How to Choose the Best Futon Mattress for You
Deciding which futon mattress to buy can be overwhelming. Every dealer says their mattress is the best, and you won’t know until you try it. Here’s some information to help you choose the right futon mattress for your needs. If you prefer, just give us a call — we’ve been selling and sleeping on futons since 1982!
Common Futon Mattress Sizes
| Type | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Twin | 39" × 75" |
| Twin XL | 39" × 80" |
| Full | 54" × 75" |
| Full XL | 54" × 80" |
| Queen | 60" × 80" |
| Standard Chair & Ottoman | 28" × 54", 28" × 21" |
| Twin Chair & Ottoman | 39" × 54", 39" × 21" |
| Full Loveseat & Ottoman | 54" × 54", 54" × 21" |
| Queen Loveseat & Ottoman | 60" × 60", 60" × 20" |
| California King | 72" × 84" |
| Eastern King | 76–78" × 80" |
Basic Futon Mattress Info
90% of all futon mattresses or frames sold are full size. In a sofa position, the back of a queen frame and mattress sticks up about 6" higher than a full, which can look strange unless you are very tall. Queen futons are slightly harder to operate than full size. Thicker, higher-quality mattresses take more effort to fold, while cheaper futons fold easily.
Most futon mattresses are made with 8–14" of cotton, foam, springs, or other materials, and they are tufted. Thicker mattresses don’t always mean better quality; some flatten unevenly over time, while higher-quality mattresses, compressed tightly and tufted under pressure, remain supportive and comfortable, avoiding dips or sags.
The quality and cost of a futon will depend on your intended use and budget. Many people use futons for spare rooms, preferring firm mattresses for sleeping and softer ones for daily sofa use. Due to federal bedding laws and sanitation, futon mattresses are non-returnable. Most have a 1–10 year warranty depending on the model.
If you want personalized advice, call our knowledgeable and honest sales team at 480-529-7292. Tell them your requirements, and they will guide you to the best futon mattress for your needs.
Our Favorites
Our most popular futon mattress is the Otis Haley 110 — “not too firm, not too soft.” It’s made from 14" of high-density foam and polyester fiber, compressed down to 8", tufted for durability, and backed by a 10-year warranty.
If you need extra firmness, the Otis Haley 150 is the firmest we offer. Prefer easier sofa use? The Otis Stratosphere is thinner but packed with quality materials. Due to the extreme compression of Otis mattresses, we recommend using Super Grip Strips or Rolls to keep the mattress in place on a sofa frame.
Other high-quality futon brands include Gold Bond and Gold Star, which make excellent cotton or cotton/foam blends.
How to Break In or Level Out a Cotton Futon Mattress
Cotton or cotton-blend futon mattresses need breaking in, like a baseball glove. Flip and rotate nightly for the first 2 weeks, then weekly for another month. After that, rotate monthly to use the full surface.
If lumps or uneven spots develop, place the mattress on a flat surface and step gently on the high areas for 30 minutes nightly. Roll up the mattress and sit or bounce on it to help even it out. Flip the mattress and roll back and forth before sleep. Repeat for several days or weeks as needed.
For rejuvenation, air the mattress over chairs on a warm, dry day. For conventional cotton/foam mattresses, we recommend a 6" thickness for proper folding in bifold, A-frame, or tri-fold frames.
