HOW WE DECIDED
Mattresses Reviewed 150+
Brands 60+
Made the List 5
Number of Contributors 6
Best Bunk Bed Mattresses 2022
- Best Bunk Bed Mattress :Tuft Needle OriginalStarting at $745 Shop Now
- Best Memory Foam Bunk Bed Mattress :Bear MattressStarting at $748 Shop Now
- Best Hybrid Bunk Bed Mattress :Brooklyn Bedding SignatureStarting at $599 Shop Now
- Best Washable Cover Bunk Bed Mattress :Puffy OriginalStarting at $699 Shop Now
- Best Natural and Organic Bunk Bed Mattress :My Green Mattress Natural EscapeStarting at $899 Shop Now
Best Bed For Bunks Overview
Now that you’ve seen the list, you might be thinking about how we selected the beds that we did. Well, we base a lot of our selections on what people are searching for. As an example, we know the memory foam mattress is the most popular type of bed online, so it only made sense to include one of these beds. Additionally, our editors get together to discuss and argue the merits of every single mattress. It takes us several hours to curate our lists and come to a final conclusion.
We understand that you probably want to know more about each of our selections. That’s why we’ve included reviews sections below. They are shorter than our typical in-depth reviews, but they should provide ample context for you to make a decision. Hopefully you find this guide helpful!
What Makes These The Best Bunk Bed Mattresses?
Our editors have spent hundreds of hours testing, reviewing, and researching beds of all sizes and from all brands to find the bed mattress for bunk beds. We have experience with air beds, coil beds, foam beds, and everything in between—even the unique gel-like bed that is the Purple mattress.
Several of our team members are “Certified Sleep Science Coaches” as well, so rest assured all we do everyday all day is think about and recommend beds. As it relates to bunk beds specifically, we have a lot of first-hand knowledge on the subject. Virtually all of the mattresses we’ve tested come in both the twin and full size, and should serve as good candidates for your bunk bed.
Compare The Best Mattresses for Bunk Beds
Best Overall
Laying on Tuft & Needle is like laying on one big slab of comfortable, neutral foam. It has zero memory foam and no springs, so it just has the classic soft foam feel.
We have posted a full review of the Tuft and Needle Bed, but here are the quick points to consider:
This is a simple mattress, that feels generally comfortable to most people who sleep on it (it’s a very neutral feeling foam). The price point is $645 for a twin mattress, so it’s also quite affordable.
We rated it a medium on the scale, making it ideal for any sleeper type, whether you’re trying to accommodate your child, or a visitor who’s staying the night in Air BnB rental home. Measures 10″ thick with two layers of foam in total and backed by Serta-Simmons with CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold Certifications.
Why We Picked Tuft and Needle
There’s not much to rant and rave about with Tuft & Needle, and that’s why we love it so much as a bunk bed mattress. It’s a foam bed and not much more. Plus, the price is something you’ll be happy with.
Best Memory Foam
This is the company’s entry-level mattress, but it’s perfect for a bunk bed since it’s not too thick, yet it’s a really nice bed for the money. We also think it could work for adults and kids alike.
Obviously, there’s a lot to know with Bear Mattress, but here’s a quick overview of the bed:
For one, the twin size mattress sells for (well) under $500 [Check Price Now]. The mattress is 10″ thick with three layers of foam for tons of support, and a graphite-infused memory foam as the main comfort layer. We think it’s somewhere between a “medium” and “medium-firm” that is suitable for all sleeping styles.
For added benefits, it’s made in the USA, and fitted with a Celliant cover that is FDA-approved and CertiPUR-US certification.
Interestingly, Bear was one of the first brands to start selling beds online. While this is an all-foam bed, they do make Bear Hybrid, which is a little more expensive but adds the coils for support. As it relates to the bunk bed, however, we prefer the original Bear Mattress.
Why You’ll Like Bear Mattress
This is a traditional mattress in a box, in that it’s about 10″ thick and is made of foams. If you’re looking for a memory foam feel and you want to pay a very reasonable price, we think you’ll consider the Bear Mattress the best mattress for bunk beds.
Best Hybrid Mattress
Most coil beds online are either pricey or measure taller than about 10″ thick. The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid mattress, however, is both incredibly affordable and should fit just fine on most bunk beds.
It sells for under $500 after you apply a coupon code [Check Price Now], so it’s an affordable choice for people looking to furnish their bunk beds. Support is provided by the 6″ pocket coils with a soft foam feel, and it comes with three different firmness options available. It’s also Made right here in the United States at Brooklyn Bedding’s facility in AZ.
Flat out, this is one of our favorite hybrid mattresses. It’s just an odd mix (in a good way) of value, support, comfort, and quality—should serve as a great bunk bed mattress, whether in the twin or full size.
Why The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid Bed Is A Great Idea
This is our top pick for the best innerspring bunk bed mattress because it has just about everything you could ever want: it’s comfortable, supportive, affordable, and comes in three firmness options.
Best Washable Cover
Puffy has a very similar “feel” to Casper, Leesa, and Tuft & Needle. By that I mean, it feels like a general soft foam mattress. It does have gel memory foam as its primary comfort layer, but it doesn’t have an overwhelming memory foam feel. Aside from that, here’s what you should know about Puffy:
It measures about 10″ thick (3 layers of foam) with a medium firmness and a washable cover so it’s easy to clean up spills and accidents. If you’re outfitting a bunk bed for kids, we expect that the washable cover will come in handy. You can learn more about Puffy in our full review.
Like the other mattresses, it ships in a box for the ultimate in convenient delivery and set up, plus the twin sells for under $500.
Why Consider The Puffy Mattress
There are several reasons why we included Puffy on this list, but the most prominent one is the fact that it has a washable cover. Yes, it’s a comfortable foam bed, but what makes it stand out among the others online is that you can remove the cover and wash it in the washing machine—perfect for kiddos with a bunk bed.
Best Natural And Organic Mattress
You can think of My Green Mattress as a more affordable version of the Avocado Mattress, which is by far the most popular eco-friendly mattress online. You’re getting plenty of the upsides in terms of quality and comfort, but with a more palatable price tag (a bunk bed mattress is under $800).
It’s made with latex foam and pocket coils and non-toxic materials, including GOTS-certified organic cotton, GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex foam, and GOTS-certified organic wool.
There are almost no downsides with My Green Mattress, unless you want a “plush” mattress. For numerous reasons, we feel that it’s the best natural and organic bunk bed mattress—regardless of whether you buy the twin size or full size mattress.
Why We Picked My Green Mattress
Whether kids or adults will be sleeping on the bunk bed, Natural Escape by My Green Mattress should be equally as comfortable and resilient. This is a latex hybrid mattress with organic latex foam and pocketed coils. If you want health-centric material, it’s hard to do better than My Green Mattress, especially for the price.
Why Trust Us
Get the kind of sleep you’ve only dreamed of with some help from our team of mattress experts. We personally test more than 175 of the best sleep solutions from over 60 leading brands on site, so you can be sure you’re getting unbiased reviews, fair comparisons and personalized recommendations.
The Review Team
Other Considerations For A Bunk Bed Mattress
Thickness
Regardless of the size of mattress you choose for your bunk bed, the end result should be the same: a mattress that fits snuggly within the frame of the bunk bed and isn’t too tall. For the most part, that means looking for a mattress that’s no more than 12″ thick. Luckily, there are twin size and full size mattresses all over the place that are less than 12″ thick—we’ve included several in this review.
Construction
Aside from the thickness of the mattress, you will likely be choosing either a foam or innerspring mattress, though we are agnostic as to which you pick. Foam mattresses tend to be attractive since they’re highly affordable, but the coil beds can often provide more support in the long run. If you’re buying a bunk bed mattress for an adult, perhaps think about the coil beds first, but if you’re buying for a kiddo, the foam beds should be just fine.
Body Weight
Many bunk beds have a weight capacity restriction of between 200 and 500 pounds. It’s important to keep this in mind and never exceed the weight capacity or risk breaking the bed frame. Keep in mind that the weight capacity of the bunk bed itself and the weight of the mattresses.
Price
Most twin bed prices don’t exceed $500, though you will find a few luxury brands that are closer to $1,000. Organic materials and memory foam tend to be a bit pricier than twin mattresses with a coil inside. Hybrid mattresses are a good option for sleepers who love a good memory foam feel but need to spend on a budget.
Durability
Durability naturally matters when it comes to selecting a mattress, because you don’t want it to wear out after a year or two. A mattress that is not durable enough may lump and sag, and contribute to a poor night’s sleep or aches and pains. A durable bed, on the other hand, can last up to a decade or a little more.
Size
The traditional dimensions of a regular twin mattress are approximately 38 inches wide by 75 inches long. While a length of 75 inches long is too short for a lot of adults, they will be quite comfortable for the average child sleeper.
Different Types Of Bunk Beds
- Standard: These bunk beds have two stacked frames of the exact same size.
- Triple: A triple bunk has three beds, which may be stacked vertically, or may have two on the bottom and one on top where they intersect.
- Standard Loft: Standard loft beds are positioned about four feet above the ground over an open space.
- Triple Loft: These beds have one standard bunk bed, and then a third bed in a loft position with open space beneath.
- L-Shaped Bunk: Beds are stacked perpendicular rather than vertical in an L-shaped bunk.
- Twin-Over-Full: In this type of bunk, the lower bed is a full mattress while the top is a twin bed.
- Trundle: Trundle beds have a bed that pulls out of the bottom bed like a drawer, with an optional top bunk to sleep a third person.
Bunk Bed Safety
Bunk beds require specific safety measurements that a regular bed may not have, especially for the top bunk. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the top of the mattress should fall at least 5 inches below the top of any safety rail. All top bunks should have safety rails on all sides, and bottom bunks should have one if they are more than 30 inches off the ground. You also need to pay very close attention to weight restrictions for the overall bed, as we mentioned above.
Best Bunk Bed Mattress Price Comparison
| Mattress | Twin | Twin XL | Full | Queen |
| Tuft & Needle | $645 | $695 | $795 | $895 |
| Bear | $400 | $480 | $560 | $640 |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | $599 | $699 | $849 | $999 |
| Puffy Original | $495 | $525 | $695 | $850 |
| My Green Mattress Natural Escape | $899 | $999 | $1,199 | $1,399 |
Best Bunk Bed Mattress Overview
| Mattress | Best Of Title | Firmness Level |
| Tuft & Needle | Best Bunk Bed Mattress | Medium |
| Bear | Best Memory Foam Bunk Bed Mattress | Medium to Medium-Firm |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | Best Hybrid Bunk Bed Mattress | Soft, Medium, Firm |
| Puffy Original | Best Washable Cover Bunk Bed Mattress | Medium |
| My Green Natural Natural Escape | Best Natural and Organic Bunk Bed Mattress | Medium-Firm |
Where To Buy A Bunk Bed Mattress
Given that you’re looking specifically for a bunk bed mattress, you might expect that you need a very specific mattress. In reality, that’s only mildly true. For instance, most bunk beds are using the twin mattress or the full mattress, or both. As such, it’s more about matching size, height, and budget when you’re purchasing a bunk bed mattress.
For most shoppers, the question is whether to buy a bunk bed mattress online or in-store. Fortunately, for you, there are plenty of options. We prefer the online mattress shopping experience because most of the beds come with free shipping and returns. Therefore, whoever is going to sleep on the mattress has several weeks to make up their mind about the bed. If they choose to return, in many case, a 100% refund is in order. That cannot be said if you’re shopping in-store for a new mattress.
If you need a cheap twin bunk bed mattress, well then, you’re likely going to be shopping online since there are dozens of options from which to choose. You can get Bear, Nectar, or a handful of other beds if you like a memory foam feel. If you want a general soft foam feel, there are countless options, though, we happen to really like the products by Tuft & Needle.
The bottom line here is if you want the best mattress for a bunk bed, your options are numerous, in-store and online. It will all come down to personal preference and budget.
Common Bunk Bed Mattress Sizes
Now that you’ve read more about our top picks, let’s cover some basics about the bunk bed mattress. Perhaps the biggest question we get about is about the size of the mattress, so let’s start there. Put simply, the size of bunk bed mattress you require is either the twin or full. Allow us to explain.
Twin Bunk Beds
The most popular size of mattress for a bunk bed is the twin mattress, which typically measures 75″ long by 38″ wide. Most bunk beds will have the twin mattress on the bottom and on the top (i.e. twin over twin bunk bed). The twin size mattress will only fit on person comfortably, and usually it’s not best for adults. If you have an adult bunk bed, it will most likely have a full size mattress.
Full over Full Bunk Beds
There are full over full bunk beds which are fairly popular as well. These will obviously require a full mattress on top and bottom, and the average full mattress is 75″ long by 54″ wide. Typically, you will buy a full over full bunk bed for larger kids, teens, and adults. Another common type of bunk bed is the twin over full, which is exactly what it sounds like. This requires a twin mattress on top and a full mattress on bottom. These are ideal of siblings of different ages to share the same room. From what we’ve seen, these are the most interesting and elegant types of bunk beds because the manufacturers have more leeway to get creative with the design.
You either need a twin or full size mattress.
You can take your pick so long as the mattress is the right size and isn’t thicker than about 12″.
A budget of about $700 should get the job done. There’s really no need to spend over that amount.
You can find them all over the place. Really all you need is a twin or full size mattress.
A bunk bed mattress is any mattress that fits in a bunk bed, most often a regular length twin bed.
Yes, all bunk beds have weight requirements. These include the total weight between the mattress and the sleeper.