The Best Toddler Mattresses That Make For a Cozier Crib Transition

Newton is a go-to mattress brand for many What to Expect community members. In fact, the Newton Crib Mattress was voted our readers’ favorite in the 2024 What to Expect Sleep Awards. Parents praise this dual-sided crib and toddler mattress for providing a comfortable sleep surface for their kids, with a firm side for infants and a softer side for toddlers.

Made with Newton’s special Breathe-Thru Technology, parents also love the amazing air circulation, with many What to Expect community members attesting to the breathable design, saying they’ve actually "shoved their face into the mattress" to see if they could breathe through — and they could! (A reminder: According to the AAP, children under 1 should always be placed on their back to sleep.) This air flow system also helps to keep your toddler cool, which is great for summertime or kids who run warm.

Parents also appreciate that this mattress is also completely washable, making it an appealing feature for parents in the throes of potty training: Simply throw the cover in the washing machine and hose down the mattress in the bath or shower. Keep in mind, though, that the Original Newton Mattress is not waterproof, so a particularly major accident might be a problem. It is, however, water-resistant and Newton does sell a waterproof toddler mattress for $350, or you can get a waterproof cover for $100. 

At under $100, the Sealy Brilliant Nights mattress provides plenty of support and comfort at a more affordable price point. And because it transitions from crib to toddler bed, your dollar will go even further. Although it’s meant for babies and toddlers, it’s designed like adult mattresses: There’s a secure edge border wire to help keep the coils in place for more stability, and additional support on the corners and edges.

Parents appreciate that the waterproof mattress has a cover that wipes clean, making it easier to handle small middle-of-the-night accidents. Like many crib mattresses, this one is dual-sided with a softer side for toddlers. But with a coil count of 204, it’s still quite a firm mattress (the higher the coil count, the firmer the mattress). If your toddler has expressed a preference towards a softer surface, this may not be the mattress for them.

If your child is transitioning from the crib right to a “big kid bed,” this Amazon Basics memory foam mattress is supportive and comfortable on growing little bodies, but not as heavy as an innerspring mattress. It’s also quieter than an innerspring mattress — aka no creaking as your kiddo tosses and turns at night. And parents love that if they cuddle up next to their little ones, it’s supportive on their backs, too. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s affordable, which means it may not be as much of a pain if the mattress doesn’t make it past potty training.

What’s also nice about transitioning right to a big kid bed and mattress is that you can get a thicker — and likely more comfortable — option for your tot (crib and toddler mattresses are never thicker than 6 inches). You can customize the size and thickness of this bed, ranging from 6 to 12 inches in twin, full, queen and king sizes, which is a nice perk for older toddlers or deeper-set bed frames.

It’s worth noting that it’s a pretty firm mattress as far as memory foam goes, which is not everyone’s preference (although firmness isn’t a bad thing for very young kids). And it’s not waterproof, but as with all regular-sized mattresses, you can buy a waterproof cover. 

One option if you’re ready to ditch the crib but don’t have a convertible toddler bed is to try a floor bed. This is exactly what it sounds like — a toddler bed on the floor — and the point is that if you’re worried about your kiddo falling out of a traditional bed, they’re safe and comfy on or close to the floor.

The Sweetnight Memory Foam mattress hits everything we look for in a floor mattress. For starters, parents tend to opt for full-size mattresses (or larger) when doing a floor bed, because a twin doesn’t offer quite as much room to flop around. Additionally, parents look for firmer mattresses for floor beds, because you don’t have the support of a traditional bed frame or box spring. The Sweetnight mattress has a firm side that’s great for floor beds, and it flips over to a softer side if you choose to put it in a frame later. It’s not terribly expensive as far as adult-sized mattresses go, and the ability to flip it over allows for more longevity that helps increase the value, too.

Because it’s a memory foam mattress, it’ll be quiet even if your toddler tosses and turns at night, which is important if they’re above or near another sleeper.

The downsides are that it’s not waterproof, and it’s pretty heavy (51.3 pounds!) due to the multiple layers of foam. But because it will be on the floor, you won’t have to lift it much (or at all) to change sheets. And again, you can always pick up a waterproof cover.

For a highly-rated organic mattress, check out the Avocado Organic Crib Mattress is made with just a few materials, including GOTS-certified organic wool and cotton, with an interior of coconut husk fiber infused with Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certified organic latex. However, this mattress not only bears tons of certifications, but it also is beloved by parents for its longevity and comfort. The infant side is firm “but still soft,” according to one parent, while the other side is much softer and more plush. Parents report that of the many dual-sided crib mattresses, the toddler side on the Avocado mattress is surprisingly lush and comfortable, meaning your kid will love sleeping on it for as long as they fit on it, which will make the $440 price tag feel more worth it. Some parents say that they liked the feel so much for their toddlers, they bought a regular-sized Avocado mattress for themselves!

There are a few downsides, however. For one, this mattress is pricey. But because you can use it from the newborn stage through toddlerhood, it may be worth the investment. The other potential issue is the mattress’s weight: At 28 pounds, it’s heavier than most traditional dual-sided crib mattresses, and for constant sheet-changing, that can be tough. It’s also not waterproof, though the brand sells a waterproof cover for $69.

Choosing a mattress for a twin bed aka big kid bed? Look no further. This dual-sided hybrid of foam/innerspring is the ultimate crowd pleaser, especially if you’re shopping for a kid who’s too young to express comfort preferences. One side is designed for kids ages 3 to 7, and is firmer (particularly in the center), which Saatva says helps with spinal alignment for this age group. The other side, made for older kids, is cushier, but still has that extra padding in the center to help support growing spines.

Although this mattress expensive, you get a lot of bang for your buck: Not only do you get a two-sided mattress designed to last a decade or more, you also get a built-in water-resistant organic cotton cover (it’s not quite the same as waterproof, but it does protect against spills and accidents without needing to buy an additional layer, which is not the case for many twin mattresses). And, it offers the durability of an innerspring mattress with the comfort of foam, so it’s the best of both worlds.

Both sides are breathable — great for kids who run hot — and the mattress is treated with an antimicrobial finish that protects from mildew, bacteria and mold (further proof that this mattress really is built to last). Parents report easy delivery service, and that their kids are often instantly happier sleeping on this mattress after transitioning out of the crib.

If you’re looking to upgrade your toddler to a full-size mattress that will last them throughout adolescence, the Happsy mattress is an excellent choice that parents describe this as having "luxury quality" while being "very comfortable." It comes in both medium-firm and plush options, although it might be best to opt for the firmer one, as Harvey explains that erring on the side of firmness tends to be safer. You can also purchase a comfy mattress topper from them for when your child gets older.

If organic materials are important to you, you’ll be glad to hear that this Greenguard Gold-certified mattress is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool, GOLS-certified organic latex, and steel coils that are wrapped with fabric and assembled without glues or adhesives.

Although this pricey pick is not waterproof and it’s heavy, these are features that won’t matter down the line as your child grows up. So, it might be worth it to invest if you’re planning on using this mattress throughout childhood.

Any family that travels a lot or visits grandparents often may want to invest in an inflatable toddler bed. The Hiccapop travel bed is a convenient and comfortable option, including everything you need to inflate and deflate the bed. The mattress itself nestles inside an inflated bumper system that provides protection on all four sides for toddlers who toss and turn at night. Everything fits inside the included carrying case, too, which makes it easy to pack and travel with.

Parents also love that the mattress fits standard crib sheets and that you can hand-wash it (while it’s not billed as waterproof, it is vinyl, so it’s easy to wipe down). It’s also surprisingly comfortable, and with a weight limit of 310 pounds, parents can snuggle up next to their kids (and they say that it’s actually pretty nice to lie down on!).

Parents like that it’s easy to use — the inflation system plugs in and inflates or deflates the mattress automatically — but over time, some parents say they noticed a slow leaking of air. However, the mattress comes with a lifetime guarantee, and parents report that it’s honored if you have issues with yours.