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.HomeMemory Foam Mattress Topper Reviews Sleep Innovations 3-Inch Sculpted Memory Foam Topper Sleep Innovations 3-Inch Sculpted Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a product of Sleep Innovations, a popular US based bedding brand.
This 3-Inch thick sculpted SureTemp Topper offers greater airflow in comparison to traditional memory topper. The Sculpted Mattress Topper has reversible design that gives 2 unique surfaces to sleep. Read full review Beautyrest 3-inch Memory Mattress Topper Waterproof Beautyrest offers 3-inch Gel Memory Foam Topper with Waterproof Cover. The ComforPedic Loft comes in a dual-sided design and is infused with rejuvenating gel to offer ultimate support and comfort. The gel absorbs the body pressure and prevents excessive heat build-up by channeling it away. The 3-inch thick and 3.2... Read full review Beautyrest 4-inch Sculpted Mattress Topper Polysilk ComforPedic 4-Inch Sculpted Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper is the product of Beautyrest. ComforPedic comes with revolutionary gel infused memory foam. The dual-sided design makes the topper an ultimate choice for soothing and restful sleep. The gel keeps the body cool by absorbing the body pressure and channeling the heat... Read full review Beautyrest GeoMatt Therapeutic Foam Mattress Pad Beautyrest GeoMatt Therapeutic Foam Mattress Pad is a product of Beautyrest, a popular US bedding brand.
This high quality mattress topper is used in more than 10,000 medical facilities. The toppers consists of “rings of air” to promote airflow in order to reduce heat build-up, and gives optimal support and... Read full review DreamDNA 2.5 Pound Density Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattress Bed Topper This topper features a voluptuous 2 square inches of 2.5 pounds of pliable yet firm memory foam that immediately impacts the performance of any mattress by buttressing areas that need support and shaping to the contours of the body, in turn producing many blissful evenings of rest.... Read full review The 2.5 Lucid by LinenSpa Gel Infused Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper This topper with removable bamboo cover offers a 3-year warranty if it is determined this item is defective on the part of the producer. It offers an outstanding ventilation system that moves air in order to provide the best temperature to achieve a restful slumber. The open cell system also... Read full review Isotonic Ultimate Memory Foam Mattress Topper Like all other the companies products this one has been awarded an official certification from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
This specific model features 100 percent Visco elastic memory foam, encased in a velour zippered cover that can be removed for the customer’s convenience.... Read full review The Sleep Joy 4-Inch ViscO2 Ventilated Topper It implements an innovative new technique that allows this pad to literally breathe by producing five times the normal amount of airflow of any other kind of memory foam, which is prone to retaining heat. This ventilation can also be adjusted through three different types of levels of circulation.... Read full review Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattress Pad Bed Topper The Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattress Pad Bed Topper is made in the USA and is 3 inches thick with 4 pounds of foam. Once placed atop the mattress it immediately provides much more restful slumber and revitalizes the mattress.... Read full review 3.0 Visco2 Ventilated Mattress Enhancer The 3.0 Visco2 Ventilated Mattress Enhancer implements open cell ventilated memory foam and plant-based materials to provide an excellent evening of sleep.