Mattress toppers: a cheaper way to a good night’s sleep?

According to our survey of 4,169 Which? members in April 2018, over a fifth still sleep on a mattress that is more than 10 years old.

Not only is this potentially unhygienic, but could also mean that your mattress isn’t supporting you as well as it did when new.

But a new mattress will cost at least a few hundred pounds.

Bedding bargain

For those that aren’t able to buy a new mattress, are on a tight budget, or are simply looking to give their old one a new lease of life, a mattress topper could be the solution. They often range anywhere between about £30, all the way up to £200.

And they appear to do the job: more than three in four agreed that a mattress topper made their mattress much more comfortable.

Opting for a topper instead of going for a whole new mattress can also help not add to the widespread landfill issue with mattresses in the UK.

But it’s important to note that, while a topper can add a level of protection and comfort to an old mattress, there is little evidence that they add to the support your mattress offers.

Millennial mattresses

With a rented, furnished property, it is highly likely that the mattress will be part of the property’s inventory – i.e. what is included as part of the rent, like washing machine, sofas, wardrobes.

So when you move out, the same old mattress needs to still be there. Otherwise you won’t be getting all your deposit back.

But this means you can’t realistically buy a new mattress; firstly as they are so big, where would you store the old one? And secondly, when you move, it’ll be very difficult to move the new one to your new place.

You could go down the route of asking your landlord to replace the mattress, but this itself could be a long, arduous and eventually unfruitful journey.

Foam alone

I recently moved into a new rented flat. But knowing how bad a mattress can be in rented accommodation (based on my student days), this time I came prepared.

Moving in day comes and I am equipped with a vacuum, baking soda and memory foam mattress topper.

I follow the Which? guide on how to clean your mattress and give the old and cheap spring mattress a deep clean – as god knows what it has seen.

My mattress topper then turns the firm and uncomfortable surface into a soft and snuggly bed – somewhere I can really rest my head.

Tip top

I go for memory foam, as I like the ‘bounce back’ feel, and don’t want to have to fluff my topper up every week or so, like is recommended with a down or microfibre topper.

If you’re not sure what type of topper you’ll like best, read our guide on choosing the best type of mattress topper.

Do you use a mattress topper — and if so, what kind? And how long do you think you can keep a mattress for?