5 best mattresses for kids to ensure a good night's sleep

The Sun

30-04-2025

Let's face it - is there anything more precious than your little one getting a proper kip?
And investing in the best mattress for kids isn't just about avoiding those early morning meltdowns (though we parents definitely appreciate that part!).
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" Sleep is not a luxury; it's a fundamental necessity, especially for children," says Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO, The Sleep Charity.
"Quality sleep is essential for a child's physical, cognitive, and emotional development, laying the foundation for a healthy and thriving future."
Like securing the best pillows for their little heads, finding the best mattress for your child is absolutely crucial for giving them that all-important rest they need.
Whether your little one has outgrown their cotbed or their current mattress has seen better days, we've hunted down the top mattresses for kids that'll have them sleeping like, well, babies!
From budget-friendly options that won't empty your wallet to premium picks worth investing in, our roundup has something for every family.
We've done the hard work testing these mattresses so you don't have to - your child's sweet dreams are just a scroll away.
Best mattresses for kids at a glance:
How we tested
We put these mattresses through some proper testing with our mini sleep experts (aged between four and 13).
These brutally honest little reviewers gave us the lowdown on comfort levels, sleep quality, and general bounceability (because what child doesn't use their bed as a trampoline?).
We also grilled their equally sleep-deprived parents on whether they noticed any improvement in their little ones' sleep patterns.
Beyond comfort, we looked at practicality - can you chuck the cover in the wash after those inevitable accidents?
Will it still be going strong after years of jumping abuse?
And perhaps most importantly for parents - can you actually get the bloomin' thing up the stairs and into position without putting your back out?
1. Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress
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Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress, £349
BUY FROM SIMBA
Pros: Washable cover, 200-night trial and 10-year guarantee, made from recyclable materials
Cons: Expensive, no Euro size
Rating: 5 out of 5
We were blown away by the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress - and honestly, it's worth every penny of that premium price tag.
If you've read any of our previous reviews, you'll know we're already huge fans of Simba's adult mattresses, so we had high expectations - and this kids' version absolutely delivered.
With a staggering 4.9/5 rating from over 1,800 parents, we had to see what all the fuss was about.
My 11-year-old sister (our official tiny tester who LOVES her sleep) gave it the ultimate compliment: "It's like sleeping in mummy and daddy's bed" - considering her parents sleep on a £3,000 Tempur, that's quite the endorsement!
First impressions? While it looks worryingly slim at first (more like a luxury topper), it takes about 7-8 hours to fully inflate.
Even then, it remains surprisingly thin, making it perfect for bunk beds or shallow frames.
Despite its modest depth, the five layers of sleep-tech deliver incredible comfort.
My sister described it as "sinking into a cloud" - and the morning struggle to get her out of bed speaks volumes!
It's slightly firmer than Simba's adult versions, but still wonderfully supportive, particularly for children with joint issues who need proper alignment during sleep.
The washable cover is an absolute godsend for parents (trust us on those inevitable Capri Sun spills and biscuit crumbs).
And with that impressive 10-year guarantee and 200-night free trial, Simba's confidence in their product is clearly justified.
Sizes available: Single (90x190cm). Depth: 16cm. Ages recommended: 3 to adult. Type: Hybrid
2. Stompa S Flex Airflow Pocket Mattress
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Stompa S Flex Airflow Pocket Mattress, £279
BUY FROM DFS
Rating: 5 out of 5
This hybrid mattress from kids' bed specialists Stompa arrived vacuum-packed in a surprisingly compact box that we had no trouble lugging up to the bedroom (a major win for parents everywhere!).
After unrolling and giving it a few hours to expand to its full glory, we discovered it's got quite a bit more bounce than we were expecting - much to the delight of our four-year-old tester who couldn't resist using it as an impromptu trampoline.
The cover feels wonderfully smooth and soft against the skin, and parents will love that it's removable for those inevitable midnight accidents.
At just 16cm deep, it's one of the slimmer options on our list, making it absolutely perfect for bunk or cabin beds.
Don't let that fool you though - it still delivers impressive comfort and support where it counts.
The ultimate test? Our little tester nodded off in under five minutes at bedtime.
If that's not a ringing endorsement, we don't know what is!
3. Little Green Sheep Natural Junior Mattress
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Little Green Sheep Natural Junior Mattress, £345.95
Cons: No washable cover
Rating: 4 out of 5
If you're looking for something that's kind to both your little one's skin AND the planet, this gorgeous mattress from Little Green Sheep ticks all the right boxes.
Made exclusively from natural ingredients, it's a beautifully crafted piece of sleep tech that feels genuinely premium.
The innovative core combines thousands of coconut fibres blended with natural latex (essentially creating tiny natural springs), topped with luxurious wool and finished with a pure cotton cover.
For parents of kids with sensitive skin or allergies, this natural approach means it's wonderfully breathable and hypoallergenic - though you'll definitely want to invest in their waterproof mattress protector too if your child is prone to nighttime accidents!
We found it sits on the firmer end of the spectrum compared to others on our list, but the gentle bounce is lovely and impressively, it doesn't sink or dip even when an adult plonks down for storytime.
The quality of materials feels genuinely luxurious - honestly, it feels much more expensive than it actually is.
And with a five-year guarantee, it's built to last through those crucial growing years!
4. SnuzSurface Max Junior Mattress
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SnuzSurface Max Junior Mattress, £249.95
BUY FROM SNUZ
Rating: 4 out of 5
If you're after a decent mattress that won't completely empty your wallet, this offering from baby and child sleep specialists Snüz is well worth checking out.
After all, these folks literally specialize in helping little ones get a proper night's kip!
Price-wise, it sits comfortably in the mid-range bracket and comes with some impressive perks - a five-year guarantee, that all-important waterproof and washable cover, and the option of a Euro size for those continental bed frames.
When it comes to comfort, we found this mattress pleasantly firm and supportive.
Yes, the waterproof cover does feel a tad plasticky compared to some of the premium options we tested, but once you've thrown a sheet over it, your little one won't notice a thing.
Our five-year-old tester (predictably) used it as a trampoline first, then settled down for a solid night's sleep looking comfortable and well-supported.
An unexpected bonus? The fun purple color looks absolutely brilliant peeking through top bunk bed slats!
And like most modern mattresses, it arrives vacuum-rolled, making that awkward upstairs manoeuvre significantly less painful.
5. Nöa & Nani Jax Single Mattress
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Noa and Nani Jax Single Mattress, £158
BUY FROM NOA & NANI
Pros: Removable cover, eco foam, washable cover, budget-friendly
Cons: Heavy
Rating: 3 out of 5
If you're watching the pennies but still want a decent night's kip for your little one, this simple foam mattress from Noa and Nani might be just the ticket.
Made from recyclable eco foam (thumbs up for sustainability!), it offers a pleasingly firm feel with just enough bounce to keep kids comfortable.
The removable cover feels soft and plush against the skin, and at just 14cm deep, it's perfectly suited for cabin or bunk beds.
Fair warning though - this foam is surprisingly hefty, so changing the cover on a top bunk requires some serious muscle power! Not one for those with a dodgy back.
Our five-year-old tester seemed perfectly content with this budget-friendly option, sleeping soundly through the night and waking up well-rested.
It might not have all the bells and whistles of pricier models, but it certainly gets the job done without emptying your wallet.
Kids mattress FAQs
How to choose a mattress for kids?
Getting the right mattress for your little one isn't just about having somewhere for them to crash after a long day of wreaking havoc - it's actually pretty crucial for their development (and your sanity!).
When it comes to picking the perfect bed, there's plenty to think about beyond just "will it fit?"
We're talking firmness levels, materials that won't trigger allergies, and covers that can withstand everything from bedtime milk spills to the occasional accident.
The good news? We've done the hard work for you! After watching our mini testers bounce, roll, sleep and (sometimes) drool on these mattresses, we've figured out what really matters when you're shopping for kids' beds.
Where should I buy a mattress for the kids?
When it comes to finding the perfect kip station for your little ones, there's a whole world of options out there - and honestly, it can feel a bit overwhelming!
If you're scratching your head wondering where to start, we'd recommend taking a peek at specialist mattress retailers like Simba or Emma, who have dedicated children's sections with options specifically designed for smaller sleepers.
Alternatively, established bed and furniture retailers like Dreams, DFS, or John Lewis have fantastic kids' ranges with helpful staff who can talk you through the options.
Don't forget online marketplaces too - places like Amazon often have competitive prices and quick delivery, which is perfect when you need that new mattress pronto (because let's face it, once you've decided their old one needs replacing, you want the new one yesterday!).
How much do kids' mattresses cost?
You're looking at anywhere from a budget-friendly £100 right up to a wallet-wincing £1,000 depending on what you're after.
Generally speaking, a fancy hybrid mattress (with springs and foam) will set you back more than a simple foam option.
But here's the thing - before you have a mini heart attack at some of those price tags, remember that this is where your child will spend nearly half their life!
When you break it down as cost-per-use, even that pricier mattress suddenly seems like a bargain. You can also watch out for the best mattress deals right here.
Our advice? Spend as much as you can reasonably afford without feeling the pinch - think of it as an investment in your child's development (and your wellbeing when they're not cranky from poor sleep!).
What type of mattress is best for kids?
Kids spend nearly half their lives sleeping, so investing in a decent mattress is absolutely crucial.
But before you start panic-scrolling through endless options, take a breath - we've got you covered with everything you need to know.
When shopping for your child's perfect sleep spot, you'll want to consider firmness (medium-firm is generally best for growing bodies), materials that won't trigger allergies or skin issues, and durability to withstand their inevitable mattress gymnastics sessions.
From pocket-sprung options that provide solid support to hybrids that offer the best of both worlds, we've tested them all with our mini sleep critics.
And trust us - when it comes to getting the thumbs up from fussy sleepers, these recommendations have passed with flying colours!
Is a hard or soft mattress better for kids?
When it comes to what firmness is best for your little one, it's not quite as simple as "hard vs soft" - there's a bit of a Goldilocks situation going on here!
Generally speaking, most sleep experts recommend a medium-firm mattress for growing children, which provides that sweet spot of support for developing bones without being uncomfortably hard.
Too soft, and your child might sink in too deeply, causing alignment issues for their growing spine (and possibly making it harder for them to roll over or move during sleep).
Too firm, and they might wake up feeling achy or struggle to get comfortable in the first place.
The good news? Most kids' mattresses are designed with this balance in mind, though you'll find some brands lean slightly firmer or softer.
Your best bet is to consider your child's specific needs - heavier children might need more support, while very lightweight little ones might find a slightly softer surface more comfortable.
Can kids have a memory foam mattress?
The short answer is yes - but there are a few things to consider before you dive into memory foam territory for your little ones!
Memory foam mattresses can be a brilliant option for school-aged children (typically 5+), offering excellent pressure relief and support that can be particularly helpful for restless sleepers or kids with growing pains.
However, for very young children and toddlers, most experts recommend avoiding memory foam as they might not have the strength to easily change positions if they sink too deeply.
There's also the potential for memory foam to retain more heat than other mattress types - something to bear in mind if your little one is already a hot sleeper who kicks off the covers!
If you do opt for memory foam, look for CertiPUR-US certified options with low VOC emissions and consider a hybrid version that combines memory foam comfort with the support of springs - the best of both worlds for growing bodies!
How are children's mattresses different from adult mattresses?
Is a kids' mattress just a single adult mattress? Not exactly.
Kids' bodies are always developing and changing size and shape, so children's mattresses tend to be designed with additional support for growing bones.
They will generally feel like a medium-firm/firm adult mattress and will often come with additional features such as waterproof or washable covers for potential night time accidents.
If you're shopping for a top bunk bed or cabin bed, you need to check the depth of your mattress too, as the safety rails around your bunk need to be at least 16cm taller than the mattress to prevent falls.