Down Vs Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Mattress toppers can make a huge difference in how you sleep but are there many variations between memory foam and down mattress toppers?

Let us do the work for you and uncover which mattress topper best suits your needs.

We will cover:

  • Is a down topper for you?
  • Pros and cons of memory foam and down feathers
  • Are memory foam toppers good for your back?

Let’s get into it.

Which is better: memory foam or down mattress topper?

It depends on your specific needs and budget. The truth is both memory foam and down make excellent mattress toppers.

So how do you choose? Well, some of the decisions will come down to how much you are willing to spend on a mattress topper.

You will also need to consider if you sleep hot and have allergies.

Is memory foam for you?

Let’s look closer at what memory foam has to offer. Memory foam is a synthetic product made from hydrocarbons. It was invented back in the 1960s by NASA for use in Apollo missions. The memory foam was not for sleeping on but for removing vibrations and absorbing some of the expected impacts into water.

The thickness of your memory foam topper will be a deciding factor in how much additional comfort you will gain. Memory foam toppers average 2 to 4 inches in thickness.

When fitted to the mattress, the feeling will be of a dense material that is quite firm, don’t worry, it’s designed to be this way.

As you lay on the memory foam, it will conform to your body contours and absorb your weight but give support.

As the name suggests, when you move in bed, the memory foam will return to its original state repeatedly for years.

If you have joint issues or spine problems, memory foam can provide relief from pain while sleeping.

Is a down topper for you?

Down toppers have a lot to offer but major flaws for some potential customers. If you like the feeling of luxury and feel as if you are sleeping on a bed of clouds, then down toppers could be the ideal choice for you.

Down feathers are the ones closest to the bird’s body and keep the bird warm through the worst climates. Down is incredibly soft to the touch, and this property is immediately reflected in the down topper.

Down toppers are silky smooth to sleep on. And if you enjoy a bit of plumbing as morning therapy when you make your bed, the down topper can be made to feel symptoms after a few seconds of plumbing and aeration.

For those who are into green sustainable products, the down is all-natural and comes from birds normally used for meat production.

Sounds perfect? Unfortunately, some of you have allergies to feathers, and sleeping on a down mattress topper may see you waking to sneezing and wheezing.

Pros and cons of memory foam and down feathers mattress toppers

Memory FoamDown Feather
ProsConsProsCons
Soft and comfortableSleeps hot and off-gases when hotSilky smooth a softDown compresses and is hot to sleep on
Reduces pressure on sore joints and supports the spineCan be hard to roll over in bedCan be very expensiveFeather shafts can poke through 
Extends the life of a degrading mattressRelatively expense and only a short term Doesn’t prevent moving in bedCan be noisy and crinkly to lay on
Reduces movement so you sleep soundlyCan be odorousCreates allergies for some people
Not vegan-friendly

As you can see, both have many benefits and quite a few drawbacks. It is important to note that down feathers are plucked from birds, which may make their use in a mattress topper somewhat distasteful to animal lovers.

Do you put sheets over a memory foam and down mattress topper?

Yes, placing a sheet will make the topper feel more luxurious. In the case of the down topper, buying a tightly woven sheet will help prevent ant errant feather shafts from stabbing you in your legs or back while sleeping.

Using sheets is also a good idea for cleanliness reasons. It can be hard to clean both mattress toppers, so anything that can prevent surface stains is a bonus.

Are memory foam toppers good for your back?

It depends on the thickness of the topper. A 2-inch topper does not give much room to absorb and conform to an adult’s body of average weight, so purchase the 4-inch topper for the best results.

If you have chronic hip pain, cervical spasms around the neck, or back pain, then memory foam will relieve you.

The dense foam has a natural tendency to cradle your body and keep you secure in one place. It’s best not to move if you have chronic pain.

Why do mattress toppers have bumps?

Two reasons, they are designed into the mattress topper, or your filler is clumped. Memory foam mattresses can have bumps or indentations that are symmetrical.

These bumps are for airflow to prevent you from overheating while sleeping.

However, down mattress toppers can become bumpy and uncomfortable. This is a symptom of neglecting to plump your down topper regularly.

The clumps will normally develop where there is no pressure from your body. It’s easily resolved with down, just take it off and give it good old-fashioned plumbing to restore the air within the topper.

How do I stop my memory foam mattress topper from moving?

Strict loops to the ends that hook to the mattress. It is an age-old problem with memory foam toppers that can slip and slide.

You can stitch velcro patches easily to prevent the topper from moving around in your sleep.

Which is the best mattress topper for you?

Both are great mattress toppers and bring a lot of additional comfort to the bedroom and, of course, extend the life of the base mattress.

If sleeping on floating clouds is your dream, go with the down topper.

If you have skeletal issues, you need support when sleeping, so the memory foam topper is the only choice for you.