Best Deep Pockets: Bedsure Twin XL Mattress Pad

Let’s talk twin XL mattress toppers!

In this category, you basically have two choices: mattress toppers that have elastic and pockets that go around a mattress. And mattress toppers that just sit on top of a regular mattress.

The downside of those non-elastic toppers is they can move around and shift. A topper with elastic and pockets is more secure—they also tend to be less expensive.

The flip side of this argument: some folks think the mattress toppers with elastic and pockets aren’t as thick or comfortable as the pad-only designs. 

We asked our parent readers for their advice on this topic and got a split result. Fans of mattress pads with elastic and pockets loved this design by Bedsure—it was comfortable and washed well. Here’s more:

What We Liked

• No shrinkage.

• Washed well.

• Affordable.

• Secures onto mattresses. The maker claims it can fit an 18″ deep mattress, but the real world feedback we got from readers is that was a stretch. It should work on most mattresses, but the ultra-thick ones may be an issue.

What Needs Work

• Too thin for some folks.

• Not deep enough for biggest mattresses.

Best Budget Friendly: MATBEBY Bedding Quilted Fitted Twin XL Mattress Pad

Yes, some mattress pads can get rather pricey. We liked this model by MATBEY as an affordable alternative that is still high quality—note the microfiber filling and quilted finish.

What We Liked

• Deep pockets so it doesn’t come off the mattress.

• Soft.

• Affordable.

• Very comfy.

What Needs Work

• Can be a bit warm in hot climates. 

Best Memory Foam Topper: Linenspa 3 Inch Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper

Memory foam mattress toppers are popular, thanks to their affordable prices and plush softness. The downside? They can be hot.

We surveyed the readers of our parenting books to find their favorites—it’s always nice to find out what works well in the real world! 

For the best memory foam topper, we picked Linenspa’s 3″ Gel Swirl Memory Foam Mattress Topper. It combines the best of comfort (“like sleeping on a cloud” said one of our readers) with a price that’s easy on the wallet.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Arrives in small package; expands when removed. That’s great if you need to take this topper to college, since it is easy to transport.

• No odor issues. That’s a common complaint about memory foam toppers—this one is stink-free, according to our research and reader feedback.

• Super soft and comfortable.

• Sheet friendly. This topper is only 3″ thick, which means most twin XL sheets should still work to cover the topper and mattress below.

• Lightweight at 7.5 lbs.

• Allergy friendly. This memory foam is latex free (but made in a plant that also makes latex foams).

• Affordable.

• Wide range of sizes available (in case you need another size instead of twin XL).

What Needs Work

• No cover available as of this writing.

• Hot. Unfortunately, this is a problem with many memory foam mattress toppers—they trap heat from your body. This bothers some people more than others, of course. Some folks like the extra warmth. Others think it is too hot.

• Too soft for some folks. 

•  Durability could be better. We see a few reports form folks who said this memory foam topper cracked after a year or so of use. These were a minority, however. We’re not sure why it cracked after a year’s use for some folks and not others.

Best Support: Sure2Sleep Gel Swirl Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Most mattress toppers are two inches or less. If you need more support, try this model by Sure2Sleep. Yes, it is a three inch memory foam topper—with cool gel swirl to keep it from getting to hot. And it works, according to our readers who picked this model as a favorite.

What We Liked

• Comfortable—great if you have back issues.

• Soft.

• Cool gel keeps it from getting hot.

• Made in the USA.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

• Can slide around on a mattress.

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!