My hunt for the best mattress toppers has taught me how transformative they can be. It started years before now, when I was throwing my back out nightly on a thin futon mattress in my fresh-out-of-college days. I tried a few cheap sheets of foam that barely helped with my back pain. I gave up for a while and instead switched to a too-soft mattress (equally problematic), until finally finding the right combo: a firm, supportive mattress with a nice mattress topper on top to support my problem areas and side-sleeper shoulder pain.

These toppers can alleviate your aches, sink you into insanely comfortable memory foam, and even pack supportive coils like a mattress. My favorite toppers range from soft wool layers and memory foam to firm and even hybrid toppers (yes, you can get mattress toppers with springs in them) to find the best option for you and your mattress.

Curious what you should get? Read on to find my best mattress toppers for everything from back pain issues, college students, and more. All prices below are for queen-size toppers.

Updated August 2026: The Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper and Nectar Firmer Mattress Topper are new picks, and I've added a new section about mattress protectors and ensured up-to-date links and prices.

Birch’s plush mattress topper combines cotton, “fiberglass-free fire protection,” and latex for a super comfortable piece that’s soft while still giving some support and pressure relief. The latex base gives a firmness that other mattress toppers can lack, while the cotton and wool layers on top of it give it a plush feel. I used it on the firmest side of the Plank Firm Natural mattress, which usually gives me shoulder stiffness as a side sleeper, but I woke without a hint of stiffness thanks to this topper, and my lower back felt properly supported all night long. I woke up pain-free from my usual pressure points, too, which isn't something I always find on softer toppers.

My back-sleeper husband likes that it adds a little softness without erasing the firmer feel he prefers. It doesn’t have straps to hold it in place, but it has a nice weight to it and has yet to move around for me at all. It's made with entirely organic materials, and as with its mattresses, Birch offers a trial on its toppers for 100 nights.

Prices range from $298 for a twin to $522 for a California king.

First off, this memory foam topper is 4 inches tall—practically a mattress in and of itself. I can’t think of a bed that this wouldn't convert into something totally luxe, and indeed, Brooklyn Bedding markets this as being an option for dorms due to the transformational and antimicrobial properties. You could probably sleep on the floor with it and be perfectly fine.

Part of Brooklyn Bedding's CopperFlex line featuring copper-infused memory foam, this topper draws heat away from the body and provides antimicrobial protection. It's CertiPur-US certified, has GlacioTex cooling covers, and comes in three versions: the 201, which is 2 inches tall; the 301, which is 3 inches tall; and the big-kahuna 401 that I tested and loved. Give it a few days to inflate and lose the off-gassing scent. It's an incredibly deep sinking experience with the 4 inches, which I love as a fan of memory foam, but it will take more effort to move around in bed since you're so deeply cradled. If you love that super-dense, extra-deep-sinking memory foam feel, this topper is bound to be a winner. It also comes in an extra-long twin, perfect for fixing stiff, thin dorm mattresses. —Kat Merck

Prices range from $279 for a twin to $466 for a California king.

The Company Store markets this topper as memory foam, but it’s actually Serene foam, which uses microscopic air capsules to address the heat retention and firmness problems of memory foam while keeping the same plush, pressure-relieving feel. It accomplishes these goals for me, and I have yet to take this topper off my bed. However, it should be said I’m a proponent of a soft bed, and this thing is capital-S Soft. At first touch, it’s even softer than the Tempur-Pedic Cloud, which I had previously deemed potentially too soft, something I never thought I would write. Unlike the Cloud, however, this hypoallergenic topper did not sleep hot—or even warm—nor did it inhibit motion. My husband and I also woke without a single ache or pain, which is rare on a super-soft surface.

I don’t love that the corners and sides of the topper hang over the mattress a bit or that there’s a large informational sticker on the foam that can’t be taken off without tearing out chunks of the topper. I'm also not super into the included cover that wraps around the mattress but doesn’t enclose the whole topper. Some online reviewers complained about an off-gassing chemical odor, but I didn't notice one. All that said, even though the foam itself is only 2 inches thick, this might be the most state-of-the-art way to soften a too-firm mattress that I’ve tried. —Kat Merck

Prices range from $139 for a twin to $251 for a California king.

Helix's Premium Mattress Topper is unique in its design of steel micro-coils and two layers of high-density foam, instead of the usual foam-only design you'd find in an everyday mattress topper (and the rest of the toppers in this guide). There are two firmness levels you can try, and while there's the coil layer, the topper's foam layers keep you from feeling the coils. It does a nice job softening up the feel of an existing mattress, and the high-density foam has a sinking feeling to it like memory foam, if that's a sensation you like. The cover is made from Helix's proprietary GlacioTex fabric, a blend of polyester and polyethylene meant to help regulate body temperature. It makes the mattress topper cool to the touch, too. Overall, it's an interesting design, and a good choice if you want to add a little softness and support to a too-firm mattress.

Prices range from $272 for a twin to $415 for a California king.

My husband, a Pacific Northwest native, hates turning on the air conditioning in the summer, and despite my opening multiple windows and running a ceiling fan on high, our bedroom often runs 77 or even 78 degrees Fahrenheit on some summer nights. So when I say I need cooling features in a mattress or topper, I truly mean it. The CertiPUR-US Certified Layla does not have phase-change materials to keep it cool to the touch (though in my experience, these products rarely stay cool once my sweaty self has been lying on them for hours), but it does have antimicrobial copper-gel microbeads that compress to draw away heat.

This feature doesn’t sound like it would do much, but I tested the Layla against two other cooling products to see which made for the least sweaty sleep: Brooklyn Bedding’s Aurora Luxe cooling mattress by itself, and the Company Store’s air-capsule-filled Serene foam topper, the latter of which I already knew to be pretty cool-sleeping. The Layla beat both of them handily. I hardly sweat at all during my two weeks of testing the Layla in early July, which is unusual. And don’t let its 2-inch thickness trick you into thinking it’s flimsy—the king size that I tested weighs a whopping 18 pounds and is one of the more supportive memory foam toppers I’ve tested, on par with Brooklyn Bedding’s CopperFlex line. It also has that slow-sinking Tempur-Pedic-style memory foam feel, so if you like that, the Layla may be worth a look. —Kat Merck

Prices range from $194 for a twin and $354 for a California king.

Mattress toppers can't fix a bad mattress. But if you have a good mattress and just need more targeted back support, the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper is a fantastic solution. If the name sounds familiar, it's because Helix has had this as a layer option in its fantastic mattresses for a while, but now you can get the topper separately to add to any mattress you already own.

It's split into three sections of foam: The middle is ultra-dense foam to support your lower back, preventing you from sinking in too deep and keeping your spine aligned, while the top and bottom have softer memory foam that allows your shoulders to sink in a little more. It's fantastic for my back as someone who suffers from chronic back problems, and it keeps me aligned as a side sleeper. My husband, a back sleeper, says he can feel the layer change when he lies down, but it hasn't bothered his problem-free back while he sleeps. I don't notice the different layers when I'm on my side, just the sensation that my lower back is nicely supported.

Prices range from $272 for a twin to $415 for a California king.

If you're looking for a topper that's super firm, WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson especially loves this one from My Green Mattress. If you love a firm bed and want to recapture the ultra-firm magic your mattress once had, this is the topper for you. The two-inch organic latex topper is incredibly firm, made from latex and an organic cotton cover over the topper.

Even with all that firmness, he says this topper still conforms nicely to your body and is comfortable for all kinds of sleeping positions. It's even firm enough to stand on its own; his daughter is currently using the topper alone as her sleeping surface. There are no securing straps, but this lightweight topper does a good job of staying in place on a mattress without them. The topper has a one-year trial and a five-year warranty.

Prices range from $219 for a twin to $379 for a California king.

Recently, I tested out a mattress that was so soft I was waking up with a sore back due to lack of support. Maybe it’s psychological, but I also feel like I sleep hotter in plush beds, especially when I’m continuously rolling into my 6-foot-tall partner who generates a lot of heat. This firming, cooling mattress topper was a godsend. If you have a bed that is too soft and generates heat, I cannot recommend this topper enough. Although I didn’t test it personally, Nectar also has a cooling softer topper ($199 for a queen size) option that would be a good solution to a firmer mattress.

The topper is super simple—all you do is place it on top of your mattress and put sheets above to secure in place. It has a super-breathable open-weave design with integrated cooling yarns, and the rest is firm gel memory foam that is naturally a cooler material and hugs pressure points to ensure you’re supported—especially helpful when used on top of softer or older beds that tend to sag. The cooling fibers and breathable design ensure a cool sleep while the firmer gel insert holds structure and provides relieving support. This mattress topper saved my back—and healthy sleep score. —Molly Higgins

Prices range from $179 for a twin to $249 for a California king.

Not everything we test makes the cut as a pick, but that doesn't mean it's a bad mattress topper. Here are a few that our testers slept on and got a good night's sleep with but didn't love as much as the picks above.

Avocado Alpaca Topper for $1,240: If you're looking for a mattress topper that's extra soft, WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson recommends the Avocado Alpaca Mattress Topper. He says it's one of the softest things he's ever slept on, and that it's like sleeping in a cocoon of fluffiness. While it's only 2 inches thick, it still has that cozy sinking sensation of deeper mattress toppers. There are two options: medium-firm or plush, with the first using organic wool and the second using what Avocado calls “baby alpaca” fiber. Luckily that's a reference to how soft it is, not the age of the alpaca itself. It's certainly a luxury purchase, but a great pick of you want something super soft. Right now only the twin and twin XL sizes are in stock.

Avocado Eco Organic Mattress Topper for $339: This is another good organic mattress topper, made from latex foam. It's got a pleasant bouncy feel to it thanks to the latex, rather than a sinking feeling you'll get from memory foam. It's softer than our main organic pick, which might be more your preference, but I really prefer this to memory foam if I'm not sleeping on the Birch topper.

Brooklyn Bedding 3-Inch Latex Mattress Topper for $629: This latex mattress topper was fine, with a nice spring to it and a good softness without being too soft. But the Avocado Eco was more comfortable and nearly half the price.

Helix Dual Comfort Mattress Topper for $372: If you and your partner have different sleep surface needs—specifically, one of you loves a firm surface while the other wants a softer one—Helix has made a mattress topper with you in mind. The Helix Dual Comfort Topper has a softer side and a firmer side, so each person can get their ideal mattress feel without needing to splurge on a split king bed. The softer side uses memory foam infused with copper gel, which promises the “Luxury Plush” feel that has a gentle sinking sensation, while the firmer side uses high-density foam that kept my back-sleeper husband's spine nice and straight as he likes. Plus, it has a cooling cover wrapping it up into one cohesive topper.

Helix Premium Memory Foam Mattress Topper with GlacioTex for $372: This memory foam topper doesn't have as much of a sinking sensation as the Company Store or Tempur-Pedic toppers, for better or worse—my hips felt a little lower than the rest of my body, and I noticed more motion transfer than with the aforementioned foams. But this Helix topper is a good option if you don't want that super-sinking feeling. There's no heat retention whatsoever due to the hypoallergenic GlacioTex cover, and it has handy straps that attach to each corner of the mattress. Helix also has a trial period and limited lifetime warranty, so you can give this one a try and change your mind, unlike Tempur-Pedic, which has no return policy. —Kat Merck

Nest Soft Latex Topper for $644: Nest's latex-based topper looks and feels like an incredibly soft pillow top has been added to your mattress. It's one of the softest toppers I've ever tried, and it had a memory foam-adjacent feel of sinking into the topper, but with a little more spring and pillowy feel to it. It's one of the most expensive ones we've tested, though, and isn't hugely better, nor does it offer the most support.

Nolah Mattress Topper for $292: If you're looking for that new-bed feel, Nolah's topper adds a fresh layer of a semi-dense proprietary foam inside an organic cotton cover to the top of any mattress. It's just 2 inches thick, and the firm version softened WIRED reviewer Martin Cizmar's bed, offering some pressure relief and a plush new-bed feel.

PlushBeds Natural Latex Mattress Topper for $316: If you love something firm but want a thicker option than 2 inches, Scott recommends PlushBeds’ topper instead. It has five firmness levels, and he's a big fan of the extra-firm option. It's also a nice range if you want to pick a really specific level of firmness, as most other toppers only offer one or two options.

Saatva’s Graphite Memory Foam Topper for $305: This topper's three inches of foam are infused with graphite, which draws in and dissipates heat. Memory foam is notorious for running hot, but WIRED reviewer Kat Merck and her husband both thought the graphite worked pretty well in cutting down on some (though not all) of the body-heat absorption, and the thickness of the CertiPUR-US-certified foam worked to virtually eliminate motion transfer. Former WIRED reviewer Julia Forbes similarly found the cooling properties to be more neutral than truly cooling, but that can still be a big help. Saatva offers a long trial of 180 days, so you can easily try it out and see if it works for you.

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress Topper for $359: According to WIRED reviewer Kat Merck, our resident memory foam fan and reviewer, this is a top-of-the-line memory foam topper for softening a too-firm mattress, and it works very well to prevent motion transfer. It doesn't have her favorite iteration of Tempur-Pedic's memory foam, but it still works well. It also has a washable cover that zips off, and corner straps keep the topper securely in place, plus a 10-year warranty (but no trial or returns).

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Topper for $164: I like a soft bed. In fact, if you had asked me before I tried the Tempur-Cloud topper if a bed could be too soft, I’d have said no. But I have changed my mind. There actually exists a mattress topper that might be too soft. I’m a stomach sleeper, and this memory foam is so plush and so deep that during my week of testing I found myself having to practically fling my body if I needed to move at any point during the night. It also has a tendency to sleep hot, and because a user sinks so deep, there’s a potential for neck pain if they normally sleep with an overstuffed pillow. But aside from that, the Tempur-Cloud topper is basically the last word for soft-bed fans who want to completely eliminate both motion transfer and any trace of a hard mattress. —Kat Merck

Turmerry Latex Mattress Topper for $199: If you want something organic on a budget, this 2-inch latex topper is a good price and our favorite organic topper on a budget. You'll have to buy the cover separately, but you don't need it if you want to save the money. Turmerry uses a five-zone design to make the topper firmer in some areas, like your head, and softer around others, like your shoulders.

Leesa Mattress Topper for $224: This mattress topper didn't have great construction. We found it didn't fit neatly on the bed, had weird spots on the edges, and was too soft.

Brooklyn Bedding 4 lb. Memory Foam Topper for $290: Neither my husband nor I could get a good night's sleep when this mattress topper was on our bed. It also doesn't offer the same benefits as other memory foam toppers we've tested.

If you looked up mattress toppers when you really meant mattress protectors, which are a thin, water-resistant covers to keep your mattress safe from spills and stain, then fear not: We have a few options for you. You might even want to buy one of these to protect your mattress topper, especially if it doesn't have a washable cover. Here are a few mattress protectors we've tried and liked.

Bear Waterproof Mattress Protector for $72: I love this waterproof mattress protector. It's on my son's bed, and I'm incredibly jealous of how easy it is to get on and off the bed; my bed has an irritating design that needs to go underneath the mattress and get zipped on and off. This Bear one is similar to a bedsheet with elastic sides to go over the mattress. The sides of the cover aren't waterproof, but the long middle section is and is easy to spot with its quilted topping. You'll want to line up the cover to make sure you cover as much of your mattress as possible. While it's lightweight and thin, it's kept everything from nighttime accidents to surprise throw-up sessions off the mattress, and has walked away from it stain-free after a quick wash. I need one for every bed in the house in this era of my life with young children. The protective top layer is made of cotton and polyester. Bear also promises that it's breathable and won't hinder the Celliant cooling factor of its mattresses or similar ones thanks to HeiQ technology built into the protector.

Sijo TempTune Cooling Mattress Pad for $175: I’d personally consider this model from Sijo as a mattress protector more than a pad, since it functions more as a protective cover to help the bed stay cool rather than adding much padding. It’s made from moisture-wicking mica nylon (mica is a naturally heat-resistant and thermally conductive mineral) and Tencel (synthetic fiber made from eucalyptus wood pulp), which combine to help create a cooling fabric that regulates surface temperature. It also has a cotton lining underside that's infused with Sijo Clima microcapsules that Sijo claims adapt to your body to stay at optimal temperatures throughout different seasons. The surface is also waterproof, which I consider more water-resistant, as it didn’t soak up liquid entirely, but when I dumped half a glass of water on the surface, it stayed on top for over thirty seconds before I started to feel the liquid seep below. I also appreciated the 16-inch deep sides that helped it stay on top of my mattress, unlike some others I tested. Plus, it’s Oeko-Tex certified and has a 30-night trial, and free shipping on orders over $100. Although this cover is more water-resistant rather than -proof, it stayed on without bunching throughout the night. It added another layer of protection; just don’t expect it to add cushioning like a true pad would. —Molly Higgins

Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Mattress Protector for $80: I like eucalyptus bedding because it’s breathable—good for hot sleepers like me—and it has a silky, soft feel. The eucalyptus fibers naturally wick away moisture, and this protector from Sijo is OEKO-TEX certified, hypoallergenic, and asthma-friendly. It’s composed of soft lyocell—semisynthetic fiber made from wood pulp—on top, with recycled polyester, and enhanced double TPU backing for waterproof protection. Because of the softer lyocell, this water-resistant cover isn’t crinkly or noisy like similar models claiming to be waterproof. However, the elastic sides tended to bunch and pull up on the sides, and it didn’t stay perfectly in place nightly. Overall, I’d say this protector is more water-resistant than waterproof. During testing, I poured small amounts of water, which didn’t leak through to the mattress underneath, but any more than half a cup slowly leaked to the side underneath and needed to be dried/aired out. If you’re looking for a lightweight, cooling natural eucalyptus cover that will resist small amounts of moisture, this works, but don’t expect to be able to have complete protection against accidents or major spills. —Molly Higgins

Quince Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector for $82: If you’re looking for an inexpensive water-resistant mattress protector that’s more heavy-duty and also organic, this is the pick for you. Although it’s not as “crunchy” and stiff as older waterproof mattress cover models of yesteryear, it definitely feels more natural and utilitarian than other models I’ve tested. It has a slightly rough feel because it’s made from undyed organic jersey cotton. Its underside is a waterproof polyurethane nonwoven material. Of all of the mattress protectors and covers I tested, this one kept the mattress drier for longer, although after over a minute and a half of a knocked-over glass of water, there was some seepage. My mattress underneath still stayed a lot drier than other models tested. I appreciated that this model is naturally hypoallergenic and doesn’t include harmful chemicals like phthalates or latex, and was deep enough with stretchy elastic that it stayed on my bed without slipping. Although it is a little rougher to the touch because of the woven natural fibers, it’s an affordable price point for a high-quality, water-resistant, organic mattress cover. —Molly Higgins

What Is a Mattress Topper?

A mattress topper is a sheet of supportive materials—options include memory foam, latex foam, cotton, or even coils—that you add to the top of your mattress to change the feel without replacing the entire mattress. It's a good option to soften up a mattress that's too firm or to add some targeted support to a mattress you already like. Some toppers can make a mattress more firm, too, like our favorite organic topper pick.

How Do You Know if You Need a Mattress Topper?

It's a great thing to add if you need a surface change without needing to replace your entire mattress. A mattress topper won't fix an old or unsupportive mattress (check out our guide to the Best Mattresses to fix that!), but it can take a good mattress and make it into a perfect one with the right makeup.

I struggle with back pain and am a side sleeper, so I gravitate toward toppers that are soft for my shoulders but aren't so soft that my back isn't supported. My editor Kat Merck has a too-firm mattress to which she likes to add a memory foam topper to achieve her ideal level of softness. What you want in a topper will depend on your sleeping preferences and what changes you want in the mattress you already have. But a lot of folks can benefit from a good topper.

What Are the Types of Mattress Toppers?

Wool: Wool mattress toppers are usually filled with wool batting or stuffing—think the stuff you fill a quilt or upholstered chair with—and wrapped in cotton. It's soft, but not as extremely soft as memory foam and not as springy as latex is, either. Wool is a good temperature regulator, so it's a nice choice for hot sleepers.

Pillow Top: Pillow top mattress toppers are designed to have the fluffy feel of a pillow on top of your mattress. The insides of a pillow top can vary: Some add a pillow top design over layers of foam, while others are simply a pillowy layer of down feathers between you and your mattress. Our favorite pillow top uses latex but still has a fluffy, slightly sinking feeling of lying down on a pillow.

Latex: Latex is a manufactured substance, made from rubber trees. That rubber base gives it a nice bounce and spring compared to memory foam. Even though it's not labeled as foam, a latex topper usually has a foamlike sheet similar to memory foam as its base. It's also sometimes referred to as man-made organic, since its base is a natural substance, but it does have to be processed in order to become the latex you'd sleep on or use in other products. You'll get less sinkage with latex compared to memory foam, and less heat retention.

Memory Foam: Memory foam is actually polyurethane (a plastic polymer) foam, created by adding other compounds—the exact combination of compounds varies by company—to the polyurethane to create the memory foam itself. It's also known as “viscoelastic” polyurethane foam, or low-resistance polyurethane foam (LRPu). It's designed to conform to your body but return to its original shape afterward; the “memory” name comes from remembering its original shape. Memory foam tends to be one of the softest toppers, and it has a lot of sinkage (which you might love, might hate) and tends to retain more heat. Some companies add extra ingredients, like cooling gel or graphite, to help make the memory foam cooling.

Serene Foam: Serene foam is a newer trademarked material created by Carpenter Co., the parent company of Casper Sleep. It's made of billions of polyurethane bubbles like memory foam, but also consists of microscopic air capsules. It's designed to address some of the downsides of traditional memory foam, including heat retention and variable firmness levels, while maintaining the same plush, pressure-relieving feel. A quick warning if you love a heating pad: polyurethane Serene foam is not recommended for use with heated devices like electric blankets or heating pads.

Hybrid: Hybrid mattress toppers use multiple fillings that can be found on their own. These combinations can vary; our favorite hybrid topper from Helix uses coils and foam, while ViscoSoft's hybrid topper uses a mix of memory foam and soft fiber for a pillow top feel. If you're feeling like a single type of topper isn't suiting your needs—whether it's too soft or not soft enough—a hybrid option might be best for you.

How Thick Should a Mattress Topper Be?

Mattress toppers are usually available in 2- or 3-inch heights, and some even come in a whopping four inches. The inches aren't necessarily an indicator of how good a topper will be for your sleeping needs, but if you know you want a super soft experience, you might want a thicker topper to get a softer feel.

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