Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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Unlike other products, this topper quickly expands to its full size—no 24-hour waiting period necessary. Read More
Sleeping on this mattress topper was like sleeping on a cloud. The down cradles your body and keeps you warm throughout the night. Read More
It’s bouncier than memory foam and it springs back to its natural shape faster. Read More
There’s also a layer of wool between the cover and the latex to wick away moisture, increase breathability, and prevent any smells from setting in. Read More
You’ll experience the “quicksand” sinking sensation associated with memory foam with this mattress topper, but this doesn’t happen when you lay down. Read More
If your mattress has seen better days and you're looking to get a better night's sleep, but a new bed isn’t in the budget right now, one of your next best options is a mattress topper.
They go on top of your existing mattress (hence their name), providing added support and comfort. They can help relieve pressure points, and add plushness your mattress might be lacking—they basically give your mattress a facelift. However, there are a lot of toppers to choose from, and they range in price from as low as $50 to $500 or more.
To help you find a first-rate mattress topper, we tested the top products on the market. We found the Casper Mattress Topper (available at Amazon for $159.20) is best for most people thanks to its high-quality construction and combination of comfort and support. While there are many budget-friendly options available, we found that you get what you pay for with mattress toppers, which is why we think it’s worth spending a little extra for a long-lasting, soft, and supportive topper.
The Casper mattress topper took home the top spot thanks to its comfortable yet supportive material and high-quality construction.
We found the Company Store White Goose Down Baffled topper to be much more comfortable than down-alternative options.
The Pure Green Latex Mattress Topper delivers an amazingly comfortable sleep experience for a significantly lower price.
I’m Camryn, a freelance contributor here at Reviewed with a background in textile science. I’ve tested a wide range of bedding and linens—including everything from sheets and comforters to more niche products like electric and weighted blankets.
As someone who’s struggled with insomnia, I know just how important sleep is to wellness and the right bedding and accessories can make a huge difference in your sleep experience. I also know that a new mattress can be cost-prohibitive, so I was interested to see whether mattress toppers could rejuvenate an older mattress like mine, which is around six years old.
Naturally, we tested these mattress toppers by doing a lot of sleeping on them. My boyfriend and I slept on each one for four nights, and I took regular naps on them as well. We have opposite sleep preferences—he likes to be toasty warm and sleeps on his stomach while I prefer to stay cooler and sleep on my side—so we were able to assess the toppers' suitability for different sleep styles.
We also considered experiential factors like how easy it was to install, if it smelled when unpacked or after testing, whether the topper stayed in place during use, and if it retained its shape.
I used my background in textile science to assess the materials and overall construction of each mattress topper—two mattress toppers might both be made from “memory foam,” but different construction methods can yield a more durable final product. After all, if you’re going to invest your money into a product, you want to know it’s going to last for a few years.
As you search for mattress toppers, you’ll likely get results for mattress pads as well. These products are quite similar and companies often use the terms interchangeably, but there’s a distinct difference between the two.
Mattress toppers are a removable layer of cushioning that you place on top of your existing mattress. If you bought a firm mattress that seemed okay for a month, but is now giving your back aches and pains, you can address it with a topper .(The opposite also applies, if you want to firm up a soft mattress).
These products are designed to provide additional cushion and/or support, and they’re often purchased by people who want to extend the life of an older mattress or who are unhappy with the feel of their current sleep surface (we’re looking at you, college kids). Generally, mattress pads are between 1 and 4 inches thick and they’re commonly made from the same materials as mattresses themselves such as memory foam and latex.
Mattress pads, on the other hand, are essentially a hybrid of a mattress topper and a mattress protector. The main distinguishing factors between the two products are the thickness of the pad and the presence of a bed skirt.
Mattress pads provide some added comfort/support, but significantly less so than a mattress topper—they might give you a little extra cushion, but they won’t bring a sagging mattress back to life. They also come with bed skirts that hold them in place, while toppers simply sit on top of the mattress.
Holding a mattress topper in place is as easy as placing a fitted sheet over it and your mattress.
You might be thinking to yourself, “If a mattress topper doesn’t have a bed skirt, won’t it slide around?” The answer is generally no.
Most mattress toppers are quite thick and heavy, so just using a sheet over them is enough to keep them in the proper position. A few of the models we tested had straps to anchor the topper to your mattress if you toss and turn, but we found this generally wasn’t necessary.
Lots of people eat in bed, which can pose a problem if you ever spill something on your mattress topper. Some down-alternative toppers can just be tossed in the washing machine, but if you have a memory foam topper, the process is a bit more cumbersome.
To clean a memory foam mattress topper, you’ll want to first vacuum the surface. If there are stains, you’re going to have to spot-treat them using a mixture of mild soap and water. You’ll then need to use a sponge to gently rub the solution over the spot.
Make sure you let it dry completely before putting the topper back on your bed. Never use bleach or harsh cleaners on memory foam, as it can degrade the material.
To avoid this hassle altogether, you may want to consider a mattress topper that includes a machine-washable cover. Alternatively, you can put a mattress protector over your topper to keep out unwanted liquids.
Comfortable
Unique design
Not supportive
Takes a long time to expand
Strong chemical smell
Affordable
Temperature regulation
Retains its shape
Too small
Not very comfortable
Camryn Rabideau is a full-time freelance writer and product tester with eight years of experience. She's been lucky enough to test hundreds of products firsthand, and her specialties include bedding and pet products, which often require help from her two dogs, three cats, and flock of rambunctious chickens.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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