THERE’S nothing quite like seeing your child properly conked out after a busy day.
But if bedtime is turning into a battle, looking into the best mattresses for kids is a smart place to start.
“Quality sleep is essential for a child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development, laying the foundation for a healthy and thriving future,” says Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO at The Sleep Charity.
The good news is that today’s best mattresses for children are seriously impressive, with options specifically designed to grow with your little one from toddlerhood through to tweendom.
In this guide to the best mattresses for kids, we focus on supportive options that suit real life, including cot-to-bed transitions, single beds for school-age kids, and teen-friendly upgrades.
Expect practical advice and tried-and-tested favourites.
Best mattresses for kids at a glance
The best mattresses for kids, reviewed
1. Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress
Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress, £399
Pros: Washable cover, 200-night trial and 10-year guarantee, made from recyclable materials
Cons: Premium price, no Euro size
Rating: 10/10
If you are looking for the best mattress for kids in the UK and you do not mind paying more for comfort and reassurance, the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress is the standout we tested.
We are already fans of Simba’s adult range, so expectations were high, and this one met them.
It also has a 4.9/5 rating from 1,800+ parents, which made it a must-try.
Our 11-year-old “tiny tester” described it as “like sleeping in mummy and daddy’s bed”, which is high praise in a house used to a Tempur.
Do not panic when it comes out of the box looking slim. It takes about 7 to 8 hours to fully inflate, and it stays relatively low-profile even after expansion, making it a strong choice for bunk beds and shallow frames.
Under the cover, the five-layer build delivers a supportive, slightly firmer feel than Simba’s adult mattresses, with enough cushioning to keep growing joints comfortable and aligned.
Parents will appreciate the washable cover for spills, crumbs, and everything else that comes with a kid’s room.
The 200-night trial and 10-year guarantee also make the premium price easier to justify.
Read our full Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress review
| Sizes available | Single (90 x 190cm) |
| Depth | 16cm |
| Ages recommended | 3yrs+ |
| Type | Hybrid |
2. Stompa S Flex Airflow Pocket Mattress
Stompa S Flex Airflow Pocket Mattress, £182.99
Pros: Washable cover, suitable for bunk beds
Cons: Medium feel rather than firm
Rating: 10/10
Stompa knows kids’ beds, and this hybrid mattress feels designed for real family use.
It arrives vacuum-packed in a manageable box, so getting it upstairs is far less of a headache than a traditional single mattress for kids.
Give it a few hours to fully expand, and you will notice it has a bit more bounce than you might expect, which children tend to love (even if you would rather they not test it like a trampoline).
The cover is smooth and soft, and, crucially, removable, which helps with the inevitable nighttime accidents and everyday mess.
At 16cm deep, it is also a great match for bunk and cabin beds, where a slimmer profile is needed.
Support-wise, we would call it a comfortable medium, rather than a true firm mattress, so bear that in mind if your child prefers a sturdier feel.
That said, the results speak for themselves. Our four-year-old tester fell asleep in under five minutes.
| Sizes available | Single (90x190cm) and Euro single (90x200cm) |
| Depth | 16cm |
| Ages recommended | 4yrs+ |
| Type | Hybrid |
3. Little Green Sheep Natural Junior Mattress
Little Green Sheep Natural Junior Mattress, £345.95
Pros: All-natural materials, breathable and anti-dust mite
Cons: No washable cover
Rating: 8/10
If you want a mattress for kids that prioritises natural materials, this is one of the most considered builds on our list.
The core combines thousands of coconut fibres blended with natural latex, essentially acting like tiny natural springs, then finishes with wool and a cotton cover.
The result feels genuinely premium, and it is notably breathable, which is useful if your child runs warm at night.
For families with sensitive skin or allergies, the natural, anti-dust-mite approach is a big plus.
Just be aware that there is no washable cover here, so you will want to add a good waterproof mattress protector if accidents are still a possibility.
In use, we found it firmer than many kid-focused options, with a gentle bounce rather than sink.
It also holds its shape well, even with an adult perched on the edge for bedtime stories.
It is not the cheapest junior mattress, but the materials and finish make it feel like it should cost more.
The five-year guarantee rounds it off as a strong long-term pick for the school-age years.
| Sizes available | Single (90x190cm) and Euro single (90x200cm) |
| Depth | 13cm |
| Ages recommended | 4-13yrs |
| Type | Natural latex |
4. SnuzSurface Max Junior Mattress
SnuzSurface Max Junior Mattress, £249.95
Pros: Waterproof and removable cover, Euro size available, five-year guarantee
Cons: Cover feels slightly plasticky
Rating: 8/10
This is a solid mid-range option from Snüz, a brand that focuses on baby and child sleep.
If you want a practical kids’ mattress with fuss-free cleaning, it is a strong contender.
You get a waterproof, washable cover, a five-year guarantee, and a Euro single option for 90 x 200cm frames, which is not always easy to find when you are shopping for the best single mattress for a child in the UK.
In terms of feel, it sits on the firmer side and offers good support.
The trade-off is that the waterproof cover can feel a little plasticky to the touch, especially compared to pricier mattresses.
Once there is a sheet on top, it is unlikely to bother your child, but it is worth knowing before you buy.
Our five-year-old tester gave it the standard trampoline trial, then slept well through the night.
Also, the purple colour is surprisingly fun if you have a top bunk where the mattress is on show through the slats.
| Sizes available | Single (90x190cm) and Euro single (90x200cm) |
| Depth | 16cm |
| Ages recommended | 4-13yrs |
| Type | Pocket springs |
5. Nöa & Nani Jax Single Mattress
Noa and Nani Jax Single Mattress, £130 (was £163)
Pros: Removable cover, eco foam, washable cover, budget-friendly
Cons: Heavy
Rating: 6/10
If your priority is price, this is one of the most affordable options we tried, and it still delivers a decent night’s sleep.
The Jax is a simple foam mattress for kids made with recyclable eco foam, with a firm feel and a touch of bounce that suits younger sleepers well.
The cover is soft and plush, and it is removable, which is what you want in a child’s room.
At 14cm deep, it is also a good fit for bunk beds and cabin frames where a slimmer mattress is safer and more practical.
The main downside is weight. For a foam mattress, it is surprisingly hefty, and wrestling it on a top bunk to change the cover is not exactly a quick job.
If you can handle that, it is a straightforward, no-frills single mattress that kids can sleep on comfortably without breaking the bank.
| Sizes available | Single (90 x 190cm) |
| Depth | 14cm |
| Ages recommended | 4yrs+ |
| Type | Foam |
How we tested
We tested these mattresses with the people who matter most: kids.
Our mini sleep experts (aged four to 13) tried each mattress over multiple nights, then gave their unfiltered verdict on comfort, support, temperature, and yes, bounceability.
We also checked in with parents to see if bedtime got easier, sleep felt less broken, and mornings were less of a negotiation.
On the practical side, we looked at the features that make a kids’ mattress workable long-term: washable or removable covers, how it handles spills and accidents, suitability for bunk beds, and how painful it is to get a boxed mattress up tight stairs.
For extra comfort, see our tried-and-tested best duvets and best pillows guides.
Mattress for kids FAQs
What is the best type of mattress for kids?
The best type of mattress for kids is usually a medium-firm one that keeps their spine supported, without feeling like a plank.
Most children do not need super hard, but you also want to avoid anything overly soft that lets them sink in too much, especially as they grow.
In our testing, dual-sided hybrid mattresses came out on top because they adapt as your child gets bigger, with a firmer feel for younger kids (ages 3 to 7) and a touch more cushioning for older ones (ages 8 to 12).
Is a memory foam mattress good for kids? It can be, as long as it is medium firm and breathable rather than sinky.
Waterproof covers or a protector are still non-negotiable.
How to choose a mattress for kids
Choosing the best mattress for kids starts with fit and feel.
Check the bed frame size first (most families need a single mattress that kids can grow into) and measure properly, especially if you are buying a Euro single.
Next, aim for medium firm support. It keeps growing spines aligned without feeling rock hard.
Wondering how thick a kid’s mattress should be? For bunk beds, a slimmer mattress often works better for safety rails, while older kids may prefer a deeper build for comfort.
Look for breathable, hypoallergenic materials, or add a washable cover or protector.
If you are shopping for the best mattress for kids in the UK market, a trial period is a real bonus.
Where should I buy a mattress for the kids?
For the best mattress for kids, start with specialist brands.
Simba and Emma both have dedicated kids’ ranges, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of sizing and support.
Simba also sells its baby and kids mattresses direct, with free delivery and returns, which is exactly the sort of practical reassurance parents need.
If you want to try before you buy, retailers like John Lewis, Dreams and DFS are worth a look, particularly if you value in-store advice.
For speed and price-checking, Amazon can work well; just read reviews carefully and double-check returns.
