The Best Mattress Topper in Australia for 2023
Or how to get as close as possible to sleeping on a cloud.
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In this guide
Mattress toppers are the chocolate fudge sauce of the sleep world. Sure - vanilla ice cream is good, but it's the sauce that makes the sundae. And just like the perfect condiment, the best mattress topper will take your bed to the next level. A great topper should add enough softness and comfort to jazz up the oldest of mattresses.
Before we get stuck in, we've got a doctor's note. In the reviews, those with back, neck, or shoulder pain often commented on how their mattress topper impacted their health condition. We aren't medical professionals, so if you have a health condition, seek medical guidance to be sure your new mattress topper is suitable. Now let's get to the good bit: here are 8 of Australia's top mattress toppers.
How we picked the best mattress toppers
Because there are so many kinds of mattress toppers, we tried to cover a broad range. Memory foam and latex mattress toppers are soft, yet dense enough to support bodyweight. Bamboo mattress toppers are usually super-soft memory foam with a moisture-wicking bamboo cover. Gel and wool mattress toppers are a dream in hot climates, but there's a whole host of new, hi-tech toppers besides.
Because personal preference is a big factor in choosing a mattress topper, we began at ProductReview.com.au to see what real Aussies thought. We chose mattress toppers with 3.4 stars or higher, and with 5 or more reviews. Cosier prides itself on thorough research, so we cross-referenced the results with fewer than 5 ratings with information from product websites to be sure of our picks.
Satisfied with this research, we began categorising our findings. Even though 7 different mattress toppers is a fair selection, one variety of mattress topper dominated the results. Feeling that there was a category missing, we went on a final hunt for one last mattress topper. We found 2 major products in this category, and chose one that was more readily available with its own independent reviews.
Best mattress topper for most
There are few things more luxurious than a duck or goose down mattress topper - except the MicroCloud topper, that is. The MicroCloud mattress topper is a great down alternative because the fibre fill feels as cloud-like as feathers, but without the downsides. Feather toppers might feel lovely, but often make a noise as you move around, and irritate allergies. They need a shake every now and then too, as they go flat over time.
The MicroCloud mattress topper can't relate. Filled with hi-tech, super-soft fibre, this product is hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, and best of all, free from animal products. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or just love animals, this is the topper for you. The MicroCloud name is also synonymous with 5-star hotels across Australia. Their equally 5-star pillow, doona, and mattress topper reviews on ProductReview.com.au are numerous.
Ranked highest on the site with almost 5 stars from over 400 reviews, the MicroCloud topper is the most-loved mattress topper in Australia. Reviewers said it was like sleeping on a marshmallow, and several commented that it helped relieve back, hip, shoulder or neck pain. It was also the second cheapest topper on our list. If you want a product that one-ups feather or down, the MicroCloud mattress topper is your answer.
Best memory foam mattress topper
We love the Ecosa Topper because it ticks all the memory foam boxes at a great price. Memory foam was first developed by NASA in the 1960s to provide better cushioning for astronauts during lift-off. With the Ecosa memory foam topper, you can sleep on space-age technology every night.
It’s packing G-7 gel memory foam. Memory foam moulds to your back, giving you heaps of support and cushioning. Plus Ecosa reckons it reduces partner disturbance by up to 50%. Because it’s gel-infused, it’s designed to keep you cool through the night with lots of air flow. Ecosa reckons it’s soft and sinkable so it’s a good choice if your current mattress is too firm. It has elasticated straps and grippy backing material to keep it in place all night.
We love that it has a removable, machine washable cover so you can keep it clean easily. We also love its eco credentials. The foam is CertiPUR-US Certified and the cover uses STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX fabric. Simply put, these international accreditations mean it doesn’t contain any nasties. Our love extends to the massive 10-year warranty it comes with.
It gets around 3 stars on ProductReview.com.au and is delivered in a box, like the Ecosa mattress.
Best bamboo mattress topper
Calling the Ecoy Bamboo mattress topper the best bamboo mattress topper is only telling half the story. Because this mattress topper also features memory foam. A beautiful 5cm layer of cushioning, contouring and cuddling memory foam. As well as being supportive for your back and shoulders, the Ecoy mattress topper also reduces partner disturbance, making it ideal for co-sleepers.
The breathable bamboo cover will help you stay cool, even on hot Aussie nights. Bonus - it’s removable and washable so your mattress topper will always stay fresh. The Ecoy mattress topper has corner straps and a non-slip bottom. This makes sure it stays in place, all night long.
If that’s not enough to get you buying, this mattress topper is OEKO-TEX tested to guarantee that it’s free from harmful toxins and chemicals. Oh, and Ecoy is part of 1% for the Planet. It gives away at least 1% of their annual revenue to environmental charities. All of this goodness should be enough to give you a great night’s sleep.
Best plush mattress topper
If you’re after a really plush, luxe feeling to your mattress, meet the Calming Blankets mattress topper. Designed like a fitted sheet, it fits snugly to your mattress so it won’t move around as you do throughout the night. The Calming Blanket mattress topper features 4kg fibre fill which adds a really soft, cushioning layer to your mattress, which can help support your hips, back, shoulders and neck. The fibre fill springs back after use so you won’t have to worry about it getting saggy or lumpy.
It’s got a cotton outer layer which is breathable and helps air to circulate, keeping you cool all night. It’s even washable so you can keep your bed fresh. Available in single to king sizes, all types of Aussie sleepers are covered with this plush mattress topper.
Further reading:
Best latex mattress topper
If you like your bed on the firm side, you’ll probably love latex. Firmer than memory foam, it’s great at cradling your body and relieving pressure on your joints. This makes it ideal for back or side sleepers who need a firmer mattress topper to support their spines. Our pick for Australia’s best latex mattress topper? The Peace Lily (previously Fern Earth).
Let’s look at what makes it so great. There’s the 100% natural latex rubber - no synthetic nasties here. All materials used in the Peace Lily are natural and organic, including 100% organic cotton. These materials have been tested to make sure they meet some of the world’s toughest non-toxic standards. The Peace Lily is even handmade in their own factory. Phew.
At 5cm thick, it feels plush and luxurious. What we really love is that it’s available in 2 options: luxury plush or firm comfort. So, you can choose the right feeling and firmness for you.
Not enough for you? It’s available in sizes single to king and comes with a huge 10-year warranty and a 100 night free trial. Although it’s the perfect bedmate to the Peace Lily mattress (which we picked as one of our best mattresses in Australia), we reckon it’ll improve any mattress.
Best mattress topper for cooling
The OCTAsmart mattress topper isn't just the coolest mattress topper in Australia - it's probably the coolest mattress topper in the world. What's more, the OCTAsmart topper's 5-star reviews said it stayed cool all night long plus improved allergies and lessened osteoporosis pain. OCTAsmart uses their own cutting-edge research technology to make a light, breathable mattress that cools your bed by 3 degrees.
Inside the OCTAsmart mattress topper are heaps of memory foam springs that look like tubes of honeycomb. The gaps in the springs make this topper 8x more breathable than a regular memory foam. If you live in hotspots like Perth, Darwin, or Cairns, you'll get the greatest benefit out of this topper. OCTAsmart's mattresses are used in 5-star hotels and first-class airlines too, so you can rest easy knowing you're buying a premium quality product.
What's really cool about the OCTAsmart mattress topper is its 3 smart body zones. OCTAsmart spread their foam springs in varying densities across their topper, so your weight is distributed evenly. Given that this mattress topper is $600, it's not surprising that there were only a few reviews on ProductReview.com.au. We had to do some digging to be sure it was the best cooling mattress topper, but the EU-funded scientific research backing convinced us.
Best mattress topper for side sleepers
The IKEA Tussoy mattress topper is the side sleeper's best bet. If you're a side sleeper, you'll find you sink into the mattress more as your weight is more narrowly concentrated. At 8cm thick, the IKEA Tussoy mattress topper is the thickest we found, and it provides cushioning for side sleepers. Added pressure from side sleeping means you need a softer topper than back or stomach sleepers.
The IKEA Tussoy offers great support for side sleepers because memory foam moulds to your body, cradling your joints with care. On top of being a side sleeper's dream, the IKEA Tussoy's cover zips all the way round for easy washing. Like most products at IKEA, it's reasonably priced ($349), making it a great mid-range option. Memory foam softens with your body heat, which means the Tussoy needs a day or so to adapt to your bedroom temperature. The topper may be slightly firmer in colder rooms.
The IKEA Tussoy scored 4+ stars in reviews on both ProductReview.com.au and the IKEA site. We reckon this is a good testament to the quality of this mattress topper. Other reviewers said it feels like a cloud, while another used it on their sofa bed. But are there any cons? A few reviewers weren't happy about the chemical smell that came with their Tussoy topper, but a good airing will sort it out.
Related reading:
Best woollen mattress topper
Wool mattress toppers like this Halcyon Dreams one aren't as thick as latex or memory foam, but have more benefits than you can shake a stick at. The Halcyon Dreams mattress topper is an Australian-made mattress pad filled with high quality Woolmark Certified wool. Wool is a natural fibre that wicks moisture from the body to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, which is why it gets two big ticks for the Australian climate.
The Halcyon Dreams woollen underlay is our pick for best wool mattress topper because it's a practical, well-designed product. You can pick from dry-clean or machine-washable versions, and the underlay is reversible so you can flip it every couple of seasons. It also comes in 2 different skirt sizes (35cm or 50cm) to suit your bed. The Halcyon Dreams underlays are fully fitted to prevent shifting in the night, and the lanolin in wool naturally repels dust mites.
This mattress topper only has a handful of reviews on ProductReview.com.au, but they’re all stellar. Consumers loved that it was Australian-made, and one reviewer claimed it improved their bad back after a saga of other mattresses and toppers. Another commented how good the price was. We also like that Halcyon Dreams only sells direct to the public, so there are no overheads like on the high street. Good on ya, Halcyon Dreams.
Best gel mattress topper
The OneBed mattress topper is designed for Australian weather, and made from gel-infused memory foam. The benefit of mattress toppers like the OneBed is that they're cooler and more responsive than standard memory foam. If you don't like the warmth of memory foam, or find it difficult to roll over, a gel-infused topper may be for you. The OneBed topper also has zoned support for healthy body alignment.
We chose the OneBed mattress topper because it was the highest-rated gel mattress topper on ProductReview.com.au with nearly full marks, from a few reviews. Two reviewers said it made a difference to back or hip pain, and most were impressed with the performance. At $390, it's not the cheapest mattress topper on the list, but it's a highly-rated option for gel-lovers in warmer regions like Queensland.
What makes a good mattress topper?
Not all mattress toppers are created equal. Some manufacturers don't allow you to return your topper, and others are less suitable for different sleepers or climates. Here are some key things to think about when buying a mattress topper.
Firmness
Pressure is created between your body and the mattress surface when you lie down. If the mattress is soft, there's more room for you to sink in - but if it's too soft, you may find it aligns your body uncomfortably.
Climate
Wool and gel-infused memory foam are ideal for warmer climates because of their breathability and moisture-wicking abilities. Standard memory foam is less breathable, so Queenslanders and Western Australians may find it too hot.
Sleep position
Stomach sleepers should opt for a firmer topper to keep their spine aligned, while softer mattress toppers work best for side sleepers. Side sleepers need more support for the curves of their body, as they sink further into the mattress. This is why they need higher-profile pillows, too. Back sleepers will fare best with medium firmness to support the spine, back and neck.
Support
Latex and memory foam toppers offer more support than others because they offer a dense yet soft sleeping surface that moulds gently to your body's curves.
Warranty
Most of the products on our list offer some kind of warranty, but it's wise to check whether you can return your mattress topper if it's not to your liking.
Fluffy marketing
Almost every memory foam mattress topper had a different pseudo-scientific description, and the words 'natural' and 'antibacterial' were thrown around with reckless abandon. More reliable companies had FAQ pages or clear explainers on the technology behind their products.
What you get if you spend more
It may be difficult to understand why you'd spend $600 on a mattress topper when you could spend $140. Heck, you could nearly buy a new mattress for that. This is what you'll be missing out on if you opt for the cheaper route.
Quality
Nearly all the mattress toppers above the $300 mark had 4-star or higher reviews. Consumers who spent more were much happier with the quality of their purchase.
Technology
The most expensive mattress topper on our list was surprisingly hi-tech. It turns out the art of comfort is also a rigorous science.
Customer service
Some of the more expensive mattress toppers had notably better customer service than those that didn't. Reviews for cheaper mattress toppers generally included complaints about shipping, returns, or company policies.
Ethics
Sustainably-made products cost more. The pricier mattress toppers had much more transparent manufacturing info, and tended to tout their environmental awareness with pride.
Sources
- 'Best Mattress Toppers', Product Review
- 'How to buy the best mattress for you', CHOICE
- 'Can Wool Keep You Cool in the Summer?', Shepherd's Dream
- 'Pros and Cons of Different Types of Mattress Toppers', The Spruce