There are plenty of pricier options on the market, but popping one of the best cheap mattress toppers under $50 on your bed can still make a major difference to your sleep setup. These thick comfort layers sit on top of your existing bed and are used to made it more comfortable (usually by adding extra cushioning).
Of course, a sub-$50 options won't have the same features or quality level as one of the best mattress toppers, but they can still be a sound investment in a pinch. For example, if you're stuck on an uncomfortable mattress for a few weeks, and it's not worth sorting something more permanent but you don't want to give up on sleep completely. College students who have been provided with a rock-hard mattress might also want to take note.
A topper can be made from any kind of material. Many of today's best mattress brands sell toppers that use the same materials that appear in the full mattress, and the best memory foam mattress toppers on the market can recreate that body contouring, pressure relieving feel on an old innerspring model. In this price bracket, you're mostly going to be looking at layers of foam, with no cover or straps. Your purchase will also likely be on the thinner side, and it won't be the highest quality or most durable. However, all the picks below come well reviewed, represent good value for money, and can still make an instant improvement to your overnight comfort.
Read on for pick of the best cheap mattress toppers under $50, based on a twin size sold at full price (many come via Amazon, which means you might well be able to snag a mattress topper deal that takes the price down further).
The best cheap mattress toppers under $50
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The Linenspa Memory Foam Mattress Topper is the best overall value if you're looking for a quick and economical way to upgrade the comfort of your current mattress. It's available in either a 2 or 3-inch profile – choose the taller one if you need more plushness. You can purchase the topper on its own or add a removable, washable cover for more hygienic sleep. In addition to standard sizes it also comes in sizes for cots and RV beds – 10 sizes total.
This cheap mattress topper is great for college dorm room mattresses that feel like a sheet of paper and could use some extra love. Or if you have a mattress that's a tad too firm, you can throw this on top to make it feel a bit softer and more comfortable. If you deal with body aches and pains, the Linenspa topper can help provide relief as it works to align the spine and evenly disperse body weight across the entire bed. (Head to our guide to the best mattress for back pain for more tips on what to look for there.)
The Linenspa Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a regular Amazon best-seller. It boasts over 100,000 customer reviews and a 4.5 out of 5-star rating (December 2022). Feedback is mixed on how well it regulates temperature, but you should be fine if you're not a chronically hot sleeper. Fans of this topper praise its pressure relief, with several even crediting it with alleviating their aches and pains. There are questions surrounding durability with long-term use, though a 3-year warranty applies.
The Serta Comfort Zone Memory Foam Mattress Topper is quite thin at only 1.5 inches, but if you only need to makes the slightest change to your current bed, then it should be perfect for that. Rather than being flat, this budget topper has a textured surface that might look a little odd under your sheet, but is designed to move where you do, while providing pressure relief to the joints and muscles that need it most.
Meanwhile, if you're prone to waking up in a sweat, the Serta mattress topper is made from a breathable memory foam that's designed to maintain just the right temperature while you sleep (budget memory foam can have a habit of clinging on to body heat). It also helps that it's not as thick as other foam toppers on this list, so there's less likelihood of heat being trapped.
There aren't a whole lot of user reviews for this cheap mattress topper, but it does have a 4.1 star rating out of 5 from over 300 Amazon shoppers (Aug 2023). Positive claims say the 5-zone ergonimic design help relieve back pain, while negative reviews found its 1.5-inch profile didn't add enough comfort to their existing bed.
Also note that warranty terms here are unclear, but Serta is one of the most trusted names in the sleep business. Which makes it more likely you'll be getting a well-made product at a reasonable price.
The Easeland Pillow Top Mattress Pad sits somewhere between a mattress pad and a topper. It's ideal if you don't need to make a dramatic change to the feel of your bed or don't care for the feel of memory foam. And unlike the foam options on our list, you can toss this one in the washing machine and tumble dry on low.
It boasts a soft and fluffy surface, with a cotton top plus a down-alternative fill that'll aid in pressure and pain relief. Add to that the breathability of cotton and you have a budget topper that's also good for keeping night sweats at bay. You won't have to worry about it shifting, either, as its deep pockets easily tuck under the corners of the bed for sturdy placement.
As of December 2022, the Easeland Pillow Top Mattress Pad has over 78,000 Amazon reviews, culminating in a 4.6 rating out of 5 stars. Positive feedback calls it cozy and warm, with just the right amount of cushioning to improve a too-firm mattress. On the other hand, critics say it doesn't hold up over time, especially after multiple washes. No clear warranty information is included, so proceed with caution.
If you want to transform your current bed into a suitable cooling mattress, take a look at the Best Price Mattress Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper. To help disperse body heat, the Best Price mattress topper is perforated and infused with cooling gel. Memory foam – and especially cheap foam – can trap heat, so these measures are designed to allow for a more restful (and less sweaty) sleep. Like the other memory foam options in our list, it'll also adapt to the contours of your body and evenly distribute your weight when you lie on it.
It comes in five height profiles. The thinnest option is 1.5 inches, while the tallest clocks in at 4 inches. That's really thick for a topper, and will make your sleep surface very squishy (and potentially unsupportive), so think hard about whether it's right for you before opting for that one. Also note that the tallest sizes are well out of cheap mattress topper territory.
The Best Price Mattress Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper has 4.4 out of 5-star rating over ~20k reviews (Aug 2023). Those who view it favorably compare it to sleeping on a cloud, finding it soft as well as supportive. It's also a popular choice for a travel or camping bed. However, there are complaints of strong initial off-gassing odors, which are harmless but unpleasant. Weirdly, Best Price has lumped in some actual mattresses on the same product page, which might be skewing review scores rather.
If you toss and turn in the middle of the night, then you might notice your sheets come off and everything becomes a disheveled mess. The Oaskys Mattress Pad is designed to stay firmly in place while adding some extra protection and durability. It's also easy to care for. When it comes time to clean this mattress pad, simply toss it in the washing machine – if it'll fit – and let it do the work for you.
Made from down-alternative fill, this mattress topper offers a fluffy layer that rests right between you and your bed. It doesn't have as much padding as other toppers mentioned in this list; however, it does stay put thanks to its deep pockets and elastic band that seamlessly fit over the corners of the bed. If you don't need to make a major change to your current bed, the Oaskys Mattress Pad should check the right boxes, especially at such an affordable cost.
It's accumulated nearly 76k Amazon reviews for a cumulative rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars as of August 2023. Reviewers praise the mattress for its quality and comfort at such a cheap price, but some warn that it's not as soft as they'd expected.
How thick should my mattress topper be?
The thickness of your mattress topper really depends on what your needs are. For example, a newer mattress likely won't need a topper more than 1-2 inches thick because the bed hasn't undergone much wear so it's still pretty plush. However, for older mattresses, you'll want to opt for mattress toppers that are 3-4 inches thick. This will provide extra cushioning for beds that are really worn out and lacking bounce or softness. Be aware that a 4-inch topper will make your sleep surface very squishy, and potentially unsupportive for some sleepers.
You'll also want to tailor the type of mattress topper you buy to your primary sleep style. We'd usually recommend a softer mattress for side sleepers (to allow pressure relief around the hips and shoulders) and a firmer mattress for back and front sleepers (who need extra spinal support in those positions). Thus, go for something softer/taller if you sleep on your side.
What can I use instead of a mattress topper?
There are a number of things you can add to a mattress to increase comfort or add features. Mattress pads are typically thinner than a topper, and often take the form of a synthetic or down-stuffed pillow top (a couple of the entries in our cheap mattress topper under $50 guide could be considered more pads than toppers).
If you purely want something to prevent wear, tear and stains on your mattress, you'd be better off consulting our best mattress protector guide. You'll find more detail in our mattress protector vs mattress topper explainer, but these are designed predominantly to create a barrier between you and your mattress and work to keep everything clean and in pristine condition. For example, if your toddler wets the bed, then a mattress pad would be a great barrier to keep the mattress from getting stained and smelly.
Some mattress protectors even have a bit of padding, which shifts them to somewhere closer to pad territory. In fact, there's plenty of overlap between all three of these categories, so don't go purely on what the brand has decided to call its product – instead you want to consider if what's on offer will help suit your needs.
