A comfortable mattress is key to a good night’s sleep, but buying a new one can be pricey and inconvenient. The good news is that a mattress topper can be an easy fix to make your bed much more comfortable to sleep on. It’s also ideal for situations when you’re not at home (like in a college dorm or a care facility) because it’s easier to transport than a mattress. The right mattress topper can give you pillow-like softness if your bed is too hard, or add firmness if you need more support. There are even cooling options if your mattress gives you night sweats and ones with pressure-relieving memory foam for people with back pain.
The bedding experts in the Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute researched dozens of mattress toppers to find the best ones on the market. We reviewed each one’s features and benefits, then narrowed down the picks to brands that have performed well in our mattress evaluations and popular toppers with unique features and rave reviews from users.
1.eLuxurySupply
Although it’s not quite in the same league as the Comfort Boost, I had some pleasant nights sleeping on the eLuxurySupply mattress topper. Even though the thread count is just 160, it has a nice softness. This topper is supposedly filled with custom fibers that mimic the feel of goose and duck down — but without the feathers poking out and the potential allergies. The eLuxurySupply certainly feels fluffy, although I can’t comment on how similar it really is to goose or duck down. Although the eLuxurySupply is comfortable enough, it’s not quite as pillowy as I was expecting — but I think I was spoiled after sleeping on the Comfort Boost!
Similar to the Comfort Boost, the eLuxurySupply also has a deep pocket to secure the topper to the bed. This is preferable to the corner straps that many toppers use, and it’s nice to have a topper that suits various mattress sizes. The eLuxurySupply has box-style stitching on the top that distributes the filling uniformly, and it creates a tasteful appearance, too.
The cooling capabilities of the eLuxurySupply are still up for debate. The bamboo rayon cover is supposed to be breathable and pull heat away from the sleeper’s body. I felt good enough through the night, but my husband — a typically hot sleeper — said that he felt like the heat was trapped around his body. This seems to vary depending on the person, but it’s definitely something to think about if you tend to get hot at night, as well.
The eLuxurySupply has a hypoallergenic cover and it’s washable, although this must be done carefully. The care instructions suggest using a washing machine without an agitator, so it might just be easier to take the topper to a laundromat.
2.Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Topper
The Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Topper is the best mattress topper for people who want foam cushioning but don’t like the characteristic sinking sensation of memory foam. Latex has a texture similar to memory foam, but it’s springier, so your body will rest on the surface without sinking in. Many latex toppers are expensive, but the Sleep on Latex is the most-affordable, well-reviewed option we found. It’s available in three thicknesses and three densities: soft, medium, and firm–offering more levels of customization than any other topper we considered. Similar to the Tempur-Pedic, you can also buy a separate washable encasement for this topper, making it easier to keep clean over time.
3.DreamFoam 2″ Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper
While it’s not the most expensive mattress topper on our list, the Dreamfoam Bedding 2″ Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper is a great choice for most types of sleepers. This product is made from gel memory foam, which provides several unique benefits to help you get a good night’s rest.
This 2-inch mattress topper is made from gel-swirl memory foam, which provides ultimate pressure point relief by contouring to your body. Additionally, the gel infusion increases air circulation through the material, drawing heat away from your body to help regulate your temperature throughout the night. As an added bonus, this product is made in the USA and is manufactured without any harmful chemicals.
This mattress topper can help reduce various aches and pains and it’s incredibly comfortable. Plus, it works well in a variety of sleeping positions and does not have the unpleasant “off-gassing” scent that many memory foam products do.
4.Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Looking for one of the highest-rated mattress toppers around? This mattress topper from Lucid may well be the way to go. With an average of 4.3 stars on Amazon, thousands of people have pulled the trigger on this topper and had a much better night’s sleep.
With four inches of high-quality gel memory foam and a ventilated design, this option from Lucid is built to keep you nice and cool during the night. Thanks to the memory foam, the topper will evenly distribute your weight and help alleviate any pressure points while you sleep. And the gel will make for better airflow and breathability during the night.
5.Leesa
With this mattress topper by Leesa, it’s all about the bounce. And if you toss and turn throughout the night, you need a topper that responds to your movements instantaneously. Most foam pads bounce back slowly, but not with the Leesa. Made from a unique, proprietary foam, the topper rebounds and springs back as soon as you let it go. With the perfect amount of bounce combined with a high level of responsiveness, this pad is a standout and game-changer for combination sleepers.
Leesa’s product is a medium-firm topper, which means that it’s a great solution for someone whose bed is just a little too soft or a little too firm. The high-quality foam on the Leesa topper also keeps you cool by supporting air flow, and it comes with the same cover as their original mattress, which is breathable and lightweight. If all of this isn’t enough, it’s super simple to wash: Just unzip it and throw it in the machine.
6.Sleep Innovations 4-Inch Dual Layer Memory Foam Mattress Topper
By the design of the Sleep Innovations Dual Layer Mattress Topper, it’s clear the manufacturers take quality comfort seriously. Constructed of two different layers, this topper combines the pressure support of memory foam and the softness of fiberfill.
The durable base of this product is made of 2-inch memory foam, infused with cooling gel, to ensure that you get the support you need to relieve painful pressure points in your body.
The top layer is fiber-filled and quilted to ensure softness. Sink into the top layer and have a great night’s sleep. The two layers together can transform even the firmest bed into a soft, comfortable space.
7.Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper
The Select High Density Mattress Topper from Viscosoft is constructed with ventilated, gel-infused memory foam housed in a rayon made from bamboo cover. These breathable materials regulate the sleeper’s body temperature, allowing them to sleep very cool.
The foam also conforms closely and consistently to alleviate pain and pressure points without sinking or excessive body-hugging. It has a 3″ profile and a balanced, ‘Medium’ feel, making it a great choice for those who weigh 230 pounds or less.
Like other memory foam toppers, the Viscosoft model isolates and eliminates motion transfer; it is also virtually silent when bearing weight. These characteristics make it ideal for couples who awaken easily due to movement or noise during the night.
Despite its exceptional performance, the Select High Density Mattress Topper has a lower-than-average price-point compared to similar toppers from other brands; all six sizes are available for less than $180. Viscosoft offers free shipping within the contiguous U.S.; the topper is backed by a 60-night sleep trial with free returns and exchanges, along with a three-year warranty.
8.Tempur-Pedic Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper
Tempur-Pedic’s responsive memory foam has made the brand a favorite for mattresses and pillows, and Sarah Riccio, a senior writer at Sleepopolis, says this topper is “ideal for memory-foam fans.” She likes that it’s “exceptionally moldable and offers full-body pressure relief for sleepers of all styles.” With a 10-year warranty, it’s likely to last a long time too.
9.ExceptionalSheets Pillowtop Mattress Topper
At first, the ExceptionalSheets mattress topper was a nice enough addition to our bedding. It’s quite similar to the eLuxurySupply mattress topper — they have the same thread count, the same custom filling that resembles goose and duck down, and same deep pocket fitted skirt. Likewise, the ExceptionalSheets is also hypoallergenic and has box-style stitching to keep the filling evenly distributed. In my experience, however, most of the filling is concentrated towards the center of this mattress topper, rather than along the edges. It wasn’t ideal to have a bulge of filling in the center, while the margins stayed relatively flat.
Although the material on top of the ExceptionalSheets is slightly different from the top layer of the eLuxurySupply, it seems to be just as hot. Even I noticed that our bed seemed significantly warmer while using this topper, and I don’t tend to get hot very easily. The ExceptionalSheets is machine washable, though, so at least it can be cleaned easily enough!
Despite the fitted skirt style that is supposed to secure the mattress topper to the bed, the ExceptionalSheets needed daily readjusting. More significantly, I could feel the top layer of fabric bunching up underneath me. Admittedly, I toss and turn a lot in my sleep, but I had expected this topper to stay put, regardless of how much I move around during the night.
10.LINENSPA 2 Inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
If you are looking for an easy and affordable way to make your too-firm mattress more comfortable, the Linenspa 2″ gel memory foam topper is a great choice.
The topper doesn’t turn your mattress into a mushy swamp. For one, it has a low 2″ profile, meaning you won’t sink deep into it. Two, it has a medium comfort feel – not too soft and not too firm.
This makes Linenspa the best choice for most types of sleepers. Whether you sleep on your back or side, the memory foam topper reduces pressure points under your back, shoulders, and hips.
The Linenspa topper can also help if you have back, hip, or shoulder pain by cushioning the aching areas.
The topper is infused with a cooling gel that draws heat away from your body. This reduces the heating effect that memory foam is notorious for.
The Linenspa topper is available in all standard sizes and comes with a 3-year warranty.
BEST MATTRESS TOPPERS
Sleep experts recommend eight hours of sleep each night. However, if you’re not getting quality sleep, you can wake up feeling even worse than when you went to bed. But it might not be a new bed that you need, just a mattress topper. The right mattress topper can change your entire outlook on life by allowing you to enjoy the restful sleep you deserve.
Mattress toppers are manufactured using a number of different materials. You will be happiest with the one that adequately absorbs your partner’s movements, is sufficiently firm, and doesn’t retain too much heat for your comfort level. You also want a material that doesn’t trigger allergic reactions and has a washable cover.
This article will provide an in-depth understanding of the differences between various mattress toppers so you can purchase the one that is best for your sleep needs.Get emails you’ll love.Learn about the products you’re wondering if you should buy and get advice on using your latest purchases.Sign up
If you find yourself suffering from back pain in the mornings, it could be that your mattress isn’t offering enough support — a supportive mattress topper might fix the problem.
If you’re ready to purchase your own mattress topper, check out our recommended models. Or, read on for our full guide to mattress toppers and how to find the perfect one to fit your requirements.“You may need to buy deeper sheets for your bed to accommodate the size of your new mattress topper.”STAFFBestReviews
TYPES OF MATTRESS TOPPERS
First, you’ll need to decide which type (or types) of mattress topper would suit you best. Mattress toppers are usually sorted into categories defined by material. These are the most common varieties available.
Egg crate foam
Mattress toppers made from egg crate foam are extremely light and roll up small, great for taking on trips. Not as dense as other foams, so less durable and supportive.
TESTING MATTRESS TOPPERSAfter spending nearly 38 hours researching 67 mattress toppers we purchased our top pick and tested it in the BestReviews lab for comfort and durability.STAFFBestReviews
Memory foam
Contours to your body, so it’s very comfortable, and many people find it reduces back pain. It’s not ideal for those who often feel too warm at night, as it “sleeps hot.”
Gel
Gel mattress toppers are made from gel-infused foam. They should be as comfortable as memory foam, but much cooler to sleep on. The main drawback is that they can be quite costly.
Latex
Another cooler alternative to memory foam, latex provides good comfort and support. May be made from natural or synthetic rubber.
Polyester and cotton
These materials have a similar feeling to down, but are more allergy-friendly. You might find polyester or cotton alone, or a blend of the two.
Down or feather
Feels soft, but not very supportive; more like sleeping on a thick comforter than a regular mattress. Not suitable for allergy sufferers or many asthmatics, as they have breathing trouble due to the feathers.
