The 10 Best Crib Mattresses for Babies and Toddlers

Bridget Degnan
·11 min read
best crib mattresses
best crib mattresses

Avocado

Editor's Choice

parents - 299.99 Available at Newton Baby

Best Rated

parents - 89.99 Available at Wayfair

Best Innerspring

parents - 69.75 Available at Wayfair

Best Organic

parents - 349 Available at Wayfair

Best Eco-Friendly

parents - 279 Available at Avocado

Best Portable

parents - 69.92 Available at Amazon

Best Memory Foam

parents - 115 Available at Allswell Home

Best for Mini Cribs

parents - 199.99 Available at Newton Baby

Best Affordable

parents - 40.99 Available at Wayfair

Best Splurge

parents - 1249 Available at Avocado

Sleeping safely and comfortably is important for everyone but even more so for babies, considering the majority of their first few months are spent snoozing in your arms and their cribs. According to the National Sleep Foundation, newborns up to 3-month-olds need between 14 and 17 hours of sleep a day—sounds like a dream, doesn't it?

We've rounded up the best crib mattresses to ensure little ones are in good hands when they aren't (literally) in yours. These baby beds are functional for both babies and toddlers, feature firm surfaces, and fit standard full-size and mini cribs.

The Best Crib Mattresses 2022

What To Look For in a Crib Mattress

Shopping for baby essentials requires a lot more research than your personal purchases. Below, we've highlighted important factors to consider when buying the best crib mattress for your bundle of joy.

Size

Standard full-size crib mattresses should be at least 27.25 inches wide by 51.25 inches long and less than 6 inches thick, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The average size of mini crib mattresses is 24 inches wide by 38 inches long.

Fit

The CPSC suggests using your fingers as a guide to know whether or not your mattress is a safe fit. If the gap between the mattress and the crib frame is wider than two fingers, the space is not safe for your baby. Large gaps increase the risk of injury and suffocation.

Firmness

While adults have preferences for mattress firmness, there's no other option than extremely firm for infants. This is because soft surfaces increase the risk of SIDS due to the possibility of plush bedding conforming to their small heads. It's also important to note that babies should always sleep on their backs, as opposed to their stomachs or side, and shouldn't have anything in their cribs besides a tight fitted sheet.

Room to Grow

It's no secret that kids grow out of things quickly. To avoid buying a new mattress once your baby turns 1, choose a crib mattress that is reversible, with one firm side and one soft side. Toddlers can sleep safely on mattresses that provide a balance of comfort and support.

Certifications

Many crib mattresses have a GreenGuard Gold Certification, but what does that mean? This seal ensures the product has been tested for toxins and confirmed that it contains little to no chemical emissions. Another certification is the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which verifies that the product contains a minimum of 70 percent organic fibers. Lastly, the CertiPUR-US seal means the product contains flexible polyurethane foam that has been tested and certified to ensure it's safe.

Whether you prefer organic materials or an affordable option, there's a baby bed perfect for your little one. Keep scrolling to shop the best crib mattresses on the market.

Editor's Choice: Newton Baby Crib Mattress

Certifications: GreenGuard Gold Certified

Julia Dennison, Parents digital content director, recommends Newton's Baby Crib Mattress because of its breathable and washable design. Not only does the removable mattress cover make for easy cleanup, but the interior can also be washed in the bathtub when messier accidents occur. The interior of the mattress is made up of 90 percent air and 10 percent food-grade polymer, which enable babies to breathe easier and stay cooler throughout the night.

Along with Dennison's seal of approval, thousands of Amazon reviewers also give this baby bed five stars, saying "this product is VASTLY superior to anything you are going to see" and that "every single parent should have this mattress." Several shoppers admit that the Newton crib mattress is fairly expensive but confirm that it's worth every penny thanks to its safety benefits.

crib mattress
crib mattress

Best Rated: Graco Premium Foam Crib Mattress

Certifications: GreenGuard Gold Certified and CertiPUR-US Certified

With 65 years of experience, Graco makes baby products you can trust. Although strollers and car seats are some of the company's most popular items, Graco's Crib and Toddler Mattress earns tons of praise from shoppers (it currently has over 2,700 five-star ratings on Wayfair). The baby bed has even won numerous awards, including the 2021 National Parenting Product Award. What makes it so special? It has a breathable foam core that offers the perfect amount of firmness to keep babies safe yet comfortable, leading to longer nights of sleep. The cover is water resistant and unzips for a deep clean in your washing machine.

"The crib mattress is exactly as described and is of great quality. I see this mattress lasting a long time for us," one shopper wrote. "I love that the cover is removable for cleaning. It's soft but also holds up perfectly after being washed and doesn't shrink. Very happy with this mattress!"

"[It] fits our Babyletto crib perfectly, and baby likes it so far," another reviewer said. "We bought an expensive spring mattress first that our baby would not sleep on. She prefers this mattress even though it's half the price!"

crib mattresses
crib mattresses

Best Innerspring: Sealy Waterproof Standard Crib Mattress

Certifications: GreenGuard Gold Certified

This Sealy crib mattress features 150 coils that have been tested for optimal firmness. Thanks to these steel coils, the surface keeps your baby's weight evenly distributed, ensuring it won't sag in the middle. When your child turns 1, you can flip the firm side of the crib mattress to the softer (yet still supportive) side. The baby bed has a waterproof cover to stop liquids from reaching the core.

Over 5,900 Wayfair reviewers have given the Sealy crib mattress a five-star rating, emphasizing its support and long-lasting design. "Great baby mattress! I was a little leery of ordering a crib mattress online, but it worked great and held up wonderfully with not one but two kids both sleeping on it for approximately two and a half years each," one shopper said. "It's firm and wipes clean, which is super nice when there's been an accident at 3 a.m.!"

crib mattresses
crib mattresses

Best Organic: Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress

Certifications: GreenGuard Gold Certified and Global Organic Textile Standard

Not only is Naturepedic's crib mattress made of certified organic cotton, but it's handmade in a facility that only produces organic products. The chemical-free bed features a waterproof surface that blocks liquids, edge support to prevent gaps, and Wavesupport Technology in its core for extra strength and support. One side of this organic crib mattress is designed for infants, while the other is suitable for toddlers.

Reviewers praise the fact that it doesn't have a chemical smell when you first take it out of the box. "No smell whatsoever," one shopper wrote. "Love that this mattress is made from organic materials and is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial."

crib mattresses
crib mattresses

Best Eco-Friendly: Avocado Organic Crib Mattress

Certifications: GreenGuard Gold Certified and Global Organic Textile Standard

Using a farm-to-mattress concept, Avocado sources its organic materials from sustainable farms and then produces the crib mattresses in its own organic-certified facilities. This non-toxic crib mattress checks all the boxes: It's GreenGuard Gold Certified and GOTS certified, has two sides to grow with your child, and provides a firm surface. The only downside is that it doesn't come with a waterproof cover, but you can add this organic crib mattress protector to your order for an additional $59.

"We had previously used a non-toxic mattress from another company; however, the difference in sturdiness between our old mattress and the Avocado Green one is profound," one reviewer wrote on the company's website. "It weighed substantially more and clearly provides ample ergonomic support, which I appreciate as she is a big, healthy girl, and we plan to use her crib mattress for the next year."

best crib mattresses
best crib mattresses

Best Portable: Hiccapop Play Yard Crib Mattress Pad

Certifications: CertiPUR-US Certified

Need a crib mattress for a baby play yard? Hiccapop's crib mattress pad is Amazon's No. 1 bestseller for portable crib mattresses with a 4.9-star rating from over 16,000 reviewers. The measurements are ‎38 by 26 by 3.25 inches, which fits almost every standard-sized play yard. The portable crib mattress is made with CertiPUR-US certified foam and provides both a firm and a soft side. For a quick wash and dry cycle, its cozy cover zips right off. Best of all, the mattress only weighs 5 pounds so you can easily take it on trips or simply from room to room.

"I am a first-time mom, so I was a little nervous about purchasing this for our 5-month-old (16 pounds). … I wanted to try it out before we went on vacation, and I am SO GLAD we purchased this," one shopper wrote. "Not only is it super comfy for her, but when she rolls onto her tummy, she can still push her head and upper body up. She doesn't sink into the mattress to the point where I am even remotely concerned for her safety. This is definitely a win for baby and me!"

best crib mattresses
best crib mattresses

Best Memory Foam: Allswell The Essential Crib Mattress

Certifications: CertiPUR-US Certified

This memory foam crib mattress from Allswell is two-sided so you only have to buy one mattress for your child's infant and toddler years. Its low $115 price tag and high-quality construction make this one of our favorite beds. The high-density CertiPUR-US foams of both the infant and toddler sides are supportive and firm. The cover is waterproof and made with organic materials.

"I love this mattress! Not only is it lightweight (and easy to carry up a flight of stairs), the mattress is a good size in that once my toddler was ready for a "big boy bed" he wasn't too high off the floor," one reviewer said. "It's aesthetically pleasing to the eye too!"

crib mattresses
crib mattresses

Best for Mini Cribs: Serta SleepTrue Mini Crib Mattress

Certifications: GreenGuard Gold Certified

Have a mini crib? There are plenty of mini crib mattresses available to fit a smaller frame, like this top-rated option by Newton Baby. It has a machine-washable cover and a breathable core, and it works well with most mini and portable cribs with its dimensions of 37.75 by 23.75 by 3 inches. A plus side of mini crib mattresses is that they are lighter (this one is less than 10 pounds), which enables you to take them on vacation and change the sheets with ease.

"Best purchase you could make," one five-star reviewer said. "Our kids both sleep on Newton mattresses, and it prevents them from waking up with sweaty backs (both of our boys sweat a lot!). As a parent, having the peace of mind that the mattress is breathable is priceless! Number one item I recommend to new parents."

crib mattresses
crib mattresses

Best Affordable: Big Oshi Two-Stage Waterproof Standard Crib Mattress

Certifications: Meets or exceeds all CPSIA testing requirements

If you're searching for the best crib mattress with a wallet-friendly price, this two-stage crib mattress costs only $41 and offers everything you need to provide a safe sleeping spot for your baby. It's constructed of durable foam to provide a firm foundation that doesn't sink, as well as a waterproof cover for spills and accidents.

"Great mattress! The 4-inch thickness is exactly what we were looking for, and it is firm but not rock solid. Great quality and it fits in our Stephanie 4-in-1 Convertible Crib perfectly," one customer wrote.

crib mattresses
crib mattresses

Best Splurge: Avocado Luxury Organic Crib Mattress

Certifications: GreenGuard Gold Certified and Global Organic Textile Standard

This luxurious organic crib mattress might be on the pricier side, but it has a lot of incredible features you won't find in other models. The unique design combines the best of foam and innerspring crib mattresses with 170 innersprings wrapped in organic cotton, organic wool and flax pads, organic latex on the edges, and an organic latex foam core. Plus, these natural materials even help keep your child's sleeping temperature from getting too warm. Because it has two sides to support your little one as they grow, it makes more sense to buy one quality mattress than multiple cheap ones. Bonus: This crib mattress has a 25-year warranty and free shipping.

best crib mattresses
best crib mattresses