Sleep guide

How to choose a mattress topper

Thickness, firmness and sizing — and how to stop it sliding.

Once you have decided a topper is the right fix, three things determine whether you like it: how thick it is, how firm it is, and whether it actually fits your bed. Thickness does the most work.

Thickness sets how much changes

Thickness decides how much of your existing mattress you can still feel. A thin topper adjusts the surface; a thick one largely replaces the feel of the bed underneath.

2 inches — softens a firm mattress without hiding it. Enough for pressure relief at the shoulder and hip for most side sleepers. Keeps the bed close to its original height.
4 inches — a substantial change of feel. Best if the mattress underneath is very firm, or if you want the deep, sink-in surface a thin topper cannot give.

Thicker is not automatically better. Four inches on an already-soft mattress can leave your hips too low and create the exact misalignment you were trying to avoid. Full comparison in 2-inch vs 4-inch toppers.

Firmness works against your mattress

Pick the firmness that corrects what is wrong, rather than the one that sounds most comfortable in isolation.

Firm mattress, sore shoulders and hips → soft topper. This is the most common case by far.
Mattress slightly too soft but still flat → firm topper. It adds a more supportive surface layer, though it will not fix a sagging core.
Two people who disagree → a topper on one side only is a workable compromise on a larger bed.

Size it to the mattress, not the frame

Measure the mattress itself, since the frame is usually larger. A topper the same size as the mattress is right — one cut larger will bunch at the edges and form ridges you will feel through the sheet.

Stopping it sliding: a fitted sheet pulled over both topper and mattress together is the simplest fix and works for almost everyone. A topper with an elasticated skirt, or a thin non-slip mat underneath, handles the rest.

Practical points people forget

Sheet depth. Adding 2–4 inches means your existing fitted sheets may no longer reach. Check before you buy.
Expansion time. Foam toppers ship compressed and take up to 72 hours to reach full thickness. Judge the feel after that, not on day one.
Bed height. Four inches is enough to change how easily you get in and out, which matters for older sleepers.
Heat. Any topper adds a layer between you and the mattress. If you sleep hot, thinner is the safer choice.

Our toppers

The Cloud Topper 2" is soft and thin, for firm mattresses that need pressure relief rather than a rebuild. The Ortho Topper 4" is firmer and deeper, for a bigger change of feel. Both are BIS-compliant HR foam made at our Jodhpur factory, delivered free across India. Still unsure a topper is the right purchase? Read do you need a mattress topper first.

Shop toppers →