Shopping for the best mattress for kids might seem like a simple process, but there’s actually quite a lot you should keep in mind. Sleep habits vary between children of all ages, plus you need to make sure the bed is big and supportive enough for healthy growth. Luckily, we’ve got you covered in this guide, where we’ll highlight the key factors that will help you find the most healthy, comfortable, and best overall mattress for your kids.
Best Mattresses for Kids
- Editor’s Pick – Helix Kids
- Best Memory Foam Mattress for Kids – Nectar
- Best Affordable Mattress for Kids – Leesa Studio
- Best Mattress for Back Sleepers – Saatva Youth
- Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers – Brooklyn Bowery
- Best Mattress for Active Kids – Bear
- Best Hypoallergenic Mattress for Kids –Nolah Natural
- Best Cooling Mattress for Kids – DreamFoam Cool
- Best Hybrid Mattress for Kids –DreamCloud
- Best First Big-Kid Bed – Nest Puffin
Compare Best Mattresses For Kids
Helix Kids Mattress Nectar Mattress Studio by Leesa Mattress Saatva Youth Mattress Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Mattress Bear Mattress Nolah Natural Mattress Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams DreamCloud Original Mattress Puffin Mattress Rating Firmness Multiple firmness options Soft: 6/10 Medium-firm: 6.5/10 Medium-firm: 6.5/10 Soft: 5/10 Medium-firm: 7/10 Soft: 6/10 Medium-firm: 6.5/10 Medium-firm: 7/10 Soft: 6/10 Material Hybrid Foam Foam Innerspring Foam Foam Latex Hybrid Hybrid Foam Cooling ✓ -- -- ✓ -- ✓ ✓ -- ✓ -- Sleep Position Combination Back & Side Combination Back & Stomach Back & Stomach Back Combination Back Back Combination
Editor’s Pick – Helix Kids
The Helix Kids is a non-toxic, flippable mattress, fit for kids between the ages of three and 12. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Helix Kids is a non-toxic, flippable mattress, fit for kids between the ages of three and 12. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Helix Kids is a non-toxic, flippable mattress, fit for kids between the ages of three and 12. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Helix Kids Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Helix Kids Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Helix Kids Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
100 Nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
The Helix Kids is a hybrid mattress with a unique flippable design fit for children between the ages of three and 12. Each side of the mattress has its own firmness level, ideal for a particular age group. Between the ages three and seven, the firmer side is recommended, and for children between eight and 12, the softer side is recommended. This special feature means the Helix Kids should work for a wide range of sleeping types, which is ideal for kids, who are always growing and changing. The mattress is also made of antimicrobial, water-repellant, and hypoallergenic material.
If you like the Helix brand but aren’t seeing what you like with the Helix Kids, check out our review for the Helix Sunset, another option for lightweight sleepers.
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Kids – Nectar
The Nectar is a nice option for kids because it has a firmer-than-average feel that should offer most growing bodies adequate support. It also sleeps pretty cool, thanks to a gel infusion in its foam layer. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Nectar is a nice option for kids because it has a firmer-than-average feel that should offer most growing bodies adequate support. It also sleeps pretty cool, thanks to a gel infusion in its foam layer. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Nectar is a nice option for kids because it has a firmer-than-average feel that should offer most growing bodies adequate support. It also sleeps pretty cool, thanks to a gel infusion in its foam layer. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
The Nectar’s all-foam construction creates a surprisingly supportive feel that’s great for back sleeping. The sleeper’s hips will be well-supported, which helps maintain spine alignment — an important feature for kids with growing spines! There’s also a comfort layer of gel memory foam to help prevent the formation of pressure points. And while many memory foams are known to trap body heat, the gel helps draw heat away from the sleeper.
Click here to read the full Nectar mattress review.
Best Affordable Mattress for Kids – Leesa Studio
The Leesa Studio is an affordable all-foam bed that should be a great fit for kids of all sleeping positions. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Leesa Studio is an affordable all-foam bed that should be a great fit for kids of all sleeping positions. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Leesa Studio is an affordable all-foam bed that should be a great fit for kids of all sleeping positions. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Studio by Leesa Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Studio by Leesa Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Studio by Leesa Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Finding a quality mattress for a reasonable price can be difficult, but the Leesa Studio delivers. Its medium-firm construction balances comfort and support with layers of plush memory foam and supportive poly foam. Consequently, it’s a mattress ideal for lightweight sleepers of all sleeping positions, so if your child changes sleeping positions as they age, the Leesa Studio should accommodate them very well. Additionally, the memory foam layers should provide plenty of contouring and pressure relief to children’s growing pains — another must when it comes to finding the right mattress for your kid.
Click here to read our full review of the Leesa Studio mattress.
Best Mattress for Back Sleepers – Saatva Youth
The Saatva Youth is specifically designed for kids and young teens, and has a medium-firm feel that back sleepers will love. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Saatva Youth is specifically designed for kids and young teens, and has a medium-firm feel that back sleepers will love. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Saatva Youth is specifically designed for kids and young teens, and has a medium-firm feel that back sleepers will love. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Saatva Youth Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Saatva Youth Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Saatva Youth Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
The Saatva Youth is luxury brand Saatva’s bed that is designed specifically for kids. It has a nice medium-firm feel that back-sleeping kids should especially love. Parents will like that the mattress cover is hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and perhaps most importantly, spill-resistant! This bed comes in a twin, twin XL, and full size (queen and king are not available). One thing to keep in mind is this bed is one of the pricier options on this list, but it still costs less than most adult mattresses.
Click here to learn more in our full Saatva Youth mattress review.
Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers – Brooklyn Bowery
The Brooklyn Bowery is a crowd-pleasing hybrid bed that combines support and pressure relief. It should be a great choice for lightweight sleepers who sleep on their stomachs. The Brooklyn Bowery is a crowd-pleasing hybrid bed that combines support and pressure relief. It should be a great choice for lightweight sleepers who sleep on their stomachs. The Brooklyn Bowery is a crowd-pleasing hybrid bed that combines support and pressure relief. It should be a great choice for lightweight sleepers who sleep on their stomachs.Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
The Brooklyn Bowery is a nice medium-firm bed-in-a-box that should be an excellent match for kids who sleep on their stomachs. Although the mattress’ firmness level is on the softer side, lightweight stomach sleepers should still feel plenty of support. And with the Bowery’s nice mobility, kids shouldn’t feel as if they’re sinking too far into the mattress. These features should promote great spinal alignment, something that can be tricky to find for stomach sleepers. Overall, the combination of comfort and support should be a solid match for kids who sleep on their backs as well, since the coils and pressure-relieving foam work to create that balance.
Click here to learn more in the full Brooklyn Bowery review!
Best Mattress for Active Kids – Bear Original
I appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. I appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. I appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
The Bear Original mattress is a bed designed with athletes in mind. It’s an all-foam bed that utilizes graphite-gel memory foam for a cooling effect and some serious pressure relief — both necessary for resting after practice or a workout. The Bear also has a Celliant cover, which Bear says can actually help with muscle recovery. We also found the Celliant cover did a great job of keeping the bed cool.
Learn more about this athlete-focused mattress in our Bear Original mattress review.
Best Hypoallergenic Mattress for Kids – Nolah Natural
The Nolah Natural is made with hypoallergenic and eco-friendly materials, which makes it a great pick for families wanting high-quality, safe materials for their kids. It also brings young sleepers coolness and pressure relief. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Nolah Natural is made with hypoallergenic and eco-friendly materials, which makes it a great pick for families wanting high-quality, safe materials for their kids. It also brings young sleepers coolness and pressure relief. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Nolah Natural is made with hypoallergenic and eco-friendly materials, which makes it a great pick for families wanting high-quality, safe materials for their kids. It also brings young sleepers coolness and pressure relief. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Nolah Natural Mattress
Material
Latex
Trial Period
120 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Nolah Natural Mattress
Material
Latex
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Nolah Natural Mattress
Material
Latex
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
120 Nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
The Nolah Natural is an 11-inch mattress featuring environmentally friendly materials, like organic cotton, organic wool, Talalay latex, and recycled steel. Along with being free of harmful chemicals and substances, the Nolah Natural is a comfortable fit for back, side, and combination sleepers due to its support and pressure-relieving abilities. Hot sleepers should also appreciate how cool this mattress sleeps.
Learn more in our full Nolah Natural mattress review.
Best Cooling Mattress for Kids – DreamFoam Cool
The Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams is a cooling mattress that comes at a really affordable price. It also has a hybrid build, which is great for supporting growing spines. The Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams is a cooling mattress that comes at a really affordable price. It also has a hybrid build, which is great for supporting growing spines. The Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams is a cooling mattress that comes at a really affordable price. It also has a hybrid build, which is great for supporting growing spines.Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
This is a perfect mattress for a first “big kid bed” because it’s very cool, very comfortable, and accommodates all sleeping positions for smaller people. If your child has pain concerns, this is also a great option. Since it’s a hybrid mattress, it provides enough support to keep their spine aligned, but it has enough cushion to keep them comfortable all night.
Learn more in the full Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams mattress review.
Best Hybrid Mattress for Kids – DreamCloud
The DreamCloud is a great hybrid option for kids, as it will give them support and pressure relief for their growing bodies. It also sleeps cool and offers temperature regulation. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The DreamCloud is a great hybrid option for kids, as it will give them support and pressure relief for their growing bodies. It also sleeps cool and offers temperature regulation. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The DreamCloud is a great hybrid option for kids, as it will give them support and pressure relief for their growing bodies. It also sleeps cool and offers temperature regulation. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
The DreamCloud’s hybrid construction allows it to have foams on top for pressure relief and coils on bottom for support. Hybrid mattresses also tend to be durable, which is a great perk for growing kids and teens. Its medium-firm feel will keep the sleeper’s spine aligned and supported. The top layer is quilted with cashmere to give this bed a luxurious feel. It also does a nice job keeping sleepers cool due to its gel memory foam and pocketed coils.
Click here to read the full DreamCloud mattress review.
Best First Big-Kid Bed – Nest Puffin
The Nest Puffin is made for smaller children and is easily washable, making it a good choice for a first big kid bed. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Nest Puffin is made for smaller children and is easily washable, making it a good choice for a first big kid bed. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Nest Puffin is made for smaller children and is easily washable, making it a good choice for a first big kid bed. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Puffin Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
30 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Puffin Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
30 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Puffin Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
30 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
If you’re looking to switch your child from your bed or their crib to a bed of their own, you might want to take a look at Nest Bedding’s Puffin mattress. This affordable mattress comes in twin, twin XL, and full size and is designed for children under 120 pounds. The Puffin has a medium-soft feel that most young sleepers should enjoy. Additionally, this bed is made with CertiPUR-US certified foams and has no chemical fire barrier, making it a healthier option for children.
Learn more in our Nest Puffin review.
What Kind of Mattress Is the Best for Kids?
As a child gets older, their body will grow. But that shouldn’t mean purchasing a new mattress every year due to the outgrowing of their current mattress. Here are a couple of factors that will help you pick a bed that has longevity.
Growing Bodies and Mattress Size
The smaller the mattress, the quicker it’s outgrown. Twin, twin XL, or full-size beds are typically the best choices for children. Additionally, the twin and twin XL are going to be the most affordable.
While a full mattress is a bit more expensive, it does serve as an excellent size to allow for growth all the way to adulthood. Additionally, when your children are young, a full mattress allows you to comfortably lie with them, yet it also lets them grow into the bed and retain the constant comfort of the same childhood mattress.
A high-quality mattress can last eight to 12 years. It may cost a little bit more initially, but the benefit to your child’s long-term health and sleep will be well worth it.
Many kids experience soreness, poor sleeping habits, and a multitude of other uncomfortable sleep-related issues. These issues tend to be directly correlated to a low-quality mattress that provides minimal comfort for the child.
For example, hand-me-downs and cheap mattresses tend to be the underlying cause of poor sleep. Although a better-fitting mattress can be a little pricier, it’s worth the cost in the long run. If a young boy or girl is forced to sleep on an uncomfortable mattress, they can develop poor sleep habits at a young age. If a high-quality mattress is purchased, the comfort levels tend to skyrocket for the kids, creating an easier night’s rest.
High-quality sleep is extremely important for a child’s health. It impacts school performance, mood level, and a litany of other correlated factors. Good sleep creates good kids.
Support
Although comfort and support are often interpreted as the same dynamic, they are two completely different topics.
A supportive mattress will help maintain good spinal alignment during the night, while comfort deals more with preference regarding feel and firmness. If a child is not supported properly throughout their night’s rest, it can inhibit normal growth and have other negative impacts on their health. As a child grows, it’s extremely important their mattress supports their growth.
Additionally, as the child gets older, you should engage them in the purchasing process. Once your child reaches a certain age, they can typically describe their sleeping patterns, whether it’s on their back, stomach, or side. Some mattresses are better or worse-suited for different sleeping positions. For example, a very soft mattress is not ideal for stomach sleepers, and a super-firm mattress can create pressure points and poor support for side sleepers. As your children get older and begin to develop a more consistent sleeping style, these positional preferences become more important when selecting the best mattress.
Summary: The Best Mattresses for Kids
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Twin) | Coupon | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helix Kids | Editor’s Pick | $649 | Helix Coupon | Read Helix Reviews! |
| Nectar | Memory Foam | $499 | Nectar Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Leesa Studio | Affordable | $549 | Leesa Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Saatva Youth | Back Sleepers | $749 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Brooklyn Bowery | Stomach Sleepers | $749 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Bear | Active Kids | $748 | Bear Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Nolah Natural | Best Hypoallergenic | $1,799 | Nolah Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| DreamFoam Cool | Cooling | $524 | Dreamfoam Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| DreamCloud | Hybrid Mattress | $1,698 | DreamCloud Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Nest Puffin | First Big Kid Bed | $499 | Nest Coupon | Read Our Review! |
Our Methodology
We’ve reviewed more than 220 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, comfort, support, cooling, and edge support. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.
Kids are going to need different things from a mattress depending on their age, body type, and other individual factors. So we took various categories into account when selecting a bed for each superlative. For instance, kids experiencing growing pains are going to need a combination of comfort and support. Jump back to our mattress picks.
