Best Mattress for Teenagers

It’s no secret that teenagers need their sleep. If you’re a parent or guardian of a teen who isn’t sleeping well, their mattress might be part of the reason. The fact is, some mattresses are just better for teenagers than others. And a restful night’s sleep is incredibly important for your teen’s growth and wellbeing.

Selecting the right mattress for your teen might seem daunting since there are so many options to consider. To help you out, I’ve created a list of the best mattresses for teenagers. After discussing my selections, I’ll emphasize three important factors when choosing the right mattress for you: firmness, pressure relief, and support.

A word of caution before we begin: Having the right mattress for your teen could make waking them up in the morning even more difficult than it already is. We at Sleepopolis absolve ourselves from any tardiness that may occur as a result. Faux disclaimers aside, let’s jump in!

Best Mattress for Teenagers

• Best Memory Foam Mattress for Teens – Nectar
• Best Hybrid Mattress for Teens – Helix Midnight
• Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers – WinkBed
• Best Mattress for Teen Back Sleepers – Saatva Modern Foam
• Most Affordable Mattress for Teens – Tuft & Needle
• Best Luxury Mattress for Teens – DreamCloud

 

How I Chose The Best Mattresses for Teens

When choosing my recommendations for the best mattresses for teenagers, I zeroed-in on specific features and performance factors that would benefit teens, such as firmness, support, and pressure relief. There are also some practical considerations when choosing a mattress for your teen, like price and company policies.

Each mattress on this list has something to offer in all of these areas. To show you the reasoning behind my suggestions, let’s dive into each one.

Best Memory Foam Mattress for Teens – Nectar

If you’re looking for a softer mattress that provides tension relief and a “hugging” feeling, then the Nectar mattress might be a good option to consider. Since it’s designed to take advantage of the soft, pressure-relieving properties of memory foam, I rate the Nectar as the best memory foam mattress for teens. While much of this bed is made up of memory foam, it does have a layer of high-density polyfoam to give the bed some structure and stability.

If your teen is a side sleeper, I think they’ll appreciate the contouring benefits of the Nectar’s memory foam, which should help alleviate tension and shoulder pain. It’s one of our best mattresses for shoulder pain.

But it’s not just for side sleepers. If your teen is a back sleeper and wants a plusher feel, then they’ll likely enjoy the two layers of memory foam. Plus, if you’re not looking to spend a ton on a new memory foam mattress, the Nectar is an affordable option.

Interested in learning more about the Nectar? Head over to my full review of the Nectar mattress!

Best Hybrid Mattress for Teens – Helix Midnight

Helix is unique because they offer a collection of hybrid mattresses that combine a layer of supportive, pocketed coils with one or more layers of foam. With six mattresses to choose from ranging from soft to firm, there’s a good chance your teenager will find a bed that matches their sleeping preference. Honestly, any of the Helix models could work for teens depending on their preferred sleeping position, but the Helix Midnight is the most universally loved model.

The Helix Midnight will help prevent heavier parts of the body, like the hips, from dipping too low – which is an important feature to avoid back and neck pain for stomach sleepers.  a solid choice for teens looking for a supportive mattress that feels like you’re sleeping “on the mattress” vs. “in the mattress.”

Learn more about this mattress in my Helix Midnight mattress review.

Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers – WinkBed

The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress that’s made with a plush, pillow-top layer. Its mix of soft foams and supportive coils makes it my choice for the best mattress for combination sleepers. A layer of pocketed coils gives it a sturdy foundation which helps with spine alignment. This is also beneficial if your teen changes between sleeping on their back and stomach throughout the night. And if they switch over to their side, they’ll get the pressure-relieving benefits of WinkBed’s pillow top.

The WinkBed mattress is offered in three different firmness levels: Soft, Luxury Firm, or Firm. I recommend combo sleepers go with the Luxury Firm model, since this one has a medium-firm feel that supports various sleeping positions. I also like how it’s got the bounce and mobility that makes swapping positions synch.

If your teen wants a firmer mattress, the WinkBed Plus might work well. This one’s better for heavier teens who want more support out of their mattresses. You can also check our picks for best mattress for heavy people for more options.

No matter which WinkBed you choose, you’ll always get a breathable Tencel cover.

Read more in the full WinkBeds mattress review.

Best Mattress for Teen Back Sleepers – Saatva Modern Foam

Right away, there’s a lot to love about the Saatva Modern Foam, from the breathable cover made from organic cotton to a layer of natural latex foam that feels like a pillow-top. But the crown jewel of this all-foam mattress is its patented lumbar zone quilting. That means the mattress is firmer toward the center, which helps sleepers keep a neutral spinal alignment. This is especially important for teen back sleepers whose bodies are still developing.  They’ll find further comfort in a layer of gel memory foam, balanced out by a 7″ layer of high-density base foam below.

The Saatva Modern Foam should also sleep cool because of the gel infusion, as well as a 2″ layer of egg crate-style foam that’s aerated for breathability.

For more details, check out our full review for the Saatva Modern Foam!

Best Affordable Mattress for Teens – Tuft & Needle

Last up on our list is the Tuft & Needle mattress. I chose this as the most affordable mattress for teens because of its no-frills design keeps the price low without dropping the quality.

Under its ventilated cover are two layers of polyfoam, one of which is high-density polyfoam. This material gives the bed plenty of support, especially for an all-foam mattress. It also features an open-cell design that promotes breathability and helps your teen stay cool throughout the night. And we all know how important it is for teens to feel cool (in more ways than one).

I think teens who prefer sleeping on their back or stomach will dig the Tuft & Needle. And when compared to other mattresses of a similar design, it has a super low price tag. Since teens are still growing, their sleep preferences could change, too. As such, buying a really expensive mattress for your teen might not be worthwhile. So if you’re shopping on a tight budget, this may be your best option.

Read the full Tuft & Needle mattress review to learn more.

Best Luxury Mattress for Teens – DreamCloud

The DreamCloud is a luxury hybrid mattress made with layers of memory foam and pocketed coils. Striking a super satisfying balance between pressure relief and support, it offers a great combination of support that back sleepers will really enjoy.

With great edge support, your teen will feel like they can really spread out over the entire bed. Also, if they run hot, it’s good to note that the DreamCloud’s breathable cashmere cover helps keep it cool, which is great news for those who run hot. And DreamCloud’s lifetime warranty is a promising sign that it won’t sag too quickly. 

For more details, check out the full DreamCloud review here.

Choosing the Best Mattress for a Teen

Firmness

A bed’s firmness is a good indicator of how much you will either stay “on top of” the mattress or sink into it. The softer the mattress, the more you’ll sink in. Even though each teen is going to have their own firmness preferences, I’ll share my general suggestions for how to use firmness. I use a firmness scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, 10 being the firmest, and 6.5 being the industry standard for medium-firm.

I typically suggest side sleepers going with something softer for pressure-relieving purposes. This also goes for teens dealing with lower back, shoulder, and/or hip pain — a plush surface will provide some cushioning at sensitive spots. In terms of the firmness scale, I’d say folks looking for a plusher mattress should stick within the 4 to 6 range.

If your teen is a strict back sleeper or a back/side combo sleeper, I suggest finding a medium-firm mattress. These mattresses give an even feel of support and pressure relief across the back and provide the support necessary to easily switch positions at night.

Support

When I talk about support, I’m referring to how well the mattress keeps your spine aligned and your shoulders well positioned so that it’s comfortable in any sleeping position. I’m certainly not saying that support and firmness are the same, since softer mattresses can still deliver ample support.

Good support can be especially important for teens suffering from hip, shoulder, and/or back pain. In addition, a supportive mattress will relieve tension for anyone, no matter their body shape. Similar to firmness, each teen is going to have their own preference when it comes to their ideal level of support.

The type of support you’re getting from a mattress can vary. If, for instance, your teen wants the kind of support that keeps them on top of the bed, a hybrid mattress that uses coils is the way to go. Normally, coils are made of steel or a similarly sturdy material, which lifts the body up more so than foam will. Other mattresses include zoned support. This gives the mattress various levels of pressure relief, depending on the area of the bed.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief refers to how well a mattress alleviates tension on different pressure points, like your hips, shoulders and thighs. Since pressure relief equals pain relief, a teen who suffers from aches and pains (particularly shoulder pain) will likely want a mattress that performs well in this area. A pressure-relieving mattress helps to evenly distribute your body weight, which can soothe aching joints and muscles.

I tested all of the mattresses on this list on their pressure relieving properties, which you can read more about in my full reviews. This involved lying down in various positions to make sure I wasn’t feeling any pushback (pressure) on certain spots, such as at my shoulders, hips, or lower back. I also use a pressure mapper to get a visual for how well it’s supporting my pressure points.

Cooling Properties

A mattress that does well at keeping your teen cool might include several features. One is a breathable layer that is aerated with holes that push air away from the mattress. Another feature is the use of moisture-wicking materials, which helps keep the BO at bay. The third feature commonly found in cooling mattresses is an infusion of body-heat-dissipating elements, such as graphite, copper, or a cooling gel, directly into one of the layers. So if your teen is prone to overheating at night, you’ll want to ensure that the mattress has at least one of these features.

Price and Company Policies

When shopping for a new mattress for your teen, price is probably an important consideration. While you don’t want to skimp on quality, the truth is your teen probably won’t be living with you forever. So, a super expensive mattress is probably out of the question. All of the mattresses I’ve included on this list come in under $1,200 for a Queen, with a majority under $1,000. If you’re looking for a smaller size like a Full, Twin or Twin XL, then you can expect to pay even less.

All of the brands featured in this guide also come with a generous trial period of at least 100 nights. This means your teen can sleep on the mattress for a few months to determine if it’s comfortable. If not, you can return the mattress for a full refund and try something new.

Which Size Mattress Should You Buy for Your Teen?

Size is another important consideration when choosing the best mattress for your teenager. The size you choose will depend on the room space you have available as well as the size and body type of your teen. Take a look at this mattress size guide to help you determine which size might work best.

Which Mattress Type Is Best for Teens?

The materials in a mattress can be a very important factor to consider. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each mattress type to help you decide.

Memory Foam

Earlier I mentioned how memory foam is great for contouring and pressure relief — especially if your teen is a side sleeper. Memory foam mattresses also tend to be less expensive than other types of mattresses since it’s a simpler design. It is worth noting that memory foam mattresses tend to trap body heat as you sink in, which can cause your teen to overheat. They also aren’t typically as durable as innerspring or hybrid mattresses, so you might have to replace it sooner than you’d like.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine springs or coils with one or more layers of foam. This provides a nice combination of sturdy support and cushiony pressure relief. There are some hybrid models that are more cooling than others, so you may want to go with something that uses at least one ventilated layer and/or has a layer infused with body-heat-dissipating elements such as copper or graphite. Hybrid mattresses will usually be a bit pricier than memory foam mattresses.

Latex

Latex mattresses provide great support and bounce, which is beneficial if your teen tends to move around a lot or change positions when they sleep. This material is also hypoallergenic and usually made with natural materials. With that, comes a steeper price tag. But you can expect a latex mattress to last you awhile.

Innerspring

An innerspring mattress uses coils at its base and a thin comfort layer of foam. While this means that it often comes at a lower price point than other types of mattresses, your teen isn’t likely to get a lot of pressure relief (unless they go with a model with thicker comfort layers, which will up the price). Still, if it’s a firmer mattress they want, the steel coils provide that in spades.

Recap of the Best Mattresses for Teens

• Best Memory Foam Mattress for Teens – Nectar
• Best Hybrid Mattress for Teens – Helix Midnight
• Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers – WinkBed
• Best Mattress for Teen Back Sleepers – Saatva Modern Foam
• Most Affordable Mattress for Teens – Tuft & Needle
• Best Luxury Mattress for Teens – DreamCloud

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.

As we outlined above, support is important for teenagers, especially because many of them have bodies that are still growing. With that in mind, we mostly stuck to mattresses that scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in this category, with the WinkBed scoring the highest at a perfect 5. The one exception is the Zoma Hybrid. Because it’s such a good mattress for side sleepers, it’s softer and more focused on pressure relief, scoring a 3.5 out of 5 on support. Jump back to our mattress picks or click here to learn more about our methodology.