Best Mattress for Teenagers

Written by Dan Caffrey, Editor

Our Methodology

Our Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 220 mattresses in our lab, testing each one on its materials, comfort, cooling, support, and other categories.
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Just Updated

We’ve recently re-reviewed all of our top picks for the best mattresses for teens and added more feedback from the testers in our lab – so you can rest easy that if it’s on this list, we’ve personally tested it, slept on it, and stand by its recommendation.

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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, we’ve created a list of the best mattresses for teenagers. After discussing our selections, we’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!

Our Top Pick for Best Mattress for Teenagers

The Helix Midnight won our top spot as the best mattress for teenagers because of its comfortable mix of pressure relief and support, cooling capabilities, and incredible edge support. This high-quality mattress should be durable enough to last a teen into adulthood or transition into a guest bed.

Best Mattress for Teenagers

• Best Overall Mattress for Teens – Helix Midnight
• Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers – WinkBed
• Best Hypoallergenic Mattress for Teens – Nolah Natural
• Best Mattress for Teen Back Sleepers – Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
• Best Luxury Mattress for Teens – DreamCloud
• Best Value Mattress for Teens – Nectar
• Best Extra-Firm Mattress for Teens –  Plank Firm
• Best for Heavyweight Teens – Titan Plus
• Best Cooling Mattress for Teens – Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

Comapre The Best Mattresses for Teens

Best Overall Mattress for Teens – Helix Midnight

Expert Opinion

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. With a medium feel, back and side sleeper teens should both sleep cozy on the Midnight.

We put the Helix Midnight through our pressure map test so we could assess which sleeping positions it’s best for. Using a thermal mat that we spread across the mattress surface, we measure high, moderate, and low pressure. While testing the Helix Midnight, we found impressive pressure relief in the back sleeping position, as we only found blue and a touch of green (low pressure) on the map. Side sleeping, we did see some yellow (moderate pressure) at the shoulder and hip, but this is to be expected. This sleeping position does put pressure on these areas, but it’s nothing to be concerned about. Because we saw no indications of extreme pressure buildup (indicated with the colors orange and red), we determined folks with back pain and joint pain should find relief on the Helix Midnight.

What our tester says: “I would recommend it for side or back sleepers, because it’s supportive without putting pressure on your joints.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Many customers selected the Helix Midnight because of the company’s 30-second Sleep Quiz. We recommend letting your teen take it, so they can find which Helix model is best for their needs.

Pros of the Helix Midnight Mattress

• The Helix Midnight is a wonderful option for combination sleepers. It provides an uplifted, “on top of the bed” feel that makes it easy to switch between sleeping positions.
• As a hybrid mattress with a thick layer of pocketed coils, the Helix Midnight has lots of room for airflow, resulting in an overall cooler sleep experience.
• The Helix Midnight has reinforced edges along the long sides of the bed, so if you’re buying a smaller size for your teen or if they love to sleep on the edge, they should feel well supported.

Cons of the Helix Midnight Mattress

• The Helix Midnight is too soft for most stomach sleepers. A firmer feel will better support their spine.

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

Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers – WinkBed

Expert Opinion

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 our choice for the best mattress for combination sleepers. A layer of pocketed coils gives it a sturdy foundation which helps with spine alignment. The WinkBed mattress is offered in three different firmness levels: Soft, Luxury Firm, or Firm. We recommend combo sleepers go with the Luxury Firm model, since this one has a medium-firm feel that supports various sleeping positions.

While testing the WinkBed, we rolled on the mattress to test its responsiveness. We found it extremely easy to move around on. It’s also features great motion isolation, meaning if you sleep with a partner, you shouldn’t feel their movements.

What our tester says: “I found the WinkBed to be a comfortable and highly supportive mattress. Lying on the bed, I felt the uplift from the sturdy base, but still felt the plush cushioning of the pillow top layer above.” — Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer

What Customers Say

Many customers with joint pain— from sensitivity in the hip and shoulder to the lower back —feel lots of relief on the WinkBed mattress.

Pros of the WinkBed Mattress

• The WinkBed is a great option for those who run warm at night, as it features a cooling Tencel cover, gel-infused foam to draw heat from the body, and tall, breathable coils.
• The WinkBed is one of the sturdiest, most supportive mattresses out there, thanks to its more traditional, innerspring-style feel. This makes it ideal for teens experiencing back pain.
• If your teen weighs 250 pounds or more, the WinkBed should offer excellent support, thanks to its tall coil layer.

Cons of the WinkBed Mattress

• The WinkBed is a high-quality mattress, meaning it comes at a higher price. It may not be a fantastic option for shoppers with a tighter budget.

Read more in our full WinkBed mattress review.

Best Hypoallergenic Mattress for Teens – Nolah Natural

Expert Opinion

If your teen is sensitive to allergens, the Nolah Natural may be the solution you’re looking for. Made with hypoallergenic and eco-friendly materials — and free of harmful chemicals and substances — this hybrid bed will have your teenager rushing to bed with its soft, plush feel and natural cooling abilities. And as a bonus, this mattress comes with handles, so if a move to college or an apartment is in your teen’s future, this could be the mattress to get. 

What our tester says: “It has a very soft, plush feel that provides you some cushioning as well. I’d say you’re going to feel more “on top” of this bed than “in it” — thanks to its bouncy latex.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Reviews on Nolah’s site amount to 4.9 out of 5 stars, and several commenters praise the Nolah Natural’s quality materials. They say they not only get a good night’s sleep, but a safe one.

Pros of the Nolah Natural Mattress

• This natural mattress is made with naturally-cool Talalay latex, breathable cotton, and coils that allow for lots of airflow — no worries about overheating at night.
• The Nolah Natural provides the right balance of comfort and support for back sleepers, with support from the coils and pleasant cushioning from the latex.
• The latex foam offers sufficient cushioning for pressure relief around the shoulders and hips in the side sleeping position.

Cons of the Nolah Natural Mattress

• Overall, the Nolah Natural is just too soft for most stomach sleepers.

Head over to our full review of the Nolah Natural Mattress if you want to learn more.

Best Mattress for Teen Back Sleepers – Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid

Expert Opinion

Right away, there’s a lot to love about the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid, from the breathable cover made from organic cotton to a deep-contouring layer 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 layer of pocketed coils below.

Of course, we had to put this mattress through our pressure map test to determine whether it’s truly a good option for back sleepers. In this sleeping position, we found very little pressure buildup, signified by the colors blue and green. The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid should provide plenty of relief for the hips, but its coiled layer should still keep the body properly lifted.

What our tester says: “I really enjoyed how this mattress felt laying on my back and side.I was so comfortable and loved the medium-firm feel that had a touch of softness. I think the foam layers offered a contouring feeling while also making me feel supported.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Saatva customers are impressed with the customer service at all points of the mattress process. Reviewers say that Saatva representatives are professional and polite, and that their mattress was easy to order.

Pros of the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress

• If your teen switches between sleeping on their back and side, the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid is a good fit, as it’ll be comfortable in both positions and easy to move around.
• Gel-infused foams and breathable coils make this bed a cool sleep surface.
• The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid has excellent edge support, meaning your teen can sleep all the way to the edge of their bed without slipping off.

Cons of the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress

• The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid’s medium-firm feel is a bit too soft for most stomach sleepers.

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

Best Luxury Mattress for Teens – DreamCloud

Expert Opinion

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 could work well for teens, especially if they tend to sleep on their backs. This bed is also well-made and durable, so it should last your teen into their early adulthood or serve well as a guest bed when they leave home — and DreamCloud backs that quality up with a lifetime warranty.

One of the best parts about this luxury mattress is its cooling abilities. While testing this bed and surveying its construction, we found it has a number of cooling properties to prevent folks from overheating. At the top of the mattress, there’s a breathable cashmere cover. Beneath lies a cooling gel-infused memory foam comfort layer. The coils toward the bottom of the mattress provide lots of airflow.

What our tester says: “I really like how luxurious this mattress feels and how it could work for a variety of sleepers. Along with that, I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

There are many customers who enjoy the balanced feel that the DreamCloud offers.

Pros of the DreamCloud Mattress

• The responsiveness of the DreamCloud makes it a good option for sex and combination sleeping.
• A medium-firm feel that provides support and pressure relief around the lumbar works very well for back sleeping.
• As a more durable mattress, the DreamCloud could work well for some teens who weigh 250 pounds or more. The bed also boasts fantastic edge support, which is helpful in keeping heavy sleepers supported on the bed and preventing sagging.

Cons of the DreamCloud Mattress

• If your teen primarily sleeps on their side, the DreamCloud may be a touch firm for them.

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

Best Value Mattress for Teens – Nectar

Expert Opinion

The original Nectar mattress is the company’s flagship and most popular bed. It’s pressure-relieving as well as supportive, made with a thick layer of gel memory foam which has a doughy feel and allows the sleeper to really sink into its surface. This bed has a classic memory foam feel — lots of sinkage, contouring, and pressure relief. And it comes at a value price. You should find a queen size Nectar for less than $800 after discounts.

What our tester says: “I think the Nectar has a great classic memory foam feel. If you love deep sinkage and contouring, this is the mattress for you.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Many reviewers suffering from pain problems say they find lots of comfort on the Nectar.

Pros of the Nectar Mattress

• For those who like a soft, pressure-relieving feel on their back, the Nectar delivers that feel without sacrificing support and spinal alignment.
• The soft, conforming foams of the Nectar are ideal for side sleepers to get pressure relief on their joints.
• If your teen suffers from joint pain, they should find some relief on the plush foams of the Nectar.

Cons of the Nectar Mattress

• This bed is just too soft for most stomach sleepers to get enough support for their hips.

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

Best Extra Firm Mattress for Teens – Plank Firm

Expert Opinion

This mattress is called the Plank for a reason: Its extra-firm side is one of the firmest mattresses we’ve tested. We say extra-firm side because this all-foam bed is actually flippable, with a firm side and an extra-firm side. It’s almost like getting two mattresses in one — perfect for a teenager who prefers a firmer sleep experience but might still be trying to figure out exactly how firm they want to go.

As firm as this mattress is, we still think the softer side should be a phenomenal match for back sleeping. We didn’t see much pressure buildup in this position. Of course, the firm nature of this mattress helps stomach sleepers’ spinal alignment stay neutral.

What our tester says: “If you’re looking for the firmest mattress out there, the ultra-firm side of the Plank is the way to go.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

There are many customers who enjoy the extra-firm feel of the Plank Firm for their back pain.

Pros of the Plank Firm Mattress

• This mattress is incredibly responsive and should be a fantastic mattress for combination sleepers.
• The Plank Firm tested well for edge support. This means the perimeter of the mattress doesn’t collapse much under one’s weight. This is ideal for folks who sleep close to the edge of the mattress.
• If you have a teen athlete at home, the firm feel of this mattress may help alleviate back pain.

Cons of the Plank Firm Mattress

• An ultra-firm mattress naturally isn’t a good fit for side sleepers, who need plush cushioning around their shoulders and hips.

Check out our full review of the Plank Firm mattress if you want to learn more.

Best Mattress for Heavyweight Teens – Titan Plus

Expert Opinion

Made with heavy people (who weigh 250 pounds or more) in mind, the Titan is a sturdy and durable mattress. It is a hybrid mattress that includes the brand’s proprietary Titanflex comfort foam, pocketed coils, and high-density poly foam. These layers of foam deliver a satisfying balance of soft pressure relief and sturdy support, with a focus on bolstering heavy sleepers who tend to sink through more traditional structures.

We found some great pressure relief results on our pressure map for back and stomach sleepers. So, teens in this weight group should find the Titan provides plenty of support, while still being comfortable.

What our tester says: “The materials under the Titan Plus’ hood are sturdy and durable. You get just the right amount of cozy mobility on top, but the theme here is support.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Heavier shoppers find an ample amount of support on the Titan Plus. They also report finding relief from back pain.

Pros of the Titan Plus Mattress

• Heavy back sleepers should be ultra-cozy on the Titan Plus, as it provides an excellent balance of pressure relief and support.
• The supportive, firm feel of this bed should provide plenty of lift to keep stomach sleepers’ hips in line with their spines.
• For such a sturdy mattress, the Titan Plus isn’t too pricey. A queen size is just around $1,000.

Cons of the Titan Plus Mattress

• As this is a firmer bed, side sleepers may experience too much pressure buildup on their joints.

Interested in learning more about the Titan? Head over to the full review of the Titan mattress.

Best Cooling Mattress for Teens – Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

Expert Opinion

The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is a hybrid mattress designed with gentle foams and innovative cooling properties, making it worth considering if your teen is known to sneak the temperature down a degree or two at night because they run hot. The mattress comes with three different firmness levels: Soft, Medium, and Firm, so you can accommodate for your teen’s preferences. In our tests of the medium-firm mattress, we found it to be cooling, yet still soft and cuddly. 

What our tester says: “My favorite thing about this bed is how cooling it is. Even some of the best soft mattresses tend to sleep a little hot because of the snuggly foams they use. The Aurora Luxe really solves this problem with Phase Change Material and breathable pocketed coils.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Aurora Luxe customers say the cooling technology is extremely effective and prevents them from overheating.

Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress

• The Medium model we tested is an ideal fit for back sleepers, as it contours the hips while still lifting them up in alignment.
• The Aurora Luxe provides plush cushioning and we think the Soft version will be especially cozy for side sleepers.
• We found the Aurora Luxe had excellent edge support, meaning you can sleep all the way to the edge of the bed.

Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress

• For teens who weigh 250 pounds or more, the Aurora Luxe likely isn’t supportive enough.

Read our full review of the Aurora Luxe if you want to learn more.

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, we’ll share our general suggestions for how to use firmness. We 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.

We 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, we’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, we 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.

How Do We Determine Firmness?

Firmness is inherently subjective — the way a mattress feels to you can be different than how it feels to someone else. However, we still like to rate a mattress’s firmness to give you an idea of how it might feel. To determine the rating, we lay on the mattress in multiple sleeping positions and consider how it compares to other beds we have tested. We also get opinions from multiple team members, to ensure multiple perspectives.

Support

When we talk about support, we are referring to how well the mattress keeps your spine aligned and your shoulders well positioned so that it’s comfortable in any sleeping position. We are 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.

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

What Are the Best Cooling Mattresses?

If you’re looking for an ultra-cool sleep experience, we recommend looking for a mattress made with latex foam (which maintains a naturally cool temperature), a mattress with Phase Change Material or a similar material in the cover (which adapts to your body temperature), or a breathable bed, such as a hybrid or innerspring (the coils allow air to flow throughout the bed). See our best cooling mattresses for more.

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 we 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 or another soft material. 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.

How We Chose These Mattresses

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 exclusively stuck to mattresses that scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in this category. Jump back to our mattress picks or click here to learn more about our methodology.

Recap of the Best Mattresses for Teens 2023

Mattress	Best For	Price (Queen Size)	Coupon	Review
Helix Midnight	Overall	$1,373	Helix Coupon	Read Our Review
WinkBed	Combination Sleepers	$1,799	WinkBed Coupon	Read Our Review
Nolah Natural	Hypoallergenic	$2,099	Nolah Coupon	Read Our Review
Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid	Back Sleepers	$1,795	Saatva Coupon	Read Our Review
DreamCloud	Luxury	$1,332	DreamCloud Coupon	Read Our Review
Nectar	Value	$1,049	Nectar Coupon	Read Our Review
Plank Firm	Extra-Firm	$1,332	Brooklyn Bedding Coupon	Read Our Review
Titan Plus	Heavy	$1,249	Brooklyn Bedding Coupon	Read Our Review
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe	Cooling	$2,265	Brooklyn Bedding Coupon	Read Our Review

Dan Caffrey

Editor

About Author

Dan is a Performance Editor and Certified Sleep Coach at Sleepopolis, where he writes and edits mattress roundups to give readers the most up-to-date information on sleep products. In 2020, Dan earned his MFA In Playwriting from UT Austin, and his plays have been seen around the country in Chicago, Austin, Washington D.C., and elsewhere. He’s also a pop-culture fanatic, having written for publications such as The A.V. Club, Consequence, Pitchfork, and Vox. He co-hosts two popular horror podcasts on the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network — The Losers’ Club: A Stephen King Podcast and Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast. When he’s not catching up on the latest King novel, you can find Dan in and around Brooklyn walking his dog Hank, seeing a play with his wife, and going to way too many concerts.

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