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Stay comfortable and cool all night long with these picks.

A bedroom setting with the GhostBed Memory Foam Mattress Topper on mattress placed on a bed

Photo:Real Simple

Its more expensive than other toppers on this list, and it doesnt include a sleep trial.

The GhostBed Memory Foam Topper earned our top spot because of its superb softness and surprisingly cool design.

The memory foam molds closely to your body, and the thick 3-inch profile has excellent cushioning.

GhostBed Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

PHOTO: Amazon

(We placed an acupressure mat under the topper during testing and didnt feel a thing.)

We actually woke up with less back pain after sleeping on this topper.

Material:Memory foam |Thickness:3 in.

person making bed with the GhostBed Memory Foam Mattress Topper on

PHOTO: Real Simple

Lack of cooling features may cause overheating, especially in the thicker option.

The Linenspa Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a low-cost, no-frills but still-effective topper.

The topper is made of memory foam, and it comes in a 2-inch and 3-inch version.

person laying on bed fitted with the GhostBed Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Like most foam toppers, this can only bespot cleaned.

Material:Memory foam |Thickness:2 in.

The topper shifted a few inches off the bed every night.

person placing hand on the GhostBed Memory Foam Mattress Topper

We had a standard sheet, and were barely able to stretch it over the corners.

Material:Memory foam |Thickness:4 in.

Indentations formed on the surface.

person making bed with the GhostBed Memory Foam Mattress Topper on

The topper comes in three thickness options ranging from 1 to 3 inches.

We tested the 2-inch topper and loved the even balance of softness and support.

It cradles your body gently, but its much more supportive than foam toppers, which compress deeply.

person laying on bed fitted with the GhostBed Memory Foam Mattress Topper

During testing, we also noticed the topper became increasingly indented from our bodies over time.

Material:Latex |Thickness:2 in.

The topper flattens over time.

person placing hand on the GhostBed Memory Foam Mattress Topper

The Lucid Down Alternative and Gel Foam Mattress Topper is technically two toppers in one.

This is an especially great pick if youre trying to soften a mattress that feels way too firm.

Material:Down alternative and memory foam |Thickness:4 in.

Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

PHOTO: Amazon

It makes a crinkling noise when you move around.

The Southern Living Ultra Feather Mattress Topper looks like a down duvet with gussetsand feels like one too.

(Southern Livingis owned by Real Simple’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith.)

Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper displayed on a bed

PHOTO: Real Simple

This topper has an unparalleled snugness that only duck down can provide.

Once we put it on our old mattress, it made the bed feel entirely brand new.

Under pressure, the topper flattened like a down comforter but regained shape as we rolled around.

Person squeezing the edge of the Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

It’s very soft and plush, but keep in mind that it doesn’t give much support.

However, we sank into this topper and had an extremely cozy experience overall.

Its also easy to place on the bed, as it’s lightweight like a down comforter.

Person pressing their hands into a bed with the Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

There were no noticeable odors either, and the price is inexpensive for those on a budget.

We then tested each topper in the real world by sleeping on them for up to six months.

That said, many foam toppers are designed with features to offset heat retention.

Hand pressing down on the Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Best of all, its a naturally cool material and doesnt hug your body as deeply as foam.

Down-and-feather toppers stay fairly cool too, with a fluffy, airy feel.

Down alternative captures the fluffiness of down, though it sometimes runs a bit warmer.

Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper displayed on a bed

Youll also find many foams infused with cooling materials meant to minimize heat retention.

Chester Wu, M.D., a sleep specialist with board certification in sleep medicine.

Dr. Wu notes that graphite and copper infusions may also help with heat retention, though the evidence varies.

Person squeezing the edge of the Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Dr. Wu recommends looking for covers that contain materials like Tencel, cotton, or PCM-treated fabric.

Thickness

A toppers thickness can play a role in how hot or cool it feels.

The upside is you get top-notch cushioning, which can relieve painful pressure buildup in achy joints.

Person pressing their hands into a bed with the Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

The average trial or return period is 30 days.

Topper warranties on average range from 3 to 5 years.

Questions You Might Ask

Which is better, cooling mattress toppers or cooling sheets?

Hand pressing down on the Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

If your mattress is trapping heat, a cooling topper can make a big difference, Dr. Wu says.

What design features make a cooling mattress topper more effective?

Latex, down and feathers, and down alternative are all cooler options than foam.

Amazon ZINUS 4 Inch Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

PHOTO: Amazon

Features like ventilation channels, zoned support, and perforations improve airflow, Dr. Wu says.

What factors make a cooling mattress topper stay cool over time?

Conversely, lower-quality foams tend to break down and trap more heat over time.

bedroom with Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper set on mattress on bed

PHOTO: Real Simple

We looked closely at comfort, support, breathability, and of course, overall cooling.

To gain further insights, we spoke toDr.

Chester Wu, M.D., a sleep specialist and a medical reviewer for Rise Science.

person making bed with Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper on mattress

person using phone while laying on bed made with the Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

person touching the Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

bedroom with Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper set on mattress on bed

person making bed with Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper on mattress

person using phone while laying on bed made with the Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

person touching the Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Amazon Sleep on Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

PHOTO: Amazon

bedroom with Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper on mattress on bed

PHOTO: Real Simple

close-up of tester feeling the Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

tester comparing feel of Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

tester laying on made bed with the Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

person’s hand on Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

bedroom with Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper on mattress on bed

close-up of tester feeling the Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

tester comparing feel of Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

tester laying on made bed with the Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

person’s hand on Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

Amazon Lucid Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

PHOTO: Amazon

bedroom with Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper set on mattress on bed

PHOTO: Real Simple

person putting face on Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

person pressing down on bed fit with the Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

people laying on separate beds with the Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

person placing hand on Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

bedroom with Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper set on mattress on bed

person putting face on Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

person pressing down on bed fit with the Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

people laying on separate beds with the Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

person placing hand on Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Dillard’s Southern Living Ultra Feather Mattress Topper

PHOTO: Dillard’s

bedroom with Southern Living Ultra Feather Mattress Topper set on mattress on bed

PHOTO: Real Simple

tester putting the Southern Living Ultra Feather Mattress Topper on bed

feeling the Southern Living Ultra Feather Mattress Topper

bedroom with Southern Living Ultra Feather Mattress Topper set on mattress on bed

tester putting the Southern Living Ultra Feather Mattress Topper on bed

feeling the Southern Living Ultra Feather Mattress Topper

Person standing on a bed with the Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Real Simple

person’s hand on Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

Real Simple

tester laying in made bed that has the Southern Living Ultra Feather Mattress Topper

Real Simple