Good sleep can be hard to find. Getting your essential hours of sleep isn’t always as simple as it should be, which can leave us tired, grumpy and frustrated come the morning alarm.
It could be a bad mattress that’s the cause of all your troubles, but if you’re not in a financial position to replace yours right now, a mattress topper could be the answer.
Designed to lay on top of a mattress creating an extra layer, a good topper can not only enhance your comfort levels, but it can also prolong the lifespan of the mattress underneath.
They’re usually far cheaper than forking out for a brand new mattress and many companies deliver to your door, adding to the ease and convenience.
Not all toppers are created equal; if you’re a side sleeper (as the vast majority of people are), a memory foam mattress topper offers an excellent level of support when you’re in the land of nod.
According to Dormeo, here are the things to look out for when shopping for a topper as a side sleeper:
- Thickness: A thin mattress with a lack of padding increases pressure on hips and shoulders for side sleepers. We recommend choosing a thick topper to keep your spine as aligned as possible. The optimal depth is around 7cm.
- Pressure relief: To ensure your spine is aligned correctly and you’re alleviating the pressure from your hips and shoulders, the pressure relief on your mattress topper needs to be good. Are you sinking too deeply into your bed? It may be time to consider a medium-soft mattress topper to alleviate the pressure and aid correct spine alignment.
- Density: This is the way that the firmness is calculated and is usually rated by manufacturers on a scale of 1-10 (one being soft and ten being firm). For a side sleeper looking for a medium-soft mattress topper, you should be looking at around a four on the scale.
- Memory foam or latex: Side sleepers should prioritise memory foam or latex mattress toppers. These will be durable enough to support your body weight and these materials can even help pelvic rotation as these softer foams conform to your body shape and encourage straightening of the spine.
Along with the right pillow to support your head and keep your spine in check, a good topper can boost your sleep quality to new heights, leaving you refreshed and ready for the day by the time your morning alarm sounds.
If you’re looking for a new topper, we’ve rounded up the best options for people who sleep on their side. From Simba to Silentnight, there’s plenty of choice across every price bracket so you should be able to find the right one for you.
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Simba Hybrid Essential Topper
Simba’s bed-in-box mattresses are some of the best around, but they don’t come cheap. Get a slice of the action with its memory foam Hybrid Essential Mattress topper which incorporates 1500 Aerocoil springs to support as you sleep in any position. To stop you feeling hot and uncomfortable, there’s also a layer of open-celled Simbatex to manage climate levels incorporated into the sleep accessory.
In a test, our reviewer said: “The Goldilocks feel leans to the firmer end of the spectrum but will satisfy those looking to sink right into their bed frame. This ensures you are getting the support for your muscles and easing potential back pain without sacrificing snugness.” The cover can be removed and stuck in the washing machine to keep your bed feeling fresh as a daisy.
Buy now £181.35, Simba
Emma Premium Topper
With medium firmness to support your spine and joints where you need it most, this HRX comfort foam topper is the quickest way to give your mattress an upgrade. The 9cm-deep topper promotes a deeper, richer quality of sleep by adding a graphite layer, which aids support and breathability. The cover is removable and washable to 40°C, enough to keep it clean and free of smells. If you’ve ever flopped onto a hotel bed and wondered how to recreate its luxe feel at home, along with luxury bedding and the right pillows, this is the way to do it.
The brand also offers a flippable version (£269) for those worried about wearing down one side.
Buy now £225.00, Emma
Brinkhaus Morpheus Mattress Pad
Brinkhaus has been topping and downing some of the most luxe bed apparel on the market since 1953, and the Morpheus mattress pad is a testament to that fact. Made for sound sleeps (and cheeky Sunday naps), the topper’s soft natural absorbent cottoncambricand pure cotton fibre filling provide tailored support for those in search of a squishier night’s sleep.
Another bonus is that the pad has been designed to be laundered at high temperatures – helpful for removing pesky household and seasonal allergens.
Buy now £125.00, And So To Bed
Silentnight Goose Down mattress topper
Silentnight’s luxe Hungarian Goose down feather topper serves two-fold: bringing added protection to tired mattresses and creating an additional silky layer of smoothness and comfort. It’s packed with a high level of filling to supremely support the body’s main tension and problem areas.
Whilst it’s on the softer side, the 100 percent cotton and hypoallergenic cover also allows for added breathability and comfort enhancing the quality of your sleep even further.
And it gets even better: the topper is machine washable, which is worth a couple of hallelujahs.
Buy now £135.00, Silentnight
NightComfort Anti Allergy Mattress Topper
With bounceback qualities and stretch straps on each corner to stop it slipping across your mattress, NightComfort’s mattress topper offers excellent value-for-money. Made from synthetic materials and fibres, it’s a great option for side-sleeping allergy-sufferers in particular and can be used to create extra comfort on sofa beds and caravan mattresses. It’s machine washable and can be tumble dried as long as it’s on a low setting.
Buy now £62.99, Amazon
ELEMUSE Double Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Upgrade your sleep to better levels with help from this mattress topper, crafted from layers of high-density memory foam. For those worried about the heat-trapping characteristics of such foam, this option sports a 2cm deep washable cover that’s been packed with a down alternative, to better aid breathability and offer a cloud-like feel. It’s designed to be used across all seasons offering a high level of support for side-sleepers and back pain sufferers alike.
Buy now £135.99, Amazon
Dormeo Octaspring Body Zone Mattress Topper
Delivered in a compact, rolled bag with a carry strap for easy transportation, Dormeo’s Octaspring Body Zone Mattress Topper is the brand’s top choice for side sleepers. There are five zones made from memory foam to support the different areas of your body properly, while also promoting healthy spine alignment as you sleep. The cradling effect will have you bouncing out of bed and hopefully, stave off having to buy a fresh mattress for a while longer.
Buy now £199.00, Dormeo
Silentnight Airmax Double Mattress Topper
Excellent quality at prices that won’t break the bank, Silentnight is one of the leading bed brands in the UK. It offers a selection of toppers, but for bleary-eyed customers who want to feel like they’re floating on cloud nine, the Airmax makes a promising proposition. Hypoallergenic and machine washable, the 5cm-deep UK made topper comes with straps to stop it moving around when you’re sleeping - helpful whether you sleep alone or with a partner. It’s also available for one-day delivery to certain addresses with Prime, so there’s no need to put up with an inadequate mattress for a moment longer.
Buy now £40.00, Amazon
M&S Collection Comfortably Cool Mattress Topper
With the weather on an upwards temperature trajectory, you might be on the hunt for bedding that wicks heat rather than retaining it. Enter M&S’s topper, which does what it says on the tin and keeps things at a comfortable level through Climate Control technologies and cotton-like fibres. The filling is formed of at least 30 per cent recycled polyester and it’s completely machine washable too. Keep on your bedding for a luxe extra level of comfort or keep folded in a cupboard, ready to whip out for guests who are staying over.
Buy now £75.00, M&S
