To help you choose, we tested 10 mattress toppers from a variety of brands in The Lab for 16 hours to sort out the winners—testing the set-up process, overall comfort, and airflow. For additional insight, we tested to see whether we could feel hard objects placed underneath the surface (simulating a lumpy mattress), as well as how warm the material got when someone was laying on it. After extensive research and testing, the clear winner was the Saatva Mattress Topper. Backed by our testing results, these are the best mattress toppers to add some extra fluff to your bed. After many hours of testing, we determined that the Saatva Mattress Topper is one of the best choices for most people. Not only does it offer an extremely comfortable and supportive feel that our testers really liked, but it’s also quite heavy and dense, indicating that it’s made from durable materials that will last a long time.  After unboxing, we found that this topper is slightly lumpy and had an unpleasant odor, but we were able to smooth it out. It’s not as squishy as other memory foam options, but it does provide superior support, making it ideal for virtually any sleeping position. Our testers weren’t able to detect small objects placed underneath the surface and gave it 4 out of 5 stars for cushioning. Our testers gave it 5 out of 5 stars for airflow, citing the organic cotton cover and graphite-infused foam, which make this topper feel much cooler than traditional memory foam. One of the perks of this high-end mattress is its 180-night sleep trial, during which returns are free, but it only has a 1-year warranty, which is significantly shorter than most other products. Overall, if you’re willing to spend a bit more to elevate your sleeping experience, the Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper is a worthwhile splurge. Price at time of publish: $345
This mattress topper is easy to arrange on a bed, earning 4 stars for ease of set-up, but the gel memory foam does have a sticky feel. Luckily, the top layer covers the foam so you don’t have to deal with the unpleasant texture. “As someone who has had back surgery, I thought that this topper was neither too firm nor too soft, which is often an issue I run into with bedding,” our tester said. “This topper has mastered the balance between support and comfort, and it helped me get a good night’s sleep.” One downside that we noticed with this mattress topper is that the cooling effects of the gel memory foam are lessened due to the polyester-filled pillow topper. It wasn’t the warmest mattress topper we tested, but the surface temperature did increase several degrees when someone laid on it for five minutes. In addition to being extremely comfortable, this mattress topper is made in the USA and is CertiPUR-US certified, meaning its foam meets standards for content, emissions, and durability. It’s also backed by an impressive 10-year warranty. Price at time of publish: $160 This mattress topper did have an odor after unboxing, so we gave it the recommended 48-hour off-gassing period before testing it. It was the perfect size for our testing mattress. While we were able to see lumps when objects were placed underneath the topper, our testers didn’t feel any discomfort when lying down.  We tested the 3-inch version of this mattress topper, but it also comes in a 2-inch foam layer, as well. The material is CertiPUR-US certified, and the manufacturer offers a 3-year warranty. Price at time of publish: $100 This mattress topper did have a strong odor after unboxing, so it will likely require an off-gassing period (even though the brand doesn’t recommend one). The cover has silicone beading on the bottom to help keep the topper in place on your bed, and we’d recommend enlisting a partner to help set it up.  One of the great things about this topper is that it offers several certifications, including CertiPUR-US and UL GREENGUARD Gold, which verifies the topper gives off low emissions to support healthy indoor environments. Tuft & Needle offers a 100-night sleep trial with hassle-free returns, and the product is backed by a 3-year warranty. Price at time of publish: $250 Because it’s memory foam, this topper did require a 48-hour off-gassing period. Set up was also slightly more complex since you have to put a cover, which is made from cooling fabric, onto the memory foam by hand. Memory foam is notorious for retaining quite a bit of heat, but thanks to its breathable cover and copper-infused foam, this topper actually stayed cooler than many other options we tested. It also prevented any motion transfer, making it a top choice for anyone who’s bothered by their partner’s movements during the night. It was a little bit large for the bed. This topper is available with either a black or white cover, and its materials are both American-made and CertiPUR-US certified. The brand offers a 5-year warranty on the product, and the cover can be machine-washed for easy maintenance. Price at time of publish: $235 This unique product has a 2-inch gusseted support layer that’s filled with polyester fibers, as well as a quilted top layer that snaps to secure. There are anchor bands at each corner that hold the topper in place, and our testers found that you can easily feel and see anything placed underneath the surface. The top layer of this mattress topper can be removed and machine-washed for easy cleaning, and it’s easy to snap back into place when you’re done. Price at time of publish: $140 This topper had a very slight odor after unboxing, and it was a tad too short for the mattress. Because it’s only 2 inches thick, we were able to detect objects placed underneath the surface, and it also got quite warm during testing. Overall, it’s not a bad choice for those looking to make a firm mattress more comfortable, but it’s a bit pricey compared to other comparable options. Price at time of publish: $219 To test the ease of setup and overall design, we timed how long it took to unbox and arrange each topper and took note of any smells or defects. To assess comfort, team members placed items between the mattress and the topper before having the tester lay in bed, judging how easy it was to feel any of the items through the topper. Our testers also assessed the breathability and heat retention of each topper, using a surface temperature tester to determine the difference between the area where the tester was laying down and the area that did not have a tester on it.

What to Look for in a Mattress Topper

Thickness

The thicker a mattress topper is, the more added cushion it will provide. Some thin options are 1 to 2 inches thick, and will do just fine if you simply want a little bit of added comfort on your bed. On the other hand, some mattress pads can be up to 6 inches thick—ideal if your bed is incredibly uncomfortable.

Material

Mattress toppers can be made with a variety of materials, including different types of foam, down feathers, and regular pillow material. There are pros and cons to the different options: For instance, memory foam often has an odor at first, while down toppers may lose feathers over time. Consider the positives and negatives of each material before making a decision.

Temperature Regulation

Do you tend to get hot at night? Certain mattress toppers regulate body heat better than others, so consider this while shopping. Specifically, memory foam is known to retain heat, which can cause you to get too warm during the night, while down feathers are significantly better at maintaining a normal temperature.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a lifestyle writer and expert on all things homes who has firsthand experience testing all sorts of bedding, including mattress toppers. To compile this list, she used testing insights from The Lab, where each of the mattress toppers was evaluated on its ease of set up, comfort and support, thickness, and temperature regulation. Before testing, we searched through dozens of today’s top mattress toppers, considering factors like customer satisfaction, price, and features to determine which products to test firsthand. 

What is Spruce Approved?

Here at The Spruce we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.