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Mattress Topper Reviews > Memory Foam Mattress Topper Reviews
Memory Foam Topper Reviews, Ratings & Comparisons
Based on 32,271 Consumer Experiences
What You Need To Know
THE GOOD: Memory foam toppers are the most popular mattress topper because they tend to be most effective in improving mattress comfort. In addition, they are available in a variety of thicknesses and densities to suit personal preference.
THE BAD: The main complaint is initial off gassing odor. Less common complaints include heat retention, difficulty of movement, poor longevity and high price.
About Our Memory Foam Topper-Pad Research
Our ratings are based on 32,000+ memory foam topper-pad consumer reviews gathered from diverse, credible sources including product review sections on retailer websites (Amazon, JCPenney, Overstock, Sam's and others) as well as online message boards.
We receive NO COMPENSATION of any kind from any company, organization or individual to affect in any way or degree the content of our mattress topper-pad research.
Contents
Memory Foam Topper Ratings: As a Group
Memory Foam Topper Ratings: By Brand / Model
What Is Memory Foam?
Topper Longevity / Lifespan
Topper Density
Off Gassing / Initial Odor
Amount of Memory Foam in Topper / Pad
Having a Topper on One Side of a Bed
Memory Foam Topper Ratings: Overall As a Group
The table below rates and compares memory foam toppers overall as a group based on thickness and foam density. The ratings show what tends to be true; a particular brand, model or individual topper may go against the ratings somewhat. For ratings on specific brands / models, see the section following this one.
| Memory Foam Topper Thickness | Memory Foam Topper Density | Comment | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 2 Inches | 2 inches | 3 inches | 4 inches | 2.5-3 lbs/ft | 4 lbs/ft | 5+ lbs/ft | ||
| Owner satisfaction | B- | B+ | B+ | B | B | B+ | B+ | Memory foam toppers overall as a group have 89% owner satisfaction. () |
| Affordability | C | C+ | C | D+ | B | C | D | The price range for memory foam toppers is usually $75-$260. On average, owners pay around $132. |
| Longevity / durability | C | C | C | C | C | B- | B | Loss of support, loss of resiliency and development of body impressions are main durability complaints. |
| Less (back) pain | B- | B | B+ | B | B | B+ | B+ | Overall, relief of back, shoulder and hip pain is strong benefit of memory foam. |
| Easy to move on | A- | B | C | D | B | C | C- | Thicker, higher density toppers are often more difficult to move on due to sleeper sinking into topper. |
| Suitable for back sleepers | B+ | A- | B+ | B | B | B | B | Thinner, more dense toppers may be best. |
| Suitable for side sleepers | C+ | B | B+ | B+ | C+ | B | B+ | Thicker, more dense toppers may be best. |
| Suitable for stomach sleepers | B | B+ | B | C+ | B | B | B- | Medium thickness may be best. |
| No off gassing | C- | D | D | D | D | D | D | Off gassing is the top owner complaint by far. More info here. |
| No sleeping hot | B- | C | C- | D+ | C | C | C- | Thicker, higher density toppers tend to trap more heat. |
| Couple friendly | B | B | C | C- | C+ | B | B+ | Couple friendly toppers improve motion isolation yet don't cause lighter person to roll toward heavier partner. |
| Lightweight | B- | C+ | C | C- | B- | C | C- | Thinner, lower-density toppers are lighter and easier to handle. |
| Warranty | C | C | C | C | C | B | B | Higher-density toppers sometimes have longer warranties. |
| Firmness | medium to firm | medium | medium to soft | soft to medium | -- | -- | -- | The thicker the topper, the softer it tends to be. |
| Comment | limited impact on mattress comfort | top-selling thickness | 2nd top-selling thickness | lighter sleeper may roll toward heavier partner | limited support | top-selling density; mix of comfort and support | limited availability; often pricey | |
Top-Rated Memory Foam Toppers
The table below compares top-rated memory foam toppers. Specifically, it compares those toppers that have at least 90% owner satisfaction based on a sample size of 65 or more owner experiences.
| Owner Satis- faction | Sample Size | Price | Thickness Available | Memory Foam Density (lbs-ft) | Distinctive Advantage or Trait | Warranty | Return Policy | Retailer(s) | Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AERUS | 96% | 201 | $40-$200 | 2", 2.5", 3" | 3.0, 5.0 | highest rated | 2 years | 90 days or more | samsclub.com | made by Foamex |
| COMFORT CELL | 95% | 129 | $160-$255 | 2" | 2.5 | ventilated grid pattern for air flow | 5 years | 90 days or more | jcpenney.com | low density |
| BODIPEDIC | 93% | 3,203 | $73-$131 | 2", 3", 4" | 3.0 | value potential | 3 years | 30 days | overstock.com | made by Sleep Innovations |
| COMFORT DREAMS | 93% | 3,851 | $126-$240 | 3", 4" | 3.0, 4.0 | -- | none | 30 days | overstock.com | –– |
| TEMPUR- PEDIC |
93% | 68 | $300-$450 | 2", 3" | 5.3 | above average longevity possible | 5 years | Brookstone - 30-days | brookstone.com, tempurpedic.com | questionable value |
| SERTA | 92% | 17,646 | $82-$146 | 2", 3", 4" | 4.0 | top seller | 3 years | 30 days | overstock.com | -- |
3" 4LB MEMORY FOAM TOPPER |
92% | 788 | $116-$227 | 3" | 4.0 | PURGreen certified | NA | 30 days | amazon | warranty questionable |
LUCID BY LINENSPA GEL |
91% | 190 | $95-$220 | 2.5" | 3.0 | gel infused to reduce heat | 3 years | 30 days | amazon | removable bamboo cover |
| 4" PRESSURE RELIEF | 91% | 146 | $87-$155 | 4" | 4.0 | polyfiber top | 5 years | 90 days or more | samsclub.com | consists of .5" polyfiber, 2" memory foam, 1.5" reg. foam |
Memory Foam: What Is It?
Memory foam is made from polyurethane with additional chemicals that increase its density. In technical terms, it is often referred to as visco-elastic polyurethane foam. The foam is made up of millions of spherical shaped, open cells. What makes memory foam unique is its temperature and weight sensitivity. Learn more.
Memory Foam Topper Longevity
A memory foam mattress topper in many cases should be expected to last about three years, owner experience data shows. Toppers with higher density foam (4.0 lbs/ft or more) may last somewhat longer than those with lower density foam (2.5 to 3.0 lbs/ft).
As the toppers age and wear, they tend to lose their resiliency and supportiveness. They may also discolor and tear.
Memory Foam Topper Ownership Length |
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 |
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| 0 years | 3 years | 6 years |
Memory Foam Mattress Topper Density
Memory foam density indicates how much the foam weighs. For example, "three lbs/ft density foam" means that a cubic foot of this foam weighs three pounds. Most memory foam toppers are available in three and four lbs/ft density. Density can determine many topper characteristics. Learn more based on owner experience data – memory foam density: higher vs lower.
It should be noted that at least 10% of memory foam topper owners question the accuracy or truthfulness of their topper's stated density as provided by the manufacturer or retailer. These owners often believe that the density is overstated.
Off Gassing / Initial Odor
When unpackaged, memory foam can initially give off a gas or odor which can last from a few hours to a few weeks. Off gassing is the main complaint by memory foam topper owners as about 20% report the problem. Off gassing can be a small annoyance to some people and unbearable to others. Learn more about memory foam off gassing.
Off Gassing by Thickness
There is considerable randomness as to whether and how much a memory foam mattress topper will off gas. However, owner experience data suggests that off gassing tends to be mainly influenced by the thickness of the topper.
Amount of Memory Foam in Topper / Pad
Some toppers on the market call themselves "memory foam," yet they are made mostly of regular foam. For example, they may have one inch of memory foam and one or more inch of regular foam underneath. These types tend to be inexpensive.
While customer satisfaction for these types is similar to that of all-memory foam toppers, all-memory foam toppers tend to have somewhat better longevity.
To determine the actual contents of a topper you are considering, read the fine print.
Having a Memory Foam Topper on One Side of a Bed
Memory foam toppers can often be added to just one side of a bed to, in effect, provide different firmness and feel for each side. This can make a mattress more suitable for couples. Read more on how to have a topper on one side of a bed.
At Amazon: A Top-Rated Memory Foam Topper / Pad
Do memory foam toppers act as a heat trap?
The short answer is – not really.
Only about 5% of memory foam topper owners report that their topper sleeps hot or, in other words, absorbs and fails to release their body heat resulting in an unnaturally warm and uncomfortable sleep surface.
Memory foam is only somewhat more likely to act as a heat trap compared to the other topper types (latex, feather, fiber, wool).
Keep in mind, however, that thicker and higher-density memory foam toppers tend to have more heat-related complaints than do thinner, less-dense varieties.
Gel-infused memory foam tends to sleep at least slightly cooler than regular memory foam.
At Amazon: Top-Rated Gel-Infused Memory Foam Topper
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