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Full and Queen beds are some of the most popular bed sizes. Some people even think they are synonymous, but they’d be thoroughly disappointed if they bought Full-sized sheets for their Queen bed. Queen is longer, wider and it’s more appropriate for couples than a Full bed. Which of these mattresses is right for you depends on whether you sleep alone or with someone, your height, the size of your bedroom, and finally – if you’re on a budget or not.
Differences Between a Full Mattress and a Queen Mattress
Mattress Sizes – Full vs Queen
- Full – 54″ x 74″
- Queen – 60″ x 80″
Full-size mattresses are six inches shorter and six inches narrower than Queen-size mattresses. This gives a Full 3,975 square inches of surface area as compared to the 4,800 square inches that a Queen bed has.
A Full bed (or Double bed) is large enough for a teenager, a single adult, or a couple who likes to cuddle/has no problems touching at night. For more info, read “Can a queen mattress fit in a full bed frame?“.
Mattresses and Room Size
Full beds are better for small bedrooms, guestrooms, and for kids/teenagers and their rooms.
Queen beds are a better choice in master bedrooms and in rooms larger than 10 by 14-foot.
Bed placement
Leave two feet on each side of the bed so each of you can have enough room to get up and walk. If you sleep alone, you don’t have to do this on both sides and your bed will be fine in the corner.
Before you opt for any bed size, measure the width and length and see where you would place it. You can use some smaller objects and place them where the corners of a bed would be. This can help you visualize how much space your new bed will take.
Prices – Full vs Queen
Queen bed dimensions are larger than those of a Full-sized bed. Queen-size mattresses are also heavier and are made with more materials, all of which makes them more expensive. Just how much more expensive are Queen mattresses than Full mattresses?
We listed the price difference between Queen and Full mattresses from different mattress brands, sorted from the cheapest to the most expensive.
- Sweet Night Breeze (memory foam with the cooling gel): Full $418, Queen $468
- Puffy Mattress (memory foam): Full $799, Queen $949
- The DreamCloud Hybrid: Full $899, Queen $999
- Bear Hybrid Mattress: Full $1,122, Queen $1,272
- Amerisleep A3 (all foam): Full $1,349, Queen $1,399
Both mattress sizes are popular, with Queen mattresses being anywhere from $50-$150 more expensive than Full-size mattresses. If price is important to you, it’s better to focus on brand and type of mattress (memory foam mattresses are cheaper than hybrids, for example).
Price differences in brands and on top of that the gap between different mattress types and models within the same brand are much greater than the price difference between a Full-size bed and a Queen-size bed.
Also, bear in mind that the cheapest brands typically lack quality, so you should do your research and conclude what’s the best compromise for yourself.
Pros and Cons of Full and Queen Mattresses
Full Mattress Pros
- Less expensive than Queen-sized beds
- Easy to move
- Great for smaller rooms
- Perfect for teenagers, children, and single sleepers
- Fits well in a small guest room
Full Mattress Cons
- It may be too small for couples
- Not ideal for people taller than 6 feet
- Way too small for parents whose kids want to join in
Queen Mattress Pros
- Great for couples or single adults
- Works well in master bedrooms
- Excellent for sleepers who need more space
- Ideal for guest rooms
- Good choice for people who like to stretch out
Queen Mattress Cons
- More expensive than a Full bed
- Heavier than a Full and difficult to move
- May be too small for some couples
- Higher price as compared to a Full-size mattress
Full or Queen: How to Choose?
You still can’t decide between Full and Queen? This might be a sign that you’re not sure what you actually need. Here are some questions to ask yourself and hints as to which mattress is better in each case.
- How tall are you? (Full mattress is good for 6’2″ and shorter and Queen mattress is for 6’7″ and shorter)
- How big is your room? (Full mattress dimensions match smaller rooms better and Queen dimensions are better for bigger ones. Of course, if you’re tall, buy a Queen-sized mattress. If not, see which mattress would fit your room and not take up too much space)
- Do you sleep alone? (Take into consideration the size of each sleeper – petite people are better off on Full-sized beds – and whether or not they like to stretch out and take up space. You don’t like to hug and cuddle? Opt for a Queen.)
- How strong are you? (Queen-size beds are heavy and small/weak people may find them difficult to move, especially if they’re hybrids)
Finally, take a look at the overview below. Find Full vs Queen mattress dimensions, surface area, price difference, etc.
FAQ
How to Choose a Mattress for Me?
If you’re a fussy sleeper, it may not be so easy. Think about materials, firmness, size, price, and brand. We’ve compiled a guide to choosing the right mattress which can help you get quick information and learn the most important facts about all those features when choosing the right mattress.
Will Full-Size Sheets Fit a Queen?
They might. Check the exact dimensions of your Full-size sheets. A flat sheet is more likely to fit both mattresses and you may even get lucky with the size of the duvet. Some manufacturers make one flat sheet size for both mattress sizes, others make two separate sizes, so there’s no rule of thumb, you just need to do your own measuring. However, don’t play around with a fitted sheet. Those are made specifically to fit a certain mattress size and won’t work any other way.
Which Mattresses are Good for Couples?
Slim couples can sleep on Full or Full XL, but they’ll get more room on a Queen-size mattress. Larger ones may enjoy the King or California King size bed.
As for the mattress type, couples should look for mattresses with good motion isolation. They may even opt for a Split King rather than a King, for example (split is King-sized, but it’s made of two separate mattresses). The split option is also perfect for those couples who prefer completely different firmness levels and different cooling properties.
What are Some Popular Mattress Sizes?
Common mattress sizes in the US are these:
- Twin XL – 38″ x 80″
- Full – 54″ x 74″
- Queen – 60″ x 80″
- King – 76″ x 80″
What Mattress Sizes are There?
Here’s the list of all mattress sizes you may see when shopping for a new mattress.
- Twin – 38″ x 75″
- Twin XL – 38″ x 80″
- Full – 54″ x 74″
- Full XL – 54″ x 80″
- Queen – 60″ x 80″
- King – 76″ x 80″
- California King – 72″ x 84″
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