Best Mattress Toppers
Whether you’re in need of extra support or just looking to breathe new life into an older bed, a mattress topper can make your sleep a lot more restful. Today’s mattress toppers are made from materials like memory foam, down, rayon from bamboo, and even wool.
Each type has its own pros and cons, so you’ll want to consider your own sleeping preferences when purchasing. For example, if you’re a side sleeper or suffer from joint pain, you’ll want to opt for a more supportive memory foam or latex option. Active sleepers might prefer a wool fleece or rayon topper, both of which allow for increased range of movement and breathability.
Whatever your needs may be, we’ve tested and researched the best mattress toppers to make your bed work better for you. Read on for our top picks.
Best Overall: Dreamfoam Bedding 2" Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper
If you don’t have quite as much to spend on a mattress topper, another highly rated option is the Dreamfoam Bedding 2″ Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper. This product is made from gel memory foam, which provides several unique benefits to help you sleep better at night.
This 2-inch mattress topper is made from gel-swirl memory foam, which provides ultimate pressure point relief by contouring to your body. Additionally, the gel infusion increases air circulation through the material, drawing heat away from your body to help regulate your temperature throughout the night. As an added bonus, this product is made in the USA and is manufactured without any harmful chemicals.
This mattress topper can help reduce various aches and pains and it’s incredibly comfortable. Plus, it works well in a variety of sleeping positions and does not have the unpleasant “off-gassing” scent that many memory foam products do.
Runner Up, Best Overall: Sleep Innovations 4-inch Dual Layer Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Perhaps the best mattress topper on the market right now is the Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam 4-inch Dual Layer Mattress Topper. This unique product combines two popular mattress topper styles into one, resulting in a super comfortable topper that can help keep your mattress in top shape.
What’s unique about this product is it combines a 2-inch gel memory foam layer underneath 2 inches of comfy quilted fiberfill. By combining these two materials, it delivers unparalleled comfort, as well as pressure-relieving support and temperature regulation. Plus, a machine-washable cover holds both layers in place, so you don’t have to worry about allergens building up on the topper.
The Sleep Innovations Mattress Topper can help reduce body aches thanks to its pressure point relief, all while providing a pillowy surface for you to sleep on. What’s not to love?
Best for Back Pain: ViscoSoft 3 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
If you’re sleeping on an old mattress, it may be causing you to experience back pain, but for many people, a new mattress simply isn’t in the budget. You can help to relieve your nighttime aches and pains, however, with a product like the ViscoSoft 3 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper. This high-density memory foam product is designed to keep your spine in proper alignment, helping to prevent pain throughout the night and in the morning.
This mattress topper is 3 inches thick and made from gel-infused memory foam that contours to your body while you sleep, relieving pressure points while keeping your spine in an ergonomic position. Additionally, the gel helps to optimize airflow through the topper, letting your body heat escape so you won’t get too warm.
The topper comes with a hypoallergenic bamboo rayon cover that you can clean in the washing machine, and this product is worth every penny, as it can help reduce back pain while giving you a wonderful night of sleep.
Best Down: Arsuite Burlwood Luxury 2'' Down Mattress Topper
If you have allergies or simply don’t like the idea of sleeping on a bed of real feathers, you can always invest in a mattress topper that’s filled with a “down alternative.” These products are designed to have the same feel as a cushy down-filled pad, yet they’re stuffed with other more humane and hypoallergenic materials. For a good down alternative, we recommend the Superior Microfiber All Season Down Alternative Mattress Topper.
Featuring memory foam, microfiber fill, and a microfiber cover, this mattress topper is machine washable and comes in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. Also great: The topper adds extra cushion to your firm mattress but doesn’t sink as other soft toppers do.
Best for Stomach Sleepers: Sleep on Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper
The best mattress topper for stomach sleepers should provide ample firmness, which will prevent your shoulders and hips from sinking too far down and straining your back. A great option if you’re a stomach sleeper is the Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper, which provides extra-firm support and great breathability.
This 2-inch topper is made from natural latex, which is known to be both breathable, cooling, and eco-friendly. This firm style is strong and supportive, yet still comfortable, making it perfect for stomach sleepers. You may also find that this mattress topper helps reduce back pain, thanks to the extra support.
What to Look for in a Mattress Topper
Thickness
The thicker a mattress topper is, the more added cushion it will provide. Some thin options are 1 to 2 inches thick, and will do just fine if you simply want a little bit of added comfort on your bed. On the other hand, some mattress pads can be up to 6 inches thick — ideal if your bed is incredibly uncomfortable.
Material
Mattress toppers can be made with a variety of materials, including different types of foam, down feathers, and regular pillow material. There are pros and cons to the different options: For instance, memory foam often has an odor at first, while down toppers may lose feathers over time. Consider the positives and negatives of each material before making a decision.
Temperature regulation
Do you tend to get hot at night? Certain mattress toppers regulate body heat better than others, so consider this while shopping. Specifically, memory foam is known to retain heat, which can cause you to get too warm during the night, while down feathers are significantly better at maintaining a normal temperature.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a lifestyle writer and expert on all things homes. Since first writing for us in 2017, she’s contributed dozens of articles on everything from sleeper sofas and day beds to laundry stain removers and blanket storage options. It was reviewed by our commerce editor Lily Sperry.
