7 Best Crib Mattresses Parents and Experts Trust For Safe Sleep

Parents voted, and the results are in: Newton’s Baby Essential Crib Mattress is a clear favorite. Winner of Best Mattress in the 2025 What to Expect Sleep Awards, this pick stands out for its fully washable and waterproof design. Just toss the cover in the washing machine and rinse the core in the shower or tub. If you’ve ever dealt with a middle-of-the-night blowout, you know how clutch that is!

Another standout feature is the mattress filling. Instead of springs, foam or coil inserts, Newton uses a unique polymer that allows for excellent airflow. This helps regulate your baby’s temperature throughout the night — no matter the season — giving parents extra peace of mind.

While it’s pricier than some other options, it’s a smart long-term investment. One side is firm for infants, while the other is slightly softer for toddlers, making it a mattress that grows with your child.

Still unsure? Newton offers a 100-night free trial with a full refund if you’re not satisfied.

A close runner up, the Serta Perfect Start Crib and Toddler Mattress has overwhelmingly positive reviews from parents. And it’s easy to see why. One side is appropriately firm for babies, while the other is a little softer for when your child graduates to a toddler bed.  Parents love that the corners of this mattress are square, not rounded, so it fits snugly inside any standard crib without gaps in the corners. 

“We use the Serta because it met all of the basic requirements of safety and nontoxic materials but was really affordable and in my budget. We love it!” says Sarah Darby, What to Expect's Senior SEO Strategist.

It also comes with a waterproof cover that parents say is super easy to wipe down after an unfortunate middle-of-the-night blowout. (Keep in mind, however, that it is not removable and can’t be thrown in the wash.) 

With a Greenguard Gold certification, Serta’s crib mattress is one of the most affordable eco-friendly options. 

This dual-sided baby and toddler mattress is made with two different types of CertiPUR-US-certified foam to provide varying levels of support as your child grows. The infant side is extra firm, while parents say the toddler side is still plenty firm, but just a touch softer to make it more comfortable. 

“I like that it's lightweight enough that it's easy to change the sheets,” says Jeanne Beacom, Campaign Performance Manager at Everyday Health Group (What to Expect's parent company).

Should your little one pee through their diaper or have a blowout — and at some point, they will — the waterproof cover is easily removed so you can toss it in the washing machine. This mattress is made from hypoallergenic materials and has an eight-year warranty, so you know you're safe with this purchase.

If you want a mattress that’s easy to clean, look no further than the Newton Waterproof Crib Mattress. The cover can be unzipped and go in the washer, but you can clean the entire core by using cool water and soap in the shower. Parents love how cool this mattress keeps their little ones. How? Instead of being designed with springs or foam, he mattress is made of 90 percent air and 10 percent recyclable food-grade polymer that keeps your baby from overheating at night by increasing airflow beneath them. Many attest to the air flow, saying they can breathe through it even with their face against the mattress. Our own Grace Pan, Product Designer, has the Newton mattress for her baby and put this to the test, saying it actually works.

The price point is higher than many other options, but with overwhelmingly positive reviews from our What to Expect Community parents and its ease of cleaning, this mattress is worth the expense if it fits your budget.

If you choose to use a mini crib to save space, you’ll need a mattress designed to fit within a smaller frame, while still providing a safe and firm sleep surface for your baby. The Juniper Dreams Mini Crib Mattress checks all the mattress boxes, and has plenty of positive feedback from parents. They love that it’s Greenguard Gold certified and made with hypoallergenic materials. They also appreciate how easy it is to clean: The water-repellent cover, which is made of organic cotton, is completely machine washable. 

Made without harmful chemicals and bearing multiple product certifications, the Dream On Me Twilight Crib Mattress is a top affordable pick. It’s dual-sided and designed to last from infancy through your baby’s toddler years. Parents love that it has a 10-year limited warranty, and have noted in online reviews that the manufacturer is responsive to customer inquiries. Some parents wish this mattress had a removable cover, because although the exterior surface is waterproof, it can only be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Parents and Dr. Ferry agree — Naturepedic makes the top organic mattress on the market. The two-sided, Greenguard Gold- and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified mattress is made with organic cotton that's grown in the U.S. And to make you feel even better about using this mattress, the waterproof coating is also naturally derived from sugarcane. When it’s time to clean, simply wipe with soap and water. Many parents say they love the Naturepedic crib mattress for having peace of mind that their children are sleeping on a chemical-free surface and feel it’s worth the price.