The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Mattress Topper


A mattress topper is a removable, cushioning layer placed on top of your existing mattress to enhance comfort, alter firmness, and extend the lifespan of your bed. If you want to revitalize an old mattress, soften a firm one, or protect a new purchase without buying a whole new bed, a mattress topper is a highly effective, budget-friendly solution.
At Now To Bed, we know that a great night’s sleep is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. This guide will help you easily identify the exact thickness, material, and style of topper you need for your perfect sleep setup.


Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know

  • Purpose: Toppers adjust the feel of your bed, relieve pressure points, and prolong mattress life.
  • Thickness: Choose a 5cm topper for a slight tweak, a 7.5cm topper for balanced comfort, or a 10cm topper to drastically soften a firm/older bed.
  • Cooling: Choose Gel, Latex, or Wool if you are a hot sleeper.
  • Pain Relief: Memory Foam is the best material for joint pain and pressure relief.



Do I Need a Mattress Topper?

Before deciding which topper to buy, it helps to understand why you need one. You should consider adding a mattress topper if you are experiencing any of the following:

  • Your Mattress is Too Firm: If your current bed is causing joint pain or stiffness, a soft mattress topper will provide the pressure-relieving elasticity your body needs to fully relax, while the firm mattress beneath continues to offer core support.
  • Your Mattress is Old: As mattresses age, they lose support and become uncomfortable. A thick, dense topper is an excellent temporary fix to restore comfort until you are ready to invest in a new mattress.
  • Your Mattress is Brand New: Adding a topper to a new bed immediately protects the surface from dust and stains while evenly distributing your body weight. This drastically limits the denting and sagging that naturally occurs over time.
  • You Dislike the Material: If you aren’t happy with the feel of your mattress (e.g., traditional springs), a topper allows you to change the sleeping surface to something completely different, like memory foam or natural wool.

How Thick Should a Mattress Topper Be?



Mattress topper depths generally range from 5cm to 10cm (2 to 4 inches). The thickness you choose dictates how much it will change the feel of your bed:

  • 5cm (2-Inch) Toppers - Subtle Comfort: Best if your mattress is in good condition but you want a slight comfort tweak. This will not drastically alter the feel of your bed.
  • 7.5cm (3-Inch) Toppers - The Sweet Spot: This is the safest middle-ground and our most popular depth. It provides a highly accommodating layer of cushioning without entirely losing the feel of the mattress underneath.
  • 10cm (4-Inch) Toppers - Maximum Transformation: Ideal for side sleepers, heavier individuals, or those looking to rescue a worn-out, rock-hard bed. A thick 10cm topper made of a cradling material will effectively transform a hard surface into a cloud.

Mattress Topper Materials Explained: Pros & Cons


The filling of your topper determines how it regulates temperature, supports your spine, and triggers (or prevents) allergies. Here is a breakdown of the best mattress topper materials:
1. Memory Foam Mattress Toppers

  • Best For: Joint pain, pressure relief, and side sleepers.
  • How it Works: Made from a polyurethane blend, memory foam reacts to body heat to mold exactly to your shape, providing a "cradled" feeling that prevents muscle pain.
  • Pros: Unrivalled support, retains its shape, no plumping required.
  • Cons: Can retain body heat 

2. Gel Mattress Toppers

  • Best For: Hot sleepers who want the benefits of memory foam.
  • How it Works: Similar to memory foam, but the internal pockets are infused with a cooling gel solution that actively regulates and reduces temperature.
  • Pros: Cool to the touch, highly supportive, pressure-relieving.

3. Latex Mattress Toppers

  • Best For: Allergy sufferers and eco-conscious shoppers.
  • How it Works: Derived from the sap of rubber trees, latex has natural bounce and elasticity. Its open-cell structure allows for immense air circulation.
  • Pros: Naturally hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, highly durable, breathable, and an eco-friendly/sustainable resource.

4. Wool Mattress Toppers

  • Best For: All-season temperature regulation.
  • How it Works: Wool is a natural insulator. Its hygroscopic properties wick away moisture, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
  • Pros: 100% natural, highly breathable, sustainable, and biodegradable.
  • Cons: Requires occasional plumping to maintain its shape.

5. Down and Feather Mattress Toppers

  • Best For: A traditional, luxurious, cloud-like feel.
  • How it Works: Uses natural bird plumage. Down is the premium, ultra-light option, while feather is the firmer, more affordable alternative (hybrids are also very popular).
  • Pros: Exceptionally soft, lightweight, and gentle.
  • Cons: Requires regular re-fluffing to maintain its loft.

6. Synthetic (Polyester) Mattress Toppers

  • Best For: Strict budgets and severe allergies.
  • How it Works: Made from hypoallergenic synthetic fibers designed to mimic the feel of down.
  • Pros: Very affordable, easy to wash, great for allergy sufferers.
  • Cons: The shortest lifespan of all materials; tends to flatten out over time.

Adjusting to Your New Topper
If you have been sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress for years, your body has likely adapted to poor alignment. When you add a new, supportive topper, you may experience an adjustment period.
Expert Tip: Do not remove the topper! The transition period typically takes anywhere from a couple of nights to a month. Allow your body time to adjust to proper spinal alignment and newfound luxury.


Need Help Choosing? Ask the Experts at Now To Bed, you can call us on 01745 852877 or feel free to email us at [email protected]


There is no need to lose sleep over finding the right bedding. At Now To Bed, our sleep experts pride themselves on matching you with ethically sourced, affordable, and high-quality products tailored to your individual needs.

Written By Thomas Burnet.

Tom has 15 years experience working within Now To Bed. Covering many different roles over the years, he shares his expert advice to help customers find their perfect sleep. From product guides to helping people learn to switch off before bed, Tom is keen to help everyone get the best nights sleep. 

Approved by Neil Hodge, Psychologist.

Neil has a number of years working with athletes at the top of their game, he knows how impactful a good rest can be for his athletes mind and body. Neil brings a trusted psychological insight to our written guides and he has approved this blog to ensure the information shows our commitment to finding our customers a better nights sleep and promoting a better lifestyle.