How Much Should You Spend On a Crib Mattress? (For Every Budget)

Your beautiful new baby is going to be spending a lot of time in the coming years in their crib, especially if your converts into a toddler bed as well. For your little one to be as comfortable as possible, you need to find them an affordable, quality crib mattress.

You should plan on purchasing the highest quality crib mattress you can afford. A crib mattress is arguably one of the most important purchases you will make for your new baby. It is crucial you get a firm crib mattress because softer mattresses can allow your baby to sink into the mattress and obstruct their breathing, increasing the risk of SIDS.

Now that you know how important your baby’s crib mattress is, keep reading to find out how much you can expect to pay and what you need to look for while shopping for a crib mattress.

The average cost of crib mattresses

One important thing to get out of the way is that you will want to buy a baby mattress that is new. A used crib mattress could have small cracks or tears in the vinyl covering. Tiny cracks can allow fluids to leak inside the mattress where the original owner would not see or have cleaned. You will not be able to guarantee the cleanliness of a used crib mattress.

Once you start shopping for a new crib mattress, you’ll realize that there is an extraordinarily large range of styles available.

There are mattresses at every price point. On the low end, you can find mattresses for your baby’s crib starting at $30. From there, prices rise by steady amounts till they reach the high end of $600 for a baby mattress. You are looking at an average of around $150 for your baby’s crib mattress. 

To a point, you do get what you pay for. Cheaper mattresses tend to wear down quicker, and they are softer than more expensive baby mattresses. Mattresses on the higher end of the cost scale are often constructed using organic materials. However, most crib mattresses are construed in one of two ways; innerspring coils and polyurethane foam.

Innerspring coil mattresses are constructed with 80 to 200 heat-tempered steel coils on the inside. The more coils in the mattresses, the firmer it will be, and typically the more expensive it will be. Coil baby mattresses are designed to last a lifetime, meaning they can be used across multiple children and making them an extremely popular choice for parents.

Polyurethane foam mattresses are much lighter than their coil counterparts. This can make cleaning and changing sheets much more effortless. If you do go with foam, look for the CertiPUR-US label. The label shows that the foam is safe from any harmful chemicals.

This mattress will be for your beautiful new baby, so you need to know what qualities and features you need to look for. Here are some common things you should evaluate when looking for a crib mattress.

• You need to check the firmness of the mattress. Firmer is safer for the baby!
• Will the mattress be waterproof. Waterproof means pee-pee-proof. You do not want that soaking down inside your new baby mattress!
• It’s essential to make sure the mattress you choose for your baby’s crib fits appropriately. You want to avoid having any room around the bed and the crib rails. This could pose a significant safety risk for your little one.
• Whether you are going the more expensive natural and organic route or taking the cheaper but still acceptable course with steel and synthetics, you want to make sure the mattress’s materials are constructed with chemically safe materials.

What is a good inexpensive crib mattress?

You are going to want a water-resistant, hypoallergenic, and lightweight crib mattress. But you also want to remain as thrifty as you can.

At around $56, the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams White Crib is a great inexpensive crib mattress. 

Handcrafted in Canada with a high-density thermo-bonded fiber core, this entry-level mattress provides a comfortable but firm sleeping surface for your little one.

Best mid-range crib mattress

If you’re able to spend more a little more, we found one that will take you from baby crib to toddler bed with just a flip of the mattress.

At $199, the Moonlight Slumber Dual-Sided Baby Crib Mattress is made in America and makes a great mid-range option for your crib mattress. This high-quality foam mattress is hypoallergenic and water-resistant, making cleaning up easy.

You can also rest easy knowing you won’t have to worry about any unwanted pests. The Moonlight Slumber is dust mite and bed bug-proof as well.

Best high-end crib mattress

If your budget is not a concern, the Moonlight Little Dreamer Deluxe Dual Firmness All Foam Mattress may spoil your baby at nap time. For around $460, you get a dual-sided crib mattress that features plant-based foam on one side and plush memory foam on the other. Both sides are free from harsh, harmful chemicals.

The mattress is made using waterproof, hypoallergenic premium medical quality materials. The material provides odor and stain-resistant protection as well.

Memory foam vs coil crib mattresses – which is more expensive?

A large part of how much you will spend on a crib mattress is how it is constructed.

Memory foam and coil construction each have their good and bad qualities. Depending on the features you are looking for, it may be worth it for you to pay a little more on the front end.

Coil crib mattresses are the more expensive option overall. A quality coil mattress will cost you a few hundred dollars or more. But you will feel the difference in the construction versus a foam mattress. Coil mattresses are heavier and are made of more durable materials, allowing them to last much longer than most foam mattresses.

The cheaper option will be foam construction. You can find a reliable quality foam crib mattress as cheap as $50. You can pay upwards of $300 or more for foam made from organic and natural materials.

A foam mattress tends to wear down quicker than a coil mattress. And foam does not provide the same all-over comfort that coil crib mattresses do. The edges of a foam mattress tend to be softer than a mattress constructed with coils.

Are waterproof crib mattresses more expensive?

No matter what your spending limit is on a crib mattress, you will be able to find many waterproof options. In fact, it’s actually hard to find a baby mattress that isn’t waterproof.

Being waterproof won’t really affect the final cost of your new crib mattress. The bulk of the price will be based on the quality of the mattresses’ construction and the materials used.

One way or another, you need to have some type of waterproof protection on the mattress. Without protection, fluid and bacteria can seep inside of your baby mattress, potentially causing health problems for your little one. If your baby’s mattress doesn’t have a vinyl cover to protect it, you can purchase a waterproof crib mattress protector.

Are breathable crib mattresses more expensive?

Air-permeable breathable crib mattresses are designed to allow your baby to breathe if they roll themselves over while sleeping.

Manufacturers of breathable mattresses often use the fear of SIDS to sell their crib mattresses. For the claim of added protection against SIDS, you can easily pay around three times more than you would for an equal non-breathable mattress, many selling for $300 to $400.

You need to be aware that there are no industry standards for breathable crib mattresses and virtually no scientific data to back up manufacturers’ claims. There are even reports of these mattresses being harmful to your newborn.

No matter what crib mattress you choose, please read over and follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations to help give your little one the safest sleep experience possible.