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A mattress is an important investment. If your mattress isn’t comfortable, it will affect how you sleep and, in turn, how you feel when you’re awake.
But a complete mattress upgrade isn’t realistic for everyone — whether you want to buy a new mattress and can’t afford it or just want to prolong the life of the mattress you already have, what you can do instead is purchase a mattress topper to improve the feel of your existing mattress without spending much money.
Mattress Pads vs. Mattress Toppers
Mattress toppers are typically thicker, more expensive, and designed to sit on top of your mattress to make it softer or cover up any lumps or firmness. Mattress pads are thinner, wrap around your mattress like a fitted sheet, and act as a protective layer for your mattress from things like spills and general wear and tear. If you want added support, a mattress topper is most likely what you’re looking for. If you want to protect your already comfortable mattress and prolong its lifespan, a mattress pad is what you need.
While mattress toppers aren’t as expensive as a whole new mattress, they certainly aren’t cheap. We tested 17 of the best mattress toppers available, scoring them on comfort, support, durability, breathability, and value. Keep reading to find the latest addition to your bed setup that will help you sleep better (and feel better as a result).
Best Overall
Casper Comfy Mattress Topper
Buoyant and supportive
Plastic-like fabric acts as a waterproof protective layer
Remains securely in place
May need help to move or clean it
This mattress topper by Casper is our top pick because it is comfortable in every sleeping position. Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, it does a great job of toeing the line between plush and supportive. It also feels high quality — it always returns to its original shape when you get up from the bed.
Another detail we appreciated was the plastic-like fabric on the bottom that serves as a protective waterproof layer for your mattress. This will not only keep you comfortable but also prolong the life of your mattress. Because it is so dense, it also stays in place under your bed sheets, so you don’t have to worry about unmaking your bed to adjust its positioning.
However, its density does make it difficult to handle. If you want to move or clean it, you’ll probably need help maneuvering it. It’s also fairly pricey and more of an investment. But if you want a super comfortable topper, you can’t go wrong here.
Material: 65% perforated fabric, 21% polyester, 10% recycled cotton, 2% rayon, 2% spandex | Height: 3 inches | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
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Best Overall (Cheaper)
ViscoSoft Serene Hybrid Mattress Topper
Plush, cushiony, and supportive
Sticky Visco-elastic foam keeps it in place
Dense but doesn't absorb a lot of heat
Foam can shed when removed
If the Casper mattress topper sounds like what you’re looking for but you don’t want to spend quite that much, this one by Visco is another option we love. It’s a bit softer than the Casper — we were impressed by its plushness and how you feel completely surrounded and supported when you lay on it. This is about as good as it gets when it comes to memory foam — it feels like you’re laying on a cloud.
Even though memory foam is fairly dense (which you might expect would lead to overheating), this one is surprisingly good at helping you regulate your temperature, so it’s a good pick for those who sleep hot. But full transparency: the foam has an almost sticky feel to it. The upside of this is that it doesn’t shift at all on the bed, but the downside is that the foam shed quite a bit and stuck to the mattress when we took it off. It's cheaper than the Casper, though, so if you want to save money, this is a great alternative.
Material: Memory foam | Height: 3, 4 inches | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, California king
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Best Budget
Linenspa Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Great for stomach sleepers
Remained in place on the mattress
Breathable memory foam works for hot sleepers
May be too soft for side sleepers
If your mattress isn’t very comfortable and you want something affordable that will give it an extra boost, you’ll love this topper from Linenspa. We were so impressed at how soft and plush it was, considering the price.
It’s made of memory foam and infused with gel, which allows you to feel like you’re sinking into it when you’re lying down. This would be a great topper for stomach sleepers or people who don’t like the firmness of their mattress. The memory foam is also fairly breathable, and although it isn’t marketed as having cooling properties, we noticed that it stayed cool all night long, which is essential for anyone who overheats at night and wants a topper to pair with cooling sheets. Throughout all of our testing, it created a level of friction with the mattress that prevented it from slipping or sliding, and it stayed secure the entire time, so we didn’t have to adjust it at all.
If you are a side sleeper or need a little extra support, this topper is not for you. Because it's quite plush, it has the kind of foamy feel that you’ll sink into, which is best suited for stomach sleepers. But for those working with a tight budget who like a softer bed, it’s a great choice.
Material: Memory foam | Height: 2, 3 inches | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, short queen, king, California king, small single
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Most Comfortable
Tempur-Pedic Tempur Adapt+ Mattress Topper
Supportive in every sleeping position
Includes a removable, washable cover
Heavy and stable
Tends to hold on to body heat
This topper by Tempur-Pedic is the most comfortable because of its high-quality memory foam. As soon as you lay on it, you’ll immediately feel cradled in all the right places. And if you change positions, it does an excellent job of moving with you so that you feel adequately supported, whether you’re on your back, side, or stomach.
When we took it out of the packaging, it was very heavy, so you’d probably need someone to help you put it on your bed. But its density also means that it won’t shift or move on the bed when you’re tossing and turning throughout the night.
A nice touch that we also appreciated was the removable, machine-washable cover. The one thing you should note with this one is that while it wasn’t necessarily warm, it didn’t stay cool either (despite its name). If you struggle with overheating at night and want something specifically designed to keep you cool, this isn’t the right fit, as it's not quite breathable. But if you’re looking to prioritize comfort and have a lumpy mattress you want to spruce up, this is worth the investment.
Material: Memory foam | Height: 3 inches | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
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The most ultra-plush model we tested
Thick enough to conceal uncomfortable mattresses
Prevents overheating
Not particularly supportive
If you like a plush feel, you’ll love this mattress topper for its luxurious and thick memory foam material.
From the minute we took it out of the packaging, we could tell just how high quality this topper was. It’s three inches thick, which means it’ll mask firm or lumpy mattresses that either aren’t comfortable or just need a little boost. Although it’s very dense, the cooling gel infused with the foam still manages to keep you cool, so this would be a great fit for anyone who tends to sleep hot.
Because it is so soft, there isn’t much support here — you won’t find this topper comfortable if you struggle with joint pain or just prefer a firmer mattress. Another thing to keep in mind is that during testing, we noticed it shifted underneath the sheets and slid over the edge of the mattress. However, for the quality and softness of this one, especially considering the price, it’s a great value and the perfect choice for anyone who wants to soften up their mattress.
Material: Gel-infused memory foam | Height: 1.5, 2, 3, 4 inches | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king
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Most Supportive
Lucid Down Alternative and Gel Foam Mattress Topper
Maintains volume
Layered components don't shift
Ideal for a variety of sleepers
Deep ridge where gel base meets poly-fill top
We were very impressed by this topper because of how many features it has: the first layer is made of a two-inch down alternative, and the bottom is made of two-inch gel memory foam, so it combines two very different types of mattress toppers into one. It manages to have both a firm and plush feel, which is ideal for all sleepers, whether you prefer soft or firm mattresses.
It's our most supportive pick because the gel memory foam does a great job of keeping you supported, while the down alternative lets you feel cradled by its softness. Although it has multiple layered components, it stays secure on top of the mattress and maintains its cloud-like feel no matter how long you lay on it.
The one thing we didn’t love about this mattress topper was the ridge at the edge of the mattress where the gel memory foam base and poly-fill meet. If you sleep closer to the edge of the bed, you’ll definitely feel this, and it could be irritating after a while. We wish the poly-fill covered the entirety of the surface, but all in all, we find that it’s still worth the price because of its high-quality material.
Material: Memory foam, down alternative fill | Height: 4 inches | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
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Best Memory Foam
Subrtex 3-Inch Gel-Infused Memory Foam Bed Mattress Topper
Helps you feel cradled right away
Ventilated design prevents overheating
Feels thick and substantial
Reinforcement straps tend to slide off easily
We loved this memory foam mattress topper by Subrtex and could immediately tell how thick and substantial it felt. It has a sinking quality when you lay on it, but you still feel cradled in all of the right places.
It has a level of buoyancy that you’ll appreciate. During testing, as soon as we got up from the spot we were lying on, it bounced back to its original shape with no change in volume or loft. This could change with more long-term use, but the foam, which is infused with gel that keeps it feeling airy and soft, feels well made. On a similar note, the outer casing is stitched with a porous, ventilated design that doesn’t exactly feel cool to the touch but will help prevent overheating.
The removable rayon/bamboo cover has reinforcement straps attached to it that hook underneath the mattress and are meant to keep it in place. We did notice, however, that these tended to slip off. Because of its dense and plush feel, this is worth the price and is an excellent choice for anyone who wants the feeling of a memory foam mattress but doesn’t want to make the full investment yet.
Material: Gel-infused memory foam | Height: 2, 3, 4 inches | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
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Firmer feel ideal for side and back sleepers
Stays in place, even when tossing and turning
Impressive quality and support for the price
Not as cooling as we’d expect from a gel topper
Gel mattress toppers are ideal for people who need extra support for their backs and joints, and this one from Amazon Basics surprised us with its quality, especially considering the price. This would also be a great fit for side and back sleepers because of its firmer feel. The gel material provides a level of friction with the mattress that keeps it in place, so you don’t have to worry about it shifting under your sheets at night.
One thing that disappointed us was that it didn’t do a great job of staying cool, which is something you’d expect from a gel mattress topper. But we did notice that it absorbed quite a bit of body heat. Also, it was thicker and heavier than you may expect, so confirm your sheets’ pocket depth before you order to make sure they’ll fit. If your main priority is added support, though, this topper is a great deal.
Material: Polyurethane foam | Height: 2, 3 inches | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king
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Best Cooling
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Mattress Topper
Molds to your body and provides support
Heat-neutral latex foam helps keep you cool
Bounces back to its original shape
Very heavy and cumbersome
If you’re prone to overheating, you may find that your mattress is an absolute hotbed (literally) as soon as you lay on it. This topper from Sleep On was our favorite cooling pick because it’s made of latex foam that’s designed to be heat-neutral. We were very impressed at how well it kept cool — even when you’re laying in one spot for a long time, as soon as you pull away, you won’t be able to feel a major difference in temperature from one side to the other.
It also has a level of softness and comfort we wouldn’t typically expect from latex — it immediately adjusts to your body as soon as you lay on it, and it feels soft yet supportive. However, because it’s latex, it is fairly heavy and cumbersome to handle, so you’ll probably need another person to help you put it on or if you want to rearrange your furniture in the future.
Material: Organic latex | Height: 1, 2, 3 inches | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
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Breathable down is cool to the touch
Lghtweight and easy to handle
Cloud-like feel
Doesn't add a lot of support
Editor’s note: Southern Living is owned by PEOPLE’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith.
Down is popular because it’s not only breathable and cool when you’re hot, but it's warm and comforting when you’re cold. This down topper by Southern Living is our favorite — we love how breathable it is and could feel just how cool it was as soon as we laid on it. It’s also incredibly lightweight, and placing it on the bed felt almost like throwing on a comforter. This is ideal for when you want to unzip its casing and throw it in the washing machine (yes, it’s machine washable!). Aside from that, when it comes to its feel, it’s absolutely the cream of the crop of down toppers — you’ll feel like you’re sinking into a cloud as soon as you lay on it.
While it does look very thick, it’s ultimately pretty airy, which means there isn’t much added support. We could foresee this being an issue for anyone who has a lumpier mattress — you’ll definitely be able to feel your mattress underneath in spite of the topper. This is a better pick for someone who loves the feel of down and wants an extra boost on an already comfortable mattress.
Material: Quilt-free down and feather fill | Height: 18-inch pocket depth | Sizes: Queen, king, California king
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Best Waterproof
GhostBed Memory Foam Topper
Supportive and cradled feel
Maintains its shape
Prevented water from reaching mattress
Requires dry cleaning
If you want something protective and comfortable, you’ll love this mattress topper by GhostBed. We were absolutely amazed at how comfortable it was — it completely transformed the mattress we laid on.
Although not remarkably voluminous, it is incredibly soft and plush, so you feel supported and cradled. It never flattens out, either; if you change positions or sides or get up from the bed, it snaps right back to its original position. But the real reason we loved it was for its waterproof qualities. It has a layer of waterproof backing on the bottom that kept moisture from our spill tests from making it to the mattress.
You should keep in mind that, although you can spot-clean this topper as needed, it will need to be taken to the dry cleaner for a real deep cleaning. This is inconvenient, especially if you want to keep it for the long term. However, it feels high quality and plush, and the waterproof feature would be great if you have kids or just want to take extra good care of your mattress.
Material: Memory foam | Height: 3 inches | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
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Other Mattress Toppers We Tried
- Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper: This topper by Avocado is incredibly plush and comfortable, and we loved the feel as soon as we laid down. No matter what position you sleep in, you’ll certainly feel cradled and cozy. However, we found that it shifts a lot under the sheets when you’re tossing and turning, which we figured wouldn’t happen as much because of the latex material that should cause friction and keep it in place. We were also disappointed because it wasn’t very cooling, which is another thing we’d expect with a latex topper.
- Nolah Mattress Topper: All in all, this is a nice mattress topper. It’s on the firmer side but has a level of softness that moves with you, so you’re supported in every position. It also maintains its loft and buoyancy when you get up from the bed, bouncing back to its original shape immediately. Unlike the topper from Avocado, however, it is fairly pricey.
What to Know About Mattress Toppers
Support
If you’re looking for more support, a mattress topper is a great option. “An ideal case for getting a mattress topper is someone who finds their current mattress too firm and wants to try a softer, more contouring surface. Often made from memory foam or latex, you should notice an immediate difference with a mattress topper,” says David Rubin, certified sleep science coach and director of product testing at TheSleepDoctor.com.
Durability
Unlike a mattress pad, toppers are not something you can just toss in the washer for a quick clean. Three of our top picks come with machine-washable covers that make care easy; there are also covers you can purchase separately for your topper directly from the manufacturer or at places like Amazon (among other bedding purchases). To clean toppers of different materials, you’ll want to use natural solutions like baking soda, distilled white vinegar, and a vacuum cleaner to keep them fresh and free of stains.
Breathability
If you tend to sleep hot, breathability in all of your bedding is the key to staying cool. While lots of mattress toppers market themselves as “cooling,” many don’t deliver on their promise. For mattress toppers, anything made with latex or foam infused with cooling gel usually works well for regulating temperature. The Sleep On Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper at Amazon was our most cooling pick.
Behind the Scenes
Our editors selected 17 of the best-selling mattress toppers on the market to put to the test. Each mattress topper was queen-sized, and all were tested over a two-day period in our lab to evaluate them for comfort, support, durability, and breathability.
- Comfort: We placed each mattress topper over an acupressure mat to find out how cushioned and lofty they were. We also studied how well they retained heat by tossing and turning on each one in order to simulate real-life sleeping scenarios.
- Support: We also spent time laying on each side of the mattress in different positions (stomach, back, and side) to evaluate their comfort level for different types of sleepers. We also moved around a lot to see if the mattress topper stayed in place or shifted off the mattress.
- Durability: We checked each mattress topper for snags and tears after unpackaging and again after shifting them around on the mattresses. We also checked each mattress topper for any damage caused by the acupressure mat. We checked for water resistance by adding a tablespoon of water directly onto the mattress topper to evaluate whether the water sat on top or absorbed into the material.
- Breathability: We measured each mattress topper’s breathability by testing the surface temperature before and after lying on it for a period of time.
We scored each mattress topper based on its performance in each of our tests to determine the best mattress toppers. Those that scored the highest got our stamp of approval and are featured in this article.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
This article was written by Olivia Avitt, a freelance writer for PEOPLE who specializes in thorough, honest product reviews. When writing this roundup, she carefully reviewed the test results of the products included and put together the need-to-know details you see here that will help you pick the right addition to your bedroom setup.
Our PEOPLE Tested team also consulted David Rubin, a product expert at TheSleepDoctor.com, who provided expert insights on what you should look for in your next mattress topper — not only which one is right for you altogether, but also what materials are the best and the most important factors you should keep in mind when picking one that will fit your bed.
Meet Our Expert
David Rubin is a certified sleep science coach and the director of product testing at TheSleepDoctor.com.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval - because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.