Best Mattresses for Teens (2025), Comfort That Grows with Them

Finding the right mattress for teens means balancing comfort, support, and affordability. Thankfully, the Nectar Classic hits the sweet spot across the board. At just $649 for a queen-size mattress after discounts, the Nectar Classic offers incredible value, earning a 4 out of 5 or higher in key categories, such as cooling, edge support, and pressure relief.

Out of the many Nectar mattresses I have tested, the Classic memory foam model is a solid teen-friendly option for numerous reasons. Its cool-to-the-touch top layer makes it especially appealing for hot sleepers, which can be a common concern for young athletes and teens undergoing hormonal changes that affect body temperature regulation. 

I used a thermal gun during testing to measure the surface temperature of the mattress before and after lying on it for five minutes. Its surface temperature only rose 5.2 degrees after 5 minutes of rest, which is a rare feat for an all-foam bed, as they tend to trap heat. Based on these results, I gave it a 4.5 out of 5 in our cooling category.

The Nectar Classic also dominated our edge support test, another category where many memory foam beds fall short. I gave it a 4 out of 5 here because I was able to lie along the edge without feeling unstable, which is beneficial if your teenager likes to sprawl out. However, I did experience some sinkage when sitting on the corners, which might not be ideal for teens who use the edge of the bed to sit down and tie their shoes.

The Nectar Classic also continued to impress when it was time to test pressure relief. I gave it another 4-star rating for its ability to cushion key pressure points for both side and back sleepers. I especially appreciated how well it supported my lower back when lying flat and cradled my hips and shoulders when on my side.

I brought in our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, Dr. Joe Tedesco, for a second opinion. He was also impressed with this bed’s performance for side sleeping.

“For a side sleeper, this mattress provides awesome alignment,” he said. “I am experiencing some sinking in my hips, so my feet are a little higher. I don’t feel any significant pressure points when I’m on my side, which is a great thing. However, I do think there is potential for sleepers with bigger bodies to feel more pressure buildup in their hips over time.”

Overall, the Nectar Classic offers a compelling blend of cooling, support, and pressure relief, making it my top pick for the best mattress for teens. However, as Dr. Tedesco said, individuals who weigh over 230 pounds might experience more pressure buildup on this mattress over time.

Learn more about how this mattress performed on all our tests in our full Nectar Classic mattress review. If you’re looking for a mattress with a similar feel that can support sleepers with bigger bodies, check out the Leesa Plus instead.

If your teen has an affinity for the finer things in life, or if you simply want to invest in a luxury mattress that will hold up over time, the DreamCloud checks those boxes at an affordable price. The queen-sized DreamCloud often goes on sale for just under $700, and earned 4 out of 5 or higher in many of our testing categories, including edge support, cooling, and back pressure relief.

The hybrid design of the DreamCloud Classic is ideal for teens who tend to sleep warm, thanks to its breathable construction. This mattress features innerspring coils for airflow, and its cooling gel-infused memory foam creates a cool-to-the-touch surface. Our testers gave the DreamCloud an impressive 4.5 out of 5 in the cooling category.

“The cover felt chilly against my hands when I first pressed into the surface of the mattress,” said tester Riley Otis. “I couldn’t feel it heating up when I lay on it, either. I think the gel-infused memory foam helped keep the temperature neutral.”

Teens who frequently toss and turn to get comfortable will also appreciate its springy, responsive surface. Riley awarded the DreamCloud a perfect 5 out of 5 in this category, noting that it was easy to move around and change sleeping positions on this mattress.

“I found it incredibly easy to flip from my back onto my side and stomach, despite its plush cover layer,” Riley said. “The added cushioning didn’t inhibit my mobility or prevent me from easily moving from edge to edge. I think combination sleepers would be able to move around with no issues.”

Another area where the DreamCloud shines is in its back-sleeping pressure relief. For young athletes and teens who experience occasional lower back pain, this mattress offers grade-A spinal support without feeling overly firm. Riley gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 in this category for the way it cradled her lumbar area without sagging.

Dr. Joe Tedesco, our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, echoed her sentiments. “Stomach sleepers and back sleepers should find a lot of relief on this mattress,” he said. “It’s soft and cushioning around the hips when I’m on my back. I sink in just enough, and once I settle, I feel very supported.”

That said, the DreamCloud may not be ideal for every teen. Lightweight side sleepers (those under 130 pounds) may find it a bit too firm around the shoulders and hips. Riley gave its side-sleeping pressure relief a 3.5 out of 5, so teens who prefer a plush feel or complain about soreness in their shoulders and hips might prefer a soft mattress instead.

Head over to our full DreamCloud mattress review to see how it performed on all our tests. For something that’s a little on the softer side for lightweight sleepers, check out the Helix Sunset Luxe instead.

I often recommend the Helix Midnight mattress to folks who want solid performance without stretching their budgets. Frequently on sale for under $1,000, the Helix delivers durability, comfort, and support at a price that’s hard to argue with. During testing, it scored a 4 out of 5 higher in edge support and back-sleeping pressure relief.

Many cheap mattresses cut corners when it comes to materials and construction. Fortunately, the Helix Midnight proved to be an exception to that rule. Its rock-solid edge support is also an indicator of durability, meaning this mattress can likely keep up with growing bodies for years to come without sagging or wearing down. 

Tester Dan Caffrey gave it a 4 out of 5 in the edge support category, noting that while the layers compressed somewhat along the edge, he always felt secure.

“I could feel the layers collapse ever-so-slightly as I lay on the edge of the Midnight,” he said. “However, I never felt like I was going to roll off the bed. I could easily fall asleep on the perimeter if I had to.”

The next best thing about the Midnight is the balanced support it offers back sleepers. During testing, Dan gave it a 4 out of 5 for back-sleeping pressure relief. The Midnight offered enough give to cushion his lower back while still keeping his spine properly aligned, making it ideal for teens in growth spurts or dealing with occasional aches and pains.

However, the Helix Midnight may not be perfect for everyone. This mattress may fall short if your teen tends to sleep hot or frequently shifts positions during the night. While its plush topper offers deep, comforting pressure relief, Dan noted that it traps a bit of heat. Its softness may also make repositioning a bit of a challenge for sleepers who toss and turn a lot.

Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review to learn more about it before you buy. If you need a more responsive mattress, consider upgrading to the Helix Midnight Luxe instead.

Hybrid mattresses are an excellent option for most teens because they often provide the perfect blend of comfort, support, and durability. The WinkBed combines the pressure-relieving benefits of memory foam with the strong support of innerspring coils. During testing, we found that the WinkBed was a well-rounded choice for most sleepers. Mattress tester Riley Otis gave the WinkBed a 4-star rating or higher in edge support and back-sleeping pressure relief.

If your teen is transitioning from their childhood bed to a full-fledged, grown-up mattress, then you are probably looking for something that will last for years and grow with them. The good news is that the WinkBed has reinforced edges that help prevent sagging over time. Solid edge support typically indicates that a mattress is well-made and should hold up well for the long haul. Its fortified edges are also beneficial for teens who gravitate toward the edge of the bed. During testing, Riley gave the WinkBed a 4.4 out of 5 for edge support.

“I felt incredibly supported on the WinkBed, even at the far reaches,” Riley commented. “The perimeter of the mattress felt just as durable as the center, so I didn’t experience any uncomfortable sinkage or sagging.”

The WinkBed’s edge-to-edge support also contributes to some seriously nice pressure relief for back sleepers. Its innerspring coils, paired with the plush pillow top, offer the right balance of support and contouring. Riley rated its back-sleeping pressure relief at 4.3 out of 5, noting that the mattress elevated her hips and lower back, preventing any discomfort.

“I think the WinkBed will be a dream come true for most back sleepers,” Riley said. “In this position, it provides perfect spinal alignment. I don’t feel any pressure building up in my lower lumbar spine, and the cushioning from the pillow top makes this bed feel luxurious.”

The WinkBed is a strong performer in most areas; however, it’s worth noting that it didn’t rank as high in cooling or responsiveness compared to other hybrid mattresses. Teens who sleep hot or frequently toss and turn might find the WinkBed’s plush pillow top a little warm and somewhat less buoyant when switching between positions.

See how this model performed on all our tests in our full WinkBed mattress review. If you’re looking for something that excels in both cooling and responsiveness, consider upgrading to the WinkBed Plus.

Allergies can negatively impact sleep quality, so if your teen struggles with seasonal sniffles, a hypoallergenic mattress might provide some relief. As our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, explains, “Your mattress can worsen your allergies if it attracts dust mites, promotes the growth of mold, or contains allergenic materials.” 

Fortunately, the Nolah Natural is a latex mattress that offers a cleaner, more breathable sleep environment without sacrificing comfort or support. During testing, Riley awarded it a 4 out of 5 or higher in edge support and responsiveness.

Riley was particularly impressed with the edge-to-edge support on the Nolah Natural. She gave its reinforced perimeter a 4.8 out of 5 edge support score. While lying on the Nolah mattress, Riley felt elevated and stable, whether she was lying near the edge or sprawled across the center.

“I didn’t feel any significant sinkage or sagging, and I felt just as supported as I did in the center of the bed,” Riley said. “Not only can you use every inch of this mattress, but its perimeter should hold up without sagging for a long time.”

Aside from its consistent support, the Nolah Natural is highly responsive, which is a must-have for teens who frequently toss and turn at night. Thanks to the combination of bouncy organic latex and a sturdy coil system, Riley gave this mattress a perfect 5 out of 5 for responsiveness.

“Moving around on this mattress is a breeze,” she said. “I felt like I could simply bounce from one position to another.”

That said, no mattress is perfect, and the Nolah Natural is no exception. Its motion isolation scored just a 2 out of 5, meaning light-sleeping teens who share a bed with a pet may be jolted up whenever their fur baby decides to jump into bed with them. Its cooling was also only average, which might be fine for most teens, but those who sleep hot may prefer a mattress with more dedicated temperature-regulating features.

Learn more in our full Nolah Natural review, or if you want a bed with better cooling and motion-isolating abilities, check out the Nectar.

Sometimes, all you have to do to deal with a hot-headed, sleep-deprived teen is provide them with a cooler sleep surface. If you want to resolve those overheating struggles without lowering the thermostat, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is an excellent solution. During testing, I gave it a 4.5 out of 5 in cooling, thanks to its breathable innerspring design and temperature-regulating materials. I also scored it 4.3 in edge support, making it a well-rounded option for teens who need a supportive and refreshing sleep surface.

From the moment you lie down, the cool, crisp surface of the Signature Hybrid sets it apart from other mattresses. Its lightweight cover and airflow-friendly innerspring system work together to maintain a comfortable sleep temperature. 

During testing, I used a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature before and after lying on the mattress for five minutes, and it only increased by six degrees, which is a strong result for any mattress.

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid’s strong edge support plays a role in maintaining the bed’s shape and structure over time. Teens who sprawl out, toss and turn, or sit on the corners of the mattress should appreciate the added support around the perimeter.

Aside from cooling and edge support, this mattress also offers deep pressure relief for back sleepers. Before putting the Signature Hybrid into storage, I invited our chief medical product tester, licensed physical therapist, Dr. Joe Tedesco, to test it and offer his opinion. He was impressed with its pressure-relieving support in the back-sleeping position.

“This is a very supportive mattress,” said Dr. Tedesco. “It provides the perfect amount of lift around my hips to eliminate pressure in my lower back. I don’t feel any significant tension anywhere, actually.”

The only areas where I was left wanting more with the Signature Hybrid were responsiveness and motion isolation. If your teen frequently changes positions or shares the bed with a fidgety pet or sibling, they may feel more movement than on other mattresses that transfer less motion.

Interested in learning more about the Signature Hybrid? Check out our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress review to see how it performed on all our tests. For a more responsive mattress with stronger motion isolation, consider checking out the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe instead.

The Saatva Classic is ideal for back-sleeping teens because of its blend of support, responsiveness, and durability. Its unique dual-coil system and reinforced perimeter provide targeted lumbar support and spinal alignment; two essential features for growing back sleepers. Mattress tester Livvi DiCicco and I gave it a 4 out of 5 or higher in edge support, responsiveness, and cooling.

The edge support on the Saatva Classic is a slam-dunk. While testing the Saatva, Livvi, and I gave it a perfect 5 out of 5. A secure perimeter is essential for teens who sprawl out in their sleep or sit on the corners of the bed to get ready in the morning. It also helps us forecast how long a mattress will last, and in the case of the Saatva, you should expect to get a lot of mileage out of it.

“I didn’t need to use my hands getting in and out of this bed,” Livvi said. “There’s a bit of sinkage, but not enough to make me slide off the bed. I think it should work well for folks who sit on the edge of the bed to put their shoes on.”

Its tightly-wound coil-on-coil construction also contributes to impressive responsiveness. The surface of the Saatva feels similar to a trampoline, which makes it easy to adjust positions or get in and out of bed without feeling stuck. This feature is particularly beneficial for back sleepers who occasionally rotate to their side or stomach at night. Livvi and I gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 in this category, too.

Even with a foam comfort layer, the Saatva Classic showed impressive temperature-regulating capabilities during testing. This mattress only increased in temperature by 7.8 degrees during our thermal gun test, earning a 4 out of 5 for cooling.

However, it’s worth noting that motion isolation is where the Saatva Classic falls short. With its bouncy, innerspring feel, it scored just a 2.8 out of 5 in this category. Livvi, who has a Saatva Classic at home, observed that the bed easily transfers movement, which is something to consider if your teen shares the bed with their pup or has frequent sleepovers.

Additionally, the firmer feel and coil-on-coil design may not be as forgiving for side sleepers. During testing, our chief medical product tester, Dr. Joe Tedesco, noted the potential for pressure buildup around the shoulders and hips in this position.

Want to see how the Saatva performed on our other tests? Read our full Saatva Classic mattress review to learn more. If you’re concerned about potential pressure buildup in your teen’s shoulders and hips, consider getting the all-foam Saatva Contour5 instead.

For teens with larger body types, a mattress needs to offer long-lasting comfort, support, and edge-to-edge stability. The Brooklyn Bedding Titan Plus is my pick for the best mattress for teens over 230 pounds, because it scored 4.5 stars or higher in edge support and responsiveness.

The Titan Plus features high-density foam and heavy-duty pocketed coils to support larger bodies. Mattress tester Sosha Lewis praised its consistent support that extended to the far reaches of the mattress surface. She gave it a 4.6 out of 5 for edge support, which indicates that this mattress should hold up well over time.

“I felt very secure on the perimeter of the Titan Plus,” Sosha said. “I found it easy to switch positions on the edge. I was super supported across the entire surface of the mattress.”

That same uniform support also delivered impressive pressure relief, particularly for side sleepers with bigger bodies. Despite its firmer-than-average surface, Dr. Joe Tedesco, our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, was surprised at how effectively the Titan cushioned his shoulders when lying on his side.

“I was surprised to find myself more comfortable on my side on this mattress,” said Dr. Tedesco. “I thought I would feel more pressure buildup in my shoulder, but I didn’t feel much at all.”

Perhaps most impressive was the 5-out-of-5 score in responsiveness. This trait is especially crucial for teens who are combination sleepers. The springy surface of the Titan Plus should enable these sleepers to quickly switch between different positions without feeling stuck in the mattress layers.

“It was very easy to move from one position to the other,” Sosha said. “There was minimal to no resistance. Combination sleepers should appreciate how easy it is to move. You feel on top of this bed rather than down in it.”

That said, keep in mind that the Titan Plus is firm by design. This firmness will likely be a boon for teens with bigger bodies; however, it may feel too stiff for lighter sleepers or those with joint sensitivity. In those scenarios, a slightly softer model, such as the Titan Plus Elite, may be a better fit.

Read our full Titan Plus mattress review to see how it performed across all of our testing categories.

The super-supportive Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm is perfect for teens who prefer a bed with more structure. As one of the firmest mattresses we have tested, the Plank offers consistent support and long-term durability. While its two-sided construction allows sleepers to choose between a firm and extra-firm surface, it was the extra-firm side that truly impressed us during testing. Sosha Lewis gave it a 4 out of 5 or higher in both edge support and cooling.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Plank earned a 4.4 out of 5 for edge support, thanks to its unwavering stability across its entire surface. This level of firm support is particularly beneficial for teens who sleep on their backs and stomachs. These sleepers require a steady surface to keep their hips elevated and their spines in healthy alignment.

“I felt very supported on my side, back, and stomach,” Sosha said. “I wasn’t afraid of rolling out of bed in any position.”

The Plank Firm also performed surprisingly well in our cooling tests, which is a rare achievement for high-density memory foam mattresses. Mattresses with dense memory foam in their construction typically tend to retain more heat. 

Using a thermal gun, mattress tester Riley Otis measured only a 5-degree increase in surface temperature after five minutes of resting on the extra-firm side, which helped it earn a 4-star score in the cooling category.

“This bed stays surprisingly cool for an all-foam model,” Riley said. “While I don’t think the bed feels particularly chill to the touch, it doesn’t feel hot either. I couldn’t notice the Plank heating up too much when lying on it.”

However, the Plank Firm isn’t for everyone. The ultra-firm surface lacks the softness needed to cushion high-pressure areas, such as the hips and shoulders. Teens who are side sleepers or have joint sensitivity may find it too stiff for comfort and would benefit from a mattress with more contouring and pressure relief.

Head over to our full Plank Firm mattress review to learn more about this model. For something that offers more cushioning around the hips and shoulders, consider the Saatva Rx instead.