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Mattress Topper Buyer's Guide

The mattress toppers that are available for purchase nowadays allow you to easily change the feel of your mattress without having to purchase a more costly, new mattress altogether. For instance, if you decide to invest in a thicker and more plush mattress topper, your bed that was once rigid could be easily converted to a nicely cushioned bed. On the other hand, a firm mattress topper is a great investment if you have a bed that provides minimal support from years of use, but don’t want to spend the money on a whole new mattress. You can also use a new mattress topper to strategically alter the overall height of your mattress, thereby slowing down the usual wear and tear on your mattress if it had a lower height.

We'll now take a closer look at the different sizes of mattress toppers that are available to you, the varying thickness levels of mattress toppers, the specially designed materials in different mattress toppers, and the different kinds of covers that are available for mattress toppers. 

Visit our overall winning mattress topper pick, Elemuse Dual Layer Memory Foam Mattress Topper.

Specifications





Sizes

You’ll have the opportunity to purchase your new mattress topper in either a Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, or CA King-sized mattress topper. The Twin-sized mattress topper dimensions are 38 x 74 inches. The Twin XL-sized mattress topper dimensions are 38 x 80 inches. The Full-sized mattress topper dimensions are 54 x 75 inches. The Queen-sized mattress topper dimensions are 60 x 80 inches. The King-sized mattress topper dimensions are 76 x 80 inches. Lastly, the CA King-sized mattress topper dimensions are 72 x 84 inches. Make sure that your mattress topper is the same size as the rest of your bed. See our mattress topper recommendations based on size: King, Queen, Full, Twin.

Thickness

You can either opt for a 2”, 3”, or 4” mattress topper. To begin, a 2” mattress topper will provide a bit of added cushioning to an otherwise notably firm mattress, but you should note that for women over 165 pounds and men over 185 pounds, this thickness level will typically not be enough to make a difference. Thus, a 3” mattress topper will provide even greater cushioning, while helping add to the longevity of your mattress. Lastly, a 4” mattress topper is the ideal pick for anyone who is looking for exceptional cushioning, likes to sleep on their side, and tends to weigh more due to the uncompromising support that the mattress topper provides for any pressure points.

Material

When it comes to the material that you’ll be able to choose for your mattress topper, the most common choices are either gel-infused memory foam or traditional memory foam. While memory foam mattress toppers offer you reliable comfort and support (especially for side sleepers), some people are prone to overheating due to the memory foam mattress toppers heat retention abilities. So, a gel-infused memory foam mattress topper can serve as a great alternative, with its additional layer of built-in pure gel material that’s either placed on the upper or lower surface of the mattress topper. This specialized gel layer is able to offer the same plush feeling as that of a memory foam topper, but with the added benefit of exceptional heat dispersion. You can also consider a mattress topper with TEMPUR material, which is a great pick for anyone who is a back or side sleeper, finds their current mattress too firm, and wants great pressure relief without having to deal with a bed that ends up feeling too soft in the process. 

See our Top 10 Foam Mattress Topper recommendations here.

Cover

The mattress topper cover's purpose is to protect your mattress from any dirt, debris, spills, and allergens. While this can serve to help extend the overall lifespan of your mattress, you should note that the mattress topper cover isn't fully waterproof. When it comes to the care of your mattress topper cover, the majority of products available today are machine-washable, and generally require that you don’t use bleach and that you dry your mattress topper cover at a low temperature to avoid any shrinking.

FAQS



What's the difference between a mattress topper and a mattress cover/protector?

A mattress topper is a thick layer used to adjust the overall firmness/thickness and height of your bed, that is placed right on top of your mattress. The mattress protector is designed to be placed over your mattress topper and your mattress. The mattress protector will help minimize the frequency that you have to clean your mattress topper and protect it from any debris. 

How does the sizing work for mattress toppers?

You should check the exact dimensions that are provided for your mattress topper. It’s not uncommon for memory foam mattress topper companies to save on costs by making their mattress toppers slightly smaller than the size of the listed mattress. For instance, a memory foam mattress topper that’s advertised as “King Size” might end up being a couple of inches shorter than your actual King-sized mattress. You just want to be sure that the measurements that are provided guarantee that your mattress topper will completely cover your mattress.

How long do you have to wait to use your mattress topper?

Most mattress toppers will take around 48 hours to fully decompress after being taken out of the packaging. Additionally, many mattress toppers need a 48-hour window of time to properly "off-gas", which ensures that you don't deal with any unwanted smells from the mattress topper's packaging. 



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