A mattress topper can change the feel or firmness of your bed while extending its lifespan. If you want a softer, more contouring surface without splurging on a new mattress, a topper is the solution. Whether you prefer memory foam, latex, wool, or down — toppers add comfort, protection and can enhance sleep quality.
CNET’s sleep experts — with years of mattress testing experience — know which mattress toppers are worth splurging on. Here are their top picks for side sleepers, budget shoppers, hot sleepers and eco-conscious buyers. Prices are for queen-size toppers, and this list is regularly updated—so check back often!
Read more: Sleep Isn’t Cheap, but You Can Keep Costs Under Control
A handful of the toppers we’ve tested are stacked together in our mattress testing facility.
Best overall mattress topper
We chose Nest Bedding’s Cooling Topper as the best overall, thanks to its neutral feel and responsive, breathable foam. It provides a comfortable combination of support and pressure relief. Despite its name, this mattress topper is not actively cooling, but it should help keep you temperature-neutral throughout the night. Nest Bedding’s mattresses and toppers are also CertiPUR-US certified and free of harmful toxins and chemicals.
Best mattress toppers for 2025
The Nest Bedding Cooling Topper is an accommodating mattress topper that offers support and cushioning without drastically altering the feel or firmness of your mattress. It has a neutral feel thanks to Nest’s Energex Temperature Responsive Foam, which is more responsive and breathable than traditional memory foam.
Though it’s Nest’s Cooling Topper, we wouldn’t consider it overly cooling — but to be fair, most mattresses and toppers are not actually cooling unless they feature special cooling technology. This topper has breathable materials and an open polymer design that allows for more airflow to help regulate your body temperature, so you still shouldn’t overheat on it. The foams are CertiPur-US certified, meaning they’re made without harmful toxins or chemicals.
This 2-inch thick topper adds pressure relief and durability without drastically altering your mattress. We tested this using the Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress and our proprietary Mattress Smasher 9000 device. Without the topper, the mattress firmness level is 7.2. With the topper on the bed, the smasher provided an average firmness level of 6.7, making the feel slightly softer but not significantly. Overall, it’s a soft, comfy topper with a simple design offering a pleasant middle-of-the-road sensation.
Runner-up: The Nolah Mattress Topper is a durable topper with plush and luxury firm options (we’d recommend plush for side sleepers and luxury firm for back and stomach sleepers). It features Nolah’s unique AirFoam, which has a blended foam feel. It conforms around your curves but is more responsive than memory foam, so you won’t have as much of that “stuck” feeling.
Pros:
- Comfortable and accommodating neutral feel
- Provides pressure relief and support
- Simple design with breathable materials
- Straps in each corner for securing to the mattress
Cons:
- Not actively cooling (despite the name)
- Spot clean only
Additional details:
- Thickness: 2 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Warranty: 10-year warranty
- Trial: 30 nights
Check out the Layla Memory Foam Topper if you want to soften your mattress or add a layer of cool plushness. It uses the same copper gel-infused foam as the Layla Mattress, creating a light and airy feel that’s more buoyant than traditionally dense memory foam while still contouring nicely around your curves as you sink in.
Though the copper gel beads inside this topper work to pull your body heat away, our team doesn’t find it overly cooling; however, it will help you sleep temperature-neutral. If you’re an extremely hot sleeper who needs extra cooling technology to help you chill out at night, check out our list of the Best Cooling Mattress Toppers.
Adding the 2″ thick Layla Memory Foam Topper will soften your mattress by one to two points on the firmness scale — for example, a mattress with a firmness rating of 7 will be softened to somewhere between 5 and 6. This is particularly great for side sleepers wanting extra cushion and pressure relief around the shoulders and hips or for those currently sleeping on a mattress that’s simply way too firm.
Runner-up: If you’re a side sleeper looking for something ultra plush and fluffy (that’s not foam), consider Saatva’s Down Alternative Featherbed Mattress Topper. It’s filled with hypoallergenic down and lyocell fiber and is soft enough to make it feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud.
Pros:
- Airy neutral foam feel
- Copper-infused gel for cooling
- Soft and cushioning for side sleepers
- Straps for securing to the bed
Cons:
- Might be too soft for strict back or stomach sleepers
- Not the most cooling
Additional details:
- Thickness: 2 inches
- Firmness: Medium-soft
- Warranty: 5-year warranty
- Trial: 30 nights
Hot sleepers, check out the Helix GlacioTex Premium Topper. It’s one of the coolest toppers we’ve tested — literally. The GlacioTex fabric is slick and genuinely cool to the touch, which is ideal if you’re looking to prevent overheating at night. It has two firmness options, so you can choose the best one based on your sleeping position and preference. Its unique hybrid design with steel micro-coils and high-density foams makes it one of the most durable and supportive toppers we’ve tested — and a particularly great option for heavier individuals and couples. At 3.75 inches thick, it’s a durable and luxurious mattress topper made with high-quality materials that will last.
The combination of foam and coils creates a dense memory foam sensation that will likely drastically alter the firmness and feel of your mattress. We tested the plush and luxury firm mattress toppers with our Mattress Smasher 9000. The plush topper changed the firmness of the mattress from 7.2 to 4.4 out of 10 — taking the medium-firm bed to medium-soft to medium. We recommend the plush version if you’re a side sleeper or your mattress is too firm and you want more pressure relief.
The luxury firm model felt pretty firm when I first laid down, but as my body heat warmed the foams, I began to sink in and feel the supportive contouring. As expected, the luxury firm GlacioTex Premium Topper did not impact the bed’s firmness level as much as the plush, bringing it down slightly from 7.2 to 6 out of 10. We recommend this model if you want a little more support and durability.
Runner-up: The Saatva Cooling Graphite Mattress Topper is 3 inches thick and has memory foam infused with graphite, which draws your body heat away to help you sleep cooler. It has a medium to medium-firm profile, making it great for all sleeping positions.
Pros:
- Two firmness options
- Actively cooling
- Durable hybrid design
- Has straps for securing to the bed
- CertiPur-US and GreenGuard Gold certified
Cons:
- Heavy (weighs almost 24 pounds)
- Expensive
Additional details:
- Thickness: 3.75 inches
- Firmness: Firm or soft
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Trial: 100 nights
“I added a Linenspa mattress topper to my mattress in college, and it made a huge difference to its feel. My college mattress was far too firm for me, but the gel topper gave me the perfect amount of pressure relief that I needed. The mattress topper moved with me, and I have used it for over four years now. It is still in great shape and lives on my guest bed. For the price and quality, it is hard to beat this topper,” explains Caroline Igo, CNET sleep editor.
The memory foam forms around and cradles your curves as your body heats the foam. Despite having gel infused in its materials, it does sleep on the warmer side, as most memory foams do. “Do note that it does heat up at night. I’m a hot sleeper, and I often [when I would sleep on it, I don’t anymore] wake up sweating during the summer since it absorbs so much of my body heat,” Caroline says.
The Linenspa Memory Foam Topper is available in 2- and 3-inch height options. We recommend going with the 3-inch profile if you’re heavier or looking for extra plushness. A queen-size 2-inch topper retails for $60, making it one of the cheapest mattress toppers we’ve tested. It’s an excellent, affordable option for adding comfort and contouring plushness to your guest bed, dorm room mattress or awkward pullout couch mattress.
Runner-up: The Amazon Basics Quen Mattress Topper is a 2-invh gel-infused topper with CertiPur-US Certified foams. It comes in memory foam or polyester latex options, both of which provide cooling comfort and pressure relief — though memory foam tends to sleep warmer than latex as you sink into it. Priced at $40 for a queen size, it’s a steal of a deal.
Pros:
- Great price for the quality
- Two height options
- Provides pressure relief for hips and shoulders
- CertiPur Certifed foams
Cons:
- No straps for attaching to the mattress
- Not actively cooling
- Not for those who don’t like the feel of memory foam
Additional details:
- Thickness: 2 or 3 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Warranty: 3-year warranty
- Trial: 30 nights
Avocado is one of the most sustainable mattress brands on the market, and its toppers are some of the most eco-friendly we’ve tested. The Eco Organic Mattress Topper (my personal favorite) is available in 2-inch and 3-inch thickness options, and you can choose from organic Dunlop latex or pure Talalay latex — the latter of which is vegan-certified.
We tested the 2-inch Dunlop latex topper, which has a medium firmness level. It adds a luxurious layer of comfort and support to your bed and may slightly alter the firmness of your mattress depending on what you sleep on (it didn’t change the overall firmness of the mattress when we tested the topper with our Mattress Smasher 9000, keeping the firmness level at 7.2). It offers a responsive pillow-top feel that will help relieve pressure around your joints and provide additional support for healthy spinal alignment.
If you want a much softer feel, we recommend the 3-inch plush model, which offers added contouring and plushness, which we’d recommend for side and combination sleepers. Both types of latex foam naturally sleep cooler than dense memory foam, as their open-cell structure provides increased breathability and airflow. The Eco Organic toppers have an earthy yet luxurious look and feel and are topped with a GOTS-certified organic cotton cover. It’s ideal for those wanting to add a responsive, eco-friendly and hypoallergenic layer of comfort to their mattress.
Runner-up: The Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper is a little firmer than the Avocado Eco Organic Topper. This 2-inch topper features all-natural, GOLS- and GreenGuard Gold-certified materials, with a soft cotton cover and grippy backing to help keep it in place on your bed.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly and sustainably sourced
- Thickness and feel options
- Latex is more breathable than memory foam
Cons:
- Expensive; additional charge for 3-inch and plush options
- No straps for securing to the mattress
Additional details:
- Thickness: 2 or 3 inches
- Firmness: Medium or soft
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
- Trial: 100 nights
Brooklyn Bedding’s 3″ Latex Topper is offered in soft, medium or firm comfort levels, so it can work for any sleeping position and body type. When we added the medium model of the Brooklyn Bedding Latex Topper to the Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress and tested it with our Mattress Smasher 9000, it changed the firmness of the mattress from 7.2 to 5.7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it feel slightly softer.
The thick latex adds a cushioning combination of comfort and support, offering an overall responsive and bouncy feel. It contours nicely around your pressure points yet is buoyant enough to easily switch positions without feeling “stuck” in the foam. The design is simple: a 3-inch layer of 100% latex foam surrounded by a removable organic cotton cover. You can remove and wash the cover, but be warned that putting it back on afterward can be tricky.
A queen size retails for $663, making it one of the pricier mattress toppers we’ve tested. Factoring in Brooklyn Bedding’s frequent discounts can bring the price down to $500, but that’s still in the same price range as some budget-friendly mattresses.
Members of CNET’s sleep team toured the 3Z factory in Arizona for an inside look at how Brooklyn Bedding’s mattresses and toppers are manufactured. Learn more about how the foams are made and why it matters.
Runner-up: With its open-cell structure, the PlushBeds Natural Talalay Latex Topper can help you sleep cool by allowing your body heat to disperse. The GOLS-certified latex is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, available in 2-inch and 3-inch thickness options and five different firmness levels.
Pros:
- Three firmness options
- Hypoallergenic and breathable materials
- Durable and responsive
- Cotton cover is machine washable
Cons:
- No straps to hold it in place on the mattress
- Expensive
Additional details:
- Thickness: 3 inches
- Firmness: Soft, medium or firm
- Warranty: 3-year warranty
- Trial: 30 nights
The Brooklinen Down Alternative Mattress Topper is a great option if you’re looking for a light and fluffy topper that functions more like a mattress pad or protector. Rather than having straps around the corners, this topper fits around your mattress like a sheet. It’s thinner than the other toppers on this list, meaning it won’t drastically alter the feel or firmness of your bed. However, it does add a thin layer of softness and protection.
The dimensions are large enough to fit mattresses up to 18 inches tall, but keep in mind that this means it won’t fit tightly around a bed that’s around 15 inches thick or less. The Brooklinen Down Alternative topper is tufted so the microgel fill stays evenly distributed, and it’s wrapped in a smooth, durable cotton casing. This topper is also machine washable — as long as you wash in cool water and tumble dry on low.
It feels crisp and luxurious, and though it won’t make you sleep cooler, it shouldn’t heat up at night. Its tight waterproof barrier at the bottom adds another level of protection against spills and stains, helping to keep your mattress cleaner for longer.
Runner-up: The 3″ GhostBed Memory Foam Topper has a waterproof cover that wraps around your mattress like a sheet, functioning like a protector. Its cooling gel memory foam provides relief for hot sleepers while providing zoned support for cushioning and support where your body needs it the most.
Pros:
- Machine washable
- Protective against spills and stains
- Light and fluffy feel
Cons:
- Not very thick
- Won’t provide a ton of support or pressure relief
Additional details:
- Thickness: 1 inch
- Firmness: Soft
- Warranty: 2-year warranty
- Trial: 365 nights
How we test mattress toppers
CNET’s team of sleep experts has been testing mattresses, sleep accessories and bedding for years. We’ve developed standardized methods of assessing and thoroughly analyzing each product we test, whether beds, sheets, pillows, sleep masks or headphones. Our extensive roster of testing and reviewing experience allows us to compare and contrast mattress toppers — especially when factoring in how familiar we are with the feel of mattresses without them.
Firmness
Firmness is exactly what it sounds like — how hard or soft is the mattress topper? Does it noticeably alter how firm or soft your mattress is?
Throughout the mattress industry, firmness is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. Though firmness is largely subjective — how firm something feels to you may differ for someone else depending on body weight and type, personal preference, sleeping position, etc. — our team can also test firmness objectively using CNET’s proprietary Mattress Smasher 9000 device.
In addition to testing firmness by having multiple sleep experts lie on the toppers in each sleeping position, we utilized the smasher. Using the same mattress underneath as a control variable, we “smashed” each mattress topper to see if they truly altered the firmness of the mattress in one way or another based on the materials and intended purpose.
Our Mattress Smasher 9000 “smashes” the Helix GlacioTex Topper to test its firmness.
For example, using the Saatva Luxury Hybrid mattress as a control (which has a firmness rating of 7.2 out of 10), we smashed the luxury plush version of the Helix GlacioTex Premium Topper. It reduced the firmness to an average of 4.5 out of 10, meaning the bed went from medium-firm to just below medium — precisely the goal of this plush topper.
Feel
The feel is also what it sounds like — how does the mattress topper feel when you lie on it? Does it alter the feel of your mattress? Is it plush and cushioning? Responsive and springy? Do you slowly sink into its layers? We do our best to analyze and describe what lying on the mattress topper in each sleeping position feels like. The feel is primarily determined by what they’re made of — in combination with the type of mattress you have underneath it.
Getting a feel for the latex foam in the Brooklyn Bedding 3″ Latex Topper.
Construction
A mattress topper that adjusts the feel of your mattress may also change certain characteristics that we test in mattresses, such as edge support and motion isolation. Depending on the construction and materials, some mattress toppers can enhance or worsen the edge support, which is how sturdy the perimeter of your bed is. It could also enhance or worsen the motion isolation, which is how well the mattress or topper deadens movement throughout the surface. We test these elements as we would with any other mattress to provide an overarching explanation of how each mattress topper may perform.
When assessing each mattress topper, we note its thickness and overall construction. Many toppers are simple slabs of foam, though some offer a combination of materials that make it better for some sleepers. For example, the Helix GlacioTex Topper has a layer of micro-coils — a pretty neat feature for a mattress topper that will enhance support and durability.
We also note any additional features a topper may have, like cooling technology or straps that secure it to the bed. If a brand claims its mattress topper has cooling technology, we examine how true that is and whether it helps you sleep actively cool or simply temperature-neutral.
When possible, we open the mattress toppers to examine the construction and materials.
Warranty and trial information
Warranties and trial periods are standard in the online mattress industry — just about every brand will offer them because you usually can’t test a bed-in-a-box mattress before purchasing it. While this mostly applies to mattress toppers, some brands do not offer a trial period or warranty, and that’s worth factoring into your decision. All of these details are included for each topper in this list.
What to consider when shopping for a mattress topper
Mattress toppers vary significantly in price and quality, and the perfect topper for you will also depend on your personal preferences, including sleeping position, health needs and the current condition of your mattress. To ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck, keep these key factors in mind while browsing online:
- Material: What the topper is made of largely determines how it feels. If you dislike feeling engulfed in dense memory foam, consider a topper with a mixed or neutral foam feel or pillow top instead. Additionally, if environmental sustainability is important to you, you’ll want to prioritize one with organic materials such as Birch, PlushBeds or Avocado.
- Thickness and firmness: The type and thickness of the mattress topper’s materials will determine how soft or firm it is. Knowing what outcome you want from the topper will help you narrow down the thickness and firmness you should choose.
- Additional features: Some toppers have extra features like cooling technology, which is a great characteristic to look for if you regularly wake up drenched in sweat. While not all cooling mattress toppers will actively cool you, many are breathable and allow airflow to help regulate your body temperature.
If you tend to toss and turn at night or sleep near the edge of your bed, you’ll want to make sure your mattress topper is securely attached and won’t shift as you do. Many brands address this by adding straps in the corners, grippy backings or a skirt so that the topper wraps around the mattress like a sheet.
- Health conditions: If you have chronic back or joint pain or you’re sagging uncomfortably into your old mattress, consider a medium-firm topper that will offer plenty of support for your spine — some toppers, like the Dosaze DreamAlign, have zoned support and targeted pressure relief. On the flip side, if your mattress is too firm and you need something softer and more cushioning around your hips and shoulders, consider a soft to medium-soft topper that’s thicker (3 to 4 inches) to allow you to sink into the layers.
If you have aches, pains or soreness from sleeping on a saggy old mattress, it’s probably time to upgrade your bed. A topper can be a great temporary solution, but sometimes a brand-new bed is the best choice — depending on your situation and health needs.
We note all the toppers’ features, including whether they have straps or a grippy backside (like the Birch Plush Organic Topper shown here).
What are the different types of toppers?
Like mattresses, toppers come in numerous types of materials. Some of the most common include:
Memory foam
Memory foam is made from polyurethane and added chemicals that increase its density and temperature sensitivity. It provides pressure relief as the foam warms up from your body heat, allowing you to sink into the layers. It’s a good option for those looking for cushioning and contouring around their curves. Memory foam isolates motion well, so you shouldn’t feel your partner moving around as much if you share the bed — but it can make it harder to switch positions as you may feel more “stuck” in the foam.
Memory foam is not as breathable or airy as other types of foam, which can make you sleep warmer as the materials conform around your body and retain heat. To combat this issue, many brands offer gel-infused memory foam mattress toppers to help dissipate your body heat.
Check out: Tempur-Adapt Topper
Latex
Latex toppers are bouncier and generally firmer than memory foam, springing back into shape quicker and making it easier to switch positions. They’re a good option for those who want added pressure relief but don’t like the sinking, conforming feeling of memory foam. The perforations within latex foam also increase airflow, helping it sleep a little cooler. Natural latex foam is also hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, which is good news for those with allergens or sensitivities.
Check out: Saatva Natural Latex Mattress Topper
Feather or down
Toppers with down (the undercoat of birds) or feathers (outer bird feathers) are soft and fluffy, usually encased in a cotton cover. You can alter the amount of filling to add more or less support, and they typically require regular fluffing to keep their shape, as they can compress and flatten over time. The airflow between feathers makes down and feather mattress toppers light and breathable, so you shouldn’t overheat.
Check out: Quince Premium Down Featherbed Mattress Topper
Wool
Wool mattress toppers are organic and naturally breathable, helping to wick away moisture while you sleep. They’re generally not very thick, so they won’t provide a ton of pressure relief or support compared to other types of toppers.
Check out: PlushBeds Natural Wool Mattress Topper
Synthetic or polyester blends
Synthetic or polyester mattress toppers are easier on the wallet but offer the least amount of support or cushioning. A mattress topper with a polyester blend feels similar to feathers or down, which could be a good choice if you want a feather topper but have allergies. However, keep in mind that synthetic production involves chemicals. Polyester toppers also tend to compress more over time.
Check out: Amazon CoonP Mattress Topper
Yes, a mattress topper can help improve your sleep setup. Depending on your personal needs, the right mattress topper can help make your bed feel firmer or softer or add extra support and cushioning for your spine and joints. It can improve your overall sleep quality by resolving issues with your current mattress that may have been causing discomfort or keeping you awake.
It can also alter the feel of your mattress if needed — for example, if you realize you don’t like the feel of dense memory foam after purchasing a memory foam bed, a latex topper can add a bit more bounce and responsiveness (and vice versa).
The most common reason for buying a mattress topper is to make your mattress more comfortable. It’s much cheaper than buying an entirely new bed and can extend the lifespan of your current mattress by protecting it from wear and tear or sagging. Another reason is to alter the feel of your bed — whether you want it to feel more cushioning and pressure-relieving with a plush topper or firmer and more responsive with a latex one. Cooling mattress toppers can help regulate your body temperature and prevent you from overheating at night if you’re a chronically hot sleeper.
The main difference is that toppers are typically intended to change the firmness or feel of your current mattress, whereas mattress pads are designed to protect the bed from stains and spills.
Mattress pads are thinner than toppers (ranging from a quarter to two inches thick) and won’t change your mattress’s firmness level. They can slightly alter the feel of your bed by adding a bit of extra plushness or cushioning, but usually not enough to notice a significant difference.
You’ll likely want to opt for a mattress topper that is at least two inches thick, but it depends on personal factors such as your sleeping position and style, body weight and the condition of your mattress.
In general, lighter individuals won’t need as thick of a mattress topper for it to make a difference, whereas heavier individuals may need a slightly thicker one for more support. If you’re a side sleeper, a thicker mattress topper can add more pressure relief and cushioning for your shoulders and hips. On the flip side, a thinner mattress topper should be sufficient for back and stomach sleepers — but keep in mind that it all depends on the firmness, feel and condition of your current mattress.
If your mattress is pretty old, worn out or sagging, you’ll want a thicker mattress topper that’s at least three to four inches tall.
It’s a good idea to factor in the depth of your mattress topper when deciding sheet sizes. Keep in mind, you’ll want a deeper sheet size to fit it properly.
Mattress toppers don’t generally need to be flipped, but rotating them every few months is a good idea.
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