Best mattress toppers – cushioning layers for your comfiest sleep yet

There are many reasons you might want to add one of the best mattress toppers on the market to your current sleep set-up. Perhaps you want to prolong the life of your current mattress by adding an extra layer of support, maybe you have a mattress that isn’t cutting it in the comfort stakes and you want an additional layer of cushioning, or maybe your current mattress is causing you to overheat and you’re looking for one of the best cooling mattress toppers to add some extra breathability. 

Either way, adding a mattress topper to your bed can be a good way to get a better night's sleep without having to invest in a brand-new mattress, which we know can be a costly expense. A mattress topper can also be a fantastic way to up the comfort levels on a sofa bed, both protecting your seating, and adding an often much-needed layer of cushioning to help overnight guests sleep happier.

As such we've rounded up some of the best options on the market and our sleep review team has tried and tested bestselling mattress toppers from the likes of Simba, Silentnight, Panda, and more, ranking them in terms of comfort, breathability, performance, and price for this guide. 

Read on to find out which toppers scored the best in our tests, and if a mattress topper is the right choice for you. And, of course, if you do think it might be time for a full-on mattress upgrade instead, then our dedicated shopping guide will help you to find the best mattress for your needs.

Best mattress toppers

We're big fans of the Simba Hybrid Mattress so it's perhaps no surprise that we like the brand's hybrid mattress topper, too. 

It may be the most expensive topper on this list, but this mattress topper differs from most others on the market in that it combines actual coil springs as well as a memory foam layer. Simba has essentially created a thinner four-layer version of its bestselling mattress, which results in one of the most robust and supportive toppers we've tested and makes this topper the most capable of overhauling your sleep set-up without a full mattress replacement.

It's a great choice for those looking to upgrade a mattress that has started to sag or lose structure, or for adding proper support and cushioning to a sofa bed. The memory foam upper will also help to add cushioning to a firmer mattress and reduce motion transfer between sleeping partners.

The jury is split on the topper's breathability claims, with one tester finding they slept cooler, but other self-described 'hot sleepers' saying they didn't notice much relief. However, the antislip base and straps are well worth a mention. Most mattress toppers are attached by straps, but in our experience, they're prone to pinging off. The Simba Hybrid Topper straps stayed firm in our testing, but even if they hadn't, the topper was going nowhere thanks to its anti-slip base.

All in all, our only gripe is the price, but, you do get what you pay for after all. If this is the only thing putting you off, too, then it's worth checking out Simba discount codes to try and nab a deal.

If you have a too-firm mattress or your not-so-comfy sofa bed leaves overnight guests a little nonplussed, then this memory foam mattress topper could be just what you need to add some additional cushioning. 

At 5cm-thick, it’s not the chunkiest topper out there, but it is made of pure memory foam and we think side sleepers especially will appreciate how pressure points (hips and shoulders) sink into the topper for cushioned support.

Panda claims the mattress topper's 'gel-infused technology' reacts to your body temperature and keeps you cool, and whilst we can't speak on the science wizardry, our seasoned sleep testers definitely found it slept cooler than many memory foam mattresses – there was no flailing around in a sticky mess at 3am here. 

Added benefits include the machine washable cover (at 30 degrees) and the silky soft feel of the bamboo cover. The only negative point our reviewer experienced was that the topper slid down to the end of the bed after a week's use, despite the elastic straps on the corner and silicone base of the cover that’s supposed to stop movement. However, the mattress it was tested on was 30cm deep, so if your mattress is the more standard 25cm or below it should stay in place. 

If you're looking for an affordable way to make your bed a little warmer on cold nights, then Silentnight's Heat Genie Self-Heating mattress topper could well fit the bill. 

Self-heating though... how does that work?! Well, this mattress topper is designed to reflect the sleeper's own body heat back towards them, with a 3-layer construction that includes heat-reflecting foil, a thermal lining, and a quilted top.

We have to admit, our first thoughts were that this sounded like it was going to end in one big sweaty mess come bedtime, but our brave reviewer put the Heat Genie to the test (admittedly in a very cold bedroom) and had only positive things to say about its performance, noticing a definite difference in overnight warmth. Thankfully there was also far less rustling than that heat-reflecting foil led us to envisage. 

Based on wider customer reviews, we'd say it's likely that this topper's success or failure is largely determined by how much body heat each individual emits – with self-proclaimed 'cold people' finding it less successful than those who assigned themselves as 'average' body warmth. And, at 3cm deep, there isn't a lot of cushioning to this microfibre mattress topper, but then that isn't its main selling point. 

Overall, if you want to add some extra warmth to the bed without the additional energy use and complication of cables that even the best electric blankets can't completely eliminate, then we think this mattress topper is well worth a try, especially considering its affordable price tag.

If you often wake up too hot or struggle to regulate your temperature at night, then adding this cooling mattress topper to your bed could result in less night sweats. And, for under £50.

Thanks to an ‘airmesh’ side panel that increases circulation in and around the bed as you sleep, this hollowfibre topper has air pockets to keep you cool on hot nights – ideal for the increase in heat waves happening over the UK this year. That's teamed with a breathable microfibre cover, that’s machine washable might we add. Although, it’s worth addressing that Silentnight’s airmax topper is solely aimed at air-flow control, so don’t expect its synthetic construction to do wonders for spinal support.

Silentnight hardly kept it cool with their bold claims to breathability, so we couldn't wait to put this hot-sleep solution to the test. In fact, we reviewed this product in June, during a warm weather spell, and found it to be both cosy and cool. Interesting right? Well, the fluffy feel of hollowfibre paired with the airy tech of this topper meant feeling cool and crisp didn't have to compromise on cuddly.

This wool mattress topper is a winner in the comfort department. In fact, we think it’d be a great winter addition to your bed. Need to soften up your new mattress or add a layer for extra warmth? Well, this topper has all the benefits of wool… It is more expensive than most, but in this case, you’re paying for quality.

This wool is eco-conscious, with a traceability programme that lets you know where your wool has come from. It's also naturally hypoallergenic, dust-mite resistant, and completely machine washable. So if you’re an eco-conscious allergy-sufferer, there’s no worry there. Not forgetting it’s super soft to the touch. It may be thinner than memory foam or even goose-down, but that’s because it’s meant as a light layer (note that it may flatten slightly over time, but nothing that a quick zhuzh can’t solve). 

Our reviewer can vouch for wool’s thermo-regulating properties. Filled with springy DuPont™ Serica® fibres, which are designed to respond to body temperature, we found sleeping conditions to remain just right, all night long. There was no sign of recurring allergies either, which in turn led to a relatively snore-free night. Though whilst this topper is great for a number of things, it isn't best for back aches. But if a soft layer of comfort is what you’re after, look no further. 

A down mattress topper is a great way to add a little luxury and upgrade your sleep setup. 

With this DUSK mattress topper, you can transform your sleep surface from uncomfortable and uncompromising to plush and luxurious. In fact, you’ll be able to recreate a boutique hotel experience, with that extra quilted cushioning. Add it to a mattress that’s near to needing replacing or pop it on top of one that you just can’t seem to get along with. But, as with the other comfort enhancers on this list, just don't expect it to be ideal if you need a firmer support layer. 

Whilst down fill claims to be temperature regulating, our reviewer found this topper a little warm in hot summer temperatures, but we think it makes a great addition to winter bedding. After all, who doesn't love some extra cosiness during the Christmas season? They also loved that it comes in a handy carry case that makes it practical to store until then. 

John Lewis & Partners bedding is loved by many for its understated quality, and this synthetic Soft Touch mattress topper is no different. 

It may be one of the most affordable on the market, but that doesn't mean there's any sacrifice on quality or feel. In fact, this best-selling mattress topper is complimented for its soft-to-the-touch feel and fabric that’s firm and thick enough at 6cm deep to rescue you from aches and pains in the night. 

Upgrading your bedding game for under £100? Impressive! Since it’s synthetic, it’ll work well for those with allergies too, as well as being easy to care for with a quick machine wash and dry. Though there’s one thing we’ve got to warn about. Some reviews mentioned slight bobbling or snagging to their quilted cover after a few washes. So great for the short term, but if a durable solution is what you’re after, you might want to look elsewhere. 

How we sourced the best mattress toppers 

Linda Clayton

Linda is our freelance writer and has tested out a number of these mattress toppers, including the Silentnight, Soak and Sleep and Panda options. Mainly, she loves the Panda Topper and agrees it’s super supportive. ‘The bamboo topper is a great cooling pad that also offers fantastic comfort levels. It’s bang-on if you’re looking to breathe new life into your mattress, or want to switch to memory foam but can’t afford a mattress.

Lindsey Davis

Having tested all our the Simba bedding range, and being a total super-fan of the Simba Hybrid duvet (oh, and the pillow too), Lindsey couldn't wait to sleep on top of their topper. Her verdict? 'While I differed from the hot-sleeper who also gave it a go, I loved the balance between breathability and support the hybrid mattress topper gave to my current pocket-spring mattress. It's a combo of springs and foam that makes it more than a cut above the rest'. 

Louise Oliphant

Louise is Ideal Home's ecommerce writer, specialising in sleep content. As an advocate for getting your beauty sleep, she's a lover of DUSK Supreme goose-down topper. 'The DUSK topper is the easiest way to take your bed from bland to boutique, and there's nothing like a hotel-standard sleep. I have a near-to-new mattress that I've been finding a little too hard, and the cushioning of the goose-down has added the soft layer that I needed.'