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Mattress toppers can be the ultimate solution for making your mattress more comfortable, but it can be hard to choose the right one.
Choose the wrong one, and you can end up with sores and a topper that’s too thin to support you adequately.
That’s why I’ve put together our top five thick mattress toppers and tips on choosing the right topper to improve your sleep every night.
Let’s dive in.
Overview:
 | Editor’s Choice TEMPUR-Adapt® Topper | Check Current Price Read more about this mattress topper |
 | Best Extra Thick Mattress Topper Puffy Mattress Topper | Check Current Price Read more about this mattress topper |
 | Best Thick Memory Foam Mattress Topper Saatva Mattress Topper | Check Current Price Read more about this mattress topper |
 | Best Cooling GhostBed Memory Foam Topper | Check Current Price Read more about this mattress topper |
 | Best Soft Thick Mattress Topper PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool Topper | Check Current Price Read more about this mattress topper |
Editor’s Choice — TEMPUR® Toppers
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Highlights
- Has the option of straps or pockets, so the topper stays firmly to your mattress.
- Comes in two or three-inch profile options to suit a variety of sleepers.
- Cover is washable and removable for easy maintenance.
The TEMPUR® Topper is our Editor’s Choice for the best thick mattress toppers due to its convenience, durability, and cleanliness. The TEMPUR® Topper is easy to set up, requiring you to only unroll the topper onto the mattress and fix the straps so you can get better sleep faster. It’s made up of TEMPUR® material, which holds its shape longer than traditional memory foam, which I think sleepers who want their topper to last longer will like. The TEMPUR® Topper is also extremely easy to care for as the cover is removable and washable.
Additionally, the TEMPUR® Topper is made up of unique TEMPUR® material, which was originally a NASA invention to cushion G-force. Lying in TEMPUR® material is a mix of pressure-relief and butter-melting conforming, which will help make your mattress more comfortable for better sleep.
Pros:
- Unique TEMPUR® material is designed to be more cushioning and slow-adapting than traditional memory foam.
- Multiple options to give the right amount of thickness that light or heavier sleepers can find useful.
- Cover is washable, easy to maintain, and allergen-resistant, helping keep the bed clean.
Cons:
- May be a bit out of budget for sleepers who don’t want to splurge on a new topper.
- May cause some sleepers to feel hot during the night.
Best Extra Thick Mattress Topper — Puffy Mattress Topper
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Check Current Price Our detailed Puffy Mattress Topper review
Highlights
- Stretch pockets and anti-slip bottom help keep the topper secure to your mattress.
- Cover is hypoallergenic, which means allergens, dust mites and bacteria are kept out for cleaner sleep.
- Topper is cushioning enough to provide good motion isolation, helping keep light sleepers from being disturbed during the night.
The Puffy Topper is our best extra thick mattress topper due to its cushioning, and cloud-like material. I’ve tested Puffy’s two inches of memory foam, and found it’s thick enough to properly cushion the shoulders and hips for side sleepers, as well as provide spinal support for back sleepers. On top of this, the cover is breathable, helping disperse heat through the night for a cooler sleep.
Another feature I tested with the Puffy is its unique, two-fold grip system. Along with stretch pockets that wrap around your mattress, Puffy also has an anti-slip bottom that helps keep the mattress and topper. This is slightly different from the TEMPUR® Toppers, which only come with either straps or pockets. Despite tossing and turning, I found the Puffy topper didn’t move an inch during the night.
When I was testing Puffy, I found its sinkage to be quite comfortable, measuring at about 2.02 inches (without the topper, the mattress sank at 2.18 inches, about 0.16 inches in difference.) So the topper allows a good amount of cushioning while firming up the mattress a little for better spinal support and pressure relief. The Ghostbed topper, on the other hand, only gave the mattress a 0.02-inch compression difference.
Pros:
- Anti-slip bottom and pockets help keep the topper and mattress together for an easy, stress-free sleep.
- Hypoallergenic cover can be removed and washed, keeping your sleeping space fresh.
- Cushioning memory foam makes this the thickest mattress topper for light and average-weight combo-sleepers.
Cons:
- May not adequately support heavier sleepers.
- May cause sleepers sensitive to temperature to sleep on the hotter side.
Best Thick Memory Foam Mattress Topper — Saatva Mattress Topper
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Highlights
- Organic cotton cover is breathable and wicks away moisture for better heat dispersion through the night.
- Stylish details on the cover make this topper a seamless addition to your mattress.
- Durable straps keep this topper affixed to your mattress without shifting during the night.
The Saatva mattress topper is our best thick memory foam mattress topper due to its plush, one and a half inches of high-density memory foam that conforms and provides instant pressure relief to help ease soreness for better sleep. Although it may not be as durable as the TEMPUR® material found in TEMPUR® Toppers, Saatva makes up for this with body-hugging foam and a stylish cover that will make sleeping easier and more enjoyable.
If you need more options, Saatva offers two other material options: Latex and Graphite. This is in contrast to other toppers, such as the TEMPUR® Toppers or Puffy, which only offer their toppers in one material option. I think sleepers who need more durability and support will like Saatva’s Latex option, while sleepers who tend to sleep hot will like the cooling effect of Saatva Graphite.
Pros:
- Saatva’s memory foam can effectively re-distribute your weight for better pressure point relief.
- Cover is breathable and moisture-wicking, helping keep you temperature-neutral while sleeping.
- Comes with straps that help affix the topper to the mattress, even while tossing and turning.
Cons:
- Cover is spot-clean only, meaning it isn’t machine-washable.
- May not be firm enough for heavier sleepers.
Best Cooling — GhostBed Memory Foam Topper
Highlights
- Made up of gel memory foam, which is known for its cooling effect to help you sleep better.
- Ghost Ice fabric cover is made up of Phase Change material designed to absorb more heat, keeping you even cooler.
- The cover is also waterproof, protecting your mattress against spills.
The Ghostbed Memory Foam Topper is our best cooling topper due to its two-fold cooling system. Ghostbed comes equipped with its signature Ghost Ice fabric cover, which is infused with PCM that I’ve tested and found effectively keeps you cool. On top of this, Ghostbed’s gel memory foam adds an extra layer of coolness and breathability, which based on my review is cooling as well as conforming. This is in contrast to Puffy or the TEMPUR® Toppers, which don’t offer any cooling technology beyond a breathable cover.
Another feature I’ve tested and quite like about the Ghostbed is its 5-Zone foam. Each zone has different firmness and shape to specifically target different parts of the body. From my review, I found the Ghostbed adequately let my shoulder sink in while supporting my hips and spine, allowing my spinal alignment to be nearly perfect, making the Ghostbed the best thickest mattress topper with an ergonomic design.
I tested the Ghostbed topper for response, which indicates if a topper is suitable for pressure point alleviation. I recorded a partial recovery from compressions at 0.47 seconds and 0.89 seconds for a full recovery. This means the topper will take some time to respond and cradle to my body, but I’m not going to feel stuck. Puffy’s numbers are very similar, with only a 0.02-second difference for the partial recovery, and 0.04 seconds for the full recovery.
Pros:
- 5-Zoned memory foam is cut to be breathable and targets specific points on the body for ergonomic sleep.
- Cover is removable and machine-washable, allowing you to keep your space clean.
- Gel memory foam and cool-to-the-touch cover help keep even the hottest sleeper cool.
Cons:
- The cover is separate from the topper, making this two-part setup a bit more complicated than other toppers.
- May not give adequate support for heavier stomach sleepers.
Best Soft Thick Mattress Topper — PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool Topper
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Highlights
- Made up of natural and chemical-free wool for a clean, soft sleep.
- Hand-stitched material is hypoallergenic and germ-resistant, which is helpful for allergy-prone sleepers.
- Wool is naturally thermo-regulating for all-year temperature control, helping you stay cool in the heat, and warm in colder temperatures.
The PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool Topper is our best soft thick mattress topper due to its unique material: virgin wool. This sustainably sourced material gives the topper a special bounciness and softness that is unlike memory foam, while still conforming to the body and providing comfort to sore muscles. Unlike Saatva or Ghostbed, PlushBeds offers sleepers a topper that’s chemical-free, sustainably sourced, and comfortable, which I think sleepers who enjoy eco-friendly products will enjoy.
On top of this, I think sleepers will like the added benefit of wool’s thermoregulating abilities. If it’s hot outside, wool is about to keep you cooler. And if it’s cold, wool has the ability to store body heat and warm you up during the night, making Plushbeds the thickest mattress topper with thermoregulating abilities.
Pros:
- Wool material is thermoregulating, which is good for staying at the right temperature for varying weather throughout the year.
- Topper is breathable and made up of an organic cotton cover, which is moisture-wicking and doesn’t cause sleepers to overheat.
- Three inches of wool adds plush softness and comfort to your mattress for improved sleep quality.
Cons:
- May be a bit expensive for sleepers on a budget.
- May not provide the slow-adaptive pressure relief typically found with memory foam.
Our Methodology - Why I Picked These Mattress Toppers
The best mattress toppers for relieving pressure points must be thick by at least 2 to 3 inches. That way, there’s enough material for your body to sink into. On top of that, the material has to be good quality, such as high-density foam, proprietary foam that can deliver better pressure relief, or wool.
When I tested my mattress toppers, I looked for elements that would make the topper a better choice to tackle pressure points. I checked their materials by hand, removing the cover to see exactly what I was working with. I also laid the toppers on a medium-firm mattress as this is the most popular type of firmness, keeping a better idea of how the topper would feel in most homes. I tested the toppers in multiple sleeping positions, gauging how well the toppers could re-distribute my weight and relieve pressure. Sinkage was also measured, and I measured how deep the compressions went while lying down. Additionally, I tested the toppers for how well they stuck to the mattress, doing several tests such as tossing and turning for a few minutes, then jumping in the center of the bed, and then measuring how much the topper moved in relation to the mattress. These tests gave me a better idea of what to include on this list, and I will share more methodology tips below so you can choose the right topper for yourself.
How to Choose the Best Thick Mattress Topper?
Choosing the best thick mattress topper means looking at the material used, as well as the height. A typical rule of thumb is the higher the profile, at around two or three inches, the better. Or, you will want to look into high-density material that can provide enough support and cushion to make your mattress more comfortable.
Depending on your sleeping style, you may want to look for a topper that can help you specifically. For example, if you’re a side sleeper, you will want to look for the best mattress toppers for side sleepers that typically have more padding to help cushion the shoulder and hips.
If you struggle with lower back pain, a mattress topper may be able to help with this. This is especially the case if a mattress is too soft, causing the spine to fall out of alignment, which is a huge contributor to lower back pain. As much as 58% of sleepers complained about nightly disturbances due to back pain (1). Adding a mattress topper for lower back pain may help, especially if it’s thick and firm. A firm topper can help counter the sag in a mattress, keeping your spine aligned for better sleep.
On the other hand, if you find yourself with hip pain, you will actually want to look for a way to soften your mattress, as this can provide more cushioning to the sore area. Hip pain is also a large contributor to a lower quality of sleep, especially after the first two hours of sleep (2). A mattress topper for hip pain can help as they are on the softer, more plush side, and can help make your mattress more cushioning to relieve tension.
Also Read: Best Mattress Toppers for Stomach Sleepers
What are the Best Materials for a Thick Mattress Topper?
The best materials for a thick mattress topper typically include a high firmness and density, while still offering that cushioning, slow-adapting feel for softness and comfort. Latex and memory foam are some of the top-rated materials that are typically included in the best firm mattress toppers.
Also Read: What is a Mattress Topper?
How a Thick Mattress Topper Can Improve a Mattress?
A thick mattress topper can improve a mattress by extending the mattress’ life. A mattress can get worn down with age and start to sag, but a new topper can help counter this by giving the mattress a firm top layer, helping your spine stay straight and keep your hips from sagging in while you sleep.
Another way mattress topper thickness improves a mattress is by softening it. Sometimes a mattress can feel too firm but can be too expensive to replace. That’s why choosing the best mattress toppers to soften too firm of mattresses can be budget-friendly and a quick solution.
FAQ
How Thick Should a Topper be for Side Sleepers?
A topper for side sleepers should be at least two or three inches thick so there is enough material to properly soften the shoulder and hips, evening out the pressure.
What Thickness of Mattress Topper is Best for Heavier Sleepers?
The best thickness for a mattress topper for heavier sleepers should always be a bit more so there's enough material to support you. However, you will also want to look at the topper’s firmness, as a medium-firm to firm firmness is better to help support the spine and ensure heavier sleepers don’t sag in bed at the hips.
Conclusion
The best mattress topper that is thick as well as comfortable doesn’t have to be hard to find. As long as you look for higher profiles and high-density material, you’ll have a topper that will last you a long time, and help make your mattress more comfortable.
Our recommendation for the best thick mattress topper is the TEMPUR® Topper, mainly due to its unique TEMPUR® material. It’s extra cushioning and supportive, while also delivering slow-conforming pressure relief that is sure to enhance the sleep quality of your mattress.
Additional References
- NIH National Library of Medicine (December 29, 2010). Prevalence of sleep disturbance in patients with low back pain. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3082679/
- NIH National Library of Medicine (July 2012). Hip pain while using lower extremity joints and sleep disturbances in elderly white women: results from a cross-sectional analysis. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22298286/
Our research
27
Mattress Toppers Considered
112
Hours of Research
2
Sleep Experts Consulted