Welcome to all you need to know, and probably would rather not know, about mattress toppers. Mattress toppers serve many useful and valuable purposes when choosing the right bed. If you’re in a hurry read our top 5 tips or for more information covering everything please read on. A mattress topper is an additional comfort layer that is added to a core mattress to increase the longevity and also increase the comfort of the mattress. We recommend that all mattresses should have a topper and our dual construction method provides each of our foam beds with a built in removable mattress topper. When trying to buy a mattress topper in retail shops, this is where the confusion starts; as you try to find the elusive ‘perfect mattress topper’. Most of our foam mattresses use a dual construction method which includes a topper, with the exception of some latex models, but I’m sure it is still on your list of questions to find out what a mattress topper does. The problem is the market is flooded with hundreds of different mattress toppers, some are brilliant and some way below par for the job.
You can find toppers everywhere from bespoke bed shops to discount shops meaning that there is a huge variety of the offerings. Prices vary greatly and in some cases the only option you’re presented with is what size you want rather than the depth or firmness of the topper! With mattress toppers one size does definitely not fit all. Firstly you need to make sure it complements the bed you have and is of the necessary depth to have any real benefit. At John Ryan By Design we have individually matched our mattress toppers to our range and also have a range of stand alone toppers that can be bought separately to fine tune your existing mattress. We offer hybrid foam and natural latex mattress toppers. As a rule, of thumb, the correct mattress topper can make a great mattress into a fantastic one. On the other hand, a topper can make a bad or unsuitable bed, much more bearable. Our site has received many comments from readers who questioned that if the mattress was expensive and had adequate comfort layers already, why was it deemed necessary to add further by way of a topper?
This is an excellent question and the quick answer is that toppers increase the comfort and extend the longevity of your mattress. There’s much more to toppers than meets the eye so read on for a more detailed look. The benefits of using a mattress topper can be split into two categories, increasing comfort and increasing the longevity of the mattress. They are also an excellent way of increasing the life of your bed and providing you with flexibility. Let us go into a little more detail on the benefits of mattress toppers. 1. Providing additional comfort layers If you choose to sleep on a core mattress without adding an additional topper, it will not be too long before the softer top component compresses under your bodyweight and the mattress will become discoloured through perspiration. Adding a topper gives another layer which will compress before the mattress; giving you more comfort but ultimately a layer that can be easily turned and rotated. We’ve spoken on mattress construction about the issues with one sided mattresses;
a necessary construction method with foam beds. A topper helps to address this issue. 2. The longevity of the mattress Moving on to the longevity of the mattress we need to tackle the uncomfortable subject matter of sleeping directly on your mattress. This means there is nothing there to combat the three main enemies to your mattress: The additional benefits you get from utilising toppers will, in the long run, pay dividends, it allows your mattress to stay newer for longer and provides you with increased comfort. When the topper has taken all it can after the barrage of nightly activities, it is a small expenditure to replace as necessary rather than reaching the stage where the complete mattress requires replacement. The answer is yes. It will change and soften the top layer of the pocket sprung mattress, but any quality mattress topper should be suitable with a pocket sprung mattress. The type of topper you choose will determine the extra sink it provides. If you need more guidance on how a topper may affect the feel of one of our mattresses, then please get in touch for tailored advice.
1. A suitable mattress topper will protect your mattress from the three evils. Body perspiration, dead skin/ bacteria and indentations/ settlement issues. 2. A high-quality mattress topper will provide additional comfort layers, providing you with an even more comfortable and forgiving mattress. 3. A mattress topper will help extend the life of a mattress, especially a no turn Memory foam mattress as you can turn and rotate the topper to reduce compression or wear. It can also be replaced more easily and cost effectively than the entire mattress. 4. Usually, the topper is made of the same or similar material as the mattress ie memory foam with a memory foam topper vs natural wool pocket sprung bed with a wool or cashmere topper. This is to keep consistency with the mattresses comfort and response levels. However, there is nothing to stop you experimenting with different topper materials. 5. A mattress topper can make a good bed fantastic, and make a bad bed much more bearable!
A mattress protector should be the very least of your efforts to help reduce the damaging effects of sweat and other fluids during your time spent in bed. A mattress topper is a great way to increase the comfort layers of your mattress. They also help to reduce the wear and tear put on your core mattress. A good rule of thumb is to match the materials of the topper to those within the core mattress though this is not mandatory. If you need more help why not have a look at our single and double mattress toppers in our shop for details of our range. 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. A final thought: The half of the mattress with the topper is going to be higher than the other half which will give the mattress an awkward appearance.