8 Best Memory Foam Mattress Toppers in 2023, According to Experts

Sep 22, 2023

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These are the best full-, queen-, and king-size memory foam mattress toppers to buy right now.

Did you know that good sleep could add years to your life? If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of waking up tired, it turns out your mattress may be to blame. Luckily, adding a memory foam mattress topper to your sleep setup is one of the best sleep aids out there, allowing you to rest more comfortably without spending a fortune on a brand-new mattress.

A mattress is arguably one of the most important aspects of one's sleep setup, yet it's a common reason for poor sleep quality. "If the mattress is uncomfortable, it doesn't provide the right type of support," explains Angela Holliday-Bell, M.D., board-certified physician, certified sleep specialist, and founder of The Solution is Sleep. "It can lead to pain or difficulty getting into and staying in a deep sleep, and can definitely interfere with sleep quality." Adding the best mattress topper can help revive an old or uncomfortable mattress, and memory foam is a high-quality option.

Meet the experts: Angela Holliday-Bell, M.D., board-certified physician, certified sleep specialist, and founder of The Solution is Sleep; Shelby Harris, director of sleep health at Sleepopolis.

"Memory foam offers great pressure relief and support, which can help alleviate waking up with pain in the mornings. This material contours to the body, allowing you to sink into the topper and evenly distribute your weight," adds Shelby Harris, director of sleep health at Sleepopolis.

Luckily, there are plenty of options for memory foam mattress toppers available. Whether you’re looking for a mattress topper for back pain, an overall softer feel, or a cooling mattress pad, there's an option for you.

Ahead, find the best expert-approved and reviewer-loved memory foam mattress toppers to help lull you into dreamland.

This gel-infused memory foam mattress topper from Linenspa has an impressive 4.5 out of five stars on Amazon, with nearly 12,000 five-star reviews. Customers enjoy the soft, cushioned feel it brings to an existing mattress, and the option between two or three inches in height profiles. "I am so glad I bought this memory foam for my bed. I am now sleeping well. I am no longer in pain. It has been a total game changer for me," wrote one of the many five-star reviewers on Amazon. "I sleep throughout the night, and I am NO longer in pain, bruised, sore or stiff. I feel really good now when I wake up!"

This affordable pick is a top choice on Amazon, with an overall 4.5 star rating and over 7,000 glowing, five-star reviews. It offers two inches of CertiPur-US certified memory foam for a soft, comfortable feel. "I love this topper! It's like having a whole new mattress without the expense. Good quality and reasonable price," one reviewer wrote. "I’ve slept like a baby since I’ve put it on my bed. Highly recommend."

This dual-layer mattress topper combines a layer of gel-infused memory foam with a plush, fiber fill for four inches of comfort and support. It's designed for pressure relief and claims to be suitable for all types of sleepers—back, side, or stomach. "If you are looking for a mattress topper that you can sink into and fall asleep instantly, look no further!" wrote on of the 5,000 five-star reviewers on Amazon. "Seriously, you deserve it. Get it."

This topper from Tempur-Pedic is a great option for those looking for a plush feel and support from their mattress topper. The brand rates this topper as medium-firm, and Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab testers found that it offers exceptional support with a surprisingly firm feel. Testers noted that this topper kept its shape perfectly, even after years of use, calling it a worthwhile investment.

Tempur-Pedic's memory foam is known for conforming to your body shape, promoting spinal alignment. It also resists sinking or flattening. It can feel firm when you first lie down, but once it adapts to the shape of your body, the pressure relief is great, according to testers. Plus, the topper comes with a removable, machine-washable cover.

If you are looking for a breathable, temperature-regulating mattress topper, try this Harris-approved option from Nolah. "The Nolah Mattress Topper uses high-density memory foam with cooling properties, making it a great choice for hot sleepers," says Harris. "This mattress topper is durable, has great pressure relief." It's available in two levels of firmness: plush (for a softer feel) and luxury firm (for more support).

This topper offers excellent pressure relief and support while maintaining a soft feel and thin profile. "For those looking for a softer or plush mattress topper, the Layla Memory Foam Topper would be a great choice. This mattress topper has a soft firmness and is only two inches deep," says Harris. "Although thin, it still has the typical memory foam feel and will provide extra support and pressure relief to your current mattress." The brand also claims that the copper gel beads in the memory foam help regulate body temperature.

For those searching for a firmer mattress topper option, Dr. Holliday-Bell recommends this graphite-infused memory foam topper from Saatva, which she calls a personal favorite. With this option, "You get the best of both worlds where it's cooler in temperature, but also offers support and pressure relief," Dr. Holliday-Bell explains. "It also helps to reduce motion transfer," which is perfect for those who sleep in the same bed as a partner. This topper also includes elastic anchor bands at each corner for a snug, comfortable fit on any mattress.

This Amerisleep mattress topper is ergonomically designed to offer support, comfort, and excellent pressure relief. There are two firmness options available to accommodate all types of sleepers. The Comfort option is great for side sleepers or those who want a more cushioned feel, while the Support option is well-suited for back and stomach sleepers or those who prefer extra firmness.

When the Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab testers tried this mattress topper, they gave high scores for overall comfort, with one raving that it was "super comfortable and soft but still supportive." Another tester with a history of lower back pain noticed improvement within a few weeks of using the topper. The Textile Lab recommends lifting the topper to re-position rather than sliding it into place to avoid any damage to your mattress.

Memory foam is most commonly made from polyurethane and various gel materials, per Dr. Holliday-Bell. However, not all memory foam mattress toppers are created equally. Below, find expert-recommended aspects to consider when selecting the best mattress topper:

✔️ Certifications. Certifications from CertiPUR-US, which only certifies polyurethane foam, will help ensure your mattress topper does not contain harmful materials like flame retardants, heavy metals, or formaldehyde.

✔️ Density. If you are concerned with body aches and pains, a higher-density mattress topper would be the right choice for you. "A higher density foam will offer more support and durability," as well as help with isolating motion transfer, explains Harris. However, a lower-density foam is often better suited for hot sleepers, according to Dr. Holliday-Bell.

✔️ Thickness. Mattress toppers usually range from one to four inches, Dr. Holliday-Bell notes. She suggests looking for a thicker topper if you’re needing a big change in the feel of your mattress, and a thinner topper if you’re just trying to add a bit of extra softness. Toppers on the thinner side are great budget-friendly options and are usually easier to fit on mattresses and under-fitted sheets. However, thicker toppers tend to provide more pressure relief, Harris says.

✔️ Care. Many mattress toppers need to be spot cleaned as most are not machine washable, and the ones that are can be cumbersome to load into the washing machine and dryer. A removable, washable cover is often a handy thing to look for, according to our experts.

We spoke with Angela Holliday-Bell, M.D., board-certified physician, certified sleep specialist, and founder of The Solution is Sleep; and Shelby Harris, director of sleep health at Sleepopolis. We also sifted through countless online reviews to find the best anti-aging serums available.

The Best Overall Memory Foam Mattress Topper and the Best Soft Memory Foam Mattress Topper were tested by Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab testers.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

Shannen Zitz is an Assistant Editor at Prevention, where she covers all things lifestyle, wellness, beauty, and relationships. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Prevention, she graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she's not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.

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