StaffArranging a comfortable sleeping spot in small spaces can be quite difficult. Many mattress brands aim specifically for over-sized luxury comfort models or standard twin beds.
When furnishing a guest room or a vacation home, the smart use of space is particularly important. Thankfully, a somewhat obscure industry standard of a narrow twin bed—or a cot—is designed specifically for fitting in tight spaces without sacrificing any of the comforts.
Most narrow twin beds are best paired with matching narrow twin mattresses that are made specifically for the width of such foundations. Though it may be a little bit harder to find a narrow twin mattress than a regular twin or even twin XL, the market still offers an impressive selection of models, offering a range of narrow twins with innerspring, hybrid, and all-foam bases as well as a variety of cover designs and top layer colors.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Narrow Twin Mattress
Similar to mattresses of other sizes, narrow twins come in a variety of types. The first thing to look out for is their inner construction: how are they layered and what elements do they include?
The most popular types of narrow twins are hybrid and memory foam. Hybrid mattresses combine the qualities of innerspring and memory foam models since their base layers are almost always made of innerspring which is then topped by one or more memory foam layers. Memory foam mattresses consist of memory foam only, though sometimes such layers are aided with latex and fabric linings.
Another important feature to consider is the thickness of the mattress. It all depends on how much support you are looking for and what type of layering suits your body best.
The number of layers in a mattress isn’t necessarily indicative of its thickness since individual layers vary in height and density. Six-inch mattresses are pretty standard, though sometimes you will see eight-inch-thick or eleven-inch-thick narrow twins.
Speaking of density, this quality also defines another vital aspect of a mattress—its firmness. The density of the foam, as well as the thickness of coils, determine how firm or soft a mattress is; some models also combine coil gauge rates in one mattress to vary the springiness across the perimeter and the middle sections.
Most brands offer narrow twins of medium firmness with such options as medium-soft and medium-firm available.
Which type of firmness is best suited for you depends on the needs of your back and joints or the planned use of the mattress—whether it’s intended for a guest bed or your own single. Too soft mattresses can do more harm to sleepers with serious spine problems, so it’s best to go for medium-firm and firm models that will provide a better and more even support for the entire body.
Some brands offer mattresses with their own foundations which are easy to set up and use—an option particularly useful for guest beds and temporary lodgings. Though more often than not this option implies buying the mattress separately from the foundation itself.
List of Top Narrow Twin Mattress
| Photo | Product | Number of layers | Thickness (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modway Jenna 8” Narrow Twin Innerspring Mattress | 8” | Innerspring |
| Zinus 6" Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress | 6” | Memory foam |
| My Green Mattress Natural Escape | 11” | Hybrid |
| Modway Aveline 6″ Narrow Twin Mattress | 6” | Memory foam |
Review of the Best Narrow Twin Mattresses
Modway Jenna 8” Narrow Twin Innerspring Mattress
One of the more affordable high-quality products from Modway, this eight-inch Jenna mattress features a tall innerspring core with extra comfortable isolation layers that include soft foam lining and thick pillow top for better body support.
Consisting of five layers with various thickness, this narrow twin mattress provides reliable support for your back even along the edges while at the same time ensuring you remain entirely comfortable throughout the night.
The top layer is added for that cushy extra comfort as it consists of a fire-resistant fabric cover and quilted pillowtop measuring 2 inches in thickness. The beautiful design of the quilted cover is also made to be responsive to any body type, both yours and that of your sleeping partner.
What follows next is the layer of responsive foam that covers the layer of the so-called egg crate foam. Although rather thin, each measuring at 0.5 inches, these layers still manage to increase the quality of weight distribution for the entire mattress which is especially helpful for restless sleepers.
Underneath the foam, there is the layer of lining made of felt that, combined with the quilted top and1-inch-thick foam padding, ensure a better level of pressure relief for hip, back and shoulder areas.
And finally, the main supportive layer consists of durable coils, each wrapped in linen casing and measuring seven inches in height. As such, this seven-inch-thick innerspring layer makes isolated motion possible—a useful feature for irregular sleepers—and ensures the entirety of your body is supported equally, regardless of your preferred sleeping position.
Features:
- 30” x 75” x 8” regular dimensions
- 36 pounds in weight
- 5 layers include innerspring support and fabric pillow top
- Firm comfort level
Pros:
- Easy to unroll and set up
- Suitable for narrow beds, cots, RV spaces
- Thick layer of individually isolated coils
- Padded with foam and felt
- Comes with fire-repellent top
Zinus 6 Inch Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
A fully foam-based model, this Zinus Green Tea narrow twin mattress combines innovative green technologies with a time-tested pressure relief support system, delivering a rejuvenating experience for every sleeper.
In addition to its thick memory foam support topped with extra soft jacquard cover, this mattress offers a set of new features that significantly improve the quality of relaxation and pain relief.
Refreshing green tea and moisture-absorbing Activ charcoal infused into pressure-relieving memory foam that cradles your shape so you awake free of aches and pains
Infused with antioxidant-rich green tea, Zinus foam layers are able to repel moisture and unpleasant odours with ActivCharocal particles, making the mattress consistently fresh and pleasant to sleep on.
At one inch of combined thickness, the memory foam and comfort foam layers are placed on top of the five-inch-thick base layer consisting of high-density memory foam. The middle layer of comfort foam features small air pockets for improved air circulation, making the mattress cool to sleep on regardless of the weather.
Features:
- 75” x 30” x 6” narrow twin dimensions
- 15.85 pounds in weight
- Six inches of memory foam layering
- Firm comfort level
Pros:
- Rejuvenating green tea memory foam
- Supports up to 250 pounds
- Certified by CertiPUR US
- Pre-boxed and simple to unroll
- Takes only 72 hours to fully settle
My Green Mattress Natural Escape
One of the best brands producing organic products in this niche, My Green Mattress offers durable and soft toxin-free mattresses with hybrid structure and strong innerspring core. This narrow twin Natural Escape mattress showcases the benefits of coil bases, completely organic fabric materials, and luxury exterior design.
Packing 670 individually isolated coils, this organic mattress provides even support for the entire body, including neck, spine, and limbs. The varying gauge of the coils also means reliable edge and lower back support, ensuring all-night comfort for back, stomach, and side sleepers.
More specifically, each coil spirals for eight turns and comes in different thickness, resulting in 13.5 gauge coils along the perimeter, 14.5 gauge coils in the mid to lower section and 15.5 gauge coils in the remaining sections.
This durable eight-inch-tall innerspring layer is then protected by three inches of Dunlop latex and organic cotton, both of which are fully GOLS certified. The extra comfortable cover is also made of GOLS-certified wool; the fabric is soft, fire-repellent and completely non-toxic.
Additionally, the soft top layer is also hand-tufted in a classic button design, bypassing the necessity of unsafe adhesives to keep the layers secure.
As already mentioned, the mattress shows the versatility of application as it’s compatible with most bed foundations, platforms to slatted bases.
Features:
- 38” x 74” x 11”
- 70 pounds in weight
- 690-coil innerspring layer
- Organic cover fabric
- Medium-firm comfort
Pros:
- Hand-crafted tufting
- Incorporates organic fabric and non-toxic latex
- Coils vary in thickness for optimal support
- Suitable for most bases
Modway Aveline 6″ Narrow Twin Mattress
This six-inch Modway Aveline mattress incorporates two soft memory foam layers, making it both suitably lightweight and exceptionally supportive for all manner of sleepers.
A more compact model from Modway, this narrow twin mattress is much easier to transport and set up regardless of the type of bed foundation. If paired with a slatted bed, be sure to choose a base with slats positioned at least three inches apart.
With its two memory foam layers and a soft cover layer, the mattress is light in weight yet substantial in its support quality.
The top support component is essentially a gel-infused memory foam layer that promotes air circulation. Thanks to its open cell structure, the entire mattress remains ventilated and odour-free in any climate.
Underneath the gel layer is the main base layer made from responsive memory foam. It is thick enough to elevate your body, providing pressure relief for problematic areas such as shoulders, neck, and spine.
The mattress is encased in a layer of stretch fabric. The cover shows a beautiful diamond-patterned knit that won’t catch or stretch too far.
Features:
- 75” x 30” x 6”
- 18 pounds in weight
- 3 layers including the cover
- Medium firmness
Pros:
- CertiPUR-US certified foam
- Contains no toxins
- Compact and light
- Quick installation
- Breathable foam structure
Q & A
Twin or narrow twin mattresses are designed for twin bed frames and are meant to fit tight spaces with ease. A standard narrow twin mattress measures 30 inches wide by 75 inches long. This makes a narrow twin slightly shorter than twin XL, the latter normally measuring 80 inches long, as well as narrower than the regular twin that measures 38 inches wide.
Discounting cribs and child cots, the narrowest bed size is considered to be a narrow twin. A bed frame of this size requires a narrow twin mattress that measures 30 inches by 75 inches since a standard twin will be too wide for the bed’s foundation.
Twin mattresses are considered to be the smallest by the companies that don’t manufacture narrow twin or crib models. As such, narrow twin mattresses are smaller than twins, not only in width (30 inches against 38 inches) but sometimes in length too since some narrow twins can be 73 or 74 inches long, putting them below the regular 75 inches.
Mattress sizes are designed to fit specific bed frames or bases, so it is important for manufacturers to follow a strict industry standard. Depending on the classification, there are between seven and nine widely recognized mattress sizes.
The table below outlines the standard names and dimensions of mattress sizes:
| Mattress size | Mattress dimensions |
|---|---|
| Narrow twin | 30” x 75” |
| Twin/Single | 38” x 75” |
| Twin/Single XL | 38” x 80” |
| Super Single/Three Quarter | 48” x 75” |
| Full/Double/Standard | 53” x 75” |
| Full/Double/Standard XL | 54” x 80” |
| Queen | 60” x 80” |
| King | 76” x 80” |
| California King | 72” x 84” |
Bunk sizes in recreational vehicles tend to slightly differ in terms of dimensions. Before buying a new mattress for your RV bunk, make sure to measure the bunk and choose the mattress accordingly.
The table below shows the most common RV bunk/mattress sizes and dimensions:
| Mattress size | Mattress dimensions |
|---|---|
| RV Bunk | 42” x 80” |
| Full/Double RV | 53” x 75” |
| Short Queen RV | 60” x 75” |
| Queen RV | 60” x 80” |
| Olympic Queen | 66” x 80” |
| Short King RV | 72” x 75” |
| King RV | 72” x 80” |
| Eastern King | 76” x 80” |
| California King RV | 72” x 84” |
Normally, narrow twin beds have a standard width of 30 inches.
A single mattress is the same as a twin mattress, the difference only being in the naming tradition. As such, a single or twin mattress is the second smallest, only superseded by a narrow twin (or narrow single), not counting cribs or camping cot mattresses.
A junior twin bed base is designed to take a mattress of approximately 60 inches in length. While this particular bed size was specifically designed as a transition step between a crib and an adult twin bed, coming in a variety of sizes, these days manufacturers tend to make junior twin mattresses the same size as regular twin mattresses.
A split queen mattress essentially consists of two halves that are put side by side to form one piece. Each half of the mattress measures 30 inches wide by 80 inches long, so when put together, the two parts form a standard queen mattress, measuring 60 inches wide by 80 inches long.
One of the best benefits of split queen mattresses is their flexibility: they are easy to transport, move, flip, and handle when cleaning or refurbishing. A split queen also adds more comfort for those who experience restless sleep, so you or your partner won’t be disturbed by the movement.
In addition to motion isolation, split queens are also useful in cases of adjustable bed frames since you can always remove one half to accommodate a narrower bed.
Plenty of distributors offer split queen mattresses from a variety of manufacturers, including but not limited to such brands as Rest Right Mattress, Raymour & Flanigan, PlushBeds, Kingsdown, Dream Solutions, Kluft, Cloud9 Bedding, Beautyrest, Aireloom, Soft Sleeper, Natures Rest, Crown Comfort, Beddings4Less, Simmons, Continental Sleep, Serta and more.
Depending on the brand and materials used, twin XL mattresses go for as little as $300 to as high as $2,000 and over. A high-quality organic twin XL mattress can fall somewhere between $800 and $900, again, depending on the number of layers and the nature of support.
Bunk sizes vary depending on the RV manufacturer and the size of the vehicle itself. Much like regular beds, RV bunks can be suited for one person or a couple.
One of the most common sizes for a single RV bunk measures 28 inches wide by 75 inches long. Another popular RV bunk size is a narrow twin size: 30 inches by 75 inches, capable of accommodating regular narrow twin bed mattresses.
More often than not you would find cot mattresses that are similar to narrow twin or small single mattresses, meaning that a standard cot mattress measures 30 inches wide and 75 inches long.
As mentioned above, narrow twin and twin mattresses are set apart by the difference in their widths. Regular twin mattresses are designed to fit standard twin bed frames (regardless of the type of frame) while narrow twin mattresses are meant for cots, narrow guest beds, quick snap standing mattress frames and similar structures that support the mattress dimensions.
As such, twin mattresses, sometimes called single mattresses, and twin bed frames share the same dimensions: 38 inches wide by 75 inches long, though sometimes you may encounter slightly shorter models.
Narrow twin mattresses or cot mattresses are perfect for guest beds and relaxation spots since they take up less space and can fit in smaller apartments. Cot and narrow twin models usually measure 30 inches wide by 75 inches long.
In Conclusion
Narrow twin mattresses may take up a rather niche corner of the bedroom furniture market, but those who deal with furnishing small rooms, guest quarters, or camping houses will attest to the importance of space-saving bed frames and size-matching mattresses.
Though not as popular as regular twin or twin XL mattresses, narrow twins are still fairly commonplace, so there is no shortage of options. It’s important, however, to know how to separate different types of twin mattresses if you want to avoid any mishaps with your purchase. Make sure to carefully read product descriptions and pay attention to twin sizes: narrow twin, twin, and twin XL are not the same and therefore are not interchangeable.
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