The best mattress toppers

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A high-quality mattress topper lets you completely change how your bed feels for a fraction of the cost of buying a new mattress. Whether you're looking to add a layer of plushness to a too-firm bed, zhuzh up a sofa bed for guests, or make a standard dorm-issued cot feel like home, the best mattress topper is your chance to customize your comfort and support.

Get to the point: Our top pick is the Helix Premium Mattress Topper with GlacioTex, a cooling mattress topper with a unique design of supportive steel micro-coils and contouring memory foam, available in two firmness options. If you're heading off to college, our top pick for dorms is the ViscoSoft High Density Foam Mattress Topper. A Twin XL costs under $175, and we love its cooling gel foam design, washable cover, and adjustable straps to stay put on any bed.

Our team of sleep experts has tested over 30 mattress toppers over the last 5 years using a consistent methodology that evaluates setup, fit, cooling, comfort, support, and motion isolation. If you're a hot sleeper, I recommend checking out our guide to the best cooling mattress toppers.

Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.

Our top picks for the best mattress toppers

Best overall: Helix Premium Mattress Topper with GlacioTex - See at Helix

Best budget: Linenspa Memory Foam Mattress Topper - See at Amazon

Best for dorms: ViscoSoft High Density Foam Mattress Topper - See at Amazon

Best for back pain: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress Topper - See at Tempur-Pedic

Best for side sleepers: Coop Sleep Goods Original Mattress Topper - See at Coop Sleep Goods

Best cooling: GhostBed Memory Foam Topper - See at Amazon

Best latex: Avocado Eco Organic Mattress Topper - See at Avocado

Best memory foam: Nolah Mattress Topper - See at Nolah

Do you need a new mattress topper?

Try a mattress topper if:

Your mattress is in great structural shape, but feels too hard, lacks pressure relief, or runs too hot. You can also use a dense, firm topper to add a crisp layer of surface support to a bed that is structurally sound but simply too soft or plush. They're also ideal to add comfort and support to a temporary setup like a guest bed or a dorm room

Upgrade to a new mattress if:

Your bed is over a decade old, or your existing mattress has visible dips, deep body indents, or sagging spots where the support core has broken down. A new mattress topper won't solve these issues, only temporarily mask them, and you're better off starting fresh with an option from our from our guide to the best mattress.

Best overall

This topper proved to be incredibly comfortable in every sleep position. The Helix Premium Mattress Topper with GlacioTex features a completely unique design, sandwiching 0.75 inches of steel micro-coils between layers of high-density memory foam. As a plus-size stomach-and-side combination sleeper testing alongside a back-sleeping partner, I found that this hybrid construction offered the perfect balance; the foam beautifully cradles pressure points while the micro-coils provide extra support. I chose the luxury plush density to soften a mattress that was far too firm (it's also available in luxury firm), and I deeply appreciated that I never felt stuck in the material. Instead, it supported us perfectly, and I consistently woke up feeling refreshed and entirely pain-free.

The cooling capabilities kept me completely comfortable all night long. I am a notoriously hot sleeper, and I tested this topper in the middle of a humid Midwestern summer without ever overheating or waking up sweating. The GlacioTex cover feels noticeably cool to the touch, a chilling effect that remained tangible even under my sheets. Additionally, the interior micro-coils do double duty by breaking up what would otherwise be dense blocks of memory foam, significantly enhancing the topper's overall breathability, motion isolation, and edge support.

However, a few real-world drawbacks are worth keeping in mind. I noticed a strong chemical off-gassing odor, though the scent thankfully cleared up almost entirely before bedtime after letting it air out. It is also a thick topper at 3.75 inches, so you may need to pair with deep-pocket sheets depending on how thick your current mattress. Finally, the topper still shifted a bit at night despite the thick elastic bands designed to hold it in place. Fortunately, the shifting was minimal enough that I only had to pull it back into place once a week.

Best budget

Linenspa's mattress topper is as simple as it gets. The Linenspa Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a sheet of CertiPUR-US-certified gel-infused memory foam that sits directly on your mattress, with no straps or protective cover. Despite the bare-bones setup, there was minimal shifting throughout the night, making it our definitive favorite for shoppers hunting for an ultra-simple, low-maintenance upgrade. It's offered in two- to four-inch configurations; its plush yet dense structure acts as a reliable remedy for an overly firm mattress. Crucially, the plushness never feels overwhelming; it yields just enough body contouring to stay deeply comfortable for back and stomach sleepers without triggering excessive, unsupported sinking, though lightweight side sleepers may find the design a bit too firm for their liking.

It delivered strong results in our tests. The Linenspa also stayed cool all night, registering at 71.8 degrees before lying down and 81 degrees immediately after. It also has good motion isolation — I was never woken by movement across the bed — but light sleepers might feel movement from a restless partner or pet on the other side of the topper.

Also consider: For a softer option, check out the Lucid Bamboo Charcoal Mattress Topper. The plush, contouring feel is best suited for side sleepers, while the Linenspa should appeal to those seeking a more balanced feel. We've noticed stock fluctuations and unpredictable availability for the Lucid, which bumped it from its original best-budget spot. compared the Linenspa and Lucid toppers, we noticed the Lucid had a

Read our Linenspa Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper review.

Best for dorms

Just about every university-issued dorm mattress is notoriously uncomfortable, making a high-quality topper an absolute campus necessity. While any of the options on our list will successfully bring comfort to a twin XL bed, the ViscoSoft High Density Foam Mattress Topper stands out as our definitive top pick for student housing due to its exceptional balance of soft, cradling support and utility. In fact, after wrapping up my initial evaluation, I was so impressed by its performance that I passed it on to my sister to use in her own college dorm room. It is crafted from premium gel-infused, high-density memory foam and comes available in two-, three-, or four-inch thicknesses. I tested the three-inch profile and found it to be the perfect mid-tier depth for combo sleepers, though dedicated side sleepers may want to opt for the thicker four-inch model for a bit more plushness.

Our hands-on testing proved that this high-density core excels at cradling pressure points while actively keeping hot sleepers cool. The material beautifully contoured to my body regardless of my sleeping position; I noticeably sank into the foam for deep pressure relief, but I never experienced that suffocating, "stuck" sensation common with cheap synthetic slabs. Instead, my joints felt softly cradled, and I consistently woke up entirely pain-free. It also delivered stellar results across testing, particularly excelling in our heat dissipation trials. Because it resists heat retention so effectively, it'll keep you comfortable despite living in poorly ventilated dorm rooms.

The topper's real-world utility shines through its highly adaptable, user-friendly features. First, the design includes stretchy corner straps equipped with an adjustable band, allowing you to secure a snug, zero-slip fit regardless of how deep or shallow your current mattress is. Tightening these straps firmly prevents the high-density foam core from sliding around. Additionally, because beds inevitably accumulate dust mites and sweat over the years, the inclusion of a fully removable, machine-washable cover provides an excellent, long-term hygienic barrier. Laundering the protective fabric cover is completely hassle-free, a massive upgrade over standard, uncovered foam toppers that are notoriously tricky to care for and require tedious spot treatments.

Best for back pain

Recreate the exact supportive feel of a genuine Tempur-Pedic mattress. We've long appreciated the contouring embrace of Tempur-Pedic's mattresses, and if you want the feel of Tempur-Material without splurging on an entirely new mattress, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress Topper is your best alternative. During my testing, the proprietary foam slowly adjusted to the curves of my body, providing great support and keeping my spine perfectly aligned no matter what position I slept in. This precise, weight-redistributing cradle is exactly why it serves as an excellent pick for alleviating back pain, as it prevents your hips and shoulders from sinking unevenly into a subpar mattress core. It also did a remarkably good job of staying cool for a dense foam product; heat never pooled beneath me, and the moment I got up from the bed, the surface heat dissipated quickly.

Built-in elastic corner straps help anchor the heavy foam core in place. Since we first tested this topper, Tempur-Pedic has updated the design to address an issue we had with it shifting around during the night. The new straps did help reduce shifting, though it still tends to migrate a few inches over the course of the week. During setup, there was minimal initial odor, which completely dissipated by bedtime. It did take several hours to expand to its full size, so make sure to leave some time before hopping into bed. The removable zip-off cover is also machine washable on laundry day, but wrestling to get it back into place took over 10 minutes. I recommend just putting a mattress protector over it (and your mattress) to save the hassle.

Keep in mind that all retail sales are completely final. Because this product is designated as a personal item, it unfortunately cannot be returned if you change your mind. To offset that risk, it comes with an impressive 10-year warranty against manufacturing defects, a reassuring security blanket.

Best for side sleepers

This topper has the same fill as our all-time favorite pillow. The Original Mattress Topper from Coop— the same brand behind our best overall pillow — is truly one of the most unique mattress toppers I've seen. The blueprint trades out standard solid foam slabs or down feathers for a plush blend of cross-cut memory foam and microfiber. This mix is packed into thick, five-inch baffle-box squares that lock the fill in place, delivering an absolutely heavenly feel that rarely requires manual re-fluffing or adjustment. Because it is incredibly plush, it stands out as an elite choice for side sleepers who need deep cushioning around the shoulders and hips. However, strict back and stomach sleepers will likely find that they sink a bit too deeply into the material, which can cause spinal stiffness by morning.

The shredded filling solves the heat-trapping issues of traditional foam. Because air can pass freely through the spaces between the individual foam clusters, this topper provides excellent airflow and heat dissipation, keeping me perfectly comfortable rather than too hot or too cold. It also acts as a fantastic dampener for motion isolation, absorbing movement across the mattress so restless partners or pets won't wake you up. For security, the base features anchor straps to keep it pinned to your bed; though I noticed they occasionally "snapped" off the corners of my thick mattress. The topper itself still resisted shifting out of place during the night due to its heft.

However, adding a massive five inches of vertical loft to your bed introduces a few immediate spatial challenges. When layered on top of my standard 14-inch mattress, the combined height made it a struggle for my dog to get onto the bed and stretched my sheets so tightly that standard bedding simply wouldn't fit. While it didn't work out as a permanent fixture on my primary bed for this reason, I'm holding on to it to make my sofa bed more comfortable for when I have guests. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor

Best cooling

This specialized foam layer excels at active temperature regulation through the night. The GhostBed Memory Foam Topper is our pick for the best cooling mattress topper for hot sleepers because it did an outstanding job of dissipating heat and staying cool in our tests. Its gel-infused memory foam and sculpted, airflow-promoting design kept me cool and comfortable all night long.

The unique design promotes airflow and provides zoned support. The GhostBed topper has five different zones to provide pressure relief and support where you need it most. I particularly liked sleeping on my side. However, the soft texture yields quite a bit, which may make it a little too soft for strict stomach sleepers, back sleepers, and heavier individuals who need more rigid spinal support. The peaks and valleys also help facilitate air flow. In fact, it exhibited extremely strong heat dissipation, dropping 15 degrees within two minutes of getting up. The GhostBed Memory Foam Topper has impressive motion isolation, registering among the best in our vibrometer tests.

Setup is a breeze, too. You remove it from the vacuum-sealed packaging and lay it out with the patterned side facing up. The pad was completely odor-free and fully expanded by bedtime. The topper extends to the edge of the bed to enhance comfort and maximize space. It includes a cover that slips over both the topper and your mattress. I highly recommend using this cover at all times, since the raw foam core itself is strictly spot-clean only. The fabric enclosure does double duty by anchoring the pad perfectly in place while providing reliable, waterproof protection.

Read our guide to the best cooling mattress toppers for more picks for hot sleepers.

Best latex

Natural latex is the best choice for sleepers who want cushioning without the sinking trap of memory foam. I'm a big fan of natural latex as a sustainable, responsive material. The soft rubber-like foam offers cushioning around the hips and shoulders while supporting your lower back and neck. We evaluated the three-inch plush configuration of the Avocado Eco Organic Mattress Topper—the brand's most popular offering—which allows buyers to choose between a medium firmness crafted with GOLS-certified Dunlop latex or a plush variant made with FSC-certified Talalay latex. While transitioning from a traditional memory foam pad can feel like an adjustment due to latex's inherent bounce, this topper completely eliminated the occasional shoulder and neck knots our reviewer used to wake up with. Its resilient profile makes it a top option for stomach and back sleepers who require structural alignment, though side sleepers will still find deep pressure relief in the thicker plush profile.

Our testing proved that this organic topper excels at heat dissipation and motion isolation. It also slept pretty cool and didn't retain heat. Our infrared thermometer tracking confirmed that the surface held steady at a remarkably cool 84°F after a full night's sleep, far safely below the standard 88.5°F mattress average — and shed 9 degrees within just two minutes of stepping away from the bed. It was also good at dampening motion.

The premium luxury profile does come with a few notable setup and pricing trade-offs. Latex is typically heavier than foam, so it can be more difficult to place on top of the bed. It also lacks elastic corner straps or an anchor skirt, but its massive physical heft ensures it stays securely aligned with your bedding without budging an inch. Keep in mind that while the baseline two-inch medium model is highly competitive, choosing the premium three-inch plush model raises the price significantly from $399 to $699 for a queen. Avocado also offers a 100-night sleep trial to try it out, as well as a 1-year warranty.

Read our Avocado Eco Organic Mattress Topper review.

Best memory foam

This topper delivers an unmatched, weight-redistributing cradle without the typical memory foam trap. While multiple picks on our list are memory foam, the Nolah Mattress Topper is the best memory foam mattress topper because the foam comfortably cradles my body and relieves pressure better than anything else I've tested. I've been sleeping with this two-inch pad intermittently for nearly two years. While I found it immediately comfortable when my back was healthy, it also offered immense relief while I recovered from the worst back pain of my life.

It's contouring and supportive. Nolah's two-inch topper is the perfect cushioning layer to add foam to your bed without enveloping you or making it difficult to shift positions. It's available in two comfort options — plush and luxury firm — and features Nolah's proprietary "AirFoam," a temperature-neutral polyfoam (CertiPUR-US-certified) that doesn't trap heat and offers excellent pressure relief. An organic cotton cover incorporates an extra layer of breathability. As a back sleeper, I found comfort and support with the firmer option, which still feels soft and cradling without making me feel trapped. Whether on my back or side, I never felt pressure build up on my shoulders or hips or around my lower back, which helped with alignment and eased aches and pains.

It performed well in our tests, but the heat dissipation was just average. I also put the Nolah mattress topper through our range of tests. My vibrometer app registered low vibrations when I dropped a 10-pound weight and bounced around to test motion transfer, indicating good motion isolation (but keep in mind the true degree of motion isolation will be determined by the mattress underneath). When measuring heat dissipation, the Nolah dropped about eight degrees in two minutes, suggesting slightly below average heat dissipation compared to other toppers my colleagues have reviewed. Fortunately, I never felt too warm on this topper, and while it won't actively cool you, you won't wake up sweaty either.

A few structural design quirks require a strategic setup to get the cleanest fit on your bed. My biggest critique is that the topper is slightly smaller than the standard dimensions of a full-size bed, stopping short by about three-quarters of an inch on either side and leaving the mattress edges exposed. Additionally, while the design features built-in elastic straps to anchor it down, it can still feel a bit floppy and slide out of alignment during the night. The topper is also strictly spot-clean only, so I highly recommend layering a good-fitting mattress protector over both the topper and your mattress together. This simple workaround pulls the boundaries tight, keeps the floppy pad snugly in place, and completely masks the narrow perimeter layout so you won't even notice the flaw. —Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor

Our top picks compared

What else we recommend

Lucid Bamboo Charcoal Mattress Topper: Previously our best budget pick, it was barely surpassed by the Linenspa when we compared them head-to-head. The Lucid is a great budget option for side sleepers, due to its plush feel. We've also noticed some stock volatility, with sizes frequently going in and out of stock.

Bear Pro: Previously, the Bear Pro Topper was our pick for the best cooling mattress topper. It's made of copper-infused, CertiPUR-US-certified foam, stays in place well, and offers excellent pressure relief. However, our new cooling topper pick, the GhostBed, did a better job of dissipating heat. The Bear comes with a 30-day trial, which is appealing if you want to test the cooling properties for yourself. 

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper: Its average firmness was comfortable and supportive to sleep on, no matter my position, but it just wasn't the best in any of our categories. Another tester who sleeps on her stomach greatly appreciated the stable medium firmness. It does a good job of dissipating heat and features straps to secure it to your bed. However, it still shifted, and the topper has poor motion isolation.

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt + Cooling: This is positioned as the cooler version of our best topper for back pain, but it didn't perform as well in our tests. Despite its name, it was also inferior at cooling and costs $80 more than the other Tempur-Pedic topper. However, it was comfortable to sleep on, has a removable, machine-washable cover, and is backed by a 10-year warranty. 

Birch Plush Organic Latex Mattress Topper: While offering an extremely comfortable and responsive layer for back, stomach, and side sleepers, it just doesn't come in as many customizations as the Avocado Eco Organic Topper, and costs significantly more for less material. It also got pretty warm when we slept on it. It does, however, have a lengthy trial and even more impressive warranty. The cover is also made from thermoregulating wool, while Avocado's is made from strictly organic cotton.

Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex 201: This topper was soft and breathable, but it didn't offer the support I was looking for. It had an extremely plush feel that could be suitable for side sleepers, but it's not the mattress topper for you if you're looking for extra support. It's also sold in three-inch and four-inch varieties.

Parachute Down Mattress Pad: Mattress pads are like a blend of a mattress topper and a mattress protector, offering minor comfort enhancements with minimal protection against spills and stains. This option from Parachute is cool and comfortable, though it doesn't provide the amount of support we typically look for in a mattress topper.

Marriott Mattress Topper: Marriott's mattress topper replicates the feeling of a hotel bed at home. It's plush and comfortable, but it feels noticeably thin.

What to look for in a mattress topper

Material: The material you choose will completely dictate the overall responsiveness, contouring level, and temperature of your bed:

• Memory foam: Best for deep pressure relief. Memory foam contours to your body with a plush, supportive feel. It's suitable for every sleeping position, but side sleepers will especially enjoy the cushioned support. Look for gel-infused or open-cell varieties to combat foam's natural tendency to trap heat.
• Latex: Best for responsiveness and durability. Latex offers an active "pushback" bounce rather than a sink-in feel, keeping your spine lifted. It is also naturally open-cell, making it inherently more breathable than traditional synthetic foams.
• Down or down alternative (Featherbeds): Best for pure plushness. These cloud-like pads add a luxurious, quilted softness to an overly rigid mattress, though they offer minimal structural support for your lower back and require regular re-fluffing.

Thickness and Density: Toppers typically range from 2 to 4 inches thick. Finding the right height depends entirely on your body type and how much you want to change your current bed:

• 2-inch toppers: Ideal for minor comfort adjustments. Choose this profile if your mattress is already in decent shape, but you want to soften the surface slightly or tweak the temperature.
• 3- to 4-inch toppers: Ideal for transforming your bed's feel. If your mattress feels like a brick, a thicker layer provides the deep vertical clearance needed to sink in without bottoming out against the rigid mattress core below.

Your Sleeping Position

• Side sleepers: Need extra pressure relief for their shoulders and hips. A plush, contouring 3- to 4-inch memory foam or down topper will cradle these heavy anchor points to prevent morning numbness.
• Back and stomach sleepers: Require firm support to prevent their hips from sagging, which can cause lower back strain. Opt for a dense, low-profile 2-inch foam layer or a responsive natural latex topper to keep your spine perfectly neutral.

Design

• Straps vs. skirts: Look for heavy-duty elastic corner straps or full elastic skirts to anchor the layer to your mattress. If a topper lacks straps entirely, ensure it has a non-skid bottom or sufficient weight (such as heavy latex) to stay pinned under your fitted sheet.
• Washable covers: Most raw foam or latex cores are strictly spot-clean only. Choosing a topper that includes a removable, machine-washable protective cover is an absolute game-changer for long-term hygiene, especially in high-use or shared living spaces

Trial and warranty policies: Unlike mattresses, which typically have a trial period, return policies can vary by manufacturer, from final sale to up to 120 days to try at home. Warranty policies cover potential manufacturing defects.

How we test mattress toppers

Our team of sleep experts evaluated each of the mattress toppers in this guide through a mix of hands-on at-home testing and quantitative data tracking. We focus on comfort, bed fit, and temperature regulation using a standardized evaluation matrix:

• Setup and fit: We time the unboxing process, tracking expansion rates and initial off-gassing odors. Once fully expanded, we measure the physical dimensions against standard mattress sizes, ensure everyday fitted sheets still fit over the added loft, and monitored whether it shifted or stayed in place on the mattress.
• Heat dissipation: To find the best cooling options, we use an infrared thermometer to record the surface temperature the moment a tester steps out of bed and again two minutes later, and calculate exactly how quickly the material sheds trapped body heat.
• Support and alignment: We evaluate pressure relief across different sleeping positions, tracking morning joint stiffness and physical comfort alongside biometric sleep data collected by a smartwatch.
• Motion isolation: To ensure a restless partner or pet won't disrupt your sleep, we drop a 15-pound weight onto the surface and use a digital vibrometer app to measure how much energy transfers across the bed. We performed this test five times and kept the median score.

Trial and warranty: We audit the fine print of return policies to check for hidden loopholes—such as return shipping fees—and evaluate each model based on the fairness of its sleep trial window and warranty coverage.

Meet the experts behind the guide

James Brains, former senior reporter: I've tested over a hundred mattresses, so I know what to look for when shopping for a mattress topper. I use the same methodology for mattress topper testing that I use for mattresses, including testing heat dissipation, motion isolation, and overall support.

Kinsley Searles, former associate home editor: I'm passionate about product testing and finding the best mattress topper for every kind of sleeper. It doesn't hurt that I love a good nap, too.

Mattress topper FAQs

What is the difference between a mattress topper and a mattress pad?

A mattress topper is a thick block of material (usually 2 to 4 inches) engineered to significantly alter the overall firmness, support, or temperature of your bed. A mattress pad is a thin, quilted layer primarily designed to add a touch of surface softness and protect against light wear. If you need to guard your mattress from spills, stains, and allergens, you'll want to use either along with one of the best mattress protectors. 

How do you clean a mattress topper?

While many mattress toppers come with washable covers, mattress toppers themselves aren't typically machine-washable. Check the care tag on your topper before cleaning it, but you're usually able to spot-clean with a damp towel and mild detergent.

How do you keep a mattress topper from sliding?

If your topper doesn't have built-in elastic anchor straps or a full skirt, the easiest fix is to layer a tight fitted sheet or a grippy mattress protector directly over both the topper and the mattress together to lock them down. For stubborn slipping issues, you can clip on adjustable sheet suspenders or place a rubberized, textured non-skid mat between the topper and your mattress.

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