The best mattress toppers in 2021: memory foam, latex and cooling toppers compared
The best mattress toppers can breathe new life into an old mattress, giving you a much better night’s sleep – for a lot less than the price of a new mattress. Whether you want to make your bed softer and more luxurious, firmer and more supportive, cooler at night, or improve it in any other way, the right mattress topper will transform the quality of your sleep.
In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best mattress topper for your budget. Some of our top picks here come from big household names: after all, a premium topper can be almost as luxurious as an option from our best mattress guide – it’ll just cost you less. (Even with a cheap mattress deal a new mattress will dent your savings). Others in this list are popular options from smaller brands. Either way, all the mattress toppers here are best-in-class, with thousands of five-star user reviews between them.
What’s the best mattress topper?
We think the best mattress protector for most people is the Tempur-Pedic Tempur Supreme. This luxurious foam-based topper is three inches deep, with a removable, washable cover, and it boasts an impressive average of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 3,500 user reviews. It normally starts from $299, but often has up to a 40% discount at Tempur-Pedic.)
However, the right mattress topper for you depends on why you need it. If you want your bed to be softer and more luxurious, consider a feather down topper. If you need extra support, a foam mattress topper is a good option. Do you overheat at night? Look for a mattress topper with advanced cooling properties – we’ve got plenty of those here.
Whichever option you choose, it’s also a good idea to pick up the best mattress protector you can afford while you’re at it, to keep your topper fresh. Here’s our pick of the best mattress toppers you can buy in the US.
The best mattress toppers right now
Tempur-Pedic’s Tempur Topper Supreme combines comfort, quality, and practicality, making it our top pick for the best mattress topper you can buy today. With a generous three inches of Tempur’s proprietary responsive foam, it’s a great way to get premium Tempur-Pedic comfort on a budget.
This luxury mattress topper boasts an impressive average score of 4.6 out of 5 from over 3,500 user reviews on the Tempur-Pedic website (Feb 2021). A common theme from users is that the Tempur Topper Supreme is a great way to upgrade a tired or unsatisfactory mattress – and it’s especially effective for mattresses that are too firm. Many users also comment that it’s helped relieve pain when sleeping.
The Tempur Topper Supreme has a hygienic cover to keep away any nasties – like mold, allergen and dust mite dander – and if you want to clean it, you can whip off the cover and throw it in the washer. Plus, with a 10-year warranty, you’ll be able to sleep soundly in the knowledge that your topper should last as long as your mattress. For quality, comfort and price, we think Tempur-Pedic’s superb Tempur Topper Supreme is the best mattress topper out there.
Tempur Topper Supreme: from $179.90 ($299) at Tempur)
You can save 40% on the luxurious Tempur Topper Supreme at Tempur-Pedic. The three-inch topper is made from cooling, durable Tempur foam. As well as delivering personalized support, it has a machine-washable cover so it’s easy to keep clean. View Deal
A cheaper option than the luxury Tempur mattress topper above, the Lucid Gel Memory Foam mattress topper is a mid-range model that’s well worth considering. Coming in at four inches deep, it’s the thickest in our best mattress topper guide, and it’s a great choice for adding cushioning comfort to a firm mattress.
The Lucid Gel Memory Foam mattress topper boasts an impressive average Amazon rating of 4.3 out of 5 from over 16,000 user reviews (Feb 2021). Many commend it for the pressure relief it provides, and the vast majority agree that it has improved their current mattresses.
If you’re looking for a firm topper that will give a softer mattress some extra support, this Lucid option probably isn’t for you. But if you want to add a layer of luxury comfort without breaking the bank, the vast majority of people should find that this plush, gel-infused memory foam topper is a fantastic choice.
When it comes to eco-friendly mattress toppers, the Avocado Green is tough to beat. Its all-organic construction, plus carbon-negative status, shows real commitment to sustainability. You can even choose a vegan option.
The Avocado Green Organic Latex Mattress Topper is one of the best out there. You can choose between a plush or firm option, plus the organic wool (or vegan cotton batting) helps to naturally wick away heat and moisture.
While the Green is expensive, you get what you pay for here. Customers agree that the quality is outstanding, with almost 2,000 users rating it an average of 4.6 out of 5. If you’re after a sustainable and eco-friendly option, Avocado’s is easily one of the best mattress toppers you can buy.
If you don’t think the Linenspa would keep you cool enough, you the ViscoSoft Active Cooling Copper Topper should do the trick. The fabric cover is specially designed to draw heat away from the body, and the copper-infused foam is supportive and antimicrobial.
That’s backed up by user reviews as well, and although there aren’t a ton on-site, plenty of them attest to the ViscoSoft’s cooling capabilities. Some have claimed it’s a little firm, but most people found it just right.
Buyers on a budget need not settle for a second-rate mattress topper – Linenspa’s two-inch Gel Memory Foam topper starts at less than $40 and has over 24,000 extremely positive reviews on Amazon, averaging an amazing 4.5 out of 5.
It’s simple but effective, and two inches is more than enough to provide some extra comfort for a cheaper or older mattresses. (You can also upgrade to three inches for a little more.). However, what we like the most is the gel infusion – these gel beads help cool you down, alleviating one of the biggest issues many people have with memory foam. If you’re after a bargain, this cheap and cheerful mattress topper is one of the best around.
If you frequently find yourself waking up with back or shoulder pain, the Amerisleep Lift could be the solution you’ve been looking for. Available in two different firmness options – Comfort and Support – you’ll also be able to soften a firm mattress or give little more support to a soft one, which is great if you suffer from aches and pains.
With user reviews averaging 4.5/5, it’s clear that the vast majority of buyers love the Lift, and a feature not often seen in competitors is a non-slip base – you won’t find half the topper hanging off the edge of your bed in the morning here.
Amerisleep’s HIVE technology is also really useful, and both helps to provide pressure relief and keep you cool at night. If you suffer from aches and pain at night, the Lift is one of the best mattress toppers to try.
A little different from the largely foam mattress toppers so far, this Parachute topper might just be the last word in luxury – three inches of all-natural down in a cotton sateen shell. It’s like having a duvet above and below you.
If you’re someone who loves to get really cozy at night, the Parachute Down Feather Topper is among the best mattress toppers in this guide. And although it might not have all the latest tech, tons of reviewers have claimed that this mattress topper has relieved their back pain, and has transformed an older mattress into something special again.
If you want the sheer luxury of a down mattress topper, but don’t want the real thing – perhaps you’re avoiding animal-derived materials, or you suffer from allergies– the TCS Down Alternative Featherbed is the perfect alternative. With four inches of TCS’s trademark Down-Free filling, you’ll get all the plush comfort with none of the downsides.
If you’re looking for a firm mattress topper, this won’t be right for you. But for sink-right-in comfort it’s a perfect choice. However, we’d highly recommend picking up a protector alongside the Featherbed, because you won’t be able to wash or dry clean it if it gets dirty.
If money is no object, then there’s no reason not to get an Eight Sleep Pod Thermo cover. Eight Sleep’s Pod mattress is excellent, and the Thermo cover essentially transforms any old mattress into a state-of-the-art bed right out of a science fiction novel.
With temperature settings ranging from 55-110°F – separately adjustable for both sides of the bed – even if you and your partner have drastically different sleeping styles, you’ll be able tailor your experience and rest soundly. You’ll also be able to track your sleep with the free app, plus it comes with a 30-day trial, during which you can send it back for a full refund.
The only hitch is that price: starting at $1,495, this is a serious investment, but if you can afford it, there’s a lot on offer here.
For the budget-conscious just looking for a cheap and effective way of enhancing your current mattress, this Pure Brands topper is one of the best out there. Although it’s only two inches thick, its average rating of 4.5/5 on Amazon speaks volumes – you don’t have to shell out hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars to get the best mattress topper for most people.
Simple in construction, this mattress topper offers a lightweight solution for beds that are too firm, and can provide a good amount of extra comfort and support. Also, users claim that it lasts well, so you should get a good few years of service from this great-value mattress topper.
How thick should my mattress topper be?
Toppers can range in thickness greatly, from just an inch or two to eight inches or more. However, a happy medium for most is around four inches, and those under two inches should probably be avoided.
A thin topper is unlikely to actually provide much extra support or cushioning, and in use you’re likely to ‘bottom out’, meaning your pressure points won’t really be feeling any difference compared to your mattress alone.
Those that are too thick, however (especially standard memory foam toppers), will have you sinking deeply into the topper. While some might enjoy this, it can prove problematic when it comes to moving around in bed. You might find yourself feeling a little trapped, and if it doesn’t spring back into shape immediately you could also struggle to get comfy when you change position.
While it all depends on your preference and what material you’ve chosen, we think between two to four inches is the best for a mattress topper.
How do I choose the best mattress topper?
When choosing the best mattress topper, you should consider exactly why you need one. If your current mattress is too soft, you should look for a firm topper that will help give you support and alleviate any sinking you currently experience. For example, the Amerisleep Lift Support is great for this, providing extra support while not being rock-hard. Firm topper are usually preferred by back and front sleepers.
If your mattress is too firm, your options are quite varied, ranging from traditional memory foams to feather down and down alternatives. These will help retain the support your firm mattress provides while adding some plush comfort. This will help you get comfortable easily, and will alleviate hip and shoulder stress if you’re a side sleeper.
You might also be looking for a topper to help you stay cool at night. There are a number of options here, but a although many companies claim their toppers help dissipate heat, it’s worth reading user reviews to make sure this is true.
Are mattress toppers good for back and hip pain?
They certainly can be. If you’re a side sleeper you might find your back and shoulders ache when sleeping on a firm mattress. This may be because your spine isn’t properly aligned in bed. A topper can help with this by providing extra depth and support while also taking stress away from your pressure points.
A firm topper can so the same for soft mattresses, and help you stop sinking too deeply into your bed.
What’s the best way to care for my mattress topper?
As with most products, it’s always best to see what the manufacturer suggests in terms of care. Some are entirely machine-washable, while other can’t even be dry cleaned and can only be stop cleaned.
To help prolong the life of any topper, though, we’d recommend using a mattress protector as well. This will stop any soiling or stains damaging your topper, and as a bonus they can help stop the topper sliding off the bed through use.
Which is better: a gel or memory foam topper?
Memory foam toppers dominate the market, and can provide affordable, effective ways or both firming up or softening your current mattress. However, cheaper versions do often suffer from heat retention, which can make some overheat at night.
Gel and gel-infused foams perform much the same as memory foam toppers, but have technologies baked in that help dissipate heat. This is great if you tend to run hot, but many premium foams without gel have other ways of dissipating heat.
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