Memory foam topper on a memory foam mattress: when stacking foam makes sense
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- Medium memory foam topper, 2 inches, open-cell. Best for: A memory foam mattress that feels a little too firm. See options on Amazon
- Soft 3 inch memory foam topper for a hard foam mattress. Best for: Side sleepers on a firm memory foam bed who wake with shoulder or hip pressure. See options on Amazon
- Talalay latex topper as a foam-on-foam alternative. Best for: Anyone who wants more cushioning but dislikes the stuck feeling of foam. See options on Amazon
- Firm latex or polyfoam topper for a soft foam mattress. Best for: Back and stomach sleepers whose memory foam bed feels too soft. See options on Amazon
Start with why you want a topper
The right topper depends on what is wrong with the bed you have. Memory foam on memory foam only makes sense for one of these problems.
| Your complaint | Memory foam topper? | Better direction |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress feels too firm | Yes, a good match | Soft or medium memory foam, 2 to 3 inches |
| Mattress feels too soft | No, it adds more sink | A firm topper in latex or dense polyfoam |
| You sleep hot | Usually no | Latex, wool, or open-cell foam |
| Mattress has a dip | No | Check the warranty; see toppers and sagging |
| Want to protect a newer mattress | Maybe | A thin topper or a mattress pad |
What happens when you stack memory foam
More sink. Memory foam is a slow recovery foam, as the Polyurethane Foam Association describes it, and many viscoelastic foams soften with body and room heat and mold to the body more easily. Two warm, softening layers can let your hips sink further than either layer would alone. Back and stomach sleepers notice this most. Sleep Foundation's memory foam topper guide says back and stomach sleepers usually need a firmer topper to avoid sinking too much.
More heat. Sleep Foundation's memory foam topper guide notes that memory foam can make your sleep surface retain too much body heat. Doubling up keeps you deeper in the foam with less air around you.
Slower movement. Because it recovers slowly, a thick stack can make turning over feel like climbing out of a dent. Combination sleepers often dislike this.
How to choose a memory foam topper for a foam bed
- Match firmness to the problem. Most memory foam toppers are rated soft, medium soft or medium, per Sleep Foundation. If your mattress is only a little firm, pick medium, not soft.
- Keep it to 2 to 3 inches. Sleep Foundation says toppers in that range change the feel of a mattress more noticeably. Thicker stacks raise heat and sink, and make the bed taller.
- Look for open-cell foam. Sleep Foundation says open-cell memory foam promotes steadier airflow, while gel infusion may not noticeably improve breathability.
- Check density. As a general rule, the higher the density, the less height the foam is likely to lose, according to the Polyurethane Foam Association. Denser foam is a better bet if the topper will see nightly use.
- Get straps. Foam on foam can creep. Sleep Foundation notes many toppers have corner straps to stop shifting.
- Look for CertiPUR-US. The program certifies foam made without formaldehyde, ozone depleters and certain phthalates, with VOC emissions below 0.5 parts per million.
Better alternatives for many foam mattress owners
If you like your memory foam mattress but want a different surface on top, a contrasting material often works better than more of the same.
- Latex. Sleep Foundation says latex offers ample pressure relief with enough bounce to make moving easier, and suits people who want contouring without too much sink. That offsets the hug of the foam below.
- Wool. Sleep Foundation says wool toppers are sought out for softness and breathability, and that wool excels at temperature regulation. Read more in our wool topper guide.
- A thin pad. If you only want a little plushness, a pad is usually 1 to 2 inches and doesn't noticeably change firmness, according to Sleep Foundation.
Setup tips
- Let a new topper expand fully before judging it. Many arrive compressed.
- Put the topper directly on the mattress, then a protector over both if you use one, so the sheet holds everything in place.
- Check your sheet pocket depth. Mattress plus topper may need deep-pocket sheets.
- Rotate the topper head to foot when you rotate the mattress, unless the maker says otherwise.
- Give it a few weeks. If you wake stiff or hot, the stack is probably too soft or too warm for you.
What to look for when you buy
Medium memory foam topper, 2 inches, open-cell
Best for: A memory foam mattress that feels a little too firm
Most memory foam toppers are made to soften a firm bed. A medium feel and moderate thickness add cushioning without as much extra sink, and open-cell foam promotes steadier airflow, per Sleep Foundation.
Watch out: Not for a mattress that already feels soft or sags.
See options on AmazonSoft 3 inch memory foam topper for a hard foam mattress
Best for: Side sleepers on a firm memory foam bed who wake with shoulder or hip pressure
Sleep Foundation says side sleepers generally prefer softer toppers that cushion the shoulders and hips. Three inches is enough to change the feel noticeably.
Watch out: Warmer than thinner options, and back sleepers may sink too far.
See options on AmazonTalalay latex topper as a foam-on-foam alternative
Best for: Anyone who wants more cushioning but dislikes the stuck feeling of foam
Talalay latex is usually more breathable than Dunlop, according to Sleep Foundation, and latex gives pressure relief with more bounce than another memory foam layer.
Watch out: Avoid if you have a latex allergy.
See options on AmazonFirm latex or polyfoam topper for a soft foam mattress
Best for: Back and stomach sleepers whose memory foam bed feels too soft
Back and stomach sleepers usually need firmer support to avoid sinking. A firm, springy layer counters the hug of the foam below.
Watch out: Will not fix a sag or body impression.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Can you put a memory foam topper on a memory foam mattress?
- Yes. It works best when the mattress feels too firm. If the mattress already feels soft or sleeps warm, a second foam layer can make both problems worse.
- Will a memory foam topper make my bed hotter?
- It can. Memory foam tends to trap body heat, and a second layer keeps you deeper in it. Open-cell foam, latex or wool are cooler-feeling choices.
- Do I need a topper on a new memory foam mattress?
- Usually not for comfort. If you want protection, a mattress protector or thin pad is enough. Use the sleep trial to decide whether the mattress itself suits you.
- What thickness of topper is best on a memory foam bed?
- Two to 3 inches changes the feel noticeably for most people. Going thicker adds more sink and heat.
- Why does my memory foam topper feel softer at night?
- Many memory foams soften with body and room heat, according to the Polyurethane Foam Association. A cooler room or a firmer foam can help.
Sources
- Best Memory Foam Mattress Toppers (buying guide section) (www.sleepfoundation.org/best-mattress/best-memory-foam-mattress-topper), Sleep Foundation
- IN-TOUCH Vol. 5 No. 1: Physical characteristics of polyurethane foam in mattresses (pfa.org), Polyurethane Foam Association
- Mattress Pad vs. Mattress Topper: What Are They, and What's the Difference? (www.sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/mattress-pad-vs-mattress-topper), Sleep Foundation
- CertiPUR-US (certipur.us), CertiPUR-US