10 Best Twin Mattresses for Kids and Toddlers in 2024

• Best for a long warranty: The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress | Skip to review
• Best for a firm mattress: Nest Bedding Puffin Memory Foam Kids Bed | Skip to review
• Best for a dual-sided mattress: Saatva Youth Mattress | Skip to review
• Best for a cotton and wool mattress: Joybed LX | Skip to review
• Best for a vegan mattress: Avocado Vegan Mattress | Skip to review
• Best for a dust mite-resistant mattress: Perfect Cloud Kids Mattress | Skip to review
• Best for easy setup: DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress | Skip to review
• Best for all sleeping positions: Leesa Original Mattress | Skip to review
• Best for adaptability: Kid’s Purple Mattress | Skip to review
• Best for a budget: Linenspa Innerspring Twin Mattress | Skip to review

Many brands offer mattresses designed for kids. This article looks at some products to consider when searching for the best twin mattress for children.

The list below features some of the mattresses for kids available on the market.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Best for a long warranty: The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

• Price: from $359
• Height: 12 inches (in)
• Type of mattress: memory foam
• Firmness: medium firm

This is a memory foam mattress with a medium-firm feel.

The breathable fabric makes it ideal for those children who overheat when they sleep. The memory foam feature will provide comfort during sleep.

Customers receive a 1-year sleep trial with a Forever Warranty, alongside two free pillows, sheets, and a mattress protector.

Best for a firm mattress: Nest Bedding Puffin Memory Foam Kids Bed

• Price: from $499
• Height: 7 in
• Type of mattress: memory foam
• Firmness: luxury firm

Nest Bedding designed this mattress specifically for kids and toddlers. The company claims it is suitable for children no matter their sleeping position.

With a polyester cover to help regulate temperature, this mattress will suit toddlers and kids who sleep hot.

It is also compatible with bunk beds.

Customers receive a 100-night sleep trial and a limited lifetime warranty.

Best for a dual-sided mattress: Saatva Youth Mattress

• Price: from $795
• Height: 10 in
• Type of mattress: hybrid
• Firmness: soft and firm

The company created this dual-sided mattress for children. One side provides firmer support, recommended for children aged 8–12 years. The softer side is suitable for kids aged 3–7 years.

This mattress has a water-resistant barrier to protect against accidents and spills.

The mattress is also environmentally friendly, as it is hypoallergenic and has an organic cotton cover.

It comes with a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.

Best for a cotton and wool mattress: Joybed LX

• Price: from $475
• Height: 10 in
• Type of mattress: hybrid
• Firmness: firm

Joybed LX uses organic cotton and natural wool. It is a potential option for people looking for an alternative to foam or latex mattresses.

Due to its breathability and a layer of eco-wool, which helps take heat away from the body, this model may suit children who get hot at night.

Joybed LX comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year limited warranty.

Best for a vegan mattress: Avocado Vegan Mattress

• Price: from $1,399
• Height: 11 in
• Type of mattress: hybrid
• Firmness: medium firm or gentle firm

This Vegan.org certified and PETA approved mattress uses 100% organic cotton instead of wool. It also has Greenguard Gold certification, which means it has low chemical emissions.

These certifications may make this mattress suitable for children due to a lower risk of exposure to harmful emissions.

Learn more about the best nontoxic mattresses here.

This mattress has medium-firm support. The company also offers the addition of a pillow top for added comfort.

The mattress comes with a 1-year trial and a 25-year warranty.

Best for a dust mite-resistant mattress: Perfect Cloud Kids Mattress

• Price: $385.11
• Height: 7 in
• Type of mattress: memory foam
• Firmness: medium firm

This product, specifically made for kids, is a memory foam mattress with a matching pillow and teddy bear. Customers can choose from two colors: pink and blue.

The product is naturally hypoallergenic and dust mite-resistant. A velvet cover gives the mattress a soft look and feel.

Customers receive a 10-year warranty and a 120-night sleep trial.

Best for quick setup: DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress

• Price: from $839
• Height: 14 in
• Type of mattress: hybrid
• Firmness: medium firm

This hybrid mattress has seven layers, including cooling memory foam, individually wrapped coils, and a cashmere blend cover.

This mattress comes in a box, meaning it may be easier for people to take it into a room and unroll it onto the bed. While mattresses in a box can take some time to expand fully, they offer a more convenient setup than unboxed mattresses.

Customers receive a 1-year trial and a lifetime warranty.

Best for all sleeping positions: Leesa Original Mattress

• Price: from $849
• Height: 10 in
• Type of mattress: memory foam
• Firmness: medium firm

Leesa states that this memory foam mattress is suitable for all sleeping positions. This may suit children, who tend to move positions more during sleep.

The mattress has CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certifications, which means it does not contain hazardous materials. Additionally, it contains a cooling foam layer, which may be beneficial for children who sleep hot.

Customers receive a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty.

Best for adaptability: Kid’s Purple Mattress

• Price: $699
• Height: 7 in
• Type of mattress: memory foam
• Firmness:medium firm

The manufacturer has adapted its Purple GelFlex^TM Grid for use in a twin-size mattress that is specifically designed for children. The grid reportedly helps the mattress adapt quickly to a child’s movement.

This is a memory foam mattress, with the purple grid topped by a layer of comfort foam designed to support people weighing less than 115 pounds gently. It has a machine washable cover.

The mattress is hypoallergenic. It is Clean Air GOLD and CertiPUR-US certified to contain no harmful materials, which are important factors for children’s beds. It has a 100-night sleep trial, free returns, and a 10-year warranty.

Best for a budget: Linenspa Innerspring Twin Mattress

• Price: $99.99
• Height: 6 in
• Type of mattress: innerspring
• Firmness: firm

With a price of $99.99 on Amazon, this mattress has a budget-friendly price for a transitional mattress. It features a base layer of tempered 5” steel coils topped by a felt pad, followed by a 1” cushioned foam layer and a quilted cover. According to the manufacturer, it makes a good mattress for children and can be used in bunk beds, trundle beds, and RVs.

It is available in narrow twin and XL twin sizes. It ships in a box and is reportedly easy to set up on any bed frame. The mattress comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

The following table compares the mattresses in this article.

People may wish to consider the following when choosing a twin mattress:

• Height: Younger children and toddlers may require a thinner mattress to minimize the risk of injury after falling off the bed. Older children may be able to sleep on taller mattresses.
• Allergies: People should consider any allergies a child may have. For example, children with latex allergies should not sleep on a latex mattress.
• Bed base: Some mattresses are supportive enough to rest directly on the floor, whereas others may be more suitable for traditional bed bases. Some companies state that their mattresses are suitable for adjustable bases, which may benefit children with limited mobility.
• Certifications: People may wish to choose a mattress that has certifications from organizations such as CertiPUR-US or Greenguard. These certifications mean that the mattresses do not contain hazardous materials to human health.
• Warranties and sleep trials: People may wish to purchase a mattress with a robust warranty and a sleep trial period. It is important to read the company’s policies to check what it covers. For example, warranties usually do not cover accidental damage.
• Reviews: People may wish to read customer reviews to learn more about mattresses and the companies that make them before committing to a purchase.
• Price: Twin mattresses are usually less expensive than larger sizes. However, twin mattresses range from under $200 to over $1,000. People should consider their budget before purchasing.

Some potential benefits of choosing a twin bed for kids include:

• Space: They typically use less floor space than larger mattresses and bed frames.
• Cost: A twin bed will be more cost-effective than a toddler bed, as the child will not outgrow it as quickly.
• Extra comfort: Twin beds have more space than toddler beds, meaning children can move around more. It also means more room for parents and caregivers to sit on the bed and read a bedtime story with a child.

There are also some disadvantages associated with choosing a twin bed for kids:

• No rails: A toddler bed would come with a rail to prevent a child from rolling out of bed in their sleep.
• Cost: Upgrading from a crib or toddler bed to a twin bed will require spending money on another mattress.

Mattress types that may be suitable for children include:

• Innerspring: This durable material can benefit children, as they are more likely to cause wear and tear to their mattresses. Mattresses with individually wrapped pocketed coils might be a good option as they can withstand a child’s jumping and playing.
• Memory foam: This material responds to body heat and conforms to a child’s body shape. Some children may find this material more comfortable than an innerspring mattress.
• Hybrid: These mattresses combine coils with memory foam, latex, or gel layers.

Learn about different types of mattresses here.

The ideal firmness level of a mattress depends on the child’s weight and sleeping position. Medium-firm mattresses may better suit older children.

Toddlers weigh less than older children, so they may find softer mattresses more comfortable. Softer mattresses should more easily conform to a toddler’s body than firmer mattresses. However, most guidance does not recommend soft mattresses for infants as they pose an increased risk of suffocation.

Individual mattress product descriptions should provide further guidance on choosing mattresses to benefit children of different ages and sizes and their preferred sleeping positions.

Learn more about choosing mattresses for children here.

There is a range of different styles and sizes of mattresses for kids. Twin mattresses are just one option.

Different size options include:

• a crib mattress
• a toddler mattress that goes on a toddler bed frame with a small railing
• a twin XL mattress, which is slightly longer than a twin mattress to accommodate taller or older children

People can also choose from different mattress materials. These change the feel and durability. Common options include:

The National Sleep Foundation states that people need different amounts of sleep depending on their age. It recommends the following amount of sleep per night:

• toddlers aged 1–2 years: 11–14 hours
• children aged 3–5 years: 10–13 hours
• children aged 6–13 years: 9–11 hours
• teenagers aged 14–17 years: 8–10 hours

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest trying the following to ensure that children are getting a good night’s sleep:

• establishing a routine, such as reading a bedtime story
• having children go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
• not allowing electronic devices in the bedroom
• engaging children in physical activity during the daytime, which will help them fall asleep more easily
• keeping the bedroom quiet and a comfortable temperature

Very little research indicates how a mattress can affect sleep in children.

According to a 2022 review of the scientific literature, a medium-firm mattress is generally best for quality and comfort of sleep and proper spinal alignment. However, this study examined the effects of different mattress designs on adults. Therefore, the same may not be true for children.

Learn more about good sleep hygiene for children and teenagers here.

Below are some of the most common questions and answers about mattresses for kids and toddlers.

Should a toddler have a firm or soft mattress?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that infants sleep on their backs on a firm surface. Soft mattresses and those made from memory foam have an increased risk of causing suffocation. They can create a pocket when an infant is on the mattress or rolls over.

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) agrees that it may be best to choose a firm mattress that does not leave any spaces in the cot so that a toddler does not trap their head.

Learn more about the safest position for babies to sleep here.

Can toddlers use adult mattresses?

According to the AAP, the risk of sudden infant death syndrome may be higher when parents or caregivers share their beds with their toddlers.

The AAP suggest that adults have a separate bed specifically designed for infants. Adults can move it closer to their bed to monitor the toddler and check that there is no risk of suffocation.

Learn how to help a baby sleep safely here.

How thick should a crib mattress be?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that crib mattresses should be no more than 6 inches thick. The manufacturer’s instructions and the crib should also indicate the dimensions of the mattress.

Learn more about choosing a baby crib here.

At what age should a child sleep in a twin bed?

A child’s age in a twin bed may depend on several factors. For example, if a toddler tries to climb out of a crib, it may be time to move them to a bed where they may be less likely to receive injuries.

Most children begin sleeping in a twin bed by the time they are 3 years old. However, when in doubt, people should speak to a pediatrician for advice on when to transition children into a twin bed.

How thick should a kid’s mattress be?

Thinner mattresses of 6 inches and lower may be more suitable for younger children. Low-profile mattresses may reduce the risk of injury if a child falls from the bed.

Older children may wish to choose a mattress that is the most comfortable rather than deciding on a particular thickness.

Is a spring or foam mattress better for kids?

There are no studies that specifically compare spring and foam mattresses for children.

People may wish to shop for mattresses at companies that offer sleep trials. People can return the mattresses if their child finds them uncomfortable.

What type of mattress is best for a child?

That depends on the child to a certain extent, particularly their age, height, weight, and any allergies they may have. Some children may prefer the body-hugging feeling of a memory foam mattress and others may prefer more bounce. Consider cost and how long the child or their siblings will use the mattress.

What bed firmness is best for kids?

The best mattress firmness for kids is closely linked to their age. Younger children and older toddlers may do better with softer mattresses, but an infant should not be placed on a soft mattress due to the risk of suffocation. Medium firm mattresses may be better for older children.

What’s the difference between a kids’ twin and a regular twin?

A youth twin mattress is smaller all around than a regular twin. A youth mattress is 33” wide and a regular twin is 38” wide. It is 66” long compared to 75”. The height of the mattress varies, depending on the brand. Higher mattresses may not be a good choice for younger children due to the increased risk of falling out of bed.

There is no evidence to suggest which mattress is best for children. Parents and caregivers should consider the child’s needs, sleeping habits, and age.

Potential considerations when choosing a mattress include cost, materials, and health concerns.

Reading product reviews on different websites can help get an overall unbiased picture of the advantages and disadvantages of a mattress.