by The 5 Little Monkeys Sleep System is a certified kids mattress with a washable waterproof cover, CertiPUR-US foam, and a dual-phase cooling layer priced around $349 for a Twin. It works well for younger kids in bunk beds. If you want a mattress that grows with your child from ages 3 through 12, the Saatva Youth is the stronger long-term investment: its dual-sided design flips to a firmer feel for older kids, and it ships with free white-glove delivery.
Saatva Youth
9.0/10
- Flippable design: one side for ages 3–7, flip for ages 8–12
- Hybrid coil core dissipates heat and provides better edge support than all-foam
- Handcrafted in the USA with organic cotton cover
- Free white-glove delivery, setup, and old-mattress removal
- Lifetime warranty and 365-night trial
- Costs more than budget foam kids mattresses
- Heavier than compressed-in-a-box options
The Saatva Youth removes the need to buy a new mattress as your child grows. One purchase covers ages 3 through 12, and the coil construction holds up far longer than all-foam alternatives at a similar price over that window.
5 Little Monkeys mattress: who it’s for
5 Little Monkeys is a small American brand focused on children’s sleep. Their Sleep System bundles a mattress, fitted sheet, waterproof protector, and a custom-filled pillow into one package, which removes a lot of the guesswork for parents setting up a first big-kid bed.
The mattress ships compressed in a box, it fits standard bunk beds at 8 inches tall, and everything washable in the system can go in the machine. For parents dealing with bedwetting, the OEKO-TEX certified cover and waterproof protector are genuinely useful, not marketing add-ons.
What it does not do: adapt. The foam construction and single firmness level that works for a 5-year-old is the same one a 10-year-old sleeps on, and kids’ support needs change substantially during that window. That is the core limitation worth knowing before you buy.
Construction and materials
The 5 Little Monkeys Sleep System is built in layers:
- Cover: organic cotton, OEKO-TEX certified, removable and machine-washable
- Waterproof protector: organic jersey knit, fitted separately over the cover for easier cleaning
- Comfort layer: Dual Phase Change gel with open-cell structure to draw heat away from the body
- Support layer: responsive foam that compresses and recovers under pressure
- Base: high-density CertiPUR-US certified foam for long-term support
The certifications are legitimate. CertiPUR-US means the foam was independently tested and confirmed free of ozone-depleting chemicals, PBDE flame retardants, and heavy metals. OEKO-TEX on the cover confirms no harmful dye or finish residues. For a kids product, both matter.
Comfort and firmness
The firmness sits just below medium on a standard 10-point scale, around a 4.5 to 5. That places it in a comfortable range for young children who tend to sleep lighter and carry less weight. The foam provides enough contouring to cradle smaller bodies without creating the deep sinkage that can misalign a developing spine.
The cooling layer works at the surface level. The gel and open-cell design prevent the immediate heat buildup that standard dense foams produce. That said, foam cores retain more heat than coil cores over the course of a full night, which is worth factoring in for kids who run warm.
Motion isolation is strong, as expected from an all-foam build. If your child shares a bed or you have a bunk situation where a sibling’s movement might disturb them, foam handles that well.
Edge support and durability
Edge support is the main structural weakness. All-foam mattresses compress predictably at the perimeter, and without a reinforced border the sleeping surface shrinks effectively over time as kids roll toward the edge. For younger children in low beds this rarely matters; for older kids or anyone using the full width of the mattress, it is a real limitation.
Durability is reasonable for the price. The 15-year warranty and one-replacement policy offer coverage, though foam indentations in high-compression areas are common after two to three years of regular use by a growing child. Rotating the mattress every few months helps extend the even-wear period.
Sizes and pricing
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 39” x 75” x 8” | ~$349 (Sleep System) |
| Full | 54” x 75” x 8” | ~$449 (Sleep System) |
The price includes the mattress, fitted sheet, waterproof protector, and pillow. On a per-item basis that is fair value, though competitor hybrid options at similar price points exist, particularly for parents who do not need the bundled accessories.
Trial, warranty, and shipping
Trial: 100 nights with a full refund if returned within the window.
Warranty: 15-year limited, covering one mattress replacement during the coverage period.
Shipping: Free to the contiguous US. Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico incur a small additional fee. Ships compressed in a box; no white-glove option.
Pros and cons
What works
- Complete Sleep System at one price: mattress, cover, protector, pillow
- CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certifications confirm safe materials
- 8-inch height is bunk bed compatible
- Washable and replaceable components, useful through the bedwetting years
- 100-night trial with full refund
- Made in the USA
What to know before buying
- Single firmness level does not adapt as your child grows
- All-foam build retains more heat than a hybrid coil
- Weak edge support limits the usable sleeping surface over time
- No white-glove delivery; you handle setup and disposal
Who should buy the 5 Little Monkeys mattress
- Parents setting up a first big-kid bed who want a complete, certified, washable sleep system at a reasonable price
- Families with kids in bunk beds who need an 8-inch-or-under profile
- Households dealing with bedwetting who want a waterproof protector built into the package
Who should look elsewhere
- Parents who want one mattress to carry a child from preschool through middle school: the single-firmness foam design will need replacing as the child grows and their support needs change
- Kids who sleep hot and need the sustained cooling a coil-based airflow provides
- Anyone prioritising edge support so a child can use the full mattress width safely
Saatva Youth
9.0/10
The Saatva Youth solves the single firmness problem. Flip the mattress when your child hits 8 and the support profile changes without buying a new bed. Hybrid coil construction also runs cooler and keeps edge support intact through the teen years.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 5 Little Monkeys mattress safe for kids?
Yes. The foam is CertiPUR-US certified, which means it was independently tested for harmful substances including ozone-depleting chemicals and heavy metals. The cover carries an OEKO-TEX certification. Both are credible standards for children’s products.
Is the 5 Little Monkeys mattress flippable?
No. It is a one-sided construction. You can rotate it head-to-foot to distribute wear, but flipping is not designed into the build. If a dual-sided, age-adaptive mattress matters to you, the Saatva Youth is designed specifically for that use case.
Does it fit bunk beds?
Yes. At 8 inches tall it fits standard bunk bed frames without creating a fall hazard at the top bunk. That is one of the practical reasons parents choose it over taller mattresses.
How long does the 5 Little Monkeys mattress last?
The 15-year warranty is generous, but all-foam construction typically shows meaningful indentation after two to four years of use by a growing child. Rotating the mattress regularly and using the waterproof protector will help extend the useful life.
What comes in the 5 Little Monkeys Sleep System?
The Sleep System includes the mattress, a fitted sheet, a waterproof protector, and a custom-filled pillow. All washable components are machine washable. Accessories can be replaced separately through the brand.