Sleepyhead Gel Mattress Topper Review

Mattress Topper Performance

The Sleepyhead Gel Topper earned strong marks from our testers in all categories. The memory foam, which rates medium (5) in firmness on our 10-point firmness scale, conformed to the body without feeling too soft. For most members of our testing team, it prevented excessive sagging and promoted neutral spinal alignment. The foam also absorbs motion well, so sleepers won’t be disturbed by a partner’s movement.

An infusion of cooling gel into the memory foam is intended to draw heat away from the sleeper. That said, some may find that the topper still sleeps warmer than they’d like, as memory foam has a tendency to trap heat. Our testers gave the Gel Topper a fair rating for sex, noting that it allowed for more ease of movement than some foam models on the market. That said, some couples may still prefer a more responsive surface during sex.

Thanks to the use of quality memory foam, the topper is expected to reach or exceed the material’s typical three-year lifespan. Like most foam mattresses and toppers, it is prone to a strong off-gassing smell upon unboxing, which dissipates relatively quickly.

The Sleepyhead Gel Topper is available in 2-inch and 3-inch profiles. Overall, our testers did not find major performance differences between the two heights, except that the 3-inch model’s extra depth helped it to contour more closely to the body.

Off-Gassing and Odor Potential

Mattress toppers constructed from foam often emit a temporary off-gassing odor when fresh out of the box. The smell is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are organic byproducts of the manufacturing process. They are thought to be harmless in limited amounts and generally dissipate quickly, but some find the smell unpleasant. 

The Sleepyhead Gel Topper emitted a stronger smell than some foam toppers, but it was gone relatively quickly, and there is no risk of long term off-gassing. If you dislike the smell, be sure to unbox the topper in a room with ventilation and leave it until the odor is no longer noticeable.

Cleaning and Care

Oils, sweat, and other contaminants can build up on mattress toppers over time, so it’s important to clean mattress toppers regularly. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning your mattress topper. Generally, you can launder the removable cover and go over the topper itself with a vacuum. If an odor needs to be removed, sprinkle baking soda on the topper and leave it for eight hours before vacuuming.

The Sleepyhead Gel Topper’s polyester cover is removable and machine washable. Use a cool or lukewarm water setting and avoid abrasive cleaners. You can tumble dry the cover at low heat, or air dry. Sleepyhead recommends cleaning your mattress topper two to three times a year.

Sleeping Style and Body Weight

Side Sleepers

For side sleepers, both the 2-inch and 3-inch versions of the Sleepyhead Gel Topper offered the contouring needed to relieve pressure as well as enough support to promote proper sleep posture. While both models performed well across the board for side sleepers, our testers’ preferences varied by body weight. 

Testers under 130 pounds preferred the extra cushion of the 3-inch model, which allowed their shoulders and hips to sink deeper and prevented pressure build-up. Those between 130 pounds and 230 pounds reported that both profiles were equally comfortable. Testers over 230 pounds preferred the less plush 2-inch version of the topper, as the thinner profile didn’t allow their hips or shoulders to sink as deeply.

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers reported that both profiles of the Sleepyhead Gel Topper performed similarly. Those under 130 pounds said the mattress offered ample support in the lumbar region while also cushioning key areas to relieve pressure. Testers between 130 and 230 pounds felt a little more sinking near their abdomen, but still reported a solid level of comfort. 

Our testers weighing over 230 pounds reported too much sinking under the lower back for proper spinal alignment. A firmer mattress topper that offers more support may be more comfortable for sleepers over 230 pounds.

Stomach Sleepers

Both profiles of the Sleepyhead Gel Topper gave a solid balance of cushion, contouring, and support to stomach sleepers under 130 pounds. Because these sleepers put little pressure on the topper, they receive adequate support at the abdomen, which helps maintain proper sleep posture. 

Testers between 130 and 230 pounds found the 2-inch model suitable, but reported that the softer 3-inch version did not offer enough support. Stomach sleepers over 230 pounds found that their midsections sagged too much on the plush memory foam, which put pressure on the lower back. 

Sleepyhead Gel Topper – 2-Inch

	Under 130 lbs.	130-230 lbs.	Over 230 lbs.
Side Sleepers	Good	Very Good	Very Good
Back Sleepers	Very Good	Good	Fair
Stomach Sleepers	Good	Good	Fair

Sleepyhead Gel Topper – 3-Inch

	Under 130 lbs.	130-230 lbs.	Over 230 lbs.
Side Sleepers	Very Good	Very Good	Good
Back Sleepers	Very Good	Good	Fair
Stomach Sleepers	Good	Fair	Fair

Sleepyhead Copper Mattress Topper Review Breakdown

The Sleepyhead Gel Mattress Topper is designed for college students living in dorms, but is also available in standard sizes that make it a reasonable option for anyone looking for a mattress topper. For students, the gel-infused memory foam topper is likely to be a welcome upgrade to thin and well-worn dorm room mattresses. 

Available in both 2- and 3-inch profiles, the memory foam design provides a medium (5) firmness level that contours closely to the body while still offering enough support for sleepers under 230 pounds. The cooling gel infusion and breathable polyester cover aim to prevent the build-up of heat, and the memory foam prevents motion transfer so that sleepers won’t be bothered by the movements of a partner or pet. 

The company also offers a copper-infused version, the Sleepyhead Copper Topper, which rates as medium soft (4) on our firmness scale. This model replaces cooling gel with copper, which has heat-absorbing properties to help regulate temperature.

Overall, the Sleepyhead Cooling Gel Topper is a good choice for students who sleep in dorms, especially side sleepers and those under 130 pounds. It’s also a great upgrade for hot sleepers whose current mattress has poor temperature regulation.

Materials and Construction

The Sleepyhead Gel Topper is constructed from gel-infused memory foam. It’s encased in a removable and washable polyester cover meant to create a more breathable sleeping surface. It also includes adjustable straps to fasten the topper to the mattress and reduce slipping. The Sleepyhead Copper Topper’s construction is identical, except that the memory foam is infused with copper instead of cooling gel. 

Sleepyhead uses CertiPUR-US certified foam, indicating that third-party testing found it low in VOCs and free of ozone depleters and other potentially harmful materials. 

Because Sleepyhead toppers are primarily designed for university dorm rooms, the available sizes are unique. The 2-inch profile is only available in a twin XL size, which fits a standard dorm bed. The 3-inch profile toppers are available in twin, twin XL, full, full XL, and queen. Currently, Sleepyhead does not offer sizes larger than queen.

Product	Size Options	Cover Material	Topper Material
Sleepyhead Gel Topper 2”	Twin XL: 38” x 80” x 2”	Polyester	Gel-Infused Memory Foam
Sleepyhead Gel Topper 3”	Twin: 38” x 75” x 3” Twin XL: 38” x 80” x 3” Full: 53” x 75” x 3” Full XL: 53”x 80” x 3” Queen: 60” x 80” x 3”	Polyester	Gel-Infused Memory Foam
Sleepyhead Copper Topper 2”	Twin XL: 38” x 80” x 2”	Polyester	Copper-Infused Memory Foam
Sleepyhead Copper Topper 3”	Twin: 38” x 75” x 3” Twin XL: 38” x 80” x 3” Full: 53” x 75” x 3” Full XL: 53”x 80” x 3” Queen: 60” x 80” x 3”	Polyester	Copper-Infused Memory Foam

Pricing Information

The average mattress topper costs between $150 and $450 for a queen size. Sleepyhead toppers fall in the high end of this range, but the substantial upgrade they bring to mattresses justifies the expense for many shoppers. Sleepyhead also offers a 10% discount to students, making the topper a bit more affordable. 

The 2-inch twin XL model of both models is the most economical choice. Available only in the twin XL dorm size, it’s priced significantly less than the 3-inch profile options. That said, sleepers under 130 pounds who want an extra-plush topper, or those who want a size other than twin XL may be better served by the 3-inch profile.

Copper is generally considered a more premium cooling agent, so the Copper Topper has a slightly higher price-point than the Gel Topper. Our testing team also found that the copper models did a slightly better job at regulating temperature.

Sleepyhead Gel Topper Pricing

Product	Price
Sleepyhead Gel Topper 2”	Twin XL: $269
Sleepyhead Gel Topper 3”	Twin: $349 Twin XL: $369 Full: $419 Full XL: $439 Queen: $469
Sleepyhead Copper Topper 2”	Twin XL: $299
Sleepyhead Copper Topper 3”	Twin: $379 Twin XL: $399 Full: $449 Full XL: $469 Queen: $499

Discounts and Deals