Best Mattress Pad and Toppers for a Good Night’s Sleep
The best way to top your mattress off.
Have you recently purchased a new mattress that’s not quite comfortable enough for you? Or are you not ready to let go of your current bed? Whether your new mattress is lacking or your older one needs a little boost, we'll help you select the best mattress topper to improve your quality of sleep.
Mattress Topper vs. Mattress Protector
Though they seem similar, there are large differences between a mattress topper and a mattress pad.
Mattress Topper
The function of a mattress topper is to enhance the comfort level of your current mattress. The best mattress toppers will help you sleep better. A mattress topper can last up to 3 years, allowing you to prolong the life of your current mattress. A mattress topper is placed directly on top of your current mattress and then covered with a fitted sheet to stay in place. Some mattress toppers come with elastic or velcro attachments for easier use. The extra topper layer acts as a stain barrier and protects your mattress from general wear and tear. Mattress toppers come in a range of thickness, firmness and fillings so that you can have a customised experience.
Pros: Mattress toppers are a great option when you’re not quite ready to replace your current mattress. The best bed topper can provide a budget-friendly, short-term solution to an uncomfortable mattress. It can also elevate the feeling of a new mattress, helping you customise it to your preferences. Mattress toppers are easily transferable from one bed to another and usually have replaceable covers that can be washed and changed.
Cons: Unfortunately, a mattress topper is not a fix-all for a sagging mattress. There comes a point where you will simply have to replace the old one. Mattress toppers add additional height, so you may have to purchase new, larger bedding to fit your modified bed. Unless explicitly stated, mattress toppers aren’t waterproof, meaning your mattress can get stained through it. Mattress toppers are made to last longer than mattress pads, making them more costly.
Mattress Protector
A mattress protector (aka a mattress pad) is used to extend the life of your mattress by protecting it from stains and providing cushioning. Even the best mattress pads only last between 1 and 2 years. Mattress protectors frequently come in a form similar to a fitted sheet which simply needs to be placed over your mattress. Alternatively, they look similar to a mattress topper but are much thinner.
Pros: A mattress pad protects your mattress from wear and tear while providing light cushioning. Mattress protectors are lightweight, machine-washable and easy to move and travel with.
Cons: A mattress protector is thin and flimsy and does not really provide much additional comfort because its primary purpose is to protect the mattress. Mattress pads don't last as long as mattress toppers. Waterproof mattress protectors tend to be a little noisy because of the material they are constructed from.
Now that you know the difference between a mattress topper and a mattress protector, you can begin shopping for the best mattress topper for you.
Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers
If you're a side sleeper and notice pain after waking up, consider getting a memory foam or latex mattress topper. The best types of mattresses toppers for side sleepers are thicker with a medium density that offers a balance of comfort and support. Too firm, and your hips and shoulder may not sink enough; too soft and they may sink too much.
Memory Foam
Side sleepers distribute their weight between their hips and shoulders, making a firmer mattress topper with more support ideal.
Pros: Memory foam is the best firm mattress topper for side sleepers because of its supporting capabilities. These toppers contour to your curves, supporting your body while you sleep. This decreases stress on the hips and shoulders, ensuring that weight is more evenly distributed.
Cons: Memory foam mattress toppers tend to retain heat which can be uncomfortable for hot sleepers. Despite offering stellar side-sleeping support, not everyone enjoys sleeping on a firm mattress. Additionally, this type of mattress topper tends to be more costly and can only be spot-cleaned.
Latex Mattress Toppers:
Latex can be either natural, synthetic or a blend of the two. Natural latex comes from the rubber tree, and synthetic latex is manufactured with petroleum-based chemicals.
Pros: Latex mattress toppers are known for their pressure relief, durability, breathability and ability to support your body with little sinkage. Latex has a low elasticity point that spreads compression over a wider area, which when laid upon, creates the sensation of floating. Depending on the thickness, a latex mattress topper can both contour to your body and offer a little extra bounce.
It can provide some degree of spill and wear protection, but it's most effective when paired with a latex mattress. Latex mattress toppers are dust- and mold-resistant, making them extremely durable. Natural latex is a premium hypoallergenic bedding material that is considered to be a renewable and eco-friendly resource.
Cons: Latex mattress toppers are expensive but can be considered a long-term investment. This mattress topper is not suitable for those with latex allergies. Latex has a distinct smell and can have a bouncy feel that not everyone enjoys.
Back pain can be caused by underlying conditions, injury or sleep-related factors. Selecting the best mattress topper for back pain may help to relieve this affliction.
Tip: Choose your topper thickness wisely to ensure the right support for your back pain. Remember, a topper can’t compensate for a sagging mattress, but it can adjust the feel of your mattress and reduce discomfort.
Memory Foam Mattress Topper:
Memory foam is a soft and energy-absorbing material used for both mattresses and mattress toppers. Memory foam mattress toppers are the best type for back pain because they conform closely to your body, giving a good balance of pressure relief and back support.
Pros: Memory foam molds to your body in response to heat and pressure, allowing for even weight distribution. Once the pressure is removed, the memory foam returns to its original shape, creating an extremely comfortable sleeping surface. The best memory foam mattress topper offers the perks of a memory foam mattress without the price tag. To save on costs, you can combine a memory foam topper with a cheaper mattress instead of purchasing a full memory foam mattress.
Cons: New memory foam can have a chemical smell caused by off-gassing (manufacturing materials emitting chemical particles as they settle). To combat this, simply air out your mattress topper for 24hrs prior to using it. Memory foam mattress toppers are costly and difficult to maintain, as they can only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Even the best memory foam mattress toppers tend to retain heat and are ineffective at blocking stains. Memory foam is firm and not ideal for sleepers who prefer a softer mattress.
When you sleep, your core temperature drops by a few degrees, shedding heat into the surrounding bedding. Some mattresses trap this heat, which, when coupled with people who suffer from night sweats, can make for an unpleasant experience. Hot sleepers will want to invest in the best cooling mattress topper for a more restful night.
Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper:
Gel memory foam is a specially formulated memory foam that contains gel beads designed to keep you cool during the night.
Pros: A gel memory foam mattress topper has all the benefits of a memory foam mattress topper with the addition of cooling technology. The gel beads are designed to assist with the absorption of heat, drawing it away from you as you sleep and helping to regulate your body temperature. The cellular structure is optimized for increased airflow, making it the best cooling mattress topper. If you enjoy the comfort and support of a memory foam mattress but struggle with the heat produced by the material, then this is the best mattress topper for you.
Cons: Gel memory foam mattress toppers are quite firm to sleep on. The cooling technology adds to the cost of the mattress topper. As with regular memory foam, gel memory foam mattress toppers produce a chemical smell called off-gassing.
Wool Mattress Toppers:
Though it may seem like it would make you hot, wool is actually effective at keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. Wool mattress toppers are a little harder to come by but offer a more luxurious feel.
Pros: Wool is dust and mould-resistant, making it a durable choice. Wool mattress toppers are excellent at regulating temperature by absorbing a small amount of liquid into the core of its fibers and wicking away moisture through small openings within the fabric, resulting in a dry surface.
Cons: Wool is an expensive and difficult material to maintain (wool can’t be machine-washed). Wool mattress toppers are ineffective at blocking spills because they are absorbent.
The average human sleeps for about one-third of their life, so it only makes sense that the experience should be comfortable. If you love feeling like you’re sleeping in the clouds, down might provide the best mattress topper for you.
Down/Feather Mattress Topper:
Down and feathers both come from geese or ducks. Feathers are long and make up the outer covering known as quills. Down lies beneath the feathers and is light and fluffy.
Pros: Down/feather mattress toppers make your bed feel more plush, providing additional comfort to what you already have. The feathers also retain warmth, so feather mattress toppers are the best mattress toppers for colder climates.
Cons: A down/feather mattress topper may not be ideal for you if you get hot at night or are allergic to authentic down. After enough use, the feathers in the mattress topper may lose volume and begin to poke through the material. A down/feather mattress topper is relatively expensive, difficult to wash and ineffective at blocking stains.
Down-Alternative Mattress Toppers
If you love the feeling of real down but have allergies, select a down-alternative mattress topper. They are filled with microfibese that mimic natural down with none of the allergens.
Pros: Down alternative offers the softness, warmth and fluffiness of real down without the allergens. Since down-alternative mattress toppers are filled with hypoallergenic microfibre, they're better for the animal conscious.
Cons: Unfortunately, down-alternative mattress toppers can’t be machine-washed, and stains can make their way through the synthetic fibres. They offer little by way of pressure support and relief.
Cotton and polyester are the best mattress toppers for those in search of a budget-friendly mattress topper.
Cotton Mattress Topper:
Cotton is a common, natural fiber derived from plants and is extremely cost-effective to manufacture.
Pros: Cotton mattress toppers are popular because they are durable and affordable, though the prices vary depending on the quality. Cotton is easy to care for and is usually machine-washable, making it easier to deal with any spills and stains. Cotton is readily available and easy to manufacture and mass-produce, making the cost, quantity and value of these mattress toppers ideal for a tight budget.
Cons: Organic and 100% cotton are more expensive than blends of lesser quality. Cotton mattress toppers offer no protection against stains and spill (unless blended or backed by another material). Unfortunately, cotton mattress toppers are not as durable as latex or memory foam. Cotton mattress toppers are typically thinner than other styles.
Polyester Mattress Toppers:
Polyester is one of the world’s most popular synthetic fibres, usually referred to as fibrefill.
Pros: Polyester mattress toppers come in a range of options, the most common being a blend of the more pricey natural cotton and significantly less-expensive synthetic materials. Similarly to down alternative, this is the best mattress topper for those with allergies who enjoy the feeling of feather/down products.
Cons: A polyester mattress topper provides little support or cushioning and may be too soft for some sleepers. Polyester tends to squeeze, losing its shape and becoming lumpy quickly. With the wide array of polyester mattress toppers available, it's difficult to find consistency between the different brands.
Whether you're looking to give your current mattress a little more life or create a new feeling altogether, choosing the right mattress protector or topper can change the way you sleep.
Eager for more? Then check out these 6 top-quality mattresses under £400 and our mattress buying guide.
