Adding a topper to your mattress could help you sleep better if you toss and turn because your mattress is too firm. We found four of the best 4 Inch Mattress Topper made with memory foam (for cushioning that hugs the body), latex (for springier support), and fiber-fill (for just a touch of softness) to make your bed more comfortable after 40 hours of research and sleeping for more than 300 hours on 17 different models.
The most luxurious mattress topper we evaluated was the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Topper Supreme. It cradles pressure points like your shoulders and hips better than other memory-foam toppers because it is made of dense memory foam. Its 3 inches of foam won’t flatten or bottom out over time, unlike cheaper alternatives, making it a good choice for softening a mattress that is too firm. It has a cover that is simple to remove and wash, and it breathes better than the other toppers we tried, regardless of the material. In spite of the fact that it’s costly — ordinarily $400 for a sovereign — the Tempur-Pedic accompanies a 10-year guarantee, the longest of any sleeping cushion clincher we attempted.
The Malouf Isolus 2-Inch Ventilated topper, which is also made of memory foam and costs approximately two-thirds as much, is a great alternative if you don’t want to spend $400 on the Tempur-Pedic topper. Although it isn’t as supportive as the Tempur-Pedic, the Malouf topper, which is 2 inches thick, is the best of the memory foam toppers we tested. It won’t suffer from the issues that plague cheap toppers: It didn’t bottom out, overheat, or stink as much out of the box. Additionally, the Malouf is lighter than the Tempur-Pedic, making it easier to transport for short-term use. This clincher doesn’t accompany a cover, however, so make a point to utilize a waterproof sleeping pad cushion over it.
The best 3 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper for people who want foam cushioning but don’t like the sinking sensation of memory foam is the Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Topper. The texture of latex is similar to that of memory foam, but it is springier, so your body won’t sink in. The Sleep on Latex is the most reasonably priced and well-reviewed latex topper we discovered. It comes in three densities and three thicknesses: soft, medium, and firm—offering more customization options than any other topper we looked at. You can buy a separate washable encasement for this topper, just like you can for the Tempur-Pedic, which makes it easier to keep clean over time.
The Parachute Down
Alternative Feather Bed is a good option for people who want to make their beds more comfortable. You’ll get a soft layer from this topper, but you won’t get much more support or relief from pressure points. The Parachute was the loftiest fiber-filled topper we tested, and it stayed fluffy longer than the competition, unlike more expensive fiber and feather toppers, which quickly became flat. To maintain its loft, you will need to fluff this topper semi-regularly, just like you would with any filled mattress topper. Why should you trust us?
We went to Long’s Bedding & Interiors and met Terri Long, co-owner and fourth-generation mattress expert, to try out some high-end toppers and find out what makes them different. We also talked to Dr. Eric Robertson, an American Physical Therapy Association spokesperson and physical therapist, to see if mattress toppers could ease back pain.
For guidance and to learn more about people’s experiences with mattress toppers, we read customer reviews of mattress toppers on various bedding websites, including Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, The Company Store, and Cuddledown. Alex Arpaia tested bedding products for hundreds of hours and contributed to our guides on air mattresses and comforters as a former Wirecutter staff writer.
When to get a sleeping pad clincher
In the event that you’re awkward in bed on the grounds that your sleeping cushion is too firm, there’s a decent opportunity a sleeping pad clincher will help. Your shoulders, hips, knees, and other pressure points won’t dig into the mattress if you add padding.
A sagging or lumpy mattress can’t be fixed by even the best mattress topper. It will, at best, provide just enough cushioning to make your pressure points—like your shoulders, hips, and knees—feel cradled. According to mattress expert Terri Long, “putting a topper on it isn’t going to make it any more supportive if you’re sleeping on a shot and unsupportive mattress.” You will be in a hammock that is slightly more cushioned if you are in one. In a similar vein, our experts concurred that, in most instances, a topper cannot make your mattress firmer if it is too soft. You would be better off just buying a new mattress in either case.
Last but not least, if you have trouble falling asleep or wake up with a pain in your neck, you might need a new pillow. Start there because this can be a much less expensive fix than purchasing a new mattress or topper.
