If you need more time before making your next big mattress decision or you're waiting on that next big sale event -- a mattress topper is a good temporary sleep solution. The right mattress topper can add comfort and enhance your sleep quality -- and for far less than the $1,000 a year many US adults said they'd spend on better rest, per a CNET’s sleep survey.
CNET’s sleep experts have been testing mattresses and their toppers for years. We carefully evaluate firmness, feel, construction and warranty while considering which are best for side sleepers, hot sleepers and those on a budget.
A handful of the toppers we've tested are stacked together in our mattress testing facility. Aly Lopez/CNET
Best overall mattress topper
We chose Nest Bedding's Cooling Topper as the best overall, thanks to its neutral feel and responsive, breathable foam. It provides a comfortable combination of support and pressure relief. Despite its name, this mattress topper is not actively cooling, but it should help keep you temperature-neutral throughout the night. Nest Bedding's mattresses and toppers are also CertiPUR-US certified and free of harmful toxins and chemicals.
What we updated: June 2025 We added the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper as our best for lower back support. We removed Brooklinen Down Alternative Topper from the list.
Best mattress toppers for 2025
Dillon Lopez/CNET Nest Bedding Cooling Topper Best overall mattress topper $269 at Nest Bedding Why we like it: The Nest Bedding Cooling Topper is an accommodating mattress topper that offers support and cushioning without drastically altering the feel or firmness of your mattress. It has a neutral feel thanks to Nest's Energex Temperature Responsive Foam, which is more responsive and breathable than traditional memory foam. Though it's Nest's Cooling Topper, we wouldn't consider it overly cooling -- but to be fair, most mattresses and toppers are not actually cooling unless they incorporate special cooling technology. This topper has breathable materials and an open polymer design that allows for more airflow to help regulate your body temperature, so you still shouldn't overheat on it. The foams are CertiPur-US certified, meaning they're made without harmful toxins or chemicals. This 2-inch-thick topper adds pressure relief and durability without drastically altering your mattress. We tested this using the Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress and our proprietary Mattress Smasher 9000 device. Without the topper, the mattress firmness level is 7.2. With the topper on the bed, the smasher provided an average firmness level of 6.7, making the mattress feel slightly softer but not significantly. Overall, it's a soft, comfy topper with a simple design offering a pleasant middle-of-the-road sensation. Who it’s best for: Those who want a comfortable, supportive and durable topper without significant cooling features and a medium firmness feel. Who shouldn't buy it: If you need a cooling topper or want to drastically change your mattress firmness. Runner-up: The Nolah Mattress Topper is a durable topper with plush and luxury firm options (we'd recommend plush for side sleepers and luxury firm for back and stomach sleepers). It features Nolah's unique AirFoam, which has a blended foam feel. It conforms around your curves but is more responsive than memory foam, so you won't have as much of that "stuck" feeling. Pros: Comfortable and accommodating neutral feel
Provides pressure relief and support
Simple design with breathable materials
... continue reading