Our household experts researched over 50 promising options and then spent weeks testing 10 of the best mattress toppers available today. We slept on each one repeatedly to scrutinize their support, relative firmness, squish, and movement transference. We filled our testing team with folks who prefer different types of sleeping surfaces and people of a wide range of sizes. We tested movement transference with a glass of water and evaluated thermoregulation. Whether you’re looking to revitalize an old stodgy mattress or add a little extra something to the one you love, there’s a great topper for your sleeping style — and your wallet.
Our favorite mattress topper is the Saatva Graphite. It offers an excellent balance between comfort and support, while the elastic bands secure it in place. Though it’s not as supportive as the Saatva, the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt is super plush and soft. If you like the smell of lavender, the memory foam of the Lucid 5 Zone Lavender is also comfy and won’t put as big of a dent in your wallet.
For all things bedding and bedroom, we’ve got you covered. We’ve tested and outlined our favorite sheets and comforters to keep you sleeping comfortably in any season. We’ve also tested the best pillows for side sleepers to help you find what you need for a good night’s sleep.
Editor’s Note: On December 3, 2024, we updated this article to include more specs for our award winners.
Quick Look
The Best Mattress Toppers
Full results from testing 10 top products are in our Product Comparison Table and Analysis & Test Results sections.
Best Overall Mattress Topper
Saatva Graphite
| Core Materials | Memory foam infused with graphite |
|---|---|
| Method of Attachment | Corner elastic |
| Machine Washable? | No |
| Care Instructions | Spot clean as needed, preferably with a mild, organic cleaning solution |
| Thickness Tested | 7.62 cm | 3″ |
The Saatva Graphite was the all-around favorite mattress topper in our testing. It expertly balances softness and support, allowing many couples to sleep comfortably while prioritizing each partner’s different needs. This topper offers good support for those who prefer firmer surfaces while still cradling pressure points and providing plushness that sleepers who like soft surfaces appreciate. The version of this 3-inch thick memory foam mat we tested is infused with graphite, which does seem to make it cooler than other memory foam models we tested. The corner elastics are taut and wide enough to help the topper stay in place better than just about every other contender we tested.
Unfortunately, the pricey Saatva Graphite lacks a removable cover, begging to be protected by a mattress pad, adding to its overall cost for anyone who doesn’t already own one. Folks looking for the softest topper on the market might not love this topper’s medium firmness. Though not as warm as most of the other foam options we tested, it will still add heat to your nighttime experience (though it is worth noting that every mattress topper we tested adds some degree of warmth). Although it is an investment, we recommend the Saatva Graphite for most split-firmness couples shopping for a topper that will please you and your partner, even if you both prefer sleeping surfaces with different firmness levels. If squishy soft is what you are going for and you prefer a machine washable cover, you will likely be happiest with something like the TEMPUR-Adapt by Tempur-Pedic, which also sells at a steep discount comparatively.
Best Bang for Your Buck
LUCID 5 Zone Lavender
| Core Materials | Memory foam |
|---|---|
| Method of Attachment | None; sits on top of mattress |
| Machine Washable? | No |
| Care Instructions | Spot clean with mild detergent |
| Thickness Tested | 7.62 cm | 3″ |
The Lucid 5 Zone Lavender is fairly priced and one of our favorite toppers to sleep on. It features an ergonomic grid and a balanced foam density that feels neither too hard nor too soft. We found ourselves deep in comfort, looking forward to a night’s sleep after placing this over a hard 10-year-old test mattress. It provides an excellent level of support that contours the body without swallowing you up, so restless sleepers are free to toss and turn with ease. Many of our testers loved the subtle lavender smell, which isn’t overbearing and adds a nice scent to the room — though the Lucid is also available scent-free.
The few disadvantages of this mattress topper include its warmth and the fact that it can’t be washed — it lacks a cover. Since we sank into it so easily, it felt warmer than many other options we reviewed. Its interesting assortment of channel designs across the top doesn’t significantly affect the overall thermoregulatory properties, and some of our testers found them mildly off-putting at first. It took a few weeks of airing out for the lavender scent to calm down to a manageable level. Quirks aside, the Lucid 5 Zone Lavender has plenty to offer and is available at a very reasonable price. If you know already that you tend to run hot and temperature regulation is a priority, but you still want a fluffy, soft place to land at the end of each day, consider an extra thick down-alternative mattress topper like the one from The Duck and Goose Co. Or if you aren’t worried about heat but you know you want decent support without the lavender smell, you might consider spending a bit more to pick up the ViscoSoft topper.
Best Topper for Serious Softness
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt
| Core Materials | TEMPUR material |
|---|---|
| Method of Attachment | Corner elastic |
| Machine Washable? | Yes |
| Care Instructions | Removable cover can be washed on cold and dried on a cool setting or air dried (recommended), topper itself cannot be washed or dry cleaned |
| Thickness Tested | 7.62 cm | 3″ |
If you’ve always wanted to describe your bed as “plush,” “supple,” or “decadently doughy,” we think you’ll love the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt. Made of 3 inches of proprietary foam material, this topper is seriously squishy and became a fast favorite among our testers who prefer a soft sleeping surface. It will cradle you like a babe but still bounces back quickly, preventing you from feeling trapped in any one position throughout the night. The cover can even be unzipped and easily laundered in your washing machine.
If you need serious support for your mattress, the TEMPUR-Adapt will probably disappoint. It’s so pliable that it sacrifices the support many folks crave — particularly larger individuals who will more easily sink in without receiving much resistance. This intense level of sinkage also contributes to this model being one of the warmest options we tested, so we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who feels like they already sleep too warm. If you are among those who require something a bit more firm, but you equally don’t want to sacrifice deep cushioning, take a closer look at the Saatva Graphite mattress topper. It will tap your wallet a bit more heavily at purchase, but it will also do an excellent job regulating your body temperature at night while providing a nice balance between softness and support. We also found the corner elastics of the TEMPUR-Adapt too loose on our test mattresses, allowing the topper to slip a bit more than we’d like to see. And yet, if you’re looking to transform your old hard mattress into something soft and plush, the TEMPUR-Adapt does it best.
Best Synthetic Filled Pillow Topper
The Duck and Goose Co Classic Topper
| Core Materials | Down alternative |
|---|---|
| Method of Attachment | Corner elastic, covered by fabric |
| Machine Washable? | Yes |
| Care Instructions | Wash bi-annually in a front loader machine on a cool wash |
| Thickness Tested | 5.08 cm | 2″ |
The The Duck and Goose Co Classic Topper is filled with a fluffy synthetic alternative that feels remarkably like down. It’s advertised as hypoallergenic and offers 2 inches of coziness. This ultra-plush option simulates a cloud-like sleep without too much support, making rolling or moving around easy. Unlike foam options, these materials offer good temperature regulation, adding warmth in cold weather without being too hot in the summer. And just like most comforters, you can simply toss this topper in the washing machine when it’s time for cleaning.
Like most other options built with the same materials, this product isn’t as plush or supportive as high-quality memory foam. You can still feel the structure of your mattress underneath, so if you’re looking to transform an old hard bed into something new and soft, this isn’t the right choice. The Classic Topper also tends to shift quite a bit over several nights of sleep, even with its corner elastic bands. Still, if you seek a down-alternative topper, this is the best one we’ve tested for its high loft, coziness, and easy cleaning. If you are equally open to memory foam toppers and want to stay in a similar price range, you will find an even better combination of softness and support in something like the 5 Zone Lavender from Lucid.
Product Comparison Table
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How We Tested
We’ve spent hours researching mattress toppers over the years to find the best and most promising options available. We purchase every contender ourselves, never taking handouts or freebies from manufacturers, and put them all to the test. We’ve spent many weeks testing and sleeping on each model, recruiting as many people to our testing squad as possible. We had light sleepers, side sleepers, large sleepers, stomach sleepers, and sore sleepers scrutinize each topper’s performance over repeated nights of rest. We evaluated thermoregulation qualities, supportive features, and the ability of each one to stop water from spilling out of a glass placed on top while we rolled around. We did our best to leave no scenario unexamined in our testing to bring you an unbiased understanding of which mattress toppers will be the best fit.
Our topper testing process was divided into four metrics:
- Comfort (35% of overall score weight)
- Support (30% weighting)
- Temperature Regulation (20% weighting)
- Movement Transference (15%) weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
This review is led by two of our longtime Senior Review Editors, Maggie Nichols and Amber King. Maggie is a lifelong side sleeper and a runner with a tendency toward sore hips, so she is used to investing in worthwhile bedding to maximize the enjoyment of each slumber. Amber has been using mattress toppers for over 20 years on her own bed and understands the transformative power of a good topper on a bad mattress. Both of these experts have backgrounds in scientific research, having become well-versed in methodology, implementation, and even teaching during their many years of study and fieldwork. Maggie possesses both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biology, while Amber earned degrees in Science and Education and has since spent years teaching science and working as an aquatic biologist in the Mountain West. This shared background has given them a solid foundation from which to design and carry out comprehensive and probing tests on these mattress toppers.
Analysis and Test Results
Over the years, we’ve collectively spent many months testing this lineup side-by-side. Our testing teams sacrificed significant chunks of time and repeated nights of sleeping and lounging on every contender. While each product’s overall score provides a big-picture idea of how they compare to the rest, we tested each topper across four different metrics. In what follows, we’ll break down our testing and get into the nitty gritty of each topper’s detailed performance.
What’s the Best Value?
Mattress toppers span a wide range of possible costs, and yes: you generally get what you pay for. That said, in our testing experience, we did find less expensive options that still provided a great night’s sleep. While part of this depends on what you personally want from your sleeping surface, we tested several high-value products that perform well while remaining more affordable. The Lucid 5 Zone is one such model. If you want a memory foam option that won’t break the bank but will transform your mattress, this fairly-priced product is a great choice. It offers comfort and moderate support with channels that help to regulate body temperature. If you don’t want to change the support of your current mattress but want an extra layer of coziness, the Duck and Goose Co Classic is another high-value item. If you’re okay with spending more, keep in mind that toppers can be worth their additional cost by transforming an old, uncomfortable mattress and saving you from having to buy a whole new mattress — which is even more expensive. The Saatva Graphite is one such topper, adding both support and comfort to any mattress, no matter how old, hard, or broken in it may be.
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Comfort
Comfort is king when it comes to sleep. Most likely, you’re seeking a mattress topper to add additional comfort that your mattress alone isn’t providing. We realize that people have different preferences when it comes to this arena, so a large part of this metric is based on subjective feedback we received from several testers after sleeping on each contender for weeks. We evaluated every topper on such criteria as pressure points in different positions, compressibility for various sizes and weights, and other related factors like how the materials smelled when new.
The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt is the plushest topper we tested. It’s a full 3 inches thick and is exceptionally squishy. Our testers that prefer a soft sleeping experience loved this model. While it compresses easily and readily, it bounces back just as quickly and never felt weird or deformed, even when shifting positions. The Adapt is one of the few options we tested that can truly transform an old mattress into an entirely different sleeping surface. The other mattress-altering model we tested is the Saatva Graphite. It’s not quite as soft and squishy as the Adapt, but it offers a serious level of comfort. Our entire testing team — larger and smaller folks, side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers — all appreciated the comfort the Saatva provided.
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The Lucid 5 Zone Lavender is another very comfortable option. It’s soft and supple, easily cradling all your pressure points. The Birch Plush Organic is also a comfortable topper. It’s thinner than several of the foam options we tested, but it’s filled with a blend of natural wool and latex that provides quality comfort. The Birch isn’t enough to make a hard mattress feel cushy, but it still adds a level of casual comfort that our testing team enjoyed. If you don’t prefer so much cushion and instead are seeking to add some coziness to your already-comfortable mattress, the Duck and Goose Co Classic is a wonderful option. Filled with a synthetic down alternative, this fluffy topper puffs up around you while you sleep, helping you to feel like you’re lying in a welcoming cloud.
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