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If you’re looking to improve the quality of your sleep, a new mattress topper is an easy way to upgrade your bed. A mattress topper can make your bed firmer or softer, helping you personalize the feel of your mattress. They’re also great for temporary accommodations, such as student dorms or nursing homes, since you don’t have a choice of mattresses.
To find the best options, bedding experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textile Lab tested 46 different mattress toppers, including those made from memory foam, down, and latex. Our fiber experts evaluate each mattress topper’s materials and features, and then our analysts and home sleep experts test them themselves to provide feedback on comfort, support, pressure relief, temperature regulation, and more.
Made from the same popular materials as Tempur-Pedic mattresses that cost thousands of dollars, this luxurious mattress can completely change the feel of your bed by adding a supportive surface for greater comfort and pressure relief. It’s three inches tall, soft to the touch, and conforms to the shape of your body without sinking right in. It also provides excellent motion isolation, meaning you’re less likely to feel your sleeping partner tossing and turning throughout the night.
In addition to the contoured foam, we love that the cover is removable and machine washable so you can keep it clean, the straps make it easy to secure to your bed, and the moisture-wicking material prevents overheating. If you often get hot while sleeping, you may want to invest in a high-quality cover that’s cool to the touch.
Best for: This memory foam mattress is great for beds that are starting to sag, innerspring mattresses that are too firm, or for couples who want to reduce the sensation of motion transfer. It is also great for people with back pain and side sleepers because it relieves pressure and conforms to your body.
Tester Notes: One user confirmed that the mattress felt immediately better. One tester told us, “This mattress pad makes my bed noticeably more comfortable,” adding that the straps make it easy to secure the pad to the mattress, though it still shifts occasionally. While this model is a newer version of the brand (including the straps), testers have noted that other Tempur-Pedic mattress pads have retained their shape after years of use.
This hybrid mattress topper combines foam and fiber filling to combine pressure-relieving support with the comfort of a pillowtop mattress. Even better: It’s priced significantly lower than other top picks we tested, and it’s available on Amazon with convenient Prime shipping. The bottom layer is gel-infused memory foam, while the top layer includes pockets of down-like fill that act as a plush filling. It clings to the bed like a sheet, helping to keep everything in place.
The product is four inches tall and is made up of equal parts foam and pillowcase. Although the pillowcase is sold as one piece, it is actually two separate pieces that can be stacked together or used separately. The top layer that holds everything together is machine washable and tumble dryer safe, making it easy to clean.
Best for: People on a budget who want to improve the quality of their bed without spending hundreds of dollars. It’s also ideal for people who aren’t sure whether to get a soft or memory foam mattress, as it contains both materials.
Tester’s Notes: In our extensive mattress evaluation, we surveyed 30 Lucid bed owners, and users praised the materials, comfort, and value. Plus, this mattress topper has more than 4,500 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.4 stars. “This mattress topper has improved the feel of the bed significantly,” one of our testers reported. “It provides extra softness and support that you wouldn’t get without it.” She noted that it’s easy to install and doesn’t fall off, but it can sometimes feel hot despite the gel-infused foam.
More affordable and discreet than other mattresses, this pillow acts more like a mattress pad but adds softness and comfort. It’s filled with polyester microfiber (an alternative to down) and has a quilted construction to distribute the filling evenly. Its low cost makes it ideal for temporary accommodations (like summer camp or college dorms), and it’s more compact than a thick foam mattress.
Another highlight of this mattress is its elastic sides that can be tucked under the mattress like a fitted sheet. It is large enough to fit beds up to 21 inches high. It is also machine washable and tumble dryable.
Best for: People who just want a simple mattress topper to update their bed, especially those who don’t want to spend a lot of money or make a huge change to the feel of their mattress.
Tester’s Note: A GH employee purchased two mattresses for her children and said they were very comfortable for both of them, and she liked the low cost. “One kid is currently using it at home sitting on the bed, and the other is using it at college,” she said. Plus, it has over 31,000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.5 stars. Online reviewers said it improved the feel of the bed, and some even reported improved sleep quality.
Most mattress toppers use materials known for their ability to retain heat, but this mattress topper has vents in the foam, making it more breathable. The foam also contains a cooling gel that is designed to draw heat away from the body. And because it is foam, you still get the benefits of pressure relief and motion isolation.
Another perk is that it comes in three heights, allowing you to choose the right model for your bed based on the depth of your mattress. It also has adjustable straps for maximum support and a non-slip mesh material on the bottom. The foam is medium to medium firm, and the cover is removable and machine washable. Plus, this product has over 12,000 reviews on Amazon.
Best for: People who sleep in hot weather and want the comfort and support of foam, but are concerned about overheating and night sweats. Ventilation allows more air to circulate without getting trapped in the foam.
Tester Notes: Our testers liked how it lifts the bed and how the straps help keep it in place. While it doesn’t feel cool to the touch, users say it doesn’t overheat either. A tester of a similar Viscosoft model said, “I accidentally turned the heat up to full blast one night and it still didn’t overheat, which is impressive.” It’s worth noting: Some people noticed a foam smell after turning it on and said it took a while to dissipate.
Nolah bed users claim that the brand’s mattresses relieve back, hip, and sciatica pain, and this mattress uses the same proprietary foam for effective pressure relief. It comes in two firmness levels: Luxury Firm (equivalent to a medium firmness of 5 to 7 out of 10) and Plush (equivalent to a softness of 3 out of 10), both of which are close to the body.
There are also wide elastic bands at the corners that can be pulled to secure the cover to the mattress, but the cover is not removable, so it can only be cleaned in spots. It is also lower in height than other foam mattresses we recommend, making it ideal for those who don’t want their bed to be too high.
Best for: This mattress is great for people with back or hip pain, as well as side sleepers, because its cushioning foam contours to pressure points. This mattress feels firmer than other models, but testers found the foam to be a relief.
Tester Notes: “The mattress topper added the comfort my mattress was missing,” said one tester, while another added, “It made my mattress feel new again.” Several people noted that it took them a few days to get used to the feel, but ultimately loved the comfort. They also appreciated the height of the mattress, with one noting, “It feels higher quality than a thinner topper, but not too thick.” Note that the softer topper made one tester feel more uncomfortable tossing and turning at night. Plus, this mattress won a 2024 Good Housekeeping Award for Bedding!
This mattress topper provides the cosy feel of memory foam without being too soft. It also offers good motion isolation, so you’re unlikely to feel your sleeping partner move, and built-in straps help keep them securely in place. While this model is more expensive than others, it comes with a 180-day trial period, so you can get your money back if you decide it’s not right for you. Note that the cover is spot-cleanable, meaning it’s not machine washable.
The manufacturer claims that this mattress pad can be used in all sleeping positions (which we found during our review), but notes that it is especially good for side sleepers. The foam also contains graphite, which is supposed to draw heat away from the body, creating a cooler feeling, but testers did not notice this effect during testing.
Best for: Those who want a serious upgrade to their bed without buying a whole new mattress. It’s not as soft as other foam mattresses, so it’s especially good for those who want to relieve pressure without having a mattress that sag too much.
Tester Notes: Our testers noted that the biggest benefit was the pressure relief and that it made their bed feel firmer. They also found the straps to be really helpful, with one writing, “I was really impressed with how well they stayed in place and didn’t slide around!” Another tester said, “I really felt like this mattress pad was very supportive and felt like I was sleeping better and more restfully.” While the brand claims it has a cooling effect, users didn’t notice this, saying only that it got a little warm.
While most mattress pads are made from synthetic, inorganic materials, this mattress pad is certified organic by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). This mattress pad is made from Dunlop latex, which is elastic and stretchable, providing good back support. The perforated surface allows air to circulate throughout the mattress cover, preventing overheating.
This mattress has seven zones to properly support your head, neck, shoulders, back, and hips. The brand recommends this mattress for all sleeping positions as it is available in different firmness levels. Note that this mattress does not come with a cover, which makes cleaning difficult as latex can only be cleaned locally. Covers from this brand are available for an additional fee.
Best for: Anyone who enjoys sleeping on organic bedding. It’s also a good choice for those who like to have a wide range of options, as this mattress is available in 2-inch, 3-inch, and 4-inch heights, as well as soft, medium, firm, and extra firm options.
Testing Notes: Testers praised the improvements made to this mattress topper. “My mattress was lumpy in some places, so using the mattress topper evened out the feel of the entire bed,” said one tester. She added, “It’s much cooler than my mattress itself.” Testers especially liked the feel of the topper, with one saying, “I love how soft and comfortable it is.” She also said, “It molds to my body no matter what position I’m sleeping in.” Another tester reported, “It feels like the bed is hugging my body.”
Woolroom The Wooly Mattress Topper: This high-quality mattress topper is made from wool and microcoils and currently retails for over $700 for a queen-size mattress. Our testers were impressed with its support and said it transformed their bed without trapping heat, but we ultimately found it too expensive to use.
Tuft and Needle Mattress Topper: Testers liked this mattress topper because it not only added comfort to the bed, but it also relieved pressure for a more restful, comfortable sleep. However, because this mattress topper doesn’t have straps, testers reported that it shifted and didn’t stay in place on the bed.
Avocado Eco Organic Mattress Topper: This luxury mattress topper performed well in our tests, impressing our reviewers with its premium construction and organic materials. However, it is currently out of stock.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textile Lab, we tested 46 different mattress toppers, including memory foam, down, and latex. We start by examining the materials and features of each mattress topper, then provide samples to our in-home sleep testers to try on their beds. After sleeping on the mattress topper for a few weeks, each tester filled out a questionnaire providing detailed feedback. Our analysts check in with testers annually to see how the mattress toppers hold up after long-term use. Here are the factors we consider:
✔️ Temperature: Each examiner will note whether they maintain a comfortable body temperature while sleeping on the mattress.
✔️ Mattress Improvement: We take a closer look at whether and how a mattress topper affects our tester’s mattress experience.
✔️ Sound: To ensure that the mattress is quiet and unnoticeable, each mattress is rated to see if it makes noise while in use.
✔️ Shape Retention Feature: The mattress is rated based on whether it moves on the bed during use.
✔️ Overall Satisfaction: Finally, testers tell us how they enjoyed sleeping on the mattress, whether they plan to continue using it, and any other useful information.
When it comes to mattress pads, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. When choosing the most comfortable mattress pad, consider the following factors:
There are several mattress topper options available. The best mattress topper for your needs will depend on your requirements, including whether you want it to provide more firmness and support or to make your bed softer.
Yes, a mattress pad can actually help you sleep better. Whether your mattress has started to sag or sag, or it’s brand new and you just don’t like the feel of it, a mattress pad can improve its comfort level. Whether you’ve purchased an expensive model that needs an inexpensive upgrade, or you’ve found that your bed lacks comfort or support, you can add a mattress pad to improve the experience. A mattress pad can also be a great addition to an old mattress if you’re no longer happy with it but aren’t ready to buy a new one.
Keep in mind that a mattress topper is not for everyone, especially those who prefer a firm mattress. Most mattress toppers are designed to add softness, pressure relief, or comfort, and while they certainly provide support, they won’t give you the springy feeling of a box spring without any filling.
As the name suggests, a mattress pad fits directly over the mattress. Some mattress pads come with straps that secure them to the mattress, while others simply slide over the mattress. If you use a mattress pad or mattress protector to protect your mattress from stains or wear, you can add them to the mattress pad as well.
Keep in mind that a mattress pad will add a few inches to the height of your bed. Be sure to purchase a fitted sheet that fits your mattress and its cover, especially if you already have a tall mattress.
Lexi Sachs is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she leads testing to find the best bedding, including mattress pads. Since joining GH more than a decade ago, she’s been testing mattress pads, evaluating them in the lab, and sending them home to consumer testers for additional feedback. She also enjoys testing mattress pads on her own bed and is a firm believer that they can transform the feel of any mattress.
Emma Seymour is a senior textile product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She’s a bedding expert who frequently tests mattress pads, pillows, sheets, and more. She recently updated this guide based on recent testing for Good Housekeeping’s 2024 Best Bedding Awards, and added new images of the test results.
Lexi Sachs (she/her) is the Executive Director of Strategy and Operations for the Good Housekeeping Institute and a leading product expert in the bedding, travel, home, home goods, and apparel categories. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer goods industry and holds a PhD in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexi is an expert for Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, and frequently appears on national radio and television programs. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexi worked in marketing and product development in the fashion and home industries.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the Associate Director of the Textiles, Paper, and Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has been responsible for testing products like luggage, pillows, towels, tampons, and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science and Apparel Design and a minor in Gerontology. She has also conducted research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing athletic apparel for performance.