Selecting the best mattress for your needs is one of the most crucial parts of having a good night’s rest. Though, it can be hard finding the exact “right” mattress for your sleep needs. In today’s mattress industry, there are countless beds to consider, and trying to understand the differences between mattresses may feel overwhelming.
The twin extra long, or twin XL, mattress is suited for single sleepers, particularly growing kids, teens, and adults living in a small space. The mattress is popular for the extra legroom it provides, particularly if you’re a taller individual.
To make mattress hunting a little easier, we created an all-encompassing guide to give you a peek at some of the best twin XL mattresses on the market. We will also run through everything you should consider while shopping for the best bed.
Best Twin XL Mattresses
| Mattress | Price | Highlight |
| Amerisleep AS3 | $1199 | Versatile and comfortable for a variety of sleepers |
| Zoma Mattress | $499 | Athlete-endorsed mattress providing support and needed pressure relief |
| Vaya Mattress | $449 | Bouncy and supportive no matter what position you sleep in |
| Nolah Original 10” | $645 | Supportive mattress great for side and combination sleepers |
| Tulo Medium | $399 | Balanced mattress for a reasonable cost |
| Purple Mattress | $799 | Feels like sleeping on a cloud while still supporting your body’s pressure points |
1. Amerisleep AS3
The Amerisleep AS3 is Amerisleep’s best-seller because the 12-inch medium mattress is the perfect mix of softness and firmness, making it ideal for most individuals. Side and combination sleepers may particularly enjoy this mattress as it cradles your shoulders and hips and provides adequate support despite what position you rest in.
The mattress top layer has 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, a breathable plant-based memory foam made to help relieve pressure while also limiting motion transfer to prevent disturbances.
Following the top layer is 2 inches of Affinity foam crafted with hexagonal-shaped HIVE® technology. This layer acts as a cushion for different zones of the body, preventing people from sinking at nighttime, and maintaining a person’s alignment to alleviate chronic pain.
The final layer of the mattress is 7 inches of Bio-Core® to extend the lifespan of the mattress. It supports your body’s alignment while protecting the mattress from sagging over prolonged use.
The Amerisleep AS3 is made in the USA and is CertiPUR-US® certified. The certification means a mattress’s foam meets CertiPUR-US’s quality standards for emissions, durability, and performance. The foam is made without ozone depleters, heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates, or flame retardants. It will also have low VOCs (volatile organic compounds), so mattresses with these certifications are less likely to off-gas or have a chemical-like “new mattress smell.” CertiPUR-US® certified products are ultimately better for the environment and your health.
The mattress also comes with a 100-night sleep trial to give you a chance to properly test your new bed and ensure you’re happy with your purchase. Plus, Amerisleep offers a 20-year warranty with all of their mattresses to back your investment.
2. Zoma Mattress
Endorsed by athletes but made for everyone, the Zoma Mattress is meant to help you rest pain-free and get your best night’s sleep, and its targeted technologies make it perfect for sleepers with chronic pain or aches. The 11-inch medium mattress is wrapped in AirCloth performance fabric to promote ventilation and breathability and ensure you have a cool, comfortable night.
The top layer of the mattress is 2 inches of gel memory foam designed with Triangulex™ technology. Triangulex™ contains three different zones to provide the correct amount of support for different parts of the body. The first zone is for your head and shoulders, the second is for your hips and lower back, and the last is for your legs. By dividing their support technology in dynamic comfort zones, Zoma enhances their bed’s ability to relieve pressure points and achiness.
The second layer of the mattress is 2 inches of Reactiv™, a latex-like foam designed to feel more responsive than typical foam layers. The foam prevents sinking at night while still contouring to your body and its movements.
The final layer is 7 inches of Support+, a durable core foam foundation designed to support your body’s spinal alignment during the night.
The Zoma Mattress is made in the USA and CertiPUR-US® certified. Zoma offers a 100-night sleep trial as well as a 10-year warranty to protect your mattress and grant peace of mind.
3. Vaya Mattress
The Vaya Mattress is an affordable option featuring a responsive and breathable design to deliver comfort for everyone. The 12-inch mattress offers universal comfort with its medium firmness and is made for all different types of sleepers.
The cover wrapped around the dual-layered mattress is soft and breathable, preventing sleepers from overheating when they sleep.
The top layer of the mattress is made with 3 inches of Vaya Comfort Foam. The foam layer contours to your body’s curves and keeps it cool for ultimate comfort at night. The design ensures breathability and wicks away heat for your best sleep.
The base layer is made with 9 inches of Vaya Base Foam to give stable support and keep you cool throughout the night.
The Vaya Mattress is CertiPUR-US® certified. Additionally, Vaya Sleep provides a 100-night sleep trial to decide if your mattress is right for you and also a 10-year warranty to protect it from visible sags and indentations.
4. Nolah Original 10”
The Nolah Original 10” draws in customers due to the company’s mission: for every mattress purchased, a wildlife animal is adopted. However, they keep customers’ interest with the quality of their mattresses. The 10-inch viscose-wrapped mattress is medium firmness and provides enough contour for side sleepers and even support for back sleepers.
The first layer is made with 2 inches of Cooling Nolah AirFoam™, providing great pressure relief and back support. The foam is made without any heat-sensitive viscoelastic chemicals, a material used in traditional memory foam, and causes individuals to sleep hot. By making a foam without these chemicals, the mattress helps keep you cool and contours to your body without overly sinking at night.
The second layer is made with 1 inch of high-resilience foam, designed to be stronger and more durable when compared to traditional latex foam. This transition layer is quite responsive to your body’s movements and prevents sagging to help you sleep throughout the night.
The final layer is made of 7 inches of high-density base foam enhances the upper layers and provides needed support for sleepers.
The Nolah Original 10” is made in the USA and CertiPUR-US® certified. Nolah offers a 120-night sleep trial and the mattress has a 15-year warranty.
5. Tulo Medium
The Tulo Medium is an affordable, yet high-quality mattress built for any sleeper. The 10-inch mattress is a balance of soft and firm to provide versatility, making it a good choice for combo sleepers, stomach sleepers, and couples with different sleep preferences.
The first layer of the mattress is 2 inches of cooling memory foam with titanium particles to help sleepers avoid night sweats. By limiting heat retention, this foam layer helps you avoid unnecessary sleep disturbances during the night.
The second layer is made of 1.5 inches of breathable foam formed to have a unique “peak and valley” shape to promote airflow. With better airflow, sleepers can rest through the night cool and comfortable.
The third layer is made with 2 inches of a responsive foam to relieve pressure points and reduce surface tension. Additionally, this ultra-durable foam is designed with maximizing the mattress’s lifespan in mind.
The final layer is a 4.5-inch core foam made to complement the layers above it. The base of the Tulo Medium mattress provides medium support for a well-rounded design.
The Tulo Mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty to protect your investment.
6. Purple® Mattress
The widely popular Purple® Mattress contains patented technology to ensure the best night’s sleep. The original Purple® mattress is wrapped in a super stretchy SoftFlex Cover and is the balance between comfort and support so sleepers never have to compromise.
The top layer of the mattress contains 2 inches of Purple Grid™ technology, with “No-Pressure®” support meant to contour under the pressure of your hips and shoulders and support your back. With thousands of open-air channels, breathability is enhanced throughout the mattress.
The next two layers create one system known as Dual Layered Comfort Foam. The top half is a responsive, high-density poly-foam made to provide comfort to the sleeper. This sturdy foam sits atop a 4-inch foundation to create one durable support mechanism.
The Purple® Mattress is hypoallergenic and CertiPUR-US® certified, it also comes with a 100-night sleep trial and an industry-standard 10-year warranty.
What is a Twin XL Mattress?
Twin XL mattresses are recommended for solo sleepers as they measure 38 inches wide and 80 inches long. Twin XLs are 5 inches longer than the average twin bed, offering extra leg room for taller individuals. If your feet hang over the bed on a shorter twin mattress, you will prefer the XL variation since it provides a bit more length.
Who is a Twin XL Mattress Right for?
Thanks to the added length of a twin XL, the mattress type can work for a large variety of individuals, including children and teens, young single adults, or taller individuals.
If you’re somebody working with a smaller space, whether it be an apartment or dorm, twin XLs take up little room and can allow for other activities or furniture. Also, if you’re not worried about sharing your bed or spreading out much while you’re asleep, a twin XL is a good choice because they offer just enough room for one sleeper.
Twin XL mattresses are often in college dorms on bunk or loft beds because the added length accommodates the varying sizes of young adults while still saving space.
For parents, a twin XL is a wise choice if you have a growing child or teen and don’t want to worry about them outgrowing their mattress. And again, twin XLs work on a bunk bed, so if siblings share a room and need extra space, putting two twin XLs on a bunk bed is a smart decision.
Pros and Cons of Twin XL Mattresses
Pros
- Easily fits in small spaces
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Longer than a standard twin, offering more room for the sleeper
- Offers a larger space without stretching someone’s budget
- Compatible on bunk beds
Cons
- Only fits one person comfortably, so couples cannot share
- May feel a bit small, especially for combination sleepers or someone who shifts around a lot at night
How to Choose the Best Mattress Type
As technology advances, an increasing amount of different mattress types have been introduced to the market. They have various characteristics, so a lot of choosing between different styles comes down to personal preference and your specific needs.
By learning more about how each mattress type works and what they offer, you can make a more informed decision for what will work for you.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is a very popular option due to its versatility, comfort, and support. It offers great pressure and pain relief and rapidly responds to your body and its movements. The soft foam contours to your body and pressure points well and is a good overall option.
One of the common complaints about memory foam is how much heat it retains, causing night sweats and sleeping hot. Thankfully, many newer memory foams are designed with cooling properties to counteract this, so the issue is dwindling.
Memory foam mattresses are good options for those looking for pressure relief as well as body contouring and support.
Innerspring
Also known as “coil,” innerspring mattresses are a very standard mattress material. In fact, innerspring has existed for centuries and is still widely used today. Despite this, innerspring mattresses rank lowest on customer satisfaction polls and have a short lifespan in comparison to newer mattress materials. Although innerspring mattresses are incredibly breathable, their comfort layer is incredibly thin and may not provide necessary support and comfort.
If you enjoy the bounciness of an innerspring mattress, we suggest a hybrid. It offers the same bounce and edge support an innerspring mattress does and also has a thick, foam layer to ensure comfort.
Latex
Latex foam mattresses have risen in popularity in the last few years due to their great cooling properties, comfort, and durability. They have good bounce and are responsive to your body’s movements to ensure comfort throughout the night.
Latex mattresses come in these different forms:
Natural Latex Foam
Natural latex foam is derived from rubber tree sap and very eco-friendly, but latex beds can often come with a high price tag. Still, the product is antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, being a great option for people with allergies.
Synthetic latex
Synthetic latex foam is made from a chemical compound and is often more budget-friendly. Due to only being synthetic, it is likely more okay for somebody with a latex allergy.
However, it does not have the same antimicrobial capabilities as natural latex and may have harmful additives, effectively being both bad for the environment and your health. We advise against sleeping on a bed with synthetic latex and suggest choosing a different all-foam alternative, instead.
Blended Latex
Hybrid latex is made from a combination of rubber tree sap and chemical compounds. So, it will come out to be cheaper than natural latex while still having some of those antimicrobial capabilities. Unfortunately, it won’t be as environmentally friendly in comparison to natural latex because of the chemicals used in production.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses combine foam layers and pocketed coils to make one outstanding mattress style. Hybrid mattresses utilize a base foam foundation and a pocketed coil support system. For the top comfort layer, a hybrid mattress will always have at least 2 inches of foam. With this construction, hybrid mattresses offer the great breathability of innerspring mattresses while giving the comfort and pressure relief of memory foam.
Hybrid mattresses are a good overall mattress for anybody due to their wide range of firmness options. For people wanting a bouncier bed or hot sleepers, since hybrids are incredibly responsive and won’t retain as much heat than all-foam mattresses.
Selecting the Right Mattress Firmness For Your Sleep Style
Mattress firmness is how soft or firm your mattress feels. Choosing the correct mattress firmness can be incredibly subjective and preference-based since firmness depends on your body type and can be perceived differently based on your build.
However, historically, we’ve found different mattresses firmnesses work better for different sleep positions (i.e., firm mattresses are best for stomach sleeping, and soft beds are better for side sleepers). Let’s talk about recommended firmness options by sleep position.
Side Sleeper
Side sleeping is an incredibly common sleeping position. It’s a rather healthy sleeping position for your spine and back, but if your mattress is too firm, you may find your shoulders and hips feel stiff or painful in the morning.
We usually recommend medium mattresses for side sleepers since these beds contour to the shoulders and hips and also support the spine’s alignment.
Back Sleeper
Sleeping on your back is great for your posture, but this sleep position isn’t super common. As a back sleeper, an overly soft mattress can contort your body uncomfortably. At the same time, too firm of a mattress can put your spine out of alignment and lead to long-term back pain.
Medium to medium-firm mattresses are comfortable for back sleepers as they keep your spine neutral and while easing tension and discomfort in the lower back and shoulder blades.
Stomach Sleeper
Although many people enjoy sleeping on their stomach, it’s really not the smartest position because it strains your back, neck, and spine. If you’re sleeping on a softer bed, you may wind up with some uncomfortable spine or back pain.
Still, if you can’t seem to stop stomach sleeping, choose a firmer mattress to ensure your back isn’t overextending. Also, try sleeping without a pillow to ease your neck. You may even try putting a pillow under your hips to keep them and your spine more neutral and comfortable.
Combo Sleeper
If you sleep in multiple positions throughout the night, as many people do, it can be hard to determine your most frequent position and thus, what mattress is right for your sleep style. In this case, it’s good to lean towards medium mattresses for combo sleeping because they offer a good balance of comfort and support to suit most sleeping styles, body types, and personal preferences.
Pinpointing Mattresses for Specific Needs or Ailments
Athletes
As an athlete or active individual, a quality mattress is necessary to boost your recovery time and relaxation. Certain brands will design specific technologies within their mattresses for athletes to help them recover rapidly, ultimately facilitating better performance, as well.
Memory foam mattresses are a pain-relieving and comfortable option as they are supportive and contouring. Hybrid mattresses offer similar supportive and pain-relieving qualities due to their foam layers while providing extra airflow from their coils, making hybrids a good option for athletes who may sleep hot.
Plus-Size Sleepers
If you’re a plus-sized individual, you may find lower-quality mattresses don’t support your body enough, especially at the edges of the bed. A lack of support causes uncomfortable sinkage and can feel trapping, making it difficult to stay cool and comfy.
Firmer mattresses are great for sleepers over 230 pounds since they deter sinkage. Plus, thicker mattresses—those at least 12 inches tall can fit the bill, as they have more layers to support extra weight.
Plus-sized sleepers looking for a cool and supportive night might consider hybrid and innerspring mattresses. Both offer great breathability and responsiveness while still hugging your body’s curves, leading to better sleep.
Cooling
Trying to sleep at night when you’re too hot is difficult. While the ideal sleeping temperature is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, it can be strenuous to achieve this coolness on a hot mattress. Sleepers prone to hot flashes are especially susceptible to night sweats, and people going through menopause need the extra comfort of a cooling mattress to combat hot nights.
A dense mattress can make you prone to sleeping hot and uncomfortably. Luckily, many newer mattresses contain technology such as cooling channels or gel foams, meant to keep you comfy throughout the night. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses are great for hot sleepers because they contain an inner coil system engineered to provide better airflow.
Back Pain
Back pain is an incredibly common ailment and can affect your sleep quality and length. Relaxing in bed may be one of the only times your back pain is at bay, so it’s important to have a mattress to support your back and help you relax.
Individuals experiencing chronic back pain are often recommended firmer mattresses, but the firmness may not allow for the spine to stay in its natural alignment. Sleeping on your back on a medium to medium-firm mattress works well for somebody experiencing back pain. However, if you’re somebody who experiences back pain but prefers sleeping on your side, a medium mattress will work best as it’s soft enough to not put pressure on your shoulders and hips but will keep your spine aligned.
Foam or hybrid mattresses are a good choice as they combine the best traits of coil and memory foam mattress: breathability and comfort. Along with a pressure-relieving mattress, using an adjustable bed frame can help eliminate tension in your back. Using an adjustable bed frame at an incline for your upper body can lessen the pressure on your spine while maintaining its natural curve.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a common ailment many individuals struggle with. The foremost step to take is reaching out to a doctor and working alongside them to find a solution. They are who can offer the most support when trying to get good sleep.
Consider what is preventing you from getting enough sleep at night. If you’re struggling with aches and pains throughout the night and it’s disturbing your sleep, choose a mattress made to support your sleeping position and body composition properly while being comfortable. If it gets too hot in your bed to the point where you can’t fall asleep, find a cooling mattress so you don’t have to sleep hot.
Still, a doctor’s guidance is the primary aid you should explore when looking to remedy your sleeplessness.
Snoring
At one point or another, we all experience snoring. Perhaps you’ve struggled to sleep because of your partner’s snores or often snore yourself, but we all know snoring impedes sleep and can cause irregular sleep patterns. Constant snoring is a sign of a blocked nasal passage, and this can potentially lead to more serious conditions in the long run.
Elevating your head can prevent snoring episodes and foster healthier sleep patterns. An adjustable bed frame is recommended as these bed bases allow you to adjust the angle of your head and feet. However, if an adjustable bed is out of your price range, consider trying a wedge pillow or stacking a few extra pillows in your bed to prop you up. Take caution, though, as sleeping with a bunch of pillows, instead of a wedge pillow or inclined bed frame, can strain your neck and result in pain.
Company Policies to Consider While Shopping
An important factor to consider when deciding where to purchase a mattress is the policies companies have in place to ensure customer satisfaction. Quality companies who are confident about their products will offer quality services to their customers.
Sleep Trials
By removing the high fees of opening brick-and-mortar retail locations, online mattress brands make it possible to sell high-quality mattresses at an affordable cost. One potential concern shoppers have when buying a mattress online is not knowing if the bed meets their needs.
To grant confidence when mattress shopping online, many companies offer their customers trial periods, “sleep trials,” to test a mattress at home and ensure satisfaction. Sleep trials can last anywhere from 90 days to a whole year, but most brands offer 100 nights to test their mattress.
Keep in mind, your body does go through an adjustment period when transitioning to a new bed, so we advise giving yourself 30 days to adjust before opting for a complimentary return or exchange. You never know, the mattress you’ve chosen could be the right one for you—you just have to give your body the appropriate time to adapt.
Return Policies
Return policies are the rules companies set in place in the case a customer chooses to return or exchange an unwanted product. While sleep trials are common amongst online mattress brands, return policies are common for in-person mattress shopping.
It’s good to mention, return policies may not always be as helpful as they seem. Some brands require the mattress remain unused and in the box to meet return requirements—defeating the whole purpose of these policies anyway. Not to mention, many brick and mortar mattress retailers charge restocking or shipping fees to return their products.
Warranties
To protect your mattress from wear over the years, many mattresses companies provide warranties for their products. This coverage is valuable in the case of premature sagging and wear on your product, and as mattresses can be a large investment, it should be sufficiently protected.
Depending on the company, warranties can range from 10 years to lifetime. What warranties offer can be different, so we encourage reading the details of the warranty prior to making a purchase. By doing so, you can better understand what will be covered and what you’ll be responsible for in the event you make a claim.
Set a Budget Before Shopping
Before going mattress shopping, it’s important to make a budget for yourself and decide how much you’re willing to spend. You don’t want to skimp out when buying a mattress since you’ll likely be keeping it for a long time. Not to mention, a comfortable mattress is vital to good sleep and thus, is important for your health. By selling online, brands can offer high-quality mattresses at a lower price when compared to retail stores as they don’t need to pay the same overhead costs.
Price and quality are correlated to a certain extent. When mattresses start selling for thousands of dollars, their price point is based on the luxurious components—such as silk fabrics or a cashmere topped— they offer rather than elevated sleep quality. If you’re simply looking for quality and comfort, you shouldn’t need to spend more than $1500 on a mattress.
When Is It Time for a New Mattress?
Most of the time, mattresses will wear out after approximately 8 to 10 years. If you’re not sure how old your mattress is, look out for signs of cosmetic wear, sagging on the edges of the bed, or a clear indentation where your body normally lays.
An aging mattress won’t be as comfortable as a newer one. If you’re constantly unable to get a good night’s sleep, you wake up in pain, or you simply cannot get comfortable in bed in the first place, it may be due to the age of your mattress.
Something else to consider when deciding if you need a new mattress is whether or not you sleep more comfortable in a hotel bed or at a friend’s house. Their mattresses might be newer or fit your body better. If you’re getting better sleep on a different mattress, it’s a sign you should replace the mattress you have at home.
FAQs
What’s the difference between twin XL and twin mattresses?
Twin and twin XL mattresses have the same width, but a twin XL is 5 inches longer, thus offering more length and legroom. A twin mattress’s dimensions are 38 inches by 75 inches and a twin XL’s dimensions are 38 inches by 80 inches.
What’s the difference between full and twin XL size mattresses?
A full size mattress—also known as a double mattress—is wider than a twin XL, but is also shorter. The dimensions of a full size are 54 inches by 75 inches, the same length as standard twins.
A full size mattress is a good option if you enjoy spreading out when you sleep or share your bed with a pet or child, but not ideal if you’re a taller individual.
Do two twin XL mattresses equal a king?
Yes, two twin XLs equal a standard split king bed! Split king mattresses are a great option if you share a bed with a partner and have different sleeping needs—perhaps one person wants a soft mattress and the other wants a firm. These are also a good option if you want a split adjustable base to share with your partner.
The dimensions of two twin XLs mattress pushed together is 76 inches by 80 inches, the same dimensions of a standard king.
How do you keep two twin XLs together?
When combining two twin XLs to make one king size bed, one of the biggest concerns is the two splitting apart and creating a gap in the bed. Thankfully, this can be prevented, as fitted bed frames keep mattresses together during the night. Plus, you can also use a non-slip mattress pad to further prevent mattress shifting.
Will a twin XL mattress fit a daybed?
No, traditional daybeds only fit standard twin mattresses. Some daybeds will fit a full size mattress, but typically are not long enough for a twin XL.
Conclusion
Picking the right mattress can feel confusing and overwhelming, but hopefully, this guide can make it a bit easier for you. When mattress shopping, be sure to look for a product engineered to keep your spine neutral and support your body’s pressure points. Your specific pressure points will depend on your primary sleeping position, so assess how you sleep before making a decision
Since mattresses are an investment made to withstand a decade or more, be sure to make an informed decision to get the best quality product for your needs.
This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.