The Best Crib Mattresses for a Safe, Sound Slumber
Choosing a crib mattress is confusing. Here's what to know to have your baby sleeping like, well…a baby.
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Choosing a crib mattress can feel surprisingly complicated. Between safe sleep guidelines, concerns about chemicals and off-gassing and endless marketing claims about everything from breathability to temperature regulation, it's hard to know what actually matters. The best crib mattress for most families is the Newton Baby Breathable 2-Stage Crib Mattress, thanks to its fully breathable core and lightweight design that makes 2 a.m. sheet changes easier. If organic materials are your top priority, the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Baby Crib & Toddler Mattress is our favorite organic pick. After researching crib mattresses, speaking with experts and drawing on my experience as Babylist's gear editor, a CPST and a mom of two, these are the crib mattresses I recommend most.
How We Judged Crib Mattresses
Best Crib Mattress: Newton Baby Breathable 2-Stage Crib Mattress
Newton Baby Breathable 2-Stage Crib Mattress - White
From $299.99Pros
- Babylist parent pick
- 100% breathable
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
- Lightweight for easy sheet changes
Cons
- Expensive
- Cleaning quirks
Safe sleep is top of mind for so many new parents, and I remember exactly how it felt the first night my son rolled onto his stomach and started sleeping face-down in his crib. The Newton Baby Breathable 2-Stage Crib Mattress is our pick for the best crib mattress overall because its fully breathable core, lightweight design and easy-to-clean construction make it a standout choice for most families.
Breathability is why I love the Newton—and why thousands of Babylist parents do, too. In our annual Most Loved Baby Products survey, a quarter of the 10,000+ parents we polled named it their favorite crib mattress. The core is made from 90% free air and 10% food-grade polymer, so your little one can literally breathe right through it. While a breathable mattress is never a substitute for following safe sleep guidelines, it's a feature many parents, myself included, appreciate for extra peace of mind.
“It's an expensive item but has given me so much peace of mind, especially when my son first transitioned to sleeping in his crib,” one parent told us. “It’s the only mattress I was comfortable with my baby sleeping in, and it put my anxiety down knowing it’s breathable,” said another. “It's washable, comfortable, and worth every penny.”
Beyond the breathable core, the mattress is simply practical to live with. The zip-off cover is fully breathable and machine washable, and at just 11 pounds it's easy to lift for the countless sheet changes that come with life with a baby. It's also made without polyurethane foam, adhesives, glue or metal springs, is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has been verified by a Consumer Product Safety Commission-accredited lab to reduce the risk of suffocation and CO₂ rebreathing.
Worth noting:
It's one of the more expensive crib mattresses we recommend.
The infant cover is water-resistant, not waterproof, so large messes can soak into the mattress core. The core rinses clean in the shower, but it needs time to dry, so you'll want a backup sleep space if this happens overnight (a playard is a great option). Newton also sells a waterproof mattress pad for added protection.
Additional Specs
Dimensions: 52” L x 28” W x 5.5” H
Weight: 11 lbs
Best Waterproof and Breathable Crib Mattress: Soundly Waterproof Breathable Crib Mattress
Soundly Waterproof Breathable Crib Mattress with Organic Pad - White
From $349.99Pros
- Waterproof + breathable
- Dual-sided for infant and toddler use
- Lightweight
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
Cons
- Expensive
The Soundly Waterproof Breathable Crib Mattress with Organic Pad is our pick for the best waterproof and breathable crib mattress because it combines a fully breathable core with a waterproof design, so you get the benefits of both without worrying about overnight messes.
If you're drawn to the idea of a breathable crib mattress but don't love the thought of leaks soaking through the mattress, this is the option I'd recommend. Like the Newton, the Soundly uses a food-grade polymer core that allows air to flow freely. Unlike the Newton, it's fully waterproof, making middle-of-the-night blowouts and spit-up much less stressful.
The mattress is dual-sided, with a firmer infant side and a softer toddler side, so it can grow with your child. It's also lightweight, GREENGUARD Gold Certified and designed with square corners for a snug fit in most cribs. This bundle includes both a breathable mesh cover and an organic crib mattress pad, adding extra comfort without sacrificing airflow.
Worth considering:
It's one of the pricier crib mattresses we recommend.
The breathable core contains less free air than the Newton, making it a bit denser—though it's still designed to promote airflow.
Additional Specs
Dimensions: 52” x 28” x 6”
Weight: Matress: 7 lbs 15 oz. Mattress cover: 2 lbs; mattress pad: 1 lb
Best Organic Crib Mattress: Naturepedic Organic Breathable Baby Crib & Toddler Mattress
Naturepedic Organic Breathable Baby Crib & Toddler Mattress - Lightweight 2 Stage
From $359.00Pros
- Organic
- GREENGUARD Gold and GOTS Certified
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
The Naturepedic Organic Breathable Baby Crib & Toddler Mattress is our pick for the best organic crib mattress because it's made with certified organic materials, is free of polyurethane foam, flame retardants and vinyl, and is lightweight enough to make frequent sheet changes easier.
Nearly a quarter of the thousands of Babylist parents we surveyed told us that organic materials and low chemical emissions are among their top priorities when shopping for a crib mattress. If that's important to you, this handcrafted mattress is an excellent choice. It's dual-sided for infant and toddler use, waterproof and made with organic fabric and fill. It's also GREENGUARD Gold Certified and GOTS Certified, meaning it meets one of the highest standards for organic textiles.
At 14 pounds, it's lighter than many organic crib mattresses—a feature I always appreciate when I think back on the hundreds of sheet changes I've done over the years. The square corners also help it fit snugly in most cribs.
Worth considering:
It's one of the most expensive crib mattresses on our list.
Some parents say it feels very firm, but remember, that's by design. A firm, flat sleep surface is what the AAP recommends for safe infant sleep.
Additional Specs
Dimensions: 27 1/4” x 51 5/8” x 6”
Weight: 14 lbs
Best Affordable Organic Crib Mattress: Organic Dream Organic Cotton Lightweight Crib Mattress
Organic Dream Classic Cotton Lightweight Crib Mattress - White
From $179.99Pros
- Affordable organic option
- Lightweight, breathable
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
Cons
- Not dual-sided, no firmer toddler option
- Cover is water-resistant, not waterproof
The Organic Dream Organic Cotton Lightweight Crib Mattress is our pick for the best affordable organic crib mattress because it delivers organic materials, breathability and a lightweight design at a price that's significantly lower than most organic competitors.
“Parents are trying to balance both safety and practical value when making big-ticket purchases like a crib mattress,” says Emily Hughes, Babylist’s buyer in the nursery and decor categories. Organic crib mattresses are often among the most expensive options on the market, but this one proves you don't have to spend a fortune to get many of the features parents are looking for. It's made with 100% organic cotton and a breathable food-grade polymer core, making it lightweight, well-ventilated and easy to lift during middle-of-the-night sheet changes. It's also GREENGUARD Gold Certified and free of polyurethane foam and flame retardants, and some of its materials are sustainably sourced.
Worth noting:
It's designed for infants only, so it isn't dual-sided with a softer toddler side. If you prefer a toddler-friendly option, check out the Lightweight 2-Stage. It’s slightly more expensive but still comes in at under $200.
The cover is water-resistant rather than waterproof, so large messes can soak through.
Additional Specs
Dimensions: 52” x 28” x 5”
Weight: 10.2 lbs
Other Organic Crib Mattresses We Love
Looking for even more organic options? These crib mattresses all use thoughtfully sourced materials and are made with parents who want to prioritize lower chemical emissions in mind.
Naturepedic
Lightweight Organic Cotton Classic Crib Mattress
Nature Bee Organic's
Deluxe Breathable Crib & Toddler Mattress
Avocado
Avocado Organic Crib Mattress
Katu
Organic 2-Stage Crib Mattress
Best Value Crib Mattress: Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress
Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress - White
From $99.97Pros
- Most affordable crib mattress on list
- Lightweight
- Ships compressed in a box so it’s easy to carry
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
Cons
- Some parents report odor
- Cover is water-resistant, not waterproof
The Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress is our pick for the best value crib mattress because it combines a lightweight design, solid safety certifications and thousands of positive parent reviews for under $100.
Nearly 10% of parents in our annual Most Loved Baby Products survey named this their favorite crib mattress, and it's easy to see why. At just seven pounds, it's the lightest full-size mattress on our list. It also ships rolled and compressed in a box, so it's easy to carry upstairs or stash away until you're ready to set up your nursery. Despite the budget-friendly price, it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified and comes with a removable, washable, water-resistant cover.
Worth noting:
Since the mattress ships compressed, so you'll need to unroll it and give it time to fully expand before using it.
Some parents report a temporary memory foam odor after unboxing, so you may want to let it air out before baby arrives.
The cover is water-resistant but not waterproof.
If you'd like another affordable, parent-loved option, the Serta Perfect Slumber is also worth a look.
Additional Specs
Dimensions: 52” L x 27.6” W x 5” H
Weight: 7 lbs
Other Crib Mattresses We Love
Delta Children Beautyrest Silver Slumber Nights Crib and Toddler Mattress - Grey
From $99.00At under $100, the Delta Silver Slumber Nights is another excellent budget-friendly option, especially considering it’s waterproof and dual-sided. Parents rave about the quality and love that it’s GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Dual Sided Crib Mattress - White
From $199.99The Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Dual Sided Crib Mattress is a well-priced crib mattress is handmade in the US, GREENGUARD Gold Certified and free of PVC, vinyl and fire retardants. It’s also dual-sided, so you can use it well into the toddler years.
babyletto Mini Crib Size Pure Core Mattress with Hybrid Waterproof Cover
From $198.99If you’re short on space, a mini crib is a great alternative to a full-size crib. The Babyletto Pure Core Mini Crib Mattress with Hybrid Waterproof Cover fits most mini cribs and offers many of the same benefits as a full-size mattress: a soft cotton surface with a waterproof backing, GREENGUARD Gold Certification and materials free from polyurethane foam, vinyl and flame retardants. Just be sure to measure your crib carefully, as mini crib sizes vary.
Why Trust Babylist?
Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands annually via our Best Baby Products online survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.
Professional and personal experience. I’m an experienced writer who’s worked in the baby space since 2016, and I’ve written about baby gear at Babylist since 2019. I’m also a mom of two boys, a preschooler and a middle schooler. In both of these roles, I’ve tested many crib mattresses along the way in several different kinds of cribs—and I’ve changed more crib sheets (messy ones included) than I care to think about.
Expert POV. To learn more about crib mattress materials and potential safety issues, especially around chemical emissions, I spoke to Emily Oster, author, economist and founder of ParentData. I also talked to Emily Hughes, a buyer at Babylist who covers the nursery and decor space, to learn what Babylist parents are looking for in a crib mattress and what features are driving the market.
Crib mattress data. As Babylist’s gear editor, I regularly analyze which baby products our users are adding to their baby registries the most (and which ones they aren’t) and what our team of Merchandising experts—our buyers who are responsible for ensuring the Babylist Shop is stocked with the best and newest gear—is excited about. Studying this kind of data helped me decide which crib mattresses to test and which ones to recommend.
Feedback and reviews. I reviewed comments and feedback from Babylist’s annual Most Loved Baby Products survey of thousands of parents, read customer reviews from hundreds of Babylist users and spoke to parents on our staff about their real-life product experiences.
How Do You Choose a Crib Mattress?
Foam, flame retardants, firmness…choosing a crib mattress is a big decision. Doing a little research up front goes a long way.
Types of crib mattresses
There are three main types of crib mattresses: innerspring, foam and specialty.
Innerspring crib mattresses are built with steel coils for support and layers of cushioning materials like cotton, polyester or foam. In general, a higher coil count means a firmer mattress, while a lower steel gauge indicates thicker, stronger coils. Some models also include metal border rods for extra edge support. Innerspring mattresses are durable but tend to be heavier and more expensive than other options.
Foam crib mattresses are typically made from polyurethane foam. They're lightweight, durable and usually the most affordable type of crib mattress. Some parents, however, prefer to avoid polyurethane because of concerns about chemical emissions.
Specialty crib mattresses include breathable "air core" models made from food-grade polymer that allow air to flow freely. They're lightweight and well ventilated but typically cost more than foam mattresses. While breathable crib mattresses haven't been shown to be safer than foam or innerspring options, there's also no evidence they're less safe. Other specialty mattresses may be made with organic materials like cotton, wool, natural latex or coconut fiber.
Crib mattress features
Size and fit
The CPSC regulates full-size crib mattresses. Federal guidelines require them to measure at least 27 1/4 inches wide by 51 1/4 inches long, with a thickness of no more than six inches. The mattress should fit snugly inside your crib—you shouldn't be able to fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame.
If you're shopping for a mini crib mattress, know that mini cribs don't have one standard size. While they must be sold with a mattress, many included mattresses are thin, so some parents choose to upgrade. Always measure both your crib's interior and the mattress you're considering to ensure a proper fit. For safety, there shouldn't be more than a half-inch gap around the mattress when it's centered or more than a one-inch gap when it's pushed against any side of the crib.
Firmness
Crib mattresses are much firmer than adult mattresses—and that's intentional. The American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) safe sleep guidelines recommend a firm, flat sleep surface to help reduce the risk of SIDS and support safe sleep.
Choose a mattress that doesn't noticeably indent under your baby's weight. For innerspring mattresses, look for a higher coil count (and, if listed, a lower steel gauge). For foam or specialty mattresses, press firmly with your hand and watch how quickly the surface springs back. The faster it regains its shape, the firmer it is.
Many crib mattresses are dual-sided, with a firmer infant side and a softer toddler side. Use the infant side until at least your baby's first birthday, then flip it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Materials
When comparing crib mattresses, pay attention to both the cover and what's inside.
Since messes are inevitable, look for a waterproof cover or one that's removable and machine washable. Also listen for crinkling—some waterproof covers, especially on lower-priced mattresses, can be noisy enough to wake a light sleeper.
Some crib mattresses use vinyl covers made with PVC, which may contain phthalates, chemicals used to make plastics more flexible. If you'd rather avoid PVC, look for a mattress labeled PVC-free.
Inside the mattress, you'll typically find either innerspring coils with cushioning or polyurethane foam. Foam mattresses tend to be lighter and more affordable but may emit small amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If you'd rather avoid polyurethane altogether, consider an organic or specialty mattress instead.
VOCs
VOCs often come up when researching crib mattresses.
"There are chemicals used in the manufacturing of crib mattresses—as in the manufacture of all furniture, rugs, etc. And crib mattresses do emit volatile organic compounds which, in high doses, can irritate breathing," explains economist and ParentData founder Emily Oster.
But context matters. "The volume emitted from crib mattresses is fairly low," Oster says, "and there is not much reason based on the data to be worried about low levels of exposure."
If reducing VOC exposure is important to you, Oster recommends choosing a mattress made without polyurethane foam.
Certifications
Every crib mattress sold in the US must meet federal safety standards. If you're looking for additional certifications, here are the most common ones you'll see:
GREENGUARD Gold Certified: Tests for low chemical and VOC emissions.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Requires that at least 95% of textile materials are certified organic and prohibits substances like polyurethane and certain chemical flame retardants.
CertiPUR-US: Applies to polyurethane foam and verifies low VOC emissions while prohibiting formaldehyde, certain flame retardants and heavy metals.
GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard): Certifies mattresses made with at least 95% organic latex.
Weight
You'll lift your crib mattress every time you change the sheets, which is far more often than you probably expect. If you want to make middle-of-the-night sheet changes easier, look for a lightweight mattress.
Price
Crib mattresses range from under $100 to more than $500. While premium models often use higher-end materials, you don't need to spend top dollar to get a safe, durable mattress. Many excellent options fall between $100 and $300. Very inexpensive mattresses can be tempting, but parents more commonly report issues like sagging, torn covers and poor leak protection.
What Are the Crib Mattress Safety Guidelines?
A safe crib mattress is only one part of creating a safe sleep environment. Keep these crib mattress safety tips in mind:
Avoid secondhand mattresses when possible. Used mattresses can harbor mold, bacteria or hidden damage, especially if you don't know their history. If you're reusing a mattress from an older child, inspect it carefully for tears in the waterproof cover, mold and signs of sagging or wear.
Keep the crib empty. Pillows, blankets, crib bumpers and stuffed animals don't belong in your baby's sleep space because they increase the risk of suffocation. A fitted crib sheet is all you need.
Always place your baby on their back to sleep. The AAP recommends placing babies on their backs for every sleep until they turn one, as this significantly reduces the risk of SIDS.
Use the correct side of a dual-sided mattress. If your mattress has separate infant and toddler sides, keep your baby on the firmer infant side until around their first birthday or until the manufacturer recommends switching.
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. To make baby’s room safe, lower the height of your crib mattress as your baby gets older and more mobile. Start with the mattress in its highest position while your baby is a newborn so it's easier to lift them in and out. As soon as your baby can sit independently, lower the mattress so they can't lean over or pull themselves out. Before they learn to stand, move the mattress to its lowest setting.
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