Newton Crib Mattress Review: Hands-on Testing

Your little one will sleep like a baby on the beautiful and functional Newton crib mattress!

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  By: Tali Ditye, Ph.D., Co-founder

  Updated: November 24, 2023

Mommyhood101 independently tests and curates baby gear to help you make informed decisions. If you buy products through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Sitting at the top of our annual reviews of the best crib mattresses, the Newton crib mattress brings innovation and convenience to an entirely new level!

We put the Newton crib mattress through our hands-on testing, evaluating comfort, off-gassing, durability, firmness, weight, crib fit, ease of use, breathability, and washability.

Our Review

Nobody wants to read through an entire article to get to the conclusions, you've got more important things to do! So here are our findings, right up front.

Spoiler alert, we are very impressed by the Newton crib mattress and were grateful to get a chance to test it out!

The Newton crib mattress represents serious innovation in the crib mattress market, which we think was sorely needed.

That said, it is definitely deserving of its top position on our list of the best crib mattresses of the year. Here is a summary of what we loved, and some things that could be improved.

✔️  Made in USA (Tennessee).
✔️  Highly breathable cover.
✔️  Highly breathable core.
✔️  Zip-off machine washable cover.
✔️  Washable core!
✔️  No polyurethane or foams.
✔️  No chemical flame retardants.
✔️  No vinyl or latex.
✔️  Flippable lightweight core.
✔️  No heavy metal springs.
✔️  Greenguard GOLD certified.
✔️  Wovenaire food-grade LDPE core.
✔️  No odors or off-gassing.
✔️  Ships completely flat.
✔️  Quality stitching and seams.
✔️  100% Recyclable core.
❌  Waterproof cover is extra.
❌  No dual-firmness.

A few notes regarding those two limitations.

First, it's basically impossible to make a fully waterproof mattress cover without using vinyl, plastics, non-breathable materials, or synthetic chemical coatings.

That being said, unlike other high-end options like the Avocado crib mattress, you don't need to worry about the core of the mattress getting wet or soiled. Why? Because it's completely washable! We'll get to that later.

If you're really concerned about the waterproofing aspect, Newton does offer a version that includes a waterproof cover.

For the second limitation, that it doesn't have dual-firmness, Newton found a way to make both sides the perfect firmness. In our testing, we found the surface firm enough for us to feel like we were achieving the Safe Sleep recommendations of the AAP, and comfortable enough to support toddler sleep.

Feel like a baby mattress expert now? You should! But if you're still uncertain, continue reading to see how we reached these conclusions! 

Some Quick Distinctions

Newton makes a few different crib mattresses.

The Original. First is the most common, and what we tested, called the Original crib mattress. This is a standard-size crib mattress with all the features and typically sells for about $299.

The Waterproof. Second is an upgrade to the Original, called the Waterproof crib mattress. You guessed it, this adds a waterproof barrier to the toddler side to help you keep your sanity during potty training. A bit more expensive, coming in at about $349.

The Essential. The third is called the Essential crib mattress. This is also a standard-size crib mattress, but it's not as thick or cozy as the Original. Instead of 5.5" thickness, it's only 4" thick, and the cover is thinner. But it's also the least expensive, coming in at about $249.

Mini Crib Option. They also make a mini crib mattress that has the same features as the Original, coming in at about $249.

First Impressions

To be 100% transparent, Newton sent us a sample mattress for testing (thank you, Newton Baby!).

That doesn't necessarily bias us; in fact, nearly half of what manufacturers send us does not make it onto our site due to quality concerns.

Shipping took about 3 days from order confirmation to arrival at our doorstep. 

The Newton mattresses are handmade in Tennessee, and the zip-off cover is made in China.

One of the things we love about Newton is the mattress does not come rolled up, it is shipped completely flat in a full-size box:

Shipping the mattress this way is much more expensive than it being rolled up, but we totally avoid the risk of a rolled-up mattress not expanding fully, or ending up with a lumpy, uneven surface.

The box isn't too big to handle, and it's actually surprisingly lightweight. The box has handles on the sides too, making it very easy to move around.

Unboxing the Newton Crib Mattress

We slid the mattress out of the box and it was very well sealed in plastic.

Peeking through the plastic cover, the quilted fabric cover looked comfortable and highly breathable (very porous).

Stepping back and looking at the mattress, it has a really nice modern design, crisp color, and symmetry.

Taking it out of the plastic wrap, there was absolutely no off-gassing odor, which is always a welcome surprise and not something we can say for many other crib mattresses. Our 11-year-old son is basically a super-sniffer, and he said it was surprisingly "not stinky" - so that's saying a lot!

The Mattress Label

Here is what the label says:

All new material consisting of Polyethylene Pad 100%. Cover: Polyester 84%, Viscose 16%

Reg. No. UT 3755 (TN)

Made for Newton Baby Inc., 295 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1112, New York, NY 10016

Finished Size: The standard size, at 28 in x 52 in, Net Weight Filling Materials: 9 lbs 12 oz.

Filling made in USA, Cover made in China, Filled and Finished in USA

What is Polyethylene? Polyethylene is a high-density food-grade plastic that is very strong and lightweight. It has various ideal properties for use in a crib mattress, given that it is resistant to mildew, mold, and insects, and is unlikely to crack or degrade over time. It is the same plastic commonly used in yogurt containers and milk jugs. If it's safe enough to eat and drink out of on a daily basis, we think it's definitely safe and durable enough to be down in the core of your mattress.

Two-Stage Firmness

The Newton crib mattress does not have dual-sided firmness, with one side being for infants and one for toddlers.

Instead, it uses what it calls two-stage firmness, which basically means it's an ideal firmness for both infant and toddler stages.

The heavier your child gets, the more the mattress will adapt to their size and shape. Starting as an infant, the mattress feels super firm, but as you add more weight onto it, it has a nice responsiveness that feels suitable for a toddler as well.

An advantage of a mattress without dual-firmness is the ability to flip it over without worrying about which side is up. One less thing to worry about during sheet and pad changes.

Compression Test

The Newton mattress shows a very nice compromise between being firmness suitable for an infant, and comfort suitable for a toddler.

We do a mattress compression test using an 8-pound dumbbell to measure how deep the mattress sinks. For an infant, it should sink between 0.5 to 2 cm deep, and for a toddler, it should be about 2-4 cm. These firmness levels are very typical to mattresses we test, and in line with recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

With the 8-pound dumbbell, the mattress sank down about 2 cm, placing it right in the sweet spot for firmness and comfort suitable for both infants and toddlers.

Pictures speak louder than words: 

Because most people are not aware of the AAP's Safe Sleep guidelines or think an infant mattress is too firm for their baby's comfort, we actually think it's good to have a mattress that's equally firm on both sides. Not too firm for comfort, but the perfect in-between firmness to keep things safe and comfy.

The only small point to make is that when you push down on the mattress, you can slightly hear and feel the webbed core underneath. 

The Wovenaire Core

This is such a cool concept that we had to take a picture of it. The core is made of a dense 3-dimensional web of polyethylene plastic. It looks pretty cool and is functionally superior to its foam competitors.

Here is a picture of the Wovenaire core:

One of the most appealing aspects of this mattress has to do with the core: it is completely washable! Not only is it 100% washable, but it's also 100% breathable.

You can zip off the cover and completely clean the core by spraying it down in the shower or outdoors with a hose.

Had an accident in the bed? Not a problem, throw the cover in the wash and spray down the core! That core is made of a plastic polymer, the same stuff used to make yogurt containers, and it is woven together in a way that looks like a bowl of spaghetti. Now you can see why the core is 90% air.

Here's a close-up of the Wovenaire core:

Cover & Core Breathability

If you saw us doing this test, you would think we were crazy! We literally mash our faces into the mattress and make sure we can breathe normally.

This is important because if your baby figures out how to roll onto their tummy (remember, back to sleep!), they might end up with their face up against the mattress cover.

The good news is that not only is the Newton mattress cover super breathable, so is the entire core. Honestly, it doesn't even feel like you're breathing through anything, it has nearly zero perceptible breathing resistance, which is pretty darn impressive! If only they made face masks for kids with that level of breathability!

Why do we care? Parents get a little anxious about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), and for good reasons. If your baby rolls onto his or her stomach during the night, with the Newton mattress their face will be up against a breathable surface.

This could possibly reduce the risk of SIDS or SUID if your baby figures out how to roll onto their tummy during sleep; even the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that a breathable mattress may be preferable to a non-breathable option. They don't explicitly recommend a breathable crib mattress, but there is definitely some implicit hint in that language. Even if there's no solid evidence that a breathable crib mattress can reduce the risk of SIDS/SUID, we think it's worth the peace of mind.

Second, the very highly breathable core on this mattress will definitely help keep it from getting too hot during the summer months. No more sweaty backs! 

As you might know, or remember from sleeping on foam fold-out couch mattresses as a kid, mattresses with a polyurethane foam core get notoriously hot and sweaty during warmer months, which can get very uncomfortable.

Another perk with this cover and core is how absolutely silent the Newton crib mattress is - no crinkly noises when your baby wiggles around.

Things to Feel Good About

We really love the Newton crib mattress and think it has a lot of things going for it that are relatively intangible.

Not only are you getting a fantastic crib mattress, but you can feel good about the way the materials were sourced and the mattress was manufactured. Here are some highlights to think about:

✔️  The core, the most important part of the mattress, is made in the USA.
✔️  Greenguard GOLD Certified for low VOC emissions.
✔️  100% recyclable core.
✔️  No foam, latex, springs, or glues.
✔️  Hypoallergenic.
✔️  No sheets or extra covers needed.
✔️  Company based in USA (NYC).

Also, the Newton doesn't use any chemical fire retardants - the polymer core contains salts that help it meet federal safety requirements. We hate extra chemicals, so so this makes us feel pretty good.

Waterproof Crib Mattress Cover?

Unlike many other crib mattresses, the regular Original Newton does not include a waterproof cover.

Why? Likely for a few reasons. First, it's basically impossible to make a highly breathable and waterproof cover, since waterproofing usually involves vinyl or other plastic films. Second, the only other way to achieve a truly waterproof cover without a plastic (non-breathable) film is by using harsh spray-on chemical coatings. 

Second, a crib mattress for infants should definitely prioritize breathability over waterproofing. Once you get into the toddler years and start overnight potty training, you might want to consider a waterproof cover. At that point, breathability isn't quite as important.

Newton does offer a version of this mattress with a waterproof cover that does exactly that: there is a highly breathable and non-waterproof infant side, and a waterproof toddler side. The Newton mattress with a waterproof cover will set you back an additional 50 bucks.

We highly recommend splurging for the one-sided waterproof cover, and here is how we would use it: when you have a newborn or infant, place the breathable side up and the waterproof side down. This will keep the surface breathable while also stopping any bed-wetting from leaking through all the way down to the floor of your nursery (gravity!). It's counter-intuitive but works brilliantly! When an accident happens, simply remove and wash the cover and spray down the core.

Then, once your child can pull to stand on their own and breathability isn't as important, put the waterproof surface on the top to stop messes from getting into the core. Of course, you can always clean the core, but this will save you some time.

Price Comparison

The Newton crib mattress is expensive, coming in at about $300 for the Original version. There is a less expensive version for $250, but it's also only 4" thick.

The most expensive Newton crib mattress includes the waterproof cover, as we mentioned above - but it comes in at a whopping $350.

Note that the Newton does go on sale a couple of times a year (usually around Black Friday and mid-summer), so be sure to keep checking the Newton website for deals.

Another small point: If the $350 price point suits your budget, you might also consider some of the high-end competitors to Newton, such as the Avocado crib mattress and Naturepedic organic crib mattress. Neither the Avocado or Naturepedic has the washable and breathable core, but they are definitely excellent options.

Conclusions

We were very excited to get our hands on the Newton crib mattress for a new review! We tested it about 3 years ago and it has definitely improved in core support and overall quality.

The beauty of the Newton is the innovative design. No other mattress allows you to zip off the cover and wash the entire core. If you think about the reasons why you throw away an old mattress - stains, tears, smells, cracking vinyl cover, and indentation - you'll come to the realization that the Newton should last for many years to come. The one we tested 3 years ago is still being used by a family on their fourth baby, still going strong!

Newton recommends not using any additional sheets or covers for the first year, maximizing breathability for your baby. However, we will point out that many parents find the zip-off cover not quite soft or smooth enough for direct face contact, and end up using a thin cotton sheet. We agree that this is probably a good idea in most cases.

There are so many competitors in the high-end crib mattress market - Newton, Avocado, Naturepedic, Organic Dream, and more. All of these crib mattresses are just about $300, but offer very different features and versatility. We think the Newton edges out most of these other mattresses for its innovative washable core, unparalleled breathability, and high build quality. 

No, it's not as comfortable as the Avocado (see our reviews of the Avocado crib mattress here), and it doesn't have an organic cover like the Organic Dream mattress or dual-firmness like most of the others. But what it does have is peace of mind that your baby is sleeping safely and comfortably and that when accidents do happen (and they will!) the mattress can be completely cleaned, and it's not a hassle at all.

Is the Newton Crib Mattress worth $299? Absolutely. We've been reviewing crib mattresses for over 10 years and we've seen dozens of them come and go. The Newton is here to stay, and its overall quality, safety, and versatility make it a no-brainer at this price point!

References Cited

Greenguard GOLD Certification

What is Polyethylene?

AAP Safe Sleep Recommendations