Best Mattresses for Kids
All parents want the best for their kids, don’t we? Shouldn’t that include a good sleeping experience? Fortunately, we’ve done all the research and can offer you some great options for the kiddos, whether it’s a toddler who has outgrown their crib mattress or a pre-teen who is complaining about their uncomfortable old mattress.
What factors should you consider when you choose a mattress for your child? Rapid growth and proper support for growing pains, for one. We can help there, too. We understand that the considerations for a kid’s mattress will differ from those for an adult’s mattress and that’s why we will cover these considerations, as well.
In this guide, we’ve reviewed our top picks of the best mattresses for kids, and the important factors to consider when choosing a mattress.
Bottom Line: What’s the Best Mattress for Kids?
We selected the Nectar Kids as the best mattress for kids. Its flippable construction and machine-washable cover make it a great fit for little sleepers.
The Best Mattresses for Kids
- Nectar Kids Mattress – Best Overall Mattress for Kids
- Helix Kids Mattress – Best Hybrid Mattress for Kids
- Leesa Kids – Best Value Mattress for Kids
- Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids – Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Kids
- Bear Cub – Best Mattress for Back or Stomach Sleepers
- Saatva Youth Mattress – Best Organic Mattress for Kids
- Nolah Nurture Mattress – Best Mattress for Restless Kids
- Birch Kids Natural – Best Latex Mattress for Kids
Current Top Deals
- Nectar Kids Mattress – Save Up to 50% on Mattresses + 66% on Bundles
- Helix Kids Mattress – 27% Off Sitewide with Code NERD27
- Leesa Kids – Up to 30% Off Mattresses and 35% Off Mattress + Adjustable Base Bundles; 25% Off Bedding
- Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids – 25% Off Sitewide with Code LABORDAY25
- Bear Cub – 40% Off Sitewide with Code NERD40
Best Mattresses for Kids: Video Review
Chosen by Experts and Advocates
The Nerds are a team of writers, editors, and Certified Sleep Science Coaches who perform hands-on testing to evaluate a mattress’s quality. We consider elements like firmness, motion isolation, edge support, and pressure relief to determine which products to recommend to our readers. All of the mattresses on this list stand out for quality, value, and safety for your growing kids.
Best Overall Mattress for Kids: Nectar Kids Mattress
Nectar Kids Mattress
The Nectar Kids mattress is a flippable, all-foam design that provides great value. One side is a bit firmer, meant for kids age 3-7 who need strong support for growing. The other side is slightly softer, providing a better balance of comfort and support as your child grows older.
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The Nectar Kids mattress is a flippable, all-foam mattress that features dual firmness options for different ages and weights, a machine-washable cotton cover for easy cleaning, and certified fiberglass-free materials. Our tester awarded this bed a 4.8/5 overall rating, which earns our pick as the best overall mattress for kids.
The firmer side of this bed is made for ages 3 to 7, and our testers stated young kids should get plenty of support. “Younger kids shouldn’t sink much on the firmer side,” one tester said. “There’s also some light cushioning at the lower back which should help keep their spine aligned.” The softer side is for ages 8 to 12, and our testers say it has enough give to contour around the hips, shoulders, and lower back to keep your kid from aches and pains that can come from spinal misalignment on a mattress.
The Nectar Kids is also durable with premium materials like OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified fabrics in the cover and CertiPUR-US certified foam layers. The quality is backed by Nectar’s one-year sleep trial and forever warranty, which provides excellent value for parents looking for a mattress their kids can use for years to come.
What our testers say: “The cover is a lightweight cotton, and it’s removable, which makes it easy to wash. The 3- to 7-year-old side is a bit firmer, but neither side traps heat, so the kiddos should sleep soundly.” – In-house Mattress Tester
Best Hybrid Mattress for Kids: Helix Kids
Helix Kids Mattress
The Helix Kids mattress is a hybrid mattress with a flippable design and strong support that grows with your child. The cover on this mattress is hypoallergenic and water and stain resistant, making it easy to keep clean after spills or middle-of-the-night accidents.
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Helix is known for making some of the highest quality mattresses, and the Helix Kids is no different. It’s a durable hybrid mattress with a classic innerspring feel complete with strong coils for support and gel memory foam for cooling, pressure-relieving comfort.
With its unique flippable design, this hybrid caters to many sleeping positions, as well as children of many ages. Each side of the mattress has its own firmness level, which you can change depending on your child’s age and sleep preferences. However, we think that the firmer side is best for kids between 3 and 7, and that the softer side is best for children between 8 and 12. This is especially useful because it allows you to simply flip the mattress rather than buying a new one as your child changes and grows.
Love the Helix brand, but want a different model? Check out our Helix mattress reviews to learn more, or our roundup of the best hybrid mattresses for additional options.
Best Value Mattress for Kids: Leesa Kids
Leesa Kids
The Leesa Kids mattress offers edge-to-edge support with a low 7.5" profile that makes it a versatile match for many bed frame styles. This mattress is eco-friendly, durable, and a great all-around value.
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Leesa Kids is a medium-firm mattress that delivers a versatile sleep experience for children of all ages and sizes with eco-friendly, durable materials along with good edge-to-edge support, cooling tech, and a low profile that can fit multiple types of bed frames. Overall, our testers scored this mattress a 4.5/5, and the experienced versatility was enough for us to crown it the best value mattress for kids.
This all-foam bed features a soft, smooth cover that our testers loved. “The cover feels smooth and welcoming,” one tester said. “I wouldn’t say it’s cool to the touch, but it’s very comfortable.” Under the cover is a top layer made from GreenFlex Biofoam that is bouncy and aerated, allowing kids to change positions without difficulty and promoting airflow to dissipate body heat. Another tester said, “This mattress is actually cooler than I expected with how soft the cover is. Everyone but the hottest sleepers should be comfortable on this bed.”
The Leesa Kids also has strong support from edge to edge, so kids who like to move around and spread out should feel comfortable on it. Our testers did note that parents may feel some sinkage if they sit on the edge of the bed, but kids should feel plenty of support when lying down anywhere on the mattress.
What our testers say: “I actually felt very secure lying on this mattress, which was surprising after the sinkage I felt while sitting on the edge. Most kids will feel secure anywhere on this bed.” – In-house Mattress Tester
If you aren’t interested in the Leesa Kids mattress, check out our list of the most affordable mattresses for more great options.
Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Kids: Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids
BB Kids
The BB Kids mattress features a stain-resistant cover and a true medium-firm feel for excellent support and spinal alignment.
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The Brooklyn Bedding Kids mattress has a true medium-firm feel with ample support to maintain proper spinal alignment for growing children. Our testers rated their overall experience with this bed at 4/5, saying it’s ideal for youth sleepers who like a firmer, bouncier feel to their mattress.
This bed also provides strong edge support all the way around the perimeter. One tester said, “This bed is strong from edge to edge; it’s bouncy and you don’t feel like you’re sinking much, at all.” The low, 6-inch profile of the BB Kids mattress also makes it a strong choice for bunk beds or lower bed frames as your kid transitions out of a toddler-sized bed.
A standout feature of the Brooklyn Bedding Kids mattress is the stain-resistant cover, which protects the foam layers underneath from spilled drinks or night-time accidents. You do have to spot-clean the cover since it is sewn on, but it makes for easy clean-up, all the same.
What our testers say: “This is a very firm mattress with little to no sinkage. It promotes proper spinal alignment, but some kids might need a soft topper to balance it out.” – In-house Mattress Tester
Best Mattress for Back or Stomach Sleepers: Bear Cub
Bear Cub
The Bear Cub is a hybrid mattress available in two color options. It delivers a great balance of support and comfort for kids of all ages.
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Bear Cub is a hybrid mattress, which means it has layers of foam and pocketed coils for a balance of support and comfort. According to our testers, this bed delivers by promoting proper spinal alignment without sacrificing comfort, earning the top spot for kids who sleep on their stomach or back. Our testers gave the Bear Cub an overall rating of 4.7/5.
Our testers praised the Bear Cub’s edge support, as well, awarding a perfect 5/5 in this category. “This mattress supported me, even though I was an adult,” one tester said. “Even the edges didn’t collapse as I sat down.” Kids who like to move close to the edge shouldn’t feel like they’re sliding off the side of this mattress.
Other standouts of the Bear Cub are the cooling features including a soft, breathable cover and gel-infused memory foam layer. The cover is made from Tencel fibers, which promote airflow on the surface, while the gel memory foam layer dissipates body heat rather than absorbing it. Kids who typically sleep hot should feel comfortable on the Bear Cub mattress.
What our testers say: “I was impressed with the way this mattress contours around my body. Kids of all sleeping positions should feel comfortable on this bed.” – In-house Mattress Tester
If you aren’t interested in this Bear mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers for more great options.
Best Organic Mattress for Kids: Saatva Youth
Saatva Youth Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The Saatva Youth isn’t just a smaller Saatva mattress for kids. It’s actually packed full of thoughtful designs suitable for children at a variety of ages and as they grow. Let’s name a few…
Starting with the basics, this mattress is coming from Saatva, and like its normal mattresses, the brand puts a lot of time and money into quality and durability. This mattress is a hybrid, meaning it contains foam layers coupled with innerspring coils. Not only that, but Saatva has arranged the layers so the mattress is dual-sided. A 3-year-old and a 12-year-old have very different bodies. This mattress is flippable to find the right level of comfort and support based on age and weight.
On the outside, you’ve got an organic cotton cover that is soft, breathable and hypoallergenic, so you don’t have to worry about chemical smells due to off-gassing. Not to embarrass any of your youngins, but it also comes with a water-resistant finish to make it “accident-proof.”
What our testers say: “The Saatva Youth mattress feels a lot like a traditional innerspring mattress with a foam comfort layer. It’s pretty firm on both sides, but the softer side offers a little more cushion. This bed is springy, thanks to a core of flexible steel coils.” – Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester
Read our full Saatva Youth Mattress Review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Saatva Youth mattress, check out our list of the best organic mattresses for more great options.
Best Mattress for Restless Kids: Nolah Nurture
Nolah Nurture Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Restless sleep can refer to many different sleep disruptions, including tossing and turning, frequently waking up, or feeling tired despite being in bed for a full night’s sleep. While there are dozens of possible underlying causes, a versatile mattress that’s comfortable, supportive, cooling, and easy to move around on could help. The Nolah Nurture is our pick as the best for restless kids because it meets all of these criteria, and more. Our testers gave this mattress a 4.6/5 overall rating.
This bed is a flippable hybrid, which means a balance of supportive coils and memory foam comfort layers with two firmness options that can accommodate growing kids. One standout feature of this bed is how responsive it is, making it easy for restless sleepers to move around or change positions without difficulty.
Our testers were also impressed with how little heat this mattress retained during testing. “I wouldn’t say it’s cool to the touch,” one tester said, “But we barely registered a surface temperature increase despite it being a hot day in the studio.” Kids who typically wake up hot should be able to find relief on this mattress.
What our testers say: “This bed is great—very supportive, stays cool, and is comfortable enough without an extra topper.” – In-house Mattress Tester
Best Latex Mattress for Kids: Birch Kids
Birch Kids Natural
The Birch Kids Natural mattress is made from eco-friendly, hypoallergenic materials with a flippable design that promotes spinal alignment for growing kids.
Product Details
Our Recommendation
There is a lot to love about latex beds. They’re hypoallergenic, organic, eco-friendly, and springy for combination sleepers who change positions throughout the night. The Birch Kids mattress is our pick for the best latex mattress because it’s made from GOLS-certified organic latex and Greenguard-certified-free from polyurethane, fiberglass, formaldehyde, or pesticides. This mattress isn’t just organic, though; it also performed very well in our testing, earning a 4.5/5 overall rating from our testers.
The Birch Kids is a flippable design, like many mattresses on our list, and the organic cover provides a cozy feeling, according to our testers. “This mattress is super supportive,” one tester said. “The cotton cover is comfortable. Kids will love this bed.”
While this mattress is more expensive than some on our list, our testers think the value might be worthwhile. “Kids should be comfortable on this bed, at least until they’re over 130 pounds,” our expert tester said. “Even as an adult, I could probably sleep on this all night and wake up feeling great.”
What our testers say: “The latex foam on this mattress filled around my lower back, which helped keep my spine supported and aligned—not a ton of pressure building anywhere.” – In-house Mattress Tester
If you aren’t interested in the Birch mattress, check out our list of the best latex mattresses for more great options.
What Mattress Size Is Best For a Child?
One of the first options you’ll want to consider is mattress size, not only because children go through growth spurts but also because sleep positions and habits change for young children. It may seem like an easy decision to just purchase a regular twin-size mattress and be done with it, but don’t be so quick to make that judgment.
If you think you might be better off with a slightly bigger size, keep in mind most mattress companies offer a twin XL and a full size. If you want more info on these specific subjects, take a look at our twin vs. twin XL mattress and twin vs. full mattress guides.
In their younger years, kids can suffer from nightmares or get scared of the dark and may want you to sleep beside them. If this is a common occurrence, it might be better to go for a larger mattress. The same can be said for siblings. If they often sleep together, it may be better to get a larger size.
Also, consider how long they will be sleeping on this bed. It’s possible they’ll still be on the same mattress up until high school graduation. In that case, spending the extra $100 for a twin XL or full-size bed may be worth the investment.
To learn more about the most common mattress sizes for kids, check out our best full mattress, best twin XL mattress, and best twin mattress articles.
Things to Consider When Buying a Children’s Mattress
Support
You might think support is more important for adults and seniors, since they’re more likely to suffer from sleep-related back pain, but children need proper support too—maybe even more so. Their bodies are changing and growing at a rapid rate, and this can frequently cause growing pains.
Finding a mattress that offers pressure-point relief, recovery, and spinal alignment can help reduce the likelihood and severity of the aches and pains they experience during growth spurts.
Allergies and VOCs
Another factor to keep in mind is any allergies your kids may have, including sensitive skin. If this is the case, be on the lookout for mattresses made of organic cotton, latex, and hypoallergenic materials. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for certifications against harmful substances that some mattresses emit or contain. Here are some important designations to keep an eye out for:
- CertiPUR-US is a certification that means a material was created without ozone-depleters, flame retardants, mercury, lead, formaldehyde, and phthalates. In addition, it means that the material has passed an indoor air quality standard and has low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions.
- OEKO-TEX is a certification for fabrics and textiles found to be free of harmful chemicals and safe for human use. This organic certification means that textile and fabric products are made according to strict guidelines on the use of petroleum-based fertilizers, pesticides, and synthetic products.
How Much Should a Child’s Mattress Cost?
Lastly, you will want to be mindful of your budget. Luckily, mattress manufacturers know that the budget for a child’s mattress is typically much smaller than that of adults, and many well-known companies have designed value options, as such. These types of mattresses are perfect for kids, especially if you are considering buying two for a bunk bed.
What Type of Mattress is Best For Kids?
Foam Mattresses for Kids
What is a foam mattress? Foam mattresses are made of layers of various types of foam. These mattresses have a contouring and hugging feel that many people love. Additionally, foam mattresses can be found at a very reasonable price. Read our best foam mattresses roundup for more information.
Are foam mattresses safe for kids? Foam mattresses are made with the most potentially toxic materials. However, many popular brands have stepped up and made commitments to ensuring their products are not harmful to any sleepers. Keep an eye out for safety certifications such as CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX to ensure that a mattress is safe for your child.
Innerspring Mattresses for Kids
What is an innerspring mattress? Innerspring mattresses are made of coils that support the bed, causing them to be on the firmer side. Unlike hybrid mattresses, they usually don’t have a very thick comfort layer, so you feel more of the support from the coils. Head over to our list of best innerspring mattresses if you’re interested.
Are innerspring mattresses a good value for kids? These mattresses are also reasonably priced, but you may find your child does not find them as comfortable due to their firmer feel. But if your child is already used to this and prefers a mattress that won’t conform to their body, they may find the support suits them just fine.
Latex Mattresses for Kids
What are latex mattresses? Usually the most eco-friendly option, latex has gained a good reputation from its use of all-natural materials, making these beds naturally dust-mite-resistant and hypoallergenic.
Are latex mattresses good for kids? Yes, the latex mattresses are great for kids! Especially if your child has allergies, sensitive skin, or other health concerns. The latex gives a bouncy effect to the surface, but it still does a good job of minimizing motion transfer (if that is a concern).
Hybrid Mattresses for Kids
What is a hybrid? Hybrid mattresses are a mix between coils and a comfort layer of foam, cotton, wool, or latex. They range in price depending on what materials they are made of, how thick the comfort layer is, and what additional features are in the mattress.
Are hybrid mattresses good for kids? Hybrids were invented for a reason: They really are the best of both worlds, and kids will likely agree. The coil base makes them easy beds to move around on, while the comfort layer can be as plush as you and your child choose.
Accessories for a Kid’s Mattress
Mattress Protectors for Kids
One essential accessory to add to your kid’s new mattress is a mattress protector. These thin pieces of fabric go on just like a fitted sheet and protect against dust mites, spills, and any other accidents that may take place. When you are dropping a few hundred dollars on a new mattress, they’re worth every extra penny.
Pillows for Kids
A pillow can have a significant impact on the quality of your child’s sleep. As such, you’ll want to find one that caters to their sleeping preferences. As with mattresses, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to pillows. Factors such as your child’s sleep position, age, and whether they overheat at night should all play into which pillow you decide to buy for them.
For example, the best pillows for stomach sleepers tend to be on the thin side, because too much height can put the neck at an angle that causes stress and pain. If your child gets uncomfortably warm at night, then you’ll want to look at latex pillows, or ones made with special cooling technologies.
Though pillow shopping may not call for as much research as mattress shopping, finding the perfect one for your child still requires a good bit of thought. For some help, check out our best pillow guide.
Best Mattresses for Kids FAQs
What size bed should a 4-year-old have?
It depends! Most children are switched from a crib to a toddler bed between the ages of 1 and 2. After that, the next change will be from toddler bed to twin bed.
A toddler bed tends to be around 45″ shorter than the average twin bed, so when you decide to switch them over may depend on how fast your child is growing. You may find that your kid still comfortably fits in their toddler bed at the age of 4, but we’d say that by 5 years old, you should begin transitioning them to a twin mattress.
Is a soft or medium mattress better for kids?
Medium-firm mattresses accommodate the widest range of sleeping positions and body types, but a soft mattress will allow your child to comfortably sink into the top layers despite their lighter weight.
Medium-firm or firm beds provide the best support, which is crucial for growing bodies. Children’s bones and joints are growing so quickly that it’s important for them not to spend all night with their spines out of alignment.
Is sleep important for children?
You’ve probably heard many times that a good night’s rest is imperative for your overall well being. That is doubly true for children, who are constantly developing, both mentally and physically. Studies conducted on the matter have shown that getting the right amount of quality sleep can improve behavior, attention, and memory, and can even prevent obesity and depression.
How much sleep is enough for children?
The American Academy of Pediatrics has put together recommended ranges depending on a child’s age. The older a child gets, the less sleep they need. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 should get between 10 and 13 hours of sleep. Ages 6 to 12 can stay in the nine to 12-hour range, and for anyone older than 13, eight to 10 hours is sufficient.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the right mattress for your child will provide room to grow, be comfortable, and will stand the test of time. Also, you’ll want an option that provides good support to kids who may experience growing pains and growth spurts.
Finally, take into account the firmness level of the mattress based on any established sleeping patterns. If your child is very young, this may not be an issue just yet. A good night’s sleep is nevertheless important for any growing kid, so make sure you find the right fit for your child. For more mattress recommendations, check out our best mattress page.
Recap of the Best Mattresses For Kids in 2026
| Mattress Model | Award |
| Nectar Kids | Best Overall Mattress for Kids |
| Helix Kids | Best Hybrid Mattress for Kids |
| Leesa Kids | Best Value Mattress for Kids |
| Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids | Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Kids |
| Bear Cub | Best Mattress for Back or Stomach Sleepers |
| Saatva Youth | Best Organic Mattress for Kids |
| Nolah Nurture | Best Mattress for Restless Kids |
| Birch Kids | Best Latex Mattress for Kids |
Loren Bullock
Certified Sleep Science Coach
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 and a Certified Sleep Science Coach, 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
