For those looking to get a better night’s sleep, but don’t have the money in their budget for a brand new state of the art mattress, there is another solution: a Mattress Topper.
Mattress toppers are a comfy padded covering that can be easily fitted on top of the mattress they already have. There are a large variety of mattress toppers on the market today, so this article will serve to help consumers get the information they need before making a decision.
Lots of today’s mattress toppers have water-resistant outer shells, that can protect the topper and mattress from accidental spills. For consumers shopping for toppers for their children’s beds, this could be very important.
1. Memory Foam Toppers
The trendiest mattress type in today’s world is the memory foam topper. Memory foam mattresses can be very pricey, but a memory foam topper can feel almost the same as a mattress without breaking the bank.
Memory foam toppers are great for those with frequent musculoskeletal aches because they offer a firm but gentle support that the owner may not be getting from their mattress alone. A memory foam topper can help its owner achieve a better alignment of the spine while they sleep, which can mean more pain-free mornings. The memory foam toppers come in a variety of thickness, ranging from 1 inch to 4 inches. The foam can also be infused with a cooling gel material, which can keep you cooler if you live in a warm climate or are hot natured (menopausal).
Memory foam toppers aren’t right for everyone, though. One common complaint is that some brands come with an initial strong chemical smell and a small percentage of the population can be allergic to those chemicals. If the potential buyer has these types of allergies, they can ask the retailer about hypo-allergenic options in memory foam toppers.
If a buyer shares a bed with a partner that tosses and turns throughout the night, it can really cut into their own sleep. Memory foam is famous for absorbing movement and not letting it transfer to other partner’s side of the bed.
2. Wool Toppers
Though wool is often thought of being scratchy and uncomfortable, reviews from owners of wool mattress toppers suggest them as being one of the most comfortable kinds of toppers available.
The wool used in the mattress toppers will usually come from lambs, but a few manufacturers offer alpaca-sourced versions. The lamb’s wool toppers will typically need to be steam cleaned or dry cleaned as they are not machine-washable. The alpaca wool toppers are usually able to be machine washed without damaging the product.
Wool toppers have other benefits too. Bed bugs have become a growing problem for homeowners in the United States. Wool-based toppers repel bed bugs better than any other topper. These kinds of mattress toppers are also less likely to cause allergy issues with their users since they come from a natural source that is rarely allergenic.
The cons of buying a wool topper are few, but significant. Wool toppers can come with a hefty price tag and may not be an ideal choice for those who prefer a cooler environment while they sleep; like wool sweaters, they can get hot. You better shop for their imitation counterpart, but very common polyester fiber fill toppers or extra thick mattress protector.
3. Feather Toppers
Feather toppers are among the softest of all toppers. These types of mattress toppers are ideal for making a worn out spring mattress a much more comfortable place to rest.
Other than unrivaled comfiness, feather toppers don’t have much else to offer their buyers. They cause more allergy problems than any other topper mentioned in this article and give very little support. There is also some extra work involved each time you change your sheet to keep them fluffy and distributed evenly.
For individuals looking for something to ease their achy bones and joints, the feather mattress topper probably won’t make things any better. Because they are so soft, owners can find themselves sinking into the topper, rather than being supported by the topper.
Price ranges of feather mattress toppers will vary from brand to brand as well as the type and quality of feathers and how much down is used.
Another consideration is the heat factor. Feather toppers generally retain a lot of body heat, which can be nice on cold winter nights, but awful during summertime.
4. Egg crate Toppers
These toppers are made from a specific foam that classically maintains the shape of an egg carton.
Egg crate mattress toppers are one of the oldest methods of remedying an uncomfortable mattress and one of the cheapest.
As with most purchases, buyers tend to get what they pay for with egg crate foam toppers, but they do have a few pros. Since they are so cheap, consumers can buy multiple toppers to layer their comfort.
Egg crate mattress toppers can be easily stored or carried with their owners on over-night trips because they aren’t very bulky. Because of their spongy texture they can be squished down to a smaller size under pressure and resume their regular size when wanted.
Before starting to shop, consumers should consider their budget, allergy concerns, and the desired function of the new mattress topper, as well as the needs of their partner if they share a bed. And remember if your mattress is really old (7 – 10 yrs) and sagging, the topper is only a temporary remedy.