6 Best Thin Mattresses Of 2023 For Smaller Spaces & Less Money

A good night's sleep is imperative for your mental, physical, and emotional health—and the mattress you choose can make or break the quality of sleep you achieve. The perfect mattress for someone else might not be the right pick for you, though. Today, we're talking specifically about the best thin mattresses.

To some degree, a thin mattress is a subjective term, according to chiropractic physician and international certified sports chiropractor Cameron Gholampour. Mattresses range from 2 to 24 inches in height, and anything under 8 inches is generally considered a thin mattress—though some brands will refer to mattresses up to 10 inches as thin.

Turns out, taller is not always better. In fact, for people who use canes or wheelchairs, or are on the shorter side, thicker mattresses can make it quite difficult to get in and out of bed. Thin mattresses are also great for people who suffer from back pain and have similar difficulties. Gholampour explains that since there is less height to overcome, these mattresses ultimately should provide a more seamless experience.

If you sleep hot and don't have a cooling mattress (or at least a cooling mattress topper), you might want to reconsider. Certain materials are known to trap heat, which can make for an uncomfortable bout of night sweats, for anyone who tends to run warm. This mattress is all about keeping you cool.

The top layer of foam uses the brand's proprietary cooling technology, which features thousands of perforations to boost air circulation and vent your body heat away from you, instead of trapping it under you. There's also a layer of premium memory foam that gives this mattress its pressure-absorbing comfort. The durable foam base is engineered to prevent sinking and sagging. 

This combination of layers and materials makes for a firm but soft surface. Since this is a 10-inch mattress, it's on the thicker end of thin mattresses, making it a good choice for sleepers of all shapes and sizes. 

It arrives compressed and rolled up in a box. Simply take the bed out of the box and let it unroll in its plastic wrap. Once it's laid out flat, take the plastic wrap off and you can sleep on it right away.

What Customers Say:

From the get-go, we were wowed by the sheer number of size and thickness options this mattress offers. For the purpose of this subject, we're going to focus on the 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch options, as they all fall under the thin mattress umbrella. Each mattress features a high-density foam foundation and a top layer of gel swirl memory foam, which aids in cooling and creating a cozy, contoured feel around you. The 6-inch option is the firmest, and the 8- and 10-inch have a medium-firm feel. 

This mattress was specifically designed for the open road. Not only does it come in different sizes to fit all the unique sleeping situations an RV or camper might need, but the mattress is covered in a stain-resistant fabric to protect against inevitable spills and bumpy-road-induced messes.

The Dreamfoam comes straight to your door in a box. Reviewers note that it's easy to unbox. As with any foam mattress, it's best to give it some time to plump up to its true size, though most customers say the mattress came to size quite quickly. Additionally, most say there is no chemical smell. 

What Customers Say:

Most of us keep the same mattress for years, without acknowledging the fact that our needs and sleeping styles can (and often do) change. Since mattresses are expensive, getting a new one may not always be feasible. The solution? A great mattress topper. 

A mattress topper is an affordable way to breathe new life into an old bed and add structure or comfort, for a fraction of the price. This topper is cooling and durable and provides serious pressure relief—with only 2 inches of height. It's made in the U.S., with the same proprietary AirFoam™️ technology as the brand's award-winning mattresses. AirFoam™️ is an improved version of a traditional memory foam that's free from viscoelastic chemicals and is CertiPUR-US® certified. 

Not only does this mean no off-gassing, but the material is temperature neutral, making it soft and breathable enough for hot sleepers. If you want deep contouring comfort, go for the plush topper. If you'd prefer something a bit more supportive, the luxury firm topper is for you. 

This mattress topper will ship to you with free FedEx shipping, and unboxing is quick and easy.

What Customers Say:

This brand comes highly recommended by Gholampour. Memory foam is a bit controversial—some people love it, others can't stand it—and it's certainly not the most sustainable option. But if you love the feel of this material and are looking for a thin mattress, this one might be the winner. It's infused with a cooling gel that makes for a comfortable night's sleep, and it has the true memory foam feel of sinking right in. While again, not the most sustainable, the materials do meet CertiPUR-US program standards for performance, emissions, and durability. 

With a 4.5-inch thickness, this is a great pick for sofa beds, campers, or any tight spaces where a low-profile mattress is a necessity. It's lightweight and folds up easily, too—and every time it's unfolded it will bounce right back to its full shape.   

Another bed in a box, this mattress is compressed, rolled up, and shipped straight to your door. Depending on the size, it rings in at just under 20 pounds, so the unboxing process shouldn't be too difficult. Simply unbox, unwrap (be careful not to puncture the mattress while unwrapping!), and let it air out. You may need to wait 24 to 72 hours for it to fully expand, and in a cold environment, this process may take longer. As with many other bed-in-a-box options, there may be a slight smell. 

What Customers Say:

Over 2,000 reviewers on Amazon give this mattress five stars. Many bought it for a camper, boat, or pullout couch and are impressed with the balance of comfort and support. It's not easy to find a comfortable mattress that can make a sofa bed feel like a real bed, but this one gets the job done. 

If a mattress that is good for you and good for the planet is a priority (as it should be!), this one is an excellent choice. Organic latex, organic cotton, and organic wool are the three hero materials that make for a supportive and comfortable bed. The base is made from a responsive yet strong natural latex foam that absorbs pressure and gently conforms around your body's unique shape. You'll be supported through the night while still feeling a bit of that cozy softness so many of us love. 

The brand offers two firmness options (medium and firm) to accommodate a variety of sleepers. The medium is the most popular and is supportive, cushioned, and suitable for most body types and sleeping styles. The firm is popular among stomach and back sleepers who need a bit more support. 

On the sustainability front, this mattress complies with several internationally recognized certification standards. The latex used is Fair For Life Fair Trade Certified, which means the company works with farmers who treat and compensate their workers fairly. The mattress itself is GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified, confirming that the materials are fully organic. To boot, the mattress boasts Greenguard Gold and OEKO-TEX certifications, confirming the product's safety.

The brand ships orders the day they're placed, so you can expect to receive your mattress quite quickly. It will arrive compressed (+ wrapped in recycled paper) and rolled up in a box but does not need to be aired out and can be used immediately upon opening. 

What Customers Say:

With overwhelmingly positive reviews, many customers note that the customer service team is particularly helpful in finding the right fit for your individual sleeping style. Some individuals found the firm too firm but had an easy time exchanging it for the slightly softer medium option. Of course, most reviewers commented on how great they feel about sleeping on a safe, chemical-free mattress.

With a focus on comfort and support (two of the most important components of good sleep), this brand delivers affordable mattresses without cutting corners. The Nod is an Amazon-exclusive mattress, made of two simple layers: a dense, supportive base, topped with a softer foam. 

While the feel is soft, it's more neutral and responsive than memory foam—so you won't melt into this mattress like you do with others. Thanks to that responsiveness, this mattress is a great pick for active sleepers who find themselves switching positions throughout the night. The 6-inch option is lightweight and perfect for a lofted bed, while the 8-inch option is still thin enough for an easy setup (and an easier in and out-of-bed experience).

This mattress comes rolled up in a box. Since it is compressed upon arrival, you'll need to wait 24 to 72 hours before sleeping on it. Some reviewers mention a strong smell from the mattress off-gassing, while others say there was none at all. We recommend opening a window to provide some extra airflow. 

What Customers Say:

This is ranked No. 81 out of all the mattresses sold on Amazon, which is impressive considering the site stocks thousands of options. It has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, and most reviewers share the same sentiment: This mattress is a great purchase for the price. Some customers over 240 pounds found that the mattress was not supportive enough for their body and thus uncomfortable.

Thin mattresses tend to be cheaper, making them an easy choice for beds that aren't used as frequently.

As mentioned earlier, if you're dealing with back pain or a condition that makes it difficult to get in and out of bed, a thin mattress may make your morning and nighttime routines easier and a lot more comfortable.