The best mattress topper will fix your sleep. They add cushioning and support and in some cases can even revitalise an old mattress. Not only that, but they can adapt your mattress to suit you, keeping you cool, warming you up, or making your bed as firm or as soft as you need it.
Your preferences in terms of what you want from a mattress may have changed over time, and instead of buying an all-new mattress, a topper is an economical and practical way to make your bed more comfortable and tailored to what you need right now. If a mattress is too firm, a soft mattress topper can make your bed comfortable again, and vice versa.
Mattress toppers are also beneficial if you’re looking to try the feeling of memory foam or latex if you’ve spent most of your life on an innerspring mattress.
They can also extend the life of your existing mattress, and delay additional sagging or wear. However, if your mattress is already lumpy or saggy, or even over seven years old, we recommend that it’s time to consider a new mattress.
A mattress topper sits on top of your mattress and provides support that can prolong a mattress’s life by reducing pressure on the springs, delaying any sagging or general wear.
Memory foam mattress toppers Back and side sleepers typically love the cushioning and contouring effects of memory foam, which is a byproduct of polyurethane. Memory foam does tend to run warmer, but new technologies featuring gel foam, or infusions of materials like copper or graphite help with increased airflow and wicking away moisture. Overall, memory foam offers exceptional pressure relief for aches and pains and a soft, cradling comfort feel.
Latex mattress toppers Latex offers responsive support, with common buzzwords describing them as resilient and buoyant. Compared to memory foam, they are more cooling and firm, but both offer great pressure relief and motion isolation. Unless you have a latex allergy, latex is also antimicrobial and non-allergenic, making it a good choice for those with allergy sensitivities. Perhaps of even more interest, all-natural latex is better for the environment and uses fewer chemicals and harmful substances in production.
According to Saatva, Latex mattress toppers are often recommended by orthopedists and chiropractors to relieve neck, back, and shoulder pain.
Featherbeds Featherbeds emulate a classic pillowtop experience. They’re typically plush and available in down or alternative down fabrications, it simply depends on your personal preference. These tend to be the most breathable and cooling, but offer less pressure relief and support.
Wool Comparable to featherbeds, wool toppers offer an all-natural, allergen-free sleep surface, with increased temperature regulating and moisture-wicking properties for year-round comfort. They offer a bit of padding but are not nearly as thick as most memory foam or latex options. They’re usually harder to find, and the most expensive.
Cooling properties and breathability While memory foam is known to retain body heat, features such as perforated foam, cool to the touch covers, and gel infusions with temperature regulating substances like copper or graphite are designed to help you sleep cooler.
Pressure relief and support If you seek relief from back pain or any other body aches, you’ll need a mattress topper that offers excellent spinal alignment by offering cushioned support. Memory foam and latex designs offer the most support.
Comfort If you’re looking to make a firm mattress more forgiving, a soft topper like a feather bed or a thick, plush memory foam topper will add a nice amount of cushion that can relieve achy joints.
Motion isolation Memory foam and latex mattress toppers are also excellent at minimizing disruptions for your partner moving around in bed beside you.
A mattress pad is typically a thin quilted layer designed to protect your mattress from stains and sweat while adding subtle cushioning to your bed. It’ll usually fit over your bed like a fitted sheet, and are often machine-washable.
Mattress protectors come in many forms to expand the lifespan of your mattress by protecting it against spills, dust, pests, stain, and more. Most will stretch over your mattress like a fitted sheet, while full-mattress encasements will protect you from bedbugs and other unwanted pests. You’ll likely want to use a mattress protector on top of your new mattress topper as well.
