Best Bunk Bed Mattresses

Written by Loren Bullock, Lead Mattress Tester

Methodology

Here at Mattress Nerd, we’ve tested hundreds of mattresses to bring you unbiased, expert reviews of the top brands. Learn more.

In This Article

We’ll discuss the best bunk-bed-suitable mattresses for comfort, support, and safety.

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Finding the best bunk bed mattress for your bunk bed set can be challenging. Bunk beds used to be more simple and uniformly designed, and almost any twin mattress worked as a bunk bed mattress in the past. However, bunk beds today come in all shapes and sizes and have varying weight capacities, features, layouts, space for headroom, and more.

In this article, we’ve done much of the hard work for you and are sharing our picks for the top five bunk bed mattresses of 2023. You’ll also learn how to choose the best bunk bed mattress for your set in our buying guide, which outlines the types of bunk bed mattresses available, important shopping considerations, and tips for making your final decision.

Bottom Line: What’s the Best Bunk Bed Mattress?

Finding the right mattress for your bunk bed means factoring for size, height, firmness and other key considerations. Our top pick, the wallet-friendly Nectar, is designed for cooler nights. Plus, its light weight makes it a good option for top bunks.

The 5 Best Bunk Bed Mattresses of 2023

• Nectar – Best Bunk Bed Mattress for Hot Sleepers
• Saatva Youth – Best Luxury Bunk Bed Mattress
• Brooklyn Bedding Bowery – Best Affordable Bunk Bed Mattress
• Helix Midnight – Best Bunk Bed Mattress for Adults
• DreamCloud Original– Best Bunk Bed Mattress for Back Sleepers

Chosen by Experts and Advocates

Our team at Mattress Nerd understands how difficult it can be to find the perfect bunk bed, especially with so many different options on the market. With our rigorous testing process, however, we scored these mattresses based on important features such as comfort, durability, and cooling. We wanted to spend time testing out the best of the best so you don’t have to! 

Best Bunk Bed Mattress for Hot Sleepers: Nectar

Pros of the Nectar Mattress

Gel-infused to minimize heat retention

Great price point, trial window, and warranty

Medium-firm feel should be comfortable for all ages

Cons of the Nectar Mattress

Taller height could be an issue with some bunk bed side rails

Contouring memory foam may not appeal to all sleepers

Lacks the breathability of hybrid mattress constructions 

Nectar is a Tempur-Pedic adjacent mattress for a fraction of the price. The gel-infused memory foam comfort layer helps the mattress avoid trapping heat, which can be a problem in all-foam beds. It also features a polyethylene cover, which makes it cool to the touch. 

This is especially appealing if you’re purchasing the mattress for a young child and want it to last until they’re ready to “graduate” to a full mattress and bed frame or another type of sleeping surface.

What our testers say: “Made of three memory foam layers, the Nectar successfully achieves a balance of contouring and support. Those who like the traditional feel of memory foam but tend to sleep hot will appreciate the gel-infused memory foam. These folks will get the “hug” of memory foam with cooling gel to help regulate their temperature.” — Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Nectar Mattress

• Hot sleepers who still want a memory foam mattress
• Average-weight back and side sleepers
• Couples who crave top-notch motion isolation 

Who Might Not Like the Nectar Mattress

• People who want a traditional, bouncy mattress
• Those who sleep along the edge of their bed
• Average-weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers

Other User Reviews

With thousands of reviews on Nectar’s website, the Nectar mattress has an average 4.8 out of 5 stars. The majority of negative reviews found the bed too firm, too soft, or thought it started to sink too quickly. But positive reviews praise its comfort and cushioning ability.

Read our full Nectar mattress review to learn more.

Best Luxury Bunk Bed Mattress: Saatva Youth

Pros of the Saatva Youth Mattress

Double-sided design grows with your child

Made with organic materials for zero off-gassing

Water-resistant finish makes it virtually accident-proof

Cons of the Saatva Youth Mattress

Not intended for sleepers over about 100 pounds

May lack contouring for kids who sleep on their sides

Higher price point

A double-sided innerspring twin size mattress that’s designed to provide comfort and support to children, the Saatva Youth is the kids’ version of the original Saatva mattress and is handcrafted with high-quality components and eco-friendly materials. This mattress incorporates thoughtful details into its luxury construction that is catered to children.

For example, the double-sided design is meant to support children from 3 to 8 years old on one side and children older than 8 years old on the other. You simply flip it when they’re ready. 

It also features child-friendly materials like 100 percent organic cotton and foams that are guaranteed to never off-gas or release harmful chemicals. Finally, the Saatva Youth is accident-proof, made with a water-resistant finish and an internal waterproof barrier to protect from accidents and spills.

What our testers say: “The Saatva Youth mattress is a flippable and organic innerspring bed that’s great for children under 100 lbs. The bed has a supportive and responsive feel, ideal for kids who toss and turn throughout the night, and the mattress’s firmer side works for bigger kids over eight years old too.” — Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Saatva Youth Mattress

• Hot sleepers
• Young sleepers (12 and under)
• Back and stomach sleepers

Who Might Not Like the Saatva Youth Mattress

• Teenagers and older sleepers
• Preteen side sleepers
• Budget shoppers

Other User Reviews

On the Saatva website, this mattress has a 5 out of 5 star review, from 16 reviews. Praise is given to the satisfaction and comfort levels of users.

Read our full Saatva Youth mattress review to learn more. Check out even more of our best mattresses for kids.

Best Affordable Bunk Bed Mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Bowery

Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Mattress

Responsive feel for sleepers who toss and turn

Great price point

Breathable for sleepers who sleep hot

Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Mattress

May lack contouring for those who sleep on their sides

Responsive feel doesn’t isolation well

Lacking in pressure relief, which may be an issue with bigger sleepers

The Brooklyn Bowery Hybrid mattress offers a traditional firm innerspring feel that’s perfect for kids. Inside the mattress is a layer of heavy gauge tempered steel coils, two soft foam layers, and a supportive layer of dense foam for extra durability. 

It ships compressed and rolled in a box, and the setup’s so easy that even your kids can help. The Bowery Hybrid is also responsive and breathable, so it’s great if your kid gets hot or likes to play around on their mattress. All of this comes at an affordable price for you and your family.

What our testers say: “The Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Hybrid is one of the best budget-friendly hybrid mattresses that we’ve tested. It’s responsive, cool, and incredibly supportive.” — Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Mattress

• Shoppers on a budget
• Hot sleepers
• Back and stomach sleepers

Who Might Not Like the Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Mattress

• Side sleepers
• Those with hip or shoulder pain
• Couples concerned about motion transfer

Other User Reviews

On the Brooklyn Bedding website, this mattress scored a 4.8 out of 5 stars, from 527 reviews. Praise is given to the great quality and comfort of this mattress and for a great price. There were some complaints about the mattress wearing down quickly in areas where sleepers lay.

Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Hybrid mattress review to learn more.

Best Bunk Bed Mattress for Adults: Helix Midnight

Pros of the Helix Midnight Mattress

Great price point

Designed to meet the needs of side sleepers

Cooling upgrades for more comfortable nights

Cons of the Helix Midnight Mattress

Taller height may be an issue with side rails

May not be sufficiently supportive for back or stomach sleepers

Lacks responsiveness for combination sleepers

We generally recommend that a bunk bed mattress for children be 8” tall or shorter. Any taller, and it will possibly rise above the safety rails of the top bunk. However, in the case of teenagers or adults, it is less likely that you will roll off of the bed in the middle of the night. So, the Helix Midnight (12” tall) is our pick for the best bunk bed mattress for adults.

Constructed with both foam and coils, the Helix Midnight is a high-quality mattress at an affordable price. It scored a four out of five or higher on most of our lab tests, and it performs exceptionally well for side sleepers. If you want to make the most of your bunk bed sleeping situation as an adult, the Helix Midnight is a great choice.

What our testers say: “The Midnight has a true hybrid feel; in other words, it feels like a hotel bed—cushioning on top that’s balanced by a supportive, springy coil base. You’ll sink an inch or two into the memory foam top layer and feel the foam contouring around your curves. The coils below keep you lifted on top of the mattress.” — Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Helix Midnight Mattress

• Side sleepers of all body types—lightweight (< 130 lbs), average-weight (130–230 lbs), and heavyweight (> 230 lbs)
• Couples
• Memory foam lovers concerned about overheating
• Value shoppers

Who Might Not Like the Helix Midnight Mattress

• Heavyweight back sleepers and stomach sleepers
• Combination sleepers
• Fans of extra soft or extra firm mattresses

Other User Reviews

On Helix’s website, the mattress scores 4.5 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews come mostly from side sleepers who found the mattress too firm and therefore uncomfortable for their tastes. Positive reviews cite pain relief, easy set-up, and overall comfort.

Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review to learn more.

Best Bunk Bed Mattress for Back Sleepers: DreamCloud Original

Pros of the DreamCloud Original Mattress

Luxury hybrid works particularly well for back sleepers

Excellent sleep trial and warranty

Cooling upgrades for more comfortable nights

Cons of the DreamCloud Original Mattress

High price point

Tall mattress height may be an issue with side rails

Heavy weight, even in twin and full sizes

The DreamCloud Original is a luxury, hybrid mattress that features memory foam on top and innerspring coils below. This offers a mix of comfortable pressure relief and zoned support to the lumbar area, which is perfect for back sleepers. The comfort layer, which is below the cashmere cover of this bed, is made with gel memory foam. When you lie back on the surface, expect that memory foam to contour to your body’s shape and give you a “cuddled” feel. 

When we tested this bed, we gave it a perfect score for back sleepers of all body types, so this bed will work for you regardless of body weight. 

What our testers say: “The DreamCloud mattress brings a high-quality, hotel-like feel to the bed-in-a-box market. If you want a little bit of luxury and want to feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud, the DreamCloud definitely delivers.” — Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the DreamCloud Original Mattress

• Couples
• Hot sleepers
• Shoppers wanting a hotel-like bed
• Combination and back sleepers

Who Might Not Like the DreamCloud Original Mattress

• Budget shoppers
• Lightweight side sleepers
• Heavyweight stomach sleepers

Other User Reviews

The DreamCloud Original scores a solid 4.7 out of 5 stars among customers on its site. Reviews are mixed on the firmness of the mattress but overall users are satisfied with the comfort and say that their sleep has improved.

For even more information, visit our full review on the DreamCloud Mattress. For more options for back sleepers, read our best mattresses for back sleepers page.

Bunk Bed Mattress Buying Guide

Perhaps the most obvious consideration when selecting a mattress for a bunk bed is whether it fits into the bunk bed’s design. However, there are other factors to take into account, including the type of bunk bed you’re purchasing it for, budget, safety features, and more. In this buyer’s guide, we share everything you need to know prior to purchasing mattresses for your bunk bed.

Types

These are the most common types of bunk bed designs sold today. Determining the type of bunk bed you’re outfitting is an essential step in choosing the right mattress.

Standard

This is a ‘classic’ bunk bed style that features two twin-sized mattresses stacked on top of each other: one at the bottom and one at the top. Most feature a ladder that ascends to the top bunk and some feature a guard rail and the option to disassemble the bunk into two separate twin beds.

Standard Loft

Think of lofts as a classic bunk bed without the bottom bunk. A loft bunk bed has the top bed but leaves the bottom space open for storage, a desk, or a relaxation nook.

See: Best Loft Beds

Triple

A triple is simply a tall variation of the standard bunk bed and features three beds (twin-size) stacked on top of one another. Some triples do place two mattresses next to one another on the bottom with the third on top.

Triple Loft

A triple loft bunk bed features two bunk beds in an L-shape on the top layer and one twin-size bunk bed on the bottom. The open side of the ‘L’ on the bottom is left open for storage, a desk, or a nook.

Trundle

A trundle bunk bed features a traditional bunk bed design with the addition of a third bed housed in a pull-out drawer beneath the bottom bunk. They’re an innovative, space-saving design for children who enjoy having sleepovers with friends or for people with limited space in a room where the bunk is kept.

Twin-over-Full

Twin-over-full bunk beds are designed with a smaller bed on top of a larger bed. They can provide sleeping space for up to three people, with two people sleeping in the full-size mattress and one in the twin-size mattress up top. 

L-Shaped

An L-shaped bunk bed has two beds that are placed perpendicularly. Most L-shaped bunk beds feature two twin mattresses, but some may feature a full-size on the bottom bunk.

Considerations

Healthy sleep is essential for growing children and adults, regardless of who will be sleeping in your bunk bed set. The right bunk bed mattress will provide a comfortable yet supportive surface and may be able to accommodate children as they grow. Here’s what to consider when you’re shopping for a bunk bed mattress that will suit the bed’s frame, you or your child’s sleep needs, and you or your child’s personal preferences.

Mattress Size

The vast majority of bunk beds and similar style beds sold today are designed to fit Twin-, Twin XL-, or Full-size mattresses. We recommend measuring the bunk bed’s mattress space prior to making your purchase decision. For reference, the typical measurements for the mattresses we’ve mentioned are as follows:

• Twin-size dimensions: 38” x 75”
• Twin XL-size dimensions: 38” x 80”
• Full-size dimensions: 54” x 75”

Profile

Most top levels of bunk beds feature guard rails that prevent children and sleepers from hurting themselves by rolling off of the bed in the middle of the night. A guard rail coupled with a low-profile bed is often the best solution to ensure safety. As such, we recommend a mattress that measures 9” thick or less.

Cover Material and Design

In general, the cheaper the bunk bed mattress, the more simplistic its cover design. This is an especially important factor to consider for bunk bed mattresses because children, who may be more prone to accidents and spills, typically sleep on them. Look for covers with zippable, removable designs that are also washing machine friendly. Quilted covers can also help improve the comfort of the mattress as a whole.

Firmness

For children, we recommend firmness settings of medium-firm or softer. The older and heavier the child, the firmer the bed should be. 

Mattress Type

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to the best mattress type for bunk beds. Whether your child prefers innerspring, memory foam, hybrid, or latex, there’s likely a bunk bed mattress out there to suit their needs. Keep in mind there’s a unique set of pros and cons for each mattress type.

Motion and Noise Isolation

Mattresses that isolate motion and dull noise can be especially beneficial for bunk beds, which typically sleep two or three people. Mattresses with low responsiveness, excellent motion isolation, and low noise potential will help your children (and their friends) sleep soundly and reduce disruptions from sleepers on the other bunks.

Cost

Most mattresses for bunk beds have reasonable price points because they’re small in size and therefore use less material. Bunk bed mattresses also tend to be less durable than others on the market due to the fact that most sleepers outgrow their bunk beds within less than five years. If you have the budget to spend extra money to ensure your bunk bed mattress contains luxury materials or will last a long time, feel free to invest, but a value bunk bed mattress can work just as well for your child.

Picking the Right Bunk Bed Mattress

Now that you have a better understanding of the average bunk bed mattress price point, the various types of bunk bed mattresses, and the most important shopping considerations when buying a bunk bed mattress, it’s time to make a decision. Here’s a quick step by step to choosing the best bunk bed mattress for your home:

1. Evaluate your bunk bed’s style (standard, L-shape, etc.)
2. Measure the sleeping spaces to determine mattress size(s) (Twin, Twin-XL, Full, Custom, etc.)
3. Determine your bunk bed mattress budget, making sure to double or triple if your bed requires more than one mattress
4. Make a list of the most important factors in your bunk bed mattress purchase (firmness, profile, comfort, type, etc.)
5. Review the list of our top five bunk bed mattresses of 2023 to see if there’s a bunk bed that can suit your needs
6. Make your purchase with confidence

Who Can Use a Bunk Bed?

It’s well-known that bunk beds are a great solution for kids who share a room. But what if I told you that there are so many other possibilities?

• Kids without siblings. Purchasing a loft bed, or a bunk bed without the bottom, can offer an extra space for play or even for homework. Not to mention, a bunk bed can be perfect for the most epic sleepovers.
• Adults. There are a number of stylish bunk bed frames out there in order to give your room a sophisticated look. What matters most is selecting the bed frame and mattress that properly supports your body type and sleep preferences.
• Those who want to save space. Bunk beds can be a clever way to save space in a smaller room or even a first apartment. Purchasing a loft bed, a bunk bed minus the lower bunk, can allow a place for extra storage, additional closet space, a living space, or even a special area for your pet.
• Guests. Bunk beds can be a great way to accommodate guests who require separate sleeping situations. Twin XL beds offer extra legroom for taller guests, and some bunk beds come with a trundle attachment that allows for even more sleeping space.

FAQs about Bunk Bed Mattresses

Do you need a specific mattress for bunk beds?

It depends on the size of the bunk bed frame, but most will work with a twin size mattress. We recommend you shop for something on the thinner side, as a thick mattress may put the sleeper too high up for the safety rails to be effective.

Can adults sleep in bunk beds?

They certainly can, as long as the bunk bed in question has a high enough weight capacity to support them. If you’re shopping for a bunk bed with adults in mind, make sure to choose one that supports a high weight limit. Some bunk beds only have the capacity for a child’s weight.

Are metal bunk beds better than wood bunk beds?

A quality wood bunk bed frame will likely stand the test of time better than a metal frame will. They also tend to be slightly sturdier than metal bunk beds, which most shoppers appreciate, as this sturdiness equates to a safer sleep experience.

Keep in mind, this only applies to high-quality wood. Steer clear of artificial wood, also known as particle board, whenever possible.

Loren Bullock

Lead Mattress Tester

About Author

Loren is the Lead Mattress Reviewer at Mattress Nerd. She has prioritized sleeping for as long as she can remember, rarely deviating from seven to nine hours each night. As an editor on Mattress Nerd, Loren aims to help people achieve optimal sleep health and pick the best sleep accessories for their needs. You can find her testing mattresses, exploring the best sleep hacks, and telling you about her findings on Mattress Nerd’s YouTube channel and on TikTok.

Combination Sleeper

Education & Credentials

• Certified Sleep Science Coach