Why You Can Trust CNET Best Mattress Toppers for 2024
The best mattress toppers can totally transform your sleep experience for a fraction of the cost.
- Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach
If a new mattress is currently out of your budget, you can still get a more comfortable and restful night’s sleep with a mattress topper. A mattress topper will add a layer of comfort to your bed with just a single, and relatively affordable, purchase. The best mattress toppers are comfortable and also help protect your mattress from spills, dirt and tears.
I've rounded up my favorites from the dozens of mattress toppers I've tested over the years below. As a professional sleep-product tester, I've seen it all, so I feel confident about my choices. Below, I break down my picks for the best mattress toppers according to type, and which sleep issues I think they'll help most with.
Prices shown are for the queen size models. We update this list periodically.
Read more: Best Memory Foam Mattresses for 2024
Best mattress toppers for 2024
If you suffer from back pain, it's important to find a supportive option that provides relief. The Allswell copper gel-infused bed topper is 4 inches thick and adds a significant amount of support to your mattress. Especially if your bed is on the thinner side -- less than eight inches in height. Back pain sufferers benefit from thick, supportive surfaces, and this one is more hefty than many of the different toppers out there, including the ones on this list.
It has a medium-firm profile around 7 out of 10, with 10 being the firmest. It'll ensure your spine is supported and kept in a neutral position, whereas a soft surface will allow your back to sink and promote an unnatural, uncomfortable curvature.
The Allswell copper gel-infused topper is made with memory foam and in turn, has a slow-responding memory-foam feel. The topper is also infused with copper gel to help draw your body heat away from you. It doesn't feel cooling by any means, but it didn't retain heat like traditional memory foam can.
Pros:
- Thick design that's great for back pain
- Medium firm profile
- Copper-infused gel memory foam
- Budget choice
Cons:
- No warranty
- Not for people who don't like the feel of memory foam
Additional details:
- Price: $
- Thickness: 4 inches
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Warranty: NA
- Trial: 30 nights
Hot sleepers (like me) who seek temperature relief during the night, but don't have the money to buy a new, breathable mattress might enjoy the cooling topper from Nest Bedding.
This cooling topper is two inches thick and made with its special Energex foam, which feels airy and responsive. I think it's similar to neutral-foam, as opposed to memory foam -- which can be dense and slow to respond. You can see little air bubbles in the foam, allowing more airflow to move through the bed. Wrapping the slab of foam is a textured gray cover with straps on all four corners to secure the topper to the mattress, which effectively keeps it from sliding around on the bed.
The cover is made with the same cooling material found in the Nest Alexander mattresses. It's not ice-cold, but it's not soft or heat-retaining like other toppers might be. When you run your hand across the cover, the fibers feel more smooth than fluffy and help contribute to a more temperature-neutral sleep.
Pros:
- Good for any sleeping position
- Straps secure this topper to your bed
Cons:
- Only one thickness option
- Not actively cooling
Additional details:
- Price: $$
- Thickness: 2 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Warranty: 2-year warranty
- Trial: 30 nights
If you're a side sleeper looking to soften up your bed, or you just want to add another layer of plushness to your already cozy mattress, I'd consider the Layla memory foam topper. It's not a dense memory foam feel, but a light and airy one, similar to the feel of the Layla mattress.
This memory foam mattress topper is infused with copper gel beads, and on its website, Layla describes the feel as "cooler than cool." I don't want you to get your hopes up that this is a cooling topper that will provide an ultimate cooling sensation, but you should be relieved to know it doesn't sleep hot. I didn't feel overly warm while on this topper, and I'm a particularly hot sleeper. So, unless you live in a hot region or you refuse to run a fan on a hot summer night, I think it's going to be pretty comfortable for you.
The Layla topper will add two inches to the height of your existing bed. It's definitely on the soft side of the spectrum, so I repeat: Side sleepers, this memory foam mattress topper is definitely for you! It'll make your firm mattress feel soft and your soft mattress feel even softer.
I also really love how it comes with a cover, and appreciate the detail in the hexagonal, honeycomb-like pattern. A twin-size Layla topper retails for $280 and goes up to $449 for a California king, though you can save 20% at the ongoing summer sale.
Pros:
- Neutral foam feel
- Infused with cooper gel beads
- Great for side sleepers who need pressure relief
Cons:
- Might be too soft for stomach or back sleepers
Additional details:
- Price: $$
- Thickness: 2 inches
- Firmness: Medium-soft
- Warranty: 5-year warranty
- Trial: 30 nights
There are plenty of benefits to a firm topper like the one from Birch, including the fact that it's made with nontoxic, sustainably sourced materials. The Birch Plush Organic cotton and latex topper is also hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, so mold, bacteria, mildew and other household allergens can't collect on the inside. Additionally, this latex mattress topper can be considered a cooling topper because it allows for more airflow than your typical memory foam or poly foam topper, thanks to the perforations down the foam.
The Birch topper is made with a slab of certified organic latex, soft organic wool and an organic cotton cover. It feels super-bouncy, supportive and supple. The Birch topper immediately bounces back when you take away pressure, and you sit more on top of the layer rather than deep inside. I'd rate the Birch topper around a medium-firm to firm on the scale, or around a seven to eight: It's definitely firm and probably best for people who want to make their bed feel more solid. I'd even call it the best firm mattress topper on the market.
Natural latex and organic products aren't necessarily cheap, but keep in mind the extra care it took to reach the final product and you can see the value.
Pros:
- GOTS and GREENGUARD Gold certified
- Free of harsh chemicals like VOCs and flame retardants
Cons:
- On the expensive side
Additional details:
- Price: $$$
- Thickness: 2 inches
- Firmness: Medium firm to firm
- Warranty: 10-year warranty
- Trial: 100 nights
If you want a mattress topper with Prime shipping, check out the two- or three-inch-thick Linenspa topper. Both toppers (which are identical except for the thickness) have over 50,000 reviews on Amazon and boast a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. For the price, I'd have to agree with the majority of sleepers.
Depending on the size you choose, you're either going to get a soft memory foam feel or a distinct one. The three-inch option is soft and will feel more plush, whereas the two-inch model feels a slight bit firmer. When you press your whole hand into the gel memory foam, it takes a few seconds for it to spring back into its original form. It ultimately will come down to the money you want to spend, and how soft a mattress profile you want.
The Linenspa mattress topper is covered in tiny blue beads that promote heat distribution across the topper, instead of allowing your body heat to collect around your midsection and warm you up while you sleep. It doesn't sleep cool, but it is better than a traditional memory foam topper.
Now, let's get to one of the best parts about the Linenspa topper. For a two-inch, prices start at $40 for a twin model and go up to $80 for a California king size.
Pros:
- Infused with cooling gel
- 2 thickness options
- Conforming memory foam feel
- CertiPUR-US certified
Cons:
- Not for people who want to make their mattress firmer
- No straps to keep it in place
- No trial period
Additional details:
- Price: $
- Thickness: 2 or 3 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
- Trial: NA
If you're into the clean, white, luxe-looking style, then you might appreciate the ViscoSoft Serene Hybrid topper. It's called a hybrid because there are two different parts to it; the slab of memory foam, and the down-alternative pillow top. You get the best of both worlds: a supportive base and a plush, fluffy top layer. You can choose between a four-inch or three-inch profile.
I really like this topper because I don't love the feel of memory foam, and the fluffy down-alternative layer neutralizes the feel so it's not as slow responding or nestling as the traditional stuff. Plus, the pillow-top cover is made from satin and has a 300-thread count, so it feels super-smooth and soft to the touch.
The cover completely wraps the memory foam slab and goes all the way down to the bottom of the mattress, where you tuck it on the bottom like you would with a fitted sheet. That way, it stays put on your mattress and won't slide around if you tend to toss and turn in bed.
Another plus about the cover besides its coziness is that it's machine washable. Remove the straps, take the memory foam layer out from inside, and throw it in the washing machine. Just make sure you wash with cold water and tumble dry.
Pros:
- Machine washable cover
- 2 thickness options
- Multiple layers of foam
Cons:
- Too soft for stomach sleepers
- No cooling technology
Additional details:
- Price: $$
- Thickness: 4 or 3 inches
- Firmness: Medium firm
- Warranty: 5-year warranty
- Trial: 60 nights
How we tested the best mattress toppers
Our team of experts has years of experience testing beds and sleeping accessories. Over that time, we've developed various methods of assessing each product. Our extensive catalog of testing products allowed us to compare each mattress topper to each other.
Firmness and feel
Mattress toppers are an excellent option if you want to change the feel or firmness of your mattress without buying a new one. They're more affordable and can make a big difference in your sleep.
You can think of firmness as how hard or soft the mattress topper is. We rate each topper on a scale of 1 to 10, corresponding to industry terms like medium or medium firm. Feel is how we best describe how the mattress topper responds to pressure. Does it have a slow, sinking memory foam feel? Or does it snap back from pressure like latex foam?
Construction
When assessing each mattress topper, we note its thickness and what it's made of. Many are slabs of foam, though some offer a combination of materials that make it better for some sleepers. We also note any additional features a topper may have, like cooling technology or straps that fasten it to the bed.
Warranty and trial information
Warranties and trials are standard in the mattress industry; just about every bed will have one. While this mostly applies to mattress toppers, some will not offer a trial period or warranty. All of this information can be found in each review.
What to consider when shopping for the best mattress topper
There are a ton of mattress toppers out there, all of which will vary in price, quality and durability. To ensure you're getting the best bang for your buck, you should consider these key factors while shopping:
- Material: What the topper is made from will determine how it feels on your mattress. If you're not a fan of a memory foam feel, then you should consider a mixed foam or pillow top topper instead.
- Thickness and firmness: Mattress toppers make your mattress more comfortable by changing how it feels or the firmness. Determining what outcome you want from the topper will help you narrow down the thickness and firmness you should select.
- Additional features: Some toppers will have other features like cooling technology that some folks want. While not all cooling mattress toppers will actively cool you, many will keep heat from being trapped on your body while you sleep.
Other mattress toppers we've tested
There are other mattress toppers that we've tested that didn't make the list. Many of which are still worth considering.
Temper Adapt Topper: If you're a hot sleeper looking for relief, the Temper Adapt cooling mattress topper may work for you. It's cool to the touch and has a medium-firm profile that most people will like. It also has a removable cover.
Saatva Cooling Graphite Mattress Topper: The Saatva mattress topper will be a top choice for many people thanks to its cooling graphite. It's three inches of comfy foam with side straps that secure it to the bed.
Best mattress topper FAQ
Does a mattress topper really help?
Yes, a mattress topper can help solve a lot of issues you may be having with your current mattress. It can help make it firmer, soften it up, add a few layers of thickness for more support, and it can change up the feel of your mattress. For example, if you decide you dislike memory foam after purchasing a memory foam bed, a latex foam topper might be helpful to add more bounce and responsiveness.
Is a mattress topper better than memory foam?
That depends on how much you like or dislike memory foam. There are plenty of toppers that don't use memory foam, and they can help change the feel of your mattress if that's what you're looking for. However, memory foam is a material that can offer pressure relief and comfort if you like a hugging, contouring feel.
What is the purpose of a mattress topper?
The most common purpose for a mattress topper is to make a mattress feel more comfortable. They're much cheaper than buying a whole new mattress, and come in many different materials and firmness levels so you can adjust your mattress to your liking. A plush topper can help a firm mattress feel more pressure-relieving, while a firm topper can help give your bed more support. They can also make your bed thicker, or change the feel of your mattress.
What is the best mattress topper?
Some of the best mattress toppers include:
- Allswell 4-inch topper with copper gel
- Layla mattress topper
- DreamFoam Gel Swirl mattress topper
- Nest Bedding Cooling mattress topper
- Birch Plush Organic mattress topper
- Linenspa gel-infused mattress topper
- ViscoSoft Serene Hybrid topper
What's the difference between a mattress topper and mattress pad?
Mattress toppers are generally more thick and supportive than a mattress pad, and mattress pads often use cotton or more plush materials to soften up a bed. Toppers add a more noticeable change to your mattress, whether it be the firmness, thickness or feel, while a mattress pad typically makes your bed feel a little more cozy.