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The Best Crib Mattresses for Your Baby
As the saying goes, “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” and the same is true for crib mattresses. Although many crib mattresses look similar on the outside, on the inside they can be made of different types of foam or springs, and may be constructed in different ways.
Find out about the different types of crib mattresses on the market, and what to look for when buying a crib mattress. Then check out our lists of top innerspring crib mattresses and top foam crib mattresses.
To help you find the best crib mattresses, we surveyed more than 6,000 Pampers Parents and asked them to vote on their favorites, and to provide some pros and cons as well so you can make an informed choice.
What to Look for When Buying a Crib Mattress
After finding the right crib for your little one, you’ll be looking for the right mattress.
As many Pampers Parents have noted, it takes a long time to research the best crib mattresses. To help speed the process, we've assembled a list of what to consider when buying a crib mattress:
Quality
When looking for a crib mattress, quality is the number one factor. Cheap mattresses won’t stand the test of time. They’ll usually have thin coverings and edges that can tear or crack from wear.
As mattresses become more expensive, they tend to be thicker and puncture resistant, and have better gauge steel if it’s an innerspring mattress, or denser foam if it’s a foam mattress.
Price
You don’t have to break the bank, but purchasing a high-quality mattress that will serve your baby better in the long run is worth it. The more expensive mattresses tend to be firmer, which is safest for your baby, whereas inexpensive types may be too soft and thin.
Spending somewhere between $90 and $200 will get you a good crib mattress. Five of the mattresses on this list fall in this price range with the Sealy Soybean Foam-Core Toddler and Baby Crib Mattress at around $100 and the Lullaby Earth Healthy Support Crib Mattress at under $200 bookending this price range.
The least expensive standard-size mattress on our list is the Dream On Me Spring Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress which comes in at about $47, and the most expensive mattress on this list is the Naturepedic Classic Organic Crib Mattress which retails around $259.
Safety, Size, and Fit
One very important thing to note: Make sure to buy a crib mattress that’s firmer than you would like, because your baby requires firm support. A firm mattress helps lower the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
By law, the dimensions of a standard-size crib mattress should measure at least 51 5/8 inches by 27 1/4 inches, and be no more than 6 inches thick. Give or take a little, all the mattresses on this list generally follow these standard dimensions.
The mattress should fit snugly into your baby’s crib so there are no gaps that can trap your baby’s arm or leg. If you can fit more than two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the crib, you should get a larger mattress.
New or Used?
You don’t know what you’re getting when you buy a used crib mattress. It could have mold, bacteria, and stains. When you buy a new mattress, you can feel confident you’re getting one that is sanitary and clean.
After your baby outgrows it, you can use the mattress you buy now for houseguests with a baby or for your next baby. Just make sure to properly clean it once it’s not in use, and store it in a dry location.
The Cover
A crib mattress will have either a fabric or vinyl cover. Fabric is more breathable than vinyl, but some vinyl covers will have ventilation holes.
The benefit of a vinyl cover is that it can resist punctures, tears, leaks, and stains better than a fabric cover.
Look for a mattress with a three-ply cover as this helps the mattress last longer. Among our lists of best crib mattresses, the Dream On Me Spring Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress features a triple-laminated vinyl cover.
Warranty
You can expect a good-quality crib mattress to last as long as you’re going to use it, unless the cover tears. You may not really find much use for a long warranty, and it may not be worth spending extra on an extended warranty.
Still, if warranty is important to you, five mattresses on our lists feature a lifetime warranty. We’ve indicated the warranty period for all the mattresses on our list unless none was provided.
Certification
You’ll notice that many of the mattresses on our list have been certified by various organizations. Two certifications to look out for are Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US.
Greenguard Gold certification means that the mattress meets some of the world’s most rigorous standards for low emissions of gasses called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the indoor air.
CertiPUR-US is a certification given for any polyurethane foam used in the mattress. Similar to Greenguard Gold, this certification also means the mattress was manufactured to meet low VOC emissions standards, and that the foam meets certain requirements for content, performance, and durability.
But what do these certifications mean for your baby? If the crib mattress you buy has these seals of approval, the mattress was manufactured without harmful chemicals and metals, such as formaldehyde, mercury, or lead, which can affect your baby’s health.
In the product details tables under each product description, we list some of the chemicals that each crib mattress was manufactured without so that you know more about what your little one will (or won't) be sleeping on.
Best Innerspring Mattresses
Pampers Parents voted these four as the best innerspring crib mattresses:
1. Serta Tranquility Eco Firm Innerspring Crib and Toddler Mattress
Why pick this one? The Serta Tranquility mattress has a firmer side for your infant, and a plush side for when your baby grows into a toddler. It features layers of orthopedic foam, a waterproof vinyl cover that’s easy to wipe clean, a full perimeter border wire for extra support, and square corners to ensure the mattress fits snugly in your baby’s crib.
At six inches thick, this is the thickest innerspring crib mattress on our list. (There are two foam mattresses on our list that are also six inches thick.)
Highlights: The mattress is Greenguard Gold certified and CertiPUR-US certified.
Details:
Price*: about $119.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: The dual firmness, durability, comfort, and that it’s by a trustworthy brand.
Cons: It can be slippery.
2. Sealy Nature Couture Cotton Bliss 2-Stage Toddler and Baby Crib Mattress
Why pick this one? This Sealy mattress features two different sides. One side offers firm support for your infant. The other side is plush with highly durable layers of natural cotton cushioning for when your baby enters toddlerhood.
The mattress offers extra support with a thick steel border wire around the perimeter and six pylons to reinforce the four corners and the sides. The infant side of the mattress includes an anti-sag steel weight distribution system.
The cover is made of a durable woven organic cotton blend that features a waterproof barrier that is free of plastic. The cover is also easy to wipe clean.
Highlights: The mattress is Greenguard Gold certified.
Details:
Price*: about $162.55 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: It's by a trustworthy brand, and offers dual firmness and durability.
Cons: It’s on the heavier side.
3. Kolcraft Pure Sleep Therapeutic 150 Infant/Toddler Crib Mattress
Why pick this one? The Kolcraft mattress offers a firm, non-allergenic surface for your baby to sleep on. It has a waterproof cover that can resist stains, mold, and mildew. And, the best part is, it can be easily wiped clean.
Highlights: The mattress is Greenguard Gold certified.
Details:
Price*: about $49.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: It offers dual firmness, and it’s hypoallergenic.
Cons: The springs can be noisy.
4. Dream On Me Spring Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress
Why pick this one? The Dream On Me crib mattress features protective polyurethane foam on each side for a plush sleeping surface. The insulating layer is hypoallergenic and the cover is made of triple-laminated waterproof vinyl. The mattress also features full perimeter border rods.
Highlights: The mattress is Greenguard Gold certified.
Details:
Price*: about $47.78 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: It’s inexpensive, waterproof, and sturdy.
Cons: The springs can be noisy and the vinyl cover can rip easily.
Best Foam Mattresses
Pampers Parents voted these seven as the best foam crib mattresses:
1. Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams White Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress
Why pick this one? The Safety 1st crib mattress features what the manufacturer calls a high-density thermo-bonded foam core for supporting your infant as he sleeps. However, the mattress is also very lightweight at under eight pounds. The vinyl cover resists stains, odors, and mildew. Keep in mind that the most weight this mattress can bear is 50 pounds.
Highlights: The mattress is Greenguard Gold certified and, in 2017, it received the Women’s Choice Award for most recommended crib and toddler mattress.
Details:
Price*: about $59.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: It’s durable and affordable.
Cons: The water-resistant vinyl cover can be noisy.
2. Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress
Why pick this one? This crib mattress from Graco features a removable cover that can be hand-washed in cold water with mild soap, then line-dried. The mattress itself is made from breathable polyurethane foam. The manufacturer claims the foam is the ideal firmness for your infant’s safety.
Highlights: For convenience, the mattress ships rolled up. Make sure to unroll it within 2 weeks of purchase, and let it expand for 72 hours before using it.
Details:
Price*: about $59.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: It’s firm, comfortable, and affordable.
Cons: It has a smell that eventually goes away. It needs a mattress protector to make it fully waterproof as the cover doesn’t do the job.
3. Sealy Soybean Foam-Core Toddler and Baby Crib Mattress
Why pick this one? Soybeans go into the manufacturing of this crib mattress by Sealy. It features a soybean foam core made with soybeans grown by American farmers. The mattress also features a waterproof and stain-resistant cover, which helps guard it from any liquid, dust, or dander. Its surface can be easily wiped down.
Highlights: The mattress is Greenguard Gold certified and certified by CertiPur-US.
Details:
Price*: about $101.59 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: It’s soft, firm, durable, and easy to clean.
Cons: It can sag.
4. Naturepedic Classic Organic Crib Mattress Lightweight 100% Certified Non-Toxic Baby Bed
Why pick this one? This Naturepedic mattress is completely organic. Both the waterproof cover and inner filling are made from organic cotton. The mattress features Wavesupport Technology, which is what gives it structure.
A few Pampers Parents commented that the mattress developed an indentation after some time, with one Pampers Parent noting that the manufacturer promptly replaced her mattress for that reason.
Highlights: The mattress is Greenguard Gold certified, and it’s certified organic and non-toxic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Naturepedic claims it is the only mattress manufacturer to be GOTS certified.
Details:
Price*: about $259.00 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: The organic cotton.
Cons: It’s expensive.
5. Colgate Eco Classica III Dual Firmness Eco-Friendlier Crib Mattress
Why pick this one? The Colgate Eco Classica orthopedic-style crib mattress has an extra-firm side for your infant, and a less firm side for when she grows into a toddler. It features an organic cotton cover with waterproof backing so that any moisture can’t seep through to the mattress itself. The foam core is made from sustainable plant oils.
At six inches, it’s one of two of the thickest foam mattresses on our list. Along with its weight, thickness is a good indication of high density, a desirable quality in a foam baby mattress.
Highlights: The mattress is Greenguard Gold certified and CertiPUR-US certified.
Details:
Price*: about $184.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: The dual firmness is a plus, and it retains its shape well over time.
Cons: It’s quite expensive.
6. Lullaby Earth Healthy Support Crib Mattress
Why pick this one? Featuring two different sides, one firm for infants and the other cushier for toddlers, the Lullaby Earth mattress is made with a Wavesupport core, which adds structure and helps reduce the weight of the mattress so that changing the fitted sheet is a little easier.
It’s also designed with square corners for a snug crib fit and has reinforced edges. The waterproof cover is easy to wipe clean with mild detergent.
At six inches, this is one of two of the thickest foam mattresses on our list. Thickness is a good indication of high density, which is what you want in a foam baby mattress.
Highlights: The mattress is Greenguard Gold certified, and it’s made from food-grade polyethylene and 100 percent PETE.
Details:
Price*: about $199.00 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: It’s eco-friendly and lightweight, which makes changing sheets easier.
Cons: It’s expensive.
7. Milliard Hypoallergenic Baby Crib Mattress
Why pick this one? Milliard claims this crib mattress is made of soft and sturdy foam that mimics the womb environment, so it may help your baby feel more supported. The cover is both hypoallergenic and waterproof, which can help protect your baby from bacteria, mold, dust mites, and various other allergens.
The mattress is shipped rolled up and vacuum sealed, so you’ll want to unroll it and give it 48 hours to expand to its proper size and shape. Pampers Parents mention that this crib mattress has a foam smell. The manufacturer recommends airing it out for a few days before use to alleviate the smell.
Highlights: The mattress is CertiPUR-US certified.
Details:
Price*: about $56.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: It’s firm yet lightweight, and it’s hypoallergenic.
Cons: The foam smell and the fact that you have to wait 48 hours for it to unroll.
Mini/Portable Crib Mattress
If you’re taking road trips together as a family or your baby is spending the night with the grandparents, you might consider buying a portable crib as well as a portable mattress. Here’s the mini/portable crib mattress that Pampers Parents chose as their favorite:
Dream On Me 3 Mini/Portable Crib Mattress
Why pick this one? The Dream On Me portable mattress is designed to fit small-sized portable cribs. It doesn’t fold up, but compact size means it might fit more easily into the trunk of your car.
This crib mattress features a hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial waterproof cover, which inhibits the growth of mold and mildew. It easily wipes clean with warm soapy water.
Highlights: If you have a portable crib, this could be the mattress for you!
Details:
Price*: about $29.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Pros: It’s very easy to travel with and provides good firmness for your baby.
Cons: It’s hard to find sheets for a mattress this small. It could also be a little softer and thicker.
Innerspring vs. Foam Crib Mattresses
There are two main types of mattresses, innerspring and foam. Both do the job, so it’s really up to your personal preference. Find out more about innerspring mattresses just below or jump straight to our section on foam crib mattresses.
Innerspring
With innerspring mattresses, the more layers and the higher the quality of materials, the better. The heavier the innerspring mattress, the likelier it was manufactured with higher-gauge steel springs and better cushioning. The heaviest innerspring mattress on our list at 18 pounds is the Sealy Nature Couture Cotton Bliss 2-Stage Toddler and Baby Crib Mattress.
Another way to check for quality is to look for border rods, which is the piping that goes around the edge of a mattress. This provides firmness, durability, and support so the mattress won’t sag. This is especially important for when your baby stands up in his crib, and walks or bounces on the mattress.
If you’d like a mattress to grow with your baby, you may want to consider buying a convertible mattress. In this style, one side is designed to be firmer, for use when your little one is a baby. Then, the mattress can be flipped to the softer side once your little one reaches the toddler stage. Look for “dual firmness” in the product details table to easily find which mattresses on the list are convertible.
Foam
When it comes to buying a crib mattress, comfort and safety for your baby are most important. We hope this list makes it easier for you to make this important buying decision.
Once you’ve made your choice, you can rest assured that your baby will make good use of his crib mattress! And, with your baby sleeping peacefully, we hope that you will get to enjoy some well-deserved rest, too!
With foam mattresses, denser is better. The denser the mattress, the firmer and safer it is for your baby. The best way to check the density of a foam mattress is to look at how much it weighs. The heavier the mattress, the denser it is. We’ve made it easier for you by listing the weight of each mattress in the product details table.
Look for a foam mattress that is firm and resilient, and heavy for its size. You don’t want the crib mattress to conform to your baby’s body.
When it comes to buying a crib mattress, comfort and safety for your baby are most important. We hope this list makes it easier for you to make this important buying decision.
Once you’ve made your choice, you can rest assured that your baby will make good use of his crib mattress! And, with your baby sleeping peacefully, we hope that you will get to enjoy some well-deserved rest, too!
Recall Notice
Before buying a product, always check that it’s approved and hasn’t been recalled on sites like the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
*Prices are correct at the time of writing.
How We Got These Results
We surveyed thousands of parents in the Pampers Community and asked them to choose the products they love the most, and to share their views on specific products and product categories. Based on the survey responses, we have taken the top product picks and added our own research to create this article. The aim is to help you choose the right product for you and your family. We might receive commissions on purchases made from the links in this article, but the products featured are the Pampers Community’s top choices.
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