9 Best Twin XL Mattress Toppers for Fall 2023: Shop Our Top Picks

May 26, 2023

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They'll forget they're in a dorm on night one.

Anyone—especially college students with demanding class schedules— who wants a good night's sleep needs a mattress topper. So we set out to find the best twin XL mattress topper on the market, and we succeeded. In fact, we overachieved because we didn't find one that reigns supreme; we found nine. Not only do they exceed our shopping criteria in terms of material, comfort, washability, and antimicrobial features, but several of them are smaller versions of our favorite mattress toppers overall. We've slept on them, and we know they feel great.

Here's a common misconception we'll debunk before we list our favorite toppers: The best ones are always the most expensive. Though the pricey ones tend to be crafted (often by hand and in the U.S.) with high-quality materials, the more affordable alternatives can feel just as good and hold up just as well. So you'll find a wide price range on our list, starting at just $12. Otherwise, feel free to go all out for your soon-to-be college freshman and opt for one of the more luxe twin XL mattress toppers from Saatva or Tuft & Needle.

No matter what type of sleeper your teen is—side, stomach, or back—these twin XL mattress toppers will surely give them the best sleep of their life, which is shocking considering dorm beds aren't exactly famous for their comfort. What's more, most of our options are machine washable, so if late nights out turn into late-night spills, there's no harm and no foul. Don't wait to get on the mattress topper train because with the school year quickly approaching, they're disappearing faster than the textbooks at the library.

Some teens wouldn't know if they were sleeping on a bale of hay or down feathers, so if you don't want to go all out, opt for a $35 option that's just as comfortable as it looks. It may not last all four years, but it's cooling, breathable, and cozy, making it a good choice.

It doesn't get more luxurious than Saatva, which is currently having a big sale, so if you want the best of the best for your newly enrolled college student, opt for the brand's famed mattress topper. What makes it so good? The three-inch layer of memory foam that's infused with cooling graphite. Trust us, they won't even know there's a thin foam or innerspring mattress under them mattress when they're sleeping on this masterpiece. Not that teens have many joint or back issues, but just in case, the memory foam is pressure relieving.

Complete with a 100-night sleep trial, this is a great twin XL mattress topper for anyone with a slight commitment issue. Though we can't imagine why they'd want to return it because it packs a lot of comfort into its plush two inches. Here's how: It's crafted with the brand's trademarked foam that relieves pressure points.

"I have this in the queen size, and it has completely transformed my bed," associate shopping editor Jessica Cherner says. "There are no feathers, but there may as well be because it is so soft and plush. The oversize quilted design adds a luxe touch that I can't get enough of. It does, however, move around a little, so if you toss and turn, you may have to readjust it in the morning."

Remember classic egg crate mattress toppers? There may be more options on the market now, but these oldies haven't gone anywhere—and for good reason. The polyurethane foam is designed with numerous channels to allow for air to move freely and reduce heat buildup while you sleep. And because it's polyurethane, you'll never remove your sheets to find mold or mildew growing where you want it least.

If your teen has been spoiled by hotel beds, this mattress topper will help them transition to college life because it's made of pure cotton damask complete with a plush, lofty fill for a highly luxurious sleep. It's sewn with Bengalore elastic, which means it will fit around the corners and edges of the bed without budging. If anything happens to it, they can just toss it in the wash.

There's one more Saatva option we couldn't leave off our list: the micro-coil topper, which is currently $65 off. It's thoughtfully designed to mimic the responsive feel of an innerspring mattress and finished with gel-infused foam. Together, the coils and foam offer three inches of coziness that can't be beat.

If, on the other hand, your teen has a knack for the fancier things in life, opt for the down version of Parachute's topper, which doubles as a 550-fill-power feather bed. It's snug and cozy with two layers of down and feathers. Plus, it features the same three-dimensional baffle box stitching as the previous topper to keep the fill evenly distributed.

Filled with breathable hollow fibers, this comfy mattress topper is also super sustainable since its cover is made of rayon derived from natural bamboo. The best part? The whole thing is machine washable, which is a must for dorm living.

Though you can use a twin topper on a twin XL bed, we wouldn't recommend doing so because twin XL beds are longer than traditional twins. There will be an awkward space between the topper and the rest of the mattress. A regular twin topper won't stay on the mattress the way it's supposed to, either. It's a recipe for frustration. Twin XL toppers are rarely more expensive than regular twin ones, so if it's a matter of price, don't let that stop you from getting the right size.

If you're a hot sleeper, look for a mattress topper with cooling qualities, like graphite or gel-infused foam. If the topper you're eyeing doesn't come with those specific things, worry not! There are other ways to shop for cooling mattress toppers. Anything that's breathable—even an old-fashioned egg crate—can help cool you off by drawing heat away from your body.

It may have been a minute since the House Beautiful shopping editors were sleeping in twin XL beds, but we are experts when it comes to making mattresses—no matter the size—comfortable. This list is filled with twin XL versions of the toppers we personally own and love.

Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful’s associate shopping editor and knows where to find the best high-low pieces for any room.

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