Skip to main content Skip to accessibility help Natural and synthetic blend little home at John Lewis Show in stock items only Email me when available Email me when availableIf you can’t afford a new mattress – or you’re not ready to replace your existing one, but are aware it needs a pick-me-up – then a topper could become your new best friend. Sitting on top of the mattress, under your sheets, it offers extra padding and comfort that could make all the difference to your quality of sleep. Research the fillings as rigorously as you would with a new mattress. They all have different benefits for different kinds of sleepers and types of people – for instance, if you get hot at night or you suffer from allergies. Check how snugly the topper fits onto the bed – you don’t want it to move about. And be sure that the filling is evenly distributed, just as you’d want it to be with a duvet. 1. John Lewis Soft Touch Washable Mattress Topper: from £75, John Lewis
This 6cm polyester topper, with dual layers and woven fabric, offers cloud-like comfort. It lasts well too, staying squidgy and soft without going flat. Plus, you can wash it in the machine umpteen times without losing any of the quality. Great value for hotel-like luxury. 2. Breasley Flexcell Mattress Topper: from £129, Mattress Online This thick, comfy topper is made from memory foam, which moulds to your body’s shape and distributes your weight evenly. There’s a smooth winter side, which gets really quite warm (great for those who feel chilly at night), and a bumpy summer side, which circulates air to keep you cooler. 3. Hästens Top Mattress BJ: from £670, Hästens This is the deepest topper in our roundup (7cm) and it feels like you’ve got a whole new deluxe mattress. It’s handmade from all-natural materials including wool, cotton and flexible horsetail hair, all of which keeps your body at the ideal temperature and means the mattress stays comfortable and durable.
It is very heavy, though, and it can’t be washed. 4. Vispring Heavenly Mattress Topper: from £550, John Lewis Vispring is the crème-de-la-crème of mattress brands, and its mattress toppers are equally fabulous. Each one is handmade to order in any size and generously filled with the best British wool, which all makes for a comfy, soft, breathable and hypoallergenic sleeping experience. 5. The White Company Supreme Luxury Down Topper: from £150, The White Company Anyone who’s experienced good duck down and feather bedding will know that this filling can swiftly take you into the land of nod in the lap of luxury. The same can be said of this incredibly comfy topper. The top layer includes down for extra softness, while the bottom layer is 100 per cent feather for support. It's box stitched for even distribution, but it does need regularly plumping up. 6. Dorma Anti-Allergy Mattress Topper: from £45, Dunelm This is excellent value for a soft and plump mattress cover, made from spiral fibre which is encased in 100 per cent cotton sheeting.
We found it every bit as good as some toppers we tested (that didn’t make this list) at two or three times the price. It fits well on the bed and is machine washable. 7. The Woolroom Deluxe Wool Topper: from £111.99, The Woolroom This soft and cosy topper, made from top-notch British wool, carries the British Allergy Foundation’s Seal of Approval, making it an ideal choice for anyone who suffers from asthma, allergies or eczema. It’s 3cm thick, extremely well-made, keeps body temperature comfortable throughout the night and is machine washable. 8. Silksleep Topper: from £110, Silksleep This works like a fitted sheet, wrapping right round your mattress. At just 1cm thick, it’s neither firm nor supportive, but the 300 thread-count cotton cover, filled with long-fibre silk, does a particularly good job of regulating body temperature – ideal for women of a certain age – and it feels luxurious. Dust mites hate silk, so it’s also good for allergy sufferers.
9. Soak and Sleep Ultimate Microfibre with Silk Topper: from £60, Soak & Sleep This is a good one for anyone who wants the luxury, springy feel of down and feather, but either can’t afford it or is allergic. The filling – top-quality, hypoallergenic microfibre and silk – is box stitched so the filing doesn’t disappear down one end, no matter how much you toss and turn at night. 10. Marks & Spencer Supersoft Mattress Enhancer: From £89, Marks & Spencer This is soft but supportive, thanks to the cluster fibres that cushion your body. Particularly well suited to those who get chilly at night, it keeps the bed nice and warm – so probably not the best for those prone to sweating while they sleep. 11. Ikea Talgje: from £65, Ikea Ikea has a wide range of mattress covers, with this one – a blend of cotton and polyester foam filling – towards the bottom of the price range. It has a good, snug fit and although it’s only 3.5cm thick, it offers an indulgent layer of comfort, particularly for the price.
It’s not for people who get hot at night and it has an initial chemical odour, although that does disappear over time. 12. Gingerlily Silk Filled Mattress Topper: from £85, Gingerlily This 100 per cent long-strand, silk-filled topper is a great natural body regulator, making it a godsend for anyone who overheats at night, as well as suiting allergy sufferers. It fits on well with elastic straps and the cover is a luxurious 300 thread-count cotton sateen. If you’ve got the dosh, the Vispring Heavenly Mattress Topper really does take you to sleep paradise, while a cheaper option that also stands out is the John Lewis Soft Touch Washable Mattress Topper. More than 10 in stock Standard delivery within 5 working days Collect+ from a local shop from More information on international delivery Returns are free -Buyers' guide to bedlinen What does thread count (TC) actually refer to? It is the number of yarns packed into a square inch of fabric. A high-quality basic is 200TC made from single-ply Egyptian cotton.
This combination provides a good standard of durability and softness. You can also have sheets that are 400, 800 and 1,000TC. Does a higher thread count always mean better quality? In some cases you’ll want a relatively low thread count, such as with flannelette sheets, which are more loosely woven to produce the desired softness. The type of thread used would become too stiff if woven very tightly. Some experts believe the difference between 350 and 700-thread is barely noticeable, but according to Fiona Caulfield, the buyer for bedlinens at John Lewis, 'There is definitely a trend for people wanting a higher thread-count bedlinen. We have pima [a high-quality cotton often used in shirt-making] 800TC, and it is incredibly popular. The thing to remember with high thread-count bedlinen is that you do have to put a bit more time and effort into keeping it looking beautiful. Be prepared to iron it rather than putting it straight on to the bed from the drier or the clothes line.’ It isn’t just about the numbers, though, is it?
You also need to think about the weave. An Oxford weave is a bit like basket weave (and often used for making high-quality men’s shirts) while percale has had the shorter, rougher fibres combed out to make it smooth and crisp. Sateen (not to be mistaken for satin) has a slightly lustrous finish as it is woven from finer threads; it is typically 300TC or higher and can be slightly less hard-wearing than percale. Jacquard is woven to create a matt and sateen self-pattern on the fabric and feels soft like sateen rather than crisp like percale. Flannelette is made from spun yarn brushed on both sides after weaving, creating texture and holding in warmth. 'A lot of people use a flannelette sheet as a mattress protector under their cotton fitted sheet so they have the feel of the crisp cotton against the skin, but the warmth of flannelette underneath,’ Caulfield says. Being a natural fibre, it is cool in summer, warm in winter, naturally hypo-allergenic and incredibly smooth and comfortable to sleep in.
Caulfield is enthusiastic about the health and beauty aspects. 'Unlike cotton, which is used to help wick away moisture from the body, silk helps to retain moisture in your skin and hair. Nourished skin minimises wrinkles and the smooth non-drying surface helps prevent bed head frizz and static. I swear by it.’ Any tips for linen care? Always use colour-care detergents to help preserve dyed textiles and to ensure that white sheets remain white. Sheets can be washed at lower temperatures of 30 or 40 degrees, which will also help protect colour. When it comes to mattress covers and pillow protectors, though, buy those that are designed to withstand wash temperatures of 60 degrees, which is high enough to kill all dust mites and their eggs. Try ironing them while still slightly damp, because it is much easier to remove creases. Buyers' guide to mattresses What are the options? There are three main mattress types: 'open sprung’ is generally the cheapest option and features coil springs that are linked together into one sheet of mesh.
The edges have either a rod or wire border to firm up the structure and help prevent you rolling off the side of the bed, or rolling towards the middle if you’re sharing it with someone. Pocket spring mattress comprise individual springs that are encased in separate fabric pockets. It means they work independently to respond to pressure and are also ideal for couples with large differences in body weight. Memory foam mattresses mould and re-mould to the body’s contours as they soften to the body’s heat. Body weight is absorbed rather than resisted and pressure on joints on the spine is reduced. Any numbers worth knowing? Check for coil count of the mattress to get an idea of the amount of support it offers. The more coils, the better the bed will conform to your body. The number is based On a 150cm king size mattress: those with pocket springs can range from 600 nearly 8000, when you start getting layers of coils and springs within springs for extra support. How I know what’s right for me?
Try it out by lying down in your normal sleeping position and turning. If you’re sharing the bed, it’s vital that both of you try it out this way together – don’t be shy! According to the Sleep Council, a non-profit organization that promotes the importance of a good night’s sleep, most of us aren’t sleeping in big enough beds. A standard 4ft 6in wide double is not room enough for two adults to sleep comfortably together without disturbing each other. The next size up is a king which is 5ft wide. A mattress should measure at least six inches longer than the tallest person sleeping on it. How often should I turn my mattress? Body weight compresses a mattress, leading to dips and ultimately an uneven sleeping surface. Jen Lammas, assistant buyer for mattresses, recommends that 'when you first buy your mattress you should turn it every couple of weeks or every month while it settles in and adapts to your body. Then, turn it with the seasons’. Memory foam mattresses don’t need turning and in some cases only have one sleeping surface so cannot be turned, but the mattress should still be rotated lengthways occasionally to maximise its life.