15 best mattress toppers that will transform a tired mattress, tried and tested

Score: 93/100

Filled with two layers of goose down and feathers (which The White Company says are sourced from cruelty-free suppliers), this plump topper won our panel over with its “luxurious feel and weight”.

It fitted our mattresses securely and neatly, its filling was evenly distributed, and it plumped up easily when our testers made the bed again. Everyone would recommend it for a quality night’s sleep.

Choose this mattress topper if: You want a luxuriously plush down topper and don’t mind paying a premium for it.

Score: 93/100

Like the Simba winner above, this Panda topper combines micro-springs (2,100 to be exact) with foam to deliver that new mattress feel. The cover is made from sustainably-sourced bamboo, which is naturally anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic, as well as being machine washable for ultimate ease.

Testers found the medium-firm base supportive and comfy to sleep on, with one saying: “It’s like floating on a cloud,” and another commenting: “It’s been an absolute life changer for me.” With a BioCell foam layer and a ventilated mesh border, it was a big hit with the hot sleepers on our panel, too. Note, its chunky construction means it’s heavy to move and will add a fair amount of height to your mattress.

Choose this mattress topper if: You want something breathable to help keep you cooler at night.

On a tighter budget? Consider the brand’s original Bamboo Mattress Topper, a foam design that scored 89/100 in our tests and is £139.95 for a double.

Score: 92/100

When it came to fit, this topper ticked every box. It was true to size, sat flat on the mattress, and stayed put thanks to its strong elastic straps – even after a good bounce.

Though some panellists expected a bit more cushioning from the topper’s 8cm depth (noting that it compresses significantly once laid on), they found it smooth and soft to the touch, with no scratchy stitching or seams.

The air mesh sides were a standout feature, too, helping to improve airflow and reduce overheating at night. The topper is machine washable, which is a major plus, though worth noting it may be too bulky for standard-sized machines. If your drum is smaller than 10kg, you might need a trip to the dry cleaner.

Choose this mattress topper if: You’re a hot sleeper but are shopping on a budget.

Score: 91/100

Another hybrid option from Simba, this also excelled in our in-house testing and went down a treat with our panel, who found its supportive design offered a comfortable and firm night’s sleep.

It came up slightly bigger than our mattress, but this didn't impact sleep for our panellists, and its straps are a convenient length, making fitting it easy. If we’re being fussy, we’d say it could be hard to store due to its thickness and size, but equally, this is what makes it so comfortable.

It’s also worth mentioning its sustainability credentials; it’s made in the UK from recyclable materials, using foam that’s free from polluting heavy metals, dyes and chemicals – even more reason to sleep easy.

Choose this mattress topper if: You prefer a firmer, more supportive surface than that ‘sink-in’ feeling.

Score: 89/100

If you love keeping snug in bed, but don't want a huge (and often heavy) winter duvet, this topper will be for you. Not only did it make our testers' beds comfier, but it's also cleverly self heating thanks to its heat-reflecting foil and thermal lining. In fact, it adds a whopping 7.5 togs of extra warmth to the bed.

Testers found it nice and cosy and praised the filling's even distribution. It's on the softer side though, so may not suit if you need firmer support. But, it's hypoallergenic, machine washable and folds easily for storage in the summer.

Choose this mattress topper if: You tend to run cold at night.

Score: 89/100

The cover on this memory foam mattress topper is made using sustainably-sourced bamboo and it's machine washable, naturally anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic. Testers found it comfortable and responsive to sleep on, with the foam moulding pleasantly to their bodies.

It also proved quiet at night, so won’t be the cause of any wriggling-induced arguments, and the adjustable straps mean it fits the bed nicely, although they weren’t quite long enough to stop an occasional corner coming loose.

Panellists didn’t find it that breathable, so if you tend to wake up feeling hot, scroll on. Otherwise, it’s a high-quality design that improved the quality of our testers' sleep.

Choose this mattress topper if: You like the idea of a hypoallergenic bamboo design but prefer memory foam and don’t get hot at night.

Score: 89/100

Are you after that delicious sink-in feeling? Dusk has created just that with its clever two-tiered topper, which has a top section full of goose down and a bottom layer made up of fluffy feathers to ensure the "supreme" comfort its name promises. Our panel confirmed its snugness, praising the pleasingly even distribution of feathers.

It's light to move around, and even comes with a handy storage bag. Our testers also noted that it fits almost perfectly over the bed, with just a little of the mattress peeking out. But given its plush softness, it goes without saying this isn't for those who need a bit more support.

Choose this mattress topper if: You want that ‘sink-in’ soft feeling.

We also tested Dusk's more affordable Anti-Allergy Feels Like Down Mattress Topper, which scored 88/100. It offers a down-like layer of comfort, combining a synthetic polyester filling with a breathable cotton cover.

Score: 88/100

At 9cm thick, this should give a real boost to your mattress. It doesn’t have any straps, but our testers found a sheet helped it stay in place. It slipped a little for our panel at home, but nothing that a quick rejig come morning wouldn’t solve.

And, this didn’t stop the topper from being a hit on the sleep front – everyone said that they would recommend it to others, praising its sink-in yet supportive feel. One even said they’re “definitely sleeping more comfortably”. It's just what a tired mattress (and individual!) needs.

Choose this mattress topper if: You’re looking to give a tired mattress more height and comfort.

Score: 88/100

For premium comfort at an affordable price, look to this Slumberdown topper with a hypoallergenic design that should keep sneezing at bay. Our panel found it delivers a soft, breathable boost to your bed. Testers were impressed with its overall quality, and while it’s not the thickest topper you could buy, everyone found it added a good level of comfort.

It washed well too. In fact, the only real niggle our testers had is that it doesn’t have any straps to secure it to your mattress. While this wasn’t a problem for everyone, if you tend to move a lot in your sleep, then it’s worth noting as it may not stay put. Overall though, it’s a good pick for revitalising a tired mattress without spending a small fortune.

Choose this mattress topper if: You want extra comfort without spending too much.

Score: 88/100

This slice of fluffy fibre (made in part with recycled polyester) will bring a layer of soft comfort to your bed. It fitted our testers’ mattresses perfectly, and easily slipped into a 9kg washing machine (with minimal shrinkage), so you can enjoy fresh, snug nights.

Panellists were divided when it came to the topper’s breathability, with some finding it on the toasty side – this means you may want to pack it away over summer if you run hot. But otherwise, most liked its soft support and quiet design – and would recommend it to others.

Choose this mattress topper if: You want a soft, easily washable topper.

Score: 87/100

Any sleep product with ‘hotel’ in its name will instantly grab our attention (given the association with luxury) and this hollowfibre topper’s quality feel stood up to our rigorous inspections. Our panel loved its good fit and declared it “pure comfort to sleep on”. The filling is evenly distributed too, and when needed, testers found it easy to plump up with a quick shake.

Elastic straps mean it stayed in place on top of our mattresses even if the odd one pinged loose from time to time, and while testers found it warm, they didn’t overheat. Our panel found it washed well too.

Choose this mattress topper if: You want a slim but comfortable sleep surface.

Score: 87/100

For sleepers who chop and change their preferences regularly, or often have guests who like different levels of support, you probably don't want to buy (and store!) two different toppers. Thankfully, Emma's got your back – literally.

This is Emma's entry level topper, but it’s got a lot going for it. With two different sides, it offers adjustable firmness – soft on one and firm on the other. The panel liked the fact you can personalise the topper further by opening the cover and removing some of the foam, which is unique to this topper.

Testers found it "very comfortable" with "good support", and noted how well made it was. When it came to smoothness, there weren't any lumps or bumps lurking either. It fits the mattress very well, but its lack of straps makes it less secure.

Choose this mattress topper if: It’s going on top of a guest bed, as you can adjust the foam to suit sleepers who with different support preferences.

Score: 86/100

This “plush, soft and cushioned” microfibre topper made one panellist’s mattress feel like “a fluffy cloud". Testers also found it breathable, quiet and smooth to sleep on.

As well as its hypoallergenic filling, it has another feature that will make it well suited to people with allergies: its two-layered design. You can unzip them to make washing easier, which means you can keep all your bedding fresh.

Choose this mattress topper if: You want a soft, hypoallergenic design.

Score: 86/100

With cooling gel beads and a soft, supportive surface, this memory foam mattress topper is designed with total comfort in mind. Offering an instant upgrade to older mattresses, it helped keep hot sleepers cool throughout the night, while the lightly padded, removable cover garnered high praise from the panel.

Testers loved the way it gently contoured to their body, too, with no lumps or bumps in sight, making it a winner for all sleep styles. Fitting couldn’t be simpler; the topper unpacked with ease and slotted neatly onto our mattress, with no awkward overhang or gaps, and the anti-slip backing held securely during our bounce test, too. The foam, seams, and zips held up well after washing and, while refitting the cover post-wash was a bit of a wrestle (as is common with foam toppers), it was a rare faff for an otherwise low-maintenance product.

Yes, it’s on the pricier side, but with a 30-day trial, you can try it risk-free.

Choose this mattress topper if: You run hot at night.