8 Best Twin Mattress for Bunk Beds 2025

Bunk beds are universally loved by kids and are the ultimate space-saving solution for parents looking to free up precious floor space. They’ve also become quite common in vacation homes to sleep more guests. The best twin mattress for bunk beds is comfortable, safe, lightweight, and low-profile.

This is especially important for the top bunk where you need to maximize head space and ensure the safety rail does its job. A quiet kids’ mattress that won’t squeak with every toss and turn and will keep kids cool through the night is a must too.

Whether you’re making over the room for sleepovers or are moving siblings into the same room, we’ve rounded up the best twin mattresses for bunk beds you can buy now. Don’t forget to shop our favourite toddler mattress and bunk bed picks if your little one is too young for a regular bunk bed.

What to look for in the best twin mattress for bunk beds

According to Chiropractor and Osteopath Dr. Liza Egbogah, size, weight, material and motion control are some of the main things to pay attention to when shopping for the best twin mattress for bunk beds.

“The type of mattress you get for the top bunk is of more importance since it needs to be quiet and shock absorbing, light and breathable,” she says. “There is more flexibility with the lower bunk.”

We asked Egbogah, along with interior designers who have made over many kids’ rooms to share their top tips for choosing the best twin mattress for bunk beds. Here’s what to consider:

Weight

Designer Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors tells us when purchasing a mattress for a top bunk, weight is absolutely a critical consideration for purchase. “One of the most discussed challenges with bunk beds is changing the sheets. It’s beyond awkward, and oftentimes the easiest way to get the job done is to bring the mattress down to floor level to wrangle the fitted sheet on.”

Weight limits are huge too. “Most bunk beds have weight restrictions so this should be taken into account when purchasing a mattress,” says Egbogah. “For safety, a lighter-weight mattress is preferable. This is especially important for the top bunk in the rare event that the mattress falls below.”

Thickness

For safety purposes, you’ll need a minimum of 5” from the top of the mattress to the top of the bunk bed’s guard rail. “A 6 to 8-inch mattress is a good thickness, but make sure to check the specifications on the bed,” advises Interior Designer Deirdre Doherty of Deirdre Doherty Interiors, INC.

Material

To help cushion movement and minimize sleep disturbances, Egbogah suggests investing in a dense foam or latex mattress. “This is especially important for the top bunk bed since creaking can interrupt the sleep of the person below them. Often natural latex, wool or cotton are suggested for allergies.”

Size

Always check the dimensions of your bunk bed to ensure a proper mattress fit. “You will want 1” space around the mattress to be able to properly change the sheets, but not much more to avoid accidents,” says Doherty.

Cooling technology

“Kids generally get quite warm while sleeping and this problem can be heightened (literally) with bunk beds,” says Egbogah, since hot air rises. For this reason, she recommends a mattress that has cooling technology or that’s made from natural breathable materials.

Best twin mattress for bunk beds 2025

• Best overall: Helix Kids Mattress
• Best budget: Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids Mattress
• Best for young kids: Bear Cub Kids Mattress
• Best memory foam: Leesa Kids Mattress
• Best organic: Birch Kids Natural Mattress
• Best for adults: Saatva Bunk & Trundle Mattress
• Best rated: Milliard 5-inch Memory Foam Mattress Twin
• Best Walmart: MLILY Jama 5-inch Memory Foam Mattress for Kids

Best overall

Helix Kids Mattress

We're major fans of the Helix Kids Mattress, not only because it's designed specifically to support growing kids, but it's a high-quality mattress that can grow with them too, meaning you won't have to replace it when they hit the tween years.

It features a dual-sided design with a firmer side for younger kids ages 3 to 7 and a softer side for kids 8 and up so they can find their comfort zone. At 8" high, it's just the right height to safely be used on the top or bottom bunk.

Other features we love are the breathable and hypoallergenic cover for maximum airflow, keeping top bunk sleepers cool through the night. There's a hygienic microbe shield to protect against odour-causing bacteria, and a plant-based water-repellent finish to protect against inevitable stains, spills, and accidents.

Be sure to read our full Helix kids mattress review while you're at it. We love the soothing sleep that supports the spine and relieves pressure points all in one package.

Pros

• Flippable, dual-sided design for kids of all ages
• CertiPUR-US certified foams
• Hypoallergenic, breathable cover
• Stain and water-repellent finish
• Premium quality
• Comfortable and supportive
• Today's Parent vetted and approved

Cons

• A bit costlier than other models, but an investment that will last for years and is often on sale

Best budget

Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids Mattress

We love this budget-friendly Brooklyn Bedding mattress. The six-inch profile fits perfectly in bunk beds. It features a cooling memory foam top layer and a supportive, high-density foam foundation. Plus, a spill- and stain-resistant cover keeps accidents from ruining the mattress.

This mattress is made from CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold-certified foam and is fiberglass-free. The firmer feel is especially great for toddlers, but it may not suit kids who prefer a softer mattress.

Pros

• Affordable
• 6-inch profile is especially suitable for bunk beds
• Comfortable, cooling memory foam layer
• Excellent support
• Fiberglass-free, CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold-certified

Cons

• May be too firm for some kids

Best for younger kids

The Bear Cub mattress is an excellent option for young children ready to transition to their own bed.  It's designed to fit well with various bed frames, including bunk beds, thanks to its height of 8.5 inches.

The hybrid design combines cooling memory foam, high-density foam and individually wrapped coils for superior comfort, support and pressure relief. Reinforced coils around the edges provide additional stability, reducing the chance of rolling off the bed. Additionally, there's a breathable, hypoallergenic cover.

This mattress is CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold Certified for providing a safe sleep environment. It has a medium-firm feel, designed to accommodate all sleeping positions.

Pros

• Hybrid foam and coil design
• Optimal support for growing kids
• CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD GOLD certified materials
• Edge support helps keep kids from rolling off the bed
• Breathable, hypoallergenic cover

Cons

• Pricey

Best memory foam

Leesa Kids Mattress

If you're looking for a memory foam mattress for a bunk bed, we like this Leesa offering. The memory foam gives the top layer a comfortable, cradling effect. Secondary foam layers provide extra support for growing joints with a stabilizing base layer.

Parents can have peace of mind knowing that all materials used are CertiPUR-US certified and non-toxic, ensuring a safe sleeping environment for their little ones. This mattress has a medium-firm feel and accommodates all sleeping positions. For added convenience, it comes with a spill- and stain-resistant cover.

Pros

• Optimal support
• Medium-firm comfort
• Non-toxic, CertiPUR-US certified materials
• Suitable for all sleeping positions
• Spill- and stain-resistant cover

Cons

• A bit on the pricey side, but still relatively affordable

Best organic

Birch Kids Natural Mattress

Made from natural and certified organic materials, the Birch Kids mattress is our top choice for eco-conscious users. It's GOLS and GREENGUARD GOLD certified. The flippable design is suitable for different ages and sleep preferences—the firmer side is ideal for ages three to seven, while the softer side is better suited to ages eight to 12. While the price is high, it's like getting two mattresses in one.

Inner layers of wool provide a sturdy yet comfortable feel, with individually wrapped steel coils offering durability and extra support. A natural latex layer adds extra cushioning and pressure relief for older kids. The breathable cotton cover is backed with flame-retardant wool for parents' peace of mind.

Keep in mind that it's got a high profile, so it'll feel like there's less space in the bunk bed.

Pros

• Natural and certified organic materials
• Dual-sided design can be used for longer
• Strong edge support that keeps kids from rolling out of bed
• Breathable, flame-retardant cover

Cons

• Most expensive option on the list
• High profile takes up a bit more room in a bunk

Best for adults

Saatva Bunk & Trundle Mattress

Made specifically for bunk and trundle beds, this luxe, low-profile mattress lives up to the hype. At just 6" high, it's perfect for the top bunk, allowing plenty of space between the top of the mattress and the safety guard rail.

It's made of CertiPUR-US certified memory foam so they feel good sleeping and you feel good about what they're sleeping on. The mattress is also treated with an antimicrobial treatment to help prevent the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria.

A naturally breathable and water-resistant cover made of organic cotton ensures they stay cool and comfortable all night, while a coil layer enhances airflow to help disperse body heat.

Pros

• Excellent support
• Low-profile design
• CertiPUR-US certified memory foam
• Naturally breathable and water-resistant cover
• Comfortable
• Cooling
• High quality

Cons

• Expensive but worth it for a quality mattress that will last

Best rated

Milliard 5-inch Memory Foam Mattress Twin

Hundreds of parents agree this is the best twin mattress for bunk beds! At only 5" thick, the Milliard, which received an almost-perfect 4.7-star rating on Amazon, can fit any bunk bed comfortably and is surprisingly comfortable to sleep on for both kids and adults alike.

It's incredibly well-priced and made of 4" of foam beneath 1" of memory foam for a firm, supportive feel that'll have everyone sleeping like a baby that sleeps through the night.

This mattress weighs a mere 15 pounds, which is almost 20 pounds lighter than the next lightest mattress on our list. It's a breeze to move and change sheets and can be lifted and down with ease. It also comes with a removable and machine-washable cover. One reviewer raves that it's "comfortable enough to keep the kids in bed all night."

Pros

• Highly rated
• Extremely lightweight
• Comfortable
• Firm and supportive
• Low-profile design
• Removable, machine-washable cover
• Great value
• Many mattress size options available

Cons

• May be too firm for some

Best Walmart

MLILY Jama 5-inch Memory Foam Mattress for Kids

The super low-profile design of this affordable 5" memory foam mattress means you can rest easier knowing your kiddo won't tumble out of the top bunk. The retro 90s-inspired pop print is a fun touch too, which parents and kids will both appreciate. We especially like that it comes with a waterproof and machine-washable knit protector for when the inevitable accidents happen.

"Got these for the kids and they've been sleeping like the dead every night," writes one reviewer. Another calls it, "Better than expected because it is a super comfy mattress. Perfect for my 8-year-old's bunk bed."

Pros

• Affordable
• Good quality
• Low-profile design
• Comes with a waterproof, machine-washable protector
• Works with loft beds
• No box spring necessary

Cons

• Takes 72 hours to fully expand

Experts:

• Chiropractor and Osteopath Dr. Liza Egbogah
• Designer Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors
• Interior Designer Deirdre Doherty of Deirdre Doherty Interiors, INC