Best Mattress Toppers for College Dorm Bed

If you enjoy the deep cradling of all-foam toppers but tend to overheat on them, the Sleepyhead Super Topper is worth checking out. This model is designed with cooling features that help reduce some of the heat retention that foam is known for, so you’ll receive the strong contouring benefits of foam without getting overly hot.

How It Performed

The topper has a medium (5) feel and you can choose between a 2-inch or 3-inch option. Both thickness options excel at contouring but the thicker model offers deeper cushioning, which is ideal if you experience painful pressure buildup. Side sleepers may prefer this extra padding for the shoulders and hips, while stomach sleepers and certain back sleepers might prefer the thinner model to maintain support for the lower back.

What It’s Made of

The Sleepyhead Super Topper is composed entirely of memory foam, which conforms closely to your body. The foam is infused with a cooling gel that’s meant to combat heat buildup, and the cover is composed of a fabric specifically engineered to help keep you cool. Sleepyhead also infused the foam with copper, which is intended to promote antimicrobial properties. Adjustable straps help secure the topper to your bed, and a non-slip design on the bottom further prevents slippage at night.

The topper comes with a 60-night sleep trial and free ground shipping. It is also backed by a five-year warranty.

The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Topper offers excellent value for dorm residents thanks to its approachable sticker price and long expected lifespan. Proprietary TEMPUR memory foam is renowned for its durability and lasting power — you could potentially use this topper for the duration of your college years, and beyond.

How It Performed

Our team was greatly impressed with the TEMPUR-Cloud Topper. Measuring 2 inches thick, the topper provides noticeable cushioning and contouring without the deep hug we’ve encountered with thicker memory foam toppers. Side and back sleepers on our team weighing up to 230 pounds found the topper especially comfortable.

Ease of care is a big plus. The stretch-knit cover can be machine-washed and dried whenever a cleaning is needed. We also recommend the TEMPUR-Cloud Topper to anyone with frequent or chronic back pain, as well as couples looking for an extra layer to isolate movement and prevent motion transfer during the night.

What It’s Made of

The topper contains 2 inches of TEMPUR memory foam, a high-density material that resists wear and tear over time. A cover made of polyester and polypropylene encases the foam and can be pulled around the corners of your mattress like a fitted sheet. The cover is fully machine-washable, but the foam should only be spot cleaned with a damp cloth if stains or smudges occur.

Tempur-Pedic offers free ground shipping for customers in the contiguous U.S. There is no trial period for the TEMPUR-Cloud Topper, so all sales are final, but your order comes with a manufacturer’s warranty that covers material defects for up to 10 years.

Topper shoppers should follow a straightforward rule of thumb — the thicker the profile, the more comfortable your current mattress will feel. Measuring nearly 4 inches thick, the Helix GlacioTex Premium Mattress Topper is one of the thickest models on the market and highly suited for people with mattresses that are nearing retirement. The topper contains foam and microcoil layers that deliver deep cushioning and contouring, while the cover is engineered to feel cool to the touch at all times.

How It Performed

The topper is available in two firmness levels. After testing both, our team has determined the medium soft (4) model is ideal for side and back sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds. This option may also work if your mattress has heavy wear and tear. The medium firm (6) design is a better fit for back and stomach sleepers who weigh 130 to 230 pounds, and side sleepers who weigh at least 130 pounds.

The GlacioTex cover is effective at reducing heat buildup in the top foam layer, while air flows freely through the microcoil layer to help the topper maintain a comfortable temperature for sleep. These qualities are key for hot sleepers. Since the topper is thick, padded with foam, and not very responsive, we also recommend it for couples who value motion isolation in their sleep surface.

What It’s Made of

The topper consists of three layers, beginning with 1.5 inches of adaptive polyfoam that molds closely to the body. Pocketed microcoils make up the middle layer. While there’s a light bounce, the coils won’t respond to movement or generate much motion transfer when you change sleep positions. The bottom layer consists of high-density base foam for added stability.

A cover made of proprietary GlacioTex fabric encases the topper. This material dissipates body heat on contact to keep you cool. Elastic straps in each corner secure the topper to your mattress. At 3.75 inches thick, the topper has a much higher profile than most competing models sold today.

The sticker price is fairly high, but this topper may be worth the investment if you’re losing sleep due to an uneven sleep surface. Helix also offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. Each order includes a 100-night sleep trial, and the GlacioTex Premium Mattress Topper is further backed by a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

Saatva’s reputation for luxurious sleep products extends beyond the brand’s mattress line. Take the Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper, which boasts high-quality construction and thoughtful detailing to help you sleep comfortably on any dorm mattress — even those with deep impressions and indentations.

How It Performed

The topper measures 3 inches thick and has a medium soft (4) feel. As such, it received favorable ratings from our side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds and our back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds. We also found that the topper alleviates pressure well, and is a good fit for people with chronic or frequent aches and pains in sensitive areas along their spines.

Stability is another strength. Thick straps in each corner secure the topper to your mattress and prevent it from shifting during the night, even when you change positions or toss and turn. And while the foam may retain some warmth, the graphite infusion and breathable cover should reduce heat buildup to help you stay reasonably cool.

What It’s Made of

The topper’s core features a top layer of memory foam and a high-density polyfoam base. Graphite infused into the memory foam is intended to dissipate heat from the surface. A cover made of organic cotton encases the topper. Each corner is equipped with a thick elastic strap, and the fabric is treated with Guardin antimicrobial agent to stave off bacteria and keep your sleep area hygienic.

The Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper is somewhat expensive, but Saatva offers free ground delivery and a 180-night trial period with all orders. Those who keep the topper also receive a manufacturer’s warranty covering various defects for up to one year.

The Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper is made with a combination of organic cotton, organic wool, and natural Talalay latex. Its 2-inch profile and medium (5) firmness make it suitable for sleepers of most weights and sleeping positions.

How It Performed

Side, back, and stomach sleepers on our team all rated the Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper highly. With a medium (5) firmness, the topper relieves pressure points without sinking or sagging. The topper performed best for those under 230 pounds. However, since latex does not compress as much as memory foam, stomach sleepers and those over 230 pounds still received a modest amount of support despite the topper’s firmness level.

Unsurprisingly, the topper excelled at resisting heat buildup thanks to its airy cotton cover and layers of breathable wool and ventilated Talalay latex. Latex also has a natural bounce that facilitates movement on top of the bed. This is helpful for those who frequently change sleeping positions, and it is also a desirable trait for sex.

What It’s Made Of

The Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper is crafted with an organic cotton cover lined with organic wool fibers that add softness and double as a fire retardant, eliminating the need for fire-repellent chemicals. Cotton and wool are highly breathable, and wool has a naturally resilient structure that adds a subtle springiness.

The bulk of the topper is made with natural Talalay latex, a material that can accommodate pressure points while maintaining bounce and responsiveness. Altogether, the topper measures approximately 2 inches thick and has a medium (5) firmness level.

This topper is most compelling for people who want a topper with eco-friendly materials, including materials with certifications from the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Greenguard Gold. It is also a top choice for people who want a topper made with latex instead of foam. For each topper, Birch Living offers free shipping, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty.

A lot of college students operate on a fixed income, and many toppers exceed their spending budget. The Brooklyn Bedding 4-Lb. Memory Foam Topper is much more affordable than the average model made from solid memory foam. Multiple profile options and a cooling cover add to the appeal of this wallet-friendly option.

How It Performed

The 2-inch topper has a medium (5) feel, and earned favorable ratings from testers on our team weighing 130 to 230 pounds. Side and back sleepers were particularly impressed. Since this is the slimmer option, it’s best suited to mattresses with light impressions and indentations. Those using a mattress with heavier wear should consider the 3-inch topper, which is medium soft (4) and is only slightly more expensive. This model was popular among our side and back sleepers under 130 pounds.

The GlacioTex cover effectively offsets heat retention from the foam and feels cool to the touch, so the topper is above average in terms of breathability and temperature control. Pressure relief is another selling point if you’re prone to aches, pains, and sore spots in sensitive areas along the spine like the shoulders or hips.

What It’s Made of

The topper’s core is composed of solid memory foam with a density of 4 pounds per cubic foot, making it fairly dense — this indicates even contouring and a longer than average lifespan. A cover made of specialty GlacioTex fabric encases the foam. This material is engineered to dissipate body heat on contact. The topper is not equipped with corner straps, so you’ll need to secure it by tucking it beneath a fitted sheet — otherwise shifting may occur when you change sleep positions.

Brooklyn Bedding offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. Each 4-Lb. Memory Foam Topper comes with a 30-night trial. If you keep the topper after the trial ends, structural and material defects are covered under a three-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Many mattress toppers are perfectly suitable for dorm beds, but the Sleepyhead Gel Topper was designed specifically for this purpose. You can choose from five sizes, as well as 2-inch and 3-inch profiles depending on how much cushioning you need to sleep soundly.

How It Performed

During our hands-on tests, most of our team members enjoyed the Gel Topper but differed in their opinion about which profile was most comfortable. Our side sleepers preferred the deep contouring and extra padding of the 3-inch model, which is slightly softer and more adaptive than the 2-inch. Back and stomach sleepers received a bit more support from the lower profile.

Temperature control tests revealed above-average cooling compared to other memory foam toppers we’ve evaluated. This can be attributed to the open-cell structure of the foam and cooling gel infusion, both of which help the topper’s core resist heat buildup. We also found the topper effective at distributing weight and promoting even alignment, which in turn can reduce soreness and pressure points along the spine for sleepers who frequently experience upper or lower back pain.

What It’s Made of

The Gel Topper’s core contains solid memory foam measuring 2 or 3 inches thick, depending on which profile you choose. A knit polyester cover encases the foam. You may remove and machine wash the cover whenever it needs to be cleaned. Each corner features a thick elastic strap for securing the topper to your mattress, so there shouldn’t be too much shifting when you toss and turn or change sleep positions. Twin, twin XL, full, and full XL sizes are available, as are a queen and king options for dorm residents with private rooms or people who live off-campus.

All current students receive a 10% discount with their purchase. Standard ground shipping is free of charge, and all orders include a sleep trial that runs for 60 nights. Sleepyhead’s “Good Till Graduation Warranty” covers structural and material defects in the Gel Topper for up to 5 years after the purchase date.

Available in 2-inch, 3-inch, or 4-inch models, the Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper consists entirely of memory foam and has a medium firm (6) firmness level. The breathable cover and gel-infused foam are designed to mitigate heat retention.

How It Performed

Side and back sleepers on our testing team found that this memory foam topper contoured to the hips and shoulders, reducing pressure and supporting spinal alignment. Its performance was especially well-suited to side sleepers who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds and back sleepers under 230 pounds.

Testers on our team also found the topper outperformed the average memory foam topper in terms of temperature regulation. The topper’s gel-infused foam is intended to prevent heat from collecting in the foam, and tiny holes in the foam are designed to provide ventilation so that heat can escape out and away from the sleeping surface.

Memory foam makes virtually no noise when bearing weight. Additionally, with its medium firm (6) feel, sleepers didn’t perceive that they were sinking too deeply into the topper.

What It’s Made Of

The Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper is made with gel-infused memory foam. Viscosoft offers the option of a 2-inch, 3-inch, or 4-inch profile, all of which have a medium firm (6) feel. Given its thicker foam layer, the 4-inch model may be a better fit for people who have sharp pressure points.

The topper has a breathable cover made with rayon derived from bamboo. To make cleaning easier, the cover is removable and machine-washable. It’s also equipped with adjustable straps as well as an anti-slip mesh bottom. Viscosoft offers upgraded topper options infused with lavender or charcoal intended to enhance other aspects of the topper’s performance.

Our testing showed that the Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper can meet the needs of most students who are looking for a truly comfortable topper that can also offer solid support. The topper is backed by a 90-night sleep trial and a five-year warranty. Toppers ship free to the contiguous U.S.

Made with plush memory foam, the Layla Memory Foam Topper helps cradle the body and cushion pressure points. Design elements like copper gel-infused foam and a ThermoGEL agent in the cover are included to promote temperature neutrality.

How It Performed

In our testing, the Layla Memory Foam Topper stood out for pressure relief, particularly when our testers were sleeping on their side. Side sleepers often experience bothersome impact near the hips and shoulders, which bear most of the weight in this position. The plush memory foam helped hug and cushion these areas, especially for people who weigh under 130 pounds. While some people over 130 pounds also liked this topper in our testing, others found it to be too soft.

Back sleepers on our team who weigh under 130 pounds also rated the Layla Memory Foam Topper well, noting that it provided even conforming with just the right touch of support to prevent lower back pain. Back sleepers over 130 pounds and most stomach sleepers found the memory foam to have too much sink.

Like most memory foam toppers, the Layla effectively absorbed motion and noise. In our tests, the cooling features also did their job, helping attenuate the heat buildup that is common with traditional memory foam.

What It’s Made Of

The Layla Memory Foam Topper is built with 2 inches of memory foam with a soft (3) firmness level. Copper gel is infused into the memory foam with the goal of keeping heat from building up around the sleeper. At just 11 pounds for a twin size, the Layla Mattress Topper is practical and easy to move when changing dorm rooms.

The cover is made with polyester, viscose, and lycra, and it contains a ThermoGEL agent engineered to cool things down when body temperature rises.

For students who want a plush feel to their bed but want to avoid overheating, the Layla Memory Foam topper can deliver impressive results. Layla offers free shipping to the contiguous U.S., and the topper comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a five-year warranty.