Buying guide for the best memory foam mattress toppers
If you have trouble sleeping soundly, chances are your bed isn’t as comfortable as it should be. Replacing your entire mattress can pricey, which is why investing in a mattress topper can be an affordable way to boost your bed’s comfort level. Memory foam mattress toppers are some of the most comfortable and durable options you can choose when looking to improve the quality of your sleep.
A memory foam mattress topper is a piece of removable bedding that sits on top of your mattress. It can help add support and provide greater cushioning for your body when you’re lying in bed. Because it’s made of memory foam, it’s safe for allergy sufferers to use and is resistant to mildew as well. It can help if you or your partner are prone to tossing and turning since it prevents motion transfer that can disturb another sleeper.
Choosing the right memory foam mattress topper means deciding what type of memory foam you prefer, how thick and dense you need the topper to be, and what other features will help you get a full night’s sleep.
Key considerations
Type of memory foam
Traditional: Traditional memory foam has a soft, sponge-like feel that provides significant support when you’re trying to sleep. It can help alleviate pressure along your spine and other areas because it cradles your body. If you often wake up stiff and sore, a traditional memory foam topper can be a great option. It can regulate its temperature fairly well, but it’s better if you tend to get cold during the night.
- Gel: Gel memory foam contains the same cushiony foam material as traditional memory foam, but gel beads are mixed into the foam. The gel serves two important purposes — it helps increase the cushion and allows body heat to escape so you don’t get too warm during the night. The extra cushioning can also be more comfortable for sleepers who weigh more.
Thickness
A memory foam mattress topper is usually between one and four inches in thickness. If your mattress feels too firm, a thicker mattress topper can provide additional cushioning. If you only want to increase your bed’s cushioning slightly, a thinner topper works well.
Consider how the thickness can affect your body temperature while you sleep. Thicker memory foam toppers tend to keep you warmer as you sleep, so they’re a poor choice for a hot sleeper.
Density
In addition to its thickness, a mattress topper’s density affects how soft, supportive, and durable it is. Density determines how firm the topper is and is measured in pounds per cubic inch.
Low density (3 pounds and under per cubic foot) models have a plush feel and work best for people who are lighter and tend to sleep on their side or back.
Medium density (4 to 5 pounds per cubic foot) models work best for people of most weights and those who tend to sleep on their side, back, or stomach.
- High density (5 pounds and up per cubic foot) models work best for people who are heavier and tend to sleep on their side, back, or stomach.
Features
Motion isolation
One of the benefits of a memory foam mattress topper is its ability to absorb motion and isolate it to a specific portion of the bed. This can be extremely helpful if you have a partner who tosses and turns. When someone shifts their position or gets in and out of bed, the entire bed won’t move and disturb the other sleeper.
If you’re particularly concerned about motion isolation, choose a thicker memory foam mattress topper, which is better able to absorb motion than thinner models.
Temperature regulation and ventilation
Memory foam mattress toppers retain body heat, which can leave you feeling hot during the night. If you are a naturally warm sleeper, it can be difficult to get comfortable on a traditional memory foam topper. Gel memory foam toppers are a better choice — the gel captures and distributes the heat, leaving you cooler while you sleep.
If you’d prefer a traditional memory foam mattress topper but are concerned about getting hot during the night, choose a model with a ventilated design that promotes airflow. This prevents your body heat from getting trapped in the foam and leaving you uncomfortably warm.
Aromatherapy
Some memory foam mattress toppers are infused with scents to provide a calm and relaxed mood to promote sleep. Infused memory foam toppers often contain lavender, which can help relieve stress and anxiety.
Moisture and odor absorption
If you’re choosing a memory foam mattress topper for your child or have pets that regularly sleep in bed with you, it’s a good idea to invest in a model with moisture- and odor-absorbing properties. These mattress toppers are often infused with bamboo charcoal, effective for both moisture and odor absorption, or green tea and castor seed oil, which naturally kill bacteria that can cause odor.
Did you know?
When you take a memory foam mattress topper out of the box, it can take 24 to 48 hours for it to fully expand to its proper size.
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Memory foam mattress topper prices
Memory foam mattress toppers vary in price based on their size and thickness. Most queen size models range from $20 to $199.
Inexpensive: Queen size memory foam mattress toppers that are one to two inches thick are typically the most affordable options. They cost between $20 and $36 and work best if you only need light cushioning and support from your mattress topper.
Mid-range: Queen size memory foam mattress toppers two to three inches thick range from $36 to $96. They’re best if you need moderate cushioning and support from your mattress topper.
Expensive: Queen size memory foam mattress toppers that are three to four inches are usually the most expensive options. They cost between $96 and $199 and are a good choice if you require a significant amount of cushioning and support from your mattress topper.
Tips
Clean your memory foam mattress topper every few months. If your pets sleep in bed with you, you may want to clean the topper more often.
Even if you don’t wash your memory foam mattress topper every month, it’s a good idea to vacuum it once every few weeks to remove dust, dander, and other debris.
Never apply water, detergent, or other cleaning products directly to a memory foam mattress topper. Dampen a cloth or rag with your cleaning solution and blot it over any stains or spots on the topper.
After you clean a memory foam mattress topper, place it on a clean, flat surface to dry thoroughly before returning it your bed. It usually takes about 24 hours for a topper to dry completely.
If you need to remove odors from your memory foam mattress topper, vacuum it well and then sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over it. Let the baking soda sit on the topper for at least eight hours, then vacuum it up.
FAQ
Q. How long does a memory foam mattress topper usually last?
A. It depends on the foam quality, as well as how thick and dense it is. Medium density memory foam mattress toppers can last at least three years and up to eight if they’re properly cared for. High density toppers can last as long as 10 years.
Q. How do I know when it’s time to replace a memory foam mattress topper?
A. When your memory foam mattress topper no longer feels supportive, it’s time to replace it. Examine your topper regularly — if it starts to look flat or compressed, the foam likely isn’t providing much support or cushioning anymore.
Q. Do memory foam mattress toppers include warranty protection?
A. Many memory foam mattress toppers are protected by a warranty. Some only offer one to two year warranties, but you can find some toppers that provide up to 10 years of warranty protection. Some memory foam mattress toppers include a 30- to 90-day money back guarantee, so you can try out the topper to see if it really fits your needs.
