Mattress pad

Not to be confused with mattress protector; the protector is not significantly padded, and a mattress topper may not protect the bed.
A mattress topper on a boxspring mattress

A mattress pad, mattress topper, or underpad is designed to lie atop a mattress. Made from a variety of materials including wool, cotton, memory foam, feather and latex,[1] its function is to provide an extra layer of comfort, especially when the existing mattress is worn or uncomfortable.

Physically, it is a thin mattress, usually 5–10 centimetres (2–4 in) thick.[2] Stand-alone mattresses of this size exist, including futons, and floor beds. Similarly, traditional European beds were made of a stack of mattresses of this size. In contrast, mattress toppers are usually sold for use on top of boxsprings (secured with straps or elasticated cloth corners[3]). They are used to extend the life of the more-expensive boxspring, make a bed warmer[2] or cooler (with airflow,[4] or heat-conductive materials),[5][6] make a firm bed softer,[4] and for travel and dorms, as they are portable,[2][4] especially if they are low-density.[7]

Like a mattress protector/mattress pad/mattress cover (a thin, generally unpadded layer not designed to improve comfort),[5][4] mattress toppers can be used to protect the mattress from the sleeper or vice versa.[4] Some mattress toppers are machine-washable;[6] covers and fillings are made from a range of materials.[5][7]

  1. ^ Scott, Wilson (November 11, 2023). "All You Need To Know About RV Mattress Toppers". RVing Insider.
  2. ^ a b c Staff, HappyDIYHome (12 December 2021). "16 Great Mattress Alternatives". Happy DIY Home.
  3. ^ Plumridge, Jo (18 January 2022). "The best mattress toppers 2022: supreme sleep comfort is here". TechRadar.
  4. ^ a b c d e Casey, Bibek (7 April 2023). "Mattress Topper FAQs". Bed Time Buzz.
  5. ^ a b c Ullman, Michelle. "Add to the Comfort of Your Bed With the Right Kind of Mattress Topper". The Spruce.
  6. ^ a b Rabideau, Camryn. "After 2 Days of Testing, Here Are Our Favorite Mattress Toppers of 2022". The Spruce.
  7. ^ a b "Mattress Topper Types - Materials, Thickness, Density". Mattress Nut. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.