More Mattress Topper Shopping Tips
With mattress toppers, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, so here are factors to consider when shopping for your most comfortable mattress topper:
- Thickness: A good topper should be at least two inches, but a thicker option will offer more support, especially when it comes to foam toppers. If youre just looking for a small upgrade, opt for a thinner model.
- Softness: If your mattress is too firm, adding a down or fiberfill topper can give you plush comfort so it won’t feel as hard.
- Support: If you’re feeling pain when you wake up, adding a foam topper can increase firmness or give you pressure relief around your joints.
- Temperature regulation: Some mattresses can cause night sweats because they trap heat around your body, so you can opt for a topper with cooling features.
- Care: Many mattress toppers aren’t washable, especially ones made of foam. If this matters to you, check for one that you can launder in a washing machine.
- Certifications: To make sure there are no harmful levels of chemicals in foam materials, look for labels like CertiPUR-US. For down toppers, check for the Responsible Down Standard , which ensures the ducks and geese receive humane treatment.
Why You Should Trust Us
We went to Longs Bedding & Interiors and met with co-owner and fourth-generation mattress expert Terri Long to test some high-end toppers and learn about what sets different kinds of toppers apart. We also spoke to Dr. Eric Robertson, physical therapist and an American Physical Therapy Association spokesperson, to find out if mattress toppers could help relieve back pain.
We read customer reviews of mattress toppers on Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, The Company Store, Cuddledown, and other bedding websites for pointers and to learn more about peoples experiences with mattress toppers. As a former staff writer for Wirecutter, Alex Arpaia spent hundreds of hours testing bedding products and contributed to our guides to air mattresses and comforters.
Why You Can Trust Us
Our team has personally evaluated dozens of mattress toppers to bring you the top picks listed in this guide. These models cover a wide spectrum in terms of material composition, firmness, and thickness, but each one is tested using the same comprehensive methodology to ensure our findings are accurate, useful, and free of bias. Our testing team includes side, back, stomach, and combination sleepers with differing body types. This diversity helps us make topper recommendations that are relevant for all sleepers.
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When To Get A Mattress Topper
If youre uncomfortable in bed because your mattress is too firm, theres a good chance a mattress topper will help. Adding some padding will keep your shoulders, hips, knees, and other pressure points from digging into the mattress.
What even the best mattress topper wont do is fix a sagging or lumpy mattress. At best, it will add just enough cushioning so that your pressure points feel cradled. If youre sleeping on a mattress thats shot and unsupportive, mattress expert Terri Long told us, putting a topper on it isnt going to make it any more supportive. If youre in a hammock, youre gonna be in a slightly more cushion-y hammock. Similarly, if your mattress is too soft, our experts agreed that, in most cases, a topper cant make it firmer. In both cases, youre better off just getting a new mattress.
Lastly, if you have a hard time falling asleep or you wake with a crick in your neck, you may actually need a new pillow. This can be a much less expensive fix than buying a new mattress topper or mattress so start there.
What Are The Benefits Of A Mattress Topper
Advantages of using a mattress topper include the following:
Firmness AdjustmentA topper can significantly change the surface feel of your mattress. Most toppers offer a softer feel and are designed to be used with a firm mattress, but some models are intended to make a soft mattress feel firmer. If youre dissatisfied with how soft or firm your mattress feels but dont want to pay for a new bed, a topper can be a cost-effective solution.
Mattress ProtectionToppers are different from mattress protectors, which are very thin and solely designed to safeguard your mattress against spills, stains, dust, and other contaminants. However, toppers can help preserve your beds surface and prevent the comfort layer material from wearing out. This can extend the overall lifespan of your mattress.
Stronger SupportOver time, the comfort layer of your mattress will deteriorate. This can cause a loss of support that makes the surface feel uneven, and added aches and pains often follow. A sturdy topper adds an extra layer to keep your body on an even plane and prevent it from sagging in areas where you carry a lot of weight.
Better CoolingIf the surface of your mattress tends to trap heat and sleep warm, then a breathable topper can provide better temperature regulation to help you sleep more comfortably. The best cooling mattress topper materials include ventilated latex, natural wool, and open-cell foam.
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Why Trust Good Housekeeping
Lexie Sachs is the Executive Director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing to find the best bedding, including mattress toppers. She has been reviewing toppers firsthand since she joined Good Housekeeping in 2013, reviewing them in the Lab and sending them to the homes of consumer testers for more feedback. She also loves trying out mattress toppers on her own bed and swears by their ability to change the feel of the mattress.
What Materials Are Mattress Toppers
Mattress toppers can be made of a variety of materials, from latex to memory foam. Latex mattress toppers are good for air circulation and keeping you cooler at night. They are dense and provide good support. Take care to avoid this material if you have a latex allergy.
Memory foam mattress toppers help to reduce pressure points and provide a comfortable night’s sleep. You can even purchase pillow top memory foam products, if that’s what you find most comfortable.
Some mattress toppers are made of hypoallergenic materials. These are a good choice if you have allergies or are sensitive to certain chemicals.
You might prefer a topper that contains a cooling gel. Gel memory foam toppers are dense and offer significant pressure relief. They are usually made from a viscoelastic memory foam material.
Polyurethane foam pads are much springier and lighter than traditional memory foam. But they are generally cheaper and less supportive than memory foam.
Down and other alternative toppers might be the right choice for you if you aren’t allergic and if you want an all-natural or very subtle topper for your mattress.
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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.
How To Choose A Mattress Topper
Mattress toppers serve two essential functions: adjusting the feel of your mattress to make it softer or firmer, and protecting the surface from long-term wear and tear. In todays mattress topper market, you can choose from a wide selection of models that vary by material, thickness, firmness, price-point, and overall performance. The best topper for you will depend entirely on your personal needs and preferences.
Below, well take an in-depth look at the pros and cons of different mattress materials, explore the various benefits of using a topper, and answer a few frequently asked questions about these products.
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The Buying Guide: Our Advice On How To Buy The Mattress Topper For Sofa Bed
Before you invest your hard-earned money into a product, you should properly educate yourself about the available products and the best alternatives in the market. We have compiled the list of factors you should consider before buying a mattress topper for sofa bed to make your task easier.
Like almost any product, before buying a mattress topper for sofa bed, you should ask yourself these few questions:
- How reputable are mattress topper for sofa bed in comparison to market competitors?
- How durable and long-lasting are they, and how easy is it to service or fix them if something goes wrong?
- Why is it worth buying mattress topper for sofa bed instead of other products?
- What are some key features and highlights of mattress topper for sofa bed? Are those features worth it for your needs?
- What are some positives and negatives of mattress topper for sofa bed, and how do they affect your user experience?
- Where can you buy mattress topper for sofa bed and service or repair it if necessary?
These are just some of the questions that you need to seek the answer to when purchasing the product. It is essential to keep in mind that you may have further queries and questions, as you should.
These are just a few considerations that we consider absolutely crucial. You can find detailed answers to almost all of your questions by some internet research or even by trying out the product at the store.
Transform Your Mattress From Too Firm To Total Luxury
Whether youre reinvigorating your existing mattress or softening the firmness of a new purchase a microCloud bed topper is an investment in your comfort, health and wellbeing. By creating the optimum sleeping surface, youre taking the pressure off your joints, improving blood flow, and laying the foundation for a comfortable sleep.
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Does A Mattress Topper Really Help
Yes, a mattress topper can really help you sleep better! As long as your mattress is not sinking or sagging , a topper can spruce it up and change its overall feel. You can layer on a mattress topper for an enhanced feel, whether you purchased an expensive model that needs an affordable upgrade or you find your bed is lacking in comfort or support. Mattress toppers also provide a boost to an older mattress if you’re finding you no longer love the feel but aren’t ready to buy an entirely new mattress.
Saatva Memory Foam Mattress Topper Design And Construction
Ive tried a number of other high-end mattress toppers, and there were a few key design features that stood out about the Saatva.
The first was the straps that secure the Saatva mattress topper to the mattress.
On each corner of the Saatva mattress topper, there is elasticized strap, which slips over the corner of the mattress to hold the topper in place. Its a simply and convenient design which makes setting up the mattress topper super easy, and also ensures the topper stays put.
A couple of the mattress toppers I have tried didnt have any way to connect the mattress topper to the mattress, the topper simply sat on top. This is generally fine, but there have been occasions where the toppers slipped and needed to be adjusted.
As someone who hasnt always agreed with their partner about what a comfortable mattress feels like, I also appreciate that the mattress topper comes in a split-king option, so both partners arent beholden to the same topper.
As far as materials go, while the mattress itself isnt organic , the cover is still GOTS-certified organic, and the mattress is Certi-Pur US certified.
The topper lives up to its luxury title, too. Its heavy, the stitching is tight and uniform, and the cover is soft and cozy. You can tell its a high-quality product as soon as you take it out of the packaging.
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What Are Mattress Toppers Made Of
The best mattress toppers cater to individual needs. Learn more about their various materials and how they differ in creating a superior sleep surface:
- Memory foam is known for its conforming, resilient properties that adapt to provide targeted relief while minimising partner disturbance.
- Wool is a naturally insulating, breathable and eco-friendly choice thats also hypoallergenic and suitable for those living with allergies.
- Gel foam contains microbeads with temperature-regulating properties that adapt to external surroundings to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.
Best Overall: Saatva Mattress Topper
Material: Graphite-infused memory foam | Height: 3 inches | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king | Certifications: None | Return Policy: 180 days plus 1-year warranty
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Lumps arent detectable through topper
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Ideal firmness for multiple sleeping positions
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Generous return period
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Strong odor after unboxing
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Only 1-year warranty
Who else recommends it? TechRadar, Sleep Foundation, and Good Housekeeping also picked the Saatva Mattress Topper.
After many hours of testing, we determined that the Saatva Mattress Topper is one of the best choices for most people. Not only does it offer an extremely comfortable and supportive feel that our testers really liked, but its also quite heavy and dense, indicating that its made from durable materials that will last a long time.
After unboxing, we found that this topper is slightly lumpy and had an unpleasant odor, but we were able to smooth it out. Its not as squishy as other memory foam options, but it does provide superior support, making it ideal for virtually any sleeping position. Our testers werent able to detect small objects placed underneath the surface and gave it 4 out of 5 stars for cushioning. Our testers gave it 5 out of 5 stars for airflow, citing the organic cotton cover and graphite-infused foam, which make this topper feel much cooler than traditional memory foam.
Price at time of publish: $345 for Queen
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The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
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Other Good Mattress Toppers
If you prefer wool and want good temperature regulationbut are ok with less support: The Deluxe Wool Mattress Pad from Woolroom is a great option. Its 2-3 inches thick and, unlike our other picks, it comes with an elastic skirt as part of the design, so it stays in place. We also appreciated the companys dedication to using ethically sourced and traceable wool. Like most wool toppers, it offers less support than foam or down, but it does an excellent job at staying both cool and warm when neededand it still added noticeable cushioning to our very firm guest sofa bed. We plan on testing Woolrooms loftier Wooly Topper to see if it can provide the support this one lacked.
What Type Of Mattress Topper Is Best
It depends on what you’re looking for i.e., whether you’d like your mattress topper to provide more firmness and support, or if you need to soften up your bed. Here are the main types of toppers you can choose from:
- Memory foam mattress toppers: These are the most popular because they can add support, comfort and pressure-relief to any mattress. There’s also a wide range of price points in this category, and it’s your best bet if you’re looking for an affordable pick under $100 to spruce up a temporary bed. You’ll also find variations of memory foam, like ones infused with gel or graphite to help prevent overheating from the foam.
- Latex mattress toppers: Unlike memory foam that’s made from petroleum, latex is a natural foam that’s made from rubber trees. It’s typically more expensive, but it’s durable, more resilient and has more bounce than traditional foam.
- Pillow-top mattress toppers: If your bed feels too hard and you want to add cloud-like softness, a topper made of down or fiberfill is your best bet: 100% down or down featherbeds are the most luxurious and fluffiest, while fiberfill made of polyester is less expensive and animal free.
- Hybrid mattress toppers: These typically include a layer of foam with a pillow-top cover so you get the pressure relief and support combined with plush softness. You can also find hybrids that use memory foam clusters and fiberfill in the blend these feel more like a featherbed with extra support.
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Tuft & Needle Mattress Topper
- Fill materials: Memory foam
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
A memory foam mattress topper is ideal if you sleep on your side because it takes pressure off the areas where you put the most weight, like your hips and shoulders. This one from Tuft & Needle has two inches of foam specifically designed to add cushioning, while still being more supportive than a soft featherbed. The brand says this is because its unique responsive foam is more resilient without sinking in, and testers agree that Tuft & Needle’s foam feels supportive without sinking in. Plus, it’s made with open cells to help it feel more breathable.
Though it doesn’t have straps to tuck under your mattress, it has a unique non-skid bottom that prevents it from shifting on your bed. It also has a comfy knit cover that helps prevent your sheets from bunching up. The downside is that this one isn’t washable, and the cover can’t be removed for cleaning.
