If you’re seeking the best mattress for children, you’ve probably noticed there are endless options available, each boasting different benefits. However, mattresses aren’t a “one-size-fits-all” type of product, and the right bed for one child may lack the necessary support or comfort for another. To help guide your search, we tested a kids’ mattress from one of the most popular online mattress retailers on the market, Brooklyn Bedding. Our team of experts tested the BB Kids in our Mattress Clarity studio for pressure relief, cooling, edge support, and more to determine which type of sleepers it’s ideal for and ultimately gave this bed an overall rating of 4.5/5 stars.
Here at Mattress Clarity, our team of expert testers has tested over 500 mattresses and 150 sleep products and helped more than 35,000 people find the best mattress for them. I’m a certified sleep science coach with three years of experience testing and reviewing mattresses, and I’m accustomed to making very specific recommendations for different types of sleepers.
When we tested the BB Kids mattress in our studio, we found it best for children younger than seven years old. With a firm, all-foam construction, this bed is very supportive and provides plenty of lift to promote proper posture and spinal alignment. We also found strong edge support, which lets kids sleep right up to the very edge of the bed without falling off.
The BB Kids mattress doesn’t have many fancy features, but it performs where it counts: its two foam layers are super supportive, and protected by a stain-resistant cover. Its minimalist construction also lends itself to an attractive price point, so parents on a budget can feel confident that they’re getting a good deal on a fiberglass-free children’s bed.
BB Kids Mattress Performance: My Overall Rating
We reviewed the BB Kids mattress in our studio using our rigorous testing methodology, which has been medically reviewed by our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM. Based on the mattress’s performance in pressure relief, edge support, cooling, and customer experience, we gave it an overall score of 4.4 out of 5 stars. We were especially impressed with this bed’s firm support, which helps promote posture and spinal alignment in child sleepers.
Below, I’ve broken down each testing category and how the BB Kids mattress performed. For details, simply hover your cursor over each category.
I Recommend the BB Kids Mattress For…
- Back and stomach sleepers can find proper spinal alignment from the firm support layer.
- This bed is very firm, making it ideal for promoting posture in children younger than 7.
- Kids prone to accidents can appreciate the stain-resistant cover that protects against spills. Add a mattress protector for additional coverage.
I Don’t Recommend the BB Kids Mattress For…
- This bed is likely too firm to provide proper pressure relief when side sleeping.
- Hot sleepers may need a mattress with more cooling features, such as cooling gel.
- Children older than 8 may desire a softer mattress that allows for more contouring.
How Firm Is the BB Kids Mattress?
Mattress firmness is one of the most subjective factors we evaluate. How a mattress feels is largely dependent on the individual sleeper’s body type, sleeping position, and personal preferences. In order to better understand how a mattress actually feels, we have several testers of different weights try the bed in different positions and then provide their personal firmness score. We then average the scores together to create our final firmness rating.
We rate firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. We consider a score of 6.5/10 to mark a true medium-firm mattress, which is the most common firmness. When we tried the BB Kids mattress, we gave it a firmness rating of 8/10, making it a solidly firm bed.
Our expert tester Kate Gorman is 24 and falls in our lightweight sleeper category. When she tried this mattress, she found it most compatible with back and stomach sleeping. She found more support than pressure relief, feeling more “on” the bed than “in” the bed. On her stomach, she said, “My entire body feels aligned, and I don’t feel any pressure on my upper chest or hips. It’s firm, but in the best way.”
Our 10-year-old tester Conrad agreed with Kate’s assessment, saying it feels very firm but is still comfortable. He typically sleeps on his back and said he would feel comfortable sleeping on the BB Kids in that position.
Since the bed doesn’t offer much sinkage, Kate recommends that strict side sleepers avoid this bed. “There’s not enough cushioning at my hips and shoulders to provide pressure relief in this position,” she said. These sleepers may be more comfortable on a softer mattress that offers more contouring at the joints.
How Well Did the BB Kids Mattress Perform?
To see how the BB Kids compares to the average mattress we test, check out the chart below.
| Test | Performance | Average |
| Firmness | 8/10 – Firm | 6.7/10 – Medium-Firm |
| Side Sleeper Comfort | Unpleasant | – |
| Back Sleeper Comfort | Good | – |
| Stomach Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | – |
| Edge Support | 4.6/5 | 4.1 |
| Cooling | 3.5/5 | 4 |
| Noise | 5/5 | 4.5 |
| Warranty | 4.5/5 | 4.6 |
| Unboxing & Moving | 5/5 | 4.2 |
| Readiness After Unboxing | 5/5 | – |
| Off-gassing | 5/5 | – |
How Does the BB Kids Mattress Feel for Different Body Types and Sleeping Positions?
Body weight is one of the biggest determining factors for how a mattress will perform for you. For example, a mattress can feel a lot firmer to a lightweight sleeper than it does to a heavy sleeper, simply because they don’t sink as far into the bed’s layers.
While most children will fall in the lightweight sleeper category (less than 130 pounds), adult sleepers can also use this bed in guest rooms, RVs, and more. What feels firm to a kid may feel softer to a heavier adult. Below, I’ve broken down each weight category and how the bed may feel in different sleeping positions. We also invited an actual kid into the studio to provide insight on how this bed feels in different positions.
| Sleeper Weight | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
| Light (under 130 lbs) | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Average (130-230 lbs) | Unpleasant | Excellent | Good |
| Heavy (over 230 lbs) | Unpleasant | Unpleasant | Unpleasant |
Average-Weight Tester – 5’9”, 140 lbs
“I feel most comfortable on my back. The bed is pretty firm, so it’s doing a good job of lifting my hips in line with my shoulders. I’m not feeling a buildup of pressure anywhere on my body,” said Kayla Godrey, director of product testing operations.
Lightweight Tester – 5’5”, 120 lbs
“This bed is great for lightweight stomach sleepers. My neck is not craning, and there’s enough firm support to keep my hips from sinking too far. Overall, my spine feels good in this position,” said mattress tester Kate Gorman.
Kid Tester – 4’10”, 80 lbs
“This bed is firm, and I’m not sinking in at all. My hips are comfortable,” said 10-year-old tester Conrad.
BB Kids Mattress In-Depth Test Results
Pressure Relief
We evaluated pressure relief in the BB Kids mattresses using a high-tech mat that we rolled onto the surface of the mattress and then lay on in the side- and back-sleeping positions. The mat senses where pressure is building along the body based on how evenly the weight is distributed. The results are displayed in a color-coded graphic where blue and green indicate little to no pressure, and red and yellow indicate pressure buildup. The tester also notes if they’re experiencing shoulder, hip, or back pain. To understand how this mattress relieves pressure for child sleepers, we invited our kid tester, Conrad, to help us out.
Whether or not a mattress relieves pressure in a child largely depends on their age. Children aged 2 to 7 typically sleep best on firmer beds that offer lots of support to keep the spine aligned as they grow. Children 8 and up weigh more, so they can get away with a soft mattress and still get enough support. For reference, Conrad is 10 years old and weighs 80 pounds.
When Conrad tested the BB Kids mattress, he felt most comfortable on his back. The first thing he noticed about the bed was its feel. “This mattress is very firm!” he said. “I prefer my bed because it has more softness.” He noticed that his hips were sinking in slightly, but he was overall lifted. When we take a look at his pressure map, we see all blue across his back with a bit of green at his hips, indicating pressure is low throughout his entire body.
When he switched to his side, Conrad felt less pressure relief and very little sinkage. Although he said his hips felt fine, the pressure map is displaying red in that area, meaning a lot of pressure is building there, and pain could occur. He also said, “My shoulder feels stiffer,” and we did see yellow there on the map, which indicates some pressure buildup.
Based on Conrad’s pressure map results, we think children younger than 8 are best suited to the BB Kids mattress. Whether they’re on their back, side, or stomach, the mattress provides firm support that helps keep their spine aligned as they grow. Children 8 and up can also find nice spinal alignment and comfort when back sleeping on this mattress. However, these sleepers may find it too firm for side sleeping, as there’s not a lot of cushioning around the joints from the top layer.
Edge Support
Since this bed is only offered in twin, twin XL, and full sizes, there’s not a ton of room to spread out. That’s why edge support is so important; it lets you use the entire surface of the mattress and sleep right up to the side, which can make the bed feel bigger. Strong edges are also important for sleepers with mobility issues, as they can bear down on the side when getting in and out of bed. When we tested the BB Kids for edge support, we gave it 4.6/5 stars.
First, we performed our tape measure test, which collects quantitative data on the edge support. We used a tape measure to measure the initial height of the mattress, which was 6 inches. Then, we placed a 45-pound weight directly on the edge of the bed and measured how many inches the bed’s layers collapsed, which was 1 inch. This is excellent, especially because memory foam mattresses tend to have weaker support, so we gave the BB Kids 5 stars on this test.
Next, our tester Kate tested the edge support by sitting directly on the edge of the mattress with her feet on the floor. She observed how stable she felt and whether she could easily stand up and sit down. “The edge sinks as I try to get up, but I don’t feel like I’m going to slide off,” she said. “It’s very firm, which makes for good edge support.” She gave the bed ⅘ stars for this test.
Finally, Kate lay directly on the edge of the bed on her back, side, and stomach. “I don’t feel like I’m about to fall off, and I hardly notice any sinkage,” she said. Regardless of her sleeping position, Kate felt secure and stable, so she gave this test 5 stars. We think the BB kids would be great for children transitioning out of a crib or toddler bed into a “big kid” bed.
Cooling
Cooling can be an important feature to look for in a kids mattress, especially if your child generally sleeps hot. As children develop, their changing hormones can lead to night sweats, so a breathable bed can help with temperature regulation. When we tested the BB Kids using a thermal gun test, a cover test, and a feel test, it earned 3.5 stars overall.
When Kate used a thermal gun to record the bed’s initial temperature, it was 74.7 degrees. She then lay down for seven minutes and observed whether she could feel the bed warming. “I’m not feeling any cooling from the mattress cover,” she said. “It feels like wool, and I’m getting hotter the longer I lie here.”
After the seven minutes were up, Kate measured the bed’s temperature again. The ending temperature was 82.5 degrees, a 7.8-degree increase. This is a bit higher than we like to see, as the best cooling mattress typically warms up by less than 5 degrees during this test, so we gave the bed 3.5 stars for cooling.
Noise
We gave the BB Kids mattress 5 stars for noise because it was whisper-quiet when we pressed down on the layers and moved around on its surface. Even when Conrad jumped on the bed, there was no noise. Combination sleepers should be able to move around all night without waking up from a noisy bed.
BB Kids Mattress Customer Experience Scores
In addition to testing the BB Kids for performance factors, we looked into Brooklyn Bedding’s company policies and read the fine print so you don’t have to.
Trial Period
Buying a mattress online is convenient, but some shoppers worry they won’t like their new mattress once it arrives. To give you plenty of time, Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night sleep trial period. This allows you to return the mattress if you don’t love it. The company does want you to give the bed a fair chance, so they ask you to sleep on the bed for 30 nights before initiating a return. Note: A $99 return fee will be withheld from your refund.
Warranty
Like any mattress, you’ll want this kids mattress to hold up for many years without sagging. Luckily, Brooklyn Bedding provides a limited lifetime warranty, so the brand is confident in the bed’s ability to stand the test of time.
Unboxing and Moving
This bed is very light, weighing only 28 to 30 pounds, depending on its size. We found it very easy to unbox—one person can easily lift the box and unwrap the packaging without help.
Readiness After Unboxing
As soon as the plastic wrapping was punctured, the bed immediately began to inflate. After only a few minutes, it had almost completely risen. After 24 hours, it was completely decompressed and ready to sleep on.
Off-gassing
There’s a slight hissing noise as the foams decompress and trapped air is released. There’s a slight scent from the foam, but it dissipated once the bed was completely inflated.
BB Kids Mattress Construction
We evaluate mattress materials by cutting into the side of the bed and examining the layers. When we cut into the BB Kids mattress, we found a layer of soft foam resting on a tall, thick layer of high-density foam.
Mattress Height & Weight
The BB Kids is 6 inches tall and is offered in twin, twin XL, and full sizes. The bed weighs 28 or 30 pounds, depending on which size you buy.
Materials
This is a foam bed that’s CertiPUR-US certified, meaning it’s fiberglass-free and doesn’t contain harmful substances such as harsh chemicals and heavy metals. These certified foams are high-quality, which adds to the bed’s overall durability, as they’re less likely to deteriorate over time. The entire bed also has a GREENGUARD Gold certification that adheres to strict safety standards for VOC emissions.
Layers
The BB Kids mattress has a simple construction made from two layers of foam. We begin with a soft cover that has a “Nano Stain Terminator” finish, which protects the layers from spills. Next is a 2-inch comfort layer of gel-infused memory foam that has a quick response to pressure and a spongy feel. It rests upon a 4-inch layer of thick, high-density polyfoam that acts as the primary support system.
How To Try and Buy The BB Kids Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding only has 14 showrooms, all of which are located in Arizona. However, it partners with mattress stores all across the country, so you can use the location finder to find a store near you. Keep in mind, not all these locations stock the BB Kids.
Brooklyn Bedding is primarily an online mattress retailer. It provides free shipping on all mattresses, which arrive at your door compressed in a box. The brand also offers financing through Affirm.
BB Kids Prices & Sizes
Price is an important factor to consider when making any purchase. Let’s break down each size and how much the BB Kids mattress costs. Keep in mind, Brooklyn Bedding typically runs sitewide sales, so you’re likely to get this mattress at a discounted price.
| Size | Price |
| Twin | $265.00 |
| Twin XL | $265.00 |
| Full | $332.00 |
How The BB Kids Mattress Compares
In addition to Brooklyn Bedding, there are many reputable mattress brands that offer kids models. Below, I’ll briefly compare the BB Kids to two other popular kids mattresses.
- Helix Kids – Softer than the BB Kids
- Brentwood Juniper Kids – Best for Older Kids
BB Kids vs. Helix Kids
The Helix Kids mattress has a flippable design that offers different support and firmness levels based on which side is face up. The side designed for kids aged 2 to 7 is firmer, while the “8 and up” side is softer and offers more cushioning. Unlike the BB Kids, the Helix Kids is a hybrid mattress containing a layer of supportive pocketed coils sandwiched between foam layers. At 8 inches, the Helix Kids is slightly taller than the BB Kids, but Helix also offers a more similar all-foam 6-inch kids model.
When we tested the Helix Kids mattress in our studio, we thought it was softer than the BB Kids, landing at a 6.5/10 on our firmness scale. This means it has a true medium-firm feel that offers a mix of pressure relief and spinal support. We were especially impressed with the bed’s edge support. Even when sitting directly on the side of the bed, the innerspring coils prevented the layers from collapsing and kept us lifted. We gave the bed 4.7/5 stars based on three edge support tests.
When we tested this bed for cooling, we found it more breathable than the BB Kids due to the layer of coils that promote airflow. During our thermal gun test, this bed earned 4/5 stars. Additionally, this bed was a top pick for our kid tester Conrad, who enjoyed the softer feel.
Our full Helix Kids mattress review is coming soon!
BB Kids vs. Brentwood Juniper Kids
Like the BB Kids mattress, the Brentwood Juniper Kids bed stands at 6 inches tall and is made from two layers of foam. The first layer is 1-inch thick and has a soft, quick response to pressure. It rests upon a 5-inch layer of high-density foam that adds support and lift to the mattress. When we tested it in our studio, we found it slightly softer than the BB Kids, falling at a 6.5/10 on our firmness scale. Keep in mind, the Juniper also comes at a higher price point.
When kid tester Conrad tried the Brentwood Juniper on his back and side, he had no complaints. The bed was soft enough to prevent pressure from building at his hips and shoulders when lying on his side. Yet, he still found enough support to keep his spine aligned in this position. On his back, he felt even better. While he experienced some slight sinkage and cushioning along his lower back and hips, he was still able to maintain proper posture. He gave this mattress 5 stars for pressure relief
We also found super strong edge support from this mattress, which earned it 4.7/5 stars. When we performed the tape measure test, we found less than half an inch of sinkage. We also felt supported whether we sat or lay on the edge, so kids should be able to spread out and use the full area of the bed.
BB Kids Mattress Mattress FAQs
How firm should a mattress for kids be?
The ideal firmness for a kids mattress depends on the child’s age and weight. Children younger than 7 typically find the best support from firm mattresses that keep the spine in a straight, neutral line. Kids 8 and up weigh a bit more, so they can find comfort from softer beds that provide cushioning around the hip and shoulder joints.
Can I use the Brooklyn Bedding Kids Mattress on a bunk bed?
Yes, this mattress is 6 inches tall, making it a great choice for bunk beds.
Can an adult sleep on the Brooklyn Bedding Kids mattress?
Yes, children and adults can both use this mattress. However, we don’t recommend this bed to adults weighing more than 130 pounds, as they may not get quite enough support. Adults, especially couples, are better suited to the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress, which comes in larger sizes and offers more support and cushioning.
Does the Brooklyn Bedding mattress come with a sleep trial?
Yes, Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night trial period on this mattress.
Does the Brooklyn Bedding Kids mattress come with a warranty?
Yes, Brooklyn Bedding offers a limited lifetime warranty on this mattress.
