Is a lumpy, springy mattress disrupting your beauty sleep? It's OK to lust after luxuriously comfy hotel beds when you're waking up tired and aching every morning.
If forking out for an expensive new mattress isn't possible right now, or you’ve already upgraded your pillows and that’s not quite fixed things, don't despair. It's time to buy yourself a mattress topper.
What mattress topper should I buy?
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we tested 12 mattress toppers to find the ones that will leave you sleeping soundly, so if you’re ready to press “buy” then nod off, here are our favourites:
Runner-up mattress topper
Silentnight Airmax 600 Mattress Topper Read MoreBest bamboo mattress topper
Panda The Topper Read MoreBest down mattress topper
M&S Duck Feather & Down Mattress Topper Read MoreBest mattress topper for softness
John Lewis & Partners Synthetic Soft Touch Mattress Topper Read MoreBest foam mattress topper
Eve Mattress Topper Read MoreBest wool mattress topper
The Woolroom Chatsworth Organic Wool Mattress Topper Read MoreBest hypoallergenic mattress topper
The Duvet Store Dacron Allerban Mattress Topper Read MoreBest luxury mattress topper
The Duvet Store 100% Pure Duck Down Combination Mattress Topper Read MoreBest firm mattress topper
Dormeo Octasmart Essential Aerocell Mattress Topper Read More
How we test mattress toppers
To find the best mattress toppers for a great night’s sleep, we asked our panel of testers to trial them at home for three weeks. They then rated their experience, judging how comfortable, supportive and breathable each topper was, as well as its overall design.
We also put them to the test at the Good Housekeeping Institute, assessing how well the toppers fitted, how smooth they were under a bed sheet and how evenly distributed the filling was.
Scroll on to find the ones worth bedding down with, and everything you need to know about investing in a new mattress topper.
All prices are for a UK Double.
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Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper
Key specifications
TypeFoam and springThickness7cmSizesSingle, small double, double, king, super kingFeaturesMachine washableGuarantee10 yearsRunner-up mattress topper
Silentnight Airmax 600 Mattress TopperKey specifications
TypeHypoallergenic fibreThickness8cmSizesSingle, double, king, super kingFeaturesMachine washable and strapsGuarantee2 yearsBest bamboo mattress topper
Panda The TopperKey specifications
TypeMemory foamThickness5cmSizesSingle, small double, UK double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU king, EU emperorFeaturesRemoval, machine-washable cover, adjustable strapsGuarantee10 yearsBest down mattress topper
M&S Duck Feather & Down Mattress TopperKey specifications
TypeFeather and downThicknessUnspecifiedSizesSingle, doubleFeaturesElasticated strapsGuaranteeUnspecifiedBest mattress topper for softness
John Lewis & Partners Synthetic Soft Touch Mattress TopperKey specifications
TypePolyesterThickness6cmSizesSingle, small double, double, king, super kingFeaturesMachine washable and elasticated strapsGuarantee2 yearsBest foam mattress topper
Eve Mattress TopperKey specifications
TypeFoamThickness5cmSizesUK single, small double, UK double, UK king, super kingFeaturesMachine washable panel, velcro strapsGuarantee2 years with a 30-night trialBest wool mattress topper
The Woolroom Chatsworth Organic Wool Mattress TopperKey specifications
TypeWoolThickness4-5cmSizesSingle, small double, UK double, EU single, king, super king, emperor, EU double, EU king, large emperorFeaturesAllergy UK approved (naturally hypoallergenic), elasticated strapsGuarantee2 yearsBest hypoallergenic mattress topper
The Duvet Store Dacron Allerban Mattress TopperKey specifications
TypeDacron fibre fillingThickness7.5cmSizesSingle, double, king, super king, emperorFeaturesElasticated strapsGuaranteen/aBest luxury mattress topper
The Duvet Store 100% Pure Duck Down Combination Mattress TopperKey specifications
TypeFeather and downThickness7.62cmSizesSingle, double, king, super king, emperorFeaturesElasticated strapsGuarantee5 yearsBest firm mattress topper
Dormeo Octasmart Essential Aerocell Mattress TopperKey specifications
TypeFoamThickness5cmSizesDouble, king, super kingFeaturesSpot clean onlyGuaranteeUnspecifiedBest cooling mattress topper
Duvalay Freshtec Cooling Mattress TopperKey specifications
TypeFoamThickness5cmSizesSingle, small double, double, king, super kingFeaturesMachine-washable coverGuaranteeNoneWhat type of mattress topper is best?
There is no best type of mattress topper – the choice depends on your personal sleeping style and preferences.
Side sleepers and anyone who suffers from back pain should consider a memory foam mattress topper. This firm yet flexible material moulds to the shape of your body and offers the most support if you toss and turn at night. However, some people find memory foam too hot and is often expensive.
If it's a soft and comfortable layer of padding that you're after, choose a feather or down mattress topper. It will be cooler than memory foam and is a good choice for front sleepers, but can be pricey and you'll need to fluff it up regularly.
If you struggle with allergies, try a microfibre or hollowfibre mattress topper. These cheaper materials are often treated with anti-allergy chemicals, but they can get hot and have a tendency to flatten quickly.
For an all-year-round option, look for a wool mattress topper. This natural, biodegradable material keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. It offers medium-firm support but can be on the heavy side.
What thickness of mattress topper should I get?
It's worth considering how thick your chosen mattress topper will make your mattress, as you might need to buy bigger bed sheets! Toppers can range from thin slithers to 7.5cm wedges. In general, a thickness of up to 5cm should suffice.
What's the difference between a mattress topper and a mattress protector?
Put simply, mattress protectors protect your mattress from stains, dead skin cells and dust mites. Parents often use them to protect children's beds from night-time accidents, too.
Toppers, meanwhile, are all about comfort. They can make a mattress higher, softer, firmer, hotter or cooler, depending on the type you buy, but they won't protect it from spills or allergens.
If you're using both, put on the topper on first.
Read our reviews of the best mattress protectors
How to clean a mattress topper
Clean your mattress topper as often as your bedsheets to keep it bacteria-free. Check the label, but most mattress toppers can go in the washing machine. If possible, air dry it after cleaning, or tumble dry it on the lowest temperature.