Best Soft Mattress Topper for 2024 – Our Top 8 Picks

Who Should Get a Soft Mattress Topper?

A soft topper be better suited for people who sleep on their sides because plush materials can help to wash away pressure on the hips and shoulders.

Soft pads are also a good option for lighter individuals who want to be able to sink more into their mattresses. Heavier folks can enjoy a soft top if they want to relieve some strain that their firmer bed is causing.

Back sleepers who experience back pain should benefit from a soft option as they are designed to help distribute the sleeper’s weight and ease them into the firmer layers of their bed. Additionally, people with joint problems and other pain-related issues could benefit from a topper because they aid in reducing stress on both the joints and muscles that firmer surfaces often cause.

A soft top is an all-around good option for people who just prefer a more plush feeling on their sleeping surface.

Soft toppers are often used for people recovering from injury and people who are often sore from working out, playing sports, or living an otherwise healthy and active lifestyle.

Why Should You Have a Soft Mattress Topper?

The answer to this question is going to vary depending on who you are and your situation, but here are just a few more points to consider.

If you aren’t getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis because your mattress isn’t comfortable enough or provides minimal relief for aches and pain, then you should consider getting a soft mattress topper. Sleep is one of the core components of a healthy body and mind, so investing in something that you help you rest better is a smart move.

Furthermore, a soft pad is a less expensive option than having to go out and purchase a new bed. If a new top can do the trick, best to buy one instead.

Soft Mattress Topper Buying Considerations

Comfort and Softness

If you’re seeking a soft topper specifically, comfort and softness will likely be at the top of your priority list. How comfortable you are is going to depend on how soft your mattress pad is, and this will vary from sleeper to sleeper. An exceptionally soft top is going to have more sinkage while a firmer topper will allow the sleeper to rest more on top.

Material

The type of material you choose for your mattress topper will affect how it feels and performs. For example, memory foam will be more contouring, whereas latex will be more bouncy. You should also take into consideration the quality of the materials. You can have a low-quality memory foam mattress that feels extremely different than a high-quality one. The lower the quality of the material, the less durable and long-lasting the mattress topper will be. 

Memory Foam

A memory foam mattress topper will have the benefits of being extremely body-conforming and motion-isolating. This is great for people with back problems or who just want that “hugged” feeling that comes with memory foam. The material will mold to your unique body and position. Memory foam is also great for people who sleep next to somebody else, especially if that somebody tosses and turns at night. Memory foam is dense and tends to isolate motion better than most other types of mattress topper materials. 

The downside is, memory foam can sleep hotter than other types of toppers and run more expensive. That being said, there are many memory foam toppers with cooling features that can combat heat retention.

Latex

A latex mattress topper is a great choice for those who want something bouncier and less contouring than memory foam. This material still provides excellent pressure relief, without that “sinking in” feeling that can come with memory foam. Latex is also naturally cooler than memory foam.

If you’re looking for a latex mattress topper, be sure to note if it is natural or synthetic. Natural latex will not have added chemicals and therefore, will not have a strong smell when unpackaged. 

Also note, natural latex comes at a cost and is one of the pricier options for a mattress topper. 

Down

Down mattress toppers are filled with the soft inner feathers of a duck or goose. They feel extremely fluffy and are great for those looking for something less contouring than foam. Since they are so soft, though, they aren’t the best for those who need added support or contouring while they sleep. They can, however, be great mattress toppers for those who want a little extra cushioning for their mattress. These toppers can also be helpful for stomach sleepers since they tend to compress close to flat during the night. 

Poly Foam

Polyfoam is synthetic and petroleum-based. This material is similar to memory foam in its construction but lacks the added chemical that makes memory foam so contouring. As a result, polyfoam will feel slightly more bouncy and less cradling. 

Polyfoam also tends to be a less expensive material for mattress toppers. Unfortunately, this also means it will likely not last as long as other types of toppers. We advise checking the density level before you buy a polyfoam mattress topper – the higher the density, the more durable the product. 

Pillow Top

Pillow top mattress toppers tend to be a little thicker and less firm than other types. They will add an ergonomic benefit to your regular mattress and can work well for those with hip or back issues. You’ll just need to try out the mattress topper to make sure its shape and density work for you. 

In general, pillow top mattress toppers tend to be less expensive than other types but again, aren’t usually as thick or supportive. 

Browse our picks for the Best Pillow Top Mattresses.

Pain Relief and Firmness

Memory foam and latex may be joint pain’s best friends. These materials are supportive and mold to the sleeper’s curves, keeping them extra supported and helping reduce strain and stress that can build up at night. Again this can vary from sleeper to sleeper, but these two options are a good place to start.

Sleeping Position

The type of mattress topper you get will depend a lot on your sleep position. Are you a side sleeper? A softer topper might be best for you so that the shoulder and hip you’re lying on don’t experience an influx of pressure. Do you sleep on your back? If so, you might do better with a medium to medium-firm mattress topper. If you sleep on your stomach, you’ll need something that is supportive but not so squishy or contouring that your hips sink in, which could an uncomfortable curve in your spine. 

Thickness and Density

Most toppers range between 2 and 4 inches in thickness, though there may be some variance among brands. Down and down alternatives are normally around 2 inches thick, and foam options can be the same thickness or more. 

Density refers to an object’s mass divided by its volume. This measurement is reflected in pounds per cubic foot (PCF). A high-density product will usually be more durable and long-lasting.

Both thickness and density can determine how supportive your topper is. The higher the density and thickness, the more support sleepers can expect.

Find Out More: How Thick Should a Mattress Topper Be?

Body Heat Retention

Some materials can trap heat against the body, causing the sleeper to overheat. In this case, the problem materials are polyfoams and memory foam. Latex is a good natural option to fight the heat, as well as memory foams and polyfoams with infused gels or other heat-fighting materials.

Allergies

People with moderate to severe allergies need to pay close attention to what is in their mattress toppers. Down and feather pads can affect someone prone to these conditions as can some foams. There are down alternatives that can cater to people wanting a down feather feeling, without the harmful allergies.

Price

The price for a good mattress topper or pad is going to vary by brand and type. Memory foam toppers, latex, and down pads may be the most expensive, while polyfoams and down alternatives may be a bit cheaper. Sleepers should set a budget that works for them and stick to that plan before hitting the “place order” button.

Ease of Cleaning

Some toppers are going to be easier to clean than others. Certain models might allow sleepers to machine wash the entire topper while others have removable covers.

Foam toppers can be a bit more tricky to clean. Most likely these will need to be spot cleaned with a light cleaning solution if they were to get dirty.

Warranty

These will vary between brands. Some might be for more or less than a year while others are guaranteed for the lifetime of the customer. Most of these warranties cover issues that may arise due to manufacturing errors or exceptional wear and tear under normal use of the product.

Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Mattress Toppers

What’s the best soft topper for back pain?

Sleeping with aches and pains is no fun, especially if your bed is making them worse. A topper should help relieve those pains but certain types may do this better than others.

Topper picks for back pain are going to offer top-notch pressure relief and work to distribute the sleeper’s weight evenly over the surface of the bed. These types of mattresses will most likely be memory foam or latex options that are on the softer side. A thicker option may be a better pick for more severe cases.

What are the benefits of using a soft pad?

Mattress toppers do a lot of good for their users. Aside from providing pressure relief and additional support they are a great way to save shoppers some additional money. People can simply alter their sleeping surface for just a few hundred bucks as opposed to spending hundreds to thousands on a new mattress.

Mattress pads provide a way for sleepers to easily adjust their bed. Preferences change and although your mattress may be just fine, if your body adapts to like a softer surface, a topper can easily provide that comfort you desire.

What’s the best soft mattress pad for firm mattresses?

The best type of top for a firmer bed is going to be one that eases the sleeper’s weight into the firm mattress. If the sleeper sinks too quickly into the firm support, the pressure relief may not be as ideal as it could be, so a topper for a firm bed should be soft but not too soft.

Having a little bit of extra thickness could help transition the sleeper’s weight as well. Therefore, a combination between the right density and thickness for the sleeper’s body type could help shoppers arrive at the best selection.

Which type of mattress topper is the softest?

Certain types of memory foam mattress toppers can be super soft and squishy if they are low on the firmness scale. In terms of fluffy and soft, though, down mattress toppers take the cake. Filled with the softest, down feathers from ducks and geese, they feel cloud-like and soft – much like a down pillow but covering your entire bed. Whether or not this will be supportive enough for you will be determined by your weight, sleeping position, and personal preference.