7 Best Crib Mattresses, Tested Through the Night, by Families

The Bump Takeaway: The Naturepedic Breathable Organic 2-Stage Baby Crib Mattress earned a Best of The Bump award for overall best crib mattress because of its impressive certifications, low-emission materials, integrated non-vinyl waterproofing and breathable construction, all in a dual-sided design.

For some parents, having a crib mattress with certified low emissions and good breathability brings a level of sleep reassurance that even a wakeful baby can’t dampen. The Naturepedic Breathable Organic Crib Innerspring Mattress has earned an array of meaningful third-party certifications for low-toxicity assurance and high quality materials, while also featuring a waterproofed, innerspring structure designed for good airflow.

“The materials used in this mattress gave me peace of mind,” says our tester Katelyn, a mom of a 4-month-old and a 4-year-old. “When you think about it, babies spend well over half of their 24 hour days lying on their mattresses. I care very much about the safety and certifications of mattresses,” she adds.

Certifications
While the GREENGUARD Gold certification brings assurance of low emissions, the Naturepedic Breathable Organic mattress is also EWG-verified and certified by MADE SAFE and GOTS. “Generally, GOTS certification is the gold standard for safe fabrics and products,” explains toxic exposures expert Sophia Ruan Gushée, author of A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Our Toxic Exposures, adding that EWG verification “ensures full transparency, ingredient safety and lower VOC emissions.”

Waterproofing
Crib mattresses face two big challenges when it comes to waterproofing. The first is breathability; if you have a covering that won't let water through, it's probably not going to let much air through either. An innerspring mattress tends to be good for airflow, but not if it's got a layer of plastic wrapped around the outside.

Naturepedic sidesteps the airflow problem with a two-part waterproofing system: A breathable, porous layer sits on top of the waterproofing element, allowing air to circulate through the sides while still blocking liquids from reaching deep into the mattress.

This system was praised by Katelyn, who tells us, "I tried the breathability test and found I could indeed breathe freely with my face right up to the mattress. The mattress felt fairly cool to the touch with the fitted sheet on, and I bet that is in part aided by the breathability and airflow as compared to other mattresses. My baby did not feel sweaty or damp after laying on this mattress even though she had footed pajamas and a thick sleep sack on."

The other challenge is finding waterproof protection that doesn’t include vinyl. The Naturepedic Organic mattress offers a non-vinyl solution, using an integrated polyethylene (PE) layer made from non-GMO sugarcane. This is a chemically-inert plastic with low to no risk of off-gassing. “The waterproofing of the mattress is a great feature,” says Katelyn. “My baby has reflux and spits up a lot, so the ability to truly clean every part of the mattress without it soaking in is huge.”

While the integrated waterproofing means there’s no crinkly external cover, Katelyn did find the mattress made a little noise when her baby moved, although it wasn’t a deal breaker. “The mattress made a very slight rustling but not a plasticky crinkling sound (which is a huge nonstarter for me with other mattresses),” she tells us.

Ease of cleaning
The breathable cover on the Naturepedic is removable and fully machine-washable, which was a big plus for Katelyn. "It’s so easy to throw it in with a load of baby clothes," she says. "Being able to thoroughly wash the individual parts of the mattress makes me feel like it really got clean, instead of just spot-treating and wondering if there is still old spit-up stuck somewhere in the fibers."

Firmness and comfort
The deeper-than-average (6 inch) Naturepedic Organic Breathable mattress is double-sided, with Katelyn describing the baby side as medium-firm. “The mattress and the cover give it a nice cushion and a little bit of ‘spring’, while remaining safely firm,” she explains. Katelyn did feel the toddler side was a bit too firm (a sentiment shared in some parent reviews), but noted her daughter liked it overall. “The mattress felt cool to the touch and my daughter didn’t seem to get overheated or sweaty while lying on it.”

Dimensions: 51.6" (L) x 27.25" (W) x 6" (H) | Weight: 19 lbs. | Mattress type: Innerspring | Dual sided?: Yes | Certifications: GREENGUARD Gold, GOTS, EWG and MADE SAFE | Waterproof: Yes | Care instructions: Wipe with a damp cloth

Our community says

The Bump Takeaway: The Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress earned a Best of The Bump award for best budget-friendly crib mattress due to its reassuring low-emission certifications, firm support and the opportunity to avoid vinyl waterproofing at an accessible price.

Affordability can be tricky when it comes to crib mattresses. Realistically, the most affordable options are going to be made of polyurethane foam—it's the go-to material for budget-friendly crib mattresses. Because polyurethane foams have a higher risk of off-gassing, you need to pay even more attention to those certifications, so you can be confident you’re choosing one that has low VOC emissions. But to make things harder, most affordable foam mattresses also use vinyl waterproofing.

The Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress is the only budget-friendly foam mattress we’re aware of that is GREENGUARD Gold and CertiIPUR-US certified, verified by the Baby Safety Alliance and doesn’t feature vinyl waterproofing. This is partly because the Graco mattress doesn’t actually have any waterproofing, so you’ll need to purchase a separate waterproof cover. But this means you’re able to use a cover made from a greener material with a lower risk of emissions.

Firmness and comfort
Our tester Casey, mom of a 6-month-old and a 3-year-old, found that both her children slept well on the mattress. She described the feel of the Graco Premium Foam mattress as “super firm,” but this didn’t impact her children’s comfort. “The material is so soft,” she tells us. “It seems very cozy and comfortable for baby.”

It’s worth noting that the Graco mattress isn’t double-sided—it’s one of the trade-offs for affordability. This means your toddler will sleep on a firmer mattress designed for newborn safety. But Casey’s toddler was unfazed by the firmness, despite it being less “bouncy” than the mattress he was used to. “My toddler immediately said ‘so cozy!’ It didn't disrupt his sleep at all,” Casey explains.

Waterproofing
Casey tested this mattress with the Babyletto Pure Core cover, which sells for $40. This cover uses polyethylene (PE) for waterproofing, with low to no risk of off-gassing and without the tell-tale squeaking of a vinyl cover. “The cover was super quiet and surprisingly fitted,” says Casey. “This totally surprised me because I’ve had waterproof covers in the past that are so noisy and loud underneath a sheet, and this was the opposite.”

Buying a separate waterproof cover brings the price up, but even with that accounted for, it's still the cheapest full-sized option on our list by a wide margin.

Value and durability
You might be worried that an affordable option would feel flimsy. Foam mattresses are naturally lighter than those using innersprings or a woven core, and, at 7 pounds, the Graco is significantly lighter than any other full-size crib mattress on our list. But Casey felt it was sturdy and was impressed by its value. “Great quality for the price—it seems much more expensive and high-quality than only $100!” she says, adding, "It’ll last for years."

Dimensions: 52" (L) x 27.6" (W) x 5" (H) | Weight: 7 lbs. | Mattress type: Polyurethane foam | Dual sided?: No | Certifications: CertiPUR-US, GREENGUARD Gold and Baby Safety Alliance | Waterproof: No | Care instructions: Hand wash outer cover in cold water, line dry

The Bump Takeaway: With an ultra-breathable woven core, a fully-washable design and a non-vinyl waterproof cover that helps maintain airflow, the Newton Original Crib Mattress plus Waterproof Mattress Cover earned a Best of The Bump award for best crib mattress for ultra-breathability.

In our recent survey, 66 percent of parents stated that breathability was one of their biggest concerns when choosing a crib mattress. Most products on the market claim to be breathable, but there's no federal standard in place to measure breathability. Brands can claim it in their marketing, but it can be difficult to determine how those claims compare across products.

With the Newton Original Crib Mattress, you can take it apart and see for yourself—literally. The whole thing comes apart so you can wash every piece, and you can see the entire structure, right down to the core. What you'll find is that this mattress is designed to promote airflow with a woven structure that’s made of roughly 90 percent air. Our product tester Lauren says, “It was uncanny how easily I was able to breathe, even with my face pressed against a mattress!” And while breathability is no substitute for safe sleep practices, it may help with temperature regulation for hot sleepers, and for some parents it brings nighttime reassurance.

Waterproofing
While you can purchase the Newton Original mattress without waterproofing, we’ve selected the bundle version that includes the (non-vinyl) Newton Waterproof Crib Mattress Pad, due to the importance of waterproofing in reducing the risk of bacteria and mold build-up.

While you may see forum posts that raise concerns about external waterproof layers reducing breathability, the Newton Waterproof Pad is specifically designed to be breathable. It uses two layers of breathable 3-D material quilted together, while underneath is a layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a waterproofing material that offers both low to no off-gassing and breathability. It’s also GREENGUARD Gold certified.

Kelli, our second product tester, did the breathability test with the waterproof pad on and off and found it was highly breathable in both formats. She also loved the fact that it was noiseless. “The waterproof mattress pad is wonderful and, in my opinion, definitely a must-buy when using this mattress,” she tells us. “I was able to breathe through it when pressing my mouth against the cover, which added to the overall sense of safety and breathability. I also appreciated that it didn’t make any crunchy sounds and actually felt soft to the touch.”

Ease of cleaning
We mentioned how the entire mattress can be taken apart—that's not just for show. One of the big selling points of this mattress is that the whole thing is washable, including the core. The outer cover is machine-washable, the inner cover is hand-washable and dryer-safe and the core can be sprayed down in the shower and then air-dried. "I loved that the core can be rinsed in the shower," says Kelli. "I really appreciate the overall cleanliness of this mattress and the ability to fully clean it when needed, especially for those messy 'just in case' moments that come with raising children."

Firmness and comfort
Kelli described the mattress as medium-firm, reporting that it was “firm enough to provide a safe sleep surface for baby, while still being comfortable.” When pressing down on the mattress, she appreciated that there was very little give. “No indentation was left when I pressed my hand into the mattress or after my baby and toddler slept on it for several nights, which helped reinforce the quality and support it provides,” she says.

One downside is that the Newton mattress isn’t dual-sided. Newton claims the woven core structure provides enough softness for toddlers while being firm for babies, but note this isn’t a flippable mattress. However, all of our testers’ children slept well on the mattress, with both toddlers appearing to find it comfortable. “My toddler was able to fall asleep more quickly and didn’t need to toss and turn to find a comfortable spot,” Lauren says.

Dimensions: 52" (L) x 28" (W) x 5.5" (H) | Weight: 14 lbs. | Mattress type: Air-core | Dual sided?: No | Certifications: GREENGUARD Gold | Waterproof: No, waterproof pad sold separately | Care instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry (outer cover); Hand wash, tumble dry (inner cover); rinse in shower, air dry (core)

Our community says:

The Bump Takeaway: With a lower price than some premium competitors, the Organic Dream Comfort Cloud 2 Stage Crib Mattress offers ultra-breathability, a fully-washable woven core (though no waterproofing) and dual-sided design, earning it a Best of The Bump award for best mid-price crib mattress for ultra-breathability.

Ultra-breathability and a fully-washable core come with a hefty price tag. The Organic Dream Comfort Cloud 2 Stage Crib Mattress hits a sweet spot for families who want a washable, air-filled woven mattress designed to be ultra-breathable at a price point slightly lower than the average.

The most obvious competitor to the Organic Dream is the Newton. The Newton is slightly thicker (5.5 inches compared with the 5-inch depth of the Organic Dream) and offers more cushioning, with its soft, quilted double-layer surface. However, unlike the Newton, the Organic Dream is dual-sided. Our tester Morgan, mom to a 3-month-old and a 3-year-old, appreciated the ability to vary the firmness according to age. “The mattress was firm on the baby side; not too soft but not too hard. My infant really likes it,” she tells us. Flipping the mattress, Morgan’s toddler also slept well. “He said it was comfortable and he liked it,” she adds.

Waterproofing
The Organic Dream doesn’t come with any waterproofing, so you’ll need to purchase a separate cover. Unlike Newton, Organic Dream doesn’t provide its own waterproof cover, so you’ll have to source one. We recommend a breathable, non-vinyl waterproof cover, such as the Babyletto Pure Core cover ($40), or the more expensive Newton Waterproof Crib Mattress Pad ($80).

Ease of cleaning
The Organic Dream is fully-washable, with a machine-washable cover and a core that you can clean in the shower, which Morgan found straightforward. “I washed it in my shower and the only pain point was trying to wash and hold the mattress by myself,” she says. Morgan also found it easy to spot-clean and quick to dry.

Comfort
Morgan reported that her baby slept particularly well on the Organic Dream Mattress. “My baby usually cries when I put him down, but he didn’t cry when I placed him on this crib mattress, and he almost slept through the night,” she tells us. Morgan also liked that both her baby and toddler showed no signs of overheating or sweatiness in the morning. “This mattress sleeps cool,” she says.

Dimensions: 52" (L) x 28" (W) x 5" (H) | Weight: 11 lbs. | Mattress type: Polymer woven core | Dual sided?: Yes | Certifications: GREENGUARD Gold | Waterproof: No | Care instructions: Fully-washable core

The Bump Takeaway: With a breathable fiber-fill core made from recycled materials and non-vinyl waterproofing, The Lullaby Earth Gentle Start Breathable Crib Mattress delivers good airflow with low emissions assurance for under $200, earning it a Best of The Bump award for best budget-friendly crib mattress for breathability.

While air-core mattresses offer ultra-breathability, they come at a higher price point. But if you forgo a washable core, you can get a mattress that’s designed to be breathable with good airflow and a significantly lighter price tag. The Lullaby Earth Gentle Start Breathable Crib Mattress uses a fiber fill core made from recycled polyester, along with a breathable fabric cover that sits on top of non-vinyl PE waterproofing. Together it adds up to a surprisingly breathable package with reassuring certifications, priced at under $200.

Materials
Lullaby Earth is actually the lower-price sister brand of Naturepedic, and brings with it a low off-gassing risk as well as an EWG verification—a nice surprise at this price. Together with the GREENGUARD Gold certification that all of our selected mattresses hold, the Lullaby Earth offers an impressive mix of reassurance around low VOC emissions and careful screening of every single material used.

That said, our tester Dani, mom of three, was a little put off initially to see that those materials were fully synthetic rather than naturally-based. “To be completely honest, I was a bit bummed at first when I saw this mattress was made from 100 percent polyester,” she admits. “The good news is that it's GREENGUARD Gold-certified, so I know it has to meet strict limits for VOC emissions. It's also EWG-verified, which takes away more scary chemicals from the mix. So, for a polyester mattress, this is probably one of the safest options.”

Breathability
The Lullaby Earth achieves its breathability through a layered, washable cover that completely wraps the core. The 3D stretch-knit structure allows for good airflow, and our tester Dani was impressed when she did the breathability test. “I was surprised at how breathable this mattress is. It’s much more breathable than the organic mattress I've been using for four years,” she tells us.

She also reported that the Lullaby Earth appeared to prevent her child from overheating at night. "This mattress seems to stay very cool, which I'm excited about since it's about to be summer where we live, and it does get very humid,” she explains. "My 4-year-old does get very hot when she sleeps and can sweat a bit, but I did notice that she actually used her covers with this mattress (which is very rare), so it seems like she stayed cool the entire time."

Waterproofing
One of the standout features of the Lullaby Earth is its non-vinyl waterproofing, since most budget-friendly options rely on a cheaper PVC cover, if they include waterproofing at all. The low-emissions TPU material is used as the backing of the breathable knit cover, preventing liquid from seeping into the core while maintaining airflow above it. "Even though the mattress has a waterproof layer, it still feels more soft fabric-like," reports Dani. "Both of my kids drool when they sleep and it was fantastic not to wake up to drool stains or wet marks on this mattress!"

Firmness and comfort
There are always trade-offs when it comes to affordability. The Lullaby Earth crib mattress has a depth of 5 inches, slightly thinner than the more premium mattresses on our list, and it’s also not dual-sided. Dani described the mattress as firm, but found that her toddler was more than happy to sleep on this mattress. “He actually seemed to prefer it over the softer and more cushiony one he's used to,” she tells us.

Dimensions: 51.6” (L) x 27.3” (W) x 5” (H) | Weight: 9 lbs. | Mattress type: Fiber fill | Dual sided?: No | Certifications: GREENGUARD Gold and EWG | Waterproof: Yes | Care instructions: Machine wash cover

The Bump Takeaway: The Naturepedic Classic Organic Cotton Crib Mattress Lightweight 2-stage offers strong low-emissions assurance and built-in non-vinyl waterproofing for about $100 less than the Naturepedic Breathable Organic, earning it a Best of The Bump award for best mid-price crib mattress for low-toxicity assurance.

We've sung the praises of Naturepedic’s focus on low VOC emissions in our write-up of the overall best crib mattress. But if your main focus is on low-toxicity assurance rather than additional breathability, the Naturepedic Classic Organic mattress comes with an impressive roll-call of GREENGUARD Gold, GOTS, EWG and MADE SAFE certifications, which ensures low to no VOC emissions and careful safety screening of every material used within the mattress.

Waterproofing
Rather than the integrated waterproofing PE layer you see on the Naturepedic Breathable Organic, the top layer of fabric on the Classic Organic uses a food-grade low-density PE coating also made from non-GMO sugarcane. This ensures non-vinyl waterproofing, but it does restrict additional breathability.

Our tester Katie, mom of two, found this layer worked well for her 7-month-old baby. "We didn't have a full diaper leak during testing, but my baby did have a small spit-up incident overnight, and the waterproofing handled it perfectly; the sheet absorbed most of it and the mattress surface wiped clean with no residue or staining," she tells us.

Katie also appreciated the lack of off-gassing and chlorinated chemicals in the waterproofing. She says, "The fact that the waterproofing is made from food-grade sugarcane rather than vinyl or PVC is something I found genuinely meaningful; it matters to me that the surface closest to my baby's face isn't off-gassing plasticizers."

Materials
The core includes GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric and filling, while the toddler side uses a PLA fiber layer, also derived from non-GMO sugarcane. Katie really appreciated the verified clean materials in the mattress. “As a mom who researched crib mattress materials carefully, seeing these materials in person reinforced why I’d wanted to test this product,” she says.

Firmness and comfort
Katie describes the infant-side of the mattress as extra firm, and this high level of firmness is often mentioned in forums. “When I pressed my hand down on the surface, there was very little give,” Katie explains. “It's the kind of firmness that initially surprised me, because it doesn't feel like something an adult would want to sleep on; but that's exactly the point. The AAP recommends a firm, flat surface for infant sleep, and this mattress takes that seriously.”

Katie found that the firmness didn’t impact her baby’s sleep at all, and was pleased to see that her baby settled on the new mattress without any signs of fussiness. “I took that as a good sign; she can be particular about new sleep environments,” she adds.

She also noticed a distinct difference with the toddler side, describing this as medium-firm with a small amount of give. “My toddler settled onto it without any complaints, which, for a 3-year-old, is a genuine endorsement; if something is uncomfortable, they'll absolutely let you know!” she says. “The difference between the two sides is meaningful and well-calibrated; the toddler side doesn't feel like a completely different mattress, just an appropriately softer variation of the same firm base.”

Dimensions: 51.6” (L) x 27.3” (W) x 6” (H) | Weight: 11 lbs. | Mattress type: "WaveSupport" core | Dual sided?: Yes | Certifications: GREENGUARD Gold, GOTS, EWG and MADE SAFE | Waterproof: Yes | Care instructions: Wipe clean with damp cloth and mild soap; wipe dry

The Bump Takeaway: The Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Mini Crib Mattress earned a Best of The Bump award for best mini crib mattress because it brings full-size crib mattress features—like dual-sided support and built-in waterproofing—to a snug-fitting mini crib design.

Mini cribs are smaller by design, but the mattress still has to meet the same non-negotiables as a regular crib mattress: It needs a firm, flat surface and a secure fit. But given that a mini crib mattress won’t last you as long as a full-size mattress (most likely 18 to 24 months compared to the three to four years of a full-size), cost is an important factor. The Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Mini Crib Mattress provides a number of key features, including non-vinyl waterproofing and a different firmness for babies and toddlers, all at a reasonable price.

Materials
Unsurprisingly for the price, this is a polyurethane foam mattress. However, the GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certifications bring reassurance that the Little Dreamer has low VOC emissions and is screened for harmful materials. Our tester, Emily, was pleased to see these accreditations. “It reassures me that it doesn’t emit harmful chemicals or strong smells,” she says. “The mattress is also hypoallergenic, which I like in case she develops sensitivities in the future.”

Foam mattresses do have the benefit of being lightweight, making them easier to handle, and they come fully expanded, so there’s no waiting for full expansion.

Waterproofing
Most foam mattresses have PVC or vinyl waterproofing, due to its affordability. So it’s refreshing to see the Little Dreamer use a non-chlorinated alternative. While it’s not the food-grade PE that some of our favorite crib mattresses use (the mattress is covered in a nylon layer with a polyurethane backing), the Little Dreamer waterproofing doesn't use vinyl or plasticizers and carries low to no risk of off-gassing. It is, however, less breathable.

Emily found the waterproofing effective for her 3-month-old, making the mattress easy to keep clean. "Thanks to the waterproof layer, no liquids or stains soaked into the mattress," she reports. “Water and spit-up stayed on the surface instead of soaking through, and the mattress spot-cleaned easily with a damp sponge and mild soap before drying in less than 30 minutes.”

Firmness and comfort
When first put down on the mattress, Emily’s baby was a little unsettled compared to her normal routine. But she quickly adjusted to the feel of the new mattress. “After about 10 to 20 minutes she got used to it and became very comfortable,” reports Emily. “She sleeps really well on this mattress and I’ve noticed no changes in her sleep patterns.”

Emily also felt a distinct difference between the infant and toddler sides of this dual-sided mattress. “The infant side of the mattress is very firm, which I love because it makes me feel confident that my daughter is sleeping safely. There is almost no bounce when I press down,” she tells us. “The toddler side is softer, more medium to soft, with a little more bounce, making it comfortable for a growing child.”

Dimensions: 38" (L) x 24" (W) x 5" (H) | Weight: 7.2 lbs. | Mattress Type: Foam | Dual Sided?: Yes | Certifications: GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US | Waterproof: Yes | Care Instructions: Spot-clean with a damp sponge, using mild soap as needed