Why trust NCOA

Key Takeaways 

• The Nolah Mattress Topper received “Best Mattress Topper Overall” for its excellent pressure-relieving benefits and cooling features.
• The cost for queen-size mattress toppers in this review ranges from $215–$499.
• Mattress toppers help change the feel of your current mattress.
• Extend the life of your current mattress by adding the comfort and support of a topper.

Like a good pillow, the best mattress topper may improve how well you sleep. Research shows lying on your back on a thin mattress topper (30 millimeters, or a little more than 1 inch) can ease body pressure, lower body temperature, and promote a straighter spine. Mattress toppers are added on top of mattresses and are held in place by straps. They can range in thickness from 2 inches to up to 5 inches. 

Good bed toppers can change the feel of even the best mattresses. If you have a soft mattress, a topper can add more cushion and plushness to relieve pressure points. A firm mattress topper can offer extra comfort while still providing enough support to keep your spine in good alignment. 

“Mattress toppers—especially memory foam toppers—can help with weight distribution and can usually help with temperature regulation during sleep,” said Tamar Amitay, a physical therapist in New York City. 

Sleep patterns change as you get older. In fact, older adults typically sleep less at night, experience insomnia (trouble sleeping), and wake up more often. The right mattress topper may help you sleep more comfortably or fall back asleep more easily. Mattress toppers can provide extra support and cushion—especially around pressure points. 

In this review, we share our expert take on the best mattress toppers based on our testing.

Best mattress toppers in 2024

• Nolah Mattress Topper: Best Mattress Topper Overall
• Saatva Graphite Memory Foam: Best Luxury Mattress Topper
• Birch Plush: Best Firm Mattress Topper
• TEMPUR-Adapt: Most Supportive Mattress Topper
• ViscoSoft High Density: Best Washable Mattress Topper
• Layla Memory Foam: Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper
• COOP Sleep Goods Retreat Topper: Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain

Compare the best mattress toppers as of September 2024

Nolah Mattress Topper: Best Mattress Topper Overall

Our expert take on the Nolah Mattress Topper

The Nolah mattress topper has the feel of memory foam, with more plushness and responsiveness, making it a top-rated mattress topper for those who need pressure relief. The plush firmness option provides plenty of cushion and buoyancy to give a little extra to your current mattress. Side and back sleepers should get the most support, but stomach sleepers and higher-weight sleepers (more than 250 pounds) may need a thicker option to get the pressure-relieving benefits.

The Nolah mattress topper uses its AirFoam, which hot sleepers may find especially comfortable because it’s cooler than traditional memory foam. The AirFoam is CertiPUR-US certified, which means it’s free from potentially dangerous chemicals such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates. 

At 2 inches thick, there isn’t much room to really sink into the topper, but we felt it still had a lot of buoyancy and responsiveness, making it easy to move around. The topper comes in two firmness options: luxury firm and plush.

With its ability to provide plenty of contouring and cushion, the plush topper can help side sleepers get the right amount of pressure relief on the hips and shoulders. Higher-weight sleepers might find the topper isn’t thick enough to provide a comfortable level of pressure relief while side-sleeping. Back sleepers should find enough support on either the plush or luxury firm topper. Stomach sleepers may find the topper too soft and notice their hips sink too far into the bed.

The Nolah Mattress Topper has elastic straps on its corners to secure the topper to your bed. It is spot-clean-only, though, so it’s best to use a machine-washable protector on the topper if needed.

Our recommendation

Who will love it

• Side sleepers looking for a good balance between pressure relief and comfort
• Those who sleep hot

Who should avoid it

• Higher-weight sleepers needing a thicker topper for more pressure relief
• People looking for a thicker, plusher mattress topper
• Stomach sleepers

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam: Best Luxury Mattress Topper

Our expert take on the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam

The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam mattress topper’s breathable, organic, and high-quality materials make it our top choice for the “Best Luxury Mattress Topper.” Side and back sleepers can get enough support and comfort to ease pressure points, but stomach sleepers might find the topper too soft to support the body while sleeping. 

The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam mattress topper offers a luxurious feel with breathable materials. Its graphite-infused memory foam helps disperse heat from your body to keep you from getting too hot. While it doesn’t feel cool to the touch, it does well at regulating body temperature.

The 3-inch dense memory foam provides enough contouring and pressure relief for most back and side sleepers. Combination sleepers can move around freely on the topper without slippage due to the elastic straps that hold the topper in place. 

The cover isn’t removable, so this mattress topper cannot be machine-washed. While Saatva offers a generous 180-night trial period, it only has a one-year warranty. 

The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam mattress topper ships free to every state besides Hawaii and Alaska and comes rolled up inside a box. 

Our recommendation

Who will love it

• Side and back sleepers looking for pressure relief
• Hot sleepers
• Those who want a long trial period to test the topper before committing

Who should avoid it

• Those who want to wash their mattress topper—the cover isn’t removable
• Shoppers on a tight budget
• Stomach sleepers

Birch Plush Organic: Best Firm Mattress Topper

Our expert take on the Birch Plush Organic

When you hear the word “plush” you might think of pillowy softness. While the Birch Plush Organic has a soft feel, it’s surprisingly firmer than other mattress toppers we reviewed. We especially like the Birch Plush Organic for back and stomach sleeping.

The Birch Plush Organic mattress topper is made of organic latex, cotton, and wool. Due to these high-quality organic materials, it has the highest price of all the mattress toppers we reviewed. But the firmness makes it supportive enough for those who sleep on their stomach, as it can keep the hips lifted enough to maintain good spine alignment. It’s also ideal for back sleeping with its slight contouring and “top of the bed” feel for hip support. 

Side sleepers, on the other hand, may find the Birch Plush Organic a little too firm to get enough pressure relief on the hips and shoulders. It also doesn’t allow for as much contouring as memory foam tends to offer. 

The latex material provides a cool feel for hot sleepers. Latex is also more responsive and is bouncier than other materials, which makes it easier for combination sleepers to change positions and to get in and out of the bed.

The materials used for the Birch Plush Organic are GREENGUARD Gold- and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified, which means they don’t use harmful chemicals and are responsibly sourced.

Our recommendation

Who will love it

• Stomach and back sleepers who need more support
• Hot sleepers
• Those who want a mattress topper made with sustainable materials

Who should avoid it

• Side sleepers who need pressure relief and support in the hips and shoulders
• People on a tight budget

TEMPUR-Adapt: Most Supportive Mattress Topper

Our expert take on the TEMPUR-Adapt

The TEMPUR-Adapt mattress topper is made of 3 inches of TEMPUR-Pedic’s memory foam called TEMPUR-Material foam. This makes it ideal for side and back sleepers who need a good amount of support to keep the pressure off joints.

Lying on the TEMPUR-Adapt mattress topper, the foam feels thick and dense—offering plenty of support for side sleepers who need pressure relief on the hips and shoulders. The memory foam lets you gently sink into the mattress, providing a good amount of body contouring. 

For side sleepers with a medium-firm mattress, the TEMPUR-Adapt topper can provide additional support to maintain spinal alignment. For those with a firm mattress, it may bring some extra comfort and pressure relief to the lower back. 

Stomach sleepers might find the topper a little too soft, and it may not provide enough lift to keep the spine in alignment. Because it’s made of memory foam, the topper traps heat more than others, so hot sleepers may want to consider another option that’s more breathable. 

The polyester-blend cover is removable and washable, and the company says it can resist allergens such as dust and mold. The TEMPUR-Adapt mattress topper ships free rolled up inside a box, but people living in Hawaii and Alaska will have to pay a shipping fee. The topper comes with a 10-year warranty, but there’s no trial period and no returns. 

Our recommendation

Who will love it

• Back and side sleepers who need plenty of support to keep the spine in proper alignment
• Those with allergies who need to wash their bedding regularly
• Sleepers who love the feel of traditional memory foam

Who should avoid it

• Those who want to try out a mattress topper before committing
• Stomach sleepers who need a firmer sleep surface
• People who sleep hot and need additional cooling features

ViscoSoft High Density: Best Washable Mattress Topper

Our expert take on the ViscoSoft High Density

The ViscoSoft High Density is one of only two toppers on this list that is fully removable and machine washable (the other being the TEMPUR-Adapt), earning it the title of “Best Washable Mattress Topper.” The ViscoSoft stands out by being almost half the price—$215 compared to the $419 TEMPUR-Adapt. The ViscoSoft also has multiple cooling features, such as ventilation in the foam for airflow, which makes it more breathable than some other mattress toppers we tested. The foam has gel infusions to help disperse heat away from the body and maintain a comfortable temperature.

The ViscoSoft High Density mattress topper has a cushy height at 3 inches and is made of gel memory foam. Unlike traditional memory foam, gel-infused toppers tend to have better temperature regulation to help prevent overheating. 

There’s also plenty of airflow with perforations in the foam that provide extra ventilation to prevent heat from becoming trapped. In addition to the gel, the memory foam is densely-packed. This gives it a heavy feel that provides support for back and side sleepers. Stomach sleepers might find this mattress topper is too soft to give the right amount of support to prevent the hips from sinking in. 

We gave this mattress a medium-firm rating, so those who sleep on a firm mattress might get some added cushioning, especially back sleepers. If you sleep on a softer mattress, the ViscoSoft High Density adds some plushness, but still provides support.

The cover is machine-washable, and you can try out the mattress topper for three months before fully committing, with free shipping and free returns. 

Our recommendation

Who will love it

• Those who want a machine-washable and more affordable mattress topper
• Combination sleepers
• Hot sleepers who need cooling features

Who should avoid it

• Stomach sleepers who need a firmer mattress to prevent the hips from sinking in
• Those who want a softer, body-contouring mattress topper

Layla Memory Foam: Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Our expert take on the Layla Memory Foam

Memory foam is known for its dense, body-hugging contouring, and the Layla Memory Foam mattress topper doesn’t disappoint. In fact, the longer we laid on it, the more contouring and sinkage it provided our testers. Those who love the feel of memory foam should appreciate the cozy feel of the Layla. 

The Layla memory foam mattress topper is 2 inches thick and made of cool and supportive materials. The foam is infused with copper, so it helps wick away heat from the body. Copper also has antimicrobial properties, and the foam is CertiPUR-US certified. The cover is a polyester blend with straps that keep the topper secured to the mattress.

Lying on the Layla offers gradual sinking, which may appeal to memory foam lovers. Its dense foam helps contour the body and gives quite a bit of support and pressure relief. While it may be too soft to be supportive enough for stomach sleepers, those who sleep on their back or side should feel the support they need. Those who sleep on a firmer mattress might like the added pressure relief the Layla offers. 

Because it’s only 2 inches thick, higher-weight sleepers might sink all the way through the foam. Lighter-weight sleepers (less than 130 pounds) may not get enough pressure relief. 

The Layla memory foam mattress topper is $350 for a queen-size before discounts, so while it’s pricier, it lands around the middle of the price range of other mattress toppers we reviewed. It only comes with a 30-night trial period, but has a five-year warranty. 

Our recommendation

Who will love it

• Those looking for extra pressure relief and support for side and back sleeping
• Hot sleepers
• Those who want to get a little more life out of their current mattress

Who should avoid it

• Higher-weight sleepers
• Stomach sleepers
• Shoppers who want a longer trial period before commiting

COOP Sleep Goods Retreat Topper: Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain

Our expert take on the COOP Sleep Goods Retreat Topper

The Coop Sleep Goods Retreat is our pick for “Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain” due to the added foam in the lower-back region, which helps provide extra support. People living with back pain may find adding this topper to their existing medium-firm mattress helps ease aches and pains. 

The Coop Sleep Goods Retreat mattress topper is made up of pockets of shredded memory foam, giving it a plush feel similar to a pillow top mattress topper. It’s hypoallergenic, which helps those with allergies, but the downside is there is no removable cover, so it can’t be machine washed.

Due to the pockets of foam, the topper doesn’t have a smooth feel, and some sleepers might feel it’s lumpy to lie on. Those who use a medium-firm mattress may feel more comfortable on the Coop Sleep Goods Retreat as it gives a good amount of added pressure relief on the shoulders while back sleeping. Those with back pain may appreciate the plush pockets of foam that can fill in the gap between the mattress and lower-back region, providing more support. 

Most stomach sleepers should find their hips don’t sink too much into the topper as long as they’re already sleeping on a firmer mattress. The Sleep Goods Retreat topper doesn’t have the contouring that a block of memory foam does. 

By using shredded memory foam instead of a memory foam block, there is more airflow and breathability to help regulate body temperature. But overall, it doesn’t have any other cooling features, which may be a deal-breaker for hot sleepers. 

Our recommendation

Who will love it

• Combination sleepers
• Those who want a plush mattress topper
• People looking for back pain relief

Who should avoid it

• Those who want to machine-wash their mattress topper
• Those who have a mattress size different from what the company offers
• Hot sleepers

Bottom line 

Our pick for the “Best Overall” mattress topper is the Nolah Mattress Topper for its mix of plushness, responsiveness, and pressure relief. Other top picks include Birch Plush, TEMPUR-Adapt, and Layla Memory Foam toppers.

Mattress toppers can change the way your mattress feels. They can range in price from $100 in retail stores for basic options to $500 or more online. But mattress toppers can also help extend the life of your bed, making it more affordable than investing in an entirely new mattress. 

No matter if you’re looking for a mattress topper to make your mattress more soft and plush, or a firmer topper to provide comfort and support, there is an option to fit almost any sleeping position or preference. 

Frequently asked questions

Do mattress toppers make a big difference?

Depending on the brand, mattress toppers can make quite a difference in a mattress’s firmness level and support. You can use mattress toppers to make a mattress softer or firmer. Mattress toppers are also more affordable than buying a brand new mattress, so it can help extend the life of your current mattress.

What thickness is best for a memory foam topper?

Higher-weight sleepers may need a thicker memory foam topper around 3–4 inches, and lighter-weight sleepers may find 2 inches to be plenty supportive. Too thick of a mattress topper may make it more difficult to get a fitted sheet over your mattress and topper. 

What is the best mattress topper for hip pain?

If you have hip pain, you need enough cushioning to relieve pressure over the hip joint. Thicker mattress toppers such as the dense memory foam of the TEMPUR-Adapt can help relieve pain while side sleeping.

Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

Sources

1. Yu-Chi, et al. Better combination of thickness and hardness of mattress topper for supine sleeping posture: A physiological measurements evaluation. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. July 2020. Found on the internet at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169814119305426
2. Li J, et al. Sleep in Normal Aging. Sleep Medicine Clinics. Nov. 21, 2017. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5841578 
3. Salah I, et al. Copper as an antimicrobial agent: recent advances. RSC Advances. May 19, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9033467/
4. Mayo Clinic. Sleeping positions that reduce back pain. Jan. 19, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/in-depth/sleeping-positions/art-20546852