A high heat transfer efficiency fusing roller includes an annular elastomeric base cushion layer around a rigid cylindrical core member, with a high thermal conductivity layer around the base cushion layer, and a thin flexible release layer around the high thermal conductivity layer. The base cushion layer is less thermally conductive than the high thermal conductivity layer, which high thermal conductivity layer has a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than 1 Btu/hr/ft/F.