Best Toddler Mattress

A toddler mattress often marks one of the biggest milestones of childhood: the transition from a crib to bed. Whether you decide to use a smaller toddler bed and mattress or graduate to a twin, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind, like firmness, ease of cleaning, and material quality.

We’ll discuss the top mattresses for toddlers based on our in-house testing and parent reviews, and we’ll discuss what distinguishes them from other brands. Our picks include both those with smaller dimensions that fit in toddler bed frames as well as more traditional twin and full sizes. If you’d like to read more about mattresses for little ones, check out our guide to the best mattresses for kids.

How to Choose a Toddler Mattress

Toddler energy during the day necessitates lots of sleep — 11 to 14 hours a day to be exact — so it’s important that their mattress is both safe and comfortable. And toddlers aren’t just tiny adults. Their growing bodies require extra support, they may be more sensitive to certain chemicals found in mattresses, and they’re more prone to accidents at night. We’ll highlight these and other considerations to keep in mind when choosing your toddler’s mattress.

Firmness Level

Firmness level is one of the most important factors to consider when looking for a toddler mattress. That’s because toddlers are always growing and need top-notch support to keep their spines aligned. Most toddler mattresses are medium firm or firm or a 6 to 7 on the firmness scale. Toddlers tend to move around while they sleep, so a firmer option allows them to move across the surface without much trouble.

A firmer mattress is also safer than a very plush one. While toddlers are more mobile than infants and don’t have the same risks of suffocation with soft surfaces, it’s still safer to keep their mattresses on the firmer side.

Dual-Sided

It’s common to find toddler mattresses that are dual-sided, meaning each side of the mattress has a different firmness level. You’re likely to see either crib mattresses that have a firm side for infants and a medium-firm side for toddlers or a twin mattress with a firmer side for small children and a softer side for older kids.  

Considering that a high-quality mattress can last several years, it may be worth it to invest in a dual-sided mattress that will grow with your child. It’s worth noting, however, that a crib mattress is only about 52 inches long, while a twin measures 75 inches in length, so a twin will fit your child for longer.

“I believe that having a dual-sided mattress is a wise investment,” says Dr. Nilong Vyas, Pediatrician MD. “It provides exactly what your child needs at each stage of their development. Once they outgrow their toddler bed, they may be ready to transition to a full-sized bed that can accommodate them through adolescence.”

Size

You have a few options when moving your toddler to a big kid bed. A standard toddler bed is smaller in size and accommodates a mattress with the same dimensions as a crib mattress: 28 inches by 52 inches. In fact, many cribs convert to toddler beds by removing one rail and replacing it with a lower, smaller rail. Toddler beds won’t fit your child for as long as a twin bed, but many parents find the transition to be easier on little ones.

You can also go with a twin bed frame that will fit a twin mattress measuring 38 inches by 75 inches. If your toddler is relatively young when transitioning out of their crib, a twin bed may feel large, but it will also fit your child for more years. You can always choose a bed frame that’s low to the ground to help with concerns about rolling out of bed. Regardless of bed type, your mattress needs to fit snugly to ensure safety.

Quality Materials

Safety and comfort are a top priority for your toddler, so it’s important that your toddler’s new mattress consists of non-toxic, quality materials. If you opt for a foam mattress, look for one that is high-quality and dense enough to provide sufficient support. Similarly, innerspring mattresses should be firm and supportive. Higher quality materials can also increase breathability to help regulate temperature and keep your toddler comfortable.

Waterproofing & Care

Toddlers are prone to bedwetting and accidents, so it helps to have a waterproof cover that’s easy to remove and wash. This will protect the mattress from the buildup of unwanted bacteria, dust, mold, and other contaminants. Some designs are washable from cover to core, though this is less common.

Temperature Regulation

Some mattresses are heat-wicking, while others are more likely to retain heat. If your child tends to sleep hot, look for a highly breathable mattress, as this will help to regulate temperature and increase comfort. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses tend to be better at dissipating heat due to their coil layer, but some foam models are engineered to regulate temperature.

Price

Price can vary substantially when it comes to toddler mattresses. Dual-sided or flippable mattresses typically command a higher price-point since they are meant to last longer and grow alongside your child. Other features like organic covers, waterproofing, and washability may also increase the price.

What Type of Mattress Is Best for Toddlers

Foam

Foam mattresses for toddlers typically contain polyfoam and not memory foam, as the conforming tendency of the latter is not considered to be as safe for young children. Plus, polyfoam generally provides more durable support. For a toddler, a foam mattress should be firm with an even surface. To prevent the likelihood of off-gassing, shoppers may want to look for models that have been aired out in advance and do not contain any toxic chemicals.

Hybrid

Hybrid models combine coil support systems with comfort layers made from foam or latex. This type of mattress often maximizes the strengths of multiple mattress types while minimizing potential drawbacks. Hybrid models are typically designed to cradle the body and relieve pressure points while providing strong support. They also tend to provide better edge support when compared to all-foam models, which can be helpful if your toddler rolls toward the edge of the bed at night.

Innerspring

Innersprings are a more traditional mattress type, with a support core of coils and a thinner comfort system. This construction enables better airflow, which makes the mattress more breathable and temperature-regulating. They may be less durable and supportive when compared to other models, but they also tend to be more economical.

Latex

Latex mattresses contain single or multiple layers of either natural or synthetic latex. Depending on whether it is processed using the Talalay or Dunlop method, a latex mattress may have a lighter or denser feel. Latex is typically durable but more expensive, which may not be ideal for a mattress that a young child will ultimately outgrow.

Last Things to Consider With a Toddler Mattress

Now that we’ve discussed the basics of toddler mattresses, we’ll cover some of the most critical factors to consider when making this important purchase.

Toddler Bed Safety

Regardless of mattress type, it’s crucial that a mattress fit snugly within a crib or toddler bed in order to prevent suffocation or entrapment. The two-finger test is one way to assess how well the mattress fits. If there’s space to fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib or bed frame, then the mattress is too small.

Dr. Vyas notes that railing safety is also important. “When transitioning a toddler out of the crib and into a toddler bed (either a converted crib bed or free-standing bed), it is essential to have a railing,” she writes. “Many kids feel insecure going from a crib to a very open bed, and having a railing ensures that they don’t fall out and that they still feel safe. Ensuring your toddler’s safety when making the transition will help them feel more secure to continue to sleep independently, even in a bed where they have the freedom to escape.”

Although it varies from child to child, toddlers typically transition from a crib to a toddler bed between the ages of 18 months to 3 years. Your toddler may be ready for a toddler bed if they are able to climb out of the crib or once they are nighttime potty trained.  Consulting with your physician can help you determine the best age to make the switch to a toddler bed.

Material Safety & Certifications

Toddlers are more sensitive to airborne chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are a byproduct of certain manufacturing processes. A mattress that is GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certified indicates that it adheres to rigorous, third-party chemical emissions standards and does not contain phthalates, formaldehyde, or heavy metals like mercury and lead.

Look for mattresses that use non-chemical flame retardants, such as silica or plant-based thistle, as these are non-toxic alternatives. If opting for a foam or latex model, check to see if the mattress has been aired out in advance so that off-gassing odors are minimal by the time it reaches your home. “If the mattress has not been aired out in advance,” says Dr. Vyas, “it is best to do that in another room for several days up to a week before installing it in the toddler’s room.”

Care & Cleaning

Bedwetting, spills, and other accidents are inevitable in the toddler years, so a mattress that simplifies the care and cleaning process may be beneficial. Look for a removable cover that can be washed by machine or hand, which will help keep your toddler’s sleep space hygienic. In some circumstances, the mattress core may be washable. “When in the midst of potty training,” says Dr. Vyas, “it may be beneficial to also use a disposable chuck pad under the fitted sheet and over the mattress cover to avoid significant seepage.” 

A useful add-on to consider for additional peace of mind is a removable mattress protector, as this will help shield the mattress from spills, stains, mold, allergens, and odors. Mattress protectors can be removed and washed regularly.

How We Test: Your Comfort Is Our Science

Our industry-leading product testing team cares deeply about improving your sleep. Having a holistic understanding of a mattress’s role as part of a sleep system is paramount to our testing process. Since a bed’s comfort and feel depend largely on body weight and sleeping position, our testing team represents a wide range of body types, sleep positions, and comfort preferences.

In our Seattle-based Test Lab, we use an objective, hands-on process to evaluate mattresses across performance categories. The following are the key guidelines that inform our performance ratings. Our ultimate goal is to ensure you have all the information you need to make the best purchase decision for you.

How We Determine Our Overall Scores

To determine a mattress’s overall score, we assign weighted percentages to performance categories based on how important they are to the individual sleep experience. For instance, areas like pressure relief and temperature control tend to matter more to people than something like off-gassing, and because more people sleep on their side and back than on their stomach, we weigh those positions more heavily.

Dive Deeper – Mattress Guides by Sleeper Type

If you’re still not sure which type of mattress would be best for your little one, you can review our collection of mattress guides to narrow down your search.