Nap mats provide a soft place for a child to sleep when away from their regular bed. Nap mats come in a variety of styles, sizes, and materials, which can make it a challenge to determine which will be best for your child.
We’ve spent hours reviewing all the top nap mats on the market, comparing their sizes, how portable they are, and considering their cleaning instructions so that we can help you find the best nap mat for your little one’s needs.
You can rest easy that one of these ten Comesoptions will be a great fit. The only remaining challenge will be convincing your little one to go to sleep!
- Machine washable
- Blanket and pillow are attached
- Portable
- Attaches to standard cots & mats
- Machine washable and durable
- Has “secret” pocket
- Portable and cozy
- 100% cotton
- Many fun prints to choose from
- Thick and relatively long
- Comes with a fitted sheet
- Material is Certi-PUR
- Good size
- Four-year warranty
- Waterproof
- Wipe-clean surface
- Can be sanitized
- Doesn't pose suffocation risk
- Rolls up quickly
- Super-soft, extra-wide blanket
- Easy to clean
- Cooling memory gel foam
- Certi-PUR approved
- Soft velour fabric
- 15+ Fun Disney character options
- Warm, quilted fabric
- Super comfortable memory foam
- Waterproof
- Comes with a cover
- Durable steel frame
Review Methodology: At Mom Loves Best, our thorough analysis and hands-on experience allow us to evaluate nap mats from a user’s perspective. We conduct research, compare various products, and assess them based on key criteria such as comfort, durability, portability, and safety. Our expert team shares quantitative measurements of each mat’s performance, helping you understand what sets them apart from competitors. We identify critical decision-making factors, rank nap mats accordingly, and provide first-hand evidence to support our recommendations. By reviewing design choices and their effects on users, we ensure you find the best nap mat for your child’s needs.
The Best Nap Mats of 2024
Here are the top nap mats on the market.
Wildkin Original Nap Mat
Best Nap Mat for Toddlers
This nap mat comes in tons of colors and designs, so there’s bound to be one that your toddler will be excited to sleep on. It has a removable pillow, so your child can use it or take it off, based on their preference.
It rolls up to be easily portable and has built-in carrying straps.
It has an attached blanket, so your little one can’t lose it or kick it too far out of reach. The cotton flannel interior provides maximum comfort. At two inches thick, it provides just the right amount of foam to keep your child safe and comfortable on a hard floor.
And best of all, it’s machine washable, making it easy to clean if your child has an accident.
Pros
- It’s machine washable.
- It comes in many colors.
- The blanket and pillow are attached.
- Rolls like a sleeping bag for easy portability.
Cons
- It has a blanket, so it’s not appropriate for babies.
- It’s not waterproof.
Our Ratings
User Experience
Urban Infant All-in-One Nap Mat
Best All Rounder
If your child’s day care has cots that you need to provide bedding for, this is the product you’ll want to consider. It has elastic loops that affix your child’s nap mat securely to the cot, keeping it from sliding around and helping to ensure your child’s comfort.
All you need to do is bring it home every weekend and throw it in the wash since it’s 100-percent machine washable.
Pros
- It attaches to standard day care cots and mats.
- It is machine washable.
- It’s durable.
- It has a “secret” pocket for your child’s stuffed animal.
Cons
- With no padding under the mat, it’s best for use on cots, not floors.
- It is not waterproof.
Our Ratings
Personal Perspective
Hi Sprout Lightweight Nap Mat
Best with Pillow
This cozy nap mat is plush and soft to help your child have the best sleep possible when they’re away from home. It’s made of 100 percent cotton, so you can feel good about not having synthetic materials next to your little one’s skin.
It has built-in buckle clips for easy roll-up and handles for easy transport. And since it only weighs about three pounds, most children will be able to carry it on their own.
It also comes in several different designs and colors for a personalized nap mat for your child.
Pros
- Easy to transport.
- Comfortably padded.
- Soft 100 percent cotton.
- Many fun prints to choose from.
Cons
- It’s not waterproof.
- The pillow and blanket are not removable.
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Milliard Toddler Nap Mat
Best Thick Nap Mat
This three-inch-thick mat is made of Certi-PUR foam to ensure your child is not exposed to harmful chemicals while sleeping. The high-density foam is comfortable and won’t compress and lose its shape over time.
It comes with a soft, removable bamboo cover with a non-slip bottom, so the nap mat won’t move around during naptime. The cover is also machine washable for easy cleaning.
Pros
- It’s thick.
- It comes with a fitted sheet.
- Chemical-free Certi-PUR foam.
- At approximately 57 inches, it is relatively long.
Cons
- There is no waterproof cover.
- It’s bulky for taking outside the house.
Our Ratings
First-Hand Impression
Angeles 2” Super Rest Mat
Best for Day Care
This 50-inch mat is long enough and made of durable materials to suit your child for several years. Plus, it comes with a four-year warranty, so you’ll know your investment is secure.
It’s completely waterproof, making it easy to wipe clean in case of accidents. Inside the vinyl exterior is a 2-inch foam mat to help keep your child as comfortable as possible.
The mat is double-sided with two different colors and can be folded for easy and more compact storage.
Pros
- It’s a good size.
- Four-year warranty.
- It’s waterproof.
Cons
- It isn’t plush.
- It’s bulky, so it isn’t easily portable.
- Doesn’t include bedding.
Our Ratings
User Experience
KinderMat DayDreamer Rest Mat
Best Nap Mat for Babies
This basic, waterproof mat is a good option for your baby. The vinyl surface makes it easy to disinfect, and as it doesn’t include any bedding or pillow, which is good for infants as it makes this a safe sleeping surface when they’re away from their crib (1).
Plus, it’s only two inches high, so when your baby wiggles around, they won’t be startled or injured if they roll off the edge.
Simple is safest for your baby or young toddler, and you can upgrade to a fancy, full-feature nap mat once they get a little older.
Pros
- It’s low to the ground.
- It is waterproof.
- You can sanitize it.
- There are no soft materials that pose a suffocation risk.
Cons
- It may not be comfortable for older kids.
- It’s not machine washable.
- It is bulky.
Our Ratings
Personal Perspective
Stephen Joseph All-Over Print Nap Mat
Best for Traveling
The best, comfiest nap mats can also be the hardest to carry. After all, they’ve got so much padding. Luckily, you don’t have to choose between comfort and functionality with this nap mat. Its built-in straps make it easy to take anywhere, whether you’re on a family road trip or just going to day care.
The one-piece design includes a blanket and pillow. It all rolls together with hook and loop straps and tucks into a large front pocket for easy transport. Your child will love the fun designs, and you’ll love how easy it is to store and move.
All of the materials are machine washable for easy cleaning. The exterior is made from polyester, and the inner blanket and pillow feature a velvety soft Velboa. It measures 20 x 52 inches with an oversized 28-inch wide blanket.
Pros
- Rolls up quickly for easy transport.
- Includes an attached extra-wide, super-soft blanket.
- Everything is machine washable.
Cons
- Thinner fabric isn’t great for hard floors.
- Pillow isn’t machine washable.
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
My First Mattress Memory Foam Nap Mat
Best Memory Foam Nap Mat
This mat is portable, has a carrying handle, and rolls up with a velcro strap for easy transport. It also has a removable pillow you can use or leave out based on your child’s preference and developmental stage.
It is constructed of half-inch polyurethane foam, which is thin enough and firm enough to be safe for younger toddlers and is made of Certi-PUR-approved materials to avoid unhealthy chemicals and irritants. It also has cooling gel foam, which helps prevent your child from overheating during nap time.
While it’s not waterproof in the event of accidents, the soft removable cover is completely machine washable.
Pros
- It has cooling memory gel foam.
- It’s Certi-PUR approved.
- It is machine washable.
- It’s portable.
Cons
- The cover is not waterproof.
- It’s very thin.
- It does not include a blanket.
Our Ratings
First-Hand Impression
Aquatopia Deluxe Memory Foam Nap Mat
Best Disney Theme
This cute nap mat will make your little one enthusiastic about nap time and ready to crawl into their cozy bed. With 18 fun Disney designs to choose from, you’re sure to find one your child will love.
The mat itself is made of comfy 100 percent polyester microfiber. It also comes with a blanket and attached pillow, which you can remove from the case to wash.
Pros
- Lots of fun Disney prints to choose from.
- Warm quilted fabric with attached pillow.
- Memory foam mat is super comfortable.
Cons
- It’s not waterproof.
- There are no carrying handles.
- It’s made of polyester, which is a synthetic material.
Our Ratings
User Experience
Regalo My Cot Portable Bed
Best Nap Mat With Frame
This is more than just a nap mat — it’s practically a bed in a box. It comes with a solid, all-steel frame that will keep your kiddo off the floor, and it includes a waterproof nylon canvas.
It also comes with a carrying case for easy portability. And even though the construction is solid, it still only weighs four pounds.
An included fitted cotton sheet helps protect the mat and is machine washable for easy cleaning. The cot itself is waterproof and wipeable and cleans up easily with soap and water.
It sits nine inches high, so it’s most appropriate for older children and not the best choice for younger toddlers who may not be accustomed to sleeping in a bed.
Pros
- It is waterproof.
- It comes with a cover.
- Durable steel frame supports up to 75 pounds.
Cons
- At 48 inches, it’s on the shorter side.
- Young children could fall out.
Personal Perspective
What Is a Nap Mat?
A nap mat is a soft surface for a child to sleep on when away from their regular bed. They are usually lightweight and portable and come in a variety of styles, including the following:
- Roll-up mats.
- Stackable mats.
- Cots.
- Fold-up cushions.
Nap mats keep a child comfortable when sleeping on the floor, and they offer a hygienic barrier from the ground. They are a special space reserved for the child to keep them from leaving their sleeping area. A regular nap mat offers a child familiarity when sleeping away from home to help them settle down and sleep.
These are some situations in which a nap mat can be useful:
- Child care centers.
- Grandparents’ house.
- Sleepovers.
- Vacations, hotels, and travel.
- Camping.
- At home — some children will sleep on nap mats when they refuse to stay in bed.
- As a cozy lounging space for movie nights.
- In a reading nook.
Finally, nap mats are easily washable, unlike a mattress or a carpet, so they are often used in child care centers to help ensure children have a comfortable yet hygienic space to sleep and to prevent the spread of germs.
How to Choose a Nap Mat
When shopping for a nap mat, consider the following:
Size
Your child needs to fit on it. Choose one that is big enough — and that they won’t outgrow too quickly.
Portability
You want a nap mat to be portable and easy to store. Unless you expect your nap mat to be a semi-permanent fixture in your home, avoid institutional mats. While more durable, they tend to be rigid and don’t collapse very well.
Cleaning Instructions
If you’re choosing a mat for a potty-training toddler, consider one that isn’t absorbent, will protect the carpet, and can wipe clean after accidents. If you’re picking a nap mat for an older child, you might want to focus more on comfort and choose a soft mat that you can throw in the washing machine.
What Age Can My Toddler Use a Nap Mat?
You can use a nap mat for any child over 12 months. However, their use will differ by age group.
- Babies under one year: You should not use nap mats for infants. Babies are the safest sleeping in cribs, pack-n-plays, or bassinets without bumpers or blankets.
- 1-year-olds: Young toddlers shouldn’t use a nap mat regularly at home or day care as they still need a crib to prevent them from leaving their sleeping space. However, a nap mat can be helpful on the rare occasion you’re away from home without a pack-n-play. They establish a designated napping or sleeping space on the floor, so your child will not be at risk of falling out of a bed or off a couch.
- 2- to 3-year-olds: As toddlers get a little older, they can understand commands and follow directions more easily — and they’ll be more likely to use a mat if their friends at school are too. If your child is in childcare, the use of nap mats will likely become commonplace as they will understand that they should stay on the mat and not wander around.
- Older preschoolers and school-aged children: Even if your child has outgrown naps, a nap mat can still come in handy. They’re great to take to sleepovers, throw in the tent when you go camping, or lounge on in the living room during family movie nights. Many schools still have nap times or quiet times until kindergarten.
Nap Mat FAQs
Do Kids Need Nap Mats for Kindergarten?
Some schools request that you buy your little one a nap mat for kindergarten, but other times the schools will have nap mats ready.
If you’re unsure what your kid’s school requires, we recommend calling up the secretary and asking. As moms, we all know those lists of supplies and other important essentials don’t always make it home.
What Are Nap Mats Made Of?
Different nap mats are made of different materials, but most are made of a foam pad and cotton fabric. The foam gives your little one support and makes the nap mat feel comfy. Cotton is a breathable fabric that feels soft and helps keep your kid cool.
How Thick Should Nap Mats Be?
For a nap mat to be comfortable to sleep on, it should be at least 2 inches thick. Any thinner than that, and your kid will definitely be able to feel the hard floor through the mat. This won’t be an issue with most nap mats.
Are Nap Mats Safe?
Nap mats are considered safe, but remove any potential choking hazards before giving them to your kid.
A 5-year-old most likely knows not to chew on any tags that might be attached to their nap mat, but a younger kid might not. Check on your kid during their nap to ensure they’re using the mat correctly.
How Do You Wash a Nap Mat?
Luckily, tons of nap mats are now machine-washable! It’s super easy to pop your kid’s nap mat in the washer whenever it gets dirty and then let it air dry. If your nap mat isn’t machine washable, you’ll want to wash it in the tub by hand with warm, soapy water.
The Bottom Line
Our top pick as the best nap mat is the Urban Infant All-in-One Nap Mat. It has elastic to fit over the cot and hold it in place, which is great for day care.
It conveniently rolls up for easy portability if your child is heading to grandma’s house and includes a pillow, blanket, and secret pocket for a lovey. To top it all off, it’s machine washable to keep it safe and hygienic for your little one.
It’s an excellent option for any kid, whether they attend day care or not.
Getting a child to sleep away from home isn’t easy, but having a safe, comfy, and familiar space set aside for them can make it easier on everyone.
