Sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress can be quite miserable. Fortunately, there are a few cheap and simple solutions that don’t involve buying a new bed. With mattress pads or mattress toppers, you can easily improve your sleeping experience. The challenge is finding the right option for you. My husband and I tried out the Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam 4-Inch Dual Layer Mattress Topper for several weeks. We slept on it, washed it, and slept on it again to determine if it delivered the results that many people have been raving about. From the texture and material to the temperature regulation, here’s a rundown on this popular mattress topper.
Unboxing: “New” smell lasts for days
Still, the instructions say that the smell is completely harmless, and we thought the smell might go away on its own, but it didn’t. It was so strong and overpowering, we had to remove it from the bed completely and air it out to finally get rid of the smell. Plus, it spread to the rest of our bedding, so we had to wash all our blankets and sheets. We would suggest airing it out until the smell is completely gone before putting it on the bed.
Material: Cooling gel memory foam
The Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam 4-Inch Dual Layer Mattress Topper comes with two layers: the gel memory foam layer and the mattress cover. The memory foam layer is about 2 inches thick and acts as the bottom layer. The cooling aspect of the gel memory foam is one of this product’s best features. The technology works to draw heat away from the body, creating the optimal sleep temperature for each individual. In using it for several weeks, we noticed that it didn’t retain heat, even in high temperatures. The second layer is the mattress cover, which goes over the memory foam layer and adds another 2 inches of super-soft fiberfill. It takes a little bit of work to squeeze the cover over the memory foam because it’s a bit smaller, but we were able to fit it snugly over the foam. It functions like a fitted sheet, so we pulled and tucked the corners under the bottom of our mattress. Upon touching the mattress cover directly, we noticed that the fabric, which holds the super-soft fiberfill together, is lacking in quality. It feels a bit cheap, and there were a lot of stray threads. When topped with the fitted sheet of our bedding, however, we found that the topper felt very luxurious underneath us.
Texture: Supportive but still comfortable
Beyond regulating temperature well, the gel memory foam layer supports ideal alignment and eases pressure where each individual needs it most. The second layer, the mattress cover, is softer and adds a level of extra comfort to the bedding experience. Together, we felt that the two layers worked to balance each other out. This mattress topper may be especially good for people with back issues. As someone who has had back surgery, I thought that this topper was neither too firm nor too soft, which is often an issue I run into with bedding. This topper has mastered the balance between support and comfort, and it helped me get a good night’s sleep.
Washing: Causes the seams to tear in the mattress cover
The recommended instructions suggest spot cleaning the memory foam layer with a damp cloth. As for the mattress cover, it suggests washing in cold and tumble-drying on low heat. We have a queen-sized bed, and the mattress cover easily fit inside our washing and drying units. The one issue that came up after washing and drying? The seams started to come out, indicating that the stitching was never that strong. What’s nice is that there wasn’t any bunching or shifting of the fill after we washed and dried it, so it didn’t affect how we slept afterward.
Helpful Features: CertiPUR-US-certified and 10-year warranty
The Sleep Innovations mattress topper comes with a 10-year warranty. The limited warranty covers defects in material and workmanship of the foam material. This topper is also CertiPUR-US-certified, meaning it passed a certification process for foams and doesn’t include certain substances including formaldehyde and other chemicals. Another helpful feature of this topper is that it comes in five sizes: twin, full, queen, king, and California king. California king isn’t a super common size so it’s nice that they offer this extra option.
Price: A cost-effective choice
The Sleep Innovations mattress topper retails from around $113 and goes up, depending on the size. It’s certainly one of the more cost-effective options on the market today, considering the support and level of comfort it offers, plus the 10-year warranty on the memory foam layer.
Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam 4-Inch Dual Layer Mattress Topper vs. Superior All Season Down Alternative Mattress Topper
The Superior Microfiber All Season Down Alternative Mattress Topper is another option we tested for softening or reviving an old mattress. It’s made of a polyester down alternative, so it’s ideal for those with allergies, and it’s double-stitched throughout so it won’t fall apart in the wash. The outer shell is made of 100 percent microfiber, which is extremely soft to the touch. In comparison to the Sleep Innovations topper, the Superior is less expensive (retailing from $40) and is much softer, providing an even more luxurious sleeping experience. However, the Sleep Innovations mattress topper is more supportive thanks to the gel memory foam layer, and it doesn’t retain heat, as the Superior mattress topper does. Both have their advantages and are great options, so it comes down to what kind of support you’re looking to get out of a mattress topper. For a softer, more pillow-like experience, the Superior topper excels in providing luxury. The Sleep Innovations topper is also soft but it provides extra support from the memory foam layer. The Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam 4-Inch Dual Layer Mattress Topper is supportive and cooling—especially great for those summer months. It’s one of the most cost-effective options out there, and it delivers in making an old or firm mattress much more comfortable.
