Best Mattress Toppers of

The Best Mattress Topper: A Complete Guide to Your Best Night’s Sleep

If you’re having a Goldilocks moment with your bed lately—too soft or too firm—a mattress topper can help bridge the gap and create a sleep sanctuary that’s “just right.” With so many brands and options to choose from, you’ll need to consider some important features to find the right one for you.

But don’t worry—we’ve done the research, and we’re here to show you the best mattress toppers by material, sleep style, firmness level and size. For those with back or hip pain, we’ll even tackle the best mattress toppers by pain type. So let’s jump right in!

Best Mattress Topper by Material

When it comes to construction, you have a lot of different options for mattress toppers. So let’s talk foam and feathers and gel, because these materials give a topper its distinct comfort level and feel, and will help determine which type of mattress topper is best for you.

Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Memory foam is one of the most popular materials for mattress toppers. When shopping for the best option, look for:

• Thickness—Thicker is better for side sleepers and drastically changing a mattresses’ feel; thinner is better for back and stomach sleepers and adding light cushioning to a mattress
• Comfort level—Some brands offer multiple firmness options, which gives sleepers the ability to customize their comfort level
• Cooling properties—Hot sleepers should look for gel, graphite or copper infusions, or open-cell construction, which promotes airflow and pulls heat away from the body
• Other factors—Opt for the best quality you can get in your price range, and also take note of whether the brand offers a sleep trial, warranty or return policy

Our top choice for memory foam mattress topper is the Saatva Graphite—a three-inch topper with a graphite layer to draw heat away from the body while cradling pressure points. It has an organic cotton cover, anti-slip elastic anchor bands to keep it in place, a 180-night sleep trial and one-year limited warranty.

Best Gel Mattress Topper

Mattress manufacturers may use gel infusions, gel beads or a top layer of gel as a way to add cooling power to materials that normally trap in body heat, such as foam. There are two types of gels used in cooling mattress toppers: Thermal gels, which are cool to the touch and phase-change gels, which help regulate body heat by absorbing and redistributing it to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the night.

Our top pick is GhostBed’s Memory Foam Topper, as it will appeal to most sleepers with its zoned support and cradling feel, and the phase-change gel memory foam construction provides excellent temperature regulation by pulling heat away from the body and redistributing it.

Best Latex Mattress Topper

Latex toppers are constructed with natural latex, which comes from the sap of rubber trees—a great eco-friendly option—or synthetic latex, which is generally more budget-friendly. The natural buoyancy of latex gives it more bounce and ease of movement, perfect for anyone who typically feels “stuck” in memory foam. It’s also a highly breathable material, making it a great option for anyone who sleeps hot.

We love the Saatva Latex Topper. It’s one-and-a-half inches thick, constructed of natural latex and like the Saatva Graphite Topper, has an organic cotton cover, anti-slip elastic anchor bands and the same 180-night sleep trial and one-year limited warranty.

Best Down Mattress Topper

Down toppers, typically filled with fluffy goose down, bring a cloud-like feel to your mattress, similar to that of luxury hotel beds. They are also very good at trapping heat, which can be a plus for people who tend to sleep cold. However, down toppers are not as supportive as some other types of toppers and can be more difficult to clean.

The Parachute Down Mattress Topper is our pick for best down topper, with its all-natural materials, 100 percent cotton cover and baffle box stitching to keep the fill evenly distributed. Parachute also has a 60-day return policy to ensure your satisfaction.

Best Feather Mattress Topper

Feather mattress toppers, also called featherbeds, usually contain feathers, down or a combination of the two. Like down toppers, feather toppers retain heat and can be more difficult to clean than other materials.

We found the Goose Feather Mattress Topper by PureDown to be the best in this category. It’s constructed with 95 percent goose feathers, a 100 percent cotton cover and baffle box quilting for even fill distribution. It’s affordably priced and comes with a 30-day return policy should you find that it doesn’t meet your needs.

Best Pillow Top Mattress Topper

Pillow tops are one of the most popular mattress features, but not all mattresses come with them. If this is your mattress, adding a pillow top mattress topper is a great solution.

Our top choice is the PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool Topper, with a plush, cushioned feel, natural, temperature-regulating materials and high-quality construction. It’s three inches thick, handmade to order in California and comes with a one-year warranty.

Best Organic Mattress Topper

Shoppers who prefer to avoid synthetic materials and chemicals will want to look at organic mattress topper options. We like the Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper, made with all-natural, organic cotton, wool and latex. It’s three inches thick, has a soft, plush feel and provides excellent breathability and airflow thanks to the natural properties of its high-quality, responsibly-sourced materials.

Best Mattress Topper by Firmness Level

As you know by now, adding a mattress topper can help soften up a bed that’s too firm, or firm up a bed that’s too soft. Firmness level is also important for sleep style, as stomach and back sleepers require a sleep surface that is more firm than side sleepers do. We’ll cover sleep style in more depth later in this article, but for now, here are our top picks for mattress toppers by firmness level:

Best Firm Mattress Topper

If your mattress is sagging or has indentations that don’t go away, it may be time for a new bed, since a topper won’t be able to solve those issues. But if your mattress is still in good condition, just too soft for your needs, a firm mattress topper can make your sleeping situation a lot more ideal.

We recommend the Nolah Mattress Topper in Luxury Firm, a two-inch foam topper constructed with the company’s AirFoam™ technology for improved airflow. We also love that this topper has a 10-year warranty.

Best Soft Mattress Topper

For those who need to add softness to a mattress that’s too stiff, a featherbed topper is an excellent choice. We love the Baffle Box Featherbed by Pacific Coast Feather Company. It’s made with down clusters, a 100 percent cotton cover and baffle box quilted construction for even fill distribution. If you crave the feel of a luxury hotel bed, this is the right topper for you.

Best Plush Mattress Topper

If your bed isn’t quite right, you can opt for a plush mattress topper to even it out. The Layla Memory Foam Topper is our recommendation for a plush feel, with a two-inch thickness and copper-gel-infused foam for cooling.

Best Mattress Topper by Bed Size

The best mattress topper for you will also depend on the size of your bed. Queen and king size toppers are more common, and therefore easier to find, while twin and twin XL toppers may not be available in every brand. Here are some general guidelines to help you choose the right topper for your bed size:

Best Twin Mattress Topper

Our top pick in twin size is the Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper by Brooklyn Bedding. It’s affordable, plush and as the name implies, constructed with a swirl of cooling gel to help regulate sleeping temperature. It’s also available in two thicknesses: Two inches or three.

Best Twin XL Mattress Topper

Since twin XL beds are common in dorm rooms, we’ve included our top choice for college students: The Sleepyhead Gel Topper. Made with 100 percent gel-infused memory foam for temperature regulation, it conforms to the body to relieve pressure points, promote proper spinal alignment and most importantly, provide a more restful night of sleep. This topper is also available in a two-inch and three-inch option.

Best Queen Mattress Topper

Since queen is the most popular mattress size in the U.S., you’ll have no shortage of options to choose from. Instead you’ll want to focus on a topper that will help fine-tune your sleeping needs, whether that’s providing more softness or more firmness. We recommend the Silk & Snow Organic Mattress Topper, as it comes in two firmness levels, medium or firm, and is made of two inches of natural latex for a responsive cushioning that you won’t sink too deeply into.

Best King Size Mattress Topper

King size mattress topper options will be similar to queen mattress toppers. While we think the Silk & Snow topper is a great pick for those with a king mattress, we also recommend the Puffy Mattress Topper, a two-and-a-half-inch thick topper available in firm or soft comfort levels and constructed with cradling memory foam. It’s an affordable option with a 101-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty, which earns extra points in our book.

Best Cooling Mattress Topper

Mattress toppers made from memory foam, polyfoam and non-ventilated latex can trap in body heat, resulting in a warmer sleep. If a mattress topper allows you to sink in too deeply, this can also trap heat because airflow is restricted.

For a cooling mattress topper, look for one constructed of latex, wool, gel-infused memory foam or other materials that pull heat away from the body. We recommend the Molecule ArcticZone, a three-inch foam topper that’s been engineered to keep you cool at night with open-cell foam construction to promote airflow, an infusion of gel microbeads for temperature regulation and a cooling cover to wick away moisture and heat.

Best Mattress Topper by Sleep Style

How you sleep at night is an important determining factor when it comes to choosing a mattress topper. If you are a side sleeper, you have different needs than someone who sleeps on their stomach or back. Here are some general guidelines to help you choose the right topper for your sleep style:

Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers

Side sleepers will feel most comfortable with a topper that cushions the hips and shoulders, alleviating pressure points, distributing body weight evenly and promoting proper spinal alignment. A memory foam topper is a great option for side sleepers, as it will contour to your body and provide the support you need.

We recommend the Molecule Copperwell Topper for side sleepers, thanks to its three-inch thickness, copper-infused memory foam and seven-zone technology to strategically support and relieve pressure points along the entire sleeping surface.

Best Mattress Topper for Stomach Sleepers

For stomach sleepers, a topper should provide extra support in the torso region to help keep your spine aligned and prevent you from sinking into the mattress. In general, a firmer topper is recommended for stomach sleepers—we like the Lift by Amerisleep in the Support firmness option. It’s three inches thick and constructed with open-cell foam to promote airflow. The Support option is specially designed with a firmness level that will keep stomach sleepers comfortable and in proper spinal alignment.

Best Mattress Topper for Back Sleepers

If you are a back sleeper, you’ll want a firmer, more balanced topper that conforms to your back and hips, provides even support and minimizes sagging around pressure points. For this reason, we recommend the Saatva High-Density Foam topper, with a one-and-a-half-inch thickness, medium firmness and body-hugging foam for pressure point relief.

Best Mattress Topper By Pain Type

Pain of any type can disrupt your sleep cycle and lead to even more discomfort the next day. If your mattress is older or perhaps just not the right fit for your anatomy, it may be contributing to your pain. This is where a mattress topper can help, by filling in the gaps when your mattress just can’t cut it anymore.

Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain

The key to relieving back pain is having a sleep surface with the right balance of cushioning and support. Our top pick is the PlushBeds Latex Mattress Topper. It’s the most versatile option, with five firmness levels and two thickness options to choose from. Once you’ve customized your topper with your perfect sleep formula, you’ll enjoy the natural Talalay latex construction for its excellent temperature regulation and responsive cushioning.

Best Mattress Topper for Hip Pain

If your hip pain is worse when you wake up in the morning, your mattress could be a contributing factor. As long as your mattress isn’t sagging or otherwise damaged (which is a sign that you need a new mattress), a topper can help by adjusting your sleep surface to meet your needs.

The right topper for hip pain depends on the source of your pain. For those with arthritis, we recommend the ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper, and for those in need of pressure point relief, we recommend the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt Topper.

In Sum…

A mattress topper is a great way to make your existing mattress more comfortable and suited to your needs. When shopping around, it’s important to consider your sleep style, firmness level needs, material preferences and temperature preferences. To complete your research, don’t forget to check out our full mattress topper reviews, with in-depth information on pricing, construction and comparisons to top brands.