"It gave my mattress a new lease of life" - TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper review

If your mattress is a bit tired, a little hard or too hot, the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper promises to breathe some life back into it. With an extra 4.4cm of hypoallergenic gel foam, you'll think you're dreaming.

As a hot sleeper, I've been testing the best cooling mattress toppers on the market. I've slept on water beds, gels, foams, and all sorts, looking for any kind of cooling solutions for hot sleepers. And today, I have some good news. I've found one that I love.

The TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper might sound like a mouthful, but, really, it's simple. The thick, hypoallergenic layer, adds foam and support to any mattress. It supports side sleepers, whilst wicking away sweat and moisture in the night. It'll take your from sweaty summers all the way through the winter. Even if you don't think that you need a cooling mattress topper, you'll be glad you bought one of these.

Specifications

Our sample was kindly supplied by Dreams. You can buy the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper from them here.

Unboxing the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper

Given the size of the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper, it's actually very well packaged. The whole topper comes in a sleeping bag-style roll. You unzip it, open it out, and the vacuum-packed topper slides out. Once cut out of the plastic, the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper will slowly breathe and expand to cover the whole of the bed.

This whole process won't take you more than a few minutes. Whilst the memory foam is soft and plush, it's not too heavy, making the topper easy to carry up and down stairs (before it's unboxed). It also doesn't demand the same rest time that other toppers do, so you could fall asleep on it straight away. To be honest, after lying down for a quick 'squish test' I was tempted to stay cushioned by the topper. It's gloriously soft.

Who would the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper suit?

The TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper has a huge appeal. Memory foam toppers are generally a good bet for back and side sleepers. They let you sink into the foam, shaping around your hips, back, and knees, and then offer support for whichever position you choose to sleep in. I'm a side sleeper with some back and knee pain and I found this a real delight to sleep on.

The downside of some memory foams is that they can get quite hot, but the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper stays relatively cool. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that this is the most breathable, cooling memory foam that I've slept on. Whilst it wasn't quite as cooling as having a fan running in the night, it did offer freshness where other toppers have not, even in the warmer months.

How does the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper fit on the bed?

The TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper fitted neatly on top of the bed. It comes with wide straps to hook around the corners of the bed as well as a grippy underside that holds this in place. I was once sceptical about how well these would stick and not slip, but the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper has proven itself. I've tried to make it slip, but it stays firmly in place, especially when I've got protectors and sheets on top.

I chose the king-size option for my (you guessed it) king-size bed and it stretched right to the corners. I've had other toppers fold and crease in the middle of the bed, but this flattened out really nicely, leaving no crumples and creases under the sheets.

What does the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper feel like to sleep on?

From the side, I could see that the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper delivers on its promise of another 4.4cm depth to your bed. In fact, by my tape measure, it looked like it was adding another 5cm, which I certainly wouldn't complain about.

The case of the cover is a lovely, blanket-like cotton, that feels both soft and breathable just to touch. However, the real test is sleeping on the topper. I have had weeks sleeping on this and I have to say, it's really lovely. I get the immediate benefits of joint pain relief and side support when I sleep on my side without any cloying or hot features. It doesn't have any issues with motion transfer. In fact, it's pretty perfect.

I actually had the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper and OTTY Mattress Topper spare when some guests came to stay, so I popped it on their beds to see what they thought after a night of sleep. The TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper won top marks. In fact, the couple who slept on it said that they haven't had a better night's sleep than when they lay on this. I have a feeling it's going onto their Christmas lists and I really wouldn't be surprised if it ends up under the tree, if they can wait that long to sleep on it again.

How cooling is the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper really?

Mattress toppers that are made from cooling materials and with breathable structures are great. The lightness of the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper means that you won't necessarily wake up sweaty, with your skin suffocated by the materials. However, it won't work to actively cool you like some other models. What I'm trying to say is that this is the most breathable memory foam that you'll sleep on. It's a great passive cooler, but it also won't tackle any serious overheating issues head on.

How do you clean the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper?

Depending on how much you use it, you should wash your topper around every three months. Luckily, the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper is easy to clean. The cover zips off and can be machine washed at 30°C. I always recommend using a gentle laundry detergent, such as Ecover or Method, because these will be much kinder to the fibres and fabric, extending their lifespan.

Dreams doesn't mention anything about tumble drying, so it's best to let the cover air dry or you could hang it on a heated airer, if you need more speedy drying.

How does the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper compare?

I've already mentioned that I think the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper is the most cooling memory foam topper that I've slept on. So, how do you beat that? Well, you can't in terms of cooling properties, but there are another couple that I recommend taking a look at.

The Panda Bamboo Mattress Topper is a more sustainable memory foam topper that also comes with naturally cooling properties. It's made from bamboo, so you get to sleep easy, knowing that you've got an all-natural base underneath you.

Breathability-wise, the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper might just clinch it, but the Panda Bamboo is still a delight to sleep on. Plus, the Panda is actually cheaper, which you might not expect from a more sustainable topper.

Should you buy the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper?

The TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper is easily one of the best mattress toppers on the market. It offers sink-in softness as well as support and breathability. It's more expensive than some comparable options, but for the quality and neat features (such as the lack of straps) I think it's worth stretching the budget a little.

Our sample was kindly supplied by Dreams. You can buy the TheraPur ActiGel Cool Mattress Topper from them here.

How we test

At woman&home we have a set process for how we test mattress toppers. It all starts with research. I spend my days searching for the best mattress toppers on the market. I've tested the most popular ones now, so as soon as a new one appears on the market, I make sure to cover it.

When I'm testing out a mattress topper, I always look at the same things: how it fits on the bed, what it's like to sleep on, motion transfer, and how cooling it is. These are the main factors that will play into giving you a good night of sleep, so it's important to make sure that the topper is faultless across them all.

After sleeping on the topper for weeks, if not months, I'll write up a review like this. I'll compare the topper to ones of similar value and make. Then, I'll give a judgement on who I think it would suit and whether it's worth buying. None of these reviews are sponsored, so you know that you're getting my unfiltered opinion, always.