7 Best Queen Mattress Toppers of 2023

Even the best mattresses are liable to offer less comfort and support as they age. Many sleepers may hesitate to buy a new mattress when this happens, particularly if they have a larger and more expensive queen mattress.

Here is where mattress toppers come into play. If your bed has developed some slight indentations or its original cushioning has gone flat, a topper can restore some of its original comfort. Mattress toppers come in various firmnesses, much like mattresses do. A queen mattress topper is a good way to increase your comfort on a budget.

A mattress topper is also a good choice for people who have changed their sleep styles. For example, a stomach sleeper who’s switched to side sleeping may find that their once comfy mattress now feels too firm. Finally, a topper is a helpful way to dress up a guest room bed or a thin queen mattress in a camper.

Our guide covers the best queen mattress toppers, along with their features, firmness, and prices.

Best Queen Mattress Toppers

Our top recommendation for a mattress topper is the Lift topper by Amerisleep. The Lift is our editor’s choice for its versatility, eco-friendly foams, and its relative affordability.

Amerisleep offers their 3-inch Lift topper in two firmness options. The Comfort Lift topper provides a soft feel, while the Support topper is designed to gently boost firmness. Both options include a soft and breathable fabric cover.

The Comfort topper is full of Amerisleep’s unique Bio-Pur® foam. While traditional memory foam is made entirely of synthetic chemicals, Bio-Pur® foam is a mix of plant-based material and petrochemicals. The result is a foam that’s more breathable and responsive than traditional memory foam.

The Support topper contains Affinity foam with HIVE® technology, a material used as transition foam in Amerisleep’s mattresses. The foam has hexagonal cutouts across the surface to establish five zones of targeted support.

In the shoulders and hips, the hexagons are farther apart to contour to these areas. Meanwhile, the head, torso, and feet sections have the cutouts closer together for less sinkage.

Which topper is right for you? Amerisleep recommends the Comfort Lift topper for side sleepers and combination sleepers, along with anyone who wants more cushion. The Support topper is recommended for back and stomach sleepers.

Amerisleep manufactures the Lift mattress topper in the U.S.A with CertiPUR-US® certified foams. CertiPUR-US® is a third-party organization that examines foam to check if it’s free of dangerous materials such as formaldehyde, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals.

A foam approved by CertiPUR-US® also has low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for fewer indoor air emissions. In other words, the foam experiences little to no off-gassing and should only have a temporary “new mattress” smell.

Both Amerisleep Lift toppers ship free and include a 5-year warranty.

The design of the Zoma Balance Pad provides great value, with a medium feel surface perfect for too-soft or too-firm mattresses. For most sleepers, the mix of support and comfort from the buoyant Reactiv foam™ feels just right. Couples who want to make sure their bed suits both partner’s sleep needs can benefit from using a Zoma Balance Pad.

Zoma focuses on engineering new sleep technologies and other restful innovations to promote deeper sleep and greater restoration. Their Reactiv™ foam is one of their many sleep innovations used to buoy the sleeper’s body in their mattresses. When used as a transition layer, Reactiv™ makes it easier to move across the surface and prevents spinal misalignment.

Reactiv™ foam is also certified by CertiPUR-US®, which we previously mentioned signifies the foam does not contain any potentially harmful materials. The certification also means the foam has low VOCs for minimal off-gassing and odor.

Encasing the Reactiv™ foam is Zoma’s AirCloth cover, a lightweight fabric made with polyester and elastic spandex. This ventilated mattress cover works to promote a cool-to-the-touch surface throughout the night.

The bottom of the topper has a non-skid fabric that keeps the Balance Pad in place. No need to worry about the topper slipping out from underneath you while resting.

The cover can be machine-washed on a delicate cycle with cold water and mild detergent. After washing it, hang it up to air-dry.

The Zoma Balance Pad is backed by a 5-year warranty.

SEE ALSO: Zoma Mattress Review

Gel memory foam toppers are common enough that it can be difficult to sort which ones are the best of the best. When it comes to a gel foam topper that can greatly improve the feel of any queen mattress, our choice is the Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper.

The memory foam that makes up the topper is quite dense, which increases the topper’s overall durability. If you want a topper that will last quite a number of years without losing comfort, Viscosoft delivers on long-lasting support at an affordable price.

The mattress topper comes in two thicknesses, either 3 inches or 4 inches. The average sleeper will be satisfied with the 3-inch topper giving their mattress a medium-firm feel. The 4-inch topper is good for taller or larger sleepers that want a touch more support from their bed.

To keep the topper in a good condition, you can slip off the cover fabric and give it a gentle wash. This cover fabric is also quite breathable to ensure nightly comfort, and it comes with a non-skid mesh base and elastic straps.

The Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper ships free and comes with a 90-day ‘money back’ guarantee and a 5-year warranty.

With its five zones of cutouts for targeted support, the GhostBed Memory Foam Topper is our top recommendation for people with back pain and similar ailments. It’s also a good choice for side sleepers who tend to wake up with stiff shoulders and sore hips.

Thanks to its heat-wicking cotton cover and the 3-inch core of plush gel memory foam, we also suggest the GhostBed Topper as a solution for hot sleepers.

While the topper has a soft feel from its gel foam construction, that doesn’t mean it’s unsupportive. The topper has ridges, grooves, and peaks across the surface that not only promote cooling airflow but provide customized pressure relief across the body.

The topper’s cover doesn’t just slip over the memory foam core. Instead, the fabric cover has deep pockets and is designed to wrap around both the topper and the mattress.

You can easily slip the cooling cover off and throw it in your washing machine when you want to clean it. GhostBed recommends spot cleaning the foam fill as needed with a wet cloth and a gentle detergent.

The gel memory foam mattress topper stays in place with the appropriately named GhostGrip elastic band. You receive a 5-year warranty with your purchase of the GhostBed Mattress Topper.

SEE ALSO: Best Egg Crate Mattress Toppers

Saatva is a brand many associate with luxury, and the Saatva Mattress Topper is no exception. Their toppers can add a touch of coolness, cushion, and bounce to your current mattress.

Saatva offers three types of toppers, all covered with a certified organic cotton cover. Shoppers can pick a 1.5-inch topper with high-density foam, a 1.5-inch natural latex topper, and a 3-inch memory foam topper with a graphite infusion. We have chosen to focus on the latex topper for our review for its resilient comfort.

Latex and memory foam share similarities; both materials tend to contour to the body for pressure relief. However, latex foam is typically considered a sturdier and cooler material than memory foam. There are two types of latex, Dunlop and Talalay. Saatva uses Talalay latex in their mattress topper because it has a more consistent feel than Dunlop does.

Saatva notes that orthopedists and chiropractors may suggest a latex topper to soothe neck, back, or hip pain. Latex is a good choice for pain relief because the material is responsive. It adapts to the body while buoying it and minimizing unwanted sinkage.

Anyone not satisfied with the Saatva Mattress Topper can return it within the first 45 days for a full refund. The topper is also backed by a 1-year limited warranty.

Do you have to soften up a too-firm mattress? Perhaps you just want to turn an already soft bed into an ultra-plush sleeping experience? In either case, we would recommend the Layla Mattress Topper.

The topper is 2 inches of copper-infused memory foam. Adding copper to memory foam increases its heat-wicking capabilities, promoting cool and undisturbed rest. However, copper does more than keep the surface cool.

Copper is also renowned for its antimicrobial properties. In other words, it serves as a barrier against nasty bacteria that could make you sick or even just stink up your bed. There’s peace of mind in knowing your mattress stays clean without any work on your part.

While the topper is designed to provide a plush cushion, it still possesses supportive features. The infused copper beads not only maintain a cool temperature but also firm up under pressure. This trait means that the topper will provide more support under the heavier parts of your body.

The Layla Mattress Topper comes with a 5-year warranty and a 120-night trial. Layla also lets you bundle this soft mattress topper with other bedding accessories.

The Bear Pro Topper is our final recommendation when it comes to queen size mattress toppers. Couples sharing a queen bed may often feel overly warm due to proximity with their partner. A cooling mattress topper can help them sleep without sweats or discomfort, and when it comes to coolness, it’s hard to beat the Bear Pro Topper.

The topper consists of copper-infused memory foam in a Celliant® cover. As a topper cover, Celliant® does more than just wick away heat, with the material converting heat into infrared energy. This infrared energy penetrates the body to boost local blood flow, improving a sleeper’s recovery rate.

We covered the benefits of copper-infused memory foam previously, mentioning how it not only maintains coolness but repels potentially harmful microbes. Copper can also provide a supportive feel, so the topper feels soft but not too soft.

The Bear Pro Topper comes with a 100-night sleep trial, though you must try the topper for at least 30 nights before you can request a refund. Bear’s topper also comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

Why Use a Topper?

A mattress’s topper’s essential function is to change a mattress’s feel and make it more comfortable and supportive. For example, people waking up with sore backs may purchase a mattress topper for back pain to establish a more supportive feel.

Many shoppers purchase a queen mattress topper because their current queen size mattress has grown uncomfortable, but they’re not ready to replace it. A mattress topper is considered a cost-effective way of increasing comfort without buying a new mattress.

Couples sharing a queen mattress might invest in a memory foam topper if their bed tends to bounce with their movements. An added layer of memory foam can make it easier for a person to move out of bed without disturbing their partner.

People may also select a mattress topper because they have a mattress that’s technically in good condition, but its feel doesn’t suit their sleeping style. For example, shoppers with a brand new RV mattress in their camper may use a topper to improve its feel.

Lastly, hot sleepers may choose to cover their bed with a cooling mattress topper to wick away body heat.

Some hosts may also just want to keep a topper around to give a mattress in a guest room a little bit of added luxury. This can help the mattress suit different sleepers without the trouble of investing in two separate beds.

In short, the benefits of a topper come down to altering firmness or improving the bed’s feel in another way.

When Should I Buy a Mattress Instead?

While a topper can restore a sagging mattress, it’s rarely a perfect and lasting solution. Sometimes, a shopper is better off with a new mattress instead of trying to salvage their old one.

We recommend replacing your mattress if you spot any of the following:

• Noticeable sagging or permanent dips in the surface, particularly if the sagging exceeds an inch
• Lumps or tears across the mattress
• Burst coils or creaking, squeaking sounds from the mattress

Replacing your mattress may also be a good idea if you repeatedly wake up sore or tired for seemingly no reason. Sleep deprivation and pain often signify that a mattress has gone bad.

A sagging mattress may also result if you pair the mattress with an improper bed frame. For a queen size mattress, you may want to consider a queen platform bed, a frame type that can support most types of mattresses.

SEE ALSO: How to Dispose and Get Rid of an Old Mattress

Toppers vs. Mattress Pads and Protectors

Mattress toppers are often confused with mattress pads and occasionally with mattress protectors. However, despite the fact that some mattress brands do call their toppers “pads,” there is a distinct difference between the three bedding items.

When it comes to mattress pads and toppers, a true mattress pad is basically a fitted sheet, while a topper is an add-on comfort layer. Pads are thinner than toppers, providing a quilted fabric top that can make a mattress feel softer. However, a mattress pad does not alter the bed’s feel as much as a topper would.

Meanwhile, mattress protectors, like mattress pads, are essentially fitted sheets. While a mattress pad adds a touch of softness to the bed, a mattress protector is often made of waterproof material. Protectors keep spills and other accidents from damaging your mattress, and many protectors have a tight weave meant to also keep allergens out.

While a topper technically can provide a barrier against allergens and other things you don’t want settling inside your mattress, that’s not its main purpose. Toppers are meant to increase comfort, not maintain a mattress’s condition.

It’s possible to pair one or even both of these items with a mattress topper. For example, a mattress pad can help keep a mattress topper from sliding out of place.

Sleepers who plan on using a topper with an adjustable bed will benefit from considering how a fitted sheet, pad, or protector keeps their topper in place as the base changes angles.

SEE ALSO: How to Keep Sheets on an Adjustable Bed

Cleaning a Mattress Topper

Often your mattress topper will come with a machine-washable cover that you can slip off and toss in the washer. However, it’s important to double-check this, as some topper covers are dry-cleaning only.

The fill, typically a foam core, should only be spot-cleaned for stains. While a queen topper may be able to fit inside a washing machine, running it through a wash cycle is likely to damage its materials.

SEE ALSO: The Meaning Behind All Laundry Care Symbols

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most comfortable mattress topper?

We can’t name a specific topper as the ultimate comfort experience because everyone has different sleep needs. For example, a stomach sleeper whose mattress has grown soft with use might benefit from a firm topper. However, a side sleeper with a too-firm mattress would likely prefer a soft topper for more pressure relief.

When it comes to choosing a comfortable mattress topper, we recommend focusing on the expected comfort and support, what cooling features it has, and its predicted durability. Reading customer reviews can give you an idea of how a topper will feel when you lie down and how it will stand up to extended use.

What is the best mattress topper for back pain?

The best mattress toppers for back pain contour to the back’s inward and outward curves for full spinal support. Many also feature targeted support, so there’s less give in the back area. Meanwhile, the shoulders and hips have cushioning they can sink into, promoting an ideal spine alignment.

Is a 2 or 3-inch mattress topper better?

It’s difficult to determine whether a 2-inch or 3-inch topper is better because both options can serve different kinds of sleepers. A 2-inch topper can be a good choice for budget shoppers and people who want to make a minor alteration to their mattress. A 3-inch topper is well-suited for sleepers who want to more significantly change their mattress’s feel.

Thickness isn’t all that determines a mattress topper’s feel. Material and design can also affect how a topper feels when you lie down.

What is the best mattress topper for hip pain?

A mattress topper for hip pain should be thick with a conforming surface. Hips are one of the heavier parts of the body, so a topper must provide room for sinkage to cushion the hips and relieve pressure points. We recommend memory foam, latex, and other cushioning materials such as fibers and down feathers.

What is the best mattress topper for shoulder pain?

Morning shoulder pain tends to happen because pressure points build up in that area. Side sleepers are particularly prone to waking up with sore shoulders because of how much pressure they place on their shoulders.

Softer, conforming surfaces tend to cradle the shoulders and offer a pressure-relieving cushion. A plush surface also lets a side sleeper’s torso sink in enough to maintain a healthy spine alignment. We recommend toppers with memory foam, latex, wool, cotton, and down fills.

Ready to Choose a Queen Mattress Topper?

A new mattress topper can be an excellent way to restore life to an aging queen size mattress. Whether you seek a cooler sleeping surface, a touch of extra cushion, or more support, a mattress topper can provide what you need.

Remember, though, that a topper is just a supplement to your mattress, so how it will feel is partially affected by the mattress itself. If your mattress is too old and unsupportive, you will probably be better off choosing a new mattress.