Being a teen means being confronted with change wherever you look. Both your body and your brain are developing rapidly, all while you’re expected to meet certain milestones at school and in your social groups. During such a volatile life stage, sleep should be a restful oasis. But how do you find the best mattress for a teenager when their needs are in flux?
The best beds for teens take their dynamic natures into account. They’re adaptable, sturdy, and outfitted with enough bonus features to charm tech-savvy adolescents. We’ve listed our top mattresses for teenage sleepers here, along with further shopping tips that should help parents decide on the right bed for their growing kids.
10 Best Mattresses for Teenagers
- Nectar – Editor's Pick
- DreamCloud – Most Comfortable Mattress for Teens
- WinkBed – Best Luxury Mattress for Teens
- Bowery – Best Hybrid Mattress for Teens
- Saatva Classic – Best Mattress for Teenage Back Sleepers
- Helix Midnight – Best Mattress for Teenage Side Sleepers
- Nolah Evolution – Best Mattress for Teenage Stomach Sleepers
- Bear Original – Best Mattress for Athletic Teens
- Leesa Original – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Teens
- Cocoon Chill – Best Cooling Mattress for Teens
Top 10 Beds for Teens, Reviewed
Editor’s Pick
Nectar
Teens can be picky about plenty of things, including where they sleep. The Nectar is a highly popular memory foam mattress that should provide exceptional support, pressure relief, and comfort, even for the pickiest of sleepers. Furthermore, a comfortable bed can translate to better sleep and school performance, creating a win-win situation for parents and teens alike.
The Nectar’s construction includes a layer of gel memory foam, soft conventional foam, and a final layer of standard conventional foam. Together, these materials provide a perfect balance of firm support and soft pressure relief.
Why do we love it?
- The Nectar performs incredibly well at pressure relief and support, making this an excellent bed for back and side sleepers in particular.
- The mattress comes with one of the longest trial periods around, giving your teen a full year to decide if the Nectar is the right bed for them.
Interested in more details? Read our full Nectar bed review.
Most Comfortable Mattress for Teens
DreamCloud
Teenagers need a comfortable mattress to support their growing bodies and relieve pressure in sensitive areas. Plus, you want a versatile mattress that your teenager can use for many years, and this DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid is a good place to start.
The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid features poly foam built into the cover for a plush surface, followed by a layer of gel-infused memory foam to cradle the body and alleviate pressure. Memory foam is widely regarded as one of the best materials for comfort and pressure relief, which should help your child’s growing aches and pains.
Why we chose it
- The DreamCloud is rated a 5.5 on our firmness scale. This mid-range firmness should be comfortable enough, bringing both support and pressure relief to the shoulders, knees, and hips.
- The company offers customers an impressive year-long trial and forever warranty, one of the best deals in the industry.
Want to learn more? Read our comprehensive DreamCloud mattress review.
Best Luxury Mattress for Teens
WinkBed
If you’re looking to upgrade your teen’s sleep space, consider the WinkBed, a hybrid that comes with a top-tier design to enhance their quality of rest. First, the Euro-style pillowtop has gel-infused foam quilted into the cover for a luxurious surface. The cover itself is made with Tencel®, a material derived from eucalyptus that’s designed to be absorbent and breathable.
The WinkBed’s support unit features pocketed coils made from recycled steel. Included in this layer is the Extra-Edge™ Support System to ensure the sleeper won’t experience sagging if they lie on the sides of the mattress. Edge support is beneficial if your teen prefers to spread out when they sleep.
What stands out?
- The WinkBed is available in multiple firmness levels. Shoppers can choose from a Soft, Luxury Firm, or Firm option. Additionally, the brand carries a version of this mattress specifically designed for those who carry more weight, the WinkBed Plus.
Interested in more details? Read our in-depth review of the WinkBed.
Best Hybrid Mattress for Teens
Bowery
Hybrid mattresses have foam and coils, offering the benefits of comfort foams and the extra support and cooling of springs. The Brooklyn Bedding Bowery is our selection for Best Hybrid, thanks to its quality design and budget-friendly price point.
The Bowery features a quilted top with gel memory foam for plushness. The second layer is a two-inch transitional comfort foam, followed by a six-inch coil unit. The base layer is an inch of foam for durability and reinforces the coils when they compress. The gel in the memory foam and the airflow from the coils should keep sleepers from overheating during the night.
Why we picked it
- The Bowery is an American-made mattress. Brooklyn Bedding is based in Phoenix, and their beds are designed and manufactured in the U.S.
- Your teen can test out this bed at home for up 120 nights before committing to the purchase.
Want more info? Consult our Bowery mattress review.
Best Mattress for Teenage Back Sleepers
Saatva Classic
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Hybrid Mattress
- Dual-Coil Units
- Three Firmness Options
- 365-Night Trial
- Lifetime Warranty
The Saatva Classic has a unique design that should excel for teens sleeping on their backs. Underneath the Saatva’s pillowtop is a layer of memory foam designed to provide extra support to the lower back region to alleviate tension.
The first coil unit consists of individually wrapped springs to curb motion transfer and conform to the sleeper’s frame. The secondary coil unit is below this and provides the main support system for this bed. The second coil unit helps prevent the sleeper’s heavier parts from sagging, which can throw off spinal alignment.
What stands out about this product?
- Back sleepers should feel equally supported along the sides. Durable, thick foam surrounds the edges of this bed for advanced edge support. This feature is great for growing teens because it gives them more useable surface space without worrying about sagging along the edges.
Looking to learn more? Read our full Saatva Classic review.
Best Mattress for Teenage Side Sleepers
Helix Midnight
Side sleeping may be the most popular sleep position, but pressure can easily accumulate, becoming uncomfortable if your mattress doesn’t provide adequate relief. Side sleepers often do best with beds that have plush comfort layers to ease pressure on the hips and shoulders.
The Helix Midnight’s medium-firm feel and use of memory foam are highly beneficial for side sleepers. Memory foam does an excellent job at cradling the sleeper’s body so that pressure melts away for more comfortable sleeping. Just below the memory foam is a layer of high-grade poly foam to deliver extra pressure relief and ergonomic support. Rounding out the bed’s layers are an 8-inch pocketed coil unit and dense foam at the base for stability.
Why we picked it
- The Helix Midnight is rated best for side sleepers, which means it should be a good match if your teen sleeps in this position.
Looking for more info? Check out our Helix Midnight mattress review.
Best Mattress for Teenage Stomach Sleepers
Nolah Evolution
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Hybrid Mattress
- Firmness Level: 5/10 (Plush), 6-7/10 (Luxury Firm), 8/10 (Firm)
- 120-Night Trial
- Lifetime Warranty
The Nolah Evolution is available in three firmness levels, although stomach sleepers may like the Luxury Firm and Firm models the most. Teenage stomach sleepers should enjoy pressure relief and targeted support the layers provides.
The Nolah Evolution is a hybrid available in six sizes, three of which are the most suitable for teenagers. Those who like to spread across a larger mattress may prefer Twin XL and Full sizes since the Queen, King, and Cali King are too big.
The Evolution provides gentle cradling while keeping the spine aligned in all sleeping positions.
Why do we like it?
- The Nolah Evolution’s multiple firmness options are great for customization, so that stomach sleepers of any size can find the feel that works best for them.
- Nolah offers a lifetime warranty and up to 120 nights for customers to decide whether they like the Evolution before purchasing.
Curious about this bed? Peruse our Nolah Evolution mattress review.
Best Mattress for Athletic Teens
Bear Original
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Free Shipping and Returns
- Eco-Friendly Materials
- Cooling Gel Memory Foam
- Lifetime Warranty
Athletic teens often struggle with pain, muscle inflammation, and pressure in the shoulders and legs. These things can keep your teen up regardless of how tired they come from the training. The Bear Original should help as it includes cooling materials and a responsive layer that helps adapt to the sleeper's body for a speedy recovery.
This mattress is available as an all-foam and hybrid model, allowing sleepers to choose based on preference. The all-foam Original is excellent for pressure relief, whereas the hybrid offers slightly more support thanks to the coils. Both models feature cooling gel memory foam that prevents hot flashes and overheating.
Why it stands out
- The Bear Original has foams with open-cell construction, allowing maximum airflow so that the other layers don’t overheat. In addition, this should enhance comfort for teenagers who sleep hot.
- This mattress is GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions.
Want to learn more? Read our full review of the Bear Original mattress.
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Teens
Leesa Original
HIGHLIGHTS:
- GREENGUARD Gold Certification
- CertiPUR-US® Certification
- Gentle Contouring
- Breathable, Responsive Foam
Memory foam is a safe choice for most teenagers, even the picky ones, since this responsive and comfortable material excels in pressure relief, contouring, and motion isolation. The Leesa Original is an all-foam mattress with two inches of cooling foam top layer, followed by another two inches of contouring memory foam. The last is the base made from 6-inch foam for structure and durability.
The Leesa Original mattress is rated 5-7/10 on the firmness scale, so it should fit everyone regardless of their preferred sleeping position. The bed is designed to support the body while reducing pressure and lower back pain for stomach and back sleepers.
What stands out
- Leesa is a standout name in the industry, offering a 10-year warranty and 100-night risk-free trial for your teen to test the bed before committing.
- This all-foam mattress is shipped in a box, making it easy to transport from your doorstep to your bedroom.
Looking for more info? Check out our Leesa Original mattress review.
Best Cooling Mattress for Teens
Cocoon Chill
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Memory Foam Mattress
- Firmness Level: 6/10
- Made in the USA
- 100-Night Trial
- 10-Year Limited Warranty
If your teen has been saying they get too hot at night, the Cocoon Chill from Sealy may be the perfect solution. This mattress features advanced cooling technology.
The Cocoon Chill’s cover is built with a phase-changing material. This type of technology is unique because it adapts to your body temperature, carrying away heat when you’re hot and bringing warmth back when you’re cold.
Below the cover is Perfect Fit Memory Foam, followed by a two-inch Responsive Comfort Foam layer and a six-inch Essential Support Layer.
What makes it stand out?
- The stand-out feature for hot sleepers is the use of phase-change technology. Furthermore, this technology is in the cover, so it’s as close to the sleeper as possible for optimal cooling.
- The Cocoon Chill is made in the United States, which is valuable for shoppers seeking a locally-made product.
Looking to learn more? Explore our full Cocoon Chill bed review.
What to Consider When Buying a Mattress for Teenager
Bed Size
Whether they’ve shot up, grown sideways, or suddenly developed a lot of muscle, chances are their old childhood mattress just isn’t big enough anymore.
From an economic standpoint, you’ve probably already worked out that it’s best to get a Twin. But what’s best for your wallet, unfortunately, might not be best for your teen, especially when their feet are hanging off the end of the bed each night!
If they’ve grown tall with no indication of slowing down anytime soon, you may be best off looking at larger beds, maybe even a Queen. Yes, it’s going to cost more money up front, but it can be a heck of a lot cheaper than replacing both a bad and mattress after future growth spurts.
This handy chart from shows just how different Twin and Queen sizes are:
| Size | Inches |
|---|---|
| Twin | 39 x 75 |
| Double | 54 x 75 |
| Queen | 60 x 80 |
| King | 76 x 80 |
Need more details? Check out our complete Mattress Size Chart.
Sleeping Position
From early on in life, we know which sleeping position works best for us. Therefore, to make the best choice you’ll need to find a bed that supports your sleeping position, even as teenagers.
A standard position is one we have carried with us since birth, the fetal position. A bed needs to be supportive, yet comfortable, for this position. Too soft and you may find yourself rolling onto your front. Too firm, and pressure points abound.
Side sleepers – you can try out a memory foam mattress type or others that are described as soft (there are options for nearly every material type). This is one of the trickiest sleepers to find a mattress for because of the balance of pressure relief, support, and personal preference. The arm tends to get in the way when sleeping sideways, so a soft bed will ideally mold more to your shoulder/arm area. However, some side sleepers still prefer a firmer innerspring mattress. Again, preference and needs take precedent.
Read More: Best Side Sleepers Mattresses
Stomach sleepers – Sleeping on your front also requires reasonable firmness to ensure that you don’t awaken because of sinking into the mattress and feeling as though you may suffocate or are out of alignment. Choosing a firmer bed is typically better here.
You need a bed that stops your spine curving too much as that can cause lower back pain, but also one that stops you sinking in too much at the chest. This can put pressure on the lungs and make it difficult to keep your head turned to the side.
Find Out More: Stomach Sleepers Bed Reviews
Back sleepers – This is the final position. You can choose either firm or soft depending on your personal preference in this sleeping position. It all comes down to how much lumbar support is comfortable to get the best night’s sleep. Make sure to check our recommended beds for back sleepers if your kid sleeps in that position 90% of the time.
What Type of Bed is Best for Teenagers?
You’re going to see the following three terms thrown around a lot when you’re shopping about and you’re going to want to know what these actually mean. They’re not just marketing terms! Each mattress type can have different benefits for your teenager, so it’s important to understand.
Don’t worry; so much of what you need to know is here.
Memory Foam
It's important to remember that only the top couple inches are memory foam typically, and below that it is generic foam. Keep an eye out for densities, as something that is not as dense may fall short on quality.
Memory foam supports the body well, is usually good for side sleepers, and you can find both cheap and expensive ones. It also provides great middle of the road comfort (not too hard, not too soft) making them ideal for sharing. When you sit on one side, it should support you. This is a pretty good benefit if your teen plans to take this bed with them further through life.
Find Out More: Best Memory Foam Mattress
Latex
These are made from foamed latex but don’t confuse them with memory foam as they are quite different, especially when it comes to price.
Latex tends to have hypoallergenic properties (but always check individual product descriptions) and are typically durable compared to memory foam products. They’re also one of the eco-friendliest of the 3 types we discuss if natural latex is incorporated. They provide the gentle support of a foam mattress, designed not to get overly hot and sweaty.
View Our Complete Guide: Best Latex Beds
Innerspring
The type most people are just used to. If a bed is marketed as foam but has springs somewhere in it, you can technically classify it as an innerspring regardless of the foam.
This is the one most people been conditioned with, so they should feel quite natural. As you probably already know, they can take a while to break in a new bed at first, but once you’ve molded it to your sleeping position, it can become even more comfortable. They tend to feel the firmest of all the bed types in this article and last several years. There is a vast variety of prices and firmness levels, and depending on quality, there’s an innerspring mattress for every budget.
Sleeping Challenges for Adolescents
Teenagers seem to have it tough, don’t they? Or so they would have us believe. The truth is though that they do have a few challenges particular to them that should be considered when selecting the best mattress.
Rapidly Growing Body
Most growth spurts happen in early teenage years, so if you’ve made it through that stage with the same bed, that may mean one of 2 things: your bed may no longer be fit for purpose or the growth spurt hasn’t happened yet.
Either way, this is an opportune time to find a good bed to help the body relax and recover from growth spurt as they happen. Experiencing growing pains can be intense and keep people up at night. Foam and latex mattresses for teens can be especially adept at easing aches and pains, so if growing pains or aches in general (maybe your kid is into sports) are a real problem, you can always consult these brands.
Read Our Full Guide: Top Rated Beds For Athletes
Body’s Circadian Rhythm Is Reset
The circadian rhythm is like the rhythm of life. It keeps our bodies in sync with the world around us, helps us wake up when the sun is up and makes us get tired when it gets dark. This can get disrupted when we’re around 14-15 years old, and it takes some time to adjust with puberty, and hence you’ll find them getting up later than normal and not feeling tired in the evenings.
This is usual, and while new bedding might not bring that rhythm into a good cycle, it can certainly help to ensure that whatever sleep they do get, even if it’s very little, will be very restful and of good overall quality.
More Sleep Needed
Recommended sleep time for teenagers is 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night depending on which study you believe, but if the bed is uncomfortable and they’ve just got that new game on the Xbox, they’re more likely to stay up late anyway. A good mattress for teenagers is not only going to support their body and ensure any sleep they get is deep, but fingers crossed it will encourage them to settle down that little bit earlier, too.
If your kid is an athlete or simply active, you might want to consider a product with celliant fiber material to give him or her that extra boost and chance to recover before the next day comes (and we recommend you researching this material).
Conclusion
So, as you’ve seen, there’s a bit more to picking a best mattress for teenagers than you first thought. If you’re not keen on any of these top five choices or want to purchase something a little extra special, keep in mind a few things when shopping around:
Do you want a long-term bed or a short-term solution to a growth spurt?
How does your teen sleep?
Are they going to keep growing, thus meaning you may need a new frame next year anyway?
And finally, your budget – are you more concerned with cost or quality?
We wish you and your teenager(s) the best of luck on your mattress shopping journey. Don't hesitate to leave us a comment below!
Sources and References:
- Common Sleep Disorders in Teens – WebMD
- Teens and Sleep – University of LA
