Best Twin XL Hybrid Mattress

By Sanchita Sen Certified Sleep Coach

Last Updated On December 14th, 2023
Best Twin XL Hybrid Mattress

When searching for a new bed, two important things to know are the type of mattress you’re interested in and the size most suitable for your needs and living space. These should be determined right out of the gate, so you have a better idea of what you’re looking for and can save time shopping.

Twin XL mattresses are a go-to for many—they’re suitable for growing children and solo adult sleepers, and they’re typically found in children’s bedrooms, dorm rooms, and studio bedroom apartments. We usually recommend opting for twin XL mattresses over twins because they offer much-needed legroom teens and adults can enjoy.

Bouncy Comfort & Durable Edge Support

Experience a Hybrid

Don’t get us wrong, though, twin mattresses are still a great option for those who aren’t worried about their feet dangling over the edge of the bed.

When it comes to mattress type, hybrids are a popular option because they contain pressure-relieving memory foam layers and bouncy pocketed coils, offering a number of sleep-boosting benefits. We recommend these for people with back pain, couples, and hot sleepers since they can appeal to a variety of sleep needs.

If you have your eye on a twin XL hybrid mattress, you’re in the right place. In our post, we review the best twin XL hybrid mattresses from our lineup.

Best Twin XL Size Hybrid Mattresses

Quick Guide: A 30-Second Summary

Best Twin XL Size Hybrid Mattress Overall Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid
Best Soft Twin XL Size Hybrid Mattress Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid
Best Natural Twin XL Size Hybrid Mattress Amerisleep Organica

The AS3 is our most popular mattress for its balanced feel, and the AS3 Hybrid delivers a similar versatile feel that is comfortable to most single sleepers.

Mattress Highlights
  • Technologically advanced fabric cover
  • Cushion conforms to body's curves
  • Contouring, responsive pocketed coils
Recommended For
  • Side, back, and combo sleepers
  • Couples with conflicting preferences
  • Hot sleepers

The top-rated hybrid to consider is our AS3. Our AS3 all-foam model offers an even mix of comfort and support, so we designed our AS3 Hybrid to meet that middle ground, too. It’s recommended for side, back, and combination sleepers, as stomach sleepers may find this bed is too soft to offer adequate support.

Our AS3 Hybrid starts off with a soft, breathable cover. It keeps air flowing out of the mattress and prevents night sweats. Directly below the cover is 3 inches of Bio-Pur®foam to cradle the body and relieve pressure points, while keeping you lifted in a healthy position.

Bio-Pur® is a proprietary plant-based memory foam designed to be more breathable and responsive than other foams. Bio-Pur® offers immediate cushioning and alleviates aches and pains. It also distributes your weight evenly to prevent pressure buildup. All foams in our mattresses, including Bio-Pur®, are CertiPUR-US® certified, too, meaning they’re low in VOCs and free from harmful chemicals.

Below the Bio-Pur® layer is an 8-inch pocketed coil system engineered to offer responsive support. The coils react individually to movement, adapting to changes in position while limiting motion transfer. The main coils promote neutral spinal alignment, while the ones along the side feature edge support.

The pocketed coils in this bed offer unbeatable support, and they also prevent heat retention and keep you cool because they’re pocketed. Our hybrid mattresses are also a great option for couples because they isolate motion, so you can share the bed with the most restless sleeper and their tossing and turning won’t interrupt your night’s rest.

At the base of this bed is a thin layer of foam for added support. Each of our hybrids is surrounded by a sturdy foam perimeter for added edge support.

Our AS3 Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

Save $450 on the Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid with our discount code
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The luxurious soft feel of the AS5 Hybrid ensures that a twin XL hybrid can pack a lot of comfort into its compact size.

Mattress Highlights
  • Plush plant-based foam layer
  • Active Flex plus coils for responsiveness
  • Weightless feel carries you off to sleep
Recommended For
  • Side sleepers
  • People who enjoy a plush cloud mattress
  • Hot sleepers

The third and last hybrid we offer is the AS5 Hybrid. We love this super-soft hybrid for side sleepers and those over 230 pounds. Typically, it’s harder for plus-size sleepers to find a soft but supportive bed, but our AS5 Hybrid was designed to be just that.

Our AS5 Hybrid is a plush mattress with plenty of bounce. It features 3 inches of Bio-Pur® in the comfort layer for supreme pressure relief and unbeatable comfort. Below the Bio-Pur®, though, is a material none of our other models have—Active Flex.

Active Flex serves two purposes: it offers extra cushioning comfort and provides extra support to prevent sinkage (which is what makes it beneficial for those over 230 pounds). The two inches of Active Flex in this bed offers deeper compression for the shoulders and hips while keeping you lifted in the bed.

Below the layer of Active Flex is the 8-inch pocketed coil system designed to provide responsive zoned support. Not only does this layer promote healthy alignment and isolate motion, but it also allows for better airflow to prevent heat retention.

Lastly, like all other hybrids, the AS5 Hybrid has a base layer of foam for additional structural support.

The AS5 Hybrid also comes with our risk-free sleep trial and warranty coverage.

Save $450 on the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid with our discount code
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Many prefer the feel of latex to memory foam in a hybrid mattress, and our Organica pairs its buoyant comfort with organic textiles for cooling, responsive comfort.

Mattress Highlights
  • Temperature-neutral cotton and wool
  • Pressure-relieving latex foam cushion
  • Pocketed coils complement latex's bounce
Recommended For
  • Side, back, or combo sleepers
  • Single sleepers with non-latex allergies
  • Hot sleepers

The surface of the Organica is a cotton cover that’s been certified by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). These fibers absorb moisture and heat well, enabling the bed to feel cozy with a cool, dry feel.

The next layer is an inch of organic wool, serving as a natural and safe flame barrier. Wool is one of the most popular materials to establish a fiberglass-free mattress.

While the cotton and wool offer comfort, the primary comfort layer is Talalay latex foam, a material more buoyant than memory foam while still contouring to the body for pressure relief. It’s a natural foam, whipped from harvested sap of the rubber tree. The transition layer is also Talalay latex foam, designed to feel a touch firmer than the first layer.

The support core of the Organica is pocketed coils, with every coil individually wrapped for better motion isolation. The sides of the Organica are reinforced for edge support, making it easier to move in and out of bed.

At the base of our Organica is an inch-thick base to provide extra support and prevent wear and tear. You won’t have to worry about sagging either—all of our mattresses come with a 20-year warranty covering sagging indentations.

The Organica also comes with a 100-night sleep trial. All mattresses come with free shipping and free returns, too.

Save $450 on the Amerisleep Organica with our discount code
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Who Should Choose a Twin XL Mattress?

We mentioned briefly above who twin XL mattresses are recommended for, but in this section, we’ll take a closer look at the twin XL mattress, who it’s best for, and alternative mattress sizes to consider.

Twin XL mattresses are great for those who:

  • Don’t have to share their mattress
  • Need extra legroom
  • Have a smaller bedroom or apartment
  • Want a mattress for a growing child

These beds offer 5 extra inches of length than standard twin mattresses, so they’re a better option for parents who are buying a bed to last their child into their teenage years as well as solo adult sleepers who need extra legroom.

Those who co-sleep with a pet will also enjoy twin XL mattresses for the extra space they provide; however, co-sleeping with children isn’t super comfortable on these beds, as they only provide enough space for one sleeper.

We should also mention the versatility of these beds. Twin XL mattresses are 38 inches wide and 80 inches long, and the dimensions of two twin XL mattresses side by side equals 76 inches by 80 inches long—the same dimensions of a king size mattress. If you have a twin XL bed at home and want to upgrade, you can purchase a king foundation and another twin XL to place next to your existing mattress and enjoy a much larger, more luxurious sleep set up.

Two twin XL mattresses placed side-by-side in a bed frame is referred to as a “split king size.” A split king is ideal for couples with different sleep needs, as it allows each person to choose their favorite mattress for their side of the bed.

Pros and Cons of Twin XL Mattresses

There are plenty of benefits to choosing a twin XL over other mattress sizes. However, these beds do have some downsides, like limited availability and little sleeping space.

Some of the advantages of sleeping on a twin XL include:

  • Extra Comfort: These beds offer 5 extra inches of legroom to prevent your feet from hanging over the edge of the mattress. They also offer enough room for a pet to sleep at your feet.
  • Space-Saving: Twin XL mattresses offer plenty of room for one person without taking up too much bedroom space.
  • Money-Saving: Solo sleepers usually have just a handful of mattress sizes in mind, and twin XL mattresses are more budget-friendly in comparison to fulls and queens.
  • Versatile: These beds can be used for one person, or paired with a second twin XL to accommodate two sleepers.

Alternative Mattress Sizes

Apart from twin XL mattresses, many solo sleepers consider twins, fulls, and queen size mattresses too. Let’s briefly discuss those to determine if they’d be a better fit for what you need.

Twin Size Mattresses

Twin mattresses measure 38 inches by 74 inches and are great for children who have just graduated from their crib size mattress. These mattresses are take up very little space but they don’t offer a ton of room for taller sleepers. If you’re shorter, a twin mattress is better than a twin XL since they’re not as expensive and they’re more available.

Full Size Mattresses

Full size mattresses, also known as double beds, are significantly wider than twins, measuring 54 inches by 75 inches. For those who need legroom, these beds are no better than twins. However, if you’re somebody who doesn’t need a lot of legroom and prefers extra space to sprawl out, a full is a better option than a twin XL.

Before buying one of these beds, though, measure your bedroom to make sure it’ll fit comfortably. A good rule of thumb is to leave 2 feet of room around all sides of the bed to ensure adequate walking space and prevent your bedroom from looking cluttered.

Queen Size Mattresses

Queen size mattresses are 60 inches wide by 80 inches long, so they offer quite a bit of room for you to get comfy. Queens are loved by single sleepers and couples alike. That said, some couples prefer to opt for king mattresses because they offer more sleeping space.

Queen mattresses are the same length as the twin XL size, so they’re a viable option for tall sleepers who value their personal space and want a larger bed.

What is a Hybrid Mattress?

Hybrid mattresses are a combination of all-foam and innerspring beds designed to offer the benefits of both mattress types while also minimizing their drawbacks. For example, memory foam is cushioning but hot, and innersprings are cool but not contouring. When you put these two together, you get a cushioning and cool bed.

When shopping for hybrids, be sure to get a true hybrid bed—many brands will market their mattresses as “hybrids” because they contain more than one material (which isn’t technically incorrect). However, in the mattress industry, we define true hybrids as beds with at least two inches of foam on top of a pocketed coil system.

Memory foam hybrid mattresses and latex hybrids are the most popular, but you will find poly-foam hybrids, too. When searching for the best hybrid mattress, we recommend sticking with a memory foam or latex option since these are typically more durable than poly-foam.

Who Are Hybrids Recommended For?

Hybrid mattresses can be comfortable for almost anybody, but they’re an excellent choice specifically for hot sleepers and those seeking a soft yet bouncy bed. If you grew up sleeping on an innerspring and are used to the bounce they provide, you’ll enjoy the added comfort of a hybrid’s pressure-relieving foam layers.

Hybrids contain pocketed coils to isolate motion, so they can also work for people who share the bed with a partner, child, or pet since these beds will prevent their movement from waking you.

Whether you’re a side, back, stomach, petite, or heavy sleeper, there are hybrid mattress options to suit your needs. In later sections, we’ll discuss how to choose the right comfort level based on your sleep style and body type.

Pros of Hybrids

There are plenty of benefits to choosing a hybrid mattress considering they were designed to mitigate the drawbacks of other mattress types. The main reason why people love these beds is their distinctive feel—by combining foam layers and coils, hybrids offer a unique sleep experience.

Other pros of hybrid mattresses include:

  • Improved airflow
  • Increased responsiveness
  • Better motion isolation

Cons of Hybrids

Despite being designed to be flaw-free, there are two big downfalls to hybrid mattresses: price and longevity. Hybrids are usually on the pricier end of the spectrum when comparing mattress cost, this is primarily because these beds contain both high-quality foams and pocketed coil systems.

Hybrids also break down faster than all-foam beds because of their included coil systems. Coils typically show signs of wear faster than foam, and hybrids usually begin to break down after 6 or 7 years of use.

How to Choose the Right Mattress

Choosing your favorite mattress type is not the only step in finding a comfortable bed. Next, you’ll have to think about the firmness level of your new bed—are you better off on something ultra-plush or luxury firm?

To determine how soft or firm your bed should be, think about your body type and preferred sleep style.

Sleep Style

The way you sleep determines the kind of support you need from a new mattress. For example, back sleepers need a different type of support than side sleepers. Because everyone sleeps differently, there’s no universal firmness to suit everybody.

That said, combination sleepers, or those who switch positions throughout the night, are better choosing a medium mattress because, out of all firmness options, medium is the most accommodating. Medium mattresses offer an even blend of comfort and support for various body types and restless sleepers.

Let’s break down sleep style by recommended firmness option.

  • Side sleeping poses the risk of pressure points under your shoulders and hips, so side sleepers need medium, medium-soft, or medium-firm mattresses for adequate pressure relief. Mattresses with zoned technologies also benefit side sleepers since they allow for deeper cushioning under those joints while also keeping the spine in healthy alignment.
  • Back sleepers can get away with sleeping on medium-soft, medium, medium-firm, and firm beds depending on body type and personal preference. The key thing back sleepers should keep in mind is spinal alignment, the bed should be firm enough to keep a back sleeper in a neutral position.
  • Stomach sleeping is unhealthy due to the excess stress it puts on your spinal column. Firm mattresses are recommended for side sleepers because they’re the best to prevent the torso from sinking and causing back pain, but even firm mattresses can be uncomfortable for stomach sleepers. If you’re a stomach sleeper, we suggest switching to side sleeping to achieve better rest.

Body Type

Another huge factor to consider when choosing firmness is body type. If you carry more weight, you’ll need more support from your mattress. Conversely, if you’re quite slim and weigh less than 130 pounds, you’ll want to choose something softer to enjoy cushioning comfort.

  • Sleepers under 130 pounds will want to stick with medium and medium-soft beds.
  • Sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds can stick with general guidelines discussed above and gauge comfort levels on sleep style and personal preference.
  • Sleepers over 230 pounds will want something medium-firm or firm unless a softer mattress is designed with materials to prevent sinkage.

Knowing your body type, sleep style, and personal preference for firmness can help you gauge a bed’s comfort without ever testing it. Of course, don’t forget to take advantage of sleep trials, too. These at-home trial periods give you the opportunity to test your new mattress for a couple of weeks or months while determining if it’s the best option.

Other Mattress Types to Consider

By now, you’ve probably either decided on a twin XL hybrid mattress as your new bed, or you’re realizing a twin XL or a hybrid isn’t your best option. Since we’ve already covered alternative mattress sizes, now is the time to discuss other mattress types for those of you who are still on the fence.

If you’re not completely sold on a hybrid, consider the other popular mattress types below.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are a popular option, especially for those browsing online bed in a box brands. These beds are favored because they cradle the body and alleviate pain and pressure. Those searching for a “weightless” sleep experience typically prefer memory foam over beds with coil systems or latex foam.

These beds are made with a combination of high density and low-density foams to provide both comfort and support, and many memory foam beds will also contain surface modification technologies to better promote healthy sleeping positions. Despite their cushioning softness, these beds still offer plenty of support and are regarded as some of the best mattresses for back pain relief.

A drawback to note with memory foam is heat retention, so these beds aren’t ideal for hot sleepers. Memory foam brands integrate different cooling technologies in their mattresses to dissipate heat, but even gel-infused memory foam mattresses don’t always work for those who commonly experience night sweats. That’s why hybrids with memory foam or gel memory foam are usually the better option for hot sleepers with aches and pains, as they allow for better airflow.

Latex

Latex mattresses are another great all-foam option for those who don’t care for springs. Latex is bouncy and responsive, so it offers that cushioning foam feeling without necessarily “cradling” you like memory foam. If you like a bouncier mattress, choose latex over memory foam.

There are two types of latex mattresses, though, so it’s important to look at the materials of the bed before purchasing. Most latex beds feature all-natural latex, however, there are some available made of synthetic latex. Synthetic latex is an okay option for those with a latex allergy who prefer these beds. But synthetic latex isn’t the most durable, and ultimately is not a good value.

Organic latex, on the other hand, is hypoallergenic, free from harmful chemicals, and long-lasting (latex beds last for over 10 years).

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are not a very popular choice due to their lack of cushioning. These beds are characterized by their inner coil systems and thin “comfort layers” usually made with quilted cotton, wool, or thin poly-foam.

Many innersprings are sold with optional Euro or pillow tops, but even those don’t provide adequate comfort for long. Innersprings typically break down after only 5 or 6 years.

Innersprings are inexpensive, so they’re a suitable option for somebody who only needs the essentials from a mattress and isn’t intending on using the bed for long. They’re also a good option for guest rooms if you need a mattress to fill a bed set. We do advise side sleepers to find an innerspring with a pillow or Euro top to prevent pressure points in the shoulders.

FAQs

Do you need a box spring with a hybrid mattress?

While box springs work well for innerspring beds, they’re not always the best for hybrids. Box springs are typically paired with coil beds because they offer extra shock absorption and bounce. However, box springs can damage foam, and since hybrids contain foam layers, they’re usually best paired with solid or slatted mattress foundations.

If you have a box spring at home and don’t wish to buy a new foundation, you can purchase a bunkie board or ¾-inch moisture-resistant plywood to place on top of the box spring. Doing this creates a solid, flat surface for your mattress.

Do hybrid mattresses work well with adjustable beds?

It really depends on the hybrid. Most hybrids should pair just fine with an adjustable base, but some thicker hybrids may not bend with the base as well. If a mattress brand carries hybrids and also sells an adjustable base, you can assume their hybrids are designed to work with these bed frames.

If you have your eye on an adjustable bed frame but aren’t positive if a hybrid you’re considering will work with it, the safest option is to reach out to the brand directly and ask. They’ll be able to offer the best suggestions for choosing a compatible bed frame to complete your mattress set.

What’s the difference between a twin XL and a twin size mattress?

A couple of extra inches of legroom! Twin mattresses measure 38 inches by 74 inches while twin XLs measure 38 inches by 80 inches. If you’re over 6 feet tall, you’ll want the additional space a twin XL provides.

What’s the difference between a twin XL and full size mattress?

Fulls and twin XLs are both highly popular, but they’re not the same. As we ran through previously, full mattresses are wider than twin XLs (16 inches wider to be exact), and they offer a lot of wiggle room.

These beds are great for those who co-sleep with a child or pet since they offer extra space. Full mattresses are 5 inches shorter than twin XLs, however, so they’re not a great fit for taller people.

Did We Help?

We hope our guide has provided the answers you were seeking during the mattress-buying process. Finding a new mattress isn’t super tricky as long as you keep in mind what you need from a bed. Determining mattress size and type early on narrows your options down drastically and steers you toward the right mattress.

When searching for the best twin XL hybrid, don’t forget to consider your sleep style, body type, and pre-existing aches and pains when choosing a bed, too. There’s no one best mattress out there for everyone, considering your needs can help you find comfortable options.


About the author

Sanchita Sen is a full-time writer focusing on the sleep health and mattress industry. She is a former journalist who has written numerous articles on the healthcare sector. Some of the topics she has covered include how to lucid dream, fever dreams, melatonin for sleep, and best gel memory foam mattress. Sanchita holds a Master of Arts in Communications from Convergence Institute of Mass Media and Information Technology Studies. She is also a published author, who seeks inspiration from both real life and the world of fiction.

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