9 Best Twin XL Mattress Toppers of 2023, Reviewed by Experts

Oct 26, 2023

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Memory foam could make all the difference!

A new mattress can be an expensive investment, which is why it sometimes makes more sense to improve what you already have. Not only is the addition of a twin XL mattress topper an affordable, effective solution, but it's perfect for anyone who can't replace or choose their own mattress, like teens heading off to college or kids going to camp for the summer.

By adding around 3 inches of extra material on top of an existing mattress, you can adjust its firmness or softness to your liking. Hot sleepers will be pleased that some mattress toppers are constructed to be cooling and breathable, while memory foam mattress toppers may offer that beloved "sinking into a cloud" sensation. Fortunately, twin XL mattress toppers come in a range of materials and styles so you can find the one that suits you most and gives your bed that extra boost of comfort.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we've tested every kind of mattress topper and mattress pad out there to help you improve your existing mattress, from memory foam mattress toppers to latex mattress toppers and cooling mattress pads. When testing mattress toppers, we review materials, specs, design and more in the Lab. We then ask at-home testers to try out each mattress topper for firsthand feedback. Below you’ll find the best twin XL mattress toppers according to testing and rave reviews from consumers.

After our top picks, continue reading to learn more about what to look for when shopping for your perfect mattress topper.

Tempur-Pedic is famous for the foam it uses in its mattresses — mattresses that have consistently performed well in our Lab tests for comfort and durability. This twin XL or twin long mattress topper features the same material used in Tempur-Pedic mattresses at a fraction of the cost so you can improve a worn-down innerspring dorm room mattress. Providing a supportive surface and pressure relief, the topper's 3 inches of contouring foam slowly adapt to your body shape and provide motion isolation for restless nights.

We love that the topper's cover can be removed and machine washed should anything spill, and straps are built-in to prevent it from sliding around too much, though our tester did note that they experienced some shifting at times. They still found that this topper significantly improved the feel of their mattress and increased comfort throughout the night.

With more than 4,000 positive reviews on Amazon, you can't go wrong with this twin XL mattress topper that’ll give any bed an extra 4 inches of height at a fantastic price. We love how easy it is to put on the bed thanks to a design that's similar to a fitted sheet. We especially like that this mattress topper offers the best of both worlds by combining a layer of gel memory foam underneath a plush, pillow top layer of down alternative that should have you dozing off in no time.

Online reviewers were particularly fond of this extra comfy combination, preferring it to toppers with a single layer, though some did mention sleeping hot. Should that be the case, keep in mind that the exterior layer is easy to clean and both machine washable and dryer safe.

You can't swap out your dorm room bed, but you can certainly improve it with Linenspa's mattress topper — and it's well under $100. This bestselling layer of memory foam boasts over 100,000 reviews and a 4.5-star average rating on Amazon, making it a great choice for students heading to college that need a quick solution at a low price. Made of gel-infused memory foam, it should help soften mattresses that are too hard. It's especially ideal for lightweight body types and side sleepers looking to relieve pressure around their joints.

Our pros like that the topper comes in two heights, 2 inches or 3 inches, so you can choose how much added comfort you’ll need. Just note that it comes as a layer of foam by itself, but you can purchase it with a cover for an added cost.

Memory foam can be notorious for trapping heat, but that's less of a concern with this breathable memory foam mattress topper from ViscoSoft. Thanks to ventilation in the foam's design that allows air to flow and the addition of cooling gel that's meant to pull heat away from your body, your risk of overheating throughout the night is reduced. And whether you opt for a 2-, 3- or 4-inch height, you can count on this topper's foam to offer pressure relief and support. Our pros also like that this mattress topper features a slip-resistant mesh material on the bottom along with adjustable straps to better keep it in place. Some testers noted an initial odor upon opening but this should fade over time.

Bring this compact, pillow-top mattress topper along to summer camp or a college dorm to add some extra softness and comfort. While it's not as dense or supportive as other memory foam mattress toppers and is more akin to a mattress pad, its quilted construction will keep the polyester microfiber fill evenly spread out and comfortable throughout the night.

We like that it's able to fit beds up to 21 inches high thanks to stretchy sides that can be tucked underneath the mattress. Its versatile design, low cost and easy care instructions make this a top pick for anyone that wants to quickly improve the feel of their bed without entirely transforming it. And if you're regularly moving it, you'll appreciate its more compact design.

Consider a latex mattress topper like this one from Turmerry if you want more bounce and resilience than memory foam as well as some extra breathability. Though the cost of latex materials can oftentimes be a bit more expensive, we like the great value this Turmerry twin XL topper has to offer — without sacrificing quality or comfort. Plus, it has organic certifications by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for the brand's strict standards throughout the entire manufacturing process.

This mattress topper earned high overall scores among testers for its pressure-relieving, contouring and supportive feel. We also appreciate that you have the choice among various heights and firmness levels so you can find the best fit for your needs. Just keep in mind that some testers did note that this topper can feel heavy to transport.

Breathe new life into your bed with the addition of a comfy Nolah mattress topper. In our previous tests, Nolah mattresses have helped relieve testers’ back and hip pain; fortunately, this topper is made from that same pressure-relieving foam that you'll sink gently into. It's a great choice for anyone that doesn't want to add more than 2 inches of height to their bed. Just remember that the cover isn't removable and cannot be machine washed. We like that you can choose between two levels of firmness, luxury firm (medium firmness) or plush (soft) and there are built-in elastic bands to help secure the mattress topper to your bed and keep it in place overnight.

This mattress topper may be more expensive than most but Avocado has performed exceptionally well in our Lab tests, and our experts admire the brand's craftsmanship and use of high-quality materials. In addition to being GOLS and GOTS certified, this durable pick was a favorite among testers for maintaining its shape over time and providing adequate support. It's available in two firmness levels, plush or firm, and each topper is filled with 2 inches of Dunlop latex as well as a layer of wool (unless you opt for the vegan version).

Imagine sleeping on top of the most fluffy duvet out there – but better. That's what you’re getting with the Parachute down mattress topper. This mattress topper is for those who seek the feeling of "sinking into a marshmallow-stuffed cloud each night," as described by the brand. Unlike memory foam mattress toppers, it's filled with 3 inches of 550 fill power down that should provide ample comfort and softness.

This mattress topper is gusseted so it won't fall flat and baffle box construction keeps the fill materials evenly distributed. But if you’re looking to save a bit or have allergies to down, the brand also sells a down-alternative version made with microfiber fill. Aside from the different fill, it has the same overall construction. Keep in mind that both options are dry-clean-only, making them a bit more difficult to care for.

Fiber scientists and analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab first review each mattress topper's materials and features. Next, at-home sleep testers try out each topper on their own bed, sharing extensive feedback after several weeks of use. When testing mattress toppers, our Lab pros and consumer testers analyze the following:

✔️ Comfort: Testers rate how comfortable a mattress topper is to lie on at night.

✔️ Ease of use: Reviewers evaluate how easy or cumbersome it is to set up the mattress topper on the bed.

✔️ Temperature: Users share whether they maintained a comfortable body temperature while sleeping on the mattress topper.

✔️ Stay-in-place capabilities: Testers score the mattress topper's ability to stay in place and not shift around on the bed overnight.

✔️ Mattress enhancement: Reviewers indicate if the mattress topper improved or altered the feel of their bed.

✔️ Sound: Each topper is rated for how quiet and undetectable it is and whether it produced any noise while in use.

✔️ Overall satisfaction: Testers share whether they liked sleeping on the mattress topper and whether they would continue to use it, along with additional feedback and insights.

✔️ Material: The material of your mattress topper will impact how much firmness or softness it provides and whether it simply softens your bed or drastically alters the feel of the mattress. When shopping, you’ll find memory foam, latex, pillow-top and hybrid mattress toppers.

✔️ Thickness: Consider how much height you’d like to add to your bed. We recommend looking for a mattress topper with at least 2 inches of thickness but consider thicker models if you’d like more support.

✔️ Softness: If you’d like to add softness to your bed, consider a plush mattress topper or one with a pillow top. If you’d like to add firmness and support, go with a firmer option like latex.

✔️ Support: Memory foam and latex mattress toppers will add more support and pressure relief around your joints than pillow-top mattress toppers.

✔️ Temperature regulation: If you’re a hot sleeper, look for a mattress topper with cooling features or breathable construction like added ventilation.

✔️ Care: Mattress toppers typically aren't machine washable, especially those that are made from foam. For an easy-to-clean mattress topper, choose one that includes a removable cover that can be machine washed for easy care.

✔️ Stay-in-place features: Check if the mattress topper has any features designed to help it stay in place such as straps, elastic bands, slip-resistant material or stretchy sides. These will help keep the topper from shifting in the night.

✔️ Certifications: Look for labels like CertiPUR-US to ensure the foam materials contain no harmful levels of off-gassing chemicals. For down toppers, check for the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), which ensures the ducks and geese receive humane treatment. For organic certifications, look for Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) to ensure the strictest standards have been followed throughout the entire manufacturing process.

Lexie Sachs is the Executive Director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing to find the best bedding, including twin XL mattress toppers. She has been reviewing toppers firsthand since she joined Good Housekeeping over 10 years ago, reviewing them in the Lab and sending them to the homes of consumer testers for more feedback. She also loves trying out mattress toppers on her own bed and swears by their ability to change the feel of the mattress.

GH Institute analyst Olivia Lipski closely collaborated with Sachs to write this guide based on our Textiles Lab's extensive testing data.

Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master's degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.

Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she researches, tests and reports on fabric-based products ranging from sheets, mattresses and towels to bras, fitness apparel and other clothing. She also evaluates luggage, rain gear, disposable paper goods and baby products. Lexie has more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Prior to joining GH in 2013, she worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.

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