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The 7 Best Mattress Toppers to Save Your Mattress and Improve Your Sleep

Because you can’t reach your peak performance on just a few winks.

By Gabrielle Hondorp
lucid mattress topper
Runner's World; LUCID

Trying to improve your sleep but don't want to drop a wad of cash on a new mattress? One of the easiest and most effective ways to refresh your bedding is with a new mattress topper, which works to add cushioning and protect your mattress from stains. Investing in a mattress topper is a great way to support to an older mattress or zhuzh up a newer one to make it feel more luxurious, but not all mattress toppers are made the same.

Between super soft pillow tops and firm memory foam, there is a mattress topper to fit every budget, sleeping position, and preference, and we've rounded up all the best ones for you.

The 5 Best Mattress Toppers of 2022

  • 1
    4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

    Best Overall

    LUCID 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

    $160 at Amazon
    Read more
  • 2
    Down Mattress Topper

    Best Down

    Parachute Home Down Mattress Topper

    Read more
  • 3
    Organic Latex Mattress Topper

    Best Nontoxic

    Avocado Green Mattress Organic Latex Mattress Topper

    Read more
  • 4
    2-Inch Breathable, Supportive Adaptive Foam Mattress Topper

    Best Memory Foam

    Tuft & Needle 2-Inch Breathable, Supportive Adaptive Foam Mattress Topper

    Read more
  • 5
    Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad

    Best Quilted

    Utopia Bedding Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad

    Read more

How to Choose

When looking for a mattress topper, there are a few different styles to consider, each of which provides a different level of cushioning and comfort.

Filling Type

Memory Foam

Memory foam is one of the most popular mattress topper materials, and for good reason. It offers additional cushion as well as support, which is perfect if you need to change the firmness of your mattress after your trial period expires. Memory foam is great for extending the life of a mattress and helping to support the contours of your back.

Down

Down and down alternative mattress toppers are super soft and offer a very plush, cushiony feel, but they don't add any support to your mattress. Down and down alternative toppers are best for adding a soft, luxurious feeling to your bed and are sometimes paired with memory foam to provide extra support, as well.

Quilted

This is the most basic type of mattress topper and the least expensive. It doesn't add a whole lot more cushioning, but it can help to keep you cool and provide a barrier between your sheet and mattress.

How We Selected

To find the best mattress toppers among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular models available. We looked at expert reviews from trusted resources like Wirecutter and Good Housekeeping, and customer reviews from sites like Amazon. Finally, we chose a range of products that fit all different sleep positions, preferences, and budgets to land on the best mattress toppers of 2023.

For more great ways to revamp your sleep setup, check out our picks for the best mattresses, pillows, and cooling weighted blankets.

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1
Best Overall

LUCID 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
1
Best Overall

LUCID 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

$160 at Amazon
Pros
  • Very plush
  • Washable cover
Cons
  • Too soft for some sleeping positions

This hybrid mattress topper combines the plush softness of a pillow top with the support of memory foam. Altogether, it is still on the softer side, so it's best for side or back sleepers. It has a two-inch down layer and a two-inch memory-foam layer for a total of four inches of oh-so-soft support.

Since it is on the softer side, it's best for side sleepers, and the pillow top portion is machine-washable.

Key Specs

Sizes Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Materials Memory foam, cotton, down alternative
WashableOnly pillow top is washable
2
Best Down

Parachute Home Down Mattress Topper

Down Mattress Topper
2
Best Down

Parachute Home Down Mattress Topper

Pros
  • Super plush
  • High quality materials
Cons
  • No added support

If you want to feel like you're going to sleep in a luxury hotel every night, then a down topper is the way to go. This one is extra thick and gives you the feeling of lying on the fluffiest cloud. Made with 550-fill down encased in a 100 percent cotton shell, it is light, airy, and breathable, meaning it won't make you overheat during the night.

Key Specs

Sizes Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Materials Cotton, down
WashableNo
3
Best Nontoxic

Avocado Green Mattress Organic Latex Mattress Topper

Organic Latex Mattress Topper
3
Best Nontoxic

Avocado Green Mattress Organic Latex Mattress Topper

Pros
  • Organic materials
  • Nontoxic
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Very firm

This Avocado topper is sustainably made using materials like organic latex, wool, and cotton to give you a super high-quality addition to your bed. It is available in both plush and firm options, though even the plush one is on the firmer side, making it a great choice for back and stomach sleepers. It's also certified organic and nontoxic, which is great if you have sensitive skin, or are worried about the scent that often accompanies memory foam.

Key Specs

Sizes Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
MaterialsLatex, wool, cotton
WashableNo
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4
Best Memory Foam

Tuft & Needle 2-Inch Breathable, Supportive Adaptive Foam Mattress Topper

2-Inch Breathable, Supportive Adaptive Foam Mattress Topper
4
Best Memory Foam

Tuft & Needle 2-Inch Breathable, Supportive Adaptive Foam Mattress Topper

Pros
  • Great quality
  • Nontoxic
Cons
  • Expensive

If you're looking for a mattress topper made of only memory foam, picking a high-quality model is essential if you want it to last. This one may be pricey, but you're paying for the highest quality materials that will last for years.

This one in particular uses no harsh chemicals, and is Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US certified. It also comes with a 30-day return policy and a three-year warranty.

Key Specs

Sizes Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Materials Memory foam
WashableNo
5
Best Quilted

Utopia Bedding Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad

On Sale
Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad
5
Best Quilted

Utopia Bedding Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad

Now 17% Off
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Machine-washable
Cons
  • Not much added cushion

If you're looking for a basic mattress pad, this one should suffice—according to its over 82,000 reviewers, who've given it an average rating of 4.6 stars. This model is quilted, so it provides a light layer of cushioning while also protecting your mattress. It's made from 100 percent microfiber, which makes it durable, easy to clean, and moisture-wicking, which helps keep you cool.

Key Specs

SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Short Queen, Queen, King, California King
MaterialsMicrofiber
WashableYes
6
Best for Achy Joints

Tempur Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper

On Sale
Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper
6
Best for Achy Joints

Tempur Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper

Now 16% Off
Pros
  • Very supportive
  • Removable cover
Cons
  • Expensive

If your goal with a mattress topper is to find relief from joint, back, hip, or neck pain, this is the one for you. It is made with a plush but dense memory foam, which cradles and supports the body by forming to the contour of your shape. It is temperature regulating and it has a removable, washable cover. It also comes in a two-inch option that’s slightly more affordable, and great for those wanting just a bit more cushion.

Key Specs

Sizes Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
MaterialsTempur-foam
Washable Yes
Headshot of Gabrielle Hondorp
Gabrielle Hondorp

Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track. 

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