Twin vs. Full — What’s the Difference?

You might not think there’s all that much difference between a twin and a full size mattress, but depending on your preferred sleep position and how active you are while snoozing, it could be the difference between feeling cramped and having enough personal space for a good night’s sleep.

While they’re the same length, the width is all the difference between the twin and the full, with the full coming in at a sufficient width to accommodate even the most active sleepers (assuming they’re under 6 feet tall). Let’s take a look at these mattress dimensions and costs and discuss which is right for you.

Twin Size Mattress

At just 38 by 75 inches, the twin is the smallest of the adult sized mattresses. Most of the time, twins are fine for single sleepers, especially for those in college dorm rooms, studio apartments, or other situations where they need to save on space. The best thing about twin size mattresses is they don’t take up a lot of room and they won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Another great advantage of the twin mattress is its portability. It’s easy to move around corners, slide up and down staircases, and fit in a moving van. Depending on the mattress type, it might also be light enough to be moved by just one person. You may want to consider a twin if you relocate a lot, even if your bedroom is big enough for a larger bed.

For most of the benefits of a twin with a little more legroom, you can also consider a twin XL mattress. Read our twin vs twin XL mattress guide for an in-depth comparison of the two.

Pros and Cons of a Twin Size Mattress

Pros

• Most budget-friendly of all the mattresses
• Won’t take up tons of space in a small bedroom
• Easy to move from place to place

Cons

• Not ideal for taller sleepers (they may need a queen or twin XL mattress)
• May not be roomy enough for active/combo sleepers
• Not suitable for couples

Ideal Room Dimensions for a Twin Bed

The twin mattress size isn’t wide or long, so a twin bed won’t fill out larger rooms unless you get more than one of them. Generally, you need about 2 feet of clearance around 3 sides of the bed to have enough room to walk around in your bedroom. Since twins are just over 3 feet wide and a little over 6 feet long, they only need a 7 by 8-foot room to give you enough space. However, if you’re going to be putting other furniture in the room, you may need to add a few extra feet at the foot of the bed.

Twin Mattress Cost

Twin mattresses are the best for your budget, no matter what material they’re made of. You can get one for around $100 if all you want is a low-cost mattress for a guest room that’s only going to see occasional use. If you want an everyday twin mattress, expect to pay between $400 and $1,500 depending on the quality and materials.

While twin mattresses tend to be the most affordable mattresses on the market due to their size, it can still be challenging for shoppers to find a mattress that’s budget-friendly yet packs a high amount of value. When it comes to inexpensive mattresses you can expect to get many years out of, our top recommendation is always the Vaya Mattress.

The Vaya Mattress contains two layers of high-quality foam. While this design is simple, the foams are engineered to maximize their comfort and support potential, allowing the Vaya Mattress to suit all styles of sleepers. Both foams are certified safe by CertiPUR-US®, meaning they were produced without potentially harmful substances.

The top layer is light and airy Vaya Comfort Foam. This foam is made to feel more breathable than traditional memory foam, while withstanding nightly use and responding swiftly to changes in movements.

The base is a thick layer of Vaya Base Foam, made to increase the mattress’s expected longevity. This foam ensures the mattress won’t sag, even after years and years of use.

Sleepers who prefer the feel of a spring mattress can also consider the Vaya Hybrid, another budget-friendly mattress. The Vaya Hybrid’s support layer is pocketed coils, with every coil wrapped to minimize motion transfer.

Every Vaya Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

Full Size Mattress

While they’re no longer than a twin, at 54 by 75, the full or double bed is 16 inches wider than its twin counterpart, meaning it’s perfect if you like to spread out or you roll around a lot while you sleep. The full is also six inches narrower than the queen size mattress, meaning it’s great if you want some extra sleeping space but don’t have a huge bedroom.

While the full size mattress isn’t as portable as the twin, it’s still a lot more manageable than the much longer and wider king or queen size bed. The extra 5 inches of length may make even a twin XL size mattress harder to maneuver than the shorter, wider full. Thus, if you want some extra width but still need your bed to be easy to move from place to place, a full is a good upgrade from a twin.

Pros and Cons of a Full Size Mattress

Pros

• Offers extra space to single adult sleepers
• Comfortable for sleepers who like to spread out
• Occasionally suitable for couples

Cons

• Not as easy to relocate
• More expensive than a twin
• Won’t fit in tiny rooms

Ideal Room Dimensions for a Full Bed

Full mattresses are better for smaller master bedrooms and larger kids’ rooms than twins because they’re wider and won’t leave these rooms looking empty. The full is 4.5 feet wide and 6.25 feet long. You can put it in a room as small as 8.5 by 8 feet, but this won’t leave you any room for additional furnishings like a dresser or vanity. If you want to add such furnishings, expect to need a room of at least 8 by 10 feet.

Full Mattress Cost

Standard fulls are more expensive than twins, but if you’re looking for a larger bed, they’re still a cheaper alternative than the standard queen or king size mattress. If you just want an occasional-use mattress for guests, you might be able to find one for as little as $300. Even if you want to use your full size mattress every night, it’s still easy to find a quality product for around $1,000.

You could wind up paying more than that if you want extra bells and whistles, but even then, the full is still a better budget mattress than its larger counterparts.

When it comes to a full size mattress that feels comfortable to most single sleepers, it is difficult to find one that’s more versatile than the Amerisleep AS3. Its medium feel conforms to side sleepers while supporting back sleepers and responding swiftly to side sleepers’ movements.

Three foam layers make up the AS3 mattress, and all of them are encased in a soft, breathable cover fabric.

The first foam layer is specialty memory foam known as Bio-Pur®. What sets Bio-Pur® foam apart from its fellows is its relatively sustainable production. Contrary to the wholly synthetic nature of most memory foam formulas, Bio-Pur® is produced with a mix of plant-derived oils and traditional ingredients. This process establishes a breathable and responsive comfort foam.

Next is a transition layer, Affinity foam with HIVE® technology. This unique technology consists of hexagons cut into the surface of the Affinity foam.

The final layer is Bio-Core® and prevents premature sagging. Thanks to Bio-Core®, the AS3 mattress is predicted to last more than a decade.

While the AS3 is an excellent mattress for couples, we can’t recommend anything smaller than a queen size bed for partners who want to share. It’s slightly wider and longer than a full mattress and better able to accommodate two sleepers.

Some shoppers may instead prefer the AS3 Hybrid, which possesses similar a medium feel but with added buoyancy. The AS3  Hybrid relies on a core of pocketed coils for its support instead of thick base foam.

The AS3 is backed by a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

Spending Less on Mattresses

While twin and full size mattresses are often sold at low prices, sleepers can still increase their savings by shopping smartly. One of the most important ways to do so is by taking advantage of any of the year’s big mattress sales:

• Presidents Day Mattress Sales
• Sleep Week Deals and Mattress Sales
• Memorial Day Mattress Sales
• 4th of July Mattress Sales
• Labor Day Mattress Sales
• Columbus Day Mattress Sales
• Black Friday Mattress Sales
• Cyber Monday Mattress Sales

FAQs

Are there longer beds than the twin and full?

Yes. In fact, the twin and full are the shortest of all the standard mattress sizes. The twin XL, queen, and standard king are all 80 inches in length, making them more suitable for sleepers over 6 feet tall. For extra-tall sleepers, the California king size mattress is a whopping 84 inches long, giving you plenty of leg room even if you’re well over 6 feet tall.

Is a king two twins or two fulls?

Neither of those bed sizes doubles to make a king. A standard or eastern king mattress is the same size as two twin XL beds, meaning it’s 80 inches long and 76 inches wide. Whereas two twins would form a nearly symmetrical square of 76 inches wide and 75 inches long. And two fulls would be 108 inches wide by only 75 inches long.

All this means if you’re looking for a split king, you’d better make sure you’re getting twin XLs to go in the standard king size bed frame. No other standard size will fit.

Are fulls big enough for couples?

Not really. They’re called a double bed because they’re the smallest bed size a couple can sleep in, but most couples can’t sleep comfortably in a full bed because it doesn’t offer the width necessary to move around or spread out. At 54 inches wide, each sleeper in a double bed only gets 27 inches of sleeping space. That’s the same width as an infant’s crib mattress—not the best for couples looking for a good night’s sleep. You’re probably better off going with at least a queen mattress.

Can I get bunk beds in full size?

Yes. Bunk bed mattresses come in a variety of sizes, including twin, twin XL, and full. The size you get really depends on the height of the individuals sleeping on the bunk beds, the size of the room the beds will go in, and how long you plan on keeping them (aka will your kids be sleeping on this setup when they’re teens or is it just for while they’re little?).

What’s the best bed base for a twin/full?

The best base for a mattress depends more on the material it’s made of than its size. Box springs are really only suitable for innerspring mattresses because they’re not rigid enough to support the weight of materials like latex or memory foam. Even with a coil mattress, box springs still have a tendency to sag, transfer motion, and break down over time.

Regardless of the size and material, it’s usually better to go with a mattress foundation or platform bed. These bases will offer firmer support to your mattress, helping to slow its natural breakdown. Foundations and platforms are also more durable themselves, meaning you won’t have to spring for a new one as often as you would box springs.

Bottom Line

Single sleepers under 6 feet tall can be comfortable on both a twin and a full. If you like room to move around while you sleep, a full may be for you. But if it’s convenience and portability you’re after, a twin may be more your speed. Whatever size you choose, it’s important to purchase a product made of non-toxic, high-quality material and processed according to strict health and toxicity guidelines.

That way, you can rest assured you’re sleeping on the best mattress for your health and safety.