The Best Mattress Toppers Take Comfort to Another Level

If you’re looking to upgrade your sleep without replacing your current mattress, it might be time to find the best mattress topper for you. Not only is this extra layer of bedding known for being (a lot) more affordable than investing in a brand-new bed, but most also cater to specific sleep needs. So if you’re dealing with lower back pain from a too-firm mattress or you tend to run hot every season, a mattress topper can be just what you need to bolster your rest routine.

Unlike a mattress pad or protector that falls on the thinner side and is designed to keep your bed free of stains, mattress toppers can reach over three inches to give beds of different firmness levels a more comfortable, plush surface to sleep on. To help you source the latest and greatest options on the market today, our editors went to sleep and tested a range of mattress toppers at all price points. Our guide spans everything from plush picks with pillow top covers to sustainably sourced down alternative mattress toppers that’ll breathe new life into your bed.

Featured in this article

Best Overall

Parachute Down Mattress Topper

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$450

Parachute

Best Down Alternative

Brooklinen Down Alternative Mattress Topper

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$159 $135 (15% off)

Brooklinen

Best Memory Foam

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper

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$295

Saatva

For consistency, all of the prices in this story reflect queen-size mattress toppers unless otherwise noted. However, brands in this list also include sizes ranging from twin XL up to a California king.

Reviewer: Julia Harrison, commerce writer

What was the setup like for this mattress topper? The delivery process was easy! The topper came vacuum-sealed and was really easy to throw on top of my mattress. I had no issue putting a sheet on top either.

What do you love about this mattress topper? The softness of this mattress topper really changed my sleeping experience. My friends and I have taken to chatting on my bed all the time because it’s so relaxing and luxurious to lay on top of. Every night feels like being hugged by a cloud. However, it doesn’t have too many special features. You just lay this flat on your mattress. It would actually be nice if it had some attachment straps.

What’s it like sleeping on this mattress topper? This mattress topper is made from 750 feather fill and premium European white down, which, for those who don’t know their down, just means this is the real deal. I would say this is solidly an inch and a half of down that makes for a plush experience no actual mattress can rival. For those who like sleeping soft, this is a no-brainer.

A down mattress topper is really intended to create an extra layer of luxurious comfort, which this does tremendously. I really can’t overstate the softness of this.

How comfortable was the mattress topper on a scale of 1 to 10? 10! I think elastic straps to keep it in place could be a great addition, though I haven’t found that this slides around much.

Reviewer: Yelena Moroz Alpert, contributor

What was the setup like for this mattress topper? The quilted grid is 10 x 10 squares, but it makes a difference in how you set it up. To help you avoid any confusion, Brooklinen added a helpful “short side” tag—in case you're wondering, that’s the side parallel to the headboard. Most recently, I put the topper in place and the roomy pockets fit perfectly over my new Tiami mattress, it’s 12 inches high. In terms of fit, this topper works just as well on memory foam and hybrid mattresses, I did not notice any difference.

Note that if you don’t follow the tag instructions, the topper will still fit, but the head and foot portion will have a bit of stretching on each side and it won’t look uniform. This shouldn’t influence the padding quality, but if you’re a perfectionist like me, it might irk you.

What do you love about this mattress topper? It’s a soft microgel mattress topper. The tufted construction means you'll have even distribution of fill, encased in a 100% cotton shell. The puffy grid feels as plush as it looks. The pockets fit nicely over my mattress, and it’s not loose and does not move around in any way. I actually forgot that it was down alternative and thought it was down through and through—that’s how soft it feels. I love that each tufted square is like a piece of marshmallow.

What’s it like sleeping on this mattress topper? I noticed a difference the first night I put the mattress cover on—it feels like a posh hotel bed. I sleep comfortably and never toss-and-turn. There is a light give, which adds to the plushiness.

How comfortable is the mattress topper on a scale of 1 to 10? 10. If you have a thin mattress without any frills, this is a nice way to upgrade it. Usually mattress covers are more of a quilted variety and used to protect the mattress, this one protects the mattress, but also adds that extra softness to the bed. One thing that happens is that because the raised grid is a bit poofy, it comes through from under the percale and cotton sheets. It’s not a big deal, but if you must have a pristinely flat fitted sheet over the mattress, it’s not going to happen.

Best Memory Foam

Reviewer: Sarah Han, contributor

What was the setup like for this mattress topper? My boyfriend set it up in minutes and said it wasn’t heavy, but I’m sure I would’ve needed an extra hand if I tried to heave it onto the mattress myself, especially given the extra height due to bed frame risers. Other than that, delivery and setup were really seamless—no complaints. It came vacuum-sealed so he let it sit for a few minutes, but I don’t think he absolutely needed to since the foam bounces back quickly.

What do you love about this mattress topper? Quick context about why I’m testing: I moved in with my boyfriend over the summer, and the one thing I sorely—quite literally—missed was my old memory foam mattress—but alas, his bigger, king-size mattress (that was also already in the apartment) won out. My gripe? And a big one at that: It was so stiff, and I constantly complained about it, so the Saatva topper really changed the game. I adore how thick and plush it is, measuring at three inches. Does it make hopping into bed a little harder? (Our bed frame is nestled on top of four risers for extra storage #apartmentlife.) Yes, but it’s totally worth the bit of extra effort.

The memory foam is supportive and cozy but I like that it mostly keeps its shape and it doesn’t feel like I’m straight-up sinking in my bed. It has the right amount of fluff, and I swear I’ve been falling asleep faster than before. I’ve been dealing with a lot of lower back pain but I never feel it flare up when I’m sleeping. I also think the claim about reducing motion transfer is legit—I’ve been known to slide around while I sleep, but the mattress topper pads the motions, and my boyfriend hasn’t woken up because of my restlessness.

What’s it like sleeping on this mattress topper? It’s definitely supportive, thanks to the memory foam of it all. Like I mentioned, I do think I’ve been falling asleep faster overall—which is great, since my brain is hyperactive when it’s supposed to be winding down—but my actual sleep is a little all-over, though I don’t think that has much to do with the mattress topper. My sheets are also labeled “cooling” so I can’t say it’s just the graphite material, but it’s all-around very comfortable! My boyfriend, who is actually a hot sleeper, agrees.

How comfortable was the mattress topper on a scale of 1 to 10? I’d give it a 9, mostly because I’ve only tried one other (cheap but still decent) mattress topper, so it doesn’t feel fair to give it a 10. Okay, maybe 9.5!

Reviewer: Lauren Arzbaecher, commerce producer

What was the setup like for this mattress topper? At the time I received the Birch topper, I was living in a fourth-floor walk-up, so the ease of getting a big item up to my apartment was a concern. Fortunately, it wasn’t too heavy and was delivered promptly inside a fairly large box. The packaging made it easy enough for me to carry up the stairs on my own. Set up was simple, just unwrapping and leaving it to expand on the bed for a few hours before the first night’s sleep.

What do you love about this mattress topper? I like that the topper is fairly simple, without a lot of bells and whistles. Its standout feature to me is the high quality construction and materials, which give it longevity.

I really appreciate that Birch uses organic and natural materials. The majority of mattress toppers I’ve used in the past were almost entirely synthetic, and because of that they have a shorter lifespan and often emit a strong odor upon delivery. Due to it being free of polyurethane-based foams, off-gassing wasn’t present at all for this topper. Beyond appreciating Birch’s integrity in sourcing eco-conscious materials, the organic wool and cotton have held up incredibly well over the two years I’ve used it on my bed.

What’s it like sleeping on this mattress topper? Prior to getting this topper, I was sleeping directly on my many years-old spring coil mattress, which was akin to sleeping on a rock. I craved something cushier, but didn’t have the budget to get a whole new mattress. I’ve used this topper for over two years now, and it has made my sleep much better. I don’t wake up with as much hip pain as I used to, even when I sleep on my side.

How comfortable is the mattress topper on a scale of 1 to 10? Working with a stiff mattress, I was skeptical about how much of a difference in comfort a mattress topper could make, but this small but mighty addition brought the comfort of my bed from what I would say is a 4 to a 9 out of 10.

The Luxury Pick

Reviewer: Zoë Sessums, contributor

What was the setup like for this mattress topper? Delivery was smooth and efficient, just like with the Ostermoor mattress. The topper comes in a large box, and while it’s not exactly lightweight (it’s filled with a lot of down!), it was manageable for one person to carry and position. Once unboxed, it fluffed up nicely without needing hours to decompress or air out.

What do you love about this mattress topper? The topper is generously filled and thoughtfully constructed, with a box-stitch design that keeps the down evenly distributed—no clumping or shifting. It also has built-in elastic straps, so it stays in place very well.

It adds a layer of plushness that completely transforms the sleep experience. It’s perfect for someone who wants a more sumptuous, cozy feel without compromising the firmness or support of their existing mattress. I also love how breathable and temperature-regulating it is—it’s warm but never stifling, even for a down product.

What’s it like sleeping on this mattress topper? Sleep has been dreamy. The topper provides an extra bit of fluff to relieve pressure at the shoulders and hips, especially for side sleeping. I wake up feeling supported and well-rested, with no aches or stiffness. It’s got a “just right” softness that enhances rather than overwhelms the mattress beneath.

How comfortable is the mattress topper on a scale of 1 to 10? I’d rate it a 9.5—it’s incredibly comfortable and makes getting into bed something to look forward to every night. It may not be the right choice for someone who prefers a firmer sleep surface or is looking for a highly technical performance foam. But for those who value plushness and elegance, it’s hard to beat.

Reviewer: Nashia Baker, senior commerce editor

What was the setup like for this mattress topper? The setup was smooth for me. The shipment was delivered in a lightweight box that I could easily move into my space. Upon unboxing, the mattress topper came in a bag with straps that made it easy to carry. I’m happy to have the bag on hand to help transport the mattress topper for machine washing and keep it stored if I’m not using it.

What do you love about this mattress topper? I love the mattress topper’s light weight and high-end feel. It’s simple to drape over my bed, and I appreciate that it's durable enough to toss it in the washer and dryer for easy maintenance. I also like that it’s hypoallergenic, temperature regulating, and made entirely of organic ingredients to keep my sensitive skin soothed.

The built-in elastic corner straps have been incredibly helpful to keep the mattress topper in place on my bed. The wool batting makes it cozy, and while it’s not considered a cooling cover, the sateen shell gives my sleep surface a smooth feel. Since this mattress topper is less of a high density or pressure-relieving pick, I would recommend it for someone who leans away from a soft mattress.

What’s it like sleeping on this mattress topper? I’ve slept comfortably with this mattress topper on my bed. I’ve tested this topper on two mattresses. My first was on the firmer side, so if you like an extra-plush feel as you sleep, you might want to consider an option that is a bit thicker. However, my new bed is more of a pillow top mattress, so this simple cover makes my mattress feel that much more comfy. While it’s not considered a cooling cover, it does have an organic sateen shell that feels smooth and breathable.

How comfortable was the mattress topper on a scale of 1 to 10? With all of the notes above in mind, I give this a solid 8 out of 10.

Best Plush

Reviewer: Yelena Moroz Alpert, contributor

What was the setup like for this mattress topper? The topper is secured to the bed with four elastic strips on each corner. It was very easy and intuitive. This is a natural wool product, and there was no off-gassing after unpackaging it.

What do you love about this mattress topper? My son calls the Company Store wool mattress pad “a bear bed.” It certainly looks like one of his stuffies, a white polar bear. Honestly, that’s one of the reasons why it caught my eye. The texture of this wool pad is certainly fuzzy, but because it is natural wool, it has this natural decadence to it that makes you want to curl up on top of it and start hibernating for the rest of the winter. It’s a shame I have to put sheets over this topper. You can also see just how plush it is as your body nestles into the wool pile, which is 1.25 inches deep.

I like that unlike other mattress toppers and pads, this one makes you feel as if you’re practically levitating over the mattress. Also, because it is so warm, I can tone it down by putting my Cozy Earth bamboo sheets. I love the contrast between the plush pad and the light-as-air bedding.

What’s it like sleeping on this mattress topper? This is the type of bedding that gets you mentally ready for winter. I live in Cleveland where the temperatures regularly drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit and I don’t take warm bedding lightly. With this wool pad, I love feeling like I am sandwiched in cuddly warmth. Since it is a natural fiber, I don’t feel like my body heat is trapped.

How comfortable was the mattress topper on a scale of 1 to 10? 9. When I first took out the topper from the packaging, it was very fluffy, like one of my son’s stuffies. But I did notice that after a few weeks of sleeping, the topper does look more matted in the spot where I was sleeping, sort of like an outline. You might need to ruffle the wool every now and then to keep the fabric from getting flat.

We here at AD are constantly testing products that elevate our bedding setups, and we have the same mindset when it comes to mattress toppers. Our editors have slept on the ones in our top picks section to determine how each felt after consistent sleep for months and even years.

To find the best mattress toppers out there, we informed all of the best picks in our list based on the following factors:

Material: There are a variety of materials to choose from, with the most popular ones being down, memory foam, and cotton. We prioritized options that are primarily made of organic materials and offer a supportive yet cozy feel. Earth-friendly materials like cotton typically promote airflow to keep hot sleepers comfortable and are ideal for those who are sensitive to certain allergens.

Thickness: Nearly all mattress toppers are between two to three inches in thickness. Based on our testers’ thoughts, two to three inches of height offered just the right amount of cushion to help ease them to sleep comfortably.

Trial Period and Warranty: If you want to get a feel or test run your mattress topper before fully committing, a trial period is the best way to do it. We noted which of our picks come with trial periods and warranties for dissatisfaction down the line, with most industry-leading mattress brands offering 100-night sleep trials and one-year warranties on average.

Ease of Setup: Similar to our process when testing mattresses-in-a-box, we always factor in ease of setup and delivery. We took note of the process to ship the toppers to our homes and how seamless it was to secure each one on our beds.