Written by Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Being a teen means confronting 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.
Best Mattresses for Teens
- Nectar – Editor’s Pick
- DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Teenage Back Sleepers
- Helix Midnight – Best Mattress for Teenage Side Sleepers
- Bear Original – Best Mattress for Athletic Teens
- Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Essential – Best Hybrid Mattress for Teens
- Nolah Evolution – Best Luxury Mattress for Teens
- Titan Plus – Best Mattress for Plus-Size Teens
- Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Teens
- Birch Natural – Best Organic Mattress for Teens
Compare The Best Mattresses for Teenagers
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| Nectar Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Helix Midnight Mattress | Bear Original Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Essential | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | Titan Plus | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | Birch Natural Mattress | |
| Rating | |||||||||
| Firmness | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 8/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6/10 | |
| Material | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 25-year warranty |
| Shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping |
| Trial Period | 365 nights | 365 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights |
| Best For | Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Couples | Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Seniors | Couples, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain | Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors | Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Seniors |
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
At Sleep Advisor, our mattress reviews are based on findings from in-person tests that give us a genuine understanding of how the mattress feels and performs. For this roundup, we focused on the best mattresses for teenagers. We considered several factors when devising our list, paying particular attention to important features for teenagers.
During the teen years, sleepers may be prone to overheating and sweating at night.1 Therefore, mattresses with temperature-regulating elements can be of interest to teenagers. Further, considering teens can experience growth spurts, good overall support for healthy spine alignment is also an important quality.2
What We Look For in a Mattress for Teenagers
Available Bed Sizes
Standard mattress sizes include twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. Depending on the individual teen, they may need anything between a twin and a full, so when we’re picking out beds to feature, we like to see products that come in all of the standard sizes. This way, shoppers have more variety in determining the right size bed for their teen.
Good Support
It’s no secret that the teen years are a time of sufficient physical growth. To help facilitate this, a mattress should be highly supportive to keep the spine aligned. With this in mind, we like to see beds that perform well at support through materials like dense foam or reinforced coils.
Cooling Features
Cooling features can foster a more comfortable sleep space, especially for teens who might easily overheat at night. Teens are more apt to stay up later, so the more a bed supports a good sleep environment, the easier it should be to help them get on a better sleep schedule for school. We like to see cooling features such as breathable cover fabrics, gel in memory foam, latex, or coils.
Top Mattresses for Teenagers
Nectar – Editor’s Pick
The Advisor Says: We believe that Nectar offers a quality bed backed up by generous policies, and for under $1,000 for a queen (after discounts). If you’re looking for a firmer foam mattress on a budget, the Nectar Classic has you covered.
Why the Nectar Earned Best Mattress for Teens Overall
The Nectar mattress is an all-foam bed with a surprising baseline firmness. I think it’s a great fit for teens due to its balanced profile: it has a lot of initial pressure relief at the top, but a strong, supportive base at the bottom, so it’s not as flimsy or prone to sagging as other foam beds.
It’s also an eminently affordable mattress, with queens costing just a bit more than $1,000 (before any discounts, which run frequently). Its low price, coupled with its adaptable firmness, won it the top spot on this list.
DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Teenage Back Sleepers
The Advisor Says: The DreamCloud is a pleasantly supportive hybrid that really appealed to the stomach sleepers on our testing team (though it proved itself capable of aligning spines in every position). Its affordable price and couple-friendly features have made it a mainstay of the bed-in-a-box scene.
Why the DreamCloud Earned Best Mattress for Teenage Back Sleepers
DreamCloud fits a lofty 7-layer mattress into convenient packaging for delivery, which is impressive enough. But it also boasts a budget-friendly price and a supportive hybrid construction that’s built for back sleeping.
“It feels like luxury at an affordable cost,” said Stuart, one of several testers who evaluated the DreamCloud. He and I were both taken with the bed’s cashmere blend cover, surprisingly firmer feel, and the support we got from the springs—especially on our backs and stomachs.
Helix Midnight – Best Mattress for Teenage Side Sleepers
The Advisor Says: The Midnight has one of the most impressive score spreads of all the mattresses we’ve reviewed. The best word to describe it is “balanced”: it’s got pressure relief, support, and cooling power in spades, plus a versatile medium-firm feel that tends to satisfy lots of sleepers.
Why the Helix Midnight Earned Best Mattress for Teenage Side Sleepers
If your teen sleeps on their side, they’re in the majority; most people do. But it’s still important to find a bed that meets their needs, and side sleepers do best with 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 of cradling the sleeper’s body so that pressure melts away for a comfortable night’s sleep, while just the right amount of firmness keeps you amply supported.
Bear Original – Best Mattress for Athletic Teens
The Advisor Says: With a name that inspires hibernation, it’s no surprise we found the Bear Original to be an attractive all-foam mattress at its fair price. It’s got a firmer feel that’s sure to please folks looking for support—and a surprising amount of bounce.
Why the Bear Original Earned Best Mattress for Athletic Teens
Athletic teens often struggle with pain, muscle inflammation, and pressure in the shoulders and legs. These complaints can keep them up at night, regardless of how tired they are after their activities.
The Bear Original should help: it has multiple cooling materials and a responsive layer that adapts to the sleeper’s body to encourage a speedy recovery. For a small additional fee, you can also augment this bed’s cover with a fiber called Celliant®, which reportedly contributes to muscle recovery by reducing inflammation.
Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Essential – Best Hybrid Mattress for Teens
The Advisor Says: Brooklyn Bedding packs everything you might want in a bed into the Essential, making it an apt moniker. We recommend this mattress to budget shoppers looking for a bouncy hybrid that’ll get the job done without breaking the bank.
Why the Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Essential Earned Best Hybrid Mattress for Teens
If your teen is looking for a bouncy but comfortable bed, a hybrid may be the best choice. Hybrid mattresses have foam and coils, offering the benefits of comfort foams and the extra support and cooling of springs. They tend to feel a bit less plush than all-foam options.
Nolah Evolution – Best Luxury Mattress for Teens
The Advisor Says: The Nolah Evolution is a team favorite with a highly competitive score spread—our testers gave it at least a 4 out of 5 in every single performance category. It’s definitely a luxury mattress, with the height (and price) to match.
Why the Nolah Evolution Earned Best Luxury Mattress for Teens
The Nolah Evolution is a tall mattress with an above-average number of layers, making it an impressive addition to any teen’s bedroom. As a hybrid, it combines the advantages of pressure-relieving foams and springs, but it also adds some proprietary extras to the mix. Nolah’s famous AirFoam™, for example, allegedly cools and cushions far better than most traditional memory foams.
The Evolution is also available in three firmness levels. This customizability should appeal to pickier teenagers who want just the right feel from their bed.
Titan Plus – Best Mattress for Plus-Size Teens
The Advisor Says: Brooklyn Bedding created the Titan Plus to cater to heavier shoppers looking for a bed that truly met their needs, and we believe they’ve delivered. Consider buying the Titan Plus if you’re looking for a comfortably supportive mattress with added benefits like cooling and bounce.
Why the Titan Plus Earned Best Mattress for Plus-Size Teens
The Titan Plus was built to be stronger than typical bed-in-a-box mattresses. With a weight capacity of up to 1,000 pounds and a robust innerspring unit, it’s exceedingly durable and should stay comfortable for larger bodies after years of use.
I’ve watched multiple plus-size folks test this bed at our studio, and they tend to be very pleased with it. A plus-size teenager should have the same experience: they should feel supported, pleasantly buoyed, and cushioned simultaneously.
Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Teens
The Advisor Says: We’re constantly calling this mattress one of the firmest in the online market, and if you don’t believe us, try it for yourself! It offers both a classic firm and extra-firm feel in its flippable design, alongside posture-aligning support. Bonus points for good marks in performance for cooling, bounce, and couples.
Why the Plank Firm Earned Best Firm Mattress for Teens
Teenagers often contend with restlessness and may need a bed that keeps them from getting stuck in the mattress as they toss and turn. The Plank Firm has a distinctive claim to fame: it labels itself the firmest mattress on the market, with two firmness levels to choose from in its flippable design.
Birch Natural – Best Organic Mattress for Teens
The Advisor Says: Dare we say the Birch Natural is the bed that comes to mind when we think latex? As the name implies, this bed combines natural components with quality construction, yielding a supportive, luxurious, and eco-friendly mattress.
Why the Birch Natural Earned Best Organic Mattress for Teens
The Birch Natural’s natural and organic components are meticulously sourced, making it a desirable addition to any eco-friendly household with growing teens. The bed boasts a variety of certifications—including eco-INSTITUT certified latex and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton and wool— that prove it’s been made with the planet and your health in mind.
Its Talalay latex and pocketed coils also lend the bed a springiness that younger sleepers may find appealing.
Teens and Sleep: Common Challenges
There are aspects of healthy development during adolescence that need to be considered when shopping for a mattress for a teenager to help ensure teens get good sleep.
Rapidly Growing Body
The initial adolescent growth spurt typically occurs between the ages of 9-10 for boys and 10-11 for girls, and according to reports, many teens are experiencing the first stages of puberty earlier than before.3, 4
This is an opportune time to find a good bed to accommodate a growing body. However, growing pains, which are typical, may keep some children and teens up at night. Foam and latex mattresses for teens can be especially useful at easing aches and pains, so if your teen is experiencing aches as they grow, you might consider these types of beds.
Read Our Full Guide: Best Mattress for Athletes
Their Circadian Rhythm Changes
The circadian rhythm keeps our bodies in sync with the world around us by helping us wake up when the sun is up and makes us get tired when it gets dark. Teens experience a change in the circadian rhythm when they enter puberty, which is known as sleep phase delay, and it takes some time to adjust.5 This is most often why you’ll find them getting up later than normal and not feeling tired in the evenings.
This is a natural development that occurs throughout the adolescent years. While new bedding might not bring that rhythm into a consistent cycle, it can certainly help to ensure that whatever sleep they get, even if it’s very little, will be very restful and of good overall quality.
Sleep Needs Change
Teens aged 13 to 18 need eight to 10 hours of sleep a night, but if the bed is uncomfortable, this could make them more apt to stay up late.6 A good mattress for teenagers will not only support their body and ensure that any sleep they get is deep, but it may also encourage them to go to bed a bit earlier.
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 research this material).
Learn more: How Much Sleep Do Teens Really Need?
What to Consider When Buying a Mattress for a Teenager
Bed Size
Teenagers can experience significant growth spurts.2 This means they likely need an upgrade from their childhood mattress.
Their height will be an important consideration when choosing the bed size. Twin and full beds are typically about 5 inches shorter than twin XL, queen, and king beds. If you have the budget and space, you may want to consider a queen, as this will allow your teen to stretch out more and may keep you from another upgrade. However, a twin XL may be a great choice if you’re short on room or money as your teenager gets taller.
This handy chart shows just how different twin and queen sizes are:
| Mattress Size | Inches |
| Twin Mattress | 39” x 75” |
| Twin XL Mattress | 39” x 75” |
| Full Mattress | 54” x 75” |
| Queen Mattress | 60” x 80” |
| King Mattress | 76” x 80” |
Need more details? Check out our complete Mattress Size Chart.
What Type of Bed is Best for Teenagers?
Memory Foam
Memory foam supports the body well; it’s usually good for side sleepers, and you can find both affordable and expensive ones. These beds also provide great middle-of-the-road comfort (not too hard, not too soft), making them ideal for sharing. This is a good option if your teen plans to take this bed with them further through life.
It’s important to remember that only the top couple of inches are typically memory foam, and below that, it’s generic foam. Keep an eye out for densities, as something that is not as dense may fall short on quality.
Find Out More: Best Memory Foam Mattress
Latex
Latex tends to have hypoallergenic properties, but it’s always a good idea to check individual product descriptions.7 Latex is also highly durable and eco-friendly. While latex beds provide the gentle support of a memory foam mattress, they’re more temperature-neutral and designed to prevent the growth of mildew, mold, and dust mites.
View Our Complete Guide: Best Latex Beds
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses are the most commonly used type of bed. As you probably already know, it 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 with time.
Innerspring mattresses tend to feel the firmest of all the bed types. are often less costly. They come in various prices and levels of firmness, which depend on the quality. In the end, there is an innerspring mattress for every budget.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses are highly popular because they combine coils with multiple foam layers. They’re different from innerspring beds because they usually have more than one comfort layer. The comfort layers can be made from memory foam, poly foam, latex, or any other type of foam that allows cushioning and contouring for pressure relief. Below that, you’ll usually find coils that offer support and bounce.
However, hybrids can be pricey, depending on the materials used. In addition, they’re great for teens who run hot at night because the coils allow plenty of airflow to keep the foams cool.
Sleeping Position
From early on in life, we have a preference for which sleeping position works best for us. Therefore, if teenagers have a preference for a certain position, they should get a bed that’s good for that posture.
- Side sleepers – The side-lying position, also known as the fetal position, is common among teens. 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. The arm tends to get in the way when sleeping sideways, so a soft bed will ideally mold more to your shoulder/arm area. On the other hand, some side sleepers may prefer a medium firmness to ensure they’re still supported. Ultimately, it is a personal preference, and your teen’s needs should be considered to make a final decision.
- Stomach sleepers – Teens who prefer to sleep on their stomachs, also known as prone position, require a reasonable firmness to ensure they don’t wake up due to discomfort or feeling out of alignment. A firmer bed would be a reasonable option for a growing body. More specifically, firmer beds often provide enough lifting in the midsection to keep the spine from curving too much, which could otherwise cause lower back pain. Some teens may also find it difficult to keep their heads turned to the side when a bed is too soft.
Find Out More: Stomach Sleeper Mattress Reviews
- Back sleepers – Teens who prefer to sleep on their backs, also known as the supine position, usually benefit the most from medium to medium-firm beds. These beds provide a balance of pressure relief and support. It all comes down to how much back support the mattress provides to bring a good night’s rest.
Helpful Finds: Check our top recommended mattress for back sleepers if your teen prefers to sleep in this position.
- Combination sleepers – Combination sleepers change positions throughout the night so they typically gravitate toward beds that feel comfortable in different positions and make it easy for them to reposition. To allow for ease of movement, these teens may want a bed with good bounce and responsiveness, which means that the mattress responds quickly when weight is applied. These features are often found in latex, innerspring, and some hybrid beds. Also, beds with a medium firmness can accommodate multiple sleep positions better than something extremely soft or firm.
Firmness
Myself and other Sleep Advisor testers rate mattress firmness on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the hardest. Since firmness is subjective based on your body type, we also like to include feedback from testers in other weight groups in our mattress reviews.
Based on our scale, anything given a 4 or 4.5 is considered soft. Medium and medium-firm beds range from 5 to 6.5, and anything 7 or higher is considered a firmer mattress. The majority of mattresses fall in the medium range, but some brands offer mattresses in multiple firmness options, which can be great for customization.
If you’re unsure what firmness level your teen would prefer, a universally appealing mid-level firmness may be your best choice.
Cooling / Temperature Regulation
Hormonal changes during puberty can cause teenagers to develop night sweats because the sweat glands are more active.1 Plus, a cooler, more comfortable sleep space will make it easier to doze off. With this in mind, a mattress that performs well at temperature regulation could help teens get a good night’s sleep. Certain mattress materials are often better at this than others.
The open structure of the coils in innerspring and hybrid mattresses promotes airflow, which often helps regulate body temperature. Latex is naturally temperature-neutral, making it useful for hot sleepers. Although memory foam is known for retaining heat, many manufacturers have started using cooling gels and other technology to improve these mattresses’ temperature regulation.
Price
Mattresses can be a major expense, and you may not be keen on spending a ton of money on a luxury bed for your teen, especially if they’re not going to use it after high school. The bed’s size and the type of materials can also affect the price, but you can find quality mattresses at all price points.
Before you buy, consider your teen’s plans for the mattress. Will they use it for a longer time? In this case, it might be a better investment to get a larger, more high-end mattress they can use for many years to come. Another tip is to try to purchase the mattress during a major sales event or holiday since many top brands offer fantastic discounts during these times.
Beds for Teenagers FAQs
What type of mattress is best for teens?
Deciding on the best bed for a teenager depends on multiple factors, including their body type, preferred sleep position, and the space available in their room. However, there are some specific features to look for that could help your teen sleep more comfortably.
Given that most people experience significant growth during their teen years, you may want to consider a bed size that will allow them to stretch out.2 Additionally, teenagers can be more susceptible to sweating due to puberty.1 Beds with cooling properties can help with temperature regulation.
What bed should a 14-year-old have?
Considering that 14-year-olds come in all shapes and sizes, no one bed would work best for all of them. However, since they can experience growth spurts during this time, it’s helpful to get a larger bed that can accommodate their growing body.2
Factors such as body type, height, and available space should also be considered when purchasing a bed for a 14-year-old. Additionally, teenagers have more active sweat glands, so getting them a good temperature-regulating bed could be helpful.1 I would recommend moisture-wicking, breathable sheets as well.
What size mattress should a 6-foot-tall teenager have?
Typically, twin and full-size beds are around 75 inches long, and twin XL, queen, and king mattresses are 80 inches long. Therefore, all standard-sized mattresses are long enough for a 6-foot-tall teenager. However, since they may not be done growing and may want extra room to stretch out, one of the longer beds could give them added comfort.
Compare Prices of the Best Mattresses for Teens
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen Size) | Review |
| Nectar | Editor’s Pick | $1,099 | Nectar Mattress Review |
| DreamCloud | Back Sleepers | $1,332 | DreamCloud Mattress Review |
| Helix Midnight | Side Sleepers | $1,199 | Helix Midnight Mattress Review |
| Bear Original | Athletic Teens | $999 | Bear Mattress Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Essential | Hybrid | $932 | Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Essential Mattress Review |
| Nolah Evolution | Luxury | $2,299 | Nolah Evolution Mattress Review |
| Titan Plus | Plus-Size Teens | $1,249 | Titan Plus Mattress Review |
| Plank Firm | Firm | $1,249 | Plank Firm Mattress Review |
| Birch Natural | Organic | $1,799 | Helix Birch Natural Mattress Review |
Julia Forbes
Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
About Author
Stomach Sleeper
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach
References:
- “Skin, sweat and more: Navigating physical changes during puberty.” Children’s Hospital of Virginia at VCU. 2016.
- “The Growing Child: Teenager (13 to 18 Years)”. Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. Webpage accessed April 9, 2024.
- Soliman, Ashraf., et al. “Advances in pubertal growth and factors influencing it: Can we increase pubertal growth?”. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2014.
- Hernandez, Dominic. “Why Are More Children Going Through Puberty At A Younger Age?”. Texas A&M University Health Science Center. 2018.
- “Sleep Problems and Teens”. UCLA Health. Webpage accessed April 9, 2024.
- “Sleep in Middle and High School Students”. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last modified September 2020.
- Ramli, Roslim., et al. “Development of latex foam pillows from deproteinized natural rubber latex”. Journal of Rubber Research. 2021.