9 of the best mattresses for kids and how to choose

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According to 2016 research, getting enough sleep is vital for children’s overall health, well-being, and school performance.

This article looks into what a person should consider when choosing a child’s mattress and lists some options to suit a range of sleep styles and budgets.

A quick look at the 9 best mattresses for kids

• Best overall: Saatva Youth Mattress
• Best for lighter kids: Puffin mattress by Nest Bedding
• Best for environmental certifications: Avocado Vegan Mattress
• Best for back or stomach sleepers: Tuft & Needle Original Mattress
• Best for odor prevention: Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
• Best for younger kids: Perfect Cloud Kids Signature Mattress
• Best flippable kids mattress: Helix Kids
• Best for kids to teens: Purple Kids
• Best for bunk beds: NaturePedic 2-in-1

Some considerations when choosing a mattress for a child include:

• durability
• toxicity
• breathability
• sustainability
• odor control

For children who overheat while sleeping, choosing a mattress that contains breathable materials, such as cotton and wool, might be a suitable option. Some mattresses contain gel, which provides a cooling quality.

Some mattresses are water repellant, which may be ideal for toddlers who wet the bed. However, it might still be a good idea to also use a waterproof mattress protector. Many mattresses have odor-control properties.

Learn about the best waterproof mattress protectors.

Children’s mattresses need to be durable so they can withstand bouncing and frequent movement. They also need to provide the right support and be the right size to fit a growing child.

A child may need new mattresses as they grow and their sleep habits change.

Medical News Today chooses mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet the following criteria:

• Certifications: Products that have CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means the products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
• Size: Products that are available in various sizes.
• Materials and fill: Products made from different materials and fills, such as memory foam and latex, to suit a range of sleep and lifestyles.
• Budget: Products to suit a wide range of budgets.
• Firmness: Mattresses that are available in a range of firmness options to suit most people’s sleeping styles.
• Sleep trials: Companies that offer a sleep trial.
• Shipping: Where possible, MNT will include shipping information, such as where the company delivers and whether shipping is free.
• Warranties and return policies: Products that carry warranties and clear returns policies.

Best overall: Saatva Youth Mattress

• Price: between $749–999
• Materials: organic cotton, proprietary quilt, natural thistle pulp flame retardant, memory foam, and steel coils
• Thickness: 10 inch (in)

Saatva claims this Youth Mattress is suitable for growing kids. One side is for children aged 3–7 years, the other for ages 8–12 years. A person can flip the mattress to adapt to growing children or different users.

The company writes this mattress is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. It also comes with a waterproof cotton cover.

Additionally, Saatva claims it holds CertiPUR-US certification for its foams, meaning they are free from harmful chemicals.

Customers can choose a free white-glove delivery and setup service. This product also comes with a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. Saatva will also remove a person’s old mattress for free.

Saatva has a 4.6 rating on TrustPilot, an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) score, and a 4.77 customer review score on BBB. Many customers mention good experiences with customer support and high quality products.

Due to its versatility, more affordable price, and white-glove services, this mattress may be a suitable choice for a wide range of people.

Best for lighter kids: Puffin Memory Foam Kids Bed

• Price: between $499–749
• Materials: proprietary foam, hydrogenated silica fire barrier, and thermal cooling cover
• Thickness: 7 in

Nest Bedding recommends this luxury firm Puffin Memory Foam Kids Bed for people who sleep on their back or stomach. It states that this mattress will support a child as they sleep and help to regulate their temperature overnight with its cooling Energex foam and breathable cover.

Manufactured in the United States, the company writes that all Nest Bedding mattresses have CertiPUR-US-certified foam bases. The company also claims this mattress is an eco-friendly option made with nontoxic materials.

The upper weight for this mattress is 110 pounds (lb).

The company has an A+ BBB rating but no customer reviews. On TrustPilot, reviews are also limited and overall award the company 3.4 out of 5. Complaints mention that the mattress caused back pain and issues with customer service.

Nest Bedding offers a lifetime warranty and a 30-night sleep trial.

Best for environmental certifications: Avocado Vegan Mattress

• Price: between $1,399–1,499
• Materials: organic cotton, organic latex, and support coils
• Thickness: 8 in or 13 in with the pillowtop

This vegan mattress has a medium-firm feel, which a person can soften by opting to add the pillowtop, which increases the height by 5 in.

Avocado writes this sustainable mattress holds numerous certifications, including:

• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
• GREENGUARD Gold
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100
• eco-INSTITUT certified
• Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
• USDA certified organic

The company claims that this mattress is comfortable and offers pressure relief.

It comes with a 25-year warranty, and Avocado also offers a 1-year trial.

On TrustPilot, the company has a 2.1 rating based on a limited number of reviews. Positive reviews mention comfortable mattresses and that customers appreciate the environmental certifications each mattress holds. Complaints mention sagging at the center of the mattress, which led to back pain, delivery delays, and issues with customer service.

On BBB, the company has a B score and a 2.3 customer rating. Many complaints focus on delivery delays, while positive comments mention durable products.

The company offers free returns on one mattress per order. This may not be suitable for people who need to buy multiple mattresses.

Best for back or stomach sleepers: Tuft & Needle Original Mattress

• Price: between $745–1,116
• Materials: proprietary foam and cooling gel
• Thickness: 9.5 in

This 9.5-in Tuft & Needle mattress contains 3 inches of a patented foam blend exclusive to the company, plus a cooling gel. It also uses graphite to draw heat away from the body.

The two foam layers aim to relieve pressure points and contour to the sleeper’s body. Tuft & Needle write that it also prevents a person from sleeping hot.

The company recommends this mattress for back and stomach sleepers and describes it as firm.

It comes in six sizes, two of which are twin sizes.

Tuft & Needle states this product has GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certified. It has also gone through Today’s Parent Approved testing, which is a program that involves parents testing products according to criteria important to families.

The company also offers a 10-year warranty and free shipping.

Tuft & Needle is accredited on BBB, and the company has a rating of 4.87 out of 5 stars.

Positive comments state that Tuft & Needle mattresses are comfortable and supportive.

Complaints mention problems with delivery and the durability of mattresses.

Best for odor prevention: Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress

• Price: between $118–135.99
• Materials: green tea infused memory foam
• Thickness: 6–12 in

The Zinus mattress includes a green tea infusion that the company claims control odors and charcoal that aims to keep the sleeper cool.

This may make this mattress a suitable option for children who tend to sleep hot.

It supports a maximum weight of 250 lb and comes in a range of thicknesses, from 6–12 in. A person can choose from a twin or narrow twin for children.

The company has a one-star rating on BBB and 110 unresolved complaints. Most of the complaints mention problems with Zinus products and warranty issues.

This mattress comes with a 10-year warranty and a 100-night trial when a person purchases it through the company’s website. Some customers warn that the trial is not available when purchasing from other sellers. Amazon offers a free 30-day return policy.

This is one of the most affordable options on this list, with all kids’ mattresses costing under $200.

Best for younger kids: Perfect Cloud Kids Signature Mattress

• Price: $389
• Materials: memory foam and charcoal
• Thickness: 7 in

The company designs this specifically for young children. This colorful blue or pink velvet mattress comes with a free pillow and teddy bear.

The thinner profile may suit smaller children.

The company writes that this mattress is hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and dust mite-resistant. It also claims it has CertiPUR-US certification.

Perfect Cloud states that charcoal-infused foam helps with odor control.

It also comes with a velvet cover for a soft feel and a 30-day trial. Buyers should note that removing the cover voids the warranty.

When buying from the company’s website, a person can add mattress removal and set up to their delivery for an additional fee of $125 per service.

Best flippable kids mattress: Helix Kids

• Price: between $649–899
• Materials: memory foam and innerspring
• Thickness: 8 in

This mattress features a combination of firmnesses on each side of the mattress. It is flippable, and Helix writes that the soft side provides pressure relief, and the firmer side supports development.

The brand says it is hypoallergenic, repels water and stains, and formulates it with nontoxic materials that include odor-fighting properties. The company claims it has CertiPUR-US certification.

The company offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 1-year warranty. On BBB, the company has an A+ rating and a 1.42 out of 5 customer review score. One positive review mentions good experiences with customer service. However, most complaints focus on delivery delays.

Best for kids to teens: Purple Kids

• Price: $699
• Materials: polyurethane foam, polyester, and proprietary GelFlex Grid
• Thickness: 7 in

Purple writes that this product is hypoallergenic, nontoxic, and durable. It also claims that its proprietary GelFlex Grid material and polyurethane foam has CleanAir and CertiPUR-US certifications.

According to the website, the brand designed this mattress specifically for kids from 3 years up to 14-year-old teens.

The GelFlex Grid aims to conform to a child’s body shape and movement as they sleep, so they stay supported overnight. The machine-washable cover has a breathable design to promote cooler sleep, paired with a temperature-neutral gel.

Purple writes that it also features a machine washable cover and offers cool sleep with its temperature-neutral gel and over 1,000 air channels.

On BBB, Purple has an A+ score and a customer rating of 4.15 out of 5 customer rating. The company closed 202 complaints in the past 3 years.

On TrustPilot, the company has 22 reviews with a rating of 2.3 stars. Positive reviews mention comfortable mattresses that helped to relieve pain. Most complaints revolve around product quality and customer support.

The company offers a 10-year warranty, a 100-night trial, and free shipping and returns.

Best for bunk beds: NaturePedic 2-in-1

• Price: between $699–999
• Materials: organic cotton and sugarcane
• Thickness: 6 or 7 in

This firm mattress features two sides for toddlers. Its waterproof side may suit younger kids who are potty training, and the quilt side aims to provide comfort.

The company states that its cotton holds organic GOTS certification, and the mattress is 100% vegan. NaturePedic writes it also passes flame standards without any chemical additives or fire retardants.

This mattress is available in two heights. Two trundle versions feature a 6-in height, while the standard twin and full versions come in 7 in.

The brand says that the mattress can fit in bunk beds.

NaturePedic has very limited reviews on Trustpilot and a 3 out of 5 rating overall. Reviews mention comfortable mattresses and good customer service. However, users also reported a latex odor and that certain mattresses can be too firm.

NaturePedic is an accredited business on BBB. However, there is just one review for the company, giving it a 1 out of 5 star rating.

The company offers free shipping and returns, a 100-night trial, and a 25-year warranty.

The table below compares each of the mattresses for materials, firmness, price, and more.

As well as choosing the right mattress for a child, other things for people to consider include:

Type of bed

There is no set age at which children should move from a crib to a toddler bed or from a toddler bed to a larger one. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests moving a child to a toddler bed once they reach 35 in (89 cm) tall, or they can climb out of their crib.

Additionally, a person may wish to consider getting a new bed for a child after any significant period of growth.

Toddler beds are often lower to the ground, so they are safer for young children who are active during their sleep.

However, if a child is outgrowing their toddler bed and parents or caregivers think it is time to move on to something bigger, they could consider adding guard rails to the new bed to prevent the child from falling out of bed.

Some guard rails screw onto the bed frame, while others have arms that fit under the mattress, holding the guard section in place. Before buying a guardrail, check that it is compatible with the thickness of the child’s mattress.

Mattress protector

Mattress protectors sit between the mattress and bed linen. They are washable and usually fitted for easy bed-making.

They protect the mattress from spillages and the buildup of sweat, dead skin cells, and dirt that can cause odors and stains.

There are various mattress protectors, but a waterproof version may be best for a child.

Learn more about the best waterproof mattress protectors.

Mattress topper

Mattress toppers sit on top of a mattress and provide an extra layer of comfort.

If a mattress is too hard, a foam topper can make it softer. If a mattress is too soft, a higher-density foam topper might improve how it feels.

Using a mattress topper might be an excellent way to improve an existing mattress’s comfort without having to replace it.

Learn more about the best mattress toppers.

Below are answers to common questions about mattresses for children.

What mattress firmness is best for a child?

The best mattress firmness for a child can vary depending on age. According to a 2021 study, all infants should sleep on a firm mattress to prevent unintentional suffocation or strangulation. Older children may prefer a medium or plush mattress for extra comfort.

Is memory foam a good mattress material for a child?

There is limited research regarding the best mattress material for children. However, children need a supportive mattress as they grow, and memory foam mattresses can provide this. Many companies selling a memory foam mattress state that their products are for children 3 years or older.

Memory foam mattresses are not safe for infants or toddlers as they can sink into them.

Comparing different products and brands is important when choosing the best kids’ mattress.

Some companies offer sleep trials, warranties, and white-glove services, making testing different mattresses easier.

Overall, a person should opt for a supportive, comfortable mattress that does not contain harmful chemicals.