How to Choose the Best Mattress Topper to Suit Your Preferences and Sleep Style
Our ultimate guide to finding exactly what to look for (and why) when buying a mattress topper
For the fraction of the price of a brand-new mattress, investing in one of the best mattress toppers is the easiest way to breathe new life into your bed − if it's no longer as comfortable as it used to be, or you're looking for extra softness, cooling, or support.
It can be tricky, however, to determine exactly which topper is right for you with so many options available. And, as a Sleep Editor, I know only too well that a topper that might be perfect for one person might not suit the next in helping you to sleep better.
Here at Homes & Gardens, my expert testing team and I have personally slept on a wide range of toppers, from foam to feather and latex − assessing the pressure relief, thermoregulation, motion isolation, and edge support after at least 30 nights spent on each. In this guide, we'll break down what to look for when shopping for a new topper to make an uncomfortable bed more comfortable, and the key factors to consider, so you can invest with confidence.
Why Buy a Mattress Topper – What Does It Do?
First things first, you may be wondering exactly what a topper can do:
- Add comfort by making a firm mattress feel softer or a slightly uncomfortable mattress more plush − one of the main reasons to shop the best mattress toppers for dorm beds, for example − and provide extra cushioning for pressure points (shoulders, hips, back), no matter which sleep position you sleep in. From my research, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, menopausal symptoms, and working out at the gym can make your existing mattress feel suddenly uncomfortable.
- Improve support (to some extent) – Memory foam or latex toppers can help align your spine better, but only if the underlying mattress is not extremely saggy, lumpy, or bumpy.
- Regulate temperature – The best cooling mattress toppers are designed to help regulate body temperature. From gel-infused memory foam to breathable, natural materials, hot sleepers can benefit from these picks year-round, while sleepers who don't find themselves regularly overheating might choose to make the switch for the spring and summer months.
- Protect your mattress – Mattress toppers can act as a barrier against spills, dust, and allergens, though I would still advise adding one of the best mattress protectors over the topper. Both can also extend the life of your mattress by reducing wear and staving off any signs you're sleeping on a bad mattress.
- Be convenient – Easier to clean or replace than a full mattress, a mattress topper is fairly lightweight and easy to transport, ideal for dorms if you're heading to college, or to breathe new life into a guest bed mattress.
And What a Mattress Topper Can’t:
- Fix a very old or sagging mattress – A mattress topper can’t replace lost support from a worn-out mattress. You might feel the dips through the topper.
- Provide long-term structural support – A mattress topper won’t make a mattress feel like a high-end, new mattress in terms of support and durability.
- Prevent all allergens or dust mites – Although some toppers are hypoallergenic, they don’t make your mattress completely allergen-free; you will need to invest in a mattress protector to boost this. Our top pick is the Avocado Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector.
- Correct serious back problems on their own – While mattress toppers can improve comfort, for chronic back pain, a proper supportive mattress is more important than a topper. In this instance, I'd recommend the Saatva RX mattress, which we tested and reviewed, and is specifically designed for combating chronic pain.
- Replace a mattress for comfort for very different body types – Someone very heavy or very light might still find the underlying mattress uncomfortable despite a topper.
Mattress Topper vs Alternatives – What Do You Actually Need?
A topper alternative might better suit your needs.
Do you really need a mattress topper? Or would a pad, protector, or even a new, best mattress be better? Here's everything you need to know:
Mattress toppers vs mattress pads: Mattress toppers are thick layers (usually two to four inches) designed to change the feel of your bed – adding softness, firmness, or cooling. For a plush, perfect pick for hot sleepers, we recently reviewed the Nolah AirFoam Luxe Mattress Topper, for example. Choose a topper if you want to adjust how your mattress feels. In contrast, mattress pads, such as the Bamboo Mattress Pad, available at Cozy Earth, are thinner, quilted layers that provide light cushioning and protection, but won’t dramatically alter comfort or support. Choose a pad if you mainly want to protect your mattress or add a touch of plushness.
Mattress toppers vs mattress protectors: As mentioned, mattress toppers modify the feel of your bed. Mattress protectors shield your mattress from spills, dust, and allergens, but don’t change comfort. For that reason, in most cases, you’ll use both: A topper for comfort, with a protector over the top to keep everything clean.
Mattress toppers vs a new mattress: Mattress toppers add comfort if your bed is too firm, provide temporary support, and offer cooling or motion isolation. They cannot fix sagging, lumps, or lost support. A new mattress will be the only fix for these problems. If your mattress is more than seven to 10 years old, or leaving you sore, a new mattress is the better investment. For our top recommendation, you can learn more in our Saatva Classic Mattress review.
Mattress Topper Materials, Firmness, and Your Sleep
The right materials and firmness to suit you are needed to positively influence your sleep.
Each topper material feels different to sleep on: Some are more breathable, some are firmer than others. Here's a bit more of a breakdown:
Firmness: Your sleep position – whether you lie on your front, back, or side − is, in my opinion, the most important factor, because that impacts your spinal alignment and informs what type of mattress topper will feel best for you.
As a general rule, side sleepers need a softer surface to cushion their joints while supporting their hips to keep their spine straight. Back sleepers tend to appreciate a medium-firm topper to stop their hips from sinking into the surface of the mattress, while stomach sleepers need a firm topper to keep their hips in line with their chest.
Brands generally rate firmness on a scale of one to 10, where one is super-soft, and 10 is ultra-firm, but it's not entirely consistent across the industry.
Sleep temperature: If you suffer from hot flashes or night sweats, or you live in a warm climate, then you need a cooling topper or pad to regulate your temperature. As a general rule, I recommend natural materials, such as latex, for their breathability (we've reviewed the Turmerry Latex Mattress Topper, the Birch Luxe Mattress, and Saatva's Organic Quilted Mattress Topper, for example), although some memory foam models incorporate phase change materials for active cooling.
How We Test Mattress Toppers
Learn more about our lengthy testing process.
I lead a team of seasoned product testers across the country to rank and review mattress toppers. We test each topper for at least 30 nights before we publish our initial review. This gives the most accurate indication of future performance, while accounting for the time it takes to get used to a new topper.
As Homes & Gardens' resident Sleep Editor, it's my job to check in with my testing team and continue to monitor the performance of each product. If I hear that a topper is starting to sag and lose support, I'll remove it from the buying guide and edit the review to reflect our findings.
We assess each mattress topper against the same criteria: Pressure relief; thermoregulation; motion isolation; and edge support. The Homes & Gardens mattress topper review process is editorially independent and not influenced by third parties. To learn more about how we test mattress toppers at Homes & Gardens, consult our full, expert guide.
FAQs
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Topper?
I'm often asked when to buy a mattress topper. My answer depends on the current state of your mattress: How long you've had it and what condition it's in.
If you've had your mattress for a long time – upwards of seven years − and you can feel the foam deforming and the coils creaking, then it might be time to replace your mattress. Even the best topper can't stop time or fix the structural issues inside your mattress.
If you've only had your mattress for a few years or less, but you can't get comfortable, then a mattress topper might be able to change the look and feel of your bed. To work out what sort of topper you need, lie down on your mattress and settle into your usual sleep position. If you feel like you're sinking through the mattress, and your spine is starting to curve, that's a sure-fire sign that your mattress is too soft. If you feel like your hips and shoulders are getting crushed against the surface of the mattress, then it might be that your mattress is too firm.
In terms of the best times to shop, it's always a good idea to wait for sales and reductions. We typically see sale periods for Federal Holidays, such as Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. For options available on Amazon, Prime Day is also a great time to shop.
More generally, I'd almost always recommend waiting for the Black Friday sales, which fall on the last Friday of November, and Cyber Monday, on the first Monday in December. This is, historically, when you'll be able to take advantage of the deepest reductions all year.
How Thick Should My Mattress Topper Be?
The thicker the mattress topper, the greater the comfort level, though the firmness (or softness) of the mattress beneath will affect how the mattress topper feels. As a rough guide:
Two-inch-thick mattress toppers offer subtle comfort, good for slightly firm beds.
Three-inch-thick mattress toppers offer a noticeable change in comfort, balancing support and softness.
Four-inch+-thick mattress toppers offer a significant comfort boost, ideal for very firm beds or side sleepers.
One thing to note: The thicker the topper, the more likely you'll have to invest in some new, deeper bed sheets to fit the raised size.
How Do I Clean a Mattress Topper?
My best advice is to clean a mattress topper according to the manufacturer's instructions. If yours has a removable cover, which many foam and fiberfill toppers do, it can be simply put in the washer.
Note, though, that in my experience, it's not always easy getting them back on. Best advice? Invest in a mattress protector for your topper, which will make it much easier to care for. Other than that, rotate the topper regularly to ensure wear is even.
How Much Does a Mattress Topper Cost?
Mattress topper prices can vary widely, but I'd expect to spend somewhere in the region of $200 to $400, though you do find more affordable options, such as the Viscosoft High Density Mattress Topper on Amazon (just make sure you read the customer reviews before you buy).
At the other end of the scale, our expert tester Jamie Davis Smith slept on the Saatva Organic Quilted Mattress Topper, which goes for a little less than $1,000 for a Queen.
You don't need to spend anywhere near that much to get a good mattress topper, however, and even more expensive toppers can be snapped up for much less in mattress sales.
Throughout spring and summer, pairing your topper with the best cooling sheets is an easy way to keep your sleep space cool and comfortable.
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