8 Best Twin Mattress for Bunk Beds 2024

“I call top bunk!” Bunk beds are universally loved by kids and are the ultimate space-saving solution for parents looking to free up precious floor space in their rooms. 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 favorite toddler mattress picks too if your little one is still too little for a 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. “You have more flexibility when it comes to picking a mattress for 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,” points out 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 2024

• Best overall: Saatva Bunk & Trundle Mattress
• Best budget: Linenspa Memory Foam and Spring Hybrid Mattress
• Best for kids: Helix Kids Mattress
• Best memory foam: Dreamfoam Essential
• Best organic: Naturepedic Organic Kids Waterproof Mattress
• Best rated: Milliard Memory Foam Mattress Twin
• Best luxury: Avocado Eco Organic Kids Mattress
• Best Walmart: MLILY Memory Foam Mattress

Best overall

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.

"Oftentimes when looking for a kids' mattress we think about comfort and cushiness when growing bodies need a supportive and medium-firm mattress," says Egbogah, which the Saatva is.

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 budget

Linenspa Memory Foam and Spring Hybrid Mattress

This top-rated and budget-friendly bunk bed mattress has over 100,000 rave reviews on Amazon and an impressive 4.4-star rating. The medium-firm feel is ideal for growing kids, and the 8" height means it will safely fit most top bunks. It's made of contouring memory foam and durable innersprings for maximum comfort and support as they snooze.

It also comes compressed and rolled in a box for a quick and easy setup, which is a rare treat for innerspring mattresses with cushioned sleep surfaces.

"Both my kids LOVE it," writes one satisfied Amazon reviewer. "Supportive yet plush and comfy. I climbed up and tried it and had to agree, this is a nice mattress. Highly recommend this line for bunk beds."

Many reviewers also note how lightweight the mattress is, at just 36 pounds, so it's easy to lift and change sheets. It's also one of the best cheap twin mattress picks on the market for all types of sleepers.

Pros

• Excellent value
• Comfortable base foam
• Low-profile design
• Medium-firm support
• Only weighs 36 pounds
• Convenient setup

Cons

• Takes 24 to 72 hours to fully expand

Best for kids

Helix Kids Mattress

We're big 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. We also love the brand's full sizes mattresses for kids.

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 odor-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
• Very comfortable and supportive
• Today's Parent vetted and approved

Cons

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

Best memory foam

Dreamfoam Essential

Not only is this affordable mattress awesome for traditional bunk beds, but it easily fits RV bunks for on-the-go families too. We like that it comes in a firm 6" style and a medium-firm 8" height so you can choose the right size and firmness level to suit your family's needs.

Because kids can get messy, there's a genius stain protector sewn directly on the cover to protect the mattress from splashes and spills. Made of premium, high-density cooling foam with open-cell technology, this mattress helps enhance airflow and dissipate body heat for a cooler night's sleep all around.

It's also fairly lightweight, starting at only 40 pounds, so getting it on and off the top bunk isn't such a pain.

Pros

• Available in different thicknesses
• Affordable
• Cooling
• Lightweight
• CertiPUR-US Certified
• Hypoallergenic
• Built-in stain protection

Cons

• May be too firm for some people's preferences

Best organic

Naturepedic 2-in-1 Organic Kids Waterproof Mattress

Your child spends roughly half their day in bed so investing in a premium organic mattress that's made with the best materials for them—and without all the bad stuff—is a no-brainer. There's a lot to love about this Naturepedic 2-in-1 twin mattress.

It features two sides, including a non-toxic waterproof side for children who still have the occasional accident at night and a quilted side for long-lasting comfort.

Both sides are firm to support developing bodies with layers of organic cotton over an open innerspring design to improve airflow and help regulate their temperature. There are no adhesives, glues, flame retardants, or other harmful materials used so you can sleep with more peace of mind.

Pros

• GOTS-Certified organic and vegan
• Nontoxic
• No fire retardants, chemical additives, or other harmful materials used
• Flippable design
• Waterproof side for potty training
• Temperature-regulating
• Comfortable
• Supportive

Cons

• It's pricy, but worth it for quality, non-toxic materials and excellent support

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 up 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 luxury

Avocado Eco Organic Kids Mattress

This luxe organic mattress is the crème de la crème of kids' mattresses and is surprisingly affordable considering the premium quality of its materials. It's crafted with 660 6" encased coils and the softest, most supportive GOLS-certified organic latex from sustainable farms in Guatemala and India. It's also MADE SAFE certified so you can rest assured knowing their mattress is free of toxic ingredients.

GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool ensure maximum breathability and temperature regulation so they fall asleep and stay asleep without waking up sweaty. At just 7" high, the twin, twin XL, and full mattresses are all perfect fits for bunk beds.

"It's so comfortable even for my old bones, yet it's firm enough for me to know my kiddo is safe," raves one reviewer. Another says, "This mattress helps me sleep better at night."

Pros

• High quality at an accessible price point
• MADE SAFE certified
• GREENGUARD Gold Certified and Formaldehyde Free Certified
• Breathable and temperature-regulating
• Non-toxic
• Comfortable and supportive

Cons

• Some reviewers complain it's too firm

Best Walmart

MLILY Memory Foam Mattress

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. "Definitely would recommend." Another calls it, "Better than expected because it is a super comfy mattress. Perfect for my 8-year-old's bunk bed."

Almost all of the reviewers noted that the mattress fluffed up nicely and was surprisingly comfortable despite being quite thin. Many parents also compared the quality to their own, much more expensive mattresses.

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