Best Mattress Topper To Make Bed Softer: Top Picks Compared

If your mattress feels too firm, a soft mattress topper can add a cushioned layer without replacing the whole bed. The options below use plush down-alternative fill or soft fabric to change the feel of your sleep surface. Compare thickness, mattress fit, care needs, and features such as waterproofing to find the best match for your bed.

Quick Comparison

Our Picks: Best Mattress Topper To Make Bed Softer reviews

1. ELEMUSE Extra Thick Queen Topper: Plush Comfort in Many Sizes

The ELEMUSE is a padded mattress cover designed to add a soft, lofty layer over a firm or worn-feeling mattress. Its brushed microfiber cover and double-filled 3D snow down-alternative fill create a plush surface without using memory foam.

Box-style stitching helps keep the fill distributed across the topper, while the elastic pocket is designed for mattresses from 8 to 21 inches deep. The product is offered in several sizes, including Queen, King, and California King, as well as some less common options such as Short Queen and RV King. Check your mattress dimensions before choosing a size.

This is a strong choice if your main goal is adding cushion and you want a washable topper. The manufacturer recommends cold water, mild detergent, a gentle cycle, and low-heat drying. Its generous fill may add noticeable loft, so check that your fitted sheet has enough depth to fit over both the topper and mattress.

Pros:

• Double-filled down-alternative padding for a plush feel
• Box quilting helps keep the fill in place
• Deep pocket fits mattresses from 8 to 21 inches
• Available in a broad range of sizes

Cons:

• Added loft may make a close-fitting sheet harder to use
• Requires a large machine for washing, according to the product details

Verdict: Choose the ELEMUSE if you want a thick, washable pillow-top feel and need more size options than many basic toppers offer.

2. Niagara Sleep Solution Full Topper: A Soft Option with Adjustable Straps

This full-size topper uses brushed microfiber and 3D snow down-alternative fill to add a soft, cushioned layer. Its design focuses on airflow and a breathable sleep surface, making it worth considering if you want extra softness without choosing a memory-foam topper.

One practical difference is its adjustable straps, which are intended to help hold the pad in place. The product description also mentions stretchy sides for thicker mattresses and machine washing. The supplied listing is for a Full size, so confirm that size works for your bed before ordering.

Compared with the ELEMUSE and the other thick pillow-top styles here, this option emphasizes its securing straps and full-bed fit. The product details do not give a specific pocket-depth range, so if you have a particularly deep mattress, check the listing for fit information before buying.

Pros:

• Soft microfiber surface with down-alternative fill
• Adjustable straps help secure the topper
• Designed for breathability and airflow
• Machine washable

Cons:

• Supplied product details specify Full size
• No precise mattress-depth range is provided in the description

Verdict: Consider this topper if you have a Full bed and want a soft surface with straps designed to reduce shifting.

3. SurChic Extra Thick Queen Topper: Lofty Fill with a Deep Pocket

The SurChic is an extra-thick pillow-top pad filled with a stated 1000GSM blend of 3D and 7D down-alternative fibers. Its soft 400TC microfiber cover and high-loft fill are intended to add cushioning while allowing airflow through the sleep surface.

A 360-degree elastic fitted skirt is designed for mattresses 8 to 21 inches deep. Box quilting helps hold the filling in place, which is useful for a topper that may be moved or washed. The listing describes cold-water, gentle-cycle washing and low-temperature tumble drying.

This pick suits shoppers looking for a substantial layer of softness in a standard bed size. It offers fewer special features than the Kayfia, which highlights cooling microfiber in its fill, and it does not include the waterproof membrane found in the Niagara Cal King option. As with any lofty pad, confirm that your sheets can accommodate the extra height.

Pros:

• High-loft 1000GSM down-alternative filling
• 400TC microfiber cover
• Deep pocket fits mattresses from 8 to 21 inches
• Machine washable with low-temperature drying instructions

Cons:

• Extra loft can require deeper fitted sheets
• Does not have the waterproof layer included with the Niagara Cal King option

Verdict: The SurChic is a good fit if you want a generously filled Queen topper with a deep-pocket skirt and simple machine-wash care.

4. Kayfia Overfilled Queen Pillow Top: Cushioned Comfort with Cooling Details

Kayfia’s Queen mattress pad is filled with 1000gsm of snow down-alternative material. The product description specifies a 50/50 mix of 3D and 7D fill, along with cooling microfiber in the filling and a microfiber top. These features are intended to provide a soft, airy layer rather than the distinct feel of memory foam.

The stretchable pocket is listed for mattresses from 8 to 23 inches deep, giving it the widest stated depth range among the padded options in this lineup. Box-shaped construction is designed to help keep the fill spread evenly, and the topper is machine washable. The manufacturer recommends letting it air out for several hours or using low-heat tumble drying to help restore its loft after unpacking.

Compared with the ELEMUSE and SurChic, Kayfia provides more detail about the fill blend and mattress depth. Its listing also mentions back-pain relief, but a soft topper is not a treatment for back pain and may not suit every sleeper. If your mattress has a deep, permanent sag, adding a topper may not fix the underlying problem.

Pros:

• 1000gsm down-alternative fill with a stated 50/50 3D and 7D blend
• Cooling microfiber is included in the fill
• Deep pocket fits mattresses from 8 to 23 inches
• Machine washable

Cons:

• Only the Queen size is specified in the supplied product details
• Extra cushioning may not correct a sagging mattress

Verdict: Pick Kayfia if you want a thick Queen topper with a broad stated mattress-depth range and cooling-focused material details.

5. Niagara Waterproof Cal King Topper: Softness and Spill Protection

This California King topper combines a soft surface made from rayon derived from bamboo with a waterproof polyurethane membrane. It adds cushioning while also helping protect the mattress from spills, stains, and accidents. That makes it different from the other picks, which focus mainly on loft and padding.

The fitted design is made for mattresses from 8 to 20 inches deep. The product description says it is machine washable and advises shaking and patting the compressed topper after unpacking, then leaving it out for 48 hours or tumble drying it on low heat for 20 minutes. It is specifically listed in California King size.

The waterproof layer is useful if mattress protection is a priority, but it is not the same kind of thick, overfilled pillow top as the ELEMUSE, SurChic, or Kayfia. If your main goal is the maximum plush feel, one of those fill-heavy options may be a closer match. If you want softness plus a barrier against liquids, this Niagara option stands out.

Pros:

• Soft rayon-derived-from-bamboo surface
• Waterproof membrane helps protect the mattress
• Fits mattresses from 8 to 20 inches deep
• Machine washable

Cons:

• Listed as California King in the supplied product details
• Protection is a bigger distinguishing feature than extra-thick fill

Verdict: Choose this topper if you have a California King bed and want a soft layer with added liquid protection.

How to Choose a Mattress Topper to Make Your Bed Softer

Choose the kind of softness you want

Down-alternative pillow-top pads add a fluffy, cushioned layer over the mattress. That is the main design used by the ELEMUSE, Niagara Full, SurChic, and Kayfia options. A topper with a waterproof membrane, like the Niagara Cal King, also adds a protective barrier, but its primary distinction is spill protection rather than extra-thick fill. Think about whether you want a plush change in feel, a protective layer, or both.

Check the mattress size and depth

Match the topper to your mattress size, not just the room or bed frame. Then measure the mattress depth, including any existing pad if you plan to leave it on. The ELEMUSE and SurChic list pockets for mattresses 8 to 21 inches deep, Kayfia lists 8 to 23 inches, and the waterproof Niagara lists 8 to 20 inches. The Niagara Full product description does not give a precise depth range, so check its current listing if your mattress is especially thick.

Consider fill and construction

All four pillow-top options use down-alternative filling, but their descriptions vary in how much detail they provide. SurChic and Kayfia specify 1000GSM fill, while ELEMUSE emphasizes double filling and Niagara highlights supportive 3D snow down-alternative fill. Box quilting is designed to help limit fill movement within the pad. These details can help you compare construction, but they do not guarantee a particular feel for every sleeper.

Think about temperature and materials

Some products describe breathable microfiber or cooling-focused materials. ELEMUSE says its down-alternative fill retains less body heat than memory foam, while Kayfia describes cooling microfiber in its fill. The Niagara waterproof option uses rayon derived from bamboo for its surface. If you tend to sleep warm, compare the materials and construction carefully; a product’s cooling description is not a promise that it will feel cool to everyone.

Make sure your sheets will still fit

A thick topper raises the height of your sleep surface. Measure the combined depth of the mattress and topper, then check that your fitted sheets can stretch over both. A deep pocket on the topper helps it fit around a thick mattress, but it does not make your sheets deeper.

Review the care instructions and your washing setup

Machine washing is convenient, but a bulky topper may need a large-capacity washer and dryer. The ELEMUSE specifies cold water, mild detergent, a gentle cycle, and low-heat drying. SurChic also describes gentle washing and low-temperature drying. Niagara advises allowing its compressed waterproof topper time to expand or using low-heat drying. Follow the care instructions for the exact product you choose.

Set realistic expectations for an older mattress

A topper can soften the surface, but it cannot repair a broken support system or fully correct a deep sag. If your mattress dips sharply or has lost support, replacing it may be a better long-term solution. A softer layer can also change alignment, so more cushioning is not always better for every sleeper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a mattress topper make a firm bed softer?

Yes, a padded topper can add a softer layer between you and a firm mattress. How much softer it feels depends on the topper’s fill, loft, and your mattress, so the result can vary from one bed to another.

Which topper in this list is the thickest?

The supplied descriptions call the ELEMUSE, SurChic, and Kayfia options extra thick or overfilled. SurChic and Kayfia specify 1000GSM fill, but the descriptions do not provide comparable measurements of total topper height. Compare the listing details if thickness is your main concern.

Can a soft mattress topper help with back discomfort?

A topper may make a hard sleep surface feel more cushioned, but it is not a medical treatment and cannot guarantee relief from back discomfort. If pain continues or worsens, consider getting advice from a health professional.

How do I stop a topper from sliding?

Choose the correct size, make sure the pocket fits your mattress depth, and secure the topper as directed. The Niagara Full topper includes adjustable straps. The other fitted designs use elastic skirts or pockets to help hold them in place.

Are these toppers machine washable?

The product descriptions state that all five are machine washable. Check each item’s specific care directions, including water temperature, wash cycle, and drying method, and make sure your washer can handle a bulky topper.

Can I use a topper on a sagging mattress?

You can place a topper on a sagging mattress, but it may not fix the dip or restore support. A topper is better suited to changing surface comfort than repairing a mattress with a damaged or worn-out support layer.

Which option is best if I need waterproof protection?

The Niagara Sleep Solution California King topper is the only option here whose description specifies a waterproof polyurethane membrane. It is a natural fit for shoppers who want a soft layer and added protection from spills or accidents.

Final Recommendation

For a plush, general-purpose mattress upgrade, the ELEMUSE is a versatile pick thanks to its double-filled down-alternative construction, deep pocket, and broad size range. Choose Kayfia if you want a Queen topper with a stated 8-to-23-inch fit range, or the Niagara Cal King if waterproof protection matters as much as softness. Before ordering, confirm your mattress size, depth, and sheet fit so the new layer works with your existing bed.