Best Mattresses for Kids

A child’s bed is both a playground for imagination and an important place to recharge for the next day. Kids are growing and changing every day, and their sleep plays a pivotal role in that journey. A good night’s sleep is essential for a child’s growth, brain development, and overall well-being.

Finding the best mattress for a child is about ensuring they get the right support for their developing bodies and ever-changing needs. We’ve changed our usual testing approach to consider children need from a mattress and help you find the right kid’s mattress. For more details about our mattress evaluation process, our guide to the best mattresses 2024 is a great resource for sleepers of all ages.

Watch Video: We Tested the Best Kid Mattresses of 2024 – Here Are Our Favorites

Watch the video below for some tips on what to look for when shopping for kid’s mattresses.

Below you will find our in-depth buyer’s guide that covers key factors to consider when selecting a mattress for your child, such as mattress size and firmness. We also discuss the benefits of certain mattress types over other mattress types when shopping for kids. Our guide focuses exclusively on mattresses for children, so keep in mind that infants have different safety needs.

Expert Tested. Sleeper Approved.

Over the past eight years, our Seattle-based Test Lab has performed hands-on tests on more than 4,000 sleep products — and nearly 2,000 of them are mattresses. 

As product experts, we stay up to date on the latest news in sleep science and product trends. We use this knowledge to fuel our data-backed recommendations. Many of our testers have worked directly with mattress manufacturers and visited actual mattress factories. On occasion, a sleep health expert might stop by to tweak a firmness rating.

When we test a mattress, we collect data across six major performance categories and combine these results with real-world feedback. We use tools and tech to monitor features like heat retention, motion isolation, and pressure mapping. In order to ensure our findings are inclusive of all sleepers, our team consists of people with varying body types and sleep positions.

Mattresses aren’t one-size-fits-all. The perfect bed for you is going to depend on general points like your body weight and sleeping position, as well as unique points like if you have back pain, if you sleep hot at night, or if you just like the feel of latex over memory foam. Our goal at the Test Lab is to help take the guesswork out of your mattress-buying process.

Signs Your Child May Be in Need of a New Mattress

Deciding when it’s time to buy your child a new mattress can be a bit of a puzzle. Fortunately, a few telltale signs can help you feel confident when it’s time for an upgrade.

• Your child has aged out of their current bed: Just as kids grow out of shoes and clothes, it’s normal for kids to outgrow their mattress over time. As they get older, kids will need a new mattress when they transition from a crib to a toddler bed, from a toddler bed to a “big kid” bed, and from a childhood bed to one suited for a pre-teen or teen.
• Your child is no longer comfortable: If your child seems uncomfortable or you notice that their feet are beginning to dangle off the foot of the bed, it’s likely that they’ve outgrown their mattress. A mattress designed for a younger child may not offer the support needed for an older child or pre-teen.
• There is noticeable wear and tear: Your kid’s mattress should be upgraded if you can see any visible damage, hear creaky springs, or notice sagging. Remember that an overly worn mattress can impair the quality of your child’s sleep.

What Do Kids Need From Their Mattress?

Kids need a mattress that caters to their unique needs, preferences, and evolving growth patterns. The right mattress provides foundational support for their posture and physical development, ensuring they wake up refreshed and ready for new adventures each day.

Room to Grow

Perhaps the most important consideration when choosing your kids’ mattress is size. Just like their favorite pair of shoes, your child’s mattress needs room to accommodate their growth. Toddlers may fit snugly in a twin-size, but preteens often benefit from larger full or queen sizes. Anticipate growth spurts and whether they will share the bed with siblings. Also, consider mattress height, especially for bunk beds and uniquely sized bed frames.

Size	Dimensions
Twin	38″ x 75″
Twin XL	38″ x 80″
Full	54″ x 75″
Full XL	54″ x 80″
Queen	60″ x 80″

Support for Changing Bodies

Support in a mattress means it can adequately bear your child’s weight, adapt to the contours of their body, and maintain spinal alignment. As kids grow, and their weight and body changes, they will need different levels of support. Larger children may prefer a firmer bed that supports their body weight, while smaller children may like a softer bed that they can sink into.

Additionally, your child’s preferred sleeping position plays a role in choosing the right mattress. Side sleepers tend to feel more comfortable on softer mattresses that cushion their hips and shoulders, while those who sleep on their backs or stomachs might favor firmer options to ensure their midsections don’t sink too much.

Comfort for Evolving Tastes

Comfort is different for everyone and differs from support. While younger kids often prefer a softer mattress, adolescents tend to lean towards a firmer feel. Since comfort isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept, it can help to talk to your kids about what kind of bed they’d like. Recognizing your child’s thoughts and preferences can help to ensure that they feel comfortable in their new bed.

What to Look for When Shopping For a Mattress for Kids

When shopping for your child’s next mattress, it’s essential to consider the qualities in a bed that matter most to a kid.

Mattress Type

Just like mattresses for adults, kids mattresses come in a wide variety of styles. The most common types of kids mattress include foam, hybrid, and latex models. Each mattress type offers unique benefits tailored to children’s needs.

Foam Mattresses: These mattresses are often chosen for their cozy feel, contouring, and pressure relief. They usually have a lower price tag than other types, but may lack durability and can sometimes retain heat.

Hybrid Mattresses: Combining foam with coils, hybrids offer both comfort and support, making them versatile for growing kids. They usually provide better temperature regulation but can be pricier.

Latex Mattresses: Durable and responsive, latex beds offer excellent support and are available in eco-friendly models. They can be more expensive, which might not be ideal for very young children who will quickly outgrow their mattress.

Allergies, Sensitivities, and Off-Gassing

When shopping for a child’s mattress, it’s important to consider any allergies and sensitivities your child has. Some materials, like latex and certain types of synthetic foams, can irritate allergies or sensitive skin. It can be helpful to research and opt for hypoallergenic materials. 

Off-gassing refers to the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from new mattresses, which can cause a temporary odor and sometimes affect those with sensitivities. Prioritizing natural or certified materials can minimize off-gassing and provide a safer sleep environment.

Look for Mattress Certifications

Finding a mattress with certain certifications can help to ensure that a mattress has been tested for safety.

• CertiPUR-US: This certification ensures the foam used in mattresses is free from harmful chemicals and has low VOC emissions.
• GREENGUARD: Recognized for products that maintain low chemical emissions, this standard ensures that a mattress protects indoor air quality.
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): GOTS certification indicates that the textiles used in the mattress are organic and have met specific environmental and social standards.
• Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS): This certification confirms that the latex in a mattress is organic and produced sustainably, considering both environmental and worker safety.

Price and Durability

Children’s mattresses come in a wide price range, with factors such as materials, size, and brand influencing the cost. When choosing a mattress, it can help to consider its durability and lifespan because a long-lasting mattress offers greater value over time. 

Because kids grow up quickly, consider a mattress that can accommodate several growth spurts. Investing in a durable and slightly larger mattress means not having to replace it as frequently. For instance, while a bed for a 3-year-old might soon be outgrown, a well-chosen mattress for a 10-year-old could potentially see them through to their late teens and into adulthood.

Tips for Protecting Your Child’s Mattress

Don’t forget that you can also increase the lifespan of a mattress through proper care. Regular cleaning, using mattress protectors, and occasionally rotating or flipping the mattress can prolong its lifespan, ensuring you get the most out of a new mattress.

Temperature Control

Whether from active dreams, summer heat, or the occasional fever, children often benefit from sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t retain too much heat. Look for features like gel-infused foams, open-cell designs, or moisture-wicking covers to tell that a mattress is designed to stay cool.

Trials, Returns, and Warranties

Trial periods, also called sleep trials, allow you to use a bed before deciding whether to keep it. Choosing a mattress with a generous trial period gives you and your child the chance to make sure a new bed is the right fit. Flexible return policies and warranties can also provide parents with peace of mind, knowing that a bed can be sent back for things like manufacturing defects and excessive wear.

Dive Deeper – In-Depth Mattress Guides

For more help deciding which mattress is right for your specific needs, check out the guides below.