Silk: Another luxury option, silk is super smooth, soft and hypoallergenic. It’s a delicate material though, so it’ll require care when it comes to washing. This generous depth provides ample cushioning but doesn’t ever make you feel like you’re sinking too far into the bed. What’s more, mesh walls around the sides of the topper help to improve airflow and ensure you remain cool, even if you happen to share your bed with a human radiator. Although it’s made from 100% polyester, it’s actually made up of two layers – the top one being extra soft, while the core provides the firmness. So there’s no need to worry about the kind of sponginess that can leave you feeling suffocated and we found it’s particularly good if you’re prone to aches and pains. The elastic straps keep it secure on the bed and it’s nice and warm (a good job as you can’t use an electric blanket with it), although that can be a downside if you get clammy at night. The team at Silentnight have engineered the Silentnight Airmax Topper to include a dual construction layer frame which allows for this breathability functionality. Included in the Silentnight Airmax Topper is a mesh sidewall to help heat escape from your body, yet also retain warmth during colder nights. This aside, the Emma Flip Topper did add a good degree of comfort to a rather rigid and slightly bumpy mattress, so we have to give it credit for that. The only issue we had was that the topper we tested (a size double) didn’t quite cover the full surface area of our mattress. This doesn’t impact its comfort greatly, but it does slightly undermine the topper’s edge support.

The Airmax collection also includes pillows and duvets to keep you comfortable in every season. Silentnight are the UK’s most trusted bed brand with over 75 years’ experience in creating products for every sleeper.Though we’ve called this a “cooling mattress topper”, no topper will work to actively cool you down throughout the night. But as silk can help to regulate body temperature, it’s a better option than memory foam for those who get too hot during the night. We like the fact that this topper also has an added bottom chamber that’s filled with a generous layer of gently supportive microfibre – the upshot of which is that it’s much comfier than many of the thinner pure silk toppers available. The elastic straps keep it firmly in place, too. And as you are much less likely to perspire when sleeping on silk, the silk filling remains free from dust mites – great for allergy sufferers, who will also be pleased to learn that silk is naturally hypoallergenic. To help keep Silentnight Airmax Topper securely fitted onto your mattress they have featured elastic straps which wrap around each corner of the mattress. These Silentnight elasticated straps will fit a mattress of up to 30 cm in depth. As most mattresses have a depth of 25cm the Silentnight Airmax Topper should do the job. Regardless, if you’re looking for an affordable topper with a lengthy trial period and an eight-year guarantee, then the Dormeo Octasmart Essentials is a smart choice.

BREATHABLE: Experience unparalleled breathability with Airmax technology for a comfortably refreshing night's sleep Filling is the next most important thing to think about, and there are quite a few options out there to choose from: Some toppers, including the Panda topper and John Lewis Soft Touch options featured below, come with corner straps that help hold them in place on the mattress. If you’re concerned about your topper slipping about (which can be a common problem), look out for one with these straps. A few other familiar benefits that come with the topper are a machine washable cover and a 100-night trial period that gives you plenty of time to try the topper out before you decide whether or not you want to commit to it. What’s more, thanks to Emma’s regular promotional sales, you will rarely have to pay full price for it. It’s important to bear in mind that a topper isn’t a fix-all solution. If a mattress is on its last legs and is starting to sag, a topper won’t do you any favours. Similarly if your mattress feels too soft, plonking a mattress topper down on it will likely only make it softer. What different fillings should I look out for?Synthetic: For the most part, synthetic is a popular budget option: microfibre and hollowfibre toppers can be a comfortable, affordable and vegan-friendly alternative to wool and down. They’re also relatively easy to wash and dry. What else should I consider? SUPREME COMFORT: Breathes new life into your mattress by adding an extra layer of cushioned comfort. The best mattress toppers to buy in 2023 1. Panda Memory Foam Bamboo Mattress Topper: The best-value memory foam topper