If my conversations were condensed into one pie chart, a regrettably large portion would be dedicated to the sleep-related Holy Grail items I've discovered after over two-and-a-half years of researching and testing products.
It's a pretty airtight roster: weighted blankets (both luxe and bargain), great pillows (one cooling, one perfect traditional, and one preternaturally bouncy thanks to copper wiring), crisp sheets, atmospheric smart lights, and last but not least, a mattress pad that makes me hop in a cab home from the airport just to get into bed faster.
The mattress pad in question is the Layla Memory Foam Topper ($299 for a Queen, but currently on sale for $269). It's designed to be a cooling, supportive memory foam topper — the kind you sink into without being swallowed. Copper gel beads in the foam work to pull body heat away from you throughout the night, absorbing and dissipating it more evenly so you can enjoy seamless temperature regulation, and sidestep the heat-trapping pitfall of many foam options. Sizes range from Twin to California King and prices from $199 to $399 (both currently on sale for $30 cheaper).
When I first unrolled the mattress pad from the small box it was delivered in, I didn't have high hopes. At first, I was a little surprised and disappointed at how thin and soft it was. How could something this compact — and plush — really be supportive, especially on top of a super-firm mattress?
But, as it turns out, I shouldn't have worried. Though cloud-like, the foam doesn't wither beneath me. On the contrary, it's actively responsive and supportive. When laying on my back, it's compressed to its thinnest underneath my butt (though cushioning is still noticeable). Like a seesaw responding to a heavier counterpart, the foam rises to actively support the hollow of my lower back, helping remove the tension I store there. I feel cradled, but not like I've sunk into a foam pit. On my side, the same responsive support is true for the inlet created by my waist — a gap that my mattress doesn't quite meet on its own. On my stomach, I can feel the topper almost lifting my lower legs — sort of like a stable version of what I'd imagine you'd feel from a water bed, minus the '80s wallpaper. Having said that, this option is not for you if you're trying to make your bed firmer. It's supportive, but it's distinctly cloud-like.
The mattress topper has also done well in temperature regulation for me, both when sleeping alone or with a partner. The copper in this topper is primarily there to disperse heat, and for its antimicrobial properties. Unlike the far cheaper options I've used in the past, this foam doesn't seem to store my body heat. Even if I've been sleeping on the same sheets for a full night, rolling around on them in the morning feels like I just took them out of some crisp, cool closet thanks to having this underneath. However, it's worthwhile to note that if you run hot already, foam (regardless of how comparatively breathable) may not be the best option overall.
In terms of cleaning, it's pretty low-maintenance. You can cover the Layla Topper with a mattress protector if you want, and the Layla Mattress Topper itself has a cover that can be unzipped and removed for cleaning. The company recommends dry cleaning it to keep the soft, plush feel intact, but you can wash by machine on a gentle cycle with cold water if needed. Find more information on cleaning here.
In terms of price, $250+ is not ideal. You can find memory foam toppers for under-$100 on Amazon. But, where sleep is concerned, it can pay to invest in more expensive but better-quality products upfront. How impactful your sleep is affects how awake and energized you feel, which in turn touches most other facets of your life. If it's in the budget, it may make sense to spend a bit more here.
I can say with confidence that it has improved the quality of my sleep. It seems deeper, more restful, and I wake up less during the night.
As mentioned, I tend to invest in my sleep most — and, if something happened to this pad, right now I'd definitely go out and replace it with the same one. But if you decide to check it out and it's not a match, Layla does offer a 120-night trial in which to decide. If you're still looking, check out the Insider Picks buying guide to mattress pads for more of the best options on the internet.
