Best Baby Crib Mattress – Buying Guide

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Are you looking for a new crib mattress for your little angel? You’re seeking a mattress that is tough, durable, resistant to moisture and odors, and above all, you need a safe mattress.

Our goal is to assist you in finding the perfect crib mattress for your baby—one that fulfills all your requirements while also being budget-friendly.

Comparison Chart

Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Bed Mattress
Dream On Me Spring Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress
Milliard Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed Mattress
Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams White Crib & Toddler Bed Mattress
Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Dual Sleep Surface Crib Mattress

Best Crib Mattress Reviews

1. Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Bed Mattress

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PROS

  • Good firmness for babies
  • Great air flow
  • Standard size should fit most cribs
  • Lead and phthalate free

CONS

  • Water barrier is not totally moisture proof

This is a very high-quality foam crib mattress, one that is not even all that expensive. Crafted from premium materials known for their softness, breathability, water resistance, and additional benefits. It’s one of our favorite options to go with, maybe you will find interesting our in-depth review of the Graco Crib Mattress.

Product Highlights

The Graco Premium Crib Mattress boasts a generous thickness of 5 inches, providing a plush surface for your little one. It is more than soft enough for your child to be comfortable, yet also firm enough to ensure that your baby has proper support while sleeping, which is important for bone structure and other health issues. The foam that is used in the construction of this mattress is also made to be highly breathable and to have good air flow; this is important so that they don’t get too hot while sleeping.

The Graco Premium Crib Mattress also features several layers over the foam, each of which serves their own purpose. The first layer is moisture-resistant, providing protection in case of any bedwetting incidents, although it should be noted that the interior foam is not entirely waterproof. There is then also a fireproof layer, which is very important, because in the event of a fire, it will stop this mattress from going up in flames.

The Graco Premium Crib Mattress also features an anti-microbial lining, which is important because it prevents bacteria from growing and accumulating. This coating is also anti-static in nature. It is also important to note that the Graco Premium Crib Mattress is free of lead and phthalates, it meets federal flammability standards, and even comes with a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty. On a side note, keep in mind that it comes in at 52 x 27.6 x 5 inches, so it should fit most standard cribs and toddler beds.

What’s to like about the Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Bed Mattress

Well, to be honest, we more or less like everything about the Graco Premium Crib Mattress. It should fit in most cribs, it meets flammability standards, contains no lead or phthalates, has a moisture barrier, is anti-microbial, it has the right firmness, and is highly breathable too. It even comes in at a great price.

What’s not to like about the Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Bed Mattress

The only thing that we do not like about the Graco Premium Crib Mattress is that the moisture barrier is only water resistant, not waterproof. It could definitely be waterproof for added protection.

2. Dream On Me Spring Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress

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PROS

  • Great price and warranty
  • Anti-microbial and hypo-allergenic
  • Good firmness for babies
  • Fits most standard cribs
  • Fireproof

CONS

  • Could be totally waterproof
  • Could be a bit more durable

This crib mattress is just a few dollars more expensive than the first option we looked at, therefore also being reasonably priced. It comes with many great features that will benefit your baby while they sleep, plus keep them safe from harm as well.

Product Highlights

The Dream On Me Crib Mattress is made in the US. On that same note, this mattress also comes with a full 10-year manufacturer’s warranty, which is also a pretty big deal. Furthermore, this particular crib mattress meets Federal Standard Flammability Standard 16-CFR 1633. This means that it will not catch fire easily and is not flammable at all, and therefore will keep your baby safe during sleep.

The Dream On Me Crib Mattress features a protective polyurethane foam wrap on each side. This helps keep the mattress more than soft enough for your baby to get a plush and comfortable sleeping surface. At the same time, it is a little bit firm, which helps support a child during sleep; both factors being quite important. What we also like about the Dream On Me Crib Mattress is that it features a hypo-allergenic foam insulating layer.

The binding here is lock-stitched and waterproof. This helps to stop mold, mildew, and bacteria from growing inside of the mattress. There is also a certain amount of moisture resistance, which is necessary for kid’s beds, plus a fireproof layer, and an insulation layer for a bit of warmth too.

All in all, we think that the Dream On Me Crib Mattress is a fantastic option to go with. It comes in at 52″ X 27″ X 6” inches, so it should fit most standard cribs, it’s safe, and comfortable too.

What’s to like about the Dream On Me Spring Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress

When it comes down to it, this is a great option to go with for many reasons. It will fit most standard beds, it is very safe, moisture resistant, it is comfortable, warm, and a firm enough for good support, plus anti-microbial and hypo-allergenic. Also, it’s made in the US and comes with a killer warranty.

What’s not to like about the Dream On Me Spring Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress

Once again, when it comes to the Dream On Me Crib Mattress, we would like to see the outside layer be totally waterproof. If the baby wets the bed, the moisture will still seep through to a certain degree.

3. Milliard Crib Mattress

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PROS

  • Waterproof
  • Meets fire safety standards
  • Anti-microbial and hypo-allergenic
  • Good firmness for support and comfort
  • Well-ventilated

CONS

  • Waterproof lining is not all that durable
  • Must take great care when washing

This is yet another very affordable baby crib mattress and toddler bed mattress to go with. It is made to be very safe, durable, waterproof, fire resistant and more. As far as baby crib mattresses go, the Milliard Crib Mattress is another good option to take a closer look at.

Product Highlights

The Milliard Crib Mattress uses a unique blend of foam in its main construction. This foam is quite soft, which is always nice for babies because a soft sleeping surface is a comfortable one. With that said, it does have a bit of firmness to it, which is important in terms of safety; it prevents babies from suffocating in their sleep.

Also, the construction of this mattress is intended for durability. It should not crack, unravel, degrade, or create any safety issues for your baby any time soon. The cover is removable for easy washing, another bonus.

One of the most important things to note about the Milliard Crib Mattress is that it features a totally waterproof coating on the top and bottom. This is great because if your baby wets the bed, at least the moisture will not seep through to the inside, something that we have not seen with the other mattresses so far. On that same note, this waterproof layer is actually quite breathable. It allows air to vent from the top and the bottom, thus being breathable, stopping bacteria from building up, and allowing your baby to maintain a good sleeping temperature.

The Milliard Crib Mattress features a backside that is made with anti-flame materials, to ensure that it meets any and all fire safety regulations, without the use of poisonous chemicals, which is definitely worth noting. The Milliard Crib Mattress is CertiPUR-US certified. It comes in at 52″ x 27.5″ x 5″, which is a standard size, fine for most cribs and toddler beds.

Also, keep in mind that the Milliard Crib Mattress is hypo-allergenic and anti-microbial. Therefore, it will resist mold, mildew, bacteria, and allergens, which is very important for babies, especially ones that suffer from asthma or allergies.

What’s to like about the Milliard Crib Mattress

One of our favorite aspects of the Milliard Crib Mattress is that it is totally waterproof, something which is not often seen. Moreover, seeing as it is hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial, and has a fireproof layer, it is also very safe. The cover itself is well ventilated, and should be more than comfortable and supportive enough.

What’s not to like about the Milliard Crib Mattress

One thing to note about the Milliard Crib Mattress is that the cover and the interior foam could be a bit more durable. After being washed, especially with hot water, it may start to degrade and crack a bit. The waterproof lining just isn’t all that long lasting.

4. Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress

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PROS

  • Water, odor, and stain resistant
  • Hypo-allergenic and resists bacteria
  • Fits most standard cribs
  • Proper firmness for babies
  • Fairly good ventilation

CONS

  • Not totally waterproof
  • Outer layer cannot be removed

Did you know that this is the 2017 Women’s Choice Award as America’s Most Recommended Brand for Crib & Toddler Mattress? That is definitely saying something. This crib mattress is made to be comfortable, safe, and fairly durable too, making it another one of our favorite choices.

Product Highlights

For one, the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress comes in at 52″L x 27.5″W x 5″H, which means that it will fit most standard size baby cribs. Your baby will probably like that it is 5 inches thick, as it is more than thick enough to support the weight of a baby or a toddler. It is made to be extremely comfortable and lightweight. However, it is also made to be fairly firm, which is always important when it comes to the proper growth and development of your child.

The core is made of high-density thermo-bonded polyester fibers, which helps to provide firm support, plus a certain amount of durability too. This mattress is made for safety, so it does not contain any phthalates or lead, which is important because you don’t want anything toxic near your babies.

Equally as important is the fact that the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress is totally hypo-allergenic. It resists allergens and microbes, plus bacteria too, which is important for babies with allergies, breathing issues, and just helps with general health as well.

The Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress is also water, stain, and odor resistant. This is something that everybody will appreciate. The water-resistant layer should stop most liquids from seeping through to the interior. If anything does seep through, at least the mattress won’t absorb the odors or colors. This also helps make it quite easy to clean, another important aspect. The Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress also has a 5-year warranty.

What’s to like about the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress

The good part about the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress is that it is water resistant, odor resistant, and stain resistant too. Moreover, it meets fire safety standards, has a great warranty, is hypoallergenic, and has the right firmness for babies too. It’s one of the best options on the market right now as far as we are concerned.

What’s not to like about the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress

The only downsides to the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress is that it is not totally waterproof, which can be a bit of an issue, and the outer layer is not removable, so you can’t just throw it in the washing machine when you need to clean it.

5. Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress

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PROS

  • Very safe
  • Has a firm and a soft side
  • Waterproof
  • Hypo-allergenic
  • Stain, odor, and bed bug resistant
  • Durable

CONS

  • Very expensive
  • Outer layer could be removable

The Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress is yet another great option to keep in mind, although, you should be aware that this one is expensive, about 3 times the price of any of the other options we have looked at here so far; nonetheless, it is a really good choice to take intp consideration.

Product Highlights

The Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress is a two-stage mattress. One side is quite firm, which is ideal for babies in terms of safety and to prevent them from suffocating during the night. You can then flip the mattress over to the softer side once your baby grows a bit. In other words, one side is ideal for young babies, and the other side is made for toddlers to sleep on.

The Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress has a bunch of nice features. For one, the material used is medical grade. It is not going to unravel, crack, or come apart on you any time soon. It is made for durability and to last for a long time to come. Moreover, the material used here, the outer layer, is totally waterproof, which is also important because it stops liquids from seeping through to the inner parts of the mattress.

Next, the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress is made to be flame retardant, but it does not use any poisonous toxins to accomplish this, yet another factor that increases the safety rating. Furthermore, this mattress is also hypo-allergenic and anti-microbial. It is designed to ensure that babies can breathe easily and so that mold, mildew, and bacteria do not build up. This mattress is even bed bug and dust mite resistant, both important features.

What is also nice about the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress is that it is very easy to clean. The outer layer is not removable, which is a drawback, but with that said, it is very easy to wipe down.

The Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress is made in the US, plus it is also GreenGuard and CertiPUR Certified. Although it is rather pricey, it does have a lot of great features.

What’s to like about the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress

Quite honestly, we like more or less everything about this crib mattress. It is durable, waterproof, easy to clean, hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial, fire retardant, has two sides for different ages of children, and more. It is made in the US and has a good warranty too.

What’s not to like about the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress

One of the only things that we do not like about the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress is that it is very expensive. Also, we would like to see the outer layer be removable for even easier cleaning.

Crib Mattress Buyer’s Guide

Before buy a crib mattress for your child, there are a few things that you should keep in mind and take into consideration. Let’s talk about these things right now.

Types of Crib Mattresses

When it comes down to it, there are two types of crib mattresses; there is the inner spring mattress and the foam mattress. As you can tell from our reviews, we have not included any inner spring mattresses as they just are not as good as foam mattress; they are not as supportive, comfortable, or durable as foam mattresses.

Mattress Size

Also keep the mattress size in mind when buying a crib mattress. Most of them come in at a standard size, something like 52″L x 27.5″W x 5″H. With that said, be sure to make the appropriate measurements first, so you don’t get a crib mattress that does not fit.

Weight

The weight of the crib mattress is also something to keep in mind, although not a huge deal, being lightweight will make your life a bit easier. In reality, a good baby crib mattress should not weigh more than 30 pounds. Any heavier than 30 pounds, and it will be more difficult to move it around and clean it.

Price

Of course, the price of the crib mattress in question is also important. Most crib mattresses we have looked at here don’t cost more than $60, although one of them costs around $200. The point is that you can find good crib mattresses that won’t make you go way over budget.

Brands

The other thing you want to look out for is the brand name of the mattress. There are some brand names out there which are very reputable. Some of the biggest ones to look for include the ones we have here today. Colgate, Naturepedic, Lullaby, Simmons, Milliard, Graco, and Sealy, among others, are all good choices to keep in mind.

Safety Certifications

Crib mattresses sold in the US must meet US Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials standards. Make sure the crib mattress you are buying features these certifications or seals.

F.A.Q.

What size is a standard crib mattress?

A standard crib mattress is going to come in at around 52″L x 27.5″W x 5″H. Most baby cribs are about 52 inches long and 27 to 28 inches wide.

Pack ‘n plays are also commonly used as cribs. A pack ‘n play mattress measures 26 x 38 inches.

How thick should a mattress be?

A mattress for a baby should be around 5 or 6 inches thick. They need to be thick enough to add good support for your baby. However, babies are not very heavy, so these mattresses do not need to be super thick, not like they need to be for full-sized adults.

Are all crib mattresses the same size?

Yes, more or less. You might find that some baby crib mattresses differ in size by a couple of inches, but generally speaking, yes, they are all more or less the same size.

How to choose a crib mattress?

Choose your crib mattress by paying attention to factors such as firmness, being hypo-allergenic and anti-microbial, being water resistant or waterproof, meeting flammability standards, ease of cleaning, and durability. Also, look for the proper safety certifications that come from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials labs.

Do toddler beds use crib mattresses?

Yes, most toddler beds use crib mattresses. They tend to be the same thing, although there are some larger toddler mattresses.

FINAL VERDICT

When it comes down to it, due to the overall quality and awesome features, our top pick goes to the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress, although it is expensive. If you want something a little more economical, the Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Bed Mattress is also a great choice to keep in mind, as it comes from a company which has a proven track record when it comes to manufacturing baby products and furniture.