Bunk beds may bring up nice memories of slumber parties and some not so nice memories of sharing your room with a brother or sister. If you’re all grown up, and it’s time to outfit a bunk bed in your own house, I’ve got you covered.
I’ve put together a list of the absolute best bunk bed mattresses. I’ve included memory foam mattresses, hybrids, and something for every type of sleeper or situation. Which mattress will take your bunk bed to the next level? Read on to find out.
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Bunk Bed Mattress?
Our expert reviewers chose the Helix Kids as the best bunk bed mattress due to its flippable design that offers support as kids grow. It also has non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and water-repellant features.
Best Bunk Bed Mattresses: Our Top Picks
- Helix Kids – Editor’s Pick
- Saatva Youth – Best Twin Mattress for a Bunk Bed
- Nolah Nurture – Best Children’s Bunk Bed Mattress
- Leesa Original – Best Bunk Bed Mattress for Adults
- Dreamfoam Essential – Best Full Size Mattress for a Bunk Bed
Compare the Best Bunk Bed Mattresses
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| Helix Kids Mattress | Saatva Youth Mattress | Nolah Nurture Mattress | Leesa Original Mattress | Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress | |
| Rating | |||||
| Firmness | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Innerspring | Hybrid | Foam | Foam |
| Cooling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | -- | -- |
| Sleep Position | Combination | Back & Stomach | Combination | Combination | Back & Side |
How We Test Our Top Picks
Our team of sleep specialists have reviewed more than 150 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.
For this list of bunk bed mattresses, we focused on including many different types of mattresses that would work well with a bunk bed frame. All of these mattresses had a general score of at least 3.5/10, so they perform well with regard to cooling, support, and other criteria.
Helix Kids Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Kids Mattress
The Helix Kids mattress has a flippable design, so it works well for kids between the ages of three and 12.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Kids Mattress
The Helix Kids mattress has a flippable design, so it works well for kids between the ages of three and 12.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
100 Nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
If we’re talking about the best bunk bed mattresses, we have to start off with our Editor’s Pick, the Helix Kids mattress. The Helix Kids is a flippable mattress that features one side for 3 to 7-year-olds and a side for 8 to 12-year-olds. As your child grows, you can simply flip the mattress to offer comfort for older children.
This also makes it a good fit for many different sleeping positions. If your child sleeps on their side, you can opt for the softer side and, if they sleep on their back or stomach, choose the firmer side.
The mattress is also thinner, making it a great fit for most bunk beds. The 8” mattress will sit low in bunk beds, allowing kids to have some good headroom.
Helix Kids Mattress Highlights
- The Helix Kids mattress features water-repellent materials, making cleanup much easier.
- It is a non-toxic, hypoallergenic mattress, making it ideal for children.
- The Helix Kids is a bouncy innerspring mattress, making it very easy to move around.
Keep In Mind
- The Helix Kids might not be supportive enough for children over the age of 12.
- The Helix Kids is a bit pricey for a kids’ mattress.
Read our full Helix Kids mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Innerspring Mattresses for more great options.
Saatva Youth Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Saatva Youth Mattress
The Saatva Youth is a flippable mattress made just with children in mind.
Material
Innerspring
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Saatva Youth Mattress
The Saatva Youth is a flippable mattress made just with children in mind.
Material
Innerspring
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Twin-size mattresses are usually a good size for bunk beds, and the Saatva Youth is one of the best on the market. The mattress comes from Saatva, a producer of high-quality, luxury online mattresses.
As the name suggests, the Saatva Youth is made specifically with children in mind. It boasts supportive coils, high-density foams, and an overall luxury design. The Saatva Youth is also flippable and offers one side for 3 to 7-year-olds and one side for 8 to 12-year-olds.
The Saatva Youth is also 10” tall, making it the best Saatva mattress for a bunk bed. Low-profile mattresses work better with bunk beds, and this is the thinnest Saatva mattress. I will note that you should use the Saatva Youth on the bottom bunk, as it might be unsafe to put it on the top bunk.
Saatva Youth Highlights
- Being a flippable mattress, the Saatva Youth will offer comfort and support for a wide age range.
- The Saatva Youth is a bouncy innerspring mattress, making it easy for your child to change positions.
- The mattress features breathable materials, so kids shouldn’t be overheating at night.
Keep In Mind
- The Saatva Youth mattress might be too tall for the upper bunk.
- The mattress doesn’t have that memory foam feel that some sleepers prefer.
Read our full Saatva Youth mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Twin Mattresses for more great options.
Nolah Nurture Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nolah Nurture Mattress
The Nolah Nurture mattress is specifically designed with growing children in mind. This two-sided hybrid mattress has two firmness levels, and it's made from eco-friendly materials.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nolah Nurture Mattress
The Nolah Nurture mattress is specifically designed with growing children in mind. This two-sided hybrid mattress has two firmness levels, and it's made from eco-friendly materials.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 Nights
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bunk beds are a great idea for kids’ bedrooms as they help conserve space and leave plenty of room for floor activities. If you have one or two children who will be posting up on your bunk bed, it’s time to take a look at the Nolah Nurture mattress.
The Nolah Nurture is an eco-friendly mattress that features organic wool, organic cotton, and Talalay latex. It is designed specifically with children in mind and features both a soft side and a firm side for children of different sizes and ages.
This also makes the Nolah Nurture ideal for growing children. As your child gets older, you can simply flip the mattress to give them the comfort and support they require!
Nolah Nurture Highlights
- The Nolah Nurture contains very durable materials, so it should be a good long-term investment.
- The Nolah is a breathable latex mattress and should be nice and cool for kids.
- Organic materials make it a good fit for eco-conscious shoppers.
Keep In Mind
- At 10” tall, the Nolah Nurture might be too tall for the top bunk.
- Budget shoppers who might want to find a cheap mattress option
Read the full Nolah Nurture mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Kids for more great options.
Leesa Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Leesa Original Mattress
Made with responsive foam, the Leesa Original mattress works well for side sleepers and hot sleepers.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Leesa Original Mattress
Made with responsive foam, the Leesa Original mattress works well for side sleepers and hot sleepers.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bunk beds aren’t just for kids and can be a great way to house multiple adult guests. The Leesa Original is a thinner mattress that will fit a bunk bed while still offering enough support for adults.
The Leesa Original is an all-foam mattress that features a proprietary foam comfort layer, memory foam, and base support foam. The proprietary foam layer is more responsive and breathable than memory foam, so you get soft comfort without feeling stuck or overheating.
The mattress also has a firmness of 6.5/10, exactly medium-firm. This gives the Leesa Original a good balance of comfort and support, and makes it ideal for adult back sleepers.
Leesa Original Highlights
- The Leesa Original is one of the best soft mattresses.
- The mattress also features great pressure relief and contouring for side sleepers.
- The Leesa Original is a great value bed in a box.
Keep In Mind
- The Leesa Original might be too tall for top bunks.
- The mattress isn’t firm enough for most stomach sleepers.
- The Leesa Original won’t work for fans of a memory foam feel.
Read the full Leesa Original mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses of 2023 for more great options.
Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress
The Dreamfoam Essential is a cooling, affordable memory foam mattress that comes in multiple thicknesses.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress
The Dreamfoam Essential is a cooling, affordable memory foam mattress that comes in multiple thicknesses.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
The bottom bunk of many bunk beds can hold a full size mattress. This gives that lucky person a bit more room to move around. If your bunk bed requires a full size mattress, consider the Dreamfoam Essential mattress.
The Dreamfoam Essential is a memory foam mattress that comes in numerous heights. The 6” model is the thinnest mattress on this list, so it will also work well for the top bunk. It won’t rise above the safety rails, making it safer for those sleeping on the top bunk.
The Essential also has one of the lower price points for a full size mattress. For a full size, 6” mattress, it costs less than $500, which is quite a steal!
Dreamfoam Essential Highlights
- The 6” and 8” models are flippable, giving you two firmnesses in one mattress.
- The mattress boasts a breathable cover and cooling gel memory foam, making it ideal for hot sleepers.
- The Dreamfoam Essential offers a great balance of comfort and support.
Keep In Mind
- The Dreamfoam Essential might not be supportive enough for heavy people.
- The taller models will be too tall for the loft bed.
- Read the full Dreamfoam Essential mattress review
Read the full Dreamfoam Essential mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Full Size Mattresses for more great options.
How To Choose A Bunk Bed Mattress
You’ve set up your kid’s room with all the important things – the Star Wars posters, the door-hung basketball hoop, and a great bunk bed. Now, how do you go about choosing the right mattresses for that bunk bed?
Mattress Height
Mattress height is extremely important to consider when picking a bunk bed mattress. Simply put, you want to stay away from mattresses that are extremely tall. Tall mattresses will rise above the bed’s safety railings, and this makes it more dangerous for your child. Most experts recommend that a bunk bed mattress should be low-profile, 7” tall, or less.
For older children and adults who use the lower bunk, the mattress could be a little taller. If there is any issue of rolling off, this will be much safer on the bottom bunk. Still, if the bottom mattress is too thick, that will mean less headroom for your child.
That being said, there are many types of bunk beds. Make sure to read up on the specifications of your new bunk bed and do your own measuring to see how thick your mattress can really be. For instance, a bed with taller guard rails could work with a thick mattress.
Mattress Size
When you’re shopping for a new mattress for a bunk bed, make sure you know what size you are looking for. Many bunk beds feature twin-size or twin XL frames on the top and bottom bunks. Some have a large bottom bunk that extends out a bit and allows for a larger, full size mattress. You may find a bunk bed with an extra large, queen size bottom bunk, but this is rarer.
Mattress Firmness and Sleeping Positions
There’s no one mattress for everyone, and you want to find a mattress that will fit your guests’ or children’s needs. If you need a mattress for back sleeping, consider a medium-firm mattress with a balance of comfort and support. This will allow the hips to sink in just a bit while the coils hold up the body.
Side sleepers require more relief for their pressure points and do better on softer mattresses. Consider a soft memory foam mattress to relieve pressure on the shoulders and hips.
Finally, stomach sleepers are going to need the most supportive sleep surface possible. A firm mattress will support the hips and body, keeping the spine in neutral alignment. This will prevent back pain and other joint pain over time.
How Much Weight Can The Bunk Bed Hold?
Depending on the design, the top bunk of a bunk bed can hold between 150 and 400 lb. If the bunk bed is made of wood, it may hold less weight, while a metal bunk bed could be more supportive.
Either way, it is a good idea to research the weight limit of your new bunk bed. This will help you decide how heavy your mattress can be. Also, it’s no fun to get a heavy mattress onto the top bunk, so do your back a favor!
Cooling
Sleeping hot is an issue for many types of people, and it affects children as well. If your child or house guest often complains of sleeping hot, a cooling mattress could be in order. Hybrid mattresses and those that feature latex are usually going to sleep cooler than pure memory foam mattresses. Some memory foam mattresses may also contain cooling infusions such as gel, graphite, or copper.
Whatever mattress you choose to pair with your bunk bed, just make sure to keep an eye out for cooling materials. Otherwise, that is going to be one hot bunk bed.
Do Bunk Beds Need Special Mattresses?
Bunk beds do not necessarily require a special mattress. Again, it is more about finding the right height and size. As long as the mattress isn’t thicker than 7”, any bed in a box or online mattress will fit the bottom and top bunk. You can go a bit thicker, but a thicker mattress will only work on the bottom bunk, for safety reasons.
Durability
When you’re buying any type of mattress, whether it’s for a bunk bed or not, you want something that is going to last you for a good amount of time. Mattresses aren’t cheap, and it’s no fun when your big investment starts to break down in a year.
Find a mattress that contains durable materials such as latex or high-density foam. High-grade steel coils can also add some real life to a mattress. This will ensure your bunk bed stays nice and comfortable for years to come!
Are Bunk Beds Safe?
According to National Children’s, each year, there are 36,000 bunk bed accidents. These are mostly attributed to children or adults falling off the top bunk. Some accidents occur on the bottom bunk, but the injuries are less severe.
The article recommends utilizing guard rails on both sides of the bunk. In addition, the rails should be at least 5” above the top of the mattress. The mattress should never rest above the top of the guard rails. Experts also say that children under six should not sleep on the top bunk.
We talked about support above, but again make sure that your bunk bed can handle the necessary weight. Also, keep the area around the bunk bed clean and consider night lights to make climbing in and out of bed safer.
Summary
Here is our list of the best bunk bed mattresses.
| Mattress | Best For: |
| Helix Kids | Editor’s Pick |
| Saatva Youth | Best Twin Mattress for a Bunk Bed |
| Nolah Nurture | Best Children’s Bunk Bed Mattress |
| Leesa Original | Best Bunk Bed Mattress for Adults |
| Dreamfoam Essential | Best Full Size Mattress for a Bunk Bed |
Bunk Bed Mattress FAQs
Do bunk beds need box springs?
Most bunk beds do not require box springs. That would lift the mattresses too far off the bunk bed, and this could be dangerous. Also, box springs are usually best for heavier innerspring mattresses, and the majority of bunk bed mattresses are going to be on the lighter side.
Can a queen mattress fit on a full bunk bed?
No, a queen mattress cannot fit on a full bunk bed. Queen size mattresses are longer and wider than full size mattresses, and will not fit correctly.
Can you use an air mattress on a bunk bed?
While an air mattress could fit a bunk bed, it is not recommended you pair the two. Bunk beds can feature metal parts that might tear or puncture the air mattress.
How thick is a bunk bed mattress?
The ideal bunk bed mattress is between 5” and 7” thick. You want something on the thinner end that does not rise above the guard rails.
