Our Experts
Alex Nishimoto
Alex is a journalist and father of two based in Los Angeles with a passion for cars, history, and the arts. He was a staff writer for Motor Trend for 10 years, and in that time also contributed to Automobile, Super Street, Truck Trend, Four Wheeler, and other publications. When he's not chasing his kids around or testing the latest parenting gadgets, he's restoring an E30-generation BMW 325is, which he's owned (and neglected) since college.
A firm mattress will offer more support while a soft mattress will be more pressure relieving. Medium mattresses fall in the sweet spot right in between. The right firmness level for you depends on your sleeping position.
Side sleepers should consider a medium to soft mattress that cradles the hips and shoulders. Back and stomach sleepers should consider a medium to firm mattress that keeps the spine in a straight alignment. Switch between positions? A medium firmness level can accommodate all sleeping positions.
Coils and latex foam give a bed more bounce, while memory foam and poly foam make a bed feel more cushy and pressure relieving. The feel of your mattress will depend on the types of materials it has on the inside.
There are essentially two mattress types, hybrid and all-foam. Hybrid mattresses are constructed with steel coils and foam, but all-foam mattresses are just as their name implies.
Hybrid mattresses tend to be best for people who want extra support and durability. Sleepers over 230 pounds in particular should consider a hybrid over an all-foam mattress because it’s more supportive, durable and long-lasting.
Motion isolation, edge support and temperature are important features for couples or people who sleep hot to consider. Hot sleepers should consider a mattress that boasts special cooling features. Couples want minimal motion transfer and a strong, supportive bed perimeter.
All online brands offer a free trial, free shipping and a warranty, but some brands are more generous with their policies than others.
Your baby will sleep for 12 to 18 hours per day during their first year of life. Since they will spend most of their time in a crib resting, you'll naturally want to make that space as comfortable and safe for them as possible. Safety is an incredibly important consideration when choosing the best baby crib mattress. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a mattress that's not firm enough or is too small for the crib can be dangerous. Soft sleep surfaces and gaps between the mattress and crib increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Safety should be your top priority when shopping for a crib mattress, but you should also consider the materials and how easy it will be to use and clean. A lightweight crib mattress can make changing the sheets and adjusting the mattress height much easier. Crib mattresses with an easy-to-clean waterproof cover can also be a lifesaver during diaper blowouts. You also want to consider material quality. Luckily, many crib mattress manufacturers are now using organic and nontoxic materials in their beds.
As a father of two myself, I have learned what to look for when it comes to crib mattresses. With all that in mind, here are seven of the best crib mattresses to keep your baby safe and cozy at night.
Best crib mattress for 2024
Our take - Traditional innerspring crib mattresses are typically firmer and more durable than foam mattresses. Sealy Baby's FlexCool crib mattress shines in this category with its 204 coils and anti-sag steel bars for support. A higher coil count translates to a firmer mattress, as there are fewer gaps between each coil. Innerspring mattresses tend to sleep cooler because air can flow freely between the springs.
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Our take - If you have a bigger budget, the waterproof crib mattress from Newton Baby is an excellent option. Newton prides itself on breathable materials and construction, including innovations like Newton's proprietary Wovenaire core. It's made of food-grade polymer mesh, which is 90% air by volume. This allows air to flow freely through the mattress, reducing the risk of suffocation. As a bonus, it also lets you hose down the mattress if it gets super-gross -- just be sure to set aside for two to six hours to let it dry. The cover is also washable and waterproof. Hopefully, that's enough to catch messes before they hit the mattress, but it's nice to have options just in case.
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Our take - The Newton boasts some impressive tech, but it's not the only breathable crib mattress in town. Halo, a safe-sleep pioneer known for its sleep sacks and swiveling bassinet, has a breathable crib mattress that's worth a look. Called the DreamWeave after its breathable mesh core, the mattress is made of food-grade polymers, but it's mostly pockets of air. The mattress cover is also breathable and has two sides: a 3D mesh quilted side for infants and a waterproof toddler side to protect against accidents. Should a mess make it through the cover, the mattress itself can be rinsed off like the Newton.
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Our take - If you want your baby to sleep on a crib mattress made of organic, natural materials, Naturepedic crib mattresses are worth a look. Naturepedic mattresses use a food-grade polyurethane WaveSupport core and organic cotton for filling. The waterproof cover is made of non-GMO sugarcane and wipes clean easily. The mattress has Global Organic Textile Standard certification for organic and sustainably sourced materials. It's also Greenguard Gold certified.
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Our take - Not everyone has several hundred dollars to throw at a crib mattress. Fortunately, there are still good options at the lower end of the pricing spectrum. Safety 1st is well known for its competitively priced baby products, and the brand's focus on value carries over to its crib mattress offerings. The Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams crib mattress is a sub-$100 option that offers a surprising amount of value for the money. Its core is made of high-density thermo-bonded polyester fiber, while the waterproof cover is vinyl. It's also lightweight at just 7.5 pounds.
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Our take - There are many reasons to choose a mini crib over a full-size crib. They have a smaller footprint than their full-size counterparts, which means you'll have an easier time fitting one in your room. Some mini cribs fold and have legs with lockable caster wheels, making them easier to store and move. If you decide a mini crib is the right fit for your baby and living space, then you'll need a crib mattress to go with it.