9 Best Cheap Twin Mattress Picks 2023

Dr. Jerry Hu, a children’s sleep expert who is triple board-certified in dental sleep medicine, says that a supportive mattress that offers head and neck support is of vital importance. “A medium firm mattress is largely considered the best mattress firmness for a child,” he says.

“This provides a good amount of support while allowing them to move and switch sleep positions throughout the night.” Children sleep best and breathe best on their sides according to Dr. Hu. He suggests mattresses that don’t have known toxic chemicals, such as polyurethane, propylene oxide and toxic flame retardants. Select hypoallergenic and organic if possible.

Types of cheap twin mattress options:

• Memory foam: Memory foam is a type of mattress that’s known for molding itself to the shape of a person’s body. It can distribute weight evenly, which provides pressure relief. Many modern memory foam mattresses come with cooling properties.
• Hybrid: A traditional spring mattress features coils that are evenly distributed throughout the mattress. There are usually layers of padding, cushioning and fabric made from foam, cotton, latex, wool or other materials to create support.
• Traditional spring: A hybrid mattress features a mix of memory foam and traditional spring coils in a “best of both worlds” situation.

The best cheap twin mattress picks 2023

• • Best overall: ZINUS Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
  • Best under $100: FDW Gel Memory Foam Mattress
  • Best Walmart: Linenspa Dreamer Mattress
  • Best foldable: Tri-Folding Memory Foam Mattress
  • Best memory foam: NapQueen Mattress
  • Best hybrid: Olee Sleep Omega Hybrid Gel Memory Foam and Pocket Spring Mattress
  • Best spring: Mainstays Innerspring Coil Mattress
  • Best rated: Linenspa Innerspring Twin Mattress
  • Best inflatable: hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed with Safety Bumpers

Best overall

Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress

This cooling memory foam mattress is highly rated, with astounding 70,000-plus ratings on Amazon. It’s a great cheap twin mattress choice for those looking for comfort at an affordable price point. Its temperature-controlled memory foam wicks away moisture while supporting growing bodies, and its 6-inch thickness is a nice medium-firmness, which is preferable for children.

From first beds to bunk beds to trundle beds, the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam mattress is beloved because it lives up to the hype—truly. If you need it in a different size, it comes in sizes full, queen and king as well as thicknesses up to 12 inches thick.

Pros

• Cooling gel infused memory foam
• Extremely affordable price point for this type of mattress
• 10-year limited warranty
• Holds up to 250 pounds
• CertiPur-US certified
• Ideal for side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers
• Ships in a compact, easy-to-move box

Cons

• Takes up to get 72 hours to fully inflate and take shape

FDW Gel Memory Foam Mattress

This gel memory foam mattress from FDW is less than $100 with thousands of ratings, making it a budget-friendly twin-size mattress. The gel memory foam is breathable and comfortable for little bodies, and the hypoallergenic cover is washable. Thicknesses range from five inches to 12 inches with the popular six-inch style offering medium firmness which is perfect for kids.

Adults love this one too, so consider ordering a larger size or additional units for a guest bedroom or dorm room. You'll need a Prime membership to get free shipping. If you need a free trial, we've got you—plus loads of other free stuff from Amazon.

Pros

• Extremely budget-friendly twin mattress for kids
• Gel memory foam
• Comes in five different thicknesses
• Made from four-way stretch for comfort
• Hypoallergenic and breathable
• CertiPur-US certified

Cons

• Not ideal for hot sleepers, as memory foam tends to trap heat

Linenspa 10-inch Dreamer Mattress

Walmart’s twin mattress selection is a perfect starting point for those looking for an affordable twin mattress that won’t break the bank, such as the Linenspa 10-inch Dreamer Mattress. A cheap twin hybrid mattress, it has both gel foam and steel coils to balance comfort with firmness for support. Whether in a guest room, bunk bed or toddler room, it delivers.

Speaking of delivery, it comes compressed and condensed in an easy-to-open box. You’ll want to let the mattress fully expand over 24 hours before sleeping on it. Head to the over 6,400 ratings on Walmart to see that others agree.

Pros

• Affordable price starting at $148
• Hybrid model with cooling gel memory foam and steel springs
• Over 6,400 ratings on Walmart
• Available in three thicknesses

Cons

•  Coils add more support but have a limited life span in humid climates

Tri-Folding Memory Foam Mattress

Foldable mattresses are portable and light, making them ideal for kids, from floor beds to makeshift beds besides yours. Clocking in at only three pounds, the Milliard Memory Foam Tri-fold Mattress is light, supportive and comfortable. To combat sweat and moisture buildup, it features ventilation over its foam base. It doesn’t lose its shape quickly, either, making it a good option for kids and adults for scenarios like camping and sleepovers.

Be sure to grab a waterproof mattress cover that fits a foldable bed, especially if you have little ones that might have accidents. This foam bed has made our top picks on several lists ranging from travel-ready beds to sleepover essentials. Simply put, we love it.

Pros

• Gel memory foam for support
• Lightweight and portable
• CertiPUR certified
• Folds up compactly into thirds
• Includes removable bamboo cover with a no-slip bottom

Cons

• It doesn’t come with a waterproof cover

NapQueen Mattress

With a name like NapQueen, a mattress brand better deliver—and according to over 7,000 people on Amazon who have rated this mattress, it does. The memory foam style mattress is infused with bamboo charcoal, a type of bamboo, for moisture, temperature and odor regulation.

It comes in several thicknesses, ranging from a sensible, affordable six-inch model to a whopping 14-inch design, and is available in twin, twin XL, full and queen sizes. These beds are perfect for whatever sleeping scenario you need a mattress for. A fabric finish on the top layer provides extra comfort, especially for stomach sleepers, and an overall medium firmness will satisfy most sleepers.

Pros

• Ships compressed in a bed-in-a-box style
• Comes in several thicknesses, including a 14-inch
• Medium firmness
• Memory foam has bamboo charcoal to help with moisture and temperature control

Cons

• Might require additional time for off-gassing

Olee Sleep Omega Hybrid Gel Memory Foam and Pocket Spring Mattress

We love hybrid mattresses because they offer both memory foam and traditional coils for a well-rounded sleep. This mattress from Olee Sleep comes in a standard 10-inch thickness for its twin size and is made from high-density foam and premium pocket springs.

When combined, the two features allow for comfort, pressure relief, heat regulation and motion isolation. It’s CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX-certified, which means it went through additional safety checks for emissions, performance, environmental impact and health testing.

Pros

• Contains both memory foam and pocket springs
• Helps with comfort and pressure relief
• Can regulate heat and body temperature
• CertiPUR-US- and OEKO-TEX-certified

Cons

• Heavier than other hybrid twin-size mattresses, so be sure to enlist another adult's help to unpack/move this bed

Mainstays Innerspring Coil Mattress

While it seems like all mattresses are memory foam or hybrid these days, some buyers might subscribe to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy when shopping for mattresses. In that case, a traditional innerspring coil mattress fits the bill when searching for a cheap twin mattress.

Perfect for trundles, guest beds, bunk beds and toddler floor beds, the Mainstays Innerspring Coil Mattress in a twin size features full-body support with a medium firmness that offers relief to key pressure points. Though it has innerspring coils, it still ships compactly in a bed-in-a-b0x style, making it a convenient option.

While we think it’s the best spring mattress style in a twin size, it also comes in dorm-ready twin XL and full sizes. It works with almost any bed frame, so hooray for versatility!

Pros

• Thoughtfully encased innersprings/coils
• One year warranty
• Compatible with platform or box spring beds
• Medium firmness with full body support
• Ships compactly

Cons

• Comfortably supports about 200 pounds, so it's not ideal for bigger teens or adults climbing into bed with kids

Linenspa Innerspring Twin Mattress

Over 65,000 people have rated the Linenspa Innerspring Twin Mattress, making it a cheap twin mattress pick you can purchase with confidence. Durable yet soft, the steel coils of this sturdy twin bed provide support while the quilted fabric cover and foam layer offer comfort.

It’s usable in a variety of situations such as with a box spring, a platform, a floor bed, a slatted frame or even in an RV. It ships compressed and can regain its shape within 48 to 72 hours. A firm innerspring mattress, it’s great for growing bodies that need full support.

Pros

• Firm style, which is perfect for growing bodies
• Combination of steel coils and foam layer
• Comfortable and supportive
• Has over 65,000 ratings on Amazon, most of which are 5 stars
• Ships compressed

Cons

• Some reviewers note this bed being "too firm" but we loved it—especially for spinal alignment on a budget

hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed with Safety Bumpers

In some situations, a pack-and-play isn’t an ideal option. In those cases, an inflatable bed might be ideal, and hiccapop’s Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed with Safety Bumpers is a no-brainer for parents who want a light, supportive and portable option for those on-the-go moments such as camping, grandparent sleepovers, hotel stays and more.

Lightweight at only eight pounds, the bed rolls up tightly and can easily be packed for any trip. Many styles only have two bumpers, but this one has four, allowing children to stay snug in the bed. It’s also 25% longer and taller than competitors, allowing you to use it for longer. A pump and travel bag are included, and the bed has a lifetime guarantee.

Plus, it's our favorite toddler travel bed thanks to clever edge support and the perfect firmness level to support young, growing sleepers on the go.

Pros

• Inflates in 30 seconds
• Has four inflated bumpers
• Fits all standard crib sheets
• Rolls up to store
• Perfect for sleepovers, camping, RV’s and hotel stays
• Lifetime guarantee
• Comes with a travel bag and pump
• Lightweight and portable

Cons

• The included pump is not compatible with outlets in some international countries, so bring an adapter

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