While there are a range of bed sizes to shop, a full-size mattress is one of the most common options. It’s large enough to sleep two but still small enough to fit into spaces that are less generous with square footage. What’s more, it’s a great way to save money when splurging on a mattress for your space, as it’s often more affordable than other options designed for two, like a queen or king. After all, just because you can’t fit a queen or king into your space, it doesn’t mean you can’t sleep like royalty. Below, we uncover our favorite full-size mattresses of 2023. “General features to look for are the degree of firmness versus softness, size of the bed, what material the mattress is made from (e.g., natural, organic versus synthetic), and particularly for people who share a bed with a partner, the degree of mattress displacement,” Troxel shares. Mattress displacement has to do with how responsive the bed is to movement, which can impact sleep especially when sharing a bed with a partner who tosses and turns. When it comes to picking a mattress, there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind. “Lighter (weight) individuals and those who tend to be side sleepers tend to do better on softer mattresses, whereas heavier people and those who tend to be predominantly back or stomach sleepers tend to do better on firmer mattresses,” Troxel advises. These are not hard and fast rules, though. If you can, try out some mattresses to get a feel for what you like before committing. Every brand on our list offers a generous trial period—so if the mattress you choose doesn’t meet your preferences, you can return it and try another. A full-size mattress can fit two people, though you’ll likely feel pretty snug. At the end of the day, if you’re space conscious and sleeping in a smaller bedroom, a full is the way to go. What really sets this mattress apart is its high-density foam. Not only does this foam ensure heavier bodies will be supported by the bed, but it’s more durable than lower-density foams that are prone to sagging. Because the coils are individually wrapped, there’s limited motion transfer, making this a good option for couples. The edge support is also quite solid, thanks to reinforced sides. A breathable Tencel cover helps keep you cool—but if you really sleep hot, you may want to spring for the cooling cover, which you can purchase for an extra $149. This mattress will come to your door compressed in a box. Simply unpack it, unroll it, and unwrap it. Then let it expand for about an hour. Just be aware: it is heavy, so you may want someone around to give you a hand while setting it up. Overall, the mattress has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, with over 2,200 reviews. People tend to praise the cloud-like feel, the quality design, and how comfortable it is. One negative reviewer notes that the surface is not very responsive, which is typical of memory foam. The mattress comes in four firmness options: soft, luxury firm, firm, and plus. The models vary slightly in terms of materials, which is what gives them all a unique feel. The soft, for example, boasts a plush Euro-pillow top, while the firm includes a firmer version of the pillow top. No matter the firmness, every WinkBed is designed to support your spine, eliminate muscle tension and joint pain, and help you get a great night’s sleep by keeping cool and comfortable. Just note, even the softest option tends to be too firm for some. The brand claims you can go from box to bed in 5 minutes. While we can’t guarantee that, we can say that the unboxing process seems pretty seamless. Simply open the box, unwrap the plastic covering and unfold the bed onto your bed frame. Then, remove the inner plastic wrap and let the bed expand. Reviewers say it may take a bit to break in, but it’s ready. Because this bed comes in a few different models, it really appeals to all types of sleepers. It has a 4.8 overall rating and more than 8,000 reviews. Many reviewers have shared that WinkBed helped them with their lower back pain. One sleeper says, “It’s been years since I have woken up pain free! I never knew how much of a difference a great mattress would make until now. I absolutely love it.” There are three firmness options to choose from: plush soft, luxury firm, and firm. Luxury firm is the brand’s bestseller, with a medium firmness that’s recommended for any sleep style. Plush soft features a little extra padding in the pillow top, for those who love a cushiony, cloud-like mattress. The firm option has firmer foams that make it ideal for back and stomach sleepers, or those who simply prefer a firm surface to sleep on. Saatva delivers all its mattresses with white glove delivery—meaning they’ll never be rolled up or compressed. The team will deliver your mattress to your room and set it up for you. They’ll also dispose of your old mattress if you’d like. The best part? This service is included in your purchase cost. Once it’s set up, your bed is ready for sleeping. This mattress has a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on the brand’s website. Out of over 2,600 5-star reviews, most comment on how comfortable and supportive the mattress is. Many also note how great the customer service experience is. One shopper who credits this mattress for relieving their back pain says, “This Saatva mattress supports my lower back area and I could feel it right away. Absolutely, positively no more lower back pain when I lie down. The best sleep I’ve had in over a year!” A breathable cotton cover makes this a great option for kids, helping them to stay cool and comfortable throughout the night—and it’s also easy to spot clean in the case of an accident. On the more affordable side for a quality mattress, it’s a good value for growing kids whose needs may change in just a few years. And, if needs do change and you’re looking for a softer bed, the brand makes a plush mattress topper that makes for an affordable upgrade without the need to buy a whole new bed. Expect your mattress to come to your door rolled up and boxed within 2 to 5 business days of your order. Once received, take it out of the box and remove the outer layer of plastic. Unroll the mattress, remove the second layer of plastic, and let the bed expand. The brand recommends you give your mattress at least two hours to reach its full size. Many parents have left reviews confirming that this is a great mattress for kids. This one stands out in particular: “I bought this bed for our growing 9 year old daughter. It took her a couple of nights however she sleeps like she has been given a Benadryl now. Looking at purchasing my husband and I a new mattress now.” Memory foam mattresses tend to be a good choice for side sleepers, thanks to the way it contours around specific pressure points. This model is designed with softer foam around the shoulders and firmer foam at the hips, waist, and lower back, to promote proper spinal alignment and comfort, no matter what position you sleep in. The top layer of body-conforming foam features thousands of perforations to increase airflow and regulate your temperature throughout the night. Couples will also enjoy this mattress, thanks to its stellar motion control—and the cooling properties make it a great choice for anyone who sleeps hot. As the pioneers of the bed-in-a-box movement, Casper has made the unboxing process simple. Open the box and let the mattress unroll in its plastic wrap. Once it’s flat, remove the plastic and you can sleep on it right away. In-home delivery and set-up are available for an added cost of $199. Casper’s memory foam is CertiPUR-US-certified, but the memory foam material and excessive plastic use in the packaging make this not the most sustainable choice, to say the least. This is the brand’s bestselling mattress, with a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, based off of over 21,000 reviews. Thousands of reviewers credit Casper as the secret to their stellar sleep, including one who writes, “ Today I took a nap JUST so I could be on the bed, and I ended up sleeping for an extra hour because the bed was so comfy. Just buy it. You won’t regret it.” The materials are CertiPUR-US certified, which means the mattress is made without ozone depleters, phthalates, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and other materials that are harmful to people and the planet. It’s also worth noting that Leesa is a certified B corp. Social impact is part of the brand’s DNA; for every 10 Leesa mattresses sold, one is donated to a family in need. Leesa mattresses are made to order. Once you place your order and your mattress is ready to go, it should ship within 3 to 5 business days and will arrive compressed and rolled up in a box. Simply unwrap the plastic packaging and watch it inflate. You’ll want to wait about 24 to 48 hours for the mattress to fully expand before sleeping on it. Leesa does offer a white glove delivery service for an added cost of $199. With this, two people will deliver and set up the mattress for you, as well as remove your old mattress from your room. This service is only available in specific locations, but the brand’s customer service team can help clarify if it’s available for you. With over 1,600 5-star reviews, this mattress maintains a 4.5 out of 5-star rating overall. Customers claim the mattress helps ease persistent back pain, and side and back sleepers say they have “never slept better.” The pillowy, comfort layer on top provides a cushioned resting spot, while the coils support your spine. These proprietary Tri-Zone™ coils provide targeted support and promote spinal alignment, making this a solid choice for people with back pain. We’ve included this mattress on a number of our roundups, such as the best mattresses for scoliosis, the best mattresses for pregnancy, and the best medium-firm mattresses. Where firmness is concerned, choose from a plush, luxury firm, or firm, depending on your sleeping position and comfort preferences. You can either have your mattress shipped to your door for free and handle the setup yourself, or select white glove delivery for an additional $225. The setup is fairly straightforward, though. Simply unbox, unwrap, and let expand. Because the mattress is heavy, it’s best to move it to its designated position before unwrapping. This mattress has a whopping 4.9 overall rating (out of 5). Overwhelmingly, customers love the cooling, comfort, and pressure relief. One raves, “I have been sleeping like a log on this new mattress. I have musculoskeletal pain throughout my body and it has been diminished when I lay down/sleep on this mattress.”
