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 for Kids with Growing Pains – Casper Original
- Best Bed-In-a-Box for Kids – Puffy
- Best Cooling Mattress for Kids – Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams
- Best Mattress for Active Kids – Bear
- Best First Big-Kid Bed – Nest Puffin
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
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Helix Kids Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Helix Kids Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
100 Nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
The Helix Kids is a hybrid mattress with a unique flippable design fit for children between the ages of three and 12. Each side of the mattress has its own firmness level, ideal for a particular age group. Between the ages three and seven, the firmer side is recommended, and for children between eight and 12, the softer side is recommended. This special feature means the Helix Kids should work for a wide range of sleeping types, which is ideal for kids, who are always growing and changing. The mattress is also made of antimicrobial, water-repellant, and hypoallergenic material.
If you like the Helix brand but aren’t seeing what you like with the Helix Kids, check out our review for the Helix Sunset, another option for lightweight sleepers.
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Kids – Nectar
The Nectar is a nice option for kids because it has a firmer-than-average feel that should offer most growing bodies adequate support. It also sleeps pretty cool, thanks to a gel infusion in its foam layer. The Nectar is a nice option for kids because it has a firmer-than-average feel that should offer most growing bodies adequate support. It also sleeps pretty cool, thanks to a gel infusion in its foam layer. The Nectar is a nice option for kids because it has a firmer-than-average feel that should offer most growing bodies adequate support. It also sleeps pretty cool, thanks to a gel infusion in its foam layer.Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
The Nectar’s all-foam construction creates a surprisingly supportive feel that’s great for back sleeping. The sleeper’s hips will be well-supported, which helps maintain spine alignment — an important feature for kids with growing spines! There’s also a comfort layer of gel memory foam to help prevent the formation of pressure points. And while many memory foams are known to trap body heat, the gel helps draw heat away from the sleeper.
Click here to read the full Nectar mattress review.
Best Affordable Mattress for Kids – Leesa Studio
The Leesa Studio is an affordable all-foam bed that should be a great fit for kids of all sleeping positions. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Leesa Studio is an affordable all-foam bed that should be a great fit for kids of all sleeping positions. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Leesa Studio is an affordable all-foam bed that should be a great fit for kids of all sleeping positions. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Studio by Leesa Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Studio by Leesa Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Studio by Leesa Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Finding a quality mattress for a reasonable price can be difficult, but the Leesa Studio delivers. Its medium-firm construction balances comfort and support with layers of plush memory foam and supportive poly foam. Consequently, it’s a mattress ideal for lightweight sleepers of all sleeping positions, so if your child changes sleeping positions as they age, the Leesa Studio should accommodate them very well. Additionally, the memory foam layers should provide plenty of contouring and pressure relief to children’s growing pains — another must when it comes to finding the right mattress for your kid.
Click here to read our full review of the Leesa Studio mattress.
Best Mattress for Back Sleepers – Saatva Youth
The Saatva Youth is specifically designed for kids and young teens, and has a medium-firm feel that back sleepers will love. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Saatva Youth is specifically designed for kids and young teens, and has a medium-firm feel that back sleepers will love. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Saatva Youth is specifically designed for kids and young teens, and has a medium-firm feel that back sleepers will love. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Saatva Youth Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Saatva Youth Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Saatva Youth Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
The Saatva Youth is luxury brand Saatva’s bed that is designed specifically for kids. It has a nice medium-firm feel that back-sleeping kids should especially love. Parents will like that the mattress cover is hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and perhaps most importantly, spill-resistant! This bed comes in a twin, twin XL, and full size (queen and king are not available). One thing to keep in mind is this bed is one of the pricier options on this list, but it still costs less than most adult mattresses.
Click here to learn more in our full Saatva Youth mattress review.
Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers – Brooklyn Bowery
The Brooklyn Bowery is a crowd-pleasing hybrid bed that combines support and pressure relief. It should be a great choice for lightweight sleepers who sleep on their stomachs. The Brooklyn Bowery is a crowd-pleasing hybrid bed that combines support and pressure relief. It should be a great choice for lightweight sleepers who sleep on their stomachs. The Brooklyn Bowery is a crowd-pleasing hybrid bed that combines support and pressure relief. It should be a great choice for lightweight sleepers who sleep on their stomachs.Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
The Brooklyn Bowery is a nice medium-firm bed-in-a-box that should be an excellent match for kids who sleep on their stomachs. Although the mattress’ firmness level is on the softer side, lightweight stomach sleepers should still feel plenty of support. And with the Bowery’s nice mobility, kids shouldn’t feel as if they’re sinking too far into the mattress. These features should promote great spinal alignment, something that can be tricky to find for stomach sleepers. Overall, the combination of comfort and support should be a solid match for kids who sleep on their backs as well, since the coils and pressure-relieving foam work to create that balance.
Click here to learn more in the full Brooklyn Bowery review!
Best Mattress for Kids With Growing Pains – Casper Original
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
If your child is experiencing growing pains, you’re going to want to find a mattress that will cushion their sensitive areas. The Casper provides that kind of pressure relief with its AirScape foam comfort layer. It also has another transition layer of soft foam, making it a nice, cushy option for achy kids.
Take a look at our full Casper Original mattress review.
Best Bed-In-a-Box for Kids – Puffy
The Puffy mattress has a medium-firm feel that should appeal to most young sleepers. It's also an affordable bed, which is great for parents looking to save. The Puffy mattress has a medium-firm feel that should appeal to most young sleepers. It's also an affordable bed, which is great for parents looking to save. The Puffy mattress has a medium-firm feel that should appeal to most young sleepers. It's also an affordable bed, which is great for parents looking to save.Puffy Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
101 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Puffy Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
101 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Puffy Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
101 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
The Puffy uses a mix of poly foam and memory foam to provide a balanced feel. If your child sleeps on their back or stomach, they should really enjoy the comfort and support this bed has to offer. The mattress also does a good job of sleeping cool. And as a bonus, there’s a stain-resistant cover that’s easy to remove. Kids tend to be prone to messes, so it’s nice to be able to quickly and conveniently wash this bed.
Think it’s the right mattress for your kid(s)? Read the full Puffy mattress review.
Best Cooling Mattress for Kids – Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams
The Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams is a cooling mattress that comes at a really affordable price. It also has a hybrid build, which is great for supporting growing spines. The Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams is a cooling mattress that comes at a really affordable price. It also has a hybrid build, which is great for supporting growing spines. The Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams is a cooling mattress that comes at a really affordable price. It also has a hybrid build, which is great for supporting growing spines.Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
This is a perfect mattress for a first “big kid bed” because it’s very cool, very comfortable, and accommodates all sleeping positions for smaller people. If your child has pain concerns, this is also a great option. Since it’s a hybrid mattress, it provides enough support to keep their spine aligned, but it has enough cushion to keep them comfortable all night.
Learn more in the full Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams mattress review.
Best Mattress for Active Kids – Bear Original
The Bear Original mattress is a bed designed with athletes in mind. It’s an all-foam bed that utilizes graphite-gel memory foam for a cooling effect and some serious pressure relief — both necessary for resting after practice or a workout. The Bear also has a Celliant cover, which Bear says can actually help with muscle recovery. We also found the Celliant cover did a great job of keeping the bed cool.
Learn more about this athlete-focused mattress in our Bear Original mattress review.
Best First Big-Kid Bed – Nest Puffin
The Nest Puffin is made for smaller children and is easily washable, making it a good choice for a first big kid bed. The Nest Puffin is made for smaller children and is easily washable, making it a good choice for a first big kid bed. The Nest Puffin is made for smaller children and is easily washable, making it a good choice for a first big kid bed.Puffin Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
30 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Puffin Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
30 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Puffin Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
30 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
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! |
| Brooklyn Bedding Bowery | Stomach Sleepers | $549 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Saatva Youth | Back Sleepers | $749 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Casper Original | Growing Pains | $895 | Casper Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Puffy | Bed-In-a-Box | $999 | Puffy Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams | Cooling | $524 | Dreamfoam Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Bear | Active Kids | $748 | Bear 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.
