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Graduating from a crib to a big kid bed is a significant milestone, and finding the right mattress to match can feel just as momentous. It has to be cozy, supportive, water-resistant, and safe enough to keep up with busy little bodies (and all their bedtime adventures).
That’s where the 5 Little Monkeys Original Memory Foam Mattress Bundle comes in. Designed specifically for children ages 3 to 12, this all-in-one sleep setup includes a pressure-relieving memory foam mattress, organic sheets, a washable waterproof protector, and a child-sized pillow to support growing bodies.
Since 2014, our certified sleep science coaches have helped over 60,000 people discover the best mattress for them. With hands-on testing of more than 330 beds under our belt, we rely on a proprietary review methodology grounded in medical expertise to deliver reliable, in-depth insights you can trust.
We also rely on a network of medical professionals, such as board-certified doctors, physical therapists, registered nurses, and sleep specialists. These experts review our findings and ensure they’re accurate from a medical perspective. We work closely with our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, who provides our readers with advice for common sleep issues and pain concerns.
Read on to see how the 5 Little Monkeys mattress performed on all our tests.
With a dynamic foam design, the 5 Little Monkeys mattress should support a variety of ages. Your child can start sleeping in it as early as 5 years old, with the bed lasting until they’re at least 13. And despite a dense, all-foam construction, we actually found that this mattress sleeps quite cool. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“Finding the perfect first “big kid” bed for your child can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. As you begin your search, stay on the lookout for ultra-soft foams as they’ll be able to better support your child’s light frame. You’ll also want to ensure that the bed is durable enough to hold up through marathon jumping sessions and pillow fights. And finally, you’ll want it to sleep cool, so find a bed designed with temperature regulation in mind. In my opinion, the 5 Little Monkeys mattress checks all these boxes with its gentle comfort and transition layers, solid foundation and cooling gel-infused memory foam.” – Logan Block, former content director
5 Little Monkeys Mattress Overview
The 5 Little Monkeys mattress is made with growing bodies in mind, featuring a gentle, pressure-relieving memory foam core and medium-firm support. It also comes with a breathable organic cotton cover that’s machine washable for accident-prone kiddos.
During testing, the mattress earned a 4 out of 5 for cooling, thanks to its naturally breathable materials and organic cotton surface and layer of phase change material to help regulate temperature throughout the night. It also secured a perfect 5 out of 5 in edge support, meaning kids can stretch out fully or sit on the edge without sagging or rolling off, which is especially helpful for toddlers learning to sleep independently.
With its kid-first design, durable construction, and thoughtful extras, this mattress-and-bedding bundle checks all the boxes for comfort, safety, and peace of mind.
5 Little Monkeys Mattress Review Video
See below for our video review of the 5 Little Monkeys mattress after being run through our rigorous testing methodology. Note: We’ve recently retested this mattress, so the scores in the video may not reflect the ones in the written review.
5 Little Monkeys Value
When determining the value of the 5 Little Monkeys mattress, our team looked at how the materials and performance align with the price point. The 5 Little Monkeys mattress comes with third-party certifications, including OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and GREENGUARD Gold, that ensure the mattress is free from fiberglass and other harmful substances. We were also impressed with the 5 Little Monkeys mattress’s cooling and edge support.
A twin size currently costs $806 before any discounts. You can also purchase a full-size and queen-size version at $1,135 and $1,275, respectively. While this is on the higher end of kids’ mattresses, I still think it’s a good value. With proper care, this USA-made mattress is durable and should last your child until they reach their teen years.
5 Little Monkeys Comparison
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| 5 Little Monkeys Mattress | BB Kids | Nectar Kids Mattress | |
| Rating | |||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Firm: 8/10 |
| Material | Foam | Foam | Foam |
| Cooling | — | — | — |
| Best For |
Kids
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Kids
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Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Kids |
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What Is the 5 Little Monkeys Made Of?
To get a closer look at the construction of the 5 Little Monkeys mattress, we cut into the side and examined each layer. This 8-inch all-foam mattress features a soft, breathable organic cotton cover and a multi-layer foam core that balances pressure relief with firm support. Like many high-quality children’s mattresses today, it’s hypoallergenic and free of fiberglass for added safety and peace of mind.
Take a closer look at the layers below:
Cover – The top layer is made from stretch-knit organic cotton and includes phase change material for added cooling. It is OEKO-TEX-certified, has a soft cream tone, and features noticeable perforations that enhance airflow.
Comfort Layer – Just beneath the mattress cover is 1.5 inches of plush, high-density memory foam. This layer gently cradles the body, cushioning the shoulders and hips.
Transition Layer – The next layer is 1.5 inches of more responsive, medium-firm foam that adds a bit of bounce and keeps sleepers from sinking too far into the bed.
Support Layer – Finally, the base of the mattress consists of 5 inches of dense, high-support foam. This layer gives the mattress its shape, reinforces the edges, and supports healthy spinal alignment for lightweight sleepers.
5 Little Monkeys Mattress Firmness
Mattress firmness is mostly subjective. What feels like a plank of wood to one sleeper might feel like a cloud to another. To better understand how a mattress feels for different sleepers, we invite multiple expert testers to lie on the bed in three sleeping positions. Each tester provides their personal firmness rating, which we use to find the average firmness score. We score firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. For reference, a score of 6.5 out of 10 represents a medium-firm mattress, which is the most common firmness.
Mattress tester Riley Otis gave the 5 Little Monkeys mattress a 6.5 out of 10, placing it right at the industry standard of medium-firm. As an adult, she was surprised at how much support each of the bed’s memory foam layers offered.
“The bed is way more supportive than I would have expected,” Riley said. “I think this bed could also be a good option for guest rooms or college students. My hips felt lifted and in line with my shoulders, and there was some subtle cushioning at the lumbar region that felt very soothing.”
Meanwhile, our kid tester, Conrad, found the mattress to be a little firmer and gave it a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale. Overall, he found it particularly comfy on his stomach and felt supported across every sleeping position.
5 Little Monkeys Mattress Performance
When testing the performance of the 5 Little Monkeys mattress, we wanted to determine if a child could sleep comfortably on this bed. As Dr. Raj Dasgupta, our chief medical advisor, notes, improving sleep quality in kids under 12 can “lead to better performance in school and being nicer to parents.” He also emphasizes the importance of firmer mattresses for children under 7 to support proper spinal alignment.
For this reason, mattress testers Sosha Lewis and Riley teamed up with 10-year-old mattress tester Conrad to assess the 5 Little Monkeys mattress in pressure relief, cooling, and edge support. Together, they performed numerous tests and gained further insights into how the bed performs.
5 Little Monkeys Cooling
Hormonal shifts and natural changes in body temperature can make growing children overheat at night. That’s why choosing a cooling mattress with reliable temperature-regulating features is essential for providing a comfortable sleep environment. To evaluate the 5 Little Monkeys mattress, Sosha performed multiple tests, including a thermal gun test, a hands-on temperature feel test, and a close examination of the cover materials. Based on these tests, Sosha gave the 5 Little Monkeys mattress an impressive 4 out of 5 for cooling.
Thermal gun test: Before lying on the 5 Little Monkeys mattress, Sosha used a thermal gun to measure the initial surface temperature. Next, she lay on the bed for five minutes before getting another temperature reading. For reference, if the temperature increases by fewer than 5 degrees, we consider it to have excellent cooling. An increase of 5 to 10 degrees indicates good cooling, 10 to 15 degrees indicates decent cooling, and more than 15 degrees indicates poor cooling.
During this test, Sosha recorded an increase of 7.4 degrees after 5 minutes, meaning that the 5 Little Monkeys mattress has some solid cooling abilities.
Cover test: The cover test is simple. During this test, Sosha felt the surface of the 5 Little Monkeys mattress to see if it was cool to the touch before lying down. When she felt the cover, Sosha said, “I think it feels pretty cool to the touch when pressing my hand against the mattress.”
Feel test: Sosha also paid close attention to her body temperature during the thermal gun test to see if she would feel the bed warming up.
“I could feel the mattress getting warmer under my body, but it wasn’t unpleasant,” Sosha said. “The cover still felt cool beneath my body. I was a little surprised to see that it heated up as much as it did, but I don’t think it will overheat little kids.”
5 Little Monkeys Edge Support
When testing mattresses for children, we focus on edge support to determine if kids can use the entire surface area of the mattress. Since your child will likely be sleeping on either a twin or full-size mattress, there will be less room for them to spread out. A sturdy mattress perimeter is crucial on smaller models because it allows sleepers to roll to the edge of the bed without feeling unsupported or rolling off. A strong mattress perimeter can also assist children and parents with mobility issues, as it allows these sleepers to bear down on the side of the bed when getting in and out.
After Riley performed our tape measure, seated, and full-body edge support tests on the 5 Little Monkeys mattress, she gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 for edge support.
Tape measure test: Up first is our weighted edge support test. During this test, Riley placed a 45-pound weighted plate directly on the edge of the 5 Little Monkeys bed and used a tape measure to measure how much the layers sank beneath the weight.
Riley measured only half an inch of sinkage on the 5 Little Monkeys mattress, which was outstanding. These results suggest that the mattress is unlikely to sink much under weight, particularly around the perimeter of the bed. Riley gave the 5 Little Monkeys mattress a perfect 5-star rating on the weighted edge support test.
Seated test: For the seated test, Riley sat on the side of the 5 Little Monkeys mattress and stood up several times. She found that the edge support on this bed was super solid, especially for how short it is.
“When I sat on the side of the bed, I felt completely supported with minimal sinkage,” Riley said. “I think parents could sit on the edge to tuck in the kid or read them a story and still feel supported.”
Riley also had 10-year-old Conrad perform the same test and offer his thoughts. “I think I would be able to sit here and tie my shoes,” he said. “It’s very easy for me to stand back up.”
Full body test: Finally, Riley lay directly on the perimeter of the 5 Little Monkeys mattress on her back, stomach, and side. Overall, she found that the edge of this mattress felt secure in every position.
“I felt supported on the edge in all three sleeping positions,” Riley said. “The bed itself is very supportive due to its dense memory foam, and I thought it was super strong from edge to edge. I don’t notice any significant dipping or sinkage, no matter how close to the edge I got.”
5 Little Monkeys Durability
When shopping for a mattress for kids, durability is a top priority. After all, the bed needs to keep up with a growing child. To assess durability, we consider the materials, the strength of its support system, edge support, and warranty. Beds that feature materials like high-density foams and show minimal edge sinkage are often better equipped to stand the test of time. We also look out for protective features like washable covers that can go a long way in preserving its overall condition.
The 5 Little Monkeys mattress checks all the boxes for long-term durability. It features a three-layer foam construction, with a dense support base that gives the bed structure and stability. Our testers gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 for edge support, which is exceptional for an all-foam bed. The bed also comes with a machine-washable, waterproof protector to shield it from spills and accidents. Backed by a 15-year warranty, the 5 Little Monkeys mattress should last well into the tween and teen years.
5 Little Monkeys Performance Scores
| Test | Product Score | Average Score |
| Firmness | 6.5 | 6.7 |
| Cooling | 4 | 4.1 |
| Edge Support | 5 | 4 |
| Off-Gassing | 5 | N/A |
| Trial Period | 3.5 | 4.3 |
| Warranty | 4 | 4.6 |
| Full Rise | 5 | N/A |
| Unboxing/Moving | 5 | 3.5 |
5 Little Monkeys Sleeping Position and Body Weight
A sleeper’s position and body weight play a major role in how a mattress feels. Most children fall into the lightweight category (under 130 pounds), but the 5 Little Monkeys mattress may also suit some teenagers or older sleepers who prefer a medium-firm sleep surface. It could even work well in secondary spaces, including guest rooms or vacation homes. Keep in mind that a mattress that feels firm to a child may feel much softer to a heavier sleeper who weighs more than 230 pounds.
Below, we break down how the 5 Little Monkeys mattress is likely to feel for different types of sleepers.
Before we dive into our recommendations, though, we want to recognize that people come in all shapes and sizes, and people of every size deserve a mattress that works for their body type. We use the weight categories light, average, and heavy to more easily categorize sleepers based on how mattresses will perform for their body type, as most mattresses are designed for the group we call “average” (130 to 230 pounds).
As a general takeaway, lighter sleepers don’t require as much support as average-weight sleepers, and mattresses will tend to feel firmer to them. On the other hand, heavy sleepers tend to need more support than average-weight sleepers and sink into the mattress more. As far as sleeping positions go, side sleepers likely need a softer mattress while stomach sleepers usually need a firmer, more supportive one. Back sleepers are usually somewhere in the middle.
Is the 5 Little Monkeys a Good Mattress for Light Sleepers (Under 130 pounds)?
- Lightweight Back Sleepers – Lightweight back sleepers should get enough lift around their lower bodies to help maintain healthy spinal alignment.
- Lightweight Side Sleepers – The 5 Little Monkeys mattress might be too firm for side sleepers with sensitive joints. However, older side-sleeping kids and teenagers should appreciate the bed’s cushioning memory foam layers.
- Lightweight Stomach Sleepers – This mattress should offer ample support to keep these stomach sleepers‘ hips elevated and aligned with their shoulders, which should help prevent back pain.
Is the 5 Little Monkeys a Good Mattress for Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 pounds)?
- Average-Weight Back Sleepers – Average-weight back sleepers will likely sink more into the mattress, particularly around the lower back. Generally speaking, most of these sleepers should still feel adequately supported on this mattress. However, some may find that it sinks in too much due to the bed’s short height.
- Average-Weight Side Sleepers – Sleepers in this weight category should sink further into the mattress layers and experience more contouring. I think this mattress would work for side sleepers who don’t have sensitive joints or pain.
- Average-Weight Stomach Sleepers – Stomach sleepers in this weight category will likely find that their hips sink in too deeply, putting their spine in an unhealthy position. These sleepers would fare better on a firmer mattress or a hybrid model.
Is the 5 Little Monkeys a Good Mattress for Heavy Sleepers (over 230 pounds)?
- Heavy Back Sleepers – Unfortunately, the 5 Little Monkeys mattress will not offer these sleepers enough support. At only 8 inches tall, these sleepers will likely find that the layers compress too much, leading to poor spinal alignment and discomfort.
- Heavy Side Sleepers – Similar to back sleeping, side sleepers over 230 pounds will not get enough support on this mattress.
- Heavy Stomach Sleepers – This mattress doesn’t offer enough support for heavier stomach sleepers, as the hips may sink too deeply, placing added stress on the lower back.
My Final Thoughts About the 5 Little Monkeys Mattress
That’s it for all of our tests. Now, it’s time to determine if this mattress is a good fit for your kid. Here are some of my favorite things about the 5 Little Monkeys mattress, as well as some things to keep in mind.
Who I Recommend the 5 Little Monkeys For
- The 5 Little Monkeys mattress offers comforting, medium-firm support for children between the ages of 3 and 12.
- It’s a good option for potty-training children, as the 5 Little Monkeys mattress features a machine-washable waterproof mattress protector.
- Teens and older back sleepers might also enjoy the mattress’s medium-firm feel.
Who I Don’t Recommend the 5 Little Monkeys For
- The 5 Little Monkeys mattress might be too firm for side sleepers with sensitive joints.
- This mattress isn’t supportive enough for sleepers with bigger bodies.
5 Little Monkeys Pricing and Sizing
The 5 Little Monkeys mattress is a relatively affordable option, with the twin and full-size models often going on sale for under $1,000. To save more, keep an eye on our coupons to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 39″ x 75″ x 8″ | $916.00 |
| Full | 54″ x 75″ x 8″ | $1245.00 |
| Queen | 60″ x 80″ x 8″ | $1535.00 |
5 Little Monkeys Policies
Before you buy a new mattress for your child, you should know how to make returns and get a full refund, how long the sleep trial is, and what the warranty terms are. Here’s an overview of 5 Little Monkeys’ most important policies.
| Warranty | 15-year warranty |
| Sleep Trial Period | 100-night sleep trial |
| Shipping/Returns | Free shipping and returns |
| Unboxing | A slight off-gassing odor that dissipates after 24 hours.According to the 5 Little Monkeys website, the 8-inch Original Memory Foam Mattress and Bedding Bundle is 49 pounds for the twin, 60 pounds for the full, and 69 pounds for the queen. Each of these sizes should be manageable for one person. |
| Full Rise | The mattress fully decompressed and was ready to use 24 hours after unboxing. |
| Customer Reviews | This bed earned an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 on the 5 Little Monkeys website based on 806 customer reviews. |
5 Little Monkeys vs. Competitors
Still not sure if the 5 Little Monkeys mattress is right for your little one? See how it stacks up against some of its competitors below.
5 Little Monkeys vs Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids
Like the 5 Little Monkeys mattress, the Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids is another all-foam model built for kids. It’s a little firmer than the 5 Little Monkeys mattress at 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale.
- Price: The BB Kids is much cheaper than the 5 Little Monkeys mattress bundle. All of its sizes are under $400 before any discounts or promotions. However, it doesn’t come with the same extras (like the machine-washable cover) that the 5 Little Monkeys does.
- Sleeping position: Both mattresses are firm enough to support stomach- and back-sleeping children. However, the 5 Little Monkeys mattress is a touch softer, making it a better option for side sleepers.
- Cooling: While neither mattress has specialized temperature-regulating features, the 5 Little Monkeys mattress outperformed the BB Kids in cooling.
- Body weight: Neither mattress is suitable for sleepers with bigger bodies. However, both of these mattresses could provide a short term solution for some average and lightweight adults.
Read more in our full Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids mattress review.
BB Kids
Product Details
Our Recommendation
5 Little Monkeys vs Nectar Kids
Unlike the 5 Little Monkeys mattress, the Nectar Kids is a flippable bed with two sides. One side is firmer for kids ages 3 to 7, while the other is softer for those 8 and older. Both sides of the Nectar Kids are firmer than the 5 Little Monkeys mattress; our testers rated the firmer side of the Nectar Kids mattress an 8 out of 10 in firmness and the softer side a 7 out of 10.
- Price: The Nectar Kids is cheaper than the 5 Little Monkeys bundle at $750 or cheaper before any promotions or discounts. However, the Nectar Kids does not come in queen-size.
- Sleeping position: Both mattresses are solid options for younger children who sleep on their backs or stomachs. However, older side-sleeping children will likely fare better on the 5 Little Monkeys mattress.
- Cooling: Despite having no special cooling features, The Nectar Kids outperformed the 5 Little Monkeys mattress on our cooling tests.
- Body weight: These mattresses are not firm or tall enough to support sleepers with bigger bodies. However, the Nectar Kids could be a good option for some average-weight and lightweight adults who prefer a firmer sleep surface.
Read more in our full Nectar Kids mattress review.
Nectar Kids Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Other Models from 5 Little Monkeys
Aside from the original 5 Little Monkeys memory foam mattress, the brand also offers a hybrid option that is one inch taller and includes innerspring coils for added support, responsiveness, and cooling. While we haven’t had the chance to test the hybrid model yet, we can anticipate that it facilitates better temperature regulation and might be a better option for children who tend to overheat. It also might be a more supportive option for teens and light- to average-weight adults. The 5 Little Monkeys hybrid mattress is also a bit more expensive than its all-foam counterpart.
Our Review Process
At Sleepopolis, our team of certified sleep science coaches personally test each mattress. We start by unboxing the mattress to figure out how difficult (or easy) it is to get the mattress from the box to the bed. Then, we spend time lying on the bed in different positions, taking time to assess it on our backs, stomachs, and sides. Next, we perform our Sleepopolis tests, using specialized tools to measure qualities like motion transfer, bounce, and pressure relief. Our last step is to open up the mattress and take a look at each layer. These steps allow us to give our final verdict on the mattress.
FAQs
What age is the 5 Little Monkeys mattress for?
The 5 Little Monkeys mattress is designed for kids ages 3 to 12, but it can also suit teens and some light to average-weight adults.
Where are 5 Little Monkeys mattresses made?
All 5 Little Monkeys mattresses are made in California.
Does the 5 Little Monkeys mattress have fiberglass?
No, the mattress is GREENGUARD Gold certified and completely fiberglass-free.
Is the 5 Little Monkeys mattress non-toxic?
Yes, it’s made with organic materials and certified non-toxic for a safer sleep environment.