Want to put a mattress topper on a memory foam mattress? Avoid the 3 mistakes I made

While memory foam beds can provide excellent comfort and support, I can understand why they're not for everyone.

They have their body-cradling benefits and budget-friendly prices, but some may find their heat-trapping tendencies and sink-in softness uncomfortable. And that's where a bed topper comes in.

Mattress toppers can transform your bed by adding softness, firmness, and in some cases, cooling. You can even make your older bed feel more like the top-rated beds in our best mattresses of 2025 guide, thanks to many luxury brands such as Saatva and Helix launching their own bed toppers, too.

However, I know from experience that some mattress toppers work better on memory foam than others — and can make a memory foam bed even worse. So, here's how to avoid the three mistakes I made when choosing a mattress topper to put on a memory foam mattress for the first time.

If your bed is beyond saving, though, a topper won't be enough; browse for something new in this month's mattress sales instead.

What is a mattress topper and why would you put one on a memory foam bed?

A mattress topper is a thick slab of memory or latex foam that you place on top of your mattress to change the way its surface feels. Mattress toppers are typically designed to soften a mattress, but you can also get firmer ones to add more support.

Most toppers also have hypoallergenic or antimicrobial materials that make an older bed more hygienic and refreshing, along with cooling or temperature-regulating materials.

For as popular as they are, memory foam mattresses are notorious for trapping body heat — although the best memory foam mattresses today often use cooling tech to offset heat retention — and the body-cradling "hug" of the foam is often likened to quicksand, which won't appeal to everyone.

If you feel your memory foam mattress sleeps too warm or you feel stuck, rather than soothed, by its body-contouring sink, you may turn to a cooling or firm mattress topper.

However, before you start browsing, consider my general advice on how to choose the right mattress topper to make your bed sleepable again.

3 mistakes when choosing a mattress topper for a memory foam bed

1. Using a memory foam or down mattress topper

The great thing about mattress toppers is, just like the best mattresses in a box, they come in all different price tiers, designs, and materials. However, most mattress toppers are made of memory foam.

Now, memory foam mattress toppers are great — they're often dense and thick enough to make a huge impact on any mattress. They usually last about five years before they need to be replaced.

But, there is a major caveat: memory foam toppers shouldn't be put on all-foam beds, only spring mattresses or spring-and-foam mattresses like the ones in our best hybrid mattress guide.

I once put a memory foam mattress topper on my all-foam mattress, and it was the worst few nights of sleep I ever had. It was stuffy, warm, and unsupportive — there were too many comfort foam layers and no airflow-boosting springs or coils for support and breathability.

As for down toppers (also known as microfiber or down alternative toppers), I just have one thing to say: Avoid. Not just for memory foam beds, but for every type of bed. These things are little more than thin, flimsy mattress pads that won't make a difference to any mattress.

What to buy instead: Opt for a latex foam mattress topper. These natural or organic mattress toppers use sustainable latex foam to add a springy, responsive, and supportive feel to claustrophobic sink-in soft memory foam beds, and they sleep naturally cooler, too.

Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper: twin was $372 now $279 at Birch
I tested this 2" organic latex mattress topper on my memory foam mattress for our Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper review. I loved how it transformed a slow-moving, hard-to-move-on memory foam bed into a supportive and responsive surface that was easy to change sleep position on. Right now, a queen is $399 (down from $352), and you'll get a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty when you buy from Birch.

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• Read more: You can put a memory foam mattress topper on a memory foam bed, but I don’t recommend it — here’s why

2. Choosing the wrong height

Mattress toppers can be thick, no matter the material, so the general rule of thumb is to pick a mattress that's between 2 to 4 inches — nothing more, nothing less.

However, if you already have a tall mattress (over 12"), then you may want to choose a 2" latex mattress topper so your bed doesn't become too tall. I've put 3" toppers on mattresses that were already a foot tall, and didn't enjoy sleeping so high from the floor (or having to buy extra-deep fitted sheets).

Most memory foam mattresses are around 10" tall, so you can use a 3" or 4" topper if your bed is around (or under) average height.

You can read more about choosing the right topper height in our guide to how thick a mattress topper should be.

Naturepedic Adagio 2" Organic Latex Mattress Topper: twin was $499 now $399.20 at Naturepedic
This Naturepedic topper is 2" tall but delivers a plush-yet-supportive feel thanks to premium latex and organic materials. We were impressed during testing for our Naturepedic Adagio Organic Latex Mattress Topper review, and felt the Adagio was worth the luxe price tag. Thanks to a 20% discount right now, a queen is $599.20 (down from $749), and you'll get to try out your mattress topper for 100 nights. A 10-year warranty is also a good testament to its durability.

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3. Not considering a cheaper alternative

If you enjoy the body-cradling cushioning of your memory foam mattress, but not the body heat retention that comes along with it, then you may not need a mattress topper.

The primary goal of a mattress topper is to change the bed's firmness level, so there's no point in adding a mattress topper if you just need to cool your mattress down.

I've used cooling mattress toppers on memory foam mattresses that already felt supportive and comfortable, and adding a cooling mattress topper messed with that balance (even if it brought temperature control).

Instead, opt for a cooling mattress protector, like some of the ones found in our best mattress protectors guide. These add temperature regulation (and often a cool-to-the-touch feel) without altering your bed's feel — and they're cheaper, too.

Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector: twin was $99 now $74.25 at Brooklyn Bedding
I loved testing this ultra-cool GlacioTex protector for my Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector review, and it's the mattress protector I always come back to outside of testing products (especially during summer heatwaves). It's waterproof (which is fantastic, as many waterproof mattress protectors trap heat) and machine-washable, too. A queen is regularly down to $96.75, and it comes with a 3-year warranty and 30-day returns.

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Should you put a mattress topper on a memory foam bed?

Put a mattress topper on a memory foam mattress if...

✅ You want to add support or comfort: Mattress toppers are excellent at changing the feel and firmness of a mattress, especially an unsupportive or heat-retaining one.

✅ You choose a latex mattress topper: Latex is hands-down the best material to place on top of memory foam, as it has the comfort of memory foam without the heat retention and quicksand-like softness.

✅ You choose a topper appropriate for the height of your bed: Make sure your mattress topper is thick enough to change the feel of your memory foam bed, but not so thick that it adds too much height that can make it impossible for you to get in and out of bed comfortably.

Don't put a mattress topper on a memory foam mattress if...

❌ It's a memory foam or down topper: Memory foam toppers are great for boosting beds, but are not cooling, supportive, or breathable enough to be put on memory foam beds. Down mattress toppers won't make a difference to any mattress.

❌ You like the feel of your mattress, but it retains heat: If you only want to cool your memory foam bed down, just buy a cooling mattress protector instead. They're cheaper and get the job done.

❌ The mattress topper is too thick or thin: A mattress topper over 4" isn't right for any mattress, while a mattress under 2" is too thin to make an impact. Make sure to measure your mattress to determine how much height you can comfortably add.