3 Best Mattress Toppers That'll Make Their Dorm Bed Feel So Much Better
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I was shocked when I realized that my kids' dorm mattresses were no thicker than the ones in a KOA cabin, no more cushiony than whatever they slept on during summer camp. My already-adult-size teenagers who were still growing and desperately needing quality rest were going to sleep on a thin, crinkly, freshman dorm mattress for nearly a year. (And, yes, I was paying thousands of dollars for that!)
So I did what parents do, and that's problem-solve. We can't turn a dorm into the Four Seasons, but we can pump up the comfort of the dorm bed with a mattress topper, which can add a layer of comfort and support to hopefully make the bed feel more like home. Our best overall pick from Matbeby offers a balance of quality and good value. All our picks are size Twin XL, the size of a standard dorm bed.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Matbeby Plush Pillow Top Mattress Topper
- Best value: Linenspa 3-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper
- Best memory foam: ViscoSoft Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Pros
- Machine-washable
- Affordable
- Thick and pillowy
Cons
- Won't offer as much pressure relief as memory foam
WHAT IT IS: Machine-washable polyester mattress topper stuffed with polyester down-alternative fill
WHAT TO KNOW: Executive Director, Strategy & Operations Lexie Sachs, a mom of two who has a degree in fiber science, recommends this to parents who ask for a dorm-bed topper suggestion. It's affordable, washable, and holds onto a mattress with its deep elastic side pockets.
The the three-dimensional surface of the top allows for air circulation, which the brand says can help keep a sleeper cool. That's nice, too, because dorms are notoriously overheated. It's thick and pillowy at 3.5 inches.
| Material | Polyester |
| Height | 3.5 in. |
Pros
- Gel-infused memory foam to relieve pressure
- Less than $75
- Ideal for lightweight bodies and side sleepers
Cons
- No cover and no straps
WHAT IT IS: Gel-infused memory foam mattress topper that rolls out on top of the dorm mattress
WHAT TO KNOW: If you're looking to save space in the car and money on outfitting your kid's dorm room, this compact mattress topper from popular brand Linenspa adds comfort for a great price.
Our Textiles Lab experts say this is especially ideal for lightweight body types (hello, teenagers!) and side sleepers looking to relieve pressure around their joints.
It comes as only a layer of foam—no straps and no washable cover. You might want to purchase a mattress protector to go between this and the fitted sheet.
| Materials | Gel-infused memory foam |
| Height | 3 in. |
Pros
- Soft and comfortable
- Memory foam with a pillow top
- Deep skirt holds it all the way around the mattress
Cons
- Initial odor, but it dissipates
WHAT IT IS: Three inches of memory foam infused with cooling gel, topped with a 1.5-inch pillow-top cover filled with polyester down alternative and wrapped in 100% cotton.
WHAT TO KNOW: It provides the support of memory foam with the comfort of a pillow top. The brand touts it specifically for college dorm beds. Sachs says, "It's good quality and a slight splurge, but still affordable compared to high-end mattress toppers."
A 3-inch ViscoSoft topper that's a bit more expensive was evaluated by the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab. For dorm beds, I'd prefer the 4-inch version, based on its similar construction and added cushioning, to supplement a thin dorm mattress. I like that it wraps around the mattress with its 18-inch polyester skirt, which should help it hold on better than simple straps.
Online reviewers said there's an initial odor, but that it dissipates. I've learned to unbox a mattress topper early on move-in day, starting in the dorm hallway.
| Materials | Gel-infused memory foam with a 100% cotton top cover |
| Height | 4 in. |
How we test the best mattress toppers for dorm beds
Bedding experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have tested more than 50 mattress toppers, including ones made with memory foam, down, down alternative, and latex. They evaluate materials and specifications, then send toppers to at-home testers who help evaluate comfort, support, pressure relief, and temperature regulation over time.
GH Executive Director, Strategy & Operations Lexie Sachs, who has tested bedding in the Textiles Lab for over a decade, recommends the Matbeby, Linenspa, and ViscoSoft mattress toppers specifically for parents of college students. They are affordable for young people and families on a budget and all three are brands that the Textiles Lab experts are familiar with and trust. The mattress toppers have also earned thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon.
What to look for when shopping for the best mattress topper for dorm beds
For a dorm room bed topper, consider:
✔️ Size. The standard dorm mattress size is Twin XL, but you might want to verify that with the college.
✔️ Material. A pillow top adds cloud-like softness. Memory foam offers cradling support. Latex also offers support, but is a little more bouncy, according to our Textile Lab experts.
✔️ Washability. Many toppers come with a washable cover. If yours doesn't, consider adding a mattress protector or mattress pad that can take the brunt of spilled takeout food and other messes.
✔️ Price. I'm a mom of two who has done 13 college drop-offs, and I've purchased my fair share of bargain mattress toppers. Six years in, I'm now willing to have us pay more for a quality topper that lasts more than a year. My kids, especially my restless youngest, also sleep a lot better with a high-quality topper that doesn't shift around. But I get it—there's a lot to buy a freshman for that first year!—so everyone has to make budget decisions.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab experts regularly test bedding products including mattress toppers, sheets, mattresses, blankets, pillows, and more. See all of their latest bedding reviews.
Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn is a mom of two, one who graduated college and one who is entering his senior year. Prior to working for the Good Housekeeping Institute, she was an editor at Parents magazine.
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