Best Crib Mattresses of 2023

If you’re a parent-to-be, there are likely a few products that have given you some pause throughout the process of building your baby registry. Strollers? You’ll be using one almost every day, and there are SO many different options. Car seats? There’s safety to consider, plus a ton of new terminology to digest. And then there are crib mattresses.

Crib mattresses are one of the items that Babylist parents tell us they’re the most confused about—and we completely understand why. Babies spend a lot of time asleep (even though it may not seem that way), making a crib mattress something you’ll use a lot—and for many, many years. There are safe sleep guidelines to consider, plus questions around concerns like chemicals and off-gassing. And with seemingly hundreds of crib mattress options out there, from innerspring to foam and touting everything from breathability to temperature regulation, there’s a LOT to think through.

Bookmark this guide for when you’re ready to tackle crib mattress research. We’re walking you through the different types of crib mattresses, what features to consider, whether you should be concerned about chemicals (or not), crib mattress safety guidelines and of course the best crib mattresses that we recommend and the ones Babylist users love.

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Crib Mattresses

Read our full reviews of the best crib mattresses.

• Best Organic: Naturepedic Organic Breathable Mattress
• Another Organic Option: Avocado Eco Organic Crib Mattress
• Best Budget Pick: Graco Premium Foam Crib Mattress
• Best Breathable: Newton Baby Breathable 2-Stage Mattress
• Best Two-Stage: Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Mattress
• Best Lightweight: Lullaby Earth Eco-Plus Mattress
• Best Mini Crib: babyletto Pure Core Mini Crib Mattress
• Best Innerspring: Lullaby Earth Lullaby Earth x Babylist 2-Stage Mattress -__ Best Eco-Friendly:__ Bundle of Dreams Eco-Air Mattress
• Best Foam: Serta SertaPedic Moongaze Crib Mattress
• Best Cooling: Bedgear Air-X Performance Mattress

How We Chose Our Best Crib Mattresses

• We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled almost 3,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
• We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many crib mattresses.
• We researched information on safe sleep and crib mattress safety from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Committee (CPSC). We also researched popular crib mattress certifications including GREENGUARD Gold Certification, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification and CertiPUR-US certification.
• We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents.

Find more information at the end of this guide:

• Types of Crib Mattresses
• Features to Consider When Shopping for a Crib Mattress
• Crib Mattress Safety Guidelines

Babylist’s Picks for the Best Crib Mattresses

Other Crib Mattresses on Our Radar

You might also want to check out crib mattresses by these brands that are on our radar:

• IKEA Crib Mattresses ($60-$150): This budget brand has four different mattresses, from thinner foam to fluffier spring-loaded ones all for reasonable prices (as you would expect).
• My Green Mattress Emily Organic Crib Mattress ($299): A GOTS, GOLS and GREENGUARD Gold Certified organic innerspring mattress made from organic coconut fibers, organic latex and organic wool.
• Moonlight’s Little Dreamer Deluxe Kids Mattress ($399): A dual-sided, non-toxic option that covers the toddler-to-teenager transition and comes in a twin or full size.

Types of Crib Mattresses

Most crib mattresses for into two categories: innerspring mattresses and foam mattresses.

Innerspring crib mattresses

This traditional mattress type has steel coils inside, making it sturdy and resilient. Above the coils, innerspring mattresses have layers of different cushioning materials, such as polyester, cotton or foam.

Innerspring mattresses are described by their coil count, which is the number of steel coils in the mattress. The more coils, the more supportive the mattress. You’ll also sometimes see steel gauge mentioned. This refers to the thickness of the coil; lower numbers mean thicker coils. Some innerspring mattresses also have metal border rods that provide stability around the edges.

Innerspring mattresses can be pricey, especially if you’re looking into a higher coil count. These mattresses also tend to weigh more (something to consider when you have to change crib sheets frequently).

Foam mattresses

Foam mattresses are typically made from polyurethane, a foam resin. Foam mattresses are lightweight and durable and are usually the least-expensive mattress option.

Specialty and organic mattresses

Crib mattresses come in a variety of organic materials such as cotton, wool, natural latex and coconut fiber. Other specialty mattresses market themselves as “air core.” These crib mattresses use a type of food-grade polymer to create a woven mattress core that’s made mostly of air.

Features to Consider When Shopping for a Crib Mattress

There’s a lot to think through when trying to select the best crib mattress. Focus on these features as you research your options.

Size and Fit

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates full-size crib mattresses. Per the guidelines, all full-size crib mattress dimensions must measure at least 27 1/4 inches wide by 51 1/4 inches long and have a thickness not exceeding six inches.

The mattress should fit snugly against the frame of your crib. You shouldn’t be able to fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib.

If you’re shopping for a mattress for a mini crib (a smaller version of a full-size crib), note that CPSC regulations require that all mini cribs are sold with a mattress included. However, these mattresses are often fairly thin and skimpy, so you may want to purchase an additional mattress separately.

Be sure the dimensions of the mini crib mattress you choose match the interior dimensions of your particular mini crib. For an extra safety check, be sure that there isn’t more than a half-inch gap between the perimeter of the mattress and the perimeter of your mini crib when the mattress is centered and isn’t being compressed. You’ll also want to check to be sure there isn’t a gap greater than one inch at any point when the mattress is placed against the perimeter of the crib.

Firmness

Crib mattresses are firmer than adult mattresses—for a reason. The AAP recommends that babies sleep on a firm, flat sleep service. Crib mattresses are specifically designed to keep babies safe, help reduce the risk of SIDS and support their growing bones while they sleep.

Always keep firmness top of mind when shopping for a crib mattress and choose one that doesn’t sink with the weight of your baby. If you’re shopping for an innerspring crib mattress, look for one with a higher coil count. (If steel gauge is also listed, look for a lower number.) When choosing a foam crib mattress, test the mattress by pressing your hand firmly down on it and see how long it takes to regain its shape. The faster it springs back up, the better.

Many crib mattresses are double-sided. These mattresses have a firmer infant side and a softer side that is more appropriate for toddlers who still use a crib or convertible toddler bed. You’ll want to use the firmer infant side at least through your baby’s first birthday, then flip to the softer toddler side.

Materials

There are two things to keep in mind when considering the materials in your crib mattress: the cover and the filling.

Messes are inevitable, so the crib mattress you choose should be easy to clean. Consider a crib mattress with a waterproof outer cover built right in or one with a removable, washable cover. Also, pay attention to how “noisy” the mattress and cover may be. Some waterproof mattresses, especially lower-priced options, make crinkling sounds with every movement, which can disturb a sleeping baby.

Note that some crib mattresses are covered with vinyl. Some types of vinyl, like PVC (polyvinyl chloride), contain phthalates, a group of chemicals sometimes called plasticizers that are used to make plastics more durable. Some types of phthalates have been linked to negative effects on the reproductive system of animals, although more research is needed to fully assess the human health effects. If this is something that concerns you, avoid any crib mattresses that contain PVC.

When thinking through the type of filling you prefer in a crib mattress, there are several things to consider. Innerspring crib mattress use materials like cotton or foam around the inner coils. These types of crib mattresses tend to be heavy but well-made and durable. Foam mattresses are generally filled with high-density polyurethane foam, a light, durable and supportive foam that’s used as cushioning in many different consumer products like bedding and furniture. They tend to be less expensive than innerspring mattresses but may wear out sooner.

Organic, Breathable and Other Certifications and Designations

From organic and natural to GREENGUARD Gold Certified and GOTS, there is no shortage of certifications and designations floating around the world of crib mattresses. All crib mattresses made in the US must pass the same federal safety standards, but if you’re interested in further certifications, here’s what to research.

• GREENGUARD Gold Certified. The GREENGUARD Gold Certification ensures that a product meets all industry standards for low chemical and VOC emissions. (Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are organic chemical computers that can lead to adverse health issues after consistent, prolonged exposure.)
• GOTS. GOTS, the Global Organic Textile Standard, is the worldwide processing standard for organic materials. It requires that at least 95 percent of a crib’s mattress materials are certified organic and prohibits the use of certain substances like polyurethane and chemical flame retardants.
• CertiPUR-US Certification. CertiPUR-US is a certification for foam that ensures it meets certain standards for content, emissions and durability. CertiPUR-US foam is low VOC and phthalate-free and is made without ozone depleters, mercury, lead and other heavy metals. It’s also free of formaldehyde and certain chemical flame retardants.
• GOLS. The Global Organic Latex Standard requires that a mattress made with latex is 95 percent organic latex. (There are also restrictions on the other five percent of the mattress’s components.)

If you’re researching a breathable crib mattress, be aware there is no evidence that these types of mattresses are any safer than innerspring or foam options and have not been proven to reduce or protect against SIDS. However, there is no data to argue against these types of crib mattresses, either.

Weight

You’re going to be changing a lot of sheets over the next few years. Unlike when changing an adult bed, you’ll be picking up your crib mattress to get the fitted sheet on and off every time. If you’re on the smaller side or simply don’t want to wrangle with a heavy mattress, consider weight when you’re selecting a crib mattress. A lighter mattress makes sheet changes both easier and faster.

Price

Crib mattresses come in a huge range of prices, from under $100 to upwards of $500 or more. While more expensive mattresses tend to be made from higher-quality materials, there’s no need to splurge for a high-end crib mattress if it’s not in your budget. Many mid- to lower-priced mattresses are safe, comfortable and durable, and most run between about $100 to $300. Spending less than that is possible, but many parents report that very inexpensive mattresses often sag quickly, rip or don’t protect from leaks or spills, and therefore aren’t recommended.

Crib Mattress Safety Guidelines

It’s crucial to create a safe sleep environment for your baby, and a crib mattress is a big part of that. Follow these safety guidelines when choosing your mattress:

• Avoid second-hand if possible. Because of the dangers associated with mold and bacteria, as well as general wear and tear, it’s best to avoid a used mattress, especially if you don’t know the history of the product. Reusing a crib mattress from another one of your children? Make sure there aren’t any openings in the waterproof cover where mold could’ve taken root and be sure the mattress is still firm and supportive without any sag.
• Keep the crib empty. Although they look nice, pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals and blankets should never be in baby’s crib. That’s because they can wind up covering your baby’s face and be a suffocation hazard. Keep it to a fitted sheet only and check the AAP safe sleep policies for more information.
• Place baby on their back. The safest sleeping position for your baby is on their back. It reduces the risk of SIDS, which is the leading cause of death in the first year of life.
• Check before you flip the mattress. If you have a double-sided mattress, check with your pediatrician to see if the time is right to flip it over to the toddler side. Most parents make the switch when their children are about 12 months old.

When to lower your crib mattress

According to the AAP, the most common falls occur when a baby tries to climb out of their crib. That’s why it’s important to lower the height of your crib mattress as your baby gets older and more mobile.

While your baby is an infant, you’ll want to use your crib on its highest mattress height setting so it’s easy to get your little one in and out. As soon as they can sit, lower the mattress to a level where they cannot fall out either by leaning against the side of the crib or pulling themselves over. Adjust the mattress to its lowest position before your child learns to stand.