As a sleep and mattress writer, I know the difference a high quality mattress topper can make to your existing bedroom setup. A decent mattress topper can help if your mattress just doesn't feel quite right. Maybe it's a bit too soft or too hard, or it won't keep you cool enough at night. Bed toppers can make all the difference.

Like the best mattresses of 2024, mattress toppers come in a variety of materials, including memory foam, gel and latex. They can vary greatly in thickness, and an excellent option is in the range of 2-8 inches. But if it is a support for a sink-in, look for a mattress topper more than 4 inches deep. 

No matter what mattress topper you choose, it's important that you care about it and use it properly. Based on my research and testing experience, these are 7 common mistakes most people make after buying a mattress topper. Let's take a look. 

Today, most toppers arrive rolled up in boxes, just like mattresses. And many of these (especially toppers made with memory foam or latex) have been vacuum-packed and compressed for easier transport. Just like the best mattress in the box, leaving the mattress topper compressed for a long time can cause problems with material, shape and performance. When you finally put your topper on the bed, it doesn't expand completely, you find that an uneven and misshapen sleeping surface remains.

Compression mattress toppers can also be prone to off-gas, and if you leave the topper in the box, it can be stronger than usual. In addition, putting the topper in the box too much can void your sleep trial or warranty.This means that you may not be able to return it for a refund if you do not follow the brand's instructions about how long you can keep the topper in the box.

Said mattress toppers are often compressed to fit in boxes. This compression is performed by professional equipment that crushes excess air from the upper layer, allowing them to be rolled and enclosed for delivery. That is why it is important to open the box as soon as possible when the mattress topper arrives, but you also need to wait patiently while expanding.

If you try to sleep before the topper is fully extended, you will certainly not get the level of comfort you are expecting, but there is also a risk of damaging the topper. The material needs time to fully expand along the length of the topper, including the corners, before you lie on it.

Of course, mattress toppers don't take as long to expand as mattresses, and the time varies depending on the brand and type of topper. Check with the brand for the exact timing, but it is worth noting that the expansion of the memory foam can take a little time and can be most damaging if you go to bed before it is ready.

Mattress toppers are not miracle workers. It may just smooth the surface to have a few small dips and bumps, but it's its best past the way sagging ma know how often to replace your mattress is the key to getting a good night's sleep and one of the key signs is that don't go away and rotate either and do not move any. It's better not to make lumps or dents on your mattress. 

Uneven mattresses cause aches and pains, and even the thickest mattress toppers are not enough to alleviate this. Any material you choose for the topper can just sink into the mass and dip and form a bigger problem. So, if your mattress is starting to show its age, it's time to replace it instead of expecting the mattress topper to solve the problem.

Mattress toppers come in a huge range of thicknesses ranging from just 1 or 2 inches to up to 8 inches or more. Often a happy medium of about 4 inches will be perfect - but that's not always the case.

Mattress toppers that are too thin (less than 2 inches) are unlikely to provide meaningful support or cushions. The material is too thin, there is no padding and is likely to 'bottom' which means you won't feel any difference to how your pressure points are on the mattress alone.

On the back side, a mattress topper that is too thick can be seen sinking too deep. This could mean that you are not getting enough support from the topper because it may be too wrapped up in the material.

There are countless different mattress toppers available, but the 3 main materials you will find in them are memory foam, gel-infused foam and latex

Memory foam is used in many of the best hybrid and best memory foam mattresses as well. Memory foam provides a distinctive "hug" and provides a softer surface for cradling, cushioning and sleeping your stress points. In general, memory foam is a cooling gel that serves to regulate and lower body temperature, but if you want to soften your mattress,

gel-infused foam is ideal for hot sleepers, while a few of the best memory foam toppers provide a firmer surface with less sinkage. These are often cool to the touch as well, but if you're a lot of reptile bunks, do not be tempted to buy them – people who are always cold at night do not enjoy the cooling toppers.

Latex is extremely durable, breathable and provides an elastic firmer finish for those looking to harden on a slightly softer mattress Because natural latex is hypoallergenic, latex mattress toppers are also an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. 

The mattress pad is a much thinner version of the topper, usually about 1 inch thick and designed to make the mattress a little plump. They will very slightly change the feel of your bed, but not to the same extent as the topper.

Mattress pads come in materials similar to toppers, but also feather and wool pads. They are usually machine washable and help protect your bed from spills and stains, but will be fairly soft on the mattress or solid

Mattress toppers are still considerably cheaper than new mattresses, but a decent one can put you back a few hundred dollars. So, it's important to take care of your topper and keep it protected. That is, dirt, sweat, allergens and ticks all accumulate in them, which can lead to an unsanitary environment that can cause health problems. 

Fortunately, there is an easy solution – invest in 1 of the best mattress protectors to keep your topper fresh and healthy. Mattress protectors go on top of the mattress and mattress toppers with skirts, straps or full encasement to keep everything clean. The protector can then be taken off at regular intervals and bundled in washing to clean. It is important to choose a breathable mattress protector, as cheap materials can trap heat inside the topper and mattress. It is recommended to invest in protectors made of tencel or bamboo as these are good at dissipating heat and keeping the topper and mattress breathable