Full mattresses (75" X 53") are both shorter and narrower than Queen mattresses (80" X 60"). Their smaller size makes them a good option for saving floor space, equipping guest rooms, or upgrading a child's bed from a Twin. Single people and couples looking for a cheaper or less bulky option might also want a full-size mattress. If you sleep with a partner, sharing the smaller surface of a full bed can make you feel warmer and mean you feel it more when your partner rolls over or gets out of bed. However, if you know what to look for, the right full-size mattress can offer great performance, often at a much lower price. Here are some things to consider when choosing a full-size mattress:
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Support and Pressure Relief: You'll want a mattress with the right balance of support and pressure relief for you. To ensure a mattress is suitable for how you sleep, look for a score of at least 7.5 for your weight category and sleeping position.
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Edge Support: Sturdy edges help maximize comfortable sleeping space, which is especially important if you sleep with a partner. To find models with solid sides, look for an edge support score of at least 7.5.
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Cooling: A mattress that dissipates heat efficiently will help keep hot sleepers cool. If feeling overheated prevents you from falling or staying asleep, look for a cooling score of at least 8.0. If you sleep with a partner, look for a higher score of 8.5 if you're concerned about cooling, since sharing a smaller sleeping surface can make you feel warmer.
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Motion Dissipation: Motion dissipation is particularly important for couples. Motion doesn't have to travel as far to bother you on a full-size mattress, so if you sleep lightly, look for a mattress with a score of at least 8.0 for good motion dissipation.
We've tested more than 55 mattresses, and below you'll find our recommendations for the best full mattresses. We test queen-size mattresses, but the feel and performance of a mattress should be the same across sizes if the construction is the same. To recommend full-size mattresses, we've focused on models with good edge support, cooling, and motion dissipation. For more options, check out the best mattresses-in-a-box and the best memory foam mattresses.
