The best mattress toppers, according to Consumer Reports

A mattress topper can refresh an aging bed without the expense of buying a whole new mattress, but the wrong one can trap heat or leave a sleeper's back unsupported. Side sleepers, back sleepers and those who switch positions overnight all need different things from a topper's foam and firmness.

Consumer Reports tested toppers for pressure distribution, sleep-position support, and ease of use, so shoppers can find one suited to how they sleep.

Credit: Amazon

The Dormeo 3" Mattress Topper costs $380, priced higher than every other topper in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' top overall pick. CR rated its support for both side and back sleepers excellent, along with excellent marks for ease of use, and highlighted the brand's patented Octaspring technology, engineered to push out warm air while pulling in cooler air, paired with a trademarked recovery foam that offers springlike responsiveness. Testers found the medium-firm topper didn't allow the body to sink in deeply or create an overly enveloped feeling, unlike some other memory foam toppers. It includes a 360-degree zip-off, machine-washable polyester cover, four securing straps, a 100-night trial, and comes in sizes from twin through split-head king.

Credit: BedStory

The BedStory 3" Mattress Topper costs just under $150, priced lower than many other toppers in this lineup, and still delivers a comfortable feel thanks partly to its removable quilted cover. Consumer Reports rated back sleeper support satisfactory and side sleeper support solid, along with excellent ease of use, though lab testing found its two-layer gel-infused foam ran warmer than some testers would prefer. CR described the surface as resilient with a feel landing between medium and slightly soft, and noted a nonslip cover bottom plus corner straps add extra stability, while the cover itself is machine-washable and zips down halfway for easy care. BedStory backs the topper with a month of free returns and a decade-long warranty, and it's available in sizes from twin through king.

Credit: Avocado

The Avocado Eco Organic Latex Medium 2" costs $269 and earned Consumer Reports' top marks for both pressure distribution and durability. CR rated its side sleeper support excellent, praising consistent contouring and comfort, and found it also handles position changes well throughout the night, rating it better than nearly every other topper tested for reducing motion transfer. Back sleeper support came back more middle-of-the-road, and CR noted this topper skips conveniences like a removable cover or corner straps found on other toppers in this lineup. It comes in sizes from twin through California king.

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The Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper costs $160 and delivers a reasonably plush feel with a medium to medium-firm profile, according to Consumer Reports testing. CR rated back sleeper support middling, similar to the BedStory topper, though side sleeper support scored very good and pressure distribution excelled. Corner straps help keep it in place, and the removable rayon cover is machine-washable, while the topper can be flipped and rotated, though at 27 pounds it ranks among the heavier options in this lineup and may require an extra set of hands to maneuver. Viscosoft backs it with a 90-day full refund window and a five-year warranty, and CR gave it top marks for ease of use, with sizes ranging from twin through short king.

Credit: Amazon

The Lucid $LCID 4 Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Topper costs $148, priced lower than every other topper in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' top marks for pressure distribution and ease of use. CR found the hybrid design delivers reliable support for side and combination sleepers, balancing contouring with support without feeling overly restrictive, and rated its heat management better than traditional memory foam with solid durability. CR noted back sleepers along with anyone who prefers a firmer, sturdier surface might not get enough structure from this particular topper. It comes in sizes from twin through California king.