A lot of folks think they need a queen or king mattress to be truly comfortable, but you can save money and space by opting for a twin-size bed. In fact, as we’ve been researching mattresses, we’ve found that some of our favorite picks also come in a twin size. These beds are great for people who live in smaller homes or have a guest bedroom, or who need a bed for their child or their new collegian’s dorm room. Whatever your reason for wanting a twin, we’re here to help you upgrade to a new bed.
What’s the best overall twin mattress?
The Tuft and Needle Nod is the best overall twin size because it’s a simple, comfortable mattress that won’t break the bank. It’s the entry-level model of one of the internet’s most popular beds, the Tuft and Needle, with the same signature feel that so many people sleep soundly on.
Mattress price scale:
$ = Budget: $799 and below
$$ = Average: $800 to $1,699
$$$ = Premium: $1,700 and up
These reflect MSRP or list prices. Sales might make a mattress less expensive, but are always changing.
Type Poly foam mattressFirmness medium or 5Trial 100 nightsWarranty 10-year limited warranty Price $
Why we chose the Tuft and Needle Nod: If you’re looking for the best twin mattress, you likely want something simple that’ll get the job done. You don’t need any fancy bells or whistles and generally want something comfortable. The Tuft and Needle Nod is an Amazon-exclusive mattress that delivers the same neutral and soft foam feel you get from the original Tuft and Needle. You can get the eight-inch twin-size Nod model for less than $400.
It has a medium firmness level, great for almost any sleeping position because it offers a good balance between soft and firm. It’s great for kids, young adults, people under 230 pounds and anyone who wants a generally inexpensive bed. If you have a heavier body type, I recommend the Tuft and Needle Nod Hybrid.
Pros:
- It’s an ultra-affordable bed
- Its medium firmness level suits all sleeping positions
Cons:
- The foam model isn’t ideal for heavier sleepers
- Small children may want a softer bed
Tuft and Needle Nod
Type Memory foam mattressFirmness 5 or mediumTrial 365 nightsWarranty Forever warranty Price $$
Why we chose the Nectar Premier: The Nectar Premier mattress is the replacement for the discontinued Nectar Lush bed. Although it’s a little different from the Lush model in terms of plushness, we still think it’s a comfortable memory foam mattress that’s suited for a wide range of sleeper types, which is why it tops our list of the best twin-size beds.
The Nectar Premier is 13 inches thick, and this mattress type is entirely made of foam. All the brand’s beds have a dense memory foam feel, and we weren’t surprised to find that this model is no different. When you lay down on the mattress, it’ll take a few seconds for the foam to mold to your body shape. Once it does, you can feel the bed gently hug your pressure points, and it provides really nice relief to your joints. It comes topped with a nice, poly-blend cooling cover, but there isn’t a noticeable cooling sensation when you lie down. Most people, unless they sleep hot, will think it’s more temperature-neutral.
Pros:
- Suits back, stomach and combination sleepers
- One of the thicker, more durable foam beds on our list
- Impressive trial and warranty policy
Cons:
- Heavier sleepers may want a hybrid model
- It’s a little more expensive than the other beds we’ve mentioned
Editor’s note: If you happen to already have a larger Nectar Premier mattress, you should be aware that in April 2022, the US Product Safety Commission posted a recall notice for certain Nectar Premier king- and queen-size mattresses because they pose a fire hazard. The affected mattresses, about 700 according to the agency, were manufactured on Sept. 24 and 27, 2021. To find out if your mattress is among those recalled, take a look at the information in the commission’s recall notice and on this page of the Nectar website.
Nectar Premier
Type Poly foam hybrid mattressFirmness 5 or mediumTrial 100 nightsWarranty 10-year limited warrantyPrice Scale $$$
Why we chose the Leesa Legend: An option worthy of a luxury hotel, the Leesa Legend twin mattress was soft, inviting and had just the right amount of bounce (without being too bouncy). I’d rate the firmness around a four out of 10, or in between medium and medium-soft. It’s plush, pressure relieving and a great choice for people who sleep on their side. The twin bed mattress has four layers: two layers of springs and two layers of memory foam. The combo provided exceptional body contouring, especially when I was lying on my back. I felt like I was comfortably settling into the twin-size mattress while still feeling supported and aligned.
The organic cotton and wool cover, made from recycled water bottles, provided an additional layer of comfort that took it up a notch from the typical memory foam mattress. It had minimal motion transfer and top-notch edge-to-edge support, so even if you migrate toward the edge of the twin bed, you’ll feel comfortable and supported.
Pros:
- It’s a plush mattress for side sleepers or small children
- Ideal for all body types
Cons:
Leesa Legend
Type Poly foam hybrid mattressFirmness 5 or mediumTrial 100 nightsWarranty 15-year limited warranty Price $$$
Why we chose the Helix Midnight Luxe: The Helix Midnight Luxe is the perfect “I can’t decide which mattress to buy” mattress. It falls right in the middle of the mattress firmness level scale — its firmness level rated a four to seven out of 10 — so it’s designed to please any type of sleeper. The mattress is constructed of a layered combination of high-density memory foam, gel visco and pocketed coil layers that provide equal parts comfort and support.
The Helix Midnight Luxe twin bed mattress shone when it came to lumbar support. It immediately took the pressure off my back and provided much-needed relief from the aches and pains that are inevitable when sitting at the computer all day. While this mattress had a little more motion transfer than the Nectar Premier or Leesa Legend, it still did a great job of absorbing movement when I shifted positions. Read more at our full Helix mattress review.
Pros:
- Accommodates most sleeper types
- Great pressure relief
- Decent motion isolation for couples
Cons:
Helix Midnight Luxe
Type Hybrid mattressFirmness 3 firmness levels | Soft: Medium-soft to soft or 2 | Medium: Medium to medium-soft or 4 | Firm: Medium-firm or 7Trial 120 nightsWarranty 10-year limited warranty Price $$
Why we chose the Brooklyn Bedding Signature: Some people only want a twin mattress for a guest room or their youngling who will eventually grow out of their small mattress and desire an upgrade. If that’s the case, you may not want to spend over $1,000 on a new bed. Brooklyn Bedding Signature is a hybrid mattress that offers a comfortable and supportive sleeping space at the same cost or less than bed-in-a-box mattresses made of foam. In other words, it’s going to be more durable and supportive than all-foam mattress competitors, but you won’t have to spend extra on it.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature has four layers including almost 1,000 pocketed coils and comfortable responsive foam. It has three different firmness options, but the medium is soft without being too plush and it’s perfect for side sleepers. The firm model will be most fitting for people who primarily sleep on their back or stomach.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature is also suitable for a wide range of body types from petite to plus-size, so it’s a very accommodating mattress that can appeal to your 10-year-old son or your 45-year-old sister who often comes to visit.
Pros:
- Multiple firmness options to choose from
- It’s one of the most affordable hybrid beds on the market
- Good for all body types
Cons:
- Might be too expensive for budget shoppers or people looking for a kid mattress
Read our Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid review.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
How we tested the best twin mattresses
In all transparency, we primarily test queen-size mattresses because our studio and warehouse accommodate queen-size beds, and the testers ourselves have queen-size bed frames at home. A queen-size Casper mattress is going to feel the same as a twin-size. When selecting the best twin-size mattress, we ran through our regular mattress testing process and paid special attention to the price, value and how accommodating the mattress is. Read more on how we test mattresses.
What to consider when buying a mattress
If you’re in the market for the best twin-size mattress, the odds are that you have a small bedroom, are buying a mattress for your kid, are buying a mattress for your guest room or are on a tight budget. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
Co-sleeping: Twin-size mattresses are the most affordable bed models, but they are also the smallest. If you are looking to co-sleep on a twin-size mattress, you should opt for at least a full size.
Construction: You don’t have to compromise comfort or quality to buy an affordable twin-size mattress. I recommend buying a mattress thicker than six inches unless you’re buying a mattress for your small child 10 years or younger. Luckily, there are plenty of options within that range that are friendly for your wallet.
Firmness: If you’re looking for yourself, consider your own sleeping position. Side sleepers do better on softer beds, while back and stomach sleepers typically like firm mattresses. If you’re buying a twin-size mattress for your child, consider a soft model. The smaller you are, the firmer a mattress tends to feel. Kids also tend to like a lighter, plusher feel. If you’re searching for a twin-size mattress for your guest bedroom, consider a model with a medium firmness level. This makes it accommodating for anyone who decides to stay, from your side-sleeping Aunt Kathy to your back-sleeping Grandpa Joe.
