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Whether you are trying to find something for the kiddos or are saving space with a roommate, bunk beds are certainly a great choice. Whether it is a twin, full, or queen, the best options are often foam options due to their material evenness, weight, and profiles. We've analyzed hundreds of brands, the customer ratings, and feedback to build this list of top rated mattresses for bunk beds.
+3.2x better quality
+2.7x back pain relief
Listed top rated mattresses vs. average comparable mattressesTOP PICK: Nectar
BEST COOLING: Bear Mattress
BEST SELECTION: Dreamfoam Bedding
BEST CHEAP: Siena Mattress
BEST PRESSURE RELIEF: Cocoon By Sealy
Bunkbeds are generally supported by four poles and pillars and unlike normal beds, box springs are not necessary with bunkbeds. Mattresses lie directly on the bunky board of the upper and lower bunks. This means that the best mattresses should be designed not to need boxprings, which luckily are most online mattress brands today.
Some additional considerations for the bunk beds are any weight restrictions and height restrictions for the mattress. Many children's bunk beds only recommend 175 lbs limit on the upper bunk and no more than 200 lbs on the lower bunk. Additionally, depending on the top bunk, there may or may not be guardrails to ensure that the top bunk sleeper doesn't fall out at night. If this is the case, some manufacturers of bunk beds recommend mattresses that are 6 - 8 inches rather than the standard 8 - 12 inch mattresses. It is important to review the specifications of your particular bunk bed before buying a mattress. You want to ensure your safety but not sacrifice comfort if you don't have to.
Some of the most popular bunk beds are foam because they don't require heavy coils or high profiles. That said, dependent on your bunk bed, any twin may work. To make sure: read the specifications of your bunk bed, and review the height of the mattress you are purchasing.
Since weight is such an important factor, foam mattresses are often better than hybrids or those with metal innersprings (which increase weight). Nectar is a high value brand and if your bunk bed supports 11'' mattresses, this is a great overall pick. Additionally, Arctic Dreams offers an ability to select a thinner 8'' mattress that won't break your budget! Read on below...
One of the most popular mattress brands, Nectar has revolutionized the all-foam mattress industry with designs that focus on universally comfy firmness and support. With 3 all-foam mattresses and even some newer hybrid options, customers have reported enhanced cooling and supreme pressure relief in the Nectar Premier & Luxe. With value-add benefits like a full year trial and 'forever' warranty, quality materials for the price, and 'Buy Now, Pay Later' financing options, it should be a serious consideration for value-conscious shoppers. Now available in Canada. From the UK? See our review for the UK version.
Overall Score for Bunk Beds: 9.7/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.7/10
Price Value: 9.8/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $349-$2598
Siena is an affordable mattress brand by Resident Home, the makers of some of the most well-rated mattresses in the industry. Their Siena offering is all about delivering high value comfort while maintaining a low price. With prices starting below $500 for a queen (after discount), mattresses at these price points found elsewhere often have additional complaints about perceived quality and durability over time. With a specialty foam design that features breathability, pressure relief, and sturdy support, Siena is a great consideration for those on a budget.
Overall Score for Bunk Beds: 9.7/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.5/10
Price Value: 9.5/10
Back Support: 9.3/10
Price: $149-$599
Bear offers 5 top-rated mattresses. Their Bear Original memory foam has won acclaim with athletes on a budget. For those looking for a pressure-relieving feel, the Star Hybrid and Pro Hybrid are great options. Sleepers looking for the responsive feel of natural latex will enjoy the Bear Natural hybrid mattress. Lastly, their Elite Hybrid, features both cooling foams and zoned support to provide sleepers with a luxurious sleep experience. From the Celliant® fibers to copper cooling, customers love these mattresses for their superior cooling, muscle pain relief, and balanced back support.
Overall Score for Bunk Beds: 9.5/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.5/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.5/10
Price: $786-$4996
Dreamfoam Bedding is a lower cost brand by Brooklyn Bedding. These economy mattresses offer competitive options for the budget conscious shopper, while still having a good selection of choices featuring hypoallergenic latex, foam, and coil. Because of the lower prices, there are lower quality materials used in the mattresses, which isn't ideal for all sleepers, but for those that are looking for a temporary solution or a guest room mattress, these might work just fine.
Overall Score for Bunk Beds: 9.5/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.3/10
Price Value: 9.3/10
Back Support: 9.2/10
Price: $274-$1499
Loom and Leaf has a lot to offer -- standing at just about 12 inches thick, it has many layers of high-end foam that help alleviate pressure points but also properly cradle the spine. If you are frustrated by mattresses that don't properly support your back and spine, Loom and Leaf can definitely help. It has a medium firm option that is approved by chiropractors and other spine gurus. Also, its firmness and thick layers help with long term durability.
Overall Score for Bunk Beds: 9.3/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.3/10
Price Value: 9.3/10
Back Support: 9.3/10
Price: $1195-$3150
Cocoon by Sealy is Sealy's answer to the disruptive mattress in a box brands that have been so popular over the past two years. They offer a cooling 'Chill' memory foam mattress and hybrid mattress. With massive brand awareness, competitive prices, and easy delivery, Cocoon is an exciting entry into the mattress-in-a-box space. One that's sure to continue to innovate!
Overall Score for Bunk Beds: 9.3/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.4/10
Price Value: 9.1/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $769-$1999
Nolah came to market in 2016 when they crafted their very own foam, called Nolah AirFoam®, as a response to the memory foam mattress industry. Its innovation is that it retains less heat than other memory foam or common 'visco elastic' foams. It is easier on the hips and shoulders, making it ideal for side sleepers. With multiple mattress options, good customer satisfaction scores, and a tailored mattress for plus sized sleepers, Nolah is a brand anyone can feel good about!
Overall Score for Bunk Beds: 9.3/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.3/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $699-$2499
Tuft & Needle made a big splash in the mattress industry when it offered one of the lowest cost all-foam mattresses in a box directly to customers, their T&N Original Mattress. Since then, they've elaborated on their initial concept with two more innovative designs: The Mint and The Hybrid, which provide high quality, superbly pressure-relieving offerings. On top of that, the Mint Mattress was recently upgraded to include antimicrobial protection embedded in its cover layer. With their three mattresses and 100,000s of positive reviews, customers have spoken in approval of T&N.
Overall Score for Bunk Beds: 9.2/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.2/10
Price Value: 9.1/10
Back Support: 9.2/10
Price: $645-$1895
PlushBeds is a manufacturer & retailer of luxury organic mattresses. They are certified organic, going through the rigorous process of having their source materials, factory and products certified GOTS and GOLS organic. Also, their mattresses are GreenGuard Gold certified, passing strict tests against offgassing harmful compounds or allergens, ideal for those with chemical sensitivities. Their luxury organic mattresses include the luxury Organic Latex Mattress, organic Hybrid Latex Mattress, a Vegan Mattress, competitively priced Eco Mattress, and their organic Pillowtop Hybrid Mattress.
Overall Score for Bunk Beds: 9.2/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.3/10
Price Value: 9.2/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $2149-$4598
Founded in 2011, Nest Bedding is an exciting addition to the mattress in a box space. Their mattresses are manufactured in the US and include a high-end hybrid mattress, organic and natural latex and hybrid mattresses, a flippable mattress and more. With competitive price points compared to name-brand mattresses and a tradition of innovating based on customer feedback, there's a lot to love about Nest Bedding.
Overall Score for Bunk Beds: 9.2/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.1/10
Price Value: 9.1/10
Back Support: 9.2/10
Price: $849-$4699