Memory Foam Mattress Toppers
While a brand-new mattress can be a good idea for those looking to improve their sleep quality, sometimes a mattress topper can be a more cost-effective and simple solution to finding enhanced sleep. Memory foam mattress toppers come in a variety of sizes designs and at a wide range of price points. Some even use open-cell technology or gel infusions to draw our excess heat and keep you cool.
Lucid Mattress
Leesa Mattress
Zinus Mattress
Beautyrest Mattress
Sealy Mattress
Sealy Posturepedic Mattress
Linenspa Mattress
Sleep Innovations
Amazon Basics
Tuft and Needle Mattress
Memory Foam Mattress Topper Buying Guide
If you have trouble sleeping soundly, chances are your bed isn’t as comfortable as it should be. Replacing your entire mattress can pricey, which is why investing in a mattress topper can be an affordable way to boost your bed’s comfort level. Memory foam mattress toppers are some of the most comfortable and durable options you can choose when looking to improve the quality of your sleep.
A memory foam mattress topper is a piece of removable bedding that sits on top of your mattress. It can help add support and provide greater cushioning for your body when you’re lying in bed. Because it’s made of memory foam, it’s safe for allergy sufferers to use and is resistant to mildew as well. It can help if you or your partner are prone to tossing and turning since it prevents motion transfer that can disturb another sleeper.
Choosing the right memory foam mattress topper means deciding what type of memory foam you prefer, how thick and dense you need the topper to be, and what other features will help you get a full night’s sleep.
Memory Foam Mattress Topper KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Traditional: Traditional memory foam has a soft, sponge-like feel that provides significant support when you’re trying to sleep. It can help alleviate pressure along your spine and other areas because it cradles your body. If you often wake up stiff and sore, a traditional memory foam topper can be a great option. It can regulate its temperature fairly well, but it’s better if you tend to get cold during the night.
- Gel: Gel memory foam contains the same cushiony foam material as traditional memory foam, but gel beads are mixed into the foam. The gel serves two important purposes — it helps increase the cushion and allows body heat to escape so you don’t get too warm during the night. The extra cushioning can also be more comfortable for sleepers who weigh more.
A memory foam mattress topper is usually between one and four inches in thickness. If your mattress feels too firm, a thicker mattress topper can provide additional cushioning. If you only want to increase your bed’s cushioning slightly, a thinner topper works well.
Consider how the thickness can affect your body temperature while you sleep. Thicker memory foam toppers tend to keep you warmer as you sleep, so they’re a poor choice for a hot sleeper.
In addition to its thickness, a mattress topper’s density affects how soft, supportive, and durable it is. Density determines how firm the topper is and is measured in pounds per cubic inch.
Low density (3 pounds and under per cubic foot) models have a plush feel and work best for people who are lighter and tend to sleep on their side or back.
Medium density (4 to 5 pounds per cubic foot) models work best for people of most weights and those who tend to sleep on their side, back, or stomach.
- High density (5 pounds and up per cubic foot) models work best for people who are heavier and tend to sleep on their side, back, or stomach.
Memory Foam Mattress Topper FAQ
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect memory foam mattress topper, you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, I’m presenting my top five favorite memory foam toppers (all of which I’ve personally tested) so that you can find the best fit for your bed, body, and budget.
Choosing the right depth, or thickness, largely depends on how much pressure relief you’re looking for. Heavier sleepers or those looking to add a considerable amount of depth to their mattress might be best suited to a 3 or 4-inch topper, while petite sleepers might be better off with a 2-inch topper.
Memory foam does have a tendency to trap heat and warm up throughout the night. That said, hot sleepers might want to aim for memory foam toppers that feature special cooling properties like copper and graphite infusions or Phase Change Material.
Memory foam typically offers a slow response to pressure and a moldable feel, which might be particularly beneficial to side sleepers. The material conforms to the shoulders and hips when you’re in the side sleeping position, which can serve to relieve pressure throughout the body.
A mattress pad is made up of thin material. It is often foldable or rolled for storage. People prefer buying a mattress pad for temperature regulation. That is, to keep you warm in cool weather and cool in warm weather.
A mattress topper, in comparison, offers more body support. It is heavier than a mattress pad. And being thicker and denser, you need to lay it flat on top of a mattress. Whereas a mattress pad, you can roll up and store when you don’t need it.
