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Credit: Sleep Foundation Test Lab

One study after another has demonstrated that while sleep is necessary for everyone, it has even heightened importance for teenagers. Consistent and high-quality sleep promotes brain function, school performance, physical health, mood, and effective decision-making. As teens’ brains and bodies are rapidly developing, the negative impacts of sleep deprivation can be amplified.

Having the right mattress can help teens more easily get the sleep that they need. A bed that fits a teenager’s needs equates to more comfort, better support for the body, and one less barrier to a healthy sleep routine. Figuring out which mattress is the right one, though, can be difficult, especially since many teens may not be excited to spend their free time going mattress shopping with their parents.

Thankfully, there are numerous excellent options online that are well-built, affordable, and come with a flexible return policy that lets teenagers try out a mattress over a period of months to be sure it’s a good fit. Our guide introduces the best mattresses for teenagers and explains the essential things to know about and look for when shopping for a teenager’s new bed.

In-Depth Reviews

The all-foam Nectar Mattress features a plush, pressure-relieving memory foam comfort layer and a dense support system to prevent deep sinkage. Affordable pricing makes this model a solid pick for teens, and the generous 365-night trial ensures ample time to test out the mattress and decide whether it’s right for them.

  • Pros

    1. Adaptive memory foam contours closely without sinking or hugging too tightly

    2. Cooling gel infusion helps offset heat retention on the surface

    3. Each purchase comes with a 365-night trial period

  • Cons

    1. Initial off-gassing odor can be quite strong and unpleasant

    2. Limited edge support may cause the perimeter to sag

Mattress Type

Foam

Firmness Options

Medium Firm (6)

Price Range

$359 – $1,098

Trial Period

365 nights

A well-made mattress is an important investment for your teen, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money on your purchase. The Nectar Mattress is a great example of a high-quality mattress with an approachable sticker price. Our tests show the Nectar performs at the same level of — if not better than — many competing memory foam mattresses on the market today, and additional perks for buyers include free shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. and one of the longest sleep trials in the online mattress industry.

The Nectar’s topmost layer consists of solid memory foam. This material contours evenly to distribute your teen’s weight, promote even alignment, and reduce pressure buildup in the shoulders, lower back, and hips. The mattress’ adaptive feel can be particularly beneficial for athletes and other teens with physically active lifestyles. Cooling gel is infused into the memory foam to prevent overheating at night.

Two layers of dense polyfoam provide a stable base, giving the mattress a medium firm (6) feel. During our tests, the Nectar was most popular among side and back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds, and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds. We also recommend this mattress to any teen who has not received adequate support from other all-foam models in the past.

Nectar allows each customer to test out the mattress for up to 365 nights. This ensures plenty of time for your teen to decide whether or not the mattress meets their needs. If they decide to keep it, you’ll also receive a lifetime warranty covering structural and material defects as long as you retain original ownership.

The Bear Original is firmer and more supportive than most competing all-foam models, so this is a good fit if your teen has found other mattresses too soft. Our tests also show the Celliant-blend cover can aid with muscle recovery, making the bed a solid option for physically active young people.

  • Pros

    1. Designed for sleepers with active lifestyles

    2. Strong performance at a budget-friendly price

    3. Firm feel offers moderate conforming and robust support

  • Cons

    1. May not be soft enough for side sleepers under 130 pounds

    2. Strong off-gassing smells for the first 48 hours

Mattress Type

Foam

Firmness Options

Firm (7)

Price Range

$511 – $1,099

Trial Period

120 nights (30-night break-in period)

The Bear Original stands out thanks to its notable contouring, advanced cover material, and its competitive price-point. While it falls as a 7 on the firmness scale, it nevertheless offers plenty of pressure relief because of the cloud-like cushioning of the comfort layer.

The comfort layer in the Bear Original is made with stacked layers of graphite-gel memory foam and a responsive polyfoam. The memory foam layer provides an excellent “hug” sensation to relieve pressure points, providing a soft and welcoming feel to the mattress. The graphite-infused foam works to reduce heat retention and to prevent motion transfer across the sleeping surface. Beneath these layers is a support core made with high-density polyfoam.

A key feature of the Bear Original is the cover that is a blend of polyester and Celliant, a specialty textile. Celliant helps to capture heat from the body and convert it into infrared energy. The FDA has certified Celliant as a medical device because of its ability to boost blood flow, and this may help with muscle and tissue recovery during the night. For this reason, the Bear Original is especially popular among athletes of all ages.

The Bear Original is available at a competitive price-point – especially for a product with an innovative textile material like Celliant – and free shipping is included in the purchase price. Bear provides a 120-night sleep trial to test out the mattress in your own home, and a lifetime warranty covers the mattress should any defects arise in materials or workmanship.

The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid available in four firmness levels, ensuring most teens can find a comfortable option regardless of their body type and sleep position. A plush comfort layer over multi-zone coils delivers comfortable cushioning for the body without sacrificing support where it’s most needed.

  • Pros

    1. Zoned hybrid design cushions the body and reinforces the midsection

    2. Available in four firmness levels

    3. Steady airflow and a breathable cover ensure excellent temperature regulation

  • Cons

    1. Limited options for those who prefer exceptionally soft mattresses

    2. High odor potential for the first few nights

Mattress Type

Innerspring

Firmness Options

Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7), Firm (8)

Price Range

$1,149 – $2,049

Trial Period

120 nights (30 night requirement)

The WinkBed has proven popular with our adult testers due to its sturdy hybrid design and versatile range of firmness options, so we also recommend this mattress for teenagers. Your child can choose from four firmness levels depending on how much they weigh, which sleep position they primarily use, and the amount of cushioning they need to sleep comfortably. WinkBeds’ generous return policy also allows them to exchange the mattress for a different design if they are dissatisfied with their initial selection.

Standard WinkBed models are sold in medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (7) designs. These mattresses feature a layer of adaptive foam quilted into their Euro-top covers, followed by a second foam layer that contours evenly while keeping the body on an even plane. If your teen weighs more than 230 pounds, the WinkBed Plus (8) may be more suitable. This model swaps out the second foam layer for 2.5 inches of zoned latex, ensuring extra pushback for heavier areas of the body like the chest, stomach, and hips.

All versions of the WinkBed are constructed with pocketed coil support cores. The coils are also zoned to feel firmer and more robust beneath the midsection, and perimeter reinforcement reduces sinkage when your teen sleeps or sits along the mattress’ edges. A cover made of breathable, moisture-wicking Tencel fabric encases the WinkBed. This fabric — along with consistent airflow through the coil system — helps maintain a comfortable temperature at all times.

During our tests, the medium soft feel was most popular among our side and back sleepers up to 230 pounds. The medium firm and firm models fared better with our stomach sleepers, and the latter earned favorable ratings from our testers weighing more than 230 pounds across all three position groups. The WinkBed Plus also provided enough support for this weight group.

WinkBeds offers free ground shipping across the contiguous U.S. The mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial. If your teenager is not satisfied with the WinkBed after sleeping on it for 30 nights, they may exchange the mattress for a softer or firmer model at no extra cost. The replacement comes with its own 60-night trial period. A lifetime warranty against structural defects is also included with your purchase.

The Helix Midnight was specifically created for side sleepers, and our hands-on tests show the mattress works as intended. A gentle contour, mellow bounce, and strong perimeter support make it especially well suited for side sleepers who weigh at least 130 pounds.

  • Pros

    1. Memory foam comfort layer conforms closely to the body

    2. Excellent balance of cushioning and support

    3. Reinforced perimeter coils reduce sinkage along the edges

  • Cons

    1. May not be firm enough for stomach sleepers over 230 pounds

    2. Cooling cover upgrade may be necessary for exceptionally hot sleepers

Mattress Type

Hybrid

Firmness Options

Medium Firm (6)

Price Range

$749 – $1,399

Trial Period

100 nights (30-night requirement)

Helix produces an impressive lineup of mattresses that accommodate a wide swatch of sleepers. The Midnight is a medium firm (6) hybrid bed that offers an excellent balance of cradling and support that should feel comfortable for many types of sleepers, especially people who sleep on their side.

The mattress begins with a top layer of memory foam that conforms closely to the body, followed by a layer of polyfoam that feels firmer than the memory foam while still offering some contouring. The support core contains pocketed coils that give the bed a slight bouncy feel, and the reinforced perimeter provides very good edge support. The cover is made of a polyester fabric that is breathable and slightly stretchy.

The cushion provided by the foam comfort system makes this an ideal bed for people who need pressure relief at night. Side sleepers, in particular, may appreciate cradling for the hips and shoulders, where pressure tends to build up. Back sleepers should find sufficient support in this mattress in order to keep their backs flat, while still receiving enough cushion to cradle the spine. Sleepers over 230 pounds may find the bed is too soft to provide adequate support.

Helix ships mattresses for free to the contiguous U.S. The bed includes a 100-night sleep trial with a required 30-day break-in period. Customers receive a 10-year warranty.

Brooklyn Bedding’s Signature Hybrid delivers plush cushioning on the surface and sturdy coil support for excellent overall stability. Three firmness levels are available, allowing you to pick the right design for your teen based on their body type and sleep position, and the approachable pricing should appeal to parents on a budget.

  • Pros

    1. Adaptive foams and robust coils create a nice balance of

    2. Available in three firmness levels to accommodate different weights and sleep styles

    3. Affordable sticker price compared to the average hybrid mattress

  • Cons

    1. Strong off-gassing smells may be present up to 72 hours after unboxing

    2. Brooklyn Bedding does not allow firmness exchanges during the trial period

Mattress Type

Hybrid

Firmness Options

Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)

Price Range

$499 – $1,199

Trial Period

120 nights (30-night requirement)

If your teen is a combination sleeper who rotates through different positions during the night, they should consider a mattress that offers a mix of cushioning, support, and bounce — otherwise they might feel “stuck” when switching between their side, back, and stomach. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid definitely fits the bill in this sense. Plush foam layers and strong pocketed coils provide decent cushioning without sinking too deeply. For added fine-tuning, you can choose between medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (8) designs.

Our hands-on tests show firmness level caters to a different type of sleeper. The medium soft design contours closely, and was most popular among side weighing up to 230 pounds and back sleepers under 130 pounds. Our back and stomach sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds found the firm model sufficiently supportive, and didn’t sink too deeply when testing this design. Teenage combination sleepers seeking a middle road between deep cushioning and strong pushback should consider the medium firm, which earned good to excellent ratings from most of our testers across the board.

Each Signature hybrid begins with a top layer of TitanFlex polyfoam, a material that offers the same even cradling as memory foam without the deep hug. Medium soft and medium firm models also feature a layer of plush adaptive foam quilted into their covers. VariFlex transitional foam mimics the responsiveness of natural latex, producing a light bounce when your teen gets into bed. This helps them move across the surface without feeling stuck. The hybrid’s support core consists of pocketed coils and dense base foam.

The standard model comes with a cover made from breathable cotton. For an extra fee, you can upgrade the mattress to include an extra foam layer encased in GlacioTex fabric, a material engineered to dissipate body heat on contact and feel cool to the touch at all times. This add-on also makes the surface feel slightly softer. Teens who run hot in bed may need this component to sleep comfortably.

The Signature Hybrid’s sticker price falls well below average for a hybrid model, and standard ground shipping is free for customers in the contiguous U.S. Each order comes with a 120-night sleep trial, giving your teen roughly four months to decide whether the mattress is right for them. If they’re satisfied with how the bed feels, your purchase is further backed by a 10-year warranty.

The Nolah Original 10 features four foam layers, creating a sleep surface that’s exceptionally plush and adaptive for teens who weigh less than 130 pounds. Open-cell foams near the surface also cut down on heat retention for a cool, comfortable night’s sleep.

  • Pros

    1. All-foam design limits motion transfer

    2. Open-cell foam sleeps cooler than other alternatives

    3. Above-average durability for a foam mattress

  • Cons

    1. Stomach sleepers may need a firmer mattress

    2. $99 fee for all returns

Mattress Type

Foam

Firmness Options

Medium (5)

Price Range

$649 – $1,559

Trial Period

120 nights (30-night requirement)

Rest and high-quality sleep are critical factors in teenagers’ growth and development. Active teens in particular can benefit from a mattress that prioritizes both spinal alignment and pressure relief. The all-foam Nolah Original 10 has a medium (5) firmness level that’s most comfortable for teens who weigh up to 230 pounds. A firmer mattress will offer better support for sleepers who weigh more.

This model uses three different foam layers to deliver targeted pressure point relief and motion isolation. The top layer is crafted from patented AirFoam, a polyfoam that limits heat retention by promoting air circulation. This layer contours closely to your body but still has some pushback, which is ideal for sleepers who prefer the feeling of sleeping “on” instead of “in” their mattress.

The middle polyfoam layer also contributes to this feeling, acting as a buffer that prevents you from sinking too deeply into the mattress. The high-density polyfoam support core is quite durable and meant to enhance the foam layers above it. A Tencel cover wraps the mattress, helping to wick moisture away while you sleep.

Teens who toss and turn may have an easier time sleeping through the night because of how well this model isolates motion. Movement is trapped within the foam layers instead of transferred across them, creating a more relaxing sleep surface.

The flippable Layla Memory Foam Mattress features plush, pressure-relieving foam on one side and a firm surface on the other. Teens who switch between different sleep positions can change how the mattress feels by simply flipping it over.

  • Pros

    1. Reversible design with different firmness levels on each side

    2. Copper-infused memory foam contours evenly without sleeping hot

    3. Zoned transitional layer feels more supportive beneath the midsection

  • Cons

    1. Strong off-gassing smells for the first few nights

    2. Weak edge support can make it hard to get on and off the mattress

Mattress Type

Foam

Firmness Options

Medium Soft (4), Firm (7)

Price Range

$749 – $1,249

Trial Period

120 nights

Many teens have firmness preferences that evolve over time as their height and weight change, while others continually fluctuate between wanting a firm feel one night and a soft feel the next. The Layla Mattress is a great option for these young people because of its reversible design. One side is constructed for a medium soft (4) feel that provides a deep contour, while the other side is firm (7) and delivers sturdy support.

Teens will likely favor one side of the mattress over the other due to their body type and sleep position. The medium soft side can be beneficial to side sleepers because of its ample cushioning around the shoulders and hips, which can improve spinal alignment and eliminate pressure points associated with this sleep position. Back and stomach sleepers may prefer the firm side instead, since these positions promote even alignment and generally require more support.

Both sides of the mattress feature comfort layers made of memory foam that conforms around the body to evenly distribute weight. The foam is infused with copper, which has natural cooling to ensure the material won’t absorb too much heat. Copper is also antimicrobial, which assists with odor control.

The Layla Mattress has a sticker price that’s on par with other memory foam models and shipping is free of charge anywhere in the contiguous U.S. Your purchase will include a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty against structural defects.

Gentle contouring, a smooth bounce, and strong overall support make the Leesa Original Hybrid a solid option for a wide range of sleeper types. An affordable sticker price and free shipping to all 50 states should also appeal to parents with tight shopping budgets.

  • Pros

    1. Foam and coil design provides even balance of cradling and support

    2. Coil layer promotes steady airflow through the bed’s interior

    3. Memory foam gently cushions pressure points

  • Cons

    1. Limited support for stomach sleepers over 230 pounds

    2. Foam layers emit a strong off-gassing odor for the first 48 hours after unboxing

Mattress Type

Hybrid

Firmness Options

Medium Firm (6)

Price Range

$1,049 – $1,799

Trial Period

100 nights (30 night requirement)

The Leesa Original Hybrid is a foam and coil bed that provides above-average support for a hybrid mattress. We found this strong support and cushioned surface made the model a great fit for sleepers who need a touch of firmness to help maintain healthy sleep posture.

The mattress begins with a top layer of memory foam that contours to your body to cradle sensitive joints. Beneath is a polyfoam layer that further promotes cushioning but also has a bounce and responsiveness that gently pushes back against your body. Underneath the foam layers is a sturdy coil system that generates plenty of support to keep your body on an even plane. The bed is encased in a breathable twill cover that we found very soft to the touch.

The balanced construction and medium firm (6) design felt comfortable for many of our testers. It performed especially well with side sleepers who weigh at least 130 pounds, back sleepers up to 230 pounds, and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds. The foam layers were substantial enough to relieve pressure in areas like the hips and shoulders, but the relative thinness of the memory foam layer resulted in above-average firmness compared to beds with thicker memory foam layers. Air circulation through the coils helped keep the bed cool.

Leesa offers a 100-night sleep trial with all mattresses. The bed is also backed by a 10-year warranty. Customers in all 50 states receive free shipping.

With the DreamCloud luxury hybrid, your teen can enjoy plush foam layers that hug the body closely and a sturdy coil system that prevents them from sinking too deeply into the mattress. The sticker price is reasonable compared to competing models, and a generous sleep trial also lets them test the mattress for up to one year.

  • Pros

    1. High-profile hybrid design offers deep foam cushioning reinforced with coil support

    2. Excellent breathability and cooling

    3. All orders include a year-long sleep trial

  • Cons

    1. Limited edge support for a hybrid model

    2. Initial off-gassing smells can be overwhelming

Mattress Type

Hybrid

Firmness Options

Medium Firm (6)

Price Range

$499 – $999

Trial Period

365 nights (30-night requirement)

If your teenager usually sleeps hot, a cooling mattress with breathable components may be a solid investment. The DreamCloud offers excellent temperature regulation thanks to steady airflow through its coil support core, open-cell foam layers that resist heat buildup, and a cashmere-blend cover with moisture-wicking properties. This hybrid model is particularly well-suited to teens who live in places prone to hot or humid weather throughout the calendar year.

Measuring 14 inches thick, the DreamCloud is exceptionally tall. The extra height ensures ample room for a deep comfort system without sacrificing overall support. The topmost layer is composed of adaptive polyfoam quilted into the cover, and this is followed by a memory foam comfort layer and polyfoam transitional layer. Since each layer is progressively denser, your teen will notice a plush feel when they get into bed but shouldn’t sink too much as their body settles.

The DreamCloud’s support core consists of individually pocketed coils over high-density base foam. Extra perimeter reinforcement helps minimize sinkage when your child sleeps near the edges of the mattress or gets in and out of bed. Overall, the DreamCloud has a medium firm (6) feel. Our hands-on tests indicate the mattress is most comfortable for side sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds, back sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds, and stomach sleepers weighing less than 230 pounds. The thick foam layers also allow the mattress to excel at pressure relief — a performance area where hybrids generally fall short.

Below-average pricing and free shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. make the DreamCloud a solid option for parents with limited shopping budgets. Your order includes a generous sleep trial that runs for 365 nights. You may return the mattress at any point after 30 nights have elapsed and receive a full refund. The DreamCloud is also backed by a lifetime warranty covering structural defects for as long as you retain original ownership.

The Titan is exceptionally firm and supportive, making the hybrid a solid choice for teens who weigh more than 230 pounds. Other product highlights include consistent cooling, a strong perimeter, ample bounce to aid movements on the surface, and an accessible price-point.

  • Pros

    1. Ultra-firm hybrid design offers exceptional support

    2. Steady airflow and an optional cooling cover help ensure excellent overall cooling

    3. Below-average pricing for a hybrid model

  • Cons

    1. Too firm for many side sleepers

    2. Limited pressure relief for teens who need extra cushioning to sleep comfortably

Mattress Type

Hybrid

Firmness Options

Firm (8)

Price Range

$489 – $1,119

Trial Period

120 nights (30-night requirement)

If your teen weighs more than 230 pounds, you should consider a mattress that provides above-average support and won’t sink excessively beneath their body. The Titan Plus from Brooklyn Bedding is a prime example. Rated as a firm (8) mattress, this budget-friendly hybrid offers gentle cushioning and robust coil reinforcement to maintain an even sleep surface for most teens — even those who have found other hybrids too soft or saggy.

The Titan Plus begins with a top layer of memory foam quilted into the cover. This material adapts to your teen’s body, distributing their weight and cushioning sore spots along the spine, while a second foam layer pushes back against compression to keep them on a flat, even plane. Thick pocketed coils and high-density base foam make up the support core. These components stabilize the mattress quite well, driving home the ultra-firm feel without making the surface feel uncomfortably stiff.

Standard Titan Plus models are encased in breathable knit covers. If your teen sleeps exceptionally hot, you can opt for a cover made of GlacioTex fabric. This phase change material is engineered to capture and release body heat on contact for a cool-to-the-touch feel at all times, even on hot or humid nights. Adding the GlacioTex cover will increase the sticker price of your mattress, but only to a marginal extent.

Brooklyn Bedding offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. Each Titan Plus order includes a sleep trial that runs for 120 nights in length. You may return the mattress for a full refund during this time frame, provided your teen tests it out for at least 30 nights. If they are satisfied with the mattress, you’ll also receive a 10-year warranty against structural defects.

Dive Deeper – In-Depth Mattress Guides

If you’re still not sure which type of mattress would suit your teenager best, you can read through our list of recommendations sorted by types of sleepers.

How to Choose a Mattress for Teenagers

Buying a mattress for anyone can be tricky, but given the sometimes unique needs and opinions of teenagers, it can be tougher in their case. Knowing how to choose wisely can make your buying process faster and smoother.

What to Look for in a Mattress

When shopping for a mattress, you’ll probably come across an abundance of mattress terminology and marketing promotions. While it’s easy to be drawn in, you’re most likely to be happy with your purchase if you focus on the nuts-and-bolts of the mattress.

These factors are the most essential to look for, and thinking about which matter the most to you lets you shrink your options and clarify which brand and model is the best match for you.

  • Price: Any responsible purchase has to fall within your budget. While careful budgeting can limit your options, the plus side is that it simplifies your shopping process. Keep in mind, too, that promotions and discounts are frequent and that you should virtually never pay the sticker price for a mattress.
  • Quality Materials: No matter the age of the person who you’re buying a mattress for, it makes sense to invest in top-flight materials. For any type of mattress, quality materials mean that it will perform at a higher level and be more likely to stand the test of time.
  • Firmness Level: It’s critical to make sure that a mattress feels right, and more than anything, that has to do with firmness. A teenager’s personal preference, sleeping position, and body weight can all affect their ideal firmness level. For most teens, a feel of Medium Soft (4) to Medium Firm (6) is the best bet.
  • Pressure Relief: Everyone’s body has areas that are prone to strain and pain. Often these are areas with more impact on the bed, such as around the neck, shoulders, hips, and lower back. A mattress that can relieve pressure softens the impact at pain points and encourages healthy spinal alignment.
  • Edge Support: It can be hard to sleep on a mattress that feels weak or unstable around the edge. The problem can be even worse when sitting near the edge. Hybrid and latex beds tend to offer the best edge-to-edge sturdiness because they generally don’t compress as deeply as an all-foam bed.
  • Contouring: Mattresses that hug the sleeper by compressing to suit the body’s weight are said to have high levels of contouring. For people with sharp pressure points, contouring can be a major bonus, but for others, it can be overkill and may lead to feeling like they are stuck in place on the mattress.
  • Temperature Regulation: A mattress that causes heat to build up around the body can lead to waking up in a serious sweat, and the problem is usually worse for teens who already tend to sleep hot. Beds with breathable materials that permit airflow and resist heat retention — including most latex and hybrid beds — can reduce the risk of overheating.
  • Ease of Movement: If you want to turn over, adjust your posture, or get out of bed, you’ll find it to be far simpler on a bed that has bounce. This responsiveness of the mattress keeps you from feeling stuck and is particularly important to combination sleepers. While many mattresses have some bounce, latex and hybrid beds have a reputation for providing the highest levels of responsiveness.
  • Mattress Type: The way a mattress is built determines its type. There’s no overall best type; instead, each has pros and cons. If you can clearly identify one mattress type that most aligns with your preferences, it makes it far easier to narrow down your options and simplifies your shopping.

What Type of Mattress is Best for Teenagers?

Mattress types are a way of sorting different beds based on how their interior layers are constructed. There are five main types of mattresses, each of which has a typical profile with certain benefits and downsides.

Knowing these profiles can be a handy step in selecting a mattress, but at the same time, not all mattresses of one type will be the same. Depending on their specific construction, some may closely fit the profile while others may diverge in meaningful ways.

Hybrid

Definition: A hybrid’s two interior components are a coil-based support core and a well-developed comfort system. The comfort system frequently includes more than one layer and can include micro-coils, latex, polyfoam, memory foam, cotton, and/or wool.

Dependable and Balanced: The driving concept behind a hybrid is to capitalize on the benefits of different materials being used together. The innerspring core provides a degree of reliability and edge support for teens while the comfort layers can amp up pressure relief and spinal support.

Innerspring

Definition: The coil-based core of an innerspring is its primary and in many cases only layer. There is very little or no comfort system above the coils in a true innerspring. In most cases, there is just a cover of cotton or polyester and perhaps a thin layer of fabric batting or polyfoam.

Low-Cost With Upgrade Options: Some people shopping for a mattress for a teenager may be on a limited budget or hesitant to invest in a bed when a teen’s preferences or needs may change. While innersprings lack in pressure relief, they are a good cheap mattress option, and mattress toppers provide a low-cost, low-commitment way to change up their feel.

Latex

Definition: When all of the interior construction is with latex, the bed is known as a latex or all-latex mattress. Latex layers of different types or firmness levels are often used to help separate the comfort system and support core. Latex can be synthetic or natural, but natural formulations are more common in mattresses.

Winning Combination of Bounce and Contouring: Latex is well-known for having a bouncy feel that keeps sleepers from feeling stuck or trapped in one position. In addition, it has light conforming abilities, creating a compelling mix of performance features that can bring support and comfort to teenage sleepers.

Airbed

Definition: In an airbed, the central support system is one or more air chambers. As air is added or removed from the chamber(s), the bed gets harder or softer. Layers above this air-based support core can include foam, latex, and/or soft fabrics like cotton and wool.

Precision Firmness Control: For people who want to perfectly dial-in the firmness feel of their mattress, there’s no better option than an airbed. That said, these tend to be expensive and are less commonly purchased for teens.

Foam

Definition: A popular type of bed, foam mattresses have a polyfoam support core and a comfort system made with one or more layers of memory foam, polyfoam, latex, and/or soft fabrics.

Cushioning at Value Prices: One reason why foam beds are popular is their deep contouring and ability to cushion pressure points. Another reason is that they are often affordably priced, making excellent values available among foam mattress models sold online.

How Does Age Affect Sleep?

It’s hard to overstate the importance of sleep for teenagers. Even though sleep is vital at any age, it becomes even more impactful for teens because of their dynamic brain and body development.

Numerous research studies have linked quality sleep in teens to better brain function including attention, memory, and mental processing. Not surprisingly, good sleep has been directly tied to better grades, test scores, and academic performance. Sleep also helps empower the parts of the brain involved in sound decision-making, which means sleep-deprived teens may be more likely to make risky decisions. That can be especially dangerous given that many teens are just starting to spend significant time driving.

Sleep is central to the body’s mechanisms for physical growth and recovery. It supports the immune system, muscle development, tissue recovery, and helps maintain a healthy weight. For teens involved in athletics, sleeping well may help improve sports performance and reduce injury risks.

Mood and emotional health are also directly impacted by sleep. Sleeping problems can contribute to or exacerbate issues like depression and anxiety, or they may lead to irritability that creates problems at home or in school.

Unfortunately, many teens fail to get enough sleep. During the teenage years, the body’s circadian rhythm, which helps control when we feel alert or tired, gets pushed back, which is why teens usually have more of a “night owl” schedule. At the same time, schools in many places still start early in the morning, making it harder for teens to get a full night’s sleep.

Pressures to meet demands for school, extracurricular activities, or social life can cause teens to sacrifice sleep. Increased use of mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and video games can stimulate the brain and suppress melatonin, the natural hormone that encourages timely sleep.

All of these factors work against teens who want to sleep well. While some of these factors, such as school start times, may be hard to change, teenagers can benefit by controlling their bedroom environment to make the most of the hours they have available each night to sleep.

Picking a mattress that is comfortable and supports the body can be a major contributor to consistent sleep. A great mattress eliminates a potential barrier to resting well and makes the idea of bedtime more inviting and appealing.

Last Things to Consider with a Mattress for Teenagers

Although we’ve covered the foundational information about shopping for finding the top mattresses for teenagers, there are a few remaining items to cover that are worth examining as part of your buying process.

Which Mattress Firmness is Best for Teenagers?

The most popular mattress firmness levels for teenagers is a range from medium soft (4) to medium firm (6). That said, any teen’s ideal firmness will depend primarily on three factors:

  • Their personal preference. Some people are naturally more comfortable on a bed with a harder or softer feel.
  • Their sleeping position. Side sleepers usually need more softness to accommodate their shoulders and hips. Back and stomach sleepers tend to do better with firmer options that don’t cause their midsection to sink as far into the bed.
  • Their body weight. The less a person weighs, the less likely that they will push far enough into a mattress to experience its softness and conforming qualities. For this reason, people under 130 pounds often opt for plusher beds. On the flip side, teens over 230 pounds may feel that they are pushing too far into a softer bed and thus get better results with something that is a bit firmer.

Which Size Mattress Should I Buy For a Teenager?

A full mattress frequently is ideal for teens because it offers plenty of space to stretch out but doesn’t feel overly spacious for one person. If a bedroom is smaller and can’t fit a full, most teens can sleep comfortably on a twin mattress or a twin XL if they are taller. It’s rare that a teenager needs a mattress larger than a full.

How Can I Get Relief On a Budget?

Finding relief for sleeping problems or morning aches and pains doesn’t have to bust your budget. Direct-to-consumer mattresses sold online are often less expensive, since the manufacturer isn’t paying for showrooms and additional staff. These “mattress in a box” models are comparable to those sold in brick-and-mortar stores in terms of construction and performance. When shopping for a new mattress online, there are great values to be found and plenty of coupons and promotions to help score a discounted price.

If buying a whole new mattress isn’t in the budget, it may be possible to get temporary relief from a mattress topper that can adjust the comfort feel, contouring, and/or bounce relative to your existing mattress.

How Much of an Investment Do I Need to Make?

To get a quality mattress, you’ll usually need to spend at least a few hundred dollars. No-frills models don’t offer fancy features, but they can provide teens with a reliable and usable sleeping surface. Spending a bit more, though, can mean getting a mattress that will last longer and provide a step up in performance, which, given the importance of sleep, is frequently a worthwhile investment.

Pillows and Bedding

The mattress is the biggest part of the bed, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only one that matters. Finding pillows, sheets, and blankets that have the right fit, feel, and look can contribute significantly to comfort and make your bed feel more inviting when bedtime rolls around.

Mattress Warranty and Other Policies

A warranty offers a level of purchase protection when you buy a mattress. These warranties cover unforeseen defects in materials or manufacturing, but they don’t cover accidental damage from things like spills or jumping on the bed. They also don’t cover expected damage from wear-and-tear such as minor sagging over time.

If a mattress is truly defective, the warranty provides for repair or replacement. In a non-prorated warranty, you get the same coverage regardless of how long you’ve had the bed. In a prorated warranty, you pay an increasing share of the repair or replacement costs based on the amount of time you’ve owned it.

For the best coverage, look for a warranty that is non-prorated, lasts for at least ten years, and does not require the customer to pay for shipping fees.

Improving Sleep Hygiene

Picking out a quality mattress can be a big step for teens who want to get better sleep. To get the biggest benefits, though, teens should also focus on sleep hygiene.

Sleep hygiene includes all the routines that influence sleep and all of the components of the bedroom environment. Taking steps to improve sleep hygiene, such as limiting the use of electronics before bed, setting a consistent sleep schedule, and avoiding caffeine, can go a long way to sleeping well, night in and night out.

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