How Long Do Mattress Toppers Last? (And Are They A Waste Of Money?)

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Mattresses are expensive investments, so it’s no surprise that things like mattress toppers are often used to protect that investment. If you’re thinking about getting a mattress topper, or you already have one that’s starting to wear and you’re not sure when it should be replaced, you’re probably wondering “How long do mattress toppers last?”

Most mattress toppers last 3 or 4 years before they need to be replaced. Lower quality toppers could last only 1 or 2 years, while higher quality counterparts could last as many as 6-8 years if they are well cared for.

The biggest factors impacting the longevity of a mattress topper is material quality, regular maintenance, and how frequently it is used. So before you buy a new mattress topper, or replace your existing one, consider these factors to make sure you make a wise purchasing decision.

How To Make Your Mattress Topper Last As Long As Possible

mattress topper being installed on white mattressThe factor that has the biggest impact on a mattress topper’s longevity is the material quality. Generally speaking, most toppers that cost less than $100 are made from lower quality materials (thus the lower price) and will last less than half the time that a higher quality counterpart would last. We typically recommend aiming for the $150+ price bracket.

This is obvious but still bears saying, how often your mattress (and thus the topper) is slept on also has a big impact on its longevity. For example, if your bed is in a guest room and only gets slept on twice a week, it could last as much as four times longer than one that you sleep on every night.

Another big factor is regular maintenance. If you sleep on the topper every night, then every couple of weeks you should shake out the topper to get rid of any loose dirt and grit, and to fluff it up a bit. For any dirt that doesn’t come out with a couple of shakes, use your sweeper to vacuum the rest of the dirt. Also, rotating the topper 180 degrees every month or so can help it wear more evenly and thus help it last longer.

Are Mattress Toppers a Waste of Money?

In most situations, no they are not a waste of money because they are typically used to protect expensive mattresses. It’s more financially responsible to replace a $200 mattress topper every couple of years than to have to replace your mattress that soon.

Memory foam mattress toppers are typically used not only to protect the mattress but also to make you more comfortable when sleeping. They do this by relieving pressure points and helping to keep you cool during hot summer nights. So this is one scenario where we definitely feel that mattress toppers are worth their cost.

Will a Mattress Topper Help With a Sagging Mattress?

A mattress topper is an excellent way to help with the sagging of your mattress. It of course doesn’t fix the underlying issue, so you’ll still eventually need to replace your mattress, but if you’re on a tight budget this can help you prolong the lifespan of your mattress and hold you over until you can afford a replacement.

Is a Thicker Mattress Topper Better?

Generally speaking, the thickness of the mattress topper does not impact the condition of the mattress, so whether or not a thicker topper is better depends purely on personal preference.

Reasons to opt for a thicker topper could be for comfort (such as if you get a memory foam mattress topper) or if you are trying to reduce the effect of a sagging mattress. If neither of those are concerns for you, you can save some money and get a thinner (but high quality!) mattress topper.

Should You Flip a Mattress Topper?

This depends on the topper, but most mattress toppers should not be flipped because they are designed to work best on only one side. However, as mentioned earlier, it’s a great idea to rotate the topper 180 degrees every couple of weeks to even out the wear and make it last longer.

How long have your mattress toppers lasted in your own experience? Let us know in the comments below! We love to get direct feedback from our readers.

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