by Jane |
Last Updated: July 11, 2017 When you buy something using the links on our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
Memory foam mattress toppers are designed to lay on top of your regular mattress and offer the benefits of a memory foam mattress without the high price tag that they come with.
What are those benefits? Well, with memory foam there’s less squeak, bounce or sag. Plus there’s an observable benefit for those with lower back pain thanks to an easing of pressure points. With luck, you’ll spend less time tossing and turning trying to find a comfortable sleeping position.
While a full-on memory foam mattress may be too firm for you, using a memory foam topper instead on top of your regular mattress means you get the best of both worlds — the degree of firmness you’re used to plus the added comfort and support of memory foam.
Best Memory Foam Mattress Toppers
#5: Red Nomad Queen Size
The Red Nomad is low-density memory foam, meaning that it is softer than a typical memory foam product. However, this also means it is less supportive and therefore may not be the best product for helping with sciatica/lower back pain. If you are simply looking for a little extra support and comfort on an already sound mattress, and you prefer a softer sleeping surface, this may well be a good fit.
It offers cooling Cool Cycle polymer technology which helps reduce the sweatiness associated with memory foam, and the topper comes in a range of sizes to fit pretty much any bed.
The mattress topper is deliberately sized to allow for snug a fit when using a fitted sheet over the top so you can have your stylish bed furnishings and a good night’s sleep.
Some people – those with lower back pain, or who simply prefer firmer mattresses – may find that this does not offer the firmness they need or prefer. If you know you need or prefer a firmer mattress, it would be best to look for a higher density product.
Who is it For?
This topper is ideal for individuals who are just looking for a little extra comfort and support on top of their regular mattress.
Value For Money?
As long as you know what you want, and what you’re buying, this is a good mid-price product. It’s not cheap, but it’s not off the charts budget-wise, either.
- Quality sleep every night with Red Nomad memory foam mattress topper
- Including zippered removable and washable cover
- Sleep without sweat with our cooling feature mattress topper
Last update on 2024-09-11 at 10:14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
#4: Best Price 4″ Topper
The Best Price topper is a medium-firm mattress foam, so it should be comfortable for most people unless you like your mattress particularly firm, or very soft.
Buying this mattress topper, although it does hit in the upper price range for such things, is cheaper than buying a new mattress – and, in many cases, just as effective, revitalising old, uncomfortable beds for a fraction of the cost of replacing them!
It also limits motion impact so if you have a bedmate who is a restless sleeper, buy them this topper and you’ll surely get a better night’s sleep yourself!
Who is it For?
Being medium-firm, this mattress topper is pretty much suitable for everyone.
Value For Money?
Somewhat expensive, but cheaper than a new mattress, and gives the feeling of a brand new mattress.
- 4-inch topper layered with green tea memory foam and high density foam
- Green tea infusion helps both you and your mattress stay refreshed with its calming effects and odor control
- Body-conforming memory foam provides incredible comfort throughout the body
Last update on 2024-09-11 at 10:14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
#3: Dream Foam 2″ Bedding
The Dream Foam Bedding DF20GT2050 is a comfortable, low-heat-retaining mattress topper that is cooler than most memory foam products. It offers the perfect level of comfort and support for those with back and joint pain including sciatica.
The company offers a range of sizes, all of which can be cut or folded to suit your needs with relative ease, so there will be a mattress topper to suit you in this range.
The easy folding of this mattress topper makes it ideal to use on sleeper sofas and futons ensuring your guests have a great night’s sleep. It is also an affordable way to ensure you have the comfort and support you need even if you can’t afford a new mattress.
Who is it For?
While this mattress topper would suit just about anyone, it is particularly beneficial for those with fibromyalgia, sciatica, joint, and back pain.
Value For Money?
This is an affordable (and cool!) topper that feels just like a new mattress, but at a fraction of the cost.
- The 2” gel swirl memory foam topper is designed to enhance the comfort of your current mattress by providing ultimate pressure point...
- A unique gel swirl infusion draws heat out and away from the body to deliver a cooler night’s sleep.
- Slow response memory foam is designed to help decrease motion transfer between sleep partners
Last update on 2024-09-11 at 10:14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
#2: LinenSpa 2” Gel Infused
We’ve mentioned before how ordinary memory foam retains body heat resulting in a sweaty and uncomfortable night’s sleep. LinenSpa’s gel infusion means this topper keeps you cooler compared to others.
The price is also very good but it is more for additional comfort than actual support. It will definitely give you a better night’s sleep on an uncomfortable mattress, but it doesn’t have sufficient density to provide support for those suffering with joint or back pain.
There are a range of sizes available, and the sizing is accurate, meaning you can be assured of a good fit for your bed.
This mattress topper also works well on sleeper sofas and futons.
Who is it For?
If you’re just looking for a little extra comfort at night and don’t want to spend too much, this could be the thing for you.
Value For Money?
If you need a cheap, basic mattress topper to soften up your mattress a little, this is it. If you are looking for more comfort and support, and especially if you need a memory foam version that can help with back or joint pain, you’d be better served spending a little extra on a more appropriate product.
- PRESSURE RELIEVING MEMORY FOAM: Plush gel infused memory foam conforms to your curves for personalized comfort that hugs you to sleep; use...
- COOLING GEL INFUSIONS: This topper is infused with a cooling gel that helps capture and distribute heat to keep you cool and comfortable...
- MULTIPLE PROFILE OPTIONS: Choose your own level of comfort with a plush 2-inch profile or an even plusher 3-inch profile, either way you get...
Last update on 2024-09-11 at 12:14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
#1: Lucid 3” Gel Topper
This mattress topper also comes in 2″ and 4″ versions offering you a choice of density. The higher density your purchase, the more support you get and the firmer the mattress topper feels.
- PLUSH MEMORY FOAM FEEL: Add 4 inches of thick, plush gel memory foam to your bed to create a soft and conforming feel that cradles your body...
- COOLING GEL INFUSION: Contouring memory foam is infused with gel material that captures and dissipates heat for a cooler memory foam...
- DESIGNED FOR BREATHABILITY: This thick topper provides maximum comfort and softness without sacrificing breathability. A ventilated design...
Last update on 2024-09-11 at 10:14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
All of these mattresses come in a range of sizes to fit almost any bed, and the seller (LinenSpa) is very quick when it comes to addressing complaints. (They seem focused on providing a good customer service experience and helping customers get the most out of their products which is nice to see at a time when businesses can often appear to only be interested in getting your money.)
Similar to the other foams on our list, Lucid’s is also a gel-infused topper and features a ventilated design. Working together, these two aspects help lessen the heat retention issues associated with memory foam.
The 2” mattress topper isn’t as firm or supportive, but would suit someone just looking to soften up an ageing mattress a little, while the 4” is a lot softer than might be expected, especially given its density.
For most people, the 3”, which equates to the feel of a medium-firm mattress, would be suitable and comfortable.
Who is it For?
With the benefits of ventilated design and gel infusion working together, this mattress topper would suit someone who wants a memory foam mattress pad, but worried about being too hot.
If you live in a humid state, this could well be the memory foam product for you.
Value For Money?
This is a top-price memory foam mattress topper but the way the heat retention issue has been addressed, and the overall comfort and support, particularly from the 3” version, makes it worth the price.
- PLUSH FEEL – Our memory foam mattress toppers are designed to enhance a mattress, making your sleep experience more soft. Enjoy three...
- GEL INFUSION – This Lucid memory foam mattress topper is infused with gel to help dissipate heat and regulate body temperature for a more...
- VENTILATED DESIGN – Our gel mattress toppers are designed with ventilation to help dissolve heat with constant airflow, perfect for those...
Last update on 2024-09-11 at 19:47 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Pros and Cons of Memory Foam
If you’re a first-time user of memory foam products, you should know the strengths and weaknesses of this special material right away to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Pros
- On a case to case basis, has been proven to provide a degree of benefit for those with lower back pain, sciatica, neck arthritis, and other similar conditions
- Low maintenance
- Reduces pressure point soreness giving a more restful sleep
- No bounce unlike spring mattresses (so you don’t bother your sleeping partner)
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Retains heat, which can be uncomfortably sweaty overnight
- Traps Co2 (Carbon Dioxide), making it unsafe for use with infants and children
- Full mattresses are very heavy and can be difficult to turn
- Tend to be very firm which many people find uncomfortable
Unlike the bulky and super heavy memory foam mattresses, toppers are smaller, thinner, lighter and less expensive. They can be paired well with a mattress that already suits your needs and which you find comfortable. More often than not, memory foam mattresses are purchased to add more support to a too-soft mattress or else for their pain relieving properties.
The drawbacks of memory foam mattress toppers are that they can move around on top of the mattress if they are not securely anchored at the mattress corners. When new, they also give off an unpleasant smell due to off-gassing that dissipates after a few days.
Having said all of that, memory foam is still our personal choice ever since we fell in love with our first memory foam pillows. Now we’ve got a new memory foam mattress for our master’s bedroom and toppers for our old (but still good) spring mattresses in the spare bedrooms.
Author: Jane Neu
Jane is the creator of Complete Home Spa – “It’s a good idea,” she said. But even she has been taken aback by its success. She lives with a cranky Englishman in a quiet countryside retreat. And in the past year, has become mom cat to a spunky rescue named Mina. Connect with her on Twitter @completehomespa.