A safe baby sleep setup involves several aspects that are easy to spot, like a sturdy crib or smart bassinet and fitted sheets. However, non-toxic crib mattresses can look just like the ones that contain certain chemicals that are potentially harmful to your baby. Think: chemical flame retardants, volatile organic compounds (VOCS), and plasticizers, like phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA).

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a large class of synthetic chemicals otherwise known as “forever chemicals” are another concern. Almost all Americans, including newborn babies, are found to have PFAS in their blood—and exposure to these compounds is associated with unwanted health risks. (Fortunately, in October of 2021, the EPA announced an ongoing plan to reduce Americans’ exposure to PFAs).

Best non-toxic crib mattresses, at a glance:

• Overall best: Brentwood Home, EcoAir Waterproof Baby Crib Mattress, $349
• Best budget: Kolcraft, Pure Sleep Therapeutic Waterproof Toddler & Baby Crib Mattress, $58
• Best innerspring: Sealy, Flex Cool 2-Stage Mattress, $86
• Best foam: Colgate, Mattress Eco Classica III 2-Stage Mattress, $245
• Best memory foam: Tempur-Pedic, Tempur-Dream 2-Stage Crib Mattress, $500
• Best foam-free: Babyletto, Pure Core Crib Mattress, $199
• Best made to order: Nest Bedding, Stork Certified Organic Crib Mattress, $599
• Best washable: Newton Baby, Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed, $300
• Best breathable: Bundle of Dreams, Classic 2-Stage Mattress, $189
• Best organic: Naturepedic, Lightweight Organic Cotton Classic Crib Mattress, $269
• Best recycled: Delta, Children Twinkle Galaxy Dual-Sided Crib Mattress, $75
• Best mini: Wonder Dream, Baby Crib & Toddler Mattress, $130
• Best basic: Organic Dream, Crib and Toddler Mattress, $180
• Best splurge: Avocado, Luxury Organic Crib Mattress, $1,379
• Best on Amazon: Lullaby Earth, Breathe Safe 2-Stage Breathable Crib Mattress, $279

Why buy non-toxic crib mattresses?

Jenna Hua, PhD, MPH, RD, an environmental health scientist and founder and CEO of Million Maker, a company that offers mail-in toxicity tests, says that exposure to the suspect chemicals in crib mattresses can lead to developmental issues, behavioral issues, and future chronic diseases. What’s more? “Many of them are hormone-disrupting chemicals, which can mess with one’s hormone’s system, and hormones control literally every bodily function from metabolism to sleep to stress.” she says. “Infants and children are particularly vulnerable.”

With parents constantly hearing about potential dangers for their children, it’s tough to know how concerned they should be about particular risks. “In my opinion, parents should be worried [about this issue], but I also understand parents need to prioritize,” says Dr. Hua. “Minimally, I think parents need to be aware that these chemicals have no business being in their or their children’s bodies, and they should always reduce their exposure due to the potential detrimental health impact.”

What to look for in a non-toxic crib mattress

When shopping for non-toxic crib mattresses, the most important thing to look for are reliable third-party certifications, which ensure that the products live up to the company’s claims. Many of the non-toxic cribs featured on the list are Greenguard or Greenguard Gold certified by the Underwriter Laboratories or UL. This certification is given to products that meet strict emission limits for VOCs. It’s also important to note that the Greenguard Gold certification is the higher standard.

Products with a CertiPUR-US certification verify that the polyurethane foam material doesn’t contain heavy metals, formaldehyde, ozone depleters, and certain phthalates, and that it has low VOC emissions, while other companies avoid PU foam altogether.

If you are particular about purchasing a mattress made of organic or recyclable materials, products with a Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) guarantees a product is organic and that the company adheres to environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing practices. Items with a Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certifications verifies they are made with organic latex and in accordance with social and environmental regulations.

With all this in mind, you’ll find 15 of the best non-toxic crib mattresses for every budget, so you—and your baby—can rest easy.

Best non-toxic crib mattresses

Overall best

Brentwood Home, EcoAir Waterproof Baby Crib Mattress  — $349.00

Brentwood Home, the sister company of Avocado Green Mattress, makes high-quality crib mattresses at a more affordable price point. This eco-friendly mattress is hypoallergenic and safe for infants, says Catherine Cabano, a holistic health consultant and founder of In On Around. In addition to being Greenguard Gold and formaldehyde-free certified, the mattress is 100 percent breathable and washable (including the core).

It’s made with a recyclable PETE core and is dual-sided for infants and toddlers. Each side has a different inner and outer cover; the toddler side has a GOTS-certified organic cotton and waterproof liner, and the infant side is made with hydrated silica, a natural flame-retardant.

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold and Global Organic Textile Standard certified
• Fully washable from cover to core
• Dual-sided design

Con:

• Uses (recycled) polyester material

Best budget

Kolcraft, Pure Sleep Therapeutic Waterproof Toddler & Baby Crib Mattress — $58.00

This affordable non-toxic crib mattress comes from Kolcraft, a family-owned and operated company, and comes with over 2,800 five-star ratings. It’s Greenguard Gold and CPSIA certified, which ensures it doesn’t contain any lead or phthalates, and it is flammability compliant but free of chemical fire retardants. It features 150 steel coils for firm support and a non-allergenic sleeping surface with a waterproof and stain-resistant cover.

One five-star review reads: “Comfortably firm mattress, perfect for newborn and toddler. The ‘wipe clean’ material isn’t loud and crinkly like most mattresses with a cover. It fit our infant crib snugly, perfect for safe sleep conditions. If you are looking for a high quality, yet affordable, infant or toddler mattress, I would highly recommend this!”

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold and CPSIA certified
• 4.6-star overall rating on Amazon
• Hypoallergenic

Con:

• Some reviewer say it is noisy

Best innerspring

Sealy, Flex Cool 2-Stage Mattress — $86.00

Sealy’s U.S.-made non-toxic crib mattress is not only Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US certified, it is also CPSIA certified, meets ASTM international crib mattress safety standards, and complies with flammability standards. The mattress features 204 steel coils to provide your baby with proper support, and it is encased in a cotton cover with a PVC-free waterproof lining for easy cleanup. It features a dual-sided design, with a firmer side for infants and a softer side for toddlers up to five years of age—plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

One of the over 1,800 five-star reviews shared this high praise: “Got it for my new grandson. It’s firm and a perfect fit in the crib. Looks well made. Was expecting it to off-gas a bit…surprise, no smell. I can’t say enough good about it.”

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold, CertiPUR-US, and CPSIA certified
• Meets ASTM international crib mattress safety standards and flammability standards
• 4.7-star overall-rating on Amazon

Con:

• Some reviewers say it isn’t water resistant

Best foam

Colgate, Mattress Eco Classica III 2-Stage Mattress — $245.00

Colgate is a family business, so much so that their website notes which members of their leadership slept on a Colgate mattress as a baby. They call their mattress “eco-friendlier;” Colgate uses non-toxic barrier fabrics instead of fire-retardant chemicals (while still meeting flammability standards) and uses eco-foam from plant oils or polyethylene foam with recycled content (instead of foams from petroleum). The company also has increased energy efficiency at their Georgia factory and has planted 100,000 trees over 30 years.

This mattress is Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US certified and made in the U.S.A. It has one side for babies that’s extra firm and one that’s softer for toddlers, plus it has a certified organic cotton cover. A limited lifetime warranty is included with every purchase.

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US certified
• Dual-sided design
• Limited lifetime warranty

Con:

• It’s too firm, according to some Amazon reviewers

Best memory foam

Tempur-Pedic, Tempur-Dream 2-Stage Crib Mattress — $500.00

Yes, Tempur-Pedic now makes crib mattresses—and non-toxic ones at that. This one has earned Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US certifications. The memory foam mattress comes with a water-resistant machine-washable cover with an extra waterproof encasement inside the mattress.

If you’re not familiar with Tempur-Pedic technology, it uses the pressure-relieving material originally developed for NASA to absorb the G-force that astronauts experience in space. Note: Tempur-Pedic also sells the waterproof Cool Tot Cooling Crib Mattress Pad ($80) that you can use with your infant or toddler’s crib mattress.

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US certified
• For infants and toddlers
• Waterproof with machine-washable cover

Con:

• One-year warranty

Best foam-free

Babyletto, Pure Core Crib Mattress — $199.00

Babyletto is an eco-conscious company that creates everything from furniture to mattresses for babies and toddlers. Their Greenguard Gold-certified Pure Core Crib mattresses are made without polyurethane foam, including soybean foam blends, phthalates, vinyl, synthetic latex, and chemical flame retardants. The mattresses have a 100 percent recyclable polyester core, wrapped in flame-resistant modacrylic and polyester, and come replete with a removable non-allergenic cover with a waterproof lining. The mattress featured is dual-sided too, so your baby can use it well into toddlerhood. Every purchase also comes with a 10-year warranty for the mattress and a one-year warranty for the cover.

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold certified
• Non-allergenic cover with waterproof lining
• Dual-sided design

Con:

• Some reviewers say the cover zipper is flimsy

Best made to order

Nest Bedding, Stork Certified Organic Crib Mattress — $599.00

Originally $699, now $599

Nest Bedding’s Certified Organic Crib Mattress is made with a combination of certified organic cotton and certified organic wool (sourced from New Zealand), which is quilted inside the mattress cover to serve as a fire barrier. Inside the mattress is a GOLS-certified organic latex core to provide infants and toddlers alike with the proper support while they sleep. The brand also offers a 30-night trial period and limited lifetime warranty for every purchase of their made-to-order crib mattresses.

Pros:

• Global Organic Latex certified
• For infants and toddlers
• 30-night trial period

Con:

• Pricey

Best washable

Newton Baby, Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed — $300.00

With Newton Baby, you have four nontoxic crib mattress options: Essential, Original, Waterproof, and Mini. The one pictured above, the Original, is the most popular of the four on Amazon and has earned 4.9-star overall rating after more than 2,400 reviewers weighed in. One parent noted in their five-star review: “Highly recommend this mattress, I sleep so much better knowing my baby is safe in the crib and will be able to breathe at all times and in any position that he gets into.” What’s more, it’s Greenguard Gold certified and the manufacturer indicates that it’s hypoallergenic and fully recyclable. It’s a two-stage mattress, with the firmer side designed for infants and the softer side for toddlers, and every purchase comes with a 30-night trial period and limited lifetime warranty.

As a bonus, the mattress is 100 percent washable—from its flame retardant-free viscose cover to its core, as it is made without foam, latex, coils, and adhesive.

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold certified
• 4.9-star overall rating on Amazon
• Fully washable from cover to core

Con:

• Some reviewers say there was an odor upon opening

Best breathable

Bundle of Dreams, Classic 2-Stage Mattress — $189.00

The founder of Bundle of Dreams made the nontoxic crib mattress with his daughter in mind, and as you’d expect from any parent who wants the best for their child, safety was a top priority when creating it. The crib mattress is Greenguard Gold certified, and it is filled with a poly fiber material that promotes increased airflow. The manufacturer indicates that all the materials used are hypoallergenic, and it’s also dual-sided, so your baby can use it for years. It also comes replete with a water-resistant organic cotton cover that is machine washable. As a bonus, the mattress comes with a 30-day guarantee and a lifetime warranty.

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold certified
• Dual-sided design
• Lifetime warranty

Con:

• Some reviewers say there was an odor upon opening

Best organic

Naturepedic, Lightweight Organic Cotton Classic Crib Mattress — $269.00

Naturepedic’s non-toxic mattress is both Greenguard Gold and GOTS certified and made in the U.S. It is free of questionable materials, including flame retardant chemicals (while still meeting federal flammability standards), polyurethane foam (which means no VOCs), phthalates, latex, and vinyl, giving you peace of mind while your baby sleeps. To top it off, it has a waterproof plastic coating made from sugarcane, so cleanup is easy—and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Multiple Amazon reviewers have mentioned that their babies love it as much as they do. “Since getting this mattress my son has been sleeping SO WELL. And so are we, knowing that he is happy and safe with all natural materials,” one satisfied customer wrote. “The weight of the mattress makes it easy to change the sheets… When we have to switch him to his travel crib he isn’t nearly as happy as on the Naturepedic mattress.”

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold and Global Organic Textile Standard certificated
• Made with organic materials
• Lifetime warranty

Con:

• Some reviewers say that it is too firm for their babies

Best recycled

Delta, Children Twinkle Galaxy Dual-Sided Crib Mattress — $75.00

Delta has been a big player in the baby furniture game for years, and they’re known for making good-quality products at reasonable prices—like this non-toxic crib mattress. Made in the U.S., it’s Greenguard Gold Certified and doesn’t contain any chemical flame retardants, phthalates, or lead. (Those substances aren’t contained in any of Delta’s furniture, either.) It also meets ASTM international crib mattress safety standards.

The mattress has one standout feature, too: Its recycled fiber core is made from upcycled plastic bottles, which, in turn, helps prevent 300 plastic bottles from going to the landfill. The mattress is waterproof and stain resistant, comes with a seven-year warranty, and has dual firmness, with one side designed for babies and the other for toddlers.

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold certified and meets ASTM international crib mattress safety standards
• Fiber core is made from upcycled plastic bottles
• Dual-sided design

Con:

• Some reviewers say that it is too firm for their babies

Best mini

Wonder Dream, Baby Crib & Toddler Mattress — $130.00

This non-toxic crib mattress comes in a mini size that makes it ideal for portable cribs. Like the standard-sized version, it is free of many things that can be harmful to babies, like VOCs, PVCS, chemical flame retardants, and common allergens. It’s also hypoallergenic, and it doesn’t contain foam, latex, coils, and chemical adhesives. (Sometimes the absence of these materials means that a mattress is recyclable, but that isn’t noted in the product description.) It’s encased water-resistant organic cotton cover that is machine washable, making it easy to clean between uses. In addition, the mattress is made in the U.S. and has earned a Greenguard Gold certification.

One five-star Amazon reviewer wrote: “I received a well-packaged mattress … it does not have any smell, soft and firm, and is breathable material, the size is just right for my daughter’s bed … it is detachable and washable, I was very surprised to receive this package, it was worth it!”

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold certified
• Ideal for portable cribs
• Hypoallergenic

Con:

• Not for standard-sized cribs

Best basic

Organic Dream, Crib and Toddler Mattress — $180.00

This non-toxic crib mattress, in addition to every mattress from Organic Dream, is Greenguard Gold certified and made in the U.S. It is encased in a washable cotton cover, making it easy to clean, and the manufacturer indicates that the mattress is hypoallergenic—and Amazon reviewers agree that it lives up to its claims. “My 15-month-old suffers from a variety of allergies, and this mattress really fits the bill when it comes to being hypoallergenic. The bonus is that the mattress is actually plush and comfortable, while still firm enough that my son’s mouth and nose stay on top of the mattress,” one parent wrote. “If they offered an adult king size version, I’d order it tomorrow.”

As a plus, a lifetime warranty is included with the purchase of this mattress.

Pros:

• GreenGuard Gold certified
• Hypoallergenic
• Lifetime warranty

Con:

• Filled with polyester material

Best splurge

Avocado, Luxury Organic Crib Mattress — $1,379.00

If you want a non-toxic crib mattress made from organic and ethically sourced materials, Avocado is the company for you. A certified B Corp, Avocado is the world’s first Climate Neutral certified mattress and bedding brand. Their factory and wood shop in Los Angeles is Greenguard Gold, GOTS, GOLS, and Forest Stewardship Council certified, which means they harvest materials from forests that are managed in a socially and ecologically responsible way. What’s more, one percent of all of the brand’s revenues go to environmental nonprofits.

The company offers two options for cribs: The pictured Luxury Organic Crib Mattress and the standard Organic Crib Mattress ($439). The Luxury Organic Crib Mattress is made without polyurethane, polyethylene, and chemical adhesives and flame retardants. It’s made of all natural and organic materials, including cotton, wool, and latex. This mattress also has a dual-sided design, with a firmer side for infants and the softer side for toddlers up to four years of age. Plus, Avocado offers a 100-night trial period, free returns, and a 25-year limited warranty.

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold, Global Organic Textile Standard, and Global Organic Latex Standard certified
• Made from organic and ethically sourced materials
• Dual-sided design

Con:

• Expensive

Best on Amazon

Lullaby Earth, Breathe Safe 2-Stage Breathable Crib Mattress — $279.00

All crib mattresses from Lullaby Earth are free of polyurethane foam (including soybean foam blends), vinyl or PVC, PFC (per- and poly-fluorinated chemicals), and antibacterial-treated fabrics, fire retardants, and known allergens. The company is Greenguard Gold certified and has earned the “Made Safe” seal, which means their products have passed ingredient screening for known behavioral toxins, carcinogens, developmental toxins, endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, neurotoxins, high-risk pesticides, reproductive toxins, toxic solvents, VOCs, and more. (Plus, the company is designated “Climate Pledge Friendly” on Amazon.)

In one of the many five-star reviews, a parent wrote: “We purchased this mattress for our son when he was born. He is almost two now and we have loved this mattress! … We just purchased this mattress a second time for our baby girl as our son will continue to use this in his toddler transition! Highly recommend.”

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold and Made Safe certified
• “Climate Pledge Friendly” on Amazon
• Dual-sided design

Con:

• Some reviewers say it has rounded edges that won’t fit standard cribs

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