Should I Get a Twin or Full Bed?

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We all love a little extra room in bed, but most of us don’t have space for a king-size or queen mattress. Fortunately, full-size and twin beds give you more room than a single, and they’re popular choices for people of all ages.

If you’re looking to get your toddler their first bed, buy a mattress for a college dorm, or optimize the space in your apartment – a full-size or twin bed is a viable option.

If you have no idea about how bed sizes work or whether you should get a twin or full bed, this post is for you. We’ll unpack everything you need to know about the differences between full-size and twin mattresses. Use the information to guide you in your purchase.

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Twin vs. Full Bed: Know The Differences

The twin bed, also known as a single bed is the most common choice of bed among American users. You’ll find it mostly in guest rooms/children’s rooms and college dorms. A standard twin mattress is 75 inches long x 38 inches wide. A twin mattress is best suitable for teenagers and growing children and ideal for room sizes measuring 7 feet x 10 feet.

Pros: versatile, easy to move/lift, great for growing children and single adults, economical, doesn’t need a big room.

Cons: not suitable for heavier individuals, too small for couples, looks awkward in a big room, won’t accommodate taller individuals.

A full bed, also known as a double mattress is the go-to mattress for many folks of every age and is a popular choice among single adult sleepers. A full size mattress is 75 inches long and 54 inches wide.

And that’s the main difference between a twin vs full mattress. A full bed has a roomy 16-inches extra in width than a twin size mattress. Thus a full bed mattress is best for children and single adults and ideal for room sizes measuring 9 feet x 9.6 feet.

Pros: suits growing children, doesn’t take up space, easy to transport, less expensive than other mattresses.

Cons: not ideal for couples, too small for tall or heavy adults, looks awkward in a big room.

How Much should a Twin Mattress Cost?

That’s a bit of a loaded question. Twin mattresses vary widely in price ranges, depending on the manufacturer and model. Finding the right mattress will leave you browsing listing for days if you don’t set a budget. What’s affordable to you might be expensive to someone else, and vice versa. Set a budget and stick to it when browsing for your new mattress.

If you’re looking to purchase a twin or full-size mattress, you have a bevy of options. With dozens of brands and hundreds of models – you’re spoiled for choice. By setting your budget, you start narrowing down your options.

Typically, you can pick up an entry-level twin-mattress for between $200 to $300. However, these models might not be the best choice if you’re looking for a long service life from your new bed. Regardless of the size, you get what you pay for with mattresses, and that’s important to remember.

If you’re looking for a decent quality twin or full-size bed, you’ll need a budget of between $300 to $600. If you want the best brands with premium design and construction, expect to pay up to $1,000 or more.

The twin or full-size mattress is an affordable option for college dorms, baby’s first bed, and even adults looking to save on space.

If you’re looking for the best twin mattress available, we recommend going with the Lucid 10-inch gel memory foam twin mattress. This model features an open-cell memory foam design and a medium-plush feel. It’s a good choice for any sleeping position, with targeted support zones in your hips and shoulders.

LUCID 10 Inch Memory Foam Mattress - Medium Feel - Infused with Bamboo Charcoal and Gel - Bed in a Box - Temperature Regulating - Pressure Relief - Breathable - Twin Size

Click here to see the Lucid twin mattress on Amazon

What is the Average Cost of a Full-Size Mattress?

A full-size mattress is going to cost more than a twin. However, you get a bit more room and more comfort. Most entry-level full-size beds start at $200 to $500, and a decent-quality model will set you back between $700 to $1,000. If you’re looking for premium brands, expect to pay up to $1,500 for a full-size bed.

When assessing your prospective mattress, the price tag is not the only thing you need to focus on—the materials matter.

Quality memory foam or latex beds provide the best comfort. Memory foam sleeps a little hotter than latex and has more resilience. However, you won’t get the plush feel of memory foam in a latex model.

What kind of design do you want in your mattress? You’ll have to choose from hybrid or full-foam beds. Hybrids bring you the best of memory foam sleeping surfaces, with the support of springs.

The better the materials, and the more features in the bed, the more you can expect to pay. If you’re worried about spending a lot of money on a bed and find it unsuitable, there’s good news. Most brands offer risk-free sleep trials, with up to 100-days to try the mattress and see if you like it.

If you’re looking for a recommendation on the best full-size bed we can find online, go with the Olee Sleep Aquarius 10-Inch memory foam mattress. This 10-inch model features a memory foam design with gel-infused, open-cell memory foam to keep you cool on warm nights.

Olee Sleep Full Mattress, 10 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress, Gel Infused for Comfort and Pressure Relief, CertiPUR-US Certified, Bed-in-a-Box, Medium Firm, Blue, Full Size

Check out the Olee Sleep memory foam mattress on Amazon

What Age is a Twin Bed for?

Manufacturers used to refer to the standard twin as the single bed. Twins are the best choice for kids that are outgrowing their beds.

A twin bed is the next step up from the crib, and experts recommend moving your child to a twin bed at age three or four.

Keeping your child in the crib for too long can stall their physical and mental development. By moving them to a twin mattress, you start them on the next phase of childhood – moving away from your sleeping arrangement.

Do Adults use Twin Beds?

Sure, adults can benefit from using a twin bed. Twins provide excellent sleeping surfaces for smaller venues like studios and apartments. It’s an affordable option for saving money and saving space.

Twin beds are not only for youngsters – they suit adults as well. Twin beds are suitable for a compact sleeping arrangement where you need to save on space.

If you’re renting a New York apartment, you want to maximize your living space. A studio is small enough, and adding a queen or king bed to the apartment is impossible. A twin bed allows you to maximize the area around your home.

The twin mattress is an excellent space saver and fits in rooms as small as 7-foot x 10-foot. A twin makes it easier to get everything you need into your room.

Twin mattress dimensions are a standard across the industry, measuring 38″ x 75″, or 3.16 ft x 6.25 ft. The name “twin” bed comes from using two mattresses in a single children’s room, providing “twin” single mattresses for the kids.

Shorter adults under 5’5” can use a twin bed, but if your taller, your feet will hang off the end of the mattress. If you want to resolve that problem, purchase a Twin XL (xtra length). While it’s 5-inches shorter than a king, you’ll have plenty of room for your feet on the sleeping surface.

Use this mattress dimension guide to find your perfect fit.

A chart showing all mattress sizes and dimensions

What is the difference between a Twin and Twin XL?

Do you think a twin is going to be short for your sleeping requirements? Good news! The twin XL is a great option for shorter adults.

The width measurement of the twin XL mattress remains the same as the standard twin at 38-inches. However, the length gets an additional 5-inches of legroom, suiting adults up to 5”11 tall. Therefore, if you have an apartment or studio, the twin XL makes a pragmatic, space-saving choice.

Are Double and Full Beds the Same?

Yes! Full-size and double beds are the same thing. That’s right; they share the exact dimensions at 54-inch by 75-inches. Manufacturers and retailers use the terms interchangeably when talking about these mattresses.

The “full-size” moniker was popular in the 1870s as American mattress manufacturers standardized sizes on double beds.

The twin mattress took over as the new benchmark size for a single bed and full mattresses the new standard for double beds in the US.

Can Two People Sleep on Full-Size Mattress?

If you’re a petite or small couple, then you might find a full-size mattress suitable. Couples that don’t move around much while sleeping won’t have any issues. However, if you find yourself tossing and turning during the night – you’re going to need a bigger bed.

There are hundreds of thousands of American couples that go to sleep each night on a full-size bed. It’s a great space saver for apartments and studios and the ideal choice for singles looking to save room around the home.

What Size Sheets Fit a Twin Bed?

When ordering your twin or twin XL mattress, you’ll need to include sheets with your purchase. We recommend going for sheets and a mattress protector to stop stains from penetrating the mattress cover.

Twin bed sheets measure 74″ x 38″.  This fade-resistant Mellanni 3-piece bed sheet set made of high quality brushed microfiber is inexpensive, comes in 20+ colors, 10+ sizes and feels silky soft to touch.

Mellanni Twin Sheets Set - 3 PC Iconic Collection Bedding Sheets & Pillowcases - Hotel Luxury, Extra Soft, Cooling Bed Sheets - for Women, Men, Kids & Teens (Twin, Gray)

Click here to see this bedding on Amazon

You’ll need larger sheets for pillowtop hybrid mattresses, and most sheets come standard to fit a 10-inch depth. If you have a 13-inch model, you’ll have to look for sheets with extra depth.

Fitted sheets are more expensive, but they make bed maintenance and fitment easy. You get a snug fit with a fitted sheet, and it’s worth the few extra dollars on the price tag.

What Size Sheet Fits a Full Size Bed?

You’ll need to include sheets with your mattress purchase. When ordering them online, we recommend you go with these full size bed sheets.

Full-size sheets measure 54-inches wide by 75-inches long and most come with a standard fit for 10-inch depths. If you’re purchasing an XL model or a mattress with extra depth, you’ll have to find those sheets online.

It’s important to note that some brands may vary sizes for full-size mattress sheets. Some brands might have widths of 80-inches, where others might measure an 85-inch width. Check the listing before finalizing your purchase.

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