5 Best “Bunk Bed Mattresses” to Buy Online | (Proper Thickness & Fit)
If you own a bunk bed, or loft bed, you may have realized that you cannot purchase just any mattress to put on the bunks. A mattress that is too thick can actually be a serious safety hazard.
In general the bunk manufacturers suggest a thinner mattress that sits far enough below the guardrail so that you do not fall off the bed.
Generally the mattress for a bunk bed should measure about 8″ thick or thinner. It is important to measure or look at the requirements for your specific set up to be sure what works for your specific bunk bed set.
In this post we have listed our favorite mattresses that are all between 6 inches and 8 inches thick, which is our recommended thickness for the vast majority of bunk beds on the market today. A mattress of this thickness sits low enough to be safe and to allow the guardrail on the bed to do its job, while also still providing enough support.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All of the mattresses on this list below are 8″ thick or thinner and will safely fit the vast majority of bunk beds on the market. For safety reasons, a bunk bed mattress should not generally be thicker than 8″ (always check with your specific bunk bed manufacturer for mattress requirements related to your bunk bed model).
A mattress that is too thick will lift the sleeper too high above the safety rail and could increase the risk of falling or injury.
Quick Picks – (Top 5) Best Bunk Bed Mattresses
1. BEST OVERALL (EDITOR’S PICK) – Dreamfoam Essential (6″ or 8″ thick)
2. BEST FOR KIDS – Helix Kids Mattress (8″ thick)
3. BEST NATURAL OPTION – Natural Bliss Latex Mattress (8″ thick)
5. BEST ALL-IN-ONE-BUNDLE – 5 Little Monkeys Kids Mattress (8″ thick)
5. BEST INNERSPRING OPTION – Park Meadow Innerspring Mattress (8″ thick)
How thick should a bunk bed mattress be?
The majority of bunks fit a twin/ single or full/double sized mattress between 6″ and 8″ thick. If you are unsure, we recommend a 6″ mattress, as this will ensure the mattress sits low enough that you won’t be able to roll out of bed past the guardrail. 6 inch thick mattresses are not as common in the market as other sizes so your options will be slightly limited.
What is the best type of mattress for a bunk bed?
Since a bunk bed requires a thinner profile mattress, you want to make sure you try to purchase one that is of nicer quality and that won’t begin to break down or sag. Many of the cheap mattresses on Amazon are imported from China with poor quality foam and will not last or hold sleepers of any substantial weight. A higher quality mattress will have a high density base foam that can support any type of sleeper and will hold up for years to come. You can choose from a variety of materials from latex to memory foam depending on your personal comfort and material preferences.
Things to consider before buying a mattress for your bunk bed.
Frequency of Usage: We have listed mattresses that meet all standards and budgets. Be sure to think about how often you will be using your mattress. If it will be a guest bed or an extra sleeper you may want to go with a budget mattress, while if it is an every night sleeper you may lean towards a more luxury sleeping experience.
Material: When it comes to material memory foam, latex and innerspring mattresses all have different benefits and feels. It is important to know which you prefer and choose a mattress that meets your needs.
Price: Generally speaking, the more expensive the mattress the higher quality materials and the longer it will last. Our best all around mattress is a great middle ground between quality materials and an affordable price.
The different types of bunk mattresses available
Thinner mattresses that are used for bunk beds are not as common in the marketplace, but you still have a variety of styles and options to choose from. Each material and mattress style comes with its own benefits and downsides.
Memory Foam: Memory foam was originally invented and used by NASA and ultimately transitioned into use within the sleep industry. Memory foam has great pressure relief abilities but can have a unique feel that takes some getting used to. If you have never slept on a memory foam mattress we recommend testing one out before deciding to purchase one.
Latex: Latex is one of the most natural and eco-friendly materials in the bedding industry. Latex is not only a popular health-conscious choice but it also has amazing pressure relief and support capabilities. The only downside to latex is that it is quite a bit more expensive than competing foams.
Innerspring: An innerspring mattress is going to give the most support and “bounce” out of all the mattress types. Innerspring mattresses are also commonly referred to as “hybrid” mattresses. If you have back pain or are looking for additional support, then we generally recommend an innerspring option. Innerspring mattresses will also usually hold up longer than the all foam competitors.
Top 5: Bunk Bed Mattresses
1. The Dreamfoam Essential by Brooklyn Bedding (6″ or 8″ thick)
BUDGET FRIENDLY
This may be the best budget friendly mattress on the market. The combination of high density support foam and memory foam comfort layers makes for a supportive, pressure relieving sleep experience. If you like the feel of memory foam and are looking for an affordable sleeping option then this is the best mattress you will find. Brooklyn Bedding makes all of their mattresses in their own factories in Arizona and are able to cut out the middle man and offer customers factory direct prices.
- Budget friendly price point
- High quality, supportive memory foam design
- Made in the USA (Arizona Factory)
- Available in custom sizes and thicknesses
What our testers are saying:
The Dreamfoam Essential is the perfect mattress for a bunk bed. Not only does it come in a variety of thicknesses from 6″ thick to 14″ thick (we recommend 8″ for most bunk beds), it also is one of the most well made and budget friendly memory foam mattresses for the price. The combination of the high density support foam and generous layer of memory foam make it supportive while also being pressure relieving and comfortable. This mattress is great for use by kids or adults. The zippered cover can easily be removed for cleaning and washing. If you are looking for a great “bang for your buck” bunk bed mattress then it doesn’t get much better than this. The mattress is also available in a variety of odd sizes sometimes used in bunk beds like RV bunk, full xl, narrow twin and 3/4 options.
2. The Helix Kids Mattress by Helix Sleep (8″ thick)
The Helix Kids mattress is built specifically with the sleep needs of young growing bodies in mind. The mattress utilizes a pocketed coil innerspring unit in order to provide lasting support that will cradle a variety of body types, even as they grow and get heavier. The mattress is flippable with 2-sides (a firmer side for kids 3-7 years old and slightly softer side for kids 8-12 years old). This mattress is non-toxic and naturally hypoallergenic. The cover has a microbe-shield to protect against bacteria and is also naturally water-repellant to protect against any accidents.
- Built specifically for young growing bodies
- Flippable 2-Sided Design (kids from ages 3-12)
- Made in the USA
- Non-toxic and Hypoallergenic
- Supportive Pocketed Coil Design
- Bacteria Fighting & Water-repellant Cover
What our testers are saying:
The Helix Kids mattress was built specifically for kids from ages 3-12+ and comes with all the special benefits of a mattress geared towards kids. This means the mattress is 2 sided and has 2 comfort levels (firmer for younger kids and softer for older kids). It is also waterproof, non-toxic and hypoallergenic. The cover can be easily unzipped and washed when needed. This mattress uses a pocketed coil innerspring unit at its core to provide supportive, luxurious support for growing bodies. If your kids will be sleeping on your bunk bed and you want to get a mattress that will support their bodies and their sleep habits then this mattress is the best choice out there.
3. The Kids Sleep System by 5 Little Monkeys (8″ thick)
BUILT FOR KIDS
The Kids Mattress by 5 Little Monkeys is built just for your kids and makes for the perfect single mattress option. It is non-toxic, waterproof, hypoallergenic and the perfect firmness for children. 5 little monkeys also sells a variety of accessories that you can get with the mattress, from bed frames to pillows and mattress protectors. If you are looking for a kids mattress, this is one of the best on the market and the only mattress designed exclusively with your child’s needs in mind.
- Waterproof
- Temperature regulating
- Non-toxic and hypoallergenic
- Supportive for young growing bodies
- Organic cotton cover
- Made in the USA
What our testers are saying:
5 Little Monkeys is one of the only companies on the market that manufactures a mattress specifically for kids. Their mattress is 8″ thick and made of temperature regulating memory foam. The bundle comes with an organic cotton removable/washable cover, a waterproof protector, a pillow and a little stuffed animal monkey. The 8 inch thickness of this mattress will easily fit on most bunk beds and will be plenty of support and comfort for your kids. This mattress is widely loved throughout the industry and is well made with high quality materials.
4. The Natural Bliss Latex Mattress By PlushBeds
Plushbeds is known throughout the industry for their high quality affordable latex mattress options. The Natural Bliss is their most budget friendly latex mattress and provides all the healthy benefits of a latex at a great price. The Natural bliss is available in multiple firmness options to suit all comfort levels and preferences. This mattress also has an organic cotton cover and is perfect for any individuals with allergies or who are sensitive to non-organic fabrics.
- 100% Natural Latex
- Organic Cotton Cover
- No glues or chemicals used
- Variety of firmness levels available
- Great value
What our testers are saying:
PlusBeds specializes in eco-friendly and chemical free mattresses. Their Natural Bliss mattress combines natural latex and an organic cotton cover to give customers a healthy and hypoallergenic sleeping surface that they can feel good about. PlushBeds has been in the mattress industry for many years and is one of the most trusted “eco-friendly” sleep brands on the market. Their prices are also very reasonable compared to their competitors. At 8 inches thick this is one of the only natural latex mattresses that will fit a bunk bed. If you are looking for a natural option for your bunk bed or trundle bed then this is by far the best mattress for you.
5. The Park Meadow Pocketed Coil Mattress by Mattress Insider (8 inch thick)
BEST INNERSPRING OPTION
The park meadow mattress is a great mattress for customers suffering from back pain or who require extra support. It is also perfect for individuals who prefer a traditional spring mattress feel over that of an all foam mattress. Mattress Insider offers all of their mattresses in an array of different custom sizes. They are a trusted name in the mattress industry and have been making custom mattresses since 2008. The park meadow is made with individually pocketed innerspring coils which helps to reduce partner disturbance while still giving the support of an innerspring mattress.
- Available in any custom size imaginable.
- Pocketed coil innerspring unit for heavy duty support
- Reputable company with great reviews and customer support
What our testers are saying:
The Park Meadow mattress by Mattress Insider is one of the only 8″ thick mattresses to utilize an innerspring (aka pocketed coil) support system. This mattress is great for heavier sleepers or for those who prefer the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress over that of memory foam or an all foam option. Traditionally innerspring mattresses tend to last longer than all foam mattresses as well. Mattress Insider has been making mattresses since 2008 and is a trusted name in the industry. If you are looking for an innerspring mattress that has support but is still thin enough to fit on a bunk bed then mattress is a great option.
Need accessories for your bunk bed mattress?
If you need sheets, comforters, mattress protectors, etc… all of the companies listed above also provide accessories that you can purchase with your mattress.
Alternative options for purchasing a bunk bed mattress?
If you prefer not to purchase your mattress online you can look for custom mattress factories in your area to build you a mattress you can test out before buying. A couple custom mattress manufacturers you can check out in person are:
What to do with your old mattress?
When you purchase a mattress online you are left to find a way to get rid of your old one. Luckily “A Bedder World” has mattress disposal services throughout the country. We work with mattress recycling centers to make sure your old mattress gets disposed of in the most eco-friendly manner possible. To date we have recycled over 500K mattresses. Book a pick up here. Or try recycling it yourself!
Conclusion
Bunk beds are very common in the market place and there are quite a few high quality companies providing options for replacement mattresses. All of the companies listed in this post are companies that we trust and that have great reputations within the sleep community. You can feel confident placing an order with an of them.
