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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Making your mattress a comfier place to sleep doesn’t have to require an entirely new mattress–it could be as simple as adding a cushy, high-quality memory foam mattress topper. A mattress topper can transform the feel and support of your current mattress, with an act as simple as sliding an extra layer of bedding over top.
What, exactly, is a mattress topper? Thicker than the average mattress pad, a mattress topper slips over your current mattress and changes its surface feel. A topper can restore some lost firmness, add plushness or a pillow top-like softness, or offer a bit of extra support and cushioning. It’s a more cost-conscious way to improve your mattress. Memory foam mattress toppers in particular are ideal for enhancing mattresses that need a bit more breathability, pressure relief, and contouring. They can also offer a reduction in motion transfer for a sounder night’s sleep.
To highlight the best memory foam mattress toppers available, we combined in-person product testing with extensive product research, examining dozens of products. We evaluated each topper based on its materials, firmness and support, breathability, value, and comfort level for different types of sleepers. Our winner, the ViscoSoft 3 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper, goes above and beyond with special ventilations for improved airflow and cooling, a highly cushioned gel-infused memory foam construction, and enough thickness to enhance any mattress’s plushness.
Best Overall
ViscoSoft 3-Inch Select High Density Mattress Topper
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Amazon
Exceptionally plush and comfortable
Comes with a removable, machine-washable cover
Gel-infused foam and ventilated design promote airflow
Relatively expensive
May require a deep pocket fitted sheet
The Viscosoft Select High Density Topper is our top pick because it features gel-infused memory foam and a ventilated design to promote airflow, distribute body heat, and help keep hot sleepers comfortable. The 3-inch, high-density memory foam also helps evenly distribute body weight to relieve pressure points and prevent you from sinking too far into the mattress. While it’s one of the thicker options on our list, this topper is great for side sleepers or those looking for an extra soft sleeping surface.
Our tester especially liked this mattress pad's machine-washable, breathable bamboo-rayon cover. The cover not only keeps your mattress topper fresh, clean, and odor-free, but also helps regulate temperature while you sleep. "After sleeping on it for a few nights, I can confirm that the mattress topper is excellent at regulating temperature," our tester said. "I don’t have a problem with overheating while I sleep, but it does remain comfortably cool through the night."
One minor inconvenience: This mattress topper weighs over 30 pounds, which makes it rather difficult to maneuver on top of a bed, especially by yourself. However, this drawback can be expected when a topper is made of such high quality and dense memory foam. Our tester waited 24 hours after unrolling the topper to allow it to fully expand before placing it on top of her bed. The Viscosoft memory foam mattress topper is a great topper that provides exactly what it promises: comfort and support in the form of a breathable and washable topper.
Price at time of publish: $170
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, short queen, queen, king, Cal. king | Material: Gel-infused memory foam, bamboo-rayon cover | Thickness: 3 inches | Care: Removable, washable cover | Warranty: 5 years
Best Budget
Linenspa Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
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Amazon
Affordable
Gel keeps you cool
Range of sizes, including queen short and full XL
On the thinner side
While some toppers can cost the same price as an entire mattress, that’s not the case with this model by Linenspa—even the California King is affordable. But despite its low price, this topper is still high quality, adding a layer of plushness to your bed while also being supportive. It’s made from memory foam infused with gel beads for maximum pressure relief and cooling.
The only downside is that it's just two inches thick, whereas most mattress toppers are three or four inches thick. Linenspa does produce a 3-inch model, though, but it’s slightly more expensive.
Price at time of publish: $63
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, short queen, king, Cal. king | Material: Polyurethane memory foam, gel beads | Thickness: 2 inches | Care: Spot clean | Warranty: 3 years (limited)
Best Splurge
Tempur-Pedic Topper Supreme 3-inch Mattress Topper
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Amazon
Filled with the brand's proprietary Tempur material
Can reduce aches and pains
10-year limited warranty
May be too hot for some
The TEMPUR-Topper Supreme is designed to reduce pressure points as you sleep, making your night more restful and ensuring you wake up comfortable. Filled with the brand’s proprietary Tempur material, it offers enough comfort and support to justify the higher price tag. Available in sizes fitting everything from twin beds to California kings, its cover is 98 percent polyester and 2 percent elastane.
Note that this topper can run a bit hot, so if you tend to overheat in your sleep, you might want to leave it to the colder months (or avoid it altogether).
Price at time of publish: $399
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal. king | Material: Proprietary Tempur material/memory foam | Thickness: 3 inches | Care: Removable, washable cover | Warranty: 10 years (limited)
Best Pillow-Top
ViscoSoft 4-Inch Pillow Top Memory Foam Mattress Topper
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Amazon
Plush topper that's good for side sleepers
Removable and washable cover
May be too soft for some
Another pick from Viscosoft, this 4-inch pillow-top topper comes in seven sizes and features 2.5 inches of gel-infused memory foam topped with a 1.5-inch down alternative layer to provide the ultimate upgrade to any mattress. The down topper is covered with a 300-thread-count fabric that’s hypoallergenic and machine washable. It also comes with elasticized pockets that fit mattresses up to 18 inches thick and help keep the topper in place throughout the night.
Price at time of publish: $190
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal. king | Material: Gel memory foam, down alternative-fill cover | Thickness: 4 inches | Care: Machine-washable cover | Warranty: 5 years
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The Spruce / Theresa Holland
Best Gel
LUCID 3-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
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Amazon
Medium-plush topper with 3 inches of supportive memory foam
Vented and gel-infused for cooling
Comes with washable cover
Takes 48 hours to expand
The Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper is 3 inches thick and has a medium plush feel, so it’s not so soft that you’ll sink in but just firm enough to give you support. The ventilated design helps promote airflow, and the infused gel material helps regulate your temperature throughout the night. It takes about 48 hours to inflate and comes with a 3-year limited warranty against defects.
Price at time of publish: $100
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, Cal. king | Material: Gel memory foam | Thickness: 2 or 3 inches | Care: Spot clean | Warranty: 3 years (limited)
Best Cooling
Sleep Innovations Dual Layer Memory Foam Mattress Topper
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Amazon
Regulates temperature well
Supportive and comfortable
Affordable
New smell lingers
For some, the decision to buy a foam mattress topper isn’t based on creating a more plush surface as much as keeping things cool throughout the night. Combining the best attributes of memory foam and fiber-fill, this is the goldilocks of mattress toppers. Each layer is two inches thick, providing both support and plushness all in one. The pillowy top layer is machine washable, and it provides great protection for the memory foam layer. Although, should anything go awry, the memory foam layer has a 10-year warranty).
But the topper’s best attribute is its cooling capabilities. Despite sitting beneath a two-inch layer of fiber-fill, the gel-infused memory foam still works wonders to keep you cool at night, no matter the temperature outside.
Price at time of publish: $160
Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, Cal. king | Material: Gel memory foam, fiber fill | Thickness: 4 inches | Care: Removable, washable cover | Warranty: 10 years
Best Firm
Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
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Amazon
Infused with green tea and charcoal for odor protection and moisture-wicking
CertiPUR-US Certified
No cooling gel
Needs 48 hours to expand to full size
Most mattress toppers aren’t designed to help a soft mattress feel firmer, but that said, some are definitely firmer than others. If you want a medium-firm topper that provides excellent support but not too much extra plushness, opt for this Zinus model. It’s made from two layers of memory foam: the high-density bottom layer provides ample firmness, while the top has green tea and charcoal to help prevent both odor and moisture from forming.
Just keep in mind this denser topper might feel a little hot, as there’s no cooling gel, so it’s better for cold sleepers or cooler climates.
Price at time of publish: $135
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, short queen, queen, king | Material: Green tea and charcoal-infused memory foam | Thickness: 1.5, 3, or 4 inches | Care: Spot clean | Warranty: 5 years (limited)
Best Twin XL
Lucid Comfort Collection 3" Charcoal and Aloe Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
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Home Depot
Infused with aloe and charcoal for odor protection and moisture-wicking
Open-cell memory foam for cooling
CertiPUR-US certified
Some might find it too soft
Since Twin XL mattresses are most common in college dorm rooms, it’s not a bad idea to get an odor-repelling model. That’s where this Lucid Comfort mattress topper comes in. The 3-inch-thick memory foam not only provides cushioning, support, and cooling—dorm mattresses aren’t known to be the most comfortable—but it is also infused with charcoal and aloe to fight odors. Plus, it’s very reasonably priced (just in case it doesn’t survive a year at school).
Price at time of publish: $217
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal. king | Material: Bamboo charcoal memory foam | Thickness: 2, 3 or 4 inches | Care: Spot clean | Warranty: 3 years
Best for Kids
Milliard 2-Inch Ventilated Memory Foam Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress Topper
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Amazon
Comes with waterproof, non-slip cover
Aerated for cooling
Crib-sized
New smell lingers
First off, a safety warning: infants and young children should never use a soft mattress topper, as there is a risk of suffocation. Be sure to consult your doctor before buying a mattress topper for your older toddler.
That said, if your doctor gives the go-ahead for your child to use a mattress topper, this is the one to buy. Its two inches of hypoallergenic memory foam are perfect for a smaller body, and it comes with a machine-washable waterproof cover to protect the topper against any accidents.
Price at time of publish: $58
Sizes: One size | Material: Memory foam | Thickness: 2 inches | Care: Removable, washable cover | Warranty: Not listed
Best for Pressure Relief
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper
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Saatva
Pressure-relieving adaptive foam
Reduces motion transfer
Contours to and hugs the body
Difficult to clean
Limited warranty
Saatva’s mattresses are among our favorites when it comes to comfort in any sleeping position, so it’s no surprise that this highly-touted brand is also top when it comes to mattress toppers, too. The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a standout option for anyone who’s in need of extra pressure relief, either on key pressure points or across the board. Constructed out of adaptive foam that’s designed to reduce the pressure placed on your body, this topper offers three inches of cushioning that’ll cradle your body without allowing you to sink in deeply. It’s sturdy and thick enough to reduce motion transfer if you sleep with a partner, and the added perk of cooling graphite can help hot sleepers stay comfortable.
We love the eco-friendly CertiPUR-US certified memory foam construction of this mattress topper, along with its breathable, moisture-wicking cotton cover. It’ll hug your body and provide pressure relief wherever it’s needed–and hundreds of customer reviews rave about its comfort. However, it is worth noting that this topper can only be spot cleaned, and it does carry a more limited warranty. We do like that you have 180 nights to try it out before totally committing to it, though.
Price at time of publish: $445 for a Queen
Size: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king | Material: Memory foam | Thickness: 3 inches | Care: Spot clean as needed | Warranty: 180-night sleep trial, 1-year limited warranty
Best for Aches and Pains
Tuft & Needle Mattress Topper
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Amazon
Highly breathable open-cell foam
Offers added softness and cushioning
Non-skid silicone beaded underside
Runs somewhat soft
Not as cooling as product description promises
If your current mattress is leaving you sore when you wake, Tuft & Needle’s Mattress Topper may provide the perfect level of enhanced plushness and increased comfort. This two-inch-tall topper, which is made with T&N Adaptive memory foam, features open-cell construction that captures the firmness of a truly firm mattress, with a bit of added softness. It doesn’t allow you to sink into your mattress, instead increasing comfort around key areas like hips and shoulders for improved alignment and pain relief. Plenty of customer reviews note that this mattress helps resolve common aches and pains, and its combination of added softness and firm support makes it a choice that can satisfy two different sleepers.
This memory foam mattress topper also carries CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certifications, ensuring it’s free from harmful chemicals, VOCs, and gasses. We love the details in its construction, too, like a non-skid bottom that prevents movement made from silicone beading. However, for some sleepers, it does run a bit too soft–and this memory foam can trap heat, making the bed warmer for hot sleepers. You do have a great 10-year warranty standing behind this topper, though, which is great for uncertain sleepers.
Price at time of publish: $250 for a Queen
Size: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king | Material: open-cell foam | Thickness: 2 inches | Care: Spot clean only | Warranty: 10-year limited
Instantly upgrade your mattress with our top choice the ViscoSoft Serene Hybrid Mattress Topper, which is ultra-thick and plush. Our runner-up is the Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper which is comfortable and affordable but a bit thinner.
What to Look for in a Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Firmness
Firmness is perhaps the most important quality of a mattress topper when it comes to proper body alignment while sleeping. “It is recommended to choose the firmness level based on the sleeper’s favorite position. For instance, side sleepers require more of a hug for the protruding body parts. Therefore, they are advised to choose softer mattress toppers,” says Alex Savy, a certified sleep science coach and founder of SleepingOcean. “Back sleepers usually feel the most comfortable on medium, sometimes medium-firm surfaces. And stomach sleepers are recommended to stick to firm toppers. This would help them avoid unwanted curves in the spine.”
Thickness
The thickness of memory foam mattress toppers usually ranges from 1 inch to 4 inches. A 1- or 2-inch topper will most likely be thick enough to make your mattress more comfortable, allowing you to use the bed for a few more years before replacing it. Thicker mattress toppers are good for side sleepers or anyone who wants a plusher mattress feel.
Size
Memory foam mattress toppers are sold in all standard bed sizes and designed to fit over your existing mattress, so you’ll want to choose the same size as your bed for the perfect fit. Some toppers also come in harder-to-fit sizes, like full XL and short queen.
Standout Features
Cooling Perforations or Material
If you run hot while sleeping, a mattress topper may be able to provide some cooling power to help with airflow and temperature regulation–but you’ll need to look for one that offers special features like perforations in the memory foam or gel- or graphite-infused material. Many cooling memory foam mattress toppers will either feature perforations that encourage and allow airflow for increased breathability. Or, these products can also be infused with special cooling materials in between layers of foam.
For example, the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper features graphite-infused memory foam, a detail that can help absorb and dissipate body heat. As a naturally cooling material, graphite may help lower your sleeping temperature for improved comfort. Gel-infused options, like the ViscoSoft 4-Inch Gel Mattress Topper, can work in a similar manner to keep hot sleepers a little cooler.
Washable Cover
Not all memory foam mattress toppers come with covers–and, even more importantly, many don’t come with an easy-to-clean or washable cover. However, some of the best mattress toppers do come with washable covers that can be removed right at home and tossed in your washing machine. This makes maintenance a breeze, and it also ensures you don’t have to invest extra money or time having your topper dry cleaned. Spot-clean covers will do the trick, but the added convenience of a washable cover is a definitely standout perk, in our opinion.
Organic and Sustainable Materials
If you’re interested in a memory foam mattress topper that’s good for the environment and your well-being, you’ll want to look for one that’s made with organic or sustainable materials (or perhaps even both!) A topper that carries key third-party certifications, like an OEKO-TEX certified cover or CertiPUR-US certified memory foam, will allow you to rest confidently knowing that there aren’t harmful chemicals or materials used in the making of the product. Increasingly more mattress topper companies, and memory foam products, are focused on chemical-free and sustainable, eco-minded materials–meaning it’s easier than ever to find options that include them.
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What's the difference between a mattress topper and a mattress pad?
They’re both similar in that they’re a soft cushion designed to sit atop a mattress, but they’re a bit different in function. “Mattress pads are usually much thinner than toppers. A pad can only offer slight comfort changes, while a good foam topper may alter the feel of one’s mattress, plus aid support and tension alleviation,” says Savy.
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How do you clean a memory foam mattress topper?
While you should always defer to a manufacturer’s instructions regarding cleaning, most mattress toppers can be cleaned with one simple technique. “Sprinkle baking soda over the topper," says Robert Pagano, co-founder of Sleepline. "Add water sparingly because if you add too much, you'll need to let it dry in the sun and have kids or pets off-limits for 24 hours before re-use.”
To help protect your mattress topper, you can use a machine-washable cover.
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Should you flip a mattress topper?
It depends on your specific mattress topper. Some are designed with a clear top and a clear bottom due to the different layers of material. For instance, some cooling mattress toppers only have cooling gel on the surface, not all the way through.
If your mattress topper is reversible, you can rotate and flip it to have it wear down more evenly. But every topper has its limits. “If the mattress topper seems saggy or deformed, flipping it won't help. It may be time for a new one,” says Pagano.
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How do you dispose of a memory foam mattress topper?
Memory foam is a form of polyurethane (a type of plastic), so instead of letting it sit in a landfill, recycle it or upcycle it if possible. Contact your local recycling facility to see if they have any programs for memory foam mattress products, donate gently used toppers, or see if you can make a DIY project, such as throw pillows.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was edited and researched by Cristina Sanza, a lifestyle writer specializing in home products and organization hacks, and Stefanie Waldek, a design writer. To keep our product picks current and help you choose the right mattress topper, they read The Spruce reviews, customer reviews, third-party articles, and brand websites to determine the best memory foam mattress toppers on the market.
In addition to this research, Waldek also consulted with two experts—Alex Savy, a certified sleep science coach and founder of SleepingOcean; and Robert Pagano, co-founder of Sleepline—to gain further insight on memory foam mattress pad maintenance and selection. Each model in this list provides both comfort and support, while some excel at special features like cooling or preventing motion transfer.
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