Our experts have tested 470+ mattresses using our battery of objective & data-driven tests. Our Best Mattress for Kids list analyzes all of our performance tests, data, and research to highlight the best-performing mattresses for children.
️Top Pick
Avocado Eco Kids
The Avocado Eco Kids mattress is the best kids mattress we’ve tested to date. The latex is certified organic, highly durable, and extremely supportive for all body types. It has a slightly firm feel that will work well into the teenage years.
The 5 Best Mattresses for Kids
- Avocado Eco Kids – Best Overall
- 5 Little Monkeys – Best Memory Foam
- Nectar Kids – Best Flippable Mattress
- Nest Bedding Puffin – Best Material Responsiveness
- Helix Kids – Best Hybrid
- Saatva Youth – Best Coil
| Mattress Name | Overall Score | Type | Firmness | Price (Twin) | Read Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avocado Eco Kids | 8.75 | Kids | Slightly Firm | $799 | Review |
| 5 Little Monkeys | 8.72 | Kids | Medium | $499 | Review |
| Nectar Kids | 8.41 | Kids | Slightly Firm Extra Firm | $299 | Review |
| Nest Bedding Puffin | 8.34 | Kids | Slightly Firm | $536 | Review |
| Helix Kids | 8.31 | Kids | Slightly Firm | $562 | Review |
| Saatva Youth | 8.14 | Kids | Firm | $799 | Review |
Our Testing & Selection Process
470+
Mattresses Tested
To Date
64
Data Points Tested
On Each Mattress
120+
Mattress Brands Tested To Date
Each best list is put through a customized performance analysis with specialized consideration given to our objective & data-driven performance tests. In addition, we consider mattress type, design, materials, value, price, and more.
For our Best Mattress for Kids list, we based our selections on the best-scoring mattresses, according to our battery of testing and formulaic driven scoring.
Our tests analyze performance across 7 critical factors, including cooling, motion transfer, response time, edge support, pressure relief, off-gassing, and company. In addition, we also test sinkage and bounce (though these are not scoring factors).
Our tests include objective and quantifiable data whenever possible. In addition, we use subjective assessment supported by data to round out our testing process.
Our scores are based on mathematical formulas and equations that utilize inputs from our data-driven testing.
In choosing the best mattresses for kids we looked at the totality of all of our tests, scores, data, and reviews to date. We analyzed this data alongside our established best mattress framework here.
In addition to achieving a high performance score. In addition, they are designed to grow well with your kids as they age.
When selecting the best mattress for kids, we’re looking at a combination of overall scoring performance, mattresses designed specifically for kids, and US availability.
To be included within this list all mattresses:
- Had to be classified (by our testing parameters) as a “kids” mattress.
- Had to have a performance score of 8.14 or higher.
- Had to be available for purchase within the USA.
Our Testing Team
Derek
Lead Tester
Kayla
Writer
Kyle
Tester
Nathan
Tester
Samantha
Data Analyst
Avocado Eco Kids
Best For
- Natural materials and certified organic latex (GOLS)
- Extremely fast material response time
- Great edge support for sitting or lying at or near the edge
Considerations
- Pressure relief is good but not amazing
- The 100-night trial period is shorter than average
- Return fee of $99
Our Verdict
The Avocado Eco Kids mattress is an 8.00″ kids mattress made of latex foam with a pocketed coil support base and a quilted cover. The organic latex is GOLS-certified, and it also contains GOTS-certified wool and cotton.
The Avocado Eco Kids is available in a single firmness level — slightly firm. This is 7 out of 10 firmness, where 10 is the most firm.
Despite the slightly firmer feel, it still offers a moderate level of sinkage and very high levels of bounce. Together, it will be suitable for all sleeping positions and general ease of movement.
As a kids mattress, this model has the strictest material safety standards. It carries both EWG VERIFIED and MADE SAFE certifications for meeting safety criteria across the entire mattress, which are significantly stricter than the standard CERTIPUR-US certification.
The Avocado Eco Kids mattress has a maximum weight capacity of 250 lbs, regardless of mattress size. With this weight limit, the Avocado Eco Kids is a good option for young kids through their teenage years, and beyond.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 8.75, ranking the mattress in the top 41% of all mattresses tested to date. And exclusively looking at kids’ mattresses, the Eco Kids is the #1 best kids mattress that we’ve tested to date.
The Avocado Eco Kids is $799 for a twin-sized mattress, which is 37% more expensive than the average kids mattress we’ve tested.
Click here to read our full Avocado Eco Kids review.
Type: Kids
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)
Avocado Eco Kids Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Avocado Eco Kids |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.75 |
| Price (Twin) | $999 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.20″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 8.5 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 8.24 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 13.06″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Very High |
| Edge Support – Score | 9.0 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 2.50″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Good |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 8.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 2.00″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 8.00″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.1 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 7 days |
| Company – Score | 7.8 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years |
5 Little Monkeys
Best For
- Free pillow and protector with the mattress
- Extremely fast material response time
- Thinner 8.0″ profile
Considerations
- Higher levels of motion transfer
- Only 8″ height may not be suitable for kids as they reach their teens
- Edge support is good, but not great
Our Verdict
The 5 Little Monkeys mattress is an 8.00″ kids mattress made of gel memory foam and a support foam base. This mattress is sold as a bundle and automatically includes a mattress protector and pillow with the mattress.
The 5 Little Monkeys is available in a single firmness level — medium. This is a 5 out of 10 on our firmness tests and would be suitable for a wide range of kids’ preferences.
This mattress has deep sinkage and low levels of bounce. For kids who enjoy sleeping deeper into the mattress, this can provide great pressure relief and yet still has a balanced contour.
This mattress does not list a weight capacity, but the brand states it can support a parent lying in bed with a child for snuggling or reading.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 8.72, ranking the mattress in the top 45% of all mattresses tested to date. Specifically for kids’ mattresses, the Five Little Monkeys mattress ranks in the top 17%.
The 5 Little Monkeys is $499 for a twin-sized bundle, which is 19% less expensive than the average kids’ mattress. In addition to the low price, this is the only option in this guide sold as a complete sleep system—the mattress, mattress protector, and kids’ pillow. If you’re looking for an excellent value, it’s hard to beat this bundle from 5 Little Monkeys.
Click here to read our full 5 Little Monkeys review.
Type: Kids
Firmness: Medium (5)
5 Little Monkeys Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | 5 Little Monkeys |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.72 |
| Price (Twin) | $499 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.32″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Deep |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 7.6 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 10.35 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 7.15″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.7 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 4.25″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 3.00″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 8.00″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.9 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 4 days |
| Company – Score | 9.0 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 15 years |
Nectar Kids
Best For
- Fantastic cooling performance
- Exceptional edge support, great for parents sitting or lying at or near the edge of the mattress
- Flippable design with two firmnesses, perfect for aging children
Considerations
- Pressure relief is less impressive
- Minimal sinkage may not be ideal for side sleepers
- Very low bounce could be disappointing for kids wanting an active feel
Our Verdict
The Nectar Kids mattress is an 8.00″ kids mattress made of memory foam and poly foam, with a support foam central core.
The Nectar Kids is a flippable mattress with a different firmness on each side. We found these sides to be slightly firm (7 out of 10) and extra firm (9 out of 10). According to Nectar, the firmer side is better for younger kids, and the slightly softer side is designed for older kids.
This softer side of this mattress has minimal sinkage and very low levels of bounce. That said, if you’re looking for deeper engagement into the foam layers, the Nectar Kids mattress may not be the best choice for your child.
When we initially tested the mattress, Nectar’s customer support confirmed that the mattress can support up to 300 pounds, or 150 pounds per side (for the Full size mattress). That said, I would recommend a max sleeper weight of 120 pounds given the comfort layer and total mattress height.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 8.41, placing it in the bottom 33% of all mattresses tested to date. But when looking exclusively at kids’ mattresses, the Nectar Kids ranks in the top 33%.
The Nectar Kids is only $299 for a twin-sized mattress, which is 51% less expensive than the average cage mattress. At this price, the Nectar Kids is the most affordable mattress featured in this guide.
Click here to read our full Nectar Kids review.
Type: Kids
Firmness: Flippable—Slightly Firm (7), Extra Firm (9)
Nectar Kids Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Nectar Kids |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.41 |
| Price (Twin) | $299 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.77″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Minimal |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 8.0 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 9.36 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.0 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 1.0 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 5.74″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Very Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 9.5 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.00″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 7.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 1.50″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 8.00″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.6 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 5 days |
| Company – Score | 10 |
| Trial | 365 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Nest Bedding Puffin
Best For
- Extremely fast material residence time
- Flippable design, great for aging children
- Fast off-gassing performance
Considerations
- Less impressive cooling performance and higher levels of heat retention
- Pressure relief is good, but not great
- Only 7.0″ thick, which may not be thick enough for some older children
Our Verdict
The Nest Bedding Puffin mattress is a 7.00″ kids mattress made of poly foam and support foam.
The Nest Bedding Puffin is available in a single firmness level — slightly firm. In our tests, this is a 7 out of 10 firmness, where 10 is the most firm.
This mattress has deep sinkage and low levels of bounce. Despite the deeper sinkage, the contour on this mattress is balanced—a nice mix of support and hug.
This mattress has a maximum recommended sleeper weight of only 110 pounds. This weight limit applies regardless of size (Twin, Twin XL, or Full).
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 8.34, ranking the mattress in the bottom 29% of all mattresses tested to date. Looking exclusively at kids’ mattresses, the Puffin ranks in the top 50% of those we’ve tested.
The Nest Bedding Puffin is $536 for a twin-sized mattress, which is 13% less expensive than the average kids’ mattress. If you’re looking for a firmer feel that still retains the deep sinkage, then the Puffin could be a great option for a child.
Click here to read our full Nest Bedding Puffin review.
Type: Kids
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)
Nest Bedding Puffin Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Nest Bedding Puffin |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.34 |
| Price (Twin) | $536 |
| Cooling – Score | 7.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.33″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Deep |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 8.2 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 8.93 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 7.66″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.4 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 4.00″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Good |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 8.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 2.00″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 7.00″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 9.7 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Minimal |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 1 day |
| Company – Score | 10 |
| Trial | 365 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Helix Kids
Best For
- Exceptional cooling performance
- Fast off-gassing, minimal smell that dissipated within 2 days
- Great edge support for sitting or lying
Considerations
- Higher levels of motion transfer, which may disturb sensitive sleepers
- Slower material response time
- Minimal sinkage may not be ideal for all preferences
Our Verdict
The Helix Kids mattress is an 8.00″ kids mattress made of gel memory foam, pocketed coils, and a poly foam base. It has a quilted cover and is the only hybrid mattress included in this guide.
The Helix Kids is available in a single firmness level — slightly firm. On our firmness scale, this is a 7 out of 10 where 10 is the most firm.
This mattress has minimal sinkage and moderate levels of bounce. It has a balanced contour, which is a positive for a wider range of sleeper preferences.
The Helix Kids Mattress has a maximum recommended sleeper weight of 250 lbs. This would apply to both the 6.0″ low-profile model and the 8.0″ standard-profile version.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 8.31, ranking the mattress in the bottom 27% of all kids’ mattresses that we’ve tested to date.
The Helix Kids is $562 for a twin-sized mattress, which is 9% less expensive than the average kids’ mattress. Given the hybrid design and strong overall performance the Helix Kids mattress is a solid value.
Click here to read our full Helix Kids review.
Type: Kids
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)
Helix Kids Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Helix Kids |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.31 |
| Price (Twin) | $562 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.95″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Minimal |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 7.1 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 11.38 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 6.4 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.8 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 1.5 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 9.21″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Moderate |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.9 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 4.00″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 8.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 1.75″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 8.00″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 9.4 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Minimal |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 2 days |
| Company – Score | 10 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Saatva Youth
Best For
- Fantastic cooling performance
- Fast material responsiveness
- Exceptional edge support for sitting or lying
Considerations
- Pressure relief score is well below average
- Very high levels of motion transfer
- High price tag, 30% more expensive than the average kids mattress
Our Verdict
The Saatva Youth mattress is a 12.00″ kids mattress made of a central coil unit and a poly foam comfort layer, with quilted covers on both sides of the mattress.
The Saatva Youth is a flippable mattress, but in our test, we found both sides to feel equally firm. On our firmness scale, both sides were an 8 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm.
This mattress has minimal sinkage and very high levels of bounce. If your child prefers to sleep “on” the mattress, this can be an ideal feel, but for children who prefer to sleep more “in” the mattress, the Saatva may be less ideal.
There is no specific maximum weight limit listed for the Saatva Youth mattress. It is designed for children ages 3 to 13 years old. In my view, I would not recommend the mattress for sleepers over 200 pounds.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 8.14, ranking the mattress in the bottom 22% of all mattresses tested to date.
Additionally, the Saatva Youth is $799 for a twin-sized mattress, which is 30% more expensive than the average kids’ mattress. While this price and performance score don’t exactly scream “best value”, if you are looking for a more traditional / coil feel, the Saatva Youth could still be a good option to consider.
Click here to read our full Saatva Youth review.
Type: Kids
Firmness: Firm (8)
Saatva Youth Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Saatva Youth |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.14 |
| Price (Twin) | $799 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.93″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Minimal |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 4.2 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 17.93 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.5 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.9 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 13.80″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Very High |
| Edge Support – Score | 10 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 2.75″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Outstanding |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 7.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 3.13″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 12.00″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 10 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | None |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 0 days |
| Company – Score | 8.8 |
| Trial | 365 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Best Mattress By Category
Have a specific mattress type, sleeping position, feature, or firmness in mind? At NapLab, we’ve ranked the mattresses we’ve tested in 25 different specialized best lists. These lists can help you identify the mattresses best suited to specific performance criteria.
You can also see our best mattress guide for our overall best-ranked mattresses.
Best by Position & People
