Best Toddler Mattress: Expert Picks for Your Little One

It’s an exciting moment when your child transitions from a crib to a toddler mattress, signaling their growing independence. As a parent or caregiver, you might be wondering how to shop for a toddler mattress that can keep them safe and accommodate their needs as they grow. The best toddler mattresses are comfortable and supportive. We’ve gathered our top picks, and created a guide with everything you need to know about choosing a mattress for toddlers.

Best Mattresses for Toddlers

• Best Mattress Overall – Helix Kids

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• Best Crib Mattress – Avocado Organic Crib Mattress

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• Best Mattress for Growing Kids – Nolah Nurture Kids

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• Best Organic Mattress – Organic Dream ComfortSupreme 2-Stage Crib & Toddler Mattress

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• Best Mattress for Toddlers and Bigger Kids – Bear Cub

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Best Mattress Overall

Helix Kids

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27% off sitewide + 2 free Dream Pillows with mattress purchase. Code: DOCTOR27

Shop Now

27% off sitewide + 2 free Dream Pillows with mattress purchase. Code: DOCTOR27

The innovative Helix Kids features a reversible construction with a firmer side intended for children between the ages of 3 and 7, and a softer side for the 8 to 12 age range. This mattress is a great option for toddlers transitioning to a big kid bed.

Ideal For

Hot Sleepers

Firmness

Firm

Value

Great Value

Certifications

Greenguard Gold

Pros & Cons

• Pros

  1. Hybrid design with reinforced edges and strong temperature neutrality

  2. Flippable design with a different firmness on each side

  3. Plant-based water-repellent coating

• Cons

  1. May emit off-gassing odors the first few days after opening

  2. Only available in twin and full sizes

  3. Not designed for toddlers under age 3

Our Take

Why We Like It

The flippable Helix Kids is a solid option if you’re looking for a mattress that will serve your kids from the end of their toddler phase to their preteen years. This practical, wallet-friendly design is particularly suitable for anyone with a tight shopping budget. The foam hybrid construction provides ample support, and the perimeter is reinforced — this helps your child get in and out of bed with relative ease. Lastly, the Tencel cover is great for kids who have a hard time cooling down at night. Tencel is a eucalyptus-derived fabric prized for its breathability and moisture-wicking properties.

How Does It Feel?

Each of the Helix Kids’ sides feels distinct. The side for kids between the ages of 3 and 7 rates as medium firm, or a 6 on the 10-point firmness scale. This surface features denser, more supportive foams that promote healthy growth and development for children who are using a big kids’ bed for the first time. After they turn 8, the opposite side — which is medium soft (4) — provides deep cushioning to help them sleep comfortably.

Each side contains a water-repellent barrier to protect the internal materials from damage if your child spills a drink or has a nighttime accident. The mattress is also treated with an antimicrobial shield. This prevents harmful bacteria from accumulating and keeps the bed smelling fresh.

Best Crib Mattress

Avocado Organic Crib Mattress

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Up to 20% off organic mattresses

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Up to 20% off organic mattresses

The Avocado Organic Crib Mattress is made from natural and durable materials that should last your child through their toddler years. A flippable design with medium firm and firm feels ensures your child stays comfortable as they grow, helping them maintain healthy sleep postures.

Ideal For

Eco-conscious Shoppers

Firmness

Medium Firm

Value

Good Value

Certifications

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), Greenguard

Pros & Cons

• Pros

  1. Dual-sided design intended for ages 0 to 4 years

  2. Contains certified organic latex, cotton, wool, hemp, and coco fiber

  3. Sleeps cool

• Cons

  1. Available in crib size only

  2. Relatively short 30-night sleep trial

Our Take

Why We Like It

Some natural and organic beds have a premium sticker tag, but the Avocado Organic Crib Mattress is not one of them. The handcrafted mattress uses sustainably sourced, quality materials that should satisfy eco-conscious shoppers. The dual-sided model sleeps infants and toddlers, so parents get even more value for their money.

Featuring certified organic materials and a flippable design built to accommodate growing kids during all of their toddler years, the Avocado Organic Crib Mattress shows that affordability and sustainability can go hand in hand.

How Does It Feel?

The infant side uses a combination of coconut husk fiber and firm organic Dunlop latex to support small bodies. Both materials are naturally breathable, so your young child is less likely to overheat. The surface has a firm (7) feel designed for babies up to 12 months old.

Flipping the mattress exposes a medium firm (6) feel intended for kids ages 1 to 4 years old. This side features 1 inch of Dunlop latex with a layer of cushiony wool. The latex encourages good sleep posture, while the wool eases pressure buildup. The latex is more responsive on this side since toddlers move more than infants.

Both sides feature quilted organic cotton covers designed to disperse heat. Our testing showed that the mattress does indeed do a good job of staying temperature neutral. The combined layers amount to 6 inches thick.

The organic cotton and wool is GOTS-certified, while the organic latex holds GOLS certification. GREENGUARD Gold and OEKO-TEX certifications indicate that the mattress is free of harmful chemicals and emits low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Best Mattress for Growing Kids

Nolah Nurture Kids

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35% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with mattress purchase

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35% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with mattress purchase

The Nolah Nurture 10 is a latex hybrid, making it more robust and durable than most competing toddler mattresses on the market today. Thanks to the flippable design, your child can enjoy a firm surface when they leave their crib and a plusher feel as they get older and need more cushioning to sleep comfortably.

Ideal For

Kids Ages 3-12

Firmness

Firm (Side 1), Soft (Side 2)

Value

Good Value

Certifications

Greenguard Gold, GOTS

Pros & Cons

• Pros

  1. Organic wool and cotton

  2. Two-sided design with medium soft and firm sides

  3. Comes in twin, twin XL, and full sizes designed for ages 3 to 15

• Cons

  1. Accident protection comes at an extra cost

  2. $99 fee for returns

  3. May produce some off-gassing odors

Our Take

Why We Like It

Our team loves latex hybrids for their light contouring, strong bounce, and superior breathability. The Nolah Nurture 10 boasts all of these qualities, and the flippable design makes it suitable for any child between the ages of 3 and 12. Although one side is firmer than the other, both surfaces provide the comfortable bounce latex is known for. The multi-zone coil system is another highlight. Thicker springs rest beneath your child’s midsection to prevent them from sinking too deeply into the mattress — this is key for healthy development.

How Does It Feel?

The side intended for younger kids is firm (7), with very little contouring sturdy support. While some kids may find this surface too stiff, the idea is to keep their entire body on an even plane with their shoulders, lower back, and hips in perfect alignment. Latex is highly resilient, so there’s also considerable bounce on this side.

Once they reach the age of 8 years or so, your child can flip the mattress to its soft (3) side. Kids tend to feel more comfortable with deeper cushioning layers around this age, so the closer contour may be preferable over the firmer surface. The nice thing about a reversible mattress is that you can flip it over any time — though the Natural 10 is pretty heavy, so you’ll need a lifting partner to reduce the risk of injury.

Best Organic Mattress

Organic Dream ComfortSupreme 2-Stage Crib & Toddler Mattress

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Check Price at Organic Dream

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Check Price at Organic Dream

Eco-conscious parents who prioritize organic products for their children will enjoy the Organic Dream ComfortSupreme 2-Stage Crib & Toddler Mattress. The mattress features an organic cotton cover and a foam construction made from a food-based polyfoam. A flippable design also makes it comfortable for growing children.

Ideal For

Toddlers With Changing Firmness Needs

Firmness

Medium, Firm Sides

Value

Good Value

Certifications

Greenguard

Pros & Cons

• Pros

  1. Made with organic cotton, natural cellulose, and food-grade polymer

  2. Washable mattress core

  3. Flippable design with appropriate firmness options for infants and toddlers

• Cons

  1. Only available in crib sizes

  2. Not designed for older children

Our Take

Why We Like It

The mattress has a reversible design to keep your child comfortable and sufficiently supported through their infancy and toddler stage. One side has a firm (7) and responsive feel, and is intended for babies who sleep in cribs. Organic Dreams follows CPSC guidelines to help ensure the utmost safety. The reverse side is medium (5), resulting in a gentle, adaptive feel for kids between 12 and 36 months.

You may remove and machine wash the cover whenever a cleaning is needed. Please note that washing in hot water can lead to shrinkage, which in turn can cause difficulty when zipping the cover back onto the mattress core. Although the cotton is not waterproof, it will resist liquid seepage for up to 16 hours if bedwetting occurs.

How Does It Feel?

If you prefer to buy and use eco-friendly products, the ComfortSupreme 2-Stage Crib & Toddler Mattress from Organic Dream should appeal to your priorities as a consumer. The core is composed of food-grade polymer processed into a foam that cushions your little one’s body without sinking too much. Another green component is the cover, which is made of breathable organic cotton.

Best Mattress for Toddlers and Bigger Kids

Bear Cub

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35% off + free pillows with code: SF35

Shop Now

35% off + free pillows with code: SF35

The Bear Cub is ideal not only for toddlers, but also growing kids through their preteen years. Foam comfort layers cradle and cushion your child’s body without hugging or sinking too deeply, while sturdy pocketed coils keep them on an even plane to promote healthy alignment.

Ideal For

Hot Sleepers

Firmness

Firm

Value

Great Value

Certifications

CertiPUR-US

Pros & Cons

• Pros

  1. Coils facilitate movement and ensure strong edge support

  2. Tencel cover, gel memory foam, and pocketed coils promote breathability

  3. Available in twin and full sizes, with choice of two colors

• Cons

  1. Synthetic foams produce noticeable off-gassing odors upon unboxing

  2. Not flippable

Our Take

Why We Like It

The Bear Cub has a firm (7), supportive design that can be ideal for toddlers who are leaving their crib for the first time. The memory foam comfort layer provides some light cushioning, so the surface shouldn’t feel too stiff for most children, but dense transitional foam and sturdy pocketed coils keep their bodies aloft and their spines properly aligned.

The coils promote steady air circulation — this helps your child sleep at a comfortable temperature — while the cover is woven with Celliant fibers engineered to dissipate heat on contact. Cooling gel infused into the memory foam adds extra breathability.

How Does It Feel?

The Bear Cub doesn’t contour as closely as many toddler-friendly foam hybrids sold today. This can be a pro or a con, depending on your child’s firmness preferences, but the supportive build can help ensure their shoulders, lower back, and hips are all in alignment while they sleep. The Cub is also bouncy and reinforced along the perimeter, so most kids have little trouble getting in and out of bed and moving on the surface.

You can choose from twin and full sizes, as well as two on-theme colors: salmon and Arctic blue. Unlike many competing mattresses, the Cub is not constructed with any waterproof materials. We recommend using a liquid-repellent mattress protector if your child wets the bed.

If you have younger infants at home, don’t miss our runup of the best crib mattresses. Do the adults in your house also need a new mattress? Check out our guide to the best mattresses of 2024.

Best Mattress Overall

Helix Kids

27% off sitewide + 2 free Dream Pillows with mattress purchase. Code: DOCTOR27

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The Helix Kids mattress is dual-sided and built to accommodate your growing child until they’re a teenager.

SEE MORE DETAILS

Best Crib Mattress

Avocado Organic Crib Mattress

Up to 20% off organic mattresses

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The Avocado Organic Crib Mattress uses natural and durable materials to provide the support that younger children need from a bed.

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Best Mattress for Growing Kids

Nolah Nurture Kids

35% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with mattress purchase

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The Nolah Nurture uses a flippable, hybrid design to remain usable as your child grows from a toddler to a bigger kid.

SEE MORE DETAILS

Best Organic Mattress

Organic Dream ComfortSupreme 2-Stage Crib & Toddler Mattress

Check Price at Organic Dream

SHOP NOW

The Organic Dream Crib Mattress is a comfortable, supportive, and eco-friendly option for younger children.

SEE MORE DETAILS

Best Mattress for Toddlers and Bigger Kids

Bear Cub

35% off + free pillows with code: SF35

SHOP NOW

The Bear Cub is designed to be used as your toddler grows, using a foam hybrid construction to deliver pressure relief and solid support.

SEE MORE DETAILS

To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), experts recommend that babies sleep in an approved crib or bassinet until the age of 1 year. Many families wait until their child is 18 months old to move them from a crib to a bed.

Most children should be out of the crib and sleeping in a bed by age 3. Your child might be ready for a toddler bed if:

• They are able to climb out of the crib
• They are too tall to fit comfortably in the crib
• Their chest is as high as or higher than the top of the crib when they are standing up in it

Foam, hybrid and innerspring, latex, and dual-sided mattresses each offer benefits and drawbacks depending on your child’s needs. While individual mattresses may show variations, mattress type plays a significant role in the bed’s performance and feel. 

Foam

Foam mattresses have a high-density polyfoam support core, which offers a moderate level of support and helps minimize noise and motion transfer. Whereas adult foam mattresses often also contain memory foam, this close-conforming material is less common in toddler beds, as it can restrict breathing while side or stomach sleeping.

Hybrid and Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are made mostly of metal coils, which offer support, breathability, ease of movement, and a strong perimeter that can be convenient for adults sitting on the edge of the bed. Hybrid mattresses use the same concept of a metal coil support core, but include a thicker comfort section that may include foam, latex, or other cushioning materials.

Latex

Natural latex is a durable and responsive material made from the sap-like liquid of the rubber tree. Latex can also be produced with petrochemicals, in which case it’s known as synthetic latex. 

A latex bed can be a good choice for active children who value being able to move in bed without worrying about damaging springs. Natural latex mattresses are also popular with parents and caregivers who try to avoid synthetic materials in their child’s bedroom.

Dual-Sided

Hybrid, foam, and latex mattresses are sometimes produced in dual-sided formats, with different features on each side. Typically, dual-sided beds for children have two different firmness levels that are designed to adapt to a child’s needs as they grow. 

Certain factors are more important when selecting a mattress for a toddler. In particular, the mattress size, firmness, breathability, and material quality can all have safety implications for children this age. 

Mattress Size

Many toddler beds measure approximately 28 by 52 inches, the same size as a crib. Some companies also make toddler beds in twin (38 by 75 inches) or full (54 by 75 inches) sizes. If possible, you may wish to repurpose your crib into a toddler bed while your toddler still fits comfortably, then transition them to a twin or full size bed once they outgrow the crib size mattress.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that a crib mattress should be no thicker than six inches. If your toddler needs more support, move them to a bigger bed.

Firmness

Mattress firmness is subjective, and the optimal firmness depends on your child’s usual sleeping position and body type. As your child goes through different growth stages, they may prefer a softer mattress to cushion pressure points, or a firmer mattress that provides more spinal support.

Though the risk of accidental suffocation drops after the first year of life, it’s still a good idea to avoid having toddlers sleep on mattresses that conform very closely.

Material Quality

Not only do high-quality materials offer a more comfortable and supportive sleep surface, they also last longer, so you get more out of your investment. By choosing a well-designed mattress, your child may be able to use it throughout their childhood. Bear in mind that a high price isn’t always an indicator of quality, though.

Ease of Cleaning

Toddler mattresses sometimes come with stain-resistant coatings or other features to protect against inevitable spills and occasional bedwetting. Others feature innovative materials that can be cleaned, such as a polymer core. If you’re worried about your child staining their mattress, you can also purchase a separate mattress pad or a waterproof mattress cover.

Breathability

Natural materials such as latex and cotton tend to be more breathable, preventing uncomfortable heat buildup during the night. The coil support core of an innerspring or hybrid mattress also offers room for cooling air to flow through. By contrast, solid foam designs tend to sleep hotter, although some foam mattresses include features to draw heat away from the sleep surface.

Mattress Certifications

Toddlers and young children are more sensitive to chemicals, so choosing a mattress that carries guarantees about the quality of its materials can provide peace of mind for parents and caregivers. Many labels focus on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemicals that are released into the air when you unbox a foam mattress. 

Price, Sleep Trial, and Warranty

The price of a mattress for your toddler can range from around $200 to over $1,000, depending on the type of mattress, the size, and the materials. You might pay more for a flippable bed that’s designed to last through childhood.

Most companies offer a sleep trial, during which your child can sleep on the mattress and you can return it for a refund if they don’t like it. It’s a good idea to use a mattress protector during the trial, because companies may not accept returns if the mattress is stained.

Manufacturers also offer a warranty against manufacturing defects, lasting anywhere from several years to a lifetime. While the warranty won’t cover damage from regular wear and tear, the company may pledge to repair or replace the mattress if it develops split foams, broken zippers, or permanent indentations.

While the requirements for a toddler mattress aren’t as strict as the requirements for an infant crib mattress, experts still recommend following general safety precautions to keep your child safe:

• To prevent your child from getting stuck, make sure there are no more than two fingers’ worth of space between the mattress and the bed or crib frame
• Keep loose wires, curtain pulls, and other hazards out of reach of the bed
• Install a guardrail to prevent falls
• Place the bed far away from any windows
• Don’t use a mattress thicker than six inches in a crib
• Avoid bed frames with lead paint or small parts that present a choking risk
• Regularly check the bed for loose, broken, or sharp parts
• Don’t use bumper pads in a crib, as they may enable your toddler to climb up over the edge

Video: Is Melatonin Safe for Kids?

Watch our video to learn more about why our sleep experts recommend thinking twice about giving your child melatonin.

Explore our other mattress articles to sift through the best mattress options for your child in different stages of their life.

Before we recommend a mattress, we put it through a battery of tests to see how it performs on metrics like pressure relief, temperature control, and edge support. To find the best toddler mattresses, we paid special attention to kid-friendly features like natural materials, safety, waterproof components, and the ability to accommodate different age ranges.

About The Author

Garen Glazier

Staff Writer, Product Testing Team

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Garen is a health and lifestyle content creator. She realized the importance of sleep when her children made getting a good night’s rest more challenging. Garen is always learning something new about the wide world of sleep and sleep products. Married with two girls, ages 7 and 11, she is a book nerd and a lover of pop music, travel, and the Pacific Northwest.

• POSITION: Side Sleeper
• TEMPERATURE: Neutral Sleeper
• CHRONOTYPE: Wolf

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