College students balance a lot. Between friends, classes, and clubs, there isn’t much time for anything else, including sleep. Getting the most out of your infrequent downtime can be hard when stress, noisy neighbors, and uncomfortable dorm room mattresses make it impossible to rest. Luckily, there’s an easy solution: a mattress topper.
Mattress toppers are an inexpensive way to elevate a college bed, providing a sleeping experience that will have students performing their best while making them forget they’re living in a shoebox-sized dorm. Here are our picks for the top five mattress toppers for a Twin or Twin XL bed.
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Mattress Topper for College Dorms?
We chose the Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper as the best mattress topper for college dorms because of its two thickness options, cooling capabilities, and affordable price when compared to competitors.
Our Top Picks for the Best Mattress Toppers for College Dorms
- Mattress Topper 2.5-lb Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper – Best Soft Mattress Topper
- Helix Premium Mattress Topper with GlacioTex – Best Mattress Topper for Twin XL Beds
- Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex 201 Topper – Best Value Mattress Topper
- Nolah Mattress Topper – Best Foam Mattress Topper
- Puffy Deluxe – Best Mattress Topper for Athletes
Video Review: Best Mattress Toppers for College
Best Soft Mattress Topper – Mattress Topper 2.5-lb Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper
Mattress Topper 2.5-lb Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper
If you’re a fan of the slow-moving memory foam feel, but you’re not ready to spring for a brand new mattress, then this topper may be the perfect thing for you.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.50 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
Even though college mattresses can feel like slabs of wood, you shouldn’t feel like you’re walking the plank every time you try to get a good night’s rest. Instead, cushion your sleep experience with the this Gel Swirl topper, our pick for the best soft mattress topper for college dorms.
Made of slow-moving memory foam, this topper offers pressure relief for all body types. Unlike in traditional memory foam toppers, Brooklyn Bedding made this topper with a cooling gel infusion that dissipates heat and promotes air circulation, helping you stay cool all night long. Whether you’re trying to make the most of your new dorm bed or spice up an old twin XL, the Gel Swirl topper will take your mattress from stiff to soft.
What We Love About the Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper
- Back sleepers should feel their hips sink in while the memory foam provides some fantastic contouring.
- The memory foam contains cooling gel, which helps the breathable cover stay cool to the touch.
- The cover is removable so it can be easily washed at home.
What to Keep In Mind About the Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper
- This is another soft mattress topper that likely won’t be supportive enough for stomach sleepers.
- Because of its classic memory foam feel, it might be difficult for combination sleepers to change positions.
Read our full Gel Swirl Memory Foam Mattress Topper review! Also, take a look at our picks for the Best Soft Mattress Toppers.
Best Mattress Topper for Twin XL Beds – Helix Premium Mattress Topper with GlacioTex
Helix GlacioTex Premium Mattress Topper
A cooling, gel-infused memory foam topper that balances support and temperature control.
Our Expert’s Take
College living isn’t known for luxury, but who says it’s impossible to have it all. With the Helix Premium Mattress Topper, you can have a little bit of everything. With cooling capabilities, a “hybrid” design, and two firmnesses to choose from, we named it the best topper for twin XL beds.
This topper is perfect for students who enjoy a firmer dorm bed but want that pillow-top look and feel. It even has a layer of micro-coils sandwiched between layers of foam and a lofty 3.75-inch height. It’s easily secured to your twin XL bed, making sure that this cozy accessory stays in one place.
What We Love About the Helix Premium Topper
- It has two firmness options to suit different preferences.
- GlacioTex fibers in the cover should help sleepers who tend to overheat.
- With long straps that easily secure to the corners of the bed, it shouldn’t slide around.
What to Keep In Mind About the Helix Premium Topper
- It’s pricey, almost like a miniature second mattress on top of your first!
Check out our other picks for the Best Mattresses for Twin XL Beds!
Best Value Mattress Topper – Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex 201 Topper
Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex 201 Topper
This 2-inch copper-infused memory foam topper provides extra cooling and pressure relief to your existing mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
Looking to refurbish a sub-par dorm mattress without breaking the bank?. The Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex 201 Mattress Topper may be the solution you’re looking for. A twin XL topper will cost you only $249, which is great value for all that comes with it.
This 2” memory foam mattress topper is infused with copper, which is known for its natural moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties. It offers plenty of cushioning, but it still springs back when you press down on it, which should help combination sleepers easily change positions.. It also has a slightly firmer feel, which should bolster support by offering extra contouring.
A customer on Brooklyn Bedding’s site proudly proclaimed that this topper rejuvenated their dorm bed, so it’s already got a thumbs-up and five-star review from a happy college student.
What We Love About the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex 201 Topper
- The memory foam construction of this topper should provide both dense support and gentle contouring, which can hopefully upgrade any flagging dorm bed.
- For foam, it’s surprisingly springy so that you won’t feel “trapped” in the surface of your bed.
- This topper also features corner straps to keep it securely fastened to a mattress.
What To Keep In Mind About the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex 201 Topper
- This topper is only available in one firmness and thickness.
- Two inches may not be enough to significantly change the feel of your mattress for some folks.
Our Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex 201 Mattress Topper review is in the works!
Best Foam Mattress Topper – Nolah Mattress Topper
Nolah Mattress Topper
AirFoam™ topper offering plush softness and enhanced contouring.
Mattress Clarity Score
3.50 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
Foam mattress toppers are a great option to revitalize a dorm bed that’s too firm and lacking pressure relief. The Nolah Mattress Topper offers plush, contouring comfort at a fraction of the price of a traditional bed.
This topper is made with 4 pounds of dense but breathable AirFoam®, Nolah’s proprietary pressure-relieving foam. Our testers thought this uber-soft topper is great for revitalizing a too-firm mattress. Sleepers under 130 pounds, side sleepers, or folks with pain concerns should rest easily on this topper.
This topper comes in both twin, twin XL, and full sizes, the common mattress types often spotted in dorms or off-campus apartments.
What We Love About the Nolah Topper
- The dense and pressure-relieving nature of this foam topper should comfortably hug you as you sink into its layers.
- It comes with attached cover straps to ensure it doesn’t slip or slide off your mattress.
- If you like the feel of a traditional memory foam mattress, this topper is for you!
What To Keep In Mind About the Nolah Topper
- This super-soft feel may not work for all sleeper types, including stomach sleepers and those who weigh over 230 pounds.
- It’s not a particularly cooling mattress topper if you’re a hot sleeper.
Read our full Nolah Mattress Topper review.
Best Mattress Topper for Athletes – Puffy Deluxe
Puffy Deluxe Mattress Topper
The Puffy mattress topper is not only hypoallergenic but includes a removable and washable cover, which can help keep your surface extra clean.
Mattress Clarity Score
5.00 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
We analyzed the firm version of the Puffy Deluxe, But with a soft option as well, almost any body type should find comfort with this topper. The firm works best for back and stomach sleepers, while the soft works best for side sleepers. Both options are 2.5” thick and feature a memory foam construction that hugs the body without trapping heat.
If you’re a student athlete, you know how valuable sleep is. However, you might not cherish the sweat-inducing practices that pose a threat to the freshness of your room. With the Puffy Deluxe topper’s washable cover, you can guarantee that everything from the field, court, or track slays out of the bed. Combined with its two firmness options, we chose the Puffy Deluxe as the best mattress topper for athletes.
Topped off with a polyester and bamboo moisture-wicking cover, the Puffy Deluxe mattress cover should keep athletes comfortable and help them cool down after a hard day’s work.
What We Love About the Puffy Deluxe Topper
- The firm version of the Puffy Deluxe is a great choice for stomach and back sleepers of any weight.
- With a design similar to a fitted sheet, the Puffy Deluxe should fit securely on your mattress.
- Puffy offers a 101-night trial period for this topper. If you decide it’s not the right fit for you, Puffy will cover the shipping cost for returns.
What We Love About the Puffy Deluxe Topper
- Side sleepers may not find the proper pressure relief on the hard version of this topper. They’ll want to consider the softer version instead.
- People who prefer the feeling of slow moving memory foam will want to check out the Puffy Deluxe’s softer variant or explore other options entirely.
Read out full Puffy Deluxe mattress topper review for more information!
What to Consider When Buying a Mattress Topper for College
Still undecided? Here are a few things to think about when choosing the best mattress topper for college.
Mattress Size
This may seem like an obvious point, but make sure to pick the right-sized mattress topper. Check to see the exact dimensions of the mattress in the dorm room. Most are going to be either Twin (38″ x 75″) or Twin XL (38″ x 80″). Students can measure themselves or ask the college administration about size.
Recommended: Mattress Sizes and Dimensions.
Sleeping Position
Side sleepers are going to want a softer mattress topper, back sleepers should look for a topper that’s soft but not too soft, and stomach sleepers are going to want a mattress topper with more support, especially around the hips.
Feel Preferences
Not all mattress toppers feel the same. While it is true that the majority feature some kind of memory foam, some contain other materials like latex or a foam alternative. For those who like to sink into their sleeping surface, try memory foam. For something bouncier, latex foam will be a better choice.
Recommended: Best Latex Mattresses
Budget and Durability
Budget is always a concern, but luckily these toppers are going to be under $200 for a Twin or Twin XL topper. At a certain point, the lower the price, the less durable your topper may be. For example, a cheaper memory foam topper doesn’t contain the highest-density memory foam, and it might not last as long as a pricier topper that contains high-density memory foam.
Recommended: Best Mattresses for College Students
Other Sleep Accessories for a College Dorm Room
A mattress topper is just one item college students should consider if they want to sleep better in their dorm room. Here are a couple of other handy items that can ensure they get the best sleep possible.
- Earplugs: Dorms are loud. Roommates can snore and noisy neighbors might care more about partying than studying. Earplugs could be an easy solution to this problem and, for not much money, students could be blocking out the majority of these sounds
- Sleep masks: When sleeping in a dorm, college students aren’t in control of the lighting. They may have a roommate who stays up late watching TV or working on their computer, or they could have light coming through their window. This could disrupt sleep and mess with circadian rhythms. A good sleep mask could cut out the majority of these unwanted beams.
- Bedding: Students should also make sure that they find sheets and comforters promoting healthy sleep. If they’re a hot sleeper, they should consider cotton sheets with a percale weave, as well as a breathable comforter. Also, consider a duvet cover, which can slip this over a comforter and is a lot easier to clean.
- Pillows: The right pillow can go a long way in helping one get great sleep. Don’t break the bank, but make sure to find a pillow that fits one’s sleeping position and feel preferences.
Recommended: The Ultimate Guide to Sleeping Better on a College Campus
Summary
| Topper | Best For |
| Mattress Topper 2.5-lb Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper | Best Soft Mattress Topper |
| Helix Premium Topper with GlacioTex | Best Mattress Topper for Twin XL Beds |
| Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex 201 | Best Value Mattress Topper |
| Nolah Mattress Topper | Best Foam Mattress Topper |
| Puffy Deluxe Mattress Topper | Best Mattress Topper for Athletes |
Don’t settle for poor sleep. Give it the old college try and make that mattress more comfortable!
Featured image: Alexandre Rotenberg/Shutterstock
