If you find yourself tossing and turning a lot at night or waking up with random aches and pains in the morning, your mattress may not be providing the kind of support that you need. If your mattress has been worn in over the years, a good mattress topper can help make worn out comfort layers feel better. It’s important to know what to look for in a mattress topper, according to Robert Koser, a doctor of chiropractic, who is a chiropractor at the Laser Spine Institute. “Try to find a memory foam topper that provides adequate support for your existing mattress type at home,” says Dr. Koser. “For example, if you have a firmer traditional spring mattress, look into getting a thicker topper to provide that additional cushion to help you rest. Softer mattresses, on the other hand, may not require as tall of a topper and could be better to be a little on the firmer side.” You have several types of mattress toppers to choose from:
Memory foam Memory foam toppers offer varying levels of firmness and support but are also known for retaining body heat (great for cold sleepers), and sometimes off-gassing (the chemical smell usually goes away after a few days).Latex Latex is another option in mattress toppers, and many people choose these because they tend to sleep cooler and are more responsive. Latex is a natural substance, but there is also synthetic latex. If you want to avoid synthetic materials in your mattress, be sure to look for mattress toppers that are 100 percent natural latex.Down or down alternative A featherbed offers a soft feel. Adding a down mattress topper to your bed adds a layer of luxury, but they also tend to be a little higher maintenance and require frequent turning and fluffing, sometimes even picking feathers out of the cover. Down alternatives offer the same feel without the same level of heat retention and no pinions to pick out.
Here are some top mattress topper picks for every type of sleeper.
Best Mattress Topper That Makes You Feel Like You’re on Vacation
Pillowtop Mattress Pad Hotel-Style
Best Down Mattress Topper
Blue Ridge Home Fashion Luxury 5" Down PillowtopFeatherbed
Best for Achy Joints
Serta 4" Pillow-Top and Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Available from Walmart starting at $198
