Name: Big Kids Bed by Nest Bedding
Brand: Big Kids Bed by Nest Bedding

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When selecting a bunk bed mattress, there are some key things to keep in mind that you might not have to consider when purchasing a regular mattress, mainly because of the size restraint that bunk bed frames have. You need to make sure that you are buying the appropriately sized mattress for your bunk bed frame. Failure to do this will lead to either discomfort while on the mattress or sending it back altogether. So before anything else, make sure that you have the correct size mattress and then double check before you purchase your mattress.

In our analysis of the best bunk bed mattresses on the market, we took many factors into account, such as different price ranges and needs. Whether you are looking for something affordable and temporary or high-quality and long-lasting, our guide will have some great options for you. This involved hours of research and countless articles, reviews, and testimonials that we analyzed to identify quality products. Some of the main factors that we looked at to determine our rankings were size, thickness, type, warranty, durability, and reputation. These are all important features that you should know about prior to purchasing a mattress, and we’ve constructed our guide to reflect that.

As a trusted third party, we have strived to provide an in-depth, comprehensive analysis of the most popular bunk bed mattresses on the market. We’ve researched reviews of real users of the mattresses, product specifications, and expert opinions to deliver this analysis in a helpful and easy-to-understand format. Our table gives an overall rating as well as the primary features of each mattress. Scroll down for in-detail review of each mattress with their pros and cons and a buying guide that summarizes everything you need to know to get your hands on a high-quality mattress.

Quick Summary

Editor’s Choice: Big Kids Bed by Nest Bedding

"A foam mattress designed for kids that comes from a reliable brand and at a great price with a lifetime warranty."
Best for Side-sleeping Kids: Little LuuF Mattress for Kids

"A medium-firm hybrid mattress combining reliable coil support system and responsive memory foam."
Best Mattress for Warm Sleepers: The Latex for Less Latex Mattress

"A natural latex mattress with natural wool batting and organic cotton cover that sleeps incredibly cool."
Best Organic Mattress: PlushBeds Natural Bliss Mattress

"An upgrade organic pick for your kid, with three available thickness profiles and four firmness options."
Best for Spine Alignment: Amerisleep AS1

"A super-durable foam mattress combining an HD polyfoam base with a thin memory foam layer for cushioning."
Best with Customizable Firmness: Sleep EZ Natural Latex Sofa Bed Mattress

"Another quality latex mattress with several thickness and firmness options and a removable 360° zippered cover."
Budget Pick: Zinus 6-inch Spring Twin Mattress

"A hybrid mattress that provides firm support yet feels comfortable and comes in a set of two, which is great for the price."

Top 7 Bunk Bed Mattresses Review 2022

9.8

Editor’s Choice

Big Kids Bed by Nest Bedding

Check priceNest Bedding

Features

Thickness: 7″
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full
Materials: edge support base foam, Energex foam
Firmness: firm
Cover: thermic phase change soft quilted foam cover
Warranty: lifetime limited

More features: CertiPUR-US certified foams; 100-night sleep trial

Are you looking for an affordable mattress for your kids? Then you do well to consider the Big Kids Bed by Nest Bedding. This mattress comes at a bargain price and comes with features that make it far better than other foam mattresses that come at this price and are directed at kids. It comes with different sizes that will be comfortable for your kids.

The Nest Bedding brand is a mattress-in-a-box brand that is for kids’ mattresses. It comes with an all-foam design. Therefore, it feels very soft, and your kids will likely love using it. As an all-foam mattress, it does not come with springs.

Additionally, due to the material of construction, this mattress is softer than your regular mattress. And although it is completely made out of foam, it isn’t very thick.

Since this is an affordable option, it doesn’t have some of the features that is common to more expensive units. For example, it sleeps hotter than others. It also doesn’t come with layers like more expensive options.

Thankfully, it’s not all compromise with this model. For example, it has excellent motion isolation. Additionally, since it comes out of a completely natural manufacturing process there is very little off-gassing.

What do we love it for?

Affordable
All-foam design
Lifetime warranty
Good motion control
Designed for kids

What were we disappointed with?

Can still sleep hot for some kids

9.7

Best for Side-sleeping Kids

Little LuuF Mattress for Kids

Check priceLuuF

Features

Thickness: 8 inches
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King
Materials: coil support system, memory foam
Firmness: medium-firm
Cover: quilted cover with gel-infused cooling foam and Dacron fibers
Warranty: 10-year limited

More features: 100-night sleep trial; CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified materials

This is a great mattress for children and can fit perfectly within bunk beds. The Little LuuF Mattress for Kids is the sort of mattress you can rest assured when letting your kids sleep on, as it has such a high build-quality and great materials.

It offers the CertiPur US rating you should look for when considering the quality of mattress materials.

The manufacturers have cleverly adjusted the design knowing that kids don’t just sleep on mattresses and that they might well enjoy bouncing around on the bed, too.

The Serene Foam™ is designed to adapt based on the weight and pressure applied, so it is durable even if the kids are using the bed for play rather than just for a night of sleep.

Safety is definitely one of the highest priorities when it comes to your children, and this product definitely considers this. It has no off-gassing and avoids toxins and VOCs from being released into your kids’ bedroom, something that could potentially cause health issues.

What we like: This is good for lively kids who won’t just be sleeping on the bed, and may be using it to sit and bounce around.

What could be better: The cooling foam isn’t as effective as some other models.

What makes it special?

Can absorb weight transfer so good for active kids
Made with safe materials, fine for use in a child’s bedroom
Decent value for money

9.5

Best Mattress for Warm Sleepers

The Latex for Less Latex Mattress

Check priceLatex for Less

Features

Thickness: 7/ 9 inches
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split Queen, Split King, Split Cal King
Materials: natural latex, natural wool
Firmness: medium or firm
Cover: organic cotton
Warranty: 20-year limited

More features: reversible firmness; 120-night trial; GOTS, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Eco-Institut certified

Latex for Less is a popular online brand that specializes in natural latex products. So far, this is their flagship and only model available.

The mattress has been designed to offer you unrivaled convenience and comfort. Each of its sides is made to offer different firmness levels. it comes in 2 thickness profiles; 7 and 9 inches from which you can choose whatever suits your preferences.

The 9-inch mattress features Talalay latex on one side with a medium-firm feel while the flip side is made of Dunlop latex with an extra-firm feel. Both sides also have layers of natural wool that give the mattress extra padding.

As for the 7-inch option, a single layer of Dunlop latex is used. It offers the same level of firmness on both of its sides but since it has a shorter profile, it is much firmer on both sides.

Both mattresses come with an organic cotton cover that is highly breathable.

Overall, this is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for the best conforming yet responsive feel of a pure latex mattress. It offers excellent value for money especially with its 120-night trial and a 20-year limited warranty.

Why is it special?

Great for hot sleepers and anyone looking for a low-profile mattress
OEKO-TEX certified
Multiple size options
Natural materials
120-night trials and 20-year warranty
Offers excellent value for money

What are the flaws?

The 120-night trials only apply if you buy directly from the brand

9.4

Best Organic Mattress

PlushBeds Natural Bliss Mattress

Check pricePlushBeds

Features

Thickness: 6/ 8/ 10 inches
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split Queen, Split King, Split Cal King
Materials: natural latex
Firmness: soft/ medium/ med-firm/ extra-firm
Cover: organic cotton
Warranty: 25-year limited

More features: anti-microbial, mold and mildew proof and dust mite resistant; GOTS, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Eco-Institute certified

The Natural Bliss mattress from the global mattress brand PlushBeds is a super comfortable and high-quality mattress best suited for heavyweight sleepers. It is made with eco-friendly materials that are also safe for your health.

The mattress is made with natural latex and it comes in 3 thickness options; 6, 8, and 10 inches. You can choose either for substantial body support. The mattresses’ comfort layers consist of three layers of Dunlop latex and organic wool that combine to give you the smoothest and most breathable surface. The organic cotton cover on them also contributes to its breathability.

The support core is also made of organic Dunlop latex.

Other than myriad size options, you also get to choose the firmness of the mattress. There’s soft, Medium, Med-firm, and extra-firm. The soft and Medium are perfect for side sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds while the Med-firm and Extra-firm are suitable for any sleep position.

The most unique aspect of the natural bliss market is its adjustability. You can zip off its cover and rearrange the latex layers to achieve a suitable firmness.

Moreover, the mattress has anti-microbial properties. It is also dust mite, mold, and mildew proof thus the perfect choice for allergic sleepers.

With a 25-year warranty, this is one of the best mattresses that give sleepers with different preferences and sleeping positions a choice. It is also OEKO-TEX 100 certified.

What do we love it for?

Eco-friendly materials
Highly breathable
Durable construction
Multiple size options
Four firmness options

What were we disappointed with?

Pricey

9.2

Best for Spine Alignment

Amerisleep AS1

Check priceAmerisleep

Features

Thickness: 10 inches
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
Materials: memory foam, HD polyfoam
Firmness: firm
Cover: Celliant fabric
Warranty: 20-year limited

More features: open-cell design; cooling foam and cover properties; 100-night trial

Amerisleep has five flagship beds and this is the firmest of them all. The AS1 is highly preferred by back and stomach sleepers who largely depend on their beds for extra support when sleeping. It is designed to offer perfect support and contouring balance.

The mattress is made with memory foam which is super comfortable and sturdy. If you are a hot sleeper, it should be your prime pick. Its top layer is designed to regulate your body temperature by wicking away heat.

Additionally, the mattress cover is made with Celliant fabric which is famously known to promote healthy blood circulation, reduce pain, and maintain the perfect body temperature.

The sturdiness of the AS1 is unrivaled. If you share your bed and tend to sleep on the mattress perimeter often, then you can trust this mattress to offer you the best edge support and comfort. It also does a fantastic job isolating motion across the bed. You won’t have to wake up from your sweet dreams every time your partner gets off the bed to use the bathroom.

What’s more, it is designed to offer a healthy spine alignment making it ideal for anyone with neck or back pain.

AS1’s durability is unquestionable given only high-quality materials are used in its construction. It is likely to last you 10 years or more, plus Amerisleep has backed its longevity and sturdiness with a 20-year warranty.

In conclusion, this is one of the best all-foam mattresses out there. It is hard to beat the quality and convenience it offers with its ingenious design. Plus, you get a 100-night trial.

What are its best features?

Super-durable
Cooling foam and cover properties
Minimizes motion transfer
Offers excellent spine alignment
Excellent edge support
20-year warranty

What could be improved?

Not the best for side sleepers and heavier kids

9.1

Best with Customizable Firmness

Sleep EZ Natural Latex Sofa Bed Mattress

Check priceSleep EZ

Features

Thickness: 7/ 9/ 10/ 13 inches
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King, Split Cal King
Materials: Dunlop latex
Firmness: firm/ medium/ soft
Cover: cotton and premium New Zealand Joma wool
Warranty: 20-year limited

More features: firmness customization; natural cooling properties; 360° zippered cover

Sleep EZ mattresses are the bomb and this natural latex one is the ultimate solution for sleepers who prefer each of the three sleeping positions. It is designed to suit sleepers with different body weights or configurations as well as offer superior comfort and support.

When it comes to sizes and thickness profiles, you are spoilt for choice. The mattress comes in four thickness options; 7, 9, 10 and 13 inches, so you can choose the right one for your bunk bed. Right from the inside, the mattress has been made with your comfort in mind. It consists of three layers of either Dunlop or Talalay latex.

The Talalay latex is generally softer than the Dunlop latex but they both offer superb durability and excellent pressure point relief. The layers are carefully structured to be highly breathable and adaptable.

The main reason why Sleep EZ mattresses are so acclaimed is that they offer ease of switching sleeping positions. You can adjust the layers of the mattress to get the best suitable configuration for your sleeping position or body weight.

Plus, the mattress comes with an organic cotton and wool cover that is not only soft but also incredibly breathable. It is 360 degrees zippered to give you easy access to the inside contents of the mattress anytime you want to configure it to your preference.

To top it all, you can get a free mattress cover when you order directly from the brand or 2 pillows when you buy the full size and up.

With a 20-year warranty, it is nearly impossible to get the perfect all-around mattress that suits just about any sleeper on the face of the earth. What’s more, it is made with natural material which is safe for both your health and the environment.

What do we love it for?

Firmness can be customized
Multiple sizes and firmness options
360 degrees removable natural cotton and wool cover
Highly breathable
Oeko-Tex certified
20-year warranty

What were we disappointed with?

Can be hard to move around

8.9

Budget Pick

Zinus 6-inch Spring Twin Mattress

Check priceAmazon

Features

Thickness: 6 in
Size: Twin
Materials: steel Bonnell coils, high-density foam, comfort foam
Firmness: extra firm
Cover: knitted jacquard
Warranty: 10-year limited

More features: CertiPUR-US certified, comes in a set of two

Sleep Master’s 6-inch Bonnell spring twin mattress is a great option for growing children, teenagers, or young adults. This quilted, tight-top mattress is a good fit for bunk beds, day beds, and even trundle beds. The Bonnell spring system is made from heavy-duty steel coils that provide firm support for your back and core. Traditional-style coils are woven together and connected in this unique design. Exclusive Zinus pocketed iCoil technology individually wraps each spring so they are durable and continue to provide strength and support on their own, giving you a firmer feel that lasts longer. The top is quilted fabric with layers of fiber padding and foam for maximum comfort. With this added comfort, you won’t be able to feel the springs at all and getting a good night’s sleep won’t be a problem. You should allow 48 hours for it to return to its original, plush shape. This package comes with two mattresses that can be used on standard bunk beds or twin beds. Getting two mattresses for this price is a superb value, and you’ll be hard pressed to find two quality mattresses for close to this price.

What stands out?

Affordable and high value
High quality plush top
Unique coil spring technology

What cons did we manage to find?

Some customers report a strong odor coming from a freshly opened mattress

Things to Consider

Buying a mattress is infamously difficult due to the number of factors that you need to take into account as well as the high impact it has on your life. You need to consider many things when shopping for the best bunk bed mattresses because whether it’s you or your guests sleeping in it, you want it to be a comfortable mattress that you’re able to get a good night’s sleep on. Neglecting your sleep in favor of a lower-quality mattress can not only be detrimental to your health, but also your mood and in turn, your relationships. We encourage you to use our buying guide that is based on countless hours of research to assist you in making your bunk bed mattress purchase.

Why do you need a special mattress for a bunk bed?

Not many people consider this when buying a bunk bed, but buying a mattress for a bunk bed is an entirely different process than buying a traditional mattress. You need to take several things into account that you wouldn’t otherwise, and also disregard some factors that you might give more weight to if you were shopping for a traditional mattress. Most notably, you’ll want to make sure that you get the correct size for your bunk bed mattress. Bunk beds are thinner both in height and width to fit into a standard bunk bed. The reason that you need a thinner mattress for a bunk bed is that there are often height restrictions when using a bunk bed. You want to leave as much space as possible between you and the next bunk up or the ceiling. Having a mattress that is too tall can limit that space and make getting in and out of the bed cumbersome or even dangerous late at night when there’s a hazard of hitting your head. You’ll also need to make sure that you get the correct size bed. Most bunk beds or camper beds have twin-sized mattresses, but you still need to check the specifications to see if you need something that is a custom size. Having a mattress that is the incorrect size for the frame can be uncomfortable and defeat the purpose altogether. In summary, bunk beds are much different than traditional mattresses and these are the things that you should consider when choosing the best bunk bed mattress.

Features to consider when choosing a mattress for a bunk bed

Type of mattress

The type of mattress is perhaps the most vital consideration when shopping for any mattress, not just mattresses for bunk beds. It is also the broadest category. It’s important that you select the right type of mattress for your needs because that decision will affect the rest of your decisions throughout the process. There are two basic types of mattresses that you should be deciding between spring mattresses and memory foam mattresses. Spring mattresses have springs below the top padded layer. Springs are the more common option, but only because they are more traditional. It is widely known that if a mattress becomes worn down, you are at risk of feeling the springs poking through the padding which can be uncomfortable and even painful at times. The other option is more expensive typically: memory foam. Memory foam can be more durable, comfortable, and offer better support.

Sizes available

You should always check and then double check what size mattress you need and repeat the process when you are ordering a mattress. Returning a mattress can be difficult and expensive so it’s important to get it right on the first try. When measuring, you should find an easy conversion chart to determine what mattress size you need for the frame. Typically, bunk beds and other small beds will require a twin-sized bed. When purchasing your bunk bed mattress online, you should double check that you are selecting the right size. If you measure well and are careful while ordering, you shouldn’t have any problems getting the right size for your bed.

Thickness

Thickness is an important thing to remember. As discussed earlier, what makes this metric so important is the amount of space between bunks or the ceiling. If you get a mattress that is too thick, you may find yourself short on the room above your head. This can lead to inconvenience, injury, or discomfort. The typical bunk bed mattress will be 5-6 inches thick and you should leave enough clearance to comfortably get in and out of the bed.

Materials used

No matter what, your primary concern should always be safety. You should make sure that the bunk bed mattress that you choose is made out of safe, toxin-free, durable materials that won’t make you sick or nauseous and also last a long time. The best way to determine what the materials are is to read the specifications of the mattress and read customer reviews. Often, those two sources of information will provide you with adequate info on the materials being used in your mattress.

Temperature regulation

If you’re like me, you have trouble sleeping when you’re too warm. For this reason, it’s important to understand the temperature regulation features of your mattress. Some mattresses don’t have anything built in, while others have complete solutions integrated into the mattress in the form of a cooling gel layer that keeps you cool and comfortable throughout the night.

Warranty

Understanding the warranty of your mattress is vital. You should always do some research on what the warranty is on the product you are buying. Most of the mattresses that we’ve included in our guide have warranties ranging from 5 years to 10 years. This inspires confidence in your purchase because you know that if anything is defective with the mattress, the company will replace it or make it right otherwise.

FAQ

Please briefly answer the following questions:

How thick a mattress should be to fit in a bunk bed?

A typical bunk bed mattress ranges from 5–6 inches in thickness. This gives sufficient support while providing adequate room between the bed and the next bunk or the ceiling.

What type of mattress should I prefer – a foam mattress or a hybrid?

What type of mattress you should prefer will depend a lot on your age and personal preference. Foam mattresses are typically plusher while hybrid mattresses offer more support, which is usually very vital for young children. So, which mattress is best for you will hinge on how much support you need.

Why foam mattresses consist of several layers?

Foam mattresses consist of several layers because each layer performs a specific function. Base layers provide for support. Comfort layers make your sleep comfortable. Cover or gel layers are luxury layers that make the mattress soft to the touch or make you nice and cool while you sleep.

Our Verdict

Our review has included several of the best bunk bed mattresses on the market, but the best еркуу by overall rating were the Signature Sleep 6-Inch Memory Foam Mattress, Zinus 6-Inch Spring Twin Mattress, and the LUCID 5-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress. Each of these has their benefits.

The Zinus 6-inch Spring mattress comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate whichever type of small bed that you need it for. It is a traditional spring mattress with a very comfortable top layer. Excellent support is provided by the unique spring technology that this mattress uses. It also has a 10-year warranty.

The mattress by Signature Sleep is specially designed with multiple layers of supportive and plush memory foam and comes with a 10-year warranty. It was our highest rated mattress in the buying guide.

The Lucid 5-Inch Gel Memory Foam mattress has a unique memory foam layering system that is designed to keep you cool at night. The top layer is a nice cooling gel while the lower layers are designed for support and comfort. It has a 10-year warranty and is perfect for warm sleepers.

These mattresses showed solid support, great value, and maximum comfortability. We looked for material quality, company reputation, and practicality as some of the main factors among others for these ratings. These premium mattresses were found to meet or exceed each category and we believe them to be the best options available. By using our buying guide, you should be able to identify the best bunk bed mattresses for your specific needs.