College life is tough. At the end of each day, most college students are exhausted from classes and tests, to hours of homework, extracurriculars, campus events and trying to maintain a social life. Let’s be real– a day in the life of a college student has little downtime and is incredibly stressful. This is why getting a good night’s sleep every night (or during the day, if that’s more your forte) should be a top priority for college students.

Unfortunately, standard-issue dorm room beds aren’t exactly designed with comfort in mind. They’re certainly durable enough to be passed from student to student every year, but if you want a truly cozy dorm bed to curl up in after a long day of class, it might be time to give your bed an upgrade.

If you’re reading this article, you’re probably thinking that a Twin XL mattress pad is just the way to transform your uncomfortable dorm bed into a fluffy paradise, and we agree. But deciding to buy a dorm bed mattress topper is the easy part – how do you decide which one is right for you?

We’ve done the research, and now we’re here to help guide you through the process. Whether you’re a dorm room veteran looking for the best new twin XL mattress toppers for 2023 or you’ve never purchased a mattress topper in your life, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what’s on the agenda today:

• Why you need a Twin XL Mattress Pad for your dorm bed
• Factors you should consider when buying a Twin XL Mattress Pad
• Types of mattress pads on the market
• Our top picks for the best Twin XL Mattress Pads of the year

Want to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on whatever the day throws at you? Supercharge your naps and make sure you get a good night’s sleep when you invest in a twin XL mattress pad for your dorm bed.

Why You’ll Want to Get a Twin XL Mattress Pad

College Students Are Notorious for Pulling All-Nighters, But Getting Enough Sleep is Essential to Successful Studies

The first thing you need to know before moving into your college dorm is that the school provides you with a twin XL mattress, and the bed is not comfortable – at least for most people. No one wants to sleep on a hard and uncomfortable bed every night, so you’ll likely be looking to purchase a mattress topper. 

Everyone knows that sleep is important for keeping your body and mind functioning its best, but exactly how important is sleep for college students? Studies have shown that sleep habits can have a big impact on student health and academic success.

A study from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte found that getting less sleep and having an irregular sleep schedule correlated with lower GPAs. The study also found that 27% of college students are at risk for at least one sleep disorder and that a large percentage of students in “academic jeopardy” (meaning they had a GPA of 2.0 or lower) were more likely to struggle with a sleep disorder, further suggesting that doing what you can to get a good night’s sleep is a good way to support your academic goals.

Figuring out how to get the best sleep possible at school may take some figuring out (particularly if you’re trying to coordinate sleep schedules with a roommate), but your health and your grades will thank you. The first step in getting the best sleep possible is being comfortable in your dorm room, and although there are a lot of factors that go into that, having a comfortable bed is just the first step.

Types of Mattress Pad Every College Student Should Know

Mattress Pad Material Affects a Variety of Factors You’ll Want to Consider as You Figure Out Which Mattress Pad is the Best Fit For You

Not all mattress pads are made alike, so it’s important to find the right one to fit your needs and ensure ultimate comfort for a fulfilling night’s rest. There are a number of options when it comes to finding your perfect twin XL mattress pad. That is why we have created this guide giving you the logistics of each type of mattress pad you can purchase so you can find the one you’ll love for the next four years. 

We’ll be taking a look at a few of the most common types of mattress pads on the market and examining several factors that will help you decide what material you want to shop for. Here are the points of comparison on our list:

• Comfort
• Softness
• Temperature control
• Potential Toxins
• Hypoallergenic Qualities

1. Memory Foam Mattress Topper

The egg crate memory foam mattress topper and memory foam in general is your most basic kind of mattress topper. The good news here is that these vary in thickness and are typically cozy and extremely soft. These are also usually the most popular among college students because it is the most common.

To begin, memory foam, which was first developed by NASA, is made from polyurethane, a byproduct of petroleum refining, and other chemicals. The best quality memory foam contains an open cell texture and is what gives the foam its springy abilities and allows it to adjust to pressure. 

The good thing about its ability to adjust to pressure is that it will conform to your body once you lay down -- giving support to every part of your body. It is also known for being very soft -- or firm -- depending on the density of the foam, but while it may be firm, it will add to how well the foam contours to your body and make it seem soft to you. 

One con to memory foam is that it has been known to sag over years of repetitive use and body pressure. The way to counter this problem is to ensure you’re buying a high quality memory foam mattress topper and being sure to replace them every several years as needed. This can also be avoided by flipping your mattress topper every couple of months so that you can utilize each side of it equally. They have also been known to trap and radiate heat from your body –- so if you typically feel hot or sweaty at night, this may not be the best option for you, unless you also purchase some sort of cooling sheet or comforter in addition to this. 

Lastly, low quality memory foam mattress toppers have been known to produce an unpleasant odor. This comes from a process called off-gassing – or the breakdown of volatile organic compounds – chemicals used to create the foam. The good news here is, while the smell may be unpleasant, studies have shown that memory foam is not toxic and has not caused cancer. The smell also usually goes away after a few weeks, especially if you purchase a mattress protector to go over it. This is a good idea regardless of the type of mattress topper you have, to keep yourself safe and healthy.

These types of mattress toppers can also be hypoallergenic.

2. Gel Mattress Pads

Gel is relatively new to the world of mattress toppers, but has since become a hit. This is mainly due to its heat transferring and cooling properties. So, rather than retain heat, this type of mattress pad will keep you cool and comfortable all night long, which is great for dorm rooms that have central air (since you can’t really control the temperature). 

Even though gel is said to have cooling properties, some users still complain that these types of mattress pads trap heat. The important thing to look for here is an “open cell” designation. This means that the cells are open and allow air and moisture to get inside the foam. This creates a more breathable and cool sleeping experience. By contrast, closed cell foams are pressed together and allow no air and moisture to disperse through the foam – they are often denser. 

Similar to memory foam, the density of the gel will determine softness/firmness. It has been known to support the body more than memory foam. It will conform to your body, provide support for the spine as well as sensitive pressure points – hips, back, and shoulders. 

It is also made from a synthetic blend of chemicals, but is not toxic. It can also be made to be hypoallergenic. 

Some people also choose to purchase a gel mattress topper because of the price. They are typically less expensive than memory foam mattress pads and can be just as comfortable with the cooling bonus.

3. Combination Gel Memory Foam Mattress Toppers

The combination of gel and memory foam can be the best of both worlds and result in a fulfilling night's sleep that leaves you feeling energized in the morning. Typically the first layer is gel and the bottom is memory foam.

With these types of toppers, the gel top layer will conform to the body and relieve pressure points to ensure they are fully supported. The bottom layer of foam will provide extra support and durability. This means it won’t sag like other mattress toppers, so it will last longer without having to repurchase after one year of use. 

With the gel top layer, you will also experience a breathable and cooling sleep as the open cells remove heat and moisture. 

The steps you need to take now are to determine your priorities – whether it be memory foam that conforms to the body, cooling open cell gel technology or a combination of both. 

Density or thickness of a mattress topper is also something to consider if you want one that is more soft or firm. Sleep experts recommend a medium thickness of two inches – but this is up to you depending on your needs. 

With these types of toppers, the gel top layer will conform to the body and relieve pressure points to ensure they are fully supported. The bottom layer of foam will provide extra support and durability -- meaning it won’t sag like other mattress toppers. 

With the gel top layer, you will also experience a breathable and cooling sleep as the open cells remove heat and moisture. 

In summary, here’s how combination gel and memory foam mattress pads stack up:

• Comfort: Cozy ✅
• Softness: Varies, so you can get your preferred firmness ✅
• Temperature control: Keeps you cool ✅
• Potential Toxins: Low threat ✅
• Hypoallergenic: Yes! ✅

Things to Consider When Buying a Twin XL Mattress Pad

Now That You Know What’s on the Market, Decide What’s Best for You

The next step in choosing your ultimate twin XL mattress pad is to determine your priorities – whether it be memory foam that conforms to the body, cooling open cell gel technology or a combination of both. It is also important to note that you want to make sure that your sheets will fit over the mattress and the mattress topper, so either purchase your sheets after your mattress topper, or be mindful of the size of sheets you bought when you are looking for the topper. 

For college students, budget is typically another concern. Of course, you want to invest in a mattress topper that’s high enough quality to do what it’s supposed to do, but you also don’t want to shell out more money than necessary. Gel can be cheaper than memory foam, so opting for a gel mattress pad or combination gel and memory foam mattress pad can help you get the most bang for your buck.

Density or thickness of a mattress topper is also something to consider if you want one that is more soft or firm. Sleep experts recommend a medium thickness of two inches – but this is up to you depending on your needs.

One final thing to consider is that, contrary to popular belief, many students find the dorm mattresses comfortable because they are so firm. Sometimes it is better to wait until you have slept on the mattress once before you make the decision to purchase a mattress topper– unless of course you already know that you prefer a softer mattress.

There you have it… a crash course in shopping for the perfect Twin XL Mattress Pad this year.

Hopefully this guide has helped you identify your main concerns when it comes to getting a restful night's sleep during your college career. Whether you hit the pillow at night dreaming of a full night’s sleep without interruptions -- or need a rejuvenating nap during the day, you’ll want to purchase the mattress topper that satisfies all of your sleep needs. Whether you go for a firm mattress topper or a pillowy soft one, we’re sure it will be a big step up from the uncomfortable beds that come standard in most college dorm rooms.

As we mentioned earlier, the other thing to keep in mind is that most college students run on a pretty tight budget and you’ll want to find a mattress topper that hits your price point, but will also provide you with the comfort you need all semester long and for the next four years! 

This guide offers many options that will surely fall within your price range and sleep needs. So, happy twin XL mattress pad shopping, and here’s to the next four years of comfortable and restful sleep during your hectic and busy college career!

Good luck, and sweet dreams! 😴