Twin XL mattresses are found inside almost every college dorm room, but there's a lot more to this mattress size than that. While the best twin XL mattress provides ample room for growing kids and teens, they can also comfortably fit an adult when space is at a premium. Some even prefer to purchase two twin XL mattresses to create a split king, allowing couples a level of individual customization you don't often see with a shared mattress. Our top choice is the Helix Midnight Luxe for its supportive feel and heat-wicking properties.
No matter the mattress size, the right choice "can have drastic improvements on your health," given that it can impact factors like back and neck pain, as well as how comfortably you sleep, says Andy Fata-Chan, PT, DPT, a New York-based physical therapist at Moment Physical Therapy & Performance. "Quality sleep is associated with improved overall wellbeing, mental performance, physical performance, decreased musculoskeletal issues and more," he adds. Below, we highlight our top choices for the best twin XL mattresses that accommodate different sleeping positions, budgets and other common needs.
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, including the best mattresses for side sleepers and mattresses for stomach sleepers.
We selected the best twin XL mattresses based on research and firsthand testing with these sleep surfaces.
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.
"The type of sleeper you are is important," says Devaud. He notes that back sleepers often prefer medium to medium-firm mattresses, while side sleepers tend to do better with softer mattresses. For stomach sleepers, a firmer mattress is often best, Devaud says.
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.
Your body type can influence how comfortable a mattress feels to you. "If you're broad and prefer to sleep on your side, then it may make sense for you to try a mattress that is a little softer in order to keep yourself in a more neutral position," Fata-Chan says. "Neutral does not necessarily mean it will be more comfortable, but it's a good place to start from when making decisions." Keep in mind that your weight oftens influence how much you sink into a mattress. If you're on the heavier side (over 250 pounds), you may sink more into a mattress than lighter counterparts, which makes mattresses feel softer than they would to an mid-weight or lightweight individual.
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.