Silentnight Impress Memory Foam Mattress Topper review

The Impress memory foam mattress topper from Silentnight has scored an impressive 4 out of 5 in our books and we're about to explain why. We trust Silentnight for their comfy contributions to the wonderful world of bedroom living and we're big fans of memory foam due to the personal experience it offers. We believe that a good night's sleep is one of the major keys to a happy life but we understand that this can sometimes do damage to your pocket. 

So, that is why we were keen to try out the Impress memory foam mattress topper... could it be the trick to adapting any mattress to your needs? This one not for you? Read our expert guide to the best mattress toppers: 12 buys to soften your mattress for a great night's sleep to see more.

• Head over to the website and buy the Impress memory foam mattress topper

Impress mattress topper specifications:

Type: Foam topper
Sizes: Single, double, king.
Cost: £100-£140

Who will the Impress memory foam topper suit?

If you’re looking to protect and prolong the life of your mattress, the chunky depth of this topper is just the ticket. It’s pretty low on thrills – a layer of memory foam and a machine washable cover - but no worse for it. Memory foam is hypo-allergenic so it can be used to add a protective layer between your body and a non-foam mattress below.

What's the impress memory foam topper like to sleep on?

First impressions were not terribly good, sadly. Toppers usually arrive already in their cover but opening this revealed a lump of squidged up foam, and the cover in a separate packet. Apparently I would have to put the cover on. First World Problems eh? It took some muscle power to unroll the foam, and I’m no weakling, because without the cover it had melded together. An elderly or infirm person might struggle. On looks alone, I was the opposite of impressed with the Impress. The centre of the foam had a brownish tinge that looked dirty or aged (but, I hope, was neither) and it was all bent out of shape.

To be fair, this is probably what all foam toppers look like beneath the cover, just nobody ever sees them. After spreading it out on the spare bed for a good 8-10 hours, as per the instructions, things improved dramatically. The browny tinge (I’m reluctant to call it a stain) was still there but the shape was much squarer and the deep creases almost gone. More wrestling to get the cover to stay on – moving memory foam is a bit like shifting a dead body (I imagine) - and we were good to go.

Upon hitting the hay, it was immediately clear that we were dealing with a decent layer of memory foam. It did all the things that memory foam should, i.e. mould to your body shape to take the pressure off, and relieve tension in the spine. It bounced back quickly, which is a reassuring sign of quality foam and the 5cm depth was sufficient enough to mean we didn't register the mattress below. If your current mattress is edging towards replacement, this topper should give your wallet an extra year or two reprieve.

Heat wasn’t an issue with this topper, I didn't feel like it made me feel any hotter, or cooler than normal. It’s worth mentioning that the temperature of your bedroom will affect the firmness of the foam. The warmer the topper, the softer it will feel - it is recommended for use at room temperatures of 18-22c. Overall we both slept well and had no complaints come morning.

What do you get for your money?

This topper comes with a two-year guarantee. You can return it for a refund within 14 days, as long as it has not been slept on.

Is the Impress memory foam topper worth the money?

If you’re looking for a reasonable wedge of memory foam to boost your mattress then this topper will perform. The online reviews are mainly favourable, with very few complaints – though someone else did report a brown tinge, too. The price is fair for the reassurance you get from the Silentnight brand, which has a solid reputation in the mattress world. You can buy cheaper foam from eBay and the like, but not much cheaper and without any guarantees.

Impress memory foam topper fillings

The core is 100% visco elastic memory foam with a removable knitted polyester cover that’s nice and soft. The cover is a bit disappointing as it’s only a top cover that wraps over the top like a fitted sheet, rather than a full zipped cover. But it can be machine washed at 40 degrees, which is better than the 30 degrees you get with some other toppers.

Ordering and delivery

If you buy direct from Silentnight, delivery is free within three-five working days. It comes in a reasonable sized bag with an easy carry handle and isn’t heavy enough to require delivery to the bedroom. It’s also available from various stores, like Very, Amazon, Next and Argos.

More on mattress toppers:

• Find the best mattresses ever in our expert buyer's guide