Choosing the best mattress for your child is hugely important, yet it’s not an easy task. There are lots of mattresses out there, and their marketing gives conflicting advice about what’s best for children.
In order to help make it a little easier, I consulted Simon Williams from the National Bed Federation for advice. He recommended that you choose a mattress “made by a reputable manufacturer,” and “purchase it from a trusted retailer”. The mattress should also display the BS 7177 label for flammability standards.
It’s recommended that babies sleep on a firmer surface, but as your child grows, they might find they prefer something with a bit more give. With this in mind, Williams said it’s “best to buy a mattress that is described as medium firmness, which should provide a good balance of support and comfort”. You’ll also want to consider whether you want the mattress to fit a bunk bed or a cabin bed, and check that the top of the mattress is at least 16cm from the top of the side and end rails.
And then comes the cost. There’s no denying that mattresses are expensive, but Williams says, “Do not buy on price alone. Look to spend as much as you can comfortably afford, and remember that every £100 spent on their mattress works out at less than 4p per night over seven years.”
After weeks of testing, I’ve found that Stomper’s pocket spring mattress is the best mattress for kids. It’s incredibly comfortable and provides plenty of support for growing bodies. However, it’s far from your only option. I’ve also tested brilliant mattresses that are suitable for bunk beds, those made with natural materials, and even double-sided ones that you can flip for a different kind of support. Whatever you need, I’ve put it to the test to make sure it’s good value.
How I tested
I recruited a number of kids from three-year-olds right up to teens to test out more than 20 different mattresses. I could then whittle it down using the following criteria:
- Comfort: I assessed softness and sink. Foam is very comfortable but tends to get quite warm, so I paid attention to the mattresses’ breathability, too.
- Support: I considered the filling material, and to what extent this translated to a supportive feel. Edge-to-edge support is great, as it prevents sagging and stops you rolling off. Meanwhile, some mattresses offer different kinds of support tailored to different needs and age groups.
- Care: I looked for features that would make the mattresses easy to care for, such as zip-off washable covers. Even better, some mattresses don’t need to be flipped or turned.
- Quality: While kids’ mattresses need to be changed as they grow, durability is still important. I paid attention to the quality of the materials and design, from the feel (was it plasticky?) to whether they were made with natural, hypoallergenic or antibacterial properties.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Zoë Phillimore is a journalist and editor who has been writing review features for IndyBest since 2021. As a parent, she specialises in the best products for kids – and has a no-nonsense approach to recommendations. If she doesn’t think it’s worth your money, she won’t include it in her piece. As well as testing these mattresses, she consulted experts and researched fabrics and construction.
The best mattresses for children 2025 are:
- Best overall – Stompa S flex airflow children’s pocket spring mattress: £160.30, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Stompa S flex airflow children’s mattress: £125.30, Johnlewis.com
- Best premium children’s mattress – Panda London bamboo hybrid mattress: £649, Pandalondon.com
- Best hybrid – Simba hybrid kids’ mattress: £399, Simbasleep.com
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Stompa S flex airflow pocket children’s pocket spring mattress
Best: Children's mattress overall
Sizes: UK single, EU single, small double
Mattress type: Hybrid
Guarantee: Five years
Sleep trial: No
Rotate or turn: Turn
Why we love it
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Supportive
- Cover is machine washable
Although there are some fantastic hybrid mattresses in this review, Stompa just about inches it, as the brand is completely dedicated to kids’ furniture. And it clearly shows in the thoughtful construction of this mattress.
My tester absolutely loved this mattress. Its soft cushioned top layer and airflow comfort layer make it incredibly comfortable for little sleepers. Meanwhile, the pocket springs provide ample support for growing bodies. The springs are encapsulated in dense foam to prevent sagging and extend the lifespan of the mattress. Parents will appreciate the zip-off, machine-washable cover, too. For the price, I don’t think this mattress can be beaten.
Buy now £160.30, Amazon.co.uk
Dreams Little Star pocket sprung kids' mattress
Best: Children's mattress for easy cleaning
Sizes: UK single, EU single
Mattress type: Pocket sprung
Guarantee: Five years
Sleep trial: 100 nights
Rotate or turn: Rotate
Why we love it
- Waterproof
- Removable cover
- Wipe-clean inners
- Hypoallergenic
Take note
- Not quite as substantial as other mattresses
The designers of this mattress are clearly wise to the mishaps of sleeping children. There’s a removable, washable cover; the mattress is water repellent; and the inners can all be wiped clean. This means you can sleep easy while your child is night training.
My tester found this mattress pretty solid – it’s not the most sturdy in this review, but it feels well made and there was definite firmness when my tester rested on it. The mattress is double-sided, which is only going to extend its lifespan. It also comes with a five-year guarantee, for extra peace of mind.
Buy now £299.00, Dreams.co.uk
Stompa S flex airflow children’s mattress
Best: Budget children's mattress
Sizes: UK single, EU single, small double
Mattress type: Foam
Guarantee: Five year
Sleep trial: 100 days
Rotate or turn: Turn
Why we love it
- Comfortable
- Great for bunk beds
- Chemical-free
Another great offering from Stompa, this version of the S flex airflow features five layers, including an air flow foam layer and a supportive and sturdy foam base. Stompa has recently revisited the design of this bestselling mattress and has utilised reconstituted foam recycled from offcuts.
The mattress is completely free of potentially harmful chemicals and comes with a hypoallergenic cover, which is removable and washable, meaning any accidents needn’t cause long-lasting issues.
My tester found this mattress incredibly comfortable and enjoyed the massage top layer of foam with its undulating surface.
It’s worth noting that this is thinner than other mattresses I’ve featured, but it’s safe to use on both bunk and cabin beds, too. The price of this mattress belies the quality of the materials used.
Buy now £125.30, Johnlewis.com
Woolroom junior mattress
Best: Wool children’s mattress
Sizes: UK single, EU single
Mattress type: Pocket sprung
Guarantee: Five years
Sleep trial: 100 nights
Rotate or turn: Turn
Why we love it
- Natural fibres
- Hypoallergenic
- Chemical free
- Antibacterial
- Can be used on bunk beds
Take note
- No washable cover
- Expensive
Packed with natural fibres, and with no chemicals used in production, this mattress is hard to beat when it comes to being free of anything too processed. The four natural fillings consist of coir fibre, British Wool Biobond, British wool and British alpaca comfort filling. Meanwhile, the cover is made from cotton.
Why wool? Well, it’s naturally temperature regulating, deters dust mites and it’s antibacterial. This mattress is designed with youngsters aged up to 12 years in mind, meaning you’re going to want it to last and not be breeding who knows what inside.
An impressive 1,000 springs provide ample support across the whole mattress, and, overall, I was hugely impressed. This mattress is definitely up there with the best.
Buy now £356.30, Thewoolroom.com
Jay-Be natural fresh bamboo e-pocket kids mattress
Best: Children's mattress for hot sleepers
Sizes: UK single
Mattress type: Pocket sprung
Guarantee: Five years
Sleep trial: 60 nights
Rotate or turn: Rotate
Why we love it
- Natural fibres
- Great support
- Hypoallergenic
Stuffed with natural fibres, this is a great option if you’re after an allergy-friendly yet eco mattress. The top layer is a soft bamboo and cotton knitted fabric. Below that, there is a comfort layer, which allows for a gentle sink, to prevent any pressure on growing joints.
One very hot sleeper tried this mattress, and they didn’t sweat once, even on warmer nights under a thick duvet. There is then a pocket-sprung layer and a rebound layer for more substantial support.
This mattress doesn’t feel like it’s going to sag after six months of use, and I felt happy to have my tester sleeping soundly on it. With the combination of natural fibres and support, I could rest easily, too.
Buy now £229.99, Mattressonline.co.uk
Naturalmat the natural teen mattress
Best: Mattress for teens
Sizes: Single, double
Mattress type: Natural fibre
Guarantee: 10 years
Sleep trial: 45 days
Rotate or turn: Turn
Why we love it
- Natural fibres
- Hypoallergenic
- Chemical free
- Eco friendly
- Supportive
Take note
- Pricey
Naturalmat is one of the best brands for truly nasty-free mattresses, and this one has been designed specifically for teens. Chemical-free, hypoallergenic and antibacterial, it’s going to help keep hormonal teens with delicate skin germ-free. Most teens aren’t always amazing at personal hygiene, let’s face facts.
Rather than fire-retardant chemicals, natural extracts are used to treat the brand’s cotton covers, guaranteeing against dust mites and bed bugs.
Meanwhile, the mattress is filled with coir fibres from coconuts, along with natural latex, which makes for a very firm and robust mattress that’s going to support your kids’ growing bodies as they sleep.
This is an investment buy, but it should last for around 10 years, and my tester loved this upgrade to their sleeping situation.
Buy now £780.00, Naturalmat.co.uk
The Little Green Sheep twist natural mattress
Best: Mattress for toddlers
Sizes: Cot bed/toddler bed
Mattress type: Natural fibre
Guarantee: Five year
Sleep trial: No
Rotate or turn: Turn
Why we love it
- Organic
- All natural fibres
- Can fit on bunk beds
Take note
- Firmness won’t suit all kids
The Little Green Sheep specialises in mattresses and bedding for tots, and this one will see your child from babyhood into threenager territory and beyond. The mattress has one side that is extra firm and supportive, which is ideal for growing spines. Flip the mattress over and the other side offers more flexible support that distributes weight evenly for growing children.
The key selling point of The Little Green Sheep’s products is they’re all natural and organic. There’s not a whiff of foam or chemicals in this mattress. Inside the luxurious cotton casing is natural latex, for gentle bounce back and support, while coconut fibres provide reliable support and prevent any sagging in the mattress.
At the top, there’s a wool layer, which is hypoallergenic and naturally temperature regulating, meaning your child won’t overheat on warm summer nights, yet they’ll still feel cosy on cooler winter evenings.
My three-year-old tester was very happy on this mattress. It is firm, even on the toddler side, but younger children will be more used to a firmer sleep surface than us creaky-jointed adults.
Buy now £219.95, Thelittlegreensheep.co.uk
Panda London bamboo hybrid mattress
Best: Premium children’s mattress
Sizes: UK single, EU single, UK small double, double, EU double, UK king, EU king, UK super king, emperor
Mattress type: Hybrid
Guarantee: Ten years
Sleep trial: 100 nights
Rotate or turn: Rotate
Why we love it
- Lots of size choice
- Super comfortable
- Temperature regulating
Take note
- Very thick
- Very expensive
Bamboo rayon is temperature regulating, so it keeps you at the perfect temperature, whether the weather is hot or cold. It’s also hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, meaning it’ll stay fresh and dust-free without any need for chemicals in the production.
It’s available in a huge range of sizes, my tester tried out the UK single. It came vacuum-packed but quickly puffed up to a very sumptuous thick mattress. For this reason, it’s not suitable for cabin or bunk beds. The thickness does, however, make it very comfortable. It also offers layers of support, incorporating several types of foam and springs, too.
My tester reported an excellent night’s sleep – and I’ll admit I was quite tempted to crawl into bed with them to enjoy this high-end mattress.
Buy now £649.00, Pandalondon.com
Benson for Beds Slumberland flip two-in-one mattress
Best: Children's mattress with adjustable firmness
Sizes: Single, small double, double
Mattress type: Pocket sprung
Guarantee: Eight years
Sleep trial: No
Rotate or turn: Turn
Why we love it
- Grows with your child
- Good edge-to-edge support
Take note
- Expensive
- Not suitable for bunk or cabin beds
I marvelled at the innovation of this mattress, which is designed for growing kids. One side is soft, aimed at pre-teens, but you can flip the mattress over to the firmer side when your youngster is a bit older.
This mattress is substantial (28cm thick), so isn’t a choice for bunk or cabin beds, but it is great support-wise. There’s edge-to-edge support on the mattress, which means the whole surface is usable and prevents you from rolling off the mattress.
My tester found this a comfortable option, and, vitally, it feels durable. A great buy if you want a mattress that’s going to last into adulthood.
Buy now £303.99, Bensonsforbeds.co.uk
The Little Green Sheep natural junior mattress
Best: Natural children’s mattress
Sizes: UK single, EU single
Mattress type: Natural fibre
Guarantee: Five years
Sleep trial: No
Rotate or turn: Turn
Why we love it
- Great size range
- Suitable for babies and toddlers
- Chemical free
- Organic
- Hypoallergenic
Take note
- Might be too firm for some
This natural junior mattress is made from wool, coconut fibre, natural latex and cotton – and that’s it. A wool top offers temperature-regulating, keeping kids cool in summer and toasty warm in winter. Below here is natural latex, which acts as a memory foam layer. During testing, this function wasn’t hugely perceptible – certainly nothing like adult memory foam mattresses. There’s then a layer of coconut fibres, which are incredibly sturdy, offering flexible support.
This mattress was certainly one of the firmest mattresses my testers tried, which might put off older users, but my six-year-old tester was happy enough on it. It’s designed to be slept on by children aged between four and 12, so it offers a good lifespan. And as it’s quite a thin mattress, it should fit on all bunk beds and cabin beds.
Buy now £345.95, Thelittlegreensheep.co.uk
Simba hybrid kids’ mattress
Best: Hybrid children's mattress
Sizes: UK single
Mattress type: Hybrid
Guarantee: Ten years
Sleep trial: 200 nights
Rotate or turn: Rotate
Why we love it
- Great support
- High-tech mattress
- Temperature regulating
Take note
- Pricey
Simba uses impressive technology to create the perfect sleep surface. Often these mattresses come rolled in boxes and utilise foam in the filling – and this mattress is no exception. Simba has taken all the techno-wizardry from its adult mattress and adjusted it specifically for this kids’ version. The result is a very fancy mattress indeed.
Five layers of foam and springs (hence the hybrid name) provide incredible support. There are layers built in to help with air flow through the mattress, including fabrics infused with carbon, which promotes cooling. Certainly, it provided my tester with a very comfy night’s sleep. They happily burrowed into the soft, springy foam and looked super snug.
Buy now £399.00, Simbasleep.com
REM-Fit remy kidz mattress
Best: Eco-friendly children’s mattress
Sizes: UK single
Mattress type: Foam
Guarantee: 15 years
Sleep trial: 100 nights
Rotate or turn: Turn
Why we love it
- Eco-friendly
- Zip-off cover
- Suitable for bunk beds
This eco-friendly mattress is made from 75 per cent upcycled foams but compromises nothing on comfort. Even the soft, textured zip-off cover is made from 100 per cent upcycled marine plastics.
The mattress itself comes rolled and vacuum packed, but fluffs up quickly. It is slightly thinner profile-wise, making it suitable for cabin and bunk beds.
A 25mm layer of memory foam on top provided my tester with a lovely, gentle sink into their mattress, cocooning them all night long. There’s also a “reflex foam” layer, to provide extra bounce-back and support, while a sturdy foam foundation makes for a durable mattress.
Buy now £299.99, Rem-fit.co.uk
SnuzSurface max junior mattress
Best: For support
Sizes: UK single, EU single
Mattress type: Hybrid
Guarantee: Five years
Sleep trial: No
Rotate or turn: Rotate
Why we love it
- Suitable for toddlers to teens
- Removable cover
- Good for allergy sufferers
- Excellent support
Take note
- Feels slightly plastic-y
Designed to see kids from toddlerhood right up until their teenage years, this is a sound option whatever the age of your child. The removable cover is waterproof and machine washable, which is perfect when kids are still liable to night-time accidents. My tester did find this a bit plastic-y in terms of feel, but it didn’t cause any mega issues.
For allergy sufferers, there’s a dust-mite barrier layer, then a firm foam layer, pocket springs and another firm foam layer at the base. This all works in harmony to provide a comfortable night’s sleep.
My tester found this mattress to be supportive, with a very responsive bounce back – probably the best my testers tried during testing.
Buy now £249.95, Snuz.co.uk
Little Folk open coil single mattress
Best: First “big kid” mattress
Sizes: UK single
Mattress type: Sprung
Guarantee: Five years
Sleep trial: No
Rotate or turn: Turn
Why we love it
- Great quality
- Comfortable
- Supportive
Take note
- Quite thick mattress
Handmade in Wiltshire, this mattress is very sturdy and well-made. It also provides plenty of bounce back, which is great for support. This is a brilliant first mattress for a “big kid” bed. It also features side stitching, which isn’t seen on many children’s mattresses, but it will help prevent sagging and make the mattress last longer.
My six-year-old tester said this mattress was “super comfortable”, and, based on the number of nights they slept soundly on it, this mattress did very well indeed.
It is quite thick, so you might find not all fitted sheets, well, fit, and it will make a high bed even higher. But as long as you’re not using it on a bunk bed or cabin bed, this shouldn’t cause an issue.
Buy now £240.50, Littlefolksfurniture.co.uk
Your questions on children’s mattresses answered
What is the best children’s mattress?
It’s pretty hard to go wrong with the Stompa S flex airflow pocket sprung mattress – it’s durable, comfortable, supportive and specifically designed for kids. However, it’s not the cheapest option out there. If your budget doesn’t quite stretch that far, the brand’s slightly more wallet-friendly version of the S flex airflow is a great option, too. Meanwhile, I also loved the Woolroom junior mattress for its high-quality British materials.
How to choose a mattress for kids?
A medium-firm mattress is generally recommended for kids. This level of firmness should be able to offer a good level of comfort and support – it’s important that a mattress provides spine alignment, too. For this reason, memory foam mattresses are typically not recommended for babies, toddlers or young children. If you’re shopping for a child who experiences issues such as asthma or eczema, it would be a good idea to invest in a hypoallergenic mattress cover and filling. This should help kids to remain comfortable and breathe easily during the night.
Top tips to look after your kids’ mattress
The Lullaby Trust charity recommends using a firm and flat mattress that is protected by a waterproof cover, as this will ensure the mattress is easy to keep clean and dry. The cover should also be easy to remove. Like an adult mattress, it is also important to rotate your child’s mattress every six months or so (check the guidance from the specific brand), as this will help to ensure the filling is properly distributed inside. As a general pointer, it’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for any lumps or any other visible signs of wear and tear, so you can replace mattresses that are past their best.
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