The 11 Best Mattress Toppers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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People / Dera Burreson
A mattress is an important investment. If your mattress isn’t comfortable, it will affect how you sleep and in turn how you feel when you’re awake. But a full-blown mattress upgrade isn’t realistic for everyone — whether you want to buy a new mattress and can’t afford it or just want to prolong the life of the mattress you already have, what you can do instead is purchase a mattress pad or topper to improve the feel of your existing mattress without spending too much money.
What’s the difference between a mattress pad and a mattress topper?
While mattress toppers and pads are slightly different in what they do (jump to the FAQ section for more on this), they’re both great investments for your bed. They can give you added support, help your mattress stay cool, and add a layer of protection from inevitable wear and tear. Mattress toppers are typically thicker, more expensive, and designed to sit on top of your mattress to make it softer or cover up any lumps or firmness. Mattress pads are thinner, wrap around your mattress like a fitted sheet, and act as a sort of protective layer for your mattress from things like spills and general wear and tear. Which one is right for you is largely dependent on your own situation — if you want added support, a mattress topper is most likely what you’re looking for. If you want to simply protect your already comfortable mattress and prolong its lifespan, a mattress pad is just what you need.
While mattress toppers aren’t as expensive as a whole new mattress, they certainly aren’t cheap. We tested the highest ranked mattress toppers out there, scoring them on value, softness, and quality. Your bedroom should be the place where you can unwind and recharge, so keep reading to find the latest edition to your bed setup that will help you sleep better (and feel better as a result).
Best Overall : Casper Comfy Mattress Topper
Pros
Buoyant and supportive, this mattress topper returns right back to its original shape when you get up.
There’s a plastic-like fabric on the bottom that acts as a waterproof protective layer.
Stays in place nicely under your sheets so you don’t have to worry about it shifting when you’re sleeping.
Cons
It’s cumbersome, so you will need someone’s help if you want to move or clean it.
This mattress topper by Casper won our vote for Best Overall because it was so comfortable in every sleeping position. Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, it does a great job of towing the line between plush and supportive. It also feels very high quality — it always forms back into its original shape when you get up from the bed. Another detail we appreciated was the plastic-like fabric on the bottom that serves as a protective waterproof layer for your mattress. This, combined with a mattress pad would not only keep you comfortable, but also prolong the life of your mattress. Because it is so dense, it also stays in place under your sheets so that you don’t have to worry about unmaking your bed to adjust its positioning.
With that being said, the density of it does make it difficult to handle. If you want to move it or clean it, you’ll probably need help maneuvering it. It’s also fairly pricey and more of an investment. But if you have a partner that prefers a different feel of their mattress than you, or if you want a generally comfortable topper, you can’t go wrong here.
Price at time of publish: $299.00
Material: 65% Perforated Fabric, 21% Polyester, 10% Recycled Cotton, 2% Rayon, 2% Spandex | Height: 3 in. | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Best Overall (Less Expensive): ViscoSoft Serene Hybrid Mattress Topper
Pros
This mattress topper is plush and cushiony so you feel completely surrounded and supported when lying down.
The Visco-elastic foam almost has a sticky feel so that it stays in place on your mattress.
Although it’s made of dense foam, it doesn’t absorb a lot of heat.
Cons
Due to the stickiness of the mattress topper, it did shed quite a bit of foam onto the mattress when removed.
If the Casper mattress topper sounds like what you’re looking for but you don’t want to spend quite that much, this one by Visco is another one we loved. It’s a bit softer than the Casper — we were impressed by its plushness and how you feel completely surrounded and supported when you lay on it. This is about as good as it gets when it comes to memory foam — it feels like you’re laying on a cloud! Even though memory foam is fairly dense and you may expect it to lead to overheating, this one is surprisingly good at helping you regulate your temperature, so it’s a safe bet for those of you that sleep hot. But full transparency: the foam has an almost sticky feel to it. The upside of this is that it doesn’t shift at all on the bed, but the downside is that the foam shed quite a bit and stuck to the mattress when we took it off. If you did ever want to part from this mattress topper in the future, it would leave behind snow-like residue that would be a pain to clean up. It's over $100 cheaper than the Casper though, so if you’re looking to save money, this is a great alternative.
Price at time of publish: $179.95
Material: Memory Foam | Height: 4 in. | Sizes: Queen, Short Queen
Best Gel: Amazon Basics Cooling Gel-Infused Firm Support Mattress Topper
Pros
The gel material has a firmer feel, which is ideal for side and back sleepers.
It does a great job of staying in place, even when you toss and turn.
The quality and support you get are impressive for the $100 price tag.
Cons
It wasn’t as cooling as we’d expect from a gel mattress topper.
It is a bit heavier and thick than we were expecting, so you’ll need to make sure your sheets’ pocket size can fit it.
Gel mattress toppers are ideal for people who need extra support in their back and joints, and this one from Amazon Basics surprised us with its quality, especially considering the fact that it’s under $100. This would be a great fit for side and back sleepers as well because of its firmer feel. The gel material provides a level of friction with the mattress that keeps it in place, so you don’t have to worry about it shifting under your sheets at night.
One thing that disappointed us was that it didn’t do a great job staying cool, which is something you’d expect from a gel mattress topper. But on the contrary, we noticed that it absorbed quite a bit of body heat. Also, it was thicker and heavier than you may expect, so be sure and confirm your sheets’ pocket depth before you order to make sure they’ll fit. However, if your main priority is added support, this is a great deal.
Price at time of publish: $97.88
Material: Polyurethane Foam | Height: 4 in. | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Queen, Full, King, California king
Best Waterproof: GhostBed Memory Foam Topper
Pros
We felt supported and cradled thanks to this mattress topper’s plush and soft feel.
It doesn’t flatten out and maintains its shape when you change positions or get up from the bed.
During water pour tests, it did a great job of evenly distributing and absorbing water so it never made it to the mattress.
Cons
To fully clean it, it has to be dry cleaned, which is inconvenient and an added expense.
If you want something protective and comfortable, you’ll love this mattress topper by GhostBed. We were absolutely amazed at how comfortable it was — it completely transformed the mattress we laid on! Although not remarkably voluminous, it is incredibly soft and plush so that you feel supported and cradled. It never flattens out, either — if you change positions or sides, or get up from the bed, it snaps right back to its original position. But the real reason we loved it was for its waterproof qualities. It has a layer of waterproof backing on the bottom that kept any moisture from our spill tests from making it to the mattress.
You should keep in mind that, although you can spot-clean as needed, it will need to be taken to the dry cleaner for a real deep cleaning. This is inconvenient, especially if you want to keep it for the longterm and have to inevitably do some maintenance on it. However, it feels high quality and plush, and the waterproof feature would be great if you have kids or just want to take extra good care of your mattress.
Price at time of publish: $229.99
Material: Memory Foam | Height: 3 in. | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Queen, Full, King, California King
Best Budget : Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Pros
The overall feel is exceptionally soft and plush, which is a plus if you're a stomach sleeper.
Feels stable on top of a mattress and won’t shift if you move around a lot at night.
Memory foam material is nice and breathable, which is great for hot sleepers.
Cons
It’s on the softer side, so this one isn’t ideal for side sleepers or people who need extra support.
If your mattress isn’t very comfortable and you want something affordable that will give it an extra boost, you’ll love this one by Linenspa. We were so impressed at how soft and plush it was considering the $60 price tag. It’s made of memory foam and infused with gel, which allows you to really feel like you’re sinking into it when you’re laying down. This would be a great topper for stomach sleepers or people that don’t like how firm their mattress is. The memory foam is also fairly breathable, and although it isn’t marketed as having cooling properties, we noticed that it stayed cool all night long, which is essential for anyone that overheats at night. Throughout all of our testing, it created a level of friction with the mattress that prevented it from slipping or sliding, and it stayed nice and secure the entire time so we didn’t have to adjust it at all.
If you are a side sleeper or need a little extra support, this topper is not for you. Like we said, it’s very plush, and has the kind of foamy feel that you’ll sink into, which is best suited for stomach sleepers. But for those working with a tight budget and who like a softer bed, it’s a great choice.
Price at time of publish: $59.99
Material: Memory Foam | Height: 2”, 3” | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Small Single Short Queen, Queen, Full/Full XL, King, California King
Related: The 12 Best Comforters of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Supportive: Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Pros
Maintains volume even after consistently laying on it in the same position.
In spite of its layered components, it stays in place on the bed under your sheets.
The combination of the down alternative and gel core make this ideal for a variety of sleepers.
Cons
There’s a deep ridge where the gel memory foam base meets the poly-fill top, which could be uncomfortable if you sleep closer to the edge of the bed.
We were very impressed by this topper because of how many features it has — the first layer is made of 2-inch down alternative (100 percent cotton and machine-washable) and the bottom is made of 2-inch gel memory foam, which combines two very different types of mattress toppers into one. It manages to have both a firm and plush feel which is ideal for all sleepers, whether you prefer soft or firm mattresses. It won our vote for "Best Supportive" because the gel memory foam does a great job of keeping you supported while the down alternative lets you feel almost cradled by its softness. It truly is a win-win, and would be a perfect purchase for anyone who perhaps differs in sleeping preference with their partner. Although it has multiple layered components, it stays secure on top of the mattress and maintains its cloud-like feel no matter how long you lay on it.
The one thing we didn’t love about this mattress topper was the ridge at the edge of the mattress where the gel memory foam base and poly-fill meet. If you sleep closer to the edge of the bed, you’ll definitely feel this and it could be irritating after a while. We wish the poly-fill covered the entirety of the surface, but all in all, we find that it’s still worth the price point because of its high-quality material.
Price at time of publish: $159.99
Material: Memory Foam/Alternative Down Fill | Height: 4” | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Best Cooling: Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper
Pros
Molds to your body when you lay on it and provides support in all the right places.
It’s made of heat-neutral latex foam that will keep you cool all night long.
Although it’s dense, it firms right back up to its original shape when you get up.
Cons
It’s very heavy and cumbersome, so you’ll need someone to help you put it on or move it if you want to rearrange your furniture.
One key component of good quality sleep is making sure you’re in a nice and cool environment. If you’re prone to overheating, you may find that your mattress is an absolute hotbed (literally) as soon as you lay on it. Getting a cooling mattress topper can certainly help, but many on the market claim to have “cooling” technology that doesn’t even work. This one from Sleep On was our favorite cooling mattress topper because it’s made of latex foam that’s designed to be heat-neutral. We were very impressed at how well it kept cool — even when you’re laying in one spot for a long period of time, as soon as you pull away, you won’t be able to feel a major difference in temperature from one side to the other.
It also has a level of softness and comfort we wouldn’t typically expect from latex — it immediately adjusts to your body as soon as you lay on it, and it feels soft yet supportive. However, because it’s latex, it is fairly heavy and cumbersome to handle, so you’ll probably need another person to help you put it on or if you want to rearrange your furniture in the future.
Price at time of publish: $165.00
Material: Organic Latex | Height: 1”-2” | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Best Down: Southern Living Ultra Feather 460-Thread-Count Mattress Topper
Pros
The breathable down is very cool to the touch.
It’s lightweight and easy to handle when you place it on the bed or unzip it from its casing to wash.
Has a cloud-like feel that you’ll sink into when you lay on it.
Cons
While it appears thick and is very soft, it’s pretty airy, so if your mattress is lumpy underneath, you may still be able to feel those sensations when you toss and turn.
Editor’s Note: Southern Living is owned by PEOPLE’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith.
Down is popular because it’s not only breathable and cool when you’re hot, but warm and comforting when you’re cold. This is why many people love having a down comforter on their beds, but have you ever tried a down mattress topper? This one by Southern Living is our favorite — we love how breathable it is, and could feel just how cool it was as soon as we laid on it. It’s also incredibly lightweight, and placing it on the bed felt almost like throwing a comforter over the bed. This is ideal for when you want to unzip its casing and throw it in the washing machine (yes, it’s machine washable!). Aside from that, when it comes to its feel, it’s absolutely the cream of the crop of down toppers — you’ll feel like you’re sinking into a cloud as soon as you lay on it.
This could definitely be a pro or con depending on how you look at it, but because it’s so soft, it wouldn’t be a good choice for someone who wants more support or wants to mask the feeling of their mattress. While it does look very thick, it’s ultimately pretty airy, which means there isn’t much added support. We could foresee this being an issue for anyone who has a lumpier mattress — you’ll definitely be able to feel your mattress underneath in spite of the topper. This is a better pick for someone who loves the feel of down and wants an extra boost on an already comfortable mattress.
Price at time of publish: $189.00
Material: Down | Height: 18 in. (Pocket Depth) | Sizes: Queen, King, California King
Best Memory Foam: Subrtex 3-Inch Gel-Infused Memory Foam Bed Mattress Topper
Pros
As soon as you lay down, you sink right into this topper (but still feel cushioned and supported).
Features a ventilated design that will prevent you from overheating.
It feels thick and substantial, which is great for anyone that wants to mask an uncomfortable mattress.
Cons
The reinforcement straps that go on the bottom of the mattress tend to slide off easily.
We loved this memory foam mattress topper by Subrtex and could immediately tell how thick and substantial it felt. They have 2-, 3- and, 4-inch thick versions available, but even the 3-inch one we tested felt plush and supportive. It definitely has a sinking quality when you lay on it, but you still feel cradled in all of the right places. Memory foam is perfect for anyone who wants to cover up the feel of an uncomfortable mattress, and this one is on the better quality end of memory foam toppers we tested. It also has a level of buoyancy to it that you’ll appreciate: During testing, as soon as we got up from the spot we were laying in, it bounced back to its original shape with no change in volume or loft. This could of course change with more long-term use, but the foam, which is infused with gel that keeps it feeling airy and soft, feels well made. On a similar note, the outer casing is stitched with a porous, ventilated design that doesn’t exactly feel cool to the touch, but will definitely help to prevent overheating.
The removable rayon/bamboo cover has reinforcement straps attached to it that hook underneath the mattress and are meant to keep it in place on the bed, but we did notice that during testing, these tended to slip off. Although it didn’t shift on the bed too much as a result, this is still frustrating and something to keep in mind. However, because of its dense and plush feel, this is worth the price and is an excellent choice for anyone who wants the feeling of a memory foam mattress but doesn’t want to make the full investment quite yet.
Price at time of publish: $137.15
Material: Down | Height: 2-4 in. | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Most Comfortable: Tempur-Pedic Tempur Adapt+ Cooling Mattress Topper
Pros
It has a plush yet supportive feel, so you feel surrounded at every angle and position.
It includes a removable washable cover for easy cleaning.
It’s heavy enough that it stays in place and doesn’t shift when you’re tossing and turning at night.
Cons
If you’re looking for something that’s cooling, this model tends to hold on to body heat.
This topper by Tempur-Pedic won our vote for "Most Comfortable" because of the high-quality memory foam. As soon as you lay on it, you’ll immediately feel cradled in all the right places. And if you change positions, it does an excellent job of moving with you so that you feel adequately supported whether you’re on your back, side, or stomach. When we took it out of the packaging, it was very heavy, so you’d probably need someone to help you put it on your bed. But its density also means that it won’t shift or move on the bed when you’re tossing and turning throughout the night.
A nice touch that we also appreciated here was the removable cover that’s machine washable, so when you spill something or make a mess, it’s easy to toss in the washing machine as needed. The one thing you should note with this one is that while it wasn’t necessarily warm, it didn’t stay cool either. If you struggle with overheating at night and want something specifically designed to keep you cool, this isn’t the right fit as it's not quite breathable. But if you’re looking to prioritize comfort and have a lumpy mattress you want to spruce up, this is worth the $500 investment if you want to splurge.
Price at time of publish: $499.00
Material: Memory Foam | Height: 3 in. | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Softest: Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Pros
This is one of the most plush models we tested — you feel like you’re sinking into a cloud as soon as you lay down on it.
It’s thick enough to conceal particularly uncomfortable or lumpy mattresses.
The gel-infused memory foam keeps you from overheating at night.
Cons
It’s not particularly supportive, so if you struggle with any muscle or joint pain, this isn’t the right choice.
It slid a little bit under the sheets after tossing and turning, going slightly over the edge of the mattress.
If you like a more plush feel, you’ll love this mattress topper for its luxurious and thick memory foam material. From the minute we took it out of the packaging we could tell just how high quality this topper was. It’s three inches thick, which means it’ll mask firm or lumpy mattresses that either aren’t comfortable or just need a little boost. Although it’s very dense, the cooling gel infused with the foam still manages to keep you cool, so this would be a great fit for anyone who tends to sleep hot.
Because it is so soft, there isn’t much support here — you won’t find this topper comfortable if you struggle with joint pain or just prefer a firmer mattress. Another thing you should keep in mind is that during testing, we noticed it shifted underneath the sheets and slid over the edge of the mattress. However, for the quality and softness of this one, especially considering the price, it’s a great value and the perfect choice for anyone who wants to soften up their mattress.
Price at time of publish: $133.99
Material: Cooling Gel-infused Memory Foam | Height: 3 in. | Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
Other Mattress Toppers We Tried
Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper: This topper by Avocado is incredibly plush and comfortable, and we loved the feel as soon as we laid down on it. No matter what position you sleep in, you’ll certainly feel cradled and cozy. However, we found that it shifts a lot under the sheets when you’re tossing and turning, which we figured wouldn’t happen as much because of the latex material that should cause friction and keep it in place. We were also disappointed because it wasn’t very cooling, which is another thing we’d expect with a latex topper. Because of these two major flaws, it didn’t make our list of favorites, considering the fact that it’s the most expensive topper we tested at $649.
Nolah Mattress Topper: All in all, this is a nice mattress topper. It’s on the firmer side, but has a level of softness that moves with you so you’re supported in every position. It also maintains its loft and buoyancy when you get up from the bed, bouncing back to its original shape immediately. Unlike the topper from Avocado, however, it is fairly pricey at $349.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Mattress Pad or Topper
Support
Mattress pads and toppers look and feel different — if you’re looking for more support specifically, a mattress topper is a better option for you. “An ideal case for getting a mattress topper is someone who finds their current mattress too firm and wants to try a softer, more contouring surface. Often made from memory foam or latex, you should notice an immediate difference with a mattress topper,” says David Rubin, Product Expert at TheSleepDoctor.com.
Durability
If you want something that will enhance the durability of your mattress, a mattress pad is a great solution and may be more of what you’re looking for. Mattress pads work like a fitted sheet and add a level of insurance to protect your mattress from any wear and tear, whether you have pets, kids, or just want to intercept any spills or messes and prevent staining. You should make sure any mattress pad you buy is machine washable, as this will make it easy to take off your bed and clean when the need inevitably arises.
Breathability
If you tend to sleep hot, breathability in all of your bedding is key for staying cool. While lots of mattress pads and toppers market themselves as being “cooling,” many don’t deliver on their promise. For mattress toppers, anything made with latex, or foam infused with cooling gel usually works well for regulating temperature. For mattress pads, which are usually thinner and made of fabric, anything cotton or bamboo is a pretty safe bet for diffusing heat and staying breathable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a mattress pad and a mattress topper?
The main difference in a mattress pad and topper is their respective thickness, how they affect the feel of your mattress, and their cost. “A mattress pad is much thinner than a topper and will not dramatically change the feel of a mattress. [It] will add a little extra comfort — or could have a cooling material — and can serve double duty as a mattress protector in some cases,” Rubin says, “A mattress topper (1 to 4 inches) is designed to change the feel of your mattress and is available in a wider variety of materials and thicknesses. You usually still need a mattress protector over your mattress topper and mattress. [They] also are more expensive because they're more substantial.”
What size do mattress toppers come in?
Mattress toppers typically come in standard bedding sizes (Twin, Full, Queen, King, etc). Not all brands have every single size though, so you’ll need to look at the product’s website and make sure they carry your specific bed’s size, especially if you have a nonstandard bed like a Twin XL or a California King.
How We Tested
Our editors selected 17 best-selling mattress toppers on the market, and tested them over the course of two days, evaluating them each through the lens of things like support, durability, and breathability. We truly put their comfort and quality to the test by doing things like laying each mattress topper over acupressure mats to see how cushioned and lofty they were, and studying how they retained heat through tossing and turning. We spent several hours putting them through tests that simulated real life situations so that we could provide the in-depth reviews you’ve read here.
Take Our Word For It
This roundup was written by Olivia Avitt, a freelance writer for PEOPLE who specializes in thorough, honest product reviews. When writing this roundup, she carefully reviewed the test results of the 11 products included and put together the need-to-know details you see here that will help you pick the right addition to your bedroom setup.
Our PEOPLE Tested lab team also consulted David Rubin, Product Expert at TheSleepDoctor.com, who provided expert insights on what you should look for in your next mattress topper — not only which one is right for you altogether, but also what materials are the best, and important factors you should keep in mind when picking one that will fit your bed perfectly.
Related: The 5 Best Sleeper Sofas of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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