Best Mattresses for Kids in 2024

The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.

• Versatility: The mattress is flippable with different firmness levels, making it suitable for children as they grow. This feature is highly valued by parents looking to make a long-term investment in a mattress.
• Material Quality: Users generally report that the mattress is made from high-quality materials, contributing to its durability and comfort.
• Smell and Off-gassing: Some users report a noticeable smell upon unpackaging, which can take a few days to dissipate. This is a common issue with new mattresses but can be a concern for sensitive individuals.
• Size Issues: There are occasional complaints about the mattress not fitting perfectly in standard frames, sometimes being slightly shorter or narrower than expected.
• Customer Service: Helix generally receives positive reviews for customer service, with prompt and helpful responses. However, there are isolated reports of delivery issues or difficulty arranging returns.

The Helix Kids mattress has a flippable design that grows with your child, accommodating ages 3 to 12. Each side has a distinct firmness that supports the different stages of a growing body.

How It Performs

The thoughtful dual-sided design ensures the mattress will provide enough support at different stages of your child’s life. One side is aimed at children ages 3 to 7, with a medium firm (6) feel to support growing bodies. As a child reaches 8 to 12 years old, they can transition to the medium soft (4) side, which has plusher comfort layers. Our test lab found this side offered extra contouring and pressure relief. The mattress earned high marks in our temperature neutrality tests, partly thanks to the enhanced airflow through the coil support core. So it should feel cool and comfortable even if your child tends to sleep hot.

Construction Breakdown

Both sides of the mattress feature a Tencel cover with a water-repellent finish. The finish ensures the mattress’ longevity and protects against damage from accidents or messes. Beneath is a flammability protection layer to keep your kid safe. The support core features 5-inch pocketed coils that provide targeted support to your child’s hips and shoulders. A row of coils lines the perimeter of the mattress, which we found quite supportive when we sat on the edge.

On the side designed for 3- to 7-year-olds, the comfort system consists of dense polyfoam. Our testers found this side’s comfort layer much firmer, which helps maintain proper spinal support for younger children. The other side, which is meant for 8 to 12 years old, features a comfort system made from gel-infused memory foam that performed well in our pressure relief tests. The gel in this layer is engineered to absorb and dissipate excess body heat.

Helix ships free to all 50 states and offers families 100 nights to try out the mattress. A lengthy sleep trial is helpful if you’re unsure of your child’s sleep preferences. The Helix Kids mattress also comes with a 10-year warranty.

Younger kids often benefit from a firmer surface to help promote healthy sleep posture. The Bear Cub has a firm (7) feel and a robust coil system that keeps the body on an even plane.

How It Performs

The Cub’s firm feel and foam hybrid construction best suited our side sleepers. The foam layers offered cushioning for sore hips and shoulders, while the coils prevented excessive sinkage. Back- and stomach-sleeping testers who weigh at least 130 pounds also found the mattress comfortable. Temperature control was one of the mattress’ major strengths during our tests. This is largely due to the breathable cover and coil support core, which allows air to circulate through the bed’s interior. The mattress has a responsive feel that was easy for us to move across, and the coils created a sturdy perimeter. Thanks to the supportive edges and 8.5-inch profile, kids should find it easy to get in and out of bed.

Construction Breakdown

The comfort system begins with an adaptive memory foam layer that contours to your body to relieve pressure buildup. The foam is infused with cooling gel meant to absorb and dissipate excess heat. A polyfoam transitional layer ensures your weight is evenly distributed across the mattress’ surface and acts as a buffer between your body and the coils.

Pocketed coils make up the support core, offering targeted support to the hips and shoulders to prevent uncomfortable sagging. A breathable cover made from Celliant fibers encases the mattress. Celliant is engineered to absorb your body heat, turn it into infrared energy, and confer it back to your body. This process is meant to promote muscle recovery.

Bear offers free shipping to customers in the contiguous U.S. and a 120-night sleep trial to test the mattress. You can return it anytime after a 30-night break-in period for a full refund. A lifetime warranty backs the Bear Cub if you decide to keep it after the trial period.

The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.

• Pain Relief: Many users have reported significant relief from back, neck, and joint pain. The mattress seems particularly beneficial for those with chronic pain, contributing to better overall sleep quality.
• Free Accessories: Nectar often includes free pillows, mattress protectors, and sheets with the mattress, adding value and convenience for new customers.
• Suitable for All Weights: The mattress supports a wide range of body weights and sizes without losing comfort or stability, making it versatile for different users.
• Temperature Regulation: Several reviews indicate that the mattress does a good job of staying cool throughout the night, which is a significant benefit for those who tend to sleep hot.
• Customer Service: Positive remarks about Nectar’s customer service are common, with many customers feeling supported during the purchasing and setup process.
• Durability Concerns: While many users find the mattress supportive and comfortable, there are occasional mentions of durability concerns, such as sagging or indentations developing over time, particularly from heavier users.

The Nectar uses three layers of memory foam, giving it a significant hug that your child may find soothing and comfortable. The Nectar is also more affordable than many similarly constructed models, so it is friendlier to a family’s budget.

How It Performs

Rating a 6 on our 10-point firmness scale, the Nectar is an all-foam model with a medium firm feel. This is in the range many children find comfortable, so the Nectar will serve your child well throughout growth spurts and changes in sleep preference. The memory foam layer evenly distributes your child’s weight, which we found helps relieve pressure points. The deep contouring also excelled in our motion isolation tests, so your child won’t feel much movement if you lie in bed with them.

Construction Breakdown

The cover is made from a blend of polyester, nylon, and polyethylene that our testers found breathable. Next is a comfort layer of gel-infused memory foam that contours to your child’s body. A transitional polyfoam layer beneath gives extra support while acting as a barrier between the comfort and support layers. The support core uses 6 inches of 2.2 PCF polyfoam to stabilize the rest of the mattress.

A lifetime limited warranty and 365-night sleep trial are included with purchasing a Nectar Mattress. This gives families ample time to try out the mattress, with the ability to return it for a full refund if it’s not a good fit for your child.

The Brooklyn Bedding Kids is a budget-friendly option for children transitioning from a crib to a standard-size mattress. Its 6-inch profile should be safe and compatible with most bunk bed based on current safety guidelines, and you can choose between twin, twin XL, and full sizes.

How It Performs

The dual-layer mattress balances cushioning on the surface with sturdy support, creating a firm (7) feel that’s conducive to your child’s growth and development. Adaptive memory foam provides light body hugging, a sensation many kids find cozy and inviting for sleep, but they shouldn’t sink too deeply into the mattress.

For a nice added touch, the cover is composed of stain- and liquid-resistant fabric. This helps ensure the mattress won’t be damaged if your child spills water or has a nighttime accident. A slim profile and lightweight construction also makes the mattress relatively easy to lift and move as needed.

Construction Breakdown

The BB Kids begins with a thin layer of memory foam, followed by 4 inches of high-density support polyfoam. As a firm mattress, the Kids only contours to a moderate extent. That said, edge support is somewhat limited. A cover made of specialty Nano Stain Terminator fabric encases the mattress.

In addition to approachable pricing, the BB Kids qualifies for free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. Each order includes a 120-night trial period, and if you decide to keep the mattress, Brooklyn Bedding further backs your purchase with a 10-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

If you’re mattress shopping for your kiddo, it might be worth the extra money to invest in a bed they’ll be able to use throughout their childhood. The Birch Kids Natural Mattress meets this criteria thanks to a reversible design with each side intended for a different age group. Durable materials help ensure the Birch Kids won’t wear out until your child transitions to a larger bed when they reach their teenage years.

How It Performs

The Birch Kids matches the high-quality craftsmanship of Birch’s adult-friendly mattresses. Latex is naturally durable and the robust steel cools are built to last, so the mattress should perform as long as intended without showing signs of wear and tear. Temperature control is another strong suit. A breathable cover, moisture-wicking wool layers, ventilated latex, and open coils all work together to circulate air throughout the interior and maintain a cool, comfortable surface.

Construction Breakdown

The firm (7) side meant for kids between 3 and 7 features two layers of organic wool batting. These layers are densely packed to create a supportive surface that promotes healthy growth and development for young children. On the medium firm (6) side, a layer of natural latex rests over the wool batting. This creates a slightly softer feel without sacrificing support or responsiveness. Steel coils make up the shared support core, which stabilizes both sides in equal measure. The organic cotton cover has earned certifications from Fair Trade Cotton and the Global Organic Textile Standard.

Although the Kids Natural Mattress is more expensive than many competing models designed for children, the durable construction should prove to be a solid long-term investment. Birch also offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. Your sleep trial runs for 100 nights. If you’re satisfied with the mattress after the return period ends, your purchase is further covered under a 25-year warranty against manufacturing defects. You can also purchase an accident protection plan that covers stains and spills.

The Nolah Nurture 10 is a dual-sided latex hybrid made from organic materials. If you’re looking for a quality, organically sourced mattress with two firmnesses in one, you may want to consider the Nolah.

How It Performs

The Nolah has a flippable design — we rate one side as soft (3) and the other as firm (7). Children under 130 pounds may prefer the softer side, while kids weighing at least 130 pounds may find the firmer side more comfortable. Across weight categories, side and back sleepers on our test team benefited from the Nolah’s pressure-relieving latex comfort layers and zoned coil design. Latex’s natural responsiveness also prevented back sleepers’ hips from sagging and misaligning the spine. We noticed that the breathable materials and enhanced airflow through the coil support core kept the surface cool.

Construction Breakdown

The mattress is encased in a cover made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, a naturally breathable material that kept the surface cool to the touch during our tests. Next is a breathable wool layer that acts as a natural fire retardant. The comfort system features 2 inches of Talalay latex, which provided slight contouring to relieve pressure buildup during our pressure tests.

Talalay’s natural responsiveness meant that the surface did not conform as closely to the body during our tests, thus trapping less heat. The support core is made from 6-inch pocketed coils, strategically zoned to support the hips and shoulders. A layer of firmer Talalay latex rests under the coils for extra stability and durability.

Nolah offers free shipping to the contiguous U.S. and a 120-night sleep trial. Sleep trials of any length are an asset to parents, especially if the child is particular about the feel of their bed. Nurture 10 purchases come with a generous lifetime warranty.

The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.

• Improved Sleep for Children: Parents consistently report that their children sleep better on the Saatva Youth mattress, highlighting improved comfort compared to previous mattresses.
• Comfort and Durability: Customers frequently mention the mattress’s comfort and durability, noting that it holds up well even under adult weight during activities like reading bedtime stories.
• Dual Firmness Feature: The mattress offers different firmness levels on each side, which accommodates growing children’s needs as they age, providing long-term usability.
• Positive Delivery Experiences: Many reviewers highlight the efficiency and friendliness of the delivery service, with quick and smooth delivery being a common theme.
• Customer Service: Saatva’s customer service is frequently praised for being responsive and helpful, particularly in resolving issues like incorrect or problematic deliveries.
• Versatility and Support: Parents appreciate that the mattress supports different weights and sizes comfortably, making it a good choice for both children and occasional adult use.

The Saatva Youth is a reversible innerspring mattress designed to accommodate children’s changing mattress needs as they grow older. Since one side is firmer, you can flip the mattress once your child grows too heavy to be supported by the softer side.

How It Performs

The mattress performed well in our temperature neutrality tests since the coil layer allows a substantial amount of airflow throughout the mattress. This ensures your child won’t sleep too hot throughout the night. The thick construction of the coils also gives this bed great edge support, preventing kids from rolling off the bed in the middle of the night. The strong edges and low profile also make it easy for kids to get in and out of bed on their own. The quality of materials ensures a durable mattress that should last into your child’s teenage years.

Construction Breakdown

The softer side of the mattress features a zoned polyfoam comfort layer that provided extra support to our testers’ backs and hips while conforming closer to the head, neck, and shoulders. The comfort layer on the firm side is made of higher-density convoluted polyfoam, which felt more supportive overall. In between these two sides is a support core of thick bonnell coils. The cover is composed of breathable organic cotton.

While the Saatva Youth has a slightly above-average price-point, Saatva offers free White Glove delivery, including in-home assembly and old mattress removal, which is rare in the online mattress industry. Saatva also offers a lifetime warranty and 365-night sleep trial for parents who want their child to try the bed before committing.

Children and preteens often need a mattress that cushions and supports their bodies equally. This helps ensure proper growth and development, as well as night-to-night comfort after they have transitioned from their toddler bed. The Leesa Kids Mattress is designed specifically for children and preteens. Our testers found that the medium firm (6) feel limits sinkage, which should keep your child’s body on an even plane.

How It Performs

During our tests, the Leesa Kids Mattress performed very well with temperature control – an area where many all-foam models tend to earn subpar ratings. The open-cell memory foam coupled with a breathable cover let heat dissipate rather than build up along the surface. The balanced medium firm feel should also prevent young kids from sinking too much or feeling trapped by the mattress. A low 7-inch profile allows the mattress to rest safely in most bunk beds at least 5 inches below the side rails, per current safety guidelines.

Construction Breakdown

The Kids Mattress features a three-layer design that begins with a top layer of open-cell memory foam. This material features small air capsules engineered to promote circulation and prevent bothersome heat absorption. The transitional and support layers are composed of polyfoam that we found balances support and contouring. The base layer is much denser to provide adequate reinforcement for your child’s growing body. A knit polyester cover encases the entire mattress.

The Leesa Kids Mattress is available in twin and full sizes, which are reasonably priced. Shipping is also free of charge to customers in all 50 states. Your order includes a sleep trial that allows your child to test the mattress for up to 100 nights and decide if it’s right for them. Should you decide to keep it, you’ll also receive a 10-year warranty against structural defects.