Mattress pads are an excellent investment for multiple reasons. This bedding addition is a great way to provide comfort options as well as mattress protection to help elongate the life of your mattress investment. This is especially important to consider when you have children, since twin size beds are often the popular choice for a growing child.
Available in multiple styles and materials to meet your needs, take a look at our best twin mattress pad options to determine which are worth considering. If you still aren’t sure if a mattress pad is something you need to think about the following:
- Is there a need to soften, or provide better surface sleeping support?
- Do you feel protecting your mattress from accidents, dirt, and spills is important?
- Do you have an older mattress you would like to get a few more years out of?
If any of those questions pertain to you, a mattress pad may be well worth investing in.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Sleep & Beyond Merino Wool Mattress Topper
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| #2 |  Sunbeam Quilted Polyester Heated Mattress Pad
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| #3 |  LEISURE TOWN Twin Mattress Pad Cover
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| #4 |  Safe and Sound Twin Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad
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| #5 |  ViscoSoft Bamboo Mattress Pad
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Mattress Pads and Toppers
The terms mattress pads and toppers are pretty interchangeable overall. Pads are generally thinner and may be built into a protective like cover that fits down along the sides of your mattress, or they may rest on top of the mattress and have straps to secure them into place. Toppers are generally thicker and sit on top of your mattress. They might also have straps to keep them from sliding, but overall they both provide a similar experience: an alteration to the feel of your mattress surface, and an added layer of protection.
— Benefits of a Mattress Pads
There are actually some very obvious reasons why to consider a mattress pad, as highlighted above. Just because you own a quality mattress doesn’t mean it meets every comfort need you have, and sometimes a slight surface adjustment can help with joint support or simply personal preferences.
The additional surface is also highly protective against accidents, spills, dust and dander, sweat, as well as naturally shed dirt and oil from your body while you sleep. They aren’t as protective as a true mattress protector, but they certainly provide a much easier surface to clean than having to clean and air out an entire mattress.
Other benefits include:
• Protect Your Mattress Warranty
Most mattress warranties last around 10 to 15 years. Over time there will be normal wear, but if it is soiled and must be cleaned regularly, you will break down materials that much faster. You also will void any warranty left on the mattress if it is stained or been cleaned using anything not approved of. Natural moisture, oils and dirt can work their way into materials and break them down more quickly as well. This is especially true of foam mattress construction.
• Provide Protection Against Allergens
The stitching and quilted surfaces of a mattress are the perfect place for allergens and dust mites to collect in. These tiny, often microscopic problems can exacerbate existing allergies, or be a cause of allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, stuffy nose, and skin sensitivities. A pad is easy to remove and shake out to avoid these build-ups.
— Important Quality Considerations
Any time you consider the addition of new bedding products, you may also want to consider a few qualities to avoid choosing something that might not work in the long run. There are quite a few different pad styles and materials to choose from, so it is important to think ahead before making a commitment to a purchase.
• Bed Profile
The profile of your bed is the depth of the mattress. If you are considering a pad that is built into a cover, you will need to make sure the pockets are large enough to accommodate the thickness of the mattress itself. You don’t want a tight fit either, so be sure to have a little wiggle room- especially if you have an adjustable bed.
• Split Mattress Adjustability
If you own a split top mattress designed for an adjustable bed, be sure to choose the pad that works with this style mattress. Sometimes they are all one piece, and other times you may find they come in separate pieces.
• Protective Details
Some pads come with protective details, such as water resistance. If you are considering a pad for protective reasons, look for these details to get the best option for the cost.
• Warming or Cooling Capabilities
Some pads have built-in heating or cooling capabilities and offer a wholly unique sleep experience. You also can take advantage of materials that help provide a cooler sleep experience if you have a tendency to sleep warm.
• Hypoallergenic Materials
Hypoallergenic materials are great choices for anyone who does have issues with allergies. As mentioned earlier, a pad already is protecting the mattress from the surrounding environment and aiding in reducing the buildup of allergens. Materials that naturally repel allergens and do not provide an environment for the survival of dust mites also exist.
• Care Issues
Many people like the idea of a pad because it makes cleaning bedding much easier. Be sure to look at what care a pad needs and ensure it is an easy option as some materials may not be machine washable (such as various foams).
Our Top Mattress Pad Picks
The following pads all highlight various designs and materials you may want to consider. Although some could be considered toppers, these are generally all thinner than what many look for when looking specifically for a topper, and provide a slight mattress feel alteration, as well as surface protection.
1. Sleep & Beyond Organic Merino Wool Mattress Topper
SPECS:
- Sizes Available: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
- Firmness Level: medium-soft
- Materials: Organic Merino wool, Organic cotton
Best Organic Wool Mattress Pad
If you prefer an all-natural, organic option without sacrificing quality or comfort, the Sleep & Beyond Organic Merino Wool Topper Pad is an excellent choice. The 1.5-inch loft offers a soft, supportive sleep surface of humanly sheared Merino sheep wool covered in 100% organic cotton for breathable comfort.
Wool is a great insulator and can keep you cool in summer, and warm and cozy in the winter. It is a great choice for year-round use, and helps support joints without creating a sinking feeling. This is also a great alternative to foam toppers and provides an incredibly long-lasting product that is easy to launder as well.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who This For:
This product meets the needs of anyone who prefers organic, natural options. It also provides incredible, quality comfort.
2. Sunbeam Quilted Polyester Heated Mattress Pad
SPECS:
- Sizes Available: Twin, Full, Queen, King
- Firmness Level: Medium-soft
- Materials: Polyester
Best Heated Mattress Pad
The Sunbeam Quilted Heated Mattress Pad is designed to be a durable, long-lasting option that boasts deep, 18 inch pockets to make it a versatile choice for all mattress profiles. The lightly padded and quilted surface provides a soft comfort that eases sore joints, and a side controller allows you to pick from 10 different heat settings that has an automatic 10-hour auto-off.
The internal technology is of such to provide equal heat distribution and allows for safe, non-fluctuating warmth. It also is safe for machine laundering, and is easy to care for; made from polyester you don’t have to worry about shrinkage either. It also comes with a 5-year warranty to protect against material issues.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who This is For:
When you need a soft sleep surface and want the option to provide heat to sore joints or help warm up a chilly bed, this is an affordable, quality choice.
3. LEISURE TOWN Twin Mattress Pad Cover
SPECS:
- Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, Olympic Queen, King, Cal. King
- Firmness Level: Plush
- Materials: 100% cotton and down alternative fill
Best Down Alternative Mattress Pad
Made with a cotton casing and down alternative fill, this luxurious and plush mattress pad is designed to provide the feel of sleeping in a cloud. The deep pockets fit mattresses up to 21 inches deep, allowing you to tightly tuck it under your mattress to keep it firmly in place. The diamond quilted seams help evenly distribute the filling, which is breathable and keeps from creating heat sinks for all-night comfort.
Water-resistant, you can quickly wipe spills and it keeps liquids from soaking too deep into the surface. Easy to care for, it removes quickly and can be machine washed and dried. Naturally hypoallergenic, you can sleep soundly with no worries of exasperating your allergies.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who This is For:
If you like the idea of a featherbed, but are not sure you want to spend that much money, this is a great alternative and provides a cooling, supportive surface.
4. Safe and Sound Twin Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad
SPECS:
- Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
- Firmness Level: Medium-Soft
- Materials: Cotton fill with Polyester cover
Best Protective Mattress Pad
When you need a dual-use for your mattress pad, and you prefer comfort as well as protection, the Safe and Sound Quilted Pad is a waterproof option that is created for a cozy sleep and full mattress protection from liquids. The fiberfill is a down alternative to provide a soft, supportive surface that is naturally hypoallergenic.
Created to fit mattresses between 6” and 14” thick, this is a snug-fitting option to ensure the safety of your mattress once it is on. The brushed microfiber surface is part of what makes it easy to clean as well, while providing a velvet-like feel against your skin.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who This is For:
Soft, slightly fluffy, and highly protective, this is the choice for anyone who needs a waterproof pad for their sleep surface.
5. ViscoSoft Bamboo Mattress Pad
SPECS:
- Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
- Firmness Level: medium-firm
- Materials: Polyfill and Bamboo rayon cover
Best Cooling Mattress Pad
Love the idea of a plush, comforting sleep surface, but worried about heat retention? Bamboo fibers are naturally derived viscose that are highly breathable and cooling; helping to wick away moisture and provide a more comfortable night’s sleep. Blended with rayon, this is a stretchy cover filled with a durable fiberfill that is quilted for even distribution.
Supportive and comforting to sore joints, hips, shoulders, and knees, it also helps keep you cool. The deep pockets work for mattresses up to 18 inches deep and provide an overall, cloud-like feel when you lay upon it.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who This is For:
Hot sleepers will prefer this choice as it is incredibly cooling and yet doesn’t sacrifice the awesome comfort it offers.
Conclusion
A good mattress pad can be the slight adjustment you need for a better night’s sleep. Support your mattresses life and provide a layer of protection along with joint support and comfort. These options help highlight the many versatile choices you have to pick from, and offer various surface materials, as well as temperature control materials.