Topper or new mattress? How to decide
A mattress topper changes how the surface of your bed feels. It can make a firm mattress softer, add cooling, or buy a few more years from a mattress that is otherwise sound. It cannot fix a mattress that is sagging or broken underneath.
When a topper is the right fix
Choose a topper when your mattress is supportive but feels too firm, too warm or slightly worn on top. A 2–3 inch layer is usually enough to change the feel; 4 inches adds noticeable sink and is mainly for side sleepers on a very firm bed. If your mattress has a dip deeper than about an inch, a topper will follow that dip — read how long a mattress lasts and consider replacing it.
Memory foam, latex or fiber?
Memory foam toppers give the most pressure relief and motion isolation but can hold heat; gel, graphite or copper infusions help a little. Latex toppers are springier, more breathable and longer-lasting, and cost more. Fiber and down-alternative toppers add plush softness but compress quickly and do little for support.
Our full mattress topper guide compares thickness, density and materials, and our firmness guide explains how a topper shifts the feel of your bed.
Getting the size and fit right
Buy the same size as your mattress and check whether the topper has straps or a fitted cover — loose toppers slide. Thicker toppers may need deeper-pocket sheets. If you share the bed and want different feels, some brands sell split toppers for each side.