Mattress pad

A mattress pad, mattress topper, or underpad is designed to lie atop a mattress. Made from a variety of materials such as wool, cotton, memory foam, feather or latex,[1] its function is to provide an extra layer of comfort, especially when the existing mattress is worn or uncomfortable.

Not to be confused with mattress protector; the protector is not significantly padded, and a mattress topper may not protect the bed.
A mattress topper on a boxspring mattress

Physically, it is a thin mattress, usually 5–10 centimetres (2–4 in) thick.[2] Stand-alone mattresses of this size exist, including futons, and floor beds. Similarly, traditional European beds were made of a stack of mattresses of this size. In contrast, mattress toppers are usually sold for use on top of boxsprings (secured with straps or elasticated cloth corners[3]). They are used to extend the life of the more-expensive boxspring, make a bed warmer[2] or cooler (with airflow,[4] or heat-conductive materials),[5][6] make a firm bed softer,[4] and for travel and dorms, as they are portable,[2][4] especially if they are low-density.[7]

Like a mattress protector/mattress pad/mattress cover (a thin, generally unpadded layer not designed to improve comfort),[5][4] mattress toppers can be used to protect the mattress from the sleeper or vice versa.[4] Some mattress toppers are machine-washable;[6] covers and fillings are made from a range of materials.[5][7]

Common types of mattress toppers

Pillow-top mattress toppers

Pillow top mattress toppers are filled with natural fibers such as cotton or down, or synthetic options such as microfiber.[8] The filling is usually segmented into pockets which help them stay in place. This is similar to quilts, though mattress toppers are usually 4 inches or thicker.[9] The variant of mattress toppers are present in most hotel beds and is responsible for their plush feel.[10] Eggshell mattress toppers are a good way to extend the life of an older bed.[11][12]

Memory-foam mattress toppers

Visco-elastic foam toppers are made from visco-elastic polyurethane, also known as "memory foam". This is a type of material that exhibits both viscous and elastic characteristics when undergoing deformation. Viscous materials, like water, resist shear flow and strain linearly with time when a stress is applied.[13] The foam used in the construction of these memory foam toppers reacts to both pressure and temperature. This, combined with its greater density, are properties that give them their characteristic "weightlessness" sensation. Memory foam mattress toppers are touted to optimize support and promote proper spinal alignment during sleep.[8] They are also regularly used in medical institutions because of their pressure relieving properties.

Latex mattress toppers

Latex is derived from rubber tree sap[14] and feels springy as well as responsive.[8] There are 2 main methods of manufacturing latex:

Dunlop Latex

Dunlop latex is heavier on one side than the other due to sedimentation during the foaming process. As such, it is primarily used for support layers of a bed.[14]

Tatalay Latex

Tataly Latex is flash frozen, which results in a lighter, fluffier foam. It lacks support and is used primarily as a comfort layer.[14]

Others

An electric mattress pad is made of heavy fabric with heating filaments woven into it. In the UK and Commonwealth countries this is called an "electric blanket".

See also

References
  1. Megan, Barber (November 11, 2020). "All You Need To Know About RV Mattress Toppers". RVing Trends.
  2. Staff, HappyDIYHome (12 December 2021). "16 Great Mattress Alternatives". Happy DIY Home.
  3. Plumridge, Jo (18 January 2022). "The best mattress toppers 2022: supreme sleep comfort is here". TechRadar.
  4. Casey, Bibek (7 April 2023). "Mattress Topper FAQs". Bed Time Buzz.
  5. Ullman, Michelle. "Add to the Comfort of Your Bed With the Right Kind of Mattress Topper". The Spruce.
  6. Rabideau, Camryn. "After 2 Days of Testing, Here Are Our Favorite Mattress Toppers of 2022". The Spruce.
  7. "Mattress Topper Types - Materials, Thickness, Density". Mattress Nut. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  8. "How To Choose The Right Mattress Topper | SleepWiz™". Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  9. "Step-by-Step Guide to A Luxury Bed". The Spruce. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  10. "Hotel at Home: Bed Makeover". ABC News. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  11. Shop, Foam. "Eggshell Topper". The Foam Shop - Canada. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  12. "Bed Makeover". Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  13. "Viscoelasticity", Wikipedia, 2019-07-12, retrieved 2019-07-12
  14. "Dunlop vs. Talalay Latex Mattresses: What's the Difference?". Tuck Sleep. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
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