Twin vs. Queen (Mattress Size Comparison)

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So you know that a Queen mattress is definitely bigger than a twin mattress. But do you know their exact dimensions? What are their pros and cons? Who are they good for? In this article, we answer all those questions and we give you all the info you need to choose between a twin bed and a Queen bed. Let the twin vs. Queen battle begin!

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Difference between twin and Queen size mattresses

Mattress Size	Twin	Queen
Dimensions	38" x 75"	60" x 80"
Can fit	1 single sleeper	A couple
Bed frame availability	Common	Common
Bedding availability	Common	Common
Mattress Types	Memory foam, latex, hybrid & innerspring	Memory foam, latex, hybrid & inerspring

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What is a Queen-size mattress?

A Queen-size mattress is one of the 6 standard US mattress sizes and its dimensions are 60″ x 80″.

It’s the most popular bed size in the country and there’s a high chance that you’ve owned a queen mattress at some point. But why are Queen-size mattresses so desirable? What benefits do they offer? Check out the pros and cons of a Queen mattress below.

Pros

• Great for couples – Queen beds are often the preferred choice of couples. It’s kind of like the Goldilocks of mattress sizes. It’s bigger than a full mattress, but it’s not as huge and luxurious as a King-size mattress. Queen mattresses are just right. You can expect to have ample sleeping space for you and your partner. There’s really nothing much to say aside from the fact the it’s just a solid option for couples overall.
• Commonly available – Whether you look online or in a brick-and-mortar store, it’s incredibly easy to find a Queen-size mattress. All mattress brands such as Saatva offer Queen-size beds so the only things you need to worry about are construction and price. Queen mattresses are made with all types of materials such as foam, coils, or a combination of both which is called a hybrid mattress.
• Affordable price – Unlike a King or California King-size mattress, the price of a high-quality Queen-size mattress online ranges from $1000-$2000 depending on the materials used. You’ll find many great beds near the $1000 range that are comfortable and long-lasting. Mattresses made with poly foam or memory foam tend to be cheaper, while hybrid and latex mattresses are usually costlier. As long as you choose a mattress that fits your needs and offers great value, a queen bed will truly be worth it.
• Easy to find accessories – Since Queen mattresses are so popular, it’s super easy to find bedding accessories like sheets and comforters as well as bed frames. You won’t have any issues completing your bed setup.

Cons

• Not good for taller individuals (over 6’5″)- If you’re someone who’s significantly taller than average, you might feel cramped on a queen-size mattress. To get the extra bit of legroom that you need, you should get a California king or a Texas King mattress.
• Not suitable for overweight people – If you’re someone who weighs 400 lbs. or more, a Queen bed might not be spacious enough for you to get good sleep. We recommend that you get a King bed so you’ll have more room to fully extend your body and get the comfort that you need.
• Not fitting for smaller rooms – The minimum bedroom size you need to comfortably fit a Queen bed is 10 feet by 10 feet. If you’re room is smaller than that, it’s going to feel overly cramped and you won’t have much floor space for daily activities.

In short, Queen-size mattresses are ideal for couples and offer amazing value. You can find a Queen-size mattress online or in a mattress store. Plus, it’s extremely easy to find bedding accessories for Queen mattresses.

Want to buy a Queen-size mattress? We share our top five picks in our best Queen-size mattress list.

That being said, you should opt for another mattress size if you’re a taller person or if you’re overweight. We want you get the best sleep possible and a Queen-size bed might not provide the space that you need, especially if you share your bed with a partner. There are other Queen mattress variations such as an Olympic Queen and Split Queen if you really prefer a Queen.

Queen beds are also not suitable for those who have smaller bedrooms. If this is you, we recommend that you get either a twin or a full mattress instead.

What is a twin-size mattress?

A twin-size mattress measures 38″ x 75″ and it’s the smallest standard mattress size.

I’m sure you’re familiar with twin mattresses are they are commonly used for children’s rooms and for bunk beds. Despite being the smallest bed size, twin mattresses also have some nice benefits. Take a look at the pros and cons of a twin mattress below.

Pros

• Great for kids – Do you need new mattress for your kids? Twin-size mattresses are going to be your best option, especially if you’re child is in preschool or elementary school. A twin bed will last all the way until they become a teenager.
• Ideal for small spaces – If you’re someone who lives in a studio apartment or you just have a small bedroom, a twin bed is a great choice. The drawback with getting a twin mattress is you’re not going to have much space to sprawl out. So keep that in mind before making a decision.
• Suitable for bunk beds – Did you know that twin beds are the standard size for bunk beds? Another thing I like about twin mattresses is their versatility. They can be used for children’s bunk beds and also for dorm rooms.
• Cheapest option – Since it’s the smallest mattress size, twin mattresses are made with less materials which results in lower prices. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly mattress and you don’t mind the limited bed space, a twin mattress is your best bet.

Cons

• Not good for tall sleepers – Here’s the thing, a twin-size mattress is five inches shorter than a queen mattress. If queen beds aren’t the best for taller sleepers, then twin beds are even worse. If you’re 6 feet or taller, you should opt for the twin mattress’s longer counterpart, the twin XL mattress.
• Not suitable for people with bigger body types – I’m a leaner individual and I currently sleep on a twin mattress. I don’t really have much space to move around and I usually have to stay in one position the whole night. If you’re a larger person, a twin mattress is not a good fit for you.
• Too small for couples – So a twin bed is 38 inches wide. That’s not nearly enough space for two people to lie on, let alone get comfortable sleep. If you sleep with a partner, you should take a look at Queen beds or even a full XL mattress.

To give you a summary of the pros and cons, twin mattresses are great for kids and smaller rooms. In addition, you can also use a twin-size mattress for bunk beds. Twin beds are highly versatile and budget-friendly too.

However, twin mattresses are just not big enough for larger and taller individuals. They are also too small for couples and we certainly don’t recommend it for more than one person.

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How to choose between a twin and queen size bed

Now that you know the differences between a twin and Queen-size mattress, what should you choose? Although this process should be pretty straightforward since these two mattress sizes are so far apart, we still want to help you make the best choice possible. Consider the three factors below so you can get the mattress that perfectly fits your needs.

Your height and weight

Generally, we recommend a twin mattress for individuals who have a small to average body type. If you have a bigger body type and you weigh more than average, you should opt for a Queen-size bed.

Although I said height and weight, we’re also going to factor in your preferences. So aside from just thinking about your body type, you should also determine if you’ll be happy with little space or do you need more space to sprawl out. If you’re someone who strictly sleeps in one position, a twin bed can be a great, affordable option. But if you tend to switch positions throughout the night, a Queen mattress will offer much more space for you.

Bedroom dimensions

Before making a decision, you should measure your bedroom first to know which mattress size it can fit. The minimum bedroom size for a twin bed is 7 feet by 9 feet; while a Queen size bed will fit in a room that’s at least 10 feet by 10 feet. Choose the mattress size that’s most suitable for your bedroom’s dimensions.

Price

In the online mattress space, the price of twin mattresses ranges from $500 to $1000 depending, of course, on the materials used. Twin beds are a great option if you’re looking for something cheaper.

Queen-size mattresses, on the other hand, are a bit costlier but are still available for reasonable prices. If you’re willing to shell out some extra cash, a Queen mattress offers a lot more value and more benefits.

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Twin XL vs. Queen

Since we’ve already finished talking about twin vs. Queen mattresses, how about the other twin mattress? Let’s try to pit the twin XL mattress against the Queen mattress and see how it compares.

What is a twin XL mattress and how is it different from a twin? Twin XL mattresses are basically the same width as a twin but five inches longer. They measure 38″ x 80″ and are designed to provide extra legroom for taller sleepers. Commonly used as a mattress for college dorm rooms, twin XL beds are ideal for teenagers and young adults who need a compact and functional sleeping space.

As I mentioned earlier, a Queen-size mattress is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. Best suited for couples, queen beds offer great value and are very easy to find. It’s also the most preferred mattress size in the US.

Twin XL mattresses are better if you need a bed for smaller spaces and if you want something more budget-friendly. Whereas, Queen mattresses reign supreme when it comes to accommodating couples and just providing extra sleeping space.

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Other common mattress sizes

So far we’ve mentioned 3 out of the 6 standard mattress sizes in the US. Do you know what the other three are? I’ve listed them for you below and I’ll give you their dimensions as well as the benefits they offer.

Full

Also known as a double bed, a full mattress measures 54″ x 75″.

It’s the best size if you sleep alone and you want to fully stretch your body. If you have a partner, a full mattress might feel a bit too small. That’s why we recommend that couples get a Queen-size at least to get ample space.

Read our full vs. queen mattress size guide for more details.

King

The biggest mattress in terms of width, a King bed’s dimensions are 76″ x 80″.

Kings are the best mattress for master bedrooms. A King-size bed is a luxury option for couples who want extra sleeping space. You can even fit one child or a pet on this mattress. It’s so big! However, it does have a downside though which is its length. Very tall sleepers will need a bit more legroom on a King bed.

Our guide to queen vs. king mattress sizes will give you a more in-depth comparison.

California King

Last but not least, is the California king bed which measures 72″ x 84″.

It’s the longest standard mattress size and it’s great for couples where one person (or both) is taller than average. Though a bit narrower than a King, a California King mattress still provides a lot of space for couples to sleep and frolic.

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FAQs

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Conclusion

Now, for the moment of truth. Which one is better: twin or Queen? The answer lies with you. Whichever suits your needs and preferences is the better one! Choose a twin mattress if you have kids or if you have limited space. And, choose a Queen mattress if you sleep with a partner and you want to get enough space for a good night’s sleep.

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Next step: Read our Nolah mattress review. Nolah makes both twin and queen-sized mattresses that are extremely comfortable, supportive, and long-lasting. If you don’t know which mattress brand to go with, we highly recommend choosing Nolah.

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