Last updated: January 18, 2017
Before you head out to replace that tired old mattress (excuse the pun), take some time to look into a good mattress topper. The best mattress topper will rejuvenate an older mattress that isn’t as comfortable as it used to be. If your mattress is just too firm, a mattress topper will solve that issue as well.
There are mattress toppers that work great for keeping you cool, keeping you warm, offering better back support, or just giving you a bit of luxury without breaking the bank.
A mattress can be a big investment and, with a good mattress topper, you can extend its life and save yourself money in the long run. In some cases, your mattress topper will outlast even a new mattress.
This best mattress topper review will help you decide which one will suit your needs.
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Table of Contents
Benefits of using a mattress topper
Prevent Allergies
Dust mites are a common allergen that can be alleviated by using a mattress topper. There are many materials that will prevent dust mites from making themselves a cozy home in your mattress. From wool to latex to silk, there is a mattress topper material that will keep them at bay.
Mold and mildew can also build up in an old mattress, particularly one that doesn’t allow your skin to breath and wick moisture away from your body if you sweat. A mattress topper can prevent that mildew from forming and can also prevent allergies.
Regulate your body temperature
Many older mattresses do a poor job at keeping you cool in the summer. When you sweat at night, it contributes to ruining your mattress, is unhealthy, and, most importantly, it will keep you from getting a good night's sleep.
With many new technologies available, the material used in mattress toppers will help keep you cool at night. Some will even wick away any moisture from your body to prevent overheating.
Alternatively, some materials do double duty. They not only keep you cool in the summer but also keep you warm in the winter. You will get a good night’s rest and save money on heating and air conditioning at the same time.
Provide support
Back pain is one of the leading causes of poor sleep. With the proper mattress topper, there is no reason to suffer with back pain and lose sleep any longer. It may even be your old, sagging mattress that is causing your back pain.
A new mattress topper made with latex or memory foam can do wonders for your back, shoulder, and neck pain. By letting your pressure points, like your shoulders and hips, sink into the padding, it takes the stress off of those joints. Your back will be supported and aligned by the topper's ability to conform to your contours.
Prevent sagging
Many mattresses will start to give out. It’s just a matter of time. When you sleep in the same spot year after year, eventually you will notice a depression on your mattress.
Using a mattress topper will prevent that sagging from happening. You will get a few more years of life out of that mattress if you put on a mattress topper. Even if you buy a brand new mattress, it is a wise investment to add a mattress topper right away.
Don’t wait for the sag to start because the mattress might not recover even with a topper on it. It’s best to try to prevent the sagging from starting at all.
Easy to clean
A dirty mattress can be a nightmare to deal with. There are many mattress cleaning remedies that all require a healthy dose of scrubbing, vacuuming, and crossing your fingers.
Many mattress toppers have a cover that can be removed and washed in a machine. Depending on the material and size of the topper, some can even be washed whole in a washing machine to get a really deep clean.
Noise and movement reduction
Many new mattress toppers are made with either a thick filling or a type of foam that will reduce any movement your partner makes in bed. Most people who have trouble sleeping report that it is the noise and movement of their partner that wakes them up. If your mattress bounces with the slightest motion, then the right mattress topper will put an end to that.
Comfort
Last but not least, mattress toppers are very comfortable. You don’t need any more reason to buy one beyond the fact that it just feels great to sleep on one. Even if there is nothing wrong with your mattress, everyone can benefit from having a mattress topper.
You don’t have to spend thousands on a mattress to get the ultimate in luxury sleep comfort. Some of these mattress toppers are not inexpensive, but they will still be cheaper than some of the high-end mattresses out there.
If you have ever spent a night or two in a five-star hotel, you may have left wishing you could take the mattress home with you.
Now, you can have that five-star level of comfort in your own home.
What are mattress toppers made from?
You can go the traditional route and buy a mattress topper made out of classic bedding materials such as wool and down feathers. Another alternative is to go with some modern memory foam or latex. Even bamboo is making its presence felt in the sleep industry.
Every material will have its own characteristics that makes it suitable for your needs.
Following are the pros and cons of each type of material:
Latex
Pros
- Long lasting
- Breathes to eliminate body moisture
- Offers great back support by evenly distributing weight
- Mold, mildew, and dust mite resistant
- Can be chemical-free
- Reduces tossing and turning
- Noise-free
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy and difficult to move
- Difficult to clean
Memory Foam
Pros
- Offers great back support by evenly distributing weight
- Doesn’t squeak or make any noise
- Reduces tossing and turning
- Easily moved
- Very comfortable
Cons
- Initial chemical odor
- Traps heat
- Difficult to clean
- Can leave you feeling “stuck” when you sink into it
Wool
Pros
- Durable and long lasting
- Good temperature regulating-keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter
- Resists dust mites
- Breathable
- All natural and eco-friendly
Cons
- Expensive
- Can get compacted
- Can’t be washed
Goose and duck down
Pros
- Very soft and luxurious
- Durable
- Great at temperature regulating- warm in winter cool in summer
- Is machine washable
- More affordable than foam
Cons
- Needs occasional fluffing
- Can be expensive
- Can’t fix a sagging mattress
Down alternative (aka fiberbed filling)
Pros
- Cheaper than real down
- Very soft
- Can be hypoallergenic
- Can be washable
Cons
- Can get lumpy and need shaking
- May be too thin
Silk
Pros
- Non allergenic
- Prevents dust mites
- Regulates body temperature
- Feels luxurious
Cons
- Not very thick
- Not much support
- Expensive
Bamboo fiber
Pros
- Machine washable
- Non-allergenic
- Encourages air flow
- Keeps its shape
- Wicks moisture away from skin
- Sustainable material
Cons
- Can compress over time
- Not very durable
- Can have a chemical odor initially
Cotton
Pros
- All natural and sometimes organic
- Very soft
- Won’t cause overheating
- Easy to clean
- Affordable
Cons
- Doesn’t wick moisture
- Easily compresses
- Can eventually smell musty
Best Cooling Mattress Topper
Iso-Cool Memory Foam Mattress Topper
- 3-Inch thick temperature sensitive memory foam
- 15-inch TightGrip skirt fits mattresses up to 20 inches deep
- Hypoallergenic and machine washable cover
- Polyester fiber fill
- Removable and washable cotton cover
- Offers good back support
Best Cooling
Memory foam has a bad reputation for causing people to overheat. Luckily, new technologies have made it possible to not only eradicate that problem but also to allow for cooling comfort.
The Iso-Cool mattress topper is made with a new kind of temperature sensitive memory foam that allows for proper airflow. It pulls your body heat away from you and allows it to pass through the foam.
You won’t just enjoy the cooling feature of this mattress topper; you will also benefit from the support you get. Three inches of memory foam allow your shoulders and hips to sink into the padding and reduce the pressure on those areas. It is also thick enough to push back on your spine to help keep it aligned.
The cover is made out of cotton and provides a soft surface. The cover is stretchy, too, so it will fit snugly on mattresses up to 20 inches thick. It’s quilted so the polyester fiber filler will not become lumpy or compressed. If you are both a hot sleeper and a back pain sufferer, you will be killing two birds with one stone with this mattress topper.
Best Wool Mattress Topper
SnugFleece SnugSoft Deluxe Wool Mattress Topper
- Made with natural American wool
- 1-inch wool pile height
- Great body temperature regulation
- Entire topper is machine washable
- Hypoallergenic
Best Wool
This wool mattress topper does not give you much support, so it is ideal for those with mattresses that already provide the support you need. This mattress topper is also ideal for people who suffer from allergies and need to have a hypoallergenic topper. Wool is naturally hypoallergenic and resists dust mites. It stays smelling fresh since it also resists mildew.
Your body temperature will be well regulated with this mattress topper. It will keep you cool in the summer and provide extra warmth in the winter. Wool mattress toppers have an extraordinary ability to pull your body heat away from you to keep you cool. Wool also traps your body heat in the fibers so, in the winter, it will keep that warmth from escaping and will keep you toasty.
Probably the best benefit to using this mattress topper is that it is fully washable. It is only one inch thick, so it will fit into most washing machines. If you don’t love sleeping on synthetic materials, going old school with wool is a great choice.
The Best Down Filled Mattress Topper
5" Queen Goose Down Mattress Topper Featherbed
- 5% goose down and 95% goose feathers with high fill weight
- 300 thread count outer shell minimizes leakage, 550 fill power for maximum loft
- Baffle quilted design minimizes shift and keeps the topper uniform
- Can be dry cleaned
Best Down Filled
You will feel like you are sleeping on air with this luxurious and thick down and feather mattress topper.
Millsave, the manufacturer of this down mattress topper, has perfected how their featherbed is made to eliminate some of the problems associated with other down toppers. The cover is made out of soft and comfortable cotton with a 300 thread count to reduce the number of quills that poke through. You may encounter the occasional quill, but far less than with other down toppers.
The baffle quilting also keeps the down from shifting. One of the worst things about down is how the feathers end up bunching up in one area. That doesn’t happen with this mattress topper. You may need to do an occasional fluffing to keep it thick, but it is much better than other down toppers.
It’s thickness is the star of the show. At five inches thick, you simply sink right into the featherbed. If you have ever wanted to know what it feels like to sleep on a cloud, now is your chance. This mattress topper will keep you warm and snug in the winter and cool in the summer. Cleaning it just means bringing it to the dry cleaners once in a while to keep it fresh.
It fits on any queen size mattress as it doesn’t have any straps. It simply lies on top of the mattress itself and is held securely by your sheets. Make sure your sheets will accommodate an extra five inches.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sleeping on a down featherbed. When you are ready to spoil yourself and feel like royalty, it’s time for this down mattress topper by Millsave.
The Best Down Alternative Mattress Topper
Hospitology Heavenly Microfiber Goose Down Alternative Overstuffed Hypoallergenic Mattress Pad
- Overstuffed 24oz of gelled filling
- Super soft brushed microfiber polyester shell
- Box stitched to ensure filling does not shift or clump
- Hypoallergenic filling
- Can accommodate mattresses up to 18 inches thick
- Stain resistant cover
Best Down Alternative
Being allergic to feathers doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the extremely comfortable experience of sleeping on a down mattress topper. This down alternative mattress topper is every bit as luxurious and soft as down while still being hypoallergenic.
It is made with 100% polyester, but you would never guess it is not a natural material. The shell is made of brushed polyester for the softness and feel of cotton. The fiberbed fill will have you believe that you are sleeping on down, just without the quills poking through.
This topper is also hypoallergenic, breathable, and even stain resistant. The shell fabric will resist minor spills. Since it is made with polyester, the whole topper can be washed, assuming you have a big enough washing machine. The topper is quite thick.
A huge benefit to using a down alternative is that the filling doesn’t usually clump or compress. To ensure this doesn't happen, Hospitology has used a boxed quilt pattern just to make sure that it doesn’t shift and create lumps.
The price is probably the biggest reason to go with a down alternative. You can have all the benefits of sleeping on down feather without the big price tag. Spoil yourself with this ultra comfortable mattress topper without breaking the bank.
Best Bamboo Mattress Topper
ExceptionalSheets Bamboo King Mattress Pad with Fitted Skirt and Extra Plush Cooling Topper
- Plush rayon from bamboo cover filled with hypoallergenic down alternative RevoLoft Cluster Fiber
- Natural bamboo fiber helps regulate body temperature while allowing your mattress to cool
- Double needle baffle box stitch prevents fill from shifting or moving around
- Can be found in Marriott, Omni, Courtyard, and Fairfield hotels
- Machine washable in large washing machines
Best Bamboo
Sleeping in a hotel bed can spoil you and make you hate your mattress at home. Now, you can bring that luxury of a hotel back to your own bedroom and use the same comfortable mattress toppers the major hotels use.
This bamboo fabric covered mattress pad does an excellent job of regulating your body temperature while you luxuriate in comfort. The silky, soft bamboo wicks away your body heat and keeps you cool.
It is also hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. Best of all, it is washable. If your washing machine is big enough, you can pop the whole topper in and clean it. Luckily, bamboo and the polyester Cluster Fiber don’t get that musty smell like cotton does after a period of time, so you won’t find yourself needing to wash this mattress topper very often.
The unique Cluster Fiber acts like fluffy balls that trap the air in the mattress giving you a sensation of floating on air. The double stitching will keep the filling from bunching and will remain comfortable.
You will get a great snug fit on just about any mattress thanks to the extra deep and stretchy elastic skirt. It doesn’t just go down the sides of the mattress; it is deep enough to go underneath to keep it from sliding around.
Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain
Serta 4-Inch Dual Layer Mattress Topper
- 2-Inch memory foam layer provides comfort and support
- 2-Inch pillow-top layer provides soft support
- Cool, breathable comfort for a cooler sleep surface
- Includes premium Egyptian cotton cover that is removable and machine washable
- 10-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
Best for Back Pain
A great mattress topper for back pain needs to straddle the line between soft comfort and firm support. It should be soft enough that your pressure points sink into the mattress, but still firm enough to keep your back aligned.
The Serta Dual layer mattress topper does just that. The top layer is a 2-inch thick pillow top filled with polyester fiberfill. Your shoulders and hips will sink into the mattress topper and have you feeling like you are floating on air.
The next layer is where you get your support. It is a 2-inch layer of memory foam that will evenly distribute your weight. It is firm enough to keep your back aligned while your shoulders and hips sink in.
The fiberfill of the top layer is not only soft, but breathable, keeping you cool during the night for a restful sleep. It feels like down, but it is actually a hypoallergenic polyester. The cover is made out of Egyptian cotton for added softness, Luckily it is machine washable and will keep your mattress topper fresh and clean.
If you have a bad back, or even if you just want to prevent back problems, then consider the Serta Dual layer mattress topper. It feels luxurious, and you will feel like you’re spoiling yourself. What you are really doing is giving your back the support it needs and your body the rest it needs.
That’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
The Best Latex Mattress Topper
Ultimate Dreams King 3" Talalay Latex Medium Mattress Topper
- Talalay latex provides up to 33% more pressure relief than conventional foam and fiber cushioning materials
- Latex is ideal for allergy sufferers
- Latex bounces back instantly
- Comes in three degrees of firmness-firm, medium firm, and soft
- Cover is made of breathable, natural bamboo fiber
Best Latex
This latex mattress topper is ideal for people who want the comfort of memory foam but the bounce of latex. Latex reacts instantly to your body so you don’t slowly sink into it and then have that feeling of being stuck like you do with memory foam.
As soon as you lay on it, the latex will conform to your body’s contours. It is very easy to get out of bed as it springs back as soon as you sit up.
Latex is perfect for people with allergies as it is hypoallergenic. Talalay latex is four times more breathable than polyurethane, memory foam, or Dunlop process latex. It is 60% synthetic latex and 40% natural. In addition, there are three degrees of firmness available.
You can choose a soft topper that will allow you to sink deeper into the mattress relieving your pressure points. It does not, however, add much support for your back. If you don’t suffer from back pain or you are on the petite side, then this is a good option.
The medium firm topper will allow your shoulders and hips to sink into the latex, but it will provide enough support that your spine will still be propped up and aligned. This is the most popular support.
The firm support topper will not have much give, but it will still allow you to sink in a bit. Back sleepers who like a firm mattress while still enjoying the properties of latex will appreciate this level of firmness.
At three inches of thickness, no matter which firmness level you go with, you won’t feel any of the imperfections of your mattress underneath, thanks to the durability of latex. Also, if you have a sleep partner who tosses around all night, you won’t even know the person is there. Your side of the bed will remain motionless.
Latex is very durable and will add years to your mattress. Don’t be surprised if you use the same mattress topper through the lives of multiple mattresses.
Mattress topper FAQ
Q: Can I use an electric blanket with a mattress topper?
A: There is no one-size-fits-all answer for this. It depends on the material of the topper. However, a good rule of thumb is that you probably shouldn’t use an electric blanket with a mattress topper. In fact, you probably won’t need one as they usually provide extra warmth when it is cold.
Q: Can a mattress topper make a soft bed firmer?
A: In some cases, yes. There are some latex mattress toppers that are very firm as you may have read earlier in this guide. Some wool mattress toppers will also compact after prolonged use which may add more firmness to your mattress.
Q: Can I use a mattress topper on an adjustable bed?
A: Yes. Mattress toppers are not usually that firm. You may want to try to avoid a firm mattress topper like a firm latex one. If you want a foam mattress topper to work with an adjustable bed, try a thinner layer.
Final Thoughts on the Best Mattress Topper
When you decide it is time for a mattress topper, it is important to evaluate why you want one and what features are important to you. That is why, in this review of the best mattress topper, I outlined the excellent features of each one.
You may feel you want the luxurious feel of a down feather mattress topper but need back support like will you get from latex. Once you understand your most important needs, choosing a mattress topper will be an easier decision. No matter what your reasons are for being in the market for a mattress topper, I hope this guide of what we feel are the best mattress toppers will help you find what you are looking for.
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