Full vs Twin Beds: What Should You Know?

Some people aren’t looking for a Queen or King bed. They want the lighter, smaller models in their room or kid’s room. Indeed, there are advantages to choosing a Twin, Full, or even Twin XL. And we will be looking at some of these advantages in this article.

The dilemma regarding Full vs Twin beds often comes up during the shopping stage. After all, these two standard sizes are the closest to each other in terms of benefits. One is not necessarily better than the other. But there are a few differences and factors that make either a better choice for you.

In some cases, a mattress model is offered in Twin XL. It does sound like a huge version of the trusty Twin. So we’ll have a quick look at that, too. Be sure to check out all of the sections in this guide to not miss out on anything about the two-and-a-bonus size options.

What Is A Twin Bed?

Twin Bed Dimensions

Twin is the smallest available standard mattress size. Featuring 38 x 75 inches (width x length), it is a slim option that fits most kids in their growing years. Toddlers to pre-teens can enjoy the comfort and support of this space. It isn’t quite as intimidating as a Queen, making it a worthy upgrade from the crib or mommy and daddy’s bed.

Siblings sharing a room can also benefit from using separate Twin mattresses. This isn’t just the smallest but also the cheapest. However, the quality depends on the design and materials. So a twin-size bed doesn’t necessarily mean less functional than its bigger counterparts. Of course, it’s the easiest to lift and move around.

Who Is It For?

• Toddlers and growing kids can be transitioned into this bed size. It’s basically the choice for most parents and guardians. Most likely, the main draws here are the manageable cost and maintenance. Kids’ rooms may also be smaller than master bedrooms, so the dimensions don’t make such spaces look cramped.

Read: How to Transition from Crib to Toddler Bed

• Bunk bed sleepers are the other beneficiaries of a Twin mattress. Bunk beds save you space horizontally and vertically. So, you can put two siblings in one room together. Instead of making them share one mattress, you get two twin-size ones. This gives them some form of privacy while also teaching them to look out for each other.

• Owners of guest rooms with narrow or weird layouts can purchase these small mattresses, which are easy to move in and out. They’re also ideal for a bed that is seldom used. Plus, if you have limited space or stuck with an odd room layout, a Twin is a reasonably convenient choice.

What Is A Full Bed?

Full Bed Dimensions

On the other hand, a full-size bed measures 54 x 75 inches (width x length). It’s wider than a twin-size one. But their length is the same. Also known as Double, it is quite flexible in who it can accommodate. It can cater to a small child or an adult. 

Couples can squeeze themselves in this sleeping space, although that would be a stretch. But as a last resort, you can consider two things. First, you’ll have to divide the width between the two sleepers. You have 27 inches of space on each side. Second, are you tall? You will have three inches of legroom left here. Maybe you and your co-sleeper can find a workaround. 

Just don’t try to fit in a third person or pet, as this may feel too much.

Who Is It For?

• Toddlers who are ready to be moved from the crib to the big kid’s bed can take on the Full bed. It has the right width and length, which can be perfect for the growth spurt years. It’s also a practical pick when you look at the long-term benefits. 

Compared to a Twin version, there’s more room to toss and turn here. But unlike a Queen, it may not be anxiety-inducing for some smaller kids.

• Speaking of tossing and turning, college students or solo adults may appreciate the wide space. Snooze starfish-style with as much freedom and flexibility as you need. This is also the right size for small dorm rooms or apartment rooms. However, adults on the heavy side may find it inadequate.

• Couples living in small, cramped quarters can use a double bed. It may not be as comfortable as a queen-size model, but it can practically save you space for, say, getting in and out of bed. You can also save up some bucks because it is less expensive.

Twin vs Full

You’re probably having this Twin vs Full dilemma if you fit any of the conditions above. Maybe, you have small kids who’ll sleep on the bed you’ll choose. Or you are on the lookout for one yourself. So, to help you decide, we have a few tasks for you. After reading this section, go through the next. It has a list of factors to consider when you’re mattress shopping.

But off the top of our heads, the most basic concerns involve room dimensions, purpose, and budget. You don’t have to scratch your head here. If you don’t know the numbers, get a measuring tape to measure the length and width of the space. What do you plan to do with that area? And what is your budget? 

As you go through the Factors to Consider When Buying A Mattress Section, you will be able to refine your decision. Hopefully, by the end of this guide, you’ll have a size that is ideal for your priorities and preferences.

Factors to Consider When Buying A Mattress

Construction & Materials

No matter the size, a mattress should not only serve aesthetic purposes. It should be functional as well. This means construction and components are balanced to achieve superior performance. Of course, you should like how your bed looks. But make sure to check the materials inside. 

Know what foams are used as comfort and transition layers: memory foam, latex foam, and/or polyurethane foam? Often, the base is composed of either high-density foam in all-foams or springs in hybrids. Individually encased coils/pocket coils or offset coils make up today’s coil mattresses. 

Covers and foams can be certified by these bodies:

• CertiPUR-US
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100
• GREENGUARD GOLD
• Global Organic Latex Standard (GOTS)
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOLS)
• Rainforest Alliance
• ecoInstitut

Firmness & Feel

Have you encountered a product description containing the information about the mattress firmness? It could be Soft, Medium, or Firm. Each of these levels has a corresponding figure on the Standard Firmness Scale. This ranges from 1 to 10, where 1 is softest, and 10 is firmest.

Manufacturers use this to help you determine the right feel for you. They often recommend based on your sleeping position. In general, Extra-Soft and Extra-Firm are on the extremes and not advised for any sleeper type. Medium firmness, which typically scores 5.5 to 7 on the scale, caters to most sleepers.

In some cases, the manufacturer uses a reversed version of the firmness scale. So 1 is assigned the Extra-Firm feel while 10 means Extra-Soft. Further, you may find that brands refer to their soft-surface mattresses as Plush. Don’t get confused by these terms as they’re easy to understand. The standard scale isn’t set in stone. So be prepared to adjust as you go.

Cooling/Temperature Neutrality

As all mattress types have some form of cushioning, most models may contain foam layers. These foam layers can make you sleep hot if they don’t have any cooling components. Look for gel, graphite, or copper-infused in memory foam, latex foam, or polyfoam. These elements can quickly wick heat and moisture away from your body.

Inside the mattress, airflow is promoted by proper cellular structure. The open-cell technology is one of the more commonly used structures in beds inboxes.

On the other hand, temperature neutrality reinforces the cooling down process. You can find this in mattresses that sport phase change tech. Not only does this feature cool you down when you’re hot. It also warms you up during the colder months.

Edge Support & Sinkage

For those buying a double-size bed for sharing, always check for edge support. This performance-related factor refers to the bed’s capacity to support and hold you up if you sleep near the side. Strong performance in this department means minimal to zero roll-off feels for you. The perimeter is stable and does not show deep compression. You can enjoy the entire sleeping surface without fear of falling off or having to squeeze yourselves in the middle.

On the contrary, poor edge support can lead to early sagging and significant sinkage at the edge. This can result in an uneven sleeping surface, which can be uncomfortable. 

Excellent edge support can help extend the mattress lifespan. For best results, choose a hybrid over an all-foam as the former tends to have edge-to-edge support coils.

Motion Transfer

Motion transfer means the movements generated in one area transfer across the entire mattress. To counter this, you need a bed that has good motion isolation capabilities at the least. You can usually rely on all-foam versions to perform well in this regard. Innersprings may be shaky, though. But hybrids with pocket coils should work fine.

You’ll need little to no motion transfer if you or a partner is a sensitive sleeper. You will need it even more if the other person sharing the bed is the restless type. Getting up at night or shifting positions while snoozing can disrupt the light sleeper. Over time, this can affect their sleep quality negatively. 

Pricing

These are the average prices for the five most common mattress types (Queen):

• Innerspring – $100  to $2,500
• Memory foam mattress – $500 to $1,500
• Hybrid mattress – $1,600
• Latex mattress – $2,000
• Adjustable mattress – $1,000 to $3,500

Twin and Full beds cost less than their queen-size counterparts. So you can save on some bucks if your budget aligns with those shared above.

Do you think you could use some credit? You may apply for financing through companies like Affirm and Klarna, which have their own verification system that does not base only on an applicant’s credit score.

Other Factors

A buying guide isn’t quite finished when it hasn’t included company policy on returns, exchanges, and warranties. You can assume that most online mattress brands offer free shipping and returns, but double-check it on their website. These services are often applicable only to residents within the continental United States. 

To stay competitive, online manufacturers give generous sleep trials, ranging from 90 to 120 nights. A few, though, take it up a notch at 365 days. As for warranties, the market average is from 10 to 25 years. Some manufacturers are confident enough to provide a lifetime warranty. But warranties aren’t equivalent to the mattress lifespan, which typically peaks at 7 to 8 years.

To avoid future headaches, read the fine print to make sure you have the correct facts.

Twin XL: An Odd-Size Bed

How big is a Twin XL?

At 38 x 80 inches (width x length), Twin XL sits in the in-between. It shares the same width as the Twin. But it is longer than the Double (same length as the Queen). This size is often used in odd or narrow layouts. Two of them can be put side-by-side to create a Split King. This is preferred by co-sleepers who want to customize each side of the bed.

Further, you can opt to place each mattress on their respective Twin XL bed frames. Or you can just join both mattresses on a King foundation. Now, you may be wondering how long are Twin XL sheets. It’s a bit harder to find sheets for the Twin XL. You can give the measurements to a tailor and personalize the dimensions and design of your linens.

Conclusion