The recommendations above represent the best Twin XL mattresses for most people. Along with our test results, we factor in availability, user feedback, and price.
Of course, everyone has different needs when it comes to mattresses. Your sleeping position, weight, and concerns like cooling and responsiveness will all affect what mattress is best for you. If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's a list of all of our mattress reviews.