Single Mattresses
Updated
A single mattress is the standard for guest rooms, kids' rooms and the occasional second mattress. We bring together over 1,000 from Robert Dyas, The Range, Mattress Online and other UK retailers. read more…
over 4,700 Single Mattresses from 15 UK Retailers in June ’26
Single mattresses: what to look for
A UK single mattress measures 90 by 190cm, sized for one adult or one growing teenager. The brief is different from double or king-size mattresses: the sleeper is one person, weight asymmetry isn't a factor, and the mattress is more often used in spare bedrooms, kids' rooms and student accommodation than as someone's primary bed.
Spec by use case:
- Primary bed (single adult): spec like a couples' double:pocket-sprung 800+, hybrid foam, decent comfort layer. £200-£500. Don't shortcut this if it's where you actually sleep every night.
- Kids' bedroom (age 6-16): medium-firm, washable cover where possible, anti-allergy treated. £150-£300. Replace at age 12-14 when the body has grown into adult weight.
- Spare or guest bed: foam or budget-spring is fine. £80-£200. The mattress is used a few weeks a year; over-spec is a waste.
- Bunk bed top bunk: check the maximum mattress depth:most bunk frames specify a 15cm or 18cm cap. A standard mattress over-deep can leave the safety rail too low.
Small single (75 by 190cm) is the narrower variant for box rooms and bunk beds. Worth checking the mattress dimension against the frame before ordering:small single and standard single are often confused.
The brands and retailers we list
We pull around 6,500 single mattresses across the UK retailer network.
MattressNextDay, Mattress Online and Mattress Man cover the dedicated mattress specialists.
The Range and Robert Dyas stock the value-tier single mattresses for spare-room and kids' use.
Read our mattress buying guide for firmness and construction guidance. Filter the grid above by brand, depth or price to narrow things down. Prices update daily.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a UK single mattress?
A UK single mattress is 3ft (90cm) wide by 6ft 3in (190cm) long. A small single is 2ft 6in (75cm) wide, sometimes called a shorty for under-15 frames. Standard single and small single are not interchangeable; the 15cm width gap is the most-returned-by-mistake mattress in our category.
Can an adult sleep on a single mattress long-term?
Yes, but the spec matters. Pocket sprung 800+ or hybrid foam in the £200 to £400 band is the realistic floor. Foam-only and budget bonnel-spring under £100 are built for spare-room duty, not 7 nights a week. Most British single adults who use a single long-term are in studio flats or box rooms where a small double will not fit.
When should a child's single mattress be replaced?
Every 7 to 8 years per the Sleep Council, or sooner if growth has hit. Children outgrow the support of a thin or mid-range mattress by age 11 to 13 as adult body weight comes in. Watch for visible sagging, a dip in the middle, or springs you can feel through the cover.
What size mattress fits the top bunk of a bunk bed?
Most bunk frames cap the top mattress at 15cm or 18cm depth, marked on the spec page. Anything thicker reduces the safety rail's effective height below the BS EN 747 standard. A 13cm to 15cm pocket sprung or foam mattress is the safe bet. Measure the rail-to-bed-base gap before ordering.
What's the difference between a small single and a standard single?
A small single is 75cm wide (2ft 6in); a standard single is 90cm wide (3ft). Both are 190cm long. Small single is narrower for box rooms, narrow bunk frames and toddler beds graduating from a cot. Bedding is sized separately; small-single sheets will not fit a standard single.
