Twin and full size mattresses are the smallest in the US, and they are baby crib mattresses. Both offer excellent options for single adults and older children, and work well in smaller spaces including apartments, smaller bedrooms, and dorm rooms.
Most of the best mattress brands include twin and full sizes within their ranges—there are foam, inner spring and hybrid options to choose from—and there are plenty of bedding to fit both, too, whether you’re looking for luxurious high thread count sheets or a cheap quilt to layer.
So what are the differences between double mattresses and full mattresses, and which ones should you choose? Here, we put them head-to-head—double mattresses versus full mattresses—to help you decide which one is best suited to your needs. And what about the good news? With mattress sales approaching on Memorial Day, you’ll be able to save money on both with a timely arranged deal.
Twin vs Full Mattress: Dimensions
- Twin mattress 38 x 75 inches
- Twin XL is 38 x 80 inches
- Full mattress 54 x 75 inches
Twin and full mattresses are the same length: 75 in. However, the Twin is 38 inches wide and 75 inches long, while the Twin is 16 inches wide, 54 inches wide and 75 inches long.
Both mattresses are tall enough for a mid-rise adult, as we explain in our mattress size guide, but you’ll need the extra width at full size if you want the space to stretch comfortably. For children upgrading from a smaller crib, this won’t be very important, but for late teens approaching adulthood, it may be worth considering a full-size mattress if the room is large enough to accommodate them.
There’s also a third option: the XL Twin mattress, which provides 5 inches of extra length. This is a useful option for taller adults and teens, especially in bedrooms that only fit a double size.
All three sizes are a perfect fit for smaller guest bedrooms too, as they won’t fit a queen or king, depending on the dimensions of the space you have.
Another option worth considering in guestrooms is to place two double mattresses side by side, to give you the equivalent width of a king size mattress. There are several reasons why you might do this, including to provide comfort for people who sleep together, or to give you the option to separate the mattress or push it together to accommodate different guests.
Double mattresses vs full mattresses: the main differences
- Double mattresses are narrower than full size
- Double mattresses are cheaper
- The full mattress can accommodate two people at once
The biggest difference between double and full-size mattresses is the width – as mentioned – and this can make or break a good night’s sleep. While adults and teens can sleep on both, if you’re taller or larger than average, a twin bed may not give you the comfort you need. However, older children will find a twin size mattress suitable to allow them to transition from a crib to a more comfortable bed as they get taller.
If you live in a very small apartment, or have a small bedroom, a narrower twin mattress can be an ideal solution. However, double mattresses are designed primarily for single sleepers, so if you share a bed, and it can’t fit a queen size in your space, you’ll need the extra 16 inches of width that a full mattress provides. Just keep in mind that it will be a squeeze if you intend to use a full size mattress as a permanent solution for two adults.
Double mattresses vs full mattresses: the pros and cons
- Both are suitable for small bedrooms
- cheapest adult mattress sizes
- Neither is ideal for sleepers
The lower price is the biggest benefit of choosing a twin or full size mattress, versus any of the larger sizes. Together, they sit at the most expensive end of any mattress combination—twin sizes are the cheapest—and if you take advantage of the frequent mattress sales run by nearly every sleeping brand, you can get the real deal.
The second pro to both mattresses, which we’ve discussed in depth, is their small size and how well they fit into tight spaces. Double mattresses, in particular, are great options for kids who have outgrown their small beds—many of whom will find them suitable well into their teen years.
Double and full mattresses also weigh less, making them easier to move, rotate and clean (we cover this process in detail in our How to clean a mattress Instructs). Of the two, the smaller twin is lighter than a full mattress. Twins usually weigh between 20-40 pounds, as opposed to 30-60 pounds for a full-size mattress.
However, their small size is also a drawback compared to larger mattresses. Double mattresses aren’t ideal for average adults to stretch out fully, and they’re not great options for taller or larger-than-average sleepers, although they’re fine for single sleepers.
Both sizes are also not suitable for sharing with another person, although co-sleeping on a full size mattress is possible. However, we don’t recommend sharing an entire mattress as a long-term solution, especially for people who suffer from overheating at night, or who have aches, pains, or sleep problems. Remember, in order to have a healthy sleep, every sleeping individual needs enough room to fully stretch out and find the best position for their spines to rest comfortably.
If you think you might need a larger mattress size, take a look at our complete guide to queen versus queen mattresses, or go up the size again by comparing California king and king mattresses.
Double vs full mattresses: prices
- Twin size is the cheapest option for adults
- Full-size mattresses cost $50-$300 more
Twin sizes are the cheapest adult mattresses. Typical prices tend to be around $180 for a 10-inch deep budget mattress; $499 for a mid-range mattress; It can cost more than $900 for a luxury double-size mattress or an organic mattress. However, thicker double mattresses cost less: Linenspa has a six-inch box spring. About $100 on Amazon, for example. This would be appropriate for a younger child, but we do not recommend a thickness of less than 8 inches for adults. 10 inches or more is optimal, otherwise your body won’t get the support it needs while you sleep.
Full sizes usually cost about $240 for a 10-inch budget mattress; $799 for a mid-range option, and over $1,400 for a deluxe or membership mattress. Again, the thinner options are cheaper. The full size of the 6-inch Linenspa example above is About $150 on Amazon.
Although full mattresses are more expensive than twin sizes, you may want to consider a full size for an older child because it may be of better value in the long run, rather than having to upgrade later in their teens. On the discount side, you’ll usually see more discount on full sizes than twins as well — in fact some brands don’t discount twin sizes at all (we’re looking at you, Saatva). Full size mattresses still cost more than double sizes, however, it depends on how much you are willing to spend.
For reference, here is a selection of twin versus full size mattresses from some of the most popular brands on the internet. Many of these are often bundled online with free gifts like pillows, sheet sets, and mattress protectors as well, making them an even better value.
Twin vs Full Mattresses: What Size Is A Twin?
- 38 inches wide x 75 inches long
- Fits older kids and teens
- Perfect for smaller rooms
To summarize, a twin size mattress measures 38 inches wide and 75 inches long. Also known as a single mattress, this is the smallest and cheapest adult mattress you can buy, and it’s an especially good option for older children and teens who need a bed that fits their growing height.
Some adults will find the width to be too narrow, but if you’re under average height or have a smaller body size, a twin size may still be comfortable, especially if you need a bed that can fit in a dorm room or smaller bedroom. The next size is a twin XL mattress. Measuring 39 inches wide by 80 inches long, this provides an additional 5 inches of legroom compared to the twin.
Double versus full mattresses: What is a full size?
- 54 inches wide x 75 inches long
- Fits older teens and adults who sleep alone
- Suitable for small bedrooms
Full size mattress is 54 inches wide and 75 inches long. This makes them the same length as a twin, but 16 inches wide, and a full size usually costs $50 to $300 more than a twin as well, depending on whether you’re choosing a budget or a quality mattress. However, full-size mattresses are cheaper than queen sizes, and are easy to transport due to their small size and light weight.
A full-size mattress is a good choice for adults who sleep alone, as well as teens who want to transition from a twin-size mattress—although tall sleepers may want to consider switching to a queen mattress, which is 60 x wider. 80 inches. If you share a small bedroom, you can share a full size mattress with someone to sleep in, but it will be cramped.
Should you choose a twin mattress or a full size mattress?
Whether you need a twin mattress or a full mattress, it depends on who will sleep on it, the space available, and your budget. In short, the 38″ x 75″ twin mattress is a good choice for older children and teens, who are looking to transition to a larger bed. Adults of medium size and weight will also be suitable with a twin mattress. Since it is the smaller and cheaper of the two, it is the best choice for tight spaces and budgets.
If you have a little more room to play with, a full size 54″ x 75″ mattress makes the best choice for older teens and enables adults on their own to stretch out comfortably. You can sleep more than one person on a full size mattress, but we recommend a queen size or larger if you’re choosing a double bed. Queens are more expensive again, but the extra space will give you a better night’s sleep.
Whichever option you choose, there are plenty of options. You’ll find our top recommendations in our best mattress guide, we’ve also tested and ranked the best memory foam mattresses, and we’ve reviewed the best organic and cooling mattresses—we’ve added a selection of our favorites below. (Some brands don’t design cooling beds in sizes smaller than a full or even a queen size, which is something to keep in mind.)
Alternatively, if you have a ready-made mattress and want to breathe more life into it while deciding how to replace it, take a look at our best guide to mattress covers. You’ll make an instant difference in the feel of your bed.
1. Memory Foam Nectar Mattress
The Nectar Beginner Memory Foam Mattress is an excellent mid-range mattress that is perfectly suitable for all sleeping positions. It’s one of the most comfortable and supportive mattresses we’ve tested in this price range – we rated it 4/5 in our Nectar Memory Foam review – and at 25% off, it’s back at its lowest price ever, making it absolutely fantastic value for money.
2. Classic sattva mattress
In our mattress rankings, we ranked this luxurious inner spring mattress number one. We found it to be incredibly comfortable and a great choice for all sleepers, including people with back pain. It comes in three different hardness and two depth versions, and it has a 180-night free trial. It’s not cheap, but if you can bump up your budget, this heavy-duty mattress will last.
3. Avocado Eco Green
Now the cheapest certified organic mattress in the US, Avocado Eco Organic is a good choice for anyone who wants to make their sleep more eco-friendly. It is free of toxins and hypoallergenic, which makes it a good option for people with allergies as well. We track all sales of avocado mattresses to offer you the lowest prices today.
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