Memory foam mattress toppers can make an old bed feel brand new, or disguise your budget mattress as something much more luxurious.
I’ll focus on the three measurements of memory foam: Size, Thickness, and Density.
Density is More Important Than Thickness
It’s tempting to assume that the biggest and most expensive topper must be the best… but when it comes to memory foam, thickness isn’t nearly as important as density. This number reveals the compactness of the memory foam in question. The greater the density weight, the more comfortable the memory foam will be, and the longer it will last.
Mattress toppers should be resistant to the wear-and-tear of nightly use. Quality toppers can last 3-4 years or more. Cheap ones won’t make it past 3-4 months, so don’t skimp on this critical component.
In my opinion, density weight should be greater than thickness, so buy the heaviest density you can find. A 2-inch topper with 4-lb density is significantly better than a 4-inch topper with 2-lb density.
Save Money by Ordering Online
I’m not trying to harp on retail stores, but the readily available toppers sold at Wal-mart, Target, and Bed Bath & Beyond are embarrassing. They’re over-priced and wear out very quickly. When comparing price and quality of materials, online stores crush the competition. Take a look…
Price Comparisons for a Queen Sized 3″ Topper:
- Amazon.com – $148, free S/H (4-lb density, 37 pound shipping weight)
- Bed, Bath & Beyond – $250, free S/H (shipping weight & density not provided)
- Target – $200 plus $15.65 S/H (shipping weight & density not provided)
- Walmart – $231 plus S/H (3-lb density, 20 pound shipping weight; density not provided)
Measure Your Bed
Measure the dimension of your current mattress relative to the topper you’re about to purchase. Mattress toppers aren’t designed to cover your bed from edge-to-edge. There will probably be about an inch difference all around. That’s okay – the memory foam slightly expands after it’s able to breathe.
If you’re not interested in spending a few hours researching and comparing different types of memory foam mattress toppers, I’ll just tell you which one I bought. This one. I’ve had it for nearly eight years, and it’s still remarkably comfortable and supportive. (It also just so happens to be the highest rated memory foam topper sold on Amazon today.)
P.S. – If you want an entire mattress made of latex, here’s an affordable one with consistently positive reviews.
P.P.S. – Talalay latex mattress toppers are now available (not just pillows and mattresses). This material provides up to 33% more pressure relief than memory foam.
A Chiropractor's Opinion 