Best Memory Foam Crib Mattress: Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress

Did you know that memory foam was invented by NASA?

Back in the 1960’s, NASA developed the process used to make memory foam as a way to make aircraft cushions safer. By the early 1990’s, memory foam debuted in mattresses . . . mostly famous in the “Tempur-Pedic mattress.”

For quite a while, memory foam mattresses were very pricey and that limited their use mainly to the adult market. In recent years, however, prices have come down and we are seeing memory foam creep into the crib mattress market.

Foam crib mattresses have been around for decades—these lightweight mattresses were always our favorite to recommend, since they are firm and affordable. It’s easier to change the sheets on a crib mattress at 2am with a lightweight foam mattress than a spring coil mattress, which can weigh two or three times that of foam.

Memory foam adds a new twist, as it can be shipped in a smaller box than regular foam crib mattresses. And of course, memory foam is famous for its overall comfort. Yes, crib mattresses for baby should be firm . . . and we made sure the recommended memory foam crib mattresses in this article are the appropriate firmness, by evaluating products first-hand.

For the best memory foam crib mattress, we recommend a reader favorite: Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress. It combines the best overall quality with a price that is easy on the wallet.

What We Liked

• Comfortable yet firm.

• No chemical smell when removed from packaging.

• Water resistant cover.

• Cover is removable and washable (hang dry only).

• Greenguard Gold.

• Weighs just 11 lbs.

What Needs Work

• Takes about 48 hours to expand. This is typical for memory foam crib mattresses . . . however, be sure to plan for this in case you need a mattress right away!

• Too firm for some toddlers? This is a single sided mattress—the firmness is the same on both sides. If you want a dual-sided mattress (firm for baby, less firm for toddler), consider this next pick.

Best Budget Friendly: Milliard Premium Memory Foam

This mattress has two sides: a firmer side for baby and a memory foam, cushier side for toddlers. We liked the overall quality, at a price that is easy on the wallet.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Quiet.

• Comfortable.

• Firm enough for baby; softer side for toddler.

• Weights just 13 lbs.

• Machine washable cover.

What Needs Work

• Cover could be more waterproof. If you have a baby with frequent diaper leaks, you may need an additional waterproof barrier (sold as crib mattress protectors) with this mattress.

Best Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress: Modera Organic Cotton Dual-Sided Crib Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are super comfortable and praised by parents for their ease of use—but they do have one flaw: memory foam can trap heat. And that can be an issue, as young infants aren’t efficient at regulating their own body temperature yet . . . you don’t want them to get too hot.

If you live in a warm climate and want a memory foam crib mattress, we’d recommend this pick: Modera’s organic cotton mattress. Very good quality and construction overall.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• No chemical smell.

• Dual use—firmer side for baby, softer for toddler.

• Cool foam technology prevents heat trap.

• Very quiet.

What Needs Work

• A bit pricey.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do hands-on testing—we buy the products with our own money and evaluate with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!