The best mattress toppers for a better night’s sleep: memory foam, hypoallergenic, fleece-lined and more

The best mattress toppers can transform the quality of your sleep. The extra padding not only provides additional comfort to lumpy bedding, but also acts as a buffer between your bed sheet and mattress, helping to protect the latter from spillages and damage caused by daily wear and tear.

When shopping for a new mattress topper, it’s worth taking the time to know the differences between the different materials and styles. With everything from memory foam and extra-thick models to down and hypoallergenic options, it’s worth properly matching your needs with an appropriate material.

To help you find the best mattress topper for you, The Recommended scoured the web to find a selection of the best reviewed options available to buy online at a range of price points. We’ve also answered some of the most commonly asked questions about mattress toppers, which you can find at the bottom of this article.

The best mattress toppers at a glance:

• Best range of sizes: Linenspa 7.5 cm Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
• Best hypoallergenic topper: Panda The Topper Bamboo Mattress Topper
• Best value mattress topper: Silentnight Airmax Mattress Topper
• Best cotton mattress topper: Sleep Mantra Luxury Mattress Topper
• Best memory foam topper: Recci Memory Foam Mattress Topper
• Best minimal mattress topper: Silentnight Deep Sleep Mattress Topper
• Best down mattress topper: Homescapes White Goose Feather Mattress Topper
• Best fleece mattress topper: Rejuvopedic Sherpa Teddy Bear Fleecy Mattress Topper

The best mattress toppers

Best range of sizes: Linenspa 7.5 cm Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Wide variety of shapes and sizes

This memory foam mattress topper from Linenspa comes in a choice of four thicknesses and 15 different dimensions to suit a wide range of bed sizes.

Designed to provide additional comfort to stiff mattresses, this mattress topper is also infused with temperature-regulating gel beads to help prevent overheating. It also has a zipped outer cover, which can be cleaned in a washing machine. The memory foam used in this mattress topper is CertiPUR-US certified, meaning it’s free from hazardous materials.

Best hypoallergenic topper: Panda The Topper Bamboo Mattress Topper

With a naturally antibacterial cover

This memory foam mattress topper has a naturally hypoallergenic cover made from bamboo (which can be removed for cleaning) and comes in eight different sizes to match your bed size.

Measuring 5cm in thickness, this mattress topper from Panda features temperature-regulating gel beads designed to prevent overheating. It also has an anti-slip layer on the underside and elastic straps to help prevent it from moving around on top of your mattress.

Best value mattress topper: Silentnight Airmax Mattress Topper

Affordable

Featuring ‘airmesh’ sides designed to prevent overheating and encourage airflow, the Airmax mattress topper from Silentnight offers great quality at an affordable price.

This mattress topper is machine washable at 40 degrees and features a hypoallergenic cover, so it should be gentle on skin and unlikely to cause sneezing. It is available in two thicknesses - 5cm or 8cm - and in a choice of five bed sizes.

Best cotton mattress topper: Sleep Mantra Luxury Mattress Topper

Stain-resistant cover

This 100% cotton mattress topper has a water-resistant cover designed to repel liquids and prevent stains. It’s fully machine washable, too.

The natural cotton used in this mattress topper is designed to keep you warm during cold nights and to prevent overheating during warmer spells. It’s 40cm deep, which makes it the thickest mattress topper on our list, and is said to provide a soft, breathable & noiseless surface to help aid sleep. It is also available in a choice of 11 bed sizes.

Best firm mattress topper: Recci Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Provides comfort and support

Made with 100% pure memory foam, this extra firm mattress topper is designed to mould around your body for comfort and support while also taking the pressure off your joints and muscles.

This memory foam mattress topper from Recci has a removable and washable cover made from a bamboo material, which is also designed to help prevent overheating. The memory foam used in this mattress topper is said to be 100% pure, meaning that it’s free from additives such as gel, aloe and pigments.

Best minimal mattress topper: Silentnight Deep Sleep Mattress Topper

Lightweight and compact

Ideal for taking on camping trips or for adding extra comfort to sofa beds when guests come to stay, this 2.5cm thick mattress topper from Silentnight is lightweight and easy to store.

This mattress topper is also hypoallergenic, so it should be gentle on sensitive skin and machine washable for easy cleaning. It is available to buy in a choice of five bed sizes, as well as two thicknesses: 2.5cm and 5cm.

Best down mattress topper: Homescapes White Goose Feather Mattress Topper

Great for cold weather

This natural down-filled mattress topper from Homescapes is great for retaining warmth during cold months and providing a comfortable padding to lumpy mattresses.

This mattress topper is filled with RDS-certified geese and duck feathers, meaning they are sourced from places in compliance with animal welfare standards. It also has a hypoallergenic cotton cover and is available in four bed sizes.

Best fleece mattress topper: Rejuvopedic Sherpa Teddy Bear Fleecy Mattress Topper

Great for cold nights

If you’re a fan of fleece bedding, this mattress topper is made from a super soft fleece fabric, which is perfect for staying warm during cold nights.

Machine washable at 40 degrees and tumble dry-safe at a cool temperature, this mattress topper has elasticated straps for securing it to your mattress. It is also reversible, featuring a less fleecy side for keeping cool in summer, and is available to buy in three bed sizes.

What does a mattress topper do?

Mattress toppers have a variety of uses - a lot of which depends on the material they’re made from. Here are some things to look out for:

• Memory foam mattress toppers tend to be on the more expensive side but, in return, are said to provide joint and muscle support, which could be beneficial to side sleepers and those who suffer from back pain. They are also usually fairly thick, giving you noticeably more comfort and support than you’d get solely sleeping on a mattress.
• If you suffer from allergies, hypoallergenic mattress toppers are designed to help prevent sneezing and other symptoms of allergies, including being sensitive on your skin.
• Down mattress toppers are more compact than synthetic alternatives when packed down and will retain their shape better over long periods. They also have a superior warmth-to-weight ratio, which makes them a great choice for cold weather.

How to clean a mattress topper

For hygiene purposes, it’s a good idea to clean your mattress topper - or its outer cover if it’s memory foam - as often as you’d change your bed sheets. Check the instructions listed on the label, as some toppers may require certain temperatures or to be hand washed. In general, most mattress toppers can be cleaned using a washing machine.

If you want to read more product guides, check out our Household page, where you’ll find more home recommendations, including the best energy-efficient heaters, the best hooded blankets and the best weighted blankets.