The 7 Best Mattress Toppers, Tested by Our Shopping Editors

Setup doesn’t get much easier than with the Sleep Number ComfortFit Mattress Layer. Simply unbox it and loop the corner anchor bands around your mattress—then make your bed as usual. The brand notes that this mattress topper could have a foamy smell upon opening, so it suggests letting it air out for 24 hours. However, Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, senior shopping editor, didn’t notice any smell, so she just let it sit for a few hours before placing it on her mattress.

“This is the first mattress topper I’ve ever tried, and it has set my expectations high,” says Fitzpatrick. The hypoallergenic mattress topper combines memory foam pieces and premium down-alternative fibers, so it’s plush yet supportive. “The day I received the Sleep Number and put it on my mattress, my husband and I instantly noticed our bed looked taller and more lavish—and crawling into a hotel-like feel didn’t disappoint,” says Fitzpatrick.

The downside of such an easy setup is that the bands aren’t the most secure. After all, they’re only attached at the corners and not all the way around. However, Fitzpatrick says that in her experience, it’s not an everyday occurrence that one becomes unsecured, so it’s not a big deal. But if you find it’s not for you, you can feel safe with the brand’s free shipping, 100-night in-home trial period and one-year limited warranty.

“I recommend the ComfortFit for anyone who wants to upgrade their worn-out mattress or change the feel of their existing bed,” says Fitzpatrick.

This memory foam topper is copper-gel infused and cooling, so it’s perfect for those who like the feel of a traditional memory foam topper and those who live in warmer regions. Shopping Editor Cher Checchio tested this topper on her king-size mattress and found it very comfortable. “I sleep on a Tempur-Pedic mattress, so it already provides a ton of support, but I did notice that the mattress topper adds softness and provides even more comfort,” Checchio says. “I also noticed a cool feeling when I touched the topper.”

Checchio found a tiny bit of an overhang on her mattress. However, the topper is secured with corner straps, so there’s no sliding.

“There was a sunk-in feeling as soon as I laid on the topper, which made me want to relax and drift off to sleep,” Checchio adds.

During testing, she placed an item under the topper and slept on the bed overnight. She didn’t notice the item at all; it barely added a lump. 

We love that this memory foam topper comes with a machine-washable cover. Cher washed it on delicate and laid it out to dry. There were no wrinkles or fading; the cover looked as good as new! It was a bit cumbersome to zip the cover back over the topper, but Cher got it to work. Of course, you’ll want to spot-clean the foam interior, as machine washing can damage the foam.

If you want to choose the firmness level and the size of your mattress topper, then the Brooklyn Bedding Latex Topper is the route. It’s available in all bed sizes and has three firmness levels: Soft, medium and firm. Our Senior Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski tested the mattress topper in medium firmness.

“The topper is very comfortable and has actually relieved back pain,” Bandurski says. “Considering this topper was tested on a cheap, old mattress, I’m impressed it made such a difference in my sleep quality.”

The Brooklyn Bedding Topper arrives at your doorstep tightly rolled. All you have to do is roll it out on the bed before use—no fluffing needed! We tested the topper on a queen-size mattress, and it fits perfectly. It’s made of foam, and the cover is a soft nylon material. Despite not attaching to the mattress, it did not bunch up or slide around during testing. 

“The Brooklyn Topper adds support to the mattress,” Bandurski says. “It’s more than just a pillow topper. While it’s soft, it’s also very supportive of weight. It changed my entire sleeping experience.”

Compared to other, similarly priced mattress toppers, the Brooklyn Topper is thicker, so you get more bang for your buck. However, you will need to spot-treat this topper when it comes time for cleaning, so we recommend an additional layer of protection, like a mattress protector, to help keep your bedding clean. 

The most affordable topper on our list is the Coop Retreat Mattress Topper. It’s made of soft, smooth microfiber. Inside the topper is shredded memory foam and microfiber. The corners have huge, thick pieces of elastic that loop under the mattress corners.

Shopping Editor Emily Way found this topper snug and sturdy. “It was a tight fit, but it didn’t slip or slide around at all,” she says. “I was really surprised that it stayed put as well as it did.” The Coop Topper is also quilted, so there’s no way for the fill to clump up in one area of the bed. 

“The topper acted as a pillow cloud. It’s super soft and so comfortable,” Way adds. “This topper made all the difference. I felt like I was sleeping on a new mattress.”

The Coop Topper is ultra-soft and plush. While it didn’t soften a lump between it and the mattress during our testing, it does an excellent job cushioning a firm mattress. The topper is another one that calls for spot cleaning only, so we recommend using some other barrier between you and the topper to protect it from mess. That said, our editor spilled tea on it and dabbed it with a wet rag, which pulled the mess up sufficiently. 

Want a cooler, more comfortable sleeping environment? The Slumber Cloud Performance Mattress Topper features temperature-regulating technologies and wicks away moisture. “I normally have about five nights a month where I wake up sweaty,” Editor Caroline Stanko says. “That was reduced to about 2 nights a month with the Slumber Cloud Topper.”

During testing, we found the padding to be the same size as the mattress, but the stretchy fabric that goes over the mattress was quite big. If you have a thin mattress, the topper may move around on you a bit. However, that does mean it could accommodate an additional layer of padding, such as a foam topper. The Slumber Cloud Performance Mattress Topper is notable for its cooling capabilities but is more of a cooling pad than a pillow topper.

“Yes, it is expensive for a mattress pad, but after testing, Stanko says, “It’s worth it for the cooling capabilities.”

When it comes to washing, you can throw this whole topper in the washing machine! You can even dry it on low heat, but you may want to check on it halfway through to ensure it’s drying evenly.

The Silk and Snow Organic Mattress Topper is completely GOTS and GOLS certified, meaning the cover is made from latex that is 95% or more organic and cotton that is sourced responsibly and manufactured with eco-conscious standards. Beyond being certified organic and responsibly sourced, this mattress topper is machine washable. So, it’s easy to add to your cleaning routine, too.

Our Product Reviewer Pamela Bonudrant tested the topper, which fit perfectly on a queen-size mattress and was thin enough to fit under a standard-sized sheet. 

“It was very comfortable and did not make my bed hot,” Bondurant says. “I like a firm mattress and was concerned that it would make my mattress feel too soft and squishy, but it didn’t do that.”

During testing, we found that it tends to slide to the side of the bed slept on. That might be fine with two people in the bed, however. While it doesn’t attach to the mattress, the topper cover is completely removable, and you have the option to purchase additional covers through Silk and Snow. This is great if you air-dry the cover overnight.  

If you’re looking for a mattress topper to splurge on for a good night’s rest, the Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper will change the feel of your mattress. It’s available in two styles: plush and firm. The lush topper is made with GOLS-certified organic latex and COTS-certified organic cotton, and the firm topper includes GOTS-certified organic wool.  

During testing, we found the Avocado topper to fit almost perfectly. It covers the entire mattress, with a bit extra length to prevent sliding or uneven sleep experience.

Editor Madi Koetting says, “I’ve tested other mattress toppers before, and they’re a pain when making the bed and even sleeping because toppers almost always overlap on one side.” But we did not experience this with the Avocado topper. “It’s very comfortable,” Koetting adds. “The topper adds a supportive, plush ambiance to my sleep. Sleeping with the Avocado topper graced over my mattress is like crawling into a really cozy hotel bed.”

While the Avocado topper isn’t labeled as cooling, its GOTS-certified organic wool naturally regulates body temperature and wicks away moisture. So, it should keep you from overheating in the middle of the night. If you prefer the back support of a firm mattress but still want that melt-into-your-bed experience, this topper is certainly the way to achieve that feeling.

Environment and personal sleep preferences are key. For instance, a cooling, moisture-wicking topper in warmer climates tends to provide comfort and help with body temperature regulation. If you prefer a plush, sunken-in feeling, then a thick memory foam topper may be best. On the other hand, if you prefer a firmer feeling or want to make a too-soft mattress firmer, then a thinner topper made with wool or other firmer materials may be best.

We gathered shopping editors from across brands to test mattress toppers. We sent each mattress topper on this list to our editors so they could try them on their beds at home for months. We inspected each topper, noting how they were delivered, unboxed and performed. Mattress toppers are familiar to us; a handful of our shopping editors have extensive experience trialing mattress toppers from various brands. Editor Madi Koetting, who had tested countless toppers, found her all-time favorite in the list above. (Spoiler alert: it’s the Avocado Mattress Topper!)

We know how important your sleep is, so we considered materials, comfort level, price and real-life user reviews to determine the best mattress toppers. During our research, we strived to choose mattress toppers for every kind of person, including those who prefer a cooling component and sleepers who like a cloud-like feel during their slumber.

Our shopping editors tested every mattress topper on this list to ensure they live up to their online descriptions and reviews. They took notes on the good and bad so you can shop with knowledge.

Mattress toppers, like bed linens, can get dirty quickly—especially if you eat and drink in bed. The method for cleaning or disinfecting a mattress topper depends on its material and whether or not it comes with a removable, washable mattress protector. Remember to always check the manufacturer’s care instructions before you begin.

If your mattress topper is made of feather, down, cotton or polyester, it can be placed in the washing machine on the warm- or cold-water setting with mild detergent and dried in the dryer on tumble, low-heat or air-dry. Memory foam, polyfoam and latex mattress toppers can be spot-cleaned with baking soda. Let it sit for at least eight hours, then use a mattress vacuum to remove the residue. Flip it over and repeat the process.

Mattress toppers have full sides (like a fitted sheet) to fit snugly around the mattress or elastic straps on the corners. If your mattress topper is slipping and sliding, check to make sure it is the right size for your bed. If your mattress surface is smooth or satiny, add a fitted sheet or a non-slip pad between the mattress and the mattress topper. You can also attach strips of Velcro to the top and bottom of the topper.