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We’re planning a new round of testing for this guide. Polyester Micro Fiber Wadding
If you toss and turn because your mattress is too firm, adding a topper could help you sleep better.
After 40 hours of research, and sleeping for more than 300 hours on 17 different models, we found three of the best mattress toppers made with memory-foam (for cushioning that hugs the body), latex (for springier support), and fiber-fill (for just a touch of softness) to make your bed more comfortable.
This dense topper cradles pressure points better than any other memory-foam model we tried and it never overheated our testers. But it’s pricey.
Springier than memory foam, this latex topper comes in a wide range of thicknesses and densities to suit all sleep positions.
This fluffy microfiber-filled topper is soft and keeps its loft (if you fluff it regularly) but it provides less cushioning than memory foam or latex.
This dense topper cradles pressure points better than any other memory-foam model we tried and it never overheated our testers. But it’s pricey.
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Topper is the most luxurious mattress topper we tested. Made from a dense memory foam, it cradles pressure points (like your shoulders and hips) better than other memory-foam toppers.
Unlike cheaper options, its 3 inches of foam won’t flatten or bottom out over time, which makes it a good option for softening up a too-firm mattress. It breathes better than the rest of the toppers we tried and it comes with a removable, washable cover.
Although it’s expensive, the Tempur-Pedic comes with a 10-year warranty, the longest of any mattress topper we tried.
Springier than memory foam, this latex topper comes in a wide range of thicknesses and densities to suit all sleep positions.
The Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Topper is the best mattress topper for people who want foam cushioning but don’t like the characteristic sinking sensation of memory foam. Latex has a texture similar to memory foam, but it’s springier, so your body will rest on the surface without sinking in.
The Sleep on Latex is the most-affordable, well-reviewed latex option we found. It’s available in three thicknesses and three densities: soft, medium, and firm–offering more levels of customization than any other topper we considered.
You can also buy a separate washable encasement for this topper, making it easier to keep clean over time.
This fluffy microfiber-filled topper is soft and keeps its loft (if you fluff it regularly) but it provides less cushioning than memory foam or latex.
We recommend Parachute’s Down Alternative Mattress Topper for people who mainly want to add comfort to their beds. This topper adds a soft layer, but won’t give you much additional support or pressure point relief.
The model was the loftiest fiber-filled topper we tested and it stayed fluffy for longer than the competition. As with any filled mattress topper, you’ll need to fluff this topper semi-regularly to keep up its loft.
We went to Long’s Bedding & Interiors and met with co-owner and fourth-generation mattress expert Terri Long to test some high-end toppers and learn about what sets different kinds of toppers apart. We also spoke to Dr. Eric Robertson, physical therapist and an American Physical Therapy Association spokesperson, to find out if mattress toppers could help relieve back pain.
We read customer reviews of mattress toppers on Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, The Company Store, Cuddledown, and other bedding websites for pointers and to learn more about people’s experiences with mattress toppers.
If you’re uncomfortable in bed because your mattress is too firm, there’s a good chance a mattress topper will help. Adding some padding will keep your shoulders, hips, knees, and other pressure points from digging into the mattress. A mattress topper can also soften up a too-spartun sofa bed.
What even the best mattress topper won’t do is fix a sagging or lumpy mattress. “If you’re sleeping on a mattress that’s shot and unsupportive,” mattress expert Terri Long told us, “putting a topper on it isn’t going to make it any more supportive. If you’re in a hammock, you’re gonna be in a slightly more cushion-y hammock.” Similarly, if your mattress is too soft, our experts agreed that, in most cases, a topper can’t make it firmer. In both cases, you’re better off just getting a new mattress.
Lastly, if you have a hard time falling asleep or you wake with a crick in your neck, you may actually need a new pillow, which can be a much less expensive fix.
This dense topper cradles pressure points better than any other memory-foam model we tried and it never overheated our testers. But it’s pricey.
Who it’s for: People who want a long-term option for softening a too-firm (but still supportive) mattress and like the enveloping feeling of memory foam. The topper is dense but soft, and less likely to bottom out under your body weight into the mattress than cheaper or thinner memory-foam toppers.
Why it’s great: The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Topper feels more luxurious than any other topper we’ve tested. It’s made from a heavy, dense foam that we found perfectly cradles the body. In fact, it offers more cushioning than any other memory-foam topper we tried, and unlike some other memory-foam models we tested, it never made us feel like we’d fallen into a crater.
While heat retention is an issue with all memory-foam toppers (and mattresses), most of our testers reported that the Tempur-Pedic topper didn’t make them sweat.
At $240 to $400 for a queen, source and season depending, this is not the topper to buy if you need a quick fix. But if your mattress is still supportive, this topper could save you the hundreds to thousands of dollars you’d spend on a new one. It also offers a 10-year warranty—the longest of any topper we tried—so it may even last through several mattresses. Finally, this topper includes a removable cover for easier washing. It also has straps that help hold the topper securely on your mattress. (We tested an older model, which didn’t feature straps. The current model is largely the same, with the addition of straps.)
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Tempur-Pedic mattress topper weighs about 36 pounds, making it difficult to maneuver. It requires two people to get it into place, but once you’ve managed to get it on the bed, it won’t slip around or fall off. One staffer who uses the Tempur-Pedic on a fold-out sofa bed for guests noted they sometimes skip putting it on because of how difficult it is to take the topper out of storage.
Another staffer who purchased (and eventually returned) the Tempur-Pedic mattress topper found it retained too much heat during the night. If you tend to sleep hot, our latex or fiber-fill picks may work better for you.
Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king Thickness: 3 inches Materials: memory foam, poly/Lycra cover
Springier than memory foam, this latex topper comes in a wide range of thicknesses and densities to suit all sleep positions.
Who it’s for: People who want foam cushioning without the sinking sensation of memory foam. This springy yet dense topper will allow your body to rest on the surface, while the foam hugs pressure points.
Why it’s great: Latex toppers tend to be very expensive, but the Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Topper is one of the most affordable and well-reviewed options we found. While most toppers only come in one thickness and density, the Sleep On Latex comes in 1-, 2-, and 3-inch thicknesses, and in soft, medium, and firm density levels for different sleep positions. We tested and recommend the soft, 3-inch version, which the company says is its best-selling model and should work well for side-sleepers. It felt cradling on pressure points (though not as much as the memory-foam Tempur-Pedic topper). Sleep On Latex recommends the medium density for back-sleepers or couples with different sleep preferences, and says that the firm density is best for firming up a too-soft mattress (although experts told us that you can’t really firm up a soft mattress).
Latex foam is inherently more breathable than memory foam, so the Sleep On Latex is a good choice if you tend to sleep hot or sweat during the night. (Only one of our testers reported feeling hot on the Sleep on Latex.)
We really like that Sleep On Latex sells a separate washable cotton/polyester encasement, which will help keep the foam clean and allow you to wash the cover when it gets dirty. Most foam toppers—latex or memory foam—don’t come with the option of a cover, and they can quickly become stained and collect dust and pet hair. We still recommend using a waterproof mattress pad or protector over this topper if pets or kids share your bed, though, since the optional cover isn’t waterproof. One of our testers, who’s been sleeping on the Sleep on Latex since 2020, reports that it remains “perfect in every way.” The Sleep On Latex also comes in a wide range of sizes, including twin XL and California king. The company offers a five-year warranty for its mattress toppers, and has free 30-day returns—one of the more generous policies we have seen.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Even though latex is generally considered more breathable than memory foam, one of our testers still woke up drenched in sweat. This topper also weighs around 30 pounds—not as heavy as the Tempur-Pedic, but nearly double the weight of the fiber-filled Parachute—and can be unwieldy. Placing it on the bed was a two-person job. A staffer who owns the Sleep on Latex noted it’s also quite bulky to store (if not kept permanently on a bed), taking up a large amount of a small closet.
Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king Thickness: 1, 2, and 3 inches Materials: latex, cotton/polyester cover
This fluffy microfiber-filled topper is soft and keeps its loft (if you fluff it regularly) but it provides less cushioning than memory foam or latex.
Who it’s for: People who just need a soft layer of extra cushioning on a still-supportive mattress, who prefer sinking into a pillow top instead of foam, and don’t need added pressure-point relief. This topper feels airy and fluffy, like you’re lying on a thin, but soft, pillow.
Why it’s great: The cloud-like Parachute Down Alternative Mattress Topper is one of the loftiest fiber-filled toppers we tested (even compared with wool and feather models that cost more). Its baffle-box construction did a better job at keeping the microfiber fill evenly distributed than many of the less durable filled toppers we tried (those tended to feel flat or lumpy). The Parachute’s smooth sleep surface and its plump and soft cushioning felt far better than some pricier feather beds we tested that tamped down almost immediately.
One of our testers compared sleeping on the Parachute to being swaddled—you’re surrounded by softness, rather than sinking into it, as you would with foam. After sleeping on it for six months, another tester reports that though it requires regular fluffing, it still makes her mattress feel softer and more comfortable. Another tester, who has been using the topper with their partner for 18 months, also reports liking the topper despite similar “minor annoyances” about weekly fluffing to redistribute the filling and small shifts that require tugging the edge back into place every couple of nights. A third tester says she still loves the topper several months into owning it, so much so that she doesn’t mind the occasional cost of dry cleaning. The topper is available in twin and twin XL sizes as well as full, queen, king, and California king. Parachute offers a 60-day window for free returns and a three-year warranty.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This topper isn’t cushy enough to offer much pressure-point relief. If that’s what you need, consider a memory-foam or latex topper. Because it requires dry-cleaning, we don’t recommend this one if kids or pets share your bed (unless you use a waterproof mattress pad over it). And it will require more regular adjustment (fluffing, tugging square when you make the bed) than a heavy, unfilled topper like our top pick.
Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king Thickness: 3 inches Materials: microfiber fill, sateen cotton shell
We’re planning a new round of testing for mattress toppers in early 2024. Some of the toppers we’ll test include:
Memory foam, also known as viscoelastic foam, cradles or hugs the body. Its contouring properties and slow recovery make it feel soft, yet supportive. When you get up, the foam slowly regains its shape (that’s the “memory” part). Memory-foam toppers range in thickness from 2 to 4 inches and vary in density (determined by weight per cubic foot), with denser foams being more supportive and also more expensive.
Memory foam is temperature-responsive and may feel firmer in a colder room or softer in warmer surroundings or through contact with body heat. As you sink into the foam, it retains and radiates your body heat, so it might make you sweat if you sleep warm. Gel memory-foam toppers contain cooling gels designed to absorb additional heat (sometimes these are advertised as “cooling” mattress toppers). In practice, we haven’t found that gel-infused foams have kept our hot sleepers from sweating. In our testing, the least sweat-inducing toppers were the ones that came with some kind of a fabric cover. For example, our favorite memory-foam topper, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Topper Supreme, comes with a polyester/Lycra cover, and our testers never woke up sweating in the night, as they did with other foam toppers.
Latex is similar to memory foam in texture, but it’s springier; instead of sinking into it, your body rests on the surface. Latex can be a good option if you want the buoyancy of foam but you don’t like the hugging sensation of memory foam. Because you sink less into the foam, latex should retain less heat than memory foam (although we’ve found this isn’t always the case). Our recommended latex model, the Sleep On Latex, comes in a wide variety of thicknesses and densities, and most latex toppers offer more customization than other types, so you can choose depending on your sleep position or the amount of padding you want to add to your bed.
Fiber-filled beds, also known as down-alternative toppers, are similar to feather beds, but are filled with polyester or other synthetic fiber. These are a good option if you just need a little extra padding on a too-firm mattress. One tester likened sleeping on our pick, the Parachute Down Alternative, to being swaddled in softness. Fiber beds won’t provide nearly as much cushioning as memory foam or latex, so we wouldn’t recommend this style if your current mattress is making you sore at the shoulders, hips, or other pressure points. But in general, fiber toppers can be a comfortable and pretty affordable option if you just want to add a bit of a pillow top to your mattress. Some fiber-filled beds can be machine washed, while others are dry-clean only.
We’ve found that memory foam, latex, and fiber-filled toppers are the only ones that provide enough cushioning to significantly change the feel of a too-firm mattress. However, there are a couple of other types you may want to consider if you only need to add a very thin layer of softness to your bed and want even better temperature regulation or a more luxurious feel.
Wool toppers are among the most breathable and best at temperature regulation, but they’re the most expensive type we tried and we found that they don’t provide as much cushioning (they tend to flatten out with use). The benefit of wool—over some bulky fiber-filled toppers that won’t fit in a standard washer and dryer—is that you can generally fluff wool toppers in a regular-sized dryer. They usually measure around 1 to 2 inches thick. Some wool toppers can be machine washed, while others are dry-clean only.
Also known as feather beds, these—like fiber-filled beds—are similar to comforters in that they are sewn with baffle boxes that keep the feathers and down from shifting. These toppers tend to feel luxurious straight out of the bag, but require regular fluffing and shaking to maintain loft. They have a tendency to feel crunchier than other types, and feathers can poke through. Most feather toppers can only be spot-cleaned.
We looked for toppers that offered the following:
Comfort: We looked for toppers that didn’t feel lumpy, bumpy, or crunchy. We also focused on toppers that were dense or thick enough to create enough padding to soften up a mattress top. Mattress expert Terri Long recommends looking for a topper that’s 2 to 3 inches thick. We avoided toppers that got a lot of negative owner reviews about overheating sleepers.
A snug fit: We looked for toppers that stayed in place overnight and fit under regular fitted sheets with ease. We also wanted to find those that didn’t shift on the bed after use.
A good warranty: We gave preference to models with longer warranties, especially pricier models. A good return policy, or a long return window, is also a bonus.
We looked at best-selling and highly rated toppers from retailers like Amazon, The Company Store, Cuddledown, Bed Bath & Beyond, Wayfair, and Target and ended up with a list of 90. We narrowed those down by focusing on popular models that received lots of positive owner reviews and met our above criteria, settling on 17 models for testing: seven polyester-filled, seven memory foam, two feather, three wool, one latex.
We examined each for quality of construction, and we noted any odors (some particularly smelly memory-foam toppers needed several days to air out before sleeping on them). We tried each on a queen-size mattress to check the fit and to see if a fitted sheet would go on over the topper and mattress. With the sheet in place, we rolled around on each topper to gauge how much cushioning it offered, how well it stayed put, and how much volume it lost after our tossing and turning.
After eliminating toppers that felt uncomfortable, fit poorly, and/or had lingering odors, we slept at least two nights on each of the finalists to determine how comfortable they were to use. We layered each one on a firm, three-year-old, innerspring mattress. Though no one mattress topper will work for everyone, we looked for models that would provide an experience like that of sleeping on a good-quality hotel mattress.
If you prefer wool and want good temperature regulation—but are ok with less support: The Deluxe Wool Mattress Pad from Woolroom is a great option. It’s 2-3 inches thick and, unlike our other picks, it comes with an elastic skirt as part of the design, so it stays in place. We also appreciated the company’s dedication to using ethically sourced and traceable wool. Like most wool toppers, it offers less support than foam or down, but it does an excellent job at staying both cool and warm when needed—and it still added noticeable cushioning to a very firm guest sofa bed.
We used to recommend the Red Nomad Ultra Premium Gel Infused Visco Elastic Memory Foam Topper, but when we reordered a new topper to test in 2018, it came out of the bag with horrible odors. We aired it out in a room with an open window for at least three days, and the smell persisted. Many owners complain about this issue in reviews on Amazon, as well. Beyond the odor, we also felt that this topper was less supportive and comfortable than the Tempur-Pedic in the brief time we could stand to try it.
The Lucid 4 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper felt unsupportive on our lower backs, and quickly cratered out within minutes of laying on it. It was almost like laying on a worn-out hammock-mattress.
We woke up with sore necks and stiff backs after sleeping on the Zinus 2 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper. It felt too thin and unsupportive.
Overall, the Linenspa 2 Inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper felt unremarkable to sleep on.
The PlushBeds 100% Natural Talalay Latex Topper was much more expensive than our latex topper pick.
The Duck & Goose Co Plush Topper’s shell felt unpleasant to the touch, and the elastic bands meant to keep it attached to the mattress are too short, so it doesn’t stay in place well. One of our testers didn’t like that he could feel the baffles in this topper when he was lying on it.
Ayanna Redwood-Crawford contributed to this article. This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan.
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Mike Magnuson, founder of GoodBed.com, phone interview, March 27, 2018
Terri Long, co-owner of Long’s Bedding & Interiors, in-person interview, September 15, 2017
Mattress Topper Reviews You Can Actually Trust – 2018, Sleep Like the Dead, May 4, 2018
Stacey Morgan, Do I Need a Mattress Topper?, Ted & Stacey’s Mattress Guides, October 26, 2016
Keith Cole, DPT, PhD, assistant professor of health, human function, and rehabilitation sciences at George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, phone interview, June 20, 2018
Ahkil Chhatre, MD, spine rehabilitation director and assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and neurological surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, phone interview, June 7, 2018
Eric Robertson, PT, DPT, American Physical Therapy Association spokesperson, director of Graduate Physical Therapy Education for Kaiser Permanente in Northern California,, phone interview, May 11, 2018
Daniela Gorny is the supervising editor for the home section at Wirecutter, covering home decor, textiles, and furniture. She previously studied and worked as an architect and received a master’s degree in urban planning. You can usually find her exploring the hilly trails of Los Angeles or adventuring in the Mojave Desert.
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Melt-blown Non woven Fabric Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).