Memory foam toppers are among the most popular types of mattress toppers because they provide what people shopping for toppers are often interested in: close conforming, pressure relief, and comfort. Memory foam toppers also have other benefits, such as above-average motion isolation for couples.
If you’re considering adding a layer of memory foam to your sleeping surface to adjust its firmness and improve your sleep, keep reading to discover our top picks for the best memory foam toppers sold in 2023. We also include a brief buyer’s guide with tips on what to look for, important shopping considerations, and how to decide on the best topper for your mattress.
To hear directly from the Nerds about our hands-on testing results and opinions, check out this video.
Saatva makes one of the best memory foam mattress toppers in terms of keeping you comfortable and cool at the same time. Their latex topper is great for hot sleepers who sleep on their back, and the high-density foam topper is a great solution for stomach sleepers looking for comfortable support.
The Saatva Mattress Topper is our Nerd’s Pick it excels in cooling ability, durability, and comfort level. While high-density foam and Talalay latex options do exist at Saatva, we’re huge fans of the graphite memory foam version because of its plush, luxurious feel.
This three-inch topper is made with graphite-infused, CertiPUR-certified memory foam and enclosed in a breathable organic cotton cover. It’s designed for cooler, more comfortable sleep, and the certification means minimal off-gassing and no potentially harmful chemicals. The topper includes four elastic anchor bands to ensure a secure fit to your mattress.
The Saatva may not be the cheapest option on the market, but its high-quality materials should make it a great investment. The graphite infusion provides cooling features that not all memory foam toppers offer, and its 3” height adds to its comfort level. With excellent contouring abilities, you should sink in the way you’d want to with a memory foam topper; it provides a cushioning, hugging sensation. With the Saatva topper’s construction in mind, we recommend this product to side sleepers, who need pressure relief at the shoulders and hips, as well as lightweight back sleepers, who search for a balanced feel. The Saatva topper comes with a one-year warranty and a 180-night sleep trial.
What our testers say: “The Saatva mattress topper is one of our favorite luxury options when it comes to toppers on the market. You get the choice of three material options, each coming with an organic cotton cover and elastic securing straps. Depending on your preferences, you can find the Saatva topper material that’ll work best for you. The graphite-infused option is best for hot sleepers who love the feel of memory foam, as well as side sleepers.” – Becca Fair, Lead Accessory Tester
Read our Saatva Mattress Topper Review to learn more.
Layla's mattress topper features copper gel-infused memory foam to prevent overheating.
The Layla topper is a 2” memory foam topper that contains Layla’s signature copper-infused memory foam and has a medium-soft (4/10) feel. According to the company, copper gel beads in the foam absorb body heat so you sleep cooler and more comfortably all night long.
The plush foam is designed to allow a little extra give under your hips and shoulders to help ensure your spine stays in proper alignment no matter how much you toss and turn. The topper also has a soft, quilted cover with Layla’s hexagonal gray design.
The Layla’s price point is a little higher than others, but we think you get what you pay for with this product. Not only is the foam actively cooling (copper draws heat away from the body), but the plush feel will contour closely to your body to help alleviate back pain, joint pain, pressure points, and aches. For more information on relieving pain during sleep, take a look at our pain and sleep guide.
An added benefit of the copper infusion is that it may promote blood flow, which can help active individuals recover faster at night. As a bonus, the Layla’s foam is CertiPUR certified, which means that it’s made without ozone depleters, heavy metals, or formaldehyde. The Layla comes with a 5-year warranty and a 120-night sleep trial.
What our testers say: “The Layla memory foam mattress topper is an excellent option for sleepers who want to add some softness to their current bed. Using 2” of slow-response foam, the Layla Topper hugs the body’s curves, providing extra cushioning and pressure relief to sensitive areas. It’s also one of the coolest memory foam toppers that we’ve seen. It might not be the best choice for stomach sleepers or people who want to firm up their mattresses.” – Becca Fair, Lead Accessories Tester
Read our Layla Mattress Topper Review to learn more.
An excellent mattress topper for those on a budget seeking a cooling topper that provides pressure relief.
The LUCID mattress topper is an affordable gel memory foam mattress topper that’s available in 2” and 3” heights for all mattress sizes. The CertiPUR-US-certified foam gel has a few cooling features to help minimize heat retention and promote airflow, and the plush topper is designed to feel gently contouring with the slow response inherent to memory foam.
Looking for a more cradled sensation? The thicker topper will create a deeper sink, so it might be worth the minor price upgrade. The LUCID topper also comes with a removable cover for a small additional cost.
Sold on Amazon with an average of 4.4 stars, this topper costs less than $160 in all sizes with the upgraded removable cover. Designed to help keep you cool on memory foam, which normally traps heat, it features a ventilated design and cooling gel. With a below-average price point compared to other memory foam toppers, this topper has a soft firmness setting, which makes it great for side sleepers and lightweight sleepers. It also comes with free shipping.
What our testers say: “In essence, the Lucid topper is simply a rectangular slab of foam. Still, sometimes that’s exactly what you need to make your bed a bit comfier and relieve pressure points along the body.” – Becca Fair, Lead Accessories Tester
Read our Lucid Mattress Topper Review to learn more.
This foam topper is made of 3 inches of supportive TEMPUR material. It is designed to enhance or improve the original comfort level of virtually any mattress, no matter how firm or soft.
The TEMPUR-Adapt Topper by Tempur-Pedic is made with the company’s TEMPUR Material, which has impressive pressure-relieving benefits and close contouring. This memory foam is designed to respond to your body weight, shape, and temperature to keep you aligned all night. According to the company, TEMPUR Material also sleeps cooler than traditional memory foam.
The topper features corner straps that create a secure, no-slip attachment to your mattress. It also comes with a breathable, stretch-knit cover that can be zipped off for easy cleaning. The cover is also resistant to dust mites and allergens, and it’s moisture-wicking, too.
If you’re looking to improve the feel of your mattress with the most luxurious topper available, we recommend the TEMPUR-Adapt. It’s made with 3” of TEMPUR foam, which is supportive yet pressure-relieving. The TEMPUR-Adapt comes with free shipping and a 10-year limited warranty.
What our testers say: “Tempur-Pedic is one of the pioneers of the memory foam mattress. If you’re a budget shopper, their price points might be a little high for you, so why not try their mattress topper instead? It has the same soft, slow-moving feel of the mattress at a fraction of the cost.” – Becca Fair, Lead Accessories Tester
Read our TEMPUR-Adapt Mattress Topper Review to learn more.
The Nest Alexander Cooling Topper has a Soft to Medium Soft firmness setting, making it ideal for side sleepers and lightweight sleepers who want pressure relief. It also works well for average-weight sleepers who are sleeping on a mattress that’s too firm for their taste. However, all sleeper types will rest a little cooler with the addition of this topper. If you’re a heavier-weight sleeper (more than 230 pounds), you’re unlikely to feel a significant change in the comfort of your mattress due to the firmness setting and 2” thickness of this topper, and we recommend looking for a Medium or Medium Firm topper instead.
The Nest topper is not only plush, but cooling, and this is where other memory foam toppers often miss the mark. While it doesn’t have the same “hugged” feel as typical memory foam, the Nest does offer the same contouring and pressure-relieving qualities that memory foam lovers enjoy.
Think of it as an alternative to latex, which is a little more buoyant than memory foam (you get the sensation you’re “on” the mattress instead of “in” it), with similar responsiveness and durability. The two-inch topper has straps in all four corners to keep it in place, and it’s made with CertiPUR-certified foams.
The Nest Bedding Cooling topper, not surprisingly, sleeps extremely cool. With phase change material in its cover, this topper regulates body heat throughout the night. Its Energex Foam technology assists with moisture-wicking and breathability. The Nest also includes corner straps, which are great for keeping the topper in place, so between this and the endless comfort provided by the two inches of foam, you should sleep without worry. Side sleepers and lightweight sleepers of all sleeping positions should enjoy using this topper; they should find the right balance of cushioning and support for their body weight and sleeping preferences. For this topper, Nest offers a 30-night sleep trial and a limited two-year warranty.
What our testers say: “The Nest Alexander Cooling Topper has a Soft to Medium Soft firmness setting, making it ideal for side sleepers and lightweight sleepers who want pressure relief. It also works well for average-weight sleepers who are sleeping on a mattress that’s too firm for their taste. ” – Becca Fair, Lead Accessories Tester
Read our full Nest Bedding Cooling Topper Review to learn more.
Mattress toppers, mattress pads, and even mattress protectors are often confused with one another. While all three are additions to an existing mattress, they each serve a specific purpose, so it’s important to be able to distinguish between them.
All in all, mattress toppers are best for sleepers who want to change the comfort level of their bed. Mattress pads and mattress protectors are best for people who want to alter their bed slightly and protect it.
Mattress toppers are available in all different sizes, constructions, and materials. Each material type has unique benefits and drawbacks. To help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of memory foam compared to the other types, here’s an overview of the types of mattress toppers.
Here are some important considerations to take into account when shopping for a memory foam topper.
It depends on your sleep preferences and body type. Most mattress toppers are between 2″ and 6″. The thicker toppers (6″) do well for people with heavier bodyweights who need a lot of room to sink into the memory foam. Around 4″ will accommodate most sleepers looking to breathe new life into an old mattress. The thinner toppers (2″) do well for lightweight sleepers (less than 130 lbs) or people who simply want to add a touch of comfort to their bed.
Memory foam is a very common material for mattress toppers, and for good reason. It provides good pressure relief (an important factor for side sleepers) and motion isolation. Some toppers utilize natural latex, which can be a bit more expensive than memory foam. It tends to be worse for motion isolation, but is naturally cooling and hypoallergenic.
The right memory foam topper for you will come down to your firmness preferences, goals, budget, and sleeping position. We recommend starting with your budget and narrowing down your options from there. If you simply want the best memory foam mattress topper available and aren’t hindered by cost, go with the TEMPUR-Adapt. Opt for the Layla topper if you prefer a soft, cradling feel. For budget shoppers, the Lucid topper is an excellent choice.
