Best Twin XL Mattresses (2024), Expert-Tested

Why the Nectar Earned Editor’s Pick

The Nectar Twin XL mattress is one of the most affordable options on the market, but its budget-friendly price doesn’t come at the cost of quality. A popular bed-in-a-box option, Nectar ships free to your door—and if you’re not satisfied, you can return it at no cost.

With three layers of foam and no springs, I found minimal motion transfer on the Nectar, but its dense base layer still offers reliable support. It should be an excellent choice for back, side, and combo sleepers who need the length of a Twin XL bed.

What’s the Nectar Made Of?

The Nectar has a 12-inch height, three layers, and a bottom and top cover. The top cover features breathable fibers to keep the bed’s surface cool.

All foams used in the Nectar are CertiPUR-US® Certified. The first layer is 2 inches of gel memory foam, a plush material that promotes pressure relief. Next comes a 3-inch layer of foam that balances motion-isolating and responsive properties. These layers sit on top of a 7-inch ActiveSupport foam base, giving the bed stability and durability.

Finally, the lower cover encases the bottom portion of the mattress to ensure everything stays put.

What I Liked

• Motion-dampening – Nectar beds are particularly accomplished at motion isolation thanks to their plush foam, which can lessen any disturbances from a partner or pet.
• Affordable – This brand is known for its relatively budget-friendly mattresses. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better bed for under $1,000.

Potential Drawbacks

• Lacking responsiveness – Nectar’s all-foam design means it won’t be as responsive or springy as a bed with a coil unit.
• Too soft for heavier folks – Plus-size sleepers may need a mattress with more support. This is especially true if you sleep on your stomach, as the Nectar’s foam construction likely won’t give the right lift.

Customer Reviews of the Nectar

With thousands of reviews on Nectar’s website, the Nectar mattress has an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars. One common customer complaint about the Nectar mattress is its longer-than-average break-in period, while many customers praise its excellent value and comfort once fully settled.

Want to learn more? See our in-depth review of the Nectar mattress or check out the best mattresses of 2024.

Helix Midnight – Best Twin XL Mattress for Back Sleepers

Why the WinkBed Earned Best Twin XL Mattress for Customizable Firmness

The WinkBed Twin XL mattress is available in three firmness options, so sleepers can choose which to purchase based on their individual preferences. Side sleepers may prefer the softest version, while stomach and back sleepers should like the support firmer models provide.

This customizability, combined with its pressure-relieving and motion-isolating capabilities, makes the WinkBed a solid choice for folks wanting to tailor their Twin XL bed.

What’s the WinkBed Made Of?

The WinkBed stands 13.5 inches tall and comes in three firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer. There’s also a version specifically made for plus-size folks, the WinkBed Plus.

The WinkBed’s hybrid design starts with a Euro top and 2 inches of plush gel-infused foam. This upper layer should prevent heat from building up while providing pressure relief. Next comes a few layers of support foams, followed by the innerspring unit with 8-inch individually wrapped coils.

The coils offer zoned support to prevent pressure from building up in certain areas that need more cushioning. An inch of poly foam is below the coil unit, acting as a base that grounds the top layers.

What We Liked

• Multiple firmnesses – Sleepers can choose between a Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm feel, depending on their preferred sleeping position. The thickness of some of the bed’s layers changes based on the model you choose.
• Handmade in the USA – Each WinkBed is handcrafted, so you’ll truly be receiving a one-of-a-kind mattress.

Potential Drawbacks

• Pricey – Depending on your budget, the WinkBed may be considered an expensive option for a Twin XL bed.
• No memory foam – Fans of memory foam won’t find that specific material in this mattress.

Customer Reviews of the WinkBed

On the WinkBeds site, the WinkBed earns 4.8 out of 5 stars. One drawback of the WinkBed mattress is that it might be too expensive for budget-conscious shoppers, but overall it offers excellent durability and customizable firmness options.

Looking for more details? Take a look at our full WinkBed review or our best customizable mattresses for more mattress options.

Cocoon Chill Memory Foam – Best Cooling Twin XL Mattress

Why the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam Earned Best Cooling Twin XL Mattress

The Cocoon Chill Twin XL bed is a memory foam mattress designed to cool hot sleepers, relieve pressure, and provide comfort in all sleeping positions.

The Chill’s cover is made with proprietary phase-change technology, which adjusts to your body temperature and pulls uncomfortable heat away from the body. The memory foam layer underneath is also more breathable than traditional, denser foams.

What’s the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam Made Of?

The Cocoon Chill is 10 inches thick and has four layers. Its knit cover incorporates a proprietary phase change material that first takes in and then releases excess heat.

At the top of the bed, the Chill’s Perfect Fit memory foam layer molds to the body’s contours without too much sinkage. Underneath lies a layer of responsive foam that cuts down on motion transfer, enabling partners to sleep next to one another without worrying about too much jostling during the night.

Finally, the base of the mattress consists of a sturdy 6-inch memory foam foundation.

What We Liked

• Works for all sleep positions – This bed is rated a well-balanced 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale, so it should be good for back, stomach, and side sleepers alike.
• Cooling technology – The phase-change material in this bed makes it an appealing choice for anyone who sleeps hot.

Potential Drawbacks

• Little bounce-back – The Cocoon Chill isn’t a hyper-responsive mattress, so it won’t feel springy or bouncy.
• Best for average-weight sleepers – Sleepers who are very petite or larger may think that this bed feels too firm or too soft, respectively.

Customer Reviews of the Cocoon Chill

The Cocoon Chill rates 4.7 stars out of 5 on Cocoon’s website. Customers enjoy the Cocoon Chill mattress for its effective cooling technology, but some note that it may be too firm for those preferring a softer sleeping surface.

Want to read more? Look into our full Cocoon mattress review, or check out some more mattress options on our best cooling mattress page.

Titan Plus – Best Twin XL Mattress for Heavy People

Why the Nolah Signature Earned Best Twin XL Mattress for Restless Sleepers

Restless sleepers need maximum comfort because they often struggle to find a comfortable position. Their tossing and turning can also disturb their sleeping partners.

Enter the Nolah Signature, an all-foam bed that balances motion isolation with responsiveness, creating the perfect environment for anyone who moves about a lot at night.

What’s the Nolah Signature Made Of?

The Nolah Signature is a plush mattress with a cotton cover, four layers of foam, and a four-way knitted border cover.

The first foam layer is Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam™, which provides contouring and cushioning. The second layer is a more responsive foam that adds bounce to the mattress.

The third is another layer of AirFoam™ meant to relieve pressure from the body. Finally, the fourth layer acts as the foundation for the mattress and is made up of high-density foam.

What I Liked

• Generous policy – Nolah offers a 120-night trial and lifetime warranty with their Signature mattress, giving shoppers plenty of time to decide whether they like the bed.
• Safely made – The Nolah Signature has foams that are CertiPUR-US® certified as free of certain harmful chemicals and heavy metals.

Potential Drawbacks

• Weak edges – The Nolah Signature doesn’t have as much edge support as other mattresses on this list.
• Not for heavier folks – This bed feels quite soft, so plus-size people and those who sleep on their stomachs may not find it to be the most comfortable.

Customer Reviews of the Nolah Signature

The Nolah Signature gets a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Nolah’s website.Customers appreciate the Nolah Signature mattress for its exceptional pressure relief, but some have mentioned that it lacks the edge support they desire.

Need more details? Read our Nolah Signature mattress review.