Yahoo Finance Yes, You Should Buy a Kid-Specific Mattress for Your Child
- 1/11
Yes, You Should Buy a Kid-Specific Mattress for Your Child
This guide was updated in December 2022 to incorporate data from recent kids' mattress testing. Newer models from Helix, Avocado, Naturepedic, Nolah and Ikea were added. Saatva's Youth Mattress remains our pick for the best overall mattress for kids.
Whether you're buying their first big-kid bed or replacing your child's mattress, there are plenty of factors to consider to ensure it's a good fit. For starters, you want to make sure the mattress is built in a way that will support your child's growing body. On top of that, it should be deemed safe without potentially harmful VOCs (i.e., chemicals emitted into the air), comfortable so they'll actually want to sleep on it and cost-effective so you aren't spending a fortune on a bed they'll outgrow.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluates mattresses for all ages, from crib mattresses to mattresses for adults and everything in between. To find the best mattresses for children, we considered offerings from our top-tested mattress brands and kid-specific companies, researching the materials used, special features and prices. We also have consumer testers try out the mattresses with their own children so they can weigh in with firsthand feedback. You can learn more about how we test and what to keep in mind as you shop at the end of this article, but first, here are the best mattresses for kids.
Our top picks:
Read on for everything you need to know about the best mattresses for kids. And while you're shopping, be sure to also check out our top-tested kids' bedding sets.
SAATVA, WALMART - 2/11
1) Youth Mattress
Saatva
saatva.com
$795.00
Saatva's Classic Mattress is our top-tested bed for adults, but the brand offers this kid-friendly model with unique features and a lower cost. For starters, it has a two-sided design that's made to grow with your child; the firmer side offers more support for ages 3-7 and the cushioned side has comfort foam for ages 8-12.
It's an innerspring mattress with layers of foam on each side. The organic cotton cover has a water-resistant finish for easy clean-up from inevitable accidents and spills, plus there's a waterproof barrier on the inside for extra protection. Though it's not organic, the brand says it uses thistle as a flame retardant (rather than a chemical one), and its foams are CertiPUR-US certified to ensure it's made without specific chemicals that are deemed hazardous and has low VOCs.
Unlike some mattresses that ship compressed in a box, this one gets delivered and set up in your home for no extra cost. You can even have the delivery service remove your old mattress. Saatva also offers an any-reason return policy within 365 days; you just pay a $99 return pickup fee.
Saatva - 3/11
2) Helix Kids
Helix
helixsleep.com
$549.00
Balancing standout features and a reasonable price tag, this mattress is two-sided yet costs less than comparable models. The hybrid model combines coils in the center with foam at the surfaces. Its firmer foam side is for 3-7-year-olds, while the softer side is for 8-12-year-olds. Just note that our tester didn't notice a huge difference in feel between the two sides and said they were both fairly plush. On a scale of 1-10, the brand says the soft side is a 4-5 while the firm side is a 6-7.
Other standout features include a TENCEL cover that's both soft and breathable, plus a waterproof finish to protect against stains and damage. Like other memory foam options included in this article, it's CertiPUR-US certified.
This model ships compressed in a box for DIY setup. Our testers often find this method to be convenient because they can set up the bed on their own time rather than scheduling a delivery. A tester of this model did note that it wasn't very easy to set up because there are no handles on the sides of the mattress.
Helix - 4/11
3) Classic Twin Mattress
Bundle of Dreams
buybuybaby.com
$349.99
Unlike traditional mattresses, this one is made without latex, foam or springs and instead uses compressed poly fibers, allowing air to easily flow through. This is especially important because toddlers may not be able to regulate their body temperature as well as adults. The brand is most popular for its crib and toddler-bed mattresses, but its line includes twin and full-size options for the next stages, too.
The cover is cotton with a water-resistant finish, and it's fully removable so you can machine wash it as needed. It has a low 6-inch height and is reversible with two firmness levels, though you can upgrade to an 8-inch version if you prefer a taller bed.
Our testers of the toddler-sized version noticed their children sweat less in their sleep after they made the switch. Just note that although the brand boasts environmental claims, the fill material is still synthetic, meaning it's still petroleum-based and not made from natural or organic materials.
Bundle of Dreams - 5/11
4) Kiwi Organic Mattress
My Green Mattress
mygreenmattress.com
$749.00
For parents who prefer to buy mattresses made of natural materials, My Green Mattress beds are certified organic so they follow strict standards throughout the entire manufacturing process. This style, in particular, is ideal for children with its firm yet contouring feel using coils, latex, wool and cotton. For an extra $125 you can upgrade to a two-sided mattress; both sides are the same firmness, but it allows you to flip it over every so often to extend its life.
The best part is that it doesn't sacrifice quality by going green: Our testers who used it for their kids said it was so comfortable, and they enjoyed sleeping on it themselves. And because it's not designed just for children, it's a great option for older kids, teens and young adults. While many kid-specific mattresses are only available for smaller beds, this one comes in seven sizes including Queen and King.
My Green Mattress - 6/11
5) Eco Organic Kids Mattress
Avocado
avocadogreenmattress.com
$649.00
An Avocado mattress tops our list of the best organic mattresses but it's a luxury model that's not a practical purchase for most kids. Fortunately, this lower-profile version is designed just for kids and uses certified organic materials, and it's a reasonable price that's on par with non-organic models. It's made with GOLS-certified organic latex, GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool and pocketed coils for a good mix of comfort and support.
The 7-inch height is low enough to fit into bunk beds or trundle beds, but it can also be used in a regular bed frame. If you prefer a deeper mattress for your child, the brand's Eco Organic Mattress is 10 inches high and costs slightly more. Our testers said they like how this one feels supportive with less of a "sinking in" feel than other models, noting it's firm but feels great to lie on.
Avocado - 7/11
6) Kid Mattress
Purple
purple.com
$629.00
Purple uses its unique grid-like material that feels plush yet supportive for a plush kids' mattress with more pressure relief. Though it's available in a range of models for adults, this version was made specifically for toddlers through teenagers up to 14 years old (or bodies up to 115 pounds). It has a softer surface that allows them to feel the cradling effects of the grid.
Beneath the 2 inches of the grid material is a supportive layer of foam, and it's all enclosed in a machine-washable cover so it's easy to keep it clean. Our pros appreciate that it's more affordable than the other Purple mattresses for adults, just note that it's only available in Twin size.
Purple - 8/11
7) 2-in-1 Organic Kids Mattress
Naturepedic
amazon.com
$799.00
Not only is this firm innerspring mattress certified organic, but it's also made without foam or latex for people that prefer beds with only supportive coils. In fact, our textile and parenting pros liked the design and functionality so much that we previously gave it a Good Housekeeping Parenting Award.
The firmness makes it perfect for a child's first bed because it supports their developing body. Plus, the fact that it's filled with coils means it inherently has good airflow, and there's no need for added flame retardants. It's also a flippable mattress, but instead of having two firmness levels, it offers a waterproof side for easy cleanup and a quilted side for a more comfortable surface.
Naturepedic - 9/11
8) Nurture 10”
Nolah
nolahmattress.com
$1049.00
While most kids' mattresses are fairly firm, this one has more of a soft, cushioning feel that cradles pressure points. And though it's pricey, it uses natural materials like cotton, wool and latex. (Just note that it's not certified organic.) It's also taller with more fill layers than many other kids' models, making it more luxurious. Older children may benefit from the long-term investment — especially compared to ones solely designed for smaller bodies and may feel uncomfortable as they grow.
Like some others, it's a reversible hybrid with one soft and one firm side to grow with children over the years and through changes in preferences. One tester said that besides this mattress being great for her child, she also loved the comfort herself when laying in bed to read bedtime books.
Nolah - 10/11
9) Morgedal Foam Mattress
Ikea
ikea.com
$199.00
Ikea is best known for its low prices on furniture, so it's no surprise that the brand offers kids' mattresses under $200. It's filled entirely with foam with your choice of a firm or medium-firm feel. This helps keep the cost low and also provides cradling comfort with pressure relief. Just note that memory foam is less common in kids' mattresses because of the VOC off-gassing potential. You can air it out until the odor dissipates, which could take 1-3 days. Ikea suggests vacuuming it to speed up the process.
This mattress also stands out for having a removable and machine-washable cover, which is a great perk to prevent stains and damage. Plus, a GH parenting editor uses this mattress for her own child and said it hasn't sagged at all, even after years of use. And if you prefer to get it in person instead of waiting for it to ship, it's stocked at Ikea stores for same-day pickup.
Ikea - 11/11
10) Hybrid Mattress
Linenspa
amazon.com
$135.00
This mattress isn't designed specifically for kids, but its 8-inch profile, low cost and medium-firm feel make it a solid choice to buy for children. It has over 130,000 reviews on Amazon with an average 4.5-star rating, including reviews from parents who bought it for bunk beds and said they're impressed with how well their kids sleep on it.
The mattress is made up of coils for support with two thin layers of foam for cushioning and comfort. The brand also offers 10- and 12-inch versions that have more foam for a plusher feel, but note that foam can trap heat so it's not ideal for sweaty sleepers. On the plus side, this model uses CertiPUR-US certified foam to ensure there are lower VOCs.
Linenspa
