Best mattress toppers for hard beds

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

Best in Class

Photo: Marcus McDonald

Photo: Marcus McDonald

Mattresses are a tough purchase — even if you get to try them out (thanks to 100-night return policies from many companies) or read reviews (like our very thorough tests). When you find yourself with one that’s just a little too firm or too soft, or that makes you sweat through your sheets, a mattress topper can close the gap between the almost there and the just right.

According to Bill Fish, a sleep-science coach and co-founder of the sleep-products site Tuck, buying a mattress topper is “a rather inexpensive method to fix an uncomfortable mattress without going through the process of purchasing a new mattress entirely.” Joe Auer, founder of the review site Mattress Clarity, agrees: “Some purchase one to revitalize an old bed that has lost its cushioning over time, or sometimes couples will disagree on the proper firmness of a bed and buy a mattress topper to place on one half of the bed.” Whatever your reasons for buying a mattress topper, you’ll want one that offers the exact feel you’re seeking — whether that’s firm and supportive or soft and plush. We asked 13 sleep-product pros to guide us through the various options on the market and point out the best of each type. Use the links below to jump to the type of topper you’re looking for, or read on to learn more about what to look for when you’re shopping for one.

Note: All prices are for a queen-size topper unless otherwise noted.

Best overall | Best (less expensive) overall | Best fiber-filled | Best latex | Best cooling | Best hybrid | Best multi-zone | Best (less expensive) multi-zone | Best down| Best down-alternative | Best micro-coil | Best firm | Best soft

Material: While there is some variety in firmness within mattress toppers made of the same material, the material is generally what determines a topper’s feel. Firmness “can affect not only one’s comfort but also back health,” explains Alex Savy, a sleep-science coach and founder of the sleep-product-review site SleepingOcean. In general, according to Savy, side sleepers should go with softer toppers, back sleepers with medium ones, and stomach sleepers with firm toppers. Since side sleeping is the most common sleeping position, it’s not surprising that “most people purchase a mattress topper to make their bed softer,” says Auer.

Memory foam, one of the most popular materials for mattress toppers, usually feels soft but can also sometimes run hot, so if you like the feel of foam, you may want to look for a cooling gel-infused variety or a topper with a fabric cover designed to react to your body temperature. Down-feather mattress toppers are soft and plush but can be more expensive and possibly trigger allergies, while down-alternative toppers offer the same softness in a hypoallergenic package. Fiber-filled mattress toppers (usually made from synthetic or polyester materials) are soft and often cheaper than down. Latex has a firmer feel and may be a good choice if your current mattress is too soft.

Thickness and density: The thickness, or height, of your mattress topper will also help determine how it feels. Typically ranging from one to five inches in height, thicker mattress toppers tend to feel plusher and offer a more noticeable difference compared to your bare mattress. Thinner mattress toppers can still feel comfortable but will make less of an impact. For memory foam fans, the density of your mattress topper is another important feature to note. The density refers to the weight per cubic foot and basically translates to how solid the foam is. Imagine a plastic bag filled with 100 packing peanuts, versus the same size bag filled with 50 packing peanuts. The bag of 100 will have a firmer and more dense feel, while the bag of 50 will still feel cushioned but not as supportive. Higher-density memory foam weighs about five pounds or more per cubic foot, while more moderate-density foam weighs around three to four pounds per cubic foot. Below, we’ve listed the thickness of each mattress topper, and the density when available, as not all brands provide that detail.

Cleaning: A mattress topper doesn’t need to be washed as frequently as your sheets and pillow cases, but it’s still a good idea to clean it every couple of months. Some mattress toppers are entirely machine washable, though whether you can do that at home or have to drag it to the laundromat depends on the size of your machine (if you have one at all). Others have removable covers that are more manageable for cleaning.

Trial period and warranty: It might take a few nights to decide if you picked the right mattress topper. Sometimes what feels great on the first night can feel saggy or too firm after a week, so lots of companies offer extended trial periods (usually up to 100 nights) to give you some time to determine whether the topper is right for you. Some brands offer warranties that cover your topper from defects for additional months or years. Just be sure to read the fine print: Companies that offer 100-night trials on mattresses don’t always offer the same terms on toppers, and return policies may vary depending on whether you buy the topper directly from the brand or from a third-party retailer like Amazon.

Tempur-Adapt Topper - Queen

$419 now 40% off

From $251

Memory foam | 3-inch thickness | Removable, machine-washable cover | Ten-year warranty

Tempur-Pedic is a leader in the sleep industry, known for its responsive memory-foam mattresses and pillows. As of August 2022, the brand has upgraded and replaced our previous pick for the best overall mattress topper, the Tempur-Supreme, with the renamed Tempur-Adapt. Similar to its predecessor (which was recommended to us by Sleepopolis writer Sarah Ricco because it is “exceptionally moldable” and offers “full-body pressure relief for sleepers of all styles”), the Tempur-Adapt topper is made of Tempur-Pedic’s proprietary foam and designed to offer consistent pressure relief and support.

At 3 inches thick, the Tempur-Adapt topper will add noticeable plushness to any mattress. (Meanwhile, if you are looking for one that’s a bit more low profile, Tempur-Pedic also sells a 2-inch-thick memory-foam topper called the Tempur-Cloud.) Zoë Ettinger, a sleep-science coach and the editor of Sleepopolis, says that the foam Tempur-Pedic uses in its mattress toppers “contours around your body almost as if it’s hugging you,” noting that because it is denser than others on the market, it is also more durable.

While the price of the renamed Tempur-Adapt is the same as the Tempur-Supreme topper, for an extra $80, you can now upgrade to a cooling cover. Both versions of the cover are removable and machine washable.

ViscoSoft 3 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper

$270 now 26% off

From $200

Memory foam | 3-inch thickness, 3.5-pound density | Removable, machine-washable bamboo-rayon cover | 60-day trial, five-year warranty

Like our best overall pick, this ViscoSoft mattress topper is made from high-density memory foam that experts say strikes the right balance between softness and support. Memory-foam mattress toppers “are the most popular due to the fact that they add comfort and relieve pressure,” according to Nick Robinson, the editor and publisher of the sleep-product review site Sleep Like the Dead. Robinson recommends this model with its three inches of plush memory foam. It’s also a favorite of Keith Cushner, co-founder and general manager of Tuck. “It’s really solid in terms of durability, the quality of the foam, and the experience all of our testers have had with it,” Cushner says. Even at the lower price point, it has premium features like a machine-washable bamboo-rayon cover and straps that hold the topper in place on your mattress. To help with cooling, the mattress is infused with pockets of gel that absorb and disperse body heat.

Slumber Cloud Core Mattress Pad

$244

$244

Fiber-filled | Thickness not listed | Machine washable | 60-night trial, 180-night warranty

If you want a topper that’s a bit firmer than memory foam — and without its tendency to retain heat — consider a fiber-filled mattress topper. Instead of being made from a solid block of foam, these are filled with synthetic or natural fibers that allow for more ventilation. The one downside of fiber toppers is they require more upkeep. “If you don’t maintain them by shaking and fluffing them, they might get compressed or lumpy in some areas,” says Robinson. This fiber style from Slumber Cloud, recommended by two of our experts, stands out for its comfort and cooling properties. The topper is made from a proprietary viscose-based material called Outlast that was developed by NASA to regulate astronauts’ body temperatures in space. Outlast works by absorbing body heat and releasing it if your temperature drops. Heather Turgeon, a psychotherapist and co-author of The Happy Sleeper, often suggests the Slumber Cloud to her patients who have trouble with temperature regulation at night. Logan Block, former director of content at Sleepopolis, adds that it’s very durable.

PlushBeds Natural Latex Topper

From $288

Latex | 2-inch and 3-inch thickness | Spot clean | Nonreturnable, 5-year warranty

Savy ​​describes latex as more resilient than memory foam, meaning it will bounce back to its original shape quickly after you get up. Latex is firmer and more supportive rather than soft and mushy. Savvy, Fish, and Cushner like this all-natural latex topper from PlushBeds. It’s available in two heights (two inches for those who want to feel their mattress underneath and three inches for those who prefer more cushioning) and four different firmness levels. The brand recommends Soft for back and side sleepers who like a plush feel, Medium for side sleepers looking for softness and support, the slightly denser Medium-Firm for back and stomach sleepers, and Extra-Firm for people who weigh over 250 pounds or prefer maximum support. “The latex can soften a firm mattress but still give you some bounce, and the aerated feature allows for consistent airflow to keep the sleeper cool throughout the night,” says Fish. Latex is naturally cooler than memory foam, but small ventilation holes in the PlushBeds topper are a nice touch for those who sleep especially hot on any material. Since it’s made from 100 percent natural latex, this topper is on the more expensive end, but Savy says its durability makes it worth the investment.

ViscoSoft 4-Inch Active Cooling Memory-Foam Mattress Topper

$300

$300

Memory foam | 4-inch thickness | Removable, machine-washable cover | 60-night trial, five-year warranty

This ViscoSoft mattress topper has all the benefits of our best (less expensive) overall pick, and it comes with some added frills you’ll appreciate if staying cool is your top priority. Annie Schlecht, an occupational therapist and sleep consultant, explains that the topper’s copper-infused foam “draws heat away from the body and dissipates it into the environment.” It has a sweat-wicking (and machine-washable) cover that’s designed to keep you dry, and it feels cool to the touch. Riccio adds that this ViscoSoft model “offers a classic memory-foam feel, but the copper infusion serves to dissipate body heat and prevent the foam from warming up.”

$300 at Amazon

Buy

$300 at Amazon

Buy

Birch Living Plush Pillow Topper

From $300

From $300

Wool-latex hybrid | 3-inch thickness | Spot clean |100-night trial, ten-year warranty

A pillow-top mattress topper made from all organic materials, this model from Birch Living blends wool and latex for a plush yet supportive feel. Since this topper contains latex (like the PlushBeds one above), Auer says it “shouldn’t sag the way memory foam is known to do.” The high-density wool offers similarly lasting firmness. And though you might associate wool with warmth, it actually excels at temperature regulation (one reason it’s a popular material for activewear), so this topper won’t leave you sweaty. Cushner says wool won’t trap heat, adding, “If anything, it can wick away heat.” The top layer is made from cool-to-the-touch organic cotton, but just a heads-up: It’s not removable or machine washable, so you’ll have to spot-clean this topper.

From $300 at Birch

Buy

GhostBed Memory-Foam Topper

$429

Gel memory foam | 3-inch thickness | Machine washable cover and spot clean topper | Nonreturnable, 5-year warranty

If you’re waking up with back pain or achy joints, a multi-zone topper, composed of different densities of foam, may provide relief. This type of topper is designed to provide targeted support to the parts of the body that need it most no matter what position you sleep in; Savvy explains that “each zone responds differently to the sections of one’s body. Heavier parts sink in, while the rest is supported in a relatively straight line.” As chiropractors told us when we researched the best pillows for neck pain, maintaining proper alignment while sleeping is key to minimizing aches and pains. Plus the GhostBed topper boasts some classic memory-foam cooling features like gel-infused foam and increased ventilation to promote airflow.

$429 at GhostBed

Buy

Lucid 5-Zone Lavender Memory-Foam Mattress Topper

From $85

Memory foam | 3-inch thickness, 1.9-pound density | Spot-clean with a damp cloth | 30-day return policy on Amazon, three-year warranty

At under $100, this topper isn’t just the cheapest option on our list, it’s also a surprisingly good dupe for the pricier GhostBed one above. At the lower price point, you sacrifice the gel infusion for cooling and the machine-washable cover, but you’ll still get a solid memory-foam topper with different density zones to support your whole body. “This topper has five body zones that provide extra pressure relief in certain areas to help level you out across the mattress and maximize comfort,” says Ben Trapskin, founder of the Sleep Sherpa. Trapskin likes the lavender-infused fragrance of this topper, which offsets the chemical smell that sometimes accompanies memory foam. It “provides a fresh-smelling mattress for many months to come,” he says.

From $85 at Amazon

Buy

From $89 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Buy

Parachute Down Mattress Topper

From $289

Down | 3-inch thickness | Dry-clean only | Free returns within 60 days, three-year warranty

For that “traditional hotel-bed feel,” Logan Foley, the managing editor at Sleep Foundation, says you have to go with down, and he specifically recommends this topper from Parachute. Natural down is known for being ultraplush and lightweight, lending a luxurious softness to any bed. Robert Pagano, a co-founder of sleep-product review site Sleepline, also likes Parachute’s version, which he says envelops sleepers without any of the heat-retaining properties of memory foam. Down toppers will need regular fluffing to keep the filling in place, but this one has the added benefit of sewn baffle-box construction to prevent filling from shifting around as you sleep. The downsides of down include the potential for irritating allergies and the occasional feather poke-through. Additionally, this mattress topper is dry-clean only, which makes cleaning a little more difficult.

Parachute Down-Alternative Mattress Topper - Queen

$249

Down-alternative microfiber | 3-inch thickness | Dry-clean only | Free returns within 60 days, three-year warranty

Designed to feel like down, down-alternative toppers (which are typically made from microfiber) are a good alternative to the real thing if you have allergies or want to save some money. Experts love this topper from Parachute for many of the reasons they recommend the brand’s down style: marshmallow softness, baffle-box construction, and a 100 percent cotton shell. Savy says it’s likely one of the best-selling toppers on the market right now because it’s hypoallergenic, durable, and “generously stuffed.” Strategist contributing writer Lauren Levy got a chance to try this mattress topper firsthand and reported that she felt herself “gently melting and folding into” it when falling asleep, and she woke up “feeling lightly sandwiched between layers of plushness.” Like its down counterpart, this Parachute topper is dry-clean only.

$249 at Parachute

Buy

Charles P. Rogers Real Bed Mattress Topper

From $620

Micro-coils and latex | 2.5-inch thickness | Spot-clean | Nonreturnable, no warranty details

If you’re new to sleeping on memory foam or another type of all-foam mattress and missing the bounciness of your old innerspring mattress, Cushner suggests this topper. It combines supportive latex with a layer of tiny nano-springs and feels a little cooler than straight memory foam does. While Cushner admits it won’t transform a foam mattress into a spring one, it’s an option if you prefer that bouncier feel.

From $620 at Charles P. Rogers

Buy

Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper (Queen)

$649 now 10% off

From $584

Wool-latex hybrid | 2-inch thickness | Spot-clean | One-year trial (with a 30-day minimum), 10-year warranty

Firm mattress toppers are ideal for people who are managing body pains and aches or just need some extra support. This organic latex mattress topper by Avocado is rated as medium-firm and designed to gently cradle your body. Similar to the Birch Living Plush Topper above, it is layered with moisture-wicking organic wool, organic latex, and cotton to create a buoyant sleeping surface that allows your body heat to dissipate.

From $584 at Avocado Mattress

Buy

with code: SAVE10

Tuft & Needle Mattress Topper - Queen

$200

Open-cell foam | 2-inch thickness | Machine washable cover and spot clean cover | 100-night sleep trial, 3-year limited warranty

If your mattress is too firm for your liking or has become less comfortable over time, adding the two-inch Tuft and Needle mattress topper can give it a boost. This topper is made of cushiony, bouncy open-cell foam that is designed to respond to your body’s movement and offer pressure relief while allowing air to circulate. Unlike some memory foam options, this topper is less likely to trap your body heat, and the removable and machine washable poly-blend cover adds an extra soft and cooling layer.

An under-$100 plush mattress topper

From $70

$83 now 16% off

Buy at Amazon

A less-expensive cooling mattress topper

$137

$150 now 9% off

The best plush mattress topper for side sleepers

From $55

$100 now 45% off

• Joe Auer, founder of Mattress Clarity
• Logan Block, former director of content at Sleepopolis
• Keith Cushner, co-founder and general manager of Tuck
• Zoë Ettinger, sleep-science coach and editor of Sleepopolis
• Bill Fish, sleep-science coach and co-founder of Tuck
• Logan Foley, managing editor at Sleep Foundation
• Robert Pagano, co-founder of Sleepline
• Sarah Riccio, senior writer at Sleepopolis
• Nick Robinson, editor and publisher of Sleep Like the Dead
• Alex Savy, sleep-science coach and founder of SleepingOcean
• Annie Schlecht, occupational therapist and sleep consultant
• Ben Trapskin, founder of the Sleep Sherpa
• Heather Turgeon, psychotherapist and co-author of The Happy Sleeper

Thank you for subscribing and supporting our journalism. If you prefer to read in print, you can also find this article in the November 7, 2022, issue of New York Magazine.

Want more stories like this one? Subscribe now to support our journalism and get unlimited access to our coverage. If you prefer to read in print, you can also find this article in the November 7, 2022, issue of New York Magazine.

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Mattress covers, toppers for what

which one is better for bed

"Viko" online store of mattresses

st. Kulibina 1"B" office 207 Russia, Chelyabinsk

+7 (351) 215-25-54 [email protected]

• Home
• The best mattress covers: which is better to choose for a bed

The mattress topper is an essential accessory that securely protects the mattress. Thanks to this product, the sleeping accessory will be protected from moisture and dirt. Manufacturers offer many different models.

A high-quality waterproof case is a sought-after item. Such models are often bought by families with small children. Mattress covers consist of several layers. The top one is comfortable and pleasant to the touch, and the bottom one is designed to protect the mattress from moisture.

What a mattress topper is for:

• keeps the bed clean and hygienic;
• protects against damage;
• prevents the formation of the greenhouse effect;
• stabilizes the microclimate of the sleeping accessory.

Manufacturers use materials that do not cause allergies. Due to the antibacterial effect, mites and microorganisms will not start in the mattress.

• Ascona. The manufacturer uses a special Miracle Membrane fabric for waterproof models. It doesn't let moisture through. The product is soft and versatile. Suitable for any bed. Attaches to the mattress in the same way as a sheet with an elastic band. Positive aspects: lightness, comfort, high quality.
• Viko mono Plus. The soft plush surface provides maximum comfort during sleep. The material on the sides is polyester and cotton. The model is suitable for people with allergies. During operation, the cover does not become thinner and does not stretch. Since the product is perfectly breathable, the body of the sleeper does not sweat.
• SN-Textile Muleton Aquastop. The top covering of a product is a terry cloth. Consists of polyurethane. The mattress topper perfectly passes air, human skin breathes. Therefore, there is no greenhouse effect. The bottom layer is made of a membrane that retains moisture and dirt. Convenient elastic bands on the corners of the accessory allow you to quickly fix it on the mattress. Can be washed in a washing machine. Also, the manufacturer has provided antibacterial impregnation.
• Sweet Baby SB-KO12. The ideal solution for a baby cot with an oval shaped mattress. The model is made in pleasant light colors. Upper - comfortable cotton terry fabric. Internal filling - polyester. The accessory perfectly passes air, prevents formation of a mold. It is not electrified, absolutely harmless to the sensitive skin of the baby. Can be washed in the machine on a delicate wash.
• Oltex AquaStop ONNK-180. The model is designed for mattresses whose height does not exceed twenty centimeters. Attaches to the mattress with comfortable elastic bands. Can be washed in hot water up to 90 degrees. Materials do not cause allergies, they are safe and comfortable. Provides protection against microorganisms, mites and mold. The top layer is 100% cotton, which gives comfort during sleep. The cover does not slip, does not lose its shape after repeated washes.

Before placing an order, you need to select the basic parameters: dimensions, type of fastening, materials.

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