If your current mattress isn’t giving you a good night’s sleep, a mattress topper can provide some much-needed cushioning and support. Available in a wide variety of materials, thicknesses, and densities, there is a seemingly endless selection of mattress toppers to choose from. The Casper Mattress Topper is one of the pricier options on the market. I slept on it every night for several weeks to see how well it stacks up to the competition. I assessed components like design, comfort, support, and breathability to see if it is worth its steep price tag. Weighing about 25 pounds, the Casper Mattress Topper is one of the lighter options on the market. I was able to unpack it and set it up on my bed in a matter of minutes. This mattress topper is pliable enough that I could fold it back into the box or tuck it away in a closet. Unlike bulkier products, it won’t take up too much space when it’s not on the bed. The topper didn’t give off any odor, a common complaint with products made from memory foam. The Casper Mattress Topper comes in six sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. I ordered the full, which fit my mattress perfectly and evenly covered its entire surface area. The cover—a mix of polyester, rayon, lycra, and acrylic latex—is a nice shade of charcoal gray, and it has a smooth texture. Even though no one will see the covered mattress topper underneath my bedding, I still appreciate its attractive design. The pad is made from three layers of latex foams—alt-latex top at the top, graphite latex in the middle, and a viscoelastic bottom. With a three-inch thickness, it added some height to my bed. I was pleasantly surprised that my standard full-size fitted sheet accommodated the extra inches. It was a relief not to have to purchase a deep-fitted sheet at an additional cost. According to the manufacturer, the mattress topper provides a “soft, buoyant feel." Compared to my firmer mattress, the Casper topper is a little soft for my liking. It felt like I was lying on a plush, squishy sleep surface with a cradling sensation. I didn’t sink into the mattress topper, but it does contour to my body (much more than my firm mattress does). The latex layers are dense enough to provide a decent amount of support. The Casper Mattress Topper is perfect for people who want to give their mattress a softer feel and maintain a decent amount of support.

Is the mattress topper breathable?

As the manufacturer explains, the latex foams have tiny pores to allow heat to escape. In turn, heat is drawn away from your body and helps regulate your body temperature while you sleep. I can attest to the Casper Mattress Topper’s impressive temperature regulation. Despite its density, the mattress doesn’t retain extra heat. After sleeping on it numerous times, I remained comfortably cool throughout the night.

How easy is it to clean?

The mattress topper has a zippered, removable cover that can be hand-washed with cold water and mild detergent, then air-dried. The zippered cover is very convenient because it can be removed easily. It also protects the mattress pad from dirt and dust. Per the instructions, the cover can also be spot-cleaned with a mild detergent and air-dried. Many mattress toppers don’t come with a cover, so having one that is hand-washable is a big plus. The foam portion can only be spot cleaned with mild soap and air-dried (away from direct sunlight or heat). After a few weeks of use, I removed the cover and hand-washed it in the bathtub, using cold water and Woolite. I hung it over my shower door to dry. Washing the cover caused the material to wrinkle and bunch up. Before I put the cover back on, I smoothed out the material with a portable steam iron. I had no trouble reattaching the cover after I ironed it.

What are the drawbacks of this mattress topper?

For the most part, the Casper Mattress Topper is well-made, but there are a few flaws. When I took off the cover, I noticed some minor tears in the foam, which I’m pretty sure occurred during manufacturing. The metal zipper snags easily on the foam (likely the cause of the damage); I was cautious when I unzipped the cover. The tears were on the underside of the mattress topper, so they didn’t affect the texture or the comfort in any way. The Casper Mattress Topper comes with a 10-year warranty for added peace of mind. I really wish the Casper Mattress Topper had corner straps to hold it in place. Although it didn’t often happen, on occasion, I woke up the next day and found that the topper had shifted an inch or two to either side of the bed. Some mattress toppers are equipped with straps on each corner, which hook underneath the mattress—an effective design to keep the topper from sliding around. The tight-fitted sheet initially did the trick, but the topper started slipping the more I moved. In the future, I may use a non-skid mat or duct tape to resolve the problem.

Is the Casper Mattress Topper worth buying?

Ranging between $195 to $355, the Casper Mattress Topper is on the pricier side. However, it offers plenty of plushness and comfort. If you’re looking to add softness to your sleep surface—and don’t feel like splurging on a new mattress—the Casper Mattress Topper is an excellent solution.

Casper Mattress Topper vs. the Competition

Ranging between $130 to $215, the ViscoSoft Select High-Density Mattress Topper is specifically designed for those suffering from back pain. This mattress topper is three inches thick, provides excellent temperature regulation, and comes with a machine-washable cover. Another big plus—the ViscoSoft has elastic corner straps to ensure it stays in place. The Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam 4-inch Dual Layer Mattress Topper combines a 2-inch gel memory foam layer underneath 2 inches of ultra-soft fiberfill. In addition to being extremely comfortable, reviewers say the gel memory foam layer provides ideal alignment, pressure-relieving support, and temperature regulation. This topper, ranging from $80 to $130 depending on the size, also includes a machine-washable mattress cover. The Casper Mattress Topper is incredibly soft, yet it still provides a decent amount of support. In my opinion, the comfortable sleeping experience more than justifies the higher price tag. The occasional slipping is a minor inconvenience and wouldn’t deter me from purchasing this product.