A mattress topper can change the texture or firmness of your mattress whereas extending its lifespan. If you desire a softer, extra contouring floor with out splurging on a brand new mattress, a topper is the answer. Whether you like reminiscence foam, latex, wool, or down — toppers add consolation, safety and may improve sleep high quality.CNET’s sleep consultants — with years of mattress testing expertise — know which mattress toppers are price splurging on. Here are their high picks for aspect sleepers, funds consumers, sizzling sleepers and eco-conscious consumers. Prices are for queen-size toppers, and this checklist is commonly up to date—so examine again typically!Read extra: Sleep Isn’t Cheap, however You Can Keep Costs Under Control A handful of the toppers we have examined are stacked collectively in our mattress testing facility. Aly Lopez/CNETBest general mattress topperWe selected Nest Bedding’s Cooling Topper as one of the best general, because of its impartial really feel and responsive, breathable foam. It gives a cushty mixture of assist and strain reduction. Despite its title, this mattress topper will not be 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.Best mattress toppers for 2025 Dillon Lopez/CNET The Nest Bedding Cooling Topper is an accommodating mattress topper that gives assist and cushioning with out drastically altering the texture or firmness of your mattress. It has a impartial really feel because of Nest’s Energex Temperature Responsive Foam, which is extra responsive and breathable than conventional reminiscence foam.Though it is Nest’s Cooling Topper, we would not take into account it overly cooling — however to be honest, most mattresses and toppers should not truly cooling until they characteristic particular cooling expertise. 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, which 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. Without the topper, the mattress firmness degree is 7.2. With the topper on the mattress, the smasher supplied a median firmness degree of 6.7, making the texture barely softer however not considerably. Overall, it is a gentle, cozy topper with a easy design providing a pleasing middle-of-the-road sensation.Runner-up: The Nolah Mattress Topper is a sturdy topper with plush and luxurious agency choices (we would advocate plush for aspect 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 “stuck” feeling. Pros:Comfortable and accommodating impartial feelProvides strain reduction and supportSimple design with breathable materialsStraps in every nook for securing to the mattressCons:Not actively cooling (regardless of the title)Spot clear solelyAdditional particulars:Thickness: 2 inchesFirmness: MediumGuarantee: 10-year guarantee Trial: 30 nights My Slumber Yard Check out the Layla Memory 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.Though the copper gel beads inside this topper work to drag your physique warmth away, our staff would not discover it overly cooling; nonetheless, it’s going to show you how to sleep temperature-neutral. If you are a particularly sizzling sleeper who wants further cooling expertise that can assist you relax at evening, take a look at our checklist of the Best Cooling Mattress Toppers.Adding the two” thick Layla Memory Foam Topper will soften your mattress by one to two points on the firmness scale — for example, a mattress with a firmness rating of 7 will be softened to somewhere between 5 and 6. This is particularly great for side sleepers wanting extra cushion and pressure relief around the shoulders and hips or for those currently sleeping on a mattress that’s simply way too firm.Runner-up: If you’re a side sleeper looking for something ultra plush and fluffy (that’s not foam), consider Saatva’s Down Alternative Featherbed Mattress Topper. It’s filled with hypoallergenic down and lyocell fiber and is soft enough to make it feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud.Pros: Airy neutral foam feelCopper-infused gel for coolingSoft and cushioning for side sleepersStraps for securing to the bedCons:Might be too soft for strict back or stomach sleepersNot the most coolingAdditional details:Thickness: 2 inchesFirmness: Medium-softWarranty: 5-year warranty Trial: 30 nights Dillon Lopez/CNET Hot sleepers, check out the Helix GlacioTex Premium Topper. It’s one of the coolest toppers we’ve tested — literally. The GlacioTex fabric is slick and genuinely cool to the touch, which is ideal if you’re looking to prevent overheating at night. It has two firmness options, so you can choose the best one based on your sleeping position and preference. Its unique hybrid design with steel micro-coils and high-density foams makes it one of the most durable and supportive toppers we’ve tested — and a particularly great option for heavier individuals and couples. At 3.75 inches thick, it’s a durable and luxurious mattress topper made with high-quality materials that will last.The combination of foam and coils creates a dense memory foam sensation that will likely drastically alter the firmness and feel of your mattress. We tested the plush and luxury firm mattress toppers with our Mattress Smasher 9000. The plush topper changed the firmness of the mattress from 7.2 to 4.4 out of 10 — taking the medium-firm bed to medium-soft to medium. We recommend the plush version if you’re a side sleeper or your mattress is too firm and you want more pressure relief.The luxury firm model felt pretty firm when I first laid down, but as my body heat warmed the foams, I began to sink in and feel the supportive contouring. As expected, the luxury firm GlacioTex Premium Topper did not impact the bed’s firmness level as much as the plush, bringing it down slightly from 7.2 to 6 out of 10. We recommend this model if you want a little more support and durability.Runner-up: The Saatva Cooling Graphite Mattress Topper is 3 inches thick and has memory foam infused with graphite, which draws your body heat away to help you sleep cooler. It has a medium to medium-firm profile, making it great for all sleeping positions.Pros:Two firmness optionsActively coolingDurable hybrid designHas straps for securing to the bedCertiPur-US and GreenGuard Gold certifiedCons:Heavy (weighs almost 24 pounds)ExpensiveAdditional details: Thickness: 3.75 inchesFirmness: Firm or softWarranty: 1-year limited warranty Trial: 100 nights Caroline Igo/CNET “I added a Linenspa mattress topper to my mattress in school, and it made an enormous distinction to its really feel. My school 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 remains to be in nice form and lives on my visitor mattress. For the value and high quality, it’s onerous to beat this topper,” explains Caroline Igo, CNET sleep editor. The memory foam forms around and cradles your curves as your body heats the foam. Despite having gel infused in its materials, it does sleep on the warmer side, as most memory foams do. “Do observe that it does warmth up at evening. I’m a sizzling sleeper, and I typically [when I would sleep on it, I don’t anymore] get up sweating through the summer time because it absorbs a lot of my physique warmth,” Caroline says.The Linenspa Memory Foam Topper is available in 2- and 3-inch height options. We recommend going with the 3-inch profile if you’re heavier or looking for extra plushness. A queen-size 2-inch topper retails for $60, making it one of the cheapest mattress toppers we’ve tested. It’s an excellent, affordable option for adding comfort and contouring plushness to your guest bed, dorm room mattress or awkward pullout couch mattress.Runner-up: The Amazon Basics Quen Mattress Topper is a 2-invh gel-infused topper with CertiPur-US Certified foams. It comes in memory foam or polyester latex options, both of which provide cooling comfort and pressure relief — though memory foam tends to sleep warmer than latex as you sink into it. Priced at $40 for a queen size, it’s a steal of a deal. Pros:Great price for the qualityTwo height optionsProvides pressure relief for hips and shouldersCertiPur Certifed foamsCons:No straps for attaching to the mattressNot actively cooling Not for those who don’t like the feel of memory foamAdditional details: Thickness: 2 or 3 inchesFirmness: MediumWarranty: 3-year warranty Trial: 30 nights Dillon Lopez/CNET Avocado is one of the most sustainable mattress brands on the market, and its toppers are some of the most eco-friendly we’ve tested. The Eco Organic Mattress Topper (my personal favorite) is available in 2-inch and 3-inch thickness options, and you can choose from organic Dunlop latex or pure Talalay latex — the latter of which is vegan-certified. We tested the 2-inch Dunlop latex topper, which has a medium firmness level. It adds a luxurious layer of comfort and support to your bed and may slightly alter the firmness of your mattress depending on what you sleep on (it didn’t change the overall firmness of the mattress when we tested the topper with our Mattress Smasher 9000, keeping the firmness level at 7.2). It offers a responsive pillow-top feel that will help relieve pressure around your joints and provide additional support for healthy spinal alignment.If you want a much softer feel, we recommend the 3-inch plush model, which offers added contouring and plushness, which we’d recommend for side and combination sleepers. Both types of latex foam naturally sleep cooler than dense memory foam, as their open-cell structure provides increased breathability and airflow. The Eco Organic toppers have an earthy yet luxurious look and feel and are topped with a GOTS-certified organic cotton cover. It’s ideal for those wanting to add a responsive, eco-friendly and hypoallergenic layer of comfort to their mattress.Runner-up: The Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper is a little firmer than the Avocado Eco Organic Topper. This 2-inch topper features all-natural, GOLS- and GreenGuard Gold-certified materials, with a soft cotton cover and grippy backing to help keep it in place on your bed.Pros:Eco-friendly and sustainably sourcedThickness and feel optionsLatex is more breathable than memory foamCons:Expensive; additional charge for 3-inch and plush optionsNo straps for securing to the mattressAdditional details: Thickness: 2 or 3 inchesFirmness: Medium or softWarranty: 1-year warranty Trial: 100 nights Dillon Lopez/CNET Brooklyn Bedding’s 3″ Latex Topper is obtainable in gentle, medium or agency consolation ranges, so it may possibly work for any sleeping place and physique kind. When 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 5.7 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 general responsive and bouncy really feel. It contours properly round your strain factors but is buoyant sufficient to simply change positions with out feeling “stuck” within the foam. The design is straightforward: a 3-inch layer of 100% latex foam surrounded by a detachable natural cotton cowl. You can take away and wash the duvet, however be warned that placing it again on afterward might be tough.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 facility in Arizona for an inside take a look at how Brooklyn Bedding’s mattresses and toppers are manufactured. Learn extra about how the foams are made and why it issues.Runner-up: With its open-cell construction, the PlushBeds Natural Talalay Latex Topper may help you sleep cool by permitting your physique warmth to disperse. The GOLS-certified latex is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, out there in 2-inch and 3-inch thickness choices and 5 completely different firmness ranges.Pros:Three firmness optionsHypoallergenic and breathable materialsDurable and responsiveCotton cowl is machine washableCons:No straps to carry it in place on the mattressExpensiveAdditional particulars: Thickness: 3 inchesFirmness: Soft, medium or firmWarranty: 3-year guaranteeTrial: 30 nights Dillon Lopez/CNET The Brooklinen Down Alternative Mattress Topper is a good choice in case you’re searching for a lightweight and fluffy topper that capabilities extra like a mattress pad or protector. Rather than having straps across the corners, this topper suits round your mattress like a sheet. It’s thinner than the opposite toppers on this checklist, which means it will not drastically alter the texture or firmness of your mattress. However, it does add a skinny layer of softness and safety.The dimensions are massive sufficient to suit mattresses as much as 18 inches tall, however remember that this implies it will not match tightly round a mattress that is round 15 inches thick or much less. The Brooklinen Down Alternative topper is tufted so the microgel fill stays evenly distributed, and it is wrapped in a clean, sturdy cotton casing. This topper can also 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 in opposition to spills and stains, serving to to maintain your mattress cleaner for longer.Runner-up: The 3″ GhostBed Memory Foam Topper has a waterproof cover that wraps around your mattress like a sheet, functioning like a protector. Its cooling gel memory foam provides relief for hot sleepers while providing zoned support for cushioning and support where your body needs it the most. Pros:Machine washableProtective against spills and stainsLight and fluffy feelCons:Not very thickWon’t provide a ton of support or pressure reliefAdditional details: Thickness: 1 inchFirmness: SoftWarranty: 2-year warrantyTrial: 365 nights How we test mattress toppersCNET’s team of sleep experts has been testing mattresses, sleep accessories and bedding for years. We’ve developed standardized methods of assessing and thoroughly analyzing each product we test, whether beds, sheets, pillows, sleep masks or headphones. Our extensive roster of testing and reviewing experience allows us to compare and contrast mattress toppers — especially when factoring in how familiar we are with the feel of mattresses without them.Firmness Firmness is exactly what it sounds like — how hard or soft is the mattress topper? Does it noticeably alter how firm or soft your mattress is?Throughout the mattress industry, firmness is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. Though firmness is largely subjective — how firm something feels to you may differ for someone else depending on body weight and type, personal preference, sleeping position, etc. — our team can also test firmness objectively using CNET’s proprietary Mattress Smasher 9000 device.In addition to testing firmness by having multiple sleep experts lie on the toppers in each sleeping position, we utilized the smasher. Using the same mattress underneath as a control variable, we “smashed” each mattress topper to see if they truly altered the firmness of the mattress in one way or another based on the materials and intended purpose. Our Mattress Smasher 9000 “smashes” the Helix GlacioTex Topper to test its firmness. Aly Lopez/CNETFor example, using the Saatva Luxury Hybrid mattress as a control (which has a firmness rating of 7.2 out of 10), we smashed the luxury plush version of the Helix GlacioTex Premium Topper. It reduced the firmness to an average of 4.5 out of 10, meaning the bed went from medium-firm to just below medium — precisely the goal of this plush topper. FeelThe feel is also what it sounds like — how does the mattress topper feel when you lie on it? Does it alter the feel of your mattress? Is it plush and cushioning? Responsive and springy? Do you slowly sink into its layers? We do our best to analyze and describe what lying on the mattress topper in each sleeping position feels like. The feel is primarily determined by what they’re made of — in combination with the type of mattress you have underneath it. Getting a feel for the latex foam in the Brooklyn Bedding 3″ Latex Topper. Dillon Lopez/CNETConstructionA mattress topper that adjusts the texture of your mattress can also change sure traits that we take a look at in mattresses, equivalent to edge assist and movement isolation. Depending 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 might additionally improve or worsen the movement isolation, which is how nicely the mattress or topper deadens motion all through the floor. We take a look at these parts as we might with every other mattress to offer an overarching rationalization of how every mattress topper could carry out. When assessing every mattress topper, we observe its thickness and general building. Many toppers are easy slabs of froth, although some provide a mixture of supplies that make it higher for some sleepers. For instance, the Helix GlacioTex Topper has a layer of micro-coils — a fairly neat characteristic for a mattress topper that can improve assist and sturdiness. We additionally observe any further includes a topper could have, like cooling expertise or straps that safe it to the mattress. If a model claims its mattress topper has cooling expertise, we study how true that’s and whether or not it helps you sleep actively cool or just temperature-neutral. When attainable, we open the mattress toppers to look at the development and supplies. Dillon Lopez/CNETWarranty and trial informationWarranties and trial durations are customary within the on-line mattress business — nearly each model will provide them since you often cannot take a look at a bed-in-a-box mattress earlier than buying it. While this principally applies to mattress toppers, some manufacturers don’t provide a trial interval or guarantee, and that is price factoring into your resolution. All of those particulars are included for every topper on this checklist.What to contemplate when purchasing for a mattress topperMattress 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 components in thoughts whereas looking on-line:Material: What the topper is product of largely determines the way it feels. If 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 an alternative. Additionally, if environmental sustainability is essential to you, you may need to prioritize one with natural supplies equivalent to Birch, PlushBeds or Avocado.Thickness and firmness: The kind and thickness of the mattress topper’s supplies will decide how gentle or agency it’s. Knowing what consequence you need from the topper will show you how to slender down the thickness and firmness you need to select.Additional options: Some toppers have further options like cooling expertise, which is a good attribute to search for in case you commonly get up drenched in sweat. While not all cooling mattress toppers will actively cool you, many are breathable and permit airflow to assist regulate your physique temperature. If you are inclined to toss and switch at evening or sleep close to the sting of your mattress, you may need to ensure your mattress topper is securely connected and will not shift as you do. Many manufacturers deal with this by including straps within the corners, grippy backings or a skirt in order that the topper wraps across the mattress like a sheet.Health circumstances: If you’ve power again or joint ache otherwise you’re sagging uncomfortably into your outdated mattress, take into account a medium-firm topper that can provide loads of assist to your backbone — some toppers, just like the Dosaze DreamAlign, have zoned assist and focused strain reduction. On the flip aspect, 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 gentle to medium-soft topper that is thicker (3 to 4 inches) to assist you to sink into the layers.If you’ve aches, pains or soreness from sleeping on a saggy outdated mattress, it is in all probability time to improve your mattress. A topper generally is a nice short-term answer, 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 Organic Topper proven right here). Dillon Lopez/CNETWhat are the several types of toppers? Like mattresses, toppers are available quite a few sorts of supplies. Some of the commonest embrace:Memory foamMemory foam is made out of polyurethane and added chemical compounds that improve its density and temperature sensitivity. It gives strain reduction as the froth warms up out of your physique warmth, permitting you to sink into the layers. It’s an excellent choice for these searching for cushioning and contouring round their curves. Memory foam isolates movement nicely, so that you should not really feel your companion transferring round as a lot in case you share the mattress — however it may possibly make it tougher to change positions as chances are you’ll really feel extra “stuck” within the foam. Memory foam will not be as breathable or ethereal as different sorts of foam, which might make you sleep hotter because the supplies conform round your physique and retain warmth. To fight this concern, many manufacturers provide gel-infused reminiscence foam mattress toppers to assist dissipate your physique warmth.Check out: Tempur-Adapt TopperLatexLatex toppers are bouncier and usually firmer than reminiscence foam, springing again into form faster and making it simpler to change positions. They’re an excellent choice for many 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 somewhat cooler. Natural latex foam can also be hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, which is nice information for these with allergens or sensitivities.Check out: Saatva Natural Latex Mattress TopperFeather or downToppers with down (the undercoat of birds) or feathers (outer chicken feathers) are gentle and fluffy, often encased in a cotton cowl. You can alter the quantity of filling so as to add kind of 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 mild and breathable, so that you should not overheat.Check out: Quince Premium Down Featherbed Mattress TopperWoolWool mattress toppers are natural and naturally breathable, serving to to wick away moisture when you sleep. They’re usually not very thick, so they will not present a ton of strain reduction or assist in comparison with different sorts of toppers.Check out: PlushBeds Natural Wool Mattress TopperArtificial or polyester blendsSynthetic or polyester mattress toppers are simpler on the pockets however provide the least quantity of assist or cushioning. A mattress topper with a polyester mix feels much like feathers or down, which could possibly be a good selection if you would like a feather topper however have allergic reactions. However, remember that artificial manufacturing entails chemical compounds. Polyester toppers additionally are inclined to compress extra over time. Check out: Amazon CoonP Mattress Topper Yes, a mattress topper may help enhance your sleep setup. Depending in your private wants, the precise mattress topper may help make your mattress really feel firmer or softer or add further assist and cushioning to your backbone and joints. It can enhance your general sleep high quality by resolving points together with your present mattress which will have been inflicting discomfort or conserving you awake. It may alter the texture of your mattress if wanted — for instance, in case 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 purpose for getting a mattress topper is to make your mattress extra snug. It’s less expensive than shopping for a completely new mattress and may prolong the lifespan of your present mattress by defending it from put on and tear or sagging. Another purpose is to change the texture of your mattress — whether or not you need it to really feel extra cushioning and pressure-relieving with an opulent 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 in case you’re a chronically sizzling sleeper. The fundamental distinction is that toppers are sometimes meant 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 can 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’ll probably need to go for a mattress topper that’s at the very least two inches thick, nevertheless it is determined by private components equivalent to your sleeping place and elegance, physique weight and the situation of your mattress.In common, 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. If you are a aspect sleeper, a thicker mattress topper can add extra strain reduction and cushioning to your shoulders and hips. On the flip aspect, a thinner mattress topper must be adequate for again and abdomen sleepers — however remember that all of it is determined by the firmness, really feel and situation of your present mattress. If your mattress is fairly outdated, worn out or sagging, you may desire a thicker mattress topper that is at the very least three to 4 inches tall. It’s a good suggestion to issue within the depth of your mattress topper when deciding sheet sizes. Keep in thoughts, you may desire a deeper sheet measurement to suit it correctly. Mattress toppers do not usually should be flipped, however rotating them each few months is a good suggestion.
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