How It Attaches To The Bed
Be sure to examine your choice carefully before deciding which attachment method is best.
The vast majority of mattress pads incorporate some kind of stretch fabric that fits around the bed much like a fitted sheet. These choices either contain elastic in the hem of the skirt or incorporate a stretch fabric on the side panels that wrap around the corners of your bed.
Some pads completely encase the mattress, guaranteeing that the entirety of the surface is covered and cannot come loose. Other mattress pads may include elastic straps that button or are sewn onto the pads cover to fit around the corner of the mattress. This more minimalist approach is usually more adjustable than fitted pads for beds of varying heights.
Finding a pad that fits your bed exactly is ideal for several reasons. Firstly, a pad that is too tight or too big will slip off the corner and force your sheet to come loose when you move around in bed. Secondly, an overly large cover may bunch up in spots underneath your sheet and create uncomfortable pressure points.
How Thick Should A Mattress Topper Be
Mattress toppers can range in thickness greatly, from just an inch or two to eight inches or more. However, a happy medium for most is around four inches, and those under two inches should probably be avoided.
A thin topper is unlikely to actually provide much extra support or cushioning, and in use you’re likely to ‘bottom out’, meaning your pressure points won’t really be feeling any difference compared to your mattress alone.
Those that are too thick, however , will have you sinking deeply into the topper. While some might enjoy this, it can prove problematic when it comes to moving around in bed. You might find yourself feeling a little trapped, and if it doesn’t spring back into shape immediately you could also struggle to get comfy when you change position.
While it all depends on your preference and what material you’ve chosen, we think between two to four inches is the best for a mattress topper.
What Is A Mattress Topper
A mattress topper is an extra layer of material that you can add to your bed to make your sleeping experience more supportive and comfortable. Mattress toppers are not meant to replace an old mattress, but can be used to make a mattress more comfortable. Theyre made of a variety of materials, such as latex, cotton, memory foam and down, and they all serve different purposes: Some are cooling, others keep the bed warm some can help to firm up a sagging mattress and others add plushness to a too-firm bed.
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Can You Put A Mattress Topper Over A Pillow Top Mattress
You certainly can! The name of the game is softening your mattress after all. And many of the toppers on this list will attach with elastic straps or a skirt.However, some brands, such as Brooklinen, make a point to mention that its topper will perform the best if youre putting over a mattress that doesnt already have a pillow top.
Should You Buy A New Mattress Or A Mattress Topper
Mattresses should last 8 to 10 years. If you’ve had an uncomfortable bed for less than that, a mattress topper can reintroduce comfort to your sleep. If your bed is older than 10 years, look for a replacement.
You need a new mattress when it starts to sag and provide less support. First, check your mattress’s warranty. Most warranties cover your bed for at least 10 years â some last for a lifetime. If the warranty still covers your mattress, you could get a replacement or repair for free or a nominal fee.
If your mattress has reached the end of its life and you can’t afford to replace it, a mattress topper is a good stopgap, helping you squeeze an extra year or two out of your mattress.
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How We Test Mattress Toppers
Our bedding experts use their extensive backgrounds in testing bedding to review materials and features for each topper. Next, we call in samples for at-home sleep testers to try out on their own beds. After sleeping on the toppers for several weeks, each tester fills out a survey to provide in-depth feedback. Our analysts follow up with testers annually to check how the mattress toppers are holding up with extended use. Here’s how we analyze the mattress toppers:
- Comfort: Users give the mattress topper a rating for how comfortable it feels to lie on underneath their sheets.
- Mattress enhancement: We review in detail if and how the topper changes the feel of our tester’s mattress.
- Ease of use: Testers rate how easy it is to put the topper onto their beds.
- Temperature: Each reviewer notes whether or not they maintained a comfortable body temperature while sleeping on the topper.
- Stay-in-place capabilities: The toppers are given scores for whether or not they shift around on the beds during use.
- Sound: To ensure the toppers will be quiet and undetectable, each one is rated for whether it made noise during use.
- Overall satisfaction: Finally, testers tell us whether they liked sleeping on the mattress topper, whether they plan to continue using it and any other comments that could help provide more insight.
What Is A Memory Foam Mattress Expand/collapse
This type of mattress uses memory foam as its main support layer. Memory foam, also known as viscoelastic foam, is a type of high-density polyurethane foam. Its distinguishing feature is that it softens in response to heat and pressure. Thats what gives memory foam mattresses their body-hugging, body-contouring feel.
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More Than Just A Comfy Night’s Sleep
There was a time not long ago when mattress topper design was limited to the familiar egg crate foam layer or thin feather beds that did little more than make a mattress feel a bit softer. But the technology used to design and manufacture contemporary mattress toppers has advanced to the point where many of the most popular ones are made from memory foam, the innovative material that pillows and even entire mattresses are sometimes made from. This material helps significantly reduce tossing and turning and relieve pressure points by conforming to your preferred sleep position.
Besides being more durable than other similar products made of foam rubber or goose down, mattress toppers that are made from memory foam can provide the added benefit of helping people who suffer from back problems. In addition to conforming to your specific body shape and sleep positions to relieve pressure points, most memory foam mattress toppers feature open-cell construction that allows for even weight distribution. Not only that, but many also are designed with thousands of tiny ventilation holes which collectively optimize heat retention and help your body maintain its ideal temperature throughout the night.
Another Down Alternative Mattress Topper For People Whose Allergies Are Robbing Them Of A Good Night’s Sleep This 3
Promising review: “I seriously wish I hadn’t waited so long to buy this. This plush mattress topper has changed all my sleeping habits. It is soft, cooling, and makes you feel like you just bought a new mattress. I was a bit hesitant about purchasing this at first, because i saw from reviews that it was going flat after about a few days or it wasn’t actually 3 inches. I waited a month to write this review and thankfully, none of those were true at all. It is 100% 3 inches+ and so soft. It may lose some plush a tiny bit after about 5-7 days, but that’s because its a down alternative guys! It’s not memory foam.” Lindsay Del Rosario
Get it from Amazon for $62.99+ .
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What To Look For In A Pillow
Buying a new mattress can be confusing. Theres a wide variety of models on the market, and mattress companies often use fancy marketing terms or mattress jargon that can make it difficult to understand how a mattress actually performs.
Luckily, the rise in online mattress companies has also transferred more power to the consumer. Online mattress companies are often more transparent about whats inside their mattresses, and its easier than ever before to compare and contrast different models.
These are the most important things to consider when buying a new mattress.
How To Clean A Pillow Top Mattress Topper
Not all toppers are made the same, and if youre trying to squeeze some extra life out of your mattress, keeping your topper clean can help its longevity.
Caring for your topper ranges from spot cleaning only to machine washing.. Toppers like the Saatva, COOP, and Parachute toppers are spot clean only. These toppers have materials or covers that cant be put in a machine.
Toppers on this list that feature a machine-washable cover include: Puffy, Helix, and TEMPUR-Pedic.
Recommended Reading: Is A Memory Foam Mattress Bad For Your Back
What’s The Difference Between Mattress Pads Toppers And Protectors
Mattress pads provide a thin, extra layer to your bed, whereas mattress toppers are much thicker and plusher, designed to maximise your comfort, with some made in fabrics that are cooling, so ideal if you find yourself often too hot to sleep.
Mattress protectors are thin coverings that keep your mattress clean, protecting them from stains, dirt, moisture, irritants and allergens. Many are waterproof too and can often be easily cleaned in a washing machine.
How Do You Clean A Mattress Topper
Latex, memory foam, and most other mattress toppers are not machine washable. Messes should be spot-cleaned with a mild detergent and damp towel in most cases. Then let the pad dry completely before covering it.
Consult the topper’s user manual, tags, or the manufacturer’s website for the most accurate directions.
We strongly recommend using a mattress protector on your bed. The best ones are waterproof and machine-washable and cost as little as $20. Check out our guide to the best mattress protectors for more info.
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The Best Way To Wash A Mattress Topper
When browsing for mattress toppers online, check to see what the care instructions are, because not all bed toppers can be washed, although you should still be able to spot clean them. Meanwhile, some mattress toppers are machine washable, while others offer a middle ground with a removable washable cover.
Whatever the care instructions are for your bed topper, using the best mattress protector you can afford will help keep the topper fresh and protected against accidental spills, sweat and dust mites. Its always a good idea to freshen up your topper by airing it regularly if you can.
Best Queen Pillowtop Mattress Pads Of 2022
- 10 Best Queen Pillowtop Mattress Pads of 2022
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A variety of mattress pads available in the offline and online marketplace. Among the choices, the trendiest is the queen pillowtop mattress pad. The pillow top is an additional layer of cotton, polyester, or silk on the surface of the pad and gives the mattress an extra cushy feeling.
While the Queen has a spacious dimensional range for twins and family sleepers, we will review some top brands to gain insights about this popular product.
Read Also: How Long Is A Queen Size Mattress
Do Memory Foam Toppers Come In Different Firmness
Toppers for mattresses typically measure about 2 to 4 inches thick and come in varying firmness levels. These levels usually affect how supportive and pressure-relieving they feel.
For example, some might prefer just some support for their back , while others may demand more. The mattress topper should serve its purpose, so you must assess it carefully. Both the thickness and the firmness are equally important.
Or A Personal Cooling Pad Your Partner Can Continue Enjoying The Mattress As
The pad is made from a cooling gel that doesn’t require water, electricity, or refrigeration to retain its chill temp.
Promising review: “This mat is crazy cool! I’ve been suffering through hot flashes every night, waking me up several times. I got it yesterday and put it under my fitted sheet hoping for a miracle. It worked! I immediately laid down on it and actually got chilly enough to use a blanket. Fell sound asleep and woke up seven hours later. My first full night sleep in a year. Since I laid it body length, I’m going to order another for the rest of my queen bed and one for my couch. If you’re on the fence, just get it. Way less expensive than those water cooling systems and takes no electricity. JUST DO IT!” Ayla
Get it from Amazon for $79.98 .
For more, check out these hot sleeper products if you want to stay cool!
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What Is The Comfiest Plush Pillow Top Mattress Topper
An eco-friendly and natural product with guaranteed 100% virgin wool fill.
Usually, wool products are treated with harsh chemicals that might be unsafe for your health. Plushbeds wool toppers, on the other hand, do not contain dyes or scouring agents. They are 100% natural and hypoallergenic.
Toppers add extra plush to your mattresses by their thickness. This mattress topper is 3 inches thick and has a springy texture. The soft surface gives more cushion and softness to your body. In addition, it gently helps your body relax and enjoy the firmness that relieves aches and stress.
Many may use organically grown products, but only 1% of US companies can label their products certified organic. PlushBeds makes 100% of its products organic and uses sustainable materials. Theyve even built one of their California factories producing handmade custom orders.
So, the toppers and the entire bedding line of Plushbeds are worth every penny. From mattress toppers to Natural Wool Mattress Pads or the various mattress ranges. All are certified, whether the Organic latex Mattress or the Memory Foam Mattress.
When Is The Best Time To Buy A Mattress Topper
Good value mattress topper deals come up regularly throughout the year. Usually at least one of the toppers in our guide will have a discount at any given time. That said, there are some key periods that tend to offer slightly bigger discounts. November is when we normally see some of the best Black Friday mattress topper deals from the biggest names in sleep, and these usually form part of the wider Black Friday mattress sales .
In February, there are big discounts in the Presidents Day sales and in May there’s always a wide variety of toppers on sale during Memorial Day. We also tend to see decent deals during the summer sales, on Labor Day in September, and in early December with Cyber Monday.
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A Soft Natural Latex Foam Topper Because It Has No Synthetic Fillers And Still Adds Softness With More Springy
Made of 100% natural latex foam. Basically, if you pressed your hand into this mattress topper, the indent wouldn’t stay in the foam.
Promising review: “Can’t recommend this enough. I have this three-inch latex soft topper on both of my beds now bedroom and daybed. I need a firm support mattress, but my joints hate it. With the soft toppers, I get to keep my firm mattress support, but the topper makes it feel like I’m sleeping on a cloud. It’s so comfortable I look forward to bedtime or siesta. I put a nice TV in the bedroom a few years ago, but I haven’t been able to watch a single thing because I fall asleep within a minute or two of climbing into bed. If you have problems getting comfortable on a firm bed, don’t make the mistake of buying a soft mattress that will offer poor support. Just get a soft topper! Your body will thank you. I use a deep mattress cover and BedVoyage bamboo sheets , which only add to the comfort level.” M. Spalding
Get it from Amazon for $100+
What Is The Best Mattress Topper In 2022
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt is our number one pick of the best mattress toppers. This three-inch thick luxury foam topper offers a lot of comfort and pressure relief at a fraction of the cost of a full-fledged Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress. Prices start at $319 for a twin, but there are regular sales and promotions.
The Tempur topper gets an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 5,400 user reviews, and with a 10-year warranty, you’re covered for the long haul. We are in the process of testing the Tempur-Adapt Mattress Topper and will have a full review to share in the coming weeks.
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Pure Green Latex Mattress Topper
If youd like to try latex and are on a tighter budget
Latex mattress toppers are notoriously pricey and the cost can increase significantly if its thicker, natural latex, and accompanied by a luxury cover. So the main reason Im including the Pure Green is its reasonable price.
The three inch version is cheaper than other latex topper brands Ive looked at recently. And you can choose a one or two inch version instead of the full three, which will bring the cost down even more. The two inch topper, for example, ranges from $155 to $265, depending on the size you need.
So this is an opportunity to try out latex without stretching your finances too far. Its made by a company in Sri Lanka, which perhaps explains the lower price than some American-made toppers.
They have soft, medium, or firm versions, which gives you more choice. Personally, I like the medium version as Im a side sleeper and it provided the right level of comfort for my hips and shoulders when on my side, though the soft would probably have been fine too. If you sleep mostly on your back, you might prefer the firmer style instead.
Here are some of the key details:
If I had to nitpick, one criticism is that it doesnt seem to be manufactured with quite the same precision as the Plush Beds or the Saatva. It looks slightly more basic, but really, once youve got covers on its not such an issue.
