Based on a study conducted by the CDC, 1 out of 3 adult Americans do not get enough sleep, and inadequate sleep increases your risk of developing chronic diseases.
While mattress toppers can improve sleep quality, the market is loaded with expensive yet ineffective mattress pads.
Let's resolve this plight so we can all sleep like a log.
After a 192-hour test, we finally came up with the best cheap mattress topper with memory foam.
Top 5 Budget Memory Foam Mattress Pads in 2020
Linenspa 2-Inch
The Linenspa 2-inch mattress topper is our top pick among the best mattress toppers we've tested and reviewed. We find this one not only comfortable but affordable, as well.
The Linenspa mattress top is designed to offer pressure relief with gel beads and memory foam. It's available in sizes Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King. It is equipped with a density to fit just about any bed you might have. As a bonus, there's a 3-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Many users report seeing an improvement in their sleep quality after using Linenspa, even with less than ideal mattresses.
Key Features:
- 3-year warranty
- Gel-infused memory foam technology
- 2 or 3-inch options available
- 7 pounds (3.1 kg)
Lucid 3-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress
Next on the list of the best toppers is the Lucid Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Mattress. It's a mattress topper that's 3 inches thick and has a cooling gel-infusion, contouring, and comfort.
This cheap mattress topper has contouring qualities and back support that allows you to get a good night's sleep. We consider this ideal for back sleepers.
As the name suggests, it is infused with a cooling gel that captures the body heat and regulates the temperature while you're sleeping. At the same time, the soft 3 inches gel memory foam mattress helps relieve pressure to the hips, knees, and shoulders.
Key Features:
- Materials Made for Superior Airflow
- Temperature Regulation with Solid Supportive Sleep Surface
- 3 In. of Ventilated Cooling Gel-Infused Mattress Topper
- Manufacturer Guarantee: 3 Years
Lucid 2-Inch Memory Foam Pad with 5 Zones
For many people, this 2-inch mattress topper is all they need to turn one uncomfortable mattress into something comfortable for a night full of sweet dreams. This is a good alternative when you are unable to purchase the 3-inch brands.
What makes it so special are two features:
- 5-zone topper increases comfort by reducing pressure and increasing support in the shoulders, hips, knees, and feet.
- The lavender-infused topper to help induce deep relaxation.
Customer ratings (mostly side sleepers) support the claim that this cooling mattress topper is airy, soft, responsive, and breathable.
Key Features:
- Best Feature: 5-Zoned Comfort
- Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
- Thick Layer with Conforming Support
- Easy to Carry and made Convenient for Outdoor Trips
Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Another good product is one of the best copper gel-infused mattress toppers in the market today.
If you want to sink into the best mattress topper that contours point and offer back support, then you’ve found it. At 2 inches thick, this pad is thick enough compared to other mattress toppers on this list.
This mattress topper is infused with cooling effect and ventilated for excellent airflow and breathability. It may evenly distribute heat. This one also includes a unique copper gel infusion.
It’s CertiPUR-US Certified, and this topper comes with a 5-year full-service guarantee. If you’re looking for one of the best and affordable memory foam tops, this is worth trying.
Key Features:
- Manufacturer Guarantee: 5 years
- 2-Inch Copper-Gel Infused Memory Foam
- Supportive and Bouncy Surface
- Cooling Effect
- Toppers Available in Different Sizes: Full, Queen, King, Twin, Twin XL, and California King
Weekender 2-inch Traditional Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Our final recommendation for one of the best mattress topper memory pads is this product right here.
This is one good alternative for a cheap mattress topper. It delivers the essential elements you need to get an uninterrupted sleep throughout the night.
You will appreciate the results if you are looking to upgrade an existing bed with this 2-inch foam topper.
One thing to keep in mind is it’s a traditional topper. It has no fancy cooling gel infusion, back support, and it may tend to be hot on the inside. It means it does not distribute the body heat evenly. However, it is ventilated with holes that cool it down.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive mattress topper sleep buddy that does the trick, well, this is one nice option.
Key Features:
- Open-Cell Memory Foam
- Conforming Softness and no Immovable Sink
- Helps Regulate Temperature while Sleeping
- Thick Layer for Extra Comfort
Some Points to Consider
If you feel that buying a new mattress for your bed isn’t the right alternative now, you might need to consider shopping for the best mattress topper with memory foam. But before you pay up for a topper, you need to understand a few points concerning style and materials.
These tips will help you find the quality mattress topper for your individual needs. Don’t just find soft mattresses for your bed; look for the best mattress with special features, too.
Thickness of the Mattress Topper
Mattress toppers come in a variety of thicknesses and range in size from 2 to 4 inches thick. Other types of toppers are pillow top, latex mattress topper, fiber, feather, cotton fabric, wool mattress topper, and more. The most commonly used products for the best toppers are wool, cotton, feathers, and natural fiber. Unlike wool or cotton, a latex mattress topper tends to be notoriously pricey.
Besides choosing between dimensions, such as Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King, the thickness of the best mattress toppers is also important. In fact, the thicker the mattress topper, the more cushioning and back support you’ll also get while you rest. Some people, especially back sleepers, would like to try mattress toppers with a 2-inch foam for support, while others find it effective to sink into a deep 4-inch mattress topper. It tends to be a personal preference unless advised differently by medical experts.
Obviously, the thicker the mattress topper is, the more it will also cost. This is something that you need to understand when you’re looking to buying a new mattress topper, whether it's wool, cotton, or any other fabric.
Ventilated Memory Foam
If you keep on waking up in the middle of the night because it’s too hot, then listen up. Memory foam is a unique alternative you should try because it has a very dense material. This means that it doesn’t breathe very well and retains a little more heat than regular mattress toppers.
If you like to sleep in a warm bed and not wake up in the middle of the night, you shouldn’t have any problems if you get standard mattress pads.
On the other hand, if you like your bed to be on the cooler side, you’ll also want a good quality topper that’s ventilated.
A good cooling mattress topper does not only provide back support, but also ventilation.
A ventilated mattress topper typically has a series of little holes that are evenly placed throughout the material. This design may also help with the mattress topper's cooling breathability, enabling that extra heat escape while you’re catching some comfortable shut-eye at night.
Gel-Infused Memory Foam
Another way to transfer heat away while sleeping on a mattress topper is through a feature called “gel infusion.”
As the name suggests, a gel-infused mattress topper has microbeads mixed into it. This gel may also help at temperature regulation than ventilation holes. It also increases the thickness or high density of the mattress topper.
If you're looking for the best mattress topper that will contour better and is also fresher to sleep on, you’ll likely prefer this version over a ventilated product.
Unfortunately, some toppers made from feathers and natural fiber does not have gel-infused materials. You may be happy to know that some good toppers for mattresses do offer you the best of both worlds. Some are made both with gel infusion and ventilated holes.
But expect that it will cost a little more. Two of our top picks above provide this luxury. Fun fact, a memory foam pillow is available too.
Memory Foam Mattress Topper Zones
Before you purchase a new mattress topper, you must know well how the zones work. Mattress zones are a relative innovation that you’ll find on cheaper 2 to 3-inch pads. This feature will provide a level of comfort and support on pressure points, but will still be affordable.
The hips are the heaviest part of the body and require much firmer material support. The feet, on the other hand, are lightweight and don’t need as much cushioning.
With regular soft memory foam or a feather bed, zoning will make the density even throughout the entire mattress. Put another way: it will make each part of your body sink into the material at uneven rates. It’s not made for back support, but that’s not necessarily bad, and many people prefer these options.
On a zoned mattress pad, there are different levels of firmness and materials throughout the surface. This promotes pressure relief at key points and will help every part of your body sink into the pad more evenly.
A zoned topper is very helpful for people who toss and turn at night. It absorbs those little and uneven pressure points in a standard mattress pad and levels it out so that you will feel comfortable.
CertiPUR-US Certified
Memory foam mattress toppers are much better than cheap natural latex topper because it uses the materials that give it a higher density and viscosity. When combined with body temperature, the chemical structure causes the mattress toppers to be soft and mold to your body, which might help you sleep well at night.
With that in mind, you need to know that when you open up your new memory foam mattress topper for the first time, you’ll likely notice a smell.
This is from the chemicals that are used in the formation of the mattress topper. These chemicals must go through an “off-gassing” process where they evaporate out of the material.
For that reason, you want to make sure that your options have the CertiPUR-US Certification. This seal indicates that the product is well tested, certified, made from safe materials, and is free from harmful chemicals. [1]
When you’re buying a cheap memory foam mattress topper, you must know how safe it is, not only soft, not only something you can sleep in. The CertiPUR-US Certification gives you that peace of mind. Even toppers that use a feather material must go through this process.
Warranty of an Affordable Mattress Topper
When it comes to choosing the best mattress topper with memory foam, the key is to look for a product that lasts at least a few years. Don't just look for soft mattress toppers, though. That is not enough to give you a good night's rest.
Mattress toppers that come with a manufacturer's guarantee is a great indication that it will hold up to restless sleep and bouts of tossing and turning at night. It won't wear out too quickly in the spots you typically sleep on.
Always check the guarantee of the manufacturer before you buy anything. We made sure to state the warranty period on our item reviews. The best mattress toppers you’ll find on this page includes a 3-year manufacturer guarantee (or more), so you’ll have peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several factors why buying a mattress topper for your bed is worth it or not. Those who have been using wool, latex, feather or a firm mattress who haven’t tried a mattress topper must read up.
- For persons who experience aches and pains upon waking up, a mattress topper might provide extra comfort during sleep.[2]
- This can be beneficial for persons who sweat a lot even when the air-conditioning is on.
- Third, if you have guests who sleep over often or camp outdoors, having an extra mattress topper is a ready-made bed, plus it’s comfortable to sleep in.
If these three factors, sounds like an issue for your comfort, then maybe a mattress topper is worth the investment.
A mattress pad topper has an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years. This is in the case of high-quality but inexpensive foam toppers, including those made of gel-infused foam. If a topper is made from cheaper materials like latex cover, it only tends to last 1 to 3 years.
Yes, mattress toppers should be rotated from time to time. Take note that the right way is to rotate, not flip. This will still depend on the foam’s manufacturer, as there are dual-layer mattresses.
It is suggested to rotate your foam every 3 months. This helps in prolonging the lifespan and even wear and tear of the mattresses.
A topper made of memory foam is usually made from delicate materials, so it is not allowed to soak them wet. Some of these products are not machine washable (see manufacturer’s instruction). Other toppers have a bamboo fabric that has different cleaning instructions, while some may have a washable cover that's built of sturdier materials.
It is suggested to use a gentle laundry detergent or hand washing liquid. You can make the cleaning liquid at home. Mix one part detergent and two parts of slightly hot water in a spray bottle.
Spray well the entire surface of the cover, without soaking the whole topper. You can dry up the mattress pad using a hair blower or expose it under the hot sun. The same process is suggested for toppers made from natural fiber and feathers.
Yes, a 2-inch mattress topper is firm enough to provide comfort and ventilation. The comfort level is not the same as the thicker ones, but it is enough to help you sleep well.
So, What's the Best Cheap Mattress Topper?
We were very impressed with the Linenspa Memory Foam Mattress Topper, that's why we're picking it as the best budget mattress topper with memory foam among all other toppers we've tested.
With its lightweight design and gel memory foam, you'll get that good night's sleep you deserve. It's cool, comfortable, and conforms to your body's natural curves. It also alleviates back pains and relieves you from overall stress. There's a 3-year product warranty from the manufacturer, too.
Whether you're a side or back sleeper, there's no more tossing and turning this time. This affordable memory foam mattress topper can help you sleep better. We did.
Linenspa 2-Inch
Our #1 Recommendation
- 3-year warranty
- Gel-infused memory foam technology
- 2 or 3-inch options available
- 7 pounds (3.1 kg)
