Best mattress topper 2024: give an old mattress a new lease of life

The best mattress toppers make your old mattress softer, firmer, or generally more luxurious... here are our top picks

best mattress topper: Eve mattress topper on a mattress in a sunlit room
(Image credit: Eve)

The best mattress toppers of 2024 can dramatically increase the lifespan of that bumpy old mattress that's been keeping you up at night. If you're new to mattress toppers, they're a thick layer that sits on top of your existing mattress, held in place with elastic straps or an elasticated skirt.

In terms of materials and sleep surfaces, there's almost as much variety with mattress toppers as you'll find from the best mattresses. Some are filled with down, wool or synthetic stuffing to give a pillow-y feel. If you want to replicate the feel of one of today's best memory foam mattresses, you can pick a memory foam model. Some even feature springs, although that's pretty rare.

If your old mattress simply isn't just right, choosing a suitable mattress protector can get it back into the Goldilocks zone. Whether you want to firm up an unpleasantly soft setup or inject some comfort into a too-firm mattress, a mattress topper is the ideal solution, and typically much cheaper than a full mattress (although if you're on the fence about whether a new mattress might be a better idea, you should consult our cheap mattress deals roundup to compare what you can get for what price).

For this ranking, we've reviewed the best mattress toppers in terms of both quality and value, in one handy post. Read on for our top picks of 2024.

A quick PSA before we get into our picks: Toppers are not to be confused with the best mattress protectors. The latter are thinner layers that simply shield your mattress from spills and stains, and aren't designed to change the feel of the sleep surface.

Best mattress toppers 2024 ranking

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Eve mattress topper on a mattress in a white roomT3 Best Buy badge

(Image credit: Eve)
The best foam mattress topper available today

Specifications

Thickness: 5cm
Filling: Foam, polyester cover
Size: Single, Double, King, Super-King

Reasons to buy

+
Very comfortable and supportive
+
Hypoallergenic
+
Isolates movement 

Reasons to avoid

-
Will be too firm for some

The Eve mattress topper is designed to add a luxurious layer of comfort to your mattress. Beyond that, it also provides a generous helping of support. It’s made from 5cm of the same foam found in the company’s original mattress: there’s a 2cm open cell comfort layer, and a 3cm base foam layer for increased support. It also comes with a hypoallergenic, removable and machine-washable 100% polyester cover, which acts to increase its life.

This mattress topper comes with straps at both ends that hug your mattress, keeping it firmly in position as you sleep. The foam regulates your sleeping temperature, so you’ll stay cool throughout the night. It also serves to reduce motion transfer, which means you’ll notice less partner disturbance throughout the night. And its very breathable – in fact, Eve claims it’s around 30 times more breathable than traditional memory foam.

This is an expensive option compared to other products on this list. But overall we think it's the best mattress topper you can buy – head to our Eve mattress topper review to find out more. Or check out our Eve vs Panda mattress topper comparison to see how it compares to a softer, cheaper memory foam option.

John Lewis Soft Touch Dual Layer 6cm Deep Mattress TopperT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: John Lewis)

2. John Lewis Soft Touch Dual Layer 6cm Deep Mattress Topper

An affordable mattress topper that's ideal for a guest bed

Specifications

Thickness: 6cm
Filling: 100% polyester
Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King

Reasons to buy

+
Nice and soft
+
Top layer can be removed for washing
+
Wide range of sizes

Reasons to avoid

-
May require purchase of deep sheets
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You might prefer a natural material

The John Lewis Soft Touch Dual Layer 6cm Deep Mattress Topper is available in five sizes and comes with a two-year guarantee. The bottom layer of the topper provides support while the softer top layer adds comfort. That top layer is removable for washing, and tumble drying on a cool setting, and you can leave the base layer attached to the bed with its corner straps, which will fit a mattress up to 32cm deep.

For the price, this is an ideal mattress topper for occasional use – perhaps to pop onto a sofa bed to provide additional comfort when guests stay over. At the time of writing, this mattress topper has over 1,000 reviews at John Lewis with over 900 people rating it five stars, and having tried one at T3 we were also impressed.

Simba Hybrid mattress topper on a mattress, appearing to float against a grey backdropT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Simba)
The best hi-tech topper with springs and foam

Specifications

Thickness: 7cm
Filling: Foam, springs, latex
Size: Single, Small double, Double, King, Super king

Reasons to buy

+
Supportive springs
+
Cooling open-cell foam
+
Anti-slip base

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey

The Simba Hybrid mattress topper is almost like a mini-mattress in itself. This complex model includes four separate layers: a breathable top cover, a layer of synthetic latex, a layer of mini 20mm conical springs (in a polyester pocket), and a layer of zoned foam (called 'Simba-Pure'). There's also an anti-slip base to keep it securely in place on your bed. It's on the chunky side but not ridiculously thick at 7cm.

It's (understandably) pricey, there's always a chance you might be able to snag a Simba discount code to knock a bit off. Also note that this topper uses a lot of the same materials you'll find in Simba's mattresses (see our five-star Simba Hybrid Pro review for more on that) – so this could be a way of getting all that expertise for a much lower price than a whole new mattress. Want all the details? Take a look at our Simba Hybrid topper review.

Close up of Soak and Sleep Ultimate Soft as Down with Silk mattress topperT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Soak and Sleep)
The best thick mattress topper

Specifications

Thickness: 7cm
Filling: Silk and polyester
Size: Single, Double, King, Super-King

Reasons to buy

+
7cm thickness
+
Temperature regulating
+
Luxurious feel

Reasons to avoid

-
May require purchase of deep sheets

If you’re looking for a medium-firm mattress topper, here’s a design we’d highly recommend; especially if you tend to overheat at night. Soak and Sleep’s Ultimate Soft as Down with Silk Mattress Topper is filled with hollowfibre for a high level of comfort, while the top layer of breathable silk helps regulate your temperature as you sleep. Not to mention the generous 7cm thickness (ideal for masking lumps and bumps in an old mattress), a layer of mulberry silk inside to draw out moisture, and a 262 thread count-cotton casing. Head to our Soak&Sleep Soft as Down with Silk Mattress Topper review for more details.

Emma Diamond Degree Topper review

(Image credit: Emma)
The best luxury mattress topper

Specifications

Thickness: 9cm
Filling: Foam, polyester, lyocell, elastane & polypropylene
Size: Single, Double, King, Super-King

Reasons to buy

+
Luxurious memory foam
+
Thick and firm
+
Stays in place despite lack of handles

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey
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Runs a bit hot

The Emma Diamond Degree Topper is a truly luxurious mattress topper... which you can tell by the high price tag. Made of layers of firm foam, this topper moulds comfortably to the body in all sleep positions but doesn’t give you that sinking feeling that is synonymous with most memory foam mattresses.

Despite the lack of handles adhering itself to the mattress, the Emma Diamond Degree Topper doesn't move around while you're sleeping and the motion isolation is pretty impressive, too. The price will dissuade a few people and the temperature regulation could be better, but the Emma Diamond Degree Topper is a showstopping topper that provides a luxuriously comfortable night's sleep. See our full Emma Diamond Degree Topper review for more details.

Close up of John Lewis Hungarian Goose Down Mattress TopperT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

6. John Lewis Hungarian Goose Down Mattress Topper

A quality mattress protector with a machine-washable top

Specifications

Thickness: 5cm
Filling: 90% Hungarian Goose Down 10% Goose Feather
Size: Single, Double, King, Superking

Reasons to buy

+
Super comfy
+
Adjustable tightness
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Removable and machine washable top layer

Reasons to avoid

-
Not hypoallergenic 

If you want a mattress topper to keep you warm and snuggly when winter rolls around, then go for this Hungarian Goose Down Mattress Topper. It is extremely soft as well as supportive so it will help prolong the life of your mattress whilst bringing the added benefit of a bit of extra comfort. You can tighten or loosen this mattress topper with its adjustable buttons, meaning that you can have it nice and taught if you like a firmer mattress, or have it looser if you like a softer sleeping foundation. That's a great feature for anyone worried that adding a mattress topper to your bed might negate the benefits of your carefully selected mattress.

As an added bonus, the top layer is easily removable and machine washable. When you first get this mattress, give it time to air out and plump it up, as the feathers can become compressed when packaged. 

Panda the topper mattress topper on a wooden floor in a sunny roomT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Panda)
The best mattress topper for those who love a softer bed

Specifications

Thickness: 5cm
Filling: Gel Infused Memory Foam (Hydro-Foam)
Sizes: Small Double, Double, EU Double, EU Emperor, EU King, EU Single, King, Single, Super King

Reasons to buy

+
Cooling gel
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Orthapaedic support
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Hypoallergenic cover

Reasons to avoid

-
Will be too soft for some

The Panda Topper is ideal for those who like a softer sleep surface. The memory foam that fills this 5cm-thick mattress topper moulds to your body, making it good if you suffer with pain in your back, neck or joints. This filling is contained within a removable, washable and naturally hypoallergenic cover that’s made from bamboo, so it's good for allergy sufferers too. The foam is also punctuated with tiny capsules of cooling gel that should help prevent you overheating throughout the night (in practice, it still traps heat a little).

Finally, straps and an anti-slip layer keep you secure, even if you move around a lot in your sleep. All this, plus a generous 10-year guarantee, make this a very tempting buy indeed. Head to our Panda mattress topper review for more info, or see how it matches up against to our #1 pick in our Eve Topper vs Panda mattress topper comparison.

Close up of Silentnight Impress Memory Foam Mattress TopperT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Silentnight)

8. Silentnight Impress Memory Foam Mattress Topper

The best mattress topper for memory foam on a budget

Specifications

Thickness: 2.5cm (5cm also available)
Filling: Memory foam
Size: Single, Double, King

Reasons to buy

+
Supportive
+
Machine-washable cover
+
Low price

Reasons to avoid

-
There are better quality options

If you want to explore memory foam without shelling out a fortune, the Silentnight Impress could be the best mattress topper for you. Add it onto a spring mattress and this topper will mould to your shape to relieve any pressure on the muscles and deliver a soothing night’s sleep. It's available as a thinner 2.5cm or chunky 5cm version, and if you're worried about things getting too spongy, we'd recommend the former. This is cheaper than the other memory foam entries on our list, and some reviewers have had issues with it not lying quite flat. Also note that while it's listed as machine washable, this refers to the top cover that stretches over the foam layer.

The Wool Room Deluxe Wool Mattress TopperT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: The Wool Room)

9. The Wool Room Deluxe Wool Mattress Topper

The best natural-fibre mattress topper

Specifications

Thickness: 4-5cm
Filling: Wool
Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super-King

Reasons to buy

+
Ethical and eco-friendly
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Chemical-free
+
Luxury feel

Reasons to avoid

-
There are fancier options

If you tend to blow hot and cold in the night, a mattress topper made of wool is a great way to go... and here’s the best one we know of. The Wool Room’s Deluxe Wool Mattress Topper is hand-crafted from 1000gsm of ethically-sourced British wool, combined with an organic cotton outer cover, for a feeling of luxury and comfort. Sustainable, renewable and biodegradable, this natural fibre provides a safe and reliable way to regulate temperature, and has anti-allergy properties to boot. All in all, a quality product from a firm known for its excellent customer service. 

How to buy the best mattress topper

What do you need to consider when choosing a mattress topper? First look at what's inside it. As with pillows, mattress toppers come with a range of fillings. Memory foam toppers work well if you want something to mould to your body and provide custom support and pressure-relief. Synthetic fillings such as polyester, polyurethane and latex can be a great option if you suffer from allergies (although almost all of the best mattress toppers will offer a hypoallergenic certification).  

It's also about the level of comfort you're looking for. How firm your mattress should be depends partly on how you like to sleep – if you're lying on your back sleeper, you might want something firmer to support you under your hips and shoulders, while if you lie on your side, you might want a softer surface to avoid achy shoulders – but it's also a matter of personal preference. 

Finally, think about how thick you want your topper to be. To cover up rogue springs, the best mattress topper will be nice and thick – but go too deep and you might need to buy new sheets to fit. Now read on to discover the best mattress toppers to help you upgrade your sleep.

How we test mattress toppers

To create this guide, wherever possible we call in the mattress topper and our tester will spend at least a fortnight sleeping with it on their bed. They'll consider how it changes the feel of the sleep surface, how much padding it adds, how breathable it is (this is a particular focus if it's a memory foam mattress topper, as some can trap body heat) and whether it stays in place securely on the bed. We'll also consider the build quality, materials used and any notable special features. Specs, price and brand reputation also feed into our decision-making. Finally, we look at what other reviewers have said, to make sure we're not missing anything big. 

In the cases where we haven't been able to get hold of a product, but feel it's still worth considering, we research what other customers and reviewers have said, and combine that with our existing knowledge about what makes a great mattress topper to put together an informed blurb for you to base your decision off. 

Find out more about how we test at T3 here.

Bethan Girdler-Maslen
Home Editor

Beth is Home Editor for T3, looking after style, living and wellness. From the comfiest mattresses to what strange things you can cook in an air fryer, Beth covers sleep, yoga, smart home, coffee machines, grooming tools, fragrances, gardening and much more. If it's something that goes in your house, chances are Beth knows about it and has the latest reviews and recommendations!


Having always been passionate about writing, she’s written for websites, newspapers and magazines on a variety of topics, from jewellery and culture, to food and telecoms. You can find her work across numerous sites, including Wedding Ideas Magazine, Health & Wellbeing, The Bristol Post, Fashion & Style Directory, TechRadar, CreativeBloq and more. In her spare time, Beth enjoys running, reading, baking and attempting craft projects that will probably end in disaster!

With contributions from