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Best King Size Mattress Toppers

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Finding a great mattress doesn’t always work out. Sometimes you get one that’s too soft or too firm. Sometimes your tastes change over time, and a mattress you once loved no longer works. The good news is you can change the feel of your mattress to a great extent with a mattress topper.

As their name suggests, mattress toppers go on top of your existing mattress to add another layer of comfort to it. This can do everything from adding contouring to your mattress to increasing its buoyancy and even improving its cooling power!

Best Mattress Topper Overall

Amerisleep Lift

Amerisleep Lift
  • Price Range: See Price
  • Material: Memory Foam
  • Thickness: 3 Inches
  • Also Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and California King

Warranty

5 Years

Sleep Trial

N/A

Shipping

Free

Mattress Topper Highlights
  • Breathable foam with cooling cover
  • Responsive feel from both options
  • Two distinct firmnesses for varying styles
Recommended For
  • Hot sleepers
  • Side and combination sleepers
  • Back, stomach, and heavier sleepers

One of the best mattress toppers on the market in any size – including king – is the Lift by Amerisleep. Amerisleep actually offers two different versions of the Lift: the Comfort Lift and the Support Lift. Depending on your needs, each of these Lift versions could just be the best mattress you ever slept on!

If your mattress is too soft, and you feel like you’re sinking into it, the Support Lift is your best bet. Combine it with a bunky board underneath your mattress for an even firmer feel. Conversely, if you want to soften up an overly firm mattress, the Comfort Lift is for you.

The Comfort Lift is the soft version. This plush mattress topper is made with Amerisleep’s proprietary Bio-PurⓇ foam. This plant-based memory foam is highly contouring, just like traditional memory foam. Unlike traditional memory foam, however, this plant-based memory foam is cooling, responsive, and breathable.

Meanwhile, the firm Support Lift is made using Amerisleep’s buoyant and supportive Affinity material. Affinity foam is highly responsive, so you can toss and turn all night without worrying about body impressions. It also offers tons of lift to ensure you stay on top of the sleep surface. If you want a mattress topper that fights sinkage, the Support Lift could be for you.

Regardless of which firmness you choose, both versions of the Amerisleep Lift mattress topper come wrapped in an ultra-breathable and cooling cover to ensure you stay cool and comfortable throughout the night.

Pros

  • Plant-based memory foam is highly breathable and more responsive than traditional memory foam
  • Affinity foam keeps you on top of the sleeping surface
  • Either firmness option can improve a mattress's feel

Cons

  • No medium-feel version available

AMERISLEEP LIFT

  • Both Lift versions come wrapped in a cooling and breathable fabric cover
  • Comfort Lift offers airy and adaptable plant-based memory foam
  • Support Lift’s Affinity material offers tons of buoyancy

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Best Mattress Topper for Active Sleepers

Zoma Balance Pad

Zoma Balance Pad
  • Price Range: See Price
  • Material: Foam
  • Thickness: 3 Inches
  • Also Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and California King

Warranty

5 Years

Sleep Trial

N/A

Shipping

Free

Mattress Topper Highlights
  • Responsive material
  • Breathable mattress topper cover
  • Non-skid bottom
Recommended For
  • Active individuals with demanding lives
  • Athletes
  • Physical laborers

If you spend your days at the gym, on the pitch, or even just working a physically demanding job, check out the Zoma Balance Pad. This mattress topper was designed by athletic bedding experts for physically active sleepers. So if you fit that bill, the Balance Pad might just be the best mattress pad for you on this list!

Part of the reason the Balance Pad is so fantastic is Zoma’s proprietary Reactiv™ material. This ultra-responsive foam bounces back into place as soon as you move without transferring your motion all over the bed. That means you can be as active while you sleep as you are when you’re awake without worrying about body impressions.

The Balance Pad also comes with an airy and breathable performance cover that will keep you cool as a cucumber and wick away sweat to ensure your sleep will never be interrupted by overheating.

The medium feel of this pad also means it’s versatile enough to soften up overly firm beds and firm up overly soft beds all at once. It can also add a layer of contouring and pressure relief to a mattress with insufficient comfort layers. Not to mention it can greatly increase the responsiveness of memory foam mattresses that take forever to bounce back.

The Balance Pad also boasts gripping anti-slip fabric to keep it in place without damaging your mattress. So it won’t slide around even if you toss and turn.

SEE ALSO: How To Keep a Mattress Topper From Sliding

Pros

  • Cooling cover breathes to push hot air out and pull cool air in
  • Anti-skid fabric ensures your mattress topper will stay in place no matter what
  • Responsive and bouncy foam will spring back into place as soon as you move

Cons

  • Not for those looking for nonsynthetic ingredients

ZOMA BALANCE PAD

  • Reactiv™ foam enables an adaptable sleep surface
  • Airy cloth fabric covering for cool sleep
  • Anti-slip bottom keeps the mattress topper from sliding

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Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper
  • Price Range: See Price
  • Material Type: Memory Foam
  • Thickness: 3 or 4 Inches
  • Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Short Queen, King, California King

Warranty

5 Years

Sleep Trial

90 Days

Shipping

Free

Mattress Topper Highlights
  • Airy, machine-washable topper cover
  • Can add a firmer, supportive feel
  • Cooling structure with gel infusions
Recommended For
  • Owners of an older king size mattress
  • Hot sleepers
  • Sleepers seeking back pain relief

When you invest in a king mattress, you want a comfortable sleeping surface that will last you as long as possible. A new, high-quality topper with dense foam like the Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper can accomplish that, bringing life back to a mattress that’s lost some of its initial shine.

This topper can add 3 or 4 inches of 3.5-pound dense foam to your king mattress, and it overall gives the average mattress a medium-firm feel. This is excellent if your mattress is just starting to sag or if it’s gone a bit soft with age. Most sleepers will be satisfied with the 3-inch option, though the 4-inch topper is great for big-framed sleepers.

The cover fabric enveloping the topper is a breathable fabric designed to be removed, letting owners throw it in the washer to refresh its feel. The underside is a slip-resistant fabric and the topper also has elastic straps to further secure the topper in place.

The Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper ships free and comes with a 90-day trial period and a 5-year warranty.

Pros

  • Dense foam resists undue softening and permanent impressions
  • Topper designed to stay in place and not slide out from underneath
  • Cooling infusion and breathable cover fabric

Cons

  • Not the best option if you want to soften a king bed

VISCOSOFT SELECT HIGH DENSITY MATTRESS TOPPER

  • Resilient gel-infused memory foam for comfort
  • Non-skid fabric bottom and elastic straps keep topper in place
  • Topper available in 3-inch or 4-inch thickness for different body types

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Best Mattress Topper for Hot Sleepers

Nolah Mattress Topper

Nolah Mattress Topper
  • Price Range: See Price
  • Material: Memory Foam
  • Thickness: 2 Inches
  • Also Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and California King

Warranty

10 Years

Sleep Trial

30 Days

Shipping

Free

Mattress Topper Highlights
  • Organic cotton cover fabric
  • Breathable, pressure-relieving foam
  • Two firmnesses for increased comfort
Recommended For
  • Hot sleepers
  • Sleepers with allergies
  • Sleepers with adjustable beds

If you want a cooling mattress topper that hits body heat with all it’s got, check out the Nolah Mattress Topper. This topper features Nolah’s ultra-cool AirFoam. This highly breathable foam keeps this cooling mattress topper from retaining body heat. So you never have to worry about waking up in a sweat.

This ultra-breathable memory foam is also contouring and pressure relieving, regardless of the firmness level you choose. The Nolah Mattress Topper comes in two firmnesses: Plush and Luxury Firm. If you sleep on your side or feel your mattress is too firm, go for the Plush. If your mattress is too soft, the Luxury Firm can help firm things up for you.

The Nolah AirFoam is not the only breathable component of this memory foam mattress topper. The organic cotton cover is also ultra-breathable and hypoallergenic to boot! The cotton fibers resist moisture buildup and allergy-causing microbes alike. So the Nolah Mattress Topper could be right up your alley if you have allergies.

This memory foam mattress topper also sports elastic corner bands so that it can remain firmly in place on top of your mattress. This makes it a great addition to your bed – even if you have an adjustable base. So whether you sleep hot, need to increase your bed’s contouring, or just need a hypoallergenic layer between you and your bed, this cooling mattress topper is for you.

Pros

  • Elastic bands ensure your mattress topper stays firmly in place
  • Two firmness options allow you to get the exact feel you need
  • Organic cotton cover for natural coolness

Cons

  • No medium firmness option offered

NOLAH MATTRESS TOPPER

  • Organic cotton and breathable memory foam resist allergens and prevent overheating
  • Excellent pressure relief from Nolah AirFoam
  • Plush and luxury firm options for different sleep styles

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Best Versatile Mattress Topper

Saatva Mattress Topper

Saatva Mattress Topper
  • Price Range: See Price
  • Material: Foam or Latex
  • Thickness: 1.5 or 3 Inches
  • Also Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, California King, and Split King

Warranty

1 Year

Sleep Trial

180 Nights

Shipping

Free

Mattress Topper Highlights
  • Graphite infusions maintain coolness
  • High-density foam for sturdy surface
  • Latex foam option for natural comfort
Recommended For
  • Hot sleepers
  • Heavier sleepers
  • Different sleep styles

If you want a mattress topper that offers you lots of options, say hello to the Saatva Mattress Topper. This topper offers three different types of foam so that you can have a choice of feels that work for you.

The first offering is Saatva’s graphite-infused memory foam. Graphite is a highly thermoconductive material. So it can draw body heat away from you to keep you cool all night long. Hot sleepers should consider this ultra-cooling option.

Next up, the natural latex Saatva Mattress Topper provides tons of springy bounce. Latex is the most responsive of all bedding foams – bar none – and it will spring back into place when you move. Active sleepers, especially those dealing with an unresponsive mattress, should consider the natural latex foam topper.

Finally, the high-density memory foam mattress topper offers tons of buoyant support. This topper can help fight sinkage to make you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud. Heavier sleepers who wake up feeling “stuck” in their mattresses should give this one a try.

No matter which foam filler you choose, it will come inside an organic cotton cover that can wick away sweat and body heat to keep you cool as a cucumber. As an added bonus, the organic cotton works with the hypoallergenic foams to fight microbes and allergens inside your mattress topper.

To top it off, the Saatva Mattress Topper comes with elastic corner bands to keep the topper firmly in place. So you can move around all you want, but your mattress topper will stay put.

Pros

  • Graphite memory foam version keeps body heat from building up inside the topper
  • Natural latex version bounces back underneath you without transferring motion
  • High-density foam version offers tons of buoyancy to keep you on top

Cons

  • Every material has only one feel/firmness

SAATVA MATTRESS TOPPER

  • Latex foam, graphite-infused foam, or high-density foam toppers
  • Organic cotton cover ensures all foam options feel cool
  • Elastic bands keep the topper from sliding out of place

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Best Mattress Topper for Allergies

Bear Pro Mattress Topper

Bear Pro Mattress Topper
  • Price Range: See Price
  • Material: Memory Foam
  • Thickness: 2 Inches
  • Also Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and California King

Warranty

3 Years

Sleep Trial

30 Days

Shipping

Free

Mattress Topper Highlights
  • Knit fabric ensures airflow through the mattress topper
  • Copper keeps you cool and allergy-free
  • Contouring foam eases tension
Recommended For
  • Hot sleepers
  • Side sleepers and petite sleepers
  • Sleepers with allergies

If you need allergy relief, you may find it in the Bear Pro Mattress Topper. This copper-infused mattress topper fights all kinds of allergens and microbes – all while it also prevents overheating to keep you cool.

Copper-gel memory foam creates a hostile environment for all kinds of microbes. It can substantially suppress the development of everything from mold to mildew to bacteria to dust mites. All of these microbes can trigger allergy symptoms, cause skin issues, or both. But the copper infusions keep you safe from these nasties.

Copper memory foam is also thermally conductive. That means it can draw heat away from your body to keep your skin at the ideal temperature for sleep. The topper’s circular knit cover works with the thermoconductive foam to circulate air underneath your body for even better temperature control.

Best of all, the zippable cover can be easily removed from the topper and tossed in the wash. This helps you get the allergens out of your mattress topper as often as you need to stay symptom-free.

The plush memory foam also adds lots of contouring and pressure relief to your sleeping surface. It can hug your body to protect your pressure points even as it keeps you cool during slumber.

Pros

  • Plush memory foam offers lots of contouring and pressure relief to tired joints
  • Copper infusions fight body heat buildup and microbial growth
  • Cooling and breathable circular knit cover helps keep air circulating

Cons

  • Too soft for back and stomach sleepers

BEAR PRO MATTRESS TOPPER

  • Breathable cover and cooling copper infusions
  • Pressure-relieving foam prevents morning stiffness or aches
  • Machine washable topper cover for easy cleaning

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Best Down Alternative Mattress Topper

Helix Mattress Topper

Helix Mattress Topper
  • Price Range: See Price
  • Material: Fiberfill
  • Thickness: 1.5 Inches
  • Also Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and California King

Warranty

1 Year

Sleep Trial

100 Nights

Shipping

Free

Mattress Topper Highlights
  • Cluster fiberfill for cushion
  • Even feel from baffle box stitching
  • Easy to clean, just toss in the washer
Recommended For
  • Down lovers
  • Side and lightweight sleepers
  • Sleepers with allergies

Let’s face it. Down has a lot of issues. It’s expensive. It’s hard to maintain. It’s easily ruined. Plus, there’s the whole animal cruelty aspect. But it’s just so squishy. It feels like sleeping on a hybrid between a cloud and a marshmallow. The good news is Helix has the answer to this conundrum with their fiberfill topper.

The Helix Mattress Topper has the soft and supple feel of down without all the issues that come with a natural down topper. The topper pulls this off thanks to its Revoloft™ cluster fiberfill. This fiberfill comes in clusters, just like down. So it offers a similar cloudlike feel.

Further, the baffle box stitching keeps the fill in place so that it doesn’t clump up or shift around inside the topper. So the topper maintains even fill distribution and higher loft – even after you wash it.

That’s another great thing about the Helix topper that you won’t get with a real down topper. You can just pop the Helix Mattress Topper off the bed and toss it in the wash. Though you can wash natural down, you can easily ruin it if you don’t use the correct method or the correct soap.

So if you want a plush, pressure-relieving mattress topper that boasts the feel of down without the hassle of down, this one may be for you.

Pros

  • Machine washable for easy cleaning
  • Downy comfort without the drawbacks of actual down
  • Baffle box stitching keeps the fiber clusters in place

Cons

  • Not for those who want to avoid synthetic fibers

HELIX PLUSH MATTRESS TOPPER

  • Even loft and fill distribution from stitched design
  • Hypoallergenic mattress topper is machine washable and easy to maintain
  • Cluster fiberfill offers the loft and squishiness of down without all the hassle

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Best Responsive Mattress Topper

Brooklyn Bedding TitanFlex Topper

Brooklyn Bedding TitanFlex Topper
  • Price Range: See Price
  • Material: Foam
  • Thickness: 3 Inches
  • Also Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Short Queen, and California King

Warranty

N/A

Sleep Trial

30 Days

Shipping

Free

Mattress Topper Highlights
  • Pick your cooling cover fabric
  • Soft, medium, or firm toppers offered
  • Responsive and buoyant TitanFlex
Recommended For
  • Hot sleepers
  • Side sleepers (soft or medium)
  • Back sleepers (firm)

Brooklyn Bedding’s TitanFlex material is already well known on the bedding market. It’s got all the contouring of memory foam and all the responsiveness and buoyancy of latex. And it’s one of the things that makes their mattresses so popular.

If you want this fantastic foam without replacing your mattress, you can get three inches of it in the Brooklyn Bedding TitanFlex Topper. This mattress topper is three solid inches of pure buoyant, responsive TitanFlex foam.

Not only is TitanFlex foam bouncy and supportive. It’s also quite cooling. The breathable foam can keep air circulating underneath your body all night to ensure you’re sweat-free and comfortable all night.

The TitanFlex topper also comes with two different cover options. You can choose either a breathable organic cotton cover or silky smooth circular knit fabric. Both these airy cover options are zippable for easy removal and washing. You can pull them off the mattress topper and toss them in the wash with no problem.

The TitanFlex foam also has much higher absorption power than your average memory foam. That means it can pull sweat away from you, no matter how hot you sleep.

Not only does this mattress topper come with cover options. It has firmness options as well. Side sleepers can enjoy the plush and pressure-relieving soft version. Combo sleepers may do better on the versatile medium version. And back and stomach sleepers should check out the firm version.

Pros

  • Different firmness options
  • Choice of two cover options
  • Responsive and buoyant TitanFlex foam

Cons

  • No natural ingredients

BROOKLYN BEDDING TITANFLEX TOPPER

  • TitanFlex foam contours like memory foam and bounces like latex
  • Choice between breathable cotton and supple circular knit fabric
  • Three firmness options mean anyone can sleep on this topper

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Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper
  • Price Range: See Price
  • Material: Latex
  • Thickness: 2.75 Inches
  • Also Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and California King

Warranty

10 Years

Sleep Trial

1 Year

Shipping

Free

Mattress Topper Highlights
  • Organic latex with organic textiles
  • Different firmness options
  • Latex contours without sinkage
Recommended For
  • Those sensitive to synthetic materials
  • Hot sleepers
  • Shoppers seeking a responsive surface

Latex mattresses offer some of the best sleep on the market. They are much more breathable and responsive than memory foam mattresses. However, they’re also among the most expensive mattresses on the market. If you want the feel of organic latex without the price tag of an entire organic latex mattress, check out the Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper.

The Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper features GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex and GOTS-certified organic wool and cotton. The Global Organic Latex Standard and Global Organic Textile Standard certifications mean this mattress topper adheres to strict consumer safety, environmental, and ethical standards that only the best organic products can pass.

So you can rest assured you’re sleeping on an organic mattress topper that contains no harsh chemicals, is better for the environment, and was not made by exploited workers.

The Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper doesn’t just adhere to high manufacturing standards. It also adheres to high comfort standards. The breathable cotton and wool are temperature-neutral. That means they’re perfect for hot and cold sleepers alike.

And the responsive, bouncy latex will spring back into place as soon as you change sleeping positions. And it does that all on its own, without any synthetic infusions.

The Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper also comes in three different firmness levels: plush, medium-firm, and firm. So everyone can get the firmness level they need to fit their preferred sleeping position. Whether you’re a side sleeper, a stomach sleeper, or something in between, this organic mattress topper could be for you.

Pros

  • Organic latex offers breathable comfort and responsive support
  • Firmness options offer the best feel for every sleep style
  • Organic wool and cotton are breathable and better able to control your bed's temperature

Cons

  • Not for those with latex allergies

AVOCADO ORGANIC LATEX TOPPER

  • Latex foam inside organic cotton and wool
  • Three offered firmnesses can support any sleep style
  • Bouncy latex foam can regain its shape quickly

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Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper
  • Price Range: See Price
  • Material: Memory Foam
  • Thickness: 2 Inches
  • Also Available In: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and California King

Warranty

5 Years

Sleep Trial

120 Nights

Shipping

Free

Mattress Topper Highlights
  • Cooling cover keeps air moving
  • Copper infusions for clean comfort
  • Soft feel from memory foam fill
Recommended For
  • Side and petite sleepers
  • Hot sleepers
  • Sleepers with allergies

If you want a classic memory foam feel without the classic memory foam heat retention, consider the Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper. This copper-gel memory foam mattress topper sheds heat much better than traditional memory foam. That makes the Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper another great option for hot sleepers.

Copper-infused memory foam is a highly thermoconductive material. That means a copper-gel memory foam mattress topper can draw body heat away from you to keep your skin at the ideal sleep temperature. But copper has more advantages than just temperature control.

Copper also creates a hostile environment for all kinds of nasty microbes, such as bacteria and dust mites. That means copper gel-infused memory foam is a wonderful option for those with allergies. It can fight off lots of different allergens and keep your sleep symptom-free.

This plush gel memory foam mattress topper is also a great option for those who have mattresses that are overly firm or have contouring issues. The layer of memory foam can improve your innerspring mattress’s contouring ability and improve your firm mattress’s pressure relief. That means it’s a great option for lighter-weight sleepers and side sleepers.

This gel memory foam mattress topper also sports the same cover you’ll find on the Layla Mattress. The hexagonal cover has air channels to keep cool air moving underneath your body. This wicks away sweat and body heat for an even cooler sleep than you’d get with just the copper infusions alone.

The copper and cover together fight the heat retention tendencies of both plush and memory foam mattress toppers to give a cool and cloudlike feel to your mattress.

Pros

  • Cover fabric keeps air moving underneath your body all night long
  • Plush feel offers contouring and pressure relief to an overly firm mattress
  • Copper-gel memory foam mattress topper draws heat away from you

Cons

  • Too soft for back and stomach sleepers

LAYLA MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS TOPPER

  • Copper gels fight common allergens
  • Plush feel can soften up a too-firm bed
  • Fabric covering knit promotes added airflow

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How to Choose a Mattress Topper

Nowadays, there are more mattress toppers to choose from than ever. You’d think all that endless variety would be a good thing, but it can actually make it harder to choose from so many different selections. The good news is a little research can help you narrow down your options.

Material

Your mattress topper’s material is the biggest factor that impacts its feel. Material decides responsiveness, temperature control, contouring power, and just about everything else. So it’s vital to get it right.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is one of the best mattress topper materials out there. This is mostly due to its contouring ability. Memory foam mattresses and toppers can follow the curves of your body and mold itself to your shape.

This offers fantastic pressure relief and total spinal alignment. This means a memory foam mattress topper can help ease back pain caused by pressure and spinal misalignment alike.

A memory foam mattress topper can also help improve the feel of an innerspring mattress. Because memory foam isn’t very responsive, memory foam mattress toppers can help counter the motion transfer of innerspring mattresses as well as improve their inferior contouring power.

This slow response time is a double-edged sword, though. Memory foam mattress toppers can sometimes take forever to spring back into place when you change positions. This can be very irritating for active sleepers. Hot sleepers may also not appreciate memory foam’s heat retention tendencies – although there is a solution to this particular issue.

Gel Memory Foam

Gel-infused memory foam is an excellent improvement over traditional memory foam. It has the same pressure relief but is much cooler. Even open-cell memory foam tends to trap heat eventually, though its breathability helps to counter this issue. However, gel memory foam takes things a step further.

The gel used to make gel-infused memory foam is very thermally conductive. This means it draws heat away from your body and disperses it throughout the gel-infused memory foam mattress topper. Combining the thermal conductivity of gel with the breathability of open cell foam helps keep your mattress topper cool.

The gel can be inserted into the foam in one of several ways. Liquid gel can be infused into the liquid foam before solidification. Gel microbeads can be swirled in for extra breathability. A thin layer of pure gel may also be added on top of the memory foam to create a cool-touch feel.

However gel is introduced into a memory foam mattress topper, it’s sure to improve its temperature regulation and make it cooler for those who have a tough time with warmer traditional memory foam mattress toppers. See our gel memory foam vs memory foam guide to learn more about each material.

Latex Foam

If you want the contouring of a memory foam mattress topper with a lot more responsiveness and breathability, latex foam may be the best option for you. Natural latex comes from the sap of the rubber tree. The liquid sap is whipped into a durable and buoyant foam that fixes a lot of the issues inherent in memory foam.

Natural latex comes in two basic varieties: Talalay and Dunlop. Talalay is lighter and more contouring, while Dunlop is denser and more buoyant. That means the best latex type for those who want something similar to memory foam is Talalay. Meanwhile, the best latex type for those who need extra support and enhanced durability is Dunlop.

Natural latex is also perfect for eco-conscious sleepers. It creates much less toxic waste during manufacturing. And it’s also biodegradable and recyclable. So you don’t have to worry about your bed contributing to the global climate crisis. Our latex vs memory foam guide compares and contrasts the two materials in full, for anyone interested in learning more.

Natural latex does have some issues, though. Of course, it has the potential to trigger symptoms in people with latex allergies. Natural latex is also extremely expensive, though its equally extreme durability somewhat offsets the initial cost over time. However, anyone who wants to enjoy the responsive feel can save by buying a topper instead of a whole latex mattress.

Natural Down

Natural down comes from the feathers of geese and ducks. Down is not made of the flight feathers. Rather, it’s the soft undercoating of feathers that keeps waterfowl warm and dry while swimming in cold lakes and rivers.

These tiny, fluffy feathers provide an incredibly soft and squishy feel. The loft of down clusters can give you the look and feel of sleeping on a cloud – or a bag full of fluffy cotton candy. Many people love the squishy feel of down and the fact that it’s so easily manipulated. Not to mention the fact that down is highly breathable and offers tons of pressure relief.

However, down does have many issues. One of the biggest problems with down is its tendency to retain heat. After all, this is what it evolved to do. That can be fantastic for cold sleepers, but hot sleepers probably won’t appreciate it.

There’s also the animal cruelty aspect of down. Much down comes from birds that are being slaughtered for meat anyway. But much of it is also live-plucked. This causes the birds serious pain and distress.

It is possible to get cruelty-free down that’s harvested after the birds molt naturally. But this down is much more expensive and harder to come by. Finally, down is also not supportive enough for those who need more buoyancy.

Shoppers can also consider down alternative, which is a synthetic material that’s less expensive than genuine down. Our down vs down alternative guide discusses the two materials in more depth.

Wool

You may be surprised to discover wool actually makes a fantastic mattress topper, though most people think of it as fabric for clothing. But wool actually makes a wonderful stuffing for mattress toppers, especially for those who want an organic mattress topper.

Contrary to popular belief, wool is temperature neutral. It evolved to keep sheep warm in winter and cool in summer. And its breathable insulation allows your body heat to dissipate while also preventing cold from creeping in. So it’s perfect for hot and cold sleepers alike.

Wool also offers tons of pressure relief. It can cushion pressure points and protect your hip and shoulder joints from pain caused by an overly firm mattress.

The only real issues with wool are the fact that it won’t offer a lot in terms of support. So it isn’t for those who need to firm up a soft mattress. And it can also sometimes have an unpleasant smell when you first get it, thanks to the lanolin found on sheep. This smell should dissipate over time. It also goes without saying that wool is not the right choice for vegan sleepers.

Firmness

The firmness of a mattress topper is another major deciding factor in the way it feels. Mattress toppers come in a range of firmnesses from plush to firm and everything in between.

Most people think of soft mattress toppers when they think of mattress toppers. Indeed, soft toppers are on the more effective end of the firmness spectrum.

While firm mattress toppers can only change the feel of your mattress so much, soft toppers can change it just about as much as you want. Soft toppers can add tons of extra padding to your mattress. This can give you as much pressure relief and contouring as you need.

Medium mattress toppers offer a less significant departure from your mattress’s original feel. They’re also the most versatile mattress toppers – able to soften and firm up your mattress. So if you want a smaller change in your mattress’s feel, a medium mattress topper may be for you.

Finally, firm mattress toppers can help shore up support in a too-soft mattress. But there are much more significant limitations on what firm mattress toppers can do because the support of a mattress comes from the inside.

This means firm mattress toppers can help increase buoyancy and fight sinkage, but they will not add a lot of lift to your mattress. They also will not fix a saggy mattress. A firm mattress topper will sag with a saggy mattress.

A bunky board combined with a firm topper might help you go a little longer with your current mattress, but it’ll likely have to be replaced sooner rather than later.

Thickness

Mattress toppers range in thickness from two to four inches. If it’s less than two inches thick, it’s a mattress pad. Mattress pads and thinner mattress toppers offer a slight alteration of mattress firmness and feel without deviating too far. If you only want to give your existing mattress a little extra cushion or contouring, thinner mattress toppers are the way to go.

Thicker mattress toppers change the feel of your mattress more than thinner ones. Those who want to make major changes to the feel of their mattress should consider three or even four-inch mattress toppers. Thicker mattress toppers are also a good idea for those who want to increase the support of their mattress.

Density

Density is not exactly the same thing as firmness, but it is tied to how supportive a mattress topper is. When it comes to foam mattress toppers, density simply means the weight per cubic foot of foam. Denser foams weigh more. Lighter foams weigh less.

If you want a more contouring and pressure-relieving mattress topper, check out lighter ones. Foam with less density is better at altering its shape to fit yours. This means it can offer better cradling and cushioning for your joints. It can also provide a more body-hugging feel if your mattress doesn’t give you the kind of compression you need.

Conversely, denser foams are more supportive and buoyant. So if you’re experiencing a lot of sinkage in your mattress, a denser mattress topper can help fight it. Denser toppers are also less prone to body impressions because they want to hold their shape more than lighter toppers.

SEE ALSO: Memory Foam Mattress Density Guide

Price

Figuring out how much to pay for a mattress topper can be a pain. You want the best mattress topper you can afford, and you want to avoid getting ripped off at the same time. Naturally, you can expect to pay more for a king size topper than you would a queen size or smaller topper, but there are other factors that influence a topper’s final price.

The material a mattress topper is made of has the most to do with the cost. Memory foam mattress toppers are typically the most affordable. Memory foam is made of petroleum products. So it’s easy to manufacture, and the materials that go into making it are not hard to find. This translates into a quality mattress topper that might not cost you much more than $100.

On the flip side, mattress toppers made of natural materials are more expensive. Sheep have to be fed and sheared. Geese also have to be fed and plucked for a down topper. Rubber tree sap has to be harvested and processed to produce a latex mattress topper. All this translates into higher prices for your mattress topper.

For example, an organic latex mattress topper can easily run you several hundred dollars. Any organic mattress topper will cost a pretty penny because an organic mattress topper must adhere to strict and expensive standards to be labeled “organic.” See our guide on organic vs natural mattresses for a more complete breakdown of the difference.

Thickness, like mattress size, also influences the topper’s final cost. For example, a thin and firm topper may not cost too much, but a plush mattress topper for side sleepers can be far more expensive.

All in all, expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $600 for a quality king size mattress topper. And you can wind up paying even more for luxury toppers.

FAQs

Can I use a mattress topper on a split king adjustable bed?

You can put a mattress topper on an adjustable split king bed. However, just like with mattresses and bed bases, your mattress toppers will need to be split to take full advantage of an adjustable bed’s range of motion.

This means you’ll need to get two twin XL mattress toppers rather than a single king size mattress topper. Place these toppers directly on your split king size mattress, underneath the sheets and protectors.

The advantages of doing your mattress topper this way are endless. Each partner can have a topper that suits their material and firmness needs without investing in a mattress for couples. Each partner can use their own adjustable base settings independently without damaging the topper. And one partner can forgo having a topper at all if their mattress suits them already.

Will an adjustable bed ruin my mattress topper?

Not if you set it up correctly. The biggest danger to your mattress topper from an adjustable bed is it slipping between the mattress and the base and being torn when you move the bed up and down. So you’ll need to ensure your mattress topper is secure on top of your mattress. Elastic corner bands or a fitted sheet attachment are the best ways to keep your topper from moving, though you need to make sure the sheets won’t move on an adjustable bed.

Another potential issue with an adjustable bed and a mattress topper can occur if you have a split king. In this case, you’ll need to ensure you either get two twin XL mattress toppers or you auto-sync your adjustable bases. Moving the two bases independently of one another under a single king size mattress topper can tear or stretch the topper.

Do I need a mattress protector over my mattress topper?

You always need a mattress protector over your mattress topper – even if the topper has a washable cover. The reason for this is that mattress protectors provide an impermeable barrier between the foam of your mattress topper and the sleep surface itself.

Even the best bed sheets and mattress topper covers are not usually impermeable. This means that yucky stuff like sweat, skin cells, and anything you spill on the bed can make its way down into the foam of your mattress topper. No amount of washing your topper cover can clean the foam itself.

However, an impermeable, waterproof mattress protector traps sweat, skin cells, and moisture. This protects the foam of your mattress and topper and allows you to wash all the icky stuff away.

Will a California king mattress topper fit my king size bed?

No. A California king mattress topper will not fit a standard king size bed. A California king is 72 inches wide by 84 inches long. Meanwhile, a standard king bed is 76 by 80 inches. This means a California king mattress topper will be both too long and too narrow to fit a standard or Eastern king size bed.

Can a mattress topper help my back pain?

A mattress topper for back pain can absolutely make your days and nights easier. There are several mattress-related causes of back pain, many of which a mattress topper can improve.

Perhaps the biggest way a mattress topper can help your back pain is by adding contouring to your mattress. If you bought an overly firm mattress or an innerspring mattress, it may not contour well enough to keep your spine aligned. A thicker mattress topper can give you the contouring you need to relieve your pain.

Firm mattress toppers can also help relieve back pain – but only to a point. If you feel you’re sinking into your mattress because it’s too soft, a firm mattress topper can help counter this issue. However, a firm mattress topper cannot fix a sagging mattress.

If your mattress’s internal support structure is aging and breaking down, no amount of mattress topper can fix it. You will need a new mattress for back pain.

Bottom Line

Mattress toppers can be the answer to your mattress problems without full-on replacing your mattress. They can change the feel of your mattress to make it firmer or softer. They can help increase its cooling power. They can make your sleep surface more machine washable. They can even extend the time you can sleep on your mattress!

Dorothy Chambers is our in-house sleep expert and a firm believer in the benefits of a daytime nap. With a background in psychology, Dorothy is fully aware of the impact sleep has on our brain, mood, and overall well-being. In an effort to help readers lead happier, more productive, and healthier lives, Dorothy spends her time researching the best sleep habits to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling rested.

Dorothy Chambers spent years studying clinical psychology before joining us to promote a deeper understanding of sleep, along with some cursory research into biology and physiology. She’s particularly interested in the effects that different sleep positions have on the body. Later on in her career, she plans on pursuing a doctorate degree in behavioral sleep medicine.

Dorothy wakes up at 7 a.m. every day after a full night’s rest to better tackle a full day of work. After a session of morning exercise, she catches up on the latest sleep news and research before writing. She’s a fan of watching academic lectures, listening to scientific podcasts, and testing new sleep theories firsthand. Dorothy Chambers has written dozens of articles in her tenure with Sleep Junkie.

Her work has been featured on Home & Gardens, House Beautiful, Real Simple, Apartment Therapy, CNBC, Bustle, Yahoo! Finance, Fox 17, and even AARP.org.

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