Quick Answer: A full size (double) mattress measures 54 inches wide by 75 inches long (137 x 191 cm). Budget full size mattresses under $400 are available but typically sacrifice foam density, coil count, edge support, and durability. A quality entry-level full size mattress from a Canadian mattress store starts around $500-$700 and will outlast two or three cheap online foam beds -- making it cheaper in the long run.
In This Guide
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A full size mattress (also called a double in Canada) is a practical choice for guest rooms, teenagers transitioning from single beds, and smaller bedrooms where a queen would be tight. Shopping for a good one on a budget is very achievable -- if you know what quality markers actually matter and which are just marketing.
Full Size Mattress Dimensions
| Size Name | Width | Length | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin (Single) | 38 in / 97 cm | 75 in / 191 cm | Children, dorms, tight spaces |
| Full (Double) | 54 in / 137 cm | 75 in / 191 cm | Teens, guest rooms, solo adults |
| Queen | 60 in / 152 cm | 80 in / 203 cm | Couples, primary bedroom |
| King | 76 in / 193 cm | 80 in / 203 cm | Couples needing more space |
The full size is the same length as a twin but 16 inches wider. It is notably shorter (5 inches less) than a queen. For adults taller than approximately 5'11" (180 cm), a full size may feel short -- a queen is the better long-term choice if height is a consideration.
What Cheap Mattresses Cut Corners On
Very low-cost mattresses (under $300-$400 for a full size) are typically made with the lowest-cost materials available. The areas where cost-cutting shows up first:
| Quality Factor | Budget Mattress | Mid-Range Entry ($500-$900) |
|---|---|---|
| Foam density | Under 1.5 PCF -- impressions develop in 1-2 years | 2.5-4 PCF -- durable for 7-10+ years |
| Coil count (innerspring) | Under 400 coils in full size -- minimal support variation | 600-980 individually wrapped coils -- proper body support |
| Edge support | Minimal -- edges compress, usable sleep surface reduced | Reinforced edge system -- full surface usable |
| Warranty | 1-2 years; impression threshold often 2.5cm (hides real sag) | 10+ years; impression threshold 1.5cm or lower |
| Durability | 2-4 years before significant degradation | 8-12 years with normal use |
The Real Cost of Cheap Mattresses
A $250 budget mattress that lasts 3 years costs $83/year. A $700 quality entry-level mattress that lasts 10 years costs $70/year. The cheap mattress is not actually cheaper -- it just distributes the cost differently, while providing worse sleep quality throughout its shorter lifespan. A 2008 study in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine (Jacobson et al.) found that replacing low-quality mattresses with medium-firm, higher-quality models significantly reduced back pain and improved sleep quality over a 28-day period. The quality of the mattress directly affects the quality of the sleep.
8 min read
Where to Find Value Without Sacrificing Sleep
The sweet spot for a full size mattress in Canada is the $500-$900 range. This budget gets you:
- Adequate foam density (2.5+ PCF) or a proper coil system with 600+ individually wrapped coils
- A 10-year warranty with a meaningful impression threshold
- Adequate edge support for consistent surface area
- A comfort layer that holds its shape for 5-7+ years of regular use
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "For a guest room or a teenager who will use it 3-4 nights a week, a double or full doesn't need to be a major investment. Our Restonic ComfortCare Double has 980 individually wrapped coils and a real warranty -- it is a genuinely good mattress at an accessible price point. We have had customers who bought cheap online mattresses first, had them fail in 2 years, and then come to us. They ended up spending more than if they had come here first."
Full Size Mattresses at Mattress Miracle
At Mattress Miracle in Brantford, our entry-level full size (double) mattress is the Restonic ComfortCare Double at $875, which features 980 individually wrapped coils. This is a Canadian-made mattress from a manufacturer with a legitimate warranty -- not a compressed foam mattress from an overseas factory shipped in a box. We do not carry budget price points specifically because the failure rates and customer dissatisfaction rates on ultra-budget mattresses are too high. We would rather help you find the most affordable genuinely good mattress than sell you something that will be back as a problem in two years.
Full vs Queen: Is It Worth Upgrading?
The full size works well for:
- Solo sleepers in smaller bedrooms (a bedroom needs to be at least 10x10 feet to comfortably fit a full with bedside tables)
- Guest rooms used occasionally
- Teenagers who need more room than a twin but not a full bedroom-sized bed
- Budget-constrained situations where the full is the only affordable option
The queen is worth the additional cost if:
- Two people will sleep on it regularly -- a full provides only 27 inches per person
- You are over 5'11" -- the queen is 5 inches longer
- This is a primary bedroom bed that needs to last 10+ years
- You want more resale value if you sell the mattress
Shop: Shop Our Mattress Collection
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of a full size mattress?
A full size (double) mattress measures 54 inches wide by 75 inches long (137 x 191 cm). It is 16 inches wider than a twin but the same length. It is 6 inches narrower and 5 inches shorter than a queen. In Canada, "full" and "double" are used interchangeably and refer to the same size.
What should I look for in a cheap full size mattress?
Look for: foam density of at least 2.5 PCF (cheap mattresses use 1.0-1.5 PCF foam that develops impressions quickly), coil count of at least 600 if innerspring, a warranty of at least 10 years with an impression threshold of 1.5 inches or less, and adequate edge support. Avoid mattresses with 1-2 year warranties -- they signal the manufacturer expects the product to fail quickly.
Is a cheap mattress worth it for a guest room?
A budget mattress for a guest room that gets used 2-3 times per month will last longer than the same mattress used nightly -- but the construction quality still matters. A mid-range mattress ($500-$700) used occasionally in a guest room will likely last 15-20 years and provide genuinely comfortable sleep for your guests. An ultra-budget mattress ($200-$300) will still develop impressions and become uncomfortable within 3-5 years even with light use.
Is a full size mattress big enough for two people?
A full size provides 27 inches per person when shared -- comparable to a crib for each adult. It is workable for couples who sleep very close together or in small temporary situations, but is generally not recommended as a long-term couple's bed. The queen size (60 inches wide) provides 30 inches per person and is the minimum recommended for couples sleeping together consistently.
Where can I find full size mattresses for sale in Canada, and what should I check before buying budget?
Canadian retailers carrying full size mattresses (54 by 75 inches, also called double size) include Sleep Country, The Brick, Leon's, Costco, Walmart, IKEA, and DTC brands like Endy, Casper Canada, and Polysleep. Pricing typically runs $399 to $899 for budget mattresses, $899 to $1,499 for mid-range, and $1,499 to $2,999 for premium. The cheapest full size mattresses ($299 to $499) almost always use low-density polyfoam or low-coil-count innerspring construction, which compresses noticeably within 12 to 24 months and accelerates lower-back pain in nightly use. A 2015 study published in Sleep Health by Radwan and colleagues found that medium-firm sleep surfaces produced statistically significant improvements in back pain and sleep quality, but cheap mattresses rarely provide consistent medium-firm support over time - they soften unevenly. Talia, who fits Brantford customers across price tiers, says: "For occasional guest use, a $399 full size mattress is fine. For nightly use, the math always favours spending $899 to $1,199 on a quality hybrid - it lasts three to four times longer and your back will tell you the difference within the first month." Three things to check on any budget full size mattress before buying: foam density (look for 1.8 PCF or higher in the support layer), coil count (at least 600 individually wrapped coils for a queen-equivalent quality at full size), and warranty length (at least 10 years for any nightly-use mattress). Browse our full/double mattress collection for Canadian-made options with proper density specifications.
Sources
- Jacobson, B.H., et al. (2008). Subjective rating of perceived back pain, stiffness, and sleep quality following introduction of medium-firm bedding systems. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 7(3), 105-113. doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2008.05.003
- National Sleep Foundation. (2022). Sleep in America Poll. Washington, DC: NSF.
- Defloor, T. (2000). The effect of position and mattress on interface pressure. Applied Nursing Research, 13(1), 2-11. doi.org/10.1016/S0897-1897(00)80013-0
- Kovacs, F.M., et al. (2003). Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain. The Lancet, 362(9396), 1599-1604. doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
If you are looking for the most value you can get in a full size mattress, come in and let us show you what our entry-level Restonic ComfortCare Double offers at $875. Our team does not work on commission -- we will give you an honest recommendation based on your actual needs and budget.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441 1/2 West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle -- 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, ON -- (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10am-6pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm.
Come in and let our team help you find the right mattress for your needs. No pressure, no commission.
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