A great quality mattress topper has the power to transform a terrible mattress into one that will give you a long, restful night’s sleep. In the world of renting, investing in a topper is a necessity if you cannot replace your bed. Even if you do own a good quality mattress, the right topper will complement it and ensure you have the best night’s sleep possible, every night.
During the process of testing these mattress toppers, we looked out for how the product felt to lie on, how well it fitted the bed, the materials used to make the topper (such as goose down, latex, memory foam and silk), and if this impacted our body temperature while sleeping.
We also considered if the toppers were washable and if they came with a guarantee - the recommendation for most mattress toppers is to wash them at least once a year and good quality ones should last a minimum of five years before needing replacement. Finally, and most importantly, we considered the quality of sleep had each night while using it.
1. Eve The Mattress Topper: £179, Eve
This topper is our winner because it ticked all the boxes. Most importantly, the foam layer combined with the 2cm cooling layer made for a supportive and extremely comfortable night’s sleep - you don’t sink into it like with some foam products as this one is fairly firm. We also found that the cooling layer helped increase breathability, as we didn't experience overheating in the night. It also features an anti-slip bottom layer so we didn’t have to re-make the bed each morning. It was surprising to see just how much toppers can move in the night while you toss and turn but this product defiantly stayed put. Add to this the fact it’s hypoallergenic and comes with a three year guarantee, if your budget allows, it’s worth investing in.
2. Soak & Sleep 5cm Memory Foam Topper: £92.50, Soak & Sleep
Made from memory foam, we found this topper easily moulded to our body’s natural shape during the night, while still firmly supporting our back. An added bonus is that it has a special casing that helps to prevent you from overheating, drawing away any moisture from your body. This is especially useful during the warmer summer months or for those who usually get hot in the night. The casing can also easily be zipped off and machine washed, and we didn’t find washing it affected the quality of the topper either.
3. Silk Sleep Mattress Topper: £125, Silk Sleep
Made from 100 per cent mulberry silk and with a 300 thread count cotton casing, this mattress topper felt luxuriously soft. This one is ideal if you already have a good mattress but would like a little bit more support underneath you at night. The best feature is the natural silk filling that helps your body to regulate its temperature throughout the night, so you don’t find yourself waking up in a sweat (like with some memory foam toppers we tested). This product also has elasticised corners for an easy fit to your bed and is naturally hypoallergenic - a great feature for anyone who suffers from allergies.
4. Feather & Black Goose Down Mattress Topper: £210, Feather & Black
The goose down and feathers in this topper coupled with a 100 per cent cotton cover gives this product a high quality feel. We found it to be a great alternative for those who don’t like foam toppers but would still like warmth and support. It’s also machine washable and stays secure on your bed with the help of elastic corner straps, minimising any movement. It does need shaking out every so often though to make sure the goose feathers and goose down are distributed evenly.
5. Silent Night Impress Memory Foam Mattress Topper: £82.99, Sleepy People
This was the cheapest memory foam topper we tested and we found it was great value for money. It has a polyester cover that can be removed for cleaning and the 5cm layer of memory foam felt luxurious to sleep on and completely masked our tester’s below average mattress. It did however leave them feeling slightly warmer than usual during the night and there is little grip on the bottom - wriggly sleepers may find they have to re-make the bed in the morning.
6. Ikea Talgje Mattress Topper: £65, Ikea
At the cheaper end of the scale, this mattress topper provided exactly the right amount of comfort. Its foam filling felt soft to sleep on and provided more support than other thinner toppers we tested. It features a removable cover, which makes it easy to machine wash and it also dried very quickly. This topper is ideal if you’re looking for a quick fix to make your mattress more comfortable to sleep on but don’t fancy splashing out.
7. Latex Sense Organic Latex Topper: £449, Latex Sense
If you have a bigger budget, we would recommend this latex topper. At 9cm deep, it was the thickest topper we tested and also one of the most comfortable. Bear in mind though that you might need a larger sized bottom sheet to fit over both this topper and your mattress. The unique, natural latex material conformed to our tester’s sleeping position while maintaining support, giving a comfortable night’s sleep. Add to this that it comes with a ten year warranty and is anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic, we think it’s a great investment.
8. Silent Night Air Max Mattress Topper: £32.99, Sleepy People
This is the mattress topper for you if you want some added comfort at night but have a smaller budget - it even comes with a two year guarantee. Although it’s thinner than some of the other toppers we tested, it still provides comfortable support and is soft to the touch. It’s designed to keep you cool at night through in-built air pockets, which did prevent us from waking up in a sweat. It’s also machine washable and we found it easy to clean. It dried quickly and did not lose any quality in the process.
9. John Lewis Hungarian Goose Down Mattress Topper: £250, John Lewis
With a down-filled top layer and feather-filled bottom layer, this topper is super soft and luxurious, and provides excellent levels of comfort. Although you feel like you’re sinking into it, it’s still supportive and adapts to your body position. Coming with elastic straps and buttons you can pull this as tight as needed for a firm fit (ideal for wriggly sleepers). We think it will come into its own in winter though, providing an extra layer or warmth and cosiness on chilly nights. If you can afford to splash out, this mattress topper is an excellent choice.
The Verdict: Mattress toppers
For a great night’s sleep and just the right amount of support under your body, go for the Eve Mattress Topper. If you want to spend less and don’t like memory foam, try the Silent Night Air Max Mattress Topper for a no-fuss, easy to care for option.
Follow IndyBest on Twitter and Pinterest
IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing
- More about:
- Bedroom
- Home & Garden
- Mattress toppers