The 10 Best Mattresses for Kids of 2023

Best Overall

Saatva Youth Mattress

4.5

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The Saatva Youth Mattress is our top pick because it offers your child a hybrid of the best materials on the market. Designed to be used from toddlerhood through tween years, each side of the mattress has adaptable features that meet the needs of your growing child.

Separated by a dual-sided coil unit, the mattress has an organic cotton cover and five-zone support for your child under 7 years old. When they are older, you can flip the mattress for the extra comfort of the high-density foam and lumbar supportive coils.

Price at time of publication: $795

^{Key Specs:
Construction Type: Foam and coils | Firmness: Not listed | Thickness: 10 inches | Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full}

Best for Infants

Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress

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To ensure safety and a good night’s sleep, most infants sleep in a crib and you’ll want a comfortable and durable crib mattress. This mattress checks those boxes. It has a dual-side design so for the first year or so, the baby can sleep on an extra firm foam side made just for infants.

As the baby grows, flip the mattress to the softer, plusher toddler side. The mattress is hypoallergenic and waterproof, so it’ll be easy to clean when the inevitable happens. At just over 8 pounds, it’s easy to lift for changing sheets and the squared edges and corners make that even simpler.

Price at time of publication: $200

^{Key Specs:
Construction Type: Foam | Firmness: Extra firm (infant side) | Thickness: 5 inches | Sizes Available: Crib, Twin, and Full}

Best for Bunk Beds

Zinus 6-Inch Foam and Spring Twin Mattress Set

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Finding the right mattress for a bunk bed requires some specific criteria. Most bunk beds have twin-sized mattresses but double-check your set as some require the twin XL size. Standard twin mattresses are between 8 and 12 inches thick. For the top bunk, the mattress should not exceed 7 inches thick. Otherwise, it can extend past the bed’s guardrails.

The more guardrail space, the safer the bed is. The Zinus Sleepmaster mattress is easy to clean and at only 6 inches thick, it’s safe and secure for a bunk bed. The affordable set comes with two mattresses, so once you have the bed, order these and some sheets, and the bunk bed is ready.

Price at time of publication: $240

^{Key Specs:
Construction: Memory foam and steel coils | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 6 inches | Sizes Available: Twin}

Best for Allergies

Puffy Queen Mattress

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If your child has allergies, it’s best to choose memory foam or natural latex mattress for their bed. Avoid any fluffy pillow top covers, as they can accumulate dust mites. For that reason, a Puffy mattress is a good choice for kids. It’s a foam mattress that comes with a stain-resistant Zip-N-Wash cover that can easily be cleaned.

To manage allergies, the cover comes right off so you can wash it seasonally (or whenever allergies flare) as an extra step to remove dirt, germs, or allergens. These mattresses ship for free in 1 to 3 business days and fit on any type of bed frame.

Price at time of publication: $1,449

^{Key Specs:
Construction Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Not listed | Thickness: 10 inches | Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King}

Best Hybrid

Purple Hybrid Mattress

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From transition foam to supportive coils, the Purple Hybrid mattress is Purple's firmest mattress yet. The company combined their GelFlex Grid, a layer designed to hit pressure points, wrapped each coil individually, and added its transition foam.

The mattress is hypoallergenic, durable, and made with non-toxic materials. Machine washing and drying is not recommended, but it can be spot cleaned with mild detergent.

Price at time of publication: $2,399

^{Key Specs:
Construction: Foam and coils | Firmness: Firm | Thickness: 2 inches (Grid height only) | Sizes Available: Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King}

Best Organic

Avocado Green Mattress

5

View On Avocadogreenmattress.com

If an organic mattress choice is important to you, the Avocado Green mattress is a top-of-the-line choice. These non-toxic mattresses are made with organic wool, cotton, and latex. For vegans, they even sell a Vegan Certified mattress.

Sensitive sleepers will appreciate how the natural materials wick away moisture and the air flows better than a polyurethane foam mattress. This made in America brand offers a full refund for up to a year after purchase and has a 25-year warranty.

Price at time of publication: $1,999

^{Key Specs:
Construction Type: Organic wool, cotton, latex, and steel coils | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 11 inches | Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King}

Best for Play Yards

Dream On Me Foam Pack and Play Mattress

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If your child will be using a Pack 'N Play (or other play yard) for frequent naps, overnight sleeping, or at grandma’s house, it might make sense to invest in a mattress. While the addition of the mattress makes the play yard less portable, it improves comfort and may lead to longer sleep. This pad fits a Pack 'N Play and most other play yards (double-check measurements to be sure).

It has an anti-bacterial and waterproof cover. The mattress is nearly 3 inches thick, providing a good support base. For added safety, this mattress is equipped with full-perimeter wires along the mattress border, so it keeps the sides, corners, and edges of the mattress firm and allows it to maintain its shape. However, never use this mattress on the top level of the play yard when it is set up for a bassinet, as that arrangement is a safety hazard.

Price at time of publication: $46

^{Key Specs:
Construction Type: Foam | Firmness: Not listed | Thickness: 3 inches | Sizes Available: Pack 'N Play only}

Best for Big Kids

Casper Sleep Foam Mattress

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Once your child moves to a bigger bed, whether a twin or queen, it’s worth it to purchase a comfortable mattress at a reasonable price. With bedtime stories and games, chances are you’ll spend some time catching some ZZZ's in that bed too.

Casper, the online mattress retailer, sells well-made and affordable mattresses. Their “essential” line works for most bed bases and foundations. The mattress is delivered right to you, with a 100-night guarantee. While it's not waterproof, the zip-off cover is made for easy washing and has a rich, charcoal cover to hide any stains.

Price at time of publication: $1,500

^{Key Specs:
Construction Type: Latex foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 10 inches | Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King}

Best Memory Foam

Nectar 12 Inch King Mattress Medium Firm

4.2

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The Nectar mattress is more than just your average memory foam mattress. It has three layers of memory foam! On top of the foam, users will find a quilted cool cover, which is designed with heat-wicking, cooling technology.

While it's available in six different sizes, each mattress meets CertiPUR-US standards. One of the best parts about this mattress? The company lets you try out the mattress for one year before you can make your final decision.

It's important to note memory foam mattresses are not safe for all children, especially babies and younger children. Children who are young need a more firm mattress to decrease the risk of suffocation.

Price at time of publication: $899

^{Key Specs:
Construction: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm | Thickness: Not listed | Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King}