Best mattress toppers: tried and tested for a comfortable sleep

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 centimetres and change the feel of your existing mattress, which should also help to improve your sleep.

We've tested toppers made of memory foam, latex, feather and down, microfibre, wool and cotton.

You can buy a basic mattress topper for less than £20, although many cost more. Our reviews and survey of mattress topper brands can guide you towards one that's worth your money.

The mattress toppers we tested

The biggest brands and the ten most popular mattress toppers are listed below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the mattress toppers test results.

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A selection of the mattress toppers we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best mattress toppers from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.

Dormeo Octasmart Plus Mattress Topper

Available from Dormeo (£249) 

Most recently tested March 2025

Size and type 188 x 135 x 8cm (H x W x D), memory foam

Need to know Removable washable cover, no corner straps, 8kg

Dorma Tencel Blend Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Available from Dunelm (£175)

Most recently tested July 2023

Size and type 189.5 x 133.5 x 8cm (H x W x D), memory foam

Need to know Removable cover not machine washable, elasticated corner straps, 11.5kg

Dunelm Cooler Than Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Available from Dunelm (£75)

Most recently tested July 2023

Size and type 190 x 132 x 4cm (H x W x D), memory foam

Need to know Removable washable cover, elasticated corner straps, 3.65kg

Dunelm Gel Fusion Mattress Topper

Available from Dunelm (£135)

Most recently tested March 2025

Size and type 188 x 135 x 6cm (H x W x D), memory foam

Need to know Removable washable cover, elasticated corner straps, 6.5kg

Dunelm Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Available from Dunelm (£110)

Most recently tested March 2025

Size and type 189 x 136 x 5.5cm (H x W x D), memory foam

Need to know Removable washable cover, elasticated corner straps, 7.25kg

After the best night's sleep? See our reviews of the best pillows and best duvets from our tests

Emma Premium Topper

Available from Emma (£321)

Most recently tested July 2023

Size and type 191 x 135.5 x 8cm (H x W x D), memory foam

Need to know Machine-washable cover, no corner straps, 11.3kg

John Lewis Support Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Available at John Lewis (£135)

Most recently tested April 2024

Size and type 185 x 132 x 4.5cm (H x W x D), memory foam

Need to know Removable washable cover, elasticated corner straps, 5kg

Panda The Topper

Size and type 188 x 135 x 5cm (H x W x D), memory foam

Need to know Removable washable cover, elasticated corner straps, 6.7kg

Simba Hybrid Essential Topper (Hybrid 1500)

Most recently tested April 2024

Size and type 188 x 135 x 7cm (H x W x D), memory foam and springs

Need to know Removable washable cover, elasticated corner straps, 10.8kg

Simba Hybrid Topper

Available from Simba (£349) 

Most recently tested July 2023

Size and type 190 x 134 x 6.5cm (H x W x D), hybrid

Need to know Removable washable cover, elasticated corner straps, 10.1kg

More mattress toppers from our tests

Here’s how the rest of the mattress toppers from our tests measured up, listed in alphabetical order.

Which Don't Buy mattress toppers

Our tests uncover the best and the worst. If a product performs so poorly that we think you should avoid it, we call it a Don't Buy. 

We've tested one mattress topper that we've named a Don't Buy. It doesn’t help to spread pressure evenly, it doesn’t make much difference to body support and, most importantly to our members, it won’t make a mattress that much softer.

To find out which it is, and which mattress toppers earned our Best Buy and Great Value recommendations, log in or join Which?.

How we test mattress toppers

We test every mattress topper using a strict set of criteria to sort the best from the rest. We examine how much difference a mattress topper makes compared to our test mattress and seek to answer the following questions:

• Will the mattress topper provide decent body support? We use state-of-the-art equipment to measure spinal position in a side, back and front sleeping position, and we check that no part sinks too far into the mattress.
• Will the mattress topper provide decent pressure distribution? A good topper should help to make a difference when distributing your body pressure evenly over the surface of your mattress. For example, so that your shoulders or hips don’t start to dip in one area.
• Will the mattress topper make my mattress softer? In our survey, 47% of Which? members told us they use a topper to make their mattress softer, so we test using a standard mattress and calculate the change in firmness when using the topper with it.
• Is the mattress topper washable? Some toppers have a removable washable cover, which will help to keep it in the best condition much more easily. Some toppers are safe to go straight in the washing machine, while others can only be spot cleaned.
• Stability Each topper is assessed to see how well it helps stops movement travelling across the surface of the topper and mattress.

We regularly revisit the mattress toppers on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing – and when we find them, we do.

Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent

Do mattress toppers really make a difference?

Toppers sit on top of your mattress, offering a few extra centimetres of material to make the whole experience more comfortable or to help change the firmness of a mattress. They come in a similar range of sizes to mattresses: single, double, king size and super king size.

A topper can be made of memory foam, feather/down, microfibre, polyester or a different soft material, as well as more natural materials such as wool or cotton. They give some degree of protection from stains and wear or tear, but will probably not be waterproof, unlike a mattress protector.

If you can't afford a new mattress, or don't want to replace the one you have at the moment, a mattress topper can help make what you have more comfortable for the time being. However, if your mattress is already sagging, or has softened a lot over time, a mattress topper may not make that much difference and it's probably better to buy a new mattress.

Some toppers can cost a lot and 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, you might be better off investing in one of our best mattress deals instead.

Mattress toppers vs mattress protectors

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

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 and it will often be little more than a sheet.

Can you return a mattress topper?

Unless it's faulty or damaged, or part of a sleep trial, mattress toppers generally can't be returned for hygiene reasons – unless they're 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.

Mattress topper brands rated

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Mattress topper types: what you need to know

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 lie on it.

Memory foam

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.

It's not for everyone though, so it's worth trying a memory foam mattress topper in-store before buying, if you can.

Feather and down

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.

These natural options can flatten down quickly and will need regular fluffing to retain their shape.

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

Microfibre is a synthetic material, often used in pillows and duvets. It's the most affordable of all mattress topper types – you can pick one up for as little as £20 in some places.

Microfibre isn't as breathable as down and it will flatten more quickly, but this can be fixed by regularly shaking to fluff it back up. Its synthetic fibres make it hypoallergenic, too. Some of these toppers are sold as ‘anti-allergy’ and have been treated with a chemical to prevent common allergens such as dust mites and pollen.

Latex

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 latex is more durable than any other bedding material according to manufacturers, so they should stay comfortable for longer.

Tips for cleaning your 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 them, and suggest spot cleaning with a clean sponge only. If cleaning regularly is important for you, perhaps because you have 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 other toppers can go straight in the washing machine whole – always check the care label first.

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