Buying guide for best full mattresses

Quality sleep can make a huge difference in your health and well-being, and the right mattress is an important part of the equation. Full mattresses are the perfect size for solo sleepers who find they can't spread out enough in a twin bed. A full mattress can also accommodate two people if you don't mind the close proximity. 

You know you want to buy a full mattress, but which one? The first factor we'd recommend deciding on is which type of mattress you want to buy — foam, innerspring, or hybrid. The level of firmness is important both for comfort and support, so think carefully before choosing. You'll also want to think about features such as mattress depth, motion isolation, and removable covers. 

This guide contains all the relevant information about full mattresses you need to make your decision. We've also listed our top full mattresses, one of which could be your ideal option.

It can take a little while for your body to adjust to the feel of a new mattress. If it doesn't feel comfortable at first, give it a few days to a week.

Key considerations

Full mattress types

Foam

Foam mattresses are hugely popular due to their plush feeling that seems to hug the body. Memory foam is possibly the best-known type of foam mattress, but you'll find other options out there, including gel foam, polyfoam, and latex foam. 

Let's start by looking at memory foam. It was invented by NASA in the 1960s, but it wasn't used as mattress material until 1991. It gives you the sensation of sinking into it, but it molds to your body so you feel supported. It's great for people suffering from back and joint pain because it relieves pressure points and encourages proper spinal alignment. It isn't especially breathable, though, which makes it warm to sleep on. 

Gel foam has many of the same properties as memory foam but is infused with gel, which has cooling properties. Gel foam mattresses are ideal for people who love everything about memory foam except for how hot it makes them feel at night.

Polyfoam is an affordable choice but doesn't offer a huge amount of support on its own. It's usually what inexpensive foam mattresses are made from and is often best avoided unless it's layered with other types of foam to create a base under the top layer of memory foam or gel foam.

Latex foam is made using natural latex rubber derived from tree sap. If you're looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative to standard foam mattresses, this is it. Latex mattresses are comfortable and supportive, but they have more bounce than other foam mattresses. They have the added bonus of being breathable and therefore feeling cooler to sleep on.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses contain a network of springs, or coils, between a lightly padded top and bottom. These springs compress when you lie on them, with thinner coils feeling less firm due to increased compression and thicker coils feeling firmer and more supportive. Generally speaking, the greater the number of coils in a mattress, the higher its quality and level of support.

Offset coils are designed to minimize squeaking and are a good choice if you've had problems with this in the past. Pocketed coils are individually encased in fabric so each moves independently, giving you more support and motion isolation. Innerspring mattresses feel bouncier than foam mattresses.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine the technologies of foam and hybrid mattresses. They feature a few inches of memory foam at the top of the mattress with springs underneath. If you like both the bounce of springs and the feeling of sinking into memory foam, a hybrid mattress could be right for you. You'll still get the pressure point relief that comes with memory foam but with the added firmness and support of an innerspring mattress.

Firmness

The firmness of your chosen full mattress can make a huge difference in comfort and support. Of course, some of this comes down to personal preference — some people love soft, plush mattresses, and some sleep more soundly on extra-firm mattresses — but it's important to learn more about firmness levels to choose a suitable option. 

Mattresses range in firmness from soft to firm. As the name suggests, soft mattresses feel the softest, but they're not as supportive as firmer options and are unlikely to provide adequate support for anyone over 110 pounds. Firm mattresses are the most supportive but can feel too firm for many people. Those weighing 220 pounds or more will get the best support from a firm mattress. The majority of people should opt for something in between the two — either medium or medium-firm.

Size considerations

A full mattress measures 54 inches wide by 75 inches across. Although it's technically large enough to fit two average adults, each person only has two-and-a-quarter feet of space to themself, which isn't great for those who like to stretch out. Plus, any movements an individual makes in the night are likely to be felt by their sleeping partner. As such, full mattresses are generally recommended for people who sleep alone but want a little more space than is afforded by a twin bed. 

Full beds are great for kids who fill their beds with stuffed toys or who need an adult to lie or sit with them to drift off to sleep. You might also choose a full-size mattress for a small guest room — any couple who stays will only have to sleep in close quarters for a night or two, which is different from doing so night after night. 

Features

Removable cover

Full mattresses with removable covers are easier to keep clean. If you spill something or notice any staining, you can simply remove the cover and wash it.

Depth

Although you can find some extra-deep outliers, most mattresses are somewhere between 8 and 14 inches deep. Any thinner, and your mattress is likely to be uncomfortable. Any thicker, and it's hard to find sheets that fit. 

Motion isolation

If you'll be sharing your full bed with another person, look for an option with motion isolation to minimize motion transfer when one person moves, thus causing less disturbance. 

Choose a foam mattress that's CertiPUR-US approved, meaning it emits low VOCs and is made without ozone depleters, phthalates, formaldehyde, and a list of other potentially harmful components.

Full mattress prices

Inexpensive: You can find basic full-size mattresses from $100 to $300. Some people get on well with these budget choices, but they aren't as supportive as pricier mattresses and may not be comfortable enough for nightly use. 

Mid-priced: For $300 to $600, you can find an excellent range of mid-priced full mattresses of all kinds: foam, innerspring, and hybrid.

Expensive: High-end mattresses can cost from $600 to more than $1,200. At this price, you should expect the latest materials and technologies to bring you exceptional comfort and support.  

Foam mattresses can take up to 24 hours to fully expand but will have expanded enough to sleep on within a couple of hours.

Tips

• Search for mattresses with anti-allergy and antimicrobial protection. This can make a huge difference in how you sleep if you suffer from dust, pet, or other environmental allergies. 
• Consider a mattress with a money-back guarantee. The drawback to buying a mattress online is that you can't test it before purchasing. However, many companies that specialize in selling mattresses online offer a full money-back guarantee if you aren't comfortable. This guarantee can last for as many as 100 nights and occasionally more, so you have plenty of time to try out your new mattress.
• Don't worry too much if you're buying a mattress for occasional use. If you or another family member will be sleeping on the mattress every night, it must be adequately comfortable and supportive, but if it's a guest mattress that will only be used occasionally, proper support isn't as important, nor is durability, though you'd still want it to be comfortable enough for sleep.

If you'd like a mattress that's as natural as possible, try a latex foam mattress with a cotton or bamboo cover.

FAQ

Q. What is a bed-in-a-box?

A. Bed-in-a-box is a slightly misleading term, as it refers to a mattress only, not a full bed, which is shipped to your door in a box. The term is usually used to describe a certain type of foam mattress which can be compressed, rolled, boxed, and shipped in a surprisingly small package due to savvy manufacturing and packing techniques. Other than the shipping method, there's nothing particularly different between a standard mattress and a bed-in-a-box.

Q. How should I care for my full mattress to make it last longer? 

A. Keeping your mattress in good condition is important for its longevity as well as to prevent unpleasant odors and build-up of dust and mildew. We recommend using a waterproof mattress protector to keep spills, sweat, and other unwanted substances out of your mattress and to prevent dust from building up on it. Whenever you change the sheets on your bed, leave it bare for a couple of hours to allow the mattress to breathe and prevent mold and mildew from forming. Every six months or so, vacuum your mattress to remove dust and debris. If you ever need to spot clean your mattress, do so with a damp cloth, and allow it to dry before replacing the sheets.

Q. When will I know it's time for a new mattress?

A. Experts recommend you replace your mattress roughly every seven years, though some high-quality mattresses could last as long as 10 years. Sometimes you may notice signs of age before the seven years is up, in which case you'll need to replace it sooner. Signs you need a new mattress include waking up with back or leg pain, lack of support, visible sagging, and springs poking through the padding.