10 Questions You May Ask For Finding the Best Topper

1. What are mattress toppers?

Mattress toppers are removable beddings placed on top of the mattress, providing additional comfort on used/old mattresses or adding more support to newer ones if they are being too soft. 

Sometimes, they are called mattress pads, but the latter is quite thin to be added to the mattress. Modern design has often made the topper from memory foam for pressure relief, and reduced motion transfer from tosses and turns.

2. What are the benefits of mattress toppers?

Toppers are mainly to help extend the life of an older mattress or help change the firmness level of the current mattress.

If your mattress is getting old and saggy, a possible solution is to buy a mattress topper for a better sleeping experience. A good topper provides the comfort you crave while protecting your mattress from further wear and tear.

Besides getting comfort and saving the pocket, a memory foam topper can also prevent and relieve back pain, as well as improve circulation as it conforms to your body. It makes for an all-around more satisfying sleep that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. You may also benefit from the temporary use of a mattress topper when recovering from an injury, surgery, or illness that leaves your regular mattress feeling a bit off.

Memory foam is also a smart choice for those sensitive to allergens, as it happens to be resistant to mildew and dust mites.

Memory foam is also especially useful to avoid motion transfer if you have partners who are restless throughout the night.

Last but not least, picking the mattress as hard as they might feel different when you bring them home. A mattress topper can also be the perfect solution to this common dilemma.

3. How does thickness affect toppers’ quality?

Memory foam toppers range from $20 to $200 depending on various factors. Here we list the following metrics for you to consider paying more for better or not.

Thickness is the measurement of the layer of the foam product. Common mattress toppers are 2-3 inches. You must consider “thickness” with weight and density. Thicker when combined with a mid-range density, such as 4 lb, is simply a more opulent experience.

4. How to choose toppers based on weight and density?

Weight and density are key factors in buying a memory foam topper. Density denotes the softness of the fom and weight, and it tells you how much firmness you are going to get. Cheaper foams – those under 3 lb in density -- are softer but less valuable than the heavier/denser foams. Four and 5 lb density toppers are mid-and upper-range memory foams and provide some of the better comfort and support. The density of the topper Memory foam and latex are both quite heavy and get heavier as their thickness and density increase.

Your weight also matters when choosing a mattress topper. A 2-inch mattress topper is likely to provide plenty of cushioning for a smaller person, but a larger person may sink in too deeply to fully benefit from the comfort of the mattress topper.

For women over 165 pounds and men over 185 pounds, a 3-inch topper should be the perfect thickness to provide the support and softness needed. If you weigh more than 250 pounds, opt for a thicker mattress topper. A topper that is at least 4 inches thick and has a density of 5 pounds per cubic foot is the best choice. Smaller mattress toppers may bottom out, preventing them from alleviating any pain caused by your mattress.

5. What about materials?

Mattress toppers are made of different materials, and we have listed many benefits from memory foam ones.

Latex mattress toppers are quite desirable as well. What's nice about latex toppers is that they are firm but bouncy and provide good support. Latex is created from the sap found in a rubber tree, but there are also synthetic latex toppers on the market. They are very durable. The downside to a latex mattress topper is that it tends to trap heat and can be too firm for some. They are not as soft as memory foam, however, which lets you sink further into the bed and provides a deeply cushioned surface for sore joints and muscles.

Some mattress toppers are made from wool, alpaca fibers, synthetic fibers, or a blend of all three. These toppers are soft to the touch and have the bonus of repelling dust mites and bedbugs. Natural down mattress toppers are soft and luxurious but may need to be fluffed frequently, which is potentially inconvenient.

Cotton and polyester mattress toppers are readily available and easy to clean but may not last as long as other topper materials.

Polyester blends can be a good substitute for those who want to lie on feather toppers but are allergic to feathers. Compared to the first two, polyester blends are cheaper and don’t come with any odor. It does have some softness. The problem is that it can be too hot when you sleep on it, and it doesn’t have much support or cushioning effect to offer. It can also become lumpy from time to time which may affect the quality of your sleep.

6. What is a memory foam topper made from?

A memory foam topper is made from viscoelastic polyurethane. This is often the go-to for mattress toppers since it comes in a variety of thicknesses as well as varying densities for better cushioning and support.

Compared to the firmness of latex, a memory foam mattress topper is soft and more comfortable. It can help reduce disturbance when your partner moves at night, plus deliver additional comfort.

Older foam mattress toppers use to retain heat resulting in sleeping hot. Modern memory foam toppers use gel technology within the foam to absorb and dissipate your body heat – keeping you cool throughout the night.

7. How sleeping positions affect topper choice?

How you sleep affects the type of mattress topper that works best for you. People who sleep on their side put a lot of pressure on the hip and shoulder they sleep on. To combat this, choose a mattress topper that is soft but still firm enough to support your body, like latex, and keep your spine aligned.

Back sleepers also need support but do best on a mattress topper that has the flexibility to curve with the spine. Memory foam or latex mattress topper often provides the most comfortable support for those who sleep this way. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, need firm support. Sinking into a bed will bend their spine backward into an uncomfortable position. Stomach sleepers need a very thin mattress topper and may prefer not to use a topper at all.

8. What are the limitations of toppers?

Mattress toppers can dramatically change the feel of your bed but they aren't magic. While they can make a firm mattress softer and add an extra layer of comfort to your bed, they won't fix a mattress that's past its prime.

Mattress toppers lack the interior support systems and structures found in mattresses and rely on the mattress itself for support. If your mattress is extremely lumpy, even a thick mattress topper may not even things out. Does your mattress sag in the middle? If so, it won't be long until your mattress topper does too. A ridge in the middle of your mattress will also poke through a topper.

9. Cost of toppers

The price of mattress toppers varies widely, from $40 or $50 to upwards of $1,000. Natural latex and high-quality memory foam toppers are generally the most expensive, but other materials can also be costly. Thickness plays a role as well, with thicker toppers costing more than their thinner counterparts.

Warranty length will also affect topper pricing, so does the size of the topper. A twin topper will be less expensive than one designed for a king-sized bed, for example.

Polyester, egg crate, and some types of cotton mattress toppers are among the cheapest, while feather, higher quality cotton, as well as down are in the mid-price range. Wool and memory foam, as well as latex, are in the higher price range.

10. Other tips

As was mentioned before, there are plenty of foam mattress toppers sold today. This can be a bit confusing when you have to find one for yourself. That being said, here are some factors to take into account when you are off hunting for one.

Pressure Point Relief

If you are looking for a mattress topper because you need additional support to your back and your limbs, you can choose between latex and memory foam since they both offer support and cushioning effects. They are good at keeping your body’s shape as you sleep at night.

Body Heat

Latex and memory foam mattress toppers are best at absorbing body heat. The thicker and denser they are, the hotter they may feel on your skin. Even when you choose a gel memory foam mattress, a bit of heat retention is still possible. Between the two, memory foam material is hotter than latex.

Ease Of Cleaning

Another tip you should consider when shopping for a mattress topper is how easy it is to clean. Is it machine-washable? Is it lightweight and easy to manage?

Allergies

If you have certain allergies, then you know that some mattress toppers may not be good for you. You can still find a mattress topper that is made from an alternative down instead of feather down. These include latex, memory foam, or even polyblends. You’ll find that mattress toppers are also designed to be resistant to mites, bed bugs, mold, as well as mildew.