Best Mattress Topper For a College Dorm
Last Updated: November, 2024 | This Post May Contain Affiliate Links
Going off to college will mean that you may have to start purchasing your own necessities for your dorm room. This will include things such as bedding, dorm decorations, bathroom supplies, and so much more. Colleges will provide you with a standard bed and mattress but they can prove to be quite uncomfortable and unsanitary through years of use.
You will not be allowed to remove or replace the mattress in your dorm room, so what you need in order to solve this issue is a high quality mattress topper.
7 Best Mattress Toppers For College
Lift by AmeriSleep (Comfort Version)
The lift by AmeriSleep mattress topper stands out for its comfort when sleeping on the side or on the stomach. It’s great for stomach sleepers too.
PlushBeds Cool Bliss Memory Foam Topper
The PlushBeds Cool Bliss Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a medium-firm topper that helps soften firmer mattresses, and provides firmer support for softer beds.
Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper
The Layla Foam Mattress Topper is your classic mattress topper best for back sleepers. Its greatest strength is the comfort it provides for a good long night sleep.
PlushBeds Organic Latex Mattress Topper
This is a memory foam latex topper which allows students to choose from softer to firmer options. It’s one of the best options at an affordable price which will provide good night's sleep.
Lucid 4 in gel memory foam topper
We would describe this mattress topper as the budget-friendly option out of this selection. It adapts well to the shape of your body.
Sleep Innovation 4-Inch dual layer memory foam topper
This 4-inch mattress topper provides a soft addition to your mattress for improved sleep.
Maxzzz Memory Foam Mattress Topper
This super soft mattress topper is designed to give you the best sleeping experience with a cool feel through the night.
Pros
Cons
Summary
We saw there was a lot of hype surrounding Lift by AmeriSleep so we decided to try it out to see what it was all about. We have to say, we were not disappointed. This memory foam mattress topper is embedded with HIVE technology which is meant to provide support for your whole body, as opposed to only the back or the hips. The comfort version allows extra cushioning with Bio-Pur foam, and comes with a breathable and cooling cover.
We found the Lift by AmeriSleep mattress topper especially comfortable when sleeping on the stomach. Generally, memory foam mattress toppers let you sink in too deep when not sleeping on the back because there is no support at the hip level. However, Lift does the best job at providing comfort in all sleeping positions.
This mattress topper is excellent for college students who tend to move around in their sleep. You will be able to feel re-energized the next morning, thanks to an uninterrupted long night of sleep.
Want to learn more? Read the full review of this mattress topper.
Pros
Cons
Summary
The PlushBeds Cool Bliss Memory Foam Mattress Topper emphasizes its cooling ability compared to other mattress toppers. We definitely felt the difference in its cooling function, but can also confirm that it feels luxurious and provides equally great pressure relief for a good night's sleep.
This mattress topper is a gel memory foam topper using patented PlushFoam material meant to dissipate the heat 30% faster than other memory foams. It is also hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. The mattress topper came with a washable cover, but the only downside is that it needs to be washed by hand which is not necessarily ideal for college students. On the upside, we also found that the memory foam perfectly molds to the body without feeling stuck in the material.
Pros
Cons
Summary
We decided to try the Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper since it’s a classic option to consider when it comes to memory toppers. This topper is a 2-inch copper-gel infused memory foam pad that comes in a breathable cover. The unique aspect of this specific topper is that it offers both a firmer and softer support on both sides of the topper. For instance, if you prefer to take the full advantage that memory foam offers, turn the topper on the softer side to reduce the firmness level from a 3.5 to a 2.
We found its greatest advantage is just that: the versatility of firmness in one topper. Furthermore, it provides the best support for back and side sleepers. The memory foam contours the body and presses against the lumbar area, and relieves pressure on the shoulders and the hips.
This is the best option for students that spend their time sitting down or standing up for long periods of hours to relieve a tense back. The topper also comes with a Thermogel infused cover to dissipate the heat and straps to secure it to the mattress.
That said, if you also want a mattress topper for kids back at home, you can never go wrong with the Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper. Its stretchy straps prevent it from sliding off your kid’s bed at night when they toss and turn, so you can rest assured they’ll be safe at night.
Pros
Cons
Summary
The PlushBeds Organic Latex Mattress Topper is a soft memory foam latex topper, and comes with a 100% cotton cover. It also uses 100% sustainably sourced Talalay latex which is hypoallergenic, dust-mite resistant, and antimicrobial. This is especially relevant for college students as they need to have durable toppers that take care on their own without needing to rush out to buy a new bed in the middle of the semester.
It uses higher density memory foam that’s available in soft, medium, medium-firm, and extra-firm options. If you prefer softer mattresses, PlushBeds' soft model offers the needed pressure relief for a comfy and pain-free night. On the other hand, the firmer mattress topper model provides more support at the spine level.
Pros
Cons
Summary
The Lucid 4 in gel memory foam topper is a 4-inch plush gel memory foam topper which has thousands of reviews on the internet. We decided to add it to our list to see how it compares to other toppers despite its affordable price. Like other memory foam toppers, it's infused with gel material to prevent you from overheating, and helps you sink into the topper while aligning your spine.
For its price, we found the Lucid 4 in gel memory foam mattress topper to be quite comfortable. It helps relieve chronic pain, which is best for college students who don’t have many options available in terms of muscle relief.
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Pros
Cons
Summary
The Sleep Innovation 4-Inch dual layer memory foam topper is made of 3-inches of gel memory foam and 1-inch fiberfill for the plush feel. We found it provides relief on the main pressure points which includes the shoulders, back, and hips. It also comes with a machine washable topper that stretches up to 18 inches to cover your whole bed, including the mattress topper.
The best part of this mattress topper is its cooling feature. Even on the hottest days, it was able to ensure ultimate comfort during the night, and it was consistent in doing so. Despite it being memory foam, we didn’t find it to be either on the softer or firmer side like other mattress toppers. However, if you weigh more than 230lbs, you may want to check out the best topper for heavy sleepers.
Pros
Cons
Summary
The Maxzzz Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a 2-inch copper infused pad designed to help relieve pain and distribute your body temperature. The topper has ventilated holes for higher breathability, whereas the copper helps with keeping your topper bacteria free. It comes with a machine washable cover, which makes the job easier for college students to do the laundry.
We thought this mattress topper is the definition of a classic memory foam. It’s great for anyone with a bad back as it avoids having that “quicksand” feeling due to its smaller thickness compared to other mattress toppers. It molds to the body after every use, but leaves no permanent print.
Reasons to get a Mattress Topper for College
Hygiene
Hygiene is one of the most important reasons to get a high quality mattress topper for college. You do not know what could be lingering within a college dorm by the time you are ready to move in there, so you will want your own mattress with topper to protect you from bed bugs and other hidden annoyances.
Some mattress toppers can be easily cleaned so you can throw it in the wash quickly to have fresh bedding again.
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Mattress Renewal
The mattress in your dorm room will likely be worn down from years of previous use. It may still carry the odors and other unhygienic factors on the surface. As a result, it may also feel like you are sleeping on top of a rock without a protective surface underneath you. A mattress topper will help provide that protective layer you need so that you can sleep comfortably. You will also not have to worry about coming into contact with the surface of the mattress.
Ventilation
Normal mattresses do not provide any proper ventilation, which can cause you to have many uncomfortable nights of sleep. With a mattress topper, you can stay cool during the night and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning. The mattress topper will allow your mattress to breathe properly to circulate air to you and to keep odors from sticking around your sleeping area.
Types of Toppers For Mattresses
Latex
Latex mattress toppers are made from either natural rubber, latex from petroleum, or even a combination of the materials. Latex mattress toppers provide an excellent level of ventilation that will keep you cool during the night so you will not have to worry about overheating. It can also last upwards of 20 years while still being exceptionally resistant to mold and mildew. The spongy material of latex mattresses will provide relief to the pressure points all over your body in order to reduce pain and promote proper spine alignment.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is one of the greatest and most comfortable materials that you could have in a mattress pad. They effectively mold to the shape of your body in order to provide you with the support you need to relieve your pressure points and sleep peacefully throughout the night.
Some memory foam mattress toppers are even infused with all-natural ingredients that will help you relax and give you an even more comfortable sleep. They also provide excellent ventilation and trap heat so that it can keep you warm in cooler temperatures.
Down Mattress
Down mattresses are some of the softest mattress toppers you can have to protect you from the standard firm mattress in your dorm room. They are filled with goose and duck down, and you will feel like you are sleeping on top of a cloud. They have to be shaken out regularly in order to separate the down inside, and you will be able to feel the benefits of thermoregulation while sleeping in different temperatures.
How to Choose a Mattress Topper
Materials
In order to start your search, you will need to determine which materials you want your mattress topper to have, such as the ones mentioned above. Think about which materials are durable enough to last you through college and beyond, will provide you with excellent ventilation, will be resistant to stains and mildew, and so on. The materials in your mattress topper should help you remain clean and comfortable while you sleep at night.
Sleeping Position
Your mattress topper will have to work efficiently for your unique sleeping position. Side sleepers will likely require a softer mattress topper, stomach sleepers will want a topper with a firm level of support, and back sleepers will want to have a mattress pad that is just soft enough to help support their spines and keep them comfortable.
Different mattress toppers will provide different levels of comfort and support, so choose one that will work best with your body and preferred sleeping position.
Size
You will need to account for the size of your mattress before you buy your mattress topper. Getting a topper that is too big or too small will only prove to be an annoyance. Most dorm room mattresses are twin or twin xl sizes, but if you are unsure you can always measure the mattress yourself. Or consult your college administration to get a confirmation of what size your dorm room mattress will be. Click here for more on twin mattress topper options.
Conclusion
As a college student, you want to have a good night’s sleep in order to keep up with a steady schedule without burning out. Find a topper for mattress that will allow you to avoid poor sleep quality. Getting good sleep regularly will help you have a successful school year and will also help you focus on all of the work you need to do after class. Get a high quality mattress pad that suits all of your needs instead of settling for the standard mattress that your college dorm provides you.