Picking out a bed for your guest room or bedroom isn’t always the easiest of tasks, especially if you aren’t fully aware of which one would benefit you the most. When I was searching for a bed for my sons room, came to difficult task of choosing between a twin xl vs a full. I had to take the measurements of his room into consideration, how tall he was, how much sleeping space he needed, and a lot of other things. So, if you are in the same predicament that I was, here’s how I chose between the twin XL and the Full.
Twin XL
The twin XL mattress dimensions are 39” x 80” and is very commonly found in college dorm rooms and kids bedrooms. They are very accommodating to those who are taller in size and they are very affordable.
Twin XL Pros and Cons
Pros
- More foot room
- Cheaper than a full
- Can be used in multiples for larger rooms
Cons
- Not accommodating to couples
- 15” more narrow than the full
Size & Sleeping Space
The twin XL definitely doesn’t have the amount of space that the full does, but it does take up less room. This may be the better option if you are limited on space to begin with. This is also a great choice if you have multiple children in one room. I’ve seen where two girls or two boys have two beds in the same room so that another bedroom is freed up for guests.
The sleeping space of a twin XL is unfortunately not accommodating to couples because of its measurements. 39” is definitely not enough room for more than one person to sleep comfortably on. If it’s just one child or one taller adult, it’s perfectly acceptable and there’s sufficient room.
Price
A twin XL bed isn’t going to cost you very much to begin with because it’s the smaller of the two. If it’s a well known brand name bed, you don’t have to shell out very much money. If it’s one of the lesser known brands or one that involves a lot in their manufacturing processes, you may pay a little more, but it will still be less than a full.
The price of the accessories for the twin XL’s are also going to be cheaper as well. The best part about these is that they are very readily accessible and they are always on sale once school starts. You can go to any retail store or any online store and get a bedding set for only $40 or so. The other great thing about them is that the bed frames are very easy to find and they aren’t expensive.
Ease of Movement
Since the twin XL is a relatively small bed, other than it being longer than the full size, it’s going to be relatively easy to move around. This is perfect for those who are constantly rearranging their rooms or moving often. The only thing that’s going to make a difference when it comes to moving them is what they are made from. Innerspring types are going to weigh more and are going to be harder to move, whereas memory foam will be lighter and much easier to maneuver around.
Full
The dimensions of a full size mattress are 54” x 75”, giving them 15” more width than the twin, but 5” less length. These are very commonly found in motel rooms and in dorms, as well as guest rooms and children’s rooms.
Full Pros and Cons
Full Pros
- 15” Wider than the Twin XL
- More accommodating for couples in a pinch
- Better for kids rooms
Cons
- Less foot room
- More expensive
Size & Sleeping Space
The full size mattress gives the user more sleeping space than the twin XL by far in terms of width. The foot space may not be as much, but it’s definitely more accommodating for couples in a pinch. Those who have a smaller guest room may use the full beds if they cannot fit a queen comfortably. I’ve slept on a full bed with another person before and it wasn’t too uncomfortable, but I don’t suggest it for a full time arrangement.
The full beds are perfect for a child’s bedroom who aren’t sharing. They may be just a little too big to put more than one in them. They give the child the right amount of sleeping space and foot space, even if they are a little on the taller side. The full size bed may also be better for the overall feng shui of the room.
Price
The full size beds are going to run a little heavier on the wallet, only because of their size and because it takes more material to make them. Depending on the manufacturer, a full may cost $200 more than the twin XL. The price of bed frames is going to go up as well because of the size change, too.
The accessories for the full bed are going to be a touch more pricey, as you probably expected. Rather than costing you only $30-$40, they may run you $40-$50, maybe higher. Fortunately, since these beds are used in dorm rooms too, you can find them on sale in the back to school section.
Ease of Movement
Depending on what your bed is made from, this is going to determine how lightweight or not your bed is. If your mattress is made from innersprings, the same rule applies as it does with the Twin XL, it’s going to be heavier than that of memory foam. Since the full is larger than the twin XL, it’s going to be heavier anyway, so moving it around may not be easy.
Twin XL vs Full Comparison Table
| Twin XL | Full |
|---|---|
| 39” x 80” | 54” x 75” |
| More foot room | 5” less foot room |
| Cheaper | More expensive |
| Not ideal for couples | More room for couples |
Conclusion
So, there’s a lot going on here between the full and twin XL size mattresses. The twin XL may seem like the better option because it’s cheaper in all of the aspects, but in the long run, it’s the full that is the better choice. The reason being is that it’s bigger, so it will grow with your child, there’s more sleeping space for couples, and it’s more practical for a guest room. Spending the extra $200 or so will turn out to be worth it in the end, trust me.
As always, if you have any questions, comment below!