Best Mattress Toppers in Australia

Our List of the 3 Best Mattress Toppers in Australia (November 2023)

Best Overall — Editor’s Choice - Emma Flip Topper

The first top-rated mattress topper in Australia on this list is the Emma Flip Topper. Perfect for use with different mattress firmness levels. This mattress topper has a dual-firmness design, which means it can offer more than just one comfort adjustment. For example, I used the firm side with my old, overly plush mattress to create a more supportive feel. Then, I tested the soft side with my new medium-firm mattress. The Flip by Emma helped add a layer of cushioning that my pressure points so desperately needed.

From my tests, its soft side was only 0.05 inches less soft than the Peace Lily topper, making both feel relatively similar. I found this softness to have more of a body cradle that memory foam is well-regarded for.

So, if you want to have options and tailor the feel of your mattress based on the occasion, the Emma will come in handy. Its durability speaks volumes, especially along the edges. According to my tests, the Emma Flip was more firming than the Peace Lily topper by 0.1 inches on its firm side. This topper can create more stable edges, improving overall integrity. Plus, it’s a quality topper, so this investment should be a long-lasting one.

Based on Our Review

I liked the versatility of the Emma Flip Topper. I tested it on a firm and medium-firm mattress and I liked the performance on both mattresses. This topper cushioned the surface and offered a softer feel.

Why You Should Trust Me

There are so many different mattress toppers out there, and to find the best ones, I had to review lots of them first and take note of their strengths and weaknesses. While testing, I ranked the toppers based on firmness, thickness, material, motion isolation, etc. Then, using my testing methodologies, I narrowed the list down to these 3 mattress toppers mentioned here to help you with your purchase.

Mattress Toppers vs. Pads: Are They the Same?

When looking for the best mattress topper in Australia, getting lost among the different types is easy. This problem is especially common when it comes to mattress toppers and pads, as they may seem similar.

That being said, toppers and pads don’t affect mattresses the same, and that’s the main difference between them. A mattress topper can significantly alter the feel of one’s bed, making the mattress softer, firmer, more cradling, more responsive, and so on. 

Mattress pads, however, are typically used to add a layer of cushioning or to protect the mattress from stains. They are usually thinner than toppers and use mostly cotton or polyester fibers (sometimes wool). This means a mattress pad can’t offer extra support or guarantee drastic comfort changes. 

Who Might Benefit From a Mattress Topper?

Mattress toppers are an incredibly popular bedding item for one reason:

Comfort.

By adding just 5-8 cm of foam to your mattress you can significantly improve its cradling and support.

You’ll most likely benefit from a mattress topper if you:

• Have an old mattress. Most mattresses have a lifespan of 7-10 years (1), and if your bed meets these numbers, it’s probably worth replacing. However, sometimes you just can’t spend a lump of money on a new bed, and this is when the mattress topper comes in handy. It costs way less than a brand new bed and can score you a couple of years before you replace your current mattress.
• Have too soft or too firm mattress. If you find out that your mattress is uncomfortable after the trial period has passed, the manufacturer won’t satisfy your claim for a refund. However, by choosing a mattress topper of the desired firmness, you can alter the feel of your bed and make your sleep more comfortable.
• Sleep on a mattress that isn’t your own. If you rent an apartment, you may not know who slept on this bed before you and how old this mattress actually is. So, in this case, the mattress topper serves as a hygienic layer and protects you from mould or dust mites that can hide inside the mattress layers.

What Are the Top-Rated Mattress Toppers in Australia Made Of?

The modern market can offer you dozens of models when it comes to mattress pads, which can make a choice pretty difficult. However, you can narrow the choice down by the materials, as there are only four most common configurations:

• Foam. Polyfoam, memory foam, infused foams, or any other variations are the most popular configuration you can get.  They all have roughly the same properties: great pressure relief, close conforming to your body shape, and good motion absorption. Foam toppers come in a vast range of firmnesses and thicknesses, so you can pair them with any type of mattress.

In my opinion, foam mattresses offer the best cushioning experience for sleepers

• Latex. Latex is a vulcanized sap of rubber trees mixed with some additives to improve density and longevity. It’s pretty different from the traditional foams and doesn’t have the ‘memory’ effect. Also, latex is denser than synthetic foams, so you can expect a longer lifespan (and heavier weight). Finally, thanks to its open-cell structure, natural latex sleeps cool even on summer nights.
• Fiberfill. These typically have fitted sheet design with a quilted fiberfill top. The main features of fiberfill toppers are their exceptional moldability, light weight, and temperature neutrality. However, depending on the fill density and material, the lifespan of the fiberfill toppers can fluctuate significantly, so you may replace them more frequently compared to other types (2).
• Composite. As the name implies, these mattress pads combine two or more materials (foam and latex layers, foam core with fiberfill top, etc). Composite mattresses are generally thicker and more durable but the final properties will depend on the materials used.
• Wool. Wool mattress toppers are a great choice for those users who want extra cushioning and proper temperature regulation. Wool doesn't trap body heat and can easily wick the excess moisture away. Plus, this material is super breathable, so it may create a neutral sleeping environment regardless of the season. However, keep in mind that wool toppers are typically rather soft. Therefore, they won’t work for someone who requires extra support or wants to make a plush mattress feel firmer.

I think wool mattresses will appeal to lightweight sleepers better than heavier sleepers.

• Down or feathers. Such mattress toppers are expensive but luxurious. They can add a layer of cushioning to your mattress to achieve higher comfort levels. Down toppers are good in terms of airflow as well. However, they may cause allergies in some sleepers. Plus, being soft and squishy, down and feather toppers are better to be used with firmer mattresses.

Also Read: Best Cooling Mattress Toppers in Australia

What to Look for in the Best Mattress Topper?

Every sleeper is unique, which means that there’s no universal bedding accessory for everyone. However, you can choose a mattress topper that will totally fit your demand if you follow these recommendations.

Thickness 

Most mattress toppers in Australia are 5-cm thick. This thickness is sufficient to alter the feel of your bed if you need it and ensure a snuggly fit under your sheets. However, sometimes you can find dual-layer toppers that are 8-10 cm thick. They can make a worthy purchase for heavy sleepers, couples, or owners of old mattresses.

Firmness

To pick a suitable mattress topper, shoppers need to consider two aspects: their favorite sleeping style and the feel of their mattress.

A good mattress topper has to correspond with one’s preferred sleep position to ensure a healthy alignment during the night. 

Thus, the best mattress topper for side sleepers in Australia has to be soft and cradling. It should hug the protruding body parts and prevent pressure build-up in them.

For back sleepers, medium and medium-firm mattress toppers typically work the best. This comfort level should be enough to offer moderate sinkage for the hips and buttocks while supporting the rest of the body in a relatively straight line.

As for stomach sleepers, it is crucial to prevent unhealthy back curvatures. That’s why firm mattress toppers usually suit this sleeping style the most. A firmer topper would prevent the belly from sinking in and the spine from arching, thus reducing the pressure from the lower back.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind the initial firmness of one’s bed. Shoppers need to choose a suitable topper based on the comfort level they want to achieve. For example, side sleepers with firm mattresses should look for an extra-thick, soft topper to make their sleeping surface significantly softer. However, if their current mattress has a medium feel, they don’t necessarily need a very thick topper (just a soft one). 

Motion Isolation

This aspect is essential for partnered sleepers, especially if one of them tends to be restless during the night. A good topper can balance out an overly bouncy mattress to a certain extent, which can help couples minimize nighttime disturbances.

Now, memory foam performs the best when it comes to motion isolation. Naturally, a thicker topper might have a more noticeable effect than a thin one. Latex might also do the trick if the topper is more on the soft side.

Cover

The cover of your mattress pad protects it from moisture and dust, which prolongs the topper’s lifespan. Models with removable cover are more preferable because you can refresh your mattress topper by washing it. Among the non-removable covers, Tencel and plain cotton are the best, as they wick away moisture and repel odors.

Fit Type

A good mattress topper should stay in one place all through the night, no matter how active of a sleeper you are. 

Now, there are many toppers that simply lay on top of the mattress. This type might not work for restless or combination sleepers. However, as an alternative, you can get a model with elastic straps or an elastic fitted skirt. Both are meant to guarantee a secure fit during the night. However, you need to make sure that the elastic straps or the skirt are large (deep) enough to work with your mattress, especially if it’s a high-profile model.

Ease of Cleaning

Just like your mattress, the topper can accumulate dust, dead skin cells, tiny debris, and moisture. That’s why it might be a good idea to buy a model that has a removable cover or uses washable materials. In this case, you will easily maintain a fresh sleeping environment. It would come in handy for allergy-prone sleepers in particular.