If your mattress feels like it needs refreshing or even replacing, but you don’t want to fork out just yet, then a mattress topper could be just the ticket. They’re also good for people who decide they want a different feel to their bed – firmer or softer, perhaps – as a topper sits on top of your existing mattress under your sheets, providing the extra layer of padding that could make the difference between insomnia and getting a great night’s sleep.
The problem is that in a saturated market, the thought of choosing which mattress topper you need can be so overwhelming that many people don’t have a clue where to start. How do you work out which type is best for your needs? How much money do you need to spend? How long can you expect your topper to last?
Here you’ll find our pick of the best mattress toppers, as well as a step-by-step buyers’ guide to help you pick the right topper for your needs and your budget.
How to buy the best mattress topper for you
Why would I need a mattress topper?
It might be that your mattress has seen better days, but you can’t afford a new one. Alternatively, you may want one to protect your existing mattress from damage or just make it last a bit longer. Perhaps you suffer from allergies and your mattress isn’t hypoallergenic. Or you might want a transportable topper that you can put on beds when you’re away from home. Another common reason is that you might want to add another layer of comfort to your existing bed. Or you might want it to feel cooler or warmer. If your existing mattress has a dip in it, though, forget it – the topper will just sink into it.
What kind of filling should I go for?
There’s certainly no shortage to pick from, with the most popular fillings including:
- Memory foam– a cheaper alternative to a full-on memory foam mattress, this kind of topper moulds to your body, making it ideal for people with painful joints and those whose sleep gets easily interrupted by bed partners who move about a lot in the night. But they can retain heat and come with a strong chemical smell, which takes a while to disappear.
- Wool– made from all-natural materials instead of synthetics, these are good for allergy sufferers and keep bed bugs and mites at bay. They tend to be soft and extremely durable, lasting years. But they are pricey and many need to be dry-cleaned rather than washed in the machine, with some exceptions.
- Down Feather– generally made from goose or duck feather, these cloud-like toppers are all about providing a combination of softness and support and they’re also good for keeping you from tossing and turning, something your partner may be grateful for. They last well and are good for all seasons too – keeping you toasty in winter and cooler and dry in summer. Avoid them if you have allergies, though.
- Egg crate– these are the cheapest type of toppers on the market, with some costing as little as twenty quid. Most are firm and comfortable, as well as being thin and easy to transport on holidays. But they don’t have the softness and springiness of others and they don’t tend to last well either.
- Silk– silk is great for regulating body temperature and it has a luxurious feel. Dust mites hate silk, so it’s also good for allergy sufferers.
- Synthetic– these can vary enormously in terms of firmness and support, although most are quite thick, making them a good option for people with an old mattress. Hollowfibre is known for being supportive, for example, while microfibre tends to be softer and more comfortable. A good quality one should be springy, breathable and hypoallergenic.
Anything else I should look out for?
Check how snugly the topper fits onto the bed – you don’t want it to move about, which is a common problem. Make sure the filling is evenly distributed, just as you’d want it to be with a duvet, and consider if you want a deep topper (feather and down, microfibre) or something or something more shallow (wool, silk).
The best mattress toppers to buy
1. Dorma Full Forever: The best mattress topper under £50
Price when reviewed: From £45
It’s nigh on impossible to find a decent mattress topper for under fifty quid, but this topper is the exception to the rule, ticking more boxes for us than some we tested (and that didn’t make this list) at two or three times this price. The 100 per cent cotton cover is soft under your sheet – and decent quality too, with a 230 thread count – while the nicely cushioned spiral fibre filling is coated in Aegis Microbe Shield Technology, which stops bacteria growing and is therefore good for allergy sufferers. It fits nicely on the bed with the elasticated loops and it washes well in the machine. Unlike most toppers in this price range, the filling stays evenly distributed too, even after a lot of use. While not as luxurious as others in this roundup, the Full Forever is still capable of turning a tired old mattress into a nice comfy bed.
Buy the Dorma Full Forever from Dunelm now
Key specs – Filling: Spiral fibre with cotton casing; Thickness: 3.5cm; Machine washable?: Yes; Sizes: Single through to superking; Warranty: None
2. Soak & Sleep Ultimate Microfibre with Silk Topper: The best buy for people who get hot at night
Price when reviewed: From £68
Best known for its cooling properties, silk wicks away moisture to help regulate your body temperature all through the night. We like the fact that this topper also has an added bottom chamber that’s filled with a generous layer of gently supportive microfibre – the upshot of which is that it’s much more comfy than many of the much thinner pure silk toppers available. The elastic straps keep it firmly in place, too. And as you are much less likely to perspire when sleeping on silk, the silk filling remains free from dustmites – great for allergy sufferers, who will also be pleased to learn that silk is naturally hypoallergenic.
Buy the Soak & Sleep Ultimate Microfibre with Silk Topper from Soak&Sleep now
Key specs – Filling: Microfibre and silk with cotton casing; Thickness: 5cm thick; Sizes: Single through to superking; Machine washable?: No, professional clean only; Warranty: 365-day return period
3. Hästens Top Mattress BJ: The best luxury mattress topper
Price when reviewed: From £690
You could buy a brand new, good quality mattress for the price of the Hästens Top Mattress BJ. But you’d need to spend at least four or five times that to get anywhere near the comfort levels and breathability on offer here. Seriously, this is the king of mattress toppers and if money is no object, we cannot recommend it highly enough. The topper measures an impressive 7cm deep and is made with all-natural materials - notably horsehair, which keeps your body at the ideal temperature and provides the right balance between firmness, cushioning and springiness to give you that instant cloud feeling when you climb into bed. Plus, it doesn’t flatten like many others. In fact, it should stay exactly as it is for between five to seven years, thanks to the durability of the horsehair – which, of course, is why it’s used in traditional upholstery. Be warned, though, it is heavy, and you can’t wash it.
Buy the Hästens Top Mattress BJ now
Key specs – Thickness: 7cm; Filling: Cotton, wool and horsehair; Sizes: All standard sizes, also made to measure option; Warranty: None
4. John Lewis Soft Touch Washable Mattress Topper: The best all-round mattress topper
Price when reviewed: From £75
Here’s another thick topper that offers the kind of comfort you get in five star hotels, yet won’t break the bank and isn’t prone to sagging. Other plus points include the fact that you bung it in the washing machine at 60 degrees (and even the tumble drier on a low heat) as much as you like, and it comes out as a good as new. Although it’s made from 100% polyester, it’s actually made up of two layers – the top one being extra soft, while the core provides the firmness. So there’s no need to worry about the kind of sponginess that can leave you feeling suffocated and we found it’s particularly good if you’re prone to aches and pains. The elastic straps keep it secure on the bed and it’s nice and warm (a good job as you can’t use an electric blanket with it), although that can be a downside if you get clammy at night.
Buy the Soft Touch Washable Mattress Topper from John Lewis now
Key specs – Filling: 100% polyester; Thickness: 6cm; Machine washable?: Yes; Sizes: Single through to super king; Warranty: 2 years