How to choose a comfy mattress topper for sleeper sofa use

A sleeper sofa is a space-efficient way to put guests up for the night and have somewhere to sit during the day. But the mattresses that come with sofa beds can be thin and uncomfortable.

Even the most luxurious sleeper sofa is unlikely to compete with the best mattresses on the market. But if you want your guests to wake up without aches and pains, you’ll need to add in some kind of comfort layer to help cushion their joints. The answer, of course, is to invest in one of the best mattress toppers available to help provide a more comfortable night’s sleep.

Not sure where to start? Read on for our guide on choosing the best mattress topper to suit your sleeper sofa, along with some extra tips on boosting comfort levels…

Can you use any size mattress topper on a sleeper sofa?

The short answer here is no, as you’ll need to pick the right size topper for your sofa bed. Trying to squash on a mattress topper that’s too large, or get away with one that doesn’t cover the whole mattress surface is just going to give your guests an uncomfortable night.

First things first – start by measuring the length and width of your integrated sofa mattress so that you can pick a mattress topper with dimensions as close to it as possible. Remember that if you’ve had your sofa bed for a number of years, it’s possible that the mattress will have shrunk slightly.

If this is the case, we’d suggest taking measurements from the inside of the frame that supports the sofa mattress instead. Alternatively, there are mattress toppers made specifically for sleeper sofas, which could be a better option if you’ve got a tricky size to cover.

How to choose a mattress topper for sleeper sofas

There are a few factors to take into consideration when you’re buying a mattress topper for your sleeper sofa. Let’s break these down…

Choose the right thickness

We’ve already mentioned the importance of buying the right size topper for your sofa bed but, in addition to thinking about height and width, you also want to think about the depth of your topper.

Mattress toppers can vary hugely in this department, with options from one to 10 inches. We’d recommend a topper of between two and four inches for a sleeper sofa. Any thinner, and guests won’t get much support or extra comfort. Too thick and guests can sink too deeply into the topper, struggling to move around and leaving them feeling a little trapped.

Choose the right materials

As with mattresses, bed toppers come in a range of materials that are designed to offer different qualities. In the main, you’ll be looking for a topper that adds more comfort to a thin mattress but also adds in some extra support.

One of the best memory foam mattress toppers could be a good choice, offering plenty of sink-in comfort and cradling. The downside is that these toppers can run hot, so be sure to look for one with added cooling elements such as graphite or gel or that use open cell perforated foam to promote airflow.

Alternatively, consider a naturally breathable latex topper, which will also add a bouncier feel to your sofa bed mattress. Latex is found in many of the best organic mattresses and is an extremely durable material, meaning you’ll get a longer lifespan out of this kind of topper.

How much do mattress toppers for sleeper sofas cost?

What you spend will depend on various factors – for instance, if you’ve just purchased a brand new sofa bed, you’ll be able to get away with a thinner topper of around two inches as you’re unlikely to need as much padding as you will with an older mattress.

Also bear in mind how often the sleeper sofa is used and whether it gets a lot of use by couples or those of a heavier weight. A frequently used sofa bed needs a thicker topper of around four inches. Finally, bear in mind the thickness of the integral mattress in your sofa bed. As with toppers, these can vary in depth enormously and the thinner this mattress is, the more padding you’ll want to add.

You don’t have to bankrupt yourself to buy a mattress topper, with some of the best cheap mattress toppers still providing plenty of comfort and support.

The Linenspa Memory Foam mattress topper starts from $44.99 at full MSRP on Amazon, but frequent offers mean you can usually pick up a twin for $39.99 instead, with a queen usually reduced to $53.99.

At the other end of the scale, our favourite topper is the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress topper but prices start from $299 for a twin (MSRP). Again though, this topper is frequently reduced on Amazon, meaning you can pick up queen Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress topper for $230 at Amazon (was $419.) There’s also the option to upgrade to a cooling version if you’re a hot sleeper.

Other ways to make a sleeper sofa extra comfy

Unexpected guests and no time to buy a mattress topper? Don’t despair just yet – there are other ways to make a sleeper sofa more comfortable.

1. Plug gaps with pillows – Sofa beds are generally encased with a sturdy metal frame, but as mentioned above, the integral mattress can shrink away a little from this over time. An easy way to plug those gaps is with some squishy pillows. A decent pillow will not only fill empty spaces but will also add more support and comfort for a sleeper. Ideally, we’d recommend using adjustable pillows that your guests can make as shallow or deep as they require.

2. Invest in breathable yet cozy bedding – Sleeper sofas aren’t renowned for their generous proportions as beds, meaning that if you’ve got a couple sharing one, they’re likely to be in fairly close proximity to each other. And by sleeping closer together, there’s more likelihood that excess heat will build up. To help prevent this, make sure you use bedding made from natural fibres such as cotton, wool and bamboo. These fabrics are naturally breathable, helping to wick away heat and moisture from the body.

3. Sleep on a comforter – If you’ve already invested in one of the best comforters to help keep you cosy at night, it can also double up as a temporary alternative to a mattress topper on your sofa bed. Of course it’s not going to provide the support that you’ll get from a topper, but it will give your guests some extra padding and comfort that will hopefully give them a better night’s sleep.

Should you buy a new mattress or topper?

The vast majority of sofa beds come with either a thin innerspring or foam mattress. Innerspring mattresses tend to have a fairly short lifespan of five to seven years, so you might be wondering if it makes more sense to replace your sleeper sofa’s mattress if it’s getting to this age. While a memory foam mattress can have a lifespan of up to 10 years, that does depend on factors like quality, build and design.

In some cases it’s not possible to replace the mattress inside your sofa bed, meaning you’ll need to stick with a topper. But if you can replace the mattress, there are a few thinner mattresses in a box that you could consider.

We wouldn’t advise putting a heavy mattress on a sleeper sofa as you risk breaking the sofa bed’s frame and damaging the mechanisms. But if you are curious about buying a new lightweight mattress for your sleeper sofa, then take a look at the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress, with prices starting at $399 (MSRP) for a twin at Zinus. Again, this mattress is generally on sale so you can expect prices to start at $249.

Whether you decide to go with a new mattress or topper it’s also important to check your sofa bed’s guidelines on total weight capacity (i.e. the people sleeping on it plus the mattress or topper) before you purchase anything. Your guests won’t be very comfortable if they end up with a broken frame and mattress sagging on the floor.

Read more:

• The best mattress for side sleepers
• Hotel luxury for less: the best Saatva mattress sales and deals
• Nectar mattress sales and deals: our expert guide
• Sleep calmer with the best weighted blankets