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Nest Bedding Puffin Mattress Review: Test Lab Ratings
Sleep Foundation
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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.
The Nest Bedding Puffin is a firm all-foam mattress geared toward children. Kids who sleep on their back and stomach should appreciate the bed’s ultra-supportive build and above-average cooling.
- Good temperature control, so great choice for kids who tend to sleep hot
- Below-average price for an all-foam mattress
- Made with eco-friendly materials
- May be too firm for side sleepers under 130 pounds
- Less durable than the average hybrid mattress
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.
SMART MATCHING
Is the Nest Bedding Puffin Right for You?
Use the filters below to see how well the Nest Bedding Puffin lines up with your unique needs. We'll also give you a couple other recommendations based on your answers.
TEST LAB RATINGS
How the Nest Bedding Puffin Scored
Motion Isolation8.0/10
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.
Pressure Relief5.0/10
A mattress that encourages good sleep posture is key to reducing tension in growing bodies. With its blend of cushioning and support, the Puffin provides good pressure relief for kids.
The Energex foam comfort layer conforms to the body while promoting neutral spine alignment. This reduces pressure buildup on the hips, shoulders, and back.
We found that pressure relief is greatest for stomach and back sleepers under 230 pounds. Kids over 230 pounds may sink more deeply into the mattress beneath the torso area, which can strain the lower back.
Side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds should experience good pressure relief at the hips and shoulders, the most sensitive areas for this sleep position.
Temperature Control7.5/10
The Puffin’s breathable polyester cover uses phase change material designed to regulate temperature. Since Energex foam doesn’t conform as closely to the body as memory foam, uncomfortable heat buildup is less likely.
Despite its density, the polyfoam core offers better airflow than most solid foam cores. Children over 230 pounds may encounter some heat buildup caused by sinkage, but the cooling features should prevent overheating for most kids.
Edge Support6.5/10
A strong mattress perimeter gives kids more consistent support while making it easier to get in and out of bed.
Our tests showed that the Puffin has above-average edge support, particularly compared to other foam models. Thanks to the high-density polyfoam core, most children under 230 pounds shouldn’t experience much sinkage, even when sitting up in bed.
However, surface impressions may develop for older kids, especially if they sleep toward the edge of the bed.
Ease of Movement6.0/10
Because they tend to contour closely to the body, foam mattresses can sometimes be difficult to move on. However, kids should be able to easily shift positions on the Puffin, thanks to its responsive comfort layers and dense polyfoam core, which minimize sinkage.
Combination sleepers, as well as more active sleepers, can benefit from the Puffin’s high rating in this category.
Durability5.5/10
The low durability score for the Nest Bedding Puffin is mainly due to the fact it’s designed for children, and therefore has a thinner profile and less robust support core. Nest Bedding specifies a 110-pound weight limit for this all-foam bed. Children in this weight category exert less pressure on the mattress, and with its firm surface, the bed should still last quite a few years before needing to be replaced.
Who it Fits
Fit by Sleep Position and Body Weight
Sizes, dimensions and weights
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.
Construction
Inside the Nest Bedding Puffin
Cover
Polyester with phase change material
Comfort Layer
Polyfoam (quilted in cover), 2" Energex polyfoam
Support Core
Polyfoam
Other Nest Beds You Might Like
Nest Bedding Sparrow
8.4/108.4/10 · $1,149 – $2,498
Hybrid · Soft (3), Medium (5), Firm (7)
Nest Bedding Owl
8.8/108.8/10 · $1,492 – $3,518
Latex Hybrid · Soft (3), Medium (5), Firm (7)
Nest Bedding Finch
8.8/108.8/10 · $1,699 – $2,798
Latex · Medium (5), Firm (7)
Buying It
Trial, Warranty, and Delivery
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.
Jeremy is a sleep product tester with a passion for methodology and data collection. He’s spent the last six years at Sleep Foundation testing nearly every mattress, pillow, and sheet on the market, and has gained a holistic understanding of how to get the most accurate and universal results possible. When he’s not working, Jeremy likes to make music, play tennis, and watch old movies.