<p>Are mattress protectors (to protect from bed bugs, dust mites, etc.) for college dorm beds necessary?</p>
<p>Which mattress toppers (for added comfort) would you recommend? </p>
<p>Egg crate vs. Memory foam?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I don’t have one. Our mattresses were pretty new though, and I checked for bed bugs before I put my sheets on and again every time I washed them. If I had an older mattress I would have gotten a cover just for peace of mind.</p>
<p>I have no experience with memory foam, egg crate made me too warm. I use neither. I use the quilted kind of mattress pads and am happy as can be with that. My bed at school is MUCH more comfortable than my bed at home.</p>
<p>Our mattresses sucked when I lived in the dorms. That said, we’re young, but if you want to avoid stiff necks bring something. The p(crappy mattress) goes way up if you go to a big state school. </p>
<p>Can’t go wrong with memory foam if you can stomach the price.</p>
<p>Get memory foam.</p>
<p>I would advise a mattress protector regardless. Considering all the things prior students could have/probably did do in that bed, I wouldn’t recommend sleeping without one. Granted, a fitted sheet acts as a barrier but I guess I’m a bit of a germaphobe–I need the extra protection. </p>
<p>I prefer egg crate. To me, the memory foam, after awhile, got smashed in this one spot and no amount of flipping it over, fluffing it, prodding it, etc. would get it to regain shape. Then again, maybe I purchased a poor grade of memory foam. I bought it as a last minute deal so I wasn’t paying attention.</p>
<p>I used my sister’s Tempurpedic mattress pad, and literally everyone that sat on my bed remarked how comfortable it was. It was definitely comparable in terms of sleep quality to my bed at home (barring the size). I highly recommend it.</p>
<p>Our mattresses have a thick plastic-like cover. It makes them really easy to clean if you are a germaphobe, but also very uncomfortable to sleep on. </p>
<p>I started with an egg crate but I barely noticed the effect. Switched to 2-inch memory foam with no regrets.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies everyone!</p>
<p>I’ll be attending a large state school so I’m guessing the mattresses won’t be in tip-top shape. I have a mattress cover and will definitely be using it! From what all of you have been saying, it seems as though I won’t really need to go out and buy one of those covers that are specifically for bed bugs and my regular mattress cover will do…correct?</p>
<p>Sounds like both egg crate tops and memory foam are both favored…I think I’m leaning towards getting the memory foam though :).</p>
<p>Oh and, does anyone know the specific brands of mattress tops that you have used and recommend?</p>
<p>I always buy something off of overstock.com since their prices don’t vary by size. That means you can get a 2 inch king sized topper, fold it over and get 4 inches for the price of 2. Just check the reviews and you’ll find a good one.</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> 2.0" Visco2 Ventilated Mattress Enhancer: Home & Garden](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Studio-Ventilated-Mattress-Enhancer/dp/B000LQD88E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1275360033&sr=8-2]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Studio-Ventilated-Mattress-Enhancer/dp/B000LQD88E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1275360033&sr=8-2)</p>
<p>is worth considering. Pretty decent discount off list price now, too…Although Amazon has been known to jack up the list price for appearance’s sake.</p>
<p>Note that you’d want the Twin XL (at least in most dorms…make sure you know your mattress size!)</p>
<p>I’ve met a few college mattresses… ;)</p>
<p>You’ll want memory foam for sure.</p>
<p>I don’t think a mattress cover is necessary though…and I mean, I guess the foam isn’t either, but I know I wouldn’t have been able to sleep without it. Whenever I slept over in other people’s rooms I was always uncomfortable because I didn’t have my foam…and people always commented on how comfortable my bed was.</p>
<p>Also, you don’t need to get the twin XL if you’re getting foam. Yes, most dorm beds are twin XL, but if you think about it logically, you don’t need the foam where your pillow is, or at the end of the bed where your feet don’t reach. My foam is just a twin size and it worked out fine that way. Also by getting the twin rather than the twin XL, you’ll probably save a good chunk of change.</p>
<p>Chuy- Thanks for the tip! Overstock.com has so many good deals :)</p>
<p>Justtotalk- Thank you, I will definitely check that one out</p>
<p>Sligh_Anarchist- Haha. Nice to know ;).</p>
<p>SingDanceRunLife- Good to know that the twin XL isn’t super necessary because in stores I have only seen a few. And I’m not very tall so I don’t think just getting the twin will be a problem for me either!</p>