Best Crib Mattresses (Sep. 2026) - Rated by CherryPicks' Experts

How to Choose the Best Crib Mattress

There are a few things to consider before buying. First, you want a mattress which fits just right in the crib without any gaps which could be hazardous to your infant or toddler.

In addition, you should look for a mattress that is firm to avoid the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome ( SIDS) which increases with a soft model since it can conform to the baby’s head or face.

Generally speaking, crib mattresses are either foam, innerspring or organic. All types can be good for your baby and support its body. Nevertheless, foam tends to be lighter compared to innerspring mattresses. Handling a lighter foam one is perhaps a bit more convenient whereas it is not as bouncy as innerspring crib mattresses which can be used as a trampoline by an older baby.

However, innerspring models are preferred by Americans, perhaps because more adults prefer innerspring too. There is also a growing interest in “green” organic crib mattresses as they can guarantee a healthier sleeping surface for your baby than others.

Choosing the right infant or toddler crib mattress is one big decision that you should not take lightly! Our intention is to make you feel a bit more secure by offering some potential options which will not disappoint.

What type of crib mattress to buy?

Foam

These type of mattresses cost less, something between $30 and $100, and you can find them in different thicknesses and densities. There are two types: regular, plain foam and memory foam. Both are lighter compared to innerspring.

Pros

• The least expensive option for a crib mattress
• Lightweight
• Many sizes available

Cons

• Not as durable as other choices
• Not the ideal long-term solution

Memory foam

Pros

• Contours to your baby’s body in a nice way
• Quick response to its original shape
• Minimal air circulation results in warmth

Cons

• Perhaps too hot in the summer
• Cannot be flipped over

Coil Spring

Innerspring ones commonly cost more than foam, usually somewhere between $100 and $250, yet they last longer, and the more coils they have the more firm they are. There are two kinds: coil spring and pocket spring.

Pros

• Durable
• Provide support for the baby’s body and head
• Resilient and can last longer

Cons

• Hefty mattress
• More expensive compared to foam
• Low quality coil springs can squeak

Pocket Spring

Pros

• Exceptional support
• Lasts longer than foam and coil spring
• Very comfortable

Cons

• Quite expensive – of the most costlier crib mattresses

Natural and Organic

They are made of natural materials are the most expensive from the bunch, yet they really worth giving them a try as you will be rather carefree about where your baby sleeps on.

A team of environmental engineers from the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin discovered that infants apparently come in contact with high levels of chemical emissions from crib mattresses during their sleep.

In particular, it was evident that:

• New buying releases about 4 times as many VOCs as old ones.
• Emissions are more when there exists body heat.
• Chemical emissions are stronger where the sleeping baby breathes.

Some of the most commonly used natural materials and fibers to make certified-organic mattresses are Untreated wool, Organic cotton, Natural latex, Coconut Fiber.

Pros

• No chemicals
• Usually hypoallergenic
• Breathable
• Lasts for a prologue period

Cons

[su_list icon="icon: ban" icon_color="#ea2228"]

• A bit more rare to find among crib mattresses – not as much variety
• Firmness depends on what materials are used

Regardless of which type you choose, it is important to pick a good one. Before looking into the best crib mattresses of the year based on our research, read through to find out why it is important to buy.

Read Related: Best Eco-Friendly Mattresses

Points to consider before buying crib mattresses

You want your baby to be safe and healthy? Then you need a high-quality crib mattress. This will ensure your baby gets the comfort and support necessary to nurture their delicate growing bodies. Your baby spends up to 70% of his/her life in the crib. So, obviously, it is extremely important to make sure you get a great choice!

The National Institute of Child Health & Human Development reports that it is best to use a hard mattress, in contrast to a soft mattress, since it is a key factor to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

What you need is a crib mattress that is specifically designed for babies or toddlers, not adults or older children as it is likely it won’t be the right size for a crib, while it could be softer than it should.

According to the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development reports, you should choose a model that is breathable, instead of going for a soft one, in order to minimize the risk of SIDS.

There are some key features and qualities which are essential to ensure you have made the best choice for your family.

Specific Crib Mattresses Guides

For more personalized Crib Mattresses guides to match for your different needs, check out the following pages,

Final verdict

This has been one of the toughest top reviews to undertake since we had an array of competitors featuring great crib mattress of high quality. The decision process aimed to reveal which high-rated crib mattresses are the best drawing on specific characteristics such as dual firmness, organic materials used, price, etc.

A favorite of us, the Newton Crib & Toddler Mattress makes it into this list as the best organic choice with its 90% Free Air and 10% Food Grade Polymer, raising over 89% in satisfaction rate on Amazon.

The best-rated choices include the Safety 1^st Heavenly Dreams which is #1 best seller on Amazon, as the Best budget option. Not lacking in quality, this really affordable choice will exceed your expectations.

Another very favorite option for consumers with 84% satisfaction rate on Amazon, the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer with its traditional polyurethane foam is our suggestion for the best dual-sided crib mattress. The extra firm high-density foam (infant side) is intended to support the infant until they are 9 months old, whereas the firm High-density Foam (Toddler side) is plusher and caters for the toddler’s comfort as it grows older.

On the other hand, the Milliard Hypoallergenic is our Best Memory Foam option, a very affordable solution that will offer enhanced support and comfort for your baby, while it contours to its body shape.

Finally, another organic, “green” model, the Colgate Eco Classica III is our top recommendation for the best dual-sided crib mattress. It is a safe and healthy option being hypoallergenic and Greenguard and CertiPUR-US certified, so no worries about harmful chemicals or toxic off-gassing. In fact, this mattress emits no odor and is definitely worth the investment to be carefree about your baby’s sleep.

All things considered, there were plenty of other options which did not make the cut on this top 5 list, yet still, are worth considering as all perform extremely well.

Overall, keep in mind that the best crib mattresses are those which are free of chemicals, certified to national standards and if possible organic for the most part of their construction.

Hopefully, our review helped narrow down the list and we assure you it is worth considering each crib mattress in this list. However, if you are looking to consider other options, make sure you select the best fit based on their features and qualifications, as long as they comply with the advice provided in this article.

Feel free to share this article with parents and friends if you found it of value! Much appreciated.

Top 7 Crib Mattresses Sellers: CPR Seller Rank List

CPR sellers rank is based on CherryPicks-AI bestselling ranking system that helps us analyze each seller's sales trends. The List of top seller ranks is our in-house data, essential for our product ranking to help you make the right shopping choice.