Honorable Mentions
Not everything we test makes the cut as a pick, but that doesn't mean it's a bad mattress topper. Here are a few that our testers slept on and still got a good night's sleep with, but didn't love as much as the picks above.
Avocado Alpaca Topper for $809: If you're looking for a mattress topper that's extra soft, WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson recommends the Avocado Alpaca Mattress Topper. He says it's one of the softest things he's ever slept on, and that it's like sleeping in a cocoon of fluffiness. While it's only 2 inches thick, it still has that cozy sinking sensation of deeper mattress toppers. There are two options: medium-firm or plush, with the first using organic wool and the second using what Avocado calls “baby alpaca” fiber. Luckily that's a reference to how soft it is, not the age of the alpaca itself. It's certainly a luxury purchase, but a great pick of you want something super soft.
Avocado Eco Organic Mattress Topper for $296: This is another good organic mattress topper, made from latex foam. It's got a nice bouncy feel to it thanks to the latex, rather than a sinking feeling you'll get from memory foam. It's softer than our main organic pick, which might be more your preference.
Brooklyn Bedding 3-Inch Latex Mattress Topper for $509: This latex mattress topper was fine, with a nice spring to it and a good softness without being too soft. But the Avocado Eco was more comfortable and nearly half the price.
Helix Dual Comfort Mattress Topper for $374: If you and your partner have different sleep surface needs—specifically, one of you loves a firm surface while the other wants a softer one—Helix has made a mattress topper with you in mind. The Helix Dual Comfort Topper has a softer side and a firmer side, so each person can get their ideal mattress feel without needing to splurge on a split king bed. The softer side uses memory foam infused with copper gel, which promises the “Luxury Plush” feel that has a gentle sinking sensation, while the firmer side uses high-density foam that kept my back-sleeper husband's spine nice and straight as he likes. Plus, it has a cooling cover wrapping it up into one cohesive topper.
Helix Premium Memory Foam Mattress Topper with GlacioTex for $374: This memory foam topper doesn't have as much of a sinking sensation as the Company Store or Tempur-Pedic toppers, for better or worse—my hips felt a little lower than the rest of my body, and I noticed more motion transfer than with the aforementioned foams. But this Helix topper is a good option if you don't want that super sinking feeling. There's no heat retention whatsoever due to the hypoallergenic GlacioTex cover, and it has handy straps that attach to each corner of the mattress. Helix also has a trial period and limited lifetime warranty, so you can give this one a try and change your mind, unlike Tempur-Pedic, which has no return policy. —Kat Merck
Nest Soft Latex Topper for $599: Nest's latex-based topper looks and feels like an incredibly soft pillow top has been added to your mattress. It's one of the softest toppers I've ever tried, and it had a memory foam-adjacent feel of sinking into the topper, but with a little more spring and pillowy feel to it. It's one of the most expensive ones we've tested, though, and isn't hugely better nor does it offer the most support.
Nolah Mattress Topper for $314: If you're looking for that new-bed feel, Nolah's topper adds a fresh layer of a semi-dense proprietary foam inside an organic cotton cover to the top of any mattress. It's just 2 inches thick, and the firm version softened WIRED reviewer Martin Cizmar's bed, offering some pressure relief and a plush new-bed feel.
PlushBed Natural Latex Mattress Topper for $301: If you love something firm but want a thicker option than 2 inches, Scott recommends PlushBed's topper instead. It has five firmness levels, and he's a big fan of the extra-firm option. It's also a nice range if you want to pick a really specific level of firmness, as most other toppers only offer one or two options.
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