The Best Mattresses for Bunk Beds – 2024 Review Guide

Written by Rachael Gilpin, Content Writer

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In This Article

We review countless products and then curate a list of the best mattresses for bunk beds based on their functionality and features. Our suggestions are expert tested to ensure you find the relief you’re looking for.

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Choosing the best mattress for bunk beds isn’t quite the same thing as choosing a mattress for a standard bed. You’ll still need to think about firmness and support, of course, but the loft element means you’ll also be considering safety, headroom, and more. Whether you have kids or frequently host out-of-town guests, you’ll want to ensure that your bunk bed set-up is as comfortable as it is space-efficient. 

Calling on our extensive experience in the sleep industry, we’ve gathered a few mattresses we think work excellently when stacked. Read on for our top products and tips for choosing the best mattress for your bunk beds.

Best Bunk Bed Mattress Picks

• Nolah Natural – Best Hypoallergenic Bunk Bed Mattress
• Saatva Youth – Best Luxury Bunk Bed Mattress
• Siena – Best Memory Foam Bunk Bed Mattress
• Dreamfoam Essential – Best Bunk Bed Mattress for Back Sleepers
• Bowery – Best Affordable Bunk Bed Mattress
• Tuft & Needle Original – Best Bunk Bed Mattress for Side Sleepers
  

What to Look for in a Mattress for Bunk Beds

The design of the bunk bed makes them unique. The stacked construction is a great way to utilize a smaller guest room or just create a fun bedroom for your kids. As with any mattress, you’ll want to consider not only the type of mattress but also the needs of the people using the bunk bed mattresses. 

Type of Mattress 

Innerspring Mattresses 

Innerspring beds remain popular, in large part, because of their durability. Innerspring mattresses typically offer great responsiveness, bounce, airflow, and support from the strong coils that make up their base. One issue with these beds, though, is that traditional innerspring models made with a continuous coil construction can begin to sag, and they often don’t have sufficient comfort layers for pressure relief. 

Hybrid Mattresses 

Hybrid mattresses combine coils found in innerspring mattresses with latex or memory foam. The hybrid construction provides a bed with a durable and supportive base with upper layers that provide pressure relief and contouring. While hybrids have a lot of advantages, they typically cost more due to their advanced design. 

Memory Foam Mattresses 

Memory foam mattresses offer slow-moving and cozy contouring that hugs your body. When it comes to bunk beds, low-profile memory foam mattresses can be a good choice because of their affordability and how well they absorb motion. 

Side sleepers often enjoy memory foam because the contouring nature can relieve pressure around the shoulders and hips. On the other hand, those who change positions throughout the night may find that the materials don’t allow them to reposition as easily. 

Latex Mattresses 

Latex mattresses are an excellent eco-conscious choice that provides top-notch pressure relief, durability, and responsiveness. Unlike memory foam, these mattresses quickly bounce back to their original shape, but they also still offer pressure-relieving properties. 

These mattresses have a host of pros, but when it comes to beds that are often for children or occasional guests, they are typically the most expensive choice. However, the smaller sizes associated with bunk beds should offset the total cost. 

Other Considerations When Shopping for a Mattress for Bunk Beds

Sleeping Position 

Back sleepers often enjoy beds with a medium-firm feel that can evenly distribute their weight, delivering ample lower back support and pressure relief.  

Side sleepers’ shoulders and hips are where weight concentrates in this position, which puts added pressure on these areas. Slightly softer mattresses can offer pressure-relieving comfort. Bed containing memory foam or latex with a soft to medium firmness can be good for side sleepers because they can both cradle and support the sleeper. 

Arguably, the most important aspect of a mattress for stomach sleepers is proper support for their hips so they don’t sag as this could lead to lower back pain. Firmer, highly supportive mattresses can provide the support that these sleepers need. 

People who change position throughout the night are known as combination sleepers. In order to make repositioning easier for combination sleepers, they need a mattress that is quick-responding and buoyant. In this case, latex, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses, combined with a versatile medium-firm feel, are helpful for combination sleepers.

Weight/Body Type of Sleepers 

The safety concerns of bunk beds make the sleeper’s weight a top concern. You will want to first ensure that the mattress and frame can safely support the sleepers using the bunk bed before making any purchases.

When it comes to comfort based on weight and body type, medium or medium-firm mattresses work well for most people. However, those who are heavier usually prefer a firmer feel to help keep their spines aligned, whereas lighter folks typically enjoy plush beds that can help relieve pressure. 

Size

Most bunk bed frames are built to accommodate two Twin mattresses in a Twin-over-Twin design, measuring 38 inches wide by 75 inches long. They’re the narrowest standard mattress size available, so they accomplish wonders when it comes to saving space. A Twin XL bunk bed mattress measures 38 inches wide by 80 inches long and is a popular choice for tall or growing children and teens.

Larger bunk bed frames will fit two Full-size mattresses. This mattress size — 54 inches wide by 75 inches long — enables single sleepers to really spread out, but these will take up a lot more room than narrower models. You can even stack two Queen mattresses on top of one another with the proper bunk bed frame, which typically measures 60 inches wide by 80 inches long.

Lastly, you can find bunk beds that combine almost every variety of the mattress sizes mentioned above, including Twin-over-Full, Full-over-Queen, and more. Safe bunk bed designs that mix sizes will always position the smaller mattress size as the top bunk and the larger size as the lower bunk.

Mattress Height

The height of the bunk bed mattress, especially the top one, is extremely important. Low-profile mattresses, ones that are 7 inches tall or less, are recommended for top bunk beds. If the top bunk mattress is taller than this, it could sit above the guard rail, which would put a child or guest more at risk of rolling out of bed. 

The height of the bottom bunk isn’t as important when it comes to safety, but a taller mattress will create less clearance for the person sleeping on the bottom. 

Firmness

Medium-firm mattresses are typically a safe bet if you’re opting to order your bunk bed mattress online. If kids will be using the bunk bed, it might be helpful to take a trip to a mattress store and have them try out a few different mattress models to see what firmness level feels best for them. 

Many online mattress brands offer extended sleep trial periods, some as long as a year. With a long trial period, this gives you ample time to test out the mattress at home, and if it’s not a good fit, you can get your money back. 

Learn More: Mattress Firmness Guide

Cooling 

A bunk bed mattress with modern cooling features will keep kids and guests at a comfortable temperature throughout the night.

Look for foams with gel infusions, aerated structures, and other specialized cooling technologies. Innerspring and hybrid beds also provide airflow from the coils.

The mattress cover can also make a noticeable difference when it comes to distributing body heat. You’ll want to prioritize breathable fabrics, such as cotton, and keep an eye out for proprietary cover designs with fibers that maximize temperature regulation.

Motion Isolation 

If your sleep is disturbed by a restless partner, your mattress probably allows motion transfer. Although bunk beds aren’t typically shared, there could be instances when they are, such as if you have a Full-size bottom bunk, and for that, you will want to consider mattresses that have good motion isolation. 

Memory foam beds typically do a great job at absorbing motion, and fortunately, they are usually suitable for most bunk bed setups.  

Pressure Relief

Waking up free of pain is a widespread goal of sleepers. To achieve this goal, sleepers will want to choose a bunk bed mattress that relieves pressure that builds up throughout the night. 

Medium to medium-firm mattresses with latex or memory foam are often a great choice for many body types and preferred sleep positions, and they should provide enough support and contouring for adequate pressure relief. 

Edge Support

Good edge support can be particularly important for the top bunk of bunk beds. Although all top bunks need guardrails, having a supportive perimeter can provide an extra level of security. As for the bottom mattress, good edge support can help those with mobility issues get in and out of bed more easily. 

Innerspring and hybrid mattresses typically have excellent edge support, and many foam mattresses reinforce the edges with higher-density foam. 

Budget 

Budget is important when purchasing a mattress, but considering that you’re usually buying two mattresses for bunk beds it will be particularly important to get the best mattresses that fit in your budget. Fortunately, quality mattresses can be found at more affordable prices thanks to the rise in direct-to-consumer online shopping. Although you may be buying two mattresses, they’ll be in a smaller size, which should help balance out the overall cost.

Bunk Bed Safety Tips

Federal law requires that bunk beds comply with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act¹ of 2008. These standards and regulations have improved the safety of bunk beds by ensuring that all top bunks have guardrails on both sides. The use of guardrails extends to lower bunks that are more than 30 inches off the floor. 

Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics² offers extra tips for bunk bed safety.

• No one under six years of age should be allowed on the top bunk
• Place bunk beds in the corner of the bedroom
• Guardrails on the top bunk should be at least 5 inches higher than the mattress 
• Avoid gaps between the bottom of the mattress and the guardrail that exceed 3.5 inches
• Provide extra slats to the top bunk for added stability
• Remind kids to only use the stairs or ladder to get in and out of bed
• If there’s a ladder, make sure it’s secure
• Do not permit kids to roughhouse on bunk beds
• Remove any dangerous objects from bunk beds
• Avoid hanging items of clothing or sporting equipment from the top bunk as this can create strangulation risks 
• Use a night light so that those sleeping on the top bunk can get down safely when it is dark

Along with the above-mentioned tips, we recommend the following:

• Ensure the bunk bed is securely assembled before use
• Use the right size mattress on the top and bottom bunks 
• Only one person should sleep in the top bunk

Best Mattress for Bunk Beds FAQs

Can an adult sleep on a bunk bed?

Yes, adults can sleep on bunk beds. However, it is important that they are not over the weight limit requirements if they are sleeping on the top bunk. When sleeping on the bottom bunk, adults will want to make sure that they have head clearance so that they can avoid injury when getting in and out of bed. 

Do bunk beds require a specific mattress?

Yes and no. There aren’t bunk bed-specific mattresses, but you will want to make sure that you always use the correct corresponding mattress size with the dimensions of the frame. 

What’s the difference between bunk beds and loft beds?

A loft bed is a single raised bed, allowing you to use the floor and wall below for a myriad of purposes. In essence, loft beds are bunk beds with no bottom bunk. This setup still gives sleepers the fun “high-up” feeling while conserving even more space.

The best loft beds tend to incorporate a storage area, desk, or play space. If your loft bed is a simple, bare-bones raised bed, you can still make the most out of that space. Pick out a desk to create a study space beneath or attach curtains to block off the space for storage or a hideaway play area.

The principles for finding a loft bed mattress are similar to that of bunk beds. This means you’ll want to follow the same rules for considering the loft bed mattress size. Also, be sure to follow the same considerations for mattress height for bunk beds.

Read Our Full Guide: Best Rated Loft Beds

Is it safe to sleep on the top bunk?

Yes, if you are investing in a well-built bed that is constructed from high-quality, safe materials, then your little one should be safe to sleep in a top bunk. Be sure that the mattress isn’t so high that it exceeds the height of the guardrail, and for added protection, consider a higher guardrail.

Should bunk beds have stairs or a ladder?

Whether the bed should have stairs is a matter of preference. However, stairs could make things easier and safer overall. 

Some don’t have stairs or a ladder and instead, have slotted ends that can be used to climb up. Whatever the method is, as long as there is a safe way to get onto the top bed, then it doesn’t matter. Try looking at different bunk bed styles and pick the one that you and your kids are most comfortable with.

Are bunk beds safe for toddlers?

A good general rule of thumb is not to let children under six years old use the top bunk². However, if you have two children of different ages, in which one is older than six, the elder sibling can use the top bunk while the younger one is on the bottom bunk. If both of your children are under six years old, though, it’s best to tell them to wait until they are a bit older.

Get More Info: Are Bunk Beds Safe For Kids?

Are bunk beds too small for teens?

Bunk bed mattresses are usually somewhere around 6 inches thick, which may be too small for a rapidly growing teen. You’ll want to consider weight limits for both the mattress and the overall structure of the frame when you are deciding if a teen has outgrown their bunk bed days. Height may also be a factor, and no teen wants to sleep with their feet hanging over the top bunk.

If you are looking to upgrade your teen’s sleep experience, you’ll want to pick a bed and a frame that can allow them to comfortably transition into their adult size and shape, and the correct investment could even follow them off to college. Look for versatility and durability when shopping for growing children, and you’re likely to see a better return on your investment.

View Our Complete Guide: Best Mattresses for Teenagers

Should you get a memory foam mattress for bunk beds?

The two most common mattress types for bunk beds are innerspring and memory foam.

Memory foam allows the sleeper to sink into the material as it conforms to the body, delivering ample pressure relief and support.

Innerspring mattresses, on the other hand, are a standard option that provides optimal support, but they might have a shorter lifespan, depending on the materials. While this type might be appealing to kids because of the springs that make it bouncy, if you want the safest option, then it could be better to opt for memory foam.