Buying guide for Best full XL mattresses
Full XL mattresses are handy for when you want a queen mattress but don’t really have the room for it. This mattress combines the length of a queen with the width of a full, making it six inches narrower than a queen (the actual dimensions are 54 x 80 inches.) In general, a full XL mattress is the largest mattress you can get that is specifically built with a single sleeper in mind.
Like other mattresses, full XL mattresses are available in a variety of types and comfort levels, from extra-firm to super-plush. You can find them in a range of materials, including gel foam, memory foam, and eco-friendly latex foam. Many can be found online and shipped to your home in an easy-to-handle compact box (you just might have to wait a day or two to let the mattress fully expand and air out.)
Key considerations
Full XL mattress types
Like other mattresses, full XL mattresses are available in a variety of types that vary by construction methods and materials. Here are some of the more popular types:
Innerspring mattresses: Innersprings have been around for more than a hundred years, and, to this day, account for a large percentage of mattresses that are sold. When you think “mattress,” the first image that pops into your mind is likely something similar to an innerspring. This traditional mattress type involves some form of an interior spring or coil system — usually made from steel — that contours to your body and helps to provide support.
Innerspring mattresses tend to be less expensive than other types of mattresses and are especially prized by those who sleep on their backs due to the mattress’ contour capabilities.
Memory foam mattresses: Memory foam was invented in the 1960s and offers a comfortable and durable sleeping surface. Memory foam mattresses can be healthier than other mattresses to sleep on based largely on their hypoallergenic properties. Memory foam has the ability to conform to a sleeper’s body, which can be a big plus for stomach-sleepers or those who like to sleep on their side.
Gel foam mattresses: Gel foam mattresses are constructed from several different layers of foams and performance gels. These types of mattresses provide a number of benefits, including durability and improved pressure relief. One of the biggest benefits of gel foam is its ability to regulate temperatures by dissipating heat produced by your body when you sleep. Some find that a cooler mattress is easier to sleep on, and gel foam mattresses are designed with this in mind.
Latex foam mattresses: An eco-friendly mattress type derived from rubber trees, latex foam contours to a sleeper’s body much like memory foam does. Latex also breathes better than other mattress materials, which can help to both remove moisture and heat from around your body when you sleep.
Hybrid mattresses: Another popular mattress type, hybrid mattresses combine both innerspring and memory foam to create a multilayered sleeping surface. This configuration provides both comfort and support, creating sort of a “best of both worlds” mattress by tapping into the top features of two other leading types of mattresses.
Comfort
Comfort is one of the main factors that sleepers must consider before selecting a mattress. There are mattress so firm that it’s like sleeping on a board or ones so plush that “clouds” spring to mind. For people with health issues, having a choice of comfort levels can be even more important. Here are some of the options:
- Extra firm: These mattresses have almost no give to them and are especially beneficial for back sleepers.
- Firm: A bit less like sleeping on the floor than an extra firm, firm mattresses provide great support for stomach- and back-sleepers. These mattresses in particular are recommended for those with back, shoulder, and neck problems.
- Plush: These are mattresses you can really sink into. Plush mattresses are much softer than firm ones and can be used by stomach-, back-, and side-sleepers.
- Ultra-plush: Ultra-plush offers an even softer sleep surface than plush, providing you with one of the softest comfort levels you can find in a mattress. This mattress is usually used by side-sleepers.
If you are in search of something that combines comfort levels, try a pillow-top mattress. This is essentially a firm mattress with added soft padding, so you wind up with a soft mattress that also offers underlying support. Pillow tops can also combine padding with a plush mattress for those who really want to push the softness envelope.
Weight
If you are planning to move the mattress around quite a bit, then its weight may become a factor. The majority of these mattresses are in the 50-to-60-pound range, with lighter ones down around 40 pounds. High-end mattresses can hit 80 pounds or more.
Cover
All mattresses will have some form of covering over them, but some go the extra mile by providing covers that are removable and washable. Some covers also have built-in padding for softness or are built to help regulate both temperature and moisture levels.
We research the degree of comfort and support a full XL mattress offers, noting whether it is plush, firm, or in between so different types of sleepers can find their perfect match.
The standard dimensions of a full XL mattress are 54 x 80 inches. Before recommending a product in this category, we make sure it fits this criteria.
Innerspring, latex foam, gel foam, and memory foam are popular materials used to make mattresses. We look at mattresses with all of these materials, endorsing the best of the best for their durability, support, and comfort.
When evaluating products, we look for hybrid mattresses — those made with both innersprings and foam — that offer stable support and body-hugging top layers.
Some full XL mattresses arrive in boxes. We research how challenging these products are to unbox and how long they take to expand to their normal size and shape.
We appreciate mattresses with certifications like CertiPUR-US, which provides insight into the quality and safety of the materials used in manufacturing.
We think about the mattress cover of each product we recommend, keeping an eye out for material that is breathable, cooling, padded, quilted, or removable — all of which are popular features of this protective layer.
It’s common for a mattress to come with a warranty, which appeals to consumers who want to protect their investment. We determine the length of the warranty and what types of damage or defects it covers.
We understand that consumers want products from brands they trust. Although full XL mattresses aren’t as readily available as standard sizes, there are options on the market made by trusted manufacturers.
Because this mattress size is less popular, it can be a challenge to find a suitable frame and bedding that fits. We keep this in mind when endorsing products.
How long do they take to expand?
One feature of full XL mattresses that you might find surprising: the majority of them can be compressed and placed in a compact box for easy shipping. Upon receiving them, you take them out of the box and let them expand to their original size.
Some of them bounce back pretty fast, while others may take you a day or more before they have reached their full XL potential. During this period, they should also air out and lose any lingering manufacturing odor.
How safe is it?
Quality full XL mattresses should be fire resistant. It also helps if they have been tested for use and for the safety of their construction materials. One major group that certifies mattresses is CertiPUR-US.
Full XL mattress prices
Full XL mattresses start out around $200 and can reach up to $350 to $400 for top models. At these higher prices you can expect to find better quality and a more complicated design (such as added layers) for improving comfort, support, or both. The price will also vary depending on the type of mattress you are getting, with a straight innerspring offering some of the best bang for your buck in a mattress that you will find.
Tips
- Some full XL mattresses specifically state that they work with adjustable beds. If you have an adjustable, keep an eye out for any mention of compatibility in the mattress listing.
- If you are in search of something with a queen length but an even narrower width than a full XL, try a twin XL mattress.
- Side sleepers should avoid choosing a firm mattress, as a firm mattress lacks the ability to mold effectively to the body, which can result in pressure buildup in a side-sleeper’s shoulders and hips.
- Even though it is only six inches narrower than a queen mattress, a full XL mattress is generally not recommended for use by more than one person.
- Based on their more durable design, firm mattresses will tend to “age” better than plush ones.
- Those who experience back, neck, and shoulder pain should probably avoid sleeping on a plush mattress, as this type of mattress can provide less rigid support for those areas.
- Stomach-sleepers should avoid ultra-plush mattresses, as the sleeper’s middle will sag, leaving them sleeping in a “U” shape, which is not a shape that is conducive to proper back health.
FAQ
Q. What are some of the benefits of a memory foam mattress?
A. A memory foam mattress can provide sleepers with a number of health benefits. Sleeping on a memory foam mattress can lead to improved blood circulation and provide relief from back pain. Sleepers tend to toss and turn less during the night when sleeping on memory foam, which can also lead to deeper REM sleep.
Q. What is a mattress encasement?
A. Some mattresses give you the option of getting an encasement to go with it. An encasement completely covers a mattress and box spring, which can not only keep bedbugs away from your mattress but also trap any existing bed bugs inside the encasement, leading to their deaths from starvation.
Q. What is a hypoallergenic mattress?
A. Mattresses constructed from latex or memory foam have an added bonus: they are hypoallergenic. A hypoallergenic mattress has a high resistance to bacteria, mildew, mold, and even dust mites. As such, a hypoallergenic mattress is a particularly healthy choice for those who suffer from allergies.
