A fiber bed is not actually a bed or a mattress; it is a mattress topper that provides added cushion for a more restful night's sleep. Fiber bed toppers are different than a pillowtop mattress in that they can be removed and washed. They are similar to a mattress pad but are not part of the fitted sheet. As of 2010, fiberbeds start at around $20.
Down Featherbed
Since a fiber bed is used to add softness to a firm mattress, a down featherbed may be a reasonable alternative. Fiber beds are often filled with polyester fiber or a down-alternative puffball. Fiber filling can flatten and get lumpy after months or years of use. A down featherbed uses feathers and soft down from a duck or goose and may provide superior loft and softness. Featherbeds can be shaken to return lift and softness. However, people allergic to feathers may not be comfortable sleeping on a featherbed. Twin size featherbeds start at about $36 in 2010.
Memory Foam Mattress Toppers
Like fiber beds, you place memory foam mattress toppers atop a regular mattress to increase comfort and decrease pressure. Memory foam mattress toppers are made from either latex or visco elastic foam. Both materials provide added softness to a firm mattress in addition to cushioning pressure points and conforming to the contours of your body. Both memory foam and fiber bed mattress toppers can help improve sleep by increasing comfort and reducing tossing and turning. As of 2010, memory foam mattress toppers started at about $20 online.
Foam Egg Crate Mattress Toppers
Less expensive than other toppers, the polyurethane foam mattress toppers took just like an egg crate, with high and low points to help relieve pressure when you are lying on a firm mattress. Like a fiber bed, you can place the egg crate topper atop any mattress to increase softness and reduce discomfort. These toppers can usually be found at major retailers nationwide. In 2010, polyurethane mattress toppers start around $20 for a twin size and go up to about $60 for a king size.
Organic Wool Mattress Toppers
An alternative to fiber beds, which may trigger allergies or chemical sensitivities, organic wool mattress toppers are hypoallergenic and are often filled with untreated sheep's wool. These toppers offer the same comfort and support but use only organic materials to reduce the chemical exposure of some synthetic materials. They are often enclosed in organic cotton covers that can be removed for washing.
Organic wool mattress toppers are more expensive, ranging from about $160 to $900 or more as of 2010.
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