What is the best mattress topper? The equivalent of asking “what is the best shoe?” Highly subjective. Dependent on your needs, sleeping position and budget. Something that may work incredibly well for a side sleeper with back pain could be the worst mistake for a hot sleeper who prefers firm support.
But fret not, we’ve put this ultimate mattress topper guide to simplify things. We will cover each type of mattress topper that performs well in the UK market, who they work best for, as well as our top brand and product recommendations so you can confidently spend your hard earned money on improving your sleep.
Mattress Topper Type Cheat Sheet: Which to Pick in Under 60 Seconds
If you… Choose a Memory Foam Mattress Topper: Need lots of pressure relief, suffer from joint/hip pain, or sleep on your side Should also consider gel-infused foam if you: Sleep Hot
If you… Choose a Latex Mattress Topper: Desire responsive, buoyant support (not sinkage), are looking for something durable & hypoallergenic, and don’t mind spending a little more Should also consider natural latex if: You value sustainability
If you… Choose a Feather & Down Mattress Topper: Love cloud-like, plush mattresses similar to luxury hotels, and sleep relatively cool Note: Also great for adding softness to any other type of mattress without causing heat retention.
If you… Choose a Wool Mattress Topper: Often sleep cold, want year-round natural temperature regulation, and require a soft but breathable layer Top picks are usually: Natural wool because of moisture vapour transmission rates. Great for allergy sufferers too.
If you… Choose a Pillow-Top (Poly fibre) Mattress Topper: Are on a budget, want a quick solution for a sofa mattress, or looking to soften up a kids or guest bed Just know that… they will flatten quicker than the others.
Mattress Topper Material Breakdown: Which One’s Right For You?
1. Memory Foam | Best for Pressure Relief & Side Sleepers
How it Feels: Contours heavily to your body, hugs your shape, “sinks in” gradually over the course of the night.
Pros: Great for relieving pain (hips, shoulders), minimises movement transfer, readily available.
Cons: Sleeps warm, may have a noticeable off-gassing scent when you first unpack it, heavy.
Our Top UK Brand Recommendations: Simba/Silentnight/Dunlopillo. Key features to look for: Open-cell structure/memory foam or gel-infused technology. CertiPUR-US® certified foams only.
Ideal Thickness: 5-8cm – Anything under 4cm won’t have much of an impact on your current mattress.
2. Latex | Best for Durability Loving, Responsive Support Seekers
How it Feels: Responsive, “bouncey” but with a slight “lift”. You don’t feel like you’re sleeping on top of a mattress topper.
Pros: Naturally cooler than memory foam, hypoallergenic, lasts twice as long (around 10+ years), more eco-friendly if you go with natural latex.
Cons: Much more expensive, very heavy, naturally smellier if you get natural latex.
Our Top UK Brand Recommendations: John Ryan by Design, Naturalmat, Dunlopillo. Ask about Talalay (quits softer and airier) vs. Dunlop (denser and firmer) latex.
3. Feather & Down | Best for Luxury Bed Enthusiasts & Neutral Temperature Sleepers
How it Feels: Incredible softness, “fluffy”, light as a feather.
Pros: Very cool to sleep on, super soft, convenient since it’s easy to move/shift around.
Cons: Need to regularly fluff, will flatten down with time and use, absolutely no support, worst for allergy sufferers.
Our Top UK Brand Recommendations: John Lewis & Partners, The Feather & Black Company, Soak & Sleep. Look for high down-to-feather ratio (ex. 90/10 ratio) and good stitching (baffle box method)
Pro Tip: Invest in a mattress protector since you can’t wash these toppers.….
4. Wool | Best for Those Who Sleep Cold & Attraction to All Things Natural
How it Feels: Firm, yet softly cushions your body. Incredibly breathable material.
Pros: Amazing at warming you up in the winter AND cooling you down in the summer, naturally wicks moisture away, resists dust mites, sustainable.
Cons: Pricey, not as common in extreme thickness variants, may be too firm for some people.
Our Top UK Brand Recommendations: Woolroom, Naturalmat, Relyon. Look for where the wool is sourced from. Anything made with British wool is usually a good sign.
Need help deciding?…
Best For: Combo sleepers (change positions a lot), allergy sufferers, hot sleepers, back pain sufferers who still want support, and those who don’t mind spending a little more for a long-term investment.
3 Things To Know Before You Buy a Mattress Topper in The UK
1. What does my mattress need?
The number one reason to get a mattress topper is to ‘upgrade’ a mattress that may be:
- Too firm for your liking.
- Showing signs of age but not ready for replacement.
TOPPER TIP: DO NOT buy a mattress topper to ‘fix’ a mattress that sags greater than 3cm when you press down on it. Time for a new mattress.
2. How do I sleep?
Side sleepers will benefit from softer, thicker toppers that cushion your shoulders and hips.
Back or Stomach sleepers usually require a slightly firmer and thinner topper that gently supports your body without sinking in too much.
3. Do I sleep Hot? Have allergies?
Memory foam traps heat. Even though there are variations such as gel-infused memory foam, if you’re a hot sleeper avoid 100% memory foam.
Natural latex, wool, and many down/feather mixes are wonderful for regulating temperature and warding off allergies.
Budget conscious? Go for a synthetic material like hollowfibre that’s specifically designed to be breathable and cooler than traditional foam.
Bonus Tip: Are you eco-conscious? Look for GOLS certified latex, GOTS certified wool, or OEKO-TEX® certified synthetic materials.
Does the height of my bed matter?
Think about how thick your mattress topper will be on top of your mattress. Some mattress toppers are almost as tall as full size mattresses.
Depending on your mattress and topper combo, you may need to purchase a deeper pocket fitted sheet.
Standard mattress height: ~25cm
Topper thickness: Add 5-8cm depending on your needs.
Ideal fitted sheet depth: TOTAL height +5-10cm for ‘tucking’ under your mattress.
So a mattress that is 25cm tall and a 6cm thick mattress topper will need a fitted sheet that is at least Deep (35cm).
Extra Deep sheets start at around 40cm and are required for deep mattresses/toppers combos.
Do I need to buy from the same brand as my mattress?
Not at all! There are plenty of high-quality mattress toppers from well-known brands that won’t match your mattress.
Focus on what material you’re looking for rather than trying to find something from the same company.
Do Mattress Toppers Come with Trial Periods?
Yes! The best mattress topper brands in the UK offer trial periods ranging from 30-100 nights, as well as warranties that span 3-5 years.
It’s a fairly standard thing now and you really should not be buying anything that doesn’t come with both.
Our Top Mattress Topper Picks for UK Buyers
Category Product Why We Recommend
Best Overall Memory Foam Mattress Topper | Simba Hybrid Bed Topper Foam combines their proprietary Simbatex (aerated memory foam) with mini springs to relieve pressure while sleeping cool. Comes with 100 night trial.
Best Value Memory Foam Memory Foam Mattress Topper | Silentnight A trusted name on the high street selling a CertiPUR-US® certified foam mattress topper that excels in comfort and value.
Best Latex Mattress Topper Natural Latex Mattress Topper | John Ryan by Design John Ryan makes luxury mattress toppers that use 100% natural Talalay latex. They have many options for firmness and thickness. Very durable.
Best Feather & Down Mattress Topper Mattress Topper | John Lewis Hungarian Goose Down They use high-quality down to achieve pillow-like softness. Built very well and from a retailer you can trust.
Best Wool Mattress Topper Wool Mattress Topper | The Woolroom Pure Made with 100% traceable British wool. GOTS certified and perfect for temperature regulation and allergies.
Best for Cooling Geltex Mattress Topper | Dunlopillo This topper has a Talalay latex interior with gel-infused foam on top. This should keep you sleeping cooler than any other material.
Mattress Topper FAQs
Q: Can I use a mattress topper for my bad back?
A: A mattress topper can help if you have back pain caused by a mattress that is too firm. A topper can add cushioning and softness. If your mattress is sagging and no longer supportive then a mattress topper is not going to help your back pain. Speak to your osteopath/physio about your options.
Q: What size fitted sheet do I need for my mattress topper?
A: Mattress height + Topper height = Total height. Add an extra 5-10cm to “tuck” under your mattress. So if your mattress is 25cm and you buy a 6cm mattress topper you will need a fitted sheet that is at least Deep.
Q: How long will my mattress topper last?
A: Latex will last you upwards of 10 years. High-density memory foam 5-7 years. Down Feather 3-5 years (fluff regularly). Wool 5-8 years. Polyester fibre/Pillow-top 1-3 years.
Q: Should I get a mattress topper that matches my mattress?
A: No. You can mix and match mattress materials! While you may want to keep your comfort level similar (firmness), it has nothing to do with the brand of your mattress.
Wrapping It All Up: How to Choose the Best Mattress Topper
Step 1: Figure out what you need?
Need something softer? Sick of sleeping hot? Need pain-relieving properties?
Step 2: Refer to the material breakdown above to match.
Step 3: Get the thickness right! Side sleepers will likely want a thicker topper (5-8cm) while back/stomach sleepers can get away with something thinner (3-5cm).
Step 4: Make sure it has a Trial Period….
Step 5: Don’t forget a mattress protector! Before you sleep a single night on your new mattress topper, protect it with a mattress protector. I recommend getting a waterproof mattress protector so you don’t have to worry about spills or accidents.
Invest in something that will help you sleep better. Your overall comfort is important when it comes to your bed – start with the foundation.
Want to try one out for yourself? Head over to MyHomeLiving.co.uk to see our fantastic selection of mattress toppers. Each product has been handpicked with the UK sleeper in mind. We include comprehensive product descriptions, reviews from our customers and sleep guarantees so you can make the perfect choice. Sleep better tonight.