Fiberbed (Down Alternative) Mattress Topper Reviews, Ratings & Comparison

Based on 3,400 Actual Consumer Experiences

April 24, 2013

What You Need To Know

THE GOOD: Fiberbeds (also known as down alternative toppers) are generally effective at softening a mattress. They tend to be affordable compared to other topper types. They seldom have odor or allergy-causing potential.

THE BAD: Fiberbeds may be too thin and lumpy for some, and they tend to offer only limited support. Shaking / fluffing may be needed to maintain loft and comfort. Machine washing and drying may cause damage.

THE TOPPER: A fiberbed is filled with polyfiber or down alternative puffball and typically has a cotton cover. Despite its name, a fiberbed is not an actual bed or mattress, but rather a mattress topper.

THE COMPETITION: Main competitors to fiberbeds are likely featherbeds and wool toppers. See how fiberbeds compare to these and other mattress topper types in the mattress topper comparison.

Fiberbed Ratings: As a Group

The ratings below show how fiberbeds / down alternative toppers overall as a group are evaluated by owners. For ratings on specific brands, see the section following this one.

Owner satisfaction	b	Fiberbeds overall as a group have 89% owner satisfaction. (89 out of 100 based on 3409 reviews.) This satisfaction rate is similar to the owner satisfaction of other topper types.
Durability / longevity	c	They have similar longevity/durability as other toppers. They will tend to compress over time with regular use, losing some comfort.
Affordability / price	b	Prices range from $35-$90. On average, owners paid $58 which is less than what owners of other topper types paid. Owners generally regard their fiberbed as a good value.
Less pain	b-	Fiberbeds can significantly reduce pressure point discomfort. They may not, however, help significantly with back pain as they tend to not provide much contouring support.
Supportive	c	Their potential to improve mattress support is below that of memory foam and latex.
Motion isolation	d-	Unlike memory foam and latex toppers, fiberbeds do not reduce your motion from reaching and disturbing your partner.
No lumpiness	c-	Lumpiness is a significant owner complaint, especially after the topper is machine washed.
Easy to move on	b+	Fiberbeds tend to offer little resistance to movement, making them better than memory foam and latex on this issue.
No noise	b-	Some may make a rustling noise when moved on.
Lightweight	b+	There are few complaints from owners about heavy weight, unlike latex and memory foam.
No initial odor	a-	Fiberbeds have fewer complaints on this issue than any other topper type.
No sleeping hot	b-	About 3% of owners report that the topper acts as a heat trap.
Sex friendly	b	The softness provided by the topper can cause love making to be more comfortable.
Proper fit / secure	c	Like many mattress toppers, fiberbeds may not fit properly to the dimensions of the mattress. (They tend to run small.) And they may not stay secure or keep from sliding around.
Appearance	c+	When the bed is made, the topper may cause it to appear somewhat uneven and lumpy.
Washable	d	At least 30% of owners report that their fiberbed becomes lumpy or falls apart when machine washed. Machine drying can also be damaging. Dry cleaning may provide better results.
No need to fluff / shake	c-	Occasional-to-regular shaking / fluffing may be needed to maintain loft and comfort.

Top-Rated Fiberbeds

The following table compares fiberbeds / down alternative toppers that rate highest in owner satisfaction based on significant owner experience data. (Links below go to Amazon.com.)

	All Season Down Alternative	Elementa 600	Ultimate Loft	Pinzon	Magic Loft	Down Alternative Cover For Memory Foam Topper

Owner Satisfaction	93%	93%	92%	87%	85%	94%
Sample Size	358	269	780	1031	169	895
Price	$45-$80	$70	$85-$95	$45-$65	$40-$60	$69
Return Policy	30 days	30 days	90+ days	30 days	90 days	30 days
Sizes Available	twin, full, queen, king	twin, full, queen, king, CA king	twin, full	twin, full, queen, king, CA king	twin, full, queen, king, CA king	twin, full, queen, king
Fits Mattress Thickness	up to 15" thick	up to 22" thick	up to 15" thick	likely up to 15" thick	up to 15" thick	covers memory foam or latex toppers up to 3" thick
Retailer	amazon.com ($45-$80), overstock.com ($60-$80)	overstock.com	JCPenney, jcpenney.com	amazon.com	walmart.com	overstock.com

Sensation of Lying on a Fiberbed

The chart below breaks down the words owners most often use to describe lying on their fiberbed topper.

fiberbed / down alternative toppers

At Amazon: A Top-Rated Fiberbed Topper

About our unbiased fiberbed (down alternative) topper review and research

Our ratings are based on over 3,400 fiberbed owner reviews that were gathered from review sections on retailer web sites, including Amazon, Overstock, Wal-Mart and others.

Remember

– Some fiberbeds are machine washable, while others should be dry cleaned. Owners sometimes report difficulty fitting their topper into a washing machine or that machine washing effectively destroys the fiberbed.

– Occasional-to-regular shaking / fluffing may be needed to maintain loft and comfort.

– Unlike some other topper types, such as memory foam and latex, fiber toppers may give the bed a somewhat uneven appearance when the bed is made.

At Amazon: A Top-Rated Fiberbed Topper

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