Bear Cub Kids Mattress Review

Having a family is expensive. So it can be tempting to spend less on stuff for your kids. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it backfires and somehow your nine-year-old has destroyed a pair of sneakers in a month. Like a good pair of shoes, a good kids' mattress will support your child's growing body. That's why I was so excited to write this Bear Cub Kids Mattress review.

Our team declared it the most comfortable mattress for toddlers, and I hoped it would help my tween get a better night's rest. You've heard of picky eaters; well, I'd call him a picky sleeper (and sneaker destroyer). To help, we've invested in new pillows, cooling blankets, a sound machine and cuddly stuffies. Some of it has helped, some of it—the stuffies, specifically—have only made his single bed more cluttered.

Would a high-quality hybrid mattress help him get a good night's sleep? Here's what happened when we tested the Bear Cub Kids Mattress.

What is the Bear Cub Kids Mattress?

From the makers of Bear mattresses—famous for their athlete-approved, recovery-boosting sleep technology—comes a pint-sized version designed just for growing bodies. This kid-friendly mattress takes the same research-backed approach to comfort, durability and support.

It’s made with CertiPUR-US certified foam, ensuring it’s free from harmful chemicals, and features cooling technology to help regulate temperature. Plus, its hypoallergenic cover adds an extra layer of protection against dust mites and allergens.

What truly sets the Bear Cub apart is its focus on growing bodies. Whether your child is a side sleeper, a starfish sprawler or a restless tosser, this mattress is designed to support proper spinal alignment while still feeling cozy. It’s built to last through childhood (and beyond), making it a solid investment.

Bear Cub Kids Mattress features

The Bear Cub Kids Mattress is packed with thoughtful features designed to keep kids comfortable, supported and safe while they sleep. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• CertiPUR-US-certified foam – Made without harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates or heavy metals, ensuring a safer sleep environment for kids.
• Cooling gel-infused foam – Helps regulate body temperature, preventing kids from overheating at night.
• Hypoallergenic cover – Soft, durable, and designed to resist allergens, dust mites and other irritants.
• Hybrid construction – Designed to promote healthy spinal alignment, offering a balance of firmness and comfort with both memory foam and reinforced coils.
• Low motion transfer – Reduces sleep disruptions by absorbing movement, making it ideal for restless sleepers.
• Low-emission materials – The mattress is GREENGUARD Gold-certified. Manufactured with sustainability in mind, using non-toxic materials that are better for both kids and the environment.
• Durable construction – Built to withstand years of use.
• Medium-firm feel – A balanced firmness level that provides enough support for spinal health while still feeling cozy.
• Lightweight and easy to set up – Ships compressed in a box and expands quickly, making it simple to set up in any kid’s room.

How does the Bear Cub Kids Mattress perform?

My kid had mostly slept on firm foam mattresses in the past, which likely didn't provide much pressure relief for his many sleeping positions. He'd often start on his side, roll to his back and sometimes end curled up at the bottom of the bed.

Now that I know that mattress firmness can reduce sleep disruptions, I wish I had chosen a medium-firm mattress sooner. Multiple studies show that medium-firm mattresses improve sleep quality and provide the best support for spinal alignment.

Comfort level for children

My kid was immediately enamoured with his Bear Cub Mattress. The combination of coils and gel memory foam was firm yet bouncy, something this type of mattress is known for.

Durability and longevity

While I don't actively encourage my kids to jump on their beds, let's be honest: It happens. We don't own a trampoline. Luckily, Bear Mattresses are built to last and come with a limited lifetime warranty. This means that if your mattress has a manufacturing defect, they’ll replace or repair it for free in the first 10 years.

After that, you can get a replacement at a prorated cost (starting at 50 percent of the retail price). The warranty covers things like deep sagging (over 1.5 inches) and foam or cover defects but won’t apply to everyday wear and tear, spills or mattresses that haven't been properly supported by a bed frame.

Motion isolation

While it's hard to test this on a twin compared to a full-size mattress, it certainly seems to keep motion at a minimum. I often lie down with my son while we read or chat before bed, and despite the space constraints, I find the Bear Cub very comfortable. And neither of us falls off or gets jostled when we laugh or play fight.

Is the Bear Cub Kids Mattress safe?

The Bear Cub Kids Mattress is designed with safety in mind, using foam that is free from harmful chemicals. Plus, it has a hypoallergenic cover, which can help reduce potential allergens.

Certifications and safety standards

The Bear Cub and all Bear mattress sizes hold CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certifications, meaning they meet standards for low chemical emissions, do not contain ozone depleters, flame retardants or other potentially harmful substances.

Flame-retardant safety

The Bear Cub Kids Mattress does not use chemical flame retardants, which have been linked to health concerns. Instead, it meets fire safety regulations through other methods, such as using materials with inherent fire-resistant properties.

Pros and cons of the Bear Cub Kids Mattress

Pros

• Supportive hybrid mattress with foam and coils
• Cooling, gel-infused foam
• Reduces tossing and turning
• Low emissions and some eco-friendly features
• Hypoallergenic cover
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Easy to set up

Cons

• The mattress is 8.5 inches deep, which has its benefits but may sit higher on the bed frame than expected if you're used to thinner kids' mattresses
• It's on the pricey side
• It's recommended that you don't sleep on the mattress for 24 to 48 hours after opening. Despite its low emissions, there is a slight scent, and it can be tough to find a place to keep the mattress while you wait.

How to care for the Bear Cub Kids mattress

Despite its warranty, you'll want to take good care of your kids' mattress.

Cleaning and maintenance tips

The best way to ensure your Bear Cub Mattress lasts is to buy a protective, waterproof cover because you just never know with kids. Spot clean it when it gets dirty, vacuum the surface and rotate it every six months to keep the foam consistently firm.

Is the Bear Cub Kids Mattress worth it?

Can you put a price on good sleep? Sleep is crucial for your kids' health. Plus, when they sleep well, so do you. And everyone has been sleeping better since this mattress arrived at our house.

It's seriously comfortable. I accidentally fell asleep while putting my son to bed the other night, so I can vouch for it. While my son loved how comfortable it was, he worried that he might fall out of bed because it's deeper than his old mattress and sticks up over the side of his bed frame a bit. But the motion isolation and reinforced edge coils seem to be working because that hasn't happened.

Not sure it's the best mattress for your kid? Try the Bear Sleep Trial. You can test the mattress for 120 nights before committing.