“If you don’t already have a toddler bed, moving right to a twin bed will help you avoid spending extra or having more transitions,” says pediatrician Dr. Katy Gibson. “Twin beds can even last until adulthood.” Keeping Dr. Gibson’s advice in mind, we researched and tested some of the top twin mattresses on the market, assessing them on firmness, material, thickness, and overall quality. Our top pick is the Casper Original Mattress, an exceptionally comfortable bed-in-a-box boasting a perfect balance of cushioning and support. Here are the best twin mattresses. A favorite of our home tester, the Casper Original Mattress has a multi-zoned support system designed to align the spine and alleviate pressure points. The multi-layered construction features high-density foam at the base, while the perforated foam top layer encourages air circulation and helps prevent overheating. We love that the mattress’s foam is certified by CertiPUR-US, a non-profit that ensures mattress and furniture foam has no mercury, lead, formaldehyde, phthalates, or ozone-depleting chemicals. Busy households will be happy to know that the Casper is durable enough to handle wear and tear from even the most rambunctious pets and kids. “[It’s] solidly constructed with durable seams and thick fabrics, and has held up well to two toddlers pulling on it, jumping on it, and testing its durability at every opportunity,” said our tester. While the price is about what you’d expect for a high-quality mattress, the Casper is on the expensive side of the twin mattress price spectrum. Like many other foam options, it also requires a little patience, taking up to three days to expand before it’s ready for use. However, the brand’s fuss-free delivery and easy setup instructions make it worth the slight inconvenience. Price at time of publish: $805 This bed-in-a-box arrives compressed and takes about 48 hours to expand. At 8-inches, the most affordable Linenspa offering is not the thickest mattress on our list, but should be supportive enough for kids. Linenspa also offers 10 and 12-inch thick versions of its Memory Foam Hybrid. Price at time of publish: $120 Both sides have an organic cotton cover with a waterproof barrier for accident protection, and there’s a steel innerspring core for lumbar support. Additionally, all foams are CertiPUR-US certified for chemical safety. While the Saatva Youth Mattress is expensive, its adult equivalent is a favorite of our testers, who appreciated its handmade construction, organic materials, and luxurious comfort. Price at time of publish: $749 Beneath the breathable cover, the Leesa mattress has a cooling top layer, followed by body-molding memory foam and then a core support layer. This design keeps the mattress cool while still providing the body contouring expected of a memory foam mattress. Our tester love the removable, machine-washable cover, which made the Leesa easy to clean between guests or when you want to freshen it up. Since the Leesa mattress doesn’t have handles, it can be difficult to move, but the twin size weighs only 50 pounds. Price at time of publish: $750 We also like that the Perfect Sleeper isolates movement and has edge support to prevent you from sinking in or rolling off. This versatile mattress is designed to be suitable for all sleeping positions. The only thing to keep in mind is that it can be harder to find properly sized twin XL bedding. Price at time of publish: $600 And that’s not all. Cooling gel and heat-conducting graphite promise to draw heat away from your body while you catch your Zs. Bear in mind this mattress doesn’t have edge support. Also, it has a slight odor out of the box, but it’ll dissipate in a day or two. Price at time of publish: $745 Each layer is CertiPUR-US certified, so you can rest assured your mattress is made without harmful substances and won’t emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). You’ll have to wait about 24 hours for it to fully expand, but this is to be expected for a bed-in-a-box. Price at time of publish: $399 Despite being made of foam (a material that’s notorious for retaining heat), the Purple Mattress proved to be surprisingly breathable. This is in large part thanks to the brand’s GelFlex grid, which uses over 1,400 air channels to help encourage airflow while you sleep. And while it might be less relevant for twin mattresses, another standout feature of this mattress was its minimal motion transfer. “We especially liked that as our sons share a room and a bunk bed, so a quiet mattress helps keep the peace,” said our tester. At 70 pounds, this mattress is on the heavier side—and since it doesn’t have handles, it can be a little cumbersome to move. All in all, though, this is a great option for guest and kid’s rooms, along with summer houses or warmer climates. Price at time of publish: $695 The top layer is also infused with cooling gel to prevent overheating. Each material is CertiPUR-US certified, and the skin-friendly fabric cover carries Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label, ensuring it’s free of over 100 potentially toxic chemicals. This is one of the most affordable twin mattresses we found, but it’ll take up to three days to expand once you unbox it. Price at time of publish: $145 As a whole, this hybrid mattress offers body-contouring support, a medium-firm feel, and breathable, naturally moisture-wicking comfort. It’s kind of pricey for a twin, but with Avocado, you can always count on quality. Price at time of publish: $799
What to Look For in a Twin Mattress
Firmness
Most mattresses are designated as firm, medium, or plush. Some companies also add in-between firmness categories, such as medium-firm. You can find twin mattresses in any of these firmness options. Most mattress companies include a medium option, with some specializing in firmer mattresses or plush pillow tops. The best options have multiple firmnesses available within the same height profile. When shopping for a child’s bed, Dr. Gibson says, “A medium-firm surface is right for proper support.”
Material
When selecting a mattress, you can choose between memory foam, traditional innerspring, or hybrid options that combine the two. Memory foam tends to be heavier but can be compressed and delivered right to your home. Another advantage of a memory foam mattress is that it often lasts longer than innerspring or hybrid options, but it will depend on how much the mattress gets used. Innerspring mattresses are bulkier to ship but may be lighter and easier to move around. “The best materials to look for are organic cotton, natural latex, or wool instead of memory foam, polyurethane foam, and other synthetic materials,” Dr. Gibson told The Spruce. To help keep you comfortable throughout the night, consider the breathability of materials as well. Foam mattresses tend to be hot for some sleepers, so you may want one made with ventilated foam to allow airflow. Choosing a mattress with a breathable cover, such as one made from 100 percent cotton, can also help you stay cool.
Thickness
Mattresses come in a variety of thicknesses, usually ranging from 6 to 12 inches. Firmer mattresses tend to have a lower profile, while plush mattresses have more layers and a higher overall thickness. This isn’t always the case, so be sure to look at the specifications of a mattress you like. When buying a new mattress and selecting the best thickness, also consider if you will need a box spring. This can add to the overall height. To help keep you comfortable throughout the night, consider the breathability. Foam mattresses tend to be hot for some sleepers, so you may want one made with ventilated foam to allow airflow. Choosing a mattress with a breathable cover, such as one made from 100 percent cotton, can also help you stay cool.
Standout Features
Certifications
Certifications can validate that safe and sustainable materials and practices were used throughout the manufacturing process and supply chain. For example, a foam mattress with CertiPUR-US certification is free of heavy metals, ozone depleters, and other potentially harmful chemicals. Similarly, mattresses with OEKO-TEX Standard certification have also been tested for potentially harmful substances. “Looking for certifications like GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US can help you find low-VOC mattresses as well as those free from mercury, lead, formaldehyde, and other chemicals,” Dr. Gibson said, using an acronym for Volatile Organic Compounds. She also recommends looking for a GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification, which maintains high standards for manufacturers describing their products as containing organic textiles and materials.
Why Trust The Spruce?
For this roundup, Theresa Holland interviewed Dr. Katy Gibson, a pediatrician and the creator of the online community Unfolding Motherhood, who offered insight into what to look for in a twin mattress. She considered several models our home testers tried first-hand, then researched today’s best options. The featured mattresses are supportive, comfortable, durable, and backed by manufacturer warranties. Theresa has been covering mattresses, bedding, decor, and other home goods at The Spruce since 2019. You can find more of her bylines on People, MyDomaine, and Byrdie.
What is Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.
