How to Find the Mattress Topper Best For You

A mattress topper is the quickest and most convenient way to improve your mattress. The most popular materials are memory foam, polyfoam and latex.

A memory foam top is perfect for mattresses that are sagging or with excessive bounce. It conforms to your body shape, providing the support you need for back pain and pressure relief.

Comfort

A mattress topper can soften mattresses that are too firm. It can also provide additional support that can reduce back pain. Memory foam toppers are a great way to relieve pressure, while latex has more bounce and breathability than polyurethane.

The firmness of a mattress can be determined by the material used, along with your weight, sleeping position and your personal preference. Side sleepers may prefer a softer option, while stomach or back sleepers would prefer a medium-firm choice. The thickness of a topper may affect comfort. While thicker toppers may provide more cushioning, it's possible that they won't be able to conform to your mattress and cause uncomfortable feelings.

The Best Mattress Topper mattress toppers for most people are made of a strong soft material that comes with a solid warranty. It should also be breathable and hypoallergenic and free of harmful chemicals like flame retardants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To keep the topper clean and fresh it is possible to machine washed.

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

The Saatva topper at the top of our list has a very high customer satisfaction rating of 4.4 out of 5 (as of May 2023) and is available in a queen size. It's made of a two-inch layer of open-cell foam that bounces that conforms to your body and respond to motion, offering support while keeping cool.

Turmerry organic toppers are a more affordable alternative. They are available in a firm and soft option and have a three-inch thickness made of natural materials that breathe. It's an excellent choice for those who have an unbalanced bed, innerspring mattresses that have too much bounce, or couples who wish to reduce the feeling 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 signifies that the topper is constructed from natural materials and is free of chemical dyes or synthetic chemicals.

Support

A mattress topper is an extra thick layer that sits on top of your existing bed. It can be affixed to your mattress by elastic straps or a hem with a stretchy fit. Its thickness ranges between two and four inches. Mattress toppers are different from thin mattress topper protectors that are essentially covers that are designed to protect your bed against allergens, spills, and bed bugs.

The best mattress toppers can improve your sleeping habits and help you alleviate pains and aches, including those result from an older or less comfortable mattress. They can also help improve a mattress that is uncomfortable or sagging by providing the right amount of support, softness and temperature control.

There are a variety of mattress topper materials including memory foam, latex, down, and gel. Choose a memory foam topper in case you're looking for the comfort of cushioning and a more rounded spinal alignment. A memory foam topper that is infused with gel can help decrease heat retention. This is a great option for those who suffer from night sweats and are hot sleepers.

A memory foam topper will help you maintain your spine's alignment by reducing the pressure on areas that are sensitive. If you have a sore back, a topper that is infused with copper may help to reduce inflammation and swelling, and can also help reduce pain caused by pressure points.

A topper made with natural fibers, such as wool or cotton, will aid in sleeping cooler and more comfortably. Wool is breathable, durable, moisture-wicking and easily moldable. It's frequently blended with other materials for added comfort, such as down. 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 option for those who want a luxurious feel. Find one that contains both down and feathers for an exquisite texture that wraps your body in a softness. This Brooklyn Bedding topper is a good choice as it is available in a firm option for those who need extra support and durability and plush for those who want softness that resembles a cloud. It comes with a five-year guarantee, a generous trial period and free shipping.

Temperature Control

If you have an memory foam mattress, you can increase your comfort level with this topper that is both cooling and padded. It features gel infused memory foam that is ventilated through holes that are specifically designed to make it breathable and helping dissipate heat while you sleep. It has bamboo-covered mattresses that are soft and wicks away moisture. This keeps you cool while you sleep.

This topper comes in different thicknesses based on your preference. It also comes with a 10-year guarantee. If you prefer a firmer feel this topper is available in a Luxury Firm version (similar to a medium or 7 out of 10). Both are manufactured in the USA and are backed by a 100-night sleep test.

Foam and latex are both breathable and make them a good choice for sleepers who are hot. However, some memory foam and latex toppers can trap body heat, which can be uncomfortable for some people. Be sure to look for ones with cooling elements, like this one from Nolah. It has cooling fibers in the quilted cover, and utilizes the company's trademark foam to keep you cool as you sleep. It also provides zoned support for head, shoulders and hips.

Another way to ensure a cool night's sleep is to use mattress protectors. They slide over the mattress and shield it from spills, allergens, bugs, dust mites and more. The one you choose to wash is machine-washable and has a zipper, making it easy to clean and to put on and remove.

Most people have a go-to sleeping position, and if prefer sleeping on your back or stomach, you'll want a topper with plenty of support. A mattress that is too firm might cause you to hunch over and may exacerbate back or neck pain. Softer foam and down or down-alternative topper options provide extra comfort. Strategist and contributing writer Lauren Levy slept on this one from Parachute and says she woke up feeling "gently wrapped between layers of marshmallow softness." It's also available in a natural cotton version, which is hypoallergenic and endorsed as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Global Organic Textile Standards, Fair for Life and GreenGuard Gold.

Breathability

A mattress topper is an excellent way to upgrade a worn out mattress without breaking the bank. Finding the perfect mattress topper can be difficult, especially with so many options available. The right mattress topper can make a huge difference in the quality of your mattress, whether it is getting sagging, or you are suffering from back pain, or you're looking to cut down on motion transfer between your partners.

The material used to make a topper can affect its feel. It can also affect your back health. For example, experts say those who sleep on their sides should use a soft-feeling topper, while stomach or back sleepers require a firmer option.

You can narrow down your choices by considering other factors like thickness and breathability. Although thicker toppers are more expensive, they offer more support. They are also more breathable because they have a greater surface area. You should look for models that have baffle box construction. This helps to prevent clumping and keeps the filling evenly distributed (a major benefit for comfort).

If you sleep hot, think about gel-infused memory foam that is designed to keep you cool as you sleep. You may also want to try a latex-based topper that is extremely tough and bouncy. If you're trying to avoid any chemicals, organic cotton or wool are great alternatives.

While a topper isn't likely to require washing as your sheets, it's still important to find one that is easy to clean and able to be able to withstand repeated washes. A lot of the models we looked at include wide elastic straps that secure them to your mattress, which makes it easy to remove them and wash them. You'll need a mattress topper that stays in place, particularly if you are a combination sleeper and move frequently during 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 some other models that we have reviewed, but it has a great rating from customers and comes with 90 days of money-back guarantee.