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If your mattress is old and nearing the end of its lifespan, then a mattress topper can provide a temporary fix until you’re ready to purchase a new bed. Toppers are layers of cushioning material that rest between your body and the mattress surface. Some toppers are designed to be tucked beneath a fitted sheet, while others have corner straps or elasticated edges to secure them to the mattress. Common topper materials include memory foam, convoluted, polyfoam, latex, wool, and feathers.
A topper can be especially useful for mattresses that have developed deep impressions or indentations over time. Most toppers measure between 1 and 4 inches thick. As a general rule of thumb, the thicker the topper is, the more it will change the feel of your overall surface. Thinner toppers are best suited to mattresses with minor wear and tear, while a high-profile topper can be a good investment if your mattress is on its last leg. However, a topper should not be seen as a permanent solution – you’ll eventually need to replace your mattress to ensure restful, healthy sleep.
Our in-house testing goes beyond mattresses. We’ve personally evaluated dozens of mattress toppers and use the same criteria to assign sleeper and performance ratings for each one. The standout models from our topper tests are outlined below. Scroll down to learn more about our best mattress topper picks.
The Sleep Doctor's Picks
Best Overall
ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper
Highlights
- Available in profiles of 3 or 4 inches
- Corner straps and a skid-free base help stabilize the topper
- 90-night sleep trial
Ideal For
- Side sleepers
- People with old or indented mattresses
- Those with queen short size beds
ViscoSoft has earned a reputation for high-quality toppers that run the gamut of material and design options. One of the company’s best-selling models is the Select High Density Mattress Topper, which is formed from 3 to 4 inches of solid memory foam. The dense composition allows the foam to resist wear and tear, resulting in a decent lifespan, while a medium (5) feel ensures deep contouring from head to toe.
The thick profile options make this topper suitable for a mattress with moderate to severe wear, especially if the surface has lost its cushioning abilities over time. Each corner is equipped with a thick elastic strap to secure the topper to your mattress and minimize shifting when you change positions or toss and turn during the night. The bottom cover is designed to promote traction and prevent skidding for added stability.
The topper is available in seven different sizes, including the hard-to-find queen short. Prices are competitive for all sizes, and shipping is free for orders within the contiguous U.S. Each topper is backed by a 90-night trial period and a 5-year warranty against structural defects.
“The ViscoSoft High Density Mattress Topper's mid-range feel and two profile options should appeal to many sleepers. Our team enjoyed the foam's generous cushioning, especially those of us that sleep on our sides.”
Best Value
Brooklyn Bedding Memory Foam Topper (4 PCF)
Highlights
- High-density memory foam cushions the body without sinking too much
- Multiple profile and cover material options
- 30-night sleep trial
Ideal For
- Value seekers
- Sleepers with persistent pressure points
- Hot sleepers
Brooklyn Bedding offers a handful of mattress toppers, all of which are fairly affordable, but the 4 PCF Memory Foam Topper offers exceptional value at a budget-friendly sticker price. The foam used to construct this topper has a medium (5) feel and provides deep cushioning, but its dense composition preserves the shape over time and helps the material resist deep impressions. You can select a profile of 2 or 3 inches, depending on how uneven your mattress feels.
Brooklyn Bedding also offers two options for the topper’s cover. The organic cotton material is naturally breathable, while the slightly more expensive circular-knit Luxury Cooling fabric is designed to dissipate body heat. Both options are suitable for hot sleepers. The all-foam construction also makes the topper a good option if your mattress feels overly responsive and the bounciness causes sleep disturbances for you and your partner.
The 4 PCF Memory Foam Topper is sold in the six standard mattress dimensions, as well as a short queen for RV owners and others who use this less common size. Brooklyn Bedding ships the topper free of charge to customers in the contiguous U.S., and all orders include a 30-night trial period.
“Our team enjoyed the Brooklyn Bedding 4 PCF Topper's balanced feel thanks to the dense memory foam composition. You also can't beat the multiple cover and profile options, as well as the competitive price-point.”
Best Luxury
Saatva Mattress Topper
Highlights
- Two firmness options
- Three design options, each with a distinct feel and contouring level
- 180-night sleep trial
Ideal For
- Sleepers who like a responsive sleep surface
- Hot sleepers
- People looking for a longer sleep trial
Saatva’s luxurious sleep product selection extends beyond the company’s mattress line. The Saatva Mattress Topper is available in three different designs. One design is constructed using ventilated latex on a 1.5-inch profile, resulting in a medium soft (4) feel. The second is composed of high-density polyfoam with a medium (5) feel and 2-inch profile. Lastly, the third topper is a 1.5-inch medium soft (4) model featuring a layer of graphite-infused memory foam over a dense polyfoam base.
Each topper offers a distinct sleep experience. The latex model contours gently and has noticeable responsiveness, which suits sleepers who don’t enjoy the deep hug of foam. Conversely, the high-density polyfoam topper conforms closely, and its elevated profile offers the most significant comfort adjustment. Those who sleep hot and want a soft surface should consider the graphite memory foam topper. All models come with breathable organic cotton covers and thick corner straps for securing the topper to your mattress.
Saatva’s 180-night trial period for all three toppers is quite generous compared to other sleep product brands. Each order in the contiguous U.S. also qualifies for free ground shipping, and those who keep their topper receive a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
“Saatva's Mattress Topper is a high-end model with three design options that ensured a comfortable option for most of our testers, regardless of sleeping position or body type. The breathable cotton cover kept all three models cool throughout testing.”
Softest
Layla Memory Foam Topper
Highlights
- Highly adaptive for people with pain or pressure points
- Cover is removable and machine-washable
- 120-night sleep trial
Ideal For
- People who prefer exceptionally soft sleep surfaces
- Hot sleepers
- Sleepers who toss and turn at night
If you prefer plush sleep surfaces that contour deeply and your mattress has lost some of its conforming ability over time, the Layla Mattress Topper may be a good option for you. A 2-inch profile means the topper is not particularly thick, but its all-foam design and soft (3) feel ensure deep cushioning and targeted pressure relief while you sleep. For this topper, Layla uses the same memory foam that has made the brand’s mattress models so popular.
The cover encasing the foam is made from polyester, viscose from rayon, and ThermoGEL cooling agent with a touch of Lycra spandex. This soft and stretchy fabric blend is highly breathable and can offset some of the memory foam’s heat-trapping tendencies. The base cover is a skid-free material to keep the topper in place, even when sleepers change positions. You may unzip, remove, and machine wash the cover whenever it needs to be cleaned.
The topper comes with a 120-night sleep trial and 5-year warranty, both of which are longer than average. Layla offers free ground shipping within the contiguous U.S. While the topper is meant to complement the look and feel of Layla mattress models, it is compatible with any standard size mattress.
“Side sleepers and people with sharp pressure points should enjoy the generous cushioning from the Layla Mattress Topper. Foam layers and a soft (3) feel closely contoured to our bodies to relieve pressure buildup.”
Best Organic
Birch Organic Mattress Topper
Highlights
- Eco-friendly construction includes organic and natural materials
- Latex core provides gentle contouring and excellent breathability
- 100-night sleep trial
Ideal For
- Eco-conscious shoppers
- Hot sleepers
- People who like responsive sleep surfaces
If your mattress is old and needs a firmness adjustment, but you prefer buying and using environmentally friendly products, the Birch Organic Mattress Topper may meet your needs. The topper contains 2 inches of natural Talalay latex, a material that delivers moderate contouring and noticeable responsiveness. Since its profile is on the lower side, this topper is best suited to mattresses with some wear and tear that may still have another year or two before a replacement is needed.
A quilted cover made of breathable organic cotton helps keep the surface cool, and two layers of organic wool add cushioning and wick away moisture from your body. Another temperature-regulating element is the latex itself, which is ventilated with small holes to circulate airflow. These characteristics can benefit hot sleepers and those prone to night sweats. The topper has earned Global Organic Textile Standard and Greenguard GOLD certifications, indicating sustainable material sourcing and a relatively low footprint during production.
Although the price-point is somewhat high, latex is a durable material and the expected lifespan for this topper is longer than average. Birch also backs each purchase with a 10-year warranty against structural and workmanship defects. The company ships free of charge to all 50 states.
“The Birch Organic Mattress Topper's materials boast several certifications ensuring that they were sourced sustainably and produced in an ethical manner. Our testers enjoyed the naturally breathable construction, which kept the surface quite cool.”
Best Wool
Sleep & Beyond myMerino Topper
Highlights
- Excellent temperature control from merino wool core and cotton percale shell
- All materials are certified as organic
- 45-day return period
Ideal For
- Hot sleepers
- Eco-conscious shoppers
- Sleepers with mattresses that have minimal indentations
A wool topper can be useful for exceptionally hot sleepers. Wool has natural temperature-regulating properties, and also actively wicks moisture away from your body while you sleep. The myMerino Topper from Sleep & Beyond contains plush merino wool, a luxuriously soft material and highly durable due to its long-staple composition. For added cooling, the wool is encased in a shell made of crisp, breathable cotton percale.
The wool and cotton are each certified as organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard, indicating these materials have been sustainably sourced. Sleep & Beyond’s Fair Trade certification also ensures the company’s workers are ethically treated and properly compensated. With a 1.5-inch profile, the myMerino Topper is on the thinner side and best suited to mattresses affected by light wear and tear. The topper is also fairly heavy, weighing up to 9 pounds in king and California king sizes. The extra weight helps ensure the topper stays in place and won’t slip off of your mattress while you sleep.
Ground shipping is free of charge for all myMerino Topper orders throughout the contiguous U.S. Sleep & Beyond accepts topper returns within 45 days of the delivery date, provided the topper is unused, unwashed, and shipped back to the company in its original packaging. Those who keep their topper receive a 5-year warranty against structural defects.
“Our hot-sleeping testers thoroughly enjoyed the Sleep & Beyond myMerino Topper's breathable construction. We noticed minimal heat buildup on the topper's surface during our temperature control tests.”
About The Author
Certified Sleep Science Coach, Lead Product Tester
David is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a lifelong passion for well-being and health optimization. His interest in sleep developed with the arrival of his son, when sleep suddenly became a precious commodity.
- Position: Side Sleeper
- Temperature: Hot Sleeper
- Chronotype: Lion
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