The Best Crib Mattresses to Ensure a Safe and Sound Sleep Space
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
Quick Summary
You probably already know that crib mattresses are designed to be hard and firm in order to keep your little one safe while they sleep. However, there are many different types of crib mattresses available, all that are perfectly safe for baby but vary when it comes to their material and a few other key areas, such as how easy they are to clean or what type of crib they’re made to fit.
Following safe sleep practices set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is crucial for helping lower the risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). One of those practices: Placing baby (on their back) on a well-designed and firm crib mattress.
Yes, a firm mattress. “Just because you would prefer a softer mattress does not mean that your baby would,” says Rachel Y. Moon, M.D., an investigator with the Child Health Research Center at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She adds that “a hard mattress will not mold to the shape of the baby.” Rather, it keeps them flat, preventing their chin resting on their chest and potentially blocking their airways.
But there are other things to consider when purchasing a crib mattress, including material and ease of cleaning.
How we chose the best crib mattresses
Since there are many crib mattresses on the market — and they all seem the same from the outside — buying the right one can be difficult. To help narrow down your choices, we used guidance from the AAP and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), as well as input from pediatricians and What to Expect community members to learn what features are most important when it comes to crib mattress. Based on their comments, we ensured that all the crib mattresses selected met the following criteria:
- Size: To reduce the risk of entrapment and suffocation, the CSPC says a full-size crib mattress must be at least 27 1/4 inches x 51 1/4 inches, and be less than 6 inches thick. In addition to measuring your crib before looking at mattress, Jenelle Ferry M.D., neonatologist and director of feeding, nutrition and infant development at Pediatrix Medical Group in Tampa, Florida, says, “make sure you cannot fit two fingers between the mattress and the side of the crib.”
- Certifications: There are a few common certifications you’ll see on crib mattresses. A Greenguard Gold certification identifies products made from materials that give off low or no emissions of potentially harmful chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Greenguard certification is given to products that meet industry standards for low emissions, but the Gold certification goes one step further and recognizes products that emit even lower levels and have a minimal amount of formaldehyde emissions. Another certification, CertiPUR-US, which is awarded to mattresses made of foams that are free of heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates and more. Crib mattresses may also carry an ASTM certification, which means it meets the standards of the American Society for Testing Materials set forth by the CPSC for crib safety. Every mattress on our list is Greenguard Gold certified, and we prioritized those that hold other certifications as well.
- Price: Crib mattress prices can vary widely, so it can help to have a budget in mind as you shop. Based on feedback from our What to Expect Community, parents who invested in a higher-end crib mattress for their first baby and then used the same mattress for younger siblings were generally happy with the value of their purchase. However, some parents also noted that less-expensive crib mattresses served them just as well as higher-priced options when they purchased a new mattress for a new baby. We included a variety of price points, and ensured the higher-price options came with features to warrant it.
Each of the crib mattresses on this list has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from What to Expect staff and community members for these criteria.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Best Overall Crib Mattress
Serta Perfect Start Crib and Toddler Mattress
- Dual-sided
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
- Square corners
- Seven-year warranty
- Not the highest quality compared to other eco-friendly brands
Winner of Best Crib Mattress in the 2023 What to Expect Sleep Awards, the Serta Perfect Start Crib and Toddler Mattress has overwhelmingly positive reviews from parents. And it’s easy to see why. One side is appropriately firm for babies, while the other is a little softer for when your child graduates to a toddler bed. Parents love that the corners of this mattress are square, not rounded, so it fits snugly inside any standard crib without gaps in the corners.
“We use the Serta because it met all of the basic requirements of safety and nontoxic materials but was really affordable and in my budget. We love it!” says Sarah Darby, What to Expect's Senior SEO Strategist.
It also comes with a waterproof cover that parents say is super easy to wipe down after an unfortunate middle-of-the-night blowout. (Keep in mind, however, that it is not removable and can’t be thrown in the wash.)
With a Greenguard Gold certification, Serta’s crib mattress is one of the most affordable eco-friendly options.
Weight: 15 pounds
Dimensions: 52 x 27.5 x 6 inches
Material: Sustainably-sourced firm fiber foam
Certifications: Greenguard Gold certified, ASTM certified
Best Reversible Crib Mattress
Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress
- Dual-sided
- Easily washable cover
- Waterproof
- Eight-year warranty
- Some parents reported "caving in" after a few months of use
This dual-sided baby and toddler mattress is made with two different types of CertiPUR-US-certified foam to provide varying levels of support as your child grows. The infant side is extra firm, while parents say the toddler side is still plenty firm, but just a touch softer to make it more comfortable.
“I like that it's lightweight enough that it's easy to change the sheets,” says Jeanne Beacom, Campaign Performance Manager at Everyday Health Group (What to Expect's parent company).
Should your little one pee through their diaper or have a blowout — and at some point, they will — the waterproof cover is easily removed so you can toss it in the washing machine. This mattress is made from hypoallergenic materials and has an eight-year warranty, so you know you're safe with this purchase.
Weight: 8.2 pounds
Dimensions: 52 x 27.5 x 5 inches
Material: Durable and hypoallergenic stretch knit fabric exterior with a foam core
Certifications: Greenguard Gold certified, CertiPUR-US certified
Best Washable Crib Mattress
Newton Waterproof Crib Mattress
- Washable waterproof cover
- Washable core
- Hypoallergenic
- Expensive
If you want a mattress that’s easy to clean, the Newton is a fantastic option to consider. Not only can the cover be unzipped and go in the washer, but you can clean the entire core by using cool water and soap in the shower. Parents love how cool this mattress keeps their little ones. How? Instead of being designed with springs or foam, he mattress is made of 90 percent air and 10 percent recyclable food-grade polymer that keeps your baby from overheating at night by increasing airflow beneath them. Many attest to the air flow, saying they can breathe through it even with their face against the mattress. Our own Grace Pan, Product Designer, has the Newton mattress for her baby and put this to the test, saying it actually works.
The price point is higher than many other options, but with overwhelmingly positive reviews from our What to Expect Community parents and its ease of cleaning, this mattress is worth the expense if it fits your budget.
Weight: 11 pounds
Dimensions: 52 x 28 x 5.5 inches
Material: Wovenaire food-grade polymer
Certifications: Greenguard Gold certified
Best Mini Crib Mattress
Juniper Dreams Mini Crib Mattress
- Washable water-repellent cover
- Hypoallergenic
- Dual-sided
- More expensive than other mini crib mattress options
If you choose to use a mini crib to save space, you’ll need a mattress designed to fit within a smaller frame, while still providing a safe and firm sleep surface for your baby. The Juniper Dreams Mini Crib Mattress checks all the mattress boxes, and has plenty of positive feedback from parents. They love that it’s Greenguard Gold certified and made with hypoallergenic materials. They also appreciate how easy it is to clean: The water-repellent cover, which is made of organic cotton, is completely machine washable.
Weight: 7.39 pounds
Dimensions: 38 x 24 x 5 inches
Material: Organic cotton cover, hypoallergenic foam-free bundle fill materials
Certifications: Greenguard Gold certified
Best Affordable Crib Mattress
Dream on Me Twilight 5" 88 Coil Crib & Toddler Mattress
- Widely-available
- Easy to clean vinyl cover
- Lightweight for coil mattress
- Cover not removable
Made without harmful chemicals and bearing multiple product certifications, the Dream On Me Twilight 5-Inch 88 Coil Inner Spring Crib And Toddler Mattress is a top affordable pick. It’s dual-sided and designed to last from infancy through your baby’s toddler years. Parents love that it has a 10-year limited warranty, and have noted in online reviews that the manufacturer is responsive to customer inquiries. Some parents wish this mattress had a removable cover, because although the exterior surface is waterproof, it can only be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
Weight: 12 pounds
Dimensions: 52 x 28 x 5 inches
Material: Foam with inner coil springs
Certifications: Greenguard Gold certified, JPMA certified and ASTM certified
Best Organic Crib Mattress
Naturepedic Organic Lightweight Classic Crib Mattress
- Organic
- Dual-sided
- Waterproof
- Expensive
Parents and Dr. Ferry agree — this is the top organic mattress on the market. The two-sided, Greenguard Gold- and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified mattress is made with organic cotton that's grown in the U.S. And to make you feel even better about using this mattress, the waterproof coating is also naturally derived from sugarcane. When it’s time to clean, simply wipe with soap and water. Many parents say they love the Naturepedic crib mattress for having peace of mind that their children are sleeping on a chemical-free surface and feel it’s worth the price.
Weight: 11 pounds
Dimensions: 52 x 28 x 4 inches
Material: Organic cotton
Certifications: Greenguard Gold certified, GOTS certified
Our Research
We spoke to the following pediatricians:
- Jenelle Ferry, M.D., neonatologist and director of feeding, nutrition and infant development at Pediatrix Medical Group in Tampa, Florida.
- Rachel Y. Moon, M.D., an investigator with the Child Health Research Center at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
We referenced the AAP Safe Sleep Guidelines and crib safety guidelines from the CPSC.
We spoke to the following staff members:
- Jeanne Beacom, Campaign Performance Manager, parent of a 2-year-old
- Sarah Darby, Senior SEO Strategist, paren of a 1-year-old
- Grace Pan, Product Designer, parent of 3-month-old
We reviewed results from the What to Expect Sleep Awards, which polled more than 2,700 caregivers in the What to Expect Community.
Finally, we canvassed What to Expect’s community boards to learn which crib mattresses parents liked best and what features they most appreciated.
FAQs
What type of crib mattress is best for babies?
“Parents should look for a firm and flat mattress to be used with a fitted sheet,” says Dr. Ferry. One way to make sure your mattress is firm enough is by pressing your hand into it. A firm mattress springs back to its original shape quickly. “If the mattress conforms to the shape of your hand, it likely is too soft for your baby,” says Dr. Ferry.
Is a foam or spring mattress better for babies?
Mattresses cores are often made of foam or coil springs. Foam is usually lighter and more affordable, but some parents decide against foam due to concerns of chemicals used to make it. Coil spring mattresses are often heavier and more expensive, but they tend to be more durable and long-lasting. If choosing foam, Dr. Ferry says to “avoid the temptation to purchase memory foam mattresses or mattress toppers for your infant, as these softer surfaces can increase suffocation risk.”
What is a dual-sided crib mattress?
Some crib mattresses are dual-sided, meaning they are firm on one side for an infant and slightly softer on the other side for a toddler. This certainly gives you more mileage from the mattress, but many parents report that their toddlers remain content sleeping on firm mattresses for years.
Are all crib mattresses waterproof?
Not all crib mattresses are waterproof, but most are or at least are water-repellent. “A waterproof mattress can ensure easy cleaning with inevitable leakage of baby fluids,” Dr. Ferry explains. “This will also reduce the growth of mold or bacteria in the mattress.” Some waterproof mattresses can be washed in their entirety, while others simply have a waterproof cover, often made from vinyl materials, that protects the mattress and can be removed for washing. You can also add a crib mattress pad for an extra layer of protection.
- WhatToExpect.com, What You Should Know About Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), June 2020.
- WhatToExpect.com, Safe Sleep Tips for Babies, February 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Parents and Caregivers: Creating a Safe Sleep Area for Babies, September 2020.
- Certipur.us, About the Seal, 2021.
- UL.com, UL GREENGUARD Certification Program, 2021.
- UL.com, What Does "GREENGUARD Certified" Mean?, 2021.
- Jenelle Ferry M.D., Neonatologist, Director of Feeding, Nutrition and Infant Development, Pediatrix Medical Group, Tampa, Florida.
- Rachel Y. Moon, M.D., Pediatrician, Charlottesville, VA.
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