Six-inch mattresses are typically inexpensive, but check out our best cheap mattress guide for expert-approved beds at lower prices.
You won't find any six-inch mattresses among our guide to this year's best mattresses, as this thin build rarely offers the support an adult body needs. However, that doesn't mean we can rule out six-inch mattresses altogether.
There are a few scenarios in which a slim profile mattress might be just right, particularly if you want a good bed for a small space, or if you're after thin, firm comfort similar to Japanese floor mattresses.
One of the main advantages to choosing a six-inch mattress is price: cutting down height often means cutting down costs. But it can also mean cutting out comfort. Below we'll explore who should and shouldn't buy a six-inch mattress (plus why mattress sales are a better way to find good sleep for less.)
What is a 6-inch mattress?
A six-inch mattress is a mattress that, once fully expanded, measures six inches from the base to the top cover. Six-inch mattresses are thin for an adult bed — they can be a good option for children — but the basic builds are often budget-friendly options.
Six-inch mattresses are often simple, as the slim profile means there's little room for multiple types of foams, springs or specialist features.
And due to their small stature, six-inch mattresses often lack cushioning. They don't have the thick comfort layers that are needed to provide a plush feel.
For that reason, most six-inch mattresses sit at the harder end of the mattress firmness scale. This firm feel tends to best suit back and stomach sleepers. However, a six-inch bed won't necessarily excel at support; high quality materials are needed to prevent sagging.
Why does mattress thickness matter?
We measure standard mattress thickness as between eight and 12 inches. Any taller than that and we tend to be in the realm of luxury mattresses. Any thinner and we're looking at budget beds or super-thick mattress toppers.
The height of a bed does influence the overall feel of the mattress. Typically, thinner builds have a firmer feel while taller mattresses, which can encompass more cushioning, tend to have a softer finish.
Thickness also impacts how much weight a mattress can hold. The best mattresses for heavy people are generally taller builds that incorporate more support layers.
Height can also influence price (although a thinner bed isn't always a cheaper one.) If you're on a budget, opting for an eight or 10-inch mattress can help you save — but it's important not to sacrifice support to save money.
3 reasons to buy a 6-inch mattress
We rarely recommend six-inch tall mattresses; in our experience, eight inches is the minimum height an adult needs for both comfort and support.
But there are a handful of occasions in which a six-inch mattress can prove suitable — these are the three reasons you might want a six-inch bed.
1. You're shopping for a child or teen
Kids needs plenty of good quality sleep to help them learn and grow but while we recommend investing in a high quality mattress for children, you don't necessarily need a thick mattress.
We mentioned above that thinner mattresses often lack the height to hold up an adult body. Children and teens don't have the same support needs, which means you can focus on choosing quality materials, rather than spending your money on extra inches.
For example, the Helix Kids mattress is available in a six or eight-inch build, while the BB Kids mattress from Brooklyn Bedding measures six inches.
On a similar note, kids also benefit from a firm or medium-firm mattress, to support their spinal development. So you want to steer clear of plush mattresses anyway.
2. You want similar comfort to a Japanese floor mattress
Thinner mattresses tend to have a firmer feel (less padding to create cushioning) which means they're sometimes compared to thin, hard Japanese floor mattress or shikibuton.
Traditional Japanese floor mattresses are designed to be rolled up and stored, which is a convenience you won't get with six-inch mattresses.
However, the slim build and low profile of six-inch mattresses does often emulate the minimal padding and firm support of a Japanese style-bed.
If it's the minimalist design and basic comfort of a shikibuton you're emulating, a six-inch mattress can be a good starting place. But we recommend seeking out a mattress made with high-quality materials, to ensure you're getting the support you need.
Alternatively, check out our Plank Firm mattress review for a bed with a similar firm, flat feel to a Japanese floor mattress, plus the increased durability of a taller bed.
3. You need a mattress for an RV (or a spare room)
If you think you sleep best on the open road, you'll understand the importance of choosing the right mattress for your RV.
RV mattresses tend to be small and light; anything else will dominate the space and weigh down your vehicle. A six-inch mattress, like the RV MobilePlush Mattress from PlushBeds, nails the brief.
Six inch mattresses can also be good for spare rooms, particularly if your guest bed is in a multipurpose room and you don't want to overwhelm the space.
In both these scenarios there's one important detail to note: the mattress won't be used that often.
As anyone who's snoozed on the couch can attest, the human body can put up with a few night's rest in less-than-ideal conditions. It's when you regularly sleep on a mattress that can't support your body that your back will start to protest.
What to look for in a 6-inch mattress?
If you fall into one of the above categories (or you don't but you still want a six-inch bed) these are the features to look for to ensure your six-inch mattress contains as much comfort as possible in its slim profile.
✅ High quality materials: A good quality build makes all the difference in a six-inch mattress. Look for beds made using dense foams (or latex foams) and reinforced springs.
✅ Support layers: Six-inch mattresses don't have the height for multiple layers so the ones they do have need to provide plenty of support. Make sure there's either a sprung base or a base layer of durable foams.
✅ A reliable brand name: Many six-inch mattresses are budget options from little known brands. We recommend closely reading any mattress reviews before buying a bed, to better understand the quality and feel.
Who should avoid a 6-inch mattress?
We don't recommend six-inch mattresses for most adults, outside the specific circumstances outlined above. But there are some sleepers who should avoid six-inch beds altogether:
❌ Side sleepers: The best mattresses for side sleepers must offer pressure relief and this is often achieved through cushioning at the shoulders and hips. Realistically, a six-inch mattress doesn't have room for enough cushioning.
❌ Heavier people: For those with a larger build, when you lie on a six-inch mattress it often feels like sinking straight through to the floor. These slim beds can't provide support for heavy people.
❌ Bed sharers: A six-inch mattress might cause some relationship woes for bed sharers, as these thin mattresses can't comfortably support the weight of two people and often lack the cushioning needed to successfully absorb motion — you might feel every time your partner shifts about.
Where to buy a 6-inch mattress?
Few of the best mattresses in a box are available in six-inch builds, so if you're looking for a high quality thin mattress, you might need to head to specialist retailers (particularly if you're after an RV mattress size.)
Otherwise, the best place to find a six-inch mattress is through retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. Although keep in mind these beds can be very cheap but often lack quality.
If it's a kid's mattress you need, many of our favorite sleep brands have expanded into children's bedding in recent years, meaning you get the sleep know-how of an experienced mattress brand, squeezed into a kid-friendly package.
3 best 6-inch mattresses to shop today
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