Like me, most new parents face the challenge of finding a balance between two very important aspects: your budget and what’s best for your baby. Luckily, it’s possible to buy on a budget and still get quality: here are some of the best crib mattresses under $100.
I picked the Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress as the best budget mattress. At an affordable price, you get the luxury of memory foam. Additionally, you get peace of mind about the baby’s health and safety, thanks to various certifications. Let’s look at this and other examples of exceptional mattresses.
- Types of crib mattresses
- 7 Best Affordable Crib Mattress
- Comparing the top 3 crib mattresses under $100
- Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress
- Delta Children Twinkle Stars 4" Mini Crib Mattress
- JÄTTETRÖTT Pocket Spring mattress
- Dream On Me Snuggles Extra Firm Portable Crib Mattress
- Bubble Bear Premium Foam Crib Mattress
- Milliard Memory Foam Crib Mattress
- Milliard Premium Memory Foam Hypoallergenic Infant Crib Mattress
- Aspects to consider when looking for a (cheap) crib mattress
- How to Safely Use a Crib Mattress
- Conclusion
Types of crib mattresses
There are many available mattress types. Depending on your need and preference, pick from:
- Memory foam mattress
- Pocket spring or innerspring mattress
- Foam mattress
- Organic mattress
- Double sided
7 Best Affordable Crib Mattress
- Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress – 2021 Edition
- Delta Children Twinkle Stars 4″ Mini Crib Mattress
- JÄTTETRÖTT Pocket spring mattress for crib
- Dream On Me Snuggles Extra Firm Portable Crib Mattress
- Bubble bear Premium Foam Crib Mattress Toddler Mattress
- Milliard Memory Foam Crib Mattress
- Milliard Premium Memory Foam Hypoallergenic Infant Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed Mattress with Waterproof Cover
Comparing the top 3 crib mattresses under $100
| Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress | Delta Children Twinkle Stars 4″ Mini Crib Mattress | JÄTTETRÖTT Pocket spring mattress for crib | |
| Dimensions | 52” x 27.6” x 5” | 38” x 24” x 4” | 52” x 27.6” x 4.75” |
| Material | Memory foam | High-density polyester with vinyl cover | Polypropylene with steel springs |
| Certifications | JPMA; GREENGUARD Gold, CERTIPUR-US | CPSIA, GREENGUARD Gold | Not stated |
| Water-resistant? | Yes | Waterproof cover | Yes |
| Weight | 7lb | 3.9lb | 7lb |
Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress
The Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress is made of memory foam which means a comfortable night’s sleep for your baby. It’s a standard-sized mattress, so will fit in any modern standard crib.
Why consider it
With this best crib mattress under $100, you’re buying from a trusted brand. The mattress is thick, providing firm support, but still well under the maximum required thickness of 6”.
It’s easy to care for thanks to a machine washable outer cover. For your child’s health, you’ll appreciate the GREENGUARD Gold certification.
Features
- Product dimensions: 52” x 27.6” x 5”
- Weight: 7lb
- Certifications: JPMA; GREENGUARD Gold, CERTIPUR-US
- Warranty: 6 years
- Materials: Polyurethane foam
- Water resistant
Pros
- Easy to care for
- Breathable
- Water resistant
- Fits standard cots
- Long warranty period
Cons
- Heavier than some others
- May take a while to expand
- Can have an odor at first
Delta Children Twinkle Stars 4″ Mini Crib Mattress
Some parents invest in a mini crib, and in that case I suggest you look at the Delta Children Twinkle Start Mattress. The dimensions work for mini cribs and also some portable cribs. Just double check the measurements are appropriate for yours.
This one is a great budget buy but if you do want to consider more options before you buy, my article covering mini crib mattresses will help a lot.
Why to consider it
This is a good investment at a budget price because the fiber core offers excellent support and comes with an impressive 10 year warranty. It has impressive features like being waterproof.
You’ll also have peace of mind about your child’s safety thanks to the various certifications, including GREENGUARD Gold. It also went through CPSIA testing.
Features
- Product dimensions: 38” x 24” x 4”
- Weight: 3.9lb
- Certifications: CPSIA, GREENGUARD Gold
- Warranty: 10 years
- Materials: High density polyester with vinyl cover
- Waterproof cover
Pros
- Dual sided mattress
- Thick and comfortable
- Long warranty
- Flame retardant
- Non toxic
- Cover wipes clean easily
Cons
- Short term use
- Vinyl surface can be noisy
JÄTTETRÖTT Pocket Spring mattress
If you want a pocket spring mattress I suggest you try the JÄTTETRÖTT Pocket Spring mattress, made of quality materials.
It’s made of an inner fabric of polypropylene and on the outside, you’ll find a viscose and polyester filling, all covered by a cotton and polyester layer. The steel pocket springs provide good support and for added comfort, there’s polyurethane foam and polyester wadding.
Why to consider it
The construction provides excellent ventilation and it’s easy to maintain thanks to the removable cover. The brand added unique details like a handle on the side for easy carrying. And IKEA offers an impressive 25-year warranty on all its mattresses.
Features
- Product dimensions: 52” x 27.6” x 4.75”
- Weight: 7lb
- Warranty: 25 years
- Materials: Polypropylene with steel springs
Pros
- Quality design
- Excellent support
- Cotton exterior
- Removable cover
- Comfortable
Cons
- Not available on all online platforms
Dream On Me Snuggles Extra Firm Portable Crib Mattress
As another winning option for smaller cribs, with its fiber core, the Dream on Me Extra Firm Portable Crib Mattress offers good support, preventing body aches.
The brand uses environmentally friendly materials.
Why to consider it
The mattress has square corners and it’s a firm mattress that’s remarkably light. The weight makes it much easier for a sleep-deprived parent to change bedding at night
The mattress itself can be cleaned easily thanks to the vinyl exterior surface that simply requires a wipe. This is a GREENGUARD Gold-certified product. It also passed relevant tests for flammability and requirements set by CPSC/ASTM.
Still deciding on which cot size to buy? Then read my article that compares regular and mini cribs.
Features
- Product dimensions: 38” x 24” x 3”
- Weight: 2.5lb
- Certifications: GREENGUARD Gold; CPSC/ASTM
- Warranty: 2 years
- Materials: Memory foam
- Waterproof and stain & odor resistant
Pros
- Resists stains and odors
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
- Square corners
- Proper size for smaller cots
Cons
- Short warranty period
- Will only use it for short time
- Vinyl may be noisy
Bubble Bear Premium Foam Crib Mattress
This is also a memory foam product and the Bubble Bear Premium Foam mattress provides quite a bit of resistance when you press down on it.
It will take up to 5 days to fully expand, so prepare the baby room well in advance.
Why to consider it
Thanks to quality memory foam it’s a mattress with good airflow. On the corners the border-wire design helps the mattress retain its original square shape, preventing gaps in the corners.
Because the exterior is soft and made of a brushed fabric, even without sheets it’s comfortable to lie on. Take your pick from cute themes like dinosaurs, goats, bicycles, and more to instantly add style to your kid’s room.
Features
- Product dimensions: 52” x 27.6” x 5”
- Weight: 9.28lb
- Certifications: US CPC
- Materials: Memory foam with grinding wool on outside
Pros
- Sturdy design
- Memory foam ensures comfort
- Fun designs available
- Sturdy seams maintain integrity
Cons
- Takes a few days to expand
- Heavy mattress
- Not waterproof
Milliard Memory Foam Crib Mattress
If you want a long-term investment at a low price, you’ll love that the Milliard Memory Foam Crib Mattress has two sides to use, one firmer than the other. Once your baby grows into a toddler he or she will appreciate the softer side.
The mattress is made of multiple layers, including a firm foam, covered by soft memory foam on the side to use for toddlers. A woven layer is a natural fire barrier and a lining blocks liquid. Lastly, the soft cotton cover is washable.
Why to consider it
This is a smart buy for long-term use. Your child will find the cotton cover very comfortable. The foam is of high density, keeping its form for long.
Features
- Product dimensions: 52” x 27.6” x 5.5”
- Weight: 19lb
- Certifications: CERTIPUR-US
- Warranty: 30 day money back guarantee
- Materials: Memory foam with cotton cover
- Waterproof
Pros
- Can use for a long time
- Square corners fit well into cot
- 100% cotton
- Washable cover
Cons
- Heavier mattress
- No clear long-term warranty
Milliard Premium Memory Foam Hypoallergenic Infant Crib Mattress
If allergies are a concern, get a practical but budget-friendly mattress by using the Milliard Premium Memory Foam Hypoallergenic Infant Crib mattress. This model has many of the features of the other Milliard mattress mentioned above, but the exterior contains bamboo. This polyester cover is a great alternative to prevent allergic reactions.
Why to consider it
Using this mattress is an ideal way to ensure your child has a comfortable and safe bed even into their toddler years. Just flip it over to use the softer memory foam layer for an older child.
Apart from two layers of memory foam this design also has a waterproof lining and a non-toxic fire barrier.
Features
- Product dimensions: 52” x 27.6” x 5.52”
- Certifications: CERTIPUR-US
- Warranty: 6 years
- Materials: Memory foam
- Waterproof
Pros
- Flip dual-stage system
- Thick mattress
- Fire barrier
- Square corners
- Washable cover
Cons
- Mild smell when unpacked
- Cover fabric isn’t of the best quality
- Baby may get hot
Aspects to consider when looking for a (cheap) crib mattress
Fire Retardance
By law, baby mattresses must be fire retardant. Double-check the specs on a mattress to ensure it adheres to the relevant safety guidelines.
Construction
Apart from being made of fire retardant materials, various features construction features can add to the mattress’ level of safety:
- Vents: To ensure proper airflow to prevent mold growth.
- Seams: Quality of the seams affect the structure and durability.
- Sourcing: To determine quality, companies should tell you where the materials originate from, as can be seen on the Milliard website.
Firmness
The firmness and density of a mattress will determine how much support it gives, which also impacts comfort and safety. The right firmness prevents body aches and there’s less chance of suffocation. An easy test is to press down on the mattress in a few places and see if it’s resilient.
Size
A mattress must fit into the crib, with no gaps on the sides or in the corners where a baby’s head could get trapped. Make sure you’re buying the right mattress for the crib you have at home.
For a standard crib, the standard-size mattress you need must measure 27.62” x 52”. Thickness may differ between manufacturers but just make sure it’s not thicker than 6”.
If you haven’t decided on a crib yet, you can have a look at my article on some of the best cribs for short moms (if you’re normal-sized you might find it valuable, too).
Certification
Look for the following on the product packaging to help you gauge quality and safety:
- JPMA: Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association certification.
- GREENGUARD Gold: This tells you if it’s recognized for low chemical emissions, which impact air quality of your home’s interior.
- CPSC
- Federal Standard Flammability Standard 16-CFR 1633
- Certipur-US
Material
The material will determine your baby’s comfort and make sure it’s non-toxic. The certifications mentioned above will tell you a lot about the materials’ safety and how it affects air quality.
Temperature
The mattress should optimize comfort by preventing the environment from getting too hot. With good ventilation there’s less chance of your baby starting sweating.
Comfort
The more features the mattress has that optimize comfort, the better because babies will sleep better, which affects mood and development. As mentioned already, firmness plays a big role. In addition, the surface should be soft to the touch so your baby enjoys snuggling into it during nap time.
Structure
When setting up a room for an older baby, it may be wise to pick an innerspring mattress. The seams must also be well made to ensure the mattress maintains its structure long-term.
How long does Crib Mattress last?
You do get mattresses with lifetime warranties, but the average lifespan of this type of crib mattress is 5 years. Usage and how well you care for the mattress affect this timeline. After that, you might consider selling your crib mattress.
Warranty
The longer you’re covered by a warranty, the more value you get for your money. With mattresses, you do get lifetime warranties, but even a 6-year warranty as is the case with Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress is excellent.
Recall Notice
Research recall notices on any baby products you consider buying, so you know you’re not inadvertently using hazardous items. Reputable brands also share recall information on their own sites.
How to Safely Use a Crib Mattress
For a quick lesson on safe sleep guidelines for babies, you can watch this video.
To help you create your own safety checklist for your nursery, make sure to include the following.
Avoid Extra Bedding in the Crib
Experts advise parents not to have any additional bedding in the crib, apart from the sheet covering the crib. It’s one way parents can prevent SIDS and other unnecessary crib deaths.
If you’re worried about this aspect but want to make sure your baby is warm enough at night, you’ll enjoy my article on sleep sacks and swaddle blankets.
Keep the mattress dry!
Wet patches can cause discomfort and the possibility of mold growth. Use water absorbent covers, toppers, or sheets to pull liquid-like urine and spilled milk away from your baby. Remove the mattress from the crib from time to time to dry it out.
Clean Mattress and Sheets
Many crib mattresses are washable or will have cleaning options like:
- Spot cleaning
- Vacuuming the mattress
- Leaving it to air dry
Change the sheets whenever there’s a spill. Even if there isn’t, bedding requires a minimum of one change a week.
Breathable Cover for Your Mattress
Make it easier to keep your mattress clean by adding a breathable cover to capture much of the spills. Then you can simply remove and wash it, so there’s less urine, milk, and other substances drawing into the mattress.
Conclusion
When prioritizing nursery items a quality mattress should definitely be near the top of the list. It’s how you guarantee your baby – and you – get more sleep. And the safety concerns can’t ever be ignored!
Luckily, with products like the Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress, it’s possible to be budget smart and baby-friendly! Then you can all sleep soundly at night.
Last update on 2024-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API