Otty Bamboo Mattress Topper with Charcoal review: A risk-free way to soften a firm mattress

If your mattress is too firm, buying a mattress topper is likely a more affordable fix than forking out on an entirely new mattress. Not only that, but by getting the best mattress topper, you can also reduce the amount of wear on your mattress over time, improving its longevity.

When discounted, Otty’s excellent Bamboo Mattress Topper with Charcoal is among the best-value models we’ve tested and, better still, it comes with a 30-night trial so you can try it with no financial risk. Having said that, it  might not be the best option for everyone, so read on to find out more.

Buy now from Otty

Otty Bamboo Mattress Topper with Charcoal review: What did we like?

At 5cm deep, the Otty Bamboo Mattress topper adds a substantial comfort layer to your existing mattress. It’s made from two distinct foam layers: 3cm of bamboo reflex foam at its base and 2cm of “bamboo charcoal” memory foam above that. Otty claims the bamboo and charcoal work in conjunction “to create an ideal sleeping surface”. Indeed, the materials are “antibacterial, hypoallergenic, sustainable, moisture wicking and odour eliminating”, according to the bed-in-a-box brand.

I didn’t notice a huge difference in firmness when I first laid the Otty Bamboo topper down on my medium-firm pocket sprung mattress, which is perhaps a good thing in the sense that it still offered ample support. As with the Eve mattress topper, it can initially feel a little firmer than you might expect memory foam to feel.

However, after testing the topper for a few nights, it became clear that having an additional comfort layer meant my mattress was better able to accommodate my hips when I was sleeping on my side. If you struggle to get comfortable when lying on your side on a firm mattress, the Otty topper can definitely help with that.

As you might expect, a foam topper can drastically alter the way a traditional mattress with natural fillings feels. As well as cushioning your bony protrusions effectively, it absorbs movement better, meaning a memory foam topper can be a good option if either you or your partner is a restless sleeper. I certainly found this to be the case and it did a good job of quietening the occasional creak from the mattress’s top layer of micro springs, too.

Reduced to £160 in a king size at the time of writing, Otty’s Bamboo topper is compellingly priced. Indeed, it’s on a par with our favourite memory foam topper in this price range, the Panda Memory Foam Bamboo mattress topper, and considerably cheaper than both Simba’s and Eve’s mattress toppers. Only the Silentnight Impress 5cm Memory Foam Mattress Topper (£140 in king size) undercuts it as far as memory foam toppers are concerned, and the Silentnight model is essentially a single slab of foam with a very basic elasticated cover.

In addition to that tempting price, the Otty also comes with a 30-night money-back guarantee, which isn’t something I’ve seen from many toppers at this price. For more info on the sleep trial, see here.

Buy now from Otty

Otty Bamboo Mattress Topper with Charcoal review: How can it be improved?

Otty’s thick-knit, breathable embroidered cover is more sophisticated than some of its rivals, but one drawback is that it isn’t removable or washable, as is the case with the Panda topper. Nor does the Otty have elasticated straps to secure the topper on your mattress, although we found that its non-slip base did a decent enough job of stopping it from moving around.

The main other shortcoming of the topper, depending on your viewpoint, is that it can soften substantially as it warms up. I never felt truly enveloped as with some foam mattresses and toppers, but it’s a very different sensation to a pocket-sprung mattress with natural upholstery and can feel warm if you’re not used to foam. It can also make moving on your bed’s surface a little trickier. Whether or not you can tolerate these traits wholly comes down to personal taste.

I was also rather disappointed to see the Otty Bamboo mattress topper is only guaranteed against manufacturing defects for one year. By comparison, the aforementioned Silentnight comes with a two-year guarantee, and Panda backs its bamboo mattress topper for an impressive ten years.

READ NEXT: The best mattress toppers

Otty Bamboo Mattress Topper with Charcoal review: Should you buy it?

If you’re in the market for a new memory foam mattress topper, it’s a very close run thing between this Otty topper and the Panda model, but the Panda gets the nod from me because of it’s washable cover, elasticated straps, much longer guarantee, and the fact it’s £160 regardless of any discounts.

Having said that, it’s easy to recommend the Otty too, as long as you only buy when it’s discounted, which is often the case. Supportive and comfortable, it can make an over-firm mattress much comfier and if you decide it’s not quite right for you, you can return it for a full refund within 30 days.

Buy now from Otty