Best mattress topper brands - Which? (2023)

FAQs

What mattress topper lasts the longest? ›

A high-quality mattress topper should last from 3 to 10 years, depending on the quality and type of mattress topper. Latex and memory foam mattress toppers have the longest lifespan while natural down mattress toppers have the shortest.

Choose toppers with washable synthetic fills or naturally hypoallergenic fills. Memory foam and synthetic toppers are easy to keep clean, helping keep allergy-causing nasties at bay. Wool is also a great choice as it's naturally hypoallergenic and washable.

Hotels beds are incredibly comfortable thanks to their use of mattress toppers. These can significantly adjust mattress firmness and the quality of your rest. A mattress topper is simply an added layer of cushioning that rests on top of your old mattress and provides support and extra levels of comfort.

Best overall mattress topper

Tempur-Pedic is a leader in the sleep industry, known for its responsive memory-foam mattresses and pillows. As of August 2022, the brand has upgraded and replaced our previous pick for the best overall mattress topper, the Tempur-Supreme, with the renamed Tempur-Adapt.

Mattress toppers create a notable difference in the way a mattress feels. Toppers can make a bed softer or firmer, depending on the style and materials used. Toppers can improve the performance of an older mattress or protect a newer one from premature wear.

Winner: Memory foam. Both memory foam and latex are super durable and they each have their pros and their cons. However, memory foam has more slow-moving properties that offer better pressure relief. In contrast, latex mattresses have a bouncier feel that is better for those who tend to sleep hot.

Get A Mattress Topper To Make The Bed Softer

We specifically recommend a thick memory foam topper, a goose down topper, or a wool topper for a softer feel.

When deciding on the thickness of a topper, you should also consider the condition of your mattress. If you have a newer mattress, you will be fine purchasing a 2-inch topper. However, if your existing mattress is older, you should look at toppers between 3-4 inches to provide you extra cushioning.

As a side note, The Cleveland Clinic suggests that body shape can also determine which firmness level to select. People with hips wider than their waist should go with a softer firmness level, while those with narrower hips will find better support by choosing a firmer sleep surface.

Do I need bigger sheets If I have a mattress topper? ›

Because a topper can add anywhere from one to as many as six inches or more of height to your bed, look for fitted sheets with deeper pockets. Measure the height of your mattress plus a topper to determine the depth of fitted sheet you will need.

Additionally, most hotels turn to classic brands such as Sealy, Serta-Simmons, and Beautyrest. To fully recreate your hotel sleeping experience, you can opt for one of these brands. Because hotels purchase luxury mattresses, they're likely to run you at least $2,000.

Upscale hotels usually use luxury mattresses that are either hybrid , traditional innerspring , or memory foam mattresses. Hybrid mattresses are becoming particularly commonplace, as they strike the balance between supportive innerspring coals and body-cradling memory foam.

Higher-Quality: Memory foam is a higher-quality material because of its advanced design. This means you're likely to get better results from memory foam when it comes to factors like pressure relief performance, motion isolation, and durability.

According to Sleep Foundation, the lifespan of a typical mattress topper is three to five years.

Average lifespan of a mattress topper

A mattress topper will generally last you between three to five years on average. This can vary, though, based on the type of mattress topper you're using, the quality of its internal structure, and how well you maintain it.

Yes, a mattress topper can be used as a mattress. However, there are several factors you should consider before making the jump. If the mattress topper is going to be a temporary replacement for your bed, then it will do just fine.

Which lasts longer memory foam or latex? ›

Latex mattresses are typically more durable than their memory foam counterparts. Some latex beds may last up to 20 years with proper care, while memory foam lasts around ten years. Latex is a more resilient material, meaning it bounces back into shape faster and is less likely to sag over time.

Memory foam has slightly better motion isolation due to its body-hugging feel, but both materials do a very good job of reducing motion transfer. Latex is significantly more expensive than memory foam. The average latex mattress is roughly twice the price of the average memory foam mattress.

Latex is firmer than memory foam because of its structure. If you want a bed that resists sagging, choose natural latex. With care, a natural latex mattress can last up to 15 years. If you want to sink into your mattress, choose memory foam.

Give your bed an added layer of softness and support with a memory foam mattress topper. Keep the memory foam in place with a quilted mattress cover that doubles as a fluffy cushion. Layer a quilt underneath your comforter or duvet to give your bed a little extra volume. Invest in a down comforter for snug snoozing.

Adding a mattress topper is an excellent way to soften a hard mattress. Mattress toppers give your body more cushion that your current bed lacks. For example, many innerspring models have thin comfort layers that aren't enough to relieve pressure points.

Memory foam is temperature-sensitive and reacts to your body heat. At higher temperatures, it will react by becoming more viscous and flexible, and then become firmer as the temperature drops. As a result, a memory foam mattress feels harder until it is warmed up.

Thickness. Most often, mattress toppers come in three thickness levels: 1″, 2″, and 3″. Heavier side and back sleepers will want to look for a 3″ topper, because this will create the most pressure relief. If you're a lightweight back or side sleeper, a 2″ topper could work well.

A mattress topper that is 3 inches should be enough for most sleepers. However, if you can splurge and want a more plush bed, opt for a thicker 4-inch topper. The filling inside the mattress topper will add to the quality and support, depending if it is memory foam, latex, or down.

Pros of Memory Foam Mattress Toppers

Mattresses can lose their cushioning support over time. A memory foam mattress topper won't restore your mattress, but it will increase the comfort you feel when you go to sleep, and it will prolong its life for a time before you have to invest in a new bed.

How do I know if my mattress topper is too soft? ›

A mattress topper is an additional layer of material, usually 1 to 4 inches thick, that rests on top of your mattress. This bedding accessory can help modify the firmness level of your sleep surface. Soft mattress toppers offer an extra layer of comfort to soften your current mattress.

A mattress topper, or mattress enhancer, is a thick cushioned layer that covers the sleeping surface of the mattress and goes under the fitted sheet. They're usually made from memory foam or filled with down or down alternative.

The mattress protector will need to encase the surface that your body is in direct contact with. This is to simply protect it the same way as if you were sleeping directly on the mattress. As such, your mattress protector will need to go over the top of the Mattress Topper.

As mentioned earlier, a mattress topper cover is essential to protect your mattress topper from getting damaged. Although you try not to spill anything that gets absorbed by your mattress topper, accidental spills tend to happen. Moreover, body fluids such as sweat, urine, etc. get absorbed too while you are sleeping.

According to Sleep Foundation, the lifespan of a typical mattress topper is three to five years.

Average lifespan of a mattress topper

A mattress topper will generally last you between three to five years on average. This can vary, though, based on the type of mattress topper you're using, the quality of its internal structure, and how well you maintain it.

The average lifespan of mattress toppers, including those made entirely of memory foam, is 3 to 5 years. This is only the case with high-quality mattress toppers, whereas those made of cheap materials will only last a year or two.

In short, mattress toppers will change the feel of an existing mattress, improve your level of comfort while you sleep, and may extend the life of your mattress.

Yes, a mattress topper can be used as a mattress. However, there are several factors you should consider before making the jump. If the mattress topper is going to be a temporary replacement for your bed, then it will do just fine.

Do you put anything over a mattress topper? ›

Placing a fitted sheet over your mattress topper ensures it will be less likely to clump up in the middle of the night. On top of that, a sheet will typically be made of much more comfortable material than a mattress topper.

In many cases, vinyl-backed mattress toppers are machine washable. For machine washing, you'll want to use warm or cold water and run it on a gentle cycle. Don't go for harsh detergent when washing your mattress topper in the washing machine. Instead, choose a mild detergent.

It should be expected that upon getting into a memory foam bed in the winter, it will initially feel firmer, and take longer for contours to form, as the material warms up. Reciprocally, a memory foam topper or mattress in the summer will soften more quickly, and take less time to form to your body.

Regardless, the average age of a mattress topper is between three and five years. Keep in mind: the average age of a mattress is between eight to ten years. Thus, a mattress topper that lasts between three and five years is of good value, as it might only need to be replaced once.

Thanks for your question. The mattress protector will need to encase the surface that your body is in direct contact with. This is to simply protect it the same way as if you were sleeping directly on the mattress. As such, your mattress protector will need to go over the top of the Mattress Topper.

Toppers are a better choice for sleepers looking to substantially adjust the feel of their bed. Because mattress toppers are thicker than mattress pads, they are better equipped to make a mattress either firmer or softer. When made from breathable materials, toppers can also facilitate a cooler sleep.

Consider replacing your topper every 3 to 5 years. A wool mattress topper is not easily deformed and remains in a good condition after use for a long period of time.

Should you flip a memory foam mattress? Unless it's dual-sided, you should never flip a memory foam mattress. Memory foam beds are designed as a single structure. Comfort layers are meant to rest on top of the mattress, while the support layer is the foundation.

Mattress toppers add an extra layer of cushioning to a bed that's lost its plumpness. If your mattress suffers from being too firm, it can soften the sleeping surface considerably. A mattress topper can also extend the life of your mattress, making it a cost-effective alternative to buying a brand new one.

Use a Tight Fitted Sheet

A tightly fitted sheet covering the mattress and topper may prevent sliding. If you can't find a deep enough fitted sheet to include both the mattress and topper, you can tuck in a flat sheet beneath the bed, holding the mattress and topper together.

Do I have to wait 24 hours for my mattress topper to expand? ›

Sometimes it only takes a few hours, but other times it can take up to 48 hours to fully expand. The safe and easy rule we follow is to just eye-ball it. Once your mattress looks fluffy and comfortable, it's safe to sleep on and that's usually on the first night.