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Best Twin XL Mattress Pad for Long-Lasting Protection and Comfort

Danielle Mcleod

Mattress pads are a great investment to help provide a layer of protection over your mattress and add a comforting change to your night’s rest. Firm up an old surface, or soften one that is just a little bit too firm, pads are an affordable option that many people prefer to help improve the comfort and the feel of their existing mattress. What’s more, many people opt for mattress pads when they buy a new mattress as they also serve as a protective layer that keeps away signs of wear and tear from the mattress underneath and prolongs its service life to boot.

Twin XL mattresses are popular choices for children going into their teens, especially those who are already taller than 5 feet and will continue to grow since they offer an extra 5 inches. They also are a popular length for college dormitories, which are often equipped with mattresses questionable in their age and comfort. This way, you don’t have to break the bank to ensure you get a good night’s rest while away studying – and the size is just right for a single young adult sleeping on it.

So, whether you’re a college student looking for comfort or a parent of a teen that wants their kid to sleep well, a twin XL mattress pad is definitely something to consider. Not only will they prolong the life of an existing mattress, but they can help you tweak the comfort levels to your exact liking! To help you choose the right option for your specific needs, we’ve selected the best twin XL mattress pads money can buy – with options for any sleeping position, comfort needs, or budget. Plus, if you’re unsure where to begin with and how to determine which twin XL mattress pad will be the right choice for you, we go in depth about what to consider before you buy one. Read on to learn more!

RankProductHighlights
#1Bedsure Mattress Pad

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  • Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Short Queen, King
  • Firmness Level: Medium soft
  • Materials: Polyester microfiber
#2ViscoSoft Bamboo Mattress Pad

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  • Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
  • Firmness Level: medium-firm
  • Materials: Polyfill and Bamboo rayon cover
#3Electrowarmth Twin Extra Long

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  • Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Queen, Olympic Queen, King, Cal. King
  • Firmness Level: Medium soft
  • Materials: Polyester and Poly blend
#4LEISURE TOWN Twin Mattress Pad Cover

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  • Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, Olympic Queen, King, Cal. King
  • Firmness Level:  Plush
  • Materials: 100% cotton and down-alternative fill
#5Safe and Sound Twin Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad

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  • Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
  • Firmness Level: Medium-Soft
  • Materials: Cotton fill with Polyester cover

The Difference Between Pads and Toppers

A lot of people think a pad is a topper and vice versa, and even though the terms may be slightly interchangeable, there are some crucial differences between the two designs. A pad is considered a thinner surface that is built into a cover-like case that fits down the sides of your mattress. More often than not, mattress pads are waterproof and are used to prevent liquids from reaching the mattress or to prevent staining, dust, and dirt from ruining your mattress. In terms of comforts, pads often don’t have much to offer. Toppers are generally thicker and made of materials that provide a firmer option and work as more of a mattress comfort surface replacement rather than an addition. They also are generally made of various foams, while pads depending on natural fiberfill, down, and polyfills. This way, they can serve both as a protection for the mattress and help adjust the comfort and firmness levels at the same time.

Mattress Pad Uses

There are some great uses for a mattress pad other than just for comfort. Various thicknesses and materials offer joint, body, and spinal support, can provide a cooler sleep option, and meet your personal preferences. But when you add in the fact they also take care of the following, you have a bedding option that can’t be beaten when it comes to effectiveness and affordability.

Mattress Material Protection

Any layer placed on top of your mattress will help keep it protected. Even though pads are not made specifically for heavy-duty protection, they definitely help keep naturally shed dirt and oils from your body from reaching a mattress surface and also can absorb small spills that might otherwise be a pain to soak up. Plus, they are much easier to clean.

Warranty Protection

Many mattresses have a warranty to protect against material defect and workmanship issues. If your mattress becomes dirty or stained, it can void your warranty, which makes having an added layer of protection a smart choice.

Allergen Protection

Allergens are microscopic and settle into crack, crevices, and folds. The quilting on the top of your mattress is the perfect place for these to rest, and create stuffy noses and itchy eyes. Adding an easy to wash pad on top of the mattress is a great solution to avoid allergen source buildups and keep them away with regular laundering.

What to Consider Before You Buy

Before buying any sort of bedding that can alter your nighttime comfort, even if only slightly, you want to make sure you take into consideration a few details in advance. There are quite a few pad options you might want to take a closer look at. Everything from natural and synthetic materials, as well as various fills and thicknesses.

Mattress Size and Depth

Most pads are built into a cover that also wraps down the sides of the mattress to help keep it secure. Because of this, you need to ensure the pockets are deep enough to accommodate the mattress profile. You also don’t want too tight of a fit to avoid it pulling up.

Mattress Split and Adjustable Frames

If you own a split top mattress for an adjustable bed, you need to make sure the pad will work with either style. Since a twin xl mattress won’t be split, you don’t have to worry too much about that here unless you want to order a larger size. But an adjustable, ergonomic bed certainly needs to be considered to avoid a pulling up of the pad during adjustment.

Protective Qualities

If you also want a pad that is specifically designed for protection, look for water-resistant and waterproof qualities to get more bang for your buck.

Temperature Control Abilities

Cold sleepers will be glad to hear that some pads have built-in heating elements to provide you warm comfort control. Other materials are supportive of helping to keep your body cooler through the night if you are a warm sleeper.

Hypoallergenic Materials

If allergens are a concern, up the ante with some naturally hypoallergenic materials that help to repel allergen buildups and provide a hostile environment to dust mite survival.

Pad Maintenance

Part of the benefit of having a pad is how easy it is to keep it clean. Most are easy to remove and launder regularly, which is quite the improvement over how often we try to clean a mattress surface.

You may want to read: Best Twin XL Mattress Protector

Our Top Twin XL Mattress Pad Picks

The following twin XL mattress pad picks are quality options that are made from premium materials and are both protective and comfortable. Although thinner than a mattress topper, they create a comforting sleep surface to help cushion joints and revive tired out mattresses.

Bedsure Mattress Pad

Specs:

  • Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Short Queen, King
  • Firmness Level: Medium soft
  • Materials: Polyester microfiber

Twin Xl Budget Mattress Pad Pick

The Bedsure Mattress Pad has a microfiber cover for a soft, comfortable surface, and is quilted with a layered design to provide a cushiony top to help reduce joint pain and offer support. The 18 inch deep pockets ensure it can fit on any size mattress, and the fill material is well distributed to avoid any bunching.

Unlike cotton, the microfiber material is quick-drying and won’t shrink, and provides the perfect fit even after heavy laundering. It also is naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial. Easy to clean, it helps keep spills from soaking in too quickly to provide you the chance to wipe it clean. Even if it does soak into the pad, it can be removed and machine laundered.

Pros

  • Provides a snug, easy fit that doesn’t pull
  • Helps soften a too firm mattress well
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • May bunch up if not tucked well

Who This For:

This is a budget-friendly choice that provides long-lasting quality and comforting materials without a high price tag. If you want a basic pad for a slightly softer surface and flexible fit, this is a great choice.

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ViscoSoft Bamboo Mattress Pad

Specs:

  • Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
  • Firmness Level: medium-firm
  • Materials: Polyfill and Bamboo rayon cover

Best Twin XL Cooling Mattress Pad

Bamboo viscose is a natural fiber that provides an amazingly plush feel that also helps wick away moisture and is highly breathable to provide a cooling effect. This is a well-used option for those who sleep warm and are concerned about heat retention. The rayon blended with bamboo also provides a perfect fit to work well with your nocturnal movements and adjustability.

The thick feel of the material covers a breathable fiberfill that is supportive of your hips, knees, shoulders, and sore joints. The thick surface has a quilted top for even fill distribution and the deep, 18 inch pockets ensure it has a snug, even fit no matter the depth of your bed.

Pros

  • No heat retention and a nice, temperature-regulated surface
  • Comforting soft surface without being too squishy
  • Very easy to launder without shrinkage

Cons

  • The surface may be too softer for heavier sleepers

Who This is For:

If you sleep warm but miss having a plush surface to sleep on, a bamboo option is a great choice to consider.

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Electrowarmth Twin Extra Long

Specs:

  • Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Queen, Olympic Queen, King, Cal. King
  • Firmness Level: Medium soft
  • Materials: Polyester and Poly blend

Best Twin Xl Heated Mattress Pad

With a huge array of sizes, split, and single or dual control options, the Electrowarmth Heated Mattress Pad is designed to give you complete control over your nocturnal comfort. Made from a polyester and polyester blend, it offers a thin, plush pad and offers a 13-inch deep skirt, and 10 heat controls with an auto-off feature.

Durable and easy to wash, they are designed for machine washing and drying and provide a heat zone from your shoulders down to help avoid overheating. Great for cold climates, campers, stiff and sore joints, or just anyone looking for some temperature control, the pad allows for both support and heat.

Pros

  • Well distributed coils
  • Easy to control for perfect heat application
  • Machine washable and dryable

Cons

  • Might be too thin for some

Who This is For

When you want full control over a heated sleep surface without sacrificing a soft, plush feel, this is a great choice. Easy to care for and durable, it also has a 1-year warranty.

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LEISURE TOWN Twin Mattress Pad Cover

Specs:

  • Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, Olympic Queen, King, Cal. King
  • Firmness Level:  Plush
  • Materials: 100% cotton and down-alternative fill

Best Down Alternative Twin XL Mattress Pad

The 100% cotton case and soft, plush down alternative fill make this a mattress pad that feels as if you are sleeping on a cloud. With incredibly deep pockets on a 21-inch skirt, you can keep it snug and secure to help keep it in place through the night. Quilted with double stitching, the fill is distributed to provide you all night comfort and support.

It also is tightly woven for water-resistant properties that provide you the ability to wipe up spills quickly. It can be machine washed and dried without the worry of the material bunching or shrinking to cause an ill fit, and because the fill is a down alternative, you won’t have any crunching noises or poking quills.

Pros

  • Helps with temperature control, both cooling, and heat
  • Allows for a nice, snug fit
  • Very plush and feels like a cloud

Cons

  • The fill might be too soft and thick for some

Who This is For:

Similar to a featherbed fill without the price tag, this is a great choice that provides an effective alternative that allows for a breathable, plush surface that feels like a cloud.

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Safe and Sound Twin Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad

Specs:

  • Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
  • Firmness Level: Medium-Soft
  • Materials: Cotton fill with Polyester cover

Best Twin XL Protective Mattress Pad

When you want a comfortable sleep surface, but don’t want to sacrifice the protection of your mattress, the Safe and Sound Quilted Fitted Pad is a fully waterproof choice that provides the protection you need without the crinkly sound that can make them so undesirable. The quilted, padded surface offers a gentle softness to help ease sore joints and soften firm mattresses.

With the ability to provide a snug fit for mattresses between 6 and 14 inches thick, it doesn’t pull or work free with nocturnal movements or an adjustable bed. It also is a naturally hypoallergenic option due to the brushed, suede-like microfiber cover.

Pros

  • Gently soft surface with comfortable body support
  • Excellent waterproofing without crinkling
  • Easy to launder

Cons

  • Isn’t the best for deep mattress options

Who This is For:

Gently soft, and slightly plush, this is a pad that provides great protection without sacrificing comfort.

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Conclusion

Mattress pads are highly desired due to their affordability and efficiency when providing a slight sleep surface comfort. These options showcase quality picks that allow for various material comforts and protection to ensure you get the product you need.

If you have been looking to alter your sleep surface to help support joints without sacrificing support, or possibly need a softer option than the too firm surface you are sleeping on, these are the perfect solutions. You also can choose from temperature controlling pads as well!