Many kids fidget during the night, so a mattress that isolates motion well can minimize nighttime awakenings.
The Puffin’s motion isolation is on par with a typical all-foam mattress. Thick comfort layers and a dense polyfoam core absorb motion well, so excess movement shouldn’t ripple across the bed. Very high-movement sleepers or kids over 230 pounds may notice some motion transfer, but disturbances should be pretty minimal.
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Nest Bedding Puffin Mattress Review: Test Lab Ratings
Senior Product Editor
Methodology
Up-to-Date
Overall Rating
7.7
$599 from Nest Bedding (queen)
Price Range: $399 – $599
Mattress Type: Foam
Firmness Options: Firm (7)
At a Glance
The Nest Bedding Puffin is a firm all-foam mattress that gently conforms to your figure and promotes even alignment. Back and stomach sleepers should appreciate this bed’s ultra-supportive build and above-average cooling.
Ratings Summary
Motion Isolation
8/10
Edge Support
6.5/10
Temperature Control
7.5/10
Ease of Movement
6/10
Off Gassing
5.5/10
Pressure Relief
5/10
Pros
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Good temperature control, so great choice for kids who tend to sleep hot
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Below-average price for an all-foam mattress
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Made with eco-friendly materials
Cons
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May be too firm for side sleepers under 130 pounds
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Might not isolate enough motion for very active sleepers
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Likely to be less durable than a hybrid mattress
Table of Contents
Founded in 2011, Nest Bedding offers an array of mattresses, bed frames, furniture, sheets, and other bedding accessories. Along with options such as the hybrid Sparrow Mattress and the latex Owl Mattress, the company makes two mattresses for kids: the Lark and the Puffin. Both designs emphasize eco-friendly materials and cooling features.
The Lark is a firm latex mattress with a quilted pillow-top. The Puffin is a softer all-foam model available at a lower price-point.
We’ll focus on the Puffin Mattress, including its materials, construction, and pricing. We’ll also discuss the results of our in-house testing, during which we evaluated the Puffin’s performance in areas such as pressure relief, temperature control, and edge support. Finally, we’ll look at how compatible the model is with different body sizes and sleep styles so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your child.
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Sleeping Style and Body Weight
Nest Bedding Puffin
Sleeper Type
Side Sleepers
Back Sleepers
Stomach Sleepers
Side Sleepers
The Puffin is likely to work well for side sleepers, who usually prefer a soft, close-conforming mattress that helps align the spine. This mattress cushions key pressure points on the hips and shoulders for side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds. The robust perimeter also supports side sleepers who gravitate toward the edge of the bed.
Side sleepers in other weight ranges aren’t likely to get the same level of support, however. The Puffin may feel too firm for kids under 130 pounds who sleep on their side. Conversely, the mattress may sag excessively for side sleepers over 130 pounds. These kids may develop pressure points as the mattress softens over time.
Back Sleepers
The Puffin’s firm surface promotes neutral spine alignment for most back sleepers. The responsive polyfoam helps support body weight evenly, while the sturdier polyfoam in the support core minimizes sagging beneath the torso.
We found that the support and pressure relief is most notable for back sleepers under 230 pounds. The mattress may compress excessively for kids over 230 pounds, straining the lower back and spine.
Stomach Sleepers
The Puffin’s firm feel and moderate contouring make it a good match for kids who sleep on their stomach.
Closely conforming foam mattresses can cause the midsection to sink excessively, particularly for stomach sleepers. However, the Puffin’s polyfoam has a quick response time that helps keep the hips and shoulders on an even plane. The sturdy core also helps keep sleepers on top of the mattress.
However, children over 230 pounds may experience deeper sinkage, creating pressure buildup on the lower back and spine. These sleepers might do better with a hybrid mattress that offers studier support.
Mattress Performance
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Other Nest Beds You Might Like
Nest Bedding Sparrow
Overall Rating:
8.5 /10
Price Range:
$1,149 – $2,498
Mattress Type:
Hybrid
Firmness Options:
Soft (3), Medium (5), Firm (7)
Nest Bedding Owl
Overall Rating:
8.7 /10
Price Range:
$1,492 – $3,518
Mattress Type:
Latex Hybrid
Firmness Options:
Soft (3), Medium (5), Firm (7)
Nest Bedding Finch
Overall Rating:
8.6 /10
Price Range:
$1,699 – $2,798
Mattress Type:
Latex
Firmness Options:
Medium (5), Firm (7)
Nest Bedding Puffin Mattress Review Breakdown
Nest Bedding’s Puffin is an all-foam mattress engineered for kids and youth. The two-layer construction has a firm (7) feel designed to support growing children of all sleep positions.
The soft and breathable polyester cover is made with phase change technology designed to draw out body heat and help kids sleep cool. The quilted cover also includes a .5-inch layer of polyfoam to gently cradle sleepers.
Next is a 2-inch layer of Energex foam, which combines characteristics of memory foam and latex. This proprietary foam’s ability to relieve pressure is similar to what you might find in a memory foam mattress, but with the springiness of a latex mattress.
The support core uses 5 inches of high-density polyfoam to stabilize the entire mattress. Despite its sturdiness, the foam core is fairly lightweight and breathable. The open-cell construction is designed to increase airflow throughout the mattress.
The foams used in the Puffin have CertiPUR-US certification, meaning they were made without many common harmful substances. The mattress also has a non-chemical fire barrier, and off-gassing in the factory helps minimize odors caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The Puffin can be paired with Nest Bedding’s HomeBase, Slatted Base, or Metal Folding Frame. The mattress’ 7-inch profile should work with most bunk beds.
|
Firmness |
Firm – 7 |
|---|---|
|
Mattress Type |
Foam |
|
Construction |
The Nest Bedding Puffin is a two-layer foam mattress that measures 7 inches tall. The comfort system uses 2 inches of Energex foam, while the support core comprises 5 inches of high-density polyfoam. Cover Material:Polyester with Phase Change Material Comfort Layer:
.5″ Polyfoam Quilted Inside the Cover Support Core:5″ Polyfoam |
Nest Bedding Puffin Mattress Sizes
The Puffin Mattress is available in twin, twin XL, and full sizes. This size selection accommodates both kids and young adults. Nest Bedding also offers a mattress protector bundle with the purchase of a Puffin Mattress.
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping Policies
Availability
The Puffin may be purchased through Nest Bedding’s website and viewed at one of the company’s several U.S. showrooms.
Shipping
Nest Bedding ships the Puffin to all 50 states via UPS or FedEx. Shipping is free to the contiguous U.S. Orders shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada are subject to freight fees. Most orders are processed within two business days. Mattresses usually arrive within four to eight business days of placing your order.
The mattress is compressed in two layers of plastic and shipped in a large box. Professional installation isn’t required.
After receiving the mattress, cut the outer plastic layer with scissors and make small incisions near the edges of the inner layer. This increases airflow to the mattress. Once unrolled, the mattress should reach its full size within 24 hours.
The mattress should be unpackaged and decompressed within 30 days of delivery. Waiting longer to do so could void the warranty.
Additional Services
Shoppers can arrange for White Glove delivery by calling a Nest Bedding store. If you opt for the service, a team of professionals will set up the bed in your room of choice and remove all packaging.
For an additional fee, customers can add a three-year, five-year, or 10-year protection plan when purchasing the Puffin Mattress. The plan covers stains, accidents, and unintentional rips or punctures. White Glove delivery is also included. In the event of damage, Nest Bedding will repair or replace the mattress at no cost to the customer.
Sleep Trial
The Puffin includes a 365-night sleep trial, which starts on the date of delivery. Only mattresses in good condition and returned during this period are eligible for full refunds. Once a return is approved, Nest Bedding will help coordinate the pickup, disposal, or donation of the mattress.
Warranty
Nest Bedding backs the Puffin with a limited lifetime warranty. Defects covered include foam impressions greater than 1 inch and flaws to the cover and cover zipper. Failure to decompress the mattress within 30 days or not using a proper foundation can void the warranty. Normal wear and tear is not covered, and the warranty is only valid for the original owner.
If a mattress is deemed defective, Nest Bedding will either repair or replace the mattress at no cost to the customer.
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Lauren is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with extensive experience researching and testing a wide variety of sleep products.