How to Find the Mattress Topper Best For You

A mattress topper could be the fastest and easiest method of upgrading your sleeping surface. Memory foam, polyfoam and latex are the most well-known materials.

A memory foam topper is ideal for sagging mattresses or beds that have too high bounce. It is shaped to fit your body and provides support for back pain and pressure relief.

Comfort

If your mattress is too firm, a topper can make it feel plush. It can also provide more support, which can help alleviate back pain by adjusting to your body's shape. Memory foam toppers can ease pressure, while latex offers more bounce and breathability than polyurethane.

The firmness of a mattress will be determined by its material and weight, as well as your sleeping position, and personal preferences. A side sleeper may choose an option that is more soft, whereas stomach or back sleepers would prefer a medium-firm option. The thickness of a topper can impact the comfort. While thicker toppers might provide more cushioning, it's possible that they will not be able to conform to your mattress as well and create an uncomfortable sensation.

The top mattress covers for the majority of people are made of a strong soft material that is backed by a solid warranty. It must also be breathable and hypoallergenic, and free of harmful chemicals such as flame retardants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To keep a topper fresh and clean it is possible to machine washed.

Testers at GH evaluate toppers on the ease of use, temperature regulation and how it affects the feel of their current mattresses. We also want to know whether the topper remains in position, if it makes any noise, and how much more comfortable they sleep.

The Saatva topper is at the top of our ranking, has a customer rating of 4.4 (as of may 2023) and comes in a queen-sized. It's designed with a two-inch layer of open-cell foam that bounces that conforms to your body and adjust to motion, offering support while keeping cool.

Turmerry organic toppers are a more affordable option. They come in a soft and firm option, with a three-inch layer composed of natural materials that breathe. It's a great choice for people with sagging beds, innerspring mattresses with too high bounce or couples looking to lessen the impact of motion transfer.

Linenspa's GOTS-certified mattress topper is another popular option. It has a four-inch layer of breathable, temperature-regulating wool with a cotton cover and comes in a medium or firm option. The GOTS certification means the topper meets organic farming standards and is free of chemical dyes and synthetic materials.

Support

A mattress topper is an extremely thick layer that is placed on top of your existing mattress. It can be affixed to your mattress by elastic straps or a hem that is stretchy. Its thickness ranges from two to four inches. Mattress toppers are different from mattress protectors that are essentially covers purely designed to safeguard your mattress from allergens, spills and bed bugs.

The best mattress toppers can transform your sleep and help alleviate pains and aches that are caused by an old or less comfortable mattress. They can also improve a tempur mattress topper (you could try this out) that is uncomfortable or sagging with the right amount softness, support and temperature control.

There are a variety of mattress topper materials including memory foam, latex, down, and gel. If you want to improve your spinal alignment pick a memory foam mattress. It will provide cushioning and contour. A memory foam topper that is infused with gel will help reduce heat retention. This is a great option for those who suffer from night sweats and hot sleepers.

A memory foam topper can aid in maintaining your spine alignment by reducing the pressure on sensitive areas. A copper-infused topper can reduce swelling and inflammation and can aid in preventing pain from pressure point.

Cotton or wool toppers can help you sleep more comfortably and cooler. Wool is breathable, durable and moisture-wicking. It is also moldable. It is often mixed with down for extra comfort. This mattress topper from Parachute, for example, includes a mix of durable and resilient latex with temperature-regulating wool.

A down mattress topper is a great choice for those who like a soft feel. Find one that contains both down and feathers for an extravagant texture that wraps your body in softness. This Brooklyn Bedding topper is a good choice as it's available in a firm option for those who require extra support and resilience and plush for those who want softness that resembles a cloud. It comes with a five-year guarantee and a long trial period and free shipping.

Temperature Control

This topper is cooling and provides cushioning. It can be put on a memory-foam mattress. It's made of gel-infused memory foam that is ventilated by holes. This makes it breathable and helps to disperse the heat that you experience while you rest. It also comes with a bamboo cover that is soft, wicking and water-resistant that keeps you cool and comfortable as you relax.

It's available in a variety of thicknesses to fit your preferences and comes with a 10-year warranty. If you prefer a firmer feel this topper is available in a Luxury Firm option (similar to a medium or 7 out of 10). Both are made in the United States and include a 100-night trial.

Latex and foam mattress toppers are both breathable materials, which makes them good options for sleepers who are hot. However some memory foam and latex toppers can hold body heat which can make them uncomfortable for some. Be sure to look for ones with cooling elements like this one from Nolah. It is made with the company's signature foam as well as quilted covers with cooling fibers to keep you cool while you sleep. It also provides a zoned, padded support for your shoulders, head the torso, hips, and legs.

Another method to ensure you get a good night's rest is by using mattress protectors. The protectors slide over the bed and protect it from spills, tempur mattress topper allergens and other things. This one has a zip and is machine washable, making it easy to clean and remove.

If you like to sleep on your stomach or back you'll require a mattress topper that offers a lot of support. A mattress that is too firm could cause you to hunch over and cause back or neck pain. Softer foam and down or down-alternative toppers offer extra comfort. Strategist and contributing writer Lauren Levy slept on this one from Parachute and Tempur Mattress Topper claims to have woken up feeling "gently sandwiched between layers of marshmallow softness." It's also available in an organic cotton version that is hypoallergenic and has been certified as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Global Organic Textile Standards, Fair for Life and GreenGuard Gold.

Breathability

A mattress topper is an excellent way to improve the look of an old mattress without breaking the bank. However, with so many choices available, finding the right one for you could be difficult. The right topper will make a huge difference, whether your mattress is sagging, you are suffering from back pain or you are looking to decrease motion transfer between partners.

The material used to make a topper can affect its feel. It could also impact your back health. For instance, experts advise that side sleepers should use a soft-feeling topper, while stomach or back sleepers require a firmer option.

You can narrow your options by weighing other factors like thickness and breathability. Toppers with a higher thickness can be more expensive, but they provide more support. They are also generally more breathable because they have a greater surface area that allows air to circulate. Find models with baffle box construction. This prevents clumping, and keeps the filling evenly dispersed (a important benefit for comfort).

Gel-infused memory foam is made to keep people cool when they sleep. You may also want to consider a latex mattress, which is extremely durable and bouncy. If you're looking to avoid any chemicals, organic cotton or wool are good choices.

Although a caravan mattress topper topper doesn't have to be cleaned as often as your sheets, you should choose a model that is easy to clean and can hold up to repeated washings. Many of the models we tested have wide elastic straps to bind them to your mattress, making it easier to take them off and wash them. You'll need a mattress protector that will stay in place, particularly in the case of a mix sleeper and move throughout the night.

The Brooklyn Bedding gel swirl memory foam mattress topper is a CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold-certified option that is both durable and comfortable. It's a little pricier than other models on our list, but it has received excellent reviews from users and comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee.