5 Best Gel Mattress Toppers to Help Your Bed Chill Out
When it comes to a good night’s sleep, memory foam has its benefits. And with their cooling properties, gel-infused foams take those benefits one step further. But if a new gel foam mattress isn’t in the cards, a gel mattress topper could be the next best thing. And good news–we found five of the best gel mattress toppers on the market so you can upgrade to cooler, more comfortable nights.
Best Gel Mattress Toppers
- Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt Mattress Topper: Best Mattress Topper for Long-Term Performance
- Layla Mattress Topper: Editor’s Pick
- Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper: Best Budget Buy
- ViscoSoft Serene Hybrid Memory Foam Topper: Best Hybrid Mattress Topper
- Allswell Mattress Topper with Copper Gel: Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain Relief
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt Mattress Topper
Best Mattress Topper for Long Term Performance
TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper
This foam topper is made of 3 inches of supportive TEMPUR material. It is designed to enhance or improve the original comfort level of virtually any mattress, no matter how firm or soft.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full ReviewThree inches of extra-soft TEMPUR material make this an ultra-cushy topper. Tempur-Pedic’s famed, proprietary foam is marshmallow-y soft, responding to heat and weight to deliver deep contouring and pressure relief.
Reason to Buy: TEMPUR material is designed for breathability, so it minimizes the heat retention common with memory foam. The company says its memory foam is more durable for a longer performance life, and the topper is backed up by a ten-year warranty. A cool-to-the-touch performance fabric cover is an upgrade, but it’s worth considering if you tend to overheat at night. Plus, it’s removable and can be machine washed.
Layla Mattress Topper
Editor’s Pick
Layla Mattress Topper
Layla’s mattress topper features copper gel-infused memory foam to prevent overheating.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.20 / 5
Read Full ReviewLayla’s two-inch memory foam topper is designed to be cool, plush, and supportive, which is everything you need in a great topper. It’s infused with copper gel beads, which absorb body heat to keep you cooler.
Reason to Buy: This plush topper has a luxuriously soft feel with the signature “sink” of memory foam. It contours closely around the hips and shoulders for the precise support you need to maintain proper spinal alignment. This could help you wake up feeling refreshed and pain-free. Another bonus–the copper gel that keeps you cooler is also antimicrobial, which means a cleaner bed night after night.
Layla covers its topper with a five-year warranty, and it comes with a money-back guarantee if you don’t love it.
Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper
Best Budget Buy
Brooklyn Bedding Gel Swirl Mattress Topper
A high-quality mattress topper that excels in every category.
Read Full ReviewThis affordably-priced gel swirl memory foam topper comes in a choice of two heights for an ultra-plush feel, soothing pressure relief, and cooler nights.
Reason to Buy: This pick from Brooklyn Bedding is made with CertiPUR-US-certified foam. It’s swirled with cooling gel to balance body heat for a temperature-neutral sleep surface, and it comes in a choice of two-inch or three-inch heights. Both options give you a soft, pressure-relieving feel with sufficient responsiveness.
ViscoSoft Serene Hybrid Memory Foam Topper
Best Hybrid Mattress Topper
ViscoSoft Serene Hybrid Mattress Topper
This topper features down alternative and gel-infused memory foam for a feel that’s the best of both worlds.
With dual layers of soft down alternative and Certi-PUR-US Certified, gel-infused memory foam, this pick from ViscoSoft is like two toppers in one. The hybrid design delivers comfort and support for a great night’s sleep.
Reason to Buy: The ViscoSoft topper comes in 3″ and 4″ heights so you can really customize the experience. Go for the thicker option if you want more pressure relief, motion isolation, and a dreamy-soft feel. In both cases, the plush, quilted pillow-top cover is removable and washable. Plus, it comes with adjustable straps and an elastic skirt to keep your topper perfectly in place night after night.
Try it at home with ViscoSoft’s 90-day money-back guarantee.
Allswell Mattress Topper with Copper Gel
Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain Relief
Allswell 4” Mattress Topper Infused with Copper Gel
Keep cool and comfortable all night with this temperature-regulating topper.
This 4″ topper has a dual design that combines comfort and support layers. The open-cell memory foam promotes air flow and it’s infused with copper gel for a cooling boost.
Reason to Buy: Allswell’s topper is designed for enhanced breathability, but it has all the pressure-relieving, spine-aligning benefits of high-quality memory foam–a great option if you’re looking to alleviate back pain. Two inches of supportive foam are topped with two inches of plush comfort foam, and it makes for a downright dreamy combination.
Test it out for yourself with Allswell’s 100-day trial and free returns.
Considerations for a Gel Mattress Topper
A gel mattress topper can add a much-needed layer of cooling comfort to your mattress, especially if you’re looking for a softer sleep surface. Here’s what to keep in mind as you narrow down your options.
Quality
The quality of gel mattress toppers can vary pretty significantly, and it’s often reflected in the price tag. If your budget allows, you’ll likely get a longer performance life for mattress toppers made with higher-quality foam. Prioritize reputable brands, and look for certifications from CertiPUR-US that indicate the product includes third-party tested materials that meet high environmental and safety standards.
Pressure Relief
One of the hallmarks of memory foam is its pressure relief. Gel foam mattress toppers with more height will offer the most pressure relief. While you may sacrifice some responsiveness with thicker memory foam toppers, you’ll get the deep contouring and alignment that could help relieve pressure point pain.
Cooling Benefits
Traditional memory foam tends to retain heat. Open-cell foams and those infused with gel are designed to reduce this kind of retention by encouraging airflow and drawing away heat to create a more comfortable surface temperature. Prioritize both features to find a gel foam topper that will keep you cooler all night.
Sleeping Position
The level of comfort and support you feel on a particular gel mattress topper will hinge on your preferred sleep position. Side sleepers often need more contouring in the hips and shoulders, while stomach sleepers benefit from something a little firmer to ensure proper spinal alignment. Keeping your sleep style in mind as you shop can help you find a gel mattress topper with the right firmness and height.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are gel mattress toppers any good?
There are a lot of gel-infused memory foam mattress toppers on the market, and many people find them a great addition to their beds. This type of material has all the benefits of traditional memory foam, including pressure relief, support, and motion isolation, without the high level of heat retention. That makes them a great option for hot sleepers.
How do I choose a gel memory foam topper?
Think about what matters most to you in a topper. Are you trying to add softness or support? Pressure relief? Cooling properties? Understanding your motivation for adding a topper can help you decide which one might serve you best. Remember, the thicker a topper, the more it changes the feel of your mattress. If you just want a cooling layer, a topper between one and two inches will work well for that kind of buffer between you and your mattress.
What is the best mattress topper for comfort?
Comfort is subjective, which means there is no single best mattress topper for everyone. Body type, sleep style, and the state of your current mattress will all affect the comfort level of a mattress topper, so those are things you need to take into consideration. For a plush, marshmallow-soft feel, memory foam toppers are a good choice, and they come in a wide range of options to accommodate different needs and preferences.
Our Final Take
A great gel mattress topper can dramatically improve your sleep quality by adding a cooling and comfortable layer to your existing mattress. While traditional memory foam tends to trap heat, gel-infused foams help dissipate heat for cooler nights. That makes gel mattress toppers a great option if overheating at night is an issue. Remember to prioritize reputable brands and high-quality foams for a gel mattress topper that will keep you cool and comfortable night after night.
