The Best Mattresses for Kids, Tested Over Months of Snoozing by Our Own Kids

Best Overall (Foam): Nod by Tuft & Needle

Why We Like It: You get supportive, breathable foam at an extremely affordable price (and with a 100-day trial) for any size of bed.

But Take Note: It doesn’t have great edge support for adult bodies, and the cover is not machine washable.

Mattresses are such a subjective topic, even for kids, so it’s difficult for us to name one that’s absolutely the best for all sleepers. Still, when it comes to all-foam mattresses, the Nod (Tuft & Needle’s Amazon-exclusive product) performed the best in our real-world testing. It checks a lot of boxes, especially in terms of value for a mattress purchased for a younger child who will be using it for several years to come. 

How we slept: Most important of all: Our editor’s 10-year-old compared this mattress to a cloud and said she doesn’t want to get out of bed once she’s in it, and her mom said she truly noticed her falling asleep faster and sleeping in longer with it, even months into testing. She even decided to sleep on this twin-size mattress in her top bunk over the full-size bottom bunk.

Mattress construction: While our young sleeper praised the Nod’s softness, it actually falls more in the medium-firm category. This has two layers of foam: a supportive, dense bottom layer and a “comfort” top layer, which is softer and provides more airflow. Unlike the original Tuft & Needle mattresses, the Nod’s top layer doesn’t have fancy “cooling gel” or graphite, but we still think it’s plenty airy for hot sleepers, and it molded to the sleeper’s shape without constricting her. The mattress we tested is 8 inches thick (compared to the 10 inches of many other similar mattresses), which is more than enough to support a child or smaller adult. It’s also available in a 6-inch size if you need something thinner for a top bunk or trundle bed. We know some adult sleepers complain of the Nod not having great edge support, but we had no trouble in that area for a child’s body. The mattress has a removable polyester cover that is spot-clean only, so you may want to get a waterproof cover for it for younger kids.

Setup: After receiving the Nod as a bed-in-a-box compressed shipment, we found that it bounces into its full size within 24 hours. There was no noticeable smell when we opened it.

Value: The Nod really stands out from the competition for its price. It’s not quite as high-tech as some of the other mattresses out there, and that’s just fine for parents buying a mattress for their child’s first “big kid” bed. If, in a few years, they decide they like a softer or firmer mattress, or they need a bigger bed, you won’t feel too sad about the money you spent on this one.

Price at time of publication: $349 (8-inch twin)

The Details:

• Mattress type: Foam
• Certifications: Greenguard Gold, CertiPUR-US
• Firmness: Medium firm
• Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king; all available in 6 inches or 8 inches
• Trial period: 100 days
• Warranty: 10-year limited
• Shipping and returns: Free 
• White glove delivery: No
• Mattress removal: For California

Best Overall (Hybrid): Saatva Youth Mattress

Why We Like It: This dual-sided mattress supports growing kids’ bodies, and a water-resistant cotton cover helps it last. 

But Take Note: Adults don’t find it very comfortable, so it won’t make a good guest bed.

This is one of a handful of mattresses that truly take the specific needs of a child in mind, starting by making it dual-sided to suit those growing bodies. One side of this hybrid innerspring and foam mattress is slightly softer, with zoned support for kids ages 3 to 7 years old; the other side is firmer and has lumbar support for ages 8 to 12. It’s also all covered by an organic cotton cover that has a water-resistant finish on it—which is a relief to anyone ready to invest around $800 on a child who doesn’t always remember to go to the bathroom before going to bed.

How we slept: This was actually the first big-kid mattress for our 3-year-old sleeper, and while at first, he was a little emotional about that fact, he soon changed his mind and was calling this mattress “MINE!” For the past several months of testing, he’s been sleeping quite soundly and barely even moves, according to his editor mom. He also had two little accidents within the initial testing period and that water-resistant cover came through—the mattress still looks as good as new. For any parents out there who wind up sharing a bed with their little ones, however, we have to warn you that this isn’t a very comfortable mattress for adult bodies. We found it too firm in all the wrong places, so it also won’t make a great option for a guest room.

Mattress construction: A middle layer of flexible, recycled steel coils is topped on one side by foam that’s firmer in the middle third to support 3- to 7-year-olds’ bodies. Flip it over for 8- to 12-year-olds, who will benefit from the lumbar support from the coil layer, a firmer high-density foam layer, and quilting in the center third of the cover for even more lumbar support. The mattress is labeled with these age ranges, so don’t worry about mixing that up.

Setup: Though the delivery people didn’t wear actual white gloves, they did a great job bringing in our Saatva Youth Mattress wrapped in plastic but not squished into a box. They placed it right where we wanted it and showed us the dual-side labels. Because it was never in a box and is also CertiPUR-US foam (more on that below), there was no smell that bothered us.

Value: While this mattress is more than twice the cost of the all-foam Nod, we do have to remember that it’s essentially two mattresses in one. Also, an innerspring construction tends to give mattresses a little more life than an all-foam has, so this feels like a worthy investment for years to come.

Price at time of publication: $795 (twin)

The Details:

• Mattress type: Dual-sided hybrid innerspring
• Certifications: CertiPUR-US
• Firmness: Medium on one side, firm on the other
• Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full
• Trial period: 365 days
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Shipping and returns: Free shipping within the continental U.S., $99 return fee within 365-day trial period
• White glove delivery: Yes, included
• Mattress removal: Yes

Best Crib Mattress: Newton Baby Crib Mattress

Why We Like It: This mattress has been third-party tested to prove its breathability and firmness, plus it’s completely washable.

But Take Note: It’s more expensive than most crib mattresses on the market.

If you’ve ever cleaned up a baby’s mess (or just imagined doing so), you’ll know right away why we’re very excited about the fact that not only can you machine wash and dry the Newton Mattress covers, but you can also machine wash the mattress encasement, You can even wash the core mattress itself, which the brand recommends doing in the shower or outside with a hose. All that is on top of the fact that this mattress is breathable, firm, and doesn’t emit toxic gasses, keeping your kid safe and comfortable from infancy through their years in a toddler bed. 

How we slept: While we haven’t officially tested this mattress, some of our editors already use Newtons with their babies and toddlers. Of course, it’s kind of impossible to guess how much a baby or toddler likes their mattress, but they have slept as soundly as babies and toddlers do. What we do know is that we sleep better having placed our infants in a mattress known for its breathability. We also appreciate that there’s a waterproof version of this mattress (for $50 more than the Original), which comes with a cover that’s breathable on one side for infants, and waterproof (and still breathable!) on the other side for toddlers as they begin to potty train. There’s also one more step that can ensure more sleep for your kid: Though the mattresses come with a cover included, you can buy a second one (for $70-$90) to use as a backup while the first is in the wash. As much as the washable mattress is a selling point, none of us have actually had to wash it, since the cover protected it so well.

Mattress construction: The mattress core is made from food-grade polymer, which the brand says is “90% air.” What does that really mean? It’s basically a type of plastic fiber made into what looks like a large sponge (and the holes between the plastic are 90% air). If you choose the Essential mattress, it’s 4 inches thick, and for $50 more, the Original is 5.5 inches thick. The Essential has a single-layer breathable cover, while the Original and Waterproof covers have two layers.

Value: You certainly can find cheaper crib mattresses out there, but this one is made to last through the toddler years, and it gives us so much peace of mind to know that our babies can still breathe through it if they roll over.

Price at time of publication: $250 (for 4-inch Essential)

The Details:

• Mattress type: Polymer (similar to foam)
• Firmness: Firm
• Certifications: Greenguard Gold, tested for breathability in a CPSC-accredited lab, meets and exceeds Australian Firmness Standard Test levels for crib mattresses
• Available sizes: 4-inch standard, 5.5-inch standard, 5.5-inch waterproof standard, mini
• Trial period: 100 days
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Shipping and returns: Free shipping and returns (within 90 days on Amazon, 100 days on NewtonBaby.com)
• White glove delivery: No
• Mattress removal: No

Best Value: Siena Memory Foam Mattress

Why We Like It: Our kids sleep so well on this supportive foam mattress, which is basically always on sale.

But Take Note: It’s on the plush side, so look elsewhere if you want a firm mattress.

If your kid likes a soft mattress, you don’t need to plunk down a lot of money for them. Siena, the sister company of the pricier Nectar mattress brand, sells its five-layer, 10-inch memory foam mattresses for around $200 and up (depending on sales). 

How we slept: Our Siena sleeper is a 17-year-old boy—and while we all know that teenage boys can sleep all day long, we’re very impressed by the fact that he’s been falling asleep faster at night on this mattress and wakes up feeling refreshed. It’s soft but still supportive for him, giving him “the best sleep I’ve had in a long time.”

Mattress construction: There are three layers of foam making up this mattress, with each reportedly serving a different purpose: a thicker, sturdier foam at the bottom; a small cushioning layer with a “ripple” that allows extra airflow; and a top gel memory foam layer to hug the body. The bottom cover prevents the mattress from slipping around on the bed, and the top cover is a breathable poly blend. There’s no mention of water resistance, as this is not a child-specific mattress, so you may want an additional cover. 

Setup: This is a mattress in a box that expanded fully by the 24-hour mark. It didn’t have any kind of odor when we took it out of the box.

Value: We’re really surprised that this much comfort can come at such a low cost, and it feels like these mattresses are almost always on sale, too.

Price at time of publication: $249 (twin)

The Details:

• Mattress type: Memory foam
• Certifications: CertiPUR-US
• Firmness: Medium firm with plush top
• Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
• Trial period: 180 days 
• Warranty: 10 years
• Shipping and returns: Free shipping in Continental U.S.; Amazon purchases can be returned if unopened; opened mattresses must be donated (will be refunded if within 180-day trial period)
• White glove delivery: No
• Mattress removal: In California (Amazon only)

Best Hybrid: The Allswell

Why We Like It: It’s got a kid-pleasing combination of support, a bouncy core, edge support, and a soft, cooling foam top.

But Take Note: It’s not Greenguard Gold certified.

Hybrid mattresses—those with individually wrapped coils or innersprings at the core (this one has individually wrapped coils) and foam on top—are usually more expensive than other types. Allswell keeps its bed-in-a-box mattresses at much lower-than-average prices while still delivering all the support of individually wrapped coils and the body-hugging comfort of breathable foam.

How we slept: We had a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old sleeper on this mattress. The 3-year-old needed a bit of time to get used to the firmness and size of the mattress after moving up from his toddler bed. After a few nights, he returned to his usual sleeping habits. Though those springs are very supportive and provide a good amount of bounce, we couldn’t feel them when we sank down into the foam of the upper layer. We’re also pleased with the edge support. The 7-year-old was quite enthusiastic about that bouncy-and-soft combination, and she’s been sleeping better—no middle-of-the-night wakeups—since getting the Allswell. 

Mattress construction: The inner core of this 10-inch mattress has individually wrapped coils, and the top layer is graphite and copper gel memory foam. It’s encased in a quilted, non-removable cover.

Setup: The bed arrives compressed in a box with built-in wheels, which makes moving it into the bedroom quite easy. It rose up to its full size within a few hours and did not emit a smell.

Value: This all comes at a surprisingly low price, especially when it’s on sale at Walmart. 

Price at time of publication: $227

The Details:

• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Certifications: CertiPUR-US
• Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
• Trial period: 100 days
• Warranty: 10-year limited
• Shipping and returns: Free shipping, free returns within 100 days (via AllswellHome.com); for Walmart returns, contact customer support
• White glove delivery: No
• Mattress removal: Yes, for a nonrefundable fee

Best for Hot Sleepers: Casper Original

Why We Like It: The soft top foam layer is cozy but also provides plenty of airflow, allowing hot sleepers to stay asleep all night.

But Take Note: This mattress is definitely on the soft side, and some may feel it lacks support.

This hybrid mattress is a crowd-pleaser for its medium level of firmness, which is provided by an innerspring core and two foam layers. The top foam layer is perforated, providing lots of airflow to soothe hot sleepers.

How we slept: Before using this mattress, our teenage sleeper said she thought her blankets and sheets were to blame for how hot she got at night. She immediately realized the difference the Casper made to solve that issue and has been sleeping so much better (and cooler) since making the switch. Though she sinks into those foam layers, she’s pleased with that softness. We’re pretty thrilled with anything that makes a teenage girl say she’s excited to go to bed and has been waking up feeling more refreshed because she wasn’t tossing and turning all night. 

Mattress construction: Beneath that top layer of soft perforated foam is a second foam layer that’s divided into three sections, so it’s softer under the shoulders and head, but firmer under the hips and lower back. (No one bothered to explain what’s in the third section.) Under all that is a spring core that’s surrounded by a firmer edge-support border.

Setup: After removing the compressed mattress from the box, we watched it rise to its full 11 inches within minutes. The instructions say to continue to let it expand for three to five hours after that, which we did. There was no discernable smell.

Value: This is one of the more expensive mattresses on this list, and for that reason, we don’t suggest purchasing it until your kid is a little older and not experiencing nighttime accidents. 

Price at time of publication: $1,095 (twin)

The Details:

• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Firmness: Medium
• Certifications: CertiPUR-US
• Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
• Trial period: 100 days
• Warranty: 10-year limited 
• Shipping and returns: Free in continental U.S.
• White glove delivery: Yes, in select areas
• Mattress removal: Only with in-home delivery

Best for Bunk Beds: Purple Kid’s Mattress

Why We Like It: Multiple layers of foam relieve pressure while still being soft, and it’s sized just right for both regular beds and top bunks.

But Take Note: Because it’s on the thinner side, it’s not recommended for anyone who weighs over 115 pounds.

Purple adapted its special pressure-relieving grid foam mattress design to a version that’s just for kids. Recommended for those up to 14 years old (or up to 115 pounds), it’s just 7 inches thick, which is ideal if you need to put it in a bunk or loft bed. 

How we slept: While we were skeptical about how comfortable anyone could be on a mattress that looks like a waffle—and it did feel quite odd when we lay down on the bare mattress at first—once we got the cover and sheets on it, we totally got the appeal. The foam conforms to your body’s shape, but it’s also very cooling. Our 6-year-old sleeper, who used to wake up a lot through the night, took to this mattress immediately, and his editor mom says his sleep quality has vastly improved. He even occasionally sleeps in late now. “I feel this mattress takes a lot of pressure off of body parts that maybe were bothering him,” she says, and they’re still seeing the benefits months into testing it. She’s also had to share the mattress with him (because: motherhood) and has been really surprised by the fact that she didn’t wake up feeling achy after being in an awkward position all night.

Mattress construction: Purple calls that 2-inch top waffle layer of foam a “Purple GelFlex Grid,” and it really is adaptive and cooling. Beneath that is another 2.5 inches of soft foam and 2.5 inches of medium-density foam. A denser foam surrounds it all for edge support. The cover is a polyethylene-polyester-spandex blend, and you can zip off the top of it to toss in the washing machine on cold (hang to dry). 

Setup: While it was fun watching this mattress expand after removing it from the box, we were immediately hit by an odor from it that worried us about its chemical content. (The materials are third-party certified to have low chemical emissions, but that doesn’t mean the mattress won’t smell!) After a week, the smell was almost gone.

Value: This is neither the most expensive, nor the cheapest mattress on our list. Considering how well we slept on it, it’s worth the price; especially if it lives up to the promise of lasting until a child’s early teens.

Price at time of publication: $699

The Details:

• Mattress type: Foam
• Firmness: Medium
• Certifications: Clean-Air Gold, CertiPUR-US
• Available sizes: Twin
• Trial period: 100 days
• Warranty: 10 years
• Shipping and returns: Free in contiguous U.S.
• White glove delivery: No
• Mattress removal: No

Best Soft and Firm: Helix Kids

Why We Like It: The two sides of this hybrid mattress provide distinct choices between medium-soft and medium-firm, and we appreciate its water-repellant and antimicrobial cover.

But Take Note: If your kid definitely wants something very soft or very firm, they may be disappointed.

Much like the Saatva Youth, the Helix Kids is a dual-sided hybrid mattress you can flip over when your child gets older. Or, you can keep it as is. The brand suggests using its medium-firm side for younger kids (3-7) and medium-soft side for older kids (8-12)—generally, that’s how kids’ mattress preferences tend to go—but you really can use either side for any age. Kids’ sleeping preferences can vary just as much as adults’ do, after all. 

How we slept: Our pre-teen sleeper initially confused us by saying this mattress was soft and squishy but too firm. (You can maybe see why we hire adults to write these things.) The real results weren’t something we needed in words, however, as he has been sleeping more and waking up refreshed through the several months he’s been using it. We’ve also tested other Helix mattresses as adults and are consistently satisfied with the brand.

Mattress construction: The Helix has a 6-inch core layer of wrapped coils. On the firm side, it’s topped with a denser foam to support young growing bodies. On the softer side, there’s gel memory foam. All of that is encased in a flame-retardant layer, which is then all covered by a hypoallergenic, breathable cover that is also treated with an antimicrobial shield and a plant-based water-repellent finish. The whole thing is 8 inches thick. 

Setup: The mattress came out of the box and expanded to its full size within an hour. It had no smell.

Value: This mattress is leaning toward the pricey range, which is something we expect out of a hybrid mattress. But because you can flip it, you’re almost getting two mattresses in one.

Price at time of publication: $748 (twin)

The Details:

• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Firmness: Medium-soft and medium-firm (2-sided)
• Certifications: Greenguard Gold, CertiPUR-US
• Available sizes: Twin, full
• Trial period: 100 days
• Warranty: 10-year limited
• Shipping and returns: Free
• White glove delivery: No
• Mattress removal: California only

Best Medium-Firm: Nest Bedding Puffin

Why We Like It: It has all the coziness of memory foam without making kids feel too hot or confined.

But Take Note: It won’t feel supportive for anyone who weighs over 110 pounds.

This all-foam mattress was a favorite among our kids who have been testing more than one new mattress. Its 7-inch thickness is supportive enough for any bed but thin enough to use in a bunk. 

How we slept: The 6-year-old and 8-year-old sleepers who tried this mattress said it was very cozy, like sleeping on a marshmallow. We wondered what that meant, since the brand calls the Puffin “luxury firm,” and tried it ourselves. So, translation: The memory foam conforms to your body, but it’s not too soft and feels supportive—though it probably won’t support someone over the recommended 110-pound weight limit for long. These kids didn’t have any sleep problems to begin with, but we’re also quite happy to report that this new mattress didn’t cause new issues to arise.

Mattress construction: The Puffin has 5 inches of supportive base foam topped with 2 inches of the brand’s proprietary memory foam that’s latex-free and cooling. The quilted cover is also cooling. It does not provide any water resistance, so you may want a separate mattress cover.

Setup: We were able to use this mattress almost immediately after unboxing it, though the brand recommends waiting 12-24 hours for it to reach its full height. There was no smell, perhaps because the manufacturer allows all foam to air out in the factory before they ship it out.

Value: This mattress falls right in the middle of our price range. You can find cheaper all-foam mattresses, but when this is on sale, it’s a decent use of your money.

Price at time of publication: $499 (twin)

The Details:

• Mattress type: Foam
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Certifications: CertiPUR-US
• Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full
• Trial period: 30 days
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Shipping and returns: Free in continental U.S.
• White glove delivery: No
• Mattress removal: No

Best Firm: Leesa Youth Mattress

Why We Like It: Kids who prefer a firmer feel will appreciate the three-layered support of this foam mattress. Plus, the foam cradles their body without overheating them.

But Take Note: It won’t appeal to those who like a soft or medium mattress.

This 10-inch foam mattress is for older kids (around 8 and up) who prefer a firm bed. It’s got the body-cradling feel of memory foam without being too hot, and the sturdy foam base will help it last longer than cheaper mattresses. A knit cover with a herringbone texture provides soft, cooling relief.

How we slept: Our 8-year-old sleeper called this mattress “hard” when he first lay down on it, especially compared to his previous one. But he’s been sleeping just fine on it from the start, as “your body gets used to it and it's comfortable,” he says. It’s got a bit of give in the top memory foam layer, but we agree with him that it’s a very firm mattress overall.

Mattress construction: This is a three-layer foam mattress, with a memory foam top layer, a perforated foam inner layer for airflow, and a thick supportive foam core base. The foams are certified by CertiPUR-US.

Setup: Though it comes tightly bundled in the box, this mattress puffed up to its full size almost immediately. (And of course, the kids jumped on it right away.) It had no discernible smell.

Value: This mattress has a mid-range price point. It’s more expensive than some other foam options but cheaper than the hybrids on our list.

Price at time of publication: $549 (twin)

The Details:

• Mattress type: Foam
• Firmness: Firm
• Certifications: Greenguard Gold. CertiPUR-US, 
• Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen
• Trial period: 100 days
• Warranty: 10 years
• Shipping and returns: Free on Leesa; Shipping starts at $99 on Pottery Barn Kids, but returns are free 
• White glove delivery: Yes, for a fee
• Mattress removal: Yes, with white glove delivery option

Best Organic: Naturepedic Verse Mattress

Why We Like It: Made from safe, organic materials, it’s a comfortable, firm mattress with just enough springiness.

But Take Note: The cotton and wool give off a smell at first, though it fades within a week.

By now you’ve read enough of these mattress descriptions to realize that a lot of fancy science can go into making the artificial materials of a mattress. But you can also choose a mattress like this one from Naturepedic that opts out of most of those chemical polymers, instead relying on organic cotton and wool to cushion the encased coils. The result is a very comfortable, firm mattress that also feels like a healthy investment for your child and the environment.

How we slept: This is one of the mattresses my own 10-year-old kid tested, and we are very happy with it. It’s got just a bit of the telltale bounce of a coil mattress, with a cozy top layer that’s far more supportive than the cheap Ikea innerspring mattress it replaced. My son’s only sleep problems are night terrors, and I’ve noticed fewer of those happening since we switched to the Verse (of course, he’s also just getting older, but he’s also had them on vacations in recent months). He falls asleep very quickly and doesn’t wake up sweaty. We do keep a waterproof cover on it, because we’re serious about protecting it to last through his teen years.

Mattress construction: Seven inches of individually encased coils are surrounded on top and bottom by a layer of organic cotton. The top quilted layer is a combination of organic cotton, organic wool, and plant-based synthetic fibers, while the sides and bottom are covered in even more organic cotton. 

Setup: We unfurled this mattress from its box and watched it spring to life pretty quickly. But we soon learned that there are some downsides to all that cotton: It took a much longer time for the mattress to puff up enough to its full, comfortable size than most of the foam mattresses did. Plus, the cotton and wool smell was quite strong. Personally, I liked the smell and knew it came from a natural source, rather than a chemical one, but my son wouldn’t sleep on it for a few days until it was aired out. The smell is completely gone now, and months later, that ordeal is all but forgotten.

Value: This feels like a very sturdy mattress with long-lasting support (particularly around the edges), and we know that organic materials sadly cost more to produce than cheap chemicals. So, it’s not the absolute most expensive mattress here, but it is an investment.

Price at time of publication: $999 (twin)

The Details:

• Mattress type: Encased coils
• Firmness: Firm
• Certifications: Greenguard, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Made Safe certified
• Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen
• Trial period: Varies based on vendor
• Warranty: 25 years
• Shipping and returns: Free shipping, returns within 30 days on Amazon; shipping starts at $99 on PBKids, with no returns available
• White glove delivery: Available through Pottery Barn Kids
• Mattress removal: With Pottery Barn premium in-home delivery

Best for Trundle Beds: Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress

Why We Like It: The thinner versions of this mattress still have multiple layers of foam to provide softness and support for all kinds of sleepers, at least for a short duration.

But Take Note: A 6-inch mattress won’t be great for adults or big kids in the long term.

To fit a mattress into a trundle bed that rolls under your kid’s regular bed platform, you’ll want a thinner option. And since trundles aren’t typically for every-night use, you don’t need to get something high-end or elaborate—especially if this is going to be for kids sleeping over, rather than adults. That’s why we recommend this inexpensive, medium-firm, cooling foam mattress from Zinus, which comes in 6-inch and 8-inch sizes (among others) and will please a broad range of sleepers, at least for short stays.

How we slept: A 4-year-old sleeper, who was graduating from a toddler bed, tested the 8-inch version of the Zinus. Though he’s typically a hot sleeper and was using a waterproof mattress cover, he didn’t wake up sweaty on this mattress and didn’t toss and turn through the night. His grandmother and mother also slept on it and found it soft but supportive, even for side sleepers. Since the initial testing period, he has gone back to his toddler bed, but we’re not blaming the mattress for that.

Mattress construction: The 8-inch and 6-inch versions of this mattress both have a 4-inch base foam layer. This is topped by a “comfort” layer that’s 2 inches thick on the 8-inch mattress and 1 inch on the 6-inch version. The top layer (also 1 inch for the 6-inch mattress, 2 inches for the 8-inch one) lends this mattress its name: It’s made from memory foam that’s infused with charcoal and green tea, which are meant to absorb moisture and keep sleepers feeling cooler, even though it’s a soft layer that you sink into it a bit.

Setup: Our 8-inch mattress was its full size only 24 hours after we unboxed it, though some sleepers report it taking a little longer than that. Funny enough, the brand says that jumping, walking, and sleeping on it makes it puff up faster. (Bonus for your kid!) We noticed a slight synthetic smell at first, but that went away within those first 24 hours. 

Value: This is a great price for a foam mattress that’s well-liked. We don’t think the 6-inch mattress is going to be comfortable for bigger kids in the long term, but again, if this is for occasional sleepovers, that won’t matter.

Price at time of publication: $129

The Details:

• Mattress type: Foam
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Certifications: CertiPUR-US
• Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, California king; in 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-inch thicknesses
• Trial period: 100 days
• Warranty: 10 years
• Shipping and returns: Free shipping; returns within 30 days on Amazon, 100 days on Zinus
• White glove delivery: No
• Mattress removal: California only

Best Air Mattress: Intex Dura-Beam Plus Pillow Raised Airbed

Why We Like It: It’s high off the ground and has a built-in pump so you don’t have to go digging through your closets.

But Take Note: As with almost any inflatable mattress, this isn’t a good long-term option.

Inflatable mattresses are pretty much a must-have for large family visits when you don’t happen to live in a mansion. They’re never the most comfortable beds, but being raised higher off the ground in a model like this one (it’s 16.5 inches thick) soothes the sting of feeling like you’re the least important member of the household. It comes in twin and queen sizes and has a built-in pump and a storage bag.

How we slept: We have not slept on this mattress in the real world, but we did test it in the lab along with toddler travel beds. We found it quite comfortable, as far as inflatable mattresses go. It’s firm and sturdy, with a raised “pillow” at the top, in case you don’t have extras around.

Mattress construction: Though it looks like it has separate top and bottom sections, it is actually all one piece, made primarily of PVC. The built-in pump has an AC power cord.

Setup: The pump inflates the whole mattress in about two minutes. According to the brand, the material stretches out for the first two to three nights, making many users feel like it’s leaking, but just inflate it some more when this happens. That built-in pump saves SO much time when you have to get ready for bed with guests in a crowded house. (How many times have you lost stand-alone pumps or mixed up their power cords with other devices? Who else has had to resort to using a hair dryer on cold?) 

Value: Since it’s very often on sale, this is a good deal for an inflatable mattress that’s this high off the ground. While inflatables are always at risk of getting holes, you won’t mind too much if you have to replace this after a year or two.

Price at time of publication: $55 (twin)

The Details:

• Mattress type: Inflatable
• Firmness: Firm
• Certifications: None
• Available sizes: Twin, queen
• Trial period: 30 days
• Warranty: 180 days
• Shipping and returns: Free within 30 days on Amazon
• White glove delivery: N/A
• Mattress removal: N/A