A new mattress topper is a great way to upgrade your bed — but there’s nothing worse than the feel of it shifting and sliding with every movement. It’s frustrating, uncomfortable and likely to disrupt your much-needed sleep. But why do mattress toppers slide, and how can you stop it from happening? I asked our bedding experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab for their take.
Turns out, investing in the best mattress topper for your mattress is important. The lab tested 54 different mattress toppers — one of the considerations being how well the topper stayed in place. They evaluated materials, looked for anti-slip bottoms, focused on the presence of straps and more.
“Slipping is the number one complaint from our consumer testers when it comes to mattress toppers,” says Grace Wu, product reviews analyst at the Textiles Lab.
Why your mattress topper won’t stay in place:
You don’t have a headboard or footboard.
If your bed frame lacks a headboard or footboard, the mattress topper is more likely to slip or slide off the top or bottom of the bed. “Sometimes putting the bed against the wall can help,” says Wu.
The topper lacks straps.
Some mattress toppers have straps to keep it secure. Straps are wrapped around each corner of the mattress — some are adjustable, and others made from elastic to fit different mattress depths.
“Many of the toppers that won in the Good Housekeeping Bedding Awards this year have corner straps and a few have textured undersides, which can help with friction,” says Wu.
The material is slippery.
A lack of friction between your mattress topper and the mattress can cause the topper to slide as you toss and turn. “Generally, the smoother and silkier the material, the more it’s going to slide, due to the lack of friction,” says Wu.
Materials like Tencel lyocell and rayon are known for their cooling effects, but they tend to feel very slick. “If the material itself is marketed as smooth, I’d look for textured surfaces — that’s a great way to get the benefits of the smooth material without as much sliding.”
Your sheets aren’t tight.
“Make sure your setup is as snug and secure as possible,” says Wu. Your sheets, mattress pad and mattress must all work together to guarantee a secure hold. To find the right fitted sheet, take a close look at the depth of your sheets compared to the overall height of your mattress with the topper.
You’re tossing and turning.
Sometimes, tossing and turning is inevitable, but if your mattress topper and sheets are as secure as possible, you’ll limit any effects.
Shop Award-Winning Mattress Toppers:
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
