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Do you need a mattress topper, protector or a new bed? 5 questions to ask yourself before investing in better sleep

Do you need a mattress topper, protector or a new bed? 5 questions to ask yourself before investing in better sleep

Tom's Guide6 days ago
If you're no longer looking forward to going to bed and are waking up in the morning feeling worse than when you went to sleep, chances are something isn't quite right with your current bed. But before you presume your mattress must be the issue, you need to consider what the problem actually is. There are plenty of situations in which a mattress topper or mattress protector might be all the additions you need, saving you from spending mountains of money on a new mattress.
Of course, if you do need to replace your mattress then our guide to the best mattresses will help you to find the right choice for your sleeping style and body type. But there are plenty of scenarios where you won't need to change your mattress at all.
In this guide, we'll look at the tell-tale signs that will help you decide whether to invest in a new mattress or buy a cheaper topper or protector. And, once you've decided, be sure to check out our mattress sales page so you can take advantage of any current offers; the upcoming Labor Day mattress sales are guaranteed to bring some bargains.
No matter how well made it is, your mattress will have a lifespan. Different types of mattresses last for different amounts of time and knowing how long a mattress lasts is important, allowing you to decide whether it's time to replace it.
As a rough guideline, innerspring mattresses have the lowest lifespan at around 5-7 years, while hybrid and memory foam should run to around 10 years. Expensive natural latex mattresses can last up to 20 years, but these often come with a price to match.
So, unless you have a latex mattress, an older mattress of around 7-10 years is coming up for retirement and the best solution is going to be to invest in a new bed, especially if your existing mattress is starting to sag in places or showing signs of wear and tear. Not sure where to start looking? Our guides to the best hybrid mattresses and best memory foam mattresses will give you plenty of inspiration and help, but if you're in a hurry our go-to pick is the Saatva Classic mattress: it's an outstanding luxury bed at a reasonable price, and comes in a choice of heights and firmness levels.
If your current mattress has started to cause an allergic reaction, your first thought will probably be about the materials it contains. If a mattress isn't hypoallergenic, it can exacerbate allergies and you might be better off investing in one of the best organic mattresses, such as the Avocado Green mattress, which will be free from toxins, chemicals, fiberglass and heavy metals.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
However, if you've had your mattress for a few years and have suddenly developed skin rashes or respiratory problems, it's far more likely that allergy triggers such as dust, pet dander, pollen and skin cells have built up on your mattress. If this is the case, get one of the best mattress protectors on your bed as soon as possible. These will protect your mattress from build ups and can be washed on a regular basis to keep allergens at bay; we'd suggest the Coop Sleep Goods Ultra Tech Waterproof Mattress Protector, which delivers bags of protection at a great price.
There's little worse than waking up in pain after a night's sleep. Where you'd expect to wake up feeling refreshed, you're instead left stiff and sore and struggling to get started with the day. If this keeps happening and you find you sleep more comfortably anywhere other than home, it's likely your mattress is the culprit. If your mattress is too firm or soft for your sleeping style and body weight, it can easily cause aches and pains.
First things first – the most budget-friendly option here is to buy one of the best mattress toppers, choosing one that's suitable for your requirements. However, if that doesn't solve the problem or your mattress is on the older side, investing in one of the best mattresses for back pain is the ultimate way to solve your aches and pains. The high-end Saatva Rx is our top choice, but if its price is out of your range the DreamCloud Classic mattress is a strong, affordable alternative.
Buying a new mattress is supposed to be a treat so it can be hugely disappointing if, after investing a considerable amount of money, it's not comfortable straight off the bat. However, it is totally normal for your body to take time to adjust to a new mattress.
Remember that you'll have been sleeping on your previous mattress for a long time, so you'll need to give the new bed time to break in. But if you're still finding it tough to break in a new mattress after a month, you might want to consider adding a little help. The best memory foam mattress toppers will add some much needed cushioning around your pressure points; supporting your body will the mattress continues to break in underneath it. We love the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress topper; it's not cheap but it can make a real difference to even the most uncomfortable bed.
There's nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night in a hot, sticky mess. Overheating at night does nothing for our sleep patterns and there's a close link between your body temperature and your ability to fall asleep. So, if you're a naturally hot sleeper, it's important that your bedroom setup helps you stay as cool as possible overnight.
If you're already sleeping on a mattress that's comfortable, investing in a decent cooling mattress protector such as the Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus mattress protector could be enough. But a protector is very thin and if the heat of your mattress is still a problem, a cooling mattress topper such as the Casper Comfy mattress topper could be a better fit. The ultimate solution to hot sleeping, though, is one of the best cooling mattresses, with these beds being packed with innovative features to help keep you cool from dusk until dawn. Right now we'd recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress, which has great cooling powers and a luxurious finish, and is available in a choice of firmness levels.
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I test all kinds of cooling mattress toppers, but these 3 materials actually help me sleep in the heat
I test all kinds of cooling mattress toppers, but these 3 materials actually help me sleep in the heat

Tom's Guide

time18 hours ago

  • Tom's Guide

I test all kinds of cooling mattress toppers, but these 3 materials actually help me sleep in the heat

If overheating disrupts your sleep, a cooling mattress topper can immediately transform your bed into a cozy retreat from night sweats and hot flashes. But what materials are actually effective at regulating temperature, and what's just marketing fluff? As a seasoned product reviewer who's tested the best mattress toppers across all budgets, I know firsthand what works (and what doesn't) when it comes to cooler sleep. Below, I'll be sharing the five mattress topper materials that'll keep you cool and dry, plus three types you'll want to approach with caution. Once you're ready to shop, browse our mattress topper deals hub to score cooler sleep at a discount. Plus, with the Labor Day mattress sales fast approaching, I'm expecting to see some even bigger price drops on the luxury cooling mattress toppers I loved testing. A mattress topper is a layer of padding that alters the feel of your bed. A cooling mattress topper, in particular, can increase the breathability of your bed through specialist materials that disperse heat and wick away moisture. Cooling bed toppers are a good choice for sleepers who deal with night sweats and hot flashes due to health reasons. They're also useful for people who live in warmer climates year-round or part of the year. If your current mattress is prone to trapping heat but otherwise comfortable, adding a cooling topper is a relatively quick fix that will save you money versus buying a new mattress altogether. Sometimes, even the best mattresses need a cooling boost. From my experience (and that of my fellow testers), the following five mattress topper materials effectively create a comfortable sleep microclimate. Whether infused into foam as a fine powder or embedded as surface ribbons, graphite is used in mattresses to absorb heat from your body and transfer it to cooler parts of the surface. This natural mineral has high thermal conductivity, so heat passes right through it. Despite its prominence in the best cooling mattresses, graphite appears less common in cooling bed toppers. One of the few such options on the market is the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper, which I tested. Memory foam is known to trap heat, but the infusion of graphite in the Saatva bed topper kept me cozy at night, as did its breathable organic cotton cover (more on that below). Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Cotton is a popular material for mattress covers because it's soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking. For added peace of mind, some brands use GOTS-certified cotton derived from sustainably-grown crops that aren't treated with toxic chemicals, heavy metals, artificial dyes, or other harmful substances. The Saatva High Density Memory Foam Mattress Topper has an organic cotton cover. I placed it on top of a Tempur-Pedic mattress that caused me to wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat. Despite adding foam on top of foam, the organic cotton cover of the Saatva bed topper introduced much-needed airflow to an otherwise stifling mattress. You'll also find organic cotton covers on bed toppers from eco-forward brands such as Avocado, Naturepedic, and Birch. Adding air holes and/or a cooling gel that absorbs and disperses heat (similar to graphite) is another way to prevent heat buildup in foam mattress toppers. The top comfort layer of the Casper Comfy Mattress Topper is the brand's perforated foam, which Terri, one of my fellow testers, said kept her cool throughout the night. Terri also tried the Molecule CopperWELL Mattress Topper, which features a copper-gel infusion that allowed her to sleep without overheating. (Copper is a natural heat conductor that also adds antibacterial benefits.) Meanwhile, I slept on the budget-friendly Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper, which is ventilated and infused with cooling gel. I found these elements worked well together to maintain a comfortable temperature. GlacioTex is a heat-absorbing material with a 50/50 blend of polyester and polyethylene (a type of plastic). It's waterproof and hypoallergenic, and has a soothing sensation upon contact. Helix is one brand that's known for using GlacioTex covers on its mattress toppers. My fellow tester, Emily, tried the Helix GlacioTex Premium Mattress Topper and liked how it felt "smooth and cool without being too cold." I had a similar experience with the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper with GlacioTex. My full review of that topper is to come, but I can say that it has served as an oasis during some dreadfully hot summer evenings. Similar to GlacioTex, some brands create their own cooling materials using polyester and polyethylene, phase change materials, and even volcanic particles. For example, I tested the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper, which is wrapped in a 50/48 mix of polyester and polyethylene. This not only gives it a cool-touch feeling, but it also helps the Tempur Material breathe. Microcoils are becoming more prevalent in mattress toppers for supportive pressure relief, but they also add airflow, much like we've seen with the best hybrid mattresses. A natural latex mattress topper can also add some ventilation to your current sleep surface. Not only is natural latex a porous material, but it's usually paired with a cotton or wool cover for extra breathability and moisture-wicking. Whether it's due to marketing gimmicks or a lack of efficacy, you'll want to proceed with caution when shopping for a cooling mattress topper that includes any of the following... As the name suggests, open-cell foam has a structure of interconnected air pockets. This type of mattress foam has a softer, 'squishier' feel compared to closed-cell foam, which is dense and rigid. Some brands will market open-cell memory foam as a defining feature for cooler sleep, but this is somewhat misleading because all memory foam mattress toppers use this type of material — it's just one of the many marketing tricks mattress brands use. And while it's more breathable than closed-cell foam — which is primarily used for insulation — open-cell foam alone won't be as cooling without added features such as air holes, infused cooling particles, or a specialized cover. Tempur Material promises to adapt to your temperature, but does that translate to cooler sleep? No — your body heat merely aids in the material conforming to your shape for that signature "hug." If anything, Tempur Material is notorious for trapping heat. That was an issue when I tested the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress, and reviewer Michele found the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Topper's temperature regulation underwhelming. That said, you don't need to cast aside this pressure-relieving material altogether. A cooling cover, like the one included with the Tempur-Adapt Cooling + Mattress Topper, can increase its breathability. Sometimes, cooling gel is added to a foam layer in a swirl pattern. While this design looks neat, it won't be as efficient at removing heat because some areas of the surface will have a higher concentration of gel than others. A mattress topper with an even layer of cooling gel distributed throughout the foam will deliver more consistent relief.

The essential good sleep starter pack: All the gear we recommend for better rest at every age
The essential good sleep starter pack: All the gear we recommend for better rest at every age

Tom's Guide

time3 days ago

  • Tom's Guide

The essential good sleep starter pack: All the gear we recommend for better rest at every age

Getting a good night's sleep isn't just about going to bed on time (though that's notably important), it's also about creating the right environment where you can get comfortable, let go of daily stress and drift off into a restorative sleep. Whether you're setting up a nursery for a newborn, helping a teen unwind from screen time, or managing sleep challenges that come with age, the right tools can make a world of difference. I spend five days a week testing and reviewing sleep gear and gadgets from the best mattresses you can buy online right now to the latest alarm clocks, sleep trackers and sleep apps. While some are nice-to-haves, there are a handful of products myself, the rest of Tom's Guide's sleep team and our families (of all ages) rely on to get quality sleep each and every night. Ahead, I've rounded up our top sleep gear and gadget recommendations for every life stage so you can get your sleep essentials shopping list ready ahead of the upcoming Labor Day mattress sales. Sealy Posturepedic® Elite Hybrid: Getting the sleep you need improves a litany of issues, but you can't get that sleep if you're waking up stiff. The targeted support of a Sealy Posturepedic® Elite Hybrid mattress delivers personalized support where you need it most. This bed flexes to your unique shape, making sure you find the relief you need to perform your best in the morning. Investing in the following product and gadgets can elevate your nighttime and morning routines and boost the quality of your rest overall, no matter your age... The right mattress for your sleep style and body weight will keep you supported and comfortable so you can sleep peacefully through the night. Of course, our bodies change through life and so will your sleep needs and mattress preferences. Smaller bodies can be well supported by thinner (but still good quality) mattresses, from crib mattresses for infants through to simple and affordable memory foam mattresses for growing children. 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Investing in comfy bedding is one of the most simple but impactful ways to elevate your sleep space and improve sleep quality at any age. Good quality, breathable duvets, comforters and bed sheets can both make your bed cosy and keep you at an ideal sleep temperature. For babies and toddlers, soft, breathable materials help regulate body temperature and create a safe, soothing sleep environment. Kids and teens benefit from cozy bedding that encourages them to wind down and feel secure at night — especially during growth spurts or busy school schedules. Meanwhile, high quality, cooling sheets can prevent adults getting irritated or overheating through the night so you spend less time tossing and turning and more time snoozing. And for older adults, bedding that's both comfortable and easy to manage is key. 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You can use them to read you sleep stories or play soothing soundscapes (we're never too old for a bedtime story or lullaby) that can help children and adults alike drift off to the land of ZZZs. Rise Science sleep app: annual subscription $69.99 + 14 free trial now at RiseRise is a mobile app that monitors your sleep debt, utilize your energy peaks throughout the day and stay on track with your sleep schedule. With our link you can get 14 days rather than 7 free with Rise. After that, a yearly subscription is $69.99.

I've spent the last year testing cooling mattresses for side sleepers — here are my tips on what features to look out for
I've spent the last year testing cooling mattresses for side sleepers — here are my tips on what features to look out for

Tom's Guide

time4 days ago

  • Tom's Guide

I've spent the last year testing cooling mattresses for side sleepers — here are my tips on what features to look out for

Side sleeping is regarded as the best sleep position by experts and is the most popular sleep position worldwide, according to a study of over 660 people. However, side sleepers tend to need more cushioning in their beds to reduce pressure buildup in the shoulders, hips and knees. This means the best mattresses for side sleepers are softer ones with plenty of foam layers — and more foam can mean more heat. Without specialized cooling adaptations, memory foam in mattresses acts like a sponge, absorbing heat and moisture from the air and your body, which can make the bed feel stuffy and leave you sweltering on warm nights. But worry not, hot side sleepers; there are several features to look out for that can help you find a cooling and comfortable bed in upcoming Labor Day mattress sales. I'm a predominant side sleeper myself and have tested many of the best mattresses in both the Tom's Guide sleep studio and a warm attic bedroom over the past year. Here, I'll be sharing my top tips for finding the right cooling mattress for your sleep position... Sleeping on your side requires the right balance between cushioning around your shoulders, hips and knees and support for your back. Many of our side-sleeping mattress testers like ultra-plush beds you sink into rather than lie on top of, while others prefer a medium-firm bed that contours around joints in contact with the mattress but is responsive enough to keep the spine aligned (which is ideal). Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Ultimately, your body weight will influence exactly how firm your mattress should be and how much cushioning you need. Lighter people will find softer mattresses supportive enough, while heavier side sleepers will need a firmer surface to avoid spinal dips that lead to back pain. Generally, soft and medium-firm beds, or pillow-top mattresses, are best for side sleepers. But these mattresses come with lots of foams and other cushioning materials, throwing a curveball in front of temperature regulation. The best cooling mattresses for side sleepers feature materials and designs geared towards improving breathability, moisture absorption and heat dissipation. Here's what to look for when shopping for your new bed… Hybrid mattresses are generally more temperature balancing than memory foam mattresses as the airy spring layers allow air to circulate through the mattress, cooling it down. On the other hand, foams act like a sponge, trapping heat and moisture. The good news is that unlike full innerspring beds, hybrids still have foam layers offering plenty of pressure relief for side sleepers, with a good balance of support from responsive coils too. With temperature regulation problems being a common sleep disruptor, the world of cooling mattress technology is quickly evolving. Mattress manufactures have started using innovative fabrics to help cool down the surface of beds while you sleep on them. Phase Change Material (PCM), GlacioTex and Tencel are three examples of such technology. These materials are embedded into mattress covers and combined with cooling fibers that can dissipate heat from the mattress surface, absorb moisture or improve breathability, providing a cool-to-the-touch sleep surface. Gel-foam mattresses incorporate tiny polymer gel beads or particles within the foam to improve temperature regulation and keep sleepers cooler. Similar to the cooling cover fabrics above, these gel beads absorb and disperse body heat through the night. This means that they can prevent foam from trapping heat and create a cooler sleeping surface compared to traditional memory foam. In short, they can create a dreamy bed for side sleepers, but gel-foam alone may not provide enough cooling power for you; look out for mattresses that combine gel-foam with other cooling tech. If you think back to high school chemistry class, you'll remember copper and graphite are metals with high thermal conductivity. This means they easily absorb heat, making them great mattress components. Manufacturers often infuse copper and graphite ribbons into mattress foams to aid temperature regulation. These ribbons conduct heat away from your sleeping body and disperses it across the mattress surface to prevent hot spots forming in your bed. Examples of mattresses with copper infusions include our favorite cooling option, the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress, and the more affordable Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Pro Hybrid Mattress. Examples of mattress with graphite include the ultra cooling and supportive Zoma Boost Mattress and the Glacier Apex Hybrid Mattress that we tested recently.

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