Reading Time: 6 minutesWhen it comes to your success in school, quality sleep is a must. That’s why when you’re compiling a list of college dorm essentials you’ll need, a dorm mattress topper should be at the top of that list.
Dorm beds are not built for comfort, so it’s up to you to make them comfortable enough to get the deep sleep your brain needs to learn.
But when you’re out shopping for your college essentials, should you choose the mattress pad or topper? And what’s the difference between the two, anyway? More importantly, why do you need a mattress cover, and how does it compare to these other bedding accessories? Understanding whether you need a mattress cover can help you make the best choice for comfort and protection.
This guide dives into these questions and more. And along the way, we’ll show you how a simple addition to your dorm room can make a world of difference during these formative years.
Table of Contents
- Why Do You Need a Mattress Pad or Topper?
- What Are Mattress Pads?
- What Are Mattress Toppers?
- Which Is Best for Dorm Room Mattresses?
- What’s the Best Mattress Topper for Dorm Rooms?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to Get Better Sleep for Better Grades? Try This Mattress Topper
Why Do You Need a Mattress Pad or Topper?
Think of all the other students who have lived in your dorm bedroom before you. All those students who have slept on that mattress when they were sweaty, sick, and who knows what else. Sure, they’ve been cleaned. But you never know how much of that nastiness has managed to stay behind.
Beyond all that collected moisture and the bacteria a dorm bed can breed throughout the years, your mattress may have also become lumpy, grown saggy, or even have springs poking out – not exactly the perfect picture of rejuvenating comfort after a long day of classes.
All in all, this adds up to one incredibly important point—dorm beds aren’t conducive to quality sleep. And that can make earning the grades you need for the life you want harder than ever.
Some College Sleep Statistics
With 63% of college students reporting that they don’t get enough sleep, and 72% of students admitting to performing poorly on tests when they slept poorly, it’s obvious that sleep is essential to your success. – Carnegie Mellon University
Getting proper sleep throughout college is vital. But so few college students get the sleep they need to thrive.
Here are just a few stats we’ve put in an infographic to show you just how sleep-deprived college students are today.
- Only 11% of American college students sleep well, and only 40% feel well-rested two days per week.
- 63% of college students report getting less sleep than they think they need.
- 72% of college students admitted to performing poorly on a test due to inadequate sleep.
You can learn more about the connection between sleeping and good grades with our free sleep guide for students.
The correlation between sleep and GPA is a lot closer than most would think. And thankfully, getting a better night’s rest can be as easy as using a mattress pad or topper. But what’s the difference?
What Are Mattress Pads?
As the name implies, a mattress pad is a thin layer of padding (usually less than 1 inch) that you can place on your mattress to make it a bit more comfortable. It’s usually made from materials like cotton or memory foam. And most of the time, it’s attached to the bed using a fitted sheet.
Given how light and thin they are, they’re usually very easy to clean (just pop them in the wash with the other sheets).
Some mattress pads also protect the mattress underneath from spills.
SHOP DORMTOPPERWhat Are Mattress Toppers?
A mattress topper is a more beefed-up version of a mattress pad. While a mattress pad is usually less than 1 inch thick, toppers are usually more than an inch thick (some can be as thick as 4 inches).
A mattress topper also differs from a pad in that it offers both comfort and support.
That’s why certain mattress toppers can be used to soften up a firm bed, or they can be used to provide structure to one that’s far too cushioned.
This is an essential distinction when dealing with low-quality mattresses like those often found in dorms.
Another difference is that a mattress topper usually won’t be attached to a fitted sheet. Instead, they may have elastic bands around the corners to hold them in place.
Which Is Best for Dorm Room Mattresses?
While both can help make your dorm bed even more comfortable, a mattress topper is without a doubt the better choice for dorms.
A mattress pad does add a touch of comfort, true. But it’s nothing compared to a mattress topper. Beyond that, it’s such a thin piece of padding that it often can’t do much to provide any actual support—and that’s a big deal when it comes to making sagging, old dorm mattresses more sleep-worthy.
What’s the Best Mattress Topper for Dorm Rooms?
The best mattress topper for dorm rooms is without a doubt the Beloit Dorm Mattress Topper.
The DormTopper, a mattress topper for dorm rooms lets you transform your shoddy dorm mattress into a relaxing and recuperative sleep haven. It provides luxurious comfort, superior support, and better sleep—all in a lightweight and low-cost mattress topper.
- Sustainable bamboo knit fabric
- Handmade and stitched in the USA
- Pure New Zealand Joma wool
- Elastic straps for greater support
- Gel-infused cooling memory foam
- Made in all sizes
Plus, our dorm mattress topper is made to last and comes with a built-in 5-year warranty. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Get your Dorm Mattress Topper today and see the difference a better night’s sleep in the dorm can make!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions college students have about mattress pads and toppers.
What’s the Difference Between a Mattress Pad & Topper?
Though they are quite similar, mattress pads and mattress toppers are not the same. Here’s a quick breakdown of how they differ.
Mattress Pad
- Usually thinner than 1 inch thick
- Provides a touch of added comfort
- Typically attached to a fitted sheet
- May provide protection from spills
Mattress Topper
- Usually thicker than 1 inch (up to 4 inches in some cases)
- Provide both added comfort and added support
- Often held in place with elastic bands on the corners
- Ideal for improving especially bad mattresses
When it comes to making a dorm mattress better, a mattress topper is the best choice.
Should I Use a Mattress Pad with a Mattress Topper?
You certainly can use the two together. The biggest benefit will likely be protecting the topper and the mattress. Just be sure the mattress pad actually has a spill-proof layer and that the mattress pad goes over the mattress topper.
You’ll also want to be sure you’re using your mattress topper properly, too.
Does a Mattress Topper Really Help?
They most certainly do, especially if you find the right one.
On the one hand, the extra few inches of cushion you get with a mattress topper make sleeping in a dorm room much more comfortable. Most dorm mattresses are way too firm for many students’ liking. A topper can definitely help there.
But beyond comfort, a topper also helps provide support. This is key since many dorm mattresses are old, saggy, and don’t provide the uniform structure to prevent back and neck pain.
And when you’re more comfortable and more supported in bed, that means you can get the recuperative sleep you need to perform at your best each day.
Ready to Get Better Sleep for Better Grades? Try This Mattress Topper
Dorm Mattress Topper, the #1 dorm essential for college students, is a mattress topper that’s custom-built for your dorm mattress measurements. Made with sustainable silky bamboo knit fabric, pure New Zealand wool, and gel-infused cooling foam, it’s the best way for you to stay cool, dry, and comfortable night after night – so you can worry less about your dorm mattress, and more about conquering your 8 am college courses.
The DormTopper is handmade by the Beloit Mattress Company, renowned for producing some of the best mattresses made in the USA. It also comes with a 5-year warranty and free shipping to your dorm room door.
If you want to get good grades from the start…
SHOP DORMTOPPER
Just researching right now?
Check out our free Sleep Disorders Guide, Mattress Buying Guide, and How to Experience The Best Sleep Guide.
