Best Mattress Toppers of 2023

As with mattresses, the best mattress topper is highly subjective. What feels right for one person may feel terrible to another. Add to that, the ultimate feel of the topper also depends on the bed you’re placing it on. That said, we evaluated a few characteristics that might help shoppers compare their options more easily.

Support: Our lab engineer placed a 20-pound weight on the surface of each topper and measured the depth of the depression. We also used a heavier weight and measured the distance between the weight and where the topper returns to its natural height. The less distance away, the better it is at conforming to your body.

Heat retention: Sleeping with a mattress topper will feel a tad warmer than sleeping on the same bed without one (unless you have a cooling mattress topper, which is more like a mattress pad paired with an active-cooling device). That’s because the topper’s materials will cuddle against your body as you sink in. As a result, says Deitrick, “you’ll have less airflow around your body.” That’s typically not a problem. But if you’re an inherently hot sleeper, mattress toppers that trap excessive heat could leave you waking up in the middle of the night in a sweat. All the toppers in our ratings were tested in a temperature-controlled chamber, using a dummy dubbed the "tin man," set at 98.6° F.

Convenience: We favored mattress toppers with features that make using them easier. For instance, some toppers we evaluated come with removable covers and corner straps, making them simpler to clean and keep in place. Others can be flipped (all can be rotated) to evenly distribute the wear and tear. 

Here are our top picks, based on our lab data. I’ve also included additional insights based on trying each topper myself on a neutral, wooden plank surface in the lab. Keep in mind, your experience on these toppers may feel different, depending on your size and the feel of your mattress.