Do You Need a Twin or a Twin XL Mattress?

Mattresses come in all sorts of sizes, and the progression is fairly self-explanatory. King is bigger than Queen-sized, which is bigger than Full-sized, which is bigger than Twin-sized. But what about Twin XL? And of these two, which one do I choose?

Here’s a rundown of Twin and Twin XL mattresses and how to determine which option will better suit you.

The Difference Between Twin and Twin XL

In terms of size, the differences between the two mattresses really just comes down to length. A standard Twin mattress is 75 inches long while a Twin XL is 80 inches long. The width for both models remains the same at 38 inches wide.

This might not seem like much, but for a tall person, that additional length can make a world of difference. It increases the surface area, too, so you have more room to sleep, stretch out, and lounge.

Height and Sleep Position

When you’re deciding whether you need a Twin or Twin XL, an important thing to consider is your own height and how you sleep. Mattress size is a huge factor in how comfortably you sleep, especially if you’re tall. If you’re six feet tall or more, you will likely find a regular Twin mattress a bit cramped. A Twin XL would be much more accommodating and allow you to stretch out.

However, the position you sleep in can also be a factor. Even if you’re over six feet tall, if you’re someone who sleeps curled up, you may decide that you don’t need a bed with an extra five inches of length. It’s a decision that all comes down to your personal preference. Just remember that you spend roughly ⅓ of your lifetime in bed, so be sure to pick one that you’ll be comfortable in.

Price and Availability

The other thing you need to consider is the difference in price between the two sizes. Because of the additional surface area, a Twin XL mattress is naturally more expensive. The good thing is that the price difference isn’t generally all that big, so if you want those extra inches, they’re still affordable.

The other thing to keep in mind while shopping is availability. Not every mattress manufacturer offers every mattress in a Twin XL size, so you might need to compromise depending on where you shop. If you come to one of our showrooms, however, availability isn’t an issue. All of the mattresses in both our Signature and Natural Sleep Collections come in both Twin and Twin XL sizes.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need the correct-sized sheets and bed frame for the mattress you choose. You might have a harder time finding Twin XL sheets in stores, or at least your selection for colors and materials might be limited. They are becoming more widely available, though, as many facilities like college dorms are making Twin XL mattresses the standard size for their beds.

Now that you know a little more about the difference between Twin and Twin XL mattresses, you can make an informed buying decision. Pick the size that suits you best and know that you’ll sleep comfortably on a high-quality, handcrafted mattress.