Mattresses inevitably put on out, irrespective of how fancy or costly they’re, and changing them is a serious buy that many people have to save lots of up for. If it’s essential eke out a bit extra life out of your mattress earlier than you substitute it — possibly you are near shifting or ready for the mattress offers that intensify round nearly each vacation — a mattress topper is your finest guess.
Whether or not you like reminiscence foam, latex, wool or down, toppers add consolation and safety and may improve sleep high quality — and for a lot lower than the $1,000 a 12 months many US adults mentioned they’d spend on higher relaxation, per a latest CNET survey. Plus, it’s also possible to expertise a softer, extra contoured floor with out splurging on a brand new mattress — or tweak the texture of a mattress outdoors its return window earlier than you realized it wasn’t fairly what you wanted.
CNET’s sleep specialists have been testing mattresses and their toppers for years. Primarily based on firmness, really feel, development and guarantee, these are our greatest mattress toppers for facet sleepers, sizzling sleepers, those that favor a softer mattress and folks on a price range. Costs are for queen mattress toppers, and this record is commonly up to date — so test again typically.
A handful of the toppers we have examined are stacked collectively in our mattress testing facility.
Finest total mattress topper
We selected Nest Bedding’s Cooling Topper as one of the best total, due to its impartial really feel and responsive, breathable foam. It supplies a snug mixture of assist and strain reduction. Regardless of its identify, this mattress topper isn’t actively cooling, nevertheless it ought to assist hold you temperature-neutral all through the evening. Nest Bedding’s mattresses and toppers are additionally CertiPUR-US licensed and freed from dangerous toxins and chemical compounds.
Finest mattress toppers for 2025
The Nest Bedding Cooling Topper is an accommodating mattress topper that provides assist and cushioning with out drastically altering the texture or firmness of your mattress. It has a impartial really feel due to Nest’s Energex Temperature Responsive Foam, which is extra responsive and breathable than conventional reminiscence foam.
Although it is Nest’s Cooling Topper, we would not take into account it overly cooling — however to be truthful, most mattresses and toppers usually are not truly cooling except they function particular cooling know-how. This topper has breathable supplies and an open polymer design that enables for extra airflow to assist regulate your physique temperature, so you continue to should not overheat on it. The foams are CertiPur-US licensed, that means they’re made with out dangerous toxins or chemical compounds.
This 2-inch thick topper provides strain reduction and sturdiness with out drastically altering your mattress. We examined this utilizing the Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress and our proprietary Mattress Smasher 9000 system. With out the topper, the mattress firmness degree is 7.2. With the topper on the mattress, the smasher offered a median firmness degree of 6.7, making the texture barely softer however not considerably. Total, it is a delicate, comfortable topper with a easy design providing a nice middle-of-the-road sensation.
Runner-up: The Nolah Mattress Topper is a sturdy topper with plush and luxurious agency choices (we would suggest plush for facet sleepers and luxurious agency for again and abdomen sleepers). It options Nolah’s distinctive AirFoam, which has a blended foam really feel. It conforms round your curves however is extra responsive than reminiscence foam, so you will not have as a lot of that “caught” feeling.
Professionals:
- Comfy and accommodating impartial really feel
- Supplies strain reduction and assist
- Easy design with breathable supplies
- Straps in every nook for securing to the mattress
Cons:
- Not actively cooling (regardless of the identify)
- Spot clear solely
Further particulars:
- Thickness: 2 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Guarantee: 10-year guarantee
- Trial: 30 nights
Try the Layla Reminiscence Foam Topper if you wish to soften your mattress or add a layer of cool plushness. It makes use of the identical copper gel-infused foam because the Layla Mattress, creating a lightweight and ethereal really feel that is extra buoyant than historically dense reminiscence foam whereas nonetheless contouring properly round your curves as you sink in.
Although the copper gel beads inside this topper work to drag your physique warmth away, our staff would not discover it overly cooling; nevertheless, it is going to provide help to sleep temperature-neutral. In case you’re an especially sizzling sleeper who wants further cooling know-how that will help you sit back at evening, take a look at our record of the Finest Cooling Mattress Toppers.
Including the two” thick Layla Reminiscence Foam Topper will soften your mattress by one to 2 factors on the firmness scale — for instance, a mattress with a firmness ranking of seven will likely be softened to someplace between 5 and 6. That is notably nice for facet sleepers wanting further cushion and strain reduction across the shoulders and hips or for these presently sleeping on a mattress that is merely manner too agency.
Runner-up: In case you’re a facet sleeper in search of one thing extremely plush and fluffy (that is not foam), take into account Saatva’s Down Different Featherbed Mattress Topper. It is full of hypoallergenic down and lyocell fiber and is delicate sufficient to make it really feel such as you’re sleeping on a cloud.
Professionals:
- Ethereal impartial foam really feel
- Copper-infused gel for cooling
- Mushy and cushioning for facet sleepers
- Straps for securing to the mattress
Cons:
- May be too delicate for strict again or abdomen sleepers
- Not probably the most cooling
Further particulars:
- Thickness: 2 inches
- Firmness: Medium-soft
- Guarantee: 5-year guarantee
- Trial: 30 nights
Scorching sleepers, take a look at the Helix GlacioTex Premium Topper. It is one of many coolest toppers we have examined — actually. The GlacioTex cloth is slick and genuinely cool to the contact, which is right when you’re seeking to forestall overheating at evening. It has two firmness choices, so you possibly can select one of the best one primarily based in your sleeping place and choice. Its distinctive hybrid design with metal micro-coils and high-density foams makes it one of the crucial sturdy and supportive toppers we have examined — and a very nice choice for heavier people and {couples}. At 3.75 inches thick, it is a sturdy and opulent mattress topper made with high-quality supplies that may final.
The mix of froth and coils creates a dense reminiscence foam sensation that may probably drastically alter the firmness and really feel of your mattress. We examined the plush and luxurious agency mattress toppers with our Mattress Smasher 9000. The plush topper modified the firmness of the mattress from 7.2 to 4.4 out of 10 — taking the medium-firm mattress to medium-soft to medium. We suggest the plush model when you’re a facet sleeper or your mattress is just too agency and also you need extra strain reduction.
The posh agency mannequin felt fairly agency once I first laid down, however as my physique warmth warmed the foams, I started to sink in and really feel the supportive contouring. As anticipated, the luxurious agency GlacioTex Premium Topper didn’t influence the mattress’s firmness degree as a lot because the plush, bringing it down barely from 7.2 to six out of 10. We suggest this mannequin if you would like a bit extra assist and sturdiness.
Runner-up: The Saatva Cooling Graphite Mattress Topper is 3 inches thick and has reminiscence foam infused with graphite, which attracts your physique warmth away that will help you sleep cooler. It has a medium to medium-firm profile, making it nice for all sleeping positions.
Professionals:
- Two firmness choices
- Actively cooling
- Sturdy hybrid design
- Has straps for securing to the mattress
- CertiPur-US and GreenGuard Gold licensed
Cons:
- Heavy (weighs nearly 24 kilos)
- Costly
Further particulars:
- Thickness: 3.75 inches
- Firmness: Agency or delicate
- Guarantee: 1-year restricted guarantee
- Trial: 100 nights
“I added a Linenspa mattress topper to my mattress in faculty, and it made an enormous distinction to its really feel. My faculty mattress was far too agency for me, however the gel topper gave me the right quantity of strain reduction that I wanted. The mattress topper moved with me, and I’ve used it for over 4 years now. It’s nonetheless in nice form and lives on my visitor mattress. For the value and high quality, it’s laborious to beat this topper,” explains Caroline Igo, CNET sleep editor.
The reminiscence foam kinds round and cradles your curves as your physique heats the froth. Regardless of having gel infused in its supplies, it does sleep on the hotter facet, as most reminiscence foams do. “Do observe that it does warmth up at evening. I am a sizzling sleeper, and I typically [when I would sleep on it, I don’t anymore] get up sweating through the summer season because it absorbs a lot of my physique warmth,” Caroline says.
The Linenspa Reminiscence Foam Topper is on the market in 2- and 3-inch top choices. We suggest going with the 3-inch profile when you’re heavier or in search of further plushness. A queen-size 2-inch topper retails for $60, making it one of many least expensive mattress toppers we have examined. It is a wonderful, inexpensive choice for including consolation and contouring plushness to your visitor mattress, dorm room mattress or awkward pullout sofa mattress.
Runner-up: The Amazon Fundamentals Queen Mattress Topper is a 2-inch gel-infused topper with CertiPur-US Licensed foams. It is available in reminiscence foam or polyester latex choices, each of which give cooling consolation and strain reduction — although reminiscence foam tends to sleep hotter than latex as you sink into it. Priced at $40 for a queen measurement, it is a steal of a deal.
Professionals:
- Nice value for the standard
- Two top choices
- Supplies strain reduction for hips and shoulders
- CertiPur Licensed foams
Cons:
- No straps for attaching to the mattress
- Not actively cooling
- Not for individuals who don’t love the texture of reminiscence foam
Further particulars:
- Thickness: 2 or 3 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Guarantee: 3-year guarantee
- Trial: 30 nights
Avocado is without doubt one of the most sustainable mattress manufacturers in the marketplace, and its toppers are a few of the most eco-friendly we have examined. The Eco Natural Mattress Topper (my private favourite) is on the market in 2-inch and 3-inch thickness choices, and you’ll select from natural Dunlop latex or pure Talalay latex — the latter of which is vegan-certified.
We examined the 2-inch Dunlop latex topper, which has a medium firmness degree. It provides an opulent layer of consolation and assist to your mattress and will barely alter the firmness of your mattress relying on what you sleep on (it did not change the general firmness of the mattress once we examined the topper with our Mattress Smasher 9000, holding the firmness degree at 7.2). It affords a responsive pillow-top really feel that may assist relieve strain round your joints and supply further assist for wholesome spinal alignment.
If you need a a lot softer really feel, we suggest the 3-inch plush mannequin, which affords added contouring and plushness, which we would suggest for facet and mixture sleepers. Each forms of latex foam naturally sleep cooler than dense reminiscence foam, as their open-cell construction supplies elevated breathability and airflow. The Eco Natural toppers have an earthy but luxurious feel and look and are topped with a GOTS-certified natural cotton cowl. It is preferrred for these wanting so as to add a responsive, eco-friendly and hypoallergenic layer of consolation to their mattress.
Runner-up: The Birch Plush Natural Mattress Topper is a bit firmer than the Avocado Eco Natural Topper. This 2-inch topper options all-natural, GOLS- and GreenGuard Gold-certified supplies, with a delicate cotton cowl and grippy backing to assist hold it in place in your mattress.
Professionals:
- Eco-friendly and sustainably sourced
- Thickness and really feel choices
- Latex is extra breathable than reminiscence foam
Cons:
- Costly; further cost for 3-inch and plush choices
- No straps for securing to the mattress
Further particulars:
- Thickness: 2 or 3 inches
- Firmness: Medium or delicate
- Guarantee: 1-year guarantee
- Trial: 100 nights
Brooklyn Bedding’s 3″ Latex Topper is obtainable in delicate, medium or agency consolation ranges, so it may work for any sleeping place and physique kind. Once we added the medium mannequin of the Brooklyn Bedding Latex Topper to the Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress and examined it with our Mattress Smasher 9000, it modified the firmness of the mattress from 7.2 to five.7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it really feel barely softer.
The thick latex provides a cushioning mixture of consolation and assist, providing an total responsive and bouncy really feel. It contours properly round your strain factors but is buoyant sufficient to simply swap positions with out feeling “caught” within the foam. The design is straightforward: a 3-inch layer of 100% latex foam surrounded by a detachable natural cotton cowl. You’ll be able to take away and wash the duvet, however be warned that placing it again on afterward may be difficult.
A queen measurement retails for $663, making it one of many pricier mattress toppers we have examined. Factoring in Brooklyn Bedding’s frequent reductions can deliver the value all the way down to $500, however that is nonetheless in the identical value vary as some budget-friendly mattresses.
Members of CNET’s sleep staff toured the 3Z manufacturing unit in Arizona for an inside have a look at how Brooklyn Bedding’s mattresses and toppers are manufactured. Be taught extra about how the foams are made and why it issues.
Runner-up: With its open-cell construction, the PlushBeds Pure Talalay Latex Topper may help you sleep cool by permitting your physique warmth to disperse. The GOLS-certified latex is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, obtainable in 2-inch and 3-inch thickness choices and 5 totally different firmness ranges.
Professionals:
- Three firmness choices
- Hypoallergenic and breathable supplies
- Sturdy and responsive
- Cotton cowl is machine cleanable
Cons:
- No straps to carry it in place on the mattress
- Costly
Further particulars:
- Thickness: 3 inches
- Firmness: Mushy, medium or agency
- Guarantee: 3-year guarantee
- Trial: 30 nights
The Brooklinen Down Different Mattress Topper is a good choice when you’re in search of a lightweight and fluffy topper that capabilities extra like a mattress pad or protector. Fairly than having straps across the corners, this topper suits round your mattress like a sheet. It is thinner than the opposite toppers on this record, that means it will not drastically alter the texture or firmness of your mattress. Nevertheless, it does add a skinny layer of softness and safety.
The size are giant sufficient to suit mattresses as much as 18 inches tall, however remember the fact that this implies it will not match tightly round a mattress that is round 15 inches thick or much less. The Brooklinen Down Different topper is tufted so the microgel fill stays evenly distributed, and it is wrapped in a easy, sturdy cotton casing. This topper can be machine cleanable — so long as you wash in cool water and tumble dry on low.
It feels crisp and opulent, and although it will not make you sleep cooler, it should not warmth up at evening. Its tight waterproof barrier on the backside provides one other degree of safety towards spills and stains, serving to to maintain your mattress cleaner for longer.
Runner-up: The”> has a water-resistant cowl that wraps round your mattress like a sheet, functioning like a protector. Its cooling gel reminiscence foam supplies reduction for decent sleepers whereas offering zoned assist for cushioning and assist the place your physique wants it probably the most.
Professionals:
- Mechanically cleanable
- Protecting towards spills and stains
- Mild and fluffy really feel
Cons:
- Not very thick
- Will not present a ton of assist or strain reduction
Further particulars:
- Thickness: 1 inch
- Firmness: Mushy
- Guarantee: 2-year guarantee
- Trial: 365 nights
How we take a look at mattress toppers
CNET’s staff of sleep specialists has been testing mattresses, sleep equipment and bedding for years. We have developed standardized strategies of assessing and completely analyzing every product we take a look at, whether or not beds, sheets, pillows, sleep masks or headphones. Our intensive roster of testing and reviewing expertise permits us to match and distinction mattress toppers — particularly when factoring in how acquainted we’re with the texture of mattresses with out them.
Firmness
Firmness is precisely what it feels like — how laborious or delicate is the mattress topper? Does it noticeably alter how agency or delicate your mattress is?
All through the mattress business, firmness is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. Although firmness is essentially subjective — how agency one thing feels to chances are you’ll differ for another person relying on physique weight and sort, private choice, sleeping place, and so on. — our staff also can take a look at firmness objectively utilizing CNET’s proprietary Mattress Smasher 9000 system.
Along with testing firmness by having a number of sleep specialists lie on the toppers in every sleeping place, we utilized the smasher. Utilizing the identical mattress beneath as a management variable, we “smashed” every mattress topper to see if they really altered the firmness of the mattress in a technique or one other primarily based on the supplies and supposed goal.
Our Mattress Smasher 9000 “smashes” the Helix GlacioTex Topper to check its firmness.
For instance, utilizing the Saatva Luxurious Hybrid mattress as a management (which has a firmness ranking of seven.2 out of 10), we smashed the luxurious plush model of the Helix GlacioTex Premium Topper. It lowered the firmness to a median of 4.5 out of 10, that means the mattress went from medium-firm to only under medium — exactly the purpose of this plush topper.
Really feel
The texture can be what it feels like — how does the mattress topper really feel whenever you lie on it? Does it alter the texture of your mattress? Is it plush and cushioning? Responsive and springy? Do you slowly sink into its layers? We do our greatest to investigate and describe what mendacity on the mattress topper in every sleeping place seems like. The texture is primarily decided by what they’re manufactured from — together with the kind of mattress you’ve beneath it.
Getting a really feel for the latex foam within the Brooklyn Bedding 3″ Latex Topper.
Building
A mattress topper that adjusts the texture of your mattress may additionally change sure traits that we take a look at in mattresses, corresponding to edge assist and movement isolation. Relying on the development and supplies, some mattress toppers can improve or worsen the sting assist, which is how sturdy the perimeter of your mattress is. It may additionally improve or worsen the movement isolation, which is how properly the mattress or topper deadens motion all through the floor. We take a look at these components as we might with every other mattress to supply an overarching clarification of how every mattress topper could carry out.
When assessing every mattress topper, we observe its thickness and total development. Many toppers are easy slabs of froth, although some supply a mix of supplies that make it higher for some sleepers. For instance, the Helix GlacioTex Topper has a layer of micro-coils — a reasonably neat function for a mattress topper that may improve assist and sturdiness.
We additionally observe any further encompasses a topper could have, like cooling know-how or straps that safe it to the mattress. If a model claims its mattress topper has cooling know-how, we look at how true that’s and whether or not it helps you sleep actively cool or just temperature-neutral.
When doable, we open the mattress toppers to look at the development and supplies.
Guarantee and trial info
Warranties and trial intervals are normal within the on-line mattress business — nearly each model will supply them since you often cannot take a look at a bed-in-a-box mattress earlier than buying it. Whereas this largely applies to mattress toppers, some manufacturers don’t supply a trial interval or guarantee, and that is price factoring into your choice. All of those particulars are included for every topper on this record.
What to contemplate when searching for a mattress topper
Mattress toppers fluctuate considerably in value and high quality, and the right topper for additionally, you will rely in your private preferences, together with sleeping place, well being wants and the present situation of your mattress. To make sure you’re getting one of the best bang to your buck, hold these key elements in thoughts whereas searching on-line:
- Materials: What the topper is manufactured from largely determines the way it feels. In case you dislike feeling engulfed in dense reminiscence foam, take into account a topper with a blended or impartial foam really feel or pillow high as a substitute. Moreover, if environmental sustainability is essential to you, you may need to prioritize one with natural supplies corresponding to Birch, PlushBeds or Avocado.
- Thickness and firmness: The kind and thickness of the mattress topper’s supplies will decide how delicate or agency it’s. Understanding what final result you need from the topper will provide help to slim down the thickness and firmness you need to select.
- Further options: Some toppers have further options like cooling know-how, which is a good attribute to search for when you commonly get up drenched in sweat. Whereas not all cooling mattress toppers will actively cool you, many are breathable and permit airflow to assist regulate your physique temperature.
In case you are likely to toss and switch at evening or sleep close to the sting of your mattress, you may need to be sure your mattress topper is securely hooked up and will not shift as you do. Many manufacturers handle this by including straps within the corners, grippy backings or a skirt in order that the topper wraps across the mattress like a sheet.
- Well being situations: You probably have power again or joint ache otherwise you’re sagging uncomfortably into your outdated mattress, take into account a medium-firm topper that may supply loads of assist to your backbone — some toppers, just like the Dosaze DreamAlign, have zoned assist and focused strain reduction. On the flip facet, in case your mattress is just too agency and also you want one thing softer and extra cushioning round your hips and shoulders, take into account a delicate to medium-soft topper that is thicker (3 to 4 inches) to permit you to sink into the layers.
You probably have aches, pains or soreness from sleeping on a saggy outdated mattress, it is most likely time to improve your mattress. A topper is usually a nice momentary resolution, however typically a brand-new mattress is your best option — relying in your scenario and well being wants.
We observe all of the toppers’ options, together with whether or not they have straps or a grippy bottom (just like the Birch Plush Natural Topper proven right here).
What are the various kinds of toppers?
Like mattresses, toppers are available quite a few forms of supplies. A number of the commonest embody:
Reminiscence foam
Reminiscence foam is constructed from polyurethane and added chemical compounds that improve its density and temperature sensitivity. It supplies strain reduction as the froth warms up out of your physique warmth, permitting you to sink into the layers. It’s a very good choice for these in search of cushioning and contouring round their curves. Reminiscence foam isolates movement properly, so that you should not really feel your companion shifting round as a lot when you share the mattress — however it may make it tougher to change positions as chances are you’ll really feel extra “caught” within the foam.
Reminiscence foam isn’t as breathable or ethereal as different forms of foam, which might make you sleep hotter because the supplies conform round your physique and retain warmth. To fight this problem, many manufacturers supply gel-infused reminiscence foam mattress toppers to assist dissipate your physique warmth.
Try: Tempur-Adapt Topper
Latex
Latex toppers are bouncier and customarily firmer than reminiscence foam, springing again into form faster and making it simpler to change positions. They are a good choice for individuals who need added strain reduction however do not just like the sinking, conforming feeling of reminiscence foam. The perforations inside latex foam additionally improve airflow, serving to it sleep a bit cooler. Pure latex foam can be hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, which is nice information for these with allergens or sensitivities.
Try: Saatva Pure Latex Mattress Topper
Feather or down
Toppers with down (the undercoat of birds) or feathers (outer hen feathers) are delicate and fluffy, often encased in a cotton cowl. You’ll be able to alter the quantity of filling so as to add roughly assist, they usually sometimes require common fluffing to maintain their form, as they will compress and flatten over time. The airflow between feathers makes down and feather mattress toppers gentle and breathable, so that you should not overheat.
Try: Quince Luxe Downtop Featherbed Mattress Topper
Wool
Wool mattress toppers are natural and naturally breathable, serving to to wick away moisture when you sleep. They’re typically not very thick, so they will not present a ton of strain reduction or assist in comparison with different forms of toppers.
Try: PlushBeds Pure Wool Mattress Topper
Artificial or polyester blends
Artificial or polyester mattress toppers are simpler on the pockets however supply the least quantity of assist or cushioning. A mattress topper with a polyester mix feels much like feathers or down, which may very well be a good selection if you would like a feather topper however have allergy symptoms. Nevertheless, remember the fact that artificial manufacturing includes chemical compounds. Polyester toppers additionally are likely to compress extra over time.
Try: Amazon CoonP Mattress Topper
Sure, a mattress topper may help enhance your sleep setup. Relying in your private wants, the suitable mattress topper may help make your mattress really feel firmer or softer or add further assist and cushioning to your backbone and joints. It may enhance your total sleep high quality by resolving points together with your present mattress that will have been inflicting discomfort or holding you awake.
It may additionally alter the texture of your mattress if wanted — for instance, when you notice you do not like the texture of dense reminiscence foam after buying a reminiscence foam mattress, a latex topper can add a bit extra bounce and responsiveness (and vice versa).
The most typical cause for purchasing a mattress topper is to make your mattress extra snug. It is less expensive than shopping for a completely new mattress and may lengthen the lifespan of your present mattress by defending it from put on and tear or sagging. One more reason is to change the texture of your mattress — whether or not you need it to really feel extra cushioning and pressure-relieving with a luxurious topper or firmer and extra responsive with a latex one. Cooling mattress toppers may help regulate your physique temperature and stop you from overheating at evening when you’re a chronically sizzling sleeper.
The principle distinction is that toppers are sometimes supposed to alter the firmness or really feel of your present mattress, whereas mattress pads are designed to guard the mattress from stains and spills.
Mattress pads are thinner than toppers (starting from 1 / 4 to 2 inches thick) and will not change your mattress’s firmness degree. They will barely alter the texture of your mattress by including a bit of additional plushness or cushioning, however often not sufficient to note a major distinction.
You will probably need to go for a mattress topper that’s no less than two inches thick, nevertheless it will depend on private elements corresponding to your sleeping place and magnificence, physique weight and the situation of your mattress.
Typically, lighter people will not want as thick of a mattress topper for it to make a distinction, whereas heavier people might have a barely thicker one for extra assist. In case you’re a facet sleeper, a thicker mattress topper can add extra strain reduction and cushioning to your shoulders and hips. On the flip facet, a thinner mattress topper ought to be enough for again and abdomen sleepers — however remember the fact that all of it will depend on the firmness, really feel and situation of your present mattress.
In case your mattress is fairly outdated, worn out or sagging, you may desire a thicker mattress topper that is no less than three to 4 inches tall.
It is a good suggestion to issue within the depth of your mattress topper when deciding sheet sizes. Have in mind, you may desire a deeper sheet measurement to suit it correctly.
Mattress toppers do not typically should be flipped, however rotating them each few months is a good suggestion.
