6 Best Mattresses For Kids That Give A Safe And Sound Sleep
We all like to get a good night's sleep. It's part of our wellbeing: we need to recharge ourselves mentally and physically to take on the challenges of the day that lies ahead. And for kids, proper sleep is essential to their development. According to paediatricians, a growing child needs 11-12 hours of sleep a night.
We need to create the right environment for their shut-eye, and the foundation of that environment is the mattress that they lie on. An old, lumpy, soft or rock-hard mattress will not do: kids need a clean, hygienic mattress that gives them optimal support, eases them into a safe and comfortable sleep, gives their bodies room to stretch and grow so they awake refreshed and healthy. Thankfully, mattress technology is improving all the time, so the old-fashioned creaky springs are a thing of the past. There is now a lot of choice when you come to select your kid's mattress. Things worth considering are its size, depth, weight, nature of materials, quality of manufacture, comfort and durability.
We've reviewed the best mattresses for kids, and pinpointed some of the most frequently asked questions about the topic. We also suggest some of the main features to look out for when you are choosing a new mattress for your children. Each of our reviews contains a link to the manufacturer. All of these factors should help you in making the correct and informed choice.
For information on other types of mattress, please refer to our reviews on the best mattress for hip and shoulder pain, best memory foam mattress and best air mattress.
The Best Kids Mattress
1. Casper Element Mattress for Kids - Best Choice
HIGHLIGHTS:
Durable base
Patented breathable foam construction
Cool and comfortable
Budget-priced
Ethical: cover made from recycled bottles
Choice of sizes
100-night trial period
10-year limited guarantee
Delivered boxed
All of Casper's mattresses feature the patented
1.
Casper Element Mattress for Kids - Best Choice
AirScape technology - a perforated breathable foam that helps keep you cool at night. The top layer of the mattress contains tiny holes that move hot air and body heat away. The Element is Casper's most affordable model; its price is about one-quarter of the top-end Wave Hybrid. Based on the big-selling Essential, it is one-inch thinner, the decrease in volume also trimming the cost. This makes it good value, especially if you plan to upgrade to a bigger mattress after a few years. Made at Casper Labs, it promises the "best sleep of your life or your money back". Sizes go from twin (38x75in) to king (76x80in), so while there are no specific child sizes, this is still a great choice as a mattress for kids. The durable base offers optimal support to a sleeping child, while each cover is made from up to nine recyclable bottles so it is an eco-friendly product while also being comfortable and safe. The mattress comes with a 100-night risk-free trial and a 10-year limited warranty. The zippered top cover makes it easy to wash - no need to struggle, you can just remove it and machine wash the cover whenever it needs a freshen up.
As with many other mattresses, the Casper Element comes in the bed-in-a-box format, so it is easy to place in the desired space. Allow approximately 48hours for it to then expand to its full size.
Learn more about Casper Element Mattress for Kids
2. Brooklyn Bedding Mattress for Kids - Best Value
HIGHLIGHTS:
Multi-layer construction
Breathable core
Durable base
Medium firmness
Lightweight
Affordable
Choice of sizes
Comes in a box
2.
Brooklyn Bedding Mattress for Kids - Best Value
The Brooklyn Bedding company offers you "elevated comfort at an exceptional price". The Brooklyn Bowery mattress for kids relies on multiple layers of construction to provide optimal support and comfort with responsive contouring. A high-density 5in foundation gives it a durable base and firm structure; then a 2in "sandwich" provides a transition between the base and comfortable upper layer, a 3inch patented Energex foam whose open-cell construction promotes breathability. On top is a premium soft-weave for added comfort. The Brooklyn Bowery is an ideal choice for younger, lightweight sleepers, appealing to parents whose child is making a move up from a cot to a bed. Its affordability will add to its appeal. The Bowery offers medium firmness giving pressure point relief as well as support. All of Brooklyn Bedding's mattresses come with a 120-night trial period and are available in multiple different sizes.
Learn more about Brooklyn Bedding Mattress for Kids
3. Nest Bedding My BKB Mattress for Kids
HIGHLIGHTS:
Designed especially for kids
Enhanced safety
Firm feel
Extra support on the edge
Attractive pricing
Three sizes
Delivered boxed
100-night free trial
Lifetime limited warranty
Nest Bedding has produced the first children's mattress for the online market. The Big Kids Bed, or BKB, is made exclusively for kids and young people. Made in the USA, it comes factory-direct and is manufactured from CertiPUR-US certified foams, with no chemical fire barrier and nothing toxic in its construction. It is a firm mattress, giving your youngster strong support. Since it is designed for children, it is made with breathability and support in mind, giving a good night's rest for kids whether they are back sleepers, side sleepers, front sleepers or a combination of all three. A breathable mesh cover sits atop a half-inch layer of thermic phase change quilted foam, supported by a 2in Energex foam comfort layer for pressure relief. The base is 5in of foam with added edge support to prevent any sagging and minimise the likelihood of rolling off the side. It's available in three sizes: twin (39in x 75in), twin XL (39in x 80in) and full (54in x 75in).
Nest Bedding is very confident that you will love the mattress; they offer a 100-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty that should reassure you. This kids mattress comes as a bed-in-a-box, so it should be opened and left to expand and breathe for a few days before use.
Learn more about Nest Bedding My BKB Mattress for Kids
4. Dreamfoam Bedding Mattress for Kids
HIGHLIGHTS:
Quilted top layer for extra responsiveness
A 3" layer of Talalay latex gives a unique buoyant quality
The upgraded 12" model adds a zippered cover
High-density base for durability and better airflow
Three levels of firmness
Choice of sizes
Delivered from the factory in a box
10-year warranty.
120-night risk-free trial.
The Elements Latex mattress from Dreamfoambedding is made with comfort in mind. Another successful product from Brooklyn Bedding, its one-inch-deep plush quilted top of super soft reflex foam provides ultimate contouring and responsiveness, while a three-inch layer of Oeko-Tex Class 1 certified Talalay latex delivers a buoyant quality to relax your child's muscles and relieve tension. The mattress's foundation is a high-density convoluted base that increases airflow. The 10inch option is designed to give you all the benefits of latex without the high price. The 12inch variation adds the flexibility of a zippered cover which makes it easier to wash. It is offered in three levels of firmness so you can decide on the correct amount of support that suits your kids sleeping position and style. It comes with a 120-night free trial and 10-year warranty.
Learn more about Dreamfoam Bedding Mattress for Kids
5. Avocado Green Mattress - Premium Pick
HIGHLIGHTS:
Green credentials
Every mattress is handmade
Available in kids sizes upwards
Latex comfort and durability
Tuft needle finish
Organic wool, rubber and cotton
No polyester content
America' top natural mattress
Delivered flat
25-year guarantee
5.
Avocado Green Mattress - Premium Pick
The Avocado Green Mattress is made entirely from natural and organic materials, including GOLS certified latex from the manufacturer's co-owned farmers' collective and a co-owned processing facility in India, GOTS-certified wool from a co-owned farmers' society and GOTS-certified organic cotton. The non-toxic environmental-friendly mattress combines natural cushioning with an internal, zoned pressure-point system for effective back support and durability. Pushing its green credentials even further, Avocado makes a vegan mattress without wool which is approved by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
Avocado mattresses' latex rubber foam, made from sustainably harvested sources, gives resilience, durability, and temperature control well beyond what synthetic, blended, or petroleum-based polyurethane foams offer. Their organic wool wicks away moisture, stays fresh and acts as a natural fire barrier. It is naturally anti-microbial, resistant to dust mites, and adds another natural temperature control to the organic latex. Operating under the USDA National Organic Program, Los Angeles-based Avocado also makes button-tufted mattress covers from premium, 100% GOTS organic certified cotton, a very soft, breathable and comfortable fabric; no polyester is blended with the cotton.
The dual-sided Avocado Green Crib Mattress is designed to fit inside any standard crib (28in x 52 x 6 in). Intended for use from newborn to one year, the infant side is firmer to give a baby the proper support as it grows. The other side, meant for toddlers aged from one to four years, is slightly more plush, but still supports a growing child who tends to move and fidget at night-time. The crib mattress is certified formaldehyde-free and Greenguard Gold certified for low emissions. It contains a 3-inch layer made from coconut husks. Delivered flat, it has a 30-day free trial and a 25-year warranty.
The standard Avocado Green Mattress has been voted America's top natural mattress. At 11inches thick, it uses a 3inch layer of latex rubber foam for comfort, support and durability. It has five zones of pocketed coil springs. It is Avocado's most affordable mattress. This latest mattress is reckoned to be its' most sustainable yet. It is designed to provide comfort, motion isolation, and responsiveness. The firmest mattress from the California manufacturer is 100% organic certified, non-toxic, and biodegradable. It contains 9in of organic latex, plus organic cotton and organic wool, three comfort zones, four handles ( it weighs around 100 pounds), bounce dampening layers, and a low profile. It comes with a one-year free trial and a 25-year guarantee.
Learn more about Avocado Green Mattress
6. Dreamfoam Bedding Cooling Gel Mattress for Kids - Budget Pick
HIGHLIGHTS:
Cooling panel
Memory foam
Choice of all-foam or hybrid
Open-cell technology
Durability
120-night free trial
10-year warranty
6.
Dreamfoam Bedding Cooling Gel Mattress for Kids - Budget Pick
As its name suggests, the Arctic Dreams mattress provides cool, comfortable relief to the sleeper, thanks to an advanced cooling panel normally found only in the most luxurious and expensive of mattresses. Combined with a plush quilted top this delivers cooling relief on contact and will stop kids overheating. A patented layer of gel memory foam provides the ultimate in pressure-point relief together with the correct responsiveness. It is suitable for back sleepers and side sleepers and for kids and adults. The Arctic Dreams, from the Brooklyn Bedding factory, comes with a choice of two cores: the all-foam version features a 7.5in high-density base with open-cell technology for firmness, breathability and durability; while the hybrid version uses a 6inch layer of individually pocketed spring coils, similar to an innerspring mattress, providing the ultimate in pressure point relief, plus a one-inch high-density foam base lending durability and reinforcement to the coils. The all-foam Arctic Dreams presents an affordable choice for a young person. Whichever mattress you choose offers you a universal medium comfort level and will come compactly packaged in a box. They carry a 10-year warranty and a 120-night risk-free trial.
Learn more about Dreamfoam Bedding Cooling Gel Mattress for Kids
Things to Consider When Choosing Mattresses for Kids
Age
Most children make the transition from cot to bed between the ages of 18 months and 36 months. By their third year, most of them are sleeping in their own bed. At this age, the correct bed and particularly the mattress are critically important. They might start with a toddler bed, which typically measures 140cm x 70cm (55in x 27.5inch) compared to a standard UK single bed 190 cm x 90 cm (74 in x 36inch). These smaller beds are lower off the ground than a typical adult bed, which helps if the child falls out while sleeping. Many have a small barrier or rail at the side. At this age, a growing child can move around a lot while fast asleep. Ensure the mattress is the right size: gaps around the sides between the mattress and the bedframe might trap little hands and feet.
Let's face it; some kids wet the bed: it's a natural part of growing up. As a result, it is always a good idea to make sure that the new mattress can be fitted with a protector. This will avoid having to regularly clean the mattress, which is no easy task!
A firm mattress is essential for younger kids. Their bodies grow at a fairly rapid rate when they are sleeping, and so their bones need good comfort and support. A soft and lumpy mattress might be nice for them to snuggle down in, but it may well lead to problems later in life such as curvature of the spine. Toddlers don't just use the bed to sleep on; they will play and bounce on it, so it needs firmness to counteract wear and tear. Pocket-sprung mattresses are often the preferred material, offering good support, durability and spreading the weight evenly. Memory foam or latex mattresses also give good support and will reduce the kid's propensity to fidget through the night, helping sleep. If you opt for foam for the kids' mattress, it is essential to check the foam density. Look for a figure of 4 to 5 pounds per cubic feet. - usually described as medium density. Anything below that is low density and offers less support and shorter durability. You should also consider looking for a hypoallergenic mattress, especially for younger children, as they may be allergic to certain materials and chemicals. Some foam options can trap body heat, which may create an uncomfortable situation for sleeping. You can avoid this by getting a mattress that is ventilated or has a cooling layer on top.
It's not just little kids who grow: young people carry on growing through their teens and still need the support of a quality mattress and one that is big enough for them. At this age, they will need a firmer mattress (medium firm is often the preferred surface) that supports their bodies and helps keep their spines and bones correctly aligned.
Size
Most mattress manufacturers offer a range of sizes from twin upwards to kingsize or beyond. A smaller number of companies make products specially designed to fit cots and small beds or single beds; if you are looking for one of these, your choice of supplier will be reduced. It is worth remembering that small children grow fast! You may be better off skipping a mattress size and going straight to a full size twin. However, a word of warning to beware of international differences! The smallest size available on the American market is the twin, at 39 inches wide; it approximates to a single in the UK, which is 36 inches wide. In continental Europe, a twin/single is 35 inches wide. Better make sure you get the right mattress for your bed!
Firmness
In general, the firmer a kid's mattress, the better. A soft mattress may feel very comfortable at first for your child to snuggle down into, but it will not provide the vital support that a growing child needs. Too firm, and the kid might have difficulty lying comfortably. This is the Goldilocks formula - not too soft, not too hard, but just right. Most mattresses come with a firmness rating: the medium is ideal for most young people and adults. If your child finds that a medium mattress feels too firm for them, you can invest in additional foam layers which sit on top of the mattress, giving them a softer sleep surface that can be removed in the future if necessary.
Memory foam mattresses have a density scale running from 1 to 6; this is separate to the firmness rating. Anything below 3 is not firm enough, except for occasional use. The higher the density, the longer the mattress will last.
Quality Materials
The biggest factor governing the price of a mattress for your child is the quality of the materials used. At the top of the range, you can opt for a 100% organic mattress that is made from natural fibres - latex, cotton, wool and coir (coconut husks). Such a mattress will give your child the very best in terms of support and a night of healthy sleep, as well as being very long-lasting and eco-friendly. Picking this option will give you a bed that will last from childhood well into adulthood. You could pay $2,000 or more for this option. However, if you are on a tight budget, a foam or basic sprung mattress will be perfectly adequate, but it will need to be replaced sooner. Being synthetic, this type is hypoallergenic and resistant to dust-mites. It needs to be firm enough to support young bones, and any memory-foam layer must be thick enough to be effective.
For more useful reviews for products to help you get a better night sleep, check out our guides of the best bunk beds, down pillows, bedroom storage and cooling pillows.
Support
The younger the child, the more support they need from a mattress. They toss and turn in their sleep, so a mattress must give them this support through the structure, not just in certain spots. As children grow, their body shapes and weights change a lot; a mattress that supports a 25kg (5-stone) child adequately might not be very good when the kid has grown to twice that weight. The best mattresses for your child will be able to offer comfort and relief around their pressure points (usually their joints), regardless of their sleep positions.
Off-gassing
Off-gassing is what causes the smell when you take a foam mattress straight out of its box; it happens when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) break down. In a mattress, these VOCs are to be found in the foam and adhesives used. Although the smell may be unpleasant, off-gassing is not generally harmful. A small percentage of owners have reported eye and throat irritations, breathing difficulties, headaches or nausea. To minimise the risk, let the mattress air thoroughly in a well-ventilated room for three to seven days before you use it. Choose a mattress that has been certified for chemical safety or one with foam produced from plant-based natural materials rather than petroleum-based alternatives.
Durability
The average lifespan of a mattress for a child is expected to be 7-8 years. After that, they can start to sag, lose their support for your body and become uncomfortable. Any mattress made with high-quality materials will last longer. Inner-spring types can last ten years or maybe longer if they can be flipped over to spread the wear through their life. A quality memory foam mattress will last you 10 to 15 years as long as you remember to rotate it regularly. A good latex mattress will have varying durability depending on whether it is synthetic or natural latex; it is not unusual to see these mattresses with guarantees for 20 or 25 years.
Best Bed Type for Kids
Memory foam
A bed with a memory foam mattress is a good bet for children, especially younger ones aged three to five. Memory foam mattresses offer good support and comfort, are hypo-allergenic and less bouncy to play on, so they may last longer! While memory foam is not a good idea for infants below four years, it is fine for older kids and offers them a good deal of pressure relief which can help with growing joints.
Innerspring
An innerspring mattress has the advantage over a memory foam one when it comes to durability and heat. The coil springs are stitched inside a padded base. In a traditional open-coil mattress, all the springs move together; in a pocket-sprung mattress, each spring is stitched inside its own pocket, giving specific support to the kid's body at that point and contouring comfortably. Innerspring mattresses are also cooler than memory foam mattresses which tend to trap and retain heat.
An innerspring mattress, and a hybrid mattress that uses pocketed coils plus memory foam layers, gel or latex are generally suitable for any sleeping position. Whether you or your children are stomach sleepers or back sleepers, you will find these comfortable.
Latex
Latex mattresses are hypo-allergenic and breathable: they are ideal for growing kids who like to keep cool at night. Latex is one of the most durable materials when it comes to mattress manufacture. Not all latex is 100% natural, however. Many mattresses contain a blend of the plant-based rubber and synthetic latex, so you should check the percentages. Latex and memory foam mattresses are best for those who are side sleepers as they offer pressure relief on hips and shoulders.
Bed in a box
Unlike a traditional mattress that is delivered to your home packed flat and heavy, ready to be unwrapped and place on to your bed frame, a bed in a box is just that: a mattress rolled up tight inside a box, waiting for you to re-inflate it. Instead of visiting a furniture store, you order it online. Usually made from memory foam, which permits the necessary compression, they mainly sit in the medium-firm range. Different manufacturers offer different additions, such as cooling gel layers, a comfort layer or special toppers. Some hybrid mattress options or innerspring mattresses also come in this format.
The big draw of this mattress for your child is the price: well below what you would expect to pay for a traditionally made solid mattress, yet still high quality.
On the downside, you can't try before you buy, which is why most manufacturers offer a sleep trial of 100 nights or more. It is worth checking the small print with this though as with some products, you will have to pay up first and claim your money back if the bed is not right even with a free trial.
Off-gassing, an inevitable reaction when the foam mattress is taken out of the box, and volatile organic mattress compounds (VOCs) break down and produce smells, can be off-putting to some people. Without good ventilation, odours may linger so open it in a spacious, airy place and leave it for a few days before covering it in bedsheets. Bed-in-a-box is an easy and affordable way to kit out the kids' room as long as you do your research first.
Air mattress
Air mattresses are very popular with families for camping trips or for placing on the spare room floor to accommodate a short stay. They are suitable for children over short periods and offer relief on pressure points, but they do not offer the comfort and support that a growing child needs. This type of mattress is lightweight, waterproof and convenient, especially if it has an electric pump. They also have a low price point and are available in a variety of sizes. For safety, they should have guard rails and be kept inflated hard at all times. The quality of materials used in air mattresses has improved drastically over recent years, and you can now find hybrid mattresses coupled with air features, or an advanced construction with an adaptive foam topper. However, these do have a higher price point and come in full mattress sizes, not child sizes.
