To get comfortable at bedtime, it’s nice to have space to stretch out and settle in. While a standard twin mattress can feel cramped, a twin XL mattress offers a roomier feel.
Best Twin XL Mattress
Helix Midnight
The Helix Midnight stood out as the best twin XL mattress because of its hybrid design, quality materials, and mid-range firmness. These elements contribute to a compelling balance of cushioning and support.
A twin XL is 5 inches longer, making it particularly appealing to sleepers over 6 feet tall. At the same time, a twin XL’s compact footprint of 38 inches by 80 inches can still fit in smaller bedrooms. To simplify your shopping, the experts on our testing team evaluated dozens of options to identify the best twin XL mattresses.
To see all the top mattresses, check out the best mattresses of 2024. If you don’t need the length of a twin XL, take a look at our guide to the best twin mattress.
The Best Twin XL Mattresses
Best Overall Mattress – Helix Midnight
Best Value Mattress – Bear Original
Most Comfortable Mattress – DreamCloud Mattress
Best Luxury Mattress – Saatva Classic
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers – Layla Memory Foam Mattress
Sleep Doctor’s Picks
Best Overall Mattress
Helix Midnight
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Helix Midnight is a quintessential hybrid with a balanced medium firm (6) feel. Thick foam comfort layer greatly reduced pressure buildup in our testers’ hips, shoulders, and lower backs. Meanwhile, the pocketed coil system reduced midsection sagging and promoted healthy sleep posture.
Buy From Helix
Side Sleepers
Medium Firm (6)
Close-Conforming Foam
Good Value
Pros
- Solid pressure relief from conforming foam layers
- Individually wrapped coils in the support core offer bounce and stability
- Mid-range firmness works for most sleep positions and body types
Cons
- Sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds may sink too deeply into the mattress
- Conforming foam can make it harder to adjust sleeping position during the night
A mix of memory foam and individually wrapped coils in the Helix Midnight creates the balance of comfort and support that is the signature of hybrid mattresses.
Why We Like It
Hundreds of 8-inch steel coils make up the Helix Midnight’s core. Our tests showed that the individually wrapped coils did a great job of reducing motion transfer and providing solid support. Extra reinforcement along the edges increases the usable surface area and makes getting into and out of bed easier. A final layer of foam creates a durable foundation. Overall, the mattress has a medium firm feel, or a 6 on the 10-point firmness scale.
During testing, the Helix Midnight’s contouring comfort and solid support were an excellent fit for our side sleeping testers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds. Back sleepers under 230 pounds and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds also reported that the mattress helped them maintain good spinal alignment.
Layers of memory foam and polyfoam work together with the pocketed coils in the Helix Midnight to create mid-level support and all-around good performance. This versatility makes the Helix Midnight a good fit for a wide range of sleepers.
How Does It Feel?
The Helix Midnight has a stretchy cover made from Soft Touch polyester, which is designed to stay cool. Underneath, a layer of Memory Plus Foam, Helix’s proprietary blend, contours the natural curves of the body and provides good pressure relief. High-grade polyfoam in the transition layer reinforces the conforming memory foam while preventing sinkage.
Best Value Mattress
Bear Original
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Bear Original is a firmer-than-average foam mattress with premium cooling technology at a competitive price-point. Hot sleepers enjoyed the cooling gel and graphite infusions, as well as the breathable Celliant fiber cover. Our heat guns detected minimal heat buildup on the surface.
Buy From Bear
Hot Sleepers
Firm (7)
Plush, Supportive Surface
Great Value
Pros
- Graphite-infused gel memory foam offers gentle contouring
- Competitive pricing for a quality twin XL mattress
- Free shipping to contiguous U.S. and limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Lacks edge support compared to most hybrid models
- May be too firm for side sleepers under 230 pounds
The Bear Original’s all-foam design offers subtle contouring and superior support at a price that won’t break the bank.
Why We Like It
Our back sleepers over 130 pounds and stomach sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds responded well to the Bear Orignal’s firmer feel. They reported that the gentle hug of the graphite memory foam provided just enough contouring to promote spinal alignment. These testers also felt that the sturdy pushback from the polyfoam core kept their torso and hips from sinking too far into the sleep surface.
Side sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds also felt that the Bear Original provided good pressure relief without making them feel as if they were stuck in the mattress.
The carefully chosen foams in the Bear Original Mattress offer exceptional support without sacrificing comfort. High-quality materials and cooling technologies create a winning combination of comfort and performance at an affordable price-point.
How Does It Feel?
The cover is made with Celliant fibers, which incorporate natural minerals intended to convert body heat into infrared energy for active recovery and more restful sleep.
Three layers of open-cell foam make up the Bear Original Mattress. The top layer features graphite gel-infused memory foam designed to wick away heat from the sleep surface. A transitional layer of polyfoam provides responsive support that keeps you from sinking too far into the high-density polyfoam core. Together, these layers give the mattress a firm (7) feel.
Most Comfortable Mattress
DreamCloud Mattress
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
A great balance of cushioning for sore spots and targeted support from pocketed coils make the DreamCloud Mattress highly comfortable for many sleepers. The medium firm (6) feel earned the mattress high marks from our testers across sleeping positions and body types.
Buy From DreamCloud
Combination Sleepers
Medium Firm (6)
Close-Conforming Foam
Good Value
Pros
- Provides a balanced mix of pressure relief and bounce
- Especially good at supporting side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds
- 365-night sleep trial and limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- 14-inch height may require deep-pocketed fitted sheets
- Can feel too soft for stomach and back sleepers over 230 pounds
- Might release mild off-gassing odors upon opening
The DreamCloud Mattress blends four layers of foam with a base of pocketed coils for a hybrid design that focuses on comfort and responsive support.
Why We Like It
The DreamCloud Mattress’s medium firm (6) feel and above-average pressure relief helped it earn high scores with our side sleeping testers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds. Side sleepers over 230 pounds, as well as back and stomach sleepers across weight categories, also found that the DreamCloud performed well for them.
While it’s available in a standard-sized twin XL, the DreamCloud mattress does have a slightly higher-than-average profile of 14 inches.
The multiple layers of foam in the DreamCloud Mattress create softness, contouring, and comfort, while the individually wrapped springs in its core provide focused support. The end result is a best-of-both-worlds mix that is likely to appeal to a wide variety of sleepers.
How Does It Feel?
The cashmere blend cover is quilted with foam to create an ultrasoft sleep surface. Below the cover, a layer of gel-infused memory foam is designed to provide responsive pressure relief while simultaneously wicking away heat. A transitional layer of polyfoam supports the other comfort layers, reducing sinkage.
Individually wrapped coils make up the DreamCloud Mattress’ core. These coils respond to shifting sleep positions, delivering targeted support. Below that, a foam base creates a durable foundation and helps keep the upper layers stationary.
Best Luxury Mattress
Saatva Classic
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Saatva Classic is a luxury innerspring with premium construction to match. A Euro-top gives the surface a plush initial feel, while a dual-coil design keeps your body on an even place. Three firmnesses and two profiles are available, which appealed to most people on our testing team.
Buy From Saatva
Back Sleepers
Soft (3), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Bouncy, Supportive Surface
Fair Value
Pros
- Sturdy and responsive dual-coil design supports the entire body
- Three firmness levels and two mattress heights mean there’s an option that works for virtually everyone
- Free White Glove delivery
Cons
- $99 fee for returns
- Lack of deep contouring may bother sleepers who want to feel hugged by their mattress
The Saatva Classic capitalizes on the support and breathability of a standard innerspring mattress and adds to its performance with a dual coil design and premium comfort layers.
Why We Like It
Our side and back sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds preferred the luxury firm option, while our testers weighing under 130 pounds liked the plush soft version best. The firmest option worked well for those weighing over 230 pounds, particularly side and back sleepers.
The Classic comes in a standard size twin XL, but shoppers can choose from two heights: 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches.
Top-of-the-line design elements and quality construction give the Saatva Classic Mattress an elevated feel. It’s likely to be a good fit for sleepers who want plushness without sacrificing substantive support.
How Does It Feel?
The 3-inch organic cotton Euro-top is made with Lumbar Zone Quilting designed to focus support on the center of the mattress. Saatva offers three different pillow top thickness options, allowing shoppers to customize the firmness of the mattress for a soft (3), medium firm (6), or firm (8) feel. A high-density memory foam pad just below the Euro-top helps lift the lower back and hips, improving spinal alignment.
The core of the mattress includes two layers of coils. The upper layer consists of recycled steel pocketed coils for further back support. Extra-durable tempered steel coils make up the lower layer. A rail of high-density foam encircles the perimeter of the mattress to increase edge support.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Layla Memory Foam Mattress
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
Foam mattresses generally earn high marks from our side sleepers, and the Layla Memory Foam Mattress is no exception. The mattress has a flippable design with two distinct feels: medium soft (4) and firm (7). These two firmness levels ensured a comfortable and supportive surface for most side sleepers on our team.
Buy From Layla
Side Sleepers
Soft (4), Firm (7)
Close-Conforming Foam
Good Value
Pros
- Flippable mattress that offers a choice between a medium soft (4) or firm (7) feel
- Copper-infused gel memory foam designed for contouring and cooler sleep
- Zoned support in the transition layer provides targeted pressure relief
Cons
- Some people find it lacks edge support, especially on the softer side
- Performance characteristics vary significantly depending on which side you use
With its copper-infused gel memory foam and flippable design, the Layla Memory Foam Mattress offers a range of options for side sleepers who also sleep hot.
Why We Like It
During testing, we found that the significant contouring of the soft side was an excellent fit for our side sleepers under 130 pounds. Side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds also benefited from the significant pressure relief. Side sleepers over 230 pounds preferred the firm side, as did our back and stomach sleeping testers.
The double-sided Layla Memory Foam Mattress lets you choose between two firmness levels, which makes it a good fit for a variety of side sleepers. The Layla will also likely suit anyone who sleeps hot, as well as those looking for significant pressure relief.
How Does It Feel?
The Layla Memory Foam Mattress’ has a breathable polyester blend cover with a zipper for easy removal. The softer side of the mattress has an upper layer made with 3 inches of copper-infused gel memory foam. This layer is designed to respond to compression, becoming firmer under your weight while the surrounding mattress stays pliable. The result is a deep contour with a supportive base. A transitional layer of Max Airflow Support Foam has zoned support and channels for breathability. High-density polyfoam makes up the core of the mattress, and below that is a final 1-inch layer of copper-infused gel memory foam.
The firm side reverses this order so that the 1-inch layer of memory foam becomes the sleep surface, followed by the 4.5-inch layer of high-density polyfoam. Using this side gives the mattress a firmness of 7 on the 10-point scale. The softer side has a medium soft (4) feel.
Measuring 5 inches longer than a standard twin, the twin XL mattress is ideal for single sleepers who need a little extra legroom. Growing children and teens may also prefer the twin XL, and some bunk beds are designed with this size in mind.
Who Should Sleep on a Twin XL Mattress?
A twin XL mattress is a solid option for anyone who doesn’t share their bed and wants extra space compared to a traditional twin. With 5 inches of added length, a twin XL can better accommodate taller sleepers.
Buying a twin XL is an affordable way to have a roomier mattress that can still fit in smaller spaces. Some of the people who are best suited to a twin XL mattress include:
- People over 6 feet tall
- Sleepers who tend to stretch out in bed
- Teens, college students, and others who want a bigger mattress but whose budgets or bedroom space may be limited
By contrast, a twin XL is not a good fit for couples, because the width of the mattress makes it hard for two people to share the bed and have enough room. Shoppers who have the space and budget to afford a larger mattress usually prefer a full or queen over a twin XL.
Twin vs. Twin XL vs. Full Size Mattresses
Twin and twin XL mattresses both have a width of 38 inches. The difference is that a twin XL is five inches longer than a twin, measuring 80 inches in length instead of 75 inches.
A full mattress has the same 75-inch length as a traditional twin. But at 54 inches wide, a full is 18 inches wider than both a twin and twin XL.
For couples, a twin or twin XL rarely offers enough width, making it necessary to upgrade to a full mattress. For most individual sleepers, a twin or twin XL has enough width, but the added length of a twin XL may be important for people over 6 feet tall and those who extend their arms and legs at night.
| Mattress Size | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Twin | 38″ x 75″ |
| Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ |
| Full | 54″ x 75″ |
What to Consider in a Twin XL Mattress
When choosing a twin XL mattress, important considerations include mattress type, firmness level, spinal support, and edge support.
Mattress Type
Twin XL is one of the standard mattress sizes, which means that you’ll have extensive options, including models of each mattress type.
Mattress types are determined by the materials inside the mattress. Performance and features are driven by these materials. All-foam beds tend to have more cushioning, while latex and innerspring beds have more bounce. Hybrid models typically strike a balance by combining metal coils and other materials. Airbeds can have their firmness levels adjusted at any time.
As you start shopping, think about your preferences and sleep needs. Then, narrow down your list to only the mattress types that best meet your requirements.
Firmness and Support
Keeping your spine aligned in a neutral position can help you avoid aches and pains. Your mattress plays a key role in supporting your body in a healthy spinal posture as you sleep.
Spinal support is closely related to mattress firmness, which is how hard or soft the bed feels. The right firmness level means you won’t sag too far into the bed or feel like you’re sleeping on a hard surface.
To find the right mattress firmness level for you, consider your subjective preferences as well as your sleeping position and body weight. You may need a firmer mattress if you sleep on your stomach or back, or if you weigh over 230 pounds. If you are a side sleeper or weigh under 130 pounds, a softer or mid-range firmness level may be better suited to your needs.
Edge Support
Edge support describes the stability of the perimeter of the mattress. Poor edge support can mean bothersome sagging when sitting or lying near the edge of the bed.
Since a twin XL is only 38 inches wide, quality edge support can be important, because it allows for use of the full surface of the bed.
Video: How to Choose the Best Mattress for You
With all the mattress options out there, it can feel impossible to know what to look for. In this video, our sleep experts walk through everything you need to know to choose the perfect mattress for your needs and budget.
Discover More Mattress Solutions
Find out about more great mattress options in our detailed buying guides.
How We Test
We used a carefully designed methodology to find the best twin XL mattress. The members of our testing team applied their industry experience to research the top models on the market and then put them through a rigorous evaluation process in our in-house testing lab.
Using both objective data and subjective ratings from team members with diverse sleep preferences, we picked the twin XL mattresses that stood out for their performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best twin XL mattress is one that meets your body’s needs for spinal support and overall comfort. It should suit your sleeping position and weight, so your spine maintains a neutral alignment through the night. A great twin XL mattress also needs solid edge support and sufficient cushioning for your pressure points.
A twin XL mattress is best for any individual who doesn’t share their bed and wants more length than a standard twin provides. The longer length of a twin XL makes it appealing to people over 6 feet tall and people who stretch out their limbs in bed.
A twin XL mattress measures 38 inches wide by 80 inches long. This makes it 5 inches longer than a standard twin bed.
The price range for twin XL mattresses ranges from budget options around $200 to luxury models around $1,500. In many cases, you can find a quality twin XL mattress for between $400 and $900. The final price depends on the materials and features, as well as any available promotions or discounts.
A twin XL mattress can be a great choice for a bunk bed, but it is essential to first check and make sure that your bunk bed frame is compatible with a twin XL. While many contemporary bunk beds are built to fit a twin XL mattress, some may not be able to accommodate the added length of this mattress size.
About The Author
Staff Writer, Product Testing Team
Garen is a health and lifestyle content creator. She realized the importance of sleep when her children made getting a good night’s rest more challenging. Garen is always learning something new about the wide world of sleep and sleep products. Married with two girls, ages 7 and 11, she is a book nerd and a lover of pop music, travel, and the Pacific Northwest.
- POSITION: Side Sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Neutral Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Wolf
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