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We all need a good night’s sleep—that’s how our bodies recover. Many things contribute to the kind of sleep that you’re getting, including the quality of the bed you sleep on. Your bed should not be so soft that it lacks support or so firm that it cannot conform to your body’s natural contour.
If your bed is in bad shape, you may need to replace the mattress. However, if your old mattress still has some useful years left, but feels either saggy or hard, the right kind of mattress topper can change all that. These beddings come in various types, but what we have in mind are egg crate mattress toppers. Why egg crate mattress toppers and not the other types?
There are at least two reasons why you should invest in the best egg crate mattress topper that you can find. First, it adds another layer of comfort to your bed. Second, its unique egg crate layout and ventilation holes help to circulate air between your body and the mattress.
 |  |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Milliard - Ventilated Memory Foam | Vaunn - Medical | Milliard Gel - Infused | Zinus - Gel-infused | Slumber Solutions - Highloft Supreme |
| Density | 3 PFC (medium) | 2 PFC | 3 PFC | 2 PFC | 3 PFC |
| Firmness | 11 IFD (soft) | 40 IFD (stiff) | 11 IFD or ILD | Not stated | Not stated |
| Size | Twin, Full, Queen, and King | Hospital Twin Bed (33” x 73”) | Twin, Full, Queen, and King | Twin , Full, Queen, King | Full, Queen and King |
| Thickness | 2” | 5” | 2” | 3”, 5”, 2”, and 4” | 4” |
| Material | 100% memory foam | Medical-grade urethane or polyurethane | Memory foam infused with gel particles | Memory foam infused with gel particles | 100% polyurethane foam |
| Has CertiPUR-US or equivalent | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Our review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review |
| Where to buy |
What is an egg crate mattress and how does it work?
An egg crate mattress topper is a layer of bedding material that you place on top of a mattress. It is also known as convoluted foam topper because of the structure of its upper surface which resembles an egg carton.
Its surface pattern is what makes it different from other mattress toppers. The array of peaks and valleys has therapeutic effects on the user, which includes two major benefits, namely:
- It relieves discomforts and body pains by:
- conforming to the shape of your body
- reducing contact at pressure points
- It prevents bedsores by:
- decreasing pressure on the skin
- improving blood flow
- optimizing air circulation
- dissipating heat
You will often see egg crate mattress toppers in hospitals and nursing homes because doctors recommend it for people who need to stay in bed most of the time. That doesn’t mean, though, that you cannot have an egg crate mattress topper to improve your sleeping experience at home.
How do I choose the right egg crate mattress topper for me?
There are some qualities that you should look for in an egg crate mattress topper to ensure that what you choose is worth buying.
Density – this is measured by taking the foam’s weight divided by its volume and comes in the measurement unit of pounds per cubic foot, or PFC. Manufacturers, however, commonly refer to the density of their products in pounds.
As a buyer, it will help you to associate the density of a material with its durability and resilience over time. To illustrate this statement: a mattress topper made of 4-PFC memory foam will last longer than another mattress topper made of 2-PFC memory foam, assuming normal wear and tear for both.
Firmness/Softness – This is given as ILD (indentation load deflection) or IFD (indentation force deflection) of a foam product and represents its firmness or softness. Without going into technical details, it should suffice to know that the higher a material’s ILD or IFD is, the firmer it will be.
Think of this quality as the material’s physical feel—soft, firm, or stiff. A mattress with ILD or IFD of 13-15 will be comfortably soft. It will allow for some sink and will conform to your body’s contour. It will be suitable as top layer foam for a mattress. In comparison, a material with ILD of 30 will be firm with very little give. Support core mattresses usually have an ILD of 30 or higher.
Size – refers to length and width and should match the size of your bed. The sizes of most egg crate mattress toppers are the same as standard bed sizes, such as twin, full, queen, and king. We’ve even seen California king sizes, though they’re quite rare. They are also available in hospital bed sizes, which are different from standard bed sizes.
Thickness – egg crate toppers must be at least 2 inches thick to introduce a noticeable difference to your existing bed setup. A thickness of 4 inches will not only add comfort but will provide additional support to an old mattress.
Material – most egg crate mattress toppers are made of memory foam, but polyurethane and gel-infused foams are strong competitors. Memory foam or viscoelastic foam is a kind of PU foam with some components added to make it denser and more viscous. Gel-infused foams are memory foams with gel particles to reduce heat build-up. Latex foams are superior to both memory and PU foams, but we have yet to see egg crate mattress toppers made from latex foam.
CertiPUR-US and similar certifications – look for this mark to make sure that the mattress topper you buy is certified by CertiPUR-US. This certification means that the manufacturer used no mercury, lead, other heavy metals, ozone depleters, or formaldehyde; that the product does not contain BPDE in fire retardants; and that it has low VOC emissions. CertiPUR-US certification is only applicable to polyurethane (PU or PUR) foams including memory foams.
Our Picks for the Top 5 Best Egg Crate Mattress Toppers
1. Milliard Egg Crate Mattress Topper
- Density: 3 PFC (medium density)
- Firmness/Softness: 11 IFD (soft)
- Size: Twin (37” x 73”); other available sizes are: Full, Queen, and King
- Thickness: 2”
- Material: 100% memory foam
- Has CertiPUR-US or equivalent: Yes
Milliard’s egg crate mattress topper is described in detail in the product page, including its density and ILD. Very few manufacturers of egg crate mattress toppers include these valuable pieces of information. This transparency counts a lot in our book because customers need to know what they’re paying for.
- May feel more natural than flat mattress toppers – the soft protrusions cradle your body; it allows just a bit of sink and conforms to your shape.
- Springy – it has more bounce than flat-top memory foam.
- Sturdy and soft – Users have commented that it strikes a nice balance between density and softness.
- Users say the smell is barely noticeable after 3 days – about the same time it takes for the foam to fully decompress.
- Well made – Users report uniform-sized peaks and valleys, evenly distributed vent holes, and it being not cheap-looking or shoddy.
- Users say the ventilation holes don’t provide the touted cooling effect – it’s much like regular memory foam toppers.
- Quite thin – with 1” thickness for the solid foam base and only 1” for the peaks, air can’t circulate adequately.
- Lacks support – too thin to provide support for a saggy mattress.
- Needs to be replaced every 5 years – not entirely a weakness considering that mattress toppers have a maximum lifespan of 3 years.
- Not washable – washing shortens its lifespan; not the best option as a mattress topper for small children or bedridden patients.
2. Vaunn Medical Egg Crate Mattress Topper
- Density: 2 PFC
- Firmness/Softness: 40 IFD (stiff)
- Size: Hospital Twin Bed (33” x 73”)
- Thickness: 5”
- Material: Medical-grade urethane or polyurethane
- Has CertiPUR-US or equivalent: Yes
Vaunn Medical’s egg crate mattress topper has lower density and higher IFD than Milliard’s (the previous product). You’ll see below how this combination of low density and high IFD can be a benefit to people who are bedbound. It is designed for hospital twin size beds, but there’s another product size if you need one for a standard twin bed.
- Breathable – low density allows ventilation; the foam’s pores are bigger than those in viscoelastic foams.
- Has a good bounce – the peaks bounce back to shape.
- Lightweight and not bulky – it’s easy to pack and take with you—for camping or traveling.
- Firm but cushy – Users say the foam material is firm but feels cushy because of the peaks.
- Brings relief from various pains – relieves pressure; could be good for people with achy joints, back pain, broken tailbone, and similar conditions.
- Very faint smell – Users report no strong chemical smell when you pull it out of the package, though you’ll still need to let it breathe and decompress for a day or two before using.
- Not as durable as memory foam – not surprising for foams with low density.
- Does not conform to your body – it works for people who sleep on their back, but can be a problem for side sleepers.
- It’s not 3” – Many users say it is, in fact, 5-inches thick. Some details in the product page state that it’s 3” thick. We used the user stated size (length, width, and thickness) in this article.
- Needs to improve quality control – some products were received with uneven thickness or missing peaks.
3. Milliard Gel-Infused Egg Crate Mattress Topper
- Density: 3 PFC
- Firmness/Softness: 11 IFD or ILD
- Size: Twin (37” x 73”); other available sizes are: Full, Queen, and King
- Thickness: 2”
- Material: Memory foam infused with gel particles
- Has CertiPUR-US or equivalent: Yes
Milliard’s gel-infused egg crate mattress topper is similar in many aspects to our first featured product, also by Milliard, except for the memory foam’s gel component. Let’s see how incorporating gel into memory foam makes a difference in a mattress topper’s performance.
- Combines the qualities of different materials – could be a great option for people who prefer the viscous quality of memory foam but dislike its heat-retaining property.
- Does not cause the build-up of body heat while you sleep – Users say it does not feel as hot as sleeping on regular memory foam.
- Firm underneath – not flimsy.
- Conforms to your shape – reduces soreness in the morning, alleviates the pain felt by people with joint and back issues.
- Great variety in size – available in four standard bed sizes; few brands carry the queen and king sizes.
- True to size – fits the mattress nicely.
- The peaks feel soft, not pointy – rounded peaks, shallow valleys.
- Has strong plastic smell right out of its vacuum-sealed bag – Users say it typically needs 4 or more days of airing to get rid of the smell completely.
- “Cooling effect” stated in ads is apparently misleading – Users say it’s not hot, but it’s not cool either.
- Users say it has a tacky feel to it – a fitted sheet cannot slide smoothly over it, so it’s a bit of work each time you change the sheet; the stickiness also makes moving in bed difficult.
- Tears easily – if you’re not careful, the foam may tear on the edge as you pull the sheet over the sticky surface; may need to be replaced more often.
- The pores absorb dust – must always be covered with a fitted sheet especially when used outdoors.
4. Zinus Gel-infused Egg Crate Mattress Topper
- Density: 2 PFC
- Firmness/Softness: Not stated
- Size: Twin (37” x 73”); other sizes available: Full, Queen, King
- Thickness: 3”; other thickness available: 5”, 2”, 4”
- Material: Memory foam infused with gel particles
- Has CertiPUR-US or equivalent: Yes
If you’re looking for a thick mattress topper, we highly recommend Zinus egg crate mattress topper. Like the previous product, this mattress topper has gel beads infused into its egg crate design to address the issue of heat retention in memory foam. The manufacturer boasts of using plant oils instead of some petroleum-derived components, but the resulting material is still essentially memory foam.
- It is thick – the solid foam base expands to its full thickness of more than 2” and the peaks to 1” height, giving you more than 3” of total mattress height.
- Usersa say the peaks don’t go limp – the short and rounded tips spring back to shape fast.
- Well made – it has uniform peaks, a clean finish, and even thickness throughout.
- It carries a 5-year limited warranty.
- The cooling effect is not noticeable – the “cool gel” description caused disappointment in some users; the foam feels warm and would be good for winter.
- Has a strong smell – Users say chemical smell takes several days to disappear; moldy smell takes weeks.
- Tears easily – apparently it may start to show wear and tear after a month of use.
- Some items were not true to size – even after full decompression, users say some foams were short by a few inches.
- Does not fluff back to shape after storage – it will not return to its original condition if you roll and store it for a week or more.
5. Slumber Solutions Highloft Supreme Egg Crate Mattress Topper
- Density: 3 PFC
- Firmness/Softness: Not stated
- Size: Full (51” x 72”); other available sizes: Queen and King
- Thickness: 4”
- Material: 100% polyurethane foam
- Has CertiPUR-US or equivalent: No
The peaks in Slumber Solutions’ Highloft Supreme mattress topper are unlike the others—they’re slim and fingerlike. We’ve featured 2” and 3” foams, so far, all with short, rounded peaks. This egg crate topper is the thickest of the five products and comes with a sleep mask and a pair of earplugs.
- Conforms to your contour better than thinner ones – users say it sinks quite a bit; a good choice for side sleepers.
- Users reported that the odor during unpacking is very mild – not bothersome; barely noticeable after 2 days.
- One of the thickest top mattresses you will find – adds substantial height to a low bed. Just a heads-up, though, you’ll need a deep-pocket sheet for it.
- The fingertip design feels uniquely comforting – a different sensation from the usual round-tip peaks.
- It carries a 3-year limited manufacturer warranty.
- The slender tips flatten easily – Users say the peaks will be squashed down in a month or so, especially on the side where you regularly sleep.
- Short useful life – Users say it may start to show wear and tear in less than a year.
- The narrow and deep valleys tend to collect dust – not easy to clean.
- It has no proof of compliance with standards – it has no CertiPUR-US mark, or its equivalent, which is essential for PU or memory foam products.
Conclusion
Comparing egg crate mattress toppers online is not an easy thing to do. You will find products with misleading claims, incomplete product information, and false reviews. By using metrics and specs that you can compare across all models, choosing the best egg crate mattress topper becomes much easier than doing random searches. This article provides you with a comparison table which will hopefully help you in making an informed decision.
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