Best mattress toppers for 2024: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

Want to give life to an old mattress or make it feel softer? Consider a mattress topper: a layer of fabric and padding that will add a few extra centimeters to your existing mattress. 

Mattress toppers help change the feel of your existing mattress when you lie down - which should also help improve your sleep. 

Our robust expert testing uncovers the best mattress toppers for your money. 

Check out all of our mattress topper reviews.

Best mattress toppers for 2024

You'll find a few of our independently tested Which? Best Buys below.

Last updated: September 2023

How to buy the best mattress topper

Whether you want one to make your mattress more comfortable, or softer, we uncover the key areas you want to consider before you buy: 

• What type do you want? You may already have one in mind, but read our advice on mattress topper types before you buy. Here we highlight the pros and cons of each topper type, including foam, latex, microfibre or hollowfibre .
• How much can you spend? Mattress toppers start from as little as £20 but can cost hundreds. Pricier models will usually have a more complex construction and could be made from a number of materials.
• Are you aiming to make an uncomfortable mattress more comfortable? Is your old mattress uncomfortable, or are you trying to make a new mattress feel softer? Either way a topper is a perfect solution to add some extra comfort to your bed.  
• Do you often get too warm in bed? A foam or memory foam mattress may not be the best choice, as these can make some people feel warmer in bed.
• Do you share a bed or sleep alone? Some mattress toppers we tested did a poor job or stopping movement travelling across the surface. If you're a light sleeper, it's best to opt for one with a decent stability rating.
• Do you have allergies? Opting for a topper that has a removable, washable cover or a topper that can be washed as a whole may suit you better than one that's spot-clean only.

Need a new mattress instead? Visit our guide to the best mattresses.

Mattress toppers v mattress protectors

A mattress topper (or 'enhancer' in some retailers), isn't a mattress protector, so don't get confused between the two.

The terms 'mattress topper' and 'mattress protector' are sometimes used interchangeably, but their functions are quite different.

You can use a mattress topper and a mattress protector at the same time.

Mattress toppers

• Sit on top of your mattress, offering a few extra centimetres of material to make the whole experience more comfortable or help change the firmness of a mattress. Toppers come in a similar range of sizes to mattresses: single, double, king size and super king size. We test double-size mattress toppers.
• Can be made of memory foam, feather/down, microfibre, polyester or a different soft material entirely, or more natural materials such as wool or cotton. A topper is generally thicker than a mattress protector.
• Give some degree of protection from stains and wear or tear, but will probably not be waterproof, unlike a protector. Think of a mattress topper as exactly that: the top layer of your mattress. Some are washable, but not all, so check before you buy.

Mattress protectors

• Shield your mattress (and topper) from stains and can help prevent damage. A protector offers a removable and washable protective layer to your mattress, helping to keep it fresher for longer. It won't be as thick as a topper. It will often be little more than a sheet, and can be added like you would a fitted sheet on top of the mattress (and topper), or held on by straps that go over the corners.
• Are usually washable, but some high-end, natural toppers are spot-clean only; check the instructions before bundling it into the washing machine. 

Bled onto your mattress or need to clear up a bed-wetting accident? Head to how to clean a mattress for advice.

Mattress topper types explained

As well as coming in the sizes you'd probably expect (single, double, king size, super king size), there are four main types of mattress topper: memory foam, feather and down, microfibre and latex. You'll also find other toppers made from more natural materials, such as wool or cotton. 

Each type of mattress topper feels different to lie on. Down toppers feel soft, plush and cosy, while memory foam is firm and spongey and can feel warmer as you lay on it.

Memory foam mattress toppers

Pros:

• Helps absorb the motion of a bed partner who tosses and turns throughout the night
• Designed to reduce pressure on arthritic or sore joints
• Can make a firm mattress feel considerably softer

Cons:

• Some find memory foam toppers hot to lie on
• Can make it difficult to turn over in bed. Usually more expensive than microfibre and down
• Can have a synthetic smell when new

Made of a temperature-sensitive material, memory foam will react to your body heat and contour to your shape – which manufacturers claim helps relieve painful joints. A memory foam mattress topper should spring back to the same height each time you use it, too, unlike one made of down or microfibre, which will need to be fluffed up.

However, some people don't like the feel of memory foam and find that it makes them feel too warm. It's worth trying a memory foam mattress topper in-store before buying, if you can. 

Some memory foam toppers have a synthetic smell when new, but this should fade within a week. To remove the smell more quickly, hang up the topper outside or in an airy room to let it breathe before putting it on your bed.

Feather and down mattress toppers

Pros:

• Won’t retain as much heat as memory foam
• Won't hinder your movement in bed
• Feels soft and cosy - sometimes described as laying on a cloud
• Some feather or down mattress toppers can be cheaper than memory foam or latex ones

Cons:

• May well compress over time, requiring periodic shaking to fluff it back up
• Not hypoallergenic
• Feather quills can poke through the fabric
• Can smell at first
• Not always ethically farmed

Feather and down mattress toppers have a more traditional feel, and you can find cheap down mattress toppers for around £50. 

Premium feather and down toppers can be expensive. Some, such as Hungarian goose down, can be very expensive.

These natural options can flatten down quickly and will need regular fluffing to retain their shape. You might find they have a musky smell at first, too.

Feathers and down aren't always taken from birds in a humane way. To ensure you're buying a topper with down that has been responsibly farmed, we recommend checking with manufacturers and retailers to find out what their policies are before you buy. 

Microfibre and hollowfibre mattress toppers

Pros:

• Cheapest option
• No odour
• Provides a bit of softness
• Available in anti-allergy options
• Not as warm as other options

Cons:

• Not as breathable as other mattress topper types
• Can become flatter or develop lumps over time
• Shortest lifespan of all the topper types

Microfibre is a synthetic material, often used in pillows and duvets, and is the most affordable of all mattress topper types. It's a great basic option if you need a mattress topper on a budget - you can pick them up for as little as £20 in some places. 

It's not as breathable as down, and will flatten quicker, but this can be fixed by regularly shaking to fluff it back up.

Its synthetic fibres make it hypoallergenic, too. Some are sold as ‘anti-allergy’: these ones are treated with a chemical to help stop common allergens such as dust mites and pollen.

Latex mattress toppers

Pros:

• Designed to be very durable
• Absorb movement if your partner moves in the night
• Have antimicrobial and non-allergenic properties (unless you have a latex allergy)

Cons:

• Expensive
• Can have a distinctive odour when new
• Too firm for some
• Feel different to traditional feather and down

Made of either rubber tree sap or synthetic rubber, latex mattress toppers tend to be cooler and more breathable than memory foam. Latex contours to your body shape like foam, but its elasticity means it will bounce back quickly.

They're usually quite expensive, but manufacturers claim that latex is more durable than any other bedding material, so they should stay comfortable for longer.

Latex has an unusual feel that is different to either memory foam or down. Some people like it and some don't, so it's worth trying a latex topper or mattress in-store before you buy.

Not sure what size your mattress is? See our guide to UK mattress sizes.

Can a mattress topper make a bed better?

If you want to make your mattress more comfortable or softer then a mattress topper may be able to help. These were two of the main reasons members told us why they decided to buy a topper. Nearly half wanted to make their mattress more comfortable. And around 11% wanted to make their mattress softer. 

Interestingly, a fifth said they bought a topper to make a mattress last longer. While some retailers and manufacturers tout this as a selling point, it's not generally the main reason to buy a topper. 

Some toppers can cost a lot, though we've found cheaper-than-average Best Buy mattresses that cost as much as some of the more expensive double mattress toppers so, depending on the age of your mattress, it might be better off investing in one of our best cheap mattresses, instead.

Looking for more ways to improve your sleep? Try one of the best eye masks from our tests.

How much do you need to spend to get a good mattress topper?

If you're after a basic double mattress topper, you can pick up a relatively cheap own-brand supermarket polyester one for £14. Entry-level memory foam mattress toppers start at around £20. Some premium mattress toppers can cost more than £200 for a double size.

Premium down and latex toppers cost more than memory foam and microfibre. And we've spotted super-expensive Vispring models in John Lewis costing an eye-watering £880 for a double-size topper made from British fleece wool.

Our latest test revealed that you need to spend around £140 to get a decent double-size mattress topper that will meet the key reasons to invest in a mattress topper - comfort and softness.

We've rated mattress topper brands, too. See our guide to which mattress topper brand to buy.

How to clean a mattress topper

It's important to follow the instructions that come with your mattress topper. Some state outright that you cannot wash, bleach, tumble dry, iron or clean, and suggest spot cleaning with a clean sponge only, or equivalent light tough. If cleaning regularly is important for you, perhaps because you suffer with allergies, then look for a topper with a removable washable cover, or a topper that can be washed whole.

Three quarters of the double mattress toppers we tested come with a washable cover. 

Some covers are removable and you wash this part, while some toppers can go straight in the washing machine whole - always check the care label first.

Most toppers we tested stated a wash up to 40°C on a gentle wash. Some state up to 60°C, but as it's possible to shrink a cover by washing it in too hot a wash check the washing instructions for your topper.   

Find out more about how we test mattress toppers.

Where to buy a mattress topper

John Lewis, Dunelm, Next and Dormeo are among some of the most searched-for mattress topper retailers, along with Ikea and Argos, at the time of writing. We’ve included links to these retailers below, chosen because of their stock availability, best-value price and/or warranty options. 

Check the retailer's returns policy and pay attention to customer feedback and reviews.

• John Lewis offers a range of mattress toppers, from single to super king size and made with natural and synthetic materials. The cheapest products come in at £40 for a double-sized synthetic topper. Click & Collect is free on orders over £30, and standard delivery starts at £3.95 (but is free on orders over £50).
• Dunelm sells many types of mattress toppers, from memory foam to duck feather down, from as little as £22 for a single-size. It sells own-brand toppers as well as products from Fogarty, Dorma and Eve. Standard delivery is £3.95 and free for orders over £49 – all returns are free. You can also click & collect for free.
• Next advertises mattress topper and protector products in a range of sizes, including children's beds, cots and bassinets. The cheapest protector is just £10 for a single, and prices go up to between £200-400 for more premium brands, depending on mattress size. You can get in-store collection for free but you'll need to pay for home delivery.
• Dormeo - offers several types of toppers and protectors in a range of materials. 60-night sleep trials are available with several models and free delivery applies on orders over £79.

Can I return a mattress topper that's been used?

Unless it's faulty or damaged, or part of a sleep trial, mattress toppers generally can't be returned due to hygiene reasons - unless they are unused.

If you're unsure, choose from a brand that offers a sleep trial on its mattress toppers. Panda toppers, for example, are covered by a 30-night trial when bought direct from its website. 

I want to return my mattress topper. What are my rights?