Which Mattress Topper is Best?

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When I was younger, my father was fond of saying that there were a few things on which a man must never skimp; a pair of shoes and a mattress. He said this the way fathers often do when trying to impart wisdom; by making it seem like it was just a thing he said, an everyday platitude. In reality, it has been one of the most profound pieces of advice I ever got from my old man. His logic was that these were the items that held the key to our comfort. My father firmly believed that no matter what life threw at us, if we had on a pair of comfortable shoes and a good mattress on which to lie down at the end of the day, we would be much better suited to face it. Boy was he right!


Moneywise, these are some of the most reliable investments you can make. Shoes at least, are relatively inexpensive and, for most people, easy to replace; yet a good quality mattress can run you for thousands of pounds. Few things in life will impact your overall quality of life more than getting a full night’s sleep. What happens then, when you don´t have the money to buy the very best mattress available? Or perhaps that very expensive mattress you purchased a few years back is beginning to show signs of wear? You get yourself the best mattress topper you can afford, is what you do!


What` s a Mattress Topper and What Do I Do With It?


If you have no clue as to what I mean when I tell you to buy a mattress topper, don’t worry because it is a rather simple matter. Let’s get the basics out of the way first; a mattress topper is nothing more than a fancy name for what is essentially an added layer of cushioning that rests on top of your mattress. What this extra layer of cushioning does, will depend entirely on the build quality and materials used in the manufacture of your product.


There are two basic things you can achieve through the use of a Mattress Topper:

  • You can significantly increase the level of comfort provided by your mattress. If your mattress is too hard and firm, you can add an extra layer of soft cushioning for a more relaxed sleep. If your mattress is too soft, the best mattress toppers will provide you with additional support. The net effect is always a more comfortable sleep.


– The second thing you can do with a mattress topper is to extend the service life of your mattress dramatically. A topper will protect your mattress from sweat and other bodily fluids, possible food and drink spills, and more conventional wear and tear. With a high-quality mattress topper, you will be rotating and flipping your mattress a lot less often.


The Best Mattress Topper Materials


Like I said before, the material with which your new mattress topper is made will have a pivotal role to play in your potential satisfaction. I would like to say that there is no best material; all of the various manufacture materials have advantages and disadvantages for you to consider, and it will come down to your personal preferences.


FOAM: The majority of foam mattress toppers are made out of memory foam. Memory foam was developed by NASA and boasts the ability to quickly adapt and mould itself to the contours of your body for maximum comfort and support. Memory foam gets its name from the fact that it can quickly recover its original shape. Foam toppers are some of the thickest products on the market; you can regularly find 4-inch foam toppers. Most memory foam mattress toppers will have a density of 3 to 5 pounds per cubic feet. The higher the density the better quality you will get, but don’t expect to find toppers with densities higher than 5 lb/ft3, as these are quite rare. Memory foam is habitually made out of Polyurethane which is a bit unfortunate since many people can develop allergic reactions to it. Polyurethane is also highly flammable, so this should be kept in mind.


DOWN: Feather Mattress toppers are a classic staple in the bedding market. Down feather mattress toppers are extremely lightweight and provide luxurious softness and exceptional comfort. Feather toppers give a high level of insulation which makes them an excellent choice for cold winters. At the same time, this makes them a poor choice for hotter climates. This material is less durable than the other options and tends to lose its integrity much quicker. Featherbedding also has the tendency to become lumpy overtime


COTTON: Cotton is the king of fabrics for a good reason. Cotton is a wholly natural fibre, and it is highly breathable to boot. Cotton is also gentle on your skin, so it is perfect for folks with allergies. Organic varieties are readily available for the savvy crowd looking to avoid synthetic textiles. One of the few downsides to cotton toppers is that they are less durable than most of the other options on the market. If you purchase a cotton mattress topper and want it to last you a while, you will have to take especially good care of it.


Other conventional materials used are Latex, Wool, and even Egg Crate Foam. All of these options will be valid choices for some individuals and less so for others. It will all depend on your personal circumstances and budget.


The Mattress Topper is a functional way to provide your mattress, whether it is old and lumpy or firm and recently purchased, with an added layer of cushioning. Your satisfaction, however, will depend on various factors such as desired thickness, the density of the filler material, and your budget. The best mattress toppers can have prices in the thousand dollar range. Nevertheless, I promise you that you do not have to spend thousands of dollars to get a quality product. If you do proper research and take the time to pick a mattress topper that has the right fit and is made with the right materials, you can extend the life of your mattress and get to enjoy levels of comfort of which you previously only dreamed.