Single Mattresses

Single mattress FAQs

There’s a lot to consider when buying a new single mattress, which is why we’re here to help. Below we’ve answered some of the most common questions about buying a single mattress.

Jump to a specific question below:

Buying advice:

• What is the best single mattress?
• Which is the cheapest single mattress?
• How much does a single mattress cost?
• Next Day Delivery for single mattresses

Size advice:

• What size is a single mattress?
• Is a 3ft mattress a single?
• Do two single mattresses make a queen or king?
• Can you put 2 single mattresses on a double or king bed?
• Can I put a single mattress on a smaller base?
• Can I put a ziplink mattress on two single beds?
• Can normal single mattresses be used in bunk beds?
• How to join two single mattresses together?

Types and firmnesses:

• What are the different types of single mattresses?
• Single mattress firmnesses

Weight and depth advice:

• How heavy is a single mattress?
• How deep is a single mattress?

Accessories:

• Single mattress protectors
• Single mattress toppers

Transportation and storage:

• Can I fit a single mattress in my car?
• How to fit a single mattress in a car?
• How to roll up a single mattress?
• How to store a single mattress?

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What is the best single mattress?

We have best-selling mattresses to suit every budget. Below we’ve included our most popular budget, mid-range and high-end mattresses.

• Best-selling budget single mattress - Silentnight Ortho Dream Star Miracoil Mattress
• Best-selling mid-range single mattress - Millbrook Wool Luxury 4000 Pocket Mattress
• Best-selling high-end single mattress - Hypnos Burford Ortho Comfort Mattress

Why not take a look at these customer favourites and find the best single mattress for you today?

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Which is the cheapest single mattress?

You can buy a single mattress for less than you might think! We offer a range of budget-friendly cheap single mattresses, ideal if you need one for the spare room, or for your growing family.

At Mattress Online, our cheapest single mattress collection starts at around £140. With huge discounts from big-name brands like Silentnight and Sealy, you can shop the best deals on our cheap single mattress range - and get Free Next Day Delivery too!

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How much does a single mattress cost?

The cost of a single mattress depends entirely on the type of mattress and the mattress brand you have chosen.

This is because:

• Different mattress comfort and support materials vary in cost
• Some manufacturers handcraft each mattress to order
• Some mattress types are more in demand than others

Our cheapest single mattresses start at around £140 - and if they’re in a sale they could be even lower!

Our most expensive single mattresses can cost upwards of £2,400 - so we definitely have something to suit every budget!

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Next Day Delivery for a single mattress

Our entire single mattress range is available with Free Next Day Delivery to most areas, so you don’t need to wait long for a good night’s sleep.

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What size is a single mattress?

When people use the term ‘single mattress’, they usually mean a standard UK single mattress.

The standard UK single mattress size is: 90cm x 190cm (3' x 6'3"). This is the most common single mattress size that you will find in the UK.

However, there are 7 variations of the single mattress size, which we will explain below.

These are the most common single mattress sizes:

• UK standard single - 90cm x 190cm
• Small single - 75cm x 190cm
• European single - 90cm x 200cm

You may struggle to find the following single sizes at other retailers:

• Small single short - 75cm x 175cm
• Single short - 90cm x 175cm

This is because they are more specialised and many retailers are not equipped to stock mattresses in these sizes.

For more information on all mattress sizes, check out our 'Bed and Mattress Size Guide'.

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Is a 3ft mattress a single?

Yes, ‘3ft’ refers to the width of a mattress. But there are three different single mattress sizes that are exactly 3 feet wide:

• Single short - 3' x 5'9"
• Standard UK single - 3' x 6'3"
• European single - 3' x 6'6"

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Is a twin mattress the same as a single?

No, a twin mattress is not the same as a single mattress.

The term ‘twin mattress’ is actually an American mattress size, which may be difficult to find in the UK. Twin mattresses measure 96.52cm x 190.5cm, which is 6.52cm wider and 0.5cm longer than a standard single mattress.

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Do 2 single mattresses make a queen or king mattress?

No, two single mattresses do not make a ‘queen size’ or king size mattress.

The term ‘queen size’ is actually an American mattress size, so you might struggle to find this size in the UK. They measure 152cm x 203cm (60" x 80"), which is not the size of two single mattresses.

Two single mattresses measure 180cm x 190cm, which is actually much closer to superking mattress dimensions: 180cm x 200cm.

We do not recommend placing two single mattresses on a different sized base. This will not give you the correct support and can invalidate your guarantee or warranty.

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Can you put 2 single mattresses on a double or king bed?

No, you cannot put 2 single mattresses on a double or king size bed for the following reasons:

• They would not fit properly, which could damage both the mattress and the bed
• They may be too heavy for your bed frame and could damage it
• It would invalidate your mattress guarantee or warranty

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Can I put a single mattress on a smaller base?

No, you cannot put a single mattress on a smaller base.

The mattress would be too wide or long for the base and could slip off. The sides of the mattress that hang off the base would also bend and become misshapen, which can affect the overall support and comfort of your mattress.

As we say above, using an unsuitable base can affect your warranty and guarantee.

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Can I put a ziplink mattress on 2 single beds?

Yes, you can, if you are using a zip and link bed base.

These bases are specially designed to provide optimal support and can be easily separated.

However, if you do not have a zip and link bed base, you should use a standard superking bed base until you choose to separate the mattress. When you have just two single mattresses, you can then put them on single beds.

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Can normal single mattresses be used in bunk beds?

You can use a normal single mattress in a bunk beds, as long as it meets the correct depth measurements, but a specialised bunk bed single mattress will be best for this.

The very top of the mattress should be at least 16cm below the top of the safety barrier. If the mattress is taller than this, then it can be a safety hazard for your child.

You can purchase bunk mattresses specifically designed for this reason. These mattresses are thinner than the average children’s mattress.

We have a comprehensive 'Bunk Bed Buying Guide' that explains everything you need to consider when buying a bunk bed.

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How to join 2 single mattresses together?

You cannot join two single mattresses together unless you invest in a zip and link mattress.

Zip and link mattresses are superking mattresses that are made up of two single mattresses. They unzip in the middle to form two single mattresses - for guests to sleep on if necessary - and can be zipped together again easily.

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What are the different types of single mattress?

If you want to buy the best single mattress for you, you'll find that there are many different types to choose from. The best type for you depends on a range of factors, including your sleeping position and comfort requirements.

Here are some of the best types of single mattress:

Sprung mattresses

Our single mattress range with springs includes:

• Pocket sprung mattresses
• Standard sprung mattresses

Sprung mattresses offer responsive support all night long to help ease your joints and muscles.

Read our pocket sprung advice guide and standard sprung advice guide for more information about these mattresses.

Synthetic mattresses

We stock many different types of synthetic single mattress, including:

• Memory foam mattresses
• Latex mattresses
• Gel foam mattresses
• Reflex foam mattresses

Foam, gel or latex mattresses all provide superior pressure relief. This is because the materials mould to your body to give you personalised support where your body needs it most.

Check out the following guides for more information: memory foam guide, latex guide, gel foam guide and reflex foam guide.

Hybrid mattresses

Can’t decide between a sprung or foam single mattress? Don’t worry, you don’t have to!

We offer a wide variety of single hybrid mattresses that combine the very best of both types of mattresses.

Our 'Hybrid Mattress Guide' has additional information if you'd like to find out more!

Rolled mattresses

As the name suggests, single rolled mattresses arrive at your house rolled up and boxed for easy transportation to the room of your choice!

All you have to do is place the mattress on your bed, open the packing and let it unroll and expand all on its own.

It’s important to note that once you unroll your single mattress, you cannot roll it again. They were only designed to be unrolled once and attempting to do so again will severely damage your mattress.

Looking for more information on rolled mattresses? Check out our 'Rolled Mattresses Guide'!

Pillow top mattresses

Single pillow top mattresses are a great luxury choice! They have a layer that sits on top of the mattress to give you an extra boost of comfort.

Natural mattresses

Single natural mattresses have comfort fillings made from natural materials such as:

• Wool
• Mohair
• Cotton
• Silk
• Cashmere

These fillings keep you feeling nice and cosy while the pocket springs provide great support.

For a more in-depth explanation of natural mattresses, read our natural filling mattresses advice page.

Kids’ mattresses

There are many different types of single mattress available for your children to use, including:

• Memory foam
• Standard sprung/open coil
• Pocket sprung
• Bunk bed specific
• Waterproof
• Hypoallergenic

If you’re looking for specific buying advice for your child’s room, our helpful guide to children’s mattresses can help you out.

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Single mattress firmnesses

You can choose from a:

• Soft to medium single mattress
• Medium single mattress
• Medium to firm single mattress
• Firm single mattress
• Extra firm single mattress

Not sure which mattress firmness is right for you? Our handy firmness advice guide can help you out.

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How heavy is a single mattress?

The average weight of a single mattress is between 20-30kg.

This is only a rough guide as we stock mattresses that are much lighter and heavier than this.

If you choose a mattress with more support and comfort layers, then your single mattress will be heavier.

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How deep is a single mattress?

Our single mattress collection mostly ranges between 20cm and 35cm in depth. However, this is just a rough guide to follow.

We do stock mattresses that are much thinner or much deeper than this, such as our range of bunk mattresses (thinner) and pillow top mattresses (deeper).

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Single mattress protectors

Mattress protectors are designed to keep your mattress in its best condition. They are a layer that sits over the top of your mattress, usually kept in place by elasticated bands or an elasticated skirt.

They keep your mattress safe from any potential spills or accidents so you don’t have to clean your mattress as frequently.

For extra protection, we also offer a range of waterproof mattress protectors for you to browse.

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Single mattress toppers

Although a mattress topper won’t protect your mattress as well as a protector, it does provide a light barrier between your mattress and any accident. It also adds an extra layer of comfort, making your mattress either a little bit softer or firmer, depending on your preferences.

If you're looking for more information about mattress toppers, check out our 'Mattress Toppers Guide'.

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Can I fit a single mattress in my car?

When transporting a single mattress, you should always lay it flat to avoid causing unnecessary damage to the mattress.

A single mattress won’t fit flat in most 5-door cars. The average width of car boots ranges between 1.7m-1.9m wide. However, a single mattress measures 1.9m long, which would not fit in the vast majority of car boots.

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How to fit a single mattress in a car?

If you are planning to use your mattress after it has been transported (and you’re not just taking it to the tip), you should make sure that it’s flat.

However, the average 5-door car will not be able to accommodate the 1.9m length of a single mattress, so you may need to hire a van for this.

If you’re taking your mattress to a recycling point at a council-approved facility, you can always fold it up to make it fit in your car, if possible.

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How to roll up a single mattress?

You cannot re-roll a rolled single mattress once it has been unrolled.

Rolled mattresses are designed to be rolled only once in the manufacturing process.

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How to store a single mattress?

When it comes to storing a single mattress, there are 3 top tips that you need to remember:

• Keep it well protected - preferably with a mattress bag
• Place it flat on the floor or against a wall
• Don’t store anything on top or against it

For a more in-depth guide to storing a single mattress, check out our guide on how to store a mattress.

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