How to Choose a Comfortable Mattress Topper for Use on a Sofa Bed

Sofa beds provide a space-saving way to prepare guests for the night, while still providing you with a comfortable place to sit and relax during the day. But the mattresses that come with some sofa beds aren’t always the most luxurious place to rest, unless you have a luxury model, and few compete with the comfort of the best mattresses for sleeping.

Fortunately, help is just around the corner in the form of the best mattress toppers. These mini slabs of memory foam, latex or other material can be placed over an existing sofa bed mattress for a more comfortable night’s sleep.

Here’s how to choose a mattress topper for use on a sofa bed, plus some additional tips for improving sleeping comfort on a rollaway bed…

Can any size mattress topper be used on a sofa bed?

Having the right size mattress topper for your sofa bed is important, otherwise you’re unlikely to give your guests a restful night. There are mattress toppers specifically designed for these pull out beds, which can be useful if you have a size that is hard to find.

However, it is quite possible to use a standard mattress topper designed for a regular bed as long as you know the measurements of the built-in mattress on your sofa bed.

To do this, simply measure the length and width of the sofa mattress and select a mattress topper with the measurements as close as possible. If your sofa bed is older, it’s likely that the mattress has shrunk slightly over the years. In this case, take measurements from inside the frame that supports the sofa mattress.

How to choose a sofa bed mattress topper

• Make sure the mattress topper is the right size for your sofa bed
• Look for one that’s thick enough to provide extra comfort
• Choose the right materials for your sleeping comfort

Like mattresses, mattress toppers come in a range of materials designed to offer different qualities. Choosing the right materials for your needs is crucial. The vast majority of people will be looking to add more comfort to their sofa bed, and feather mattress toppers and toppers will be there. However, they are unlikely to offer much support.

Memory foam, as used in the best memory foam mattresses, provides sagging comfort and a cradle, but can get very hot. Fortunately, many all-foam mattress toppers also contain cooling elements such as gel or graphite, or have small holes cut into the foam (perforated foam) to aid air circulation.

You can also consider a latex mattress topper for extra bounce and cooling; Latex is one of the most popular materials used in organic mattresses and is ideal for eco-friendly buyers.

There is a huge price range for mattress toppers, ranging from around $ 40 for a budget choice to over $ 400 for a high-end mattress topper. Let’s take a closer look at the prices now …

How much do sofa bed mattress toppers cost?

Your budget will undoubtedly be guided by a few factors. For example, if you’ve just bought a new sofa bed or invested in a well-designed pull-out version, you’re unlikely to need as much upholstery as you would with an older or more fragile sofa. In this example, you would probably do well to buy a more affordable 2 inch topper.

But if your sofa bed is used a lot or is likely to be used by couples or people with a higher body weight, the mattress will need extra support. A firmer, thicker 4 inch mattress topper is your friend in this scenario.

Remember to also check the width of the sofa mattress. The thinner it is, the more support and thickness you will need from a mattress topper.

Our favorite is still the Tempur-Pedic 3 “Tempur Topper Supreme, but it comes at a higher price, from $ 299 for a double XL size on Amazon. However, it might be too heavy for your sofa bed – check the weight capacity first as you don’t want to damage your sofa’s folding mechanism.

The Sleep Innovations 4 “Double Layer Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a more economical option for those looking for thicker support, with price starting at $ 99.99 on Amazon. It’s thick but lighter than the Tempur-Pedic option.

If you’re on a tight budget or have a more fragile sofa bed, you can’t go wrong with the Linenspa Gel 2 inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper, from $ 57.99. We also love Viscosoft toppers, and their Reflex Gel Topper is currently on sale starting at just $ 54.99 at Viscosoft.

Don’t despair if you’ve got unexpected guests, a substandard sofa bed, and no mattress toppers in sight – there are other ways you can make a difference in comfort levels. Soft pillows, such as those recommended in our guide to the best pillows, and comfortable bedding go a long way in helping your guests get a restful night’s sleep. Here’s what you could do …

1. Fill the holes with pillows – Sofa beds are often surrounded by a metal frame, and as we mentioned earlier, the built-in mattress can shrink over time. Fill in the gaps with decent pillows to provide more support and cushioning for your guests. We recommend an adjustable pillow that your guests can make as shallow or as deep as needed for their preferred sleeping position.

2. Invest in breathable and comfortable bedding – Sofa beds are generally smaller than your standard bed and there is not as much room to stretch out on them. As with a normal bed, two people crammed into a small sleeping area can cause excessive heat build-up.

Look for comfortable yet refreshing bedding to help dispel this. Natural fibers such as cotton and wool, or synthetic fibers specially designed for cooling are your best choice here.

3. Sleep on a duvet – If you’ve invested in one of the best duvets for your sleeping temperature, you can use it as a temporary alternative to a mattress topper. While a comforter will not provide anywhere near the support levels of a mattress topper, it will provide a softer layer of comfort to sink into.

Should I buy a new mattress or mattress topper?

Most sofa beds come standard with a thin innerspring mattress, but these won’t be as supportive over time. You will need to verify that the mattress built into your sofa bed can be removed and replaced, as not everyone can.

While it can be removed, there are a few thinner mattresses in a box that could be used on a sofa bed and they come in a range of materials, with memory foam being the most popular.

We do not recommend putting a heavy mattress on a sofa bed as you may break the structure of the sofa bed and damage the mechanisms. But if you’re curious about buying a new lightweight mattress for your sofa bed, take a look at the Zinus Green Tea memory foam mattress, available in a 6 “model starting at $ 177 only at Zinus.

It’s slightly thicker but cheaper than some high-end 4-inch mattress toppers, but read the manufacturer’s guidelines for the total weight capacity of your sofa bed (so the people who sleep on it plus the mattress or mattress topper) before to buy.

Whether you’re buying a new mattress or a mattress topper for your sofa bed, keeping it in good shape from the start will help it last longer. The first step is to cover it with a waterproof mattress protector to protect it from accidental spills, as well as allergens, stains and dirt. We also recommend that you clean it regularly throughout the year and can walk you through the process in our article on how to clean a mattress.

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