Many people are interested in getting a mattress topper for their beds. The biggest issue is they don’t know how to choose a high quality one and they aren’t sure what thickness they need. The fact that there are so many different options doesn’t make the process any easier. With that being said, here is a buying guide that can help you better understand how to find a high quality mattress pad and how to find the right thickness that will be the best for your needs.
What Does a Mattress Topper Do?
A lot of people know that a mattress topper goes on top of their current mattress, but they aren’t sure what it actually does. The truth is, there are actually many benefits to owning a mattress pad and it actually does quite a few things. The best mattress topper will provide the following:
- Gives cushioning while keeping support.
- It has a smooth surface so you won’t feel hard seems or anything poking through.
- Helps regulate your body heat so you don’t get too hot or cold.
- It’s not too heavy and it’s easy to handle.
- It doesn’t take a whole lot to maintain them.
- It doesn’t get lumps or tears and it holds up well.
- It will help protect the actual mattress from getting stains.
What Thicknesses are Available?
Usually, mattress toppers come in 3 sizes. Sometimes, you’ll find other sizes but these 3 are the ones that are widely available and the most common. We’re going to look at each of these individually down below.
2 Inches
Mattress toppers that are 2 inches are the thinnest you can get. The situation where these are the best is when you’ve just bought a brand new mattress that gives you the comfort and support you need. These thin toppers are just used to give you an additional layer of softness over the mattress. Since these are so thin, they won’t work well if your mattress is sagging or not giving support anymore.
3 Inches
The toppers that are 3 inches are ones that are kind of the middle option of the 3. It’s more firm, more bulky, and more supportive than a 2 inch but not as much as a 4 inch. These are great for people who want that extra softness but also need a little bit of comfort.
4 Inches
Finally, toppers that are 4 inches are ones that are the firmest, bulkiest, and most supportive. These are great for people who have a mattress that’s old, has little to no support, and little to no comfort. This size topper will give that softness while giving much more support than the mattress that’s falling apart.
Considerations Before Buying
Before buying a mattress topper, there are a few things you should consider. Thinking about these things should help you make a decision and narrow down which toppers are perfect for you and your needs.
Reason You Need a Topper
Depending on what you’re looking for, different types are going to be better. For example, if you want soft, then you want a thicker mattress. If you want to stop pain, you’ll want something like memory foam or latex. Make sure you research what’s best for the reason you want a topper.
Preferred Thickness
You want to research what material and thickness will give you the firmness you want. For example, latex toppers are usually more firm while ones with feathers are usually softer. Toppers like memory foam can vary so you want to make sure you read the information on each topper you look at.
Allergy Concerns
If you have allergic reactions to materials like latex or feathers, you want to make sure you don’t get a topper made from that. In addition, some toppers hold dander more so you want to get one that doesn’t if you have allergies to it.
Odor Sensitivity
Some toppers, like latex and memory foam, sometimes have strong odors when they are new. While it usually goes away after a few days, it sometimes stays for longer periods. If you have sensitivities to odors, try to find a topper that isn’t known to have them.
Usual Body Temperature
Some toppers are known to trap heat, so if you regularly overheat at night, try to get one that doesn’t do that. There are some toppers that have technology that keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Moving Around at Night
Some mattress toppers help stop the feeling of movement. This can help couples who are kept awake by their partners movement. Something to keep in mind is that some toppers might be easily moved around so you want to find one that can be fixed securely.
Avoiding Stains
If you’re just wanting something to help avoid stains on your mattress, then you can opt for a mattress pad. Not only can you get ones that are either waterproof or non waterproof, but they are usually quite a bit cheaper than actual toppers.
New Sheets
The final thing to keep in mind is whether or not you’ll have to get new sheets. Since mattress toppers add a layer to the actual mattress, you might have to get bigger sheets to fit over it. This is especially true for those that have sheets that fit snugly.
Now that you’ve read this guide, hopefully you’ll be able to easily make your decision and find a mattress topper that has the perfect amount of thickness. While the process can be overwhelming, this should help take away some of the stress and unknown aspects. Make sure you do your research before buying because you don’t want to end up buying a mattress topper that is low quality and gives you a worse quality of sleep than you had before getting it!
