Best Mattress Topper (2021): Reviews & Comparison

Mattress toppers can be one of the best ways to increase the life of your old mattress. It is a great solution for when your old mattress is becoming lumpy or is not providing the kind of support you require, but you think buying a whole new mattress is not the investment you can make at the moment.

Mattress toppers will provide incredible thickness and support for when your mattress is not. However, you should note that this is not the same as a mattress pad. A mattress pad is not as thick as a mattress topper. It is only used as a layer between the sheet and the mattress, while a mattress topper is thick and you can expect better support from it.

Our Reviews of Mattress Toppers

Sleep Innovations 4-inch Dual Layer Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

The Sleep Innovations dual-layered gel memory foam mattress topper is a 4-inch topper that offers great comfort the whole night. The first two inches of the mattress topper has the soft comfort of a quilted fiberfill and the next two inches have a layer of the gel memory foam. The gel memory foam is especially useful for keeping you cool at night, even during a sultry summer season.

Specifications

Benefits

The queen-sized memory foam mattress topper is one that guarantees a cool and comfortable night of sleep. The memory foam has a cooling gel and the cover is also easily removable and washable. It does not take much to maintain this mattress topper and have it running for a few years at least. The mattress topper also comes with a 10-year limited warranty and is extremely easy to set up.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

This is a comfortable and cool mattress topper. The cover is machine washable and the whole set up is fairly easy to maintain. In some cases, the gel tends to lose its firmness after regular use or may become too hard for some people. Generally, however, the feedback about this product has been positive and it is a mattress topper worth considering.

Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper

The Linenspa two-inch gel-infused memory foam mattress topper takes the shape of your curves and gives you the pillowy comfort you need to drift off to sleep at night. The memory foam is also infused with gel beads that regulate temperature and keep the mattress from overheating on a hot summer night. The topper is available in profiles of two sizes - two inches and three inches.

Specifications

Benefits

The Linenspa mattress topper is comfortable and soft, making you feel like you are sleeping on a cloud. The temperature regulating gel beads allow you to sleep cool even on an otherwise warm night. The memory foam is able to align your spine and take away stress from pressure points. What’s more, this mattress topper is also more affordable than many of its contemporaries in the market.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

The mattress topper from Linenspa has a memory foam filling and cooling gel beads that keep the mattress cool. The mattress topper works well to distribute weight evenly and give your spine the right position and alignment when you sleep. This is not a great mattress topper for those who sleep on their stomach as it may put pressure on the neck. However, despite some of the drawbacks, this mattress topper does come highly recommended.

Leisure Town Queen Mattress Pad Cover Cooling Mattress Topper

The Leisure Town Queen Mattress Pad Cover Cooling mattress topper comes neatly packaged in a vacuum bag and is easy to set up, though you will have to wait for a few hours to get it back to its normal thickness. It does not have the typical diamond quilting seam, instead, it boasts of a new shape that offers more support. The material is breathable and soft, giving you a comfortable night’s sleep.

Specifications

Benefits

This mattress topper is breathable, soft, and comfortable - perfect for using on a summer night. The filling is snow down alternative fill that gives the softness of goose and duck feathers, without any poky ends sticking out. The topper also stays in place the whole night, no matter how much you turn in your sleep. This is a comfortable mattress topper for mattresses up to 21 inches.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

The mattress topper is comfortable, soft, and thick enough that it does not absorb any spilled liquid. However, the topper does tend to become flat after only some regular use. It is also not a great option for people who sleep hot. The mattress topper tends to become warm and can be quite uncomfortable. If you are looking simply for a mattress topper to prolong the life of your old mattress, this is a good buy. But the mattress topper does not fulfill very high expectations. 

Oaskys Queen Mattress Pad Cover Cooling Mattress Topper Cotton Top Pillow Top with Down Alternative Fill

The Oaskys queen mattress pad cover is a cooling mattress topper that comes stuffed with down-alternative fill. This is a breathable and soft mattress topper that makes for a comfortable place to sleep. It does not have the regular diamond quilting seam but comes in a new, more effective shape. The cover is machine washable and easy to maintain.

Specifications

Benefits

The mattress topper is made of 100% cotton and is one of the softest surfaces you will ever sleep on! The down-alternative fill gives you the softness of authentic goose feathers but without the pointy ends of the feather poking you at night. The cotton is gentle on your skin and gives you a luxurious sleeping experience.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

This is a comfortable and soft mattress topper made of 100% cotton. The fabric is soft to the touch and the alternative down filling gives you a degree of fluffiness without any sharp feathers poking you in your sleep. However, the mattress does not stay cool and can become quite sweaty and uncomfortable for those who sleep warm. If you are one of those people, this may not be the mattress for you. 

Lucid 3-Inch Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

This three-inch ventilated gel memory foam mattress topper from Lucid is a comfortable and soft surface to sleep on. The memory foam responds well to your body and gives you a comfortable night’s sleep. The gel material in the memory foam should keep the mattress topper cool.

Specifications

Benefits

The special memory foam formula of this mattress topper is extremely responsive and breathable. It will take the shape of your curves and will give your spine the right alignment. It also has a ventilated design that makes the mattress topper cool. The memory foam is a good way to relieve stress from your hip, knees, and shoulders.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

This memory foam mattress topper is breathable and very well ventilated. It does sleep cool as advertised and takes the shape of your curves when you sleep. The general feedback about this mattress topper has been that it alleviates pressure from problem areas. But it is not as fluffy as advertised and some customers have complained of feeling their original mattress through the topper. Nevertheless, the general feedback has been positive despite some drawbacks and this mattress topper is recommended. 

What is a Mattress Topper?

A mattress topper is a surface that will prolong the life of your old mattress and will also give you a comfortable night’s sleep. This is an especially great way for those who have joint pains and sore backs to treat the pain. Depending on the material of the mattress topper, you can enjoy different kinds of comfort. But a mattress topper is not always the easiest thing to buy.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing Mattress Toppers

There are several factors that need to align in order to give you the mattress topper you need. The following are some of the things to consider before buying a mattress topper.

Thickness

The thickness of a mattress topper is very important. If the topper just lies flat on your old mattress, it will make no difference. You might as well just sleep on your old mattress. For a mattress topper to make a considerable difference, it needs to be of appropriate thickness and it should also be fluffy. Regardless of the material the mattress topper is made of, it should be at least 2-3 inches thick to make a real difference to your sleep climate. 

If you are using a mattress topper to make up for the lumps in an old mattress, it is even more important that the topper be thick and fluffy. A thick mattress topper will also give you greater support.

Density

People may confuse the density of the mattress topper to mean its thickness, but the two are not the same thing. The density means the amount of material used per cubic foot of the mattress topper. Mattress toppers of higher density tend to offer more support. If you require minimal support but want a comfortable night’s sleep, two pounds per cubic foot should be enough. 

If you are looking for greater support and want a mattress topper that will alleviate pressure from your shoulders, knees, and hip, a mattress topper with a density of four pounds per cubic foot is ideal. Anywhere in the middle with three pounds per cubic foot is a good place to be.

Sleeping Hot or Cold

Depending on whether you sleep hot or cold, you should pick a mattress topper accordingly. If you are cold when you sleep, it is suggested you invest in a thicker mattress topper. Thick mattress toppers tend to make the bed warmer. A regular memory foam mattress is also likely to retain heat and keep you warm. However, if you are warm when you sleep and need a mattress topper that keeps you cool and comfortable, there are special mattress toppers for that. 

 While memory foam mattress toppers will retain heat, you can look for special gel-infused memory foam mattress toppers that ventilate the mattress and keep it cool. The more breathable a mattress topper is, the more likely it is to keep you cool at night. Too many people end up buying memory foam mattress toppers for their back but are sweaty and uncomfortable at night. So depending on whether you sleep hot or cold, you should look at the specific features of a mattress topper and choose accordingly.

Maintenance

A good mattress topper should last you at least a few years. They are used to increase the longevity of your old mattress but if the thing you bought to keep your mattress running also becomes spoiled or becomes flat, there is no point. You could have just continued sleeping on your old mattress without bothering to invest in an expensive mattress topper in the first place.

 A mattress topper should, therefore, be durable and easy to maintain. You should be able to machine wash the cover without worrying about permanent damage (of course, after following the correct instructions). The mattress topper should also not absorb too much dirt or liquids, keeping it fresh and clean for longer. It would also be helpful if the mattress topper was hypoallergenic.

Material 

The material of the mattress topper is one of the most important factors to consider. Different types of material have different perks. Cotton is a great, soft material that is a comfortable surface to sleep on. Cotton is also usually easy to maintain and is airy, and breathable. Cotton mattress toppers could also be filled with alternative down, which provides the softness of goose feathers, without any pointy edges sticking through the material. 

Memory foam is also a great material for those looking to alleviate body pain - but it tends to become hot. The best option is to invest in gel-infused memory foam that circulates air and the gel beans keep the mattress topper cool.

Cost

The cost of a mattress topper is obviously something you will need to consider. When you are buying any product from the market, your budget should be one of your primary concerns. The same applies even when you are purchasing a mattress topper. Mattress toppers are not always cheap, especially the memory foam ones as they make use of special technology to be as comfortable and responsive as they are. 

Add to the mix the cooling gel beans, and you can expect it to cost a fair bit. However, while you may get a good bargain for a mattress topper, it is also important to assess whether the mattress topper you are assessing is worth your money at all.

Movement

If you are a light sleeper and are sharing the mattress with a partner or roommate, their movement may disturb your sleep at night. If the person you are sleeping next to tends to toss and turn in their sleep, there are mattress toppers that can absorb this movement and neutralize the ripples from that movement. Memory foam and latex mattress toppers are the best options if you are a light sleeper and do not want to be disturbed by a jiggling mattress.

Conclusion

Mattress toppers can be one of the best ways to make your sleeping arrangement comfortable without committing to an expensive and new mattress. You can simply place the mattress topper on your existing mattress and give it a longer life.

A mattress topper is also useful if you develop pain on your back or joints. Investing in a new orthopedic mattress may be expensive, but a memory foam mattress topper can solve the problem, at least short term.

The mattress toppers that have been reviewed above are some of the best in the market. Some of them are great if you sleep hot, while others will keep you warm if you live in a cold place. A good memory foam mattress will also give you adequate support to relieve pressure. Depending on your needs, you are bound to find a mattress topper that works for you out of the mattress toppers that have been reviewed.