Best Mattresses for Kids in 2023 – CNET
Best Mattresses for Kids in 2023 - CNET
A good night’s sleep is essential for children, and the wrong mattress can have negative consequences on their health. While a child can fit into most beds, the best mattresses for kids are made just for them. They’re typically on the softer side to support their lower body weights, and some have special layers, like waterproof covers, that help ease your mind during potty training or with nighttime accidents.
From memory foam mattresses to hybrid mattresses, to specialized dual-sided beds that you can flip as your children grow, our team of mattress experts have seen them all. With years of experience testing mattresses, we know what makes a good mattress. Below are our top picks.
What is the best mattress for kids?
The Saatva Youth bed is the best mattress for kids thanks to its two-sided construction that’s 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 sure 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 2023
Mattress price scale:
$ = Budget: $799 and below
$$ = Average: $800 to $1,699
$$$ = Premium: $1,700 and up
These reflect MSRP or list prices. Sales might make a mattress less expensive, but are always changing.
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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.
The organic cotton cover on both sides has a water-resistant finish that protects against accidents and spills, but there’s also an option to add a removable waterproof mattress protector (for $125) if you want additional peace of mind.
Pros:
- Flippable design
- Antimicrobial organic cotton
- Water resistant finish to protect against accidents
- Supportive coils with lumbar support
Cons:
- On the expensive side of kid mattresses
- Not for kids who want a memory foam feel
Additional details:
- Type: Innerspring
- Firmness: Medium and Firm
- Trial: 365-night trial
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $
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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 two 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.
The foams are all CertiPUR-US certified, which means that they contain very low amounts of potentially harmful chemicals, and all mattresses are aired out in Nest Bedding’s factories prior to delivery to help reduce off-gassing.
Pros:
- Affordable, all-foam mattress
- CertiPUR-US certified foams
- Highly responsive so they can move around easily
Cons:
- All-foam design means it won’t work for older kids
- Maximum capacity is only 110 pounds
- Short trial
Additional details:
- Type: Memory foam mattress
- Firmness: Luxury firm
- Trial: 30-night trial
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $
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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.
The mattress is constructed of USA-grown certified organic cotton and stretch knit fabrics that contour to the body and contribute to a more comfortable night’s sleep.
Pros:
- Waterproof or quilted side
- Vegan
- GOTS-certified organic cotton and non-toxic materials
Cons:
- May be too firm for side sleepers
- On the expensive side
Additional details:
- Type: Innerspring
- Firmness: Firm
- Trial: 100-night trial
- Warranty: 25-year warranty
- Price: $
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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.
Like the 2 in 1, it’s classified as a firm mattress, but it has a plush organic cotton cover that adds some cushioning so it feels soft while also providing adequate support.
Pros:
- Greenguard certified
- GOTS-certified cotton
- Hybrid construction makes it good for growing kids
- Gives a nice amount of cushioning
Cons:
- Organic beds cost more
Additional details:
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: Firm
- Trial: 100-night trial
- Warranty: 25-year limited warranty
- Price: $$
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Like all of Purple’s mattress models, the star of the Purple Kid Mattress is the proprietary Purple Grid that’s designed to contour the body better than memory foam and react more quickly to body movement. The grid gives the mattress a softer feel, and it also has open air channels that allow air to flow through, so if you have a hot sleeper on your hands, this can help regulate temperature throughout the night.
While it’s made with two inches of the grid like the adult-sized mattresses, this kids version is softer and lighter, making it a good choice for bunk beds and loft-style setups, too. It also has a removable, washable cover, in case of the inevitable spill or accident. Purple recommends this mattress for kids up to 14 years old and anyone weighing up to 115 pounds.
Pros:
- Machine washable cover
- Temperature neutral
Cons:
- Only one size option
Additional details:
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial: 100-night trial
- Warranty: 10-year warranty
- Price: $
