Guide to Choosing the Best Mattress Topper
Getting a new mattress isn’t the only way to transform your sleep experience. Rather than making such a big investment, why not consider a mattress topper to improve your sleep?
A mattress topper is a simple way to adjust the comfort and support of your bed. Think of it as an additional top layer to your mattress: simply lay the topper between your mattress and a fitted sheet to experience renewed, luxurious comfort.
A few reasons to consider purchasing a mattress topper include:
- Your mattress provides inadequate support
- It’s too firm or too soft
- You want to experience luxury hotel-level comfort
- Your mattress is lumpy, or you can feel the springs through the surface
- To make your mattress seasonally adaptable
- You want an extra layer of protection to keep your mattress fresh, clean, and healthy
If you meet one or more of these descriptions, a mattress topper could be a game-changing addition to your sleep environment. Use this guide to learn more about this luxurious sleep accessory and discover the best mattress topper for you.
Mattress Topper Vs. Mattress Pad
Mattress toppers and mattress pads are commonly confused, and understandably so. Both go on top of mattresses to adjust comfort. Both are also equipped with straps or a fitted skirt to keep them in place. However, what each of these accessories offers sleepers is quite different.
Mattress Pad
A mattress pad is a thin piece of material that goes on top of a mattress to adjust firmness. It is just thick enough to lightly soften up a firm mattress—usually no thicker than one inch. Mattress pads tend to be made of soft fabric, like cotton or polyester, and they can be easily washed in a washing machine.
A mattress pad is a good option if your mattress offers good support, but you would like it to be a little softer. It’s also great for sweaty sleepers worried about staining their mattress. This additional washable layer helps prevent stains and keep your mattress fresh and hygienic.
Mattress Topper
A mattress topper, on the other hand, does much more than simply increase softness. It can make your bed either firmer or softer, provide additional support and feels luxurious. Sometimes called a bed topper, a mattress topper is usually between one and two inches thick and made of the same materials you might find in a mattress. Unlike mattress pads, toppers are not typically washable.
You can use a mattress topper year-round or as-needed to transform the comfort and support of your bed. Add a topper to your mattress in the winter to make it an extra cozy refuge from cold weather. Or use it while coping with body aches or injuries to offer a softer, more cradling space to heal.
Types of Mattress Toppers
Bed toppers are made of the same variety of materials you can find in a mattress. Each is designed to tackle different sleep needs, including temperature regulation and pressure relief, among others. There are also a number of eco-friendly options, including sustainable and organic mattress toppers.
Recommended Mattress Toppers
These are some of our most recommended mattress toppers:
Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Memory foam, or viscoelastic foam, is a heat-reactive material that adapts to your body weight, shape, and temperature. It offers cradling comfort, good support, and pressure relief. A memory foam mattress topper conforms to the contours of your body to make sure you get more support in all the places you need it.
You might want to choose a memory foam mattress topper if you have a firm mattress and need extra pressure relief. It’s also a good option for side sleepers and anyone who likes to “sink into” their bed.
- Our pick: Saatva offers three types of luxurious mattress toppers, one of which is made of high-density contouring memory foam infused with graphite.
Latex Mattress Topper
Latex is a natural material made from the sap of rubber trees. It is highly durable, antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and good at circulating air. Latex mattress toppers are usually natural and organic, featuring other healthy fibers, such as organic cotton or wool.
A latex variety is the best mattress topper for anyone who is Earth-conscious and prefers products that are natural and sustainable. It is also a good option for hot sleepers and those that prefer foam-like support.
- Our pick: Latex for Less specializes in latex mattresses, and they’ve also created a latex topper. The cushiony Dunlop latex topper is available in two thickness levels and your choice of soft, medium, or medium-firm feel.
Gel Mattress Topper
A gel mattress topper is good for people who struggle from sleeping hot. Gel toppers are made of cooling gel-infused foam that offers the comfort and support of foam but with enhanced cooling abilities.
You should choose a gel mattress topper if you like the way memory foam feels, but don’t like how hot it makes you.
- Our pick: Check out Plushbeds since they offer a Cool Bliss Gel Memory Foam Topper that they report keeps you 30% cooler than traditional memory foam.
Cotton & Polyester Mattress Toppers
These are the thinnest types of mattress toppers and the closest to mattress pads. Some benefits of these types of bed toppers are that they are easy to wash, very soft, and create an extra barrier against dust and allergens. While they offer additional comfort, cotton and polyester mattress toppers provide little additional support. Only choose mattress toppers like these if support is not a priority.
- Our pick: The Puffy mattress topper is made of an Oeko-Tex-certified polyester and bamboo blend. It comes in two firmness levels to meet your preferences and comes with a fitted skirt that helps keep it in place.
Wool Mattress Topper
Most people know that wool keeps you warm when it’s cold, but did you know it also keeps you cool when it’s hot? Wool is a natural heat regulator, making it a great option for a mattress topper. An added bonus of organic wool is that it is naturally hypoallergenic. We recommend a wool mattress topper for those who love soft comfort and want to guarantee consistent heat regulation.
- Our pick: Avocado has designed a mattress topper made of soft and fluffy alpaca wool, resulting in a plush feeling for your bed. Alpaca wool is lightweight and yet warm enough to keep your comfortable in the winter too.
Feather/Down Mattress Topper
This is another variety of soft mattress topper in which feathers or down provide light and airy comfort and heat regulation. Like wool, it helps you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
If you want to feel like you are sleeping on a cloud, this is the best mattress topper for you. Feather toppers are also great for those who sleep hot and people who prefer natural materials.
What Sizes do Mattress Toppers Come In?
You should choose a mattress topper that matches the surface area of your mattress. Mattress toppers come in all the standard mattress sizes, including:
- Twin – 39 x 75 inches
- Twin XL – 39 x 80 inches
- Full – 54 x 75 inches
- Queen – 60 x 80 inches
- King – 76 x 80 inches
- Cal King – 72 x 84 inches
For Split King beds, choose two twin XL-sized mattress toppers.
Choosing a Mattress Topper with the Right Amount of Support
A common reason that people invest in mattress toppers is that their mattresses don’t offer the correct amount of support. Purchasing a mattress topper is an affordable alternative to purchasing a new mattress altogether.
While some materials naturally offer better support than others, many brands manipulate these materials to create a variety of comfort and support options for customers. Often, brands offer their mattress toppers in a variety of firmness levels so that you can reap all the benefits of the material with the comfort level you prefer.
Here is a simple guide to picking the right firmness level:
- Soft – A soft mattress topper is best for lightweight people and side sleepers.
- Medium – A medium firmness mattress topper is best for combination sleepers, back sleepers, and light to heavyweight people. It is, by far, the most versatile and also the most popular.
- Firm – A firm mattress topper is best for stomach sleepers and heavyweight people.
Ultimately the best mattress topper is one that balances your preferences and your needs.
Is It Time For You To Get a Mattress Topper?
If you are not ready to invest in a new mattress, a mattress topper is the next best thing. It’s a great way to boost the comfort of a mattress that no longer fits your needs. Getting the right amount of support and comfort is as simple as adding an extra layer on top of your mattress.
Browse the featured brands on our site to see the different options out there and find the best mattress topper for you.