While no amount of memory foam can save a worn-out mattress, adding one of the best mattress toppers to your bed is a surefire way to improve your sleep — without the hefty cost of replacing your mattress. Whether you have back pain, you sleep on your side or you simply fancy a more plush overnight experience, there will be a mattress topper to suit your napping needs.
When it comes to elevating your affordable mattress for the soundest of sleeps, there’s plenty to consider and, from fill materials like down and polyester, to warranties and a firmness to suit your sleeping position, we’ve broken things down on a granular level. So, keep reading for a concise, broad overview and rest easy knowing you’ve done the research before parting with your hard-earned income.
SKIP TO: How we tested | What different types of mattress toppers are there? | What thickness of mattress topper should I get? | What is the difference between a mattress topper and a mattress protector? | Our full reviews.
What different types of mattress toppers are there?
- Memory foam toppers are great for giving you that extra bit of cushioning and support, and make a popular choice for those who struggle with aches and pains. This usually-medium/firm material moulds to the shape of your body, and offers pressure relief to back sleepers and stomach sleepers when they’re tossing and turning in the night. By comparison side sleepers will likely need a softer sleep surface to cradle their hips and shoulders more gently. It’s worth noting also that memory foam can prove quite hot — so perhaps isn’t the best option if you’re prone to overheating. Check out our edit of the best cooling mattress toppers for hot sleepers instead.
- Hybrid toppers tend to mix a gel or foam layer with layers of latex and even springs, meaning they’re the most supportive topper type on the market. They tend to score well with testers and do a stellar job of transforming a lack-lustre mattress into something with a more luxurious feel. Though, they do tend to be the most expensive.
- Feather and down toppers are less about support, and more about softness. If you’re simply looking to adapt your firm mattress, then this kind of topper is the perfect choice. Plus, feather and down decompose more naturally once these type of toppers reach the end of their life. That said, it’s disputed how environmentally friendly the process of obtaining feather and down fill actually is.
- Polyester blend toppers are typically far more affordable than feather and down ones, and similarly prioritise softness over support. They also make a great cloud-like layer for anyone with allergies, as they are typically hypoallergenic. Be gone, dust mites.
How we tested
As a team of experts in our fields, be it interiors, lifestyle or fashion, we’ve done a turn (or twenty) around the retail block and know what we’re looking for when it comes to your bed set up. We’ve got reviews on the best duvets, the best pillows for side sleepers, plus a whole bunch of explainers in the field (because, why are you tired all the time?) and we were raring to go when it came to testing the best mattress toppers. Throughout the wider GLAMOUR team, there’s enough of us to have reviewed well over 25 different toppers, but these – the 11 ahead of you – are just our very favourites. We’ve tried them on everything from pocket sprung mattresses, mattresses for side sleepers, memory foam mattresses and cooling mattresses, and these final picks are our tried-and-tested favourites.
After something else? Shop the best winter duvet, best silk pillowcase, earplugs for sleeping, and the best mattresses for back pain (including hybrid mattress options).
