Memory Foam Mattress Toppers

Traditional memory foam has a creamy color and sponge-like texture. It responds to the pressure of your body and changes shape as you move. Traditional memory foam tends to retain heat, which provides additional warmth in cold climates.

This type of topper adds gel to standard memory foam. The gel is designed to let body heat escape, keeping you cooler as you sleep. Gel toppers are usually no more than 4 inches thick, and they are available with flat surfaces or sculptured egg-crate surfaces. The gel in these toppers usually gives the product a blue or marbled-like color. Gel foam is slightly firmer than traditional memory foam, which provides more support.

Latex foam is similar to standard memory foam, but it has a few important differences. While standard memory foam is a man-made material, some latex toppers are made entirely from natural, renewable sources. Latex is also naturally hypoallergenic, which is helpful if you suffer from allergies. Latex foam is usually more compact than memory foam, so it's easy to store if you choose not to use the topper for a while. Lastly, latex foam tends to mold to your body almost instantly, while traditional memory foam can take a minute or more to change shape. Latex toppers are not recommended if you have a latex allergy.

This topper type infuses bamboo charcoal into traditional memory foam to reduce odor and to help regulate your body temperature. Bamboo charcoal, which is naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, can help provide a barrier against dust mites and pet dander. Just like other memory foam options, bamboo charcoal toppers mold to your body and provide extra support.

Memory foam toppers range in thickness from 1.5 inches to 5 inches. The most ideal choice of thickness depends on the condition of your mattress. An older mattress with indentations benefits from a thickness of at least 3 inches. For a newer mattress or one that already has a built-in pillow top, a thickness of 2 inches may be sufficient. Sleeping on an extremely firm mattress can result in excess pressure on your hips and joints, and a topper that's 3 to 4 inches thick may provide relief.

If you tend to overheat as you sleep on your current mattress, a cooling memory foam topper may help regulate your body temperature. Toppers with sculptured or ventilated surfaces allow air to circulate more freely, keeping you cool in the night. Some toppers add gel to disperse heat, and some toppers employ a moisture-wicking cover to pull away sweat.

When your existing mattress starts to feel uncomfortable, your first inclination may be to shop for a replacement. However, a memory foam topper can extend the life of your mattress by providing the support your mattress no longer offers. A topper also helps even out the depressions that can develop in older mattresses.

There can be many reasons you don't sleep as well as you should, and a restless sleeping partner is often at the top of the list. Memory foam conforms to your body and doesn't shift much when the person next to you turns. As a result, memory foam limits the amount of motion transfer you feel when your partner turns over, preventing you from being disturbed during a night of tossing and turning.