Best Overall
ViscoSoft Serene Hybrid Mattress Topper
- The topper features a soft down-like cover on top of a supportive gel-infused memory foam base.
The topper features a soft down-like cover on top of a supportive gel-infused memory foam base.
- It sheds a ton when moved.
It sheds a ton when moved.
The ViscoSoft Pillow Top Memory Foam Mattress is the best cooling mattress topper we tested. The combination of a gel-infused memory foam base and a pillow-top cover made the bed feel super cozy—almost to the point that it was difficult to get out of it.
To make it stand out from the competition, the memory foam core has been enhanced by a luxurious down-alternative cover consisting of plush 300-thread count sateen material that gives it extra cushion. We were completely supported while laying on it, without feeling like we were sinking down into it, even when we rolled onto our stomach.
In the lab, we placed an acupressure mat under each topper to test the thickness and ability to mask lumps and bumps—and we couldn’t feel it at all through the ViscoSoft topper. And although we tossed and turned and did everything in our power to squish it, the original shape remained intact. Elastic straps and an elasticized skirt on the bottom kept the topper firmly in place on the mattress.
We also didn’t detect any odor, which was surprising considering it was a new mattress topper and unpleasant off-gassing odors are common. However, we did notice that the underside tended to shed foam, leaving behind residue that resembled snow or dandruff. We suggest having a vacuum or dustpan on hand to deal with the fallout if you’re removing the topper.
While the mattress topper didn’t necessarily cool us down, it did seem to keep our temperature regulated and didn’t make us feel overheated. It comes with a 5-year warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Product Details: Material: Memory foam, down alternative | Thickness: 4 inches | Care: Machine wash cover, vacuum or spot clean core
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best for Side Sleepers
Amazon Basics Cooling Gel Mattress Topper
- The topper’s gel-infused latex foam gently supports the back and limbs, which is extra important for side-sleepers.
The topper’s gel-infused latex foam gently supports the back and limbs, which is extra important for side-sleepers.
- It’s quite bulky so you might need help to place it on top of your bed.
It’s quite bulky so you might need help to place it on top of your bed.
Made from synthetic latex foam, the Amazon Basics mattress topper felt extremely comfortable on our backs and limbs, which is an important factor for side sleepers looking for better quality rest. We tested the 3-inch thickness to see if we could feel the acupressure mat we placed underneath (we couldn’t). If that sounds too thick, you can opt for a 2-inch version.
After lying on it for five minutes, we saw no noticeable dents, and the topper didn’t shift on the mattress even when we tossed and turned. Just note that it comes with no straps to hold it down on the bed. While we didn’t think the mattress topper was particularly heavy, it’s sort of big and unwieldy, so you might need a second person to help put it on the bed. As for any cooling properties, it warmed slightly from our body heat, but nothing drastic.
Our final verdict: it offers lots of comfort at a decent price. But, because it’s pretty dense, we recommend you check the pocket depth of your sheets to make sure it fits properly. It’s available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king sizes.
Product Details: Material: Latex foam | Thickness: 2 or 3 inches | Care: Spot clean
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best for Back Sleepers
Linenspa Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
- This mattress topper is cool, lightweight, and comes at a budget-friendly price.
This mattress topper is cool, lightweight, and comes at a budget-friendly price.
- It is extremely plush, so it might be unnecessary if your mattress is already soft.
It is extremely plush, so it might be unnecessary if your mattress is already soft.
Soft yet firm bedding is key for anyone who sleeps on their back. This cooling mattress topper from Linenspa is made out of super soft memory foam, which adds cushion and redistributes your weight for added comfort. It’s also the best option if you’re looking for a deal, with an under-$100 price tag.
Memory foam can retain heat, but the Linenspa topper features a cooling gel inside which helps redistribute body heat and keep you cool through the night. We found the memory foam to be pretty breathable as well. In fact, we noticed that the temperature stayed the same throughout the mattress topper even after lying on it during testing.
Even though the mattress topper is really lightweight, we had no issues with it in terms of stability, though we did think the acupressure mat may have helped keep it in place. Additionally, we saw that it took a while for the mattress to regain its shape, perhaps because it’s so plush—it may not be the best choice for side sleepers who might sink too deep, or if your mattress is already very soft.
Product Details: Material: Memory foam | Thickness: 2 or 3 inches | Care: Spot clean
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Most Comfortable
GhostBed Memory Foam Topper
- The features a waterproof mattress protector to guard against spills and stains makes it a great choice for those with small kids or pets.
The features a waterproof mattress protector to guard against spills and stains makes it a great choice for those with small kids or pets.
- It’s a premium mattress topper that comes with a high price tag.
It’s a premium mattress topper that comes with a high price tag.
The GhostBed Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress is a mattress topper and protector all rolled into one. That’s because it features three inches of memory foam wrapped in a cooling waterproof cover. The topper is divided into three sections that are designed to either cradle, contour, or relieve pressure depending. Overall, we thought that this design worked well—we found the topper to be really comfortable no matter how we were positioned.
The topper is designed to remain firmly in place, with a two-inch elastic around the bottom. It has deep pockets and should be able to fit mattresses of all sizes. For the most part, the topper retained its springiness and shape during testing. We put the waterproof claims to the test by pouring water onto the topper, which absorbed the liquid quickly, proving that it’s indeed effective against moisture. For this reason, we think it’s an ideal option if you have small kids or pets.
While the cooling effect is not that pronounced, it felt breathable and maintained our body temperature. Even though this mattress topper is expensive, we thought the high-quality materials plus the fact that it’s waterproof made it well worth the money.
Product Details: Material: Memory foam | Thickness: 3 inches | Care: Machine wash protector, spot clean topper
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Foam
Nest Bedding Cooling Topper
- Nest’s 30-night trial allows you to thoroughly test the topper for yourself before committing and return it free of charge if you don’t love it.
Nest’s 30-night trial allows you to thoroughly test the topper for yourself before committing and return it free of charge if you don’t love it.
- It only comes in one thickness.
It only comes in one thickness.
Not all mattress toppers have to be super soft. Firmer options, like this Nest Bedding Cooling Topper, may provide more support for back, side, and stomach sleepers. During our tests, we placed it on top of a medium firm foam mattress with no springs and discovered just how comfortable it was to sleep on.
As with the others we’ve recommended, it passed the acupressure mat test with flying colors. It’s extra impressive considering the topper is only 2 inches thick. We love that the topper features straps on each of the corners to help it stay put while we tossed and turned. With the exception of a slight indent on the spot we laid on most, the topper maintained the same volume throughout our tests.
Although we felt a cooling effect when we first lay down, it did dissipate quickly—after just five minutes, the topper had warmed up, though it wasn’t hot. Overall it retained a tiny bit of body heat, so it might not be the best choice for hot sleepers.
Because each Nest mattress topper is custom-made, it will take a few weeks before it is shipped. Nest offers a 30-night trial, during which you are free to return the topper if you don’t like it, and a two-year warranty.
Product Details: Material: Foam | Thickness: 2 inches | Care: Spot clean with mild soap
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Latex
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Mattress Topper
- It’s much firmer than other picks, making it a nice choice for those with hip or shoulder pain who might need more support.
It’s much firmer than other picks, making it a nice choice for those with hip or shoulder pain who might need more support.
- The topper is very heavy and required two people for us to get it onto the bed.
The topper is very heavy and required two people for us to get it onto the bed.
The Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Mattress Topper consists of 100 percent natural latex foam sourced from certified organic rubber trees, making it a greener option. It is also one of the best cooling mattress toppers that we tested.
We found the topper to be much firmer compared to standard memory foam, which makes it great for people with hip and shoulder pain. We observed that it was firm enough to support our weight, and did not sink under us for the time we tried it. Just note that the topper is heavy; it required two people to put it on the bed.
Though we initially noticed a latex smell coming from the topper, once it was on the bed with a fitted sheet over it the smell vanished, so it shouldn’t be bothersome when you sleep. We found that the mattress topper didn't shift and stayed on the mattress the entire time we tested it—which should be expected, given the weight.
It also seemed to be one of the more cooling options we tried; despite typically running hot in bedding, it kept us cool and comfortable during the test.
Product Details: Material: Latex | Thickness: 1, 2 or 3 inches | Care: Spot clean
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Memory Foam
Zinus Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper
- The foam is effective at insulating noises, so it might be a nice option if you have a creaky bed.
The foam is effective at insulating noises, so it might be a nice option if you have a creaky bed.
- It was hard to slip a fitted sheet over both the thick topper and the mattress.
It was hard to slip a fitted sheet over both the thick topper and the mattress.
If your mattress is too hard for your liking, a memory foam mattress topper can make you feel like you’re sleeping on clouds. Say hello to the Zinus Green Tea Cooling Memory Topper, which provides comfort as well as absorbing moisture and eliminating odors. This is thanks to the activated charcoal and green tea infused foam. Indeed, the only odor we detected when unpacking the topper was a slight earthy scent.
Another beneficial feature we noticed is that it’s truly noise-insulating and didn’t make a sound as we moved around on it. If you don’t want to deal with a creaky, squeaky bed, this is a great choice. It’s gel-infused, and feels surprisingly cool to the touch. It warmed up a little as we continued to lie on it, but we never got hot.
While the 4-inch thickness helped make it one of the top performing mattress toppers on our list, we felt it was too bulky. We ended up having to wrangle it into place to get a proper fit. The other downside concerning its size is that we were barely able to slip on our fitted sheet over both the foam and the mattress in testing.
Product Details: Material: Memory foam | Thickness: 1.5, 3, or 4 inches | Care: Wipe with dry cloth
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON