Want to know what's equally as important as eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly? A good night's sleep. And what’s that one thing that could elevate your sleep quality to a whole new level? A gel foam mattress topper.
Now, there are many possible reasons why you may not be getting the quality of sleep that you deserve. Work? Stress? Heat? A bad day? We could go on. But what could be stopping you from having a good night’s rest after you’ve just had a productive day at work and seem in good spirits? You might be tempted to give that a great deal of thought but for most people, the answer is right underneath them! The mattress!
A comfortable mattress is key to a long and quality night's sleep. Perhaps, your existing mattress is not quite as comfy as it used to be when you first installed it in your bedroom. Or worse still, your current mattress was simply an underwhelming choice because you weren’t aware there are excellent pain-free mattresses on the market.
Whatever current issues your existing mattress poses to your sleep, what is fact is that buying a new one can be pricey and inconvenient for many people. Besides, we know you have come to love your mattress as it is (who don’t) and we are glad we don’t have to recommend that you replace it with something new.
The good news is that a gel foam mattress topper can be an easy and cheaper solution that will make your bed much more comfortable to sleep on. Also, getting one of the best gel foam mattress toppers can be the go-to fix when you’re not at home because it can upgrade your bed massively in a temporary living situation. Wait, did I hear you ask what’s the best gel mattress topper on the market? Now you’re asking the right questions to the right person. You’re welcome!
We'll continue our discussion in the next section, where we'll cover some of the greatest gel mattress toppers on the market right now. They may be different in their style, design, size, and price, but they are all built with the same purpose in mind – to keep your body temperature low so that you can sleep comfortably without a worry in the world. We’ll also include the methodology we used in selecting our picks, and what to look out for when buying a mattress topper in the future. And of course, we answer those burning questions you may have right at the very end. Ready? Let’s get it rolling!
How We Confirmed
It may surprise you to know that the topper market is a very competitive niche. Some big players put out amazing mattress toppers of different types and materials and it may become tedious to know what to look out for. All the recommendations below are made from gel foam – which is a relatively newer addition to the older memory foam products.
The gel adds significant cooling effects to mattresses, pillows, and other bedding surfaces. Most commonly, gel or gel beads are incorporated into memory foam for extra cooling and to curb viscoelastic foam’s tendency to retain heat. But like many products in the market, not all gel-infused foams are created equal. There are some which can still feel warm to the touch despite the manufacturer’s best claims.
That's why we have done our research, ask questions to the people who are in the know, and read as many first-hand user reviews as you can imagine to present you with the top 3 gel foam mattress toppers on the market right now.
If you’re a hot sleeper whose temperature is always on the rise during sleep at night, with our favorite, best-rated gel mattress toppers, there's only one way it's going now – down! Read on and have your pick.
Gel Foam Mattress Topper
Why We Love It
In almost every product recommendations guide, there is that one candidate that promises you performance and reliability for every penny you spend on it. For our collections of best-rated gel mattress toppers, that candidate is Linenspa Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper. Quite simply, this Linenspa topper provides the best overall value that can't be beaten.
What We Noticed
If you’re on the lookout for an affordable topper to quickly upgrade a firm or older mattress without breaking the bank, the Linenspa’s Gel Infused Memory Foam mattress topper is your call.
We absolutely love that there are several levels of thickness available for this particular cooling mattress topper. It gives you the ideal option to upgrade a temporary living situation such as a guest bed or college dorm. You can effectively change your sleeping situation for a cheaper mattress with a two inches Linenspa gel-infused foam.
You’ll notice there are no elaborate features like elasticated straps to fasten the topper to the mattress, but what this Linenspa topper does feature is a gel-infused foam which is a dream if you're a hot sleeper, especially at the going price. Despite its simplicity, there's a plush feel to the 100% polyurethane memory foam which is lovely. The surface feels smooth and fresh, the cooling gel beads offering adequate cushioning and support for pressure points such as your elbows, knees, and ankles. If you desire softness and cushion, you can go with Linenspa’s toppers that are 3 inches deep.
Most people we spoke to praised the gel foam mattress topper from Linenspa for its softness, and body-hugging tendencies even while providing great support for hips and shoulders.
It does have an odor to it that screams brand-new. But multiple users reassured us the smell quickly goes away. It’s also reassuring to note that this topper from Linenspa is made from CertiPUR-US standard foam that guarantees all emissions from the material are nontoxic.
Available in eight sizes, a 3-year warranty, and all that softness, coolness, and plushness, what’s there not to like?
Why We Love It
The Sleep Innovations 4-inch Dual Layer Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper may be a mouthful but it is also a very impressive, interesting, high-performance, and yet relatively affordable option we have reviewed. Equally a mouthful of qualities, that. Instantly, this product from Sleep Innovations is one of your best bets for relieving pressure points when you’re sleeping on a firmer mattress or surface. Sleeping on it permits you to get comfortable in a position for long hours of sleep at night.
We also find Sleep Innovations 4 Inch Dual Layer Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper to be a great choice for supporting anyone dealing with neck, shoulders, back, hip, and knee pains. It is specially designed to provide a higher level of soothing support around those pressure points, especially when you're lying flat on your back, stomach, or side.
And last but not the least, the topper from Sleep Innovations comprises a gel memory layer that provides generous cooling for hot sleepers. The 4 Inch Dual Layer Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper from Sleep Innovations is one of the most complete mattress toppers out on the market
What We Noticed
Sleep Innovation’s 4-inch Dual Layer Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper is one of the most popular mattress toppers currently available on Amazon among users. With more than 27K reviews, it comes highly regarded and recommended for its soothing cushioning around pressure points as well as its cooling effects on even the hottest of sleepers.
Crucially, this Sleep Innovations bed topper is nicely priced, including the queen size. It does make a lot of difference to your sleep quality and it's one of the easiest mattresses to get going with. Just unpack and air a little to get rid of the newness odor. Then, throw it on top of your mattress.
We do recommend that you use it with a firm mattress that you want softening up. Because your mattress-topper combo can get too soft – especially with heavier users – with the 4 Inch Dual Layer Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper.
Why We Love It
The Lucid Gel Memory Foam mattress topper is a midrange option that’s worth the price, especially if you’re looking for a thick bed topper armed with enough cooling capabilities.
Considering how much it cost, we believe it’s an absolutely good deal because you get maximum cushioning to relieve your pressure points as you lie down for a good night's sleep.
The Lucid 4 Inch Gel Memory Foam mattress topper is one of the snuggest options on the market. If you're a massive fan of memory foam mattresses, the Lucid Gel Memory Foam is one of its best proponents. There are shallower options around the Lucid range. But then, you’d miss out on the softness, plushness, and depth that the Lucid Gel Memory Foam provides.
What We Noticed
The Lucid 4-Inch Gel Memory Foam mattress topper is really about comfort, cooling, and affordability, coupled with its thickness. It just so happens that most options on the market give you the qualities but are not very affordable. The only other option we think comes close to what the Lucid 4-Inch Gel Memory Foam offers are some lineups by Linenspa. However, you will have to trade some of that depth because the Linenspas are usually made less thick.
The Lucid 4-Inch Gel Memory Foam mattress topper gets rave reviews for its body temperature regulation while you sleep. For a reasonable price, you can completely transform that firm bed of yours into a much softer one.
Also, the Lucid is easily one of the most popular options on Amazon among topper shoppers. With over 26K reviews and over 4.4 stars, you can see right away it hits the right notes for the majority of buyers.
The Lucid offers great value and came very close to being named the best overall value topper – the Linenspa just shades it here. However, we couldn't recommend this topper highly enough.
Gel Foam Mattress Topper FAQs
Finally, we’ll wrap things up by answering several most commonly asked questions that most readers usually want answers to when shopping for a cooling mattress topper. Sometimes, straightforward answers are usually the difference between an item being bought or not. However, we’ll try to give in-depth answers so that you are well-informed before you make your choice.
Buying a gel mattress topper can be a significant investment that you want to get right the first time. Let’s help guide your decision.
Why gel mattress topper?
There are countless types of mattress toppers available on the market. They are all different in several ways. However, the materials found in a bed topper largely determine what purpose it will serve for you.
If you sleep hot (almost everyone does) then bed stoppers infused with a cooling gel or gel beads can help keep your body temperature at a lower level as you sleep. Gel foam mattress toppers are usually cool to the touch, which is heavenly for hot sleepers.
Does a cooling gel mattress topper really help?
The short answer is YES. Now the long answer...
Firstly, a cooling mattress topper will regulate your body temperature and maintain it at a conducive level where you won’t toss and turn around endlessly during the night. Remember, good sleep means you wake up feeling well rested and happy.
But there’s even more – a quality mattress will help you relieve pressure in those sensitive points like your hips, shoulders, knees, and back. This also helps you sleep better.
A topper is literally placed on top of your bed. So using one will help you increase the lifespan of that very expensive bed of yours, even as it provides a soothing cushioning for firmer or older beds.
How thick should a gel foam mattress topper be?
All mattress toppers, including those infused with cooling gel, come in different levels of thickness. You can find some at just an inch or two to eight inches or more on the market. We’re kind of happy to recommend the middle point of four inches for the majority of users. And we'll strongly advise you to stay away from anything below two inches thick because a thin topper is very unlikely to provide much extra support and cushioning during your sleep.
How to use a gel foam mattress topper?
A gel foam mattress topper is quite straightforward to use. As the name implies, a gel foam topper is like any other mattress topper that sits right on top of your mattress or bed. Some of them have elasticated straps that you can fasten to your bed, while others are just plain and solely lie on top of your mattress.
If you use a mattress pad or protector to safeguard it from spills or wear, you should place them over the gel foam mattress topper as well.
Note that your topper can add several inches more to the original height of your bed. So make sure to use bed sheets that are big enough to go over the mattress and its topper.
How to wash a mattress topper?
Before you buy a mattress topper, do well to check what the care instructions are for the particular topper you intend to buy. Not all toppers can be washed. Although you can still be able to wipe clean them. Some toppers are only machine washable.
Nevertheless, what you can do for all toppers is to air regularly to freshen them up. Also, consider using a mattress protector to keep them protected against accidental spills and sweat.
Gel Foam Mattress Topper Shopping Terms
When shopping for a topper, it is important to know what properties you’re looking for and how they can be of benefit. Here are the important factors to consider when shopping for a mattress topper:
Thickness: the thickness of mattress toppers is usually given in inches. Only consider those which are at least two inches thick. Though a thicker topper will offer better support and cushioning.
Support: you can use a foam topper to increase the firmness of your bed to alleviate pains due to softer beds.
Softness: if your bed is too firm or getting older, adding a fiberfill topper can give you the desired softness. Double-layered mattress toppers like the one from Sleep Innovations usually provide a greater level of softness.
Temperature regulation: some mattresses can cause night sweats because they don’t dissipate enough heat. You can opt for a topper with cooling features such as gel foams.
Washability: Many toppers are not washable, especially those made of foam. If you feel you may need to wash your topper, check properly for those you can throw in the washer before buying.
Our Confirmed Catch
Throughout this guide, we have kept you informed about pretty much everything you need to know about gel foam mattress toppers and how you can get the right one for yourself. The key to securing the best possible cooling topper is to list out the most important features that you want your topper to have. You should be clear about where you stand on things like thickness, cooling features, washability, support, softness, and the like. Then, determine how much you're willing to pay to get what you want.
Thankfully, we have done the heavy lifting for you and presented you with our top recommendations. We have selected the ones with the best value at every price of the spectrum – so you can rightly pick the gel foam mattress topper that fits your budget the most.
Until next time – sleep cool. Sleep right.