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. All mattresses on this list are less than $200!
RELATED: Could Dorm Mattress Quality Be A Cause Of Sleep Deprivation in College Students?
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Mattress Topper for College Dorms?
We chose the Puffy Deluxe as the best mattress topper for college dorms because of its multiple firmness options, cooling capabilities, and removable cover — making it easy to clean.
Our Top Picks for the Best Mattress Toppers for College Dorms
- Puffy Deluxe – Best Mattress Topper for Athletes
- Helix Plush – Best Mattress Topper for Twin XL Beds
- Brooklyn Bedding Dreamfoam Gel Swirl – Best Soft Mattress Topper
- MOLECULE CopperWELL – Best Cooling Mattress Topper
- Lucid – Best Value Mattress Topper
Video Review: Best Mattress Toppers for College
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!
Best Mattress Topper for Twin XL Beds – Helix Plush
Helix Plush Mattress Topper
The Helix mattress topper adds a touch of plushness and a luxurious pillow top feel. It’s made with hypoallergenic and durable materials. Click the link below for the best deal!
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
College living isn’t known for luxury, but who says it’s impossible to have it all. With the Helix Mattress topper, you can have a little bit of everything. With cooling capabilities, a washable design, and a soft feel, we named the Helix Plush as the best topper for twin XL beds.
Despite its plush, pillow-top texture, the Helix Plush won’t change the comfort level of your bed too much, but rather add a cloud-like feel to your existing mattress. This is perfect for students who enjoy a firmer dorm bed but want that pillow-top look and feel. Additionally, the Helix Plush can easily be secured to your twin XL bed, making sure that this cozy accessory stays in one place.
What We Love About the Helix Plush Topper
- The Helix Plush is a good choice for stomach sleepers or those who prefer the feel of firmer mattresses.
- The Helix Plush’s cover is made out of hypoallergenic bamboo material. It’s thin and breathable, making it great for hot sleepers.
- With deep pockets that easily secure to the corners of the bed, the Helix Plush won’t slide around on top of the bed.
What to Keep In Mind About the Helix Plush Topper
- Sleepers looking to completely alter the feel of their mattress should explore other options.
Read our full Helix Plush mattress topper review! Additionally, check out our picks for the Best Mattresses for Twin XL Beds!
Best Soft Mattress Topper – Brooklyn Bedding Dreamfoam Gel Swirl
Dreamfoam 2″ Gel Swirl Memory Foam Mattress 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 the Dreamfoam mattress topper just may be the perfect thing for you.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur 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 Brooklyn Bedding Dreamfoam Gel Swirl, our pick for the best soft mattress topper for college dorms.
Made of slow-moving memory foam, the Dreamfoam 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 Dreamfoam Gel Swirl will take your mattress from stiff to soft.
What We Love About the Dreamform Swirl Gel
- 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 Dreamfoam Swirl Gel
- 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 Brookyln Bedding Dreamfoam Swirl Gel mattress topper review! Also, take a look at our picks for the Best Soft Mattress Toppers.
Best Cooling Mattress Topper – MOLECULE CopperWELL
MOLECULE Copperwell Mattress Topper
The MOLECULE Copperwell mattress topper is a 3″ thick memory foam topper. It has that slow-moving feeling to add comfort and pressure relief to your mattress, and shouldn’t trap a lot of heat.
Our Expert’s Take
Nothing about college dorm living screams 5-star-experience, including the air conditioning. Whether your window unit is always breaking down or your central AC isn’t quite putting in the work, it can be hard to stay cool at night. Break through the heat with the MOLECULE CopperWELL mattress topper.
The CopperWELL topper is infused with copper beads, which pull heat away from the body while you sleep. Additionally, MOLECULE designed the surface of this topper with what they call the HexFLO design. This just means that the top of the topper has a hexagon pattern that is arranged in a way that promotes airflow and gives additional support to specific areas of the body. This unique design will help you beat the heat and take back your sleep during those hot spring and summer nights.
What We Love About the MOLECULE CopperWELL
- While it’s only 2″ thick, most people, including back sleepers, should feel pressure relief on their shoulders and hips.
- The memory foam contains a swirl of cooling gel to help dissipate heat.
- The topper should contour the body, making for a significantly more comfortable sleep.
What To Keep In Mind About the MOLECULE CopperWELL
- Although most side sleepers should feel significant pressure relief on the 2″ model, some of them may want to opt for the thicker 3″ model.
- It doesn’t come with a cover, so you’ll want to outfit it with a fitted sheet.
Read our full MOLECULE CopperWELL topper review and check our our picks for the Best Cooling Mattress Toppers.
Best Value Mattress Topper – Lucid
Lucid 2″ Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
In the end, the Lucid Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a great value. It provides a memory foam feel and some extra pressure relief at an affordable price. However, stomach sleepers and hot sleepers might want to look elsewhere. The Lucid comes with a 3-year warranty, but we do question its long-term durability.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Buying for a college dorm can be overwhelming when your shopping list seems to be endless. It can all add up to be pretty expensive, which is why we recommend the Lucid Memory Foam as the best value for a mattress topper. For less than $80, you can soften up your stiff dorm bed without having to cheap out on other dorm essentials.
The Lucid mattress topper offers that classic memory foam feel, perfect for those that like the feeling of sinking into their mattress. Its value doesn’t stop there, as the Lucid’s open-cell design and optional gel infusion will help keep this topper cool. If you’re in the market for an affordable topper of decent quality, the Lucid topper is the pick for you.
What We Love About the Lucid Topper
- Side and back sleepers looking for pressure relief will find comfort on the Lucid topper.
- The Lucid topper comes in two, three, and four inch models. The thickness you get depends on your needs. Heavier individuals do better with the thick version, while lightweight people or stomach sleepers should go for the thinnest version.
- The Lucid’s memory foam is CertiPUR-US certified, meaning its more eco-friendly than traditional memory foam.
What To Keep In Mind About the Lucid Topper
- Stomach sleepers might find that the Lucid topper will make their bed too soft.
- Despite its gel infusion and open-cell design, the topper is memory foam, so this topper may not be the best choice for people who sleep exceptionally hot.
Read our full Lucid mattress topper review!
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 |
| Puffy Delux | Best Mattress Topper for Athletes |
| Helix Plush | Best Mattress Topper for Twin XL Beds |
| Brooklyn Bedding Dreamform Gel Swirl | Best Soft Mattress Topper |
| MOLECULE CopperWELL | Best Cooling Mattress Topper |
| Lucid | Best Value Mattress Topper |
Don’t settle for poor sleep. Give it the old college try and make that mattress more comfortable!
Featured image: Alexandre Rotenberg/Shutterstock
