The Best Thin Mattress of 2021 for Better Spinal Alignment

Ask anybody to talk about the ‘dream’ mattress; one of the most prominent features of this mattress would be its thickness. Therefore, you might be confused to see this review on thin mattresses. Is this such a thing? Should we even consider buying a mattress that’s thin? Well, yes, and we’re going to explain why today. 

The more manufacturers invest in this area, the greater the products become. Today, thin mattresses can be practical, comfortable, and offer a wealth of health benefits. Not only this, the fact that this type of mattress is thin means they suit sleepers of all ages and can be transported from one location to another. If you start looking at the customer reviews for thin mattresses, you’ll see a number of people attribute their improved health to the product. 

If you’re in the market for a new bed or mattress, we urge you not to ignore thin mattresses. In this guide, we’re going to show a selection of our favorite products alongside a full buying guide. In the second half, you’ll learn the benefits of a slim mattress, buying considerations, and some commonly asked questions. 

Thin Mattresses Comparison Table

Thin Mattresses Reviews

Linenspa Review: Best Hybrid Design

If you’ve seen any of our guides before this one, you will have seen the name Linenspa before, and this is because they produce high-quality mattresses for an affordable price. In terms of hybrid thin mattresses, it doesn’t come much better. With the spring support and the comfort of memory foam, you’ll have a luxury experience you won’t forget. 

With the memory foam, this actually sits on top of 1.5 inches of comfort foam while stitched into the knit cover. Ultimately, the result is a luxurious surface that molds to your every move and relieves the pressure points. After a long and stressful day of work, this mattress will welcome you home like laying on a cloud. 

On the other hand, the support comes from underneath the foam layers. With six inches of steel coils, this also allows for durability. All in all, the sleeper’s body weight is distributed evenly while offering the right support for a restful sleep. 

When looking at this product online, you’ll see it’s marked as ‘medium-firm’ and this is because of the thin foam layer. However, don’t let this put you off the product. Instead, we think it’s suitable for nearly all sleepers. With the hybrid nature of the bed, it offers the benefits of both materials. This means it has breathability, ventilation (with the open coil construction), softness, the cozy knit cover, and bounce too. Thanks to the price, it’s ideal for those on a budget and it even comes with a ten-year warranty. 

Modway Review: Best for Cooling

For those in a warm climate or who sleep hot, you need something that will help to keep you cool…and this is where Modway come in. With open cell technology and gel infusion, you might just put an end to the interrupted sleeps and sweaty nights. Elsewhere, the mattress and material are designed to align the spine while the relieving pressure points (including the shoulders, hips, and other sensitive body parts). Finally, support comes from the base foam. 

Available in various depths and sizes, the mattress is finished with a beautiful diamond stretch knit. We have seen some customers complain of the odor when first taking the mattress from the box, but we believe this is something that disappears quickly enough. Additionally, other complaints came with the size of the packaging. Don’t worry, this doesn’t translate to the mattress itself because this is lightweight and sleek. 

Although there is a focus on cooling, the thin mattress is also comfortable, and this comes from the memory foam. Considering the manufacturer offers a ten-year warranty, this shows the confidence they have in the mattress. Just in case this isn’t enough, it’s even an affordable option. 

Sleep Innovations Review: Best for Firmness

For some people, they need a firm surface in order to get a good sleep. Thankfully, manufacturers cater to all audiences these days, and Sleep Innovations is one of these manufacturers. With cooling gel in both the supportive middle layer and the memory foam top layer, temperature is regulated, and sleepers have the surface molded to their shape. 

Of course, dense foam will never be able to compete with a spring mattress for airflow and remaining cool. This being said, we did see some customers who fixed the overheating problem with light bedding rather than using standard bedding. 

In terms of firmness, this could be useful for backaches and this is great news considering the low price of the mattress. Just in case you’re worried, Sleep Innovations also offer a ten-year warranty. 

Zinus Review: Best for the Environment

We know that some of you will prioritize the environment when choosing a thin mattress, and this is why we wanted to include this Zinus mattress. Rather than using petroleum, the BioFoam in this mattress uses natural plant-based oil. At the bottom, there’s 4.5 inches of high-density foam and this provides the support. Meanwhile, the comfort and luxuriousness come from 1.5 inches of memory foam. 

With the CertiPUR-US certification, we can be sure of their safety and environmentally conscious procedures. There are no harmful dyes, no toxic materials, and no petroleum. With the combination of foams, the mattress also feels great (which is just a little important!). Just as we’ve seen with other thin mattresses, it also comes with ten years on a warranty. 

Signature Sleep Review: Best Overall

This is a difficult category, but we’ve chosen Signature Sleep for the best overall thin mattress currently available in the market. With eight inches, this hybrid mattress is flippable and contains numerous spring coils (encased) in the middle. Not only do we get support, this also provides alignment throughout the night. Hopefully, this means we can wake up in the morning feeling nice and refreshed. 

Although it isn’t so widely advertised, we also love the reduced motion transfer. If you have a partner who likes to toss and turn, this is a necessity. If you’re wondering how the mattress is flippable, this comes from the fact that there’s high-density foam on both sides. No matter what side you choose, lay down and you’ll have all the comfort you need. 

Some people will immediately scroll past when they see the lack of memory foam, but Signature Sleep do provide a layer of comfort foam. This makes the mattress feel softer, and it should make it more comfortable over long periods. Additionally, it helps to suit all positions and sleep types through pressure relief. 

Even though there’s no memory foam, we still consider this the best overall thin mattress for all the reasons we’ve explained. What’s more, it’s affordable and should work for most budgets. 

Linenspa Review: Best for Innerspring

For their second appearance in our list, we’ve also chosen a Linenspa thin mattress for the best innerspring option. With heavy-gauge steel coils and the quilted fabric cover, sleepers have a combination of a comfortable surface and brilliant bounce. With the coils, there’s no danger of them sticking out of the cover, and this should put an end to the worries about scratching the skin and feeling uncomfortable. 

With the cover, it’s one of our favorites and this is because of the flammability requirements it meets. If you’ve seen all sorts of gadgets exploding and setting fire in the news, this should allow you to relax a little. After this fire barrier, we have a soft foam layer and then a felt pad. All in all, you should have everything you need to get a restful sleep. 

For those not attracted to memory foam, this is one of the best options available. Even with coils, it feels amazingly soft and the ten-year warranty should provide peace of mind. 

LUCID Review: Best for Children

We aren’t the only ones to use mattresses, and we think children can benefit from a thin mattress too. For this reason, we have this mattress from LUCID. With only five inches of thickness, this one is ideal for travel beds and bunk beds. What’s more, customers have noted how this product is ideal for transportation and saving space. While the support comes from four inches of base foam, the gel memory foam brings ventilation and comfort. 

Thanks to the gel infusion and ventilation, your child shouldn’t wake up sweating in the middle of the night or have trouble getting off to sleep. With memory foam, the mattress will also mold to their body shape and provide a hugging sensation as they drift off (something that most kids love!). 

In the packaging, you’ll find a hypoallergenic and breathable protector. Also, the mattress is resistant to dust mites and has the CertiPUR-US certification. According to many customers, the mattress is durable, and we’ve spoken to some people who are still happy with the product many years later. 

We won’t lie and tell you the mattress is perfect, because some customers have complained about the lack of stability. Yet, the customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive. While some love the soft memory foam, others appreciate the ventilation, and some have had their back pain disappear as a result of the mattress. The open cell construction allows for durability, and this is paired with a ten-year warranty from the manufacturer. 

Best Price Mattress Review: Best with Memory Foam

With the popularity of memory foam these days, we would be foolish to ignore this corner of the market. If you’ve tried memory foam and can no longer stay away, we recommend this mattress from Best Price Mattress. With eight inches of medium firm mattress split between three foam layers, sleepers get the support they need, and the spine should remain in a comfortable and aligned position. 

Those who have experience with memory foam will know that heat retention is a problem, and this is why Best Price Mattress has introduced a ventilated middle foam. Even if you tend to sleep warm, this feature should mean that you stay cool and enjoy your sleep without overheating. 

Elsewhere, there’s a soft fabric cover (poly-Jacquard) that makes the whole mattress feel luxurious. With a ten-year warranty, any defects are covered, and you should have a great mattress partner for the next period of your life. Overall, this is a fantastic mattress for those who love memory foam as well as those who want to try it for the first time. 

Signature Sleep Review: Best for Back Sleepers

Lastly, Signature Sleep offer a wonderful thin mattress for those who want both variety and comfort from their chosen product, Despite the six inches of foam and top cover, the mattress still retains the thinness and feels luxurious. Unfortunately, there is one problem, and this is that the top cover cannot be taken off (and therefore washed). Rather than avoiding this mattress completely, we recommend simply buying a bedsheet to use on top. 

How is the foam split up? Just as we’ve seen before, there’s 4.5 inches of high-density base foam and then 1.5 inches of memory foam. With the memory foam, you’re also doing right by the environment because it doesn’t contain ozone ‘depleters’, it doesn’t negatively affect the air inside, and it has the coveted CertiPUR-US certification. 

Overall, there is a firmness to the mattress and there’s no doubt you’ll get the support you need. However, this doesn’t mean it avoids the plush side of things completely. As mentioned at the beginning, this is a mattress that brings both comfort and variety. 

What’s a Thin Mattress?

As you may have guessed from the name, the key features of a thin mattress are the low-profile and compact nature of the product. When on the frame, they sit flat without the body sitting too high. These days, a thin mattress typically falls anywhere between five and nine inches deep. At this point, we should provide a warning because thin mattresses aren’t so much designed for heavier sleepers - this type of sleeper needs support that just cannot be provided by a thin mattress. 

In what surprises many, thin mattresses do come in all sorts of firmness levels. Just like a standard mattress, you’re likely to find soft, medium, and firm thin mattresses. With regards to material, it’s a similar situation to standard mattresses again with the cover and fill materials. As we saw in the list of products above, it’s common to combine foams in order to offer a soft surface with the right support underneath.

While it’s fair to say that thicker mattresses are still more popular, more people are now recognizing the benefits that come with thin mattresses…but what are these benefits? 

Benefits of a Thin Mattress for Our Health

Overall Health 

Considering we spend so much time in bed, it seems strange that more people don’t seek the best possible sleeping environment and conditions. With a thin mattress, this can prevent sinking, work for both back and front sleepers, and encourage spinal alignment. Not only this, the lightweight feel and breathability allow for a more comfortable night (without overheating!). Additionally, we could also mention the improved circulation. 

All in all, you should enjoy a healthier sleep, and this means a happier lifestyle. 

Support (Spinal Alignment) 

In our experience, one of the key concerns regarding thin mattresses tends to be around support and spinal alignment. As long as you choose correctly, there’s no reason why you need to worry about either. With memory foam complemented by a high-density foam, you’ll have a combination of comfort and support. 

As we saw in our favorite products, many have different materials in layers to help provide everything the sleeper needs in a good mattress. 

Good Sleep 

Let’s not forget, you’re in bed to do one thing normally - sleep. With all of the qualities we’ve mentioned in this section, most people are able to get a fantastic night of sleep with the right mattress. As you sleep better, you have more energy the next day and it actually has a positive impact on all areas of your life. 

Relief from Back Pain

In today’s society, acute and chronic back pain are prevalent. Although the bed won’t magically heal all problems, it does make sense to start with the right foundations when dealing with the issue. If you can get a fantastic sleep night after night, this is the first step towards a happier, healthier body. 

It might sound counter-intuitive, but a thin mattress can help back pain just as much as a standard mattress. With no sagging and an even surface, you get the right alignment. Remember, YOU are the most important factor when choosing a mattress. In this case, it’s your back; when it’s prone to sensitivity, a thin mattress may not be a sufficient buffer between the bed frame and yourself. 

General Benefits of a Thin Mattress

We’ve seen the benefits for our health, but what about the general benefits? 

Better for Children

While adults are happy with any mattress, those with little legs might appreciate the thinner surface. Rather than having to climb a mountain each time they want to get into bed, which can be dangerous, it’s easier to get on and off a thinner mattress. If your child tends to move around lots, a thinner product will also have them closer to the floor should they fall out. 

Suits Various Frames 

Sometimes, cumbersome mattresses won’t fit into some bed frames. Thankfully, we have more flexibility with thin mattresses. It’s easier to fit thin mattresses into frames, and it’s also less likely to cause damage; sadly, many have been disappointed after damaging a lightweight loft bed with a dense and heavy mattress. 

If you have a low-profile frame, why not pair it with an equally low-profile mattress? We don’t think it’s practical or aesthetically pleasing to have a huge mattress standing above the frame. 

Saves Space, Easy Storage, and Compact Nature

It may sound obvious, but the slimmer design also means you’ll save space. Especially when in a smaller bedroom, having a slim mattress shouldn’t make the room look/feel cluttered and overwhelming. Thin mattresses even work in an RV and in bunk beds. 

Furthermore, the design also means that storage is easy. Whenever you need to store it away for a period, it can fit into a storage room, a cupboard, or wherever you need. For this reason, some people actually buy a thin mattress for guests; they store it away whenever it’s not required. 

Affordable 

With less material and a smaller design, a thin mattress is, on average, cheaper than a standard mattress. In fact, we could also say that thin mattresses are more sustainable for the environment since they use less material and fewer resources. With less weight, shipping is cheaper, and you save money at every stage of the process. 

Perfect for the Elderly

In the elderly, mobility can be a problem…and this is where thin mattresses come in handy. Just as we mentioned with children, a thin mattress is lower to the floor and older generations with a lack of mobility will find it easier to get into (and out of) bed. Also, older sleepers can also sink into a thick mattress and cause damage while pulling themselves up. 

Lightweight and Easy Transportation

We’ve touched on the lightweight nature of a thin mattress, but we haven’t gone into why this is important. With not much weight, it’s easy to store, but it’s also easy to move between rooms and carry when still in the packaging after arriving at your door. Even if you have plans to move home any time soon, a thin mattress will save lots of hassle (and energy!). It will squeeze through narrow hallways and door frames, fit into tight spaces, and make your life much easier. If you aren’t planning to move the mattress once in place, this is less important. 

Fewer Odors

This isn’t a general rule, but many buyers have commented on the fact that they didn’t experience odors after unpacking or once installed. Normally, this is because of the lightweight nature and ventilation. With the cooling effect that follows, it can keep bad smells away. 

Maintenance for a Thin Mattress  

Before we go into the buying considerations to help you choose the right mattress, we first want to talk about maintenance. Some products will come with zip covers, but most are light enough to turn frequently and keep wear even across the whole surface. With ventilation, spills dry quickly, and washed sheets and bedding should extend the life of the mattress. To prevent wear even more, we recommend investing in a mattress topper. 

Despite the many benefits, one of the drawbacks to a thin mattress is their fragile nature; we recommend discouraging children from bouncing. 

Buying Considerations

Type and Material 

As we saw in our example products, there are many types of low-profile mattress on the market. Whether you want memory foam or a hybrid mattress, choose based on your personal preferences. We’ll get you started: 

• Innerspring - As the type with the longest history, innerspring has always been popular, and the mattresses are reliable and firm. With patterned coils, innerspring mattresses have support as well as comfort for sleepers. As the firmest of the three here, innerspring is all about support and this will be the most important aspect for some. 
• Memory Foam – Regardless of which thickness or size you choose, memory foam will always feel dream-like when getting into bed after a rough day. Compared to others, memory foam will hold its shape and mold to your body night after night. With this, you get extreme comfort as well as support that feels like a hug. 
• Hybrid - When you can’t decide or want the best of both worlds, we recommend a hybrid mattress. Sometimes, people don’t like the feel of coils in the back, so they choose a mattress with a layer of memory foam on top. With the two working together, the memory foam contours to the body while the coils underneath provide support. 

Size 

Generally speaking, the market contains four different sizes of thin mattress; king, queen, full, and twin. If you have a special frame, you might find extra-long twins, California kings, and various other unique mattresses. If you already have a frame, make sure you choose the right mattress. If you’re under any doubt, measure the length and width and this will tell you the size of mattress required. 

Hygiene 

With a thin mattress, it will absorb sweat and reach all the layers (something that doesn’t happen with thicker products). When a mattress has coils, a problem can arise when this creates the right environment for mites and bugs. In a mattress, you need something that will cool the body without absorbing sweat and therefore creating this environment. Additionally, we advise going for something that has been sprayed with antimicrobial spray (inside and out). 

If possible, get a flame-retardant cover, and from a manufacturer that doesn’t use harmful chemicals during production. How do you find all this? One of the best ways is to look for the CertiPUR-US certification. 

Design 

Thin mattresses have different designs, and the one you choose will normally depend on the type of frame you have. For example, a small and sleek design will suit a low-profile frame or even a bunk bed. For the space saving qualities, and the rise in prominence of the Scandinavian bedroom design, we’ve seen an increasing demand for slim builds. 

Durability 

For us, one of the biggest misconceptions we see for thin mattresses is that they ‘can’t be durable’. Of course, this isn’t true because quality is a larger determinant of durability than thickness. Since thin mattresses sink less and they’re firm, it has an opportunity to last for many years. Make sure you turn it frequently, avoid spills, and don’t allow your children to jump all over it and your mattress will be a reliable partner. 

Breathability 

If you sleep hot or live in a warmer climate, a thin mattress is ideal because there’s less material and it will stay cooler naturally than standard mattresses. For those still worried about heat retention, choose a mattress that’s infused with gel, has open cell technology, or has been otherwise designed to encourage ventilation and cooling. 

Comfort 

A mattress could have everything, but it would be useless if you didn’t feel comfortable, right? Even if your chosen mattress doesn’t follow what most people find comfortable, it’s completely up to you and your preferences. If the coils stick into your back and your posture is getting worse, take advantage of the returns policy from the manufacturer. Life is too short to stick with a mattress that isn’t comfortable. 

Motion Isolation 

If you go to bed earlier than a partner or your partner tends to move around lots when sleeping, look for motion isolation. With this one feature, their movement should be restricted to their side of the bed (and you can sleep on uninterrupted!). 

Price 

The higher quality the materials, the more expensive the mattress. Other factors that affect pricing include manufacturer reputation, manufacturing method, size, and breathability and cooling features. Compared to a standard mattress, shipping is cheaper with a thin mattress due to the reduced size and weight. 

For those on a small budget, look for the simpler mattresses; the ones without all the bells and whistles. If possible, have flexibility with your budget because it’s better to spend more for a mattress with a long life than have to look for a replacement sooner than necessary. 

Support 

As we’ve noted before, the concerns over a lack of support with thin mattresses are completely unfounded. With a thin mattress, there’s less sagging and the high-quality materials ensure support for the vast majority of sleepers. While heavier sleepers might need to look elsewhere, most are able to find the magical balance between support and comfort without too much of a problem. Even for children, the support is positive, and you can be confident that they’re getting a good rest. 

Certification 

You might have seen the CertiPUR-US certification mentioned with our list of products, and you probably guessed that this is good news. Essentially, it means that the manufacturer doesn’t use harmful chemicals either in the product or in the making of the product. With this, we can have peace of mind not only with ourselves but with children too. There are no chemicals harmful to either humans or the environment. 

Cover 

With the right cover, you don’t have to worry about dust and dirt getting onto and into the mattress. The better the cover, the more hygienic the mattress. When a mattress gets dirty, it poses a risk to sleepers while also reducing its own life. If possible, we recommend choosing a removable cover because these are washable (as opposed to trying to clean the whole mattress). 

Warranty 

With any investment, we look for protection, and this is what comes with the manufacturer’s warranty. Should something go wrong or you find a defect in the product, most manufacturers set their warranty to ten years. When a warranty lasts for many years, this shows the confidence the company has in their product. If you see a ten-year warranty, this suggests the brand believes in the mattress, the firmness, and the shape; they believe it will remain supportive and comfortable for many years to come. 

Commonly Asked Questions

What thickness is best for a thin mattress?

With the top two layers, we recommend at least two inches in any mattress. After this, it’s a matter of personal preference and getting the balance right between comfort and support. At least, we recommend four inches - don’t worry, we saw earlier that most mattresses start at five inches so you shouldn’t find products that are simply too thin to be safe. 

Will a thin mattress suit me?

There are lots of different types of mattress out there, and you might be wondering whether or not you should risk a thin mattress. Is it really for you? Unfortunately, this just isn’t a question we can answer. While some people swear by a thin mattress, others just can’t get the right comfort from them. Rather than just buying a thin mattress because a neighbor told you about them, understand the benefits and drawbacks, and how they might impact you. 

With the right thin mattress, there could be an opportunity to keep the spine aligned, get support, and alleviate the pressure on high-stress parts of the body. In order to find this mattress, your first job is to go through the buying considerations above. Secondly, it might be a case of trial and error with different products. 

How do I choose the right thin mattress? 

As mentioned, you won’t find an answer online. If you do see somebody suggest a specific mattress, you might get it home only to be disappointed because you need to buy for YOU. Above all else, you should prioritize support and firmness. With a soft surface, you will gradually sink into the mattress and, without support, you start to get backaches. Therefore, you need to combine the softness with support and firmness. This way, there’s pressure relief and you shouldn’t wake up with aches and pains. 

Is my chosen mattress the right brand for me?

With some products, like technological gadgets, we go for the companies with the biggest and best reputations. For example, Sony and Xbox rule the gaming worlds. With mattresses, popularity doesn’t always win the day. Instead, think about comfort, size, material, density, durability, and the other considerations in this guide. Also, you need to remember the size of your room and the mattress height. 

What materials are used with thin mattresses? 

In truth, mattresses can contain all sorts of materials. If you have allergies or want to avoid specific materials, make sure you read the product descriptions when researching various products. While some will contain natural materials, others will use synthetics. By doing your own research, you can buy a mattress that’s safe and well within your needs. If there’s somebody in your household with allergies, avoid the offending material completely. 

Summary

Thicker mattresses are always better? Hopefully, we’ve shown in this guide that this isn’t the case. Some people will certainly prefer a thicker mattress, but there’s a growing section of the market enjoying a thin mattress too. Compact, lightweight, breathable, durable, supportive, and affordable, a thin mattress works in many circumstances. Despite popular misconceptions, they can be used without causing excessive back pain, and they can be utilized for a good night’s sleep. 

Thin mattresses certainly have drawbacks, but you can avoid them by doing your research. If a thin mattress really won’t work for you, please don’t try it anyway because it could make certain health problems worse and you might end up full of regret. We believe there’s a perfect mattress out there for everybody!