We scored 8 crib mattresses on what they're made of, what parents and testers report, and value. Our top pick is Emily Organic Crib Mattress, with a Cradle Score of 87.
Updated Sep 30, 2026 · 8 products · How we score · No paid placements
Scores out of 100. Materials & safety and Parents each count 40%, Value 20%.
What matters in a crib mattress
A crib mattress should be firm and flat, and fit the crib snugly with no gap wider than two fingers at the sides. After that, the differences are materials: emissions certifications like GREENGUARD Gold, whether flame retardants or polyurethane foam are used, and whether the cover or core can be washed.
Of the 8 we scored, all 8 carry GREENGUARD Gold, 4 of 8 carry GOTS organic, 1 of 8 carry OEKO-TEX, 1 of 8 carry EWG Verified and 2 of 8 are free of added flame retardants. 4 have a safety or materials point to know about, noted in the reviews below.
Certified-organic coir, wool and cotton over an innerspring at a mid-range price. It has one firmness on both sides and needs a separate waterproof protector.
Testers' top pick: a core that's mostly air, fully washable, and very breathable. It isn't organic, but it skips polyurethane foam and flame-retardant chemicals.
Parents like
Extremely breathable
Light and easy to lift
Watch for
Core is a food-grade polymer, not natural or organic
About as clean as crib mattresses get: organic cotton, no polyurethane foam, no flame-retardant chemicals, and seven third-party certifications. It's expensive, but it lasts into the toddler years and comes with a 100-night trial.
Parents like
Very firm infant side, as safe-sleep guidance calls for
Breathable design with a removable, machine-washable cover
Watch for
Among the priciest crib mattresses
Only the cotton is organic; the core is food-grade polyethylene
Organic latex and coconut coir, made in California, with the most certifications of any mattress here. It's heavy, the priciest pick, and has no waterproof layer.
Emily Organic Crib Mattress has the highest Cradle Score of the 8 crib mattresses we scored, at 87 out of 100 (Excellent). Certified-organic coir, wool and cotton over an innerspring at a mid-range price.
Which crib mattress has the cleanest materials?
Naturepedic Organic Breathable 2-Stage Crib Mattress (Lightweight) scores highest on materials and safety among the crib mattresses we scored. Across the group, all 8 carry GREENGUARD Gold, 4 of 8 carry GOTS organic, 1 of 8 carry OEKO-TEX, 1 of 8 carry EWG Verified and 2 of 8 are free of added flame retardants.
Which crib mattress do parents like most?
Newton Baby Original Crib Mattress has the strongest parent and tester consensus, based on the praise and complaints that keep coming up in hands-on reviews and parent communities.
What is the best value crib mattress?
Babyletto Pure Core Non-Toxic Crib Mattress (About $199) scores highest on value and longevity among crib mattresses with a Good or Excellent score.
Are any crib mattresses recalled?
None of the 8 crib mattresses on this page has an open recall in our latest check. Always check the CPSC recall database (or NHTSA for car seats) before you buy or use a product.
How does Cradle Score rate products?
Each score is 40% materials and safety, 40% parent and tester consensus, and 20% value and longevity. Every product page lists its sources and when we last checked it, and brands cannot pay for placement.
Missing a crib mattress? Tell us what to score next.