Full vs Queen: Which Size Will Offer You More Comfort?

People often get confused between the difference between Full vs Queen mattress sizes. 

So let’s clarify it right away:

A Full mattress is 54 inches wide and 75 inches long, while a Queen-sized bed measures 60 x 80 inches.

Both of them can accommodate two average adults, but you need to take some factors into consideration in order to find your perfect mattress size.

And I offer you this detailed comparison guide to help you there.

Full vs Queen Side by Side

Full vs Queen: What Do Other People Choose?

Before we dive in, let me give you a brief historical reference and some statistics on each mattress size.

I always like to find out how different things we know today appeared, so I’ve found some interesting facts to share about both sizes.

So, Full (also called Double) was one of the two main mattress options — with the second one being Twin, or Single — available on the American mattress market up to the late 60s. It could be found in most bedrooms around the country...

...Until two mattress brands, Sealy and Simmons, changed the game and produced two new mattress sizes, which we know today as Queen and King.

Even such a slight difference in size between Full and Queen (we’ll talk about it in more detail soon) played a role, so Queen mattresses quickly went into mass production and remain the most popular option due today.

In fact, according to statistics, in 2018, 41.4% of the Queen-sized beds purchased were of the Queen size, whereas the share of the Full beds was only about 15% of the market.

Main Differences Between Queen and Full

Now, although both Queen and Full mattresses look similar — some even call the latter ‘mini-Queen’ — they’re not the same.

So, let’s clear out any confusion between Queen vs Full mattresses once and for all.

Surface Area

So, as I mentioned at the beginning, these two mattress sizes have different dimensions, which also means that they have a different surface area. And this is an essential parameter for couples because it literally defines how comfortable you will feel on your bed.

To calculate the surface area of a mattress, you need to multiply its width by its length:

• For a Full size, 54 x 75 inches = 4050 square inches, or 28.12 square feet.
• For a Queen size, 60 x 80 inches = 4800 square inches, or 33.3 square feet.

As you can see, Queen is more than 5 square feet larger than Full, and that additional space really adds comfort during sleep.

Along with that, a Queen-sized mattress gives you more personal space: 30 inches per sleeper compared to 27 inches in Full-sized beds.

Again, the difference isn’t too big, and both mattress sizes can accommodate two average adults equally well. Still, you might feel less comfortable on a Full-sized mattress if your bedmate loves to stretch during sleep or is on the heavier side.

Space per Person

Both Full and Queen mattresses can accommodate two adults, but the level of comfort will be different due to the amount of space each person gets.

The Full mattress offers you 27 x 75 inches per person, which is pretty cramped, especially if you’re tall or have extra weight. So if you share a bed with another person, you will feel packed and might not get good sleep.

With a Queen-sized bed, you can expect 30 x 80 inches per person. A difference over the Full mattress might be very slight, but an extra couple of inches wide and long gives you more chances to get comfortable.

Weight

The difference in dimensions also impacts weight.

A Full mattress has an average weight between 50 and 60 pounds, depending on the thickness. You can easily handle this mattress by yourself if you need to rotate it. It also doesn’t require a reinforced bed base.

A Queen mattress has a weight range of 150-160 pounds, which is significantly heavier than the Full. This is because Queen mattresses are generally thicker because they are made for adult sleepers, including those who are overweight, and pack more comfort layers to cradle their bodies.

Recommended Room Space

Your bed is the key element in the bedroom, but it’s not the only piece of furniture you’re going to put there.

You’ll probably want to have nightstands, a chair or two, a drawer or another kind of storage area, etc. All these pieces need to be organized in such a way that you don’t feel crowded or accidentally bump them with your pinky toe.

Speaking of laying out your bed right, you need to consider your bedside area. This is, basically, the floor space where you put your feet after you wake up and get out of bed. Ideally, it should be a circular area that’s at least 30 inches in diameter. And to move comfortably around your bedroom, it’s better to have the same 30-inch-diameter spaces near all the furniture pieces.

So, how large should your bedroom be, based on that information?

For a Queen mattress, any bedroom that measures at least 10 x 10 feet will give you enough space to properly arrange your furniture.

A Full bed, being a bit smaller, may fit into narrower bedrooms — for example, 10 x 9 feet. However, the difference between the mattress sizes isn’t so big; plus, a bed frame might eat some additional space, so it’s better if your bedroom is 10 x 10 feet as well, to accommodate a Full bed without feeling tightly packed.

How Much Does a Full and a Queen Mattress Cost?

Price can be a decisive factor for many shoppers. And when it comes to choosing between a Full and a Queen mattress, the former will be a cheaper option. Generally, Full models cost $100-300 less than the Queen size of the same mattress type.

Just to compare, quality memory foam mattresses (mid-range category) in the Queen size cost around $1,000, and Full models - about $800. Luxurious brands come with an average $1,800 price tag for the Queen size and $1,500 for the Full.

So, shoppers should decide whether those extra $200-300 are worth the additional space the Queen can offer or not.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Queen vs Full?

Having familiarized yourself with the key differences of both sizes, you might start thinking that a Full-sized bed is worse than the Queen one.

But you’re not right, as bigger isn’t always better. 

Each size reveals its benefits in different scenarios. And to be honest, Queen isn’t as perfect as it seems either.

Below, I will outline the pros and cons of each mattress size so that you can compare them and decide which option is a better pick for you.

Pros and Cons of Full

So, let’s begin with the good:

• More affordable. Full beds take fewer resources to be produced, and this results in cheaper prices.
• Great for occasional sleeping. A full bed is perfect for a guest room, as it’s able to perfectly accommodate a couple or a single guest while feeling a lot more comfortable than a couch.
• Great for a teenager’s room. Full has the same length as Twin but is almost twice as wide, so your kid will have much more room to move and change positions during sleep.
• Spacious enough for solo sleepers who like to sprawl in bed. While the Full size offers plenty of space for one person, it’s a more budget-friendly solution than Queen mattresses. This makes Full beds a perfect choice for solo sleepers who like to sleep like starfish.
• Easier to move than a Queen. Because Full mattresses are slightly smaller than Queen models, they weigh less and make a better solution for people who often move.

“Literally all bedding brands feature sheet sets in the Full size, so you can easily decorate your mattress the way you like.”

Now, let’s see the bad:

• Not the best fit for taller people. If you’re taller than 5’5’’, your legs might hang down from the bed, which will definitely won’t help you get comfortable.
• May not work for heavy couples. Large sleepers need more space to shift position and feel comfortable during sleep. If you and your partner are heavy sleepers, you may feel a bit cramped on a Full-sized bed.

Pros and Cons of Queen

Now, let’s first take a look at the pros of Queen mattresses:

• Highest market demand. You’ll hardly ever see the ‘sold out’ label either on a Queen mattress or on mattress accessories, which makes it incredibly easy to find both a suitable mattress and bedding for it.
• More space for couples. 30 inches of mattress surface per person allows you to move more freely during the night without interrupting your partner’s sleep.
• Great for taller individuals. Five extra inches in length can make a real difference in your comfort if your height is more than 5 feet.
• Easy to find accessories for. Because Queen mattresses are widely available, finding sheets, bedding, or toppers of the same size is never a problem. Plus, the variety of options is impressive. This means sleepers will be very likely to find exactly what they need when shopping for Queen-sized sleep accessories.

And here are the cons:

• Higher price. A larger size means more resources and energy used during the manufacturing process — and hence, higher prices.
• Bulkier option. In most cases, Queen mattresses are delivered in a vacuum-sealed box. However, when you open the package and let your mattress inflate, you might find that it’s actually pretty monstrous, especially if you chose a high-profile option.

Bottom line?

No mattress size is perfect, so be sure to understand your needs first and choose your new mattress based on them.

Have you made a decision about whether your next mattress will be Full or Queen? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below!