So many people fail to realize just how much good a mattress topper can do. Getting the best topper can extend the lifespan of the mattress, keep you more comfortable, and even keep the mattress more hygienic. Did you know that if you overheat, you may also run the risk of getting poor-quality sleep?
In this guide, we’ve explored the best options and examined what they have to offer. We look at the features including the thickness, materials, what sizes the topper comes in, and the ways in which it enhances and improves your night’s sleep whether you want a memory foam mattress topper or the best cooling mattress topper to keep you comfy on hot nights.
More features: microclimate regulating cover, optimizes sleep recovery, CertiPur-US certified
This topper is made in the US, and is available in all the mainstream sizes you could hope for. As well as being made with a comfy memory foam, it has the benefit of having multiple layers include a microclimate regulating cover that means you can stay cool.
This model is ideal for athletes and is also one of the best mattress toppers for hip pain and other aches and pains. It’s designed to absorb pressure and give a lighter night’s sleep.
More features: GOLS certified; organic materials used
The SleepEZ Wool Latex Mattress Topper is a great alternative to memory foam. While some people prefer the feel of memory foam as it adapts to your body shape, latex can be a good option if you want more flexibility.
This model has more alternative features when compared to some of the other models in their range. It has natural, cooling properties, as well as the option to choose between different density models. This is also produced in a 100% natural way so it is good for those who are concerned about the environmental impact.
More features: comes with soft quilted cover filled with pillowy fiberfill
This topper is both soft and excellent for cooling, with a gel designed to keep you cool throughout your night’s sleep. There are two layers in total.
The Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam 4-inch Dual Layer Mattress Topper comes in a variety of sizes, is made in the US, and has a 10-year warranty. It’s the best cooling mattress topper so if you live in really hot environments then there is every reason to invest in this type of mattress.
More features: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified; different firmness levels available
This EcoTerra Latex Topper is a fantastic option if you are looking for the support of a latex topper. It comes in a few different options for thickness and density, as well as sizes.
Compared to a lot of the other options on the market, this latex is exceptionally good quality. It’s great for those who want a product without a chemical smell and a topper that doesn’t tend to sag. It keeps its shape well for a number of years due to the excellent latex quality.
More features: made in the USA, 120-night money-back guarantee; naturally antimicrobial
Layla is one of the biggest brand names in the world of mattresses now. It means you can stay brand-loyal and if you already have a Layla mattress you can rest assured that this topper is going to work in tandem with it.
This topper doesn’t have to be used with a Layla mattress, but it certainly can be, to very high effect. It’s also great for certain aches and pains you might be experiencing. For instance, the soft yet supportive design is ideal for those who have hip pains.
More features: elastic corner bands; baffle box construction
A thick and soft cotton mattress topper. The LUCID Down Alternative Mattress Topper can allow you to feel like you’re sleeping on one gigantic pillow, and it feels great for loads of different types of sleepers.
This model is different from some of the other LUCID options which have a far firmer design and don’t have quite the same level of comfort. There are models in the range amed much more at providing a cool finish, often with gel, but this is more about the smooth and plush finish.
More features: graphite infusion which transfers heat away from the body
Allswell sells all kinds of home and bed-related products. The first time you are advised to buy a mattress topper with graphite in it you might be quite confused, but it can be a brilliant way to stay cool.
This is a model that is definitely made with coolness and air-flow in mind. If you are in hotter conditions or just find you can be a sweaty sleeper, this could be the best cooling mattress topper that fits your needs.
More features: Celliant® technology; pressure point relief
Similarly to the models that use graphite and other materials, this has a copper infusion. Copper is a great heat conductor and can help to take the heat out of your body.
If you are looking for something with an original way to try and remove the heat, and other cooling mattresses haven’t worked, the Bear Protopper is your only way to try out the Celliant technology that both sucks the heat out of your topper and also provides pressure point relief.
WIt’s not just about buying the best rated mattress topper, it’s about getting something that both fits your bed and mattress, and that suits your needs. While some toppers are great for staying cool and comfy, others are for snuggling up and staying warm. In our buying guide, you’ll find out how to make the right choice for your own bed and your own preferences. We’ll also go into what some of the key terms mean, such as “memory foam” the numerous different sizes of mattress, and therefore sizes of topper, too.
Below, we explore some of the key features you need to think about before you buy a new topper. There are some features you might not have really thought about before that are crucial for getting the right topper for you. It always helps to know what the conditions we’ve used for reviewing the toppers are.
Materials usedThere are a variety of different ways that a topper can be made. Two of the most common materials are memory foam and latex. Memory foam is designed to flex to the shape of your body. You can ensure that you are comfortable and memory foam will adjust to your body and the style of sleep, so whether you are a side sleeper or back sleeper these can be an option.
Some companies utilize latex, which can provide a real spring and give your body a great level of support. It can also have a porous and open design, which can give you the feeling of a lot of comfort but also being good for things like health conditions.
There are other materials used such as wool for comfort, and even heat-conducting metals such as copper that can draw some of the heat out of the body.
Toppers by Material
Sizes are simple enough to understand when it comes to mattress toppers. The size needs to be matched up with the type of bed you have, and therefore the type of mattress. Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King are the main sizes, but there are also some other bed sizes such as Single and Cal King. Sizes are standardized to make sure you have a simpler time when you are buying your mattress, and mattress-related products.
The mattress toppers themselves are often made out of materials that are not the best to lay on, so they have specific covers. These may be machine washable, and some of them help the topper to stay in place. Fleece or cotton materials are used for some covers. You may also buy your own sheets and covers that gives you the chance to keep the topper perfectly in position on top of the bed.
There are independent bodies that provide certifications for these types of products. The EcoTerra 100% Natural Latex Topper comes with an OEKO-TEX certification, which shows that the product is both responsibly produced with no negative impact on the environment, and also meets certain quality standards. These certifications are one of the best ways to ensure that you know what you are buying is up to scratch. Another certification includes the GOLS certified latex standard. If you are buying something made out of latex then you should always check this. An independent certification provides you with peace of mind.
So many people struggle to stay cool in their bed. If you live in one of the hotter climates you may struggle to sleep, and a cooling effect can even lead to better sleep. The temperature is one of the most important aspects that dictates quality of sleep.
Mattresses tend to take different approaches to giving a cooling effect. The same is true for mattress toppers. Some use a cooling gel layer, which can be interwoven with things like memory foam, and help the body to transfer heat away and enjoy that cool feeling. Some of the most impressive new models use metals which conduct heat, to try and draw heat away from the sleeper. The Allswell Memory Foam Mattress Topper Infused with Graphite also does the same thing, but using graphite to help it to stay cool.
The materials being porous and open can also be one of the most important things to look out for. If you are living in an area where it is often hot, to the point where it affects your heat, or even if you have a partner in bed giving off a lot of body heat, you should look for something with a cooling effect.
There’re many other features that make different toppers ideal for various purposes. Take a look at our other compilations if you already know what exactly you look for:
Toppers by Purpose
Toppers by Firmness
Unfortunately, some toppers need a bit of maintenance, which can be a bit annoying, but it isn’t too difficult to do. Some require less than others. For instance, the Bear Protopper is a great topper, but it can’t be put in the washing machine to clean it. This means you are left with manual spot-cleaning, which can be really time-consuming.
Some toppers on the market also go flat over time, and this means that you need to manually plump them up. This can be equally annoying. It’s a good idea to get something low-maintenance with plenty of capacity to spring back when you buy your mattress. For example, the toppers made out of latex tend to bounce back really well. This means that you don’t have to manually plump.
Toppers come with a warranty and often with a sleep trial as well. The warranty gives you protection to your purchase. If anything goes wrong in the time of your warranty and it isn’t your fault, then you might be able to claim. Many of the best mattress topper brands give warranties of up to 10 years. This is a very good level of protection and definitely something to keep on your list of criteria for buying a topper.
A sleep trial is slightly different, and is popular among toppers and other sleep-related products. It’s a money back guarantee, so if you get it and sleep with the topper, and find that you don’t like it, you can get your money back with no questions asked. If you’re unsure the coverage provided by the manufacturer is enough for you, consider getting additional protection from online stores.
Need a model with additional coverage? Check out our compilation of the Best Mattress Toppers on Amazon.
Which of the topper brands are the ones you should trust? In recent years, so many new brands have cropped up and they have their own spin on the industry of both mattresses and toppers. For instance, LUCID is a brand that has become very big, as has Layla. You can read up about the brands on their websites, but our reviews are also a great way to check if the brand is one you can trust. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to.
Consumer reviews are vital, and you can access thousands so that you can see whether or not the brand is liked by the customers it already has. On top of that, the idea of a sleep trial definitely gives you more protection. This way you can sleep on the bed and see if the topper is up to scratch, and if you want to keep it. If not, you may be able to send it back and get 100% of your money back.
Toppers by Brand
Always follow the manufacturer instructions when it comes to maintaining the topper. Some toppers only need you to occasionally be washed, and some allow you to put them in the washing machine. This is ideal, and takes a lot of the work away. You need to wash the topper or the cover and then leave it to dry.
Another maintenance step that some toppers need is to be ‘fluffed’ or plumped. This is a way to reinvigorate them and make sure they have the same level of comfort and support when you lay on them. Some of the best mattress toppers for sleepers of all sorts don’t need this type of maintenance at all. Some are also anti-microbial which means that they may go a little longer in between washes, and you can rest assured that they are hygienic.
Read our detailed guide on How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress Topper.
Need more info to decide? Read our detailed comparison of Mattress Toppers and Mattress Pads.
Our guide can help you to get a mattress topper that is ideal for you, and your needs. Coming in at the top of the list is the Molecule Triple Zone Mattress Topper which gets a rating of 9.9. This has a cooling effect and it is incredibly well-made. The design also reduces pressure on the body so it is good if you get aches and pains.
The SleepEZ Wool Latex Mattress Topper also gets a very high rating of 9.8/10. It’s made of breathable latex and gives you the option to move around a lot, and the topper will still stay perfectly in place.
Third on our list of the best toppers is the Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam 4-inch Dual Layer Mattress Topper which gets a rating of 9.7/10. It has two layers, a gel cooling layer and a plush comfort layer. The topper is one of the very best if you live in hot conditions and find this impacting your night’s sleep.
