Your baby deserves nothing but the best when it comes to safe sleeping. It's important to be picky when choosing the crib mattress that your baby will (hopefully) sleep on every night. Aside from a mattress that meets your quality standards, it's important to note that picking the right crib mattress is not the same as choosing a mattress for yourself.
Instead of opting for plush, pillowy-soft surfaces, it is recommended that you opt for a firmer mattress to prevent a suffocation hazard. Since crib mattress sizes are standardized, you don't have to worry too much about finding the right dimensions, unless you're using a mini crib.
The Best Baby Crib Mattresses
What to Consider
When you’re shopping for a crib mattress, there’s a lot to think about: materials, cleanability, price, and design. And while the sizing is standard, elements like the type of mattress, quality of materials, and external fabrics are not. You want something that’s going to be durable and safe, as well as fits your budget.
Materials
Similar to adult mattresses, there are two types of crib mattresses you can buy: innerspring and foam. Consumer Reports notes that when you're buying an innerspring crib mattress, there should be between 135 and 150 coils, and that they should be made of 13.5-gauge steel. This makes for a mattress that’s firm enough to safely support your newborn.
Foam mattresses, on the other hand, are typically lighter than innerspring. Yet, you still want to look for something that’s dense. Babies should sleep on a firm, flat surface for the first year of their life, so you’ll want a mattress that won’t form to their body while sleeping. Many manufacturers choose to use more environmentally-friendly materials, like natural latex, which is important to many parents.
Cleanability
How cleanable a mattress is depends on the cover. Vinyl is the least expensive material available for crib mattress covers, and it's also the easiest to clean. However, it can be prone to puncturing and tearing. There are also woven covers that are more durable, and aren’t as likely to have metal emerge through the surface. Covers made from cotton and other natural fibers are the most durable and breathable options, but they also tend to be the most expensive. And note that you're going to need a mattress protector with any woven cover.
If you're worried about the safety of vinyl versus woven, all of these options are considered safe by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), so it’s just a matter of personal preference and budget when it comes to the one you choose.
Cost
There is a great mattress at every price point, from under $50 to over $600. There will be a significant difference in the materials used, but note that these mattresses aren't expected to last for 20 years, like adult mattresses are. You can definitely pick something less expensive if you want or need to.
How We Chose
Many mattresses today are made with durability in mind — we looked for picks that feature close, dense coils (which makes them less prone to breaking down), as well as products that have wrapped edges, which help make the mattress sturdy, soft, and long-lasting. You can use our picks for multiple children without experiencing a breakdown in quality or safety.
We considered a variety of materials and options for covers, as well as looked at mattresses with more features, like two-sided mattresses suitable for newborn through toddler years and pebbled surfaces for maximum air flow. We examined weight, cost, and ease of shipping with these other factors to determine the best crib mattresses on the market right now.
We also evaluated the safety standards set forth by the CPSC and made sure all our picks meet their criteria. So, you can feel confident that our best crib mattress picks will be safe for your baby.
1
Buyer Favorite
Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress
Featuring a super lightweight foam core, this crib mattress promotes even airflow while your little angel sleeps. The water-resistant cover makes accident cleanups easy and quick. But if the mess is too much for a speedy wipe-down, you can just pop it in the wash.
More: 30 Eco-Friendly Baby Products New Parents Need
2
Handmade With Natural Materials
Organic Crib Mattress
The Avocado crib mattress isn't just a smaller version of their bestselling mattress: It's designed specifically with growing littles in mind, and is handmade with certified organic cotton, wool, and latex.
While these materials would make you think that this mattress is going to be prohibitively heavy, it's not. It's on par with the lighter dual-sided mattresses on this list, and the shape of the edges makes it easy to flip and lift.
This mattress is also dual-sided, with one side more plush for toddlers, and the other a firm surface for infants, giving it additional longevity and value.
3
Best New Design
Baby Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed
Newton is really revolutionizing the crib mattress market. This mattress is completely and totally washable. There's no foam, latex, springs, glue, or allergens. It's reversible with infant firmness on one side, and toddler (softer) on the other. The Newton crib mattress is also Greenguard-Gold-certified.
This mattress also boasts a 100% breathable design, which means babies can breathe right through the mattress: We're not kidding. The other thing that blew our minds was that unlike is the case with so many other mattresses, when you open this one up, there's no chemical smell. It smelled like the box, honestly. (And we got down in there to sniff it.)
It's just extremely impressive — and if our kids are anything to go by, very, very comfy.
4
Light Dual-Sided Mattress
Little Dreamer Dual Firmness Crib Mattress
This baby crib mattress features a firm, dual-sided sleeping surface. The extra firm high-density side is for infants, and the firm high-density side is for toddlers. This simple mattress with straight and cornered edges also looks sleek as it cradles your baby.
At just around 9 pounds, it's one of the lightest dual-sided mattresses available on the market today.
5
Innovative Materials
Certified Organic Crib Mattress
This is a splurge, but we believe it's totally worth it. Not only is it made with certified-organic materials and free from harmful chemicals, its cover is GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool, with a unique coconut coir and steel springs.
The material is designed to wick away moisture from your baby while they sleep, leaving them comfortable and cool all night long.
Bonus? It comes packed flat.
6
Most Breathable
Pebble Air Crib Mattress
You'll feel confident about resting your drowsy baby on this crib mattress. The eco-friendly mattress is made with BPA-free and breathable air spacers in the shape of pebbles (hence the name), and features a certified nontoxic foam core. The mattress also comes with an organic Pebble Wrap cover.
7
Most Popular
Eco Classica III Crib Mattress
The Eco Classica III crib mattress by popular brand Colgate is a safe, eco-friendly option for your developing baby. The CertiPUR-certified safe foam is infused with plant oils, and the mattress is also Greenguard Gold-certified, which means there aren't any harmful emissions. The mattress comes with a certified-organic cotton cover.
8
Antibacterial and Waterproof
Baby Firm Rest Antibacterial Waterproof Baby Crib Mattress
With a steel-coil system interior, this mattress provides your little one with an unbelievably comfortable and firm surface. The border of the mattress is lined with sturdy rods to prevent premature sagging. The waterproof Staph-Gard cover eliminates bacteria for a safer and healthier sleep.
9
Slimmest Model
3-Inch Spring Coil Portable Crib Mattress
This affordable portable crib mattress is lightweight and the perfect option for keeping your baby safe and comfortable at night ... even when you're on vacation. The mini hypoallergenic foam mattress is protected with a waterproof cover that's easy to clean.
10
Best Warranty
Pure Sleep Therapeutic 150 Crib Mattress
This affordable option is made in the USA and offers sturdy support for your growing baby. The mattress is Greenguard Gold-certified for not having any harmful emissions. It comes with a waterproof cover and 10-year warranty.
11
Best Organic Cover
Classic Breathable Crib Mattress
For your tiny tot who needs a firm mattress to ensure a safe sleep, the Bundle of Dreams mattress is golden. The Bundle Fiber technology has a foam-free memory capability for supreme comfort.
Once your baby is ready for a toddler bed, you can flip this mattress over for a softer surface. Since it has an organic cotton cover, you can feel confident knowing that your tot's skin will be irritation-free.
Cat Bowen
Parenting Editor
Cat Bowen is the parenting editor at BestProducts.com where she researches all of the best products for families from pre-conception through their teen years, focusing on matching scientific evidence with real-life needs.
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