Memory Foam Mattress Topper Buying Guide

Is your worn-out mattress just not cutting it anymore? An easy way to avoid a costly mattress replacement is to buy a mattress topper. Adding a memory foam mattress topper can transform your run-of-the-mill mattress into a blissful, nighttime oasis. A good bed topper provides the comfort you crave while protecting your mattress from further wear and tear. This guide will walk you through the different types of memory foam, and the potential benefits of each, to help you uncover which memory foam mattress topper best fits your needs.

White eggcrate memory foam topper over a mattress on a white fabric upholstered bed with a tufted headboard

Traditional Memory Foam

This is probably what comes to mind when you think of memory foam. It’s spongy, creamy-looking, and delightfully soft. A memory foam mattress pad provides luxurious comfort and additional support for a great night’s sleep by responding to pressure, temperature, and movement. If you are looking for some extra cushion and warmth, this might be the best mattress topper for you.

Memory foam is usually compressed to assist in the shipping process. When your new memory foam mattress arrives, allow it to sit and rise for 72 hours so it can expand to its full, natural shape.

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Gel Memory Foam

Gel memory foam is similar to traditional except it is infused with gel particles, giving it a blue, or marbled, appearance. The gel increases support, meaning that you typically won’t sink into a gel mattress topper as easily as you would with regular memory foam.

Gel foam also keeps the bed topper cooler. It’s an ideal choice if you want the comfort of memory foam with some added support and less heat retention.

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A latex memory foam topper on a mattress, set on a brown bed inside a blue bedroom

Latex Foam

Although technically not memory foam, latex foam is even more durable than its spongy cousins. It springs back faster than memory foam and also has the distinction of being the most breathable, creating a cooler surface to sleep on.

A latex topper is typically more compact than memory foam, which makes it easier to store in a closet somewhere, or move when the time is right.

Latex boasts the additional benefit of being hypoallergenic. If you feel memory foam has too much give or are seeking relief from nighttime allergies, this option may be a good fit. However, if your allergies include an irritation to latex, you’ll probably want to skip this one.

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A quilted mattress protector, pulled back from a memory foam mattress topper and mattress on a weathered wood bed with a slatted headboard

Why Buy a Foam Mattress Topper?

There are many reasons to take the plunge into memory foam. For one, it protects your mattress from further wear and tear, effectively extending its life and saving you money in the process. A memory foam topper can also prevent and relieve back pain, as well as improve circulation as it conforms to your body. It makes for an all-around more satisfying sleep that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Memory foam is also a smart choice for those sensitive to allergens, as it happens to be resistant to mildew and dust mites.

Finally, if your partner is a restless sleeper who tosses and turns all night, there’s still hope. Thanks to the unique nature of memory foam, motion transfer is limited throughout the mattress topper. But don’t take our word for it — check out individual mattress topper reviews to see what others loved about their new memory foam bedding.

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