Twin vs Full vs Queen: Which Mattress Size is Right For You

By Geoff McKinnen Certified Sleep Coach

Last Updated On August 26th, 2024
Twin vs Full vs Queen: Which Mattress Size is Right For You

Key Takeaways

  • Consider Bedroom Space and Users: When choosing a mattress size, take into account factors like the size of the bedroom, who will be using the mattress, and your budget.
  • Accommodation of Couples: Among twin, full, and queen size mattresses, only queen mattresses offer enough space to comfortably accommodate couples.
  • Difference Between Sizes: Understand the differences in dimensions between twin, full, and queen size beds. While twin and full sizes are commonly used by teenagers and adults, the queen size is longer by 5 inches, making it a versatile choice for both single sleepers and couples.

The twin is the smallest standard size mattress—22 inches narrower than a queen size and 16 inches narrower than a full. When deciding on the right mattress size, keep in mind the area of the bedroom, who will be using the mattress, and your budget.

The twin, full, and queen size mattresses may all be used by single sleepers, but only the queen size has enough space to accommodate couples.

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Difference Between Twin, Full, and Queen Size Mattresses

While the twin and full size mattresses are often used by teenagers and adults, the queen size mattress is not a preferred option for a child’s room. A queen size is longer by 5 inches than a twin and full.

Measuring 38 inches by 75 inches, a twin can accommodate a growing teenager or an average size adult, but there’s no room left for another sleeper. A full bed, also known as a double bed, measures 54 inches wide and 75 inches long and may accommodate a child and an average size adult.

Since a twin and full size bed may be used by adults or teenagers they are often found in children’s rooms, dorm rooms, or any small spare room to accommodate an extra guest. Twin and full sizes are also popular as bunk beds, which not only helps in space management but also makes the kids’ room look exciting.

The queen size mattress is the most popular among all mattress sizes. The versatility of a queen bed lies in the fact that it’s neither too big, nor too small. It can be used in a master bedroom or in a guest room.

A queen sized mattress is perfect for single sleepers who like to sprawl out or couples who like to sleep close. However, the queen sized bed may not be comfortable for a couple who enjoys more personal space during sleep.

ParametersTwinFullQueen
Mattress Dimensions38 inches by 75 inches54 inches by 75 inches60 inches by 80 inches
Recommended Room Size7 feet by 10 feet10 feet by 10 feet10 feet by 10 feet
AdvantageFits into a small size roomMay accommodate a child along with an adult Can accommodate two adults
DisadvantageToo small to accommodate more than one sleeperToo small for a coupleWill not fit into a comparatively smaller room

Best Amerisleep Mattresses of All Sizes

Quick Guide: A 30-Second Summary

Best Mattress Overall Amerisleep AS3
Best Soft Mattress Amerisleep AS5
Best Latex Mattress Amerisleep Organica

Best Mattress Overall

Amerisleep AS3

Amerisleep AS3 Mattress Image
  • Price Range: $1049 to $2198
  • Mattress Type: Memory Foam
  • Mattress Firmness: 5 to 6 out of 10 (Medium)
  • Mattress Thickness: 12 Inches
  • Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
Warranty
20 Years
Sleep Trial
100 Nights
Shipping
Free
Mattress Highlights
  • Cooling and adaptable Bio-Pur® foam
  • Transition foam with five support areas
  • Sturdy base foam deters sagging
Recommended For
  • Side, back, and combination sleepers
  • Hot sleepers
  • Eco-conscious shoppers

Our Amerisleep AS3 mattress is our most popular option due to how its medium feel can suit most sleeping positions and body types. It suits most shoppers’ purposes, whether they’re looking for a twin or full for themselves, a queen to share, or a spare bed for guests.

Wrapped around the AS3 is a cover of Refresh cover, a material that incorporates advanced sleep technology to achieve more than temperature neutrality. Instead of simply pulling heat away, the cover fabric transforms body heat into infrared energy, which penetrates the body and boosts local blood flow.

The top layer of the AS3 is Bio-Pur® foam, a more breathable, responsive, and eco-friendly update to memory foam. While traditional memory foam is made entirely with synthetic petrochemicals, our Bio-Pur® foam is partly made with plant-derived oils.

The middle layer of the AS3 is Affinity foam with HIVE® technology. Hexagonal cutouts make up HIVE® technology, which creates five zones of support so the mattress feels soft where it’s wanted and firm where it’s needed.

The base of the AS3 is Bio-Core®, a foam engineered to support the body and resist impressions and sagging.

Sleepers who prefer a touch of bounce in their bed should consider our AS3 Hybrid, which contains a core of pocketed coils. These coils give the surface of the mattress extra buoyancy.

The Amerisleep AS3 is our top mattress recommendation, regardless of what size interests you. With a versatile medium feel, the AS3 can suit single sleepers looking for a twin or full mattress and couples interested in sharing a queen bed.

The Amerisleep AS3, like all Amerisleep mattresses, comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year mattress warranty.

Save $450 on the Amerisleep AS3 with our discount code
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Best Soft Mattress

Amerisleep AS5

  • Price Range: $1649 to $3398
  • Mattress Type: Memory Foam
  • Mattress Firmness: 3 out of 10 (Soft)
  • Mattress Thickness: 14 Inches
  • Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
Warranty
20 Years
Sleep Trial
100 Nights
Shipping
Free
Mattress Highlights
  • Soft top with responsive foams underneath
  • Targeted support for five areas
  • Structural base foam deters sinkspots
Recommended For
  • Side sleepers
  • Lightweight sleepers
  • Those seeking a luxury mattress

While all of our mattresses are well-made, the Amerislep AS5 is perhaps the one that comes closest to the traditional idea of a luxury mattress, with a plush, cloud-feel that can carry individuals off to sleep. We recommend the AS5 for side sleepers of all shapes and sizes, along with petite sleepers seeking a mattress that hugs their lightweight bodies swiftly.

The first layer of the AS5 is Bio-Pur® foam, our eco-friendly update to traditional memory foam. The light, responsive feel of Bio-Pur® creates a soft surface that adapts swiftly, minimizing unpleasant sinkage.

The next layer is Active Flex foam, a material that further bolsters how well the mattress flexes under a sleeper’s body. Active Flex is the primary reason the bed feels soft but not too soft, as it adds a gentle buoyancy to the mattress.

Then comes the transition layer of Affinity foam with HIVE® technology. The cutouts in the Affinity foam ensure extra conforming cushion in the shoulders and hips, while the head, back, and feet areas remain focused on support.

The last layer is Bio-Core®, a material that stands strong even after years of nightly use. Bio-Core® ensures the AS5 provides high value on a shopper’s investment, creating durable comfort and support.

The Amerisleep AS5 also comes in a hybrid model, much like the AS3. The mixture of soft cushion and bouncy pocketed coils inside the AS5 Hybrid provides comfort to sleepers who want a buoyant, plush bed.

With a luxuriously soft surface, the Amerisleep AS5 can upgrade a bedroom, whether you choose a small twin or a larger queen bed. The bed is gentle and plush, with a cooling cover that enables swift heat dispersion.

The AS5 comes with free delivery, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 20-year warranty.

Save $450 on the Amerisleep AS5 with our discount code
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Best Latex Mattress

Amerisleep Organica

Amerisleep Organica Mattress Image
  • Price Range: $1049 to $2348
  • Mattress Type: Latex Hybrid
  • Mattress Thickness: 13 Inches
  • Mattress Firmness: 5 to 6 out of 10 (Medium)
  • Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
Warranty
20 Years
Sleep Trial
100 Nights
Shipping
Free
Mattress Highlights
  • Cotton and wool for a pillowy surface
  • Latex foam layers for bouncy relief
  • Pocketed coils contour to sleepers
Recommended For
  • Sleepers with non-latex allergies
  • Most sleeping positions and body types
  • Hot sleepers

Sleepers seeking the natural coolness of wool, cotton, and latex foam should take a look at the comfort our Organica mattress provides.

The surface of the Organica is crisp cotton fabric that keeps the surface cool and dry. The cotton is organic for added durability and a gentler feel on the skin. Underneath is organic wool, which establishes a pillowy feel and serves as a natural fire barrier. Thanks to the wool, the Organica is a mattress free of fiberglass.

There are two latex layers inside the Organica. The first layer is softer, providing a buoyant cushion for pressure relief. The next layer is the Organica’s transition layer, keeping sleepers from bowing too far into the mattress.

The pocketed coils keep the sleeper supported, with individual wrappings preventing motion transfer. The base supporting the coils is made of firm latex foam.

Natural comfort is a priority for many, and our Organica packs a number of certified materials into a buoyant mattress design.

The Amerisleep Organica ships free and comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

Save $450 on the Amerisleep Organica with our discount code
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Pricing of Mattress Sizes

Mattress prices depend on factors beyond bed size, like the quality of the materials used, the addition of pillow tops or euro pillow tops, and the inclusion of exclusive sleep technologies to enhance your sleeping experience.

The twin, full, and queen size mattresses are available in a wide range of prices—choose your best mattress by considering your budget and the size of your room.

Twin Size Mattress

A twin size mattress is the smallest amongst all standard size mattresses. A twin bed serves as a single bed and is a good fit for a child, a growing teenager, or an average-sized full-grown adult. They may also be paired in a set for bunk beds.

A twin size mattress is typically priced between $100 to $1800. The high-end brands come with quality materials and exclusive sleep technologies in a twin mattress to enhance your sleeping experience.

Below we offer prices of our Amerisleep twin size mattresses.

MattressPrice
Amerisleep AS1$649
Amerisleep AS2$849
Amerisleep AS3$1049
Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid$1249
Amerisleep AS4$1049
Amerisleep AS5$1649
Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid$1949
Amerisleep Organica$1049

Full Size Mattress

A full size mattress is big enough for a full-grown adult and a child. The full bed is perfect for children and growing teenagers who like to sprawl out. A full size mattress is priced between $250 to $2500. The hybrid varieties are usually priced more because of the number of materials and layers inside it, including a coiled support layer, which enhances the mattress’s breathability and bounce.

Below we offer prices of our Amerisleep mattresses in full size.

MattressPrice
AS1$849
AS2$1049
AS3$1249
AS3 Hybrid$1449
AS4$1249
AS5$1849
AS5 Hybrid$2149
Amerisleep Organica$1249

Queen Size Mattress

The queen size mattress is the most popular mattress size—they work for both individual sleepers and couples. The queen size bed allows enough space for an individual to stretch out, while also accommodating couples who like to sleep close together. A queen size mattress is priced anywhere between $600 to $3000.

Below we offer prices of our Amerisleep queen size mattress:

MattressPrice
AS1$899
AS2$1099
AS3$1299
AS3 Hybrid$1499
AS4$1299
AS5$1899
AS5 Hybrid$2199
Amerisleep Organica$1299

Customization Within the Twin, Full and Queen Size Mattresses

All three standard sizes can be customized to suit your needs. The customizations increase your options and help in deciding on the perfect mattress size for you. Except for twin XL, which is readily available, the other two may be difficult to find—even if you find them, searching for fitted sheets and other bedding accessories for full XL and Olympic queen sizes may be difficult.

Twin XL

The twin XL mattress is longer than a traditional twin size bed by 5 inches. The extra length is beneficial for taller individuals who need more space. Measuring 38 inches by 80 inches, the twin XL bed may be a good fit for an average size individual living in a studio apartment or a small bedroom.

The twin XL is also the standard size in college dorms, as a dorm mattress needs to accommodate most single adult sleepers. Because of its versatile yet compact design, the twin XL is also a popular choice for guest room mattresses in small bedrooms.

These twin size beds can also be laid out side by side to make a mattress that equals a standard king bed. These two twin beds together are known as a split king mattress.

.See also:

Full XL

The full XL measures 54 inches by 80 inches—5 inches longer than the standard full size mattress. The extra length makes it a great option for tall people.

The full XL size mattress can be used by average size individuals and may accommodate a child and an adult. However, considering how challenging it can be to find a full XL mattress and related accessories, shoppers may prefer a queen mattress instead if they need extra legroom.

Olympic Queen

Measuring 66 inches by 80 inches, the Olympic queen size mattress comes with the advantage of extra space than the standard queen size—six extra inches of width. The Olympic queen fits in a room big enough for a standard queen size mattress, but still offers you the luxury of some extra space.

The Olympic queen size mattress is commonly seen in RVs, camper trailers, and mobile homes. See our Olympic queen vs standard queen mattress guide for more information.

Split Queen

The split queen mattress is a standard queen size split in half, letting each sleeper choose a mattress of their preference on their side of the bed. A split queen allows each sleeper 30 inches of personal space, 8 inches less than a king size mattress.

The split option in a queen size bed is good for couples who prefer to sleep close, but also prefer a different type of mattress for their individual comfort. However, it can be difficult to find accessories for a split queen mattress.

Couples who want to customize their comfort may prefer a split king size mattress. You can read more about it in King vs. Split King.

California Queen

A California queen features extra legroom for taller sleepers, much like how a California king is a longer version of the traditional king bed. A California queen measures 84 inches long and 60 inches wide to keep single sleepers and couples from resting with their feet dangling over the end.

See also queen vs. California queen.

Short Queen

While many queen size customizations increase the sleeping space the mattress offers, the short queen is a more compact version. A short queen measures 75 inches by 60 inches, making it just a little bit wider than the standard full bed.

Like the Olympic queen, the short queen is commonly used as an RV mattress. The smaller size of a short queen reduces drag on a camper or motor vehicle. See also our short queen vs. queen mattress guide.

Other Standard Sizes

If you are part of a couple who enjoy more space and have children who may want to snuggle with you on some nights, other standard mattress sizes like a king or a California king may be better suited for you.

King Size Mattress

The standard king size mattress, also known as the Eastern king, is the largest standard mattress size. Measuring 76 inches by 80 inches, the king bed is spacious enough as a family bed. However, the extra space means a larger master bedroom for your king size bed.

See also:

California King Size Mattress

The California king mattress is the same size as the king, but it has an extra 4 inches in length. What it gains in length, it loses in width, as the California king size is narrower by 4 inches. Measuring 72 inches by 84 inches, a California king size mattress suits large master bedrooms and is suitable for taller couples.

See also:

FAQs

What is the difference between a full and a twin?

A full size mattress is 16 inches wider than a twin size mattress. While a twin size has just enough space for a single adult, a full size may accommodate both a child and an adult. However, we cannot recommend a full mattress for two adult sleepers.

Is a queen big enough for a couple?

Couples who like to sleep close and cozy will be comfortable on a queen size bed. However, a queen may not be ideal for those who enjoy extra sleeping space or have children who like to snuggle with their parents. Partners who enjoy their personal may need to consider a king size mattress.

Is a twin bed good for adults?

A twin bed can suit adult sleepers with smaller rooms and limited budgets, though we suggest the longer twin XL mattress for adults over 6 feet tall. We must also stress that a twin or twin XL bed is only suitable for single sleepers. Adults looking for a mattress for couples should look at king or queen beds.

What size bed should a 6 foot person get?

A standard twin bed or even a full mattress is typically too small for anyone 6 feet or taller. While yes, both beds are technically longer than 6 feet, in practice they tend to leave a tall sleeper feeling cramped and uncomfortable.

We suggest beds that are at least 80 inches long for a sleeper over 6 feet. A twin XL mattress is good for budget shoppers and a queen mattress is good for sleepers seeking a roomy mattress.Those who really want to streatch out on a mattress for tall sleepers might want a Cal king.

How many people can sleep on a full bed?

A full size mattress is only wide enough to provide a solo sleeper with space to sprawl. Two people may be able to squeeze onto a full mattress, but it won’t be a comfortable sleeping arrangement.

If you plan on permanently sharing a bed with a partner, we can’t recommend anything smaller than a queen bed. The extra six inches may not sound like much, but it can make a big difference when considering a double bed or a queen mattress

Which Mattress Size Is Right for You?

Twin, full, and queen size mattresses are all great options for single adults. Depending on whether you are a single or part of a couple, and available space, a twin, full, or queen mattress could be the perfect size for you. Make sure you also consider matching accessories like a bed frame, sheets, and pillows!


About the author

Geoff McKinnen is a writer focusing mainly on the healthcare industry and has written articles on everything from foods to help you lose weight to the connection between Alzheimer’s and sleep. Geoff’s passionate about helping readers improve their well-being to lead happier lives. Outside of work, Geoff enjoys cycling and hiking and believes that by leading a healthy lifestyle, he can help others do the same.

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