Which gel mattress topper is best?
If used long enough, any mattress can become significantly less cushioned and comfortable. Instead of replacing the mattress entirely, which can cost a great deal of money, many turn to gel mattress toppers to get an extra few years’ worth of use out of their mattress. It can also actively help to keep you a little cooler at night, which can be a godsend in warmer climates.
The best gel mattress topper is the Viscosoft 4-Inch Dual-Layer Gel-Infused Mattress Topper. This is one of the most comfortable and well-constructed gel mattress toppers available, plus it has no strange chemical odors that others can have, and it can even help soothe back pain.
What to know before you buy a gel mattress topper
Mattress toppers vs. mattress pads
Most assume that mattress toppers and mattress pads are essentially the same thing. However, they are quite different. A mattress topper is designed explicitly and solely for comfort. A mattress pad, on the other hand, adds a relatively small amount of padding: It is designed to protect the mattress from allergens and moisture or liquids, and changes very little to nothing about the sleeping experience.
Cooling properties
Gel mattress toppers have an innate cooling property, thanks to the gel beads dispersed around the topper, unlike memory foam toppers, which can trap heat and make for a hotter sleeping experience. Gel toppers can also incorporate other materials into their construction, such as bamboo, which further enhances their cooling properties.
Thickness
A gel mattress topper can come in most sizes, ranging from 1 to 4 inches, although they are also usually available in half-inch increments. The thickness can also result from the use of different materials, rather than solely gel foam. Thicker gel mattress toppers do cost more, and keep in mind that a thinner gel mattress topper will affect the overall feel of your sleeping experience.
What to look for in a quality gel mattress topper
Resilience
Unlike latex and foam toppers that sag over time, gel gives a mattress topper more elasticity, which assists in maintaining its shape and preventing ripping or sagging.
Odor, fillers and pain-free sleeping
Foam mattress toppers are more likely to contain filler materials that are hazardous to one’s health, in addition to being much more likely to have strange, unpleasant odors that can take days to dissipate once they invade your home. One thing foam does just as well as gel, however, is providing a pressure-relieving surface that can significantly decrease pain around the body.
Customization
Most gel mattress toppers can be cut to better fit your bed — or to only cover the half of the bed you share with another — because their materials don’t need to be sealed. Not all gel mattress toppers can be trimmed, though, so be sure to double-check before using scissors or credit cards.
How much you can expect to spend on a gel mattress topper
Gel mattress toppers are more expensive than their memory foam cousins, though they still remain far and away more affordable than a new mattress. Most entry-level gel mattress toppers cost around $100, with the highest-quality options reaching around $200 or more. As noted, thicker gel mattress toppers are generally more expensive.
Gel mattress topper FAQ
Are there any limits to the ability of a gel mattress topper to extend the lifespan of a mattress?
A. Unfortunately, yes. While most mattress that have had several years of use thrown onto them can endure some extra years of service with a gel mattress topper, any mattress that’s around 10 years old or has been used very roughly or has become lumpy and saggy just can’t be remediated; you’ll need to replace a mattress like that no matter what.
How well will any given gel mattress topper actually fit on my mattress?
A. Many consumers have reported that the gel mattress topper doesn’t fit perfectly, though it is rarely off by more than an inch or two. If you’re worried about it, you can buy a gel mattress topper slightly bigger than the mattress and trim away the excess material.
What’s the best gel mattress topper to buy?
Top gel mattress topper
Viscosoft 4-Inch Dual-Layer Gel-Infused Mattress Topper
What you need to know: This is a well-constructed and very comfortable gel mattress topper; what more could one want?
What you’ll love: This gel mattress topper comes without nasty odors, and some users even reported a decrease in back pain when using it.
What you should consider: Some reported that this gel mattress topper didn’t keep them as cool as they wished it would.
Top gel mattress topper for the money
IULULU 3-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
What you need to know: This affordable mattress is best for people who like to sleep on their backs and require soft to medium support.
What you’ll love: Despite the low price, the foam is actually pretty high quality. It’s responsive to temperature and meets or exceeds PURGreen certification standards.
What you should consider: It’s not very comfortable for side sleepers.
Worth checking out
Linenspa 2-Inch Convoluted Gel Swirl Mattress Topper
What you need to know: This gel mattress topper is not only a good option, it also costs a fraction of what most other gel mattress toppers cost.
What you’ll love: It’s wonderfully soft and lacks any unpleasant odors, plus it’s hard to overstate just how inexpensive this option is.
What you should consider: It might not fit a given mattress perfectly, and some reported it to be a bit warmer than they had hoped.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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