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Sleep is important, no matter how old you are. As they grow up, the amount of sleep our kids need changes. However, regardless of their age, quality sleep can make a whole lot of difference in their day-to-day lives and overall development. Hence, getting a good mattress for your child's bed is crucial to ensure your kid gets that much-needed good night's sleep. The best mattress for kids is soft and supportive, offering a solid balance of pressure relief and comfort. If you're concerned about accidents for your young ones, you may even want to consider a waterproof cover.
There are a variety of different options to choose from when shopping for a mattress for your child, ranging from memory foam mattresses to hybrid mattresses. You can even get specialized dual-sided beds that can adapt as your children grow. After spending years testing mattresses, CNET's team of mattress experts has seen them all. We know what makes a good mattress and what doesn't. We've put all of that knowledge to use below to help you find the best mattresses for your kids.
But before we dive in, you need to know that although there are quite a few dedicated kids' mattresses, some regular mattresses will also work just fine for your child. Another thing to remember is that a twin bed is the perfect size for a child's bedroom and usually the size of a bunk bed if you've got more than one child you're shopping for.
You may think that a nice, comfy mattress will make a good holiday season gift for a child, and you're right. However, a child may not see it that way (at least, not right now). You should probably see what else you can get from our best toy gifts list in combination with a mattress.
What is the best mattress for kids overall?
The Saatva Youth bed is the best mattress for kids thanks to its two-sided construction, which is designed to grow with your child. Saatva is known for its high-quality mattresses, and the Youth model is no different.
The first side of the mattress is meant for kids aged three to seven. It has a five-zone support foam layer that is firmer at the center third of the bed to make certain their spines stay aligned all night. Flipping the mattress over gives you the older kid side, which features patented Lumbar Zone Active Spinal wire. Then, there's a water-resistant finish that will protect the bed as your kid ages. You can't beat this two-bed-in-one mattress.
Best mattresses for kids in 2024
Our take - The dual-sided Saatva Youth Mattress is designed to grow with your kid. One side is made with a five-zone support layer that's firmer in the center of the mattress to maintain proper spinal alignment for kids between the ages of 3 and 7. The other side has high-density comfort foam and additional lumbar support that's necessary for older kids from 8 to 12. As your child grows, just flip the mattress to suit their needs.
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Our take - While babies and toddlers may need more support, memory foam mattresses are a great option for older kids. This two-layer Puffin Mattress from Nest Bedding has a 5-inch base layer that offers the ideal amount of support for a child's body weight, plus 2 inches of a highly responsive memory foam that reacts quickly to movement and makes it easier for your child to adjust positions during the night.
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Our take - If you're looking for your child's first "big kid" bed, the Naturepedic 2 in 1 Organic Kids Mattress is an excellent option for easing the transition. Like the Saatva Youth Mattress, it's a dual-sided mattress that's designed to adapt with your child through the early life stages. One side offers firm support and a waterproof barrier, while the other side has a quilted cotton cover and is a bit more plush -- ideal for older kids.
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Our take - Another option from Naturepedic, the Verse Organic Kids Mattress, is a slight upgrade from the 2 in 1. Specially designed for older kids, this hybrid mattress is 2 inches thicker to support heavier body weights, and it has a quilted top layer that's made with organic wool batting -- a temperature-regulating layer that wicks away moisture and keeps your child comfortable no matter the ambient temperature.
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Our take - Most kids are active in their own right, but if you have a kid who's involved in a lot of sports or activities that take a physical toll on the body, the Zoma Hybrid is likely the best choice. It has three layers that are specially designed to alleviate pressure points and promote resting recovery in athletes.
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Our team of experts has been testing mattresses for years. We've established testing methods we use across each bed, including assessing edge support, firmness and motion isolation.
For this review, we also considered special features that are important for children, like waterproof materials or a flippable design. As well as third-party certifications that show a mattress has safety testing, including GREENGUARD and CertiPUR-US.
CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read more on how we test mattresses.
There are a lot of beds for kids out there, some specifically designed for kids or twin-size options of popular models. Keep these things in mind when shopping for a new mattress for your child.
Age
Your child's age will help you hone in on what size of mattress they need. While babies need crib mattresses, older kids could use either a twin or twin XL mattress.
Also, remember that some mattresses specifically designed for children also have weight limits, like the Nest Bedding Puffin bed. Your child's age and weight will help you determine if the mattress you choose has enough room for them to grow with.
Sleeping positions
Your child's sleeping position will determine how firm or soft their mattress needs to be. Side sleepers need enough pressure relief to combat pressure points at the shoulders, hips and knees. Stomach or back sleepers need a firmer mattress that keeps their spine aligned at night.
Kid-specific features
Common unique features for mattresses for kids are waterproof materials for potty training, zoned support and flippable constructions meant to grow with your child.
You also should keep in mind your child's specific needs when shopping. For example, if they have allergies, you look for materials like latex foam that are naturally antimicrobial.
Foam mattresses are best for kids because they are quality-made, but typically won't cost you an arm and a leg. Hybrid mattresses aren't necessary because they offer more support than your child might need, and they cost more money. Memory foam offers ample pressure relief, while latex foam is breathable and can be made to be organic or natural. Lastly, polyfoam is a breathable and cozy material that's very affordable. You also want to consider your child's preferred sleeping position, weight and the length of time they'll be sleeping on the bed.
You want your kid to have a comfortable mattress, but they're going to eventually grow out of it. For that reason, you may not want to invest in an expensive mattress you might purchase for yourself. Most kid mattresses are between $200 and $800. Some exceed that price, but then you're looking at luxury kid mattresses with extra bells and whistles.
We recommend a medium mattress -- the smaller you are, the firmer the mattress is going to be. That means a medium-firm mattress will likely feel even firmer for your child. A medium mattress should provide ample support and pressure relief at the same time. If your kid loves sleeping on their side, you should go even softer.