A good mattress doesn’t come cheap – but it is nonetheless an important requisite for a restful sleep. Unfortunately, not everyone is in the financial condition to dole out cash on a high end mattress if their current one begins to show signs of degradation.
You may not know this, but there’s a less expensive (if temporary) solution to the predicament: a mattress topper (or its closely related cousin, the mattress pad) is your go-to solution for modifying the comfort / support level of your present mattress, if you can’t afford to get a whole new one.
Just as there are many ways in which a mattress’s performance can be modified, there is a wide variety of toppers that helps you achieve these modifications. I’ve written this guide to help you sift through all the different kinds of toppers and pads on the market, so you can find the best mattress topper for your intended use.
Name |
Materials Used |
Our Ratings |
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Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress Topper |
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LUCID 3-inch Gel Memory Foam Topper |
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DreamFoam Bedding 2” Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper |
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Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper |
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Zen Bamboo Ultra Soft Bamboo Mattress Topper |
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Name |
Materials Used |
Our Ratings |
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Balichun Down Alternative Quilted Mattress Pad |
Cotton top with down alternative filling |
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SnugFleece Elite Wool Mattress Pad |
American virgin wool on pure cotton backing |
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Bare Home Pillow-Top Premium Mattress Pad |
Brushed 1800 Microfiber / Velvet Microplush surfaces; down alternative filling |
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Pinzon Microplush Mattress Pad |
Polyester top, Olefin bottom, polyester filling |
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iSoCore Memory Foam Mattress Pad |
Memory foam |
It goes without saying that everything a topper does, a dedicated mattress can do better – but as I said before, it isn’t always within one’s reach. So if you’re dissatisfied with how your bed feels at the moment but can’t change it full-time, you may want to get a topper to make your sleep more tolerable while you save up for a better bed.
Sometimes, you get a new mattress that feels very good initially, but after using it for a few weeks, it settles into a somewhat firmer comfort level than what you were expecting. Now most manufacturers won’t let you exchange this purchase for a softer one just because it feels different from what you had expected. For instance, you miscalculated the firmness of a latex mattress which initially seemed quite plush but became somewhat hard after a while. You can remedy this on the cheap by getting a memory foam topper.
As another example, your brand new memory foam mattress is making you sweat – instead of turning up the AC (if you have it!) you can get a cooling gel mattress pad that dissipates heat away from your body without changing the conforming feel of your bed. On yet another related note, if your budget has compelled you to get a sofa bed / foldaway bed instead of the real deal, you may be able to make the sleep experience more palatable by putting a relatively inexpensive topper on top.
Back and shoulder pain can often result from an improper / insufficiently supported sleeping position – and is a frequent complaint with side sleepers sleeping on unyielding beds. If you’re hesitant about getting a latex / memory foam mattress to solve your problem, why not try out a mattress topper made from the same materials and see if the problem goes away.
If it does, you’ll be certain about what you need to save up for next, and if not, it wasn’t a big investment risk that you took!
These two products bear plenty of overlap in their design and functionality, but they address needs which may be somewhat different, here’s a comparison to help you decide which is for you:
A topper is thicker, pricier and comfier than a pad. Its primary purpose is to enhance the comfort / support level of your bed.
Certain toppers may incorporate cooling gel that conducts heat away from your body. Recommended if you live in a tropical setting (or generally sleep warm at night), or are dealing with a condition that causes you to sleep warm e.g. hot flashes due to menopause.
While some mattresses come with pillow tops stitched right on them, you can use a pillow-top topper to increase the plushness of a firm mattress (e.g. a cheap innerspring) that doesn’t. They aren’t the most durable toppers, but they are also quite affordable.
An organic topper is one that incorporates natural materials e.g. latex / wool / down / bamboo. Obviously, finding a true organic product (one that does not involve any artificial additive in any stage of its production) will be a challenge; most just use a natural material as a filler and call themselves organic.
This is thinner than a topper, and while it doesn’t offer much in terms of comfort, it tackles peripheral issues such as temperature regulation. It is cheaper than a topper.
These are costlier than normal pads – some may force air flow through fans, while others may rely on a liquid coolant.
A heated electric element is used to warm the pad, which then transfers heat to your body – used in colder climates.
Mattress pads with stretchable sides, or anchors that affix to the corners of the beds, are available for people who can’t tolerate the pad bunching up under them as they move around in their sleep.
Note that while pads and toppers may offer circumstantial protection, they are not protective products – if your requirement is to secure your bed against threats such as spills, allergens and bed bugs, you’ll need to get a protector / encasement.Note also that in spite of the differences I’ve underscored above, most manufacturers will use the terms ‘pad’ and ‘topper’ interchangeably.
While this consideration plays a much smaller role where pads are concerned, for a mattress topper, you’ll definitely need to ascertain the level of comfort you require from your purchase. This will largely be dependent on the material used in its construction and the thickness of the material used.
We’ll get into the various materials available to you a bit later, but suffice to say, soft / plush products offer conformity and contour well to the shape of your body, whereas firm products provide support that pushes back on your joints and muscles, which some people find alleviates soreness.
One of the most prevalent comfort materials used in mattress toppers, viscoelastic foam conforms to the posture you’re sleeping in, so that even support is applied on your muscles.
Cheaper memory foam toppers may give off a peculiar smell for a few days after unpacking. They may also suffer from excessive heating.
Natural latex is a versatile comfort material that offers both springiness and conformity. While expensive, it is comfortable, supportive and environmentally safe.
Goose down / feathers excel at softening the surface of a firm mattress. Some may find their plushness a bit too much though, and it goes without saying that people with breathing conditions such as asthma should make sure the topper is properly sealed to prevent the down from irritating their airways.
This material offers comfort similar to down feathers, but it is more affordable, supportive and does not trigger allergies.
Wool is tough, durable and temperature regulating (i.e. it will stay warm in winter and cool in summer). Natural wool will be quite expensive though, and you may find it challenging to keep it fixed to the surface of your bed.
Here’s a video comparison of memory foam and latex for better illustration:
While it is a foregone conclusion in most cases that toppers and pads are temporary solutions that will wear out eventually, you can extend their lifetime by making right choices with regards to the materials used in them.
For example, organic materials such as wool, down and latex will always outlast artificial ones such as polyfoam, memory foam and down alternative. The former can be sprung up with a little maintenance, while the latter will settle down and lose their plushness sooner or later.
The density of material used also plays a role in determining how long the topper will remain supportive. Higher densities will be able to sustain larger weights for longer periods of time:
Toppers and pads, by their very design, are supposed to be short term solutions for improving the condition of your mattress. In other words, they aren’t supposed to last you for decades. Therefore, you’ll be hard pushed to find a topper with a warranty that goes beyond 5 years (and this is for the best mattress toppers from the lot!).
Mattress pads, being thinner and less durable even than toppers, may not even come with a warranty at all.
Key Points
The Zinus Green Tea is a seemingly traditional viscoelastic topper that will appeal to health conscious consumers through its odor killing, anti-bacterial and environment friendly qualities.
Available in multiple sizes, and thicknesses ranging from 1.5” to 4”, the topper gives you a lot of freedom in specifying the exact degree of contouring support you’ll get from your bed. While the lower thickness models exclusively use memory foam, the thicker (and pricier) models use a layer of memory foam in conjunction with HD support foam for a bit more push.
Zinus uses CertiPUR-US certified memory foam in their product, and replaces some of the usual petroleum with natural oil to give it a touch of environment friendliness. The green tea extract counters bacterial growth and prevents odors. The topper also has activated charcoal which absorbs moisture, helping to keep it fresh.
While the majority of consumers have found the product to be comfortable and conforming – just like memory foam is supposed to be, there have been a few complaints of it being either too firm or too soft. This is likely due to choosing the incorrect thickness, so you may want to exercise caution there.
Issues pertaining to poor quality control are rare but present, but the topper comes with a 5 year warranty which should have them covered.
Pros
Cons
A seemingly traditional viscoelastic topper that will appeal to health conscious consumers through its odor killing, anti-bacterial and environment friendly qualities.
Key Points
With a significantly thick and ventilated memory foam structure, this topper is a good pick for people who want plush, contouring comfort without the usual heating concerns associated with viscoelastic items.
The 3” of ventilated gel memory foam have a special formula that results in responsive and airy pressure relief. Hundreds of uniformly spaced miniscule air holes, in conjunction with the gel infused viscoelastic, ensures that the temperature doesn’t shoot up as you sleep during the night.
What the topper lacks in aesthetic appeal (the corners are prominently boxy), it makes up for in its superb comfort – something that has been attested wholeheartedly by existing users. Most (but not all) users have also found it cooler than traditional, low cost memory foam toppers.
I haven’t come across any complaints regarding manufacturing defects, and that makes sense, since the topper isn’t the cheapest product out there. That said, it does come with a 3 year warranty which should take some of the sting off the price tag.
Pros
Cons
A good pick for people who want plush, contouring comfort without the usual heating concerns associated with viscoelastic items.
Key Points
The extra-soft viscoelastic composition of this topper makes it a good choice for people looking to alleviate their back pain problems on the cheap.
This topper is simply a 2” slab of plush memory foam that is meant to up the comfort level of a firm mattress. Note that when I say plush – it means plush even as memory foam goes:
Several users have reported that the topper did away with their chronic back pain problems (no doubt stemming from a cheap / hard mattress) in just a few weeks, which is indicative of extreme conformity. Conversely, this also means that you can’t count on this product to enhance the supportiveness of an old, sagging mattress.
Even though the foam is called ‘gel swirl’, it doesn’t have a lot of impact on the temperature regulation of the bed. The good news is that the topper is US made, and uses foam that has been CertiPUR-US certified – so you don’t have to worry about inhaling any harmful chemicals during the off gassing period.
A 3 year warranty accompanies the product.
Pros
Cons
The extra-soft viscoelastic composition of this topper makes it a good choice for people looking to alleviate their back pain problems on the cheap.
Key Points
With a completely natural latex make-up and a range of thicknesses, this topper offers customized, springy yet conforming support that you can use to alter the feel of both old and new mattresses as needed.
The topper incorporates 4.0 lbs./cu.ft. (20 ILD) of natural Dunlop latex that is completely devoid of any synthetic additives (the manufacturer makes a huge point out of this). This results in a soft but springy feel that offers pinpointed pressure relief without the loose, sinking feeling of viscoelastic.
Furthermore, the natural latex makes the topper inherently hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. The open celled structure allows for free passage of air, so the topper does not raise the temperature of the bed either.
It is available in thicknesses of 1”, 2” and 3”, with the 1” intended to yield a marginal change in feel (e.g. for a brand new mattress), and the 3” meant to drastically improve support and comfort (e.g. for an aging mattress well past its prime).
The vast majority of purchasers seem to be extremely satisfied with the way the topper supports their posture without causing them to ‘sink in’, but there have been those who have found it excessively hard or soft – they may have ended up with a bad batch, but it is more likely that the latex feel did not match their tastes.
In any case, you’ll need to be prepared for the initial chemical smell of latex (which isn’t harmful but irritating nonetheless). The product comes with a 5 year warranty, and I wouldn’t have expected anything less, given its hefty price tag.
Pros
Cons
With a completely natural latex make-up and a range of thicknesses, this topper offers customized, springy yet conforming support that you can use to alter the feel of both old and new mattresses as needed.
Key Points
The Zen Bamboo mattress topper may be worth consideration if you want to add pillow-top-like cushioning to your bed without breaking your wallet.
Sporting a bamboo fiber / polyester cover that has been double-needle stitched into balanced chambers containing polyester filling, the topper yields plush, cloud-like comfort that should take the pressure off of firm mattresses.
By including bamboo in the fabric blend, the topper achieves a smooth surface feel as well as optimal thermal regulation. An elastic skirt lets it fit onto mattresses as deep as 18”. The product is machine washable for easy maintenance, in spite of its silky appearance.
According to consumers, the topper definitely adds a touch of light luxury and comfort to their beds, and most (but not all) also agree about its heat dissipating capabilities. Some users have found that it flattens quickly, but that has to do with the weight of the sleeper.
That being said, there have been a few complaints pertaining to manufacturing defects, which is why I would advise you to thoroughly inspect the product on arrival, and avail the 30 day money back guarantee if necessary.
Pros
Cons
The Zen Bamboo mattress topper may be worth consideration if you want to add pillow-top-like cushioning to your bed without breaking your wallet.
Key Points
This low-profile, moderately priced down alternative pad is great for increasing the comfort and / or breathability of your mattress without changing its core feel.
Bearing a fitted sheet style construction, the pad can fit any mattress in the thickness range of 8” to 21”. Underneath its 100% cotton top is 42 oz. Storm goose down that is plush and breathable, so the pad is able to boost up the overall comfort and airflow of your bed.
While the pad is noiseless and doesn’t interrupt your sleep due to motion transfer, it should be noted that it won’t offer much in terms support enhancement. It is machine washable so you can get it cleaned without going into any complicated procedures.
Consumer ratings are filled with applause about how this pad has breathed new life into years old mattresses, and even improved the pressure relief capability of new ones. In spite of all the praise, there have been complaints from people who ended up with units that were entirely flat and uncomfortable, which points to manufacturing defects.
Fortunately, the pad comes with a money back guarantee so long as it doesn’t have any visible signs of being used upon return.
Pros
Cons
This low-profile, moderately priced down alternative pad is great for increasing the comfort and / or breathability of your mattress without changing its core feel.
Key Points
If you’re looking for a mattress pad that can bolster the support and pain relief of your mattress for an extended period of time, without raising its temperature, you may want to consider this one.
The SnugFleece Elite Wool Mattress Pad consists of American virgin wool affixed to a 100% cotton backing. The wool’s naturally crimped fibers result in a cushioned, springy (if a little firm) support that provides ample pain relief – people looking for a middle ground between memory foam and latex may find it right up their alley.
The wool, being inherently thermo-regulating and moisture absorbent, stays at a comfortable temperature all year round. It is stain resistant and dust resistant, as well as hypoallergenic. Even if it does settle down after some months of use, you can easily make it fluffy as new by simply vacuuming it. The pad can be dry cleaned or machine washed as per your discretion.
User feedback has been positive for the most part – but there have been some complaints about an animal-like odor, which can be remedied by machine washing and air drying the pad once. Aside from that, the expensive price tag on this product does put it out of reach of many consumers.
It is worth mentioning that the natural origins of both wool and cotton mean that you don’t have to worry about ingesting harmful chemicals while using it in your bed. A 30 day money back guarantee, as well as 1 year warranty accompany the product.
Pros
Cons
If you’re looking for a mattress pad that can bolster the support and pain relief of your mattress for an extended period of time, without raising its temperature, you may want to consider this one.
Key Points
With one surface consisting of a velvet microplush fabric, another of double brushed microfiber, and a 2” thick down alternative pillow-top construction, this pad is meant for people who want to bring affordable luxury to their bed.
The immediately noticeable aspect of this pad is that regardless of the side you choose to sleep on, the surface feel is extremely lavish and comforting. The goose down filling ensures soft, plush pressure relief while also possessing hypoallergenic qualities, so that people with asthma and allergies can use the product safely.
An 18” extra deep pocket enables the pad to fit mattresses up to 20” thick, and the chambers have been end-to-end box stitched to prevent the filling from shifting around as you sleep – both these features ensure that fidgety sleepers won’t wake up during the night.
Most people have found the pad to be extremely comfortable and luxurious, but there have been some who have ended up with defective units, whereas others with shallower mattresses have found that it moves around a lot.
In any case, the mattress pad is accompanied by a money back guarantee, which should get you a refund if you aren’t satisfied with how it performs.
Pros
Cons
With one surface consisting of a velvet microplush fabric, another of double brushed microfiber, and a 2” thick down alternative pillow-top construction, this pad is meant for people who want to bring affordable luxury to their bed.
Key Points
The Pinzon Mircoplush Mattress Pad is a low cost solution for anyone looking to increase only the softness of their bed surface without adding anything to the overall support.
The pad is overfilled with pure polyester filling, and end-to-end box stitched into chambers to prevent the filling from moving about. Combine this with a soft microplush fabric surface, and you’ve got an inexpensive yet remarkably comfortable add-on for improving the feel of your hard mattress.
That said, don’t expect any improvement in the support of an old, sagging bed. The pad has been made in a factory that adheres to the rigorous OEKO-Tex Standard 100 rating. It has elastic sides that let it fit up to 18” thick mattresses.
While users have been quite happy with the amount of plushness it adds at such a low asking price, it is neither especially cool nor durable; you’ll have to dry clean it if it gets dirty, and there’s only a 30 day return policy for it.
Pros
Cons
The Pinzon Mircoplush Mattress Pad is a low cost solution for anyone looking to increase only the softness of their bed surface without adding anything to the overall support.
Key Points
This no-nonsense mattress pad is geared towards consumers in need of a low-cost solution to considerably enhance the conformity of a firm bed.
It comprises of a simple 3” thick slice of memory foam that adheres to the contours of your body, providing support and relief to your pressure points regardless of the posture you sleep in. The slow-response nature of the memory foam also eliminates motion transfer.
Because it is open celled, the viscoelastic foam used in this pad does not noticeably raise the temperature of your bed. Still, if you’re extra sensitive about heat during your sleep, you may want to look into a higher end gel memory foam model.
Note that the foam used in this product is low density, so it may require frequent rotation when used by bulkier individuals. However, for as long as it retains its initial shape, you can expect ample pain relief and comfort.
To ease the concern regarding durability, the manufacturer really does stick to their 3 year warranty backing this product, as pointed out by one consumer whose purchase began to lose shape after some months.
Pros
Cons
This no-nonsense mattress pad is geared towards consumers in need of a low-cost solution to considerably enhance the conformity of a firm bed.
You’ve reached the end of my guide, and hopefully, you will be better informed now as to which topper will best suit your needs. Based on the many factors that I’ve discussed, you will also have deduced that there is no simple, singular way to answer the ‘what mattress topper is best’ query.
A lot depends on your specific requirements e.g. comfort and/or support, durability, budget, temperature tolerance and so on. With that in mind, I’ve tried to suggest suitable candidates for the most common requirements that I’ve come across in my market research:
Back pain can be caused by a mattress that is unable to adequately support your posture (either because it got old, or because you made a bad choice), but like I said before, it isn’t always feasible to throw the current one out and get a new one.
If that is the case with you, I’d recommend the Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper with its all-natural Dunlop latex construction.
The 4 lbs. density and 20 ILD makes it superbly accommodating regardless of the posture you sleep in, and the point elastic nature of latex ensures adequate responsiveness to your movements. Furthermore, you won’t have to deal with the ‘sinking-in’ feel that is customary of memory foam products designed for similar purposes.
Additionally, you can choose from thicknesses of 1”, 2” and 3” – depending on the amount of alteration in surface feel you require. A 5 year warranty is included with topper, but given the general degree of user satisfaction, you probably won’t have to use it.
Getting a pad that is comfortable and durable requires considerable market research, but finding one with these qualities which also stays at the right temperature all year round is quite rare. Fortunately, the SnugFleece Elite Wool Mattress Pad offers such a solution.
If you’re willing to put up with a slight animal odor initially, the pad offers springy, slightly firm support that goes according to the tastes of most consumers. The American virgin wool is inherently durable, temperature regulating and moisture wicking, so it works well even if you’re sleeping in a tropical climate that makes you sweat.
The best part? Even if the pad gets flattened by continuous use, you can puff it up readily using a vacuum! Of course, it is expensive, but that is the price you pay for excellence.
High-end toppers’ prices can go up in the hundreds, but for many of us, the main reason for getting a topper is to spare ourselves from splurging a huge amount of cash. The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress Topper is one product that gives a lot of bang for the buck:
Priced well under 100, the Zinus is packed with features that will enhance your sleep experience. For starters, it is available in variable thicknesses, so that you can specify the exact degree of comfort and support you require.
The memory foam used in the Zinus topper is CertiPUR-US certified, so you won’t have to worry about breathing in harmful chemicals, and is augmented with green tea extract and activated charcoal – these counter odorous bacterial growth and moisture, respectively.
To top it off, the product comes with a 5 year warranty, which is about as high as it can get for a topper – quite surprising, considering the cost. There have been a few complaints about manufacturing defects, and you’ll have to put up with off gassing smell, but these are necessary compromises when your budget is limited.
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