Full vs Queen Size Bed
Queen-sized mattresses are the most popular bed size in North America. They’re great for couples, typically affordable, and fit in most bedrooms. But the full, or double, mattress can also be a good way to go, depending on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you’re a single sleeper, you share your bed with a partner, or you’re trying to accommodate the size room you have to work with, there are many considerations to take into account before you settle on a mattress size. Let’s take a look at the most important distinctions between queen vs full mattresses.
Queen vs Full Size Chart
Check out this chart to see the main differences in dimensions between full and queen size mattresses.
Full | Queen | |
Length | 75 inches | 80 inches |
Width | 54 inches | 60 inches |
Nicknames | Double | |
Best for | Single sleepersShorter people10 x 12 rooms and largerBudget shoppers | CouplesTaller people12 x 12 rooms and larger |
Full Bed Pros And Cons
Pros
- More budget-friendly than queen mattresses
- Since it’s a popular size makes it easy to buy bedding and other accessories, like frames and headboards, that fit your personal style
- Lighter weight, making it easier to flip or move
- Fits well within most standard-sized bedrooms
Cons
- Too small for many couples to sleep comfortably
Queen Bed Pros And Cons
Pros
- Couples will find it suitable
- Easy to find corresponding-sized pillows, sheets, duvets from retailers that fit your personal preference
- Longer, so a bit more comfortable for tall people
Cons
- Pricier than a full
- Larger, so you have to have a bigger space
- Heavier, making it more difficult for one person to flip or move
- Some tall people may find it a bit too small
Considerations For Choosing A Bed Size
Let’s take a look at some other considerations you should take into account when you’re trying to choose a full size vs queen mattress.
Room Size
Here’s something you may not have considered: room size matters when you’re buying a mattress. Of course the first thing we think about is, “will I get good sleep?”, but you also need to know if the bed will fit well in the space you have. Especially if you’re working with a small bedroom.
The standard rule of thumb is if your room is on the smaller end, say 10 x 12 feet, you should opt for a full size bed. If that is even bigger than the room you’re working with, consider downsizing to a twin. Anything else is going to feel too large for that size room – and it might feel claustrophobic. That said, if you have a larger room – at least 12 x 12 feet – you will comfortably have room for a queen mattress.
Budget
It may come as no surprise that full beds tend to be cheaper than the larger queen size beds. Sometimes they are only $50 less, some might be over a hundred dollars less than a queen. It just depends on the brand you buy from and the products used in the mattress.
Consider, too, that parts for a full bed – frames, headboards, etc. – will usually be cheaper, too. They’re smaller, so it makes sense.
Single or Co-Sleeping
One of the most important considerations for determining whether you would be best to buy a full or queen mattress is whether you’re a single sleeper or co sleeping. If two people are sleeping on the mattress, one of the biggest considerations is edge support. We’ve talked about this a lot, but without solid edge support, you’ll have the feeling of falling out of bed when approaching the edge.
Especially if you opt for a smaller bed and sleep with a partner, it’s important to have good edge support. If your space and budget allows for it, we think you should consider a queen mattress so you’ll have enough room to sleep comfortably.
Bedding Accessories
The thing about buying a mattress is that you also have purchase bedding accessories, and it can all really add up. Pillows, sheets, duvets, shams – they all come with their own additional price tag. Queen-sized beds, being longer and wider, require larger sheets and comforters, which will also cost you more money in the long run. Bottom line, though it’s certainly not the only consideration, if you’re budget conscious, a full is going to be the best route.
Slumber Yard’s Final Thoughts
Queen-sized mattresses are the most popular bed size in North America for good reason: Not only are they a solid size for couples, but they’re usually affordable, and fit just fine in many bedrooms. But the full, or double, mattress can also be a good way to go, depending on your needs.
Whether you’re a single sleeper or you share your bed with a partner, or you’re on a tight budget or have a small bedroom, many considerations come into play when deciding between a full or queen bed. Now that you’re all read up on the pros and cons of full vs queen mattresses, take a look at our reviews for Casper, Purple, and the Best Queen Size Mattress list for a head start on your bed search.
A queen size mattress is 5 inches longer and 6 inches wider than a full size mattress.
On the budget end, a full size online mattress generally runs around $350. On the pricey side of the spectrum, a luxury full size bed retails at about $1,300 or more.
The biggest difference between queen and full, aside from price, is size — a queen is both longer and wider.