5 Best Twin Mattresses for Adults

Our Reviews of 5 Best Twin Mattresses for Adults

Best for Motion Absorption - Nolah Original

The first option in my review of the best Twin mattresses for adults is designed by Nolah. It has made it here thanks to its smart construction and awesome performance in terms of motion absorption.

The Nolah Original is an all-foam bed, and this explains its great shock-absorbing properties. Foam doesn’t transfer movements, so if you’re a restless sleeper and may wake up because of the bed’s responsiveness to your own motion during the night, this mattress is a solution.

Aside from that, the manufacturer uses its proprietary Nolah Airfoam as a comfort layer, so the bed generally sleeps neutral and won’t make you drown in your sweat even if you’re a heavy side sleeper.

Also, the Nolah mattress seems pretty durable. Thanks to the dense foam base the edges are pretty sturdy, so you can easily utilize the whole mattress surface during sleep.

I recommend the Nolah Original to those who love foam mattresses for their decent hug and want something that will calm their inner restless sleeper.

Best for Pressure Relief - LUCID

Best for Edge Support - Helix Twilight

Best Low-Profile Option - Modway Aveline

When Is It a Good Idea to Use a Twin Mattress?

So, Twin is the smallest mattress size — I mean, for an adult — that you can find on the US market.

It measures 39 x 75 inches and has enough space to accommodate a single person.

Even though Queen-sized beds are a much more popular choice, even among single adults, there are some situations in which a Twin bed can make a better option:

• Guest room. If you invite guests occasionally, chances are that they might want or have to stay overnight in your home. A Twin mattress is often a more affordable and comfortable way to accommodate your guest than a floor mattress or a couch in the living room.
• Dorms. Twin mattresses are commonly used in dormitories, hostels, and other places around the United States with bunk beds for adults. That’s because they perfectly fit into bunk beds. So, if you’re, say, a student, you may want to buy a Twin bed to make your sleep in the dorm more comfortable.
• Small apartments. Some bedrooms just aren’t big or wide enough to fit a Queen bed or a transformer sofa. In this case, a Twin bed will help you arrange a suitable sleeping spot without sacrificing the space in your room.

A Twin XL mattress measures 39 x 80, so it’s five inches longer than a standard Twin bed. It can suit tall people or those who love to stretch in their bed.

Types of Twin Mattresses You Can Find Today

Now, to choose a suitable Twin mattress, you need to familiarize yourself with the main mattress types.

And I will gladly help you with that.

Innerspring Mattresses

Traditional innerspring beds are still pretty common today. These mattresses feature great edge support that allows you to utilize the whole surface of your Twin mattress. They usually have little give, so they are perfect for those who love a firmer feel. 

The main problem, however, is that coils are more prone to squeaking, which can turn into a major sleep-disrupting factor.

Foam Mattresses

Mattresses in this category may use memory foam, polyfoam, and other innovative foams, either separately or combined as layers of one mattress.

Despite the differences in the manufacturing process, all foam materials have similar properties. They can cradle your body and remove pressure from pressure points. However, their main drawback is poor thermoregulation. They accumulate heat and might sleep hot.

Latex Mattresses

Latex is basically a vulcanized sap of rubber trees, so it also has a foam-like structure. But unlike synthetic foams, latex is breathable and sleeps cool. Also, latex mattresses are naturally resistant to mold and bed bugs, which is a plus if you’re buying a mattress for a dorm room, where sanitation situation might be unsatisfactory. 

The main downside of latex is its price. However, since Twin is a smaller size and requires fewer materials, many people will still be able to afford it. In case you’re on a really-really tight budget, you can always pair a cheaper mattress with a latex topper and still enjoy all the benefits of latex.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrids combine springs, different types of foam, latex, and other less popular materials in different variations. Generally, these beds have the most balanced feel and adapt to your body shape very fast. Also, the coil block promotes air circulation between layers and helps remove some amount of your body heat.

The main issue with hybrids is the inconsistency in mattress characteristics. Some materials used for making these mattresses are relatively new on the market — not to mention that they can be combined in multiple configurations — which might make it hard to predict their lifespan and durability.

Checks to Make Before Purchase

Finally,  let’s outline the main details you need to take into consideration if you want to choose a suitable Twin mattress for an adult:

Firmness

Firmness is a subjective characteristic that defines how comfortable your mattress will feel for you personally.

But here’s the deal:

Choosing the proper firmness is tied to your weight and preferred sleeping position. 

Here are some general guidelines for each of the three main firmness levels:

• Soft. Soft mattresses offer a generous give, so they can cradle your pressure points properly. Typically, they would make the best pick for side sleepers, who tend to sink deeper into the mattress layers and hence, may have lots of pressure in their hips and shoulders. Petite sleepers are recommended to choose a soft bed as well. It won’t create too much resistance with their body, offering just the right amount of comfort.
• Medium/Medium-firm. These levels often feel pretty much the same and are considered universally comfortable. They can cradle your body and support spine alignment in different positions. Plus, they have medium sinkage, meaning that you can easily switch between positions throughout the night.
• Firm. Firm beds make you float atop the mattress rather than dive into its layers. They’re the most uniform and less prone to sagging. Typically, firm beds are suitable for heavier sleepers, as they don’t give in under their body and hence, don’t put the spine out of alignment. For the same reason, they’re also preferable for stomach sleepers.

Spine Support

We’ve already determined that your weight can impact the choice of the firmness level.

But there’s something else you should know:

Heavier and obese sleepers typically have excess weight concentrated in the lower abdomen and hip areas. So, their spine is more prone to go out of alignment in these regions, which can cause hip and lower back pain, especially if you sleep on your side.

To avoid that, try to find Twin mattresses with zoned support. They’re designed specifically to keep your spine aligned and the pressure reduced. These models may feature either a zoned coil unit for targeted contouring or an additional foam pad in the lumbar area.

Durability

With a Queen mattress, single sleepers can switch the sides of the bed to prevent sagging.

But Twin mattress, obviously, won’t allow you to do that, so you have to invest in durability in the first place.

Choose mattresses with denser foams, natural latex layers, or thicker coils, depending on the type of mattress you prefer. 

Also, consider models with a higher profile, as thin beds often wear out sooner.

Thermoregulation

Hot sleeping is an issue that can wreck even the most comfortable slumber. Some beds, such as those with an all-foam construction, are more prone to trapping heat. Matresses with coil layers, on the other hand, allow for some airflow inside the layers, so they may sleep cooler.

To choose a cooler bed, follow these tips:

• Give preference to natural materials. Latex is the king of breathability. If you cannot afford an all-latex mattress, try to find models that have at least one latex layer — this will still give you a cooler sleep than a traditional memory foam bed would.
• Avoid overly soft foams. Softer foams can make you sink deeper, thereby increasing the area of contact between your body and the mattress. Thus, you’ll be more likely to sleep hot even if the foam is infused with cooling particles.
• Look for a breathable mattress cover. The difference between synthetic jacquard and quality-made cotton really shows. Opting for a more breathable cover is crucial because the cover can promote additional airflow and wick away moisture from your body, contributing to your comfort.

Note that very cheap Twin mattresses are often made of low-quality foam and tend to sleep really hot. So, be careful when considering more affordable options.

One more important tip for you:

Read the actual mattress reviews with real photos and detailed experience. 

You may also want to find reviewers with similar demands so that you could get a better idea of how a particular model may perform in your particular situation.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, a Twin mattress can be a great alternative to a larger bed for a single sleeper. It’s no worse than other mattress sizes and can ensure sound sleep for you just as easily. I’ve shared my five top picks with great supportive properties and high durability, and I believe that each of them can make a worthy purchase. 

As for me, I enjoyed sleeping on the Helix Twilight the most. Even though I’m a mixed sleeper, and this bed has a firmer feel, I never woke up sore during the testing period. Plus, the company uses really durable materials, so you can expect that the mattress will support your sleep for a long time. 

In case you don’t like hybrids, consider the Nolah mattress. It offers a great amount of cradling but doesn’t limit your motion. Besides, it sleeps cooler than most foam mattresses. 

So, why are you looking for a Twin mattress? Do you plan to use it for your guest room or to sleep on it yourself? Feel free to share below!