REASONS TO BUY
Washable core
Food-grade polymer
Lighter
Fits in most cribs
REASONS TO AVOID
No natural materials
Not dual-sided
Newton Original Review
A uniquely washable mattress made with a recyclable food-grade polyethylene core
Credit: Matt Lighthart
RELATED: The Best Crib Mattress
Our Verdict
The Newton Original is an innovative mattress with a spun foam-grade polymer core that creates what the company calls a “breathable” pad that is washable in the tub or shower. This one-of-a-kind option is fairly lightweight at just over 13 lbs, and it fits in our test cribs, making it a potential contender if you worry about changing sheets or lifting heavier mattresses with innerspring or natural materials like latex. We love that this mattress can be washed, making waterproofing optional. However, it is on the spendier side for a mattress using man-made materials. However, the lack of polyurethane foam still helps it rank higher than many other non-natural choices. If your goal is a natural mattress, this isn't the one for you. However, if you want a lighter-weight mattress that is easy to clean and doesn't use polyurethane foam, then the Newton could be a perfect fit.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Newton Original | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Washable Crib Mattress |  Best Overall Crib Mattress | High-Quality Innerspring Crib Mattress |  Best Bang for the Crib Mattress Buck | |
| Price | $300 List $299.99 at Amazon | $289 List | $330 List Check Price at Amazon | $200 List $199.00 at Amazon | $90 List $89.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A unique mattress that can be washed in the shower and fits in most cribs | A nice quality mattress with healthier materials, but the weight and price could be prohibitive for some | Better quality option with innerspring and organic components, but the heft and price tag could make it a no-go depending on your goals | A polyester core mattress that is firm and lightweight with no polyurethane foam and a lower price | Polyurethane foam and a soft feel with rounded edges create a mattress we don't love |
| Rating Categories | Newton Original | My Green Emily Natural | Naturepedic Organic... | Babyletto Pure Core... | Graco Premium Foam |
| Materials (50%) | |||||
| Sheet Changing (30%) | |||||
| Crib Fit (20%) | |||||
| Specifications | Newton Original | My Green Emily Natural | Naturepedic Organic... | Babyletto Pure Core... | Graco Premium Foam |
| Weight | 13.8 lb | 19.4 lb | 21.1 lb | 12.0 lb | 8.8 lb |
| Height | 5.5 in | 6.1 in | 6.8 in | 5.0 in | 4.4 in |
| Length | 52.3 in | 52.4 in | 52.3 in | 52.4 in | 52.8 in |
| Width | 28.4 in | 28.0 in | 28.1 in | 28.4 in | 29.0 in |
| Mattress Tag Materials | Polyethylene pad 74% Polyester fiber pad 16% Blended fiber felt 10% (Rayon 80% Polyester 20%) Cover: Polyester Fiber Pad 100% |
Coconut Pad 80% Wool Batting 20% |
Fabric: GOTS certified organic cotton; Non-GMO Fill: GOTS certified organic cotton; Non-GMO PLA: from food-grade sugarcane; Non-GMO Support: food-grade polyethylene; Non-GMO Waterproofing: food-grade polyethylene from sugarcane; Non-GMO Innerspring: 150 coil count Secondary tag: All new material consisting of staple cotton batting 61% PLA - Polylactide batting 28% Polyethylene foam pad 11% |
Cover Top: 100% Organic staple cotton Cover batting: 100% Modacrylic Cover bottom: 100% Organic staple cotton Waterproof layer: 100% Polyethylene Core: 100% Polyester |
100% Polyurethane Foam Pad |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Michael Rothbard founded Newton after he experienced sleep issues with his baby and himself after becoming a father. He set out to create a better and safer sleep surface. He went on to create the innovative Wovenaire mattress that is washable and “breathable.”
Practice Safe Sleep
While the Newton is marketed as a breathable mattress, we still recommend and stress the importance of practicing safe sleeping guidelines each and every sleep, including (but not limited to) always placing baby on their back to sleep, having nothing in the crib but the mattress and a fitted sheet.
While the Newton is marketed as a breathable mattress, we still recommend and stress the importance of practicing safe sleeping guidelines each and every sleep, including (but not limited to) always placing baby on their back to sleep, having nothing in the crib but the mattress and a fitted sheet.
The Newton uses man-made materials to create a mattress that resembles ramen nuddles and is completely washable in the shower or tub.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Materials
While Newton uses all man-made materials, it does not use off-gassing materials like polyurethane foam. Thanks to transparency and innovative materials, it earned a fairly high score in this metric.
The Newton mattress body is made from a “food-grade polymer,” per the manufacturer, the same material you'd find in a yogurt cup.
The 3D cloud cover is 100% polyester, and the inner encasement is viscose derived from cellulose or wood pulp. These materials are inherently flame retardant, so no chemical flame retardants are used in the making of the Newton.
The Newton has two layers of covers and an inner polyester mattress pad they call a “food grade polymer.”
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Newton mattress tag lists:
- Polyethylene pad 74%
- Polyester fiber pad 16%
- Blended fiber felt 10% (Rayon 80% Polyester 20%)
- Cover: Polyester Fiber Pad 100%
The Newton is lightweight, making lifting the mattress easier for sheet changes.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Sheet Changing
Sheet changing for the Newton is about average, with a score that makes it neither difficult nor ultra-easy.
The overall weight of a mattress can significantly affect the ability to change its sheets without a struggle. If you've had a c-section or have other challenges, you might have restrictions on how much you are allowed to lift. The Newton weighs 13.8 lbs. This weight is on the lighter side compared to natural mattresses, but it is heavier in the synthetic materials group.
The Newton Original has a cover that is machine washable and a pad that can be cleaned in the shower, making waterproofing optional.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
As your platform moves deeper into the crib, as it will when your baby gets more mobile and prone to escaping, lifting a heavy mattress becomes more challenging. The Newton comes with a zip-off cover you can easily remove for washing.
Compared to mattresses that weigh over 19 lbs, this mattress is easier, but its size means it could be harder to lift if your crib is smaller, with little to no gap between the mattress and the slats.
The Newton was somewhat wider than the average mattress but still fit well in our test cribs.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Crib Fit
The Newton earned a higher score for crib fit than most. While not at the top of the heap, it is respectable and fits in all of our test cribs with 0-1 finger width of a gap on the sides.
While not the largest in the group, it is somewhat wider and longer than the average option. While it fits in even our smallest test crib, we recommend trying it with your chosen crib while still in the return window in case the fit isn't safe or makes changing sheets a challenge.
The goal is a small gap that allows you to lift the mattress, but not more than two fingers width wide, as this could be unsafe. If it is too snug, lifting the mattress will be a chore.
The Newton is a firm and stable mattress.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the Newton Original?
The Newton is a unique, washable mattress that looks kind of like ramen noodles before you cook them. This cool mattress is relatively lightweight, fits most cribs well, and is easy to change the sheets on thanks to its lighter weight. It uses polyester, polyethylene, and rayon in different capacities to create its final product. It is a great choice for those who want something lightweight, innovative, easy to keep clean, and easy to change sheets.
What Other Crib Mattresses Should You Consider?
The Newton doesn't include natural materials, so if that is important to you, it might be best to look elsewhere. The My Green Mattress Emily Natural is a more natural choice that has an innerspring core and uses wool and coconut to complete the design. It is about 6 lbs more than the Newton but still relatively lightweight for a more natural option. If you are okay with man-made materials but your budget is smaller, the Babyletto Pure Core with Dry Waterproof Cover is lightweight, uses polyester batting, and has a polyethylene waterproof layer to help keep things clean. It has a lower price than both the Newton and My Green Mattress.
Manufacturer Video
—Wendy Schmitz
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