An uncomfortable mattress can completely derail you from getting a good night’s sleep. A new mattress can be a huge investment, but a mattress topper can do wonders.
If you find your mattress is too hard and that it doesn’t offer enough pressure relief, memory foam can be incredibly effective at alleviating pressure by contouring to the body. Memory foam is known to contribute to overheating, but a lot of it is now designed to counteract this.
If there’s one memory foam mattress topper I’d recommend, it’s Panda’s bamboo mattress topper – particularly for side sleepers. In my review of the best mattress toppers, it was the best memory foam option, largely because of how well it blends deep pressure relief with supportive comfort. Plus, it features a specific type of memory foam that’s designed to be cooler and a breathable cover. As such, it holds the top spot in our review of the best cooling mattress toppers, and kept our reviewer cool in the mid-June heatwave.
Tested for two months, here’s my full review of Panda’s bamboo mattress topper.
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Panda bamboo mattress topper
Why we love it
- Extremely comfortable and plush
- Excellent pressure relief for side sleepers
- Soft, high-quality removable cover
- Secure fit with adjustable straps
- Better breathability than most memory foam toppers
Take note
- Very soft – could lack support for some sleepers
- Can feel too sinking for stomach sleepers
Unboxing
The Panda bamboo mattress topper arrives tightly rolled and compressed in a compact box. Once opened, I simply removed the plastic wrapping and left it to unfurl on top of my mattress. It expanded fairly quickly, though I still gave it a few hours before sleeping on it to allow it to fully settle into shape.
The straps are a really useful feature, especially if you’re dealing with a thicker or thinner mattress, as they help keep everything neatly anchored. Once fitted, it didn’t move around at all during the night, even with both me and my partner tossing and turning.
There was a slight off-gassing smell when it was first unpacked, which is pretty common with memory foam products, but it wasn’t overpowering. I aired the room out and it faded after a short while, so it didn’t end up being a major issue.
Design
At its core, this is a 5cm memory foam topper designed to change the feel of your mattress. It’s infused with cooling gel to counteract the heat retention usually associated with memory foam.
The cover feels soft and premium to the touch, and it’s machine-washable, which is always a big plus – especially as a parent where spills and general chaos are part of life. It also features adjustable elastic straps to secure the topper to different mattress depths, whether thin or quite deep.
Comfort
Comfort is where this topper really makes its mark, but also where personal preference plays a big role.
I usually prefer a firmer sleep setup, so I was initially cautious about how I’d get on with a full memory foam topper. This one, however, is noticeably soft and very contouring. The moment I lay down, it gently hugged my body and created that classic “sink-in” feeling.
As a side sleeper, I actually found this really helpful. It cushioned my shoulders and hips far better than my firm mattress alone, and I woke up with less pressure-related stiffness. It felt especially good on nights when I was overtired and just wanted something soft and comforting to melt into.
That said, it is very soft. While I enjoyed the plush feel at night, I did notice that when sitting upright in bed for longer periods – reading or scrolling – it lacked a bit of support and started to feel slightly less comfortable.
My partner had a similar reaction. He found it great for lying down, but a bit too soft for anything beyond sleep. We both agreed it excelled at comfort, but didn’t offer quite as much structure as firmer options we’ve tested. So while it’s incredibly comfortable, it definitely leans toward the softer end of the spectrum.
Breathability
Memory foam toppers can often get a bad reputation for sleeping hot, so I was particularly interested to see how this one performed.
Surprisingly, it did a better job than I expected. The gel-infused foam seems to help regulate temperature, and I didn’t experience the usual overheating I associate with traditional memory foam. Even during warmer nights, I stayed relatively comfortable and didn’t wake up feeling sweaty or overheated.
That said, it’s not the coolest topper I’ve ever tested, but it’s far from the worst. For a memory foam product, I’d say it performs above average in terms of breathability.
Care
The removable cover is one of the standout practical features here. It unzips easily and can be machine-washed, which makes a big difference for everyday hygiene – especially in a busy household.
Panda recommends washing it gently (up to 30C) and avoiding harsh detergents to maintain the fabric quality. I found it easy enough to remove and put back on without any hassle, and it held up well after washing with no bobbling.
It’s also reassuring knowing that you can keep it fresh without having to deal with the foam itself, which obviously isn’t washable.
Key specifications
Buy now £139.95, Pandalondon.com
Is the Panda bamboo mattress topper worth it?
For me, the Panda bamboo mattress topper earns its place as the best memory foam option. What I loved most was how instantly it transformed my firm mattress into something far softer and more pressure-relieving. It really delivers on that classic memory foam comfort and it’s also impressively breathable for a foam-based topper. The gel infusion does a decent job of preventing overheating, which is often my biggest concern with products like this.
However, it won’t be for everyone. If you prefer a firmer, more supportive sleep surface, this will likely feel too soft. It’s very much a “sink-in and relax” type of topper, rather than something that keeps you lifted and firm. I also wouldn’t recommend it if you spend a lot of time sitting upright in bed.
Still, for side sleepers or anyone looking to soften a too-firm mattress without replacing it entirely, it’s a standout option that could genuinely save you money by extending the life of your current mattress.
How I tested the Panda bamboo mattress topper
I tested the mattress topper for two months alongside my partner to see if it improved my sleep, even on disrupted nights. I considered the following criteria:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Assistant IndyBest editor, Sarah Jones, is our sleep expert here at IndyBest. She’s tried and tested a whole host of bedding for our guides from the best winter duvets to the best summer duvets and the best storage beds. Most notably, she’s reviewed all of the best mattresses and best mattress toppers, all to get a strong understanding of the products that make getting shut-eye that bit easier.
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