Sometimes. A topper is a quilted layer that sits on top of your mattress and changes how the surface feels. Used on the right bed it's the best $200 you'll spend on your sleep. Used on the wrong one it's a plaster on a problem you'll still have in six months. Here's how to tell which you've got.
Quick answer
- A topper adds softness on top of a mattress that still has good support underneath. That's all it does, and that's often exactly what's needed.
- Buy one if your mattress is too firm, if a guest or rental bed needs a lift, or if your preferences have changed and the bed hasn't.
- Don't buy one to fix sagging, a dip, or springs you can feel. It won't.
- Ours is the Top Drawer microfibre topper: 1000 gsm fill in a cotton cover, from $199 for a Single.
What a topper is, and isn't
A topper is a few centimetres of fill, quilted into a cover with a fitted skirt, that you put under the sheet. It changes the top of the bed; it doesn't touch the spring unit, so it can't change the support. That's the whole thing to understand. It's not a mattress protector either: a protector is a thin waterproof barrier against spills and dust mites, and you'd normally put the protector over the topper so both are covered.
When a topper is the right answer
- The mattress is too firm for you. The most common case. The bed is supporting you fine but you've got pressure on your shoulders or hips, especially if you sleep on your side. A topper adds the cushioning the comfort layer is missing.
- Your preferences have changed. People soften their preference as they get older, or after an injury. If the mattress is still sound, a topper buys you a few more years before replacing it.
- A guest, flat or rental bed. A firm entry mattress like the Sense-A-Tech Backcare with a topper on it is a comfortable, cheap spare bed, and the topper can come off and go in the wash.
- A caravan or bach bed that's too hard to replace this season.
- You like a plush feel but bought a firm bed for your back. The topper gives you both.
When it isn't
- The mattress sags. A topper follows the dip. You'll be sleeping in the same hollow, slightly softer.
- You can feel springs. The comfort layers have gone. A topper delays the replacement by months, not years.
- The mattress is too soft. A topper only ever makes a bed softer. If you need more support, you need a firmer mattress or, if the base is the problem, a firmer base.
- You wake up with back pain that goes once you're up. That's support, not softness. Read How long does a mattress last before you buy a topper.
The topper we sell
The Red Crow Top Drawer microfibre topper has a 1000 gsm hypoallergenic microfibre fill in a tightly woven 100% cotton cover, with a 40 cm stretch skirt so it stays put on deep mattresses. Microfibre gives a soft, pillowy top and springs back rather than packing down. It's $199 for a Single and $349 for a Super King, and it's machine-washable in a large machine. Pair it with the Tencel waterproof protector over the top and the whole bed stays clean.
See the mattress toppers and bedding collections.
Choosing one
- Thickness. More fill, softer feel. A 1000 gsm microfibre topper is a noticeable change without turning a firm bed into a marshmallow.
- Skirt depth. Measure your mattress. Most of ours are 260 to 340 mm deep and a 40 cm skirt covers them; a shallow skirt will ride off in the night.
- Washability. A topper lives under the sheet and gets everything the sheet does. If it can't go in the wash, it's a short-term purchase.
- Your pillow. A softer surface lets your shoulder sink further, so side sleepers sometimes need a slightly lower pillow after adding a topper. The Therapedic pillows come in different profiles.
Frequently asked questions
Can a topper make a firm mattress softer?
Yes. That's exactly what it's for, as long as the mattress underneath is still supportive.
How thick should it be?
Enough to notice, not enough to lose the support: our 1000 gsm microfibre topper is a good middle.
Is a topper good for an old mattress?
Only if the old mattress is still flat and supportive. It won't fix a dip or worn springs.
Topper or protector?
Different jobs. A topper changes comfort; a protector keeps the mattress clean. Use the protector over the topper.
Can a topper fix back pain?
If the pain is pressure from a too-firm surface, it can help. If it's from lack of support, it won't.
Not sure which problem you've got?
Strip the bed and look along it from the foot. Flat and firm but hard on your hips: buy a topper. Dipped, lumpy or springy: come and lie on some mattresses instead. Either way, we're on 0800 276 964.
Related guides: How long does a mattress last in New Zealand? · How often should you rotate your mattress · Mattress protectors