A mattress topper is an additional layer that you place on top of your mattress to adjust the feel and comfort level to suit your preference. The thickness of a mattress topper can range from 1 inch to 6 inches and it can be made from various materials such as memory foam, latex, feather and more. A topper is significantly cheaper than a full sized mattress so if you are having issues with your mattress and it can be corrected by getting a mattress topper, you should definitely consider buying one so that you can save some money.

When Should You Buy A Mattress Topper?

If your main complaint regarding your mattress is the comfort level (it is too firm or too soft, uncomfortable, etc.) a mattress topper is a great option to adjust it to your liking. However, if your issue is loss of support, you’re better off getting a new mattress because toppers have very little impact on the support of your mattress.

It is a good option for old mattresses that still have solid support but are lacking in comfort. You can save a lot of money by doing this because instead of buying a brand new mattress, you only have to buy a topper at a significantly lower price.

If you have a new mattress but you find the comfort level to be lacking, a topper can also be a good solution. A newer mattress is still very supportive, unless you bought a defective one, so a topper can significantly improve the comfort level to your liking. You just have to find the right topper to use.

Disadvantages

Thicker models will increase the height of your mattress and this can result in existing sheets not fitting anymore. Also, if the increase in height is significant, climbing onto the bed may become harder, especially for older or shorter people.

Some toppers don’t come with any securing mechanism to make sure that it stays in place. As you move, your topper might move with you and this can be irritating. To offset this, many consumers opt to buy a mattress protector to secure the topper in place. Some people use double sided tape to secure the topper but this is not really recommended unless you are sure that that topper that you will be using is perfect for your needs and that you won’t be needing the warranty on your mattress.

There are instances where the dimensions of the topper is wrong and it does not properly fit your mattress. This effectively reduces the sleeping area of the mattress and can be very problematic if you share the mattress with someone. Of course, you can always return the topper but this can result in additional costs such as return fees, restocking fees and other unnecessary headaches.

How to Choose a Mattress Topper

If you think that getting a mattress topper is the right choice for you, you want to choose the best one that will give you what you need. Here are some points to consider when shopping for a mattress topper.

Mattress Topper, Pad or Protector?

Many retailers use the terms “topper”, “pads” and sometimes “protector” interchangeably and this can be quite confusing. They are different from each other in appearance and function.

A mattress topper is usually the thickest of the three. The main purpose of a mattress topper is to improve the comfort layer of a mattress either by making it softer or firmer. They also offer more support because they are generally thicker.

A mattress pad is somewhere in between a mattress topper and a mattress protector. They are thinner than a mattress topper but they can also provide some level of comfort improvement if your needs are not that drastic. They also function as sort of a mattress protector, at least some models, because some models have water proofing ability and they can also function as an anti-allergenic.

A mattress protector is the thinnest of the three. The main function of a protector is to protect the mattress from spills, leakage, sweat, dust and other things that can damage a mattress. If you don’t need an additional layer because your mattress is just right and you just want your mattress to last a long while, this is the one to get because these are also the cheapest.

Types of Mattress Toppers

The different materials used in mattress toppers are memory foam, latex, wool, feather, fiber and regular foam. Choosing which type of topper to purchase is easy. You just have to determine the features that you would like to have and choose the material that best provides them.

• Memory Foam Toppers

A memory foam topper is just like the top layer of a memory foam mattress and they pretty much have the same features. It is the most popular type among consumers because it can give the best level of comfort. Due to its popularity, it is one of the most widely available toppers online and there are many models to choose from at different price points. Durability of a memory foam topper is relative to foam density. Higher density memory foams are more durable than those that have low density.

However, there are also some disadvantages if you choose a memory foam topper. One of them is off-gassing. This is the chemical smell is emitted by newly purchased toppers. This is temporary and it will go away in time. Another is its tendency to get hot. Some people can’t tolerate this while some are fine with it. If you tend to sleep hot, it might be best to get a topper that is made from a different material.

• Latex Toppers

Latex mattress toppers are also very good in improving the comfort level of your mattress and unlike other types of toppers, it also improves supportiveness. It is very comparable to memory foam but the difference is that with latex, you won’t sink in too much and it is more springy. Latex is known to be the best in providing pain relief and reduced pressure points. Also, they are the most durable, especially the ones that are made with natural or blended latex.

Latex, while seemingly perfect, also has its flaws. The biggest one is its price. Latex toppers and mattresses are very expensive. It is also not as widely available as the other types of toppers. Toppers that are made from synthetic or blended latex can also off-gas.

• Wool Toppers

Wool mattress toppers are great for people that have complaints regarding the temperature as they sleep. Wool helps regulate temperature, it can keep you warm during cold seasons and prevent you from sleeping too hot during warm/dry seasons due to its ability to wick moisture from your body. It can also soften up a firm mattress but it is limited in this area. What consumers like about wool toppers is the fluffy and luxurious feel. With proper care, it can last a long time.

Wool toppers can be very expensive and this is one of its main disadvantages. Limited availability can also be an issue. Another is the initial odor that can be very bothersome. In time, it will go away so this is not a very big deal to some. Regular fluffing is required.

• Feather Toppers

Feather mattress toppers, also referred to as feather beds, were once very popular but not quite so today. It can soften up a firm mattress but it is not as effective as latex or memory foam. One thing that consumers like about feather beds is that it can prevent you from getting hot as you sleep. There are also many available models at different price points. Also, like wool, consumers like the fluffy and luxurious feel of feather beds.

Feather toppers need regular maintenance for it to retain its loft and comfort. If you ever need to clean it, you will need to have it dry cleaned and this can be costly in the long run. Another issue that many find annoying is the feathers occasionally poking at you. Durability and longevity is average.

• Fiber Toppers

This type of mattress topper can be made from different types of fibers. Some examples are polyester, organic cotton, silk and many more. The price will depend on what type of material is used and the more expensive the material, the more expensive the topper. It can be effective in improving the feel of your mattress by making it softer.

Some of the disadvantages of a fiber bed are the following. It requires regular fluffing in order to retain its shape and it is not good in improving the support of your mattress. Durability is average.

Comfort and Support

Different types of materials offer different levels of comfort and support. If you are looking to soften up or make your mattress firmer while also improving its support, the best options are latex or memory foam. If you want a topper that can soften up your mattress and add a bit of a luxurious feel when you lay down, a wool, feather or a fiber topper is your best bet.

Thickness

Choosing the proper thickness will depend on a lot of factors such as your intended purpose, your weight, overall mattress thickness and so forth. If you want to improve both the comfort and support of your mattress, a thicker topper is recommended, around 3 inches is good. Also, if you weigh more than the average person and you want to feel a significant improvement on your mattress, a thicker model is recommended.

You also have to take into account the overall thickness of your mattress once you place the topper because if it is too thick, your existing sheets, if they are not deep enough, will become unusable and you will have to purchase new ones. It may also be harder for you to climb on to your bed if it becomes too tall.

Latex and memory foam toppers have the most to offer when it comes to thickness options, ranging from 2 to 6 inches.

Mattress Topper Recommendations

Memory Foam

Luxurest Gel Infused Memory Foam Topper

Features and Specifications:

• Gel Infused Memory Foam
• 4″ Thickness
• 3.5 lbs Density
• Made in the USA
• Available in Twin, Full, Queen and King size
• Luxurious Feel

The Luxurest Gel Infused Topper is our top pick for memory foam toppers. It is a topper that offers a very luxurious feel and it also provides pain relief resulting in a good night’s sleep. The memory foam used is gel-infused so this helps with the rising temperature problem that is a common complaint with memory foams.

The topper is 4 inches thick so it is a bit on the plush-medium side when it comes to firmness. Since it is 4 inches thick, you should take into consideration the thickness of your current mattress because this topper will significantly increase its height. This can result in difficulty when getting in and out of bed and your current sheets might not be deep enough and you will have to buy new ones.

The 3.5 lbs density is considered medium density and this is good if you want a memory foam that does not let you sink in too deep. It is made in the USA so quality is a given. The only disadvantages that we can see with this topper are its price (check current price on Amazon), limited stocks and limited size option. Aside from these, we don’t see any problems with this topper and we can recommend it highly.

Memory Foam Solutions Mattress Topper

Features and Specifications:

• Standard Memory Foam
• 3″ Thickness
• 4 lbs Density
• Made in the USA
• Available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and Cal-King size
• PURGreen certification

Another good one is the Memory Foam Solutions topper. It is made in the USA and it has a PURGreen certification. A PURGreen certification means that the final product was manufactured without using any harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, CFC and other harmful metals. Basically, it means that the product is safe to use and will not cause any health related issue to the user.

At 3 inches thick, the topper is on the medium side when it comes to firmness. It has a density of 4 lbs so if you prefer a comfort layer that won’t let you sink in too deep, this is a good choice. If you prefer a topper with a higher density, they also have those. Here is the link to the 3″, 5lbs memory foam topper.

This is a very good memory foam topper and we do recommend it. However, there is no such thing as a perfect product so here are the cons. First, it uses standard memory foam so this might cause you to sleep hot. If you are prone to sleeping hot, this can be a problem. The other issue that we found is that it has a chemical smell when unpacked. The odor is not toxic, it’s just annoying and it can last for a couple of days to a couple of weeks. These are just minor issues and if you are not bothered by these, this is a very good buy.

Milliard Gel Infused Memory Foam Topper

Features and Specifications:

• Gel Infused Memory Foam
• 2″ Thickness
• 3 lbs Density
• Available in Twin, Full, Queen and King size
• Comes with a removable bamboo cover

We recommend the Milliard Gel Infused Memory Foam Topper if you want a memory foam topper that is not very thick. It is measured at 2 inches thick so this is a bit on the firm side when it comes to comfort level. This is good if you prefer a firmer comfort layer.

The memory foam is infused with tiny gel beads and this helps preventing it from getting too hot as you sleep. The density of the foam is 3lbs and this is classified as low density. Basically, it is much like sleeping on a traditional mattress wherein you sleep “on top” of the mattress instead of “in” the mattress. It will still contour to your body but not as much as a medium or high density memory foam.

It is available in four sizes; twin, full, queen and king. It also comes with a removable bamboo cover.

Latex

Sleep on Latex Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper

Features and Specifications:

• Natural Latex
• Dunlop
• 1-3″ Thickness Range
• Soft-Medium (20 ILD)
• Available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and Cal-King

The Pure Green Mattress Topper from Sleep on Latex is a very good topper and if you are considering adding a latex topper to your mattress, this is a very good choice. It is made from natural latex using the Dunlop method. The different types of latex as well as the different processing methods are explained here. Natural latex is superior to synthetic and blended latex because it is more durable, does not contain any chemicals and it is less likely to develop body impressions. It is usually very expensive but Sleep on Latex offers natural latex toppers at a very reasonable price. Check current price here.

You can choose between 1-3″ when it comes to your preferred thickness. This is a great luxury to have because if your mattress is already too thick but you need to adjust the comfort layer, you can choose the thinner models. The only downside to this topper is that it only comes in one firmness level; soft – medium. If you prefer a softer mattress, then there really is no reason why you shouldn’t consider this topper.

Ultimate Dreams Talalay Latex Mattress Topper

Features and Specifications:

• Blended Latex
• Talalay
• 3″ Thickness
• Choose either Firm, Medium or Soft
• Available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Short Queen, King and Cal-King
• Comes with bamboo cover

Dreamfoam Bedding is one of the best online mattress retailers out there and we really like their mattresses. The Ultimate Dreams Talalay Topper is the best latex topper out there if you are not particularly concerned about the type of latex used. It is manufactured using both natural and synthetic latex but the percentage of synthetic is higher. The Talalay method is used.

It is 3 inches thick and you can choose either soft, medium or firm when it comes to the comfort level. It comes with a bamboo cover.

Exceptional Sheets Latex Mattress Topper

Features and Specifications:

• Natural Latex
• 2.5″ Thickness
• One side is soft (14 ILD), one side is firm (25 ILD)
• Available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King and Cal-King

The ExceptionalSheets Latex Mattress Topper is another one that we can highly recommend. It is manufactured in the USA and it is all natural. ExceptionalSheets is well known for their mattress toppers and other bedding accessories. Their most popular toppers are those that are made with wool, fiber and other materials. However, their foam and latex toppers are also very good and if you want to have a luxurious feel to your mattress, you should consider their toppers.

It is 2.5 inches thick and it is flippable with different firmness levels on each side. One side is soft with 14 ILD and the other side is firm with 25 ILD.

Wool

SnugFleece Elite

Features and Specifications:

• 1.5″ Thick
• Machine Washable
• Made in the USA
• Polyester Backing
• Available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and Cal-King

The SnugFleece Elite is our most recommended wool mattress topper. It is 1.5 inches thick, more than enough to provide significant improvement in comfort. It also has four 2″ corner straps that can accommodate up to 18 inches to secure it to the mattress. This eliminates the common complaint with mattress toppers wherein they don’t stay in place. It is made of wool on one side with polyester backing.

This mattress topper will help relieve pressure points and add softness to your mattress. The only downside to this topper is that it is quite pricey. However, many customers have reported that it is worth the price and we agree. Check price here.

Sleep & Beyond Organic Merino

Features and Specifications:

• 1.5″ Thick
• Imported
• Organic Cotton Jacquard
• Available in Crib, Twin, Full, Queen, King and Cal-King

Sleep & Beyond is known for their quality bedding and the Organic Merino Wool Topper is their top of the line mattress topper. Wool is a material that comes from sheep and merino wool is considered the best when it comes to softness. The topper is around 1.5 inches thick and it comes with an organic cotton jacquard cover.

As you can see, all the materials used here are organic so if this is important to you, this is a very good choice. As you can expect, this item is quite expensive but considering the quality of the materials used, it is reasonable. You can check the current price of the queen sized topper here.

Summary

Mattress toppers can be a good option for anyone that needs to improve their mattress. However, if your mattress is quite old and it already has many issues, you may be better off buying a new mattress instead. A mattress that has already lost its support or has sagged too much will not be improved even by the best mattress toppers out there. Toppers are recommended only for mattresses that are still supportive enough and for new mattresses that just need a bit of comfort layer improvement.

Choosing which type of mattress topper to purchase is up to you. You just need to determine the features that you will need and start from there. Hopefully, our mattress topper reviews have been helpful.