Whether you’re shopping for a crib mattress, twin mattress, or something larger, you’ll need to know the size of the bed frame you have along with the mattress’s thickness and firmness. It’s important to know the thickness and hardness of the mattress you’re buying for a child, as one that’s too thick or soft can be dangerous for young children. We carefully looked over design, including firmness and thickness, value, material, and ease of cleaning when reviewing products. Here are the best mattresses for kids of all ages. Separated by a dual-sided coil unit, the mattress has an organic cotton cover and five-zone support for your child under 7 years old. When they are older, you can flip the mattress for the extra comfort of the high-density foam and lumbar supportive coils. Price at time of publication: $795 As the baby grows, flip the mattress to the softer, plusher toddler side. The mattress is hypoallergenic and waterproof, so it’ll be easy to clean when the inevitable happens. At just over 8 pounds, it’s easy to lift for changing sheets and the squared edges and corners make that even simpler. Price at time of publication: $200 The more guardrail space, the safer the bed is. The Zinus Sleepmaster mattress is easy to clean and at only 6 inches thick, it’s safe and secure for a bunk bed. The affordable set comes with two mattresses, so once you have the bed, order these and some sheets, and the bunk bed is ready. Price at time of publication: $240 To manage allergies, the cover comes right off so you can wash it seasonally (or whenever allergies flare) as an extra step to remove dirt, germs, or allergens. These mattresses ship for free in 1 to 3 business days and fit on any type of bed frame. Price at time of publication: $1,449 The mattress is hypoallergenic, durable, and made with non-toxic materials. Machine washing and drying is not recommended, but it can be spot cleaned with mild detergent. Price at time of publication: $2,399 Sensitive sleepers will appreciate how the natural materials wick away moisture and the air flows better than a polyurethane foam mattress. This made in America brand offers a full refund for up to a year after purchase and has a 25-year warranty. Price at time of publication: $1,999 It has an anti-bacterial and waterproof cover. The mattress is nearly 3 inches thick, providing a good support base. For added safety, this mattress is equipped with full-perimeter wires along the mattress border, so it keeps the sides, corners, and edges of the mattress firm and allows it to maintain its shape. However, never use this mattress on the top level of the play yard when it is set up for a bassinet, as that arrangement is a safety hazard. Price at time of publication: $46 Casper, the online mattress retailer, sells well-made and affordable mattresses. Their “essential” line works for most bed bases and foundations. The mattress is delivered right to you, with a 100-night guarantee. While it’s not waterproof, the zip-off cover is made for easy washing and has a rich, charcoal cover to hide any stains. Price at time of publication: $1,500 While it’s available in six different sizes, each mattress meets CertiPUR-US standards. One of the best parts about this mattress? The company lets you try out the mattress for one year before you can make your final decision. It’s important to note memory foam mattresses are not safe for all children, especially babies and younger children. Children who are young need a more firm mattress to decrease the risk of suffocation. Price at time of publication: $899 Price at time of publication: $300 Children may use their crib mattresses in a toddler bed once they graduate from their crib. As your child gets older, they will move on to the regular thickness of mattresses for adults, which is anywhere from 8 to 14 inches.
Firmness
Just as with thickness, you’ll want to match a mattress’s firmness with the age of your child. A super plush mattress is not safe for babies. When shopping for a mattress for a baby, you want a firm sleep surface, meaning it should not indent when an infant is lying on it. No matter the age of your child, you want them to get a good night’s rest, and that is really going to depend on the firmness of their mattress. Kids have different preferences, but to be on the safe side, know that older children typically do best on a medium-firm mattress. One that’s too soft or hard can cause pain or discomfort. Medium-firm will help with spinal alignment and support during sleep.
Size
Whether you’re shopping for a crib mattress, twin mattress, or something larger, you’ll need to know the size of the bed frame you have (and what the company’s manual recommends). The following dimensions are standard:
Crib: 52 inches x 28 inchesTwin: 75 inches x 39 inches Twin XL: 80 inches x 39 inchesFull: 75 inches x 54 inches
Once you’ve noticed your toddler getting too big for their crib mattress, you can move up to a twin-sized mattress. The only difference with a twin XL mattress is that it adds five extra inches in length for taller children. A full-sized bed is what many adults and older teens sleep on. Larger options include queen and king-sized mattresses.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, a 6-year-old son, and a 2-year-old daughter. All three have slept on (or still sleep on) the same crib mattress. They are all good sleepers, so maybe the mattress is to thank for that.
