A futon mattress acts as both a seat and a bed, so it’s thinner and firmer than a standard mattress that’s solely built for snoozing. The thickness of a futon ranges from three to nine inches; it usually has springs, foam, or a combination of the two. Standard mattresses can top 14 inches (or higher) and feature a wider array of materials like memory foam, latex, and special temperature-regulating fibers. Cost-wise, a full futon set (frame and mattress) is often less expensive than a regular mattress on its own, but a traditional bed set-up is more durable for nightly use.