The Best Mattress For Kids: What You Need To Know.
When you are on the hunt for a mattress for your child’s first bed, it can be frustrating because there are so many options. You could opt for something that’s waterproof but uncomfortable, organic but expensive, comfortable but expensive, and so many other combinations. What you really need is a bed that’s going to give your child everything you want them to have in one package-waterproof, comfortable, affordable, and durable. Unfortunately, these are rare, so I have taken the liberty of compiling a few mattresses that I thought would offer you everything your child would need.
Table Of Contents
Best Mattress For Kids Comparisons
Brand | Details | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
Zinus Green Tea Mattress |
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Signature Sleep Contour 8” |
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Home Life Harmony Sleep 8” Pocket Spring |
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DreamFoam Bedding Ultimate Dreams |
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Sleep Master Memory Foam 5 Inch |
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Perfect Cloud Elegance Gel Pro 12” |
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Types of Mattress for Kids
So, if you weren't already aware, there are tons of different types of mattresses available for your child's bed. Today's technology you have the ability to pick a mattress that is organic, waterproof, made from memory foam and so much more. Let's take a look at some of the different types of mattresses available for your child.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is a type of polyurethane material sensitive to your child’s body temperature. The memory foam that molds to the shape of your child's body. Memory foam is extremely comfortable as long as it's not too firm or too soft, ideally, it should be right in the middle.
Memory foam has a lot of benefits. Has the ability to ease painful pressure points and help with back pain, what is a something that a child would need? Probably not. The only reason I say this is because memory foam tends to hold moisture, unless you have it protected with a waterproof cover.
Unfortunately, memory foams tend to let off toxic gasses for many years. You can still get a good memory foam bed for your child, just look for a GreenGuard GOLD certification or CertiPUR-US certification with the mattress.
Innerspring
Innerspring is a very popular choice when it comes to children’s beds, mostly because they are durable and have the ability to take a beating. Since technology has advanced and there have been more people messing around with new ideas, there are now 2 options for innerspring instead of just one.
Innerspring Open Coil
Open coil innerspring mattresses are the budget friendly choice if that’s the route you are going to take. These will last for quite a few years but they aren’t as durable as other types. The springs that are inside aren’t going to wear out very quickly from the weight of a small child, but as they grow, it’s going to put added pressure on those springs. Not to worry though. If you find those coils starting to wear, there’s no harm in investing in a topper or pad to increase the lifespan of the mattress.
Innerspring Pocket Coil
Pocket coil innerspring mattresses cost more than a traditional innerspring because each one of the coils is wrapped in fabric. This means that the coils aren’t going to share their load and they will be able to contour to your child’s body better. These have the ability to last much longer than the traditional innerspring mattresses, so the extra money invested would be well worth it.
Latex Foam
These types of foam mattresses have been around for quite some time. The natural foam latex rubber mattresses do tend to be a tad pricey, but they offer superior support to the growing child. Latex mattresses are also very comfortable, so you won’t have to deal with a fussy child before bed-at least that’s my experience.
Latex foams are also usually hypoallergenic, antibacterial, durable, and you won’t have to deal with that stinky off-gassing that memory foam mattresses can have.
Futon Mattresses
The futon was what I slept on from the time I was 12 until I was 18 and moved out of my parents house. I absolutely love futon mattresses because they have the ability to fold up into a couch and when your child is ready for bed, all they have to do is pull it out.
The term “futon” comes from the fact that the mattress is filled with natural fibers such as cotton. Although they originated in Japan, they have become increasingly popular in the states and Canada because of their comfort and multi-useage.
Things to Consider for Kids Mattresses
The task of choosing a mattress may seem fairly easy once you know what your options are, but there are also some concerns that pop up with each one of them, or with just a mattress in general. Since your child is going to spend at least 6 hours sleeping on this bed, it’s best to get something that’s going to be safe and healthy. Here’s what you should consider before purchasing a mattress.
Allergies
Kids do have allergies, some severely. So, when you’re shopping for a mattress for them, it’s only natural that you are going to want something that’s not going to set off their allergies or cause them to have a really bad reaction. To make it even more difficult, trying to pin down what exactly they’re allergic to in the mattress is near impossible.
You can throw on a hypoallergenic mattress pad or an antibacterial cover on any mattress and it’ll probably be okay for your child to sleep on. But, those real latex foam mattresses that I was talking about naturally get rid of dust mites and it’s not possible for them to grow bacteria, which is ideal for those who have allergies.
Off-Gassing
Off-gassing is what you’ll find with mattresses that are made from synthetic materials such as PVC or vinyl. When you first open up mattresses, such as memory foam, you’ll notice a chemical smell, unless it’s CertiPUR-US certified-even then it may have a mild odor, but it goes away. If it’s coming from an uncertified mattress, the smell could linger for days to weeks after you purchase it.
Since your child will be sleeping on this, you aren’t going to want them directly exposed to it for too long. Your best option would be to let it air out for a few days before you allow them to sleep on it, reducing that exposure time.
Support
The support a mattress offers is vital to a child’s growth. Mattresses that are plush-firm, meaning they’re firm but offer padding for comfort, are the ideal choice for kids because the firmness gives them the proper support they need and the padding gives them comfort.
Sleeping on a mattress that is too soft could lead to improper spine alignment, especially while your child is still growing. This has the potential to lead to improper posture and back issues. When kids are laying down, they can improve their posture by:
- Laying with their head on one pillow to allow the spine to go into its natural position.
- Keeping the natural curves in their back
- Laying on their side with their knees bent.
Understanding Comfort Levels
Just like adult mattresses, children’s mattresses have different comfort levels such as firm, plush, etc. It’s important to understand what the terms mean so that you can find the best one for your child.
- Plush: These are usually on the softer side. They are ideal for side sleepers.
- Firm: These are the healthiest for the back, but the ones with the added cushioning are the best for a contoured fit and straightened spine.
- Extra Firm: In comparison to firm, this type offers very little cushioning and usually the only people who use these are those who sleep on their backs.
- Euro top, Box top, Pillow top: These mattresses have the most amount of cushioning without making it super bulky or thick.
- Plush firm, Luxury firm, Cushion firm: These are medium firm mattresses. They are ideal for all types of sleepers and are the most chosen out of the rest.
Top 5 Kids Mattress Reviews
Signature Sleep Contour 8” Mattress-Twin
This innerspring pocket coil mattress is an ideal option for children who suffer from allergies. This mattress is CertiPUR-US certified and made without TDCPP, flame retardants, ozone depleters, mercury, lead, heavy metals, or PBDE’s, making it a healthier choice for your kid’s bedroom.
Each one of the 7” 15 gauge coils work together to help provide equal weight distribution. It also contours to the curves of their body to help alleviate pressure points. The foam layer on the top and bottom of the mattress makes the whole thing more comfortable and minimizing the feeling of the coils.
To put the topper on the cake, this mattress is environmentally friendly by using all eco-friendly foams. You can get this mattress in a twin, full, queen, and king. Although I do think it could be a bit more generous, the bed does come with a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros
Cons
Home Life Harmony Sleep 8” Pocket Spring Luxury Mattress-Twin
The Home Life Harmony Sleep mattress fits any standard twin bed frame and has 15 gauge pocketed coils that optimize comfort, support, and durability. This bed is specifically designed to keep the vertebrae supported while keeping your child comfortable.
Inside of the mattress, you’ll find 480 single tempered steel coils that help to create equal weight distribution. This will help to alleviate any pressure points that your child may be having an issue with. When I was a kid and playing sports, this is something that would have been very useful to me.
One other highlight about this bed is that the independently encased coils structure helps to reduce motion disturbance and makes the springs longevity. Combining the price and features, this may be the best bed for kids-value wise.
Pros
Cons
DreamFoam Bedding Ultimate Dreams-Twin
Even if your child is the pickiest sleeper, the DreamFoam mattress can change the way they think about bedtime. This bed offers the optimal firmness that contours to the body which can help relieve pressure points in the hips, neck, shoulders, and back.
This bed is built with a TriZone construction with a 6.25 inch core and .75 inch quilting layer. This quilted layer is comfortable to sleep on both with or without a sheet. The other great thing about it is that it’s CertiPUR-US certified. This means that the mattress isn’t made with any harmful chemicals or heavy metals.
Also, for those of you who are proud American’s and appreciate the fine craftsmanship, this bed is made in the USA. And usually, great craftsmanship comes a solid warranty, and this mattress is covered for 10 years.
Pros
Cons
Sleep Master Memory Foam 5 Inch Mattress-Twin
The Sleep Master is an extremely versatile mattress, why? Because it can be used on a bunk bed, day bed, trundle bed, or a regular bed. The conforming memory foam offers comfort and support throughout the entire night. This means that your child will wake up rested and not cranky.
The pressure relieving comfort foam is 1 inch of memory foam, 1 inch of pressure relieving foam, and a 3 inch high density support layer. This mattress is only made with the highest quality foams and they’re all CertiPUR-US Certified, meaning they’re harmless to sleep on.
The memory foam that’s inside of it is called BioFoam, which takes out some of the traditional petroleum with natural plant oil to help keep your bed fresh for longer. Nothing feels better than going to sleep and waking up on a fresh mattress everyday.
Pros
Cons
Perfect Cloud Elegance Gel Pro 12” Memory Foam Mattress-Full
For kids who need the absolutely best and want to be as comfortable as possible, the Perfect Cloud Elegance has everything. This mattress will pamper your child from the time they get into bed until they roll out of it in the morning with some wicked bed-head.
The CertiPUR-US Certified mattress is made with Gel Pro memory foam which allows your child’s temperature to be regulated all night. It also helps to conform to them, keeping them comfortable all night. These beds are also infused with a 1 inch layer of Air memory foam.
The fourth layer of the mattress is made up of 7.5 inches of HD base support foam. This thick layer provides optimal support that offers a weightless sleeping experience. It also comes with a “best in class premium removable stretch knit cover.” This cover is completely removable for easy washing and care, making this a super valuable and dependable bed.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
The comfort of your child is quite important. They need their rest to get through school, function, and just be nice. When my kids don’t sleep, they’re monsters. So, after reviewing all of these mattresses, I think that the ideal one for your child would have to be the Perfect Cloud Elegance Gel-Pro 12 Inch Memory Foam Mattress- Full. I know, it’s the most expensive one, but it’s also the one that’s the most promising. My favorite feature is the air and gel foam layers for breathability. Some nights, my children sleep so hot, so this will definitely help to keep them cool.
The other great thing about this bed is that it’s a lot thicker than some of the other ones, giving it more durability and support. Support is important for a child’s development. Plus, it comes in adult sizes, so if you want to order a bigger one for yourself and hand it down to them, or just take a nap on theirs, it provides comfort for all. So, all-in-all, this bed is a great choice and it’s definitely a good mattress for kids and adults as well.
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