Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper Review: Affordable Support for Any Mattress

I’ve always been a cool sleeper. My husband has a fan on high on the night table, blasting at the highest speed on him. But this year, that’s changed. Blame it on perimenopause, but I now can’t even sleep without a ceiling fan. That’s why I was so excited to try the Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper. Did it succeed in cooling me off? Let’s find out.

Specifications

• Type: Foam
• Material: Gel memory foam
• Firmness: Medium
• Trial period: No trial offer
• Warranty: 10-year limited
• Shipping method: UPS
• Care: Spot clean
• Price range: $72.99-$271.92
• Dimensions: 38 x 74 x 3 inches for twin, 53 x 74 x 3 inches for full, 79 x 59 x 3 inches for queen, 79 x 75 x 3 inches for king

Pros and cons

Price

The Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress is a relatively affordable way to add the benefits of a memory foam to your existing mattress. The price depends on your mattress size, ranging from $74.99 for a Twin XL on Amazon to $271.92 for a king version on Walmart. This pricing is on the affordable end of the cooling memory foam mattress toppers you’ll find.

Firmness

Soft but dense is the best way to describe this mattress topper. It provides plenty of support, but the memory foam also offers plenty of give as you settle onto it. I tend to sleep both on my back and my side, and I do feel like I’m getting higher-quality sleep since putting it in place.

That said, if you’re looking for mattresses for back pain, you may want to shift your search to a topper designed for that.

Construction and design

Logistically speaking, this topper is made using open-cell memory foam and infused with cooling gel. The memory foam helps take pressure off the joints while adjusting to your body’s unique shape.

The design of this topper is high quality, but it’s a little bulky to unpack and put on your bed. It might look like lightweight foam, but as you pull it out of the box, you can tell it’s packed with gel. Some product descriptions mention a removable washable cover, but mine didn’t come with that.

If you have a mattress protector already, you may want to measure it before you order your topper since it took my mattress from 14 inches deep to 17 inches. You may also need a new fitted sheet. Luckily, I have a deep-pocket fitted sheet, and it stretched to accommodate the additional depth.

Support and comfort

One of the things I love most about this mattress is, whether intended or not, it reduces motion transfer. My husband tends to toss and turn, and before this topper, I’d often have a tough time going to sleep with him moving around. This topper absorbs most of the shock from those movements, making it less obvious one of us is shifting around.

If you’re looking for mattress toppers for back pain, this option isn’t the best. However, you may be able to combine it with some pillows for back pain to get a little relief.

Performance

Cooling mattresses and pillows seem ubiquitous these days, and I’ve been curious if they work. I pictured material that operates like cooling seats in the car. Of course, this topper doesn’t shoot 70 degrees of cool air toward your body all night. I’d describe the cooling effects as simply not retaining my body heat like our mattress does. Yes, the bed feels cool to the touch after we climb out of it in the morning, but it doesn’t really keep me cooler throughout the night.

With that out of the way, the topper itself is impressive. It’s firm enough to provide support, but the memory foam keeps the surface malleable. Some reviewers have reported an uncomfortable experience when shifting around, but I disagree. I can move from my back to my side and back again throughout the night without it disrupting my sleep.

Is Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper for you? Who is this topper best for?

Mattress toppers can breathe new life into an old mattress, letting you go a little longer before replacing it. It can also help with a newer mattress that isn’t quite comfortable enough. My husband and I have aches and pains, and since installing the Serta memory foam topper, I’ve noticed I’m waking more refreshed, but I haven’t seen a noticeable reduction in pain.

This topper is best for those not satisfied with their current mattress and want to change their sleeping experience. Memory foam works great for me as both a side and back sleeper, but if you’re a stomach sleeper, you might need a firmer option.

What sets Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper apart from other mattress toppers?

You’ll find no shortage of mattress toppers, from simple versions that are mere foam to those with layers of gels built in. The Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper uses ThermaGel to reduce the heat retention that can come with typical memory foam mattresses. The topper is also affordable and expands quickly with minimal odor, which puts it ahead of competitors.

Other mattress toppers from Serta

Serta Down Illusion Pillowtop Mattress Topper

If you like the feel of down, this mattress topper might be a better option. Down feathers provide both support and fluffiness, making them a classic bedding option, but it’s a known allergen. This mattress topper uses a down alternative and advanced treatments to keep odors and allergens away from those sleeping on top of it.

One issue with down and down alternatives is that they can tend to promote warmth. If you’re looking for a topper that helps keep the night sweats at bay, this probably won’t be it.

Serta’s down topper starts at $79.99 for a twin and maxes out at $124.99 for a king. You can save a little money by buying on Amazon, though. The twin costs only $55.85 and the king costs $77.90.

Serta Memory Flex Mattress Topper

This mattress pad has a memory foam topper built in to add a two-inch pillowtop to your mattress. The internal contents are treated to reduce odor buildup, and it’s coated with moisture-wicking Scotchguard to reduce stains. But if you’re looking for support, this likely won’t work for you. The pillowtop is designed to provide a little extra cushioning.

You’ll pay $99.99 for the twin size, increasing gradually to $139.99 for the king or California king options. On Amazon, prices range from $74.99 to $114.60.

Serta CopperGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper

If cooling is your goal, this topper from Serta might be a better choice. Serta combines the cooling effects of gel with the conductive features found in copper to pull heat away from the body while you sleep. As a bonus feature, copper has natural antimicrobial properties. Some reviewers note that this topper is lacking when it comes to taking pressure off joints, though.

Pricing ranges from $74.99 for a twin to $139.99 for a California king. The price range is the same on Amazon.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is the Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper good for back pain?

Like other memory foam toppers, the Serta ThermaGel topper is designed to ease stress on the body’s pressure points, distributing the body’s weight evenly for all-over support. However, if you shift frequently throughout the night, the foam’s gradual adjustment to new positions could make it less comfortable than other types of mattresses and toppers. In general, using mattress toppers for back pain relief might be effective for some people but not others, since back pain can vary depending on the cause of the pain. Speak to your medical professional about the best topper for you.

Anecdotally speaking, my husband has a bad back, and he noticed no difference in his pain after using the topper for a few days. He likes how comfortable it is, but neither the cooling nor pain relief benefits were noticeable in our house.

How long does Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper last?

Our Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress topper is still like new after several nights of use. As with a mattress, memory foam should last at least six or seven years, but some reviewers reported that their toppers lost their shape after several months of use. These reports are the minority, though. The best thing about a mattress topper is that it’s less expensive to replace than a memory foam mattress that loses its shape.

Does the Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper come with a warranty?

Serta offers a 10-year limited warranty on its products. Additionally, you’ll have up to 30 days to return the topper if it doesn’t work for you. Be aware, though, that the topper can be difficult to get back in its original packaging, so returning it to the retailer can be tricky.

How does the Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper ship?

My topper was delivered by UPS in a large box. Upon opening the box, I found the topper rolled tightly and covered in what looked and felt like Saran Wrap. Getting the topper out of the box and unrolling it was fairly easy, though, and it seemed to be ready to use right out of the box, although the manufacturer cautions that it can take up to 48 hours to fully expand.

Is the Serta ThermaGel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper easy to clean?

Most advice I’ve read says to protect both the topper and your mattress with a mattress cover. Since the topper adds three inches to your mattress depth, check that your current mattress cover fits. Once you have a cover in place, you can simply wash that to keep both your mattress and the topper clean. You can’t toss this mattress topper into the washer or dryer, so if you need to clean it, spot cleaning with a wet cloth will be the only option.

Final verdict

Mattress toppers can be a great way to extend your mattress’s lifespan. They’re also useful for improving a mattress that’s either too firm or not supportive enough. But if you’re looking for extreme cooling, you might find this topper lacking. It does provide a comfortable sleeping surface and plenty of support throughout the night.