As a staff writer on Wirecutter’s sleep team, I test gear related to sleeping and living more comfortably—from mattresses and sleep-tracking apps to body pillows and ergonomic seat cushions. For this guide:

• We tested 17 mattress toppers—made from feather and down, down alternative, memory foam, and latex—with a group of testers who have diverse backgrounds, builds, heights, and mobility levels.
• We interviewed a physical therapist, a down expert, and a bedding wholesaler to get a better understanding of who could benefit from a mattress topper, as well as how to find the best option for someone’s body and preferences.
• We read peer-reviewed articles on whether mattress toppers can enhance deep sleep and how they can facilitate a better sleep posture.

According to Terri Long, co-owner of Long’s Bedding and Interiors, people typically shop for a mattress topper for two reasons: They bought a mattress they don’t like but can’t return, or they have a very old mattress that’s basically “shot.” (In either case, a mattress topper can be a more affordable fix if you’re in need of an extra layer of comfort.) And we found even more reasons why folks seek out a mattress topper:

To relieve body pain: Someone with general aches and pains may benefit from a mattress topper that helps relieve pressure on the body better than their current mattress does. Ben Fung, PT, DPT, and spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association, agreed. He said some side-sleepers can benefit from a softer sleep surface because it can help their hips and shoulders maintain spinal alignment. But for back- and stomach-sleepers, plush surfaces may exacerbate any existing back pain.
To soften up a too-firm mattress: Bodily changes due to pregnancy, weight gain or loss, or aging can make a formerly comfortable mattress feel too firm. Feather-and-down or down alternative mattress toppers can make firm mattresses feel almost cloud-like while still retaining the mattress’s sturdy foundation. Latex or memory-foam mattress toppers can add a conforming, cushioning layer to a hard mattress. But a mattress topper can’t make an overly soft mattress firmer or more supportive. A hyperbolic example would be putting a flat, hard surface on a beanbag chair. A mattress topper will conform to what’s below it.
To improve a foldout sofa, cot, or futon: Futons and pull-out couches are notorious for being hard and uncomfortable. A mattress topper can give a sleeper sofa or a worn-out guest-room mattress some extra cushion and comfort. Long said she even brings a portable mattress topper (like this one) with her when she travels.

We started by searching highly rated toppers from Target, Wayfair, and Amazon, as well as those made by well-known mattress and bedding companies like Tempur-Pedic, Casper, Leesa, and The Company Store. Our initial list of nearly 60 toppers included four main types:

Feather and down: Mattress toppers can be filled with duck and/or goose feathers, including down feathers (this specifically refers to the fine undercoat of feathers beneath the outer feathers). Down feathers give bedding a light, airy, and plush feel. Feather-and-down toppers should specify the percentage of feather versus down they include. It’s best to find down bedding that is certified by the Responsible Down Standard, the Global Traceable Down Standard, or another certification that ensures that the feathers are ethically sourced and harvested.

Down alternative: Down alternative is typically made from synthetic polyester fiber and feels slightly similar to down. Down alternative is less breathable and lofty than down and feathers, but it also tends to be much less expensive. If you avoid using animal products or are allergic to feathers, a down-alternative topper is a good option.

Memory foam: Memory foam is made from synthetic polyurethane foam (or viscoelastic). It has a denser feel that contours to your body. Lying on memory foam can feel like being enveloped in a hug as the memory foam conforms to your body. Memory foam will recover its shape after you get out of bed, but depending on its density, it can be prone to body impressions over time, especially if you weigh over 200 pounds. Memory foam can retain heat, so it may not be the best choice for those who sleep hot.

Latex: Latex foam is made from a rubber plant. It’s generally lighter, bouncier, and less conforming than memory foam, and it’s more breathable, so it’s a good choice for people who sleep hot. It’s also more durable than other foams and thus should be supportive and long-lasting for people who weigh more than 200 pounds. Latex bedding can be made from Talalay latex or Dunlop latex; the difference is how they’re manufactured. Talalay latex is more expensive and typically has a slightly more consistent, supple feel than Dunlop latex.

We looked for mattress toppers that met the following criteria:

• We zeroed in on toppers that were either machine-washable or came with machine-washable covers. (Although many feather-and-down toppers claim to be dry-clean-only, our resident comforter expert, Jackie Reeve, found that down can be carefully washed and dried at home when necessary.)
• We preferred mattress toppers that weighed 35 pounds or less. Some people use mattress toppers on pull-out couches or futons; we wanted to make sure the toppers wouldn’t be a hassle to transport. We also prioritized mattress toppers with attached corner straps, which help a topper fit snugly on the mattress and avoid sliding.
• We looked for toppers that were at least 1½ inches thick, which a study found was best for spinal alignment, lower body temperature, and overall sleeping comfort. A flimsier topper won’t offer much improvement to a mattress.
• We prioritized toppers with return windows of 30 days or more.
• For memory-foam toppers, we preferred those with ventilation for airflow.

We inspected each topper, eliminating models that retained a strong chemical smell for more than 72 hours (common with latex and memory-foam bedding). We also eliminated toppers with poor construction, such as unraveled stitching and inner material actively escaping the batting.

We then took the remaining toppers and assembled them on four queen-size Linenspa Hybrid Mattresses, a medium-firm, inexpensive, spartan-feeling mattress. We kept a fifth Linenspa mattress topper-free so that we could judge how much each topper changed or improved the comfort and feel of the bare mattress.

We eliminated any toppers that didn’t fit the mattress well, that felt uncomfortable or lumpy, or that retained a chemical smell even after a week of airing out (off-gassing). We then tested the finalists with a group of 23 testers who had a range of heights, builds, sleep positions and preferences, and mobility levels.

Choosing a mattress topper, like choosing a mattress, is a subjective process. But we selected the ones that were clear favorites among our diverse panelists.

Best for: The Casaluna Feather & Down Mattress Topper works well for side-sleepers and those who love a fluffy, pillowy comfort layer.

How it feels: This mattress topper feels like you’re sleeping on something with the consistency of meringue—fluffy and stiff, in a good way!

Why it’s great

It’s well made and a good value. We’ve had positive experiences with Target’s Casaluna bedding—including its comforter and weighted blanket—because of the reliable construction and great value. The Casaluna Feather & Down Mattress Topper is no exception. Its well-stitched baffling keeps the ethically sourced feather-and-down fill consistently distributed throughout the topper. Convenient corner straps help it stay in place on the mattress. The cover, made from cotton and polyester, felt soft, smooth, and crisp underneath our sheets. The Casaluna topper is also one of the most affordable feather-and-down toppers we tried.

It’s well balanced and pleasingly fluffy. Overall, due to its substantial, consistent fluffiness, this topper was more appealing than the other feather-and-down toppers we tested, which felt more collapsible and flat. While soft and even cloud-like, the Casaluna has an underlayer of support that other feather-and-down toppers lacked.

It’s easier to clean than we expected. Feather-and-down bedding can often be safely machine-washed and -dried at home, even if care labels specify dry-clean-only. However, fitting an entire queen-size topper in a standard washer and dryer may be a challenge. The Casaluna topper has a detachable top layer; it was convenient to machine-wash (on a gentle cycle) and -dry and then air-dry a bit more before reattaching. (Casaluna recommends spot-cleaning the bottom layer.)

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It may not be soft enough. A few of our testers commented that even though they found this topper to be plush and pillow-y soft, they could still feel its underlying stiffness. If you want something with an ultra-plush feel, consider our down-alternative pick, which testers found even fluffier.

It’s very thick. At 4½ inches thick, the Casaluna topper adds noticeable height to a mattress.

Key specs

Sizes: twin, full, queen, king, California king
Thickness: 4½ inches
Materials: 94% white duck feather, 6% duck down; 70% cotton, 30% Lyocell cover
Warranty and returns: 365-day return policy

Best for: The Company Store’s Legends Hotel Down Alternative Mattress Topper is great for side-sleepers and those who prefer a pillow-y, “hotel bed” feel but don’t want to use feather and down.

How it feels: This topper feels like sleeping on a fluffy marshmallow.

Why it’s great

It offers crowd-pleasing, marshmallow-y comfort. The Company Store topper was a favorite among our testers. And many appreciated its “filled to the brim” sensation, which transformed our spartan mattress into a plush, pillow-top bed. One tester commented that lying on this topper felt like “being enveloped in a hug,” while another said it “reminded [them] of a John Mayer video.” (You know the one.)

If you’re not sure what type of mattress topper to get (for example, if you’re shopping for a guest bed or something to improve a pull-out couch, and you want something with wide appeal), chances are good that this topper will be an all-around pleaser.

It’s well constructed, with evenly distributed fill. The Company Store topper’s filling felt consistent throughout, whereas other down alternative toppers we tested had filling that tended to bunch up in certain spots or in the corners. The 100% cotton cover felt smooth and crisp.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It lacks corner straps. This topper doesn’t have corner straps to help it stay on the bed. Since it’s fairly lightweight, it didn’t shift around as much as heavier, slumpier toppers did.

It doesn’t offer support. The Company Store topper adds softness but no additional support. The lack of support was especially noticeable for our testers who weighed over 200 pounds. If you want a topper that cradles your body or adds buoyancy, consider our memory-foam or latex picks. If you’re a side-sleeper with a bigger body who wants a pillow-y feel, consider the Casaluna Feather & Down Mattress Topper, which has more stability.

Key specs

Sizes: twin, full, king, queen
Thickness: 4 inches
Materials: polyester fill; 200-thread-count cotton cover
Warranty and returns: 30-day return policy

Best for: The Brooklyn Bedding 3” Talalay Latex Topper works well for sleepers of all positions who want a solidly supportive topper that’s still soft and springy. It’s also ideal for hot sleepers.

How it feels: This topper has a squishy, structured, cradling feel: You rest on top of it, rather than being enveloped by it.

Why it’s great

It offers a great balance of pressure relief and buoyancy. Compared with memory foam, which feels dense and body-conforming, latex foam is springy and cradling. If you prefer sleeping on top of your topper, as opposed to sinking into it, latex can be a great choice. Many testers loved the Brooklyn Bedding topper’s pressure-relieving buoyancy, with one describing it as being “exactly what [they] expected a mattress topper to feel like.”

It’s durable and well made. The Brooklyn Bedding topper is made from Talalay latex, which tends to have a more supple and consistent feel than the more common Dunlop latex, which can be overly springy or elasticky. Latex is inherently more durable than memory foam, and it offers much more support than feather-and-down or down-alternative toppers. The Brooklyn Bedding topper comes with a three-year warranty, which is longer than those of most of our picks.

It has thoughtful extra features. Latex is a wiggly, jiggly material, so we appreciated that the Brooklyn Bedding topper has corner straps that allow it to fit snugly against the bed, ensuring zero shifting during sleep. (Another latex topper we tested didn’t have corner straps, and it slid noticeably off the mattress during testing.) The Brooklyn Bedding topper also includes a breathable, removable zippered cotton cover, which not all latex toppers included.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Like all latex bedding, this topper is expensive. The Brooklyn Bedding topper wasn’t the most expensive Talalay latex model we tried, but at nearly $500 in a queen size, it costs as much as a cheap mattress. That said, we expect this topper to be durable for the long haul.

Latex is an acquired taste. For some people, latex bedding can be too bouncy, jiggly, or even off-putting (a few people described one of the latex toppers we tested as feeling creepily “flesh-like”). We appreciate that the Brooklyn Bedding topper comes with a 120-night trial period—one of the longest of our picks—so you can determine whether it’s the right feel for you.

It has a distinctive latex odor, which takes a while to dissipate. Like the other latex toppers we tested, the Brooklyn Bedding topper took a long time to air out (or off-gas) and retained a distinct latex odor, reminiscent of a rubber glove. Removing the cover for a day or two can help the odor dissipate faster.

Key specs

Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, queen short, king, California king
Thickness: 3 inches
Materials: Talalay latex; organic cotton cover
Warranty and returns: three-year warranty, 120-night trial period

Best for: The ViscoSoft 3 inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a good option for back- and stomach-sleepers who enjoy the dense, supportive, body-conforming sink of memory foam, as well as for some side-sleepers who want to add mild cradling to a firmer mattress.

How it feels: This topper has a dense, molding, and pressure-relieving feel.

Why it’s great

It offers intense pressure relief, without feeling like quicksand. Our testers found the ViscoSoft topper offered a good balance of body-conforming pressure relief without feeling overly sinky. (The Tempur-Pedic Adapt memory-foam topper had a more-pronounced deep-sinking feel, which was polarizing.)

It provides great motion isolation. If you want to limit motion transfer (for example, if you sleep with a partner, and you don’t want to wake each other up during the night), a memory-foam topper like the ViscoSoft is a good choice.

It comes in multiple thicknesses, and it has other useful extra features. The ViscoSoft topper comes in 2-, 3-, and 4-inch thicknesses. This is helpful if you don’t want to add too much additional height to your current mattress, or you want to opt for a thicker, dense topper for more support. The ViscoSoft topper also comes with a removable, washable cover and has corner straps that help keep it snugly on the bed.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s not especially soft or plush. The ViscoSoft topper offers dense pressure relief, but it isn’t especially soft or pillowy. About half of our testers described it as feeling too firm. If you want a slightly softer feel with similar stability, consider the Brooklyn Bedding Latex Topper.

It may retain heat. Heat retention is an issue with all memory-foam toppers (and mattresses). The ViscoSoft’s removable cover has a ventilated mesh underlayer, which may help mitigate some heat issues. But if you sleep hot and want a supportive foam topper, consider our latex pick, which is inherently more breathable.

Key specs

Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, queen short, California king
Thicknesses: 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches
Materials: gel-infused memory foam; bamboo-rayon cover
Warranty and returns: three-year warranty, 60-day return policy

If you want an affordable down-alternative topper: The Casaluna Ultra Loft Down Alternative Mattress Topper was out of stock during our testing. But a Wirecutter staffer who owns this topper appreciates its puffy feel and evenly distributed fill. Corner straps help it stay in place on the mattress. And it’s a cheaper alternative to our top down-alternative pick.

If you know you love the feel of a Tempur-Pedic mattress: The Tempur-Pedic Adapt Mattress Topper was a previous pick in this guide. Tempur-Pedic’s proprietary memory foam has a pronounced, quicksand-like sink, which testers tend to either love or hate. Tempur-Pedic doesn’t allow returns, so unless you know you’re a fan of the Tempur-Pedic feel, we think the cheaper, returnable ViscoSoft memory-foam topper is a better option for most people.

If you want an affordable latex topper: The Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Topper was also a previous latex topper pick. In our most recent round of testing, we found that the queen-size topper didn’t fit our mattress well (it was too wide). And it lacks corner straps. However, we really liked the breathability and softness of this topper, which felt especially comfortable when in a side-sleeping position. At $250 for the topper alone ($315 with a cover), it was the least expensive latex topper we tested.

The Leesa Mattress Topper retained a strong memory-foam odor that didn’t dissipate after days of airing out, and the outer cover pilled and shed lint.

The Casper Comfy Mattress Topper arrived with a frayed cover that continued to pill as we tested it. Though advertised as a queen-size topper, the Casper model was too big on our queen-size mattress, and we had a hard time getting our sheets to fit over it.

The Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper will be discontinued soon and replaced with the Eco Organic Mattress Topper. We will test the Eco for our next update.

The DoubleTree At Home Featherbed didn’t feel as luxe as the other feather-and-down options we tested, and it collapsed under weight.

The Hotel Grand Luxury 5 Inch Pillowtop Featherbed was lofty, with an even distribution of down. But testers preferred the Casaluna topper overall.

The Nest Bedding Soft Latex Topper is well made, with Talalay latex and a wool cover. But it’s pricier than the Brooklyn Bedding topper, which testers generally preferred.

The Saatva Down Alternative Featherbed Mattress Topper was much flatter and required more fluffing than other down-alternative toppers we tested, despite being one of the most expensive.

The Serta Down Illusion Pillowtop Mattress Topper looked billowy and felt soft and cool to the touch. But it instantly went flat when we were lying on it.

The 2-inch-thick Sleep Number ComfortFit Mattress Layer, filled with shredded memory foam and down alternative, felt thin and uncomfortable compared with the solid memory-foam toppers we tested.

We tried the popular COONP Queen Mattress Topper and found the filling to be unevenly distributed, with more in the corners than in the center. And fluffing didn’t help.

Alex Arpaia and Daniela Gorny wrote previous versions of this guide, which was first published in 2018. This article was edited by Courtney Schley and Ingrid Skjong.