The Best Twin XL Mattresses Offer More Leg Room, Without Eating Up Space

Twin XL mattresses are often associated with growing kids, and for good reason. A twin XL mattress is simply a longer version of a standard twin, ideal for kids and teenagers. But the best twin XL mattresses can be great for adults too, especially when space is at a premium. Two twin XL beds side by side make a split king, for example–an ideal setup for couples who don’t agree on what’s comfortable.

The best twin XL mattresses offer the same perks of quality king mattress, but come in a smaller ... [+] size. Whether you’re considering a new bed for yourself or a child, we did the research to find the best twin XL mattresses on the market. With its choice of firmness and height, thoughtful construction and compatibility with adjustable bases, the Saatva Classic earned our top spot.

If you’re looking for something specific, like the best twin XL mattress for kids, side sleepers or to help ease back pain, we have options for that too. Read on for more about our top picks, and enjoy the extra length. Best Twin XL Mattress Overall Saatva Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm, firm | Delivery: Free white glove delivery (arrives flat) | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime The Saatva Classic is a wildly popular luxury hybrid innerspring mattress.

Part of the appeal is the range of options, which include three firmness levels, two heights and sizes ranging from twin to split Cal king. That makes it possible for sleepers of all sizes, shapes and preferences to customize the mattress to their needs. The Saava Classic is a well designed mattress that minimizes heat retention, delivers enhanced lumbar support and offers stable edge support.

That’s true in a twin XL size, too. Two twin XL mattresses are also easier to maneuver and haul than a single king. Saatva offers a generous 365 night home trial, so you have plenty of time to test it out. All Saatva mattresses also come with free in room delivery and set up, as well as a lifetime warranty.

What the reviews say: Many of the Saatva customers who purchased the classic mattress in twin XL did so as a split king for use on an adjustable base. One, who chose two different firmnesses to accommodate different opinions on comfort, writes, “I have had the mattresses for six months and can say that I am very happy with my choice.” Another says, “I enjoyed the best night’s sleep I’ve had since I can’t remember when.” Best Value Twin XL Mattress Nectar Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium firm | Delivery: Free, compressed and rolled in box | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime In any size, the Nectar is a great option for fans of memory foam.

It solves one of the major drawbacks of the material—heat retention—and delivers on all the benefits. The Nectar is made with CertiPUR US certified foams, which are gel infused to help diffuse heat. That’s in addition to the temperature regulating cover and its heat wicking polyethylene fibers.

The Nectar mattress has the signature marshmallow y, slow moving feel of memory foam, which responds to heat and pressure to gently contour around your body for support and pressure relief in any sleep position. The mattress also has a comfortable middle of the road firmness that accommodates a wide range of sleepers.

At less than $550 for a twin XL, the Nectar mattress is reasonably priced as well. The company offers free shipping and returns, a 365 night trial and a lifetime warranty. What the editors say: Vetted mattress and sleep editor McKenzie Dillon says, “The Nectar mattress is the perfect dupe to Tempur Pedic, and it’s a fraction of the price.

After a few moments the curves of your body become nestled into the bed’s memory foam layers. At the same time, its firmer profile helps prevent spine misalignment.” Best Twin XL Mattress For Side Sleepers Helix Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Delivery: Free, compressed and rolled in box | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 15 years Side sleepers need a mattress that’s supportive enough to keep their spine straight, but soft enough to cushion the hips and shoulders to avoid aches and pains come morning.

It’s a fine balance, but the Helix Midnight Luxe got it right. The hybrid mattress combines a plush pillow top, copper gel infused memory foam and individually wrapped and zoned coils. Together, these layers offer the kind of cushioning support that side sleepers in particular tend to appreciate. The mattress comes with a breathable Tencel cover, but hot sleepers also have the option to upgrade to a cool to the touch GlacioTex cover.

It’s designed to actively wick heat to help you stay comfortable all night, and reviewers note that it really does keep them cooler. The Midnight Luxe ships free, and the company offers 100 nights to test it out. What the editors say : Dillon says, “The Helix Midnight Luxe mattress is a bed straight from the pages of a home style magazine.

Its plush, airy pillow top combined with its comfortable top layers make it a haven for side sleepers, while the pocketed coil layer in its base keeps the bed feeling supportive and responsive.” She recommends the Helix Midnight Luxe to any side sleeper who wants a premium, “safe” pick that most people find comfortable.

Best Twin XL Mattress For Kids Nolah Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Soft and firm | Delivery: Free, compressed and rolled in a box| Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime The Nolah Nurture was made with growing kids in mind. It comes in twin, twin XL and full sizes only, and it has a dual construction to accommodate different stages of development.

On one side, the hybrid mattress has a firm, responsive layer of foam that Nolah describes as a 6 or 7 on the firmness 10 scale. It’s easy to move around on, so it’s a great option for younger, more active sleepers. Flip it over, and the cushioning gel memory foam is softer, about a 4 or 5 on the firmness scale.

In between is a six inch layer of individually wrapped steel coils for spinal support. Both sides of the mattress are finished with GOTS certified organic wool layers that are temperature regulating and naturally flame retardant, while an organic cotton cover adds breathability and softness. The mattress is also Greenguard Gold certified.

In addition to a lifetime warranty that protects against manufacturer defects, the Nolah Nurture comes with optional kid friendly accident protection for $.99, which covers the mattress in the event of things like rips, punctures, food stains and pet or kid accidents. I actually purchased the Nolah Nurture for our youngest daughter and it’s been fantastic.We’ve had it for a few years, and she transitioned from the firmer side to the softer side about a year ago.

She loves how it feels, and I appreciate its list of safety certifications. Best Twin XL Mattress For Back Pain Avocado Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm, medium, plush | Delivery: Free, compressed and rolled in a box | Trial: 1 year | Warranty: 25 years While the Avocado Green mattress is probably best known for its organic certification, it’s also a good option for those with back pain and one of the handful of beds endorsed by the ACA (American Chiropractic Association).

The mattress is available in three firmness options, and the medium version (around a 7 on the 10 scale) has five inches of Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certified organic Dunlop latex. That makes it supportive enough for both back and stomach sleepers, and helps maintain a neutral spine to prevent morning back aches.

Below the latex is a zoned innerspring layer, or what Avocado calls an “ergonomic pressure point support system,” for additional lumbar support and even weight distribution. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic wool and cotton round out the mattress, adding breathability and softness.

The Avocado Green is on the pricey side, with a twin XL costing just under $1,500. But the company offers a one year trial window and a 25 year warranty. What the reviews say: With over 14,000 five star reviews, the Avocado Green has a lot of fans. “Love the quality and materials. The support is excellent and my hip/back pain is almost gone now,” says one customer.

Another, who calls it a miracle mattress, writes, “My life has changed. In the month since I've had my Avocado, my back pain, hip pain and even knee pain is gone.” Best Flippable Twin XL Mattress Nest Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium, firm | Delivery: Free, compressed and rolled in a box | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime The flippable Nest Raven is made with two supportive sleep surfaces, which means it should accommodate a wider range of sleepers.

According to the brand, the hybrid mattress has a medium firmness on one side that works well for combination and side sleepers, as well as those who like the sensation of slightly sinking into the uppermost layer. The firm side of the mattress seems to be a better option for back and stomach sleepers, those who need extra lumbar support and anyone who prefers feeling like they’re sleeping on top of the mattress instead of in it.

Both sides are made with CertiPur US certified foams. The firm and medium surfaces sandwich a durable coil system for support and long term durability no matter which comfort level you prefer. The flippable design means it’s essentially two mattresses in one, and the twin XL is reasonably priced under $900.

Plus, Nest offers a generous one year home trial. What the reviews say: The Nest Raven has over 3,400 reviews, and the majority are glowing. One customer calls it “the perfect flippable mattress for our guest room,” and says “the firmness is just right for a great night’s sleep.” Another, who purchased it for a child’s room, writes, “We all rush to his room now to read in bed.

We use the medium firm side (and I can say my arms do not go numb when I lay on my side) and love that in the future, he can always flip it for more firmness as he grows.” Best Twin XL Mattress On Amazon Amazon Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Delivery: Free, compressed and rolled in a box | Trial: None offered | Warranty: Protection plan available for purchase Thanks to its budget friendly price tag and cooling memory foam layers, the Forbes Vetted team called the Vibe the best mattress overall on Amazon .

Gel infusions and open cell foam make it a more breathable option than standard foam mattresses, while still delivering the signature contouring support and pressure relief of memory foam. The CertiPur US certified mattress is also resistant to mold, dust mites, bacteria and allergens. The mattress has a medium feel that veers to the plush side, so expect the sink in sensation of cushioning memory foam.

A twin XL is priced under $450, making it a great value. It’s eligible for a return or refund for 100 days, and a 10 year protection plan is available for an additional $50. What the reviews say: The majority of over 56,000 reviews for the Vibe mattress are five stars. One customer calls it the best value in memory foam beds.

Another, who says they have never slept better, writes “The only thing that could make this bed better is if it was just a smidgen softer, but for the price, I would definitely pick this bed again.” Best Twin XL Mattress In A Box Earthfoam Type: Latex | Firmness: Medium, firm | Delivery: Free, compressed and rolled in a box | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years There are a lot of beds in a box, but the Earthfoam organic mattress stands out for a few reasons.

It’s made with natural rubber from organic farmers in Sri Lanka, which makes for an eco friendly, responsive and temperature neutral sleep surface. The mattress has two layers of the brand’s proprietary rubber foam, which absorbs pressure, dissipates body heat and offers gently conforming support from head to toe.

Organic cotton and organic wool are used for softness and structure. The mattress comes in a choice of both medium and firm comfort levels, but because the material is so dense, both options are on the firmer side. The Earthfoam mattress has a number of certifications, including GOTS, GOLS, Oeko Tex and Fair for Life, that speak to its safety, quality and emissions standards.

Earthfoam calls itself a small and independent company, and emphasizes minimizing its impact on the planet. Like other beds in a box, the Earthfoam mattress ships compressed, but it’s wrapped with paper, not plastic. What the reviews say: The Earthfoam mattress has a lot of positive feedback. One customer writes, “I love this mattress.

It’s firm but soft. You are very comfortable without sinking into the mattress. Love how it’s packaged all in paper, no reams of plastic to throw out. All around amazing.” Why Trust Forbes Vetted The Forbes Vetted team has extensive experience in the sleep space, as evidenced by the many dozens of sleep and mattress stories we’ve researched and written.

A good night’s sleep is something we take seriously, which is why we spent hours researching the recommendations shared here. We also prioritize first hand knowledge whenever we can, and many of our team members have personally reviewed mattresses from leading brands. For this story, article author Jessica Timmons also shared personal feedback on the Nolah Nurture.

How We Chose The Best Twin XL Mattresses We began our research for this list by checking for twin XL sizes from some of the mattress brands we know and love. We made a point to include mattresses with a range of materials and features, such as firmness options, cooling upgrades, compatibility with adjustable bases and safety and sustainability certifications.

We also took a deep dive into customer reviews. Every mattress on this list has at least a 4.4 star rating, and most are above 4.6. Finally, we checked for reasonable trial windows and made sure that our recommendations included a good range of price points. What To Look For In The Best Twin XL Mattresses Shopping for a twin XL mattress really isn’t any different than shopping for a queen or a king.

Regardless of size, the best mattress needs to accommodate your needs and preferences. That means factoring for firmness, sleep position, materials, construction and price point. Your typical sleep position can help you figure out the ideal mattress firmness. Stomach and side sleepers usually need a firmer sleep surface to ensure adequate support beneath the hips and a neutral spine.

Otherwise, you run the risk of waking up with an aching back. Side sleepers generally need a mattress with a little more cushioning to prevent pressure point pain from developing around the hips and shoulders. Remember that body type also affects how firm a mattress feels. The more weight you have, the more you sink into the top layers of a mattress and the softer it feels.

That’s why heavyweight sleepers often do better with firmer mattresses, while lightweight sleepers benefit from softer sleep surfaces. You can find twin XL mattresses in all the same materials and constructions as their bigger counterparts, from latex and memory foam to innersprings and hybrids. Personal preferences for comfort, support, durability and value can steer you in the right direction.

One of the biggest selling points of the twin XL mattress, besides its compact footprint, is the cost. Because it’s smaller and uses fewer materials, the price is much less than it is for the same mattress in a bigger size. Twin XL mattresses come in a range of price points, from several hundred dollars to well over one thousand, depending on the quality of materials used and how it’s made.

Who Needs A Twin XL Mattress? Anyone currently sleeping on a twin mattress with their feet hanging over the edge would benefit from the extra legroom of a twin XL. This mattress size can also be a good choice for growing kids and is often found in dorm rooms. Pairing two twin XL mattresses side by side gives you the equivalent of a standard king, but it’s a lot easier to maneuver two separate mattresses through tight spaces.

And with two twin XLs, you and your partner don’t have to compromise on what’s comfortable. Are Two Twin XL Mattresses The Same As A Queen? No. Two twin XL mattresses are the same as a standard king size mattress. A twin XL measures 38 inches wide and 80 inches long. A king is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, while a queen measures 60 inches wide by 80 inches long.

Do College Dorms Use Twin XL Mattresses? Dorm rooms at the majority of universities and colleges use a twin XL mattress. That’s likely because this mattress size is well suited to students who are close to or at their full height, and offers a more economic price point..