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The Best Crib Mattress of 2025
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall Mattress
Saatva Crib Mattress -
Best Value Mattress
Newton Crib Mattress -
Best Mattress for Babies and Toddlers
Avocado Luxury Organic Crib Mattress
Best Overall Mattress
The reversible Saatva Crib Mattress features a firm (7) side for infants, and a slightly softer medium firm (6) surface for toddlers. Cushioning latex and sturdy hourglass coils form a stable sleep surface that should hold up well until your child transitions to their own bed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dual-sided to accommodate the transition to toddlerhood
- Washable cover and water-repellent coating
- Natural latex and steel springs provide firm support and breathability
Cons
- Natural latex may not be suitable for infants with latex allergies
- Sleep trial only 45 nights
Our Take
Best Value Mattress
The Newton Crib Mattress is composed entirely of machine-washable materials, making it a practical choice that’s easy to keep clean. You can choose from multiple profiles and colors, and have the option to add a waterproof layer to the design.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Core is made of breathable food-grade polymer that can be washed
- Cover is removable and machine-washable
- Four color options
Cons
- One firmness only
- Waterproof cover costs extra
- Cover may fit loosely at first, but should shrink in the wash
Our Take
Best Mattress for Babies and Toddlers
The Avocado Luxury Organic Crib Mattress features a firm (7) side for babies and a medium firm (6) side for toddlers. Both are cushioned with organic latex and stabilized by strong pocketed coils, resulting in excellent overall support for your child during both crib stages.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hand-tufted design eliminates need for adhesives
- Dual-sided to suit babies and toddlers up to age 4
- Contains certified organic cotton, wool, hemp, coco-fiber, and latex
Cons
- Steep price-point
- No waterproofing, and organic cotton crib protector sold at an extra fee
- Natural latex may not work for children with latex allergies
Our Take
How Firm Should a Crib Mattress Be?
To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a firm mattress during your infant’s first year of life.
Check if a mattress is firm enough by placing your baby on their back and checking to make sure their head doesn’t sink in or cause changes to the mattress surface. After pressing on the mattress, it should quickly regain its original shape.
You can attach a snug fitted sheet or a thin waterproof mattress protector on top of the mattress, but don’t use a mattress topper or add any other soft objects to the crib.
Best Types of Crib Mattresses
Crib mattresses come in a variety of styles, with some of the most popular being foam, latex, and innerspring. Manufacturers look for materials that are safe, firm, and breathable. This means you might see some materials in crib mattresses that are less common in adult mattresses, such as polymer or coconut husk. You’re less likely to see soft foam mattresses, which are not considered safe for this age group.
Many companies offer dual-sided mattresses, with a firm side for infants and a slightly softer side to accompany your child as they transition to their toddler years.
| Mattress Type | Pros | Cons |
| Innerspring/Hybrid |
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| Latex |
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| Foam |
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| Coconut Husk |
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| Polymer |
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Video: Comparing the Major Mattress Types
In this video, our sleep experts break down the different types of mattresses and help you learn how to differentiate between them.
What’s Important to Consider When Buying a Crib Mattress?
Choosing a crib mattress is different from choosing a mattress for adults, because safety and breathability are of utmost importance. Many people also look for third-party certifications, and designs that are easy to clean.
Crib Safety
Safety is the top priority when choosing a crib mattress. Your baby is still learning to explore the world around them, and may not have the motor skills to move out of a position that blocks their breathing. By following standard guidelines and purchasing a crib and mattress that meet federal requirements, you can help reduce the risk of accidents.
- Always put your baby down to sleep on their back, even for naps
- Babies should sleep in your room on their own separate firm, flat sleep surface for the first 6 months
- Use a crib mattress approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that’s at least 27.25 inches wide by 51.63 inches long and fits snugly in the crib
- To prevent your child from falling out of the crib, the mattress should be no thicker than 6 inches, with 26 inches of space between the top of the mattress and the top of the guardrail
- The space between crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches
- Instead of loose blankets, keep your baby warm with a sleep sack or a blanket tucked up to your baby’s chest
- Keep soft objects such as stuffed animals, pillows, or crib bumpers out of the crib
- To prevent overheating, avoid overdressing your baby or covering their head
- Use a fitted sheet designed for your crib that fits snugly without deforming the mattress
- Keep an eye out for loose or broken parts in the mattress and crib
- Keep the crib far from open windows, loose wires, and other hazards
Pricing
The average price of a crib mattress generally falls between $100 and $500, although you can find models below and above this price.
Since they’re thinner, smaller, and designed to be used for only a few years, crib mattresses cost significantly less than their adult counterparts. As the main focus is on providing a firm, supportive sleep surface, a crib mattress also tends to have a simpler design with fewer layers than an adult mattress.
Foam, innerspring, and plastic polymer mattresses are generally the most affordable. You can expect to pay more for mattresses containing organic materials such as latex, cotton, or wool.
Breathability
A mattress made of breathable materials can help prevent your child from overheating or developing a heat rash. The best choice for breathability is an innerspring, coconut, or plastic polymer mattress, as these models allow room for air to circulate through the mattress core. Perforated natural latex is also a good option.
Some manufacturers market their mattresses as “safer” for babies because they are made of breathable components. While attractive, these claims haven’t been proven. It’s okay to use these mattresses provided they meet federal safety criteria, but follow AAP recommendations for preventing SIDS regardless of your mattress’ marketing claims.
Ease of Care
Many crib mattresses include a stain-resistant coating or sell a waterproof mattress protector to prevent moisture from damaging the mattress. Some mattresses, such as those made from plastic polymer, can be washed with soap and water. Foam mattresses may need spot-cleaning.
Certifications
Many parents and caregivers care deeply about keeping toxic chemicals out of the bedroom, but it can be difficult to distinguish misleading marketing claims and greenwashing from legitimately safe materials. Third-party certifications help establish the credibility of a company’s claims regarding safety and sustainability.
| Certification | Description |
| GREENGUARD Gold | The GREENGUARD Gold label certifies that a mattress contains low levels of volatile organic chemical (VOC) emissions and other chemicals. |
| Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) | GOTS provides organic certifications for textiles such as cotton and wool. To use the GOTS organic label, at least 95% of the materials must be non-GMO and produced without the use of synthetic pesticides or herbicides. |
| Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) | Organic latex is certified by the GOLS label, which requires that the latex be grown organically and sets strict limits for filler materials and emission levels. |
| CertiPUR-US | The CertiPUR-US label requires manufacturers to prove that their polyfoam or memory foam is low in VOCs and free of certain harmful substances, including formaldehyde and heavy metals. |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | Textiles carrying the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label are certified free of substances that are harmful to human health. |
Discover More Mattress Solutions
Mattress shopping for the rest of the family? Check out our other mattress guides:
More Mattress Guides
How We Test
The Sleep Doctor team has tested hundreds of sleep products, from mattresses to nursing pillows. When searching for the best crib mattresses, we applied our usual testing methodology but gave special weight to firmness, breathability, and off-gassing, which are important to ensure safe sleep for infants.
Frequently Asked Questions
To reduce the risk of SIDS, newborn babies should sleep on a firm mattress in a CPSC-approved crib. Foam, coconut husk, latex, spring, and food-safe polymer mattresses are all suitable options as long as they are firm, fit snugly in the crib, and meet the height requirements.
Talk to your doctor about safe sleeping arrangements if your baby was born prematurely or if they have other health issues.
It’s preferable to buy a new mattress for your baby, but you may be able to reuse a crib mattress if it’s in good condition and conforms to current safety standards. The mattress should be firm, with strong edges and no signs of indentation, sagging, or exposed springs. Avoid using a second hand mattress if you don’t know its history or if it’s missing the law label.
Before reusing a crib mattress, clean it thoroughly and check for mold, mildew, and bedbugs. Avoid mattresses that have been exposed to tobacco smoke, as this may raise the risk of SIDS. Also, check the CPSC website to ensure the mattress hasn’t been recalled.
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the firmest, a crib mattress should measure at least a 7, or “firm.” A firm crib mattress doesn’t conform as closely and as a result, it is less likely to obstruct your baby’s breathing. It’s also important for the mattress to have firm edges, so that your baby doesn’t get trapped between the mattress and the crib bars.
The safest position for a baby to sleep is on their back. Whether for naptime or bedtime, experts recommend always putting your baby to sleep on their back, never on their side or stomach. This includes babies born preterm or who have acid reflux.
Most babies start learning to roll over around the age of 2 to 3 months, at which point you should stop swaddling. If they roll onto their stomach during sleep, it’s best to roll them back onto their back until they learn to roll back by themselves. Continue putting your baby down to sleep on their back until they’re at least 1 year old.
The AAP specifically recommends against memory foam mattresses during the first year of life. Memory foam conforms to the body, and when used for a baby, this may raise the risk of suffocation.
