15 best mattress toppers for all sleep styles, tried and tested (original) (raw)

Alison Lynch

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.

Joint best mattress topper and best foam topper

The Simba Hybrid Essential Topper

Pros

• Smooth topper that supports the body well, rather than giving a sink-in feel
• Well-constructed

Cons

• If folding away for storage, you’ll need a spare pair of hands

Score: 93/100

Simba needs no introduction in the mattress topper world. Combining the same foam and springs that made its hybrid mattress so popular in our mattress test, this topper breezed through testing, with our in-house team finding it "extremely comfortable and easy to fit" on top of the mattress.

When it came to the panel, they said the topper provided plenty of "extra comfort". They even went as far to say it felt like they "had a whole new mattress". Another plus is that it can fit back in its box, unlike the brand's mattresses, which expand once unboxed, so it's easy to store if you need to.

Key specifications

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Joint best mattress topper and best down topper

The White Company Luxury White Down Topper

Pros

• Quiet to sleep on
• Washable top layer

Cons

• Very puffy on first use but this evens out after a few nights

Score: 93/100

Filled with two layers of goose down and feathers (which The White Company says are sourced from cruelty-free suppliers), this plump topper won over our panel with its “luxurious feel and weight”.

It fitted our mattresses securely and neatly, its filling was evenly distributed, and it plumped up easily when our testers made the bed again. Everyone would recommend it for a quality night’s sleep.

Key specifications

Best firm mattress topper

Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper

Pros

• More springs than the Hybrid essential, making it great for maximum support
• Topper cover is machine washable

Cons

• Accompanying care instructions are sparse

Score: 91/100

Another hybrid number from Simba, this also excelled in our in-house testing and went down a treat with our panel, who found its supportive design offered a comfortable and firm night’s sleep.

It came up slightly bigger than our mattress, but this had little impact on sleep, and its straps are a convenient length, making fitting it easy. If we’re being fussy, we’d say it could be hard to store due to its thickness and size, but equally, this is what makes it so comfortable.

It’s also worth mentioning its sustainability credentials; it’s made in the UK from recyclable materials, using foam that’s free from polluting heavy metals, dyes and chemicals – even more reason to sleep easy.

Key specifications

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Best for winter nights

Silentnight Heat Genie Self Heating Mattress Topper

Pros

• Easy to fit onto your mattress and secure once in place
• Machine washable

Cons

• Fit comes up tight meaning the very edges of your mattress may not be covered

Score: 89/100

If you love keeping snug in bed, but don't want a huge (and often heavy) winter duvet or the addition of an electric blanket, this topper will be for you. Not only did it make our testers' beds comfier, but it doesn't use energy, cleverly self heating thanks to its heat reflecting foil and thermal lining. In fact, it adds a whopping 7.5 togs of extra warmth to the bed.

Testers found it nicely cosy and praised the filling's even distribution. It's on the softer side though, so may not suit if you need firmer support. But, it's hypoallergenic, machine washable and folds easily for storage in the summer.

Key specifications

Best bamboo mattress topper

Panda The Topper

Pros

• Supportive foam design
• Removable machine washable cover

Cons

• Straps may not be long enough for deep mattresses

Score: 89/100

The cover on this memory foam topper is made using sustainably-sourced bamboo and is machine washable, naturally anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic. Testers found it comfortable and responsive to sleep on, with the foam moulding pleasantly to their bodies.

It also proved quiet at night, so won’t be the cause of any wriggling-induced arguments, and the adjustable straps mean it fits the bed nicely, although they weren’t quite long enough to stop an occasional corner coming loose.

Panellists didn’t find it that breathable, so if you tend to wake up feeling hot, scroll on. Otherwise, it’s a high-quality design that improved the quality of our testers' sleep.

Key specifications

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Dusk Supreme Goose Down Mattress Topper

Pros

• Smooth topper with an evenly distributed filling
• Comes with a storage bag

Cons

• Slightly fiddlier to put on the mattress than some

Score: 89/100

Are you after that “lying on a cloud” feeling? Dusk has created just that with its clever two-tiered topper, which has a top section full of goose down and a bottom layer made up of fluffy feathers to ensure the "supreme" comfort its name promises. Our panel confirmed its snugness, praising its pleasingly even distribution of feathers.

It's light to move around, and even comes with a handy storage bag. Our testers also noted that it fits almost perfectly over the bed, with just a little of the mattress peeking out. But given its plush softness, it goes without saying this isn't for those who need a bit more support.

Key specifications

Emma Premium Topper

Pros

• Comfortable, even foam filling
• Breathable for all our panellists

Cons

• Be careful when washing as there was some slight shrinkage

Score: 88/100

At 9cm thick, this should bring a real boost to your mattress. It doesn’t have any straps, but our testers found a sheet helped it stay in place. It slipped a little for our panel at home, but nothing that a quick rejig come morning wouldn’t solve.

And, this didn’t stop the topper from being a hit on the sleep front – everyone said that they would recommend it to others, praising its sink-in yet supportive feel. One even said they’re “definitely sleeping more comfortably”. It's just what a tired mattress (and individual!) needs.

Key specifications

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Best budget mattress topper

Slumberdown Sleep Soundly Anti Allergy Mattress Topper

Pros

• Washes without any change in quality and dries quickly
• Smooth, comfortable surface

Cons

• Thinner than other toppers

Score: 88/100

For premium comfort at an affordable price, look to this Slumberdown topper with a hypoallergenic design that should keep sneezing at bay. Our panel found it delivers a soft, breathable boost to your bed. Testers were impressed with its overall quality, and while it’s not the thickest topper you could buy, everyone found it added a good level of comfort.

It washed well too. In fact, the only real niggle our testers had is that it doesn’t have any straps to secure it to your mattress. While this wasn’t a problem for everyone, if you tend to move a lot in your sleep, then it’s worth noting as it may not stay put. Overall though, it’s a good pick for revitalising a tired mattress without spending a small fortune.

Key specifications

Marks & Spencer Ultimate Comfort Mattress Topper

Pros

• Soft, smooth surface
• Easy to wash

Cons

• Not breathable for everyone so may be better for winter

Score: 88/100

This slice of fluffy fibre (made in part with recycled polyester) will bring a layer of soft comfort to your bed. It fitted our testers’ mattresses perfectly, and easily slipped into a 9kg washing machine (with minimal shrinkage), so you can enjoy fresh, snug nights.

Our testers were divided when it came to the topper’s breathability, with some finding it on the toasty side – this means you may want to pack it away over summer if you run hot. But otherwise, most liked its soft support and quiet design – and would recommend it to others.

Key specifications

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Snuggledown Luxurious Hotel Mattress Topper

Pros

• Comfortably fits into a 9kg capacity washing machine
• Easy to store if you’re investing in one for a sofa bed

Cons

• Took a few nights for the fluffy design to settle down to the right thickness

Score: 87/100

Any sleep product with ‘hotel’ in its name will instantly grab our attention and this hollowfibre topper’s self-proclaimed luxury feel stood up to our inspections. Our panel loved its good fit and declared it “pure comfort to sleep on”. The filling was evenly distributed too, and when needed, testers found it easy to plump up with a quick shake.

Elastic straps meant it stayed in place on top of our mattresses even if the odd one pinged loose from time to time, and while testers found it warm, they didn’t overheat. Our panel found it washed well too.

Key specifications

Best for adjustable firmness

Emma Flip Topper

Pros

• Well-constructed design
• Customisable support

Cons

• Slight foam smell that took a while to dissipate

Score: 87/100

For sleepers who chop and change their preferences regularly, or often have guests who like different levels of support, you don't want to buy (and store!) two different toppers. Thankfully, Emma's got your back – literally.

This is Emma's entry level topper, but it’s got a lot going for it. With two different sides, it offers adjustable firmness – soft on one and firm on the other. The panel liked the fact you can personalise the topper further by opening the cover and removing some of the foam, which is unique to this topper.

Testers found it "very comfortable" with "good support", and noted how well made it was. When it came to smoothness, there weren't any lumps or bumps lurking either. It fits the mattress very well, but its lack of straps makes it less secure.

Key specifications

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The Fine Bedding Company Dual Layer Mattress Topper (King)

Pros

• Corner straps secure it well to mattresses, and fitted comfortably around deeper ones on test too
• Evenly distributed filling

Cons

• Was marginally smaller than advertised, but nothing too noticeable once in place

Score: 86/100

This “plush, soft and cushioned” microfibre topper made one panellist’s mattress feel like “a fluffy cloud". Testers also found it breathable, quiet and smooth to sleep on.

As well as its hypoallergenic filling, it has another feature that will make it well suited to people with allergies: its two-layered design. You can unzip them to make washing easier, which means you can keep all your bedding fresh.

Key specifications

Slumberdown Sleep Soundly Rebound Mattress Topper

Pros

• Evenly distributed filling
• Fitted easily into the washing machine

Cons

• Not temperature regulating for everyone

Score: 86/100

Filled with bouncy hollowfibre, this lightweight topper was easy to pop onto the bed, and its anti-slip surface kept it nicely in place.

It’s a great price, and seriously wowed our panellists – they praised its softness, describing it as “cloud-like”, “luxurious” and saying it gave their bed a hotel-level upgrade. One even bought the same topper for another bed in their home. Rotate it monthly to stop it going lumpy and flat.

Key specifications

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Best value down mattress topper

Marks & Spencer Duck Feather & Down Mattress Topper

Pros

• Packs away easily if you need to store it
• Smooth without feathers poking out

Cons

• Sizes run slightly small, but nothing too noticeable

Score: 84/100

Fancy sleeping on a bed of feathers? Then this duck feather and down mattress topper should appeal – it’s soft, comfortable and smooth, and fitted our mattress perfectly. You can store it away easily too, but it can only be spot cleaned and it was a bit of a rustler during the night.

For some of our testers, however, it wasn’t quite supportive enough and we found the filling didn’t distribute evenly either, so make sure you plump before use. Overall though, everyone liked sleeping on it and would continue to do so after the trial.

Key specifications

Best mattress topper for softness

John Lewis & Partners Synthetic Soft Touch Mattress Topper

Pros

• Folds away easily into its case for storage if you want to swap it out over summer
• Machine washable cover

Score: 84/100

Snuggle into hotel-level softness with this John Lewis design, which will add a thick and comfortable extra layer to your bed. It’s lightweight and easy to move and store, with ample straps for even the thickest of mattresses. The zip-up cover also makes washing it simple.

Testers said that it didn’t fit their mattresses perfectly, coming up slightly small, and while some panellists loved its soft finish, others felt it lacked support and breathability, making it better suited to winter. If your current mattress is too hard for you though, this may be a good solution.

Key specifications

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What thickness of mattress topper should I get?

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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?

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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 the topper on first.

Read our reviews of the best mattress protectors

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How to clean a mattress topper

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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.

Verdict: Which is the best GHI-rated mattress topper?

We have two favourite mattress toppers and it all comes down to which filling you prefer. If you’d like down, then the best mattress topper for you is The White Company’s Luxury White Down Topper.

But if you want foam (and something that’s vegan), then Simba’s Hybrid Essential Topper will bring a more supportive feel to your bed thanks to its combination of pocket springs and foam.

Of course, you don’t always want to splash out on a mattress topper if it's only destined for a spare bed or sofa bed. If that's the case for you, then we’d recommend Slumberdown’s Anti Allergy Mattress Topper, for under £30.

Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.

Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.

Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.

Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.