10 Best Toddler Mattresses of 2024

Size

The first thing you should take into consideration is what size of bed you’d like your toddler to have. Most people choose either a toddler bed or a twin bed. Before purchasing a toddler bed frame, check your crib manual to see if it converts to a toddler bed.

A toddler bed is the same size as a crib (usually 52 by 28 inches), but it lacks the “prison cell” feel, with the mattress being closer to the ground and without crib bars. Most toddler beds, instead, have low railings surrounding the bed, with an opening for the toddler to climb in and out on their own.

A toddler bed fits a standard crib mattress. And most children will outgrow their toddler bed around the age of three. The advantage to a toddler bed is that it feels similar to a crib, which can be comforting, but it allows for a little more independence.

Twin beds are much larger than toddler beds (usually 75 x 38 inches). Twin beds are commonly used for children, and they can even accommodate an adult, provided they are under six feet tall.

However, twin beds, unlike toddler beds, don’t come fitted with a railing of any sort to keep your toddler from falling out. If your toddler is a wild sleeper, or if your twin bed sits high off the floor, it’s probably a good idea to purchase a safety rail to prevent injuries.

The advantage to a twin bed is that there’s enough room for you to lie down beside your toddler if they need a little extra comfort.

When Should We Switch to a Toddler Bed?

There is no standard age at which your child should transition from crib to toddler bed, but there are some indicators that it’s time to make the change.

• Climbing: Can your little acrobat get themselves onto or over the crib bars when the mattress is in the lowest position? To avoid injury, it’s time to upgrade to a toddler bed.
• New baby: Many parents choose to evict their toddler from the crib because they are expecting another baby and don’t want to purchase a second crib.
• Potty training: Perhaps your child is potty trained and needs access to the bathroom at night? Then it may be best to move them to a toddler bed so they can make their own way to the bathroom at night.

Type

Once you know what bed size your toddler will be sleeping in, it’s time to choose the best mattress type to suit your needs.

Foam

Foam mattresses are lightweight and can be vacuum-packed, rolled, and shipped in a narrow box. They tend to be thinner and more lightweight than spring mattresses, which makes them a good option for toddlers as it keeps them lower to the ground and makes for easy sheet changes. They’re usually fairly inexpensive and tend to be the most common choice for toddler mattresses.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses, also called coil or spring mattresses, contain a core layer of metal support coils that add a little bounce. The coils are surrounded by comfort materials such as foam for cushioning and pressure relief. These tend to be heavier and maintain their shape a little better over time ⁽²⁾.

Latex

Latex mattresses are firm and supportive while still being breathable and comfortable. They are much more durable than other mattress options and often last for more than twenty years. One of the greatest advantages of latex mattresses is that they’re eco-friendly. And they are more resistant to bedbugs than other mattress types.

However, they also tend to be heavier and more expensive than other options. Plus, they should be avoided if anyone in your family has a latex allergy ⁽³⁾.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses contain a combination of layers and include an innerspring system. They often contain memory foam or latex layers and may also be topped with a cooling gel layer. These are a great option if you want the durability of an innerspring mattress along with the cushioning comfort of foam or latex ⁽⁴⁾.

Dual-Sided

Dual-sided mattresses are made to conform to the changing needs of babies and toddlers. Because babies need a very firm sleeping surface for safety, one side of these mattresses meets this standard. The flip side of the mattress includes a soft foam layer to be used for toddlers, who generally prefer a slightly softer sleep surface.

Durability

If you choose a toddler bed, the durability of the mattress is less of a concern as they will outgrow it around three years of age. However, if you plan on using the mattress for more than one child, or if you hope to get several years out of your twin mattress, durability is an important factor.

Latex mattresses are the most durable, generally lasting a minimum of 15 years. Innerspring or hybrid mattresses usually need to be replaced within 7 to 10 years. Foam mattresses last an average of 10 to 15 years ⁽⁵⁾.

Comfort

Toddlers can be a tough bunch to please. However, when it comes to mattresses, they are not as picky as adults. Most toddlers are content with a firm mattress as long as there’s a comfortable top layer.

Because toddlers tend to stay fairly warm at night, it’s important to ensure your mattress doesn’t trap in too much body heat. Look for a breathable mattress or one with a cooling gel layer to keep your child comfortable.

Toddlers are unlikely to complain about aching backs. Still, it’s important that their spines are properly supported during sleep so as not to cause issues further down the road. Check your toddler’s mattress periodically for stability, ensuring there are no sunken areas. Replace any mattress that no longer holds its shape.

Safety

As our toddlers spend a lot of time asleep, it’s important that we make their sleep area as safe as possible.

Flammability

American mattress producers are legally required to follow a stringent testing regime that includes open-flame testing. As there are many ways a mattress can ignite, your mattress must meet fire-resistance standards. Mattresses that don’t pass these tests are not allowed to be sold ⁽⁶⁾.

However, there are still frequent recalls on mattresses that aren’t up to par. So before using any toddler mattress, check the CPSC website to ensure there haven’t been any recalls on it.

Bed Height

The lower your bed frame is and the thinner the mattress, the closer your child will be to the floor, which will help prevent serious injuries if they fall off their bed. Look for a bed frame that is low to the ground, and combine it with a thin toddler mattress.

Safety Rail

Most toddler beds and convertible cribs include a built-in safety rail. But if your twin or toddler bed doesn’t include one, they can be purchased from most baby equipment stores or online.

Proper Fit

Measure your toddler bed before purchasing a mattress. You’ll want to ensure the mattress fits snugly in the frame to prevent little fingers from getting trapped. You shouldn’t be able to fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the bed frame.

Hypoallergenic

Beds are often a common trigger for allergy sufferers. Hypoallergenic mattresses are made to reduce the number of allergens that penetrate a mattress. They are usually made with dust-mite-resistant materials and anti-allergy covers ⁽⁷⁾.

If your toddler shows early signs of allergies, a hypoallergenic toddler mattress or mattress cover will be a worthwhile purchase.

Eco-Friendly

More than 18 million mattresses are thrown away each year in the United States ⁽⁸⁾. As there are only 56 mattress recycling facilities, most of these end up in landfills. This statistic alone may have you pricing out eco-friendly mattresses.

Eco-friendly mattresses are made without harmful chemicals, so they also provide a safer surface for your toddler, without the nasty effects of off-gassing.

Latex mattresses tend to be the top choice for eco-friendly mattresses as natural latex is a sustainable resource. Latex mattresses are usually recyclable and biodegradable.

Ease of Cleaning

Let’s face it: Toddlers are messy creatures — especially when they’re potty training. The easier a mattress is to clean, the easier your life will be. Many toddler mattresses are made with a waterproof outer layer, but if yours isn’t, you can always purchase a waterproof sheet to go under your toddler’s bedding.

Budget

Toddler mattresses come in a wide variety of prices. The most expensive mattress isn’t necessarily the best mattress for you. Consider your budget before shopping, and then look for a mattress in this range that suits your needs.

Foam mattresses tend to be the least expensive as the materials cost less to produce and they are easy to transport. Latex mattresses are usually the most expensive and, due to their density, are more costly to transport.

Warranty/Trial Period

Sometimes we need time to determine if a product suits our needs, and mattresses are no exception. If you’re still unsure about a mattress, check to see if the company offers a warranty or trial period.

However, if there’s a chance you’ll have to return a mattress, purchase it from a local supplier. Many mattresses purchased online will arrive in vacuum packaging and cannot be made to fit again once they have expanded, making them very difficult to return.