The best kids mattresses are designed specifically for children—and family life.
These beds often come with kid-friendly features like waterproofing for the inevitable nighttime accidents and flippable designs with age-specific support and comfort on each side of the mattress. You’ll notice that kid-centric beds are less lofty (shorter) than adult mattresses, making it easier for children to climb onto them—and the very best mattresses for kids leave out troublesome materials like fiberglass.
After consulting experts and weeks of testing the top beds by our editors’ and contributors’ children, we believe the best mattress for kids is the Avocado Eco Organic Kids Mattress given its natural materials and supportive feel for kids up to age 12.
Some of the best kids mattresses grow with children like the Helix Kids bed that offers an age-specific firmness level on each side.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Helix
There’s a lot to unpack when looking for a supportive and safe kids mattress—and there are suddenly myriad options as brands launch new kid versions of their most popular beds.
“The top concerns for parents for kids mattresses are the materials used for fireproofing and waterproofing,” says Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D., and a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
“It’s best to check with the manufacturer to find out what is used for fireproofing in the mattress since there is a possibility it may contain fiberglass.”
Stoiber’s recommendation: “Look for natural materials like wool, cotton and steel springs, which will not off-gas harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).”
After extensive testing and research, these are the best kids mattresses on the market.
If you’re shopping for your newborn, consider these Best Crib Mattresses, and if you’re shopping for older kids, you might peruse our Best Mattresses For Teens story. (All prices and specifications below are based on a twin size of the child’s mattress.)
Best Kids Mattress Overall: Avocado Eco Organic Kids Mattress
Best Kids Mattress For Restless Sleepers: Helix Kids Mattress
Best Memory Foam Kids Mattress: Leesa Kids Mattress
Best Flippable Kids Mattress: Saatva Youth Mattress
Best Waterproof Kids Mattress: Naturepedic 2-In-1 Organic Kids Waterproof Mattress
Best Value Kids Mattress: BB Kids
Best Kids Mattress For Pressure Relief: Birch Kids Natural Mattress
Best Hybrid Kids Mattress: My Green Mattress Pure Eco Organic Kids Mattress
Best Kids Mattress For Bunk Beds: Nest Puffin
Best Kids Mattress Overall A Clean Choice With Perfect Support MOST POPULAR Avocado Green Mattress Avocado Eco Organic Kids Mattress
Type of mattress: Hybrid (latex) | Firmness: Medium-firm | Height: 7 inches | Flippable: No | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years
Best for: Parents seeking clean materials Kids who tend to sleep hot Bunk bed owners
Skip if: You’re shopping for an older kid (or size up to the adult Eco Organic model) You need something flippable
Avocado’s Eco Organic Kids Mattress is one of the cleanest kid bed options you’ll find. It is made with pocketed, recycled steel coils, organic wool and cotton and GOLS-certified organic latex for support.
How To Pick The Best Kids Mattress
Picking a kids’ mattress can feel even more daunting than selecting an adult mattress, given that children are still developing. Still, there are plenty of quality options on the market—the key is choosing one that feels right for your child.
Our Expertise
Forbes Vetted has extensive bedding and mattress review experience,
