What is a Mattress Topper?


You’ve bought the perfect mattress, but you’re looking for a little something to put it over the top. You love the comfort of the mattress, but it isn’t quite on the same level as a fluffy cloud or a bed of feathers so what should you do?

There are all sorts of ways that you can make a mattress even more comfortable than it already is. Try adding a mattress topper to the mix and see if that makes a difference for you. It can take your comfy bed to a new level of restful bliss!

What is a Mattress Topper?

girl asking what's the difference percale vs sateenNow, you may be thinking that mattress toppers and mattress pads are interchangeable, and some companies use the terms interchangeably. However, they are not actually the same thing. A mattress pad is a thin material that typically just protect your mattress from moisture or dust mites, bacteria or dead skin cells.

A mattress topper is a thick, comforting layer of material that is designed to add comfort or support to your mattress.

Mattress toppers are made from a wide range of items. The point is to add comfort and there are many different materials that are capable of accomplishing that goal.

What are Mattress Toppers Filled With?

The material of the topper could make or break your experience with it. So it is important to do your research and read the tag closely before making any purchasing decisions.

Memory Foam: Given the memory foam popularity in the world of sleeping material, that has been a common material for mattress toppers. It can add a layer of support, especially if you use a spring coil bed.

Memory foam is a material that people are already familiar with. They know that it is durable and has very little chance of causing allergic reactions for you while you sleep.

Gel Memory Foam: If you are a person who runs hot while sleeping, then memory foam may exacerbate that. Memory gel foam is a cooler material and may be a better option if you tend to overheat.

photo explanation of the WonderSleep Adjustable Loft Hypoallergenic PillowEither gel or regular memory foam are difficult to benefit from when used on a soft mattress. However, if your mattress is firm or hard then you will probably benefit greatly from a memory foam mattress topper. It will provide support but also comfort you greatly, so it is highly recommended!

Latex Mattress Toppers: Latex mattress toppers tend to be a better alternative to memory foam or gel because they do not run as hot as either material. Latex also holds its form a little better than the memory materials, so it is less likely to cave in on you as you sleep on it.

Cotton Mattress Toppers: Cotton is also commonly used, but it is not always alone inside of your mattress topper. Often times, cotton is mixed with other materials and if someone has allergies, it can cause allergic reactions.

If you have severe allergies, then this may not be the best material for you. You should consider hypoallergenic sheets instead.

Organic Mattress Topper: There are more organic materials that can be used such as bamboo, although it is not as common of a material. Organic fabrics can be more expensive, but depending on your needs it may be worth it.

Bamboo mattress toppers are hypoallergenic and won’t cause any allergic reactions. It also doesn’t retain much heat, so it can have a cooling effect on those who run hot in their sleep.

Feathers: One of the most sought-after materials in a mattress topper are feathers! Feathers are a durable material and gentle on the body, so they provide both support and comfort.

The problem with a feather mattress topper is that larger feathers might have quills that will pierce through the covering. This will cause the feathers to poke you and feel uncomfortable, so you have to pay the extra money for a feather-filled topper that only uses really small and delicate feathers.

Down Filled Mattress Topper: If the feathers don’t quite do it for you, then try the most sought after filling material for mattress toppers!

Down is a softer material than feathers and it doesn’t deal with the issue of quills. Body down is a type of feather that is smaller than normal feathers and exists underneath the main outer feathers on a bird. It looks like tiny puffs of feathers and not a quill in sight!

Down is a common filling material and it is sought after because of the level of comfort that it provides.

Now, feathers and down are both extremely comfortable materials to seek out in your topper but they can present two major challenges.

Firstly, these are materials with a high risk for allergic reactions. If you are a person with severe allergies, then these are materials that you should likely steer clear from.

Aside from being common allergens, these materials are also known to be extremely soft. If used on a soft mattress, there can be a lot of wear and tear on the mattress topper. These two materials are much better utilized on something more firm.

Why Get a Mattress Topper?

You might be asking why it is important to add something comfy to your mattress rather than just being happy with the comfort of the mattress itself.

Well, the answer to that one is easy! If you need back support while you sleep, you should get the most support. If you need more comfort while you sleep, you should get the most comfort. Why settle for anything less?

The average person spends about one third of their life sleeping, and that is a lot of time.

Why would you settle for spending all of that time settling for the minimal level of comfort and support that you need to sleep well? The purpose of a mattress topper is to take that comfort from minimal to maximum possibility, so stop wasting time settling and take your REM cycle up a notch!