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A mattress topper is the easiest solution to make an uncomfortable bed feel more comfortable. Whether your mattress is starting to wear out or you're just not loving it, adding a topper improves the feel on the surface to help you get better quality sleep. It's also perfect for temporary living situations (like a college dorm or a care facility) where you don't get to choose your mattress.
What's the best mattress topper? Our pick for the best overall mattress topper is the Tempur-Pedic Tempur Adapt Topper. It adds 3 inches of foam to your bed, creating more pressure relief, motion isolation and contouring comfort. If you're on a budget, we recommend the Lucid Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper, which combines a foam layer with a pillowtop yet costs significantly less than other models.
The bedding experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab test mattress toppers of all kinds to find the ones that will upgrade the feel of your bed, whether you need more softness, support or pressure relief. Our fiber scientists weigh in on the materials and specifications, then our analysts and at-home sleep testers try them out for first hand feedback. These recommendations received rave reviews from our testers and offer something for every type of sleeper.
You can find more information about how we test mattress toppers along with helpful tips for picking out your perfect model at the bottom of this article, but first, here's everything you need to know about the best mattress toppers for your bed, with prices listed for Queen sizes.
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Who it's best for: This memory foam topper is ideal for beds that may be starting to sag, innerspring mattresses that have too much bounce or couples that want to reduce the feel of motion transfer. It's also suitable for back pain sufferers and side sleepers because it offers pressure relief and conforms to the shape of your body.
Using the same popular material in the Tempur-Pedic mattresses that cost thousands of dollars, this luxury topper can totally change the feel of your bed by adding a supportive surface to increase comfort and pressure relief. It's 3 inches tall — which is substantial for a topper — and has a plush feel that adapts to your body shape rather than instantly sinking. It also offers superior motion isolation, meaning you're less likely to feel your sleeping partner toss and turn throughout the night.
Besides the contouring foam, we love that it has a removable and machine-washable outer cover so you can keep it clean, straps that help it easily attach to the bed and a moisture-wicking material to prevent overheating. And if you're a hot sleeper, you can upgrade to a performance cover that feels cool to the touch.
Tester notes: Users confirmed it instantly improved the feel of their mattress. One tester told us, "This mattress topper made my bed significantly more comfortable," and said, "The thickness of the topper is perfect." She also said the straps made it easier to get the topper onto the mattress, though it still shifted around at times. And though this specific model is a newer release from the brand (to include the straps), testers note that the Tempur-Pedic toppers keep their shape after years of use.
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Who it's best for: Anyone on a budget that wants to improve the feel of their bed without spending several hundred dollars. It's also ideal for people that aren't sure whether to choose a pillow-top or memory foam topper since it contains both materials.
This hybrid mattress topper combines pressure-relieving support and pillow-top comfort by using both foam and fiberfill. Even better: It costs significantly less than other top-tested options and is available on Amazon with the convenience of Prime shipping. The bottom layer is memory foam infused with gel, while the top layer includes pockets of down alternative for plush padding. It goes onto your bed like a fitted sheet to help everything stay in place.
It's an impressive 4 inches high, made up of equal parts foam and pillow top. Though it's sold as an individual topper, it's actually two separate pieces that you can layer together or use separately. The top layer that holds everything together is machine washable and dryer safe for easy cleaning.
Tester notes: We surveyed 30 Lucid bed owners during our extensive mattress evaluations and users gave the materials high scores for comfort and value. Plus, this topper in particular has over 4,000 reviews on Amazon with an average 4.4-star rating. Online reviewers said the combination of materials felt better than a topper made of just one, and several even said that it relieved their back and hip pain. Just note that some reviewers found it to sleep hot, despite the gel infusion in the foam.
Who it's best for: Anyone who just needs a simple pillow top to upgrade their bed — especially those who don't want to spend a lot or drastically change the feel of their mattress.
For a subtle layer that's more affordable and discreet than other toppers, this pillow top is more like a mattress pad, yet it still adds softness and comfort. It's filled with polyester microfiber (i.e. down alternative) in a quilted construction to keep it evenly spread out. The low cost makes it perfect for temporary living situations (like summer camp or college dorms), and it's more compact than thick foam toppers.
This one also stands out for its stretchy sides that tuck under the mattress like a fitted sheet. It's generously sized to fit tall beds up to 21 inches high. Plus, it's fully machine washable and dryer safe.
Tester notes: One GH staffer that bought two for her kids said they both found it to be comfortable and said she appreciated the low cost. "It's now on one kid's bed at home and the other kid's bed at college," she noted. Plus, it has nearly 30,000 reviews on Amazon with an average 4.5-star rating. Online reviewers say it improved the feel of their beds and some even noted that it improved their sleep quality.
Who it's best for: People who find their mattress to feel too hard or want a plush surface for added comfort. It's especially useful for innerspring beds that don't already have a pillow top or firm foam options with a flat surface.
This indulgent featherbed has a two-layer design that adds cloud-like softness to your bed. The top layer is filled with 100% down for a fluffy feel, while the bottom layer is a down-feather blend for more support. The down has a 550 fill power, which is on par with the insulation you'd find in a fluffy down comforter or puffy winter coat.
Besides having a lofty fill, this topper stood out in our evaluations for its baffle-box construction: It has walls of fabric inside that prevent shifting and uneven spots. It also has gusseted sides to keep it taller than a typical fiberfill mattress pad, and the fill is RDS-certified to ensure the down is humanely sourced.
Tester notes: It earned rave reviews from our testers, who gave feedback like "It was so cozy and made the bed feel luxurious." Several even compared it to sleeping on a cloud. Plus, it was easy to set up on their beds and users said there was no odor from the down and feathers. The one thing they noted was that it sometimes needed fluffing to stay lofty, so it's worth giving a shake when you change your sheets.
Who it's best for: Hot sleepers who want the pressure relief and supportive comfort of foam, but are worried about overheating and night sweats. Its ventilation allows for more air to flow through rather than getting trapped in the foam.
Most mattress toppers use materials that are known for trapping heat, but this one has ventilation in the foam that makes it more breathable. The foam also contains cooling gel that's designed to pull heat away from your body. And because it's foam, you still get the benefits of pressure relief and motion isolation.
Another perk is it comes in three heights, which lets you pick the right model for your bed depending on the depth of your existing mattress. It also has adjustable straps to help get the most secure fit, along with a slip-resistant mesh material on the bottom. The foam has a medium to medium-firm feel and its cover is removable and machine washable.
Tester notes: Our reviewers liked how it upgraded the feel of their bed and the fact that its straps helped keep it in place. While it didn't feel cool to the touch, users noticed that they didn't overheat, either. A tester of a similar Viscosoft model said, "One night I left the heat on full blast by mistake and I still didn't overheat, and that was impressive." One thing to note: Some found it to have a foam smell upon opening and said it took some time for the odor to dissipate.
Who it's best for: This one's ideal for sleepers that struggle with back or hip pain as well as side sleepers thanks to its cushioning foam that contours to pressure points. It has more of a sinking-in feel than other models, but testers said this foam offered relief to their discomfort.
Users of Nolah beds have told us the brand's mattresses relieve back pain, hip pain and sciatica, and this topper uses the same signature foam for superior pressure relief. It comes in two firmness levels: Luxury Firm (which is like a medium in the 5 to 7 out of 10 range) and Plush (which is a soft 3 out of 10), both of which contour to bodies.
There are also wide elastic bands at the corners that stretch to secure the topper onto your mattress, though it doesn't have a removable cover, making it spot-clean only. It also has a lower height than other foam options we recommend, so it's good for people that don't want to add too much height to their beds.
Tester notes: Our reviewers said this topper transformed their mattresses and made them feel new again. Some noted that it took a few days to get used to the feel but ultimately loved how comfortable it was. They also appreciated the height, with one noting, "It feels more premium compared to a thinner topper, but it wasn't too thick." Just note that because it's a bit softer, one tester said it was harder to turn over during the night.
Who it's best for: People looking to seriously upgrade their bed without buying an entirely new mattress. It's not as plush as other foam toppers, making it especially great for people who want pressure relief without too much sinking in.
This topper gives you the conforming feel of memory foam without feeling too cushy. It also offers good motion isolation so you're less likely to feel your sleeping partner move, and it comes with built-in straps that help it stay in place on your bed. And though it's pricier than other models, it comes with an impressive 180-day trial period so you can get a refund if it's not a good fit. Just note that it's spot clean only, meaning you can't machine wash the cover.
The brand says that this topper can be used for all sleep positions — which we found to be true in our review — but notes that it's especially good for side sleepers. It also uses graphite in the foam that's designed to pull heat away from your body for a cooling feel, but testers didn't notice this effect when they tried it out.
Tester notes: The biggest highlights according to our testers were the pressure relief and the fact that it made their beds feel much more substantial. They also found that its straps actually worked, with one noting, "It stays put without sliding around, and I’m so impressed by it!" Though the brand claims it has cooling benefits, users didn't notice this and said it got just a bit warm.
Who it's best for: Eco-conscious shoppers that prefer to buy organic materials from natural sources. It's also great for sleepers who want a resilient foam feel since latex is more bouncy than memory foam.
Most mattress toppers are made of synthetic materials like memory foam or polyester fiberfill, but this one's certified organic by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Not only is it organic, but it's also top quality so you don't need to sacrifice performance to go green.
Inside the topper is durable and resilient latex with temperature-regulating wool, and the outer cover is a soft and breathable cotton. The latex layer comes in two firmness options: Firm if you need support and resilience and plush if you want to add cloud-like softness. The brand also sells a vegan version with cotton fill instead of wool.
Tester notes: Besides its organic makeup, at-home testers loved how it upgraded the feel of their beds. And though it's expensive, they said it has held up perfectly after years of use and still maintains its support. They also recognized how high quality the construction is with comments like, "It was very comfortable and very well made."
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our textile experts use their extensive backgrounds in bedding testing to review materials and features for each topper. Next, we call in samples for at-home sleep testers to try out on their own beds. After sleeping on the toppers for several weeks, each tester fills out a survey to provide in-depth feedback. Our analysts follow up with testers annually to check how the mattress toppers are holding up with extended use. Here's how we analyze the mattress toppers:
Yes, a mattress topper can actually help you sleep better! Whether your mattress is starting to sink or sag or it's brand-new and you just don't love the feel, a topper can spruce it up and change its comfort. You can layer on a mattress topper for an enhanced feel, whether you purchased an expensive model that needs an affordable upgrade or you find your bed is lacking in comfort or support. Mattress toppers also provide a boost to an older mattress if you're finding you no longer love the feel but aren't ready to buy an entirely new mattress.
Just note that a mattress topper isn't for everyone, especially for those that prefer a firm mattress. Most toppers add softness, pressure relief or cradling comfort, and while they're certainly supportive, they won't give you the firm feel that'd you find in an innerspring bed without a pillow top.
As the name implies, a mattress topper sits right on top of your mattress. Some have straps that you can anchor onto your mattress, whereas others solely lie on top. If you use a mattress pad or protector to keep your mattress safe from spills or wear and tear, you can add them over your mattress topper as well.
Keep in mind, a mattress topper can add several inches to your bed's height. Make sure to buy sheets that will fit your mattress and its topper, especially if you have a tall mattress to begin with.
It depends on what you're looking for — i.e., whether you'd like your mattress topper to provide more firmness and support or if you need to soften up your bed. Here are the main types of toppers you can choose from:
There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, so here are factors to consider when shopping for your most comfortable mattress topper:
Lexie Sachs is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing to find the best bedding, including mattress toppers. She has been reviewing toppers firsthand since she joined GH over 10 years ago, reviewing them in the Lab and sending them to the homes of consumer testers for more feedback. She also loves trying out mattress toppers on her own bed and swears by their ability to change the feel of the mattress.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she researches, tests and reports on fabric-based products ranging from sheets, mattresses and towels to bras, fitness apparel and other clothing. She also evaluates luggage, rain gear, disposable paper goods and baby products. Lexie has more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Prior to joining GH in 2013, she worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
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