Twin vs King: A Mattress Comparison Guide

Picking between mattress sizes is an important part of the bedroom decoration process. Once you’ve picked between a memory foam or a hybrid, choosing the right size mattress for your bedroom is one of the most important decisions you can make about your space as a whole. This guide has everything you need to know about the differences between a twin vs king mattress, from their differing mattress dimensions to the kinds of sleepers they’re best for.

King mattresses are one the largest size mattresses you can get for your space, while twin mattresses are one of the smallest. Though they’re each different, both come with their own set of strengths, so reviewing them before you go ahead and make the leap is going to be especially important:

Mattress Dimensions: Twin vs King

The most significant difference between a twin and king size mattress is their size. A standard twin mattress typically comes in at 38 inches by 75 inches (with a surface area of 2,840 square inches). Most mattress companies also offer the option of a twin XL, which is 5 inches longer than a standard twin.

A standard king clocks in at 76 inches by 80 inches (with a surface area of 6,080 inches). Some mattress companies also offer a California king size, which is usually 72 inches wide and 84 inches long.

King size mattresses are nearly double the size of standard twin mattresses. In fact, two twin XL mattresses are about the same size as a single king-size bed, and many sleepers opt to use this when they’re sleeping on a split-king bed. Check out our king mattress size guide for more information.

How To Choose Between A Twin vs King Mattress

If you’re trying to pick between a king bed and a twin bed, there are a couple of factors to keep in consideration. These include the actual size of your bedroom, what you may be planning to use the mattress for, as well as your overall budget when it comes to your sleep accessories.

One thing twin and king size mattresses have in common is their size variations. California king mattresses and twin-XL beds are both often recommended for their added length, which makes them ideal for tall sleepers who don’t want their feet sticking out the bed.

Twin XL mattresses are also a popular choice for college dorm rooms or older children. For couples who need their personal space during sleep, a standard king mattress beats out a California king mattress as the ideal option.

Here’s a breakdown of what you might want to take into consideration before choosing between a twin or king bed:

Bedroom Size

The size of your bedroom has a clear influence on how you choose between a twin bed and king bed. Smaller bedrooms, which are anything less than 10 by 10 feet, are often best paired with a twin mattress since there’s not a lot of space for a bigger bed. Twin beds are commonly used in children’s rooms, college dorm rooms, or studio apartments that lack free space.

King beds are much better suited to a large bedroom, anywhere between 10 by 12 feet to 13 feet by 19 feet. These make king beds a great choice for master bedrooms, guest rooms, or larger spaces in general.

Choosing the best mattress for your bedroom size requires doing your due diligence when planning your bedroom. Most interior designers recommend you ensure a minimum of two feet between your bed and other bedroom furniture in your room for optimal airflow in your space.

A stuffy bedroom that has too much bedroom furniture is likely going to be too uncomfortable for you to get a good night’s sleep. Choosing the right mattress size for your space can therefore be a crucial element to ensuring your bedroom remains as comfortable as possible. Use Puffy's mattress size guide to know more about different sizes.

Budget

If you’re shopping on a budget for a new mattress, then it’s important to know twin beds are going to be amongst the most cost-effective choices available for your home. Here’s an example of the price difference between different Puffy mattresses:

*Prices shown reflect savings applied with promo code.

Some mattress companies (Puffy included) will offer financing options that allow you to pay for your bed in installments. This is a great option for budget-conscious shoppers who are still in need of a larger mattress.

Puffy mattresses also come with a 101-night sleep trial, which gives you over three months to test out your mattress before deciding whether or not it’s right for you. Since comfort on a mattress can be subjective, it’s important to ensure you’re sure of your choice before committing to it. Trial periods can help with this.

Bedding & Accessories

Following on from cost, keeping bedding and accessories in mind when you’re choosing between two mattress sizes can be important. The cost of your bedroom accessories and bedding, from your bed frame to your sheets, can rise in proportion to the size you opt to have.

Since both twin and king beds are standard sizes, you should not have any difficulty identifying them in stores for your purchase. California king mattresses or twin-XL mattresses are slightly more challenging to find.

Certain kinds of bedding can be used interchangeably regardless of size. King size flat sheets can be used on California king mattresses, for example, and twin size flat sheets can be used on twin XL mattresses. Learn more about twin vs twin xl and get to know more in detailed size comparison.

Uses

For children graduating to their first ‘big kid bed’ after sleeping on smaller, crib size mattresses, twin beds are an ideal option. Twin beds are a versatile option for a child’s room since they’re also compact enough to be stacked for bunk beds. Even a really high-quality mattress will need to be changed after about 12 years, making this the perfect option for growing children.

King size mattresses are ideal for homeowners who have spacious master bedrooms. Perfect for couples who like to cozy up but still need their own space, these beds are the perfect choice for anyone seeking cozy, comfortable sleep. King size mattresses can also be a great shared mattress for families, or for couples who wake at different times and do not wish to disturb each other.

Puffy Twin vs King Mattress Options

Puffy has been voted America’s most comfortable mattress and comes in three options perfect for every sleeper. With both all-foam and hybrid options, here’s a quick overview of some of the options you might have when it comes to king beds versus twin size beds:

• Puffy Memory Foam Mattress: Our original model known for its signature cloud-like feel, the Puffy Mattress includes a body-contouring support layer that stays cool all night. A great choice for sleepers who want all-foam comfort without wanting to compromise on quality.
• Puffy Lux Hybrid: The best-selling model from our mattress range, the Puffy Lux has a unique 8-layer sleep system that includes a base of coils to provide structure and support in your sleep. If you’re looking for the best an all-foam and innerspring mattress has to offer, you can’t go wrong with a Puffy Lux Hybrid.
• Puffy Royal Hybrid: The ultra-plush Puffy Royal Hybrid is ideal for sleepers seeking a luxurious night of sleep. With a focus on keeping your body consistently cool throughout the night, zoned support cradles your body for peaceful sleep.

Pick your mattress based on your specific sleep requirements - if you’re someone who deals with chronic body aches, for example, it’s a good idea to invest in a Puffy Lux Hybrid. Looking for a soft yet supportive night’s sleep? The Puffy Royal is the way to go.

If you can’t figure out which mattress is right for you, you can always take our mattress quiz to help you decide.

Check out puffy mattress reviews, from real customers and see how we compare puffy vs nectar, and puffy vs purple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do two twin beds make a king?

Not exactly. Though two twin beds do not make a king, two twin-XL mattresses put together do. Most people use two twin-XL mattresses in the case of split-king beds, in which they need separate mobility or even comfort levels for both sides of the bed.

What is a split-king bed?

A split-king bed refers to beds that consist of two twin XL mattresses that have been pushed together to form a king-size bed with separate mobility or comfort levels on each side. Split king beds are popular for couples who have totally different sleeping styles, and need to pay special attention to their comfort.

How big is a king compared to a twin?

A king-size bed is 37 inches wider and 5 inches longer than a twin-size bed. It takes up nearly twice as much room as a twin-size bed and is best suited to master bedrooms with plenty of space. Twin beds, on the other hand, are better suited to children’s rooms, or college dorm rooms.

Can a couple sleep on a twin bed?

No. Couples are generally not advised to share a twin bed, since this will result in stuffy, uncomfortable sleep. A full-size mattress is a better option for couples on a budget looking to invest in a mattress.

Summary

When you’re trying to decide between a twin and king bed for your space, it’s a good idea to take room size, budget, and sleepers into account. Ultimately, a great quality mattress should provide you deep, uninterrupted sleep, regardless of how big or small it is. Making the right choice for your space and your budget will help keep you that much comfier at night!