The Best Soft Mattress Toppers for Comfortable Sleep
Dec 14th, 2022 •
All mattress toppers add comfort but finding one that’s perfect for you is an art. If softness is your priority, the material is your most important factor to consider. With that said, your idea of soft comes down to you and what you find to be the coziest. From gel foam to down alternative and everything in between, options abound in our top picks.
Below, we share our top picks for the best soft mattress toppers and each one has a little something different to offer. Would you rather stick to one material or are you drawn to a combination? Is keeping cool a priority for you as you recharge? These are a couple of the questions you’ll want to ask yourself as you peruse this niche of mattress accessories. Keep reading to learn more about our top picks for best soft mattress toppers.
Best Soft Mattress Toppers
- Best Luxury Soft Mattress Topper – ViscoSoft
- Best Cooling Soft Mattress Topper – Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Topper
- Best Value Soft Mattress Topper – Sleep Innovations
- Best Overall Soft Mattress Topper – LUCID Gel Mattress Topper
ViscoSoft
Best Luxury Soft Mattress Topper
The ViscoSoft 4 Inch Pillow Top Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper is our ultimate choice in coziness and quality. It is made from a combination of gel memory foam and fluffy down alternative.
These two comfier-than-can-be materials make this product more like a hybrid of a mattress topper and mattress pad combined. It’s hard to find a product that surpasses the level of conformity that this gel memory-based option provides. This top-rated item goes above and beyond, relieving pressure and preventing back problems. Standing at four inches, this mattress topper is an overachiever that will help you experience your best night’s sleep. Simply remove its cover pad for the easiest washing process possible.
Pros:
- Memory gel helps with pressure distribution to reduce sleep-related pain
- Reduces motion transfer
- Machine washable cover
Cons:
- Most expensive option on this list
Sleep Innovations
Best Value Soft Mattress Topper
The 4-inch Dual Layer Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper by Sleep Innovations has enough pros to make anyone catch Z’s.
Discounted for a limited time, this mattress topper is an incredible value for all of the features that it has to give. Gel memory foam draws away unwanted heat and creates more cooling- guaranteeing a restful slumber every time. Working with the gel material is the addition of a quilted fiber fill that adds a pillowy softness and pleasing texture. All this and the promise of a convenient set-up with a secure fit puts this product at the top of our list.
Pros:
- Very low price considering the high quality materials
- Well-suited for heavier people
- Machine washable cover
Cons:
- The gel memory foam may provide a firmer feel than non-memory foam toppers
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Topper
Best Cooling Soft Mattress Topper
The Tempur-Adapt topper puts three inches of body-cradling memory foam between you and your mattress for a softer, more forgiving night of sleep.
It’s an excellent option for those with overly firm mattresses who are seeking a little relief for hips, shoulders, and joints. It’s also good for those who tend to sweat through the night—some memory foam can trap body warmth but the Tempur-Adapt’s plush material was designed with ventilation and heat resistance in mind so you can sleep cooler. The Tempur-Adapt comes with a removable and washable cover, so it’s easy to clean and maintain, and a stretch skirt construction that attaches easily to most mattresses.
Pros:
- Machine washable
- Sleeps cool
- High-quality foam
Cons:
- Pricier than some toppers
LUCID Gel Mattress Topper
Best Overall Soft Mattress Topper
The Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper is another great one to add to our list of soft toppers. This item also contains the ever-popular gel foam, which gives your body a comforting hug.
What sets the Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper apart is its ventilated design; the gel memory make-up of this product has a built-in ventilation system that helps air flow freely. Because of this technology, this mattress topper offers next-level breathability and cooling properties, which not only keeps you comfortable but also keeps your topper clean and long-lasting.
Pros:
- Sleeps cool
- Contours to body shape to provide excellent spinal support
- Inexpensive price
Cons:
- Not machine washable, and no machine washable cover. Needs to be hand cleaned as necessary.
What is a Soft Mattress Topper?
A soft mattress topper is one of many potential mattress accessories to help improve your sleep quality. Mattress toppers in general can help lengthen the life of an aging, less comfortable mattress, but soft mattress toppers can be useful even with new mattresses.
Related: Best soft mattresses
If you’ve accidentally bought a mattress that’s far too firm for your liking, but cannot return it, a soft mattress topper can give your bed the cushioning you desire for a much lower price than buying a whole new mattress. Memory foam toppers can also help relieve back pain, since memory foam, and especially gel memory foam, helps distribute weight more evenly to prevent soreness, aches, and pains.
However, it is worth noting that a soft mattress topper may not be for everyone. If you don’t enjoy that feeling of being hugged by your bed, you may want a firm mattress topper instead.
Additionally, even though a mattress topper can make an old mattress more comfortable for a while, it is not the ideal solution. If your bed is sagging, a topper can’t fix that, and the sagging could cause hip, neck, and back pain. Generally, mattress toppers are a great option for increasing your nighttime comfort, but be aware that they can’t fix everything.
How to Find the Best Soft Mattress Toppers
Not all mattress toppers are alike. If you’re searching for softness especially, there are a couple of elements to keep in mind.
Related: Mattress pad vs topper
In recent times, this bedding accessory has advanced in terms of materials used and the benefits it provides. Weigh the pros and cons of design, material, and thickness to find the one that’s right for you.
Design
The design of a mattress topper is so important, especially if you have back problems that need extra care and attention. Some mattress toppers make relieving pressure points their priority, while others value ventilation and breathability. Look out for these key design features if you have specific needs.
Material
In the case of mattress toppers, the material goes beyond comfort level and becomes a factor in softness and fit. Instead of asking yourself what feels good to touch, consider how much conformity you prefer as a sleeper, or how pillowy is too pillowy for your taste.
For instance, down is a popular material in mattress toppers, and it creates a very soft, pillowy feel. However, it does not offer much support and can sleep very hot.
Memory foam is another popular material, and it comes in many variations. Regular memory foam has that hugging, contouring quality that may bother people who toss and turn in the night and need the ability to move around freely in their sleep.
Gel memory foam is excellent for pressure relief, which makes it a good option for people with back pain, plus it sleeps very cool. Some specific memory foam gels include copper, which helps even more with overnight cooling, plus it makes the topper antimicrobial.
Some newer mattress toppers are now being made from latex, which sleeps very cool and, when it is all-natural rather than synthetic, is much better for the environment. However, it’s important to note that latex toppers are rarely plush and soft. Rather, they tend to have a medium firmness.
Thickness
Thickness is the factor that ranges the most in mattress toppers. When shopping for one of these upgrades, decide whether you’re trying to enhance your mattress or make your bed feel brand new.
Generally, mattress toppers range from 2 inches to 4 inches, though there are a few 5- or even 6-inch toppers out there. The thicker the topper, the more effectively it can reduce the effects of an old mattress.
A 2-inch topper won’t make up for an old, sagging mattress the way a 4-inch topper will. However, thicker toppers also tend to be firmer and provide more support. This may be desirable if you’re looking for a firmer feel or if you are heavier and need more support, but if you’re looking for a soft mattress topper, you may want to stay in the 2-3 inch range.
One last issue to consider when it comes to thickness is your sheets. If you purchase a 4-inch topper, you will likely need very deep-pocketed sheets, and normal fitted sheets may no longer fit your bed. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s important to keep the additional purchase of deeper sheets in mind before buying an extra-thick mattress topper.
Summary
Compare our top-rated options for the best soft mattress toppers below:
| Soft Mattress Toppers | Material | Best for | Rating |
| Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt | Body-cradling memory foam that doesn’t trap heat | Best Cooling | 4.6/5 |
| ViscoSoft | Memory foam gel with down alternative fill and cotton cover | Best Luxury | 4.4/5 |
| Sleep Innovations | Memory foam gel with quilted fiber foam fill | Best Value | 4.4/5 |
| LUCID Gel Mattress Topper | Gel memory foam | Best Overall | 4.1/5 |
Any of the aforementioned options are sure to promise a soft landing for any style of sleeper. With that said, getting clear on your preferences will point you in the direction of your perfect pick. Within the variety of these quality options, you’ll be sure to find a topper that takes your bed situation to a level of over-the-top comfort.
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