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Best Bunk Bed Mattresses for You

Candace Osmond

1. LUCID 5-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress – Editor's Choice

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  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Gel memory foam
  • Feel: Firm
  • Dimensions: 74 L x 38 W x 5 H inches
  • Weight: 18 lbs.
  • Warranty: 25 years

2. Alwyn Home Firm Innerspring Mattress

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  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Innerspring
  • Feel: Firm
  • Dimensions: 75 L x 39 W x 6 H inches
  • Weight: 27.7 lbs.
  • Warranty: 10 years

3. Zinus Memory Foam 5-Inch Bunk Bed

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  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Feel: Medium-firm
  • Dimensions: 74 L x 39 W x 5 H inches
  • Weight: 20 lbs.
  • Warranty: 10 years

4. Wayfair Sleep Gel Memory Foam Mattress

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  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Gel memory foam
  • Feel: Medium
  • Dimensions: 75 L x 39 W x 6 H inches
  • Weight: 20 lbs.
  • Warranty: 10 years

5. Classic Brands Memory Foam Replacement Sofa Bed

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  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Feel: Medium-firm
  • Dimensions: 72 L x 33 W x 4.5 H inches
  • Weight: 22.3 lbs.
  • Warranty: 3 years

6. Signature Sleep 6-Inch Plush Innerspring Mattress

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  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Innerspring
  • Feel: Medium
  • Dimensions: 75 L x 39 W x 6 H inches
  • Weight: 26.4 lbs.
  • Warranty: 1 year

The Best Bunk Bed Mattresses

1. LUCID 5-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress – Editor's Choice

Highlights

  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Gel memory foam
  • Feel: Firm
  • Dimensions: 74 L x 38 W x 5 H inches
  • Weight: 18 lbs.
  • Warranty: 25 years

Pros

  • CertiPUR-US Certified
  • Breathable
  • Affordable
  • Comfortable
  • Sleeps cool

Cons

  • A bit of off-gassing
  • May not be a full 5 inches

If you’re unsure of whether or not you want to go all-in on the memory foam mattress craze because you’re worried about sleeping hot, you may want to consider this LUCID gel memory foam mattress. The gel is mixed into the foam during production, and it helps to dissipate the heat that is produced when you sleep on it. The mattress itself is also ventilated which increases the its breathability and contributes to a much cooler sleep.

The low profile of this mattress is ideal for bunk beds because it won’t peek up over the guard rails. It may be too low profile, though, as some people have reported that the mattress didn’t puff up any higher than four inches when it should be five inches tall. If that happens to you, it could be that it’s a defective mattress. The good news is that this bed comes with a 25-year warranty so you can contact the manufacturer with any issues you may have.

2. Alwyn Home Firm Innerspring Mattress

Highlights

  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Innerspring
  • Feel: Firm
  • Dimensions: 75 L x 39 W x 6 H inches
  • Weight: 27.7 lbs.
  • Warranty: 10 years

Pros

  • Good value
  • Affordable
  • Very firm

Cons

  • Could be too firm
  • Not reversible

Innerspring coil mattresses, like this one from Alwyn Home, are often a bargain. They’re always affordable, and when on sale, they are practically cheap. The construction of this mattress is good, and the feel of it is quite firm. It’s so firm, though, that it could be too much for some sleepers. Overall, though, it gets mostly great reviews on feel from those who have bought it.

The profile of this mattress should be six inches high, but many have reported that it doesn’t get up to a full six inches. That could be a good thing, though, when you consider that this is meant for a bunk bed.

The measurements of the bed are about one inch longer and wider than typical so it might be a tight fit. A tight fit is better than a loose one, though, so no limbs could be caught between guard rails and the mattress. One of the downsides could be that this mattress isn’t reversible so you can’t just flip it over in case of stains or to minimize wear and tear.

3. Zinus Memory Foam 5-Inch Bunk Bed

Highlights

  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Feel: Medium-firm
  • Dimensions: 74 L x 39 W x 5 H inches
  • Weight: 20 lbs.
  • Warranty: 10 years

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Three layers of foam
  • Cover has a moisture barrier
  • Extra comfortable for little ones

Cons

  • May not be a full 5 inches high
  • Strong odor

Usually, when you buy a mattress for a bunk bed, you just buy a normal mattress in the size you need, but this Zinus memory foam bed is specifically made for bunk and trundle beds. That partly explains why this bed is so thin. It comes to about five inches in height, but some people who have purchased it said, it doesn’t come to the full fives inches. You’re putting this on a bunk bed, though, so that shouldn’t be an issue.

The feel of this foam bed is medium-firm to firm, depending on how much you weigh. The three layers include a base layer of supportive, dense foam, and on top of that are the more comfortable, conforming layers. This should be a comfortable bed especially for little ones who don’t weigh as much as adults – and they’re like the ones sleeping on a bunk bed. The off-gassing of this foam bed is considerable, and it could benefit from airing it out in the outdoors for an hour or so.

4. Wayfair Sleep Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Highlights

  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Gel memory foam
  • Feel: Medium
  • Dimensions: 75 L x 39 W x 6 H inches
  • Weight: 20 lbs.
  • Warranty: 10 years

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Three layers of foam
  • Comfortable – not too firm or soft

Cons

  • May sleep hot
  • Strong odor

Gel memory foam, which tops this Wayfair Sleep mattress, is meant to help pull heat away from you and dissipate out of the mattress, but it doesn’t always work as intended. In the case of this mattress, it’s a hit or miss. Most people say this foam mattress doesn’t sleep too hot, but a handful of others have a different story. The three layers of foam are slightly ventilated, so it shouldn’t get too warm. In any case, the bed itself is overall quite comfortable as it isn’t too firm or too soft for most sleepers.

When you first unwrap and inflate this mattress (it does it on its own), it may have a bit of an odor. Most foam mattresses have an off-gassing period, but it may be longer with this one. Some buyers said they could still smell the odor even after a week of airing it out. The six inches of height may seem tall for a bunk bed, but it may not even reach that height. Even if it does, it shouldn’t be too tall at all.

5. Classic Brands Memory Foam Replacement Sofa Bed

Highlights

  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Feel: Medium-firm
  • Dimensions: 72 L x 33 W x 4.5 H inches
  • Weight: 22.3 lbs.
  • Warranty: 3 years

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Thinner than most mattresses
  • Comfortable
  • Could be used as a topper

Cons

  • Short warranty
  • Very strong odor

Before you scroll past this Classic Brands memory foam mattress because it’s labeled as a replacement for sofa beds, you first consider your bunk bed. Some of them are built so that you need a smaller mattress, and this one could fit better inside those guard rails. Be sure to double-check the measurements, though, because this mattress is a good three to four inches shorter in length and width than other mattresses. Plus, this is quite affordable so it should be easy to purchase two at once if you need them.

Like all memory foam mattresses, this one has an off-gassing period. There’s a strong odor that emits from this mattress when you first unwrap it, but it’s unusually strong with this bed. You may want to air it out for a couple of days before using it.

You could even use this as a mattress topper if you have a thinner mattress on a bunk bed already as long as it all comes under seven inches. The biggest disappointment of this mattress might be the short warranty: it’s only three years long.

6. Signature Sleep 6-Inch Plush Innerspring Mattress

Highlights

  • Size: Twin
  • Type: Innerspring
  • Feel: Medium
  • Dimensions: 75 L x 39 W x 6 H inches
  • Weight: 26.4 lbs.
  • Warranty: 1 year

Pros

  • Affordable
  • CertiPUR-US Certified
  • Comfortable for kids
  • Good bounce
  • Choice of black or white cover

Cons

  • Springs might be felt
  • Not reversible

This Signature Sleep innerspring coil mattress has a plush feel to the top of it, but it’s not quite as soft as the word plush implies. The comfort of this mattress really depends on your weight. The heavier you are, the more likely you are to feel the springs inside. Lightweight sleepers should find this innerspring mattress comfortable, though. It’s an affordable option which is important when you have to buy a couple mattresses for bunk beds.

The mattress is certified to have minimal off-gassing so you shouldn’t notice a chemical smell to this at all. The springiness of this mattress is apparent which could be a good thing for some sleepers. You won’t be able to reverse this mattress to mitigate wear and tear, but rotating it every six months is a good idea. Also, you get your choice of a black or white cover which might be important to your kids.

What’s Important in a Bunk Bed Mattress?

Clearly, the most important piece of information you need before buying a mattress is the size. Double-check your bunk beds to see if it requires Twin- or Full-sized mattresses. Most traditional bunk beds require two Twin mattresses, but Twin over Full is becoming more common in the world of bunk beds. You can find some that are Full over Full, and even Full over Queen. Likely, though, you’re looking for a couple of Twin mattresses or one Twin and one Full.

One bit of information that you may overlook is the height of the mattress. Bunk beds are not like regular beds. A platform bed can handle a mattress that’s only four inches thick and up to 20 inches or more in thickness. Try putting a 20-inch mattress on a bunk bed, and you’re going to have problems. Whoever’s on the top bunk is going to likely hit their head on the ceiling if you get a mattress that’s too thick.

Plus, the rails on the side are going to be rendered useless if you get a mattress that pops up higher than the rails, which then creates a safety issue. Even the person on the bottom bunk is going to have issues with a thick mattress because there’s a bed above them.

You want to look for a mattress that’s no thicker than six inches, generally. Some bunk beds allow you to add a seven- or eight-inch thick mattress, but those are rare. To stay on the safe side, look for four to six inches in thickness to be safe.

The next decision you need to make is the type of mattress you want for your bunk beds. Generally, your choices are innerspring coil or foam. There are other options of course, but these are the most common and readily available.

Innerspring vs. Foam for Bunk Beds

In the world of sleep, there is no right or wrong answer in choosing the best mattress for a bunk bed when it comes to construction and materials. I mean, there is, but it’s more about personal preference. Some people just can’t get used to the feeling of a foam bed and prefer to stick to traditional spring mattresses. There are benefits and drawbacks to both.

Innerspring

Many people grew up sleeping on an innerspring coil mattress, and it’s hard to get away from that habit, or you might just prefer how they feel. The more coils that a mattress has, the firmer the feel is. These also provide a bit more bounce. They’re sturdy and long-lasting, and there’s plenty of airflows so they don’t make you hot at night. However, they are excellent homes for dust mites and other bugs so it’s not the best choice for those who suffer from allergies.

Foam

A few different types of foam mattresses exist from which you can choose. There’s memory foam, polyurethane foam, and latex foam. All these are suitable for bunk beds as long as they aren’t too tall. Keep in mind that foam mattresses get a bad rap for sleeping hot. You can find some with cooling gel foam that helps dissipate heat, which can be helpful in most cases. These are the best choices for anyone who deals with allergies as dust mites have nowhere to make a home in a foam mattress.

Whichever type of mattress you choose, just make sure it has a decent warranty that’ll last the life of the mattress. You might want to ensure your warranty stays valid by getting a couple of mattress protectors in case of any accidents. You always want to protect your investment, right?

Other Considerations for Your Bunk Bed Mattress

Of course, you’ll want to consider price when buying bunk bed mattresses because you’re likely buying two in one transaction. Other than affordability, you may want to consider getting Bunkie boards. These are super-thin platform slats that you can add to the bunk beds to properly support a mattress.

The only reason you’d need Bunkie boards is if the bunk beds you have don’t have enough slats or they’re too far spaced. This is especially true if you opt for foam mattresses which require the airflow under the mattress that slats provide, but also the support added.

Finally, the most important thing you can do to find the best bunk bed mattress is to read the rest of this helpful article. My picks for the best bunk bed mattress reviews are your window to what worked for me and others. Also, it is to find the most affordable and best option for you.

You may want to read: Best Twin Mattresses

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read through the reviews of some of the best bunk bed mattresses on the market, you might want to know which one takes the top prize. It’s kind of a subjective thing when choosing a mattress, but there is one that meets most of the requirements and comes out ahead of the others.

The LUCID 5 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress offers the best bang for your buck, and it’s comfortable to sleep on, regardless of how big your kids in those bunk beds are. Although the height of this mattress should be five inches and might not inflate that high, it doesn’t mess with the comfort of this bed. It sleeps cooler thanks to the gel-infused foam, and the off-gassing is minimal. It’s probably the best buy on this list, and it comes with a long warranty in case of any defects.