When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Products or services may be offered by an affiliated entity. Learn more.
Bear Cub Mattress Review – Test Lab Ratings
Sleep Foundation
Why Trust Us
Our mission to create a healthier, more well-rested world demands that our product reviews be best-in-class. You won’t find more expertise on mattresses and sleep products anywhere else.
The Sleep Foundation product testing team uses an industry-leading evaluation process paired with real world consumer feedback to come up with objective recommendations so that you can feel confident in your product decisions.
Ranked #2 on our Best Mattresses for Kids list
The Bear Cub is a firm (7) foam hybrid intended for younger kids leaving their toddler bed for the first time. Dense foams and sturdy coils create a supportive sleep surface that promotes even spinal alignment and healthy development.
- Features a Tencel mattress cover, which will contribute to a cooler sleep
- Specifically designed for children and teenagers’ sleep needs
- Competitively priced, so great for shoppers on a budget
- Not suitable for children under 3 years old
- Orders to Alaska and Hawaii incur freight fees
A daughter company of Brooklyn Bedding, Bear is known for mattresses that support active lifestyles. The online brand also makes bedding accessories like sheets, pillows, and weighted blankets. Shoppers can find Bear mattresses at Brooklyn Bedding showrooms in Arizona and at select retailers throughout the U.S.
Bear currently offers an all-foam mattress, two hybrids, and a kids’ mattress. All models feature a breathable Tencel cover. Tencel is a fabric derived from eucalyptus, and prized for its cooling and moisture-wicking properties.
The Bear Cub is a hybrid designed for children and teenagers. The mattress’ adaptive memory foam and pocketed coils blend pressure relief with support. Both size options are competitively priced.
We’ll delve into the Bear Cub’s materials, construction, and performance across a range of categories. We’ll also cover pricing, sizing, and company policies.
TEST LAB RATINGS
How the Bear Cub Scored
Motion Isolation6.0/10
A mattress with strong motion isolation is less likely to disrupt your child’s sleep, especially if they toss and turn or sleep with a sibling.
The Cub Mattress has thick foam comfort layers that absorb motion well. While the coiled core does generate bounce, the pocketed design limits motion transfer. This helps keep the mattress from moving each time your child shifts position.
Pressure Relief5.5/10
The Cub Mattress offers moderate contouring and firm support to relieve tension.
The soft quilted cover gently contours the sleeper’s body, while adaptive memory foam cushions sharp pressure points. Firm polyfoam reduces tension by evenly distributing body weight. The coiled core limits deep sinkage below the midsection for better spine alignment.
Kids should receive pressure relief on the Cub regardless of weight or sleep position.
Temperature Control7.0/10
It’s not uncommon for kids to overheat when sleeping, especially if they share a bed with a sibling. However, the Cub is designed to minimize uncomfortable heat buildup.
The Tencel cover is intended to dissipate excess heat. The comfort system uses gel-infused foam designed to sleep cooler than traditional memory foam, and the firm feel doesn’t overly conform to the sleeper’s body. A ventilated coiled core encourages airflow throughout the mattress.
Edge Support7.0/10
While weak support is a drawback for most sleepers, it can sometimes be outright hazardous for kids. If the edge of a mattress sags too much, young children may roll off the bed.
The Bear Cub uses sturdy coils to reinforce the entire perimeter, so kids should feel supported no matter where they sleep on the mattress. The firm feel holds up well to weight and pressure, minimizing outer surface impressions.
Siblings who share the Cub Mattress will have more stable surface area. Strong edge support also makes sitting up in bed more comfortable.
Ease of Movement7.0/10
Kids who move a lot in their sleep shouldn’t have any trouble adjusting positions on the Cub Mattress.
The bouncy coiled core aids movement and makes getting in and out of bed easier. Transitional polyfoam limits sinking, so kids shouldn’t feel trapped inside the memory foam. The firm feel also keeps the sleeper on top of the mattress, making it easier to move.
Durability7.0/10
As it’s a hybrid mattress, the Bear Cub should hold up longer than the average bed, likely around seven to eight years. Hybrid models tend to be more durable, because their coil support cores maintain their performance better than all-foam counterparts. The Bear Cub’s polyfoam and memory foam comfort layer may develop impressions or sagging. However, since it’s designed for children who tend to weigh less, the foam may last a bit longer.
Who it Fits
Fit by Sleep Position and Body Weight
Sizes, dimensions and weights
Side Sleepers
The Bear Cub works well for young side sleepers in any weight group. Plush memory foam cushions the hips and shoulders while keeping the spine level. Responsive polyfoam reduces tension by spreading body weight across the mattress. Pocketed coils adapt to each sleeper’s body, promoting good sleep posture.
The firm (7) feel is an especially good fit for side sleepers over 230 pounds since they require extra support. Side sleepers under 230 pounds usually prefer a softer feel, but the Cub permits enough sinkage to ease tension.
Back Sleepers
The Bear Cub reinforces good sleep posture for back sleepers across all weight brackets. The firm feel supports developing spines by not allowing the midsection to sink excessively, and the memory foam eases tension on the shoulders and legs without overly conforming to the lower back. The sturdy coiled core resists deep compression so the hips and shoulders stay on the same plane.
Stomach Sleepers
Similar to back sleepers, stomach sleepers need a sturdy mattress to keep the spine neutral. The Cub Mattress’ firm surface offers ample support for both kids of any age who sleep on their stomach.
The strong coiled core limits sagging below the torso. Adaptive memory foam conforms more closely to the shoulders, hips, and legs to relieve pressure buildup. The firm feel helps ensure that growing bodies get the crucial spinal support they require.
Construction
Inside the Bear Cub
Cover
Tencel
1″ Comfort Layer
Gel-Infused Memory Foam
1.5″ Transition Layer
Polyfoam
6″ Support Core
Pocketed Coils
Similar Mattresses to the Bear Cub
Shopping around is key. Take a look at the following mattresses, which our team has done thorough evaluations on. We think these are very comparable beds to the Bear Cub.
Helix Kids
8.3/108.3/10 · $561 – $749
Hybrid · Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6)
Nolah Nurture Kids
8.1/108.1/10 · $597 – $796
Hybrid · Medium Soft (4), Firm (7)
Birch Kids Natural Mattress
8.1/108.1/10 · $899 – $1,099
Latex Hybrid · Medium Firm (6), Firm (7)
Buying It
Trial, Warranty, and Delivery
365 Night
Sleep trial
Lifetime
Warranty
Free
Ground shipping (contiguous U.S.)
Availability
The Cub is available through Bear’s website and can be shipped to all 50 states. Shoppers can view the mattress at one of Brooklyn Bedding’s Arizona showrooms. Select retailers also carry the Cub Mattress.
Shipping
Bear ships the Cub Mattress for free to customers in the contiguous U.S. Mattresses shipped to Alaska or Hawaii are subject to a $100 shipping fee.
Most orders ship within 3 to 10 business days via FedEx Ground. Shipping timelines vary according to location.
Customers who want to be present at delivery can opt for signature upon delivery. Otherwise, FedEx will leave the box at your doorstep.
The mattress is compressed in plastic and delivered in a box measuring 42 inches long, 19 inches wide, and 19 inches deep. Extra assistance may be needed to carry the box to your bedroom. Once unboxed and unrolled, the mattress should reach full size within 24 to 48 hours. Mattresses that aren’t opened right away may take longer to fully decompress.
Additional Services
Bear offers White Glove delivery for a $100 fee. The service includes professional installation and the removal of packaging. The team can also remove your old mattress for an additional $50.
White Glove delivery generally takes 2 to 3 weeks, so customers wanting the mattress sooner should opt for standard FedEx Ground delivery.
Sleep Trial
The Cub includes a 365-night sleep trial with a 30-day break-in period to give the sleeper time to adjust to the new bed. After the initial 30 days, the mattress can be returned at any point during the trial for a full refund.
Customers can initiate returns by emailing Bear with the request. Customer service will then coordinate a free mattress pick-up.
Warranty
Bear backs the Cub Mattress with a lifetime warranty. Only the original purchaser is eligible for coverage.
The warranty covers defects like split or cracked foam, damaged springs, and visible indentations larger than 1.5 inches. Typical wear and tear, like the softening of foam over time, is not covered. Damages from neglect or not using a proper foundation are also excluded.
Bear replaces defective mattresses at no cost to the customer. Each customer is limited to one replacement per mattress.
For an additional fee, Bear offers accident protection, which is separate from warranty coverage. Customers can opt for 3-year, 5-year, or 10-year plans. The plan covers stains, rips, and other accidental wear. Refer to Bear’s website for additional terms and conditions.
Rachel combines a background in health journalism with hands-on experience testing sleep products. In her time at Sleep Foundation, she's researched and evaluated mattresses, pillows, bedding, and sleep tech to help readers find the products best suited to their sleep needs. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors with her kids.