Mattress topper atop a boxspring mattress

A mattress pad, mattress topper, or underpad is designed to lie atop a

mattress A mattress is a large, usually rectangular pad for supporting a lying person. It is designed to be used as a bed, or on a bed frame as part of a bed. Mattresses may consist of a quilted or similarly fastened case, usually of heavy cloth, conta ...

. Made from a variety of materials such as wool, cotton, memory foam, feather or latex, 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 thick. Stand-alone mattresses of this size exist, including

futon A is a traditional Japanese style of bedding. A complete futon set consists of a and a . Both elements of a futon bedding set are pliable enough to be folded and stored away in a large during the day. This allows a room to serve as a bedro ...

s, 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). They are used to extend the life of the more-expensive boxspring, make a bed warmer or cooler (with airflow, or heat-conductive materials), make a firm bed softer, and for travel and dorms, as they are portable, especially if they are low-density. Like a

mattress protector A mattress protector (also mattress cover, mattress pad may mean this or a mattress topper) is an item of removable bedding that sits on top of, or encases, a mattress to protect it. Some mattress protectors also provide protection to the perso ...

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

Common types of mattress toppers

Pillow-top mattress toppers

Pillow top mattress toppers are filled with natural fibers such as cotton or down, or synthetic options such as microfiber. The filling is usually segmented into pockets which help them stay in place. This is similar to quilts, though mattress toppers are usually 4 inches or thicker. The variant of mattress toppers are present in most hotel beds and is responsible for their plush feel. Eggshell mattress toppers are a good way to extend the life of an older bed.

Memory-foam mattress toppers

Visco-elastic In materials science and continuum mechanics, viscoelasticity is the property of materials that exhibit both viscous and elastic characteristics when undergoing deformation. Viscous materials, like water, resist shear flow and strain linearly ...

foam toppers are made from visco-elastic polyurethane, also known as "memory foam". This is a type of material that exhibits both viscous and elastic characteristics when undergoing deformation. Viscous materials, like water, resist shear flow and strain linearly with time when a stress is applied. The foam used in the construction of these

memory foam Memory foam consists mainly of polyurethane with additional chemicals that increase its viscosity and density. It is often referred to as "viscoelastic" polyurethane foam, or low-resilience polyurethane foam (LRPu). The foam bubbles or ‘cells’ ...

toppers reacts to both pressure and temperature. This, combined with its greater density, are properties that give them their characteristic "weightlessness" sensation. Memory foam mattress toppers are touted to optimize support and promote proper spinal alignment during sleep. They are also regularly used in medical institutions because of their pressure relieving properties.

Latex mattress toppers

Latex is derived from rubber tree sap and feels springy as well as responsive. There are 2 main methods of manufacturing latex:

Dunlop Latex

Dunlop latex is heavier on one side than the other due to sedimentation during the foaming process. As such, it is primarily used for support layers of a bed.

Tatalay Latex

Tataly Latex is flash frozen, which results in a lighter, fluffier foam. It lacks support and is used primarily as a comfort layer.

Others

An electric mattress pad is made of heavy fabric with heating filaments woven into it. In the UK and Commonwealth countries this is called an "

electric blanket An electric blanket is a blanket that contains integrated electrical heating wires. Types include underblankets, overblankets, throws, and duvets. An electric ''underblanket'' is placed above the mattress and below the bottom bed sheet. This is ...

References

{{Mattresses Bedding