If you have trouble getting a good night's sleep on your mattress, a mattress topper might be the perfect solution. It can boost the comfort level of an old mattress for a fraction of the price of buying a new one. Sometimes called a pillow-top mattress pad, a topper is a cushion you place on top of the mattress to add softness or support. The terms "mattress topper" and "mattress pad" are often used interchangeably, but the latter also refers to a thinner type of cover that's placed over a mattress to protect it from stains. This report focuses mainly on the type of toppers used for added cushioning, but we do recommend waterproof and non-waterproof mattress pads as well. The most common reason people decide to add toppers to their mattresses is to add new life to an older bed. Innerspring mattresses in particular tend to compress over time, losing their ability to shape themselves to a sleeper's body. A mattress topper can add an extra layer of cushioning, relieving pressure points and enhancing sleep quality.
However, mattress toppers can't compensate for major problems such as sagging, sinkholes or springs poking through the mattress cover. If your mattress is that bad, you need a new one. We have recommendations for the most popular types in our separate report on mattresses. Mattress pads aren't just for old mattresses, though. People often add a mattress topper to adjust the firmness level of a newer mattress. If you buy a new mattress and determine after a short time that it's too soft or firm for your taste, adding a topper can make it softer or firmer without the hassle and expense of trading in a nearly new model (returning a new mattress often involves shipping and restocking fees, not to mention the logistics of dealing with returning a large item). Placing a topper on just one side of the bed can also help couples who prefer different levels of mattress firmness. Memory foam is the most popular type of mattress topper, and it tends to be the most effective at improving mattress comfort.
Made from polyurethane, memory foam contains millions of open, spherical cells that respond to pressure and heat. It comes in many thicknesses and densities: In general, a thicker topper will have a softer feel, while a denser foam will provide more support. However, memory foam can trap body heat, and some say that the way it cradles the body can make it difficult to move around on. Many memory foam toppers also give off an unpleasant odor when new, although a good airing usually takes care of that. Latex foam is similar to memory foam, but it's made of either natural or synthetic latex rubber. It comes in many grades of thickness and firmness like memory foam, but generally tends to be a bit firmer. It's also somewhat less likely than memory foam to trap body heat and emit an unpleasant odor, but the "new mattress smell" can still be a problem for some users. Latex excels at providing both softness and support and it's a good choice for allergy sufferers because it's resistant to both mold and dust mites.
However, latex itself can be an allergen for some people and latex toppers are among the most expensive. Featherbeds are basically cushions stuffed with feathers or down. These add softness to a mattress, but not support. While they don't retain body heat as much as foam toppers do, they tend to compress under a user's weight and must be fluffed or shaken regularly to restore their shape. Featherbed mattress toppers are usually less expensive than foam ones. If you're sensitive to feathers, fiberbed and wool mattress toppers are very similar to featherbeds, but are made from hypoallergenic materials. Mattress pads are not mattress toppers, they are just a thin pad, with corners like a fitted sheet that go over your mattress to protect it from moisture and stains. Deep-pocket mattress pads can even fit over both a mattress topper and a mattress. Mattress pads are very affordable and there's little variation in quality. With the high cost of mattresses, we highly recommend that everyone protect their investment from spills, stains and other accidents.
analyze thousands of owner reviews and break down the data to provide specific information about different mattress topper types and brands. Our research turns up three main factors to consider when shopping for a mattress topper. Since a topper's job is to improve the comfort of a mattress, we give particular importance to how well each pad cushions and supports the body, as well as such criteria as whether it retains body heat. A good mattress topper also needs to stay comfortable over time, so we examine how well each model holds up with use and whether it needs special maintenance to keep it in good shape. Based on these factors, we identify the best mattress toppers of each type and list their pros and cons. One is sure to be the perfect choice for your best night's sleep. Based on 58,404 Consumer Experiences Topper Pros and Cons Quick Summary of Mattress Toppers Topper on One Half of Mattress Select a topper below for more detailed information, including brand reviews / ratings.
The terms "mattress topper" and "mattress pad" are sometimes used interchangeably. Generally, however, these are two different types of products, each with their own purpose. Pads are used to protect a mattress and or provide a limited softening; they are also sometimes placed over a topper to secure it to the mattress. Toppers, by contrast, are used almost exclusively to improve mattress comfort. See Mattress Pad Reviews for the top-rated waterproof and non-waterproof pads. Based on consumer experiences, below are the top four advantages of mattress toppers. As a mattress ages, especially an innerspring mattress, it tends to become compacted and loses much of its cushion. A topper improves cushioning, resulting in better comfort and reduced pressure. At least 20% of owners report that their topper provides them with at least somewhat better sleep due to improved comfort. In other words, a mattress topper is capable of providing the benefits of a new mattress for a fraction
Toppers are not only for older mattresses. If you have a newer mattress that does not suit your personal preference for firmness, a topper can alter the comfort to better suit you. Some toppers, namely memory foam and latex, can improve not only mattress comfort but also support to a limited extent. This can help to reduce pain, including back pain. If two people sleep on the same bed and have different firmness preferences, a topper can be added to one side of the bed to, in effect, provide different firmness levels for each side. Learn more on how to have a topper on one half of a bed. Also, a memory foam topper can to some degree improve the motion isolation of a mattress, resulting in less disturbed sleep. Based on consumer experiences, below are the top four disadvantages of mattress toppers. While a topper can improve an aging or uncomfortable mattress, it is not a miracleIf your mattress is uncomfortable due to sink holes, sagging (uneven sleep surface) and protruding springs, the topper will be of only limited help.
Many memory foam and latex toppers are about one inch smaller than the mattress on all sides to help ensure the bed sheets fit over both the topper and mattress. cause sitting or sleeping near the edge of the mattress to be uncomfortable / unsupportive, and it may give a somewhat awkward appearance to the bed's surface. About 4% of owners – especially owners of memory foam toppers – report that their topper has a significant odor when new. This odor (or off gassing) tends to diminish within a few days in most cases. A topper that softens a mattress will often to some extent envelop the sleeper. This can decrease air circulation and cooling around the sleeper's body. As a result, about 4% of topper owners report bothersome heat retention. Memory foam and latex toppers are somewhat more likely to trap heat than are the other topper types. A topper is placed on top of a mattress under the fitted sheet. For thicker toppers especially, this means that the sheet will need to cover a greater height.
Depending on the pocket depth of your existing sheet, it may now be too small to securely cover the mattress. Since a topper is not a fully integrated part of the mattress, it may move around independent of the bed somewhat. About 5% of owners – especially owners of lighter toppers such as fiber and feather – report this problem. (A mattress pad can be placed over a topper to secure it to the mattress.) Pros: Most popular topper • often highly effective at improving comfort • available in many varieties to suit individual preference. Cons: Initial off gassing odor • some heat trap potential • squishy feel possible • somewhat difficult to move on / get up off • relatively heavy. detailed Memory Foam Topper Reviews / Ratings based on 38,500+ owner experiences. Pros: Generally effective at softening a firm mattress • relatively affordable, light weight and easy to handle • few reports of bothersome heat retention. Cons: Can lack adequate thickness • fluffing / shaking often needed to maintain loft • feathers poking through cover is possible which can be painful • may produce some noise • dry cleaning often required.
detailed Featherbed Reviews / Ratings based on 4,600+ owner experiences. Pros: Can make mattress softer or firmer • above-average pain relief • comes in many varieties including all natural. Cons: Expensive • limited availability • initial odor and heat retention possible. Read detailed Latex Topper Reviews / Ratings based on 1,300+ owner experiences. Pros: Mostly effective at softening a firm mattress • low price • little or no odor or allergy-causing potential. Cons: May be too thin and lumpy for some • shaking / fluffing may be needed to maintain loft and comfort • damage by machine washing / drying possible. Read detailed Fiberbed Topper Reviews / Ratings based on 13,400+ owner experiences. Pros: Generally effective at softening a firm mattress and providing a luxurious feel • fairly cool / dry in summer and warm in winter • often durable and long lasting. Cons: Pricey • may not provide adequate cushion for some • initial odor possible • regular shaking / fluffing may be required to maintain loft.
Read detailed Wool Topper-Pad Reviews / Ratings based on 485+ owner experiences. a topper can be added to half of the mattress to, in effect, provide different firmness for each half. To accomplish this on a king-sized mattress, you will likely need to buy an x-long twin topper and place it on one half of the mattress under the linens. (An x-long twin topper in most cases will be one-half the size of a king-sized mattress.) You will want a topper that merely lies on top of the mattress without needing to be secured to the sides. Foam, memory foam and latex toppers almost always meet this criteria. With a queen-sized bed, things are more complicated. There is no topper size that will cover one half of a queen. Therefore, you will likely need to buy an x-long twin sized topper and trim it so that it will fit half of the mattress. It will need to be a foam, memory foam or latex topper because these can be trimmed without spilling their contents and they don't have skirts.