College dorm beds have a reputation for offering questionable comfort, with many schools recycling mattresses until they fall apart. The best mattress toppers for dorm beds provide instant comfort and support without the hefty price tag of investing in an entirely new mattress. Our top pick is the Puffy Deluxe Mattress Topper for its responsive feel and lengthy sleep trial period.
The best mattress toppers for dorms elevate a college bed to a new level of comfort.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
“A mattress topper can significantly enhance the quality of sleep in dorm rooms, often equipped with basic, firm mattresses that lack adequate support and comfort,” says Robert McLaughlin II, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Boston Concierge Orthopedics. When choosing a mattress topper, consider such factors as your preferred level of support and firmness, what it’s made of and any additional features. With that in mind, these are the best mattress toppers for dorm beds, whether you’re searching for something simple or want to really splash out.
The Puffy Deluxe Mattress Topper is a popular choice thanks to its responsive memory foam composition and cooling feel. This topper is 2.5 inches thick and comes in a range of sizes, including the standard dorm size of twin XL. Both firmness options, firm and soft, feature the topper’s polyester-and-bamboo-rayon cover, which is designed to enhance breathability. The topper has 15-inch-deep stretchy elastic sides that should more than cover most college dorm mattresses. There’s also an anti-slip base to minimize the risk of it shifting around while you sleep. A sleep trial of 101 nights and lifetime warranty ensures you’ll end up sleeping in comfort, whether it’s with Puffy or not.
What the reviews say:The Puffy mattress topper has an army of fans. “It’s so plush and thick—it really feels like sleeping on a supportive, memory foam cloud,” shared one. Another owner said, “My back pain has improved by about 80% since using my Puffy topper.”
Sleepers who run hot appreciate the Brooklyn Bedding 4-Lb. Memory Foam Topper’s cooling cover. Made of GlacioTex fabric, this cover feels cool to the touch and pulls excess heat away from your mattress to keep you from overheating in the night. The interior memory foam also uses open-cell technology to let your body heat escape. The topper comes in your choice of two- and three-inch heights, both with a medium-firm feel and motion isolation. The 4-Lb. topper comes with a 30-night sleep trial and a three-year manufacturer’s warranty.
What the reviews say:This topper’s cooling cover gets high marks from owners. “Love the way it supports, but has a nice cradle. It’s cool. No more sweating,” said a fan. A fellow owner said that “the cover does an exceptional job at being cool to the touch.”
Best Budget Mattress Topper For Dorm Bed
This Option Is Under $150
Amazon
ViscoSoft Select High Density Memory Foam Mattress Topper (Twin XL)
Mattress toppers can typically set you back $200 or more, but the ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper starts at about $130 for a twin XL. This mattress topper comes in your choice of two-, three- and four-inch versions (the two-inch is the least expensive, with only the four-inch costing more than $150), with each offering a medium to medium-firm feel. The topper uses gel-infused, high-density memory foam to help relieve pressure points. It also features a machine-washable cover—a nice option for college students who tend to use their bed as a couch and desk. That cover uses a mix of slip-resistant mesh and adjustable elastic straps to keep the topper in place. Enjoy a 60-night trial and five-year warranty to see you through college and beyond.
What the reviews say:Owners give this mattress topper high marks for its comfortable feel. “Feels like luxury,” one said. “It eased my back and shoulder pain by contouring to my body,” another shared.
Some dorm mattresses can become soft and saggy with time, making a firm mattress topper a good choice. The Nolah Mattress Topper has a firm feel, although it also comes in a plush version if that’s more your speed. This topper is two inches thick and has thick, secure straps to help keep the padding in place. It also features an organic cotton cover and temperature-neutral AirFoam, which Nolah says is more breathable than memory foam. This topper is backed by a 30-night trial period and impressive ten-year warranty.
What the writers say:Forbes Vetted contributor SaVanna Shoemaker tested the Nolah Mattress Topper and found that it was incredibly comfortable. “I was really surprised at how well I slept on the topper, after years of thinking that I preferred a softer mattress,” she shared. Shoemaker also praised the topper’s “thick and very secure” straps.
“Luxury” and “dorm bed” don’t usually go hand in hand, but it’s understandable to want to bring an upscale vibe to your college bedding. The Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper is crafted of high-quality materials, including two inches of organic latex, cotton and wool. The latex is naturally durable and cooling, while the cotton and wool wick away moisture and add to that cooling effect. This topper is GOTS-certified and GreenGuard Gold–certified to lower your risk of being exposed to potentially harmful volatile organic compounds. Just be aware that the mattress has no straps or mesh to keep it in place. Use a snug fitted sheet instead to do that job for you.
What the reviews say:While this mattress topper is pricey, owners say it’s worth it. “My new Birch mattress topper is exactly what I needed to make a too-firm mattress much more comfortable,” said a fan. “I’m glad I made this investment in a good night’s rest.” Another shared that “this topper took our bed from good to unbelievably great.”
Side sleepers often do best on a soft mattress, and the Layla Memory Foam Topper delivers. This soft topper offers two inches of memory foam to soften a firm mattress or just add extra padding. The foam condenses under your pressure points to create a cloudlike feel. The memory foam also contains copper gel beads to help pull excess body heat away from you and absorb it. Worth noting: The Layla Memory Foam Topper is under 15 pounds, which makes it relatively easy to move into a dorm room and pack up when the year is over.
What the reviews say:Several side sleepers give this topper the thumbs up. “My wife and I both are sleeping better. Just a bit more softness and cushion made a big difference,” said one. Another shared that this topper is “like sleeping on whipped cream cheese, but in a good way.”
This article was overseen by sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon, who have years of hands-on experience with bedding products like sheets, pillows, mattresses and more. They have also both been certified as sleep science coaches.
To enhance our knowledge of what to look for in these mattress aids, we consulted with Robert McLaughlin II, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Boston Concierge Orthopedics; and Chelsea Perry, MD, sleep specialist and founder of Sleep Solutions.
In an effort to always bring you the most accurate and relevant product recommendations, we frequently review our work. This article was last updated in July 2024.
How We Chose The Best Mattress Topper For A Dorm Bed
A mattress topper for a dorm bed can make a big difference in your college sleep experience. To choose the best options, we turned to top-rated and well-known brands, consulted experts, compared features and researched what real consumers thought of their purchase.
We looked at popular and esteemed mattress brands and narrowed our search based on attributes like material quality, support, durability and value.
We consulted with McLaughlin and Perry and relied on their expert insights into good mattress toppers.
Because it can be tricky to know upfront whether a mattress topper works for you, we considered the trial periods of each topper, along with warranties.
To ensure we had the best sense of how these mattress toppers performed for a range of people, we pored over message boards and customer reviews, making sure to only include picks with outstanding feedback.
What To Look For In The Best Mattress Topper For A Dorm Bed
There are a few important factors to keep in mind when shopping for a dorm bed mattress topper.
Materials
A lot of mattress toppers are made of memory foam, but they come in other materials, too. “Memory foam is popular because it molds to your body, providing personalized support, while latex is known for its durability and breathability,” says Chelsea Perry, MD, sleep specialist and founder of Sleep Solutions. But comfort is what’s most important. “Look for something that matches your preference, whether that’s memory foam, latex or another material,” Perry says.
Firmness
Every dorm bed mattress is different, but if you’re shopping for a topper for a mattress you haven’t used yet, it may be better to go with a medium-firm or softer choice. Dorm bed mattresses tend to be on the firmer side, and a softer topper can help create a more comfortable feel. However, a lot depends on your sleep position and preferences. Side sleepers usually benefit from a soft surface, while firmer mattresses are better for back and stomach sleepers.
Price
Every mattress and mattress topper is different, but most have a price tag that hovers around $200. There are exceptions, of course. The ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper is just $150, for example, while the
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