Crib mattresses get a lot of mileage. Babies sleep a lot—and your child may use the same mattress from birth through toddlerhood, because most toddler beds are designed to fit a standard crib mattress, not a twin mattress. To find the best crib mattresses, I obsessed over the materials and makeup of dozens of models and also asked a panel of eight parent testers (including myself) to use top models with their children at home. After compiling research and firsthand feedback, my top pick is the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Ultra Baby Crib Mattress with innersprings.
After testing nearly two dozen models, we selected the best crib mattresses on the market in 2025.
I found several other excellent crib mattresses on the market that might fit your family’s lifestyle better. Here are all the winners from my recent testing:
All of our winners provide a firm and safe sleeping surface, as mandated by federal standards and regulations. We also selected mattresses that minimize the risks associated with harmful chemicals that are too often found in our furniture—and all our winners were made in the U.S. Each is backed by trustworthy, third-party certifications and all get positive reviews from our panel of parents. Read on to learn more about each of the best crib mattresses.
This innerspring crib mattress from Naturepedic got high marks from our testers, who praised its durability and waterproof layer. They report that little ones sleep well on it, too. It also impressed me with its long list of certifications, including EWG Verified, Made Safe and Greenguard Gold—all of which evaluate the chemical safety of the mattress as whole and not just certain materials or components. We recommend the steel innerspring version over the lightweight option, because this type of mattress tends to offer more longevity and overall durability. It’s worth noting that metal coils typically make crib mattresses (and any mattress) heavier—but at 19 pounds it’s far from the heaviest standard crib mattress we tested.
Instead of vinyl, which is associated with releasing harmful VOCs, the removable waterproof cover uses food-grade polyethylene made from sugarcane. Our testers note that the waterproof cover does a good job of keeping the inner parts of the mattress dry and can be wiped dry, but it’s also easy to remove and machine wash.
An Excellent Investment For The Long-Term
Another reason this Naturepedic mattress tops our list is because it has a firm side for infants and softer side for toddlers, making it an item that can transition with your child from the crib to a toddler bed. “The mattress seemed very tough to me as a new mom, but my child has always been happy with it,” says one tester, who used both sides over the course of two years. She adds that the mattress still seems new.
A Word Of Caution About Breathability
It’s worth being a touch skeptical about any claims about breathability—from any mattress brand. A number of the brands featured here, including Naturepedic, do suggest their crib mattress materials are more “breathable” than the competition. A mattress that promotes better airflow through the product might make your child feel more comfortable when they get sweaty and could help the mattress dry better in the event that it gets wet. But according to the pediatricians I interviewed, there’s no research that supports the idea that a so-called “breathable” mattress reduces the risk of SIDS. “There’s no mattress that’s breathable if you’re face down on it,” says Dr. Mary Thomas, a pediatrician at NuHeights Pediatrics in New Jersey.
A Good Mini Crib Mattress, Too
We also tested Naturepedic’s mini crib Breathable Organic Mini Crib Mattress, which has the same certifications as its full-size mattress but does not use coils and instead relies on the brand’s “Wavesupport” material made from food-grade polyethylene. Two testers gave it high marks, so if you’re looking for a mattress to fit a mini crib, we recommend this one.
The mattress company Avocado makes three crib-sized options that have all earned many safety and organic certifications, and they’re all made in the U.S. Each one has a somewhat different composition of natural materials and is a different price. To determine which is best, I tested all three—and I’m also in the process of testing a new Avocado x Babyletto crib mattress that launched in February 2025.
A Flippable, Organic Latex Crib Mattress
After seeing them all side-by-side, I think the Avocado’s mid-price option—the Organic Crib Mattress featured above—is the best option for most families who want an organic mattress. It really hit the sweet spot for value and comfort. Based on my research, this mattress contains the highest percent of organic-certified materials. That said, all the Avocado mattresses are extremely high quality, and I’d recommend any of them. In fact, I recently tested the Avocado Eco Organic mattress, and the brand’s kid mattress is our top pick for children, so it’s a mattress company with which our team has a lot of firsthand experience.
Like our top crib mattress pick, the Avocado Organic Crib Mattress is a flippable bed with a very firm side for infants and a softer side for toddlers. I particularly like that the two sides are clearly labeled with large embroidery, making it easier to read for sleep-deprived parents. The mattress contains an inner core of coconut husk fiber mixed with latex. On the infant side, this core is covered with a thin layer of wool and held in with a thick cotton cover. On the toddler side, there’s another layer of soft latex for additional comfort before the layer of wool and cotton. All of these components are certified organic, and the cotton exterior is meticulously stitched. There is no innerspring unit in this bed.
But Heavy And Without An Included Waterproof Layer
My toddler also liked the sleep surface a lot—better than several other organic mattresses that use latex. However, this mattress is fairly heavy at 28 pounds and with a 5.5 inch height, most crib sheets are a pretty sung fit. Myself and another tester who tried this mattress both felt the pros outweighed the cons, but if lifting something heavy is a dealbreaker, you’ll want to consider our lightweight crib mattress pick below, the Lullaby Earth Gentle Start.
If you want the absolute best price on an organic mattresses for your newborn, the brand’s lower priced Avocado Eco Organic Crib Mattress comes in a single-sided option that is less than $250. It has relies on individually encased innersprings (recycled steel coils) rather than latex and weighs the least of Avocado’s crib mattresses at 21 pounds. I found this mattress to be excellent quality, and although it has fewer certifications than the mid-tier option. But it may be slightly less comfortable for bigger toddlers, because it lacks additional comfort layers and it’s a bit shorter, less lofty at 4.75 inches.
One final downside of all of Avocado’s crib mattresses is that they don’t come with a waterproof cover—in fact, there’s no waterproofing component at all on these mattresses. Because blowouts, leaks and spills are unavoidable on a baby’s bed, I do recommend you purchase a waterproof mattress protector—and honestly having two is your best bet, so you can swap a clean one on while the other one is in the wash. Avocado sells one, and I also recommend Naturepedic’s Waterproof Organic Crib Mattress protector pad.
Before testing this luxury mattress, I was prepared to dismiss it based on the price alone. So, it is with some chagrin that I report my 3-year-old’s favorite mattress costs well over $1,000—a price that is higher than my own organic mattress: an Eco Terra. He is generally a good sleeper and barely pays attention to the rotating lineup of mattresses that have been swapped into his bed as part of this project. But the morning after we swapped out Avocado’s Luxury Organic Crib Mattress, he informed me (unprompted) that he liked it better than the other one I had put on his bed—and that in fact it was his favorite. I also can’t deny that he slept on it particularly well.
My toddler declared the Avocado Luxury Organic crib mattress his favorite, most likely thanks to the … [+]
The Addition Of Comfort Layers, Plus An Innerspring Unit
Like my Best Organic pick, the Avocado Luxury Organic Crib Mattress is highly decorated with robust certifications and a flippable design. However, the core features the additions of individually wrapped metal coils—an innerspring unit—plus the layer of firm coconut fiber and a latex comfort layer on the infant side, as well as a thicker, softer layer of just latex on the toddler side. It’s also half an inch taller than the non-luxury version of this mattress featured above as my organic pick. In addition, there’s also a special edge support perimeter made out of that same coconut fiber material—and I can really feel it when I push down on the softer side of the mattress. Edge support isn’t a feature I’ve found on any other crib mattresses.
As my son will attest, the toddler side is more plush and cushy than the other Avocado mattresses, without being overly soft or squishy. It’s very clearly labeled which side is which. The overall quality thus far has been excellent, but I plan to continue testing it to see how it holds up.
Still A Few Trade-Offs
Like all the Avocado mattresses, you need to buy a separate waterproof protector. With a 6-inch height, it’s at the upper limit of how tall a crib mattress can be, meaning crib sheets and the mattress protector might be a tight fit and take a little more time to put on. Finally, all those premium materials and extra height make this a very heavy crib mattress at 36 pounds. I was able to move the mattress in the box by myself, but I can see it being a struggle for some caregivers to change the sheets and get it in and out of the crib.
The price, of course, is a dealbreaker for many families. However, if you want the very best of the best—a truly luxury mattress for your baby (and toddler) that is likely to last a long time—and you’re not on a tighter budget, this Avocado bed is an excellent choice.
For some parents, a heavy crib mattress is a dealbreaker—like moms recovering from a C-section or folks with other kinds of limitations. Yet many of the lightest options contain undesirable synthetic materials like vinyl, so what makes the Lullaby Earth Gentle Start Breathable Crib Mattress stand out is that it’s still EWG Certified. According to the brand, which is also owned by Naturepedic, the fill is polyester fabric and fill material and a nontoxic polyurethane (TPU) waterproof backing. A representative also says that although the mattress does not contain any substances prohibited by GOTS, they did not seek organic certification for this product in order to keep the costs down.
Makes Sheet Changes Easier
Both of our parent testers say it’s easy to change the sheets on this mattress given its lighter weight, and one notes that it’s firm and light enough for him to put on fresh sheets without taking the mattress out of the crib. This Lullaby Earth mattress also comes with a zipper-free waterproof cover, which can be machine washed and dried.
“I’m very impressed by the quality,” one tester says. “It’s made it through a few messes and also a growing toddler who we’re trying to keep in a crib as long as possible.”
If you’re looking for an affordable crib mattress that’s still free from the most concerning materials—like VOCs and fiberglass—consider the Simmons Kids SlumberTime Naturally mattress. It’s free from vinyl but still waterproof, and has an infant side and a toddler side for added comfort as your little one grows. That’s doing a lot for a mattress that costs less than $100.
It’s worth noting that “soy-based” foam is still a processed material, and the company declined to disclose how much soy is used to make the material for proprietary reasons. Nonetheless, parents can feel pretty good about this mattress thanks to a Greenguard Gold rating. I also like that it’s manufactured in the U.S., and many caregivers may appreciate that it’s relatively lightweight.
May Not Last Long Enough To Be A Hand-Me-Down
One of our testers purchased this mattress for the first of her three kids prior to participating in our testing process. She noted that this mattress did start to show signs of wear after several years of use with two children—in particular a dent began to form on the infant side—so this isn’t the best pick if you want something that is durable to survive multiple siblings.
We tested and compared a number of crib mattresses, assessing comfort, feel, weight and more.
Other Crib Mattresses We Tested
Avocado Eco Organic Crib Mattress, Single Sided (Rating 8/10): As I noted before, the one-sided version is a nice mattress, and it’s the lowest price for a fully organic crib mattress. But after using several of Avocado’s mattresses with an older tot, I think the mid-price Avocado Organic Crib Mattress better serves most families for the longest.
Babyletto Pure Core (Rating 8/10): Our tester really didn’t have anything negative to say about this crib mattress, which has Greenguard Gold Certification and sells for about $200. It’s flippable and good quality. But with slightly lighter options and other models with more certifications for the same price, it got edged out by the competition.
Soaring Heart Orgainc Crib Mattress (Rating 8/10): This is a lovely, USA-made organic mattress that uses mostly wool and latex, and it’s the mattress my son slept on from infancy until I began this testing project. After trying out many other organic mattresses, I’ve concluded Avocado offers parents a better value. One of the downsides of the Soaring Heart is that it weighs nearly 30 pounds. I also worry that the mattress shell has a zipper, but the brand’s website states: “Please note that the cotton encasement of our mattress is a part of the mattress: it is not a removable cover, and should not be washed.” I can see a caregiver easily missing this online warning and removing the cover to wash it—there is no similar warning on the product itself.
Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer (Rating 7/10): One of our testers loved this lightweight model, while another was concerned about looser fabric (which can be a suffocation hazard) on the mattress she received. It weighs just 8 pounds—the same as our best lightweight pick—so if you want a light model for a lower cost than the Lullaby Earth mattress, this might be worth considering. It has a Greenguard Gold certification, but isn’t EWG verified.
Halo DreamWeave Breathable Baby Crib Mattress (Rating 7/10): This is another pretty solid mattress that’s Greenguard Gold certificated but uses a synthetic for its interior support. It’s vinyl-free, but in the end just didn’t win out against other mattresses with our testers.
Saatva Crib Mattress (Rating 6.5/10): We sent this mattress two testers, and both reported that it’s difficult to tell which side is intended to be used by infants and is for toddlers. For me, that’s dealbreaker, because infants need a firmer sleep surface. It’s also worth noting that this mattress has an antimicrobial treatment, something that EWG says is best to avoid. One tester did report that the washable cover held up well through multiple laundry cycles and overall seems to be high quality. But we think the cons outweigh the pros on this one.
Essentia LaLa Organic Crib Mattress (Rating 6/10): I thought this mattress might be a good contender for Best Organic. It’s primarily made of organic latex and one of the most expensive crib mattresses we tested. But unfortunately, I found it difficult to change the sheets on it given its design that was almost too flexible or bendy. Also, it rebounded more slowly than most when I pushed my hand into it, and my son slept less well on it.
Newton Waterproof Crib Mattress (Rating 6/10): Only one side of this has a waterproof coating, while the other side has a “breathable” side without waterproofing—so you’ll need to add your own protector when your baby is young. Although this mattress may work for some families, we feel other options are a better value.
Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress (Rating 6/10): This mattress was a pretty good contender for the Best Value pick. It didn’t ultimately win because our tester found that although the outer cover can be removed and machine washed, the inner mattress retains some moisture.
Newton Essential Crib Mattress (Rating 6/10): This is another mattress that claims babies can breath “through” it, but according to the experts I interviewed, there’s not a lot of good data to back these claims. One of our testers also reported that the cover was difficult to machine-dry, despite claims on the label.
Sealy Soybean Foam-Core Waterproof (Rating 5/10): This mattress was part of our original round of testing, but it wasn’t a winner because it contains vinyl. We’ve decided to no longer continue to test crib mattresses containing this material.
Kolcraft Pure Sleep Therapeutic 150 Crib Mattress (Rating 5/10): This mattress was part of our original round of testing as a contender for a best value mattress, but it wasn’t a winner because it contains vinyl.
Sealy Perfect Rest Waterproof Standard Crib Mattress (Rating 5/10): This mattress was part of our original round of testing but now appears to be discontinued. It wasn’t a winner because it contained vinyl.
What We’re Testing Next
Babyletto x Avocado Organic Crib Mattress: I recently received this new dual-sided, organic crib mattress from baby gear brand Babyletto and Avocado. It shares a lot of features with Avocado’s Organic Crib Mattress. I plan to evaluate it further and update this guide with my findings.
Mini Crib Mattresses: Our testers tried out a couple of these smaller format mattresses and we’re planning to more extensively test mattresses that fit mini cribs in the future.
The Essentia LaLa Organic Crib Mattress had all the right design elements, but it didn’t hold up to … [+]
How We Tested The Best Crib Mattresses
All new crib mattresses sold in the United States must meet federal safety requirements as set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These rules mandate that products are free from lead, have proper labeling, meet firmness requirements, are no more than 6 inches thick and are free from hazards like sharp edges and loose parts. We did not conduct additional testing for these aspects of a crib mattress, but instead focused on other features that matter to caregivers.
Here’s how we evaluated each one:
- Ease of use: We asked parents to share how easy or difficult it is to unbox and move the mattress, change the sheets and generally use it in their day-to-day lives at home with a baby or toddler.
- Firmness: We evaluated how firm the mattress felt to parents pushing down on their bed and noted if any of the infant-rated sleep surfaces didn’t rebound instantly. Those parents evaluating mattresses that offer two levels of firmness were asked to compare the sides. (Keep in mind that the U.S. government already sets crib mattress firmness standards.)
- Child comfort: Parents reported how well their child slept on each mattress and some toddler panelists chimed in with their thoughts, too.
- Features: We evaluated any special features, such as removable, waterproof and/or machine washable covers, and dual-sided designs that are intended to meet the needs of growing children as they move from baby to toddler.
- Quality: Testers evaluated the overall quality, and we continue to collect long-term data to determine that our top picks hold up well over the course of time a child needs to use a crib mattress.
Forbes Vetted began mattress testing with one primary tester in early 2023, and has since expanded our testing project to include a full panel of testers with kids ranging from newborn to 3 years old. Our panel testers use the mattress(es) in their own homes on a long-term basis and regularly fill out questionnaires. In total, we’ve tested 21 crib mattresses including both full-size and mini crib models.
We continue to test new models as they come onto the market.
We appreciated the clearly labeled sides on this Avocado crib mattress.
What To Look For In The Best Crib Mattress
Parents and caregivers selecting a crib mattress may want to consider the following additional attributes when shopping.
Crib Size
The CPSC guidelines created a standardized size for full-size crib mattresses and full-size cribs, which means that a standard crib mattress should also always safely fit in a standard crib. However, it’s wise to check that you don’t leave a gap between the interior sides and the crib mattress, which can be a risk for injury. There should be “no more than a half-inch gap on each side of the mattress between the mattress and the crib slats,” says Dr. Jennifer H. Stiff, a pediatrician at Norton Children’s in Louisville, Kentucky.
Additionally, mini cribs have gained popularity—so if you’re considering one of these for your nursery, it’s also important to select a mini crib mattress that’s compatible with it. Not all mini cribs have a standard size or even shape, however most manufacturers have guidance to which mattresses fit their smaller cribs. We plan to test mini crib mattresses more extensively in the coming year, but so far our testers have praised both the Newton Mini Crib Mattress and the Naturepedic Breathable Organic Mini Crib Mattress—based on early data.
Firmness
Every expert I spoke with reiterated the importance of a firm crib mattress, which reduces the risk of SIDS. “It shouldn’t be smush-y; it shouldn’t sag in any way,” says Thomas.
At a time when most parents are shopping for nursery products online—or selecting them online for our registries—it can be hard to tell. But you can confirm your mattress is firm enough by examining it when you open the box. “If you push on it, it shouldn’t give very much and should go back to its original shape really quickly,” says Stiff. If the material is slow to recover its original shape, it’s not safe for an infant.
A key consideration here is that a range of mattresses feature a firmer side for infants and a softer side for toddlers—and some of our toddler testers really did notice the difference. But if you do purchase a dual-sided crib mattress, use extra care to make sure babies under the age of 1 are always sleeping on the firm side. “It’s really, really important that the correct side is used for an infant,” says Lisa Trofe, executive director at Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). “That sleep surface needs to be firm, so there’s no possibility of an infant’s face conforming to the material.”
Mattress Weight
A factor that’s not built into the safety standard is a crib mattress’ weight, but it can make a big difference to the parent’s experience using the product. The mattresses we tested ranged from 8 pounds up to 36 pounds. Parents who have physical disabilities or other concerns about lifting a heavy mattress out of the crib to change the sheets should consider lighter options.
Material And Chemical Safety
The materials you’ll find inside a crib mattress generally could include innersprings, cotton or wool batting, latex or memory/synthetic foam. But there are all kinds of coatings, fire retardants and chemicals that are also used in mattresses.
Because babies and toddlers spend so much time in close contact in their cribs, the best crib mattresses should be free of harmful chemicals. Stiff recommends avoiding mattresses with phthalates due to an association with endocrine related issues, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to an association with higher rates of asthma. In addition to those materials, the Environmental Working Group recommends avoiding fiberglass and other harmful fire retardants, PVCs (vinyl or polyvinyl chloride), and PFAS.
Certifications
A relatively easy shorthand for avoiding concerning chemicals is to look for trusted third-party certifications. Here are some of the certifications I like to see:
- EWG Verified: This certification ensures that mattresses are free from fiberglass, other kinds of chemical fire retardants, PVCs and PFAS. It also ensures a high level of materials transparency and safety.
- Made Safe: With a list of over 6,500 banned substances, products with a Made Safe seal are free from a wide range of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals, including PFAS.
- Greenguard Gold: Administered by UL (a company that provides a range of independent auditing services), Greenguard Gold certification means a product meets a strict standard for VOCs—or in other words, the mattress doesn’t off-gas harmful chemicals that reduce air quality.
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): The GOTS certification is the gold-standard for organic fabric. Most commonly applied to the cotton or wool in mattresses, GOTS not only ensures organic fiber production on farms but also prohibits a wide range of other harmful substances from being used in the manufacturing process.
- Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS): The GOLS standard ensures that natural latex, which comes from trees, is not only produced responsibly but is also processed with a minimum of harmful substances.
- JPMA: The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association’s voluntary certification that specifically applies to products for babies and children. The JPMA certification combines the strictest federal, state, ASTM and some retailer standards and ensures products meet or exceed these requirements.
You may also see mattresses that have a CertiPUR-US certification. It’s worth noting that this certification only applies to the foam inside a mattress (not the cover or other layers), and is generally seen as less stringent than other chemical standards—it doesn’t go much further than chemicals that are prohibited by U.S. law.
A Note On Used Mattresses
Generally, it’s fine to pass a crib mattress down from one sibling to the next, as long as it’s in good condition and not showing signs of wear, rips or indentation. However, it’s worth noting that the CPSC updated its safety guidelines for crib mattresses in 2022, so the experts I spoke with generally recommend buying a new mattress when possible to ensure the latest safety standards are met.
If you do decide to use a secondhand mattress, try to find out as much as possible about its origin, including how it’s been stored. “If it’s been in a damp location where there could be mold, you wouldn’t want to use that hand-me-down crib mattress,” says Stiff.
My Expertise
As a journalist who’s covered health and the environment for over 15 years, I’ve deeply researched the components that go into crib mattresses. I’ve traveled to rainforests to see for myself how certifications like FSC work, read through government guidelines and federal law to better understand the legal requirements for these products and briefly served as the interim mattress editor here at Forbes Vetted.
As the baby and kids gear editor, I now oversee the testing of a range of parenting products—from strollers to travel cribs and more. I personally tested six crib mattresses with my own son.
For this article, I interviewed a range of child health and safety experts to learn more about the most important features to look for in a crib mattress. Those experts include:
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