The best mattress topper makes an easy and affordable upgrade. You don't need to drop thousands of dollars on a brand new bed when you can transform your sleep experience for just a couple of hundred bucks.
There are plush memory foam toppers to soften up your sleeping surface, as well as firmer latex models for reinforced support. Whether you sleep hot or cold on your front, back, or side, I've found the mattress topper that meets your needs. Still, with all that choice, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.
That's where I come in. As H&G's resident sleep writer, I lead a team of expert testers. I've combed through our back catalogue of reviews and selected the nine best mattress toppers to suit every style of sleeper and every size of budget. I've also developed a series of mattress topper buying rules to help you pick the perfect product.
Best mattress topper 2024
You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
In the interests of fairness, we assess each mattress topper against the same criteria: comfort; support; cooling properties; motion isolation; edge support; and weight-bearing capacity, as well as the all-important price.
The Quick List
If you already have a particular mattress topper in mind, you can skip straight to that section using our navigation menu. If you'd rather consider your options, you can browse the best mattress toppers below.
The best mattress topper overall
This mattress protector is made from TEMPUR-material. Originally developed by NASA scientists to absorb energy and relieve pressure from astronauts in transit, this high-tech memory foam model can handle just about anything you throw at it.
The best mattress topper for back pain
Filled with organic latex for firm support, then topped with organic wool and cotton for plush comfort, this mattress topper is designed to ease your aches and pains. It's also thermoregulating, moisture-wicking, and organic − but it doesn't have straps.
The best cooling mattress topper
Memory foam gets a bad rap as a heat trap, but the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper is highly breathable. Infused with a cooling graphite gel to dissipate heat and wick moisture, this mattress topper is made for hot sleepers and summer nights.
The best mattress topper for side sleepers
This mattress topper is soft enough to absorb the pressure from your joints, yet sufficiently supportive to stop that sinking feeling and maintain the natural alignment of your spine. One of our sleep experts, Louise, tested the Earthfoam Mattress Topper and she couldn't recommend it highly enough.
The best memory foam mattress topper
Your average memory foam mattress topper is a thick slab of dense foam, which tends to trap heat. The Coop Retreat Mattress Topper, by contrast, is filled with a unique blend of cross-cut foam and microfiber to boost breathability throughout your bed.
The best firm mattress topper
If you're looking to toughen up a soft, sagging mattress, then you need a solid, sturdy mattress topper. The Nolah Mattress Topper is filled with supportive AirFoam, designed to relieve pressure and regulate temperature.
The best mattress topper for firm beds
If you're keen to soften up a firm, inflexible mattress, then you need a soft, yet supportive mattress topper. Our expert tester, Jamie, sampled the Helix Plush Mattress Topper a few months ago and she's still sleeping with it – it's just that good.
The best mattress topper for dorm beds
The ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper is often discounted in the mattress sales, so it's affordable on a student budget, but it would make a great gift for any kid going off to college.
The best luxury mattress topper
Filled with natural latex, topped with organic wool, and wrapped in organic cotton, the Saatva Organic Quilted Mattress Topper is perfect for pressure relief. At full-price, it costs as much as a brand new bed, but you can save a few hundred dollars in the Memorial Day mattress sales.
The best mattress topper overall
The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt Topper boasts a 4.3 average star rating from more than 10,000 verified reviews. Happy customers praise the cooling comfort of the mattress topper, which helps to ease aches and pains.
This mattress topper is filled with TEMPUR-Material, which is the last word in memory foam. Invented by NASA and developed by Tempur-Pedic, TEMPUR-Material is more durable than your average slab of memory foam. It's designed to bend to your body, bear your weight, then spring back into shape as soon as you get out of bed. This mattress topper is covered by a 10-year warranty, which is seriously impressive when you consider that most memory foam has a 6-to-8-year lifespan.
Unlike the Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper, which lies awkwardly on top of your bed, the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt Topper is fitted with non-slip corner straps for a snug, secure fit.
This mattress topper is fairly expensive, retailing at around $419 for a Queen. Still, it's often listed for less in the mattress sales, and I'd argue it's worth it at full price.
The best mattress topper for back pain
I assigned Antonia, one of our toughest testers, to review the Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper. She had previously tested the Avocado Green Mattress and found it felt too firm to suit some sleepers. She was blown away by the plush comfort of the Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper and gave it the full five stars.
This mattress topper is filled with organic wool and cotton, so it feels soft on top, but there's a Dunlop latex base for firm support at the bottom. That makes for excellent motion isolation and a great balance between comfort and support to contour to the shape of your body while cushioning your joints.
Springy and responsive, latex also offers excellent pressure relief. In all her time of testing, Antonia never once woke up with aches or pains. She recommends the Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper for all sleep positions, whether you lie on your front, back, or side.
There's only one thing I don't like about the Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper, and that's the absence of straps. You do get an organic cotton canvas across the bottom of the topper to stop slipping, but you can't secure your topper to your mattress.
You can find more detail in our Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper review.
The best cooling mattress topper
If you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, or you always seem to wake up warm, then the problem might just be your mattress. You could spend thousands of dollars on the best cooling mattress − or you could get the look and feel for less with the best cooling mattress topper.
Forget everything you think you know about memory foam: this mattress topper is infused with cooling graphite to carry heat away from your body and out of your bed. This way, you get all the plush comfort and pressure-relieving properties of a memory foam mattress topper, without the heat retention.
Now, memory foam is never the most sustainable option, but the Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper is better than most. This high-density memory foam is made with renewable oils, so it's low in VOCs and free from harmful chemicals to minimize that unpleasant odor you get from mattress off-gassing.
You can find more detail in our Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper review.
The best mattress topper for side sleepers
If you like the look and feel of memory foam, but you're keen to shop more sustainably, I suggest you invest in the Earthfoam Mattress Topper. This lightweight layer is filled with natural latex for support, then topped with organic wool and cotton for softness.
Just like memory foam, latex is made to mold to the shape of your body and offers enhanced support for your hips, knees, neck, and shoulders. Unlike memory foam, latex is naturally breathable, durable, and sustainable, with a nice bit of bounce to support your spine.
Our expert tester, Louise, was seriously impressed with the Earthfoam Mattress Topper. She had just finished her review for a thick, five-inch topper, filled with shredded memory foam, and found that the Earthfoam Mattress Topper was far more supportive.
A word of warning: the Earthfoam Mattress Topper does sleep a little hot. I'd hesitate to recommend it for seriously hot sleepers or summer nights, though you could always top it off with a set of the best cooling sheets.
You can find more detail in our Earthfoam Mattress Topper review.
The best memory foam mattress topper
This is the topper that Louise was testing right before the Earthfoam Mattress Topper. They couldn't be more different. The Coop Retreat Mattress Topper is five full inches of thick pillow-top foam, cross-cut with microfiber for a bit of breathability.
Louise sleeps on her side, so she needs a mattress topper with plenty of give to cushion her joints and maintain the proper alignment of her spine. It took her a few nights to get used to the Coop Retreat Mattress Topper, but once the foam had flattened out a bit, she found it very comfortable. She normally suffers from knee pain, but found that the Coop Retreat Mattress Topper relieved that pressure.
A few practical points: like all foam bedding, the Coop Retreat Mattress Topper tends to sleep hot. I'd recommend that hot sleepers shop the best cooling mattress topper, instead. Also, the sizing system is a little strange: there are now Twin or Full sizes, only Twin XL, Queen, King, and California King.
You can find more detail in our Coop Retreat Mattress Topper review.
The best firm mattress topper
If you're a front or back sleeper, you should be sleeping on the best firm mattress: it's the only way to get proper spinal support. If you don't want to throw out your old bed, but you're keen to get better sleep, I suggest you shop the best firm mattress topper.
The Nolah Mattress Topper comes in two comfort levels. Front and back sleepers should select the Luxury Firm option, which feels most like the medium-firm comfort level across major mattress brands. This mattress topper could toughen up a soft, sagging mattress and lend some extra support to struggling sleepers.
Our expert tester, Jamie, tested the Nolah Mattress Topper in bed with her partner, who suffers from chronic back pain. The couple are used to sleeping on softer beds, which allow their spines to sink. The Nolah Mattress Topper gives them the tough love they need. Since they started testing, Jamie's partner's back pain has significantly decreased.
Still, the Nolah Mattress Topper isn't perfect. You only get 30 days to test it before you have to commit to your purchase. That doesn't feel like enough time to really break in your bedding. Also, there's an unpleasant off-gassing smell, though that should go away after a few days.
You can find more detail in our Nolah Mattress Topper review.
The best mattress topper for firm beds
Measuring just 1.5 inches thick, this little mattress topper could make a big difference to the look and feel of your bed. Our expert tester, Alex, tested the Helix Plush Mattress Topper for two months at the start of the year, and she says it's 'the comfiest topper she's ever slept on'.
The Helix Plush Mattress Topper is stuffed with fluffy clusters of fiberfill, rather than individual strands, for a lighter, spongier feeling, like you'd find in a hotel bed. The whole thing is encased in an ultra-soft blend of polyester and bamboo viscose, woven into sateen for a silky smooth finish that you can still feel through your fitted sheet.
The Helix Plush Mattress Topper scored highly on our tests for motion isolation and edge support. Alex puts it down to the texture of the topper: it's just thick enough to elevate the feel of your mattress, but not so thick that it starts to impede performance.
You can find more detail in our Helix Plush Mattress Topper review.
The best mattress topper for dorm beds
As a recent grad, I can confirm that this is the best mattress topper for dorm beds. Your average college bed is firm and inflexible, lined with steel springs that dig into your side. The ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper should provide some much-needed plush comfort, along with essential support for your neck, shoulders, and spine.
This mattress topper is filled with high-density memory foam. That's not the soft, squishy stuff that gives you a sinking feeling, but a dense, supportive foam to take the weight off your joints. Good news for hot sleepers: the ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper is infused with cooling copper to dissipate heat.
Most dorm beds are Twin XLs, but not all – I slept on a Full in sophomore year. Luckily, the ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper comes in all the standard sizes and a few non-standard ones, too: there's a Full XL and Queen Short size to fit every bed frame.
The best thing about the ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper. A Twin XL is currently listed for $174.95 in the Memorial Day mattress sales, but even at full price, it's only $230. It would make a great gift for any student.
The best luxury mattress topper
Our expert tester, Jamie, uses the Saatva Organic Quilted Mattress Topper to toughen up the soft bed in her guest room. She's heard rave reviews from friends and family, as well as other customers: this mattress topper boasts a 4.7 average star rating on the Saatva site.
Jamie recommends the Saatva Organic Quilted Mattress Topper for just about anyone, especially hot sleepers. That's because this topper is filled with organic latex, which is naturally thermoregulating. Jamie was running a fever for one of the nights that she tested this topper and she still managed to keep relatively cool and comfortable.
Due to the springy, responsive nature of latex, the motion isolation is a little lacking. It didn't bother Jamie or her partner in practice but I'd still hesitate to recommend this mattress topper to seriously light sleepers.
I couldn't review the Saatva Organic Quilted Mattress Topper without mentioning the price. A queen-sized topper goes for $995: even at a $200 discount for Memorial Day, it's still more expensive than the best affordable mattress. If you're really struggling to sleep, then you might be better off buying a brand new bed.
You can find more detail in our Saatva Organic Quilted Mattress Topper review.
How we test mattress toppers
We put a lot of thought into how we test mattress toppers. Our sleep experts test toppers for several weeks, if not months, to monitor their performance over time. We assess each mattress topper against the same criteria: comfort; support; breathability and cooling properties; motion isolation; edge support; and weight bearing capacity.
Some of our tests are more scientific than others. We use a system of weights and water glasses to measure motion isolation, edge support, and weight bearing capacity. Others are more subjective. To determine the comfort of a mattress topper, we simply sleep on it and see how we feel. All of our tests have a purpose, though some are more obvious than others. For example, when we fill a glass with water, set it in the center of the topper, then toss and turn beside it, we're measuring the motion transfer of the topper. The more the glass moves, the greater the motion transfer, and the less suitable the topper is for light sleepers.
Where possible, we compare our results against verified customer reviews to show a range of experiences from different sorts of sleeper. Finally, we bring it all back to the price of the mattress topper to help you work out value for money.
Meet the team
Emilia is our resident sleep writer. She spends her nights testing out the best bedding from the comfort of her own home and spends her days writing up the reviews in the office,
Louise is one of our former eCommerce editors. In her time at H&G, she covered all things beds and bedding. She reviewed the Coop Retreat Mattress Topper and the Earthfoam Mattress Topper for inclusion in this buying guide.
Jamie is one of our regular freelance reviewers. She tested the Saatva Organic Quilted Mattress Topper, the Nolah Mattress Topper and the Helix Plush Mattress Topper for inclusion in this buying guide.
Best mattress topper FAQs
Why should I buy a mattress topper?
If you're consistently struggling to sleep, then a mattress topper could be an easy and affordable solution to your problems.
Maybe you've got a soft, sagging mattress you want to toughen up. Or, at the other end of the spectrum, maybe you've got a firm, inflexible bed, and you could use a bit of plush comfort. You might sleep hot or cold, on your front, back, or side: the best mattress topper could help you sleep better for thousands of dollars less than the best mattress.
Where does a mattress topper go?
Your mattress topper goes on top of your mattress, beneath your bed sheets. If you're also using one of the best mattress protectors, then you should still place your mattress topper directly over your mattress, beneath your protector and your bed sheets.
Final thoughts
Once you've bought the best mattress topper, it's important to take good care of it. I recommend you learn how to clean a mattress topper to get the most out of your purchase.
If you're still struggling to sleep, then it might be time to take the plunge and invest in the best mattress. As a sleep writer and shopping editor, I've found a bed for every style of sleeper and size of budget.
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