We’ve all seen people whose feet comically hang off the edge of the bed. I dated a guy in college who was 6’3” who had this issue. And it wasn’t funny to him.
He would have been the perfect candidate for a twin XL mattress.
That’s because a twin XL size mattress offers a little extra length for tall sleepers—five additional inches in length, to be precise.
A twin XL mattress falls in both size and price between a standard twin size and full size or double size mattress. A standard twin mattress measures 38” wide x 75” long,while a twin XL bed measures 38” wide x 80” long. That extra five inches of leg room can make a huge difference to a tall sleeper.
So yes, twin XL mattresses are a great choice for single adult sleepers who are 6 feet or taller, a bit too tall for a standard twin size mattress.
Children are also good candidates for twin XL mattresses; many bunk beds are compatible with XL twin mattresses. Twin XL beds are also a great choice for growing teens who may exceed 6 feet in height. Twin XL beds are also a very common choice for college students sharing tight space in college dorms.
Finally, an XL twin mattress could be a thoughtful upgrade for a guest room.
If you are buying two XL twin mattresses, you can push them together to make a standard king size bed. Two XL twins equal the size of a king mattress, so that allows you to accommodate a couple in comfort. That’s what’s known as a split-king mattress in the industry. That gives you some real flexibility for guests of all types.
If you’re looking for twin XL beds, we’ve got you covered. We’ve evaluated some of the best twin XL mattresses on the market, taking into account design quality, durability, edge support, pressure relief and temperature control.
But before we reveal our top picks in this roundup, let’s review the criteria to keep in mind when selecting a twin XL mattress you’ll be pleased with for many years.
| Brand | Best For | ||
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| 1 Editor’s Choice |
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Overall | Shop Now |
| 2 |
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Value | Shop Now |
| 3 |
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Hybrid | Shop Now |
| 4 |
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Cooling | Shop Now |
| 5 |
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Pressure Relief | Shop Now |
| 6 |
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Organic | Shop Now |
| 7 |
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Kids | Shop Now |
| 8 |
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Firm | Shop Now |
| 9 |
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Heavy People | Shop Now |
| 10 |
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Budget | Shop Now |
| 1 |
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Editor’s Choice
Best For:
Overall
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| 2 |
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Best For:
Value
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| 3 |
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Best For:
Hybrid
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| 4 |
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Best For:
Cooling
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| 5 |
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Best For:
Pressure Relief
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| 6 |
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Best For:
Organic
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| 7 |
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Best For:
Kids
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| 8 |
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Best For:
Firm
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| 9 |
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Best For:
Heavy People
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| 10 |
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Best For:
Budget
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Considerations When Buying the Best Twin XL Mattress
When buying an XL twin bed, it’s important to evaluate your purchase the same way you would any other size mattress purchase. Let’s review those factors.
Size. Before you start shopping, it’s essential to make sure a twin XL mattress will fit your existing bed frame and the available space in your room or college dorm. Again, the dimensions of a twin XL mattress are commonly 38” wide (sometimes 39” wide) by 80” long. If you need to, you can always purchase an inexpensive twin XL bed frame.
Mattress Type. Consider all-foam, innerspring, memory foam, latex or hybrid twin XL mattresses based on your preferences and needs.
Firmness Level. When considering the ideal firmness level, you’ll want to keep in mind sleeping position and personal preference. Most sleepers are happy with a medium-firm feel in a twin XL mattress, coming in at least a 6 or higher out of 10 on the firmness scale. Softer twin XL mattresses—while bouncy fun especially for kids—are often the culprit of lumbar pain.
Support and Comfort. To keep aches and pains away, look for a twin XL mattress that maintains spinal alignment, relieves pressure points and provides even weight distribution.
Motion Isolation. Choose a twin XL size mattress with good motion isolation if you share the bed with a partner or a pet to minimize sleep disturbances.
Temperature Regulation. If your budget will allow, opt for cooling technologies and naturally breathable materials to prevent heat retention that can hamper sleep. This is especially key for hotter or heavier sleepers.
Edge Support. Select a Twin XL mattress with reinforced edges for stability and to prevent sagging when you’re getting dressed.
Durability. Spend the extra time to read expert mattress reviews from a variety of reputable online sources. For more intel, check customer reviews and the manufacturer’s reputation for durability and longevity.
Trial Period and Warranty. Look for generous no-risk/easy-return sleep trial period for your XL twin mattress. In terms of warranty, don’t settle for anything less than 10 years to ensure long-term satisfaction and coverage from any possible manufacturing defects.
Budget. A twin XL mattress is usually a very manageable upcharge from a standard twin size mattress. Before you begin shopping, determine your budget range and only explore twin XL mattresses within that range.
Reviews and Recommendations. Read customer reviews and seek recommendations for valuable insights.
Our Top Picks for Best Twin XL Mattress
Best Overall Mattress: Helix Midnight
- Best For: Side sleepers, sleepers seeking pressure relief from aches and pains, sleepers who want solid temperature regulation, sleepers who prefer strong motion isolation, value-focused shoppers
- Price: $1,061.30 for a twin XL mattress
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: 4.5-6.5/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 100-Night, No-Risk Sleep Trial
What I Loved
The Helix Midnight is the company’s top-seller and an industry and customer favorite. The Helix Midnight is a medium-firm, hybrid mattress that is made of plush memory foam pillow over pocketed coils. This hybrid construction provides excellent pressure relief, so it’s a great choice for sleepers who experience aches and pains when sleeping or upon waking. Additionally, the Helix Midnight isolates motion very well, thanks to the top layer of memory foam that absorbs and dissipates most movement. The Helix Midnight also offers solid edge support that performs very well when lying down, with no noticeable sinking or sloping around the edges. And its breathable construction keeps the bed cool for a comfortable sleep. It is great for couples, side and back sleepers.
What I Didn’t Love
Stomach sleepers will likely find the Helix Midnight too soft, and hardcore memory foam lovers won’t get that deep sinkage feel with the Helix Midnight. Heavier sleepers should consider an upgrade to a Helix Luxe model for zoned back support. If you’re a stomach sleeper, the Helix Dawn would be a friendlier choice. The Helix Luxe models are a terrific option for environmentally conscious folks, as these models are CertiPUR-US® certified to be free of harmful chemicals.
Best Value Mattress: Brooklyn Signature Hybrid
- Best For: Shoppers on a tight budget, side sleepers, couples, sleepers with troublesome pressure points
- Price: $832 for an XL twin mattress
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Customizable firmness levels ranging from 3-7/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 120-Night, No-Risk Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 10-Year Warranty
What I Loved
This Arizona-assembled mattress from Brooklyn Bedding provides superior support at a factory-direct price. The top-of-the-line memory foams used to construct the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid offer outstanding pressure relief and contouring comfort, along with buoyancy, breathability and best-in-class comfort. The individually wrapped coils are zoned for independent movement, support and superior motion isolation. And you can customize the firmness of the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid mattress with three options: soft, medium or firm to get the just-right firmness. The coil-reinforced perimeter means excellent edge support. An optional GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover delivers high-tech cooling comfort with a pillow-top feel for hot or heavy sleepers. Shoppers might also compare the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid mattress in this category.
What I Didn’t Love
Because the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid mattress has some motion transfer, couples may feel their partner’s movements in the night. It’s a better choice for solo sleepers.
Best Hybrid Mattress: Leesa Sapira Hybrid
- Best For: Sleepers who like freedom of movement paired with minimal motion transfer, sleepers who like a balance of bounce from innersprings and cushioning from foam, shoppers who want a premium hybrid at a great price point, sleepers with back pain, shoppers who want to support charitable causes
- Price: $1,399 for a twin XL mattress
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Medium-firm, 5-7/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 100-Night, Risk-Free Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 10-Year Warranty
What I Loved
This is the company’s bestseller and a star with buyers. The high-performance Leesa Sapira Hybrid is a premium hybrid mattress that provides sleepers with balance of bounce and pressure relief in a medium-firm feel that suits most sleepers. The memory foam offers cooling and contouring, while 1,000 pocketed springs actively respond to your individual movement and sleep style. The breathable, soft cover of ultra-fine viscose and plant-based rayon fibers help hot sleepers stay cool. The Leesa Sapira Hybrid carries the CertiPUR-US® safety certification through independent accredited testing labs with materials that are low VOC and made without ozone depleters, phthalates, BPDE, formaldehyde or heavy metals. If you want to support a company with a dedication to social causes as part of its corporate mission, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid might tip the balance for you.
What I Didn’t Love
If you prefer a plusher, cushier mattress, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid isn’t a good match. If you are a partnered sleeper, you may be prone to feeling your mate’s (or pet’s) movements during sleep.
Best Hybrid Mattress: Bear Star Hybrid
- Best For: Sleepers who like the balanced feel of a traditional mattress, sleepers who need a pressure-relief mattress, sleepers who require extra temperature regulation, couples with different sleep positions and weights
- Price: $1,398 for a XL twin mattress
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Medium-firm mattress, 6.8/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 120-Night, No Risk Sleep Trial
- Warranty: Lifetime Warranty
What I Loved
The Bear Star Hybrid is the company’s most popular mattress because it ticks many boxes today’s buyers seek. The Bear Star Hybrid mattress combines copper-gel memory foam & individually-encased coils for a best-of-both-worlds soft and supportive feel. High-density support foam provides base support and durability to the entire mattress. Responsive comfort foam adapts to all body types and sleep positions, and offers additional airflow and pressure relief. The cool to the touch, hand-quilted cover combines HydroCool® technology plus Celliant® fiber to create a moisture-wicking sleep surface that improves overall sleep well-being every night. The Bear Star Hybrid also offers individually encased coils reinforces the strength and integrity of your mattress for superior edge support. In addition, it’s non-toxic, certified clean and assembled in America so you can get all the good-feels when purchasing one of the best hybrid mattresses on the market.
What I Didn’t Love
When first freed from its packaging, you may notice minor off-gassing form the Bear Star Hybrid—completely normal for boxed mattresses that are rolled for shipping. The smell will quickly dissipate. However, there are better choices for side sleepers.
Best Pressure Relief Mattress: Nolah Signature 12”
- Best For: Sleepers who need exceptional pressure relief, side sleepers, lightweight back sleepers, shoppers seeking an exceptionally durable mattress
- Price: $1,399 for an XL twin mattress
- Mattress Type: All-foam mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: 5/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 120-Night, Risk-Free Sleep Trial
- Warranty: Lifetime Warranty
What I Loved
The beefy Nolah Signature 12” balances plush cushioning with deep support and keeps sleepers cool with its temperature-neutral foam. The Nolah Signature 12” is the Denver-based company’s best mattress for pressure point relief on the back, hips, shoulders, spine and other joints. This mattress features a proprietary material called AirFoam™: billions of microscopic air bubbles that distribute body weight for maximum pressure relief—which is also great for hot sleepers. In addition, AirFoam™ resists sagging, which is why it’s backed with a lifetime warranty. If you’re concerned about toxic materials in a mattress, the Nolah Signature 12” is free of harsh, heat-trapping viscoelastic chemicals. At this price point, the Saatva and Winkbed are similar all-foam options, as are mattresses from Nectar and Layla.
What I Didn’t Love
Sleepers who like a firmer feel might find the medium-soft Nolah Signature 12” a bit too cushy. And don’t look for exceptional edge support here; you will experience some sinking if you’re sitting on the edge of the bed.
Best Organic Mattress: Birch Natural Mattress
- Best For: Back sleepers, average-weight stomach sleepers, sleepers who like a supportive, responsive feel in a mattress, lightweight sleepers who weigh at least 130 pounds, hot sleepers, “green” buyers
- Price: $1,623.80 for a twin XL mattress
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Medium-firm, 6-7/10 on firmness scale; softer with available memory foam topper
- Trial Length: 100 Night, No-Risk Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 25-Year Warranty
What I Loved
This eco-friendly mattress is made with high quality, natural, non-toxic and luxurious materials including fair-trade, organic cotton, organic cashmere, New Zealand wool and natural, breathable Talalay latex. These clean materials provide optimum airflow and breathability. Because the Birch Natural is free from any harmful chemicals, it’s a safe mattress for children and those with skin sensitivities, and has garnered a GREENGUARD Gold certification. This hybrid mattress includes up to 1,000 individually wrapped coils cradle your body while also limiting motion transfer. The sides are reinforced lengthwise to provide superior edge support. It’s also very well-priced for the quality built-in. The Birch Natural is an obvious choice for sleepers who seek a greener mattress and it’s comfortable for all sleeping positions. And bonus: it’s handmade in the U.S.
What I Didn’t Love
If you’re seeking a soft bed, the Birch Natural isn’t your best bet. Latex is naturally bouncy (it doesn’t offer the best motion isolation), so pass on this mattress.
Best Kids Mattress: Helix Kids
- Best For: Children ranging from toddlers to ‘tweens, kids who sleep hot, kids with any sleeping position, kids with allergies, parents who prefer a non-toxic, “clean” mattress
- Price: $748.80 for an XL twin mattress
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: The flippable design ranges from 4-7.5/10 on firmness scale
- Sleep Trial: 100-Night, No Risk Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 10-Year Warranty
What I Loved
Kids grow when they sleep and the Helix Kids mattress is genius for a kid’s growing body. Boasting a two-sided design that incorporates innersprings with foam layers, it features a firm support side for children ages 3-7, and a softer side for kids ages 8-12. So the Helix Kids mattress beautifully—and economically—adapts to growing bodies. And it’s easy to differentiate which side is which, thanks to clear labeling and a bright green trim that separates the two sides. The Helix Kids mattress doesn’t scrimp on materials, either. There’s excellent pressure relief in the Helix Kids mattress so active bodies can recover overnight. This mattress is made with non-toxic CertiPUR-US® foams that are free of harmful chemicals, lead, mercury and PBDE flame retardants so parents can rest easy. The Helix Kids mattress is treated with a plant-based water-repellant finish to combat stinky odors and accidental stains and spills from the littles. Plus the hypoallergenic TENCEL® cover is permanently treated with AEGIS® Microbe Shield to fight bacteria, and repel dust and allergens so it’s a great choice for kids with allergies, asthma or skin sensitivities. The Helix Kids mattress also comes in an XL full size if you want to size up.
What I Didn’t Love
Heavier kids and teenagers will want to move to a larger adult mattress.
Best Firm Mattress: Plank Firm
- Best for: Shoppers who prefer a luxury firm mattress, hot sleepers, couples seeking superior motion isolation, average and heavier back sleepers, stomach sleepers
- Price: $849 for a twin XL size mattress
- Mattress Type: Memory foam mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Flippable, with firm to ultra-firm sides, 8-10/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 120 Night, No-Risk Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 10-Year Warranty
What I Loved
The Plank Firm is the go-to for sleepers who complain that typical firm mattresses are never firm enough. Inspired by the minimalist approach to sleep in many parts of Asia, the high-density Plank Firm’s dual comfort design offers two firmness variations in a flippable mattress. The top side of the mattress is ultra-firm and the bottom side of the RV mattress feels more like a traditional firm, allowing for a highly customizable sleep. The flatter sleep surface of the Plank Firm is engineered to create a neutral spine position that’s better for your back and posture. An optional GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover can be sewn onto the surface of both the firm and extra firm sides to deliver cooling on contact. The Plank Firm is especially well-suited for back sleepers and heavy sleepers.
What I Didn’t Love
If you like the plush feel of a pillow top mattress or the more adaptive contouring of a memory foam mattress, the Plank Firm will definitely be too firm for you.
Best Mattress for Heavier People: Titan Plus
- Best For: Heavy sleepers who weight 230 pounds or more, sleepers who like an extra firm mattress, plus size, partnered sleepers (including those with big dogs!), shoppers seeking an extra durable mattress
- Price: $1,249 for a XL twin mattress
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Firm mattress, 8-10/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 120-Night, No-Risk Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 10-Year Warranty
What I Loved
The Titan Plus is designed with substantial support for larger-sized sleepers. This pillow top queen size mattress is 11” tall and features 6 well-designed, high-performance layers for outstanding contouring and pressure point relief to accommodate plus size solo or partnered sleepers. An 6” core of premium, individually pocketed TitanCaliber™ coils ensure extra lift and extra durability for the life of the mattress. A 1” layer of quilted, gel memory foam resists body impressions and provides a cool-to-the touch surface. The Titan Plus is one of the few mattresses thoughtfully and specifically manufactured for the needs of heavier sleepers. The Titan Plus is best for heavier or plus size sleepers, and couples who seek superior motion isolation. There’s also an upgrade Titan Plus Luxe model with a more traditional medium-firm feel.
What I Didn’t Love
If you’re a lighter sleeper (less than 130 pounds) or you prefer a more moderately firm mattress, the Titan Plus isn’t for you.
Best Budget Mattress: Dreamfoam Essential
- Best For: Shoppers on a very tight budget, all sleeping positions: back, side and combination sleepers
- Price: $349 for a twin XL mattress
- Mattress Type: Memory foam mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Available in multiple firmness levels from 3/10 (soft) to 9/10 (extra firm) on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 120 Night, No-Risk Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 10-Year Warranty
What I Loved
The budget-friendly Dreamfoam Essential is unique in that it’s available in five height options—from 6” to 14”—so one thickness is sure to suit you. For such an affordable memory-foam mattress it also offers customizable comfort choices: from soft-medium all the way up to extra firm preferences. The Dreamfoam Essential is well-priced for budget shoppers, making it a great choice for kids who need a new mattress or young adults headed off to college. And this king bed doesn’t sacrifice performance for price. The high-density, memory-foam design of the Dreamfoam Essential features gel swirl technology that keeps sleepers cool, and offers the contouring, response, and press point relief usually found only in a more expensive hybrid mattress. The innovative and environmentally-friendly, sewn-on stain protector is washable—a nice touch against spills and accidents.
What I Didn’t Love
The hottest of sleepers might opt for another model that features more cooling technology. Combination sleepers who need more responsiveness might prefer a hybrid mattress that includes coils and a comfort layer of foam versus the Dreamfoam Essential.
Additional Sleep Products To Enhance Your Twin XL Mattress Sleep Experience
Because the measurements of a twin XL mattress vary from a standard size twin bed, you’ll need to buy correctly sized sheets. Why not consider an upgrade to wicking bamboo or high thread count, all-cotton sheets for dreamier sleep?
It’s also nice to accessorize with new sleep products for your twin XL bed.
That could include a breathable cotton mattress topper, a mattress protector or a new duvet cover. We think when you buy a new mattress, you should also spring for new pillows to enhance your sleep experience. Some mattress manufacturers offer free pillows with the purchase of an XL twin size bed, which is a nice bonus. But even if you didn’t score free pillows, stepping up to a memory foam pillow could make a big difference in the quality of your sleep.
Weighted blankets can offer a comforting touch for solo sleepers. For those who enjoy technology, a sleep tracker, a wake-up light “sunrise” alarm clock or a white noise machine may improve overall sleep. Sleep masks, blackout curtains, a cool mist humidifier or reusable ear plugs can also help you catch more Zzzz’s on your new twin XL mattress.
In addition to sourcing sleep products from mattress or big-box retailers, comb Amazon for deals on all these sleep products and more. There’s a whole world of gadgets designed to improve your sleep experience!
The Best Twin XL Mattress is Waiting For You
Whether you’re considering a twin XL size mattress for an adult solo sleeper who is 6 feet tall or more, a tall teen, a college student sharing a dorm room or for a guest room, there are some fantastic options available in every price range and for every sleep preference.
If you’ve decided a twin XL bed isn’t the right choice for you right now, but are wanting to replace another original mattress, we invite you to check out our in-depth roundup of the 10 Best Mattresses for 2024 for our current favorites.