Yawnder reviews · Original 2015 firsthand account · Updated October 2026
My verdict
I used the Malouf Isolus topper on my latex mattress and particularly liked how well its studded underside kept it in place. The original review describes its contouring foam and removable cover, with photos of both the topper on the bed and the grip surface underneath.
My original firsthand review
My original observations and photos are preserved below. Prices, shopping references and quoted specifications describe earlier products and listings.
If you find that your bed is a bit too stiff for your taste these days, you may want to consider a mattress topper. It's a much more economical choice as opposed to buying a new mattress. I often encourage readers who have only slept on inner springs and are mulling a memory foam mattress to get a feel for a memory foam mattress with a memory foam topper. The biggest lament I hear about transitioning from innerspring to foam is the loss of bounce. Getting a memory foam topper for your existing innerspring give you a taste of what to expect.
Current-product note: Malouf’s Gel Memory Foam Topper listing describes a 2.5-inch profile, 30-night return window and three-year limited warranty. Its current care instructions say to spot clean; follow the label for the exact version. These specifications are not a new test of the current model.
The second most asked question about transitioning from inner spring to memory foam is do they sleep hot? The answer to that question is it really comes down to the construction and layering of the foam and most importantly what type of foam is used. Cooling gel is intended to affect the feel of some foams, but this review did not measure temperature changes and results vary by sleeper and construction.
If you're looking for a current Malouf topper, the old Isolus naming is legacy. Malouf now sells its Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper as the current cooling/pressure-relief option. This 2.5" mattress topper is infused with a cooling gel that is marketed for cooling, though its effect varies by sleeper and setup.
This mattress topper Utilizes a pin-core design which means that the gel memory foam is ventilated to increase air flow and regulate sleeping temperature.The memory foam quickly contours to your body to cradle you just right. A thicker topper is another comfort option, though no topper repairs a sagging support core.
The photo above shows the Malouf mattress topper on my latex bed.
It is encased in a soft bamboo cover that is removable and washable. A bamboo-derived fabric does not guarantee that a sleeper will feel cool.
Below is a picture of the back of the mattress topper. There are tiny studs that will grip the mattress so it won't shift or slide around at night. The Isolus did a great job of staying in place.
The Isolus price in this older review is no longer current. Malouf now sells its Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper under current branding, so check Malouf for live pricing. If your mattress is still giving you proper support but feels too hard, a topper can still be a less expensive alternative to replacing the whole mattress.
Malouf was started among a couple in an apartment that had a passion for finding the best quality bedding products and making them accessible to everyone. The brand has since then exploded in to an international company. Their commitment to quality remains the same and it shows through this mattress topper. Get it here.
Disclosure: We aim to highlight products and services you might find interesting, and if you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue.
Current Malouf topper: what to verify
Malouf currently lists a 2.5-inch gel memory foam topper with a rayon-from-bamboo cover. It is a current product reference, not evidence that its materials or grip surface are identical to the older Isolus tested here.
Compare thickness, cover, dimensions, return eligibility and care instructions before ordering. A topper can change surface feel but will not repair a sagging support core. Gel or ventilation alone does not guarantee a specific cooling effect.
How to decide if a foam topper is right for your bed
Check the mattress underneath first. A topper is most useful when the bed still provides even support but feels too firm at the surface. If the mattress or foundation sags, inspect the base and review the mattress warranty before spending money on an added layer. Soft foam can follow an existing dip rather than correct it.
Think about the feel you want to change. Memory foam contours around the body and can soften the first contact with a firm mattress. It also changes how easy the surface feels to move on, depending on the foam and the sleeper. Someone who likes the immediate bounce of an innerspring or latex bed may want to compare a responsive latex or fiber-filled topper before choosing memory foam. A topper gives you an idea of a material’s feel, but it cannot reproduce the full construction of a mattress made from that material.
Choose thickness with the whole bed in mind. A thicker topper can change the feel more than a thin pad, although the foam’s firmness and the mattress beneath it matter too. Malouf’s current gel topper is listed at 2.5 inches; that specification is for the current listing, not a fresh measurement of my 2015 sample. If you sleep on your side, consider how the shoulder and hip feel; if you sleep on your stomach or back, pay attention to whether your midsection sinks more than you find comfortable.
Measure for fit and grip. Compare the topper’s actual length and width with your mattress, then add its height to the mattress depth when choosing a fitted sheet or protector. My older Isolus stayed in place on my latex mattress thanks to the small studs I photographed. That experience does not establish that a current model has the same underside or will grip every mattress. Check the product details, and make sure the fitted sheet can cover the combined stack without pulling up at the corners.
Plan for protection and cleaning. A protector over the topper can help keep the sleeping surface clean, provided it fits the full stack. Malouf recommends placing a protector over its current topper. The original Isolus review described a removable, washable cover; the current listing says to spot clean, so follow the label for the particular product you own rather than transferring the older care advice to a newer version. Allow the current model to decompress as directed by Malouf.
Compare the purchase terms. Check the seller, dimensions, total delivered price and return eligibility before ordering. Malouf’s current direct listing describes a 30-night sleep trial and a three-year limited warranty; read the applicable terms and exclusions, especially when buying from another retailer. Cooling gel and ventilation are product features, not a promise of a particular overnight temperature.
Questions about this review
Did it stay in place?
Yes. I wrote that the Isolus did a great job of staying in place and photographed the small studs on its underside.
Which product did I use?
The original Malouf Isolus topper shown on my latex mattress. Later references to a current Malouf model do not establish identical construction.
What can I learn from the photos?
One shows the topper on my bed; the other shows the underside used to grip the mattress. They document the reviewed product’s appearance and construction.
Does the review include a measured cooling result?
No temperature measurements are recorded in the retained account. Its cooling descriptions should not be mistaken for a measured overnight result.
Review by Ben Trapskin. Yawnder may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.