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Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed 600+ mattresses and accessories for over seven years using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing. We assess each bed for support, cooling, firmness, pressure relief, and more.
We’ll go over our top picks for the best mattresses for kids. We tested these beds based on durability, versatility, comfort, and support. All of the mattresses on this list should work for children between the ages of 4 and 12.
Arguably nothing is more important for a child’s growth and development than a good night’s rest, and a mattress is the key to help them get that restorative sleep they need. However, taking a look through all the options can be a headache for caretakers, especially when you don’t know how much you should spend on a kid’s mattress or even what size bed your child will need.
While we don’t have any children on our testing team, we considered the mattresses on this page with an eye on how well they can accommodate small people and their long-term growth. Having tested over 600 mattresses, we decided that these ten best fit that bill. If you’re looking for the best mattress for children, we’ve got you covered in the roundup below. Please note: these recommendations are for children at least 4 or 5 years of age.
Our Verdict: What’s The Best Mattress For Kids?
After putting these beds through numerous tests, we named the Helix Kidsas the best mattress for children. This bed is made with quality materials. And the best part? This mattress is flippable, so it’s like having two mattresses in one. One side is for 3-7 year-olds, while the other is for kids 8-12, ensuring that your investment in this bed won’t go to waste.
Best Mattresses for Kids 2024
Helix Kids – Best Hypoallergenic Mattress for Kids
We run each mattress through a gamut of tests, but a few performance factors emerged in importance when we made selections specifically for kids’ bedrooms:
Versatility and Durability
Naturally, we included mostly beds that are specifically designed for children. For the remaining mattresses, we focused on beds that were either flexible in their firmness (as to accommodate growing bodies) or had a streamlined design. Kids tend not to need as many extra features as adults — it’s more important that they have a bed with a simple design that’s easy to get in and out of. We also focused on durability, since kids can be tough on mattresses. One note: while twin or twin XL sizes are popular for children, it may be worth considering a full-size mattress to give your child extra room to grow, especially if you plan to keep the mattress for several years.
Safety Certifications
Safety and materials are crucial when looking at beds for your little ones. We sought out a well-rounded batch of mattresses made from non-toxic, hypoallergenic materials to ensure a healthy sleep environment. Specifically, we looked to see that foams had certifications like CertiPUR-US, a designation that the foam is free of harmful chemicals. We also included mattresses with organic cotton or natural latex mattresses — good options for those concerned about allergens.
Pressure Relief
When buying a mattress for your child, support, comfort and pressure relief should be top priorities. A mattress that promotes proper spinal alignment is essential, especially as kids are growing, and a bed with good pressure relief will keep kids comfier during growth spurts. Most of the hybrid and memory foam beds we chose veer toward medium-firmness, which tends to provide enough support without being too hard.
Signs Your Child May Need a New Mattress
Your Child Has Grown Out of Their Current Mattress
Children can grow fast, and that usually comes faster than you expect them to. If your kid is hanging off of the bed or struggle to move around on the mattress—especially if they are a combination sleeper—it may be time to invest in a new mattress. If your child has grown uncomfortable on their twin bed, the extra space provided by a twin xl will give them—and your wallet—a break.
After many years of use, a mattress can begin to sag beneath the weight of the sleeper, reducing its ability to provide proper support. In these cases, a new mattress might be necessary to ensure that your child continues to sleep comfortably.
Tips for Buying a Kids Mattress
Whether our readers decide to choose one of the 10 mattresses in this roundup or want to keep shopping, here are some things to consider when choosing the right mattress for kids.
Don’t choose a mattress that’s too much for kids. Looking for a kid’s mattress, it isn’t so much what they need but what they don’t need. For instance, kids don’t need a mattress with a thick comfort layer or supportive coils, and they don’t need a ton of bells and whistles. Parents should ensure they aren’t spending money on features their kids won’t even notice or care about.
Choose a mattress that kids can grow into. Let’s face it, kids grow up fast. It’s important to find a mattress that they can use for many years. If they are only 6 or 7, it might be a good idea to get a mattress that seems large for them. As they grow, they won’t be too large for the mattress, and parents won’t need to buy something new to fit them. Take a look at the mattress warranty to ensure that you’re covered if anything goes wrong with the mattress.
Choose an organic mattress if your child has allergies or sensitive skin. Look for an all-natural organic mattress made with hypoallergenic materials, CertiPUR-US certified foam, and OEKO-Tex certified fabrics to keep your kids protected.
Lets take a look into what the best mattresses for kids are!
Helix Kids – Best Hypoallergenic Mattress For Kids
Best Hypoallergenic Mattress for Kids
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.1
Helix
Helix Kids Mattress
Flippable
Water Repellent
Hybrid
100 nights
Free shipping
Cyber Monday Sale – Extended
Save 20% sitewide + 2 FREE pillows with any mattress ($150+ value) See Details
The Helix Kids is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
This mattress is flippable. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the firm side 8/10 (very firm), and the softer side 6.5/10 (medium-firm).
Price
$748.75-$998.75 (before discounts)
Size
Twin, full
Kids
This bed is designed for children between the ages of 3 and 12.
Pros of the Helix Kids
The flippable construction means that this bed can update its feel when your child gets big enough to try the softer side.
There’s no fiberglass in this mattress’s fire safety layer.
A plant-derived treatment makes the surface water repellent—helpful for accidents and other cleanup.
Cons of the Helix Kids
It’s not meant to be slept on by fully grown adults, so don’t use it as a long-term bed.
Although it uses Tencel™ and has safety certifications, it’s not an entirely natural or organic mattress.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
Helix’s mattress for children has a line of cheerful green fabric splitting it into two halves: one for younger kids (age 3-7), and one for older ones (age 8-12). The firmer side should reliably support growing toddlers, and the softer side adds some cushion to the mix. Its water-repellent finish is a convenient, plant-based bonus.
Our Expert’s Take
With its flippable design, the Helix Kids can accommodate your child as they change and grow, earning it a score of 4.5/5 for support. The firm side works best for kids 3 to 7 years old in all three sleeping positions. When they get older and need more cushioning, turn the mattress over to the soft side for added pressure relief. Although this bed features a classic innerspring design, the firmer side contains a layer of polyfoam and the softer side a layer of gel memory foam, promoting proper support for your child no matter their age.
What the testers say: “With a flippable design, water-repellant cover, and antimicrobial coating, the Helix Kids mattress is one of the best beds for children. And because it has two firmness levels in one, it works for a wide range of kiddos. I expect this mattress to last at least 10 years.” — Elisa, Editor and Certified Sleep Science Coach
What We Love About the Helix Kids
The Helix Kids features a cover made of Tencel, a hypoallergenic material that can reduce moisture and bacterial growth, helping your kids stay healthy.
The Helix Kids stays quite cool at night, which is great for kids who tend to overheat and kick their blankets off as they sleep.
There is extra reinforcement around the edges of the Helix Kids, ensuring that your kid won’t easily roll right off the bed. Our testers rated this bed a 4.5/5 for edge support.
GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certifications.
What to Keep in Mind About the Helix Kids
If you’re shopping for a child older than 12 years old then you’ll likely want to consider something a bit more substantial than the Helix Kids. For a list of mattresses that can accommodate teenagers, check out our article on the best mattresses for teens.
Because this bed has an innerspring construction, it scored a 3/5 for motion transfer. This shouldn’t be a huge problem, however, for a child who will be sleeping alone.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The Nectar mattress is an all-foam mattress. It has a plush comfort layer followed by a thin layer of transition foam. At the bottom, there’s a layer of high-density base foam.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Nectar mattress a 6.5/10, which is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$699-$1,798 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Couples
This mattress isolates motion well, which means couples shouldn’t feel movement come over to their side of the bed.
Side Sleepers
It offers great pressure relief for side sleepers under 230 lbs.
Back Sleepers
The Nectar mattress offers plenty of support for most back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Pros of the Nectar Mattress
This mattress has a slow-moving feel. If you like mattresses that contour to your body, this could be a great option.
The Nectar mattress isolates motion well, which is helpful for people who share a bed with a partner or a pet.
It offers plenty of pressure relief for side sleepers who weigh less than 230 lb.
Cons of the Nectar Mattress
Even though it has cooling gel-infused foam, it’s not the best mattress for hot sleepers.
It’s not supportive enough for most stomach sleepers. In this position, you may feel your hips sink out of alignment, which can lead to lower back pain.
Because it’s an all-foam bed-in-a-box mattress, it has a 48-hour off-gassing period. You’ll need to let the mattress air out for two days before sleeping on it.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Forever warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period.
The Nectar is an affordable all-foam mattress that offers lots of pressure relief and body contouring. It works well for most side sleepers, because it helps cushion shoulders and hips. It is also a good option for couples, because it isolates motion well. However, the Nectar mattress isn’t supportive enough for most stomach sleepers and heavyweight people. If you tend to sleep hot at night, you may want to look for a mattress with more cooling features. Learn more in our Nectar mattress video review.
Our Expert’s Take
Memory foam can be a great material for a kids mattress. It cradles the body and can help alleviate pain caused by injuries from sports or whatever trouble kids can get into these days. The Nectar is made entirely of memory foam, and it has the classic feel of a memory foam mattress. It’s slow-moving, contouring, and great at absorbing motion, earning it a score of 4.5/5 for motion transfer. The Nectar feels just a bit firmer than medium-firm, which should help keep kids’ spines in a straight, healthy alignment.
What the testers say: “The Nectar mattress has a slow-moving feel, and for our lightweight testers, it felt very supportive. This is great for kids, because it will help them maintain the proper spinal alignment throughout the night. Personally, I love the Nectar mattress’s cooling foam — you shouldn’t sleep hot on this bed.” — Marten, Lead Mattress and Sleep Product Reviewer
What We Love About the Nectar
The Nectar has a very reasonable price tag, coming in at $599 for a twin. Since your child will likely outgrow their first mattress by the time they’re a teenager you might not want to invest too much.
The Nectar almost feels like it’s enveloping you in a cushiony hug. Also, memory foam is a bit harder to move around on top of, which can prevent a child from rolling off the bed while they sleep.
Foams meet CertiPUR-US standards for content, emissions, and durability.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nectar
This mattress sleeps a bit hot, as the foam layers tend to trap body heat rather than allowing it to escape. So, if your kid prefers to stay cool at night you may need to crank the AC up a little bit.
The Nectar doesn’t provide a ton of support, earning a 3.5/5 score from our testers. Your child might find it less and less comfortable as they grow, especially if they’re on the taller side.
The Bear Cub is a hybrid mattress. It features softer foam layers for cushioning and pocketed coils for support.
Firmness
According to Bear, this is a medium-firm mattress.
Price
$695-$845 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin and full
Kids
This mattress is specifically constructed to accommodate children.
Pros of the Bear Cub
The Bear Cub’s gel-infused memory foam can help active children stay cool throughout the night.
It’s an affordable option. A twin-size Bear Cub mattress is less than $700, even before discounts.
Bear offers a lifetime warranty on this mattress. That means if you find any covered defects or indentations during the life of your mattress, they will replace it free of charge.
Cons of the Bear Cub
Early blooming children might outgrow the bed quicker than you’d prefer, since the weight limit is about 150 lbs.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
The Bear Cub is a hybrid mattress with a little extra appeal for children, since they can choose which color they’d like (Arctic Blue or Salmon). The bed also has good value, since it’s a durable build for a reasonable price. We’ll have a full review of the mattress coming soon.
Our Expert’s Take
The Bear Cub mattress has a hybrid design that should be pleasantly springy, allowing your child to switch sleeping positions with ease. This mattress isn’t just great for kids who are restless throughout the night, however. Active kids of all varieties should find the Bear Cub does a good job of supporting recovery through spinal support and pressure relief. It also is the perfect bed to jump around on in case your child gets a burst of energy before bed.
What We Love About the Bear Cub
The Bear Cub comes in two different colors. So, if you have two children, especially twins, they will be able to have their own unique mattress styles.
The Bear Cub is constructed with a heat-dispersing gel memory foam, which should help with temperature regulation for kids who sleep hot.
GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certifications that Bear stated display their “commitment to the highest quality products,” according to the Bear website.
What to Keep in Mind About the Bear
Bear recommends the Cub mattress for children under 150 lb, so if your kid has an early growth spurt you may need to upgrade their mattress sooner than expected.
Stay tuned for our full review coming soon. Or, check out our list of Best Mattresses for Athletesfor more great options.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.3
Saatva
Saatva Youth
Medium-Firm Feel
Flippable
Durable
Hybrid mattress
365-night sleep trial
Free white glove delivery
Limited Time Offer
Take $300 off your order of $1,000 or more See Details
The Saatva Youth is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress a 6.5/10, which is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$795 – $1,055 (before discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full
Back Sleepers
Children who predominantly sleep on their back.
Stomach Sleepers
Children who predominantly sleep on their stomach.
Pros of the Saatva Youth
This bed is designed to handled heavier weights. The support system uses coils that are 12.5″ tall, which should keep people from sinking through the mattress.
It shouldn’t trap too much heat thanks to coils and breathable cotton.
It should last several years.
Cons of the Saatva Youth
Might be too firm for children who are side sleepers.
Might be too pricey for those looking for a bed for their child.
Shipping
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period. A removal fee of $99 will be deducted from your refund.
The Saatva Youth has a flippable design that should last several years while your kiddo grows. The soft side works best for childrne 3 to 7, while the firmer side is for children 8 to 12. It’s a classic medium-firm and has a bouncy feel that makes it easy to move around on. Perfect for kiddos who have some energy to burn before bed.
Our Expert’s Take
As a parent, it can be tough to make the right call for your child’s growing body. But what if there was a mattress out there designed with growing bodies in mind? A bouncy innerspring mattress called the Saatva Youth could be the solution. As a flippable bed, it has a side for 3 to 7 year olds and a side for 8 to 12 year olds. For support on both sides, there’s a layer of 13.75-gauge recycled steel coils at the center of the structure. This layer helps earn the Saatva Kids a score of 4/5 for support.
What the testers say: “The Saatva Youth mattress has a flippable design. That means you can adjust the firmness level as your child grows. In my testing, I appreciated that this mattress is made with organic cotton and strong steel coils.” — Marten, Lead Mattress and Sleep Product Reviewer
What We Love About the Saatva Youth
The Saatva Youth has a flippable design that specifically accommodates growing children. One side is quite soft with a 5-zoned support layer, making it great for most kids between 3 and 7 years old, while the other side—with a high-density comfort foam—offers more support, making it more suitable for kids between 8 and 12 years old.
This mattress has great edge support, scoring 4.5/5 in that category. So, if you buy your child a twin they’ll be able to get maximum use out of the entire mattress surface, since the perimeter likely won’t sag under their weight.
CertiPUR-US certified, meeting standards for for “health and environmental safety,” according to the Saatva website.
What to Keep in Mind About the Saatva Youth
This might be a little bit more expensive than you were hoping to pay for a kids’ mattress. If you’re after something a bit cheaper, consider the Nectar.
The layer of 13.75-gauge coils make the mattress very bouncy, so if your child is partial to a memory-foam feel, you may want to look elsewhere.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.1
Nolah
Nolah Nurture Mattress
Flippable Design
Eco-Friendly
Kids’ Hybrid
Hybrid
120 nights
Free shipping
Cyber Monday Sale
35% off sitewide + 2 free pillows + $150 off BedJet with mattress purchase See Details
The Nolah Nurture is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
The Nolah Nurture is flippable. It feels like a 6.5/10 (medium-firm) on one side and a 5/10 (soft) on the other.
Price
$919-$1,224 (before discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full
Kids
This bed was designed for children between the ages of 3 and 15.
Eco-Friendly Folks
The Nurture boasts organic textiles and a GREENGUARD Gold certification.
Pros
The flippable design means that growing children can choose between two firmness levels as their preferences shift.
There’s no fiberglass in this bed; instead, an organic wool layer serves as a natural fire barrier.
You can add 10-year accident coverage to your order for a paltry $0.99.
Cons
There are still synthetic foams in this mattress, so it’s not entirely organic.
Because it was designed for children, this bed shouldn’t be a primary mattress for adults or guests.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty plus $0.99 10-year accident coverage
Returns
$99 fee for returns within the sleep trial period (but after a 30-day initial period)
The Nolah Nurture’s flippable construction enables growing kids to choose the feel of their bed: soft or medium-firm. Its organic materials and safety certifications should help with parents’ peace of mind—and the 99-cent 10-year accident coverage is especially generous.
Our Expert’s Take
If you’re looking for a hybrid mattress for your child, look no further than the Nolah Nurture. Like many great hybrid mattresses, the Nolah Nurture features a great balance of comfort and support for all sleeping positions, earning it a score of 4.5/5 for support. It is also flippable—with a soft side and firm side—and is designed to give your child the comfort they need as they grow. Being flippable, it is also a durable mattress and should be a good long-term investment. We expect the Nolah Nurture mattress to last 10 years.
What the testers say: “When I tested the Nolah Nurture mattress, I was impressed by its responsive feel and breathable design. This mattress should help kids get the proper lumbar support they need, and they shouldn’t overheat at night.” — Elisa, Editor and Certified Sleep Science Coach
What We Love About the Nolah Nurture
The Nolah Nurture’s hybrid design makes it a good match for kids who sleep hot, with the bed earning a score of 4.5/5 for cooling ability. It features a layer of 6” steel coils that allow for a great bit of airflow through the mattress. These coils might cause discomfort for adults, but create adequate support for young, lightweight sleepers.
An organic cotton cover and organic wool layer keep the top of the mattress nice and cool.
GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certifications.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nolah Nurture
The Nolah Nurture has poor edge support, scoring a 3/5, according to our tester. This means that as your child moves toward the edge of the mattress, they may notice some sagging. This can be a big problem on a twin mattress, since surface area is already so limited. If good edge support is a priority for you and your kid, consider the Saatva Youth instead.
Your children may outgrow the Nolah Nurture, but Nurture offers the Nolah Natural 11” and the Nolah Signature 12” models if you need to size up.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The Brooklyn Essential mattress is a hybrid, or a bed with both foam comfort layers and innerspring support coils.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 6.5/10. This is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$532-$1,132 (before discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers of light and average weight should feel a good amount of support.
Side Sleepers
Light and average-weight side sleepers should appreciate the bed’s pressure relief and contouring.
Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
This mattress should provide excellent support for most back sleepers, keeping their spines aligned.
The edges are strong and sturdy so that you can use the full surface area of the bed.
It’s a relatively affordable hybrid compared to its competitors.
Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
This isn’t a cooling mattress—it doesn’t have specialized materials for temperature regulation.
Heavyweight folks and stomach sleepers will likely need a bed that’s firmer.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period. A pickup fee of $99 will be deducted from your refund.
The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is a no-frills mattress offered at a bargain price—especially for a hybrid. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
It’s essential that a child sleeps on a mattress that can accommodate lightweight sleepers, and the Brooklyn Bedding Essential is up for the task. Brooklyn Bedding’s Ascension X coils—independently-moving steel coils—help keep your child’s hips slightly elevated while layers of high density base foam allows them to sink below the mattress surface enough to feel cozy. Our lightweight mattress tester felt great when she slept on the Brooklyn Essential on her back.
What the testers say: “Lightweight back sleepers should have no trouble finding both comfort and support on this mattress. The coils will keep your back in a neutral position.” — Marten, Lead Mattress and Sleep Product Reviewer
What We Love About the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
We gave the Brooklyn Essential a score of 4/5 on our edge support test. This is important for children who tend to move around when they sleep, as they’ll be likely to want to use as much space as they can on their mattress.
As your child grows, you may need to replace their bed sooner than you expect. Luckily, the Essential mattress won’t break the bank. A twin size mattress retails for $532.
Brooklyn Beddings says their foam is CertiPUR-US certified, as it lacks mercury, lead, and other heavy metals.
What to Keep in Mind About the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Surprisingly, this mattress did not keep us cool when we tested it, earning only a 3/5 for cooling ability. While not the hottest mattress we’ve ever tested, if you’re after something especially cooling we would suggest the Helix Kids instead.
If your child finds comfort sleeping on their stomach, side, or is on the heavier side, you may want to explore alternative beds. One of our testers—weighing more than 270 lb—only experienced extreme discomfort on his stomach.
The Birch Kids Natural is a latex hybrid mattress. It has both cushioning latex and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
This mattress is flippable. According to Birch, there’s a firmer side for younger children and a softer side for older ones.
Price
$998.75-$1,248.75 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, full
Kids
This is a children’s mattress for kids between 3 and 12 years old.
Eco-Friendly Folks
Inside, you’ll find natural latex foam, organic cotton, and organic wool instead of synthetic materials.
Pros of the Birch Kids Natural
Instead of poly foam, the Birch Kids Natural has latex foam, which is a springy material derived from the sap of rubber trees.
Organic cotton and organic wool replace synthetic textiles in the upper layers of this bed.
A flippable design with a softer and firmer side allow you to alter the feel of the bed based on your child’s age and preferences.
Cons of the Birch Kids Natural
As an organic mattress, the Birch Kids Natural is pricier than many other children’s beds.
Adults shouldn’t use this bed as their everyday mattress—check out the Birch Natural for the grown-up version.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
25-year warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period. A removal fee of $99 will be deducted from your refund.
If you’d rather steer clear of synthetic materials when shopping for your child, the Birch Kids Natural is an intuitive choice. It boasts latex foam, organic cotton, and organic wool in its flippable construction. The latex is also innately hypoallergenic and cooling for added comfort. Simply flip to the softer or firmer side to change its feel during different stages of your child’s development.
Our Expert’s Take
There are a lot of reasons you might be interested in an organic mattress for your child: hypoallergenic materials, free of harmful chemicals, sustainably sourced and manufactured. The Birch Kids Natural was designed specifically to meet these desires. In addition to having eco-friendly traits, the Birch Kids Natural is flippable; one side is firmer than the other, so as your child grows you can flip the mattress to accommodate their needs.
What We Love About the Birch Kids Natural
The Natural’s flippable design has a significant amount of value, as instead of purchasing a new mattress when your child needs something firmer to accommodate their growth, you can simply flip the mattress over.
Many mattresses contain materials that can aggravate a child’s allergies. The materials used in this mattress are naturally hypoallergenic, so this shouldn’t be a problem.
GREENGUARD Gold and eco-INSTITUT certified. Birch says its goal is to “always have our quality and your safety in mind,” according to the Birch website.
What to Keep in Mind About the Birch Kids Natural
This mattress is more expensive than most of those featured on this list. A twin will run you around $998 before any sales. This is typical of organic mattresses but might affect your decision to buy if you’re on a budget. If you’re after something cheaper, consider the Leesa Kids.
Stay tuned for our full review coming soon! Or check out our list of Best Organic Mattresses for more great options.
Best Mattress for Kids Who Sleep on Their Stomachs
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The Plank Firm is a flippable mattress with two firmness levels on each side. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the softer side a 8/10. The firmer side comes in at a 9/10.
Price
$749-$1,532 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, short full, full, short queen, queen, olympic queen, short king, split king, split california king, California king, RV king
Stomach Sleepers
It offers ample hip support for most stomach sleepers, especially on the firmer side.
Heavyweight Sleepers
This mattress has a thick comfort layer and sturdy coils that can handle heavier weights.
Pros of the Plank Firm
It has a flippable design, so you can easily change its firmness level by turning the mattress over.
It’s the firmest mattress we have tested, so if you need a lot of spinal support, this is a good option.
It works well for stomach sleepers because it helps keep hips elevated and in the correct alignment.
Cons of the Plank Firm
This mattress is too firm for most side sleepers.
Because it’s made entirely out of foam, it tends to trap body heat.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
The Plank Firm mattress is one of the most supportive mattresses on the market. It has a flippable design, with two firmness levels in one. On our firmness scale, the the softer side feels like a 8/10 and the firmer side feels like a 9/10. Both sides tend to work well for stomach sleepers, but most side sleepers won’t get enough pressure relief on this bed. Watch our video review to learn more.
Our Expert’s Take
Whether they’re a kid or an adult, stomach sleepers tend to need a firmer mattress with a ton of support. This keeps their hips lifted and aligned with their shoulders, preventing them from sinking too far into the mattress, causing discomfort. Scoring a 5/5 for support by our testers, the all-foam Plank Firm might be the ideal bed for these folks.
What the testers say: “The Plank Firm is the most supportive mattress I have tried. This is a great option for kids who rest on their stomachs, because the firm foam will prevent their hips from sinking out of alignment. Best of all — its flippable design allows parents and kids to find the ideal comfort level.” — Marten, Lead Mattress and Sleep Product Reviewer
What We Love About the Plank Firm
The Plank Firm is one of the firmest mattresses we’ve ever tested, clocking in at a 9/10 on our firmness scale, making it a great option if your child sleeps on their stomach. The sturdy surface will keep their hips nice and elevated, helping to ensure proper spinal alignment.
It’s a flippable mattress that comes with both a firm side and an extra-firm side. Stomach sleepers should be comfortable on both, depending on their size and weight.
The foam used in the Plank Firm is CertiPUR-US certified.
What to Keep in Mind About the Plank Firm
The Plank Firm doesn’t excel at cooling, an unfortunate factor that can be attributed to its all-foam construction, which tends to trap heat. We measured the surface temperature of the Plank Firm with a thermal camera after it had been rested on for several minutes. We noticed that it trapped a decent amount of body heat, as it went up 4.5 degrees. If your child often complains about sleeping too hot, then you might want to consider a mattress with cooling features. We recommend looking at the DreamCloud mattress.
If your child sleeps on their side, then we highly recommend you steer clear of the Plank Firm. It isn’t soft enough to provide side sleepers with the pressure relief they need for a good night’s sleep.
The Leesa Kids is a memory foam mattress. It features softer foam layers for cushioning and firmer ones for support.
Firmness
According to Leesa, this bed feels medium-firm.
Price
$499-$599 (before discounts)
Size
Twin, full
Kids
This mattress is intended for children transitioning to a big-kid bed (ages 4 and up).
Pros of the Leesa Kids
Although it’s an all-foam bed, its medium-firm feel should still be supportive enough for growing kids.
The aerated foam that comprises the second layer runs cooler than traditional memory foams.
Its low profile (7.5″) makes it a good fit for bunk beds and trundle beds.
Cons of the Leesa Kids
Unlike many other mattresses designed for growing children, this one is not flippable.
There’s no water-repellent or waterproof layer to this bed—it will likely need a mattress protector.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
The Leesa Kids mattress has three foam layers that stack up to a 7.5-inch height. Its low profile makes it a popular choice for bunk beds, and its sturdy base foam ensures that children have proper support for their backs beneath airier comfort layers. Although it isn’t flippable and doesn’t have built-in waterproofing, it’s a relatively affordable and cozy option for youngsters.
Our Expert’s Take
Helping your kid stay cool without sacrificing support is an important part of making sure they receive a good night’s rest, and the Leesa Kids is up to that task. It’s made with a breathable cover for cooling benefits, and three memory foam layers stacked on top of one another provide both comfort and support.
The top layer is made with soft foam that can help with contouring. The second layer is a denser foam that may help with joint-pain relief, which can be very important for growing kids. The base layer is the densest of the three and provides reinforcement for the rest of the mattress.
Leesa also markets its Kids Mattress as being a great option for children who are ready to transition from a smaller mattress—or a crib—to a twin-size or full-size bed.
What We Love About the Leesa Kids
The Leesa Kids is made with CertiPUR-US® certified non-toxic foam. Basically, this means that the materials used have been vetted by outside parties to ensure safety and environmental sustainability. You can read more about these types of certifications here.
This mattress has a low profile, so it works well with bunk beds or short bed frames. This will make it easier for your child to get into and out of bed.
GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US® certified.
What to Keep in Mind About the Leesa Kids
Though we can’t speak to the quality of this mattress directly, we do know that foam mattresses tend to have less responsiveness than hybrid mattresses, according to prior testing notes. If your child likes to move around in bed, they may have difficulty doing so on this mattress.
Stay tuned for our full review coming soon!Or check out our list of the Best Cooling Mattresses for more great options!
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 600 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for general support, edge support, cooling capability, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.
Pretty much any type of mattress can work for a child as long as they are older than four or five (if the child is toddler age, memory foam mattresses can be dangerous). That being said, it also depends on the child and their sleeping position. If the child sleeps on their side, a softer memory foam mattress might work, but if they sleep on their back or stomach, a firmer innerspring mattress might be in order.
Is a memory foam mattress good for a child?
Memory foam can be good for a child as long as they are not too small. If they are an infant or a toddler, memory foam can be a dangerous choice, but if they are older, over four or five, memory foam can be a very comfortable option for kids.
How thick should a child’s mattress be?
Parents should look for a thinner mattress for their kids, because if the mattress is too thick, it can be very dangerous. If the child’s bed has safety rails, a mattress that is only 5″ thick should be a good idea. Even if the bed doesn’t have rails, a child’s mattress really shouldn’t be thicker than 10″ or 11″.
What is the best mattress firmness for kids?
If the child is over four or five years old, a firm or soft mattress could work for them, but it really depends on their sleeping preferences. If they sleep on their side, a soft mattress is a better choice, and if they sleep on their back or stomach, a firm mattress will be better.
Do I need to get a mattress protector for my kid’s mattress?
You don’t have to put a mattress protector on your kid’s mattress, but it could be a good idea if your child is still having accidents and wetting the bed. Waterproof mattress protectors can protect your kid’s mattress from stains and dust mites.
What is the best mattress for kids with allergies?
If your child suffers from allergies, it’s best to choose an organic or all-natural mattress that’s made with hypoallergenic materials. The Helix Kids could be a good option, as it has a cover of hypoallergenic Tencel, as well as a microbe shield.
Featured image: fizkes/Shutterstock
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Marten Carlson
Lead Mattress Reviewer
About Author
Marten has been writing about mattresses and sleep health for six years. He is the lead reviewer at Mattress Clarity where he tests mattresses, bedding, and sleep accessories.
In his role here, Marten’s reviewed over 500 mattresses and 150 sleep accessories (so you can rest assured that if he recommends a product, it’s been put through the wringer in our Austin studio). In addition, he has written more than 400 articles reviewing the quality of sleep and sleep products as well as sleep health. He’s especially interested in the correlation between sleep and mental health.
Marten’s also got a personal stake in sleep health. After writing dozens of pieces on the dangers of sleep apnea, he decided to get tested for the condition. Realizing he did, in fact, suffer from sleep apnea, he immediately started using a CPAP machine. He knows all too well the importance of a healthy night’s sleep and is passionate about helping others get the healthy, restorative sleep they deserve.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Film Production from Denison University and his master’s degree in Film Studies from Emory University.
