Choosing the best mattress pad or topper for your bed starts with narrowing your choices to the right size for your mattress. The common categories are king-sized mattress toppers, queen-sized mattress toppers, full-sized mattress toppers and twin-sized mattress toppers.

Once you know the size you’re looking for, you will want to think about the features you need. How much padding and how firm or soft do you want the padding to be? Additional perks you might want to consider include cooling and heating features. A cooling bed topper is made of materials that can keep you more comfortable in warm summer months, and some heated mattress pads use electricity to heat up like a large heating pad.

To keep your mattress in the best shape for a long time, you should also invest in a mattress protector to prevent sweat from soaking into your mattress and to reduce the prevalence of dust mites. If cooling is important for you, remember that your choice of bed sheets and pillows will also matter.

A mattress topper or pad can make a big difference between a restful night and a sleepless one. It can support better sleeping posture and keep you more comfortable with features like cooling or heating. If you share a bed and you and your partner have different needs, you can also choose a mattress pad for each half of the bed so that you can suit your unique sleeping styles.

In terms of cushioning, memory foam mattress toppers are popular for their ability to conform to your body, adding support where you need it. They can be particularly useful if you are a side sleeper. You might even want a memory foam pillow to support your head and neck. Other materials, like cotton and gel, are popular if you want a cooling effect from your new mattress topper.

When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, choosing the best mattress topper can be as important as choosing the right mattress. If you struggle with falling or staying asleep, you might be surprised by the difference that a new mattress topper can make.