How Thick Should A Mattress Topper Be?

The question “how thick should a mattress topper be” is one frequently asked by buyers as most of them have little or no idea on how thick a mattress topper should be.

For a plus knowledge, a mattress topper is different from mattress protector, a mattress cover or encasement. A mattress topper, as its name implies is a “topper” designed to lay atop the mattress for the purpose of providing extra comfort and padding.

A mattress topper is made from a wide variety of materials all designed to serve as an additional layer of comfort, especially if the mattress being used is worn out or has begun to droop.

On the plus side, a mattress topper is removable and is skillfully designed to supplement the comfort your mattress offers or as an extra package, to cover up the faults hidden in to your mattress. A good mattress topper adds the needed support to a mattress that is too soft or has grown weak overtime.

If you’re searching for a sturdy support for your mattress, a mattress topper is worth looking out for as it is equally recommended for individuals who have trouble falling asleep or people who feel their mattresses have weakened over the years.

Unlike a mattress pad which is usually thinner, a mattress topper is designed with a layer of thickness that adds the desired amount of support you need in order to sleep well and wake up with no pain in any part of your body at all.

A mattress topper offers a variety of layers when it comes to comfort and cushioning. This makes it a popular choice amongst adults who find it hard to fall asleep, find their mattress not comfortable enough or who just want an additional layer of comfort.

Purchasing a mattress topper as an additional layer for your mattress is important as a good mattress topper offers cushioning to your mattress and also betters its quality, thereby extending its usage.

How Thick Should a Mattress Topper Be?

The thickness of a mattress topper largely depends on the material used in its production.

To answer your question, the average thickness of a mattress topper is between two inches and four inches.

If you find a mattress topper thicker than two to four inches, don’t be surprised because some manufacturers produce mattress toppers with a depth of five to six inches. Although this is done with the aid of specific materials.

Here’s a brief overview of how thick mattress toppers can be:

Two-Inch: This is the thinnest layer a mattress topper can get. A good two inches can add a full layer to the top of your mattress, thereby giving it the boost it needs.

Do note that a two inch mattress topper is best suited for a new mattress. Plus, this layer is more appropriate for stomach and back sleepers.

Three-inch: A mattress topper can also be made in a three inch layer. A thickness of three inches can provide an additional layer that the two inch mattress topper lacks.

Three inch mattress toppers are recommended for not so new mattresses as these toppers are thicker, with an added advantage of one inch.

Four-inch: The four inch mattress toppers are designed to ensure a reduction in body aches, especially around the neck, shoulders and lower back.

This layer is recommended for supporting older mattresses that have accumulated bumps or have grown saggy over the years.

3 Best Mattress Toppers (Ranked and Reviewed)

1. Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper

SPECIFICATIONS:

Dimensions: 80 X 60 X 3 inches
Weight: 36.9 pounds

Next on our list is the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper. This Medium Firm, Queen sized, white coloured mattress topper is one you shouldn’t leave hanging on the shelf.

This three inch mattress topper is designed to conform to your body and allow you to get that good night’s sleep you’ve always desired.

Its TEMPUR material responds to your body temperature, your weight, and shape in order to provide a full fledged personalized comfort and the support you need to sleep well.

The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper comes with a machine-washable cover. Now you can do away with dust, dirt, dust mites, allergens and a whole lot of others that trigger health-related issues.

This supreme three inch mattress topper is more durable than the average mattress topper. It is designed unlike other mattress toppers to serve you for a long time and still maintain its durability.

The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper comes with a LIMITED warranty. Its limited warranty is valid only when you purchase the new product from authorised retailers. You can also access this limited warranty as an “original purchaser.” This implies that you have to purchase the new product straight from the manufacturer, Tempur-Pedic.

On the plus side, this Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Supreme 3-Inch mattress topper doesn’t need batteries to function, and it also doesn’t need to be assembled after purchase. You only have to get your mattress topper packaged in a portable box, and wait for a few hours so it can fully expand to its original shape, and size.

This mattress topper is suitable for road trips as it offers the max comfort your money can buy. Whether you’re taking a road trip or trying to breathe life into your weak mattress, the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper is your go-to mattress.

Pros

Cons

2. Sweetnight 4 Inch Queen Size Mattress Topper with Waterproof Mattress Protector

459 Reviews

Sweetnight 4 Inch Queen Size Mattress Topper with Waterproof Mattress Protector, Memory Foam Topper Infused Gel & Bamboo Charcoal, Cooling & Supportive, Plus 4 Bed Sheet Holder Straps, Medium Firm

[REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN & 3-IN-1] – The premium queen mattress topper with a waterproof mattress protector, plus 4 bed sheet holder straps make it a versatile choice for your sweet home. Start to rejuvenate your mattress with this comfortable foam mattress topper queen.
[PERFECT FIRMNESS & PERSONALIZED SUPPORT] – Our Unique 4 inch foam mattress topper queen combines the comfort of gel infused memory foam and the support of bamboo charcoal foam. It’ s not only can absorb moisture but also can helps prevent body aches caused by “SINKING”. Prolong your mattress life and get the quality sleep you deserve.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Dimensions: 60 X 80 X 4 inches
Weight: 28.4 pounds

First on our list of the best is the Sweetnight 4 Inch Queen Size Mattress Topper with a Waterproof Mattress Protector.

This unique two inch gel infused memory foam mattress topper offers a maximum layer of comfort with an added support from the bamboo charcoal foam. It equally comes in an egg crate design for easy ventilation and dissipation of heat while you sleep.

The Sweetnight 4 Inch Queen Size Mattress Topper with a Waterproof Mattress Protector with its bamboo charcoal foam is equipped to absorb all forms of moisture. Not only does it absorb moisture, it also helps to prevent body aches caused by sinking into the mattress.

Its gel infused memory foam serves as a cooling system and helps to regulate your body temperature while you’re asleep to help you sleep well. Plus it comes equipped with 4 Bed Sheet Holder Straps that secure the sheet on your mattress firmly so that you don’t have to worry about its moving while you’re asleep! Now how’s that for a mattress topper!

The Sweetnight 4 Inch Queen Size Mattress Topper comes with a removable and washable zippered cover that works to protect the foam and equally prolong its usage life. The waterproof inner compartment of the cover is equipped with a TPU membrane layer that ensures your mattress is protected from stains, liquid and perspiration too.

A bonus point for this waterproof cover is it is totally silent and doesn’t produce the crinkling sound commonly associated with mattress covers.

This mattress topper can be used alone without a mattress protector or can be combined with one. Its fitted sheet design easily accommodates depths measuring up to eight (8) to ten (10) inches.

The manufacturers of this product offer a 30 days no hassle money back back and satisfaction guarantee. Plus, this gel infused memory foam mattress topper is OEKO-TEX and ISPA certified and backed by a full five (5) year warranty.

Pros

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3. Best Price Mattress 4″ Memory Foam Mattress Topper, Queen

SPECIFICATIONS:

Dimensions: 80 X 60 X 4 inches
Weight: 22 pounds

Here we have the Best Price Mattress 4″ Memory Foam Mattress Topper. This queen size mattress topper is designed with a memory foam layer of 1.5 inch and a 2.5 inch layer of high density base foam.

Its layer of memory foam is firm in normal temperatures but when you decide to fall asleep, the memory foam reacts to your body’s temperature and then conforms itself to your shape.

This allows your weight to be evenly distributed along the surface of the topper thereby taking pressure off pressure points in your body, I.e your neck, shoulders, lower back and hips.

This mattress topper is made from 100% polyester fabric and this allows it to isolate motion transfer between sleep partners. This hints at a “no disturbance” mode, especially if your sleep partner tends to move while asleep. So, you wouldn’t have to bother about your sleep being tampered with by your sleep partner’s movements.

A bonus point in its favour, this memory foam mattress topper is budget friendly! You can get quality without having to completely drain your wallets.

Enhanced with a new technology, the top layer of this 4″ memory foam mattress topper is infused with Green Tea Extracts! Pretty cool for a mattress topper right?

Green Tea, known to contain agents that help to promote good sleep and relieve stress is infused into this mattress topper to offer you the best comfort a mattress topper can offer.

The Best Price Mattress 4″ Memory Foam Mattress Topper comes with a hand-washable, zippered, polyester mesh cover. Its zipper is made from a durable anti-snag material that leaves no room for snagging while being zipped or unzipped.

This durable mattress topper is CertiPUR-US certified. This implies that your mattress topper has undergone numerous tests to prove it is safe enough to be used. Plus, it comes with a guaranteed five (5) year manufacturer warranty.

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FAQs

Should you flip a memory foam mattress topper?

This decision largely depends on the buyer. A memory foam mattress topper can be flipped over because most mattress toppers have the same fill, texture and layer on both sides.

Does a thick mattress topper help to decrease back pain?

The thickness of a mattress topper helps to decrease back pain at a really steady rate. Although, this would only happen if you get the proper layer for your mattress.

Bottom Line

Wondering how thick a mattress topper is isn’t a bad idea at all, plus knowing how thick it is helps you make the right decision.

The thickness of mattress topper helps you know what type of mattress to purchase it for. For example, the two inch mattress toppers are best suited for new mattresses, especially if you just want an additional layer of comfort.

On the other hand, mattress toppers that measure from three inches and above are recommended for not so new mattresses or mattresses that have grown weak over the years.

It is important to understand how thick mattress toppers can be as having a basic background knowledge of this would make your selection process a whole lot easier. Plus, you’d save yourself the stress of having to deal with back aches and a host of others if the wrong choice is made.

As said earlier, do take note of the fact that mattress toppers are not the same as mattress protectors, although they might be similar, there are visible differences. Mattress toppers are considerably thicker than mattress protectors, while the mattress protectors are on the thinner side. Plus, a mattress topper provides more cushioning than a mattress protector.

Author Profile

Gabriel Tackett

Double major in Engineering and Geology at the University of Minnesota. Experienced shooter & hunter for over 15 years. Certified NRA officer for over 10 years working as a writer at Ballachy.com .