This is probably what comes to mind when you think of memory foam. It's spongy, creamy-looking, and delightfully soft. A memory foam mattress pad provides luxurious comfort and additional support for a great night's sleep by responding to pressure, temperature, and movement. If you are looking for some extra cushion and warmth, this might be the best mattress topper for you. Memory foam is usually compressed to assist in the shipping process. When your new memory foam mattress arrives, allow it to sit and rise for 72 hours so it can expand to its full, natural shape. Gel memory foam is similar to traditional except it is infused with gel particles, giving it a blue, or marbled, appearance. The gel increases support, meaning that you typically won't sink into a gel mattress topper as easily as you would with regular memory foam. Gel foam also keeps the bed topper cooler. It's an ideal choice if you want the comfort of memory foam with some added support and less heat retention.
Although technically not memory foam, latex foam is even more durable than its spongy cousins. It springs back faster than memory foam and also has the distinction of being the most breathable, creating a cooler surface to sleep on. A latex topper is typically more compact than memory foam, which makes it easier to store in a closet somewhere, or move when the time is right. Latex boasts the additional benefit of being hypoallergenic. If you feel memory foam has too much give or are seeking relief from nighttime allergies, this option may be a good fit. However, if your allergies include an irritation to latex, you'll probably want to skip this one. Why Buy a Foam Mattress Topper? There are many reasons to take the plunge into memory foam. For one, it protects your mattress from further wear and tear, effectively extending its life and saving you money in the process. A memory foam topper can also prevent and relieve back pain, as well as improve circulation as it conforms to your body.
It makes for an all-around more satisfying sleep that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Memory foam is also a smart choice for those sensitive to allergens, as it happens to be resistant to mildew and dust mites. Finally, if your partner is a restless sleeper who tosses and turns all night, there's still hope. Thanks to the unique nature of memory foam, motion transfer is limited throughout the mattress topper. But don't take our word for it -- check out individual mattress topper reviews to see what others loved about their new memory foam bedding. Andrew enjoys few things more than a comfortable night's sleep. He also likes spending time with his wife and daughter, binge-watching TV shows like a champion, and preparing for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.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.