Blog > Comprehensive Kid’s Mattress Buying Guide 2024

Comprehensive Kid’s Mattress Buying Guide 2024

Comprehensive Kid’s Mattress Buying Guide 2024

Best Kids Mattress Buying Guide

Choosing the best mattress for kids requires serious consideration. Research proves that a child’s neurological development is proportional to his/her sleep quality. Sound sleep is essential for a kid’s health, wellness, and growth. Therefore, it is important for you to understand the properties of the best kid’s mattresses and important buying considerations.

Every child has unique slumber needs, and parents want only the best for their young ones. No one mattress is best for your kid. Much depends on your child’s physique, sleep style, likes, and dislikes. Moreover, a kid-friendly mattress needs to have certain qualities to ensure safe and healthy sleep for your child.

best mattress for kids

Top 10 Best Mattresses for Kids

Comparison Table
MattressCategoryProsConsCertificationsSleep Trial & Warranty
Nest Bedding Love & Sleep
Full review
Foam Mattress

  • 11-inch
  • Medium
  • Medium-firm
  • Breathable and cool
  • Consistent support and spinal alignment
  • Excellent for active kids
  • Best for bed sharing siblings
  • Outstanding value for money
  • Not available in softer models
  • Unremovable, non-washable cover
  • GreenGuard Gold Certified
  • NAPPA Winner, 2018
  • 100-nights sleep trial
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Life Comfort Guarantee
Brooklyn Bowery
Full review
Foam Mattress

  • 10-inch
  • Medium
  • Excellent for side and back sleepers
  • Remarkable for bed sharing
  • Neutral sleep temperature
  • Good cost-based value
  • Unsuitable for overweight teens
  • Unsuitable for stomach sleepers
  • Unremovable, non-washable cover
  • CertiPUR US Certified
  • 120-nights sleep trial
  • 10-year warranty
Signature Sleep Contour
Full review
Hybrid Mattress

  • 8-inch
  • Medium
  • Good support and pressure-relief
  • Reversible with improved longevity
  • Best for preschoolers
  • Excellent for the price
  • Requires a thin mattress pad for maximum comfort
  • Unremovable, non-washable cover
  • Soft edges
  • CertiPUR US Certified
  • Sleep trial period unspecified
  • 10-year warranty
Nest Bedding Big Kid’s Bed
Full review
Foam Mattress

  • 7-inch
  • Firm
  • Best for preschoolers and tweens
  • Relief from growing pains
  • Most suitable for combination sleepers
  • Excellent for bed sharing
  • Good value for money
  • Unsuitable for overweight kids
  • Unremovable, non-washable cover
  • CertiPUR US certified
  • 100-nights sleep trial
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Life Comfort Guarantee
Naturepedic 2-in-1 Organic Cotton Ultra Quilted Mattress
Full review
Innerspring Mattress

  • 9-inch
  • Firm
  • Dust mite/bed bug barrier
  • Reversible with one side waterproof for toddlers/preschoolers
  • Available in Trundle sizes as well
  • Reinforced edges
  • Supportive mattress
  • Excellent value product
  • Too hard for some kids
  • Unsuitable for side sleepers
  • GOTS certified
  • Greenguard Gold certified
  • USDA approved organic cotton
  • Green America certified business
  • 90-nights sleep trial
  • 10-years warranty
5 Little monkeys sleep system
Full review
Memory foam mattress

  • 8-inch
  • Cushion Firm
  • Customizable pillow included.
  • Waterproof protector included.
  • Washable organic cotton cover
  • Remarkable cost-based value
  • Twin XL not available
  • Unsuitable for overweight teens
  • Oeko-Tex Certified cotton
  • CPSIA Certified
  • CertiPUR-US certified
  • Prop 65 compliant
  • 100-nights sleep trial
  • 15-year warranty
Puffy
Full review
Foam Mattress

  • 10 inch
  • Medium
  • Cooling mattress
  • Secure edges
  • Best for restless sleepers
  • Removable, machine washable cover
  • Good value for money
  • May be too cold for younger kids
  • CertiPUR US Certified
  • Oeko-Tex 100 Certified cover
  • 101-nights sleep trial
  • Lifetime warranty
Leesa
Full review
Foam Mattress

  • 10-inch
  • Medium-firm
  • Best for bed sharing
  • Cooling mattress
  • Excellent for active kids
  • Best for allergies
  • Excellent value for extended use
  • Unremovable, non-washable cover
  • Unsuitable for preschoolers
  • CertiPUR-US certified
  • B-Corp certified brand
  • 100-nights sleep trial
  • 10-year warranty
Zenhaven
Full review
Natural Latex Mattress

  • 9-inch
  • Luxury Plush
  • Gentle Firm
  • Breathable natural/Organic mattress
  • Best for allergies
  • Reversible
  • White glove delivery
  • Excellent value for long-term use
  • Shipped uncompressed
  • Unremovable, non-washable cover
  • Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified
  • SFC member brand
  • 120-nights sleep trial
  • 20-year warranty
IKEA Husvika
Full review
Innerspring Mattress

  • 6-inch
  • Firm
  • Child-safe tabless zipper
  • Best for short term use
  • Best for toddler beds and daybeds
  • Best for back support
  • Fair value for money
  • Unsuitable for side sleepers
  • Unsuitable for teens
  • Only Twin size available
  • No free delivery
  • Made from sustainable sources
  • Environmental protection in collaboration with WWF and FSC
  • No sleep trial offered
  • Exchange mattress once in the first year of purchase
  • 25-year warranty

best mattress for kids near me

Comparison of Price

Mattress namePrice of Twin ($)Price of Twin XL ($)Price of Full ($)Price of Queen ($)Price of King ($)Price of Cali King ($)Other Sizes ($) 
Nest Bedding Love & Sleep400430550600750750Split King (1)- 530
Split Cali King (1)- 530
Buy Now
Get Discount
Brooklyn Bowery500550650700950950N/ABuy Now
Get Discount
Signature Sleep Contour124N/A190251303N/AN/ABuy Now
Get Discount
Nest Bedding Big Kid’s Bed300400500N/AN/AN/AN/ABuy Now
Get Discount
Naturepedic 2-in-1 Organic Cotton Ultra Quilted Mattress7509001000N/AN/AN/ATwin Trundle 71-inch – 750
Twin Trundle 75-inch – 750
Buy Now
Get Discount
5 Little monkeys sleep system500N/A800N/AN/AN/AN/ABuy Now
Get Discount
Puffy795825995115013501350N/ABuy Now
Get Discount
Leesa59569589599511951195N/ABuy Now
Get Discount
Zenhaven130013501700190025002500N/ABuy Now
Get Discount
IKEA Husvika120N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/ABuy Now
Get Discount

How to Choose the Best Mattress for Kids?

Kids seem to outgrow everything ever so quickly, and admittedly, no one wants to purchase a new mattress every year. A carefully chosen product can ensure a comfortable and health-promoting snooze for the child at least 7 to 8 years on the same bed.

For the kids, a bed isn’t a place reserved for rest — it’s where they do their homework research, have fun during sleepovers, share secrets with their friends and siblings, munch their favorite snacks, share secrets, shed tears, and jump in joy! All this needs to be taken into account before you begin the mattress hunt for your children.

Some of the common concerns that arise during kids’ mattress shopping are:

  • What size to choose?
  • Is it firm and supportive enough?
  • Does the mattress pose suffocation risk?
  • Are the materials safe and healthy for kids?
  • Is it safe – any buttons or zippers that could come loose?
  • Is the maintenance and cleaning easy?
  • How durable is the mattress?

Let us address all of these and more, and guide you to the best products to improve your kid’s sleep.

mattress for kid´s beds

Key Buying Considerations for a Kid’s Mattress

1. Child’s Age Dictates Mattress Size

Whether you’re buying for preschoolers, tweens or teens narrows your options for the mattress size and thickness. Below are some points to consider:

  • How old are your kids and how long do you plan to keep the new mattress?
  • Is the bed intended for one child or more kids will share the bed?
  • Is your child past growth spurt or near one? (Girls: 8 – 13 ; Boys: 10 – 15)
  • If kids are young, do you sometimes co-sleep or cuddle in bed until the child settles down?

In the case of bed sharing, full size is worth the extra money. It can accommodate your preteen through the growth spurt and has enough space for teens to move around in sleep.

2. Consider Body Structure for Mattress Dimensions

Factor in the weight group, height, and growth potential of the child. The mattress should be big enough to offer the kids the best support.

Build
  • Average or lightweight kids (especially preschoolers and tweens) require thin mattresses, around 8-inch thick with viscoelastic sleep surface for enhanced comfort.
  • Chubby kids, especially tweens or early teens get the best sleep on supportive mattresses. Look for responsive foams, latex, or innerspring in the mattress construction.
  • For teens, 10 inch mattresses remove the risk of bottoming out.
Height
  • Regular mattress sizes are enough to accommodate an average kid from early years through adolescence and teenage. They offer enough space for the child’s growth.
  • The additional 5 inches in extra long mattress sizes make a ton of difference for taller tweens and teens.

3. Sleep Position Suggests the Firmness

The dominant sleep position tells you how firm a kid’s mattress should be. It also clues you about the preferred mattress materials suitable for achieving that comfort level.

Dominant Sleep Position

Suitable FirmnessPreferred Mattress Material
Back sleepersMedium to Medium-firmPocketed coils
Side sleepersSoft to MediumSoft to Medium
Stomach sleepersMediumLatex

children’s mattresses online

4. Lifestyle and Activity Level Narrows the Search

Your lifestyle and your child’s activity level has a lot to do with your mattress selection.

  • If your kids are actively involved in sports, they need mattresses that aid rest and recovery.
  • If you pursue a natural lifestyle, choose organic/natural mattresses like natural latex, organic cotton and wool, and other naturally sourced foams. They give off little to no toxic fumes and odors.
  • If you’re passionate about nature, choose brands with a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
  • If you’d like to help uplift society in every possible way, choose brands like Leesa or Brooklyn Bedding that are actively involved in community work.

5. Look Out for Allergies

Organic and/or natural sleep surfaces are best for allergy-prone kids. Moreover, manufacturers nowadays use various allergen-resistant, antimicrobial materials for healthy mattresses for kids. Some of the common mattress components to look for are:

  • Charcoal
  • Copper
  • Silver
  • Titanium
  • Essential oils

6. Unique Medical Conditions

Medical conditions like asthma, sleep apnea, scoliosis or other musculoskeletal diseases can make deep sleep a distant dream for a child. The sleep deprivation and fatigue can further exacerbate the symptoms. Deep sleep aids recovery and uplifts the mood, and a right mattress can significantly improve the kid’s restfulness, one night at a time.

Latex and waterbeds are said to improve sleep apnea symptoms owing to the relatively less sinkage and enhanced support. Zoned or graduated support adapts better to different postures and growing bodies of preschoolers and preteens. Alternatively, adjustable firmness mattresses allow you to alter the comfort level to suit the kids best.

How to Choose the Most Suitable Features for a Child Mattress?

best mattress for children

1. How to Choose the Mattress Size and Thickness

Always keep the growth factor in mind. Remember to factor in the foundation size as well.

SizeSuitability
Twin
  • Fits extendable toddler beds and bunk beds
  • Suitable for most children, preschoolers, preteens, and teens
Twin XL
  • Suitable for taller teens and tweens (nearing growth spurt)
Full
  • Suitable for sharing the bed with a sibling
  • Best for chubby tweens and teens
  • Suitable for restless kids, experiencing growth pains
Queen
  • Unsuitable for kids unless sharing the bed
King
  • Too big for kids
Cal King
  • Too big for kids

 

2. How Firm Should a Child’s Mattress be?

Comfort level is subjective and therefore, choosing right mattress firmness for the child becomes a difficult decision for the parents. One objective way is to match the child’s weight to bed’s ILD (Indentation Load Deflection). ILD gives you a pretty accurate idea about the suitable mattress firmness for the child.

FirmnessILD
PlushLess than 25 lbs
Medium25 lbs – 31 lbs
FirmMore than 31 lbs

Medium firmness is likely best for preschoolers or younger kids who do not have fixed snooze patterns yet. Adjustable firmness mattresses allow the kids to change the comfort level as their firmness requirements change.

3. Are Support, Sinkage, and Bounce Important?

Kids benefit from a supportive mattress with subtle bounce and just the enough sinkage. Healthy sleep posture is crucial for a child’s proper growth. A supportive mattress maintains proper sleep posture and provides an even surface feel.

  • Supportive designs prevent excessive sinkage and preserve the child’s spinal curvature in all sleep positions.
  • Balanced support and sinkage are crucial for relieving growing pains. As a result, kids experience deep REM sleep, improved circulation, and enhanced rest and recovery.
  • A subtle bounce assists younger kids change sleep position and move in the bed without disrupting their snooze.

4. What Sleep Temperature is best for Children?

Kids usually sleep hot, so look for a neutral or cooling mattress. Some materials are naturally hot or cold, but you can use various market solutions to achieve a neutral sleep temperature for your child.

  • Choose products equipped with some kinds of mattress cooling technique, for instance, gel foams or phase change materials.
  • Use cooling mattress toppers, cooling blankets, and other accessories if hot sleeping becomes an issue.
  • Latex is naturally cool and breathable. If your child feels cold, invest in thermal blankets or memory foam toppers.

kid mattress size

5. How to Ensure Minimal Off-gassing?

Off-gassing is the release of chemicals from the mattress when you unbox it. The odor can be strong and lingering or unnoticeable depending on the construction materials. In large amounts, these gases can cause allergies, respiratory problems, and some are carcinogenic as well. However, generally mattress emissions are rigorously tested for safety levels before approved for sale.

  • Almost all mattresses are CertiPUR-US certified, ensuring that the offgassing is within a safe limit.
  • Third-party certifications like Greenguard Gold test the entire mattress for the presence of VOCs and other harmful materials.
  • Choose organic mattresses. They use natural materials to ensure minimal toxins, if any.

In any case, off-gassing stops and chemicals drift away on their own within a few days of airing out the mattress.

6. How to Prevent Motion and Noise Disturbance?

Some kids, especially tweens take a lot of time to fall asleep. Minor disturbances can prevent them from entering the coveted, deep REM sleep. Motion and noise disturbances are important considerations if:

  • Siblings share the bed.
  • Parents co-sleep with their child.
  • The child sleeps light.
  • If the child suffers from allergies and/or is cranky most nights.

Foam mattresses have least motion transfer and since they have no coils, they minimize noise disturbance as well. If you choose innerspring mattress, look for foam side rails that muffle any sounds. Most mattresses use pocketed coils nowadays that are wrapped in foam or fabric, thus, eliminating any noise or motion disturbances.

7. How to Ensure Mattress Safety for Preschoolers?

Kids can put anything in their mouth or worse, nose, absentmindedly. The risk of choking is especially real for preschoolers and early tweens. A childproof mattress design ensures the absence of any small parts that can come loose.

  • Ensure the absence of any buttons or embellishments in designs.
  • Ensure zipper tabs are sturdy or choose the ones with an invisible zipper.

8. What Are the Benefits of a Reversible Mattress?

Reversible beds may last the entire childhood of the young ones, well into their teenage years.

  • Different comfort levels on each side let your child choose the firmness according to the changing sleep needs.
  • When one side wears down, the other side is still available for use.
  • Periodic reversal slows down wear and tear due to daily use.
  • Most mattress makers use better quality materials in reversible mattresses.

best kids mattress

Which Mattress Categories are Best for Kids?

Parents have been favoring innerspring mattresses for their children since long. However, given the abundant choices, many customers ask, is a memory foam mattress good for a child or will my kids benefit from the therapeutic effects of a waterbed.

In fact, memory foam, latex, and waterbeds, all are proving their merit as kids mattress as well. Much depends on the personal preferences and child’s sleep styles. So, let’s dig deeper and study the distinguishing features of each mattress material separately.

CategoryProsConsMarket Solutions
Memory Foam Mattresses
  • Affordable
  • Hugging feel
  • Motion isolation
  • Motion isolation
  • Durable
  • May heat up
  • Excessive chest compression for teen stomach sleepers
  • Off-gassing
  • Gel infusions or ventilated foams impart cooling
  • Resilient high-density foams improve support
  • Memory foam in comfort layer only, reduces cost
  • Eco-friendly alternatives reduce off-gassing
Innerspring Mattresses
  • Budget-friendly
  • Maintain spinal alignment
  • Supportive
  • May sag early
  • Coils may protrude
  • May cause noise and motion disturbance
  • High-quality, low gauge coils improve durability
  • Foam reinforced edges prevent coil protrusion
  • Pocketed coils reduce motion and noise disturbance
Hybrid Mattresses
  • Durable
  • Responsive
  • Balanced comfort and support
  • Expensive
  • Usually high-profile, unsuitable for preschoolers and tweens
  • Durability improves value for money
  • Low profile hybrids (less than 10-inch) are suitable for teens and some tweens
Latex Mattresses
  • Allergen-resistant
  • Supports normal body alignment
  • Very durable
  • Very durable
  • Expensive
  • Unsuitable if allergic to latex
  • Sensory kids may dislike unique latex foam feel
  • Some kids may find it hard Latex foam only in to
  • Latex foam only in top layers reduces cost
  • Synthetic latex reduces allergy risks
  • Polyfoam or memory foam mattress toppers can slightly alter the feel
Waterbeds
  • Budget-friendly
  • Maintain normal body posture
  • No noise or motion disturbance
  • Hypoallergenic Durable
  • Too cold to sleep without heaters
  • High ongoing energy cost
  • May develop leaks
  • May form mold and odor
  • High maintenance required
  • Heaters are placed under the waterbed without any wires in sight
  • Waterbed conditioners prevent odor and mold
  • Repair kits are readily available and effortless to use
Air beds
  • Allergen-resistant
  • Adjustable Firmness
  • Durable
  • Difficult for kids to operate
  • May lose the firmness during night
  • Electrical hazard Very expensive
  • Parents can set the control once
  • Non-electrical models available as well

How to Calculate the Cost-based Value of a Kids Mattress?

kids mattress

Choose the Best Value Mattress for Kids

Weigh the price against quality, durability, and intended duration of use to evaluate and compare the value of your shortlisted mattresses.

1. Price

As kids grow, their sleep needs change and so does their mattress requirements. For this reason, you shouldn’t invest in a very expensive bed, especially for adolescents. As such, high price equals high-quality is a MYTH in the mattress market. Price alone is an insignificant measure of quality or product value. However, the average price for each type of mattress gives you a useful reference point to set your budget.

Higher price than this range should have some additional value proposition. For a lower price, look for the catch!

Mattress CategoryAverage Market Price

Memory foam

Between $800 and $1200

Latex

Between $1500 and $2000

Hybrid

Between $850 and $1500

Innerspring

Between $800 and $950

Air bed

Between $1600 and $2000

Waterbed

Between $200 and $500

2. Durability

You might overlook durability, given that a child is expected to sleep on a mattress for around 7-8 years only (average lifespan of a regular mattress). However, durable mattresses use high-quality materials that directly impact the rest quality. Read beyond the labels and find out specifications, especially the foam densities. Only then can you ascertain the actual quality and durability expectancy of the products.

Mattress MaterialDurable Version

Memory foam

5 lb or higher

Polyfoam

2 lb or higher

Innerspring

13 gauge or lower

Latex

Natural (Dunlop/Talalay)

3. Sleep Trial Period

Longer the trial period, the better. In-home trials are best way to test whether a sleep surface suits your child or not. Since kids might not be able to understand or convey their sleep needs, their slumber quality during trial helps you take the decision with confidence. Sleep trials range from 90 days to as long as a whole year — most online mattress brands give you 100 days to test the mattress at home. Since most returned mattresses are donated, consider using a mattress protector to prevent soiling.

mattress for kids near

4. Warranty

Longer warranty period not only provides some peace of mind but can also indicate the durability and quality of the mattress. Most mattresses come with a 10-year warranty. Latex mattresses are usually protected under warranty for 15-20 years. Some brands provide lifetime warranty as well. Sometimes warranties are accompanied by comfort guarantees. Products providing comfort guarantees offer free or discounted mattresses if you wish to change the firmness of your bed within the allotted time period.

5. Maintenance

Kids are messy, and a low-maintenance mattress is undoubtedly a priority for every parent. Look for the following qualities in a mattress:

  • Dark colored covers hide stains and spillage marks.
  • Prefer machine washable covers for easy cleaning.
  • Removable covers are a good choice too for spot cleaning without harming the foams underneath.
  • Some mattresses have waterproof covers or come with a waterproof mattress protector.

A comfortable mattress for kids lays the foundation for better sleep habits. As a result, your child’s health and wellness improves. Once you’ve further narrowed down your search, you can use SleePare Mattress Comparison tool to reach a well informed, confident decision.

Further Reading

What Mattress Category/Type Is Good For You?
5 Sure Shot Ways to Test the Perfect Mattress Firmness in Store
Comprehensive Guide to Clean your Mattress

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Dustin Morgan

Dustin Morgan


Dustin is the lead content creator at SleePare. With a degree in Computer Science and extensive experience reviewing mattresses, curating comparisons and advising on "best of" guides, he's truly a mattress technology expert.

Dustin has perfected this method by personally testing over 200 different mattresses, so he's not only able to discern the overall value of a specific bed, but to assign its value to different types of sleepers.

Along with creating honest and straightforward mattress features, Dustin enjoys creating pieces aimed at helping people get their best sleep ever.

When he's not creating helpful content, Dustin enjoys jogging, fishing, hunting and playing video games in and around his Virginia home.