Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Crib Mattress

Last updated on August 15, 2024
Categories Home, Kids Tags ,

We looked at the top 19 Crib Mattresses and dug through the reviews from 62 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Crib Mattresses.

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Our Picks For The Top Crib Mattresses

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Delta Children Serta Stain Resistant Long-Lasting Crib Mattress

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Delta Children

Serta Stain Resistant Long-Lasting Crib Mattress

If you're searching for an eco-friendly crib mattress, you'll love that the fiber core in this model is constructed using recycled bottles. The mattress is dual-sided and designed to be both waterproof and stainproof. That means you won't have any trouble keeping it looking like new.

Overall Take

Best for Sensitive SkinThis crib mattress is hypoallergenic and ideal for infants with sensitive skin.

 Runner Up

Lullaby Earth Healthy Support Greenguard Crib Mattress

Lullaby Earth

Healthy Support Greenguard Crib Mattress

Since this crib mattress weighs just 7 pounds, you won't have any trouble flipping it over or lifting it up to change the sheets. Parents will love that the mattress is made using food-grade materials that are free of harsh chemicals and annoying allergens. To clean the mattress all you need to do is wipe it down with a little soap and water.

Overall Take

Lightweight DesignThis crib mattress also works in a wide variety of toddler beds.

 We Also Like

Graco Premium Foam Crib Mattress

Graco

Premium Foam Crib Mattress

Your baby is sure to sleep soundly on this crib mattress, as it's made using a breathable foam that promotes proper air flow. The mattress is encased in a water-resistant cover to protect it from any diaper mishaps. Parents will especially appreciate that the mattress is free of lead and mercury.

Overall Take

Ensures Proper Air FlowBabies have accidents, which is why this crib mattress is made with a water-resistant outer cover that is also removable and washable.

Pros
" It’s the most affordable option on the list, but it won’t cause you to compromise on quality!"
Cons
"When you are looking for something as important as this, it might be more important to spend a few more dollars to get something that will hold its shape."
 Strong Contender

Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Hypoallergenic Crib Mattress

Safety 1st

Heavenly Dreams Hypoallergenic Crib Mattress

For parents seeking a firm yet lightweight option, this crib mattress weighs just over seven pounds. The mattress contains no PVC or other dangerous substances. Though affordable, this option boasts many features of its more expensive counterparts.

Overall Take

Affordable QualityThis crib mattress may be affordable, but that doesn't mean it skimps on quality.

Pros
" Offers similiar qualities as more costly models."
Cons
"Not dual sided."

Buying Guide

A crib mattress might be the first place your newborn sleeps after coming home from the hospital, or it could be a step up from your baby’s bassinet or co-sleeper. Either way, finding the best crib mattress for your little one is something parents should and do take quite seriously.

Babies and even toddlers spend a great deal of time sleeping. Ensuring that their little beds are not only comfortable but also safe is a top priority. Little ones cannot tell you how their mattress feels. Determining whether it is the safest option must be done before placing the mattress into the crib as well. Performing sufficient research and testing prior to using the crib mattress will help you and your infant sleep safely and soundly.

“Since babies spend a lot of time sleeping, finding the right crib mattress is important,” Kate Desmond, an infant safe-sleep expert, says. “But unlike adult mattress shopping, selecting a crib mattress has a lot less to do with comfort and more to do with safety.”

Buying the crib and mattress at the same time is a good way to ensure you buy a mattress that fits into your baby’s crib as it should.

“To help prevent suffocation, a baby’s crib mattress should be firm and properly fitted for the crib it is being used in,” Desmond says. “While you might prefer a pillow top, remember a baby’s mattress is supposed to be hard.”

There are essentially two types of crib mattresses. Choosing between foam and innerspring mattresses is a personal decision that depends on multiple factors.

Foam mattresses can be made from a variety of materials. Foam crib mattresses are very lightweight and come in a variety of thicknesses, generally ranging from three to six inches. For the greatest safety, it is wise to choose a foam crib mattress that is firm and a bit heavier than others, which snaps back into shape quickly when pressed down and released. A surface that is too soft could be a suffocation risk.

Also, memory foam crib mattresses or mattress toppers should be avoided for babies. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, memory foam is prone to indentation, which can increase a baby’s chance of suffocation. Choose a foam mattress that maintains its shape.  

Innerspring mattresses are a more traditional design. They consist of coils covered with padding, foam and fabric. These crib mattresses are heavy, especially when you choose one with thicker gauge coils and high-quality cushioning. Although these might be more expensive, they tend to be firmer and more durable than lighter spring mattresses are.

The fabric that a crib mattress is made from could be an important factor for you. Natural and organic crib mattresses are considered gentle for babies and the planet. They can be made from a wide range of natural materials, such as cotton, food-grade polymers, wool and soybeans.

There are also crib mattresses that have multiple sleep surfaces. One side has an extra firm plant-based foam layer that is safe for an infant. The other side is plush and soft, which is appropriate only for a toddler.

“One more thing to keep in mind when purchasing your baby’s crib and mattress is that a fitted sheet is the only thing you need,” Desmond says. “Don’t be tempted by the bedding sets sold in stores. Extra bedding, like quilts and bumper pads, is actually quite dangerous for your baby.  And absolutely no other padding should be added to the mattress. Keep it simple: firm mattress, fitted sheet only.”

The size of a crib mattress is another aspect to consider. Although federal regulations mandate that all standard crib mattresses are a minimum size of 27 1/4-inches by 51 5/8-inches and no thicker than 6 inches. However, there is a “plus or minus” tolerance from the standard 28-inches by 52 3/8-inches rectangle for interior dimensions of a crib. For safety purposes, it is advisable to find a mattress that fits snugly inside the crib frame. Mini-cribs are generally 24-inches by 38-inches and will require special mattresses to fit securely as well.

The cost of a crib mattress can vary greatly. Of course, the price is not the primary factor that determines how well a crib mattress will work for your baby. Being aware of your budget and knowing what aspects of a mattress matter the most to you will ultimately help you choose the right one for your infant.

Safety standards established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, as well as the American Society for Testing and Materials, ensure that crib mattresses sold in the United States are flame retardant and do not contain heavy metals that could be detrimental to your baby’s health.

Our Expert Consultant

Kate Desmond 
Parenting Pro and Safe-Sleep Expert

Kate Desmond is a writer and infant safe-sleep expert. She has spent the last eight years working as the marketing director for Charlie’s Kids Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to educate families about SIDS and safe sleep. In that role, she travels around the country learning and educating caregivers and providers on the latest and greatest safe-sleep information to prevent infant death.

As mom to two elementary-aged daughters, she spends hours researching the best and safest products for her own kids. She is quick to get in the weeds with other mamas, and uses humor to cope with parenting woes from potty-training to teaching kids to read.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
26

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the crib mattresses available to purchase.
19

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

62

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: The New York Times, Crib Mattress Hub, The Consumer Guide, Must Haves For Baby, Memory Foam Doctor.

68,251

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 19 Crib Mattresses and also dug through the reviews from 62 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Crib Mattresses.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Hypoallergenic Crib Mattress

Key Takeawy

For parents seeking a firm yet lightweight option, this crib mattress weighs just over seven pounds. The mattress contains no PVC or other dangerous substances. Though affordable, this option boasts many features of its more expensive counterparts.

What other experts liked

Offers similiar qualities as more costly models.
- BestReviews
At just over seven pounds, this is a great lightweight choice.
- Baby List
It’s affordable, lightweight, waterproof, and it’s safe.
- The Sleep Judge
Despite being a budget-friendly option amongst $100 competitors, it still rates as one of the highest among those who have happily used them.
- Safe Baby Reviews
It contains no PVC and other dangerous chemicals/substances.
- Sleep Reports

What other experts didn't like

It's on the thin side and the middle has the tendancy to sag a little over time.
- BestReviews
Not dual sided.
- The Sleep Judge
Not the softest option available – Middle may sink after time – Cover may be prone to tears.
- Safe Baby Reviews
It may not dissipate heat well enough.
- Sleep Reports

What to Look For

  • Always buy new. It might be tempting to accept a hand-me-down crib and mattress from your family or friends, but it is worth investing in your own. Cribs are subject to recalls and used crib mattresses could be less than sanitary.
  • Some crib mattresses claim to be waterproof, but adding a waterproof, washable mattress cover is always a good idea. Babies might be tiny, but they can make big messes. You will likely appreciate having the ability to unzip a dirty cover and toss it into the washer rather than attempting to clean and dry a soiled mattress. Make sure the cover fits well and permits airflow so that your baby can breathe easily even after rolling over to stomach sleep.
  • Check the fit. Try to insert two fingers into the gap between the mattress and the crib frame. If you can fit more than two fingers in that gap, the mattress is too small. Return the mattress and try another one that is a bit larger. Never try to fill the gap with blankets, pillows or foam, as this could also be dangerous to your little one.
  • Soft sounds sweet, but firm is best for a baby. According to the CDC, there were about 1,400 deaths due to SIDS and about 900 deaths due to accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed in 2017. One study has shown that soft bedding is the top cause of suffocation death for sleeping babies.
  • Avoid crib bumpers. Experts say there is no evidence that they prevent injuries. However, they can potentially interfere with a baby’s breathing.

More to Explore

Our idea of a suitable baby bed has certainly changed throughout the centuries. Rocker-mounted cradles were popular from medieval times through the 17th century. Over the next 200 years, wicker cradles raised on end supports gained popularity.

During the 1920s and 1930s, some mothers put their babies to bed in metal cages that were mounted on the outside of windows. These chicken coop-like pens were intended to provide fresh air for little ones, primarily in crowded cities with little yard space.

Finnish babies have slept in boxes since the 1940s. The government provides equips expectant parents with cardboard boxes that contain necessities such as diapers, clothing and a mattress that turns the box into a bed. Interestingly, Finland has one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates.

From our partners