Buying a Mattress for a Teenager?
You are in the right place!
It is a well-established fact that sleep is necessary for everyone, and its importance for teenagers cannot be highlighted enough.
High-quality and consistent sleep promotes physical health, brain function, mood, school performance, and effective decision-making. As the bodies and brains of teenagers develop rapidly, sleep deprivation can negatively impact their growth.
Having the right mattress can help teenagers get the sleep they need more easily and quickly. A bed that suits the needs of a teenager provides better support for the body, more comfort, and one less barrier to a comfortable and healthy sleep routine.
However, figuring out the best mattress for teens can be difficult, primarily because many teenagers do not want to spend their free time shopping for a mattress with their parents.
This is where we come in.
Our guide introduces the best mattresses for teenagers and explains all the essential features that you should keep in mind when shopping for a teenager’s new bed.
Why Do You Need a Specific Mattress for a Teenager?
Teenagers are much more prone to pains and aches as they grow. They may experience these pains at different times throughout their teenage years.
Choosing a mattress that can effectively address these pains and aches when they do occur makes it easier for your teen to get a good night’s sleep year after year, ensuring his proper development and wellbeing.
A specific mattress for a teenager is necessary because of the following reasons.
Rapidly growing body
Growth spurts typically happen in the early teenage years. If your teenager still uses his old bed, it may be because the growth spurt hasn’t happened yet.
However, this is an opportune time to look for a bed that will help the body unwind and recover from growth spurts as they happen.
Growing pains can be pretty intense and keep teenagers up at night. Latex and foam mattresses for teens can particularly help ease aches and pains and help them sleep better at night.
Circadian Rhythm of the Body is Reset
The circadian rhythm is like an internal clock that keeps us in sync with the world around us by helping us wake up when the sun is up and making us feel tired when it gets dark.
However, this cycle can get disrupted when your teenager is around 14-15 years old and, due to puberty, may take some time to adjust. As a result, you will find him getting up late in the morning and not feeling tired at night.
Although a new teenager's bedding may not bring that rhythm into a good cycle, it can definitely ensure that it will be of good overall quality and very restful no matter how little sleep they get.
More sleep needed
It is recommended that teenagers should sleep 8-10 hours at night, but if their bed is uncomfortable and they have a new game on their PlayStation, they are more likely to stay up late.
Getting the best mattress for teenagers will not only support their body and ensure that whatever sleep they get is deep but hopefully will also entice them to settle down a little bit earlier.
If you have a highly active kid or one who is an athlete, it might be best to invest in a product made with celliant fiber to provide him with the extra boost and chance to recover from his long day.
What's In This Buying Guide
In this article, we share our top picks for the best mattresses for teenagers available. From innerspring to foam mattresses, we review these mattresses in detail and explain how they are best for your teenager.
We also include a detailed buying guide to help you shop for a mattress that suits your teen perfectly.
In the end, the frequently asked questions serve as a crash course on finding a mattress that is just right for your teen.
The Best Mattresses for Teenagers
- Great Value for Money: Nectar Mattress
- Best for Heavier Teens: WinkBed Plus
- Best for Athletic Teens: Bear Mattress
- Best for Back Pain: Saatva Classic Mattress
- Best for Side Sleepers: Noolah Original 10
| Award | Firmness | Type | Height | Sleep Trial | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nectar Mattress | Great Value for Money | Medium (6.5) | Foam | 12-inches | 1-year | Lifetime |
WinkBed Plus | Best for Heavier Teens | Multiple options | Hybrid | 13.5-inches | 120-nights | Lifetime |
Bear Mattress | Best for Athletic Teens | Firm (7) | Foam | 10-inches | 100-nights | 10-years |
Saatva Classic Mattress | Best for Back Pain | Plush soft (4), Luxury Firm (6), Firm (8) | Innerspring | 11.5 and 14.5-inch | 180-night | 15-years |
Noolah Original 10 | Best for Side Sleepers | Medium (5) | Foam | 10-inches | 120-nights | Lifetime |
1. Great Value for Money: Nectar Mattress
The Nectar mattress is a great memory foam mattress that offers excellent pressure relief and minimizes motion transfer. This affordable unit has a firmness level of 6.5 out of 10 and is ideal for most sleepers who prefer a memory foam bed.
Pros
- Medium-firm
- Memory foam comfort layers help relieve pressure points
- Relaxes the muscles
- Encourages better spinal alignment
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Too firm for some lightweight sleepers
Our Review
The Nectar foam mattress has a quilted gel memory foam layer at the top. Its second layer consists of high-density transitional memory foam and features a high-density polyfoam support core.
This mattress comes with a removable cover that is washing machine- and dryer-friendly, making it easy to clean.
The thick comfort layers of the Nectar provide a deep, cradling feel that is appreciated by many sleepers, particularly teens.
It is suitable for back, side, and stomach sleepers; however, exceptionally lightweight teens might find this model a little too firm. Its dense core ensures that your spine is not thrown out of alignment regardless of the sleeping position you prefer.
The Nectar offers excellent pressure relief, making it quite appealing for athletic students and other active young people. The dense polyfoam support layers help reduce pains, aches, and pressure points that regularly pop up after athletic competitions, workouts, and long shifts at work.
This Nectar mattress comes with a 1-year sleep trial as well as a lifetime warranty, which is much longer than those offered by other mattresses in this price range.
2. Best for Heavier Teens: WinkBed Plus
The WinkBed Plus is one of the first luxury beds specifically designed for people that weigh over 300 pounds. It is an outstanding option that caters particularly well to heavier people.
It is designed with a unique support system that utilizes a pocketed coil unit to deliver additional support under the hips, which is supposed to be the heaviest region in the body.
Pros
- Hybrid design
- Optimized pressure relief and support
- Lumbar support pad
- Eucalyptus-derived TENCEL cover
- Suitable for all sleep positions
- Compression-resistant
- Lifetime replacement warranty
Cons
- Lightweight individuals may find this unit too firm
Our Review
The WinkBed Plus mattress is tailor-made for heavy sleepers, and its high-quality construction ensures that it does not sag over time.
It comes with a cover that is not only functional but also has a luxurious look—made from breathable Tencel and stretch-knit fabric, this cover wicks away moisture, allowing your teen to rest comfortably.
The gel-infused high-density foam that creates the top layer of the WinkBed Plus mattress ensures an anti-sagging effect.
Next is the highly-dense premium gel foam layer that further minimizes sagging. The use of latex in the construction of this mattress keeps you cool at night and promotes long-lasting durability.
The LumbarLayer beneath the latex encourages spinal alignment. The individually wrapped coil system beneath the comfort layers is specially designed to support individuals with heavier weights.
The WinkBed Plus is handcrafted in the USA and comes with a risk-free, 120-night sleep trial and a complete replacement lifetime warranty.
3. Best for Athletic Teens: Bear Mattress
The Bear Mattress is an excellent all-foam mattress ideal for athletes and teenagers with active lifestyles. It is constructed with two comfort layers and a high-density foam support core.
Its Celliant cover is designed to change body heat into infrared energy and transfer it back to the sleeper, which increases oxygen circulation and levels to speed up recovery from physical activity.
Pros
- Made from environmentally-friendly materials
- Breathable Celliant cover
- Delivers pressure relief with balanced support
- It helps to sleep cooler
- Suitable for all sleep positions
- Durable
- GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-certified
Cons
- No edge support
Our Review
Designed with Celliant sleep technology, the Bear mattress helps improve sleep and speeds up physical recovery.
This 10-inch thick mattress combines 2 inches of graphite-gel infused memory foam and a 2-inch poly foam layer that contours to your body to keep the pressure off your back, hips, and shoulders irrespective of your sleep position.
Commitment to sports and an active lifestyle can cause wear and tear on a growing body. Athletic teens need proper sleep for muscle repair.
The Bear Mattress comes with a high-performance Celliant cover woven with Celliant’s Infrared Yarn Technology. This cover harnesses your body's natural energy to promote muscle recovery and overall well-being.
The graphite gel memory foam used in the construction of this mattress helps to keep you cooler by pulling away the extra body heat. The high-density support foam ensures durability and long life.
The best thing about the Bear Mattress is that it is GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low emissions. It also uses a water-based bonding solution, making this mattress environmentally friendly and ensuring that it has little or no smell.
4. Best for Back Pain: Saatva Classic Mattress
The Saatva Classic Mattress provides an excellent balance of support and comfort. The memory foam layer adjusts to the sleeper’s body to provide contouring and lumbar support for improved spinal alignment, making it one of the best mattresses for back pain and sciatica.
Pros
- Available in 3 firmness options
- Durable dual coil design
- Suitable for all sleep positions
- Lumbar zone technology
- Breathable organic cotton cover
Cons
- Sleepers may experience motion transfer
Our Review
The Saatva Classic Mattress is available in 3 firmness options, providing sleepers with a greater degree of choice. All firmness levels are available in 2 height options, which have no impact on the price or the firmness level.
This mattress features a dual-layer of coils and a built-in 3-inch Euro pillow top that offers a luxurious level of initial cushioning. It is a highly breathable unit that makes it more appealing for people who sleep warm.
Sleepers who prefer a mattress with solid edge support will find the Saatva mattress very suitable as it keeps you stable as you get in and out of bed.
The Saatva Classic is not a bed-in-a-box mattress; however, it comes with free white-glove delivery. This means that there is no off-gassing, and the mattress does not need any time to regain its shape.
5. Best for Side Sleepers: Nolah Original 10
The Nolah Original 10 is a CertiPUR-US Certified mattress scientifically proven to provide 4 times less pressure on your back, shoulders, and hips, making it best for side sleepers.
Pros
- Superior pressure relief
- Ensures a relaxed and comfortable sleep
- Strong and durable
- Snow-white Tencel cellulose cover
Cons
- Off-gassing smells may take some time to dissipate
Our Review
People who use foam mattresses typically complain that these mattresses trap heat, which makes sleepers hot and sweaty through the night. But the Nolah Original 10 mattress is constructed with Nolah’s proprietary high-resilience polyfoam material, which keeps sleepers cool throughout the night.
This 2-inch AirFoam comfort layer conforms and adapts to the body while feeling somewhat bouncy and responsive on the surface. The Nolah mattress has a medium feel, which means there is not much sinkage if you weigh less than 230 pounds.
The one-inch polyfoam layer beneath the comfort layer provides contouring support without trapping body heat. It is well-suited for side sleepers looking for pressure relief and motion isolation.
With a medium-firm feel, the Nolah mattress offers a hugging feel; however, it is not much so as to hamper movement. Most side and back sleepers significantly appreciate the pressure-relieving properties of this mattress.
The cover of the Nolah Original is made of Tencel. It is a breathable fabric derived from eucalyptus. This sustainable, natural material helps promote airflow through the mattress.
What Type of Mattress is Ideal for Teens?
The construction of the mattress determines its type. There is no such thing as an overall best type, as each type comes with its pros and cons.
If you can find a mattress type that suits your requirements perfectly, it will narrow down your options and simplify your shopping.
There are five main mattress types, each of which comes with a typical profile with certain downsides and benefits:
Hybrid
A hybrid mattress is made with a combination of a well-developed comfort system and a coil-based support system. The comfort system typically includes more than one layer, which can be made up of latex, micro-coils, cotton, memory foam, polyfoam, and/or wool.
The best thing about a hybrid mattress is that it provides the benefits of different materials used in its construction. The innerspring core offers edge support and a degree of reliability for teens, while the comfort layers ensure increased spinal support and pressure relief.
Innerspring
The innerspring mattress has a coil-based core, which is its primary and, in most cases, only layer. There is hardly any comfort system above the coils in a true innerspring mattress. Typically, there is just a cover of polyester or cotton and perhaps a thin layer of polyfoam or fabric batting.
Although innerspring mattresses lack pressure relief, they tend to be the most affordable option. Also, you can use mattress toppers to change the way they feel without breaking the bank.
Latex
The interior of a latex mattress is constructed only with latex. Different firmness levels or types of latex layers are often used to separate the support core and comfort system. Latex is of two kinds – natural or synthetic; however, natural latex is more common in mattresses.
Latex mattresses have a bouncy feel that prevents the sleepers from feeling trapped or stuck in one position. Also, they have light conforming properties that help provide comfort and support to teenage sleepers.
Airbed
The central support system in an airbed has one or more air chambers. When air is removed or added to the chambers, the bed gets softer and harder. The layers above this air-based support core can be of latex, foam, or other soft fabrics such as wool and cotton.
An airbed mattress is best for people who prefer to perfectly dial in their mattress’ firmness feel. However, they can prove to be an expensive investment for teenagers, which is why airbed mattresses are not commonly purchased for teens.
Foam
Foam mattresses are the most popular type of bed due to their ability to cushion pressure points and provide deep contouring. They have a comfort system and support core with one or more layers of latex, polyfoam, memory foam, and/or soft fabrics.
Another reason for the popularity of these mattresses is that they are budget-friendly and provide excellent value for money.
What to Look for When Shopping for a Mattress for Your Teenager
Size
Many adolescents outgrow their childhood mattress during their teenage years, especially if they have a larger-than-average build. This growth is the reason why most parents tend to buy a new mattress for their children in their teenage years.
Most mattress sizes are wide and long to accommodate most teens; however, exceptionally heavy or tall adolescents may find smaller and more compact sizes uncomfortable. Mattresses are available in six standard sizes.
Twin size mattresses may not be suitable for teenagers taller than six feet, while the Twin XL size is long enough for most teens but may not be suitable for teens wider than 3 feet.
Queen, King, and California king sizes are typically long and wide to accommodate teenagers of all body shapes and sizes.
Another critical factor to keep in mind is that too much space may not be best as it can lead to tossing and turning. Due to this, California king and King mattresses may be too large for some teens. Many people agree that Queen-size mattresses are the best option for teenagers.
Thickness
A teen’s weight plays a vital role in choosing the mattress height.
Just like adults, adolescents with a heavier build do not find thin mattresses comfortable. Their bodies tend to sink too deep, creating sinkage in the sleep surface, which in turn compromises support. Due to this, heavier teens find thicker mattresses to be more comfortable.
On the other hand, teens with lighter-than-average weight prefer thinner mattresses as it can be quite difficult for them to get on and off from thicker beds.
Conforming Ability
Some mattresses are great at alleviating pains, aches, and pressure points throughout the body.
They closely conform to the sleeper’s body and form a deep impression around their body contours. This helps align the sleepers’ pelvis, spine, and shoulder, protecting them from any discomfort.
The high rate of growth and development in teens can make them particularly susceptible to constant pains and aches. So, a conforming mattress can be highly beneficial for teenagers. The comfort layer or the mattresses’ topmost layer helps determine its conforming ability.
Mattresses with a thick comfort layer made from latex or memory foam conform more closely than thin comfort layers made from less durable polyfoam. The high level of pressure relief and conforming that foam mattresses provide make them highly popular with teenagers.
Firmness
Firmness is a measure of how a mattress feels to sleepers. A scale of 1-10 denotes these values, with 1 indicating the softest level and 9 and 10 specifying the firmest. Most mattresses available today fall between 3 and 8 on this scale.
Just like mattress height, the firmness of a mattress often depends on a sleeper's weight. Teens with a heavier weight typically prefer a firmer mattress because it alleviates aches and pains and conforms better to their bodies without sinking too deeply beneath their weight.
On the other hand, lighter adolescents find less firm mattresses (5 or lower) most comfortable. These mattresses are soft enough to conform to their bodies as these sleepers do not weigh enough to feel full conforming to firmer mattresses.
Teenagers with an average weight typically prefer mattresses with a firmness between 4 and 6 as they provide the perfect balance between softness and firmness to accommodate their weight.
In addition to body weight, your teenager’s preferred sleeping position also plays a crucial role in deciding the optimal firmness level for them.
Stomach sleepers: Firmer mattresses are more suitable for stomach sleepers as they prevent sleepers from sinking too deeply into their mattress. They provide more support to the heavier areas of the body like the pelvis and the hips.
Side sleepers: Side sleepers need a mattress that can provide them with a balance of support and pressure relief. Memory foam or other soft mattresses are more suitable for such sleepers as they allow the shoulders and hips to sink deeper than the rest of the body, ensuring proper spinal alignment.
Back sleepers: Back sleepers typically prefer a firmness that is somewhere in the middle. Such mattresses allow their hips to sink deeply into the mattress without pulling their spine out of alignment.
Support
It can be quite difficult to sleep on a mattress that lacks support, is unstable around the edges, or feels weak. This can be even more uncomfortable when sitting near the edge.
Latex and hybrid beds provide excellent edge-to-edge sturdiness because they do not compress as deep as an all-foam bed.
Pressure Relief
Different people are prone to aches and pains in various parts of their bodies. Typically, these are areas that have more impact on the bed, like the lower back, neck, hips, and shoulders.
A mattress that relieves pressure encourages healthy spinal alignment and softens the impact at pain points.
Cooling Properties
Even if your teenager is not an active athlete, he may benefit from a mattress designed with cooling features.
Some teenagers tend to sleep hot, making it difficult for them to fall and stay asleep. This is why it is best to choose a mattress designed with temperature regulation and breathability in mind.
Cost & Warranty
A mattress can be a sizable investment for most households. An average Queen-sized mattress may cost more than $1,000, while some mattress types like hybrid and latex may cost up to $2,000.
An average mattress will serve you for 7 years before you need to replace it. This means that buying a mattress for your 13-year-old will sustain him until he finishes high school.
However, it is best to take growth spurts into account because if your teenager outgrows his bed at any time, you may need to buy him a new unit.
So, the value that a mattress provides is very important. The value measures the cost of a mattress against its quality.
A mattress with a high price point won't necessarily be higher in quality. Similarly, a low-cost mattress may not necessarily be poor in quality.
The best way to evaluate a mattress's quality is by using it for a long time, and that is why sleep trials can be quite helpful.
Most mattresses come with sleep trials that allow you to test out a mattress for a certain number of days. If you do not find a model satisfactory during this period, you can return it and get a full or partial refund.
Sleep trials are particularly helpful for teenagers as they allow them to test out several mattresses of various price points without making their families go through with the full purchase.
Also, it is vital to read the fine print as some sleep trials come with hefty return fees, while others may include a mandatory break-in period before you can return the mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does aging affect your sleep pattern?
As you grow old, your body starts producing fewer amounts of growth hormones. As a result, you will not only take a long time to fall asleep but will also experience a decrease in deep sleep.
When this happens, the body produces less melatonin, which means you will frequently experience fragmented sleep and repeatedly wake up during the night.
What firmness level do teenagers find the best?
Choosing the right mattress depends a lot on firmness. A teenager’s sleeping position, body weight, and personal preference affect their ideal firmness level. However, a mattress with Medium Soft (4) to Medium Firm (6) feel is the best bet for most teens.
Which type of mattress is best for a teenager – firm or soft?
Choosing a soft or a firm mattress for a teenager depends on a number of factors. Teenagers with a heavier weight usually prefer a firm mattress, whereas teens with lesser weights prefer soft mattresses.
Similarly, teens who prefer to sleep on their stomachs find firmer mattresses more suitable, while side sleepers feel more comfortable sleeping on soft mattresses.
Is a memory foam mattress a good choice for teenagers?
Memory foam mattresses provide great contouring and pressure relief, making the teenager feel safe and secure. They are also cost-efficient, making them an ideal choice for teenagers.
What bed size is best for a teenager?
A full mattress is considered ideal for teenagers as it provides plenty of space to stretch out without feeling overly spacious for one person. If a bedroom is smaller and cannot fit a full bed, the next best option for your teenager is a twin mattress or a twin XL
Final Verdict: What is the most popular mattress for teenagers today?
Choosing the best mattress for your teenager can be a daunting and time-consuming task as there are hundreds of options to consider. It is vital to take certain particular considerations into account to ensure that your purchase helps them achieve about 7-9 hours of sleep every night.
Keeping these factors in mind, we find the Nectar mattress to be the best option for teenagers. However, make sure to thoroughly read the reviews mentioned above carefully to find the one that suits your teenager’s needs the best.
Affiliate Disclosure
Affiliate Disclosure: I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you purchase a mattress after clicking a referral link or using a coupon code on this site. That said, all content and opinions on this site are my own and are NOT affected by these payments.
This site participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
*Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
