The Full-Size Mattress I Bought for My Kid (After Tons of Research!)

I knew it was time to pack away my daughter’s toddler bed (converted from her crib) when I noticed screws coming loose and several tears ripping through her mattress after one too many bouts of jumping on the bed. We considered a twin as her next big-kid bed, but decided on a full size for longer-lasting value.

Five years for her crib mattress was good, but we wanted her next bed to be roomy enough to last until college or longer, without overtaking her modestly sized bedroom like a queen might.

I got to searching for the best full mattresses available and found many geared toward adults, lacking pediatric certifications or other qualifications I’d come to expect with nursery furniture. Determined to buy the safest, best nontoxic option, I landed on the Avocado Eco Organic Mattress, but not before discovering some equally worthy competitors. They all come in full size, are free of harmful or toxic materials such as fiberglass, and offer long-term value.

And with a second, younger toddler still in her crib, I know I’ll be turning back to this list in just a few short years. These are the best kids full-size mattresses based on comfort, value, and safety.

While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends making the transition from crib to a toddler bed between the ages of 18 months and 3 years old, there is no formal recommendation on the move from a toddler bed to a regular bed. A good rule of thumb is to consider the toddler’s size and development. In our case, the crib and mattress weren’t in great shape. She was used to sleeping in larger beds on hotel stays, and she was coming close to maxing out the height requirement on her toddler bed, too.

When considering which full size mattress to purchase for your child, it’s important to think about your child’s age, their comfort, and the mattress’ materials first and foremost. To help narrow the field, you can also factor in price, warranty, return, and delivery policies.

As previously noted, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until at least 18 months before transitioning from a crib to a bed. Many people try a toddler bed in between a crib and a full-size bed, and those commonly are converted from a crib, using the same mattress and adding on a guardrail. 

However, if your child has outgrown the size and height recommendation for their crib, or need a larger space, it’s okay to go straight to a regular bed. Just make sure that your child is big enough to safely get in and out of their new bed on their own. A lower profile option may be best for younger kids so it’s easier for them to climb in and out by themselves, and won’t pose safety risks if they were to fall out.

Additionally, younger children who are going straight from a crib to a full-size mattress and skipping a toddler bed should look for waterproof or water-resistant mattresses to prevent stains or growths like mold or mildew should they have an overnight accident — or just spill something while playing. 

Unlike adults who have the luxury of choosing their bed’s plushness based on individual preference, growing kids should have firmer mattresses to support proper spinal alignment. 

“For kids under 7, it’s important to have a firm mattress to provide proper support, so choosing a mattress that skews firmer is the way to go. Kids older than 7 can go with a softer mattress but should still aim for proper support, just like adults,” Sleep Sherpa founder Ben Trapskin previously told Cubby.

If you’re concerned about long-term use and comfort, you can opt for a dual-sided mattress that has a softer side intended for older kids, usually meant to be flipped around age 7 or 8.

The materials used to construct a mattress are of the utmost importance, as you don’t want to expose your children to harmful chemicals or toxins that are often used in adult mattresses. 

According to the Sleep Foundation, certain certifications ensure that a mattress has been tested for safety. 

For example, a CertiPUR-US certification guarantees that foam mattresses are free from harmful chemicals, fiberglass, and have low VOC emissions; while GREENGUARD certified products are proven to have lower emissions with healthier indoor air quality. Additionally, look for Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification to ensure fabrics used on the exterior are certified organic and meet environmental standards, as well as Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certification, which means that any latex in a mattress is organic and produced sustainably.

While the above are perhaps the most crucial attributes, it also helps to think about company policies to protect your investment.

As a starter, look for a generous in-home trial period so if your child dislikes how it feels, you’re able to return it without losing money.

On that note, make sure that returns or exchanges are free, and there’s no restocking fee to return such a large item. Likewise, always double-check that returns yield a cash refund, as opposed to store credit.

And while free delivery may be included, removal of an old mattress if you’re swapping a full for a full, for example, isn’t always part of the deal. A generous warranty is also a bonus, so you know you’ll be taken care of should your mattress experience any defects or need repairs.

As with any online or major purchase, it’s wise to read the fine print carefully so you know exactly what you’re on the hook for, and what you aren’t.

• Pro: In addition to meeting impressive safety requirements, this mattress comes with a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty.
• Con: At $899, this is not an inexpensive mattress. It also can’t be flipped.

One of the most important aspects to me when choosing anything my children use is safety. This is especially crucial when it comes to a bed, a place where they sleep for 12+ hours, which is half of every day of their life. For this reason, I really wanted to prioritize a mattress made with clean, nontoxic materials. But it was also important to select something that would be supportive to her growing body.

I landed on the hybrid Avocado Eco Organic Mattress because it’s made with GOLS-certified organic latex from sustainable farms, and has GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool on the exterior for cool sleep. The latter was especially attractive to me since my daughter runs hot at night. 

This particular mattress has a hybrid design with 704 individually wrapped coils and unlike many standard mattresses, there’s no chemical flame retardants, fiberglass, or polyurethane foam inside. As a result, it’s earned an OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 label and meets safety standards for EWG Verified and MADE SAFE. 

I also really like that it’s only 7 inches high with a low profile so my daughter can climb in and out unassisted, and it isn’t too high off the ground when she’s in her bed. It feels pretty firm but not rock hard, so I know her growing body is well supported and still comfortable. Bonus: she used to wake almost nightly in her toddler bed, and since upgrading to this mattress, she’s been consistently sleeping through the night.

• Pro: It comes in heights of 8 or 6 inches; the latter is nice for bunks and lower profile beds.
• Con: The slimmer 6-inch option is the same price as the full-size 8-inch mattress.

There’s so much to love about Helix’s all-around impressive mattress, but one of the things that stands out the most to me is that it’s flippable, truly making this a wise long-term investment. One side is a bit firmer, designed for children ages 2 to 7, while the other is a bit softer for older kids, from age 8 onward. That means that with good care, you could easily be using this mattress for a decade or longer, easily offsetting the cost. 

Both sides have a breathable TENCEL hypoallergenic cover, and inside is a hybrid design of supportive steel coils and two layers of ergonomic memory foam. The foam components are CertiPUR-US certified, meaning they adhere to safety recommendations and are guaranteed to be free of dangerous chemicals or fiberglass.

I also think this mattress is particularly useful for younger kids who may be in the midst of potty training, as it has a plant-based water-repellent finish and a hygienic microbe shield to protect against stains, water damage, and odors.

• Pro: Nectar offers reassuring customer policies with free shipping and returns, a 365-night trial period, and a forever warranty.
• Con: While the design is two-sided, some past reviews warn that the softer side is still very firm.

This is a top pick for anyone who prefers a full memory foam mattress for kids that’s free of coils, as well as harmful chemicals that are commonly found in adult foam mattresses. 

Nectar’s mattress has an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 nontoxic certification, is made with CertiPUR-US certified foams, and is 100% fiberglass free, so you can rest easy knowing it meets strict standards for materials, emissions, and durability.

Plus, unlike other all-foam mattresses I researched (including the one my husband and I sleep on), this one is two-sided and flippable, which extends the life of the mattress adding serious value. Similar to the Helix mattress, one side is firmer to promote proper spinal alignment in younger children ages 3 to 7, while the other is softer for older kids from age 8 to 12.

It’s 8 inches high and comes with a stain-resistant and moisture-repellent cover that’s also removable and machine-washable, should any stains or leaks occur. 

• Pro: This is a great choice for younger toddlers who might be climbing out of a crib and still need the support of a crib mattress, just in a larger format.
• Con: This is purely an innerspring mattress, without any contouring foam, which some people might prefer.

When my second daughter was born nearly two years ago, I bought her a Naturepedic crib mattress because I was so impressed with their high-quality, nontoxic offerings. I’ve been a big fan of it ever since (no ripping or wear and tear like our other crib mattress), so it’s no surprise to discover that their full-size kids mattress is an equally standout choice, especially as a first big-kid bed.  

One side is totally waterproof, making it ideal for those coming straight out of the crib who are still in diapers and are perhaps skipping a toddler bed, but still need the water-resistant and extra firm qualities of a crib mattress. Once they’ve got nights squared away and are a bit older, it can be flipped to a more comforting, quilted second side with a softer feel.

The mattress has an open inner spring design and is crafted from certified organic materials without adhesives, flame retardants, vinyl/PVC, glues, polyurethane foam, or other harmful chemicals or toxins. It’s also certified vegan, as the waterproof layer utilizes non-GMO sugarcane.

• Pro: This has the same safety certifications as other memory foam mattresses that are double or triple the price.
• Con: The mattress can be rotated, but not flipped.

Cost shouldn’t be a barrier to entry for a safe, quality kids mattress, which is why I like this offering from Brooklyn Bedding. It costs a fraction of the price of other mattresses on this list with many of the same stellar attributes. It’s an all-foam mattress, but has a fiberglass-free design and is both CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certified, ensuring there are no harmful chemicals such as ozone depleters, flame retardants, mercury, lead, heavy metals, or formaldehyde.

The top layer of the mattress has a stain-resistant cover sewn right in, and underneath are two layers of foam. The first has a gel swirl for contouring and cooling support, while the next is a high-density foam foundation that’s extra firm and supportive. 

Additionally, it’s only 6 inches high, shipping is free, and your child can sleep on it for a 120-night trial period before deciding if it’s the right bed for them.

• Pro: Included in the price is a 365-night in-home trial period, free in-room delivery and setup, a lifetime warranty, and removal of an old mattress, if applicable.
• Con: This mattress is 10 inches high, which is significantly taller than our other options, especially if you have a frame that requires a foundation.

When only the best for our children will do, you can’t go wrong with this premium luxury choice with a host of laudable features.

With a hybrid foam and coil design, the Saatva youth mattress is dual-sided to last from age 3 until 12. The foam portion meets CertiPUR-US safety standards and has a wave design to allow for greater airflow to keep kids cool. It also has a five-zone support layer that is firmer around the center third area on both sides of the mattress to encourage proper spinal alignment. As it’s a hybrid design, there are dual-sided coils to respond to sleepers’ positions, in addition to a lumbar zone for enhanced back support.

On the outside, the exterior cover is soft and quilted, made from hypoallergenic organic cotton. It’s also water-resistant, incorporating a botanical antimicrobial treatment to prevent bacteria, mold, or mildew, along with a nontoxic flame retardant barrier made from natural thistle pulp.