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Written by
Daniel Noyed
If you’re not happy with how your bed feels, you can add a mattress topper to make it softer or firmer. A soft mattress topper will instantly add a layer of plushness to your bed. It can also help protect your current mattress from wear and tear and potentially prolong its lifespan. As an added benefit, a topper is typically just a fraction of the cost of buying a new mattress.
Mattress toppers can vary widely when it comes to their materials, price, thickness, and firmness. We’ll help you navigate between different models and give you key points of comparison so that you know what to look for when shopping for a soft mattress topper.
Best Overall
The Puffy Mattress Topper has an all-foam construction that is designed to cushion the body and relieve pain. Side sleepers and those who experience joint pain may benefit from this topper’s soft foam and above-average pressure relief.
Shoppers can choose between two different firmness levels, which are soft or firm. Both versions, however, are made using layers of memory foam that evenly distribute body weight. To help prevent overheating, the 2.5-inch topper comes encased in a cooling cover made of polyester and rayon from bamboo. The cover can be removed and machine washed.
The topper features a thin anti-slip grip on the bottom to prevent the topper from shifting along the surface of your mattress. This grip works with elastic corners, which can stretch up to 15 inches, to keep the topper in place. The topper is available in all six standard mattress sizes.
Puffy provides free shipping to customers in the contiguous United States. The Puffy Mattress Topper also comes with a 101-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.
Best Value
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on ViscoSoft mattress toppers
The ViscoSoft Serene Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress Topper stands out due to its hybrid construction. By combining down alternative fill and a layer of memory foam, this topper offers sleepers pillow-top comfort with supportive pressure relief.
The removable cover is composed of soft cotton in a sateen weave with a 300 thread count. This hybrid topper contains an upper layer of 1.5 inches of down alternative fill. The second layer is 2.5 inches of gel-infused memory foam. Together, these layers provide a soft (3) sleep surface.
As with other memory foam toppers, the topper offers above-average motion isolation and is nearly silent when bearing weight, making this topper suitable for couples. The top layer of breathable down alternative helps the mattress topper sleep relatively cool. However, down alternative fill can lose its loft over time. This topper may also lack adequate support for sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds.
The ViscoSoft Serene Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress Topper features elastic straps to secure it in place. The company’s return policy allows you to return your topper within the first 60 days for a full refund if you’re not satisfied. This topper is protected by ViscoSoft’s 3-year limited warranty.
Most Comfortable
The GhostBed Memory Foam Topper pairs the contouring comfort of memory foam with cooling technology to provide sleepers with a pressure-relieving surface that resists overheating. With five distinct zones and a uniquely channeled pattern, this mattress topper is engineered to provide targeted support while remaining cool throughout the night.
The topper is constructed using a 3-inch layer of gel memory foam, which conforms to the body and distributes weight away from sharp pressure points. A channeled design splits the topper into five zones that provide extra reinforcement for heavier parts of the body. The zones vary in firmness level across the topper, and air can travel easily between the grooves to prevent overheating.
The topper comes wrapped in a cooling cover made of proprietary Ghost Ice fabric, which is waterproof and can double as a mattress protector. The cover is removable and may be machine washed, though the topper itself should only be spot cleaned with a mild detergent. Deep pockets in the cover allow it to fit most mattresses, and a 2-inch elastic band helps keep the topper in place on your mattress.
GhostBed offers free shipping to customers in the contiguous U.S. All sales are final and returns are not allowed, but the topper is backed by a 5-year warranty.
Best Luxury
The Saatva Mattress Topper is available in three designs with different materials and firmness levels. The softest option, considered medium soft (4), is constructed from ventilated Talalay latex, a naturally durable and responsive material that conforms much like memory foam without hugging the body or sinking too much.
This topper measures 1.5 inches thick, and is best suited to sleepers looking for a low-profile add-on to their current mattress. The latex is sustainably sourced, while the topper’s cover is made of GOTS-certified organic cotton. Both of these components promote breathability and cooling, so the topper is a great option for hot sleepers and people who live in warm or humid areas.
Each of the corners is equipped with an elastic anchor band that allows the topper to remain in place on top of your mattress without shifting or sliding. Six sizes are available for the topper ranging from twin to king and California king.
If you’d rather not sleep on a latex topper, Saatva also offers high-density polyfoam and graphite-infused memory foam designs. Prices vary depending on the selected material. Your purchase includes free shipping if you reside in the contiguous U.S., as well as a 45-night sleep trial and one-year warranty.
Best Cooling
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on PandaZzz mattress toppers
The Double Quilted Topper from PandaZzz is a memory foam topper that provides an excellent balance of contouring and support. While memory foam is generally known for trapping heat, this topper is specially engineered to reduce heat retention, allowing it to run cooler than the average memory foam topper.
The topper is 3 inches thick, making it best suited for people who are looking to add significant softness and contouring to their mattress surface. It is constructed with two separate layers of memory foam, both of which are designed with cooling features. One of the standout cooling features is the ventilated design on the base foam layer, meant to draw heat away from your body. The topper has a quilted cover made of jacquard knit fabric and the bottom surface features an anti-slip cover with silicone bumps that help keep the topper in place.
With a medium firm (6) feel, the topper offers excellent contouring while also providing enough support to prevent excessive sinkage. The even balance of contouring and support makes this topper ideal for side sleepers, especially those who weigh over 130 pounds. This sleep position requires contouring to cushion the hips and shoulders but also needs firmness to support the head and back.
Customers may test the topper out for 100 nights. PandaZzz offers full refunds to those who return their topper within this timeframe. The topper also comes with free ground shipping and a 5-year warranty.
Best Pressure Relief
The Layla Memory Foam Topper earns high marks for pressure relief thanks to a solid memory foam core that contours very closely to the body. Measuring 2 inches thick, the topper provides a cradling surface for your body without sinking too deeply. These qualities make the topper well suited to those who experience pressure along the spine due to their mattress feeling too soft.
Although memory foam tends to trap heat, the topper offers decent temperature control thanks to copper infused directly into the foam. Copper has natural cooling properties, and the topper’s cover – made from a viscose blend with proprietary ThermoGEL material – is also quite breathable. The cover can be removed and machine-washed at home to ensure proper cleanliness and hygiene for your sleep surface.
The Memory Foam Topper is reasonably priced and Layla ships free of charge throughout the contiguous U.S. You can also bundle your purchase with a pillow, sheets, or a comforter and receive a discount on your total purchase. Layla’s sleep trial spans 120 nights in length, giving you plenty of time to try out the topper and make a decision, and your purchase is also covered by a 5-year warranty against structural defects.
Best Down
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Parachute mattress toppers
The Parachute Down Mattress Topper features a 3-inch gusseted cover made from a soft cotton fabric with a sateen weave. The topper contains 85% white duck down and 15% feathers, creating a 550 fill power blend and a soft (3) sleep surface.
Shoppers looking for pillow-top comfort will likely appreciate the plush feel of the Parachute Down Mattress Topper, but it may be too soft for some. Those who weigh more than 230 pounds may find that they sink excessively into the topper. Though it cushions the body, down does not provide the same level of contouring as a memory foam mattress topper would.
The Parachute topper is relatively durable due to its dual-chambered design and gusseted cover. Additionally, the baffle box stitching helps keep the down fill evenly distributed throughout the topper’s surface. Down can absorb body heat, but the Parachute Down Mattress Topper’s breathable cotton cover helps the topper stay cool. This topper is fairly quiet when bearing weight, but sleepers will notice some light rustling as they move on its surface.
The Parachute Down Mattress Topper is dry clean only. It comes with a 60-night sleep trial, and it is protected by the company’s 3-year warranty.
Best Organic
The Birch Organic Mattress Topper softens the sleep surface with natural materials. This 3-inch topper is composed of an organic cotton cover, organic Birch wool, and natural Talalay latex. The result is a supportive topper that rates around 5 on the 10-point firmness scale.
The layer of Talalay latex provides a fairly soft sleep surface and moderate contouring. Although latex doesn’t have quite the same body-hugging feel as memory foam, it generally offers more support and should perform better for sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds. It also adds durability to the topper.
Overall, our sleep testers found that the Birch topper performed well across the board. The topper sleeps exceptionally cool due to the breathable layers of organic wool and latex, as well as the organic cotton cover. The latex gives this topper a somewhat responsive feel, but motion transfer shouldn’t be a major issue. Due to its responsive and conforming latex layer, the topper should be suitable for couples who prefer a balance of springiness and traction for sex. The topper is also virtually silent when bearing weight.
The Birch Organic Mattress Topper comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year limited warranty.
If you’re not sure what to look for, searching for a new mattress topper can be overwhelming. It doesn’t help that bedding companies often use misleading marketing jargon when describing their products. This can add to the confusion and distract shoppers from the factors that are most important.
Since each sleeper will have different needs and preferences, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to selecting a mattress topper. That said, most shoppers will want to consider several factors prior to making a purchase. We’ll break down price, firmness, quality of materials, and other considerations to help you find the right fit.
Price
Purchasing a mattress topper is often more affordable than buying a new mattress altogether. Setting your budget will help you narrow down the list of possible brands and models to consider. Mattress topper prices will vary based on the topper’s materials and construction, but soft toppers can be found at a wide range of price-points.
Sleeping Position
Although often overlooked, your sleeping position is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when shopping for a mattress topper. Even if you’re certain that you need a soft topper, your sleep style will still dictate just how soft your sleep surface should be. You’ll also need to keep in mind the firmness of your current mattress.
Side sleepers often need a softer, more conforming sleep surface, due to the added pressure that this position puts on the shoulders and hips. Back sleepers are likely to benefit from a medium to medium firm surface, while stomach sleepers tend to prefer a firm surface to help keep the hips and spine aligned.
Quality Materials
A topper’s materials will have a significant impact on its softness and how it performs. The softest toppers tend to be pillow-tops featuring lofty materials such as down, feathers, or polyester microfiber fill. These materials can flatten over time, but high-quality fill and construction can help improve a soft topper’s durability.
If you want a topper with the added benefit of pressure relief, memory foam and polyfoam toppers often conform to the shape of the body to cushion the hips and shoulders. Latex toppers are durable, but often lack the deep contouring of memory foam toppers.
Cooling Properties
If you tend to sleep hot, you may want to consider a cooling mattress topper. Since soft mattress toppers often conform closely, they can restrict airflow around the body. Materials like memory foam are particularly susceptible to heat buildup, but some foam mattress toppers incorporate gel infusions or phase change material engineered to offset any heat retention. Natural materials such as latex and wool may help regulate your body temperature during the night.
Firmness Level
The right level of firmness for a mattress topper will largely depend on your personal preferences. However, if your current mattress feels too firm with minimal contouring and no sinkage, you’ll likely benefit from a soft mattress topper. A topper rated soft (2 to 3) or medium soft (4) will provide a more plush sleep surface, often with better contouring.
Thickness
Mattress toppers tend to be between 1 and 4 inches thick. The thicker the topper, the more it will change the feel of your current mattress. A thinner mattress topper will offer sleepers some cushioning without significantly altering the feel of their existing mattress. Thicker toppers are ideal for sleepers who want to make more substantial changes to their sleep surface, particularly in terms of firmness, pressure relief, and motion isolation.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief refers to how well a topper cradles the contours of your body to alleviate pressure in areas such as the hips and shoulders. Memory foam toppers typically offer sleepers significant pressure relief, though latex and polyfoam models are also worth considering.
Mattress toppers come in a wide variety of sizes, materials, and firmnesses options. To find the right mattress topper for you, you’ll need to consider your unique comfort preferences, body weight, and preferred sleeping position. The material you choose will have a significant impact on your topper’s comfort. We’ll break down potential benefits and drawbacks to consider for each type of mattress topper.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is a specially formulated material originally designed by NASA. It’s highly contouring for excellent pressure relief. Memory foam is often used in soft mattress toppers, as it responds to both heat and weight to conform closely. However, it is known to trap body heat. If you tend to sleep hot but enjoy the feel of memory foam, look for cooling toppers with features that are intended to fight heat buildup, such as gel-infusions, open-cell technology, or phase change material.
Polyfoam
Polyfoam is a versatile type of foam commonly used in mattress toppers. Higher density polyfoam often provides a firmer sleep surface, but there are plenty of soft polyfoam mattress toppers on the market. Lower density polyfoam tends to be softer, but may be more susceptible to deep impressions over time.
Latex
Natural latex provides contouring and pressure relief, with top-notch temperature regulation and durability. Latex toppers tend to be more supportive than memory foam models, and they will not feel as soft as down or down alternative toppers.
Pillow-Top
Pillow-top mattress toppers often provide a soft sleep surface for your bed. Made with materials such as feathers, down, or polyester fiberfill, pillow-tops have a lofty, cloudlike feel that’s similar to a pillow. Pillow-top mattress toppers are often soft and breathable, but many tend to lack pressure relief and durability.
Wool
Wool is another natural option. Although less common, wool toppers are quite soft while being fairly temperature neutral. The breathability of wool makes it particularly suitable for hot sleepers, as well as for year-round use.
On the 10-point firmness scale, a plush mattress topper typically rates between soft (2) and medium soft (4). The more plush or soft a mattress topper is, the more you will feel as if you’re sinking into the sleep surface. This can add cushioning to an otherwise firm mattress.
A pillow-top mattress topper is a soft type of topper featuring plush material and a gusseted design. This type of topper typically uses lofty material such as down, feathers, or polyester microfiber. As the name suggests, the loft adds a pillow-like softness to your sleep surface.
Pillow-top mattress toppers tend to be the softest, but bedding companies can also formulate memory foam and polyfoam materials to be quite soft. Commonly featured in pillow-top mattress toppers, fibrous materials such as down and down alternative create a lofty sleep surface that feels similar to a pillow. This loft gives the sensation that you’re sinking into your bed.
Foam-based mattress toppers offer softness coupled with excellent pressure relief, a feature that pillow-top mattress toppers generally lack. Foam toppers can vary in firmness, but most models are designed to soften the sleep surface.
If you find that your current bed is too firm, mattress toppers offer an inexpensive way to soften your sleep surface without needing to buy an entirely new mattress. Toppers are typically 1 to 4 inches thick, providing enough material to modify the firmness of your current mattress. Selecting a topper that is softer than your existing mattress can help your mattress feel less firm.
Certified Sleep Coach
Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.
Certified Sleep Coach
Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.
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