The fact is that the average teen is busy. School, social life, the latest PS4 game begging to be beaten (as soon as that homework is done) It makes sense that to cope with all of this they should get plenty of sleep. But the fact is that many of them just don’t get enough. And while there are lots of reasons for that (more about that later) investing in a great mattress can be one excellent way of helping to ensure that teenagers get the shut eye they need.
But what makes a great mattress for teens? There are indeed lots of options out there, but to help you get a head start on your shopping here’s a look at some of the very best options available right now:
The Best Teen Mattress
1.Best Overall: Nectar Sleep
Pros:
- Long term support
- Mid-level firmness (not too soft, not too hard)
- Incredible value
- Free shipping, white glove option, 365-night trial, lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Weak edge support
Bottom Line: Is a supportive 11″ memory foam mattress, comfortable that is reasonably priced and should last at least 7-8 years, making it a durable option.
The NECTAR Sleep mattress is rather unique, both in the way it looks and the way it functions. The mattress is actually comprised of four different layers, and each of those layers is designed to serve a different – but useful – purpose.
There are two memory foam layers (the stuff that moulds to the sleeper’s body shape) that offer a stable foundation for both the mattress and the sleeping body. Two specialist gel layers then provide just the right level of support and it’s all topped off by a built in tencel mattress cover that cools naturally, keeping the mattress – and it’s occupant – sweat free while also keeping dust (and dust mites) at bay.As teens are still growing their bodies need all the support they can get, but not all of them need the same level of support and that’s one of the reasons that fans of the NECTAR Sleep as a mattress for teens like it so much; thanks to the memory foam layers the support provided is ‘personalized’ and over time only gets better.
The fact that the company offers a 365 night trial period is popular as well, as often you can’t tell if a mattress is really suited for a teen (or anyone) until you’ve actually slept on it for a while. For more, read our full Nectar Sleep mattress review here.
2. Flippable Design: Layla
Pros:
- Flippable design with two firmness options
- Compressed, rolled, and delivered in a box, easy to set up
- Free shipping in the US, non-prorated lifetime warranty
- 120 day trial
Cons:
- Some potential for off-gassing
- Mandatory two-week break-in period for sleep trial
Bottom Line: A copper-infused memory foam mattress with a flippable design and two firmness options to choose from that works for teens of all sizes and is a great offering at a good price.
No, we didn’t make a mistake, we really are choosing TWO number ones to head up our list of best mattresses for teenagers. The Layla is more than a little different to the Nectar Sleep but overall it ‘scores’ equally high marks.
Again, the Layla is rather different to many of the standard mattresses for teens available today. It too boasts for layers, but they work in a slightly different way. The mattress is flippable, with two of the layers of memory foam offering a firm support, but the other two offering a sleep surface with a little more ‘give’. Teens can try out both (the mattress only takes a few seconds to flip) to decide for themselves which level of support they personally find more comfortable (and in the unlikely event that they decide neither then the 120 day trial allows for the mattress to be returned with ease.
Another rather special feature of the Layla mattress is that it is copper infused throughout. Why copper? Not only does the flexible metal help add a little extra support it is also naturally cooling, thanks to the fact that as the second most conductive metal in the world (the first is silver but that would price any mattress out of the market) copper can quickly transfer excess heat away from the body into the core of the mattress, leaving the sleeper cool and comfortable rather than hot and bothered.
Those who have bought the Layla mattress for their teen praise its comfort and flexibility as well as the fact that their teens often reported feeling ‘fresher’ when they awoke, which can only be a very good thing.
3. Lowest Priced: LinenSpa
Pros:
- Unbeatable price for an entry-level hybrid mattress
- Great bed for teenagers under 175lbs.
- Combines the comfort of foam and springs
- Mattress is rolled and shipped in a box
- 10-year limited warranty
Cons
- A little on the firm side for some side sleepers
- No sleep trial offered
Bottom Line: Built with a durable innerspring base and a memory foam pillowtop, this hybrid mattress was built for those that need comfort, but are on a budget. Find it on kid and teen beds, in dorms, guest rooms, and master bedrooms.
When teens get ready for that next step in life – leaving high school behind and heading off to college – they often quickly find that their standard issue dorm room mattress is nothing like their comfy at home option and that often translates into a pretty bad night’s sleep, the last thing a busy new college student needs.
Enter the LinenSpa mattress.
It offers a special combination of both memory foam and innerspring technology that offers a firm – but not board hard – level of support that will adjust to its owner over time. This hybrid option will actually fit to the curves of your body, thanks to its foam. This mattress may not offer the support a memory foam bed offers teenagers with tender points (e.g. herniated discs or neck issues) but it is a good choice for those who need something a little softer than the typical foam bed. It’s a medium-firm bed and comes in an 8 or 10″ depth.
Because it’s a very affordable option many of those who have purchased this mattress for their teens have done so in order to replace the flimsy – and very ineffective – standard issue dorm mattress their teen was assigned in order to help them get a better night’s sleep at one of the most important times of their life! And it even comes compressed in an easier to carry box, making it far simpler to install on move in day (and remove when the school year ends).
4. Best Hypoallergenic Teen Mattress: Latex for Less
Pros:
- Isolates motion transfer well
- No off-gassing
- Sleeps cool
- Flippable design
- Suits all sleeping positions
- 120-day sleep trial, 20 years, nonprorated warranty & free shipping
Cons:
- Sleep trial includes mandatory 30-night break-in period
- Fair edge support
Bottom Line: This organic latex mattress offers both great sleeper comfort and spinal support – the two most important factors when selecting a mattress for your teenage son or daughter. Another great choice of mattress with a below-average price-point.
Most people have become very used to the idea that memory foam is the ‘latest’ thing for mattresses and many get the impression that it must therefore be the best option too. In many cases that is true, but it is not the only impressive materials option you can consider when shopping for a great mattress for teens.
The Latex for Less mattress is, as its name suggests, crafted from all natural latex and other all natural materials. Like the Layla mattress it has interchangeable layers that allow the sleeper to adjust the mattress according to their personal comfort preferences. One ‘medium’ layer offers a comfortable level of support but one that has a little more ‘bounciness’ while the other option offers a firmer support. It’s available in either a 7″ and 9″ thickness and comes delivered in a box and it’s easy to set up.
There are other reasons parents opt for the Latex for Less mattress for their teen. Unlike memory foam latex is an all natural material that is less prone to ‘off-gassing’ Off-gassing is the term used to describe what many think of as the ‘new mattress smell’ but is really chemicals being released as the mattress airs out. While this is held to be relatively harmless some people do complain that the smell is overpowering and causes headaches, things that are far from conducive to a good night’s sleep.
The Latex for Less mattress is also very durable and the popular 120 day trial period is popular too as it allow teens plenty of time to decide for themselves if it really is the right mattress option for them.
How to Choose the Best Mattress for Teenagers
Now that you really understand just how important sleep is for your teen’s health – both mental and physical – no doubt you are more than ready to go get them that great mattress they need.
In terms of brands, we have already covered some of the best selling and top rated choices but we know that you’ll encounter lots of other options as well as you begin to shop, and many of them will be worth considering to.
Regardless what mattress model you eventually opt for however there are some basic considerations to keep in mind as you shop for the best mattress for a college dorm or a home bed.
Here’s a look at some of the most important.
Size
As it is time to shop for a new mattress for your teen, something you might not have done for some time, this is also the ideal time to reassess their bed overall.
Most teenagers have a tendency to grow like weeds at certain points during their formative years and the fact is that many of them are really too big (or will become too big very soon) for the bed they have had since they were young kids. Therefore, before you even think of buying a mattress determine whether or not they (and their health) would benefit from going up a bed size (from a twin to a queen for example)
Type
Having read this far you know know that in the 21st century you have more than a couple of choices when it comes to the type of materials used to craft a mattress.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is a very popular choice and for good reason.
It’s supportive but still soft, provides more of a customized ‘fit’ as time goes by and it certainly does help keep a sleeping teen’s body temperature better regulated, helping prevent that sweaty feeling that tends to wake everyone up – not just teens – when it occurs in the middle of the night.
Innerspring
That having been said there is still a place, for some at least, for the ‘old’ innerspring technology that so many parents of teens are far more used to.
Spring surfaces still do offer lots of support and a innerspring mattress may turn out to be the better choice if your teen finds that they are one of those people who tends to feel a little swallowed up by a memory foam mattress.
Latex
Latex is an interesting option.
Provided it is natural latex – as is the case for the Latex for Less mattress we have have discussed here – it’s a very eco-friendly and durable choice. It’s also ‘naturally’ supportive and will produce less off-gassing than most memory foam options.
There are also artificial latex mattress options available for those who are allergic to the natural stuff, but they will off gas in the same way as memory foam and may be slightly less durable than the real thing.
Hybrid
You’ll notice, as you shop, a number of mattress choices, like the Nectar and LinenSpa mattresses, that offer several materials and ‘technologies’ rolled into one to create a mattress.
This can be a very effective way to create a truly comfortable and supportive mattress but you will often have to give such beds a good ‘trial run’ before discovering if they can really provide exactly what your teen needs.
Sleeping Positions
Most teens – like most adults – do have a sleeping position they prefer and that preference may influence your mattress choice.
For example, side sleepers usually need additional, flexible support for their hips in order to keep their spine as straight and supported as possible, which makes memory foam an excellent choice. Back sleepers, on the other hand need more whole body support – especially at the shoulders – and that may be better provided by a memory foam/innerspring hybrid. Finally, stomach sleepers require a medium-firm level of support to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep.
Trial Conditions
Most high quality mattresses are not inexpensive purchases and as we have noted here a number of times it often takes several weeks of sleeping on a new mattress before you can really discover if you have made the right choice or not. It’s for this reason that the trial periods offered can be very helpful. They allow you to make that bigger investment with less risk.
Budget
It’s fair to admit that most of us like to save money wherever and whenever we can. And while being price conscious is always good skimping on a mattress for your teen may not be the best economy. Throughout this piece we’ve tried to emphasize the importance of a good night’s sleep for teens and the right mattress plays an important part in that.
Therefore you might want to consider going a little higher than you had planned price wise in order to get the mattress your teen really needs. We’re not advocating breaking the bank, but try not to pinch pennies just for the sake of it either.
Teens and Sleep – An Old Battle
Even though they may bristle at the idea, especially as they are not ‘little kids’ anymore teenagers still need to get plenty of sleep. About eight to nine hours is optimal.
Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health
American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)
As their bodies – and brains – are still growing and developing they definitely still require at least a little more sleep than the average adult. However, many teenagers simply do not get enough sleep and their health, both mental and physical, can really suffer as a result.
For example, did you know that according to a report produced by the DMV in North Carolina 55% of the ‘fall asleep accidents’ that occur on their roads every year can be attributed to drivers under the age of 25? Or that sleep deprived teens are, according numerous reports, likely to over use stimulants like caffeine and nicotine to ‘make it through the day’ but also are more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs to self medicate their way through the mood swings and depression a lack of sleep has been proven to cause?
They are also more likely to engage in ‘risky behaviors’ (reckless driving, unprotected sex and more because in a sleep deprived person) – and certainly often in a sleep deprived teen – their impaired judgement leads to some very poor decision making. In other words, not getting enough sleep can be very, very bad for the average teen.
Why Do Some Teens Have a Problem Sleeping?
As is the case with adults there are many possible causes of a lack of sleep – and even insomnia – in teenagers. In teenagers though some of the more common include:
- A poor diet, or eating too in the evening after the ‘ideal’ cutoff of about five to six hours before bed (that 10pm stop at the pizza place with their friends for example)
- Over-stimulation (playing video games or texting and spending time on social media even after the lights have gone out)
- Stress and anxiety (they are right when they say being a teenager today isn’t an easy picnic)
- Mild depression
- Teenage rebellion (they don’t want to be told what time to go to bed anymore, they are not little kids after all)
- An undiagnosed medical condition like sleep apnea or RLS (restless leg syndrome)
- A bad mattress. A lumpy, bumpy or simply unsupported mattress can make getting a good night’s sleep a challenge.
The Effects of Lack of Sleep in Teens
It’s pretty rare that any teen will go to their parent to voluntarily discuss their sleep habits and what might be wrong with them. To complain about not being able to sleep at night. Or, if they consider themselves ‘night owls’ will always be willing to make any changes to their routines themselves. That means that more often than not it is left up to parents to recognize the signs that their teen is not getting adequate sleep and then help them take positive steps to address the problem. The most common signs include all of the following
- Ongoing daytime fatigue
- Changed eating habits leading to obesity, or in some other cases, worrying weight loss
- Increased irritability and/or forgetfulness
- Clumsiness
- Poor grades at school
- Stress related illnesses
Often a teen’s poor sleep – and the effects of it – are simply caused by what sleep experts term ‘poor sleep hygiene’. After establishing that the sleep issues are not related to an underlying medical condition, something that should always be a first step, all of the following should help establish better sleep routines.
- Going back to having a set bedtime, but obviously one that a teen regulates themselves.
- Ensuring that their sleep environment, including their mattress, is suitable for their needs. An investment in a high quality mattress that meet’s a teen’s needs really is one well worth making.
- Creating a small relaxation window between the end of their day’s main activities and bedtime proper. A hot drink can still be helpful (much as it might have been when they were much younger) as can a nice, soothing warm bath or shower.
- Making use of simple, non-habit forming sleep aids such as sleep pillows, sleep humidifiers, and anti-snoring nasal strips, as kids, just like adults are often kept up by the sound of their own snoring!
- Limiting the number of caffeine packed beverages they drink over the course of the day. Not just the obvious culprit – coffee and soda – but also those trendy energy drinks which actually often contain many more times the caffeine levels that the ‘usual suspects’ we mentioned do.
- Cutting out heavy meals later in the evening and limiting the intake of sugar in general.
- Limiting the use of electronic media – smartphones, video games TVs and computers later at night, and at the very least ensuring they are turned off at least an hour before bed.
Most of these measures will not only help the average teen with get a better night’s sleep but they will help boost their overall health and well-being as well, something that left to their own devices many teens are too busy to pay much attention to themselves.