6 mattress toppers to make you more rested and creative

We all try to be creative, day in and day out. Sometimes, though, it can be a struggle. You're staring at a blank screen, or piece of paper, and nothing's coming. Well, you know what can make or break that moment? A decent night's sleep. Not every now and again, but every single night.

In our previous article, we shared helpful ways to get more sleep and boost your creativity, exploring how catching those zzzs is crucial for firing up your innovative juices. And we pointed out that, given how important sleep is for our lives, careers and overall happiness, it's worth investing as much cash as you can into getting the best quality sleep possible. With that in mind, the right mattress topper is an unsung hero that can transform your bed into a dreamy oasis.

In case you didn't know, a mattress topper is an extra layer of padding designed to sit on top of your existing mattress and enhance your sleep experience. They come in various thicknesses and materials and offer a range of benefits. So why, exactly, should you buy one?

Why buy a mattress topper?

Mattress toppers can significantly improve your comfort by adjusting the feel of your mattress. If your current mattress is too firm or soft, a topper can help achieve your ideal level of support and cushioning. Memory foam toppers, for instance, are known for their pressure-relieving properties, while latex toppers can add a touch of bounce.

In addition to comfort, toppers can extend your mattress's lifespan. They act as a protective barrier, shielding your mattress from everyday wear and tear, spills, and dust mites. This can significantly reduce the need for a premature mattress replacement.

Another advantage of mattress toppers is their affordability. Compared to buying a whole new mattress, a high-quality topper is a much more budget-friendly option for improving your sleep.

With all that in mind, you should certainly consider getting one if your current mattress isn't comfortable due to firmness or softness, is showing signs of wear, or seems to lack breathability. If you just purchased a new mattress, you might not need a topper immediately. But overall, they're a great way to personalise your sleep experience and get more mileage out of your mattress.

To help you decide which one to buy, we've rounded up six mattress toppers that promise to up your snooze game and, in turn, let those creative vibes flow freely.

1. Soak and Sleep Goose Down Dual Chamber Mattress Topper

This mattress topper features a dual chamber design: the top layer is filled with soft goose down, providing a plush sleeping surface, while the lower chamber is packed with microfibre for support. This combination ensures a balance between comfort and firmness, making it suitable for a range of sleeping preferences.

I found this mattress topper gorgeous to sleep on. Its luxurious construction and materials provided a proper sink-in and "aah" moment. On first use, it gave me what's probably been the best night's sleep I've had this year.

Alas, the feeling didn't last for me personally. The feathers soon started to dig in, and I couldn't settle. It won't annoy everyone, though. If feathers don't bother you, and you're not as much of a princess and pea type woman as me, then you'll love the sumptuous feel of this mattress topper.

Price: From £165
Why we like it: Gives you an "ahh" sink-in moment
Why we don't: The feathers may begin to annoy some as they compress
Rating: 6/10

2. Naturalmat Tremendous Topper

The Tremendous Topper by Naturalmat is an eco-friendly option crafted from natural, sustainably sourced materials. It has a core of springy, supportive natural latex, surrounded top and bottom with sumptuous cashmere and locally sourced organic wool. It offers excellent temperature regulation, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This mattress topper also has a quilted cotton cover, adding an extra layer of comfort, and it's designed to be hypoallergenic, making it ideal for allergy sufferers.

This is by far the most expensive mattress topper on this list. In fact, you may be quite shocked by its price. But conversely, it's also the most comfortable.

It's heavy. Really heavy. In fact, it's more like a mini mattress than a mattress topper, with a generous 7cm thickness. It didn't quite have that sinkable feeling I was after, but it is supportive, comfortable, eco-friendly, and non-toxic.

Is it worth the price, though? It depends. If you're trying to prolong the life of your mattress, maybe you'd be better off putting that cash towards a new one. But then, you might argue that this is a superior product hand-made to order by Naturalmat's team of expert craftspeople in its Devon workshop, and therefore justifiable.

Price: From £650
Why we like it: Eco-friendly option and very luxurious
Why we don't: A tad pricey, to say the least
Rating: 8/10

3. Panda Bamboo Topper

The Panda Bamboo Topper stands out on this list for its use of memory foam and bamboo fabric. The memory foam provides pressure relief and moulds to your body's contours, helping to reduce the amount of tossing and turning during the night. The bamboo cover is naturally breathable and hypoallergenic, offering a comfortable and healthy sleeping environment. The topper's anti-slip base also ensures it stays securely in place throughout the night.

I should warn you now, though: memory foam is like Marmite. You either love it or absolutely hate it. For the purpose of this review, I gave it a try. But unfortunately, I wasn't keen. I don't like the sensation of foam, and it felt far too hot for me. But that's my personal taste, and some people massively disagree with me based on the customer reviews you'll see online.

In other words, if memory foam is your thing, give this a whirl – especially because Panda will allow you to try it out and send it back if it doesn't suit you. Overall, this company offers great customer service, and the topper is reasonably priced.

Price: From £99.95
Why we like it: Sink into memory foam for a reasonable price
Why we don't: It's not as sinkable as we hoped
Rating: 6/10 (But only due to personal preference)

4. WoolRoom Deluxe Wool Topper

Don't like products that feel too artificial? This mattress topper from WoolRoom offers a natural approach to bedding, with its filling crafted from pure British wool. Wool is known for its moisture-wicking properties and temperature regulation, making this model ideal for maintaining comfort in various climates. Its quilted design ensures even distribution of the filling, providing consistent support and comfort.

I tested it in a camper van and our main bed and found that it turns a comfortable mattress into a sumptuous one. Overall, this ended up being the one I encouraged my own family to invest in, which says a lot.

Be aware that it won't improve a very firm mattress or firm up a too-soft surface. On the plus side, though, it makes any half-decent mattress feel luxuriously soft. I like the company, the brand, and what they stand for (all their products contain 100% British wool). And it's by far the best value for the price on our list, as well as being our pick (and winner) of the bunch.

Price: From £169.99
Why we like it: Comfy! And made from fully traceable soft British wool and certified organic cotton
Why we don't: We can't think of anything, but it might not be thick enough for some
Rating: 9/10

5. IKEA TUSTNA Mattress Topper

For a great value mattress topper that combines wool and latex in a generous 7cm thick surface, you can't beat IKEA. Its TUSTNA product promises a "high pressure-relieving capacity" and a softer surface for those stuck with hard mattresses they shouldn't have bought.

It's not hugely soft, though – given the part-latex filling. But it isn't as hot as memory foam, in my opinion. And even better, it doesn't slide or shift on the mattress (despite not having elastic straps to hold it in place), making for a very comfortable night's sleep. We tried other options briefly in-store, but we felt this was the best option to soften a firm mattress. It comes roll-packed, and you can either pick it up from the store or have it delivered.

Price: From £139
Why we like it: Great value for natural fillings and generous thickness
Why we don't: It might prove a bit too firm for some, given the latex filling
Rating: 7/10

6. Emma Premium Topper

It's not the most expensive of our options, but this 9cm thick premium topper by Emma comes with a 100-night trial, giving you complete peace of mind that if it isn't right, you can send it back. So what did we think?

Given that memory foam makes us feel too hot, we were worried this product would do the same. But this topper comes with Thermosync foam that supposedly absorbs our body's heat and magically takes it away – something to do with millions of tiny graphite particles. And you know what? It did the job.

Plus, we liked that it was washable, flippable and comes with a ten year guarantee, making it worth the long-term investment. So, if you're a fan of this style of topper, give it a whirl.

Price: From £329
Why we like it: The thickest of the bunch, and a true premium feel
Why we don't: It's still got that memory foam feel, so it won't be everyone's cup of tea
Rating: 7/10