A mattress topper is a great way to prolong the life of your old mattress, or to make your new twin XL mattress comfier and to avoid the hassle of returning it. Made from various materials, mattress toppers can be used to make the bed softer or firmer, minimize motion transfer, provide better support, and protect the mattress below it from direct wear and tear. A good mattress topper can add a few years of use to your mattress, saving you money in the long run. Tailored to suit the extra-long version of the standard twin or single bed mattress, a twin XL mattress topper boasts a few additional inches in length for a perfect fit, especially for taller people. Most often, these toppers are made from various types of foam, although options made from latex, cotton, down, wool or polyester are also popular choices. Take a look below at our top 5 recommendations for the best twin XL toppers you can find, and we hope our buyer’s guide to follow will help to make your decision a no-brainer.
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| #2 |  EASELAND Twin XL Pillow Top Mattress Topper Check Price |
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| #4 |  Nelaukoko Memory Foam 3 Inch Twin XL Topper Check Price |
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| #5 |  Lauraland 2-Inch Mattress Topper Extra LongCheck Price |
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| #6 |  Linenspa Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
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ViscoSoft 4 Inch Pillow Top Mattress Topper Twin XL Best Twin XL Mattress Toppers
1. Editor’s Choice – LUCID 2-Inch Ventilated Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper Twin XL
SPECS:
- Dimensions: 80″ x 37.5″
- Height: 2″
- Material: Gel-infused memory foam
Buckle up comfort-lovers, the Lucid 2″ Gel Infused Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper is perfect for those who crave a little extra comfort. It is quite light and has excellent air flow. Therefore, heat retention is minimal and you will feel well rested in the morning. Additionally, the topper is a manageable weight, thin, and easy to maintain. It’s a well-built topper and you’ll find no permanent impressions no matter how much you use it. The bounce back is real with the Lucid 2″ Gel Infused mattress topper. Since it’s only two inches thick, it might not be the best option for people suffering from serious back and joint pain. It might not provide them with enough support. On the other hand, it’s suitable for side sleepers and people who need a little extra cushioning around their necks and shoulders. The price is super affordable and it will keep your body temperature in check because this topper is gel infused. Of course, you can’t expect a cooling effect from a topper alone, but at least you won’t experience overheating, which is so important particularly for hot sleepers. That distinctive off-gassing odor will be present when you unravel this topper, so be prepared to air it out for a couple of days so the smell can dissipate.
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2. Runner Up – EASELAND Twin XL Pillow Top Mattress Topper
SPECS:
- Dimensions: 80″ x 39″
- Height: 4.6″
- Material: Cotton, polyester
You can be on a budget and still get a mattress topper that boasts some great features: no need to toss out that old mattress just yet! The pillow top design of this mattress topper means that it’s soft and cushioning, as it’s filled with down-alternative (polyester fibers) that’s fluffy and plush. The cover is made from 300 TC cotton, box stitched to keep the filling from shifting inside the topper, and it also allows for better breathability and air circulation. The filling is quite generous – with 30 oz of down-alternative fibers, this mattress topper will truly feel luxurious to lie on. Another great thing about this twin XL topper is that it’s easy to put on the mattress and stays firmly in place. This topper is designed like a fitted sheet with a quilted pillow top, so all you have to do is slip it on the mattress before putting on regular sheets. It also has a deep pocket so it will fit all mattresses from 8″ up to 21″ tall.
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3. Best for Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain – ViscoSoft 4 Inch Pillow Top Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper Twin XL
SPECS:
- Dimensions: 80″ x 39″
- Height: 4″
- Material: Memory foam, synthetic down alternative
If you want a mattress topper that combines softness and support into a single design, you can’t go wrong with ViscoSoft’s solution. Made from memory foam with a pillow top, it will cradle your body for pressure relief and make sure you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud. The base consists of 2.5″ of CertiPUR-US certified, made in the USA gel memory foam which is more than enough both for cushioning purposes and to ensure proper spinal alignment. This is followed by 1.5″ of fluffy down alternative (pearl fiber) that’s quilted into the 300 TC cotton shell with a sateen finish. As a result, this high-quality mattress topper will relieve key stress points in your body, resulting in the elimination of tension, stiffness, and pain in the back, neck and shoulders. The pillow top design is ideal if you’re looking to “soften” your new mattress that turned out to be too firm for your liking – as this topper feels like the fluffiest pillow to lay on.
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4. Best for Side Sleepers – Nelaukoko Memory Foam 3 Inch Twin XL Topper
SPECS:
- Dimensions: 80″ x 39″
- Height: 3″
- Material: Gel-infused memory foam
If sleeping on the side is your preference, you already know how uncomfortable the wrong mattress can be. You need a thick, cushioning surface to sleep on, and this 3″ thick memory foam topper perfectly fits the bill. Made from gel-infused memory foam, it will adapt to your unique body shape, ensuring proper spinal alignment and relief of pressure points in the body (with side sleepers, this is crucial). All the while, it will make sure you feel comfy in your favorite sleeping position – the body-cradling soft memory foam feels like a cloud to sleep on. Gel-infused and perforated for better air circulation, this breathable mattress topper won’t run hot either, despite being made from memory foam (which is always known to trap heat).
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5. Best for Hot Sleepers – Lauraland 2-Inch Mattress Topper Extra Long
SPECS:
- Dimensions: 79″ x 38″
- Height: 2″
- Material: Gel-infused memory foam
The number one complaint people have with memory foam is that it tends to get hot in the warmer months of the year – and as such, it’s a nightmare to sleep on for hot sleepers. Luckily, sleeping hot doesn’t mean you have to give up on the comforts of memory foam; this topper will give you all the benefits without the insufferable heat. Made from gel-infused, ventilated memory foam that has great breathability and doesn’t trap warmth, this topper can be comfortably used in all seasons of the year. To make matters even better, it comes with a removable, machine washable cover that will keep it safe from wear and tear and contribute to the coolness. This topper features a non-slip mesh with four elastic straps to keep it in place.
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6. Best Value – Linenspa Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
SPECS:
- Dimensions: 79″ x 37.5″
- Height: 2 or 3 inches
- Material: Gel-infused memory foam
Last but not least, Linenspa’s Gel-Infused Memory Foam Topper is another great option that’s perfect for hot sleepers. With gel beads embedded into the foam, this topper promotes optimal ventilation so you don’t overheat during the night. It’s not only affordable, but you’re getting top quality even at the budget price point.
This topper helps to alleviate back pain and is ideal for all positions whether you sleep on your back, stomach, side or a combination of these. You get your choice of 2-inch or 3-inch thickness options depending on how much height you’re looking for with your Twin XL mattress. If your Twin XL bed needs a refresh and you’re craving a more plush surface to sleep on, this memory foam topper from Linenspa has you covered.
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What Are the Dimensions of a Twin XL Mattress Topper?
The XL in the twin XL mattress topper doesn’t stand for extra-large – rather, it’s extra long. This is the size of bed usually meant for single adult sleepers, as it gives them plenty of comfort width-wise but also ensures that they have enough wiggle room for their legs. The standard dimensions of a twin XL mattress topper are 39 inches wide by 80 inches long to snuggly fit the mattress below it. Mattress toppers are available in most standard and non-standard mattress dimensions, but it’s important to compare the dimensions with your existing mattress to ensure a perfect match. Sometimes, sizes can run small or large, and having a mattress topper that doesn’t really fit your mattress kind of defeats its purpose.
Types of Twin XL Mattress Toppers
The only thing that’s common for all twin XL mattress toppers are their dimensions – everything else is up to the manufacturer’s design. As a result, there are various types of mattress toppers out there, with significant differences in material and construction. A mattress topper can be as thin as 1 inch and as thick as 4 inches. The lighter options are a better choice if you’re on a budget or need to slightly adjust the firmness of your mattress, whereas thicker mattress toppers are better suited for side sleepers, people who want to make a bigger difference in the comfort of their mattress, and for those with an old mattress that would benefit from a makeover. Of course, the type of material used will also influence the height of the mattress toppers. The most popular choice of materials for a twin XL mattress topper include foam, latex, wool, feather, down and polyester (microfiber).
— Memory foam
Designed to cradle your body and relieve key pressure points to eliminate tension, stiffness, and chronic back pain, memory foam mattress toppers are a great choice if you want to improve the comfort factor of your existing mattress. Memory foam is usually soft or medium-firm and can be a great choice to “soften” a mattress that feels too firm to sleep on. Similarly, due to its body-contouring properties, memory foam toppers are a perfect solution for side sleepers.
— Latex
A natural but pricier alternative to memory foam, latex mattress toppers boast optimal bounce, body-hugging comfort and minimal motion transfer. Latex toppers are on the firmer side, so they’re a better choice if your current mattress feels too soft or is getting worse for wear over time.
— Wool
A wool mattress topper has many benefits. This natural material is great at temperature regulation, it’s luxuriously soft and great if you’re sensitive to synthetic materials or chemicals. On the other hand, mattress toppers made from wool are hard to come by, can have a hefty price tag, and lack thickness that can give you plush comfort.
— Microfiber
Usually quilted, these mattress toppers have a cotton shell filled (or overfilled) with down-alternative fill, or polyfill. Airy, warm and easily washed and dried in the machine, these toppers are a good choice if you want something affordable and low-maintenance. They’re typically hypoallergenic, and while they may not be as suitable for old mattress rejuvenation as memory foam, they can certainly improve the comfort of your mattress at an affordable price.
— Down
Ideal for the wintertime, mattress toppers filled with goose or duck feathers and down are soft and fluffy, they can keep you warm and make you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud. The main disadvantages of feather-filled mattress toppers are that they’re difficult to care for (some are often not machine washable) and that they tend to be expensive.
Conclusion
At a fraction of the cost of a new mattress, a mattress topper can make your bed much more comfy, more supportive and reduce the wear and tear of your mattress. Twin XL mattress toppers are ideal for taller single sleepers as they give you extra legroom and can make sure you finally get a good night’s rest. Made from a variety of materials, twin XL mattress toppers can be soft or firm, supportive or cooling, thin or thick – you just have to pick the option that suits you best. When comparing each of our top 5 recommendations, we couldn’t look past the top-seller that is the LUCID 2-Inch Ventilated Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper Twin XL. The gel-infused memory foam has impressive cooling properties that will keep warm sleepers at their optimal body temperature, it’s extremely affordable and has been purchased by tens of thousands and counting.
Recent Updates
August 10, 2022: Linenspa Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper has been updated with original photography and links to our hands-on product review.
July 6, 2021: The Bedsure Twin XL Mattress Pad has been removed as this is a mattress pad rather than a topper. The Advanced Sleep Solutions Memory Foam Mattress Topper has been replaced by the LUCID 2-Inch Ventilated Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper Twin XL due to popularity. FAQs have been included to address popular customer queries.
Additional Resources
- Twin vs Twin XL
- Twin XL vs Full: Here’s the Scoop
- Mattress Topper vs New Mattress
- Best Twin XL Mattress Protectors
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Twin and Twin XL sizes?
While many may think that the XL stands for "extra large", in bedding it actually means "extra long". The difference between twin and twin XL sizes is therefore the dimensions, as the standard measurements of a twin XL topper are 39 inches wide by 80 inches long, so it can perfectly fit the same size mattress beneath. While twin toppers usually have the same width, they're about 74 inches long, therefore the twin XL is ideal for taller people or those who prefer extra leg room.
Can you use a twin topper on a twin XL mattress?
While you can in theory use a twin topper on a twin XL bed, it will come up short (typically around 5 inches), so your support will be uneven and will drop off at the foot of your bed.
Can you use two twin XL toppers for a king mattress?
As the dimensions of two twin XL toppers and a king mattress are typically equivalent, you can use two together to fit on a king-size bed. However, there will always be a gap between these (just like putting two mattresses together, e.g. for your kids' sleepovers), so this isn't an ideal choice – particularly if you shift in bed frequently and the gap may bother you.