After a hectic day of lectures, practical classes, and assignments, when you finally crash into your bed, it feels so good and so much at home. But college dorms are not known to have the softest beds in the world! And getting a new mattress is expensive and inconvenient especially for students who are almost always on tight budgets. So, your best option is to get a mattress pad. The good news is that a mattress topper can be an easy alternative to make your bed much softer and better to crash onto. It is also extremely easy to carry around unlike a mattress.
The right mattress topper can give you pillow-like softness if your bed is too hard, or add firmness if you need more support. There are mattress pads that provide cooling options if you’re someone who sweats a lot when you sleep. Mattress pads can also help with back pain and stiffness after sleeping. But choosing the right mattress pad can be a daunting task as there are a plethora of options in the market.
We’ve put together a list of the top 10 best ones available online.
1. Tempur-Pedic Tempur Topper Supreme
This three-inch foam mattress pad is amazingly firm and is ideal for beds that need more support or innerspring mattresses that bounces a lot. The mattress is built for stability and durability. It’s also the best mattress pad for people on the heavier side or anyone that needs a firmer surface to support their pressure points. And though it’s pricey, it’s less expensive and way more convenient than buying a Tempur-Pedic mattress for almost 4 times the cost. Tempur-Pedic’s foam material is famous for its motion transfer reduction and increased stability. Their ad features a kid jumping up and down on a mattress with a motionless glass of wine next to him. Although that might be a little exaggerated, this mattress pad is sure to make your nights better.
2. Linenspa Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
This is the best mattress pad you can get if your budget is under 100 dollars. This gel-infused mattress pad by Linespa will give you the best bang for your buck. It is one of the most popular products on Amazon with thousands of 5-star reviews. The brand describes the foam as “ultra-plush” and says it’ll help mattresses that are too hard and will make them softer and firmer. Plus, the gel beads in the material helps to prevent overheating at night. Because it’s a softer foam, it’s ideal for people who aren’t that heavy and also for side sleepers as it will help to relieve pressure on the joint areas and will reduce stiffness after you wake up. You can also choose a 3 inversion of this pad for a slightly higher price which will be even softer. The only downside is that this one doesn’t come with a cover like the expensive ones.
3. Lucid Down Alternative & Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Lucid is an industry leader when it comes to mattresses. This hybrid mattress pad uses a mixture of foam and fiberfill to provide an enhanced sleeping experience. The product makes the mattress a lot more stable and provides good support. The bottom layer is memory foam paired with a gel to help keep the temperature down, while the top is pockets of down alternative for plush padding. It fits perfectly on your bed and makes it 2 times better instantly. The pad is 4 inches thick which is luxurious. But it is made of two layers that can be separated and used separately. The foam layer doesn’t have a cover on its own but for under 150$, that’s pretty much okay. It is also machine washable and dryer safe too.


4. Viscosoft Serene Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress Topper
Most mattress toppers can easily slip onto your bed and adjust themselves but this one has fitted sides with elastic bands to secure it properly onto the bed. The pad is 4 inches thick and is a hybrid made of a mixture of materials to provide better support and comfort. The topper also has a separate strap that binds together the two layers of fiberfill and foam. The mattress might be a little hard to set up at first with all the bands, but once it’s done, it provides great stability and very little movement while sleeping. If you are someone who tosses and turns a lot in your sleep, this one is perfect for you. It is also the perfect combination of the right amount of stability and softness so as to prevent aches and stiffness after a good night’s sleep. The thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon will validate this point.
5. Plush Extra Thick Mattress Topper
As the name suggests, this mattress pad feels like lying down on the top of a parachute. It’s just the right amount of softness and sturdiness and a little bit of bounce. This one is perfect to soften up hard and stiff mattresses. This 3-inch beauty has a baffle box construction with layers of down and feathers to make it plush and soft. The baffle box constriction keeps the filling evenly distributed so no bumps or pits are formed. The outer cover is made of a fabric with cotton sateen, which prevents feathers from protruding out. The brand also has a cheaper alternative made of microfiber fill which helps if you are allergic to feathers. Besides the fill, it has the same overall construction.
6. Tuft and Needle Mattress Topper
If you are someone who sleeps on their side, a mattress pad made of memory foam will be perfect because it takes the pressure off the areas where you put the most weight, like your hips and shoulders. This mattress pad from Tuft and Needle is a 2-inch beauty that provides cushioning as well as great support. Instead of straps to secure it on the bed, this one has a non-skid bottom that provides a different texture to the base so that it doesn’t slide off the bed. The pad also comes with a really nice knit cover which enhances the softness. This mattress is not washable though. The mattress pad is really budget-friendly and you can always get it for under 150$ on amazon.
7. SOPAT Extra Thick Mattress Topper
Foam mattress toppers are cheap but are not usually machine washable. This super comfy and soft mattress pad has a microfiber fill and is machine wash-safe. It also comes with a sheet that’s attached to the pad to secure it onto the bed. This sheet can fit mattresses that are up to 21-inches tall, which is a lot more than you would ever need. It is also perfect for college students as it is inexpensive. You can get it for under 100 dollars on amazon and it has hundreds of 5-star reviews to back it up. According to customers, it is extremely comfortable and can be easily attached to the bed. If you are someone who suffers from back pain or stiffness after sleeping, then this isn’t the option for you because this pad is all about providing softness and comfort.
8. Subrtex Gel infused Matress Topper
This mattress pad comes with all the bells and whistles for under 200 dollars. The pad comes with a bamboo rayon cover which is the highlight. The mattress uses 3.5-pound density memory foam for enhanced comfort and sturdiness. The pad is also topped with a ventilated design which optimized airflow and reduces body heat so that you don’t wake up in a pool of sweat every morning. It also features a removable and washable bamboo rayon cover which is a skin-friendly knitted fabric and also comes with adjustable elastic straps that help secure the pad onto the bed and prevents sliding. It also has a premium metal zipper for ease of handling. The pad also does not have any harmful substances like formaldehyde. All this under 200 dollars is a bargain you don’t want to miss.
9. Sleep Innovations Ultra soft
This is another budget-friendly option that comes under 150 dollars. The mattress is an impressive 4 inches and is built for comfort and durability. The mattress is made of 2 layers of cloudlike comfort designed for better airflow and to prevent trapping of body heat and also provides an overall plush feel. The mattress is perfect for restless sleepers who move around a lot and provides comfort and stability. The pad is also hypoallergenic and CertiPUR-US certified which means it offers you high-quality materials for better sleep. The 1-inch cover of the mattress is also foldable and washable.
10. Inofia Mattress Topper
This one comes with a 100 night home trial. The honeycomb structure of latex foam not only ensures that the latex mattress pad makes your mattress better but also increases air circulation, while latex infused mattress topper removes a lot of body heat to create a comfortable sleeping temperature. Sofia high-elasticity LATEXPUR foam adjusts to your body’s positions, and compared with other foam, it will not cave down easily and is also durable and environmentally friendly. Certipur-US certified foam ensures that Sofia’s latex mattress topper is made with no harmful chemicals and meets all safety standards. All these perks come under 200 dollars also.