If you're no longer getting a blissful night's sleep on your current bed, you'll probably be thinking that the upcoming Labor Day mattress sales are the perfect moment to invest in a new mattress. And you'd be right, of course, but before you spend your money, it's worth considering if a new mattress topper might be all you need.
This year's best mattresses are designed to provide exceptional comfort and support to suit all types of sleepers and, if you are in the market for a new mattress, there are plenty of bargains to pick up. But it might be that all you need is one of the best mattress toppers instead.
Here, we're looking at five common signs that you should buy a topper instead of a mattress. We've also rounded up the three best mattress topper deals to save you scouring the Labor Day mattress sales and Labor Day mattress topper sales. Let's get started.
What is a mattress topper?
A mattress topper is best described as a 'mini' mattress. It's a layer of padding, usually between 2" and 4" thick (although you will find thicker), that sits on top of your mattress to add either more support, comfort or temperature regulation.
Cooling technology (such as heat-dissipating covers or perforated foam) is found in many of the best memory foam mattress toppers. While most mattress toppers are designed to add softness to a hard bed, some are designed to add firmness to a too-plush bed.
5 signs you should buy a bed topper instead of a mattress in the Labor Day sales
1. Your mattress is only a few years old
Different mattresses have different lifespans, but if yours is only a few years old, it's unlikely to need replacing. The average lifespan of a mattress is around five to seven years for an innerspring and eight to 10 for the best hybrid mattresses.
Some of the best memory foam mattresses can also last up to 10 years, while the best organic mattresses can even last up to 25 years thanks to their durable, natural materials.
However, even if you've been religiously rotating your mattress, the areas where you sleep may be a little worn down. This is particularly true if you stick to one position throughout the night and don’t roll over.
A mattress topper can add a comfortable new layer that smooths out the mattress surface and provides more cushioning to relieve any pressure points that are building up.
A topper will also add a little stability and, depending on what type you choose, can also make it easier to change positions and move about during the night.
2. Your mattress has some slight sagging but no major dips
As your mattress ages, those lightly worn areas can start to sag. If this is the case with your mattress, it will no longer be providing an entirely stable surface for you to sleep on.
However, this can be the perfect time to invest in a mattress topper as it stops those slight sags from turning into major dips.
We’d recommend choosing a firm latex topper that will smooth over the sagging and give you a more stable surface to sleep on. Latex is breathable and durable, with a slight bounce that means its responsive without being soft.
3. You're sleeping hot at night
As the materials in your mattress soften up over time, they can start to make you feel a little warmer at night. This could be because you’re sinking further into the materials and not getting as much benefit from air circulating through the mattress.
If you're becoming uncomfortably hot in bed, you may be considering buying one of the best cooling mattresses. But these can be pretty expensive, and if your mattress is otherwise fine, it's probably not the best use of your money.
Instead, we'd suggest buy a cooling mattress topper. Many of these toppers use similar cooling tech, such as infused foams and GlacioTex cooling covers. But they cost a fraction of the price — for example, on average a queen-size cooling mattress will set you back $1,407, while the average queen-size cooling topper is $375.
4. Your mattress firmness isn't perfect for you
Choosing a mattress can be a bit of a minefield and it can be particularly difficult if you're sharing your bed with a partner. Finding a mattress that suits both your sleeping styles can be challenging and you may have to make some small compromises.
Personal preference and the way a mattress changes over time can also come into play here — perhaps you had a mattress with perfect firmness but it's softened up a little too much over time? Or maybe it hasn't softened up sufficiently. Long mattress trials will help you choose the right mattress but the surface will still change as the bed ages.
A mattress topper is the perfect solution here, as it will allow you to change the feel of your bed's surface without you having to invest in an expensive new mattress.
There are even dual comfort mattress toppers designed with one firmer and one softer side, which can provide a more affordable way to fix the issue of sharing a bed with a partner whose firmness preferences differ to yours.
5. You're waking up with sore joints
If you're waking up with stiff and sore joints, there's a decent chance that your mattress is the culprit. A mattress that's too firm can cause particular issues for side sleepers, who need a softer surface to cushion their pressure points.
Meanwhile, a mattress that's too soft can cause the spine to drop out of alignment if you're a back or stomach sleeper. Obviously, if your mattress is too old, your best bet will be to replace it with one of the best mattresses for back pain. But, if it's only a few years old, a mattress topper should help.
To soften your bed and sooth aching or sore joints, buy a plush memory foam topper. A medium-soft topper will provide ample pressure relief, meaning it will relieve the three key pressure points when side sleeping (shoulders, hips, and knees) and help reduce pain in those areas.
But if you're looking to add in more lumbar support, look for a firmer latex topper that will help lift and support your back, keeping the spine aligned.
