The best mattress toppers 2024: Tested and approved

Best mattress topper: The image shows a man place a Tempur-Adapt mattress topper on his mattress
(Image credit: Tempur-Pedic)

A mattress topper can instantly transform your bed's overall comfort and prolong its lifespan. Plus, investing in a top-rated mattress topper is a cost effective way to get a flavor of the sleep-enhancing features of some of the mattresses included in our best mattress guide. Whether you wish your current mattress were firmer, softer, or cooler, all you need is the right mattress topper — and you'll find one in this guide.

For this 2024 guide to the best mattress toppers, our team of highly experienced mattress testers and certified sleep coaches have spent hundreds of hours testing and sleeping on every bed topper you see on this list. We've slept on all of these memory foam and latex mattress toppers, testing them in key areas such as support, comfort, and temperature regulation, to provide you with expert advice on how to decide which bed topper to buy in the upcoming Black Friday mattress topper sales.

The best mattress toppers 2024 — expert-tested

Best mattress topper overall

Our top recommendation overall and the best choice for hip pain, too

Specifications

Price: from $319
Type: Memory foam
Best for: Side sleepers; joint pain
Depth: 3"
Sleep trial: None
Warranty: 10 years

Reasons to buy

+
Luxe Tempur feel for less
+
Plush cushioning for hip pain
+
Great for side sleepers
+
Removable, washable cover

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't be returned
-
Too soft for back or stomach sleepers

Quick summary

The Tempur-Adapt Mattress Topper is the best mattress topper around, offering the the signature luxe feel of a Tempur-Pedic mattresses for a fraction of the price. The Adapt topper contains 3 inches of NASA-developed Tempur material, which will meld to your shape and help alleviate hip pain and joint aches. This memory foam bed topper also earns brownie points for its design, which includes stretchy, elastic straps keep the topper in place and a removable, machine-washable cover for an easy clean and hygienic sleep. However, its all-foam construction does mean it traps heat slightly, so hot sleepers should either opt for a cooling cover upgrade (at $100 extra) or choose the Casper Comfy Topper (#7) instead for both cushioning comfort and temperature control. 

At MSRP, the starting price of a Tempur-Adapt is $319, while a queen size is $419. However, there's a 40% off deal on this topper that comes and goes, appearing sporadically and without warning. If you happen to catch this discount, the starting price becomes $191.40 and a queen is reduced to $251. There's also a generous 10-year warranty included all year round, but be aware that this bed topper is non-returnable and no sleep trials are available. 

EXPERT VERDICT
Frances Daniels
EXPERT VERDICT
Frances Daniels

While the absence of a sleep trial would have ordinarily knocked any other mattress topper off the top spot, the Tempur-Adapt's soothing pressure relief and cloud-like comfort outweighs any negatives. If you're a side sleeper looking to add cushioning comfort and softness to a hard mattress, I strongly recommend the Tempur-Adapt mattress topper. Read more: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Topper review

The best cheap mattress topper

This Amazon bestseller is the best option if you want a thick mattress topper at a cheap price

Specifications

Price: From $74.99
Type: Gel-infused memory foam
Best for: Small budgets, side sleepers
Depth: 4"
Sleep trial: 30 nights
Warranty: 3 years
Shipping: Free

Reasons to buy

+
Low price
+
Generous thickness
+
Doesn't sleep too warm

Reasons to avoid

-
Cover not included
-
Too squishy for some

Quick Summary

The Lucid Gel Memory Foam mattress topper is a low-budget model and an Amazon best-seller that provides a thick bed surface with decent cooling at a lower price. At 4 inches deep, there's lots of cushioning for maximum pressure relief, and it's chunky enough to mask an uncomfortable sleep surface, too. While memory foam does have a reputation for trapping heat, this budget-friendly topper features a ventilated design infused with cooling gel to keep you feeling refreshed throughout the night. 

Another big draw here is the price. A queen retails for $120 (based on the 4-inch, no-cover version). Since multiple retailers sell it, you'll be able to shop around for a good deal, too. If you buy directly from Lucid (which we reccomend) you'll get a 30-nght sleep trial, a 3-year warranty, and free shipping. Plus, Lucid has a habit of throwing 30% off flash sales every so often, which brings a queen-size down from $119.99 down to $84. 

EXPERT VERDICT
Photo of Frances Daniels
EXPERT VERDICT
Frances Daniels

Mattress toppers can be expensive, especially if you're looking for a quick stopgap fix an older mattress while saving up for a new one. This is where the Lucid 4" Memory Foam Topper comes in handy. At a lower price, even at full retail, you can add comfort to a hard or aging mattress without having to spend a small fortune. Read more: Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper review   

The best luxury mattress topper

Our favorite memory foam mattress topper for providing luxury comfort at a lower price

Specifications

Price: From $195
Type: High-density memory foam
Best for: Side sleepers; pressure relief
Depth: 1.5"
Sleep trial: 180 nights
Warranty: 1 year
Shipping: Free

Reasons to buy

+
An affordable way to sleep on a Saatva
+
Great for side sleeping
+
Comes with a 180-night trial

Reasons to avoid

-
Cover is spot-clean only
-
Prone to shifting, despite straps

Quick Summary

The Saatva Foam Mattress Topper is the brand's least expensive topper, making it the quickest way to add the premium brand's signature luxury to your bed. It's also the thinnest in Saatva's topper line with a 1.5-inch profile, but its high-dense foam makes up for its slim build by providing ample cushioning for people who otherwise like the feel of their mattress. This high-density foam topper has a medium-firm feel to gently cradle your body. 

It's also a great choice if you want a taste of Saatva's signature luxury comfort at a fraction of the cost of its full-fledged mattresses. A queen size retails at $295 ($150 cheaper than a queen Saatva Graphite at #5), and you can take your time trying it out with a 180-night sleep trial. However, discounts are virtually non-existent on this topper (as with all of Saatva's mattress toppers). 

EXPERT VERDICT
Photo of Frances Daniels
EXPERT VERDICT
Frances Daniels

While we always reccomend choosing a topper that's at least 2 inches thick, the Saatva High Density Foam Topper makes up for its relatively thin frame by using ultra-cushioning, ultra-dense foam. It's also one of the cheapest ways to experience Saatva's trademark luxury, and side sleepers will be able to overlook the minor faults  thanks to the deep pressure relief it provides.  Read more: Saatva Foam Mattress Topper review

Best cooling mattress topper

An excellent bed topper for hot sleepers or for keeping cool during warm weather

Specifications

Price: From $179.99
Type: Copper-infused memory foam
Best for: Hot sleepers, side sleepers
Depth: 3"
Sleep trial: 30 nights
Warranty: 5 years
Shipping: Free

Reasons to buy

+
7-zoned design for targeted support
+
Excellent temperature regulation
+
Will suit most side and back sleepers

Reasons to avoid

-
No washable cover
-
May be too soft for some

Quick Summary

The Molecule's open-cell, copper-infused memory foam kept us comfortably cool throughout our testing period. In fact we scored this cooling topper 5 out of 5 in the temperature regulation department. We never felt any trapped heat (usually associated with memory foam) As a bonus, copper has anti-microbial properties, so it's also a great choice for those with allergies. 

The medium-firm sleep feel should suit a wide array of sleepers, but we found it to be most comfortable for side sleeping. Our side-sleeping main tester found the topper provided a good balance of firmness and pressure relief, while she also felt cushioned yet supported when sleeping on her back. However, if you want a cooling mattress topper that provided a good amount of firmness for back and front sleepers, we recommend checking out the ViscoSoft Active Cooling Mattress Topper at #6. 

While the brand justifies its lack of a cover by suggesting a cover would prevent sleepers from fully experiencing the zoned support and airflow benefits, we still feel the bed topper would benefit from one. However, no matter how much bedding we added to the topper, it's cooling performance remained unaffected. Without a cover, it's a tad annoying to keep clean, so we recommend finding a machine-washable mattress protector that'll safeguard it from spills.

EXPERT VERDICT
Photo of Frances Daniels
EXPERT VERDICT
Frances Daniels

While discounts on this topper are rare, the CopperWELL is still the top choice if you're looking for an easy, cost-effective way to cool down your bed. Its copper-infused foam offers a heat-dissipating, antimicrobial feel while its open-cell design adds breathability to a stuffy mattress. Plus, its seven-zone design means it's perfect for side-sleeping hot sleepers looking for cooling pressure relief.  Read more: Molecule CopperWELL Mattress Topper review 

The best mattress topper for back pain

This supportive mattress topper will alleviates lower back pain and keep you cool

Specifications

Price: From $245
Type: Memory foam
Best for: Back sleepers, hot sleepers
Depth: 3"
Sleep trial: 180 nights
Warranty: 1 year
Shipping: Free

Reasons to buy

+
Soothing support for back sleepers
+
Excellent cooling capabilities
+
Anchor bands keep things in place

Reasons to avoid

-
Too soft for some front sleepers
-
Cover is spot clean only

Quick Summary

The Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper is our top recommendation for back sleepers  who need medium-firm support.  It includes three inches of body hugging foam for a soothing feel when sleeping on your back or side, while the graphite infusion provides a cooling touch. The organic cotton cover also provides extra breathability and features anchor straps to keep the topper from shifting. 

Sitting in the premium price bracket, a queen is typically priced at $445. Saatva toppers aren't usually discounted in the Saatva mattress sales, but it's worth checking before you buy, just in case. When it comes to extras, there's a 180-night home trial – the longest of any brand on this list. On the other hand, it's only backed by a 1-year limited warranty, which is very short considering the premium price tag. 

EXPERT VERDICT
Photo of Frances Daniels
EXPERT VERDICT
Frances Daniels

The Saatva Graphite Topper is ideal for back sleepers and those suffering with lower back pain thanks to its soothing support and its crowd-pleasing medium-firm feel. A major plus is its temperature regulation, with the graphite infusion and breathable organic cotton cover providing a refreshingly cool sleep.  Read more: Saatva Graphite mattress topper review

The best firm mattress topper

The perfect mattress topper for making a too-soft bed feel firmer - and cooler

Specifications

Price: From $269.95
Type: Copper-infused memory foam
Best for: Hot sleepers, back sleepers
Depth: 4"
Sleep trial: 90 nights
Warranty: 5 years
Shipping: Free

Reasons to buy

+
Impressive cooling
+
Cover is washable, comes in 2 colors
+
Great support for back sleepers

Reasons to avoid

-
Frequently out of stock
-
A bit firm for lighter side sleepers

Quick summary

If you want to make your mattress firmer and supportive, the ViscoSoft Active cooling topper is the best option. This 4-inch thick, medium-firm option offers gentle pressure relief alongside more solid support, and it's perfect for back sleepers. As you'd guess from the name, it also offers good temperature regulation. Although the phase-change cover wasn't cold-to-the-touch for us, the copper-infused foam kept our testers comfortably cool on even the warmest nights.

Officially, there's no trial period for this topper, although if you buy direct from ViscoSoft, there's a 90-day money-back guarantee, during which time the brand will refund you if you're not satisfied with your purchase. You'll also get a 5-year warranty. Price-wise, this is the most expensive of ViscoSoft's topper line-up, with a queen going for $399.95 at MSRP. However, there's a 25% of evergreen deal on toppers at ViscoSoft, which regularly takes a queen size down to $299.95.