The Narrow Twin Problem
The narrow twin mattress — also called cot size — measures 30 inches wide by 75 inches long. After recycling over 1.15 million mattresses, I've seen thousands of these come through our facility. The pattern is always the same: worn down to nothing, body impressions an inch deep, foam completely shot. Not because the mattress was old — because the owner couldn't figure out where to buy a replacement.
The narrow twin sits 8 inches narrower than a standard twin. You won't find it at Mattress Firm. You won't find it at most furniture stores. And if you search online, you'll wade through pages of cheap RV foam that'll fail within a year.
Quality narrow twin mattresses exist. You just need to know where to look and what to avoid.
What I Look for in a Quality Narrow Twin / Cot Mattress
Cot mattresses fail differently than regular ones. After tearing open thousands of narrow twins at my facility — from camping cots, antique frames, boat berths, daybeds — I know what separates the ones that last from the ones that come back to me a year later. The retailers below carry stuff that meets these standards.
1. Thin-Profile Construction That Doesn't Sacrifice Quality
Most cot applications require mattresses under 6 inches thick. The problem: cheap manufacturers use single-layer foam to hit thin profiles. It compresses to nothing within months. A quality thin mattress still has proper layered construction — a comfort layer over a support core — even at 5-6 inches total. This is the difference between a mattress that holds up and one that develops permanent body impressions in weeks.
2. Durability for Folding, Rolling, and Transport
Cot mattresses get abused in ways bedroom mattresses never do. They get folded with the cot, rolled for storage, tossed in car trunks, and stuffed in RV compartments. Low-density foam cracks and separates at fold points. Seams tear. Covers rip. Quality cot mattresses use flexible, high-resilience foam that can handle repeated flexing without developing weak points.
3. Versatility Across Different Frame Types
The same 30×75 mattress might end up on a camping cot, a trundle, an antique iron bed, or a boat berth. Good cot mattresses work on any flat surface without needing special slats or foundations. They should function equally well on the canvas of a folding cot as on a solid platform. I look for all-foam construction for this reason — coils can feel the gaps in an imperfect surface, foam adapts.
4. Proper Edge Support on a Narrow Surface
You're never far from the edge on a 30-inch mattress. If the foam isn't dense enough at the perimeter, you feel like you're rolling off every time you shift positions. Quality cot mattresses either use reinforced perimeter foam or have high enough base density throughout that the edges don't collapse when you sleep near them.
5. No Fiberglass Fire Barrier
This matters more on cot mattresses than almost any other type. These mattresses get folded, transported, and handled constantly — all opportunities for a fiberglass barrier to break down and release fibers. The mattress cover gets more wear, zippers get opened and closed, seams get stressed. I only recommend cot mattresses that use rayon, wool, or silica-based fire barriers instead.
How I Actually Know This Stuff
I tear mattresses open at my facility — that's how I know what's inside. I've done full teardowns on the Brooklyn Bedding products (Dreamfoam Essential, Signature Hybrid, Sedona). For the other retailers, I'm going off manufacturer specs and reputation. See my teardowns if you want the proof.
Dreamfoam Essential
The most flexible option I've found — available in virtually any size and thickness you need.
Not the only option, but if you want something that works and don't want to overthink it — this is a solid choice.
How It Meets My Criteria:
- ✓ Thin-profile without sacrificing quality — In teardown: even the 6" version has proper two-layer construction with gel memory foam comfort layer over high-density 1.8+ lb/ft³ support base. Not single-slab foam like most cheap cot mattresses.
- ✓ Durable for folding and transport — All-foam construction with resilient materials handles the abuse of cot life. No coils to shift, no weak points at flex zones.
- ✓ Versatile across frame types — Works equally well on canvas cots, platform frames, trundles, and antique beds. Adapts to any flat surface without needing specific foundations.
- ✓ Edge support on narrow surface — High-density base foam prevents edge collapse. At 30 inches wide, you're always near the edge — this one holds its shape.
- ✓ No fiberglass — Verified in teardown: rayon-based fire barrier. Safe for the constant handling and folding that cot mattresses get.
30×75 cot size available starting around $192 for the 6" — quality construction you'd pay double for elsewhere.
First: Make Sure You Actually Need a Narrow Twin
I see people order the wrong size constantly. Before you buy anything, measure your frame.
Narrow twin / Cot size: 30" wide × 75" long
This is what fits:
- Military and camping cots
- RV bunk beds (30×75 is also the most common RV bunk size)
- Some antique bed frames
- Boat berths
- Daybeds and trundles
- Truck sleeper cabs (some models)
Don't confuse narrow twin with three-quarter. This is the most common mistake I see. Three-quarter beds measure 48 inches wide — that's 18 inches wider than a narrow twin. Completely different mattress. If you have an antique frame from the Victorian or Edwardian era, measure it. Many of those are actually three-quarter, not narrow twin.
| Size | Width | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow twin / Cot | 30" | 75" |
| Standard twin | 38" | 75" |
| Three-quarter | 48" | 75" |
Measure your frame, not your old mattress. Your old mattress may have compressed or been the wrong size to begin with. Measure the actual sleeping surface inside the rails.
Where to Buy a Narrow Twin (Cot Size) Mattress Online
Online is where you'll find the best selection for narrow twin mattresses. These retailers specialize in custom sizes and thin-profile mattresses — they understand that cot mattresses need proper construction even at 6 inches thick.
RVMattress.com by Brooklyn Bedding
4 Mattresses Available in 30×75 Cot Size
Brooklyn Bedding manufactures their own mattresses in Phoenix, Arizona. They've been making mattresses since 1995 and own their factory — the kind of manufacturer that actually knows how to build thin mattresses with proper layered construction.
In my opinion, this is the best quality for your money for narrow twin mattresses — specifically because they have their own in-house factory and offer thin profiles (6"+) with proper construction. I've personally tested multiple Brooklyn Bedding mattresses (see my teardown page) and consistently find solid construction and quality materials.
MattressInsider.com
Mattress Insider has been making custom-size mattresses in Colorado since 2008. They specialize in RV, truck, boat, and odd-size mattresses — including cot sizes that most retailers don't stock. Helpful if you're not sure whether you need narrow twin, three-quarter, or something custom.
Cot sizes: 30×75 and any custom dimension you need
For cots specifically, their Sedona (5.5" thick, from $259) and Elation (6" thick, flippable, from $309) are designed for thin-profile applications. The Sedona is the thinnest quality option I've found if you have severe clearance restrictions. They also offer the Luxury (8" or 11.5") and Scarsdale Hybrid (9") for frames with more headroom. All models available with corner cuts, radius corners, and hinged construction.
Tochta — Best for Custom Dimensions
Tochta has been making custom mattresses in California for 30+ years. If 30×75 doesn't quite fit your situation — your antique frame is 29×74, your boat berth has radius corners — these are the people to call.
What sets them apart for cot buyers is their online mattress builder — you can enter exact dimensions from 20-80" wide and 40-90" long, in thicknesses from 4 to 10 inches, and get an instant price without calling anyone.
Journey — $374+. Entry-level foam construction. Solid for guest rooms and occasional use.
Utopia — $504+. Memory foam with dual phase-change cooling. Good for hot sleepers or if the mattress is going somewhere without great climate control.
Divini — $769+. Split-side firmness customization — nine firmness levels, can be different on each side. Overkill for most cot applications, but if you're particular about firmness, it exists.
All Tochta mattresses include 100-night trials and 10-year warranties. The real value is their custom sizing — they'll cut corners, do hinged sections, match weird dimensions.
Custom Mattress Factory
A North Carolina manufacturer that makes handcrafted mattresses. They're transparent about custom pricing — corner cuts are $25 each, hinges are $150 extra. Good option if your frame needs unusual modifications.
Options: Levi (entry-level foam, from $285), Grayson (cooling gel memory foam), Kinsley (latex and memory foam combination). Ships in 4-7 business days.
100-night satisfaction guarantee, pricing from $499 to $1,549 depending on materials and complexity. They do notched corners, radius cuts, hinged sections — whatever your weird frame requires. Lead time is typically 2-4 weeks.
Can You Buy a Narrow Twin Mattress In Stores?
Basically no.
I've been in this industry for over a decade. Retail mattress stores stock the six standard sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king. Walk into Mattress Firm and ask for a 30×75 cot mattress — they won't have it. Most won't even know what you're talking about.
Some RV dealers stock narrow mattresses, but they're usually the same cheap foam slabs you'd find on Amazon for $60. You're paying dealer markup for no quality improvement.
Big box stores like Walmart occasionally carry cot mattresses in-store, but selection is limited and quality is bottom-tier.
Online is your only realistic option for quality narrow twin mattresses.
What I See Go Wrong With Narrow Twin Mattresses
After processing over a million mattresses, I know exactly how cheap narrow twins fail. Here's what to watch for:
Low-Density Foam
This is the killer. Budget narrow twins use foam under 3 lbs per cubic foot density. Feels fine when it's new. Six months later, there's a permanent body impression and you're basically sleeping on the support layer.
Quality mattresses spec 3-4 lb density memory foam in comfort layers and 1.8+ lb polyurethane foam in support cores. If a manufacturer doesn't list foam density, they're hiding something.
The Dreamfoam Essential lists specs. Most Amazon options don't. Draw your own conclusions.
Fiberglass Fire Barriers
The dirty secret of budget mattresses. Some manufacturers use fiberglass sock barriers as a cheap way to meet fire regulations. The fiberglass can escape through zippers, seams, or worn covers — microscopic glass fibers that get into everything and are nearly impossible to fully clean up.
I've picked up mattresses from people who had fiberglass contamination. They didn't know why they were getting rashes and respiratory irritation until they figured out their mattress was shedding glass fibers.
Look for mattresses that specifically state "no fiberglass" or use wool, rayon, or silica-based barriers instead. If it doesn't say, assume the worst. See my guide on mattresses without fiberglass.
No Edge Support on Narrow Mattresses
This matters more than people realize. A 30-inch mattress means you're never far from the edge. All-foam construction with no reinforced perimeter means rolling toward the sides and feeling like you're about to fall off.
Hybrid mattresses with reinforced perimeter coils or high-density foam encasement solve this. If you're using a narrow twin for regular sleeping (not just a camping cot), the edge support is worth paying for.
How Thick Should Your Narrow Twin Mattress Be?
Depends entirely on what you're using it for:
Cots and Camping: 4-5 inches max
Folding cots need thin mattresses to function. Go thicker and the cot won't fold properly or the mattress hangs over the sides.
Trundles: 4-6 inches max
Has to slide under the daybed frame. Measure your clearance before ordering.
Bunk Beds (top bunk): 5-7 inches max
Safety issue. Guardrails need to extend at least 5 inches above the mattress surface. A 10-inch mattress on a top bunk with standard guardrails is a fall waiting to happen. Also watch ceiling clearance — kids sit up.
Guest Rooms: 6-8 inches
Adequate for occasional use. Nobody needs a 12-inch mattress for a bed that gets slept on twice a month.
Daily Adult Sleeping: 8-10 inches minimum
If this is someone's actual bed, don't cheap out on thickness. Adults need 2-3 inches of comfort layer over 5-6 inches of support core minimum. Heavier sleepers should go 10+ inches with higher-density materials.
For more detail on how thickness relates to body weight, construction quality, and bed frame height, read my complete mattress thickness guide.
Sheets for Narrow Twin (Cot Size) Mattresses
Don't make the mistake of ordering standard twin sheets. They're 38 inches wide — 8 inches too big for a 30-inch mattress. They'll bunch up and slide around.
You need cot size sheets — 30×75.
Amazon carries plenty. Match your pocket depth to your mattress thickness:
- 4-6 inch mattress → standard pocket depth
- 8-10 inch mattress → deep pocket (10-12")
- 12+ inch mattress → extra deep pocket
Materials range from budget microfiber ($15-25) to Egyptian cotton ($30-50+). For a guest room cot, microfiber is fine. For daily use, cotton breathes better.
What to Do With Your Old Cot Mattress
When your new narrow twin mattress arrives, you need to dispose of the old one. Cot mattresses in odd sizes are harder to get rid of than standard sizes — most donation centers won't take them.
Need Your Old Mattress Removed?
Getting rid of an odd-size mattress can be tricky. I've put together a complete guide to your disposal and recycling options.
See Your Options →Summary: Where to Buy
Brooklyn Bedding / RVMattress.com — Widest selection of 30×75 mattresses from an actual manufacturer. Dreamfoam Essential starts around $192, Signature Hybrid around $466.
Tochta — Best for custom dimensions. Online builder lets you enter exact measurements.
MattressInsider — Custom sizes with thin profile options (5.5"+).
Custom Mattress Factory — Handcrafted with transparent pricing for corner cuts and modifications.
About This Guide
