Best mattress for teenagers: size, feel and picks for a growing teen
Hi, we’re John and Mimi. By the teen years, the twin mattress from grade school is often too short, too thin or just worn out, and your teen is close to adult size. The good news: choosing a teen’s mattress works a lot like choosing your own. Here’s how we’d pick the size, the feel and the extras, with every Twin XL and full mattress we sell at today’s prices.
The short answer
- Size: a full (54" × 75") if the room allows and they like to spread out; a Twin XL (38" × 80") if they’re tall or the room is narrow. A regular twin is only 75" long, the same as a full.
- Thickness: 10" to 12" is a good range for a teen’s main bed. Thinner (6" to 8") is fine for a bunk, trundle or sleepover bed.
- Feel: choose by how they sleep, like an adult: side sleepers usually like medium, back sleepers medium firm, stomach sleepers firm.
- Extras: a waterproof protector from day one, because liquid damage isn’t covered by the mattress warranty, and sheets in the exact size.
- Today: 24 of our mattresses are in stock in Twin XL or full, from $259, with free FedEx shipping.
What size mattress for a teenager?
| Size | Inches | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38" × 75" | Smaller rooms, bunk beds, trundles | Same 75" length as a full; a tall teen may outgrow it |
| Twin XL | 38" × 80" | Tall teens, narrow rooms, a teen headed to a college dorm | 5" longer than a twin, so it won’t fit a frame built for a twin; needs Twin XL sheets |
| Full | 54" × 75" | Teens who sprawl, a room with space to spare | 16" wider than a twin, but no longer |
| Queen | 60" × 80" | A bigger bedroom, a tall teen who also wants width | Takes the most floor space; queen sheets and frames are easy to find |
Measure the room and the bed frame before you order. If the frame was built for a twin, a Twin XL won’t fit it; if your teen is already near 6 feet, a twin or full (both 75" long) can leave feet hanging off the end. Our Twin XL vs full guide and twin vs Twin XL guide go deeper, and every measurement is in our mattress size chart. Very tall teen? See best mattress for tall people.
How firm should a teenager’s mattress be?
Younger kids are light, so a firm mattress feels fine to them. Teens are closer to adult size, so the feel that suits them depends mostly on how they sleep. Here are the mattresses we sell in each feel, with the lowest Twin XL or full price today:
- Lighter or smaller teens (under about 130 lbs) often find a mattress feels firmer than its label, so one step softer can feel right. See our petite and lightweight sleeper guide.
- Bigger or athletic teens may want a thicker mattress or coils; our heavy and plus-size sleeper guide covers what to look for.
- Sleeps warm? Our best cooling mattress guide compares the gel, copper and hybrid options.
The full scale is in our mattress firmness guide. This is general shopping information, not medical advice: if your teen has back pain or a health condition that affects sleep, ask their doctor.
Every Twin XL and full mattress we sell, at today’s prices
Read live from our catalog, cheapest first. A dash means that size is sold out or not made in that model right now.
| Mattress | Height and feel | Type | Twin XL | Full | Queen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8" Daisy | 8", Firm | All foam | $259 | $309 | $349 |
| 8" Gel Infused Comfort Reactive Memory Foam | 8", Firm | All foam | $259 | $269 | $319 |
| 10" Gel Infused Comfort Reactive Memory Foam | 10", Medium firm | All foam | $269 | $329 | $399 |
| 6” Essentials Firm Memory Foam | 6", Firm | All foam | — | $299 | $309 |
| 10" Rose | 10", Medium | All foam | $329 | $369 | $399 |
| 10" EcoCore Origin Soy-Based Memory Foam | 10", Medium firm | All foam | $349 | $399 | $599 |
| 12" Copper Gel Infused Cooling Memory Foam | 12", Medium | All foam | $369 | $479 | $519 |
| 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium Soy Foam & Pocket Coil | 10", Medium firm | Hybrid (pocketed coils) | $499 | $499 | $699 |
| 8” Essentials Medium Memory Foam | 8", Medium | All foam | $499 | — | — |
| 12" Essentials Plush & Soft Memory Foam | 12", Plush / soft | All foam | $569 | $649 | $679 |
| 10" Allureluxe Hybrid Advanced Cooling Mattress with Lumi Bands | 10", Medium firm | Hybrid (pocketed coils) | $589 | $789 | $889 |
| 12" Gel Plush Memory Foam | 12", Plush | All foam | $589 | — | — |
| 12" Ananda Pearl and Gel Memory Foam | 12", Medium firm | All foam | $599 | $649 | $689 |
| 12" EcoCore Hybrid Deluxe Soy Foam & Pocket Coil | 12", Medium plush | Hybrid (pocketed coils) | $599 | $749 | $799 |
| 14" Ananda Pearl and Gel Memory Foam | 14", Plush | All foam | $609 | — | $729 |
| 10" ActiveAlign Reactive Copper Gel Memory Foam | 10", Medium firm | All foam | $619 | $709 | $739 |
| 12" iSwitch Flippable Two Sided | 12", Two sides: medium firm / medium soft | All foam, flippable | $659 | $759 | $769 |
| 12" ActiveAlign Reactive Copper Zoned Memory Foam | 12", Medium | All foam, zoned | $699 | $789 | $819 |
| 12" BioPosture iSwitch Flippable Two Sided | 12", Two sides: medium firm / medium soft | All foam, flippable | $739 | $849 | $909 |
| 14" ActiveAlign Reactive Copper Zoned Hybrid Pocket Coil | 14", Medium soft | Hybrid, zoned | $749 | $879 | $889 |
| 12" Sofinity Hybrid Essentials Pocket Coil | 12", Medium firm | Hybrid (foam-encased coils) | $769 | $879 | $989 |
| 12" Sofinity Hybrid Signature Pocket Coil | 12", Medium | Hybrid (foam-encased coils) | $769 | $879 | $989 |
| 14" Allureluxe Classic Cooling Hybrid Mattress with Lumi Bands | 14", Plush | Hybrid (foam-encased coils) | $799 | $939 | $1,049 |
| 14” Hybrid Copper-Gel Infused Memory Foam | 14", Plush | Hybrid (foam-encased coils) | — | $839 | — |
Prices include free FedEx shipping. Compare all models side by side in the mattress comparison chart, or see our best affordable mattress guide for picks by budget.
Thinking ahead: buy for the next few years
- College is a Twin XL world. Twin XL is the usual dorm size, so a Twin XL mattress at home can be the same size they sleep on at school. Our Twin XL dorm guide covers dorm setups.
- A full or queen can follow them out the door. If a first apartment is a few years off, a full or queen may keep working after they move out. See best full size mattress and full vs queen.
- Every mattress we sell carries a 10-year limited warranty. It covers defects, not wear from jumping or spills, so read what the warranty covers. Signs a mattress is worn out are in how long does a mattress last.
- Teens grow; mattresses don’t. If a growth spurt is likely, lean toward the longer Twin XL or queen.
Homework, gaming and phones in bed
A lot of teens use the bed as a desk, couch and phone booth. Propping up on a pile of pillows works, but if your teen really lives in bed, an adjustable base lets them sit up with the remote. Our e3 adjustable base comes in Twin XL ($449 today) and Full ($479 today), with head and foot lift, a zero-gravity preset, 3 memory positions, a wireless remote and zero clearance. It pairs with any of the mattresses above in the same size. More in our adjustable bed for reading and watching TV guide and best adjustable bed on a budget.
Protector, sheets and setup
- Protector from day one. Our listings say liquid damage of any kind doesn’t qualify for a warranty replacement. The Terry Cloth protector fits mattresses up to 11" (Twin XL $31, full $33 today); for a 12" or thicker mattress, the Premium Bamboo protector fits up to 16" (Twin XL $61, full $64). See do you need a mattress protector.
- Sheets in the exact size. Twin sheets are 5" too short for a Twin XL. Our bamboo and cotton sheet set comes in Twin XL and full ($79 in either size today).
- Support underneath. The setup instructions call for a solid surface, an adjustable base, or slats no more than 2" apart. Not sure about the old frame? See what to put under a memory foam mattress.
- It arrives rolled in a box. Cut the plastic with scissors (not a blade). They can sleep on it the first night; it can take up to 72 hours to fully recover its shape. See how long a mattress in a box takes to expand.
- House rules from the care instructions: don’t stand or jump on it, keep it dry, and rotate it for even wear. Zip-off covers are machine-washable on a cold, gentle cycle and air dried without heat (check the listing for your model).
Order the right size the first time
Mattresses ship vacuum-compressed straight from the factory, so per our Purchase Policy & Warranty we can’t accept returns once an order has shipped, and there’s no sleep trial. You can change the size or model, or cancel, any time before it ships: just text John. That’s why it pays to measure the frame and room, and ask your teen how they sleep, before you order.
10" Rose - Medium Firmness - 10BNV
A simple, affordable step up from a first big-kid bed: a 10" medium mattress in twin, Twin XL, full and queen.
- 2" gel air memory foam over support foam
- Machine-washable zip-off cover
- Non-skid bottom fabric
- CertiPur certified
- 10-year limited warranty
From $279 (Twin) · Queen $399 · See sizes & details
12" Copper Gel Infused Cooling Memory Foam Mattress - Medium Firm, Back & Side Sleepers
Our best-known copper model: 12" of medium memory foam for teens who want more cushion, in Twin XL, full and queen.
- 2" copper memory foam over 1" memory foam and 2" support foam
- 7" Air Grid base foam; edge support
- Zip-off machine-washable cover
- CertiPUR-US certified foams
- 10-year limited warranty
From $369 (Twin XL) · Queen $519 · See sizes & details
Shop this guide
Pick the size first, then the feel, and add a protector in the same size.
- 10" Rose - Medium Firmness - 10BNV, from $279. 10" medium mattress; a budget step up for teens.
- 12" Copper Gel Infused Cooling Memory Foam Mattress - Medium Firm, Back & Side Sleepers, from $369. 12" medium copper memory foam with a washable cover.
- e3 Adjustable Bed Base with Wireless Remote, Memory Positions & Zero Clearance, from $449. Sit up for homework or TV; Twin XL and full sizes.
- Terry Cloth Mattress Protector - MATPROC1, from $31. Protects against liquid spills; fits mattresses up to 11".
Questions we hear a lot
What size mattress is best for a teenager?
A full (54 by 75 inches) if the room allows and your teen likes to spread out, or a Twin XL (38 by 80 inches) if they are tall or the room is narrow. A regular twin and a full are both only 75 inches long, so a tall teen may outgrow them. A queen (60 by 80 inches) gives both length and width in a bigger bedroom.
How firm should a mattress be for a teenager?
Teens are close to adult size, so choose by how they sleep: side sleepers usually like medium to medium soft, back sleepers medium firm, and stomach sleepers firm. Lighter teens often find a mattress feels firmer than its label. This is general shopping information, not medical advice; if your teen has back pain or a health condition, ask their doctor.
How thick should a teenager’s mattress be?
For a teen’s main bed, 10 to 12 inches is a good range. A 6 to 8 inch mattress is fine for a bunk bed, trundle or sleepover bed, and on a bunk or loft bed never go thicker than the maximum on the bed’s label.
Is a Twin XL or a full better for a teen?
A Twin XL is 5 inches longer than a full, and it is the usual college dorm size, so it suits tall teens and narrow rooms. A full is 16 inches wider, so it suits teens who sprawl. A Twin XL will not fit a frame built for a twin and needs Twin XL sheets.
Can I return a teen’s mattress if it’s the wrong size?
Our mattresses ship vacuum-compressed from the factory, so we cannot accept returns once an order has shipped and there is no sleep trial. You can change the size or model, or cancel, any time before it ships. Measure the room and frame first, and text John if you are unsure which size fits.
Questions? Text John
Tell John your teen’s height, how they sleep and the size of the room and frame, and he’ll tell you honestly which mattress and size fit. Text or call 818-924-3744, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, take the 60-second mattress quiz, or use Help me choose. Shopping for a younger child? See our best mattress for kids guide.
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Sizes are standard mattress dimensions; specs, setup and care details are from the product listings; prices and stock are read live from our catalog and update automatically. General shopping information, not medical advice.