Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain

Amerisleep Lift Overview

If you want a fantastic mattress topper that offers tons of versatility and a choice of firmness, check out the Amerisleep Lift. This memory foam mattress topper offers tons of contouring, breathability, and support to relieve your pain and relax you to sleep, whether you choose the firm or soft version.

One of the best things about this mattress topper is the fact that you can choose your firmness options. The Lift has a soft version and a firm version. Both of them are topped with a soft, ultra-breathable cover that wicks away heat and sweat all night. So you can sleep cool regardless of which firmness you choose.

“The Amerisleep mattress topper offers two different firmness options, which helps to ensure proper cushion and alignment for back or side sleepers,” says Jennifer Miller, a prominent physical therapist. “I typically treat women and a common complaint is that they wake up due to being too hot at night. The Amerisleep mattress topper helps reduce this issue by wicking away heat at night.”

Zoma Balance Pad Overview

If your back pain is caused by physical activity – like training for a competition or even a physical job – say hello to the Zoma Balance Pad. This ultra-responsive mattress topper will bounce right back underneath you, as well as keep you cool as a cucumber all night.

Also, the medium feel of this mattress topper means it’s versatile enough to accommodate a wide range of sleepers. It can also be a good choice for you if you feel your mattress is only slightly too soft or slightly too firm.

“A lot of my patients with back pain sleep in different positions at night,” says Jennifer Miller. “Therefore, the Zoma mattress topper is a great option as it offers a medium firmness that can accommodate combination sleepers. It also has a cooling effect that helps keep you cool at night, which is ideal.”

Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper Overview

When it comes to the best toppers for back pain, you want a durable product that won’t develop permanent impressions within a short period of time. Resilient, high-density foams are key for topper longevity, and that is what the Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper offers.

The topper is gently firm yet responisve to the body, able to melt away aches and pains in the body. The Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper ships free to your front door and comes with a 90-day trial period and a 5-year warranty.

Saatva Mattress Topper Overview

If you’re not sure which will be your ideal mattress topper for back pain, check out the Saatva Mattress Topper. This topper lets you choose from three different materials, so you can figure out which is the right one for you.

Shoppers seeking a firmer topper for back pain should consider the latex foam option or the high-density foam topper. The graphite memory foam topper offers a touch more softness than what a sleeper seeking a firmer feel is seeking.

Nolah Mattress Topper Overview

If you want a fantastic mattress topper for back pain that also works overtime to keep you cool all night, take a look at the Nolah Mattress Topper. This mattress topper features some of Nolah’s premium cooling technologies for an all-night cool sleep.

Another great feature of this topper is the fact that it offers two different firmness options. The Plush option is perfect for side sleepers and those who want to add a little more softness to their beds. Back sleepers should check out the Luxury Firm option.

Bear Pro Mattress Topper Overview

If you want a memory foam mattress topper with that classic contouring feel that only memory foam can provide, take a gander at the Bear Pro Mattress Topper. This might just be among the best mattress toppers for back pain on this list for petite sleepers because of its plush feel and pressure absorption.

This medium-plush topper offers top-notch contouring and compression. It follows the curve of your body and protects your pressure points from an overly firm sleeping surface. So if you bought a mattress that turned out to be firmer than you like, this topper could be the solution.

Helix Plush Mattress Topper Overview

If you’re looking for a plush mattress topper that feels like down but is much more affordable and lower-maintenance than down, check out the Helix Mattress Topper. This mattress topper is made of state-of-the-art cluster fiberfill that offers the high-loft feel of down without all the downy hassle.

This plush mattress topper was also designed with sensitive skin in mind. That means it will fight allergens and moisture buildup that can cause acne, rashes, and other skin issues. So it’s perfect for those who are sensitive to the chemicals in memory foam.

Brooklyn Bedding TitanFlex Topper Overview

Those who want a mattress topper that gives them the exact mix of support and pressure relief for their needs should check out the TitanFlex Topper by Brooklyn Bedding. This topper offers you firmness options and even a choice of cover.

As far as firmness options go, you have the choice between soft, medium, and firm options. Side sleepers should consider the plushest choice, while stomach sleepers should go for the firmest option. Combo sleepers and back sleepers will likely do best on the medium, depending on whether they want to firm or soften up their mattress.

Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper Overview

Perhaps the best latex mattress topper for back pain on the market, the Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper offers organic comfort through and through. It’s perfect for those looking for all-natural pressure relief and hypoallergenic comfort.

The Avocado topper comes with the choice between plush and firm feels. So whether you need contouring pressure relief or buoyant support, you can still sleep on the Avocado.

Layla Memory Foam Topper Overview

If you want a memory foam topper that offers superior pressure relief and a classic memory foam feel, check out the Layla Memory Foam Topper. The Layla Memory Foam Topper boasts top-notch pressure relief and a cooling feel that gives you the memory foam contouring without the memory foam sweats.

This plush topper is cooling and supportive. It adds a layer of softness and pressure relief to an overly firm mattress. That makes it perfect for side sleepers and those who feel their mattress is too firm.

Puffy Mattress Topper Overview

Those who want a mattress topper that’s easy to place, easy to care for, and hard to mess up should check out the Puffy Mattress Topper. This topper is perfect for those who eat in bed or have little kids because it’s easy to wash and won’t tear or stain easily.

The firmness options also allow you to choose between soft and firm options. So whether you bought an overly soft or overly firm mattress, you can still have the Puffy topper.

How to Choose a Mattress Topper for Back Pain

Picking the best mattress topper for back pain can feel a little bit like a guessing game, as it can sometimes be hard to know if your back pain is due to a lack of contouring, pressure relief, or support. But if you’re armed with a few key areas of knowledge, you can take the guesswork right out of the process.

Material

The material your mattress topper is made of is one of the most important aspects of its pain relieving capacity. A topper’s material decides its breathability, responsiveness, buoyancy, and more. So you’ll need to know what you’re looking for when it comes to choosing your ideal pain-relieving mattress topper.

Memory Foam

If your mattress’s lack of contouring is the main problem causing your back pain, a memory foam mattress topper might be just the thing for you. Memory foam is the most adaptable mattress material, and this is true for mattress toppers as well.

Memory foam can take the shape of your body in a way that no other material can, a big part of why memory foam mattresses are so popular. It can compress under your pressure points to relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders. It can also adapt to the shape of your spine to keep it aligned.

The main problems you might experience with a memory foam mattress topper are issues with temperature control and lack of responsiveness. Memory foam can have issues with slow response time and heat retention. So if you’re an active sleeper, you might want to go with natural latex mattress toppers. If you’re a hot sleeper, you have another option.

Gel Memory Foam

Gel memory foam fixes traditional memory foam’s heat retention issues with thermoconductive gel infusions. These infusions can come in the form of liquid gel swirls, gel microbeads, or even a thin layer of pure gel on top of the memory foam, establishing a cooling mattress topper.

Gel memory foam draws the heat away from your body to keep your sleep surface cool for hours on end. So if you sleep hot and don’t want to invest in a cooling mattress, gel memory foam might be up your alley.

You can even pair a gel memory foam topper with a set of cooling sheets to create a more comfortable sleep surface without investing all you would need to in a new mattress.

Latex Foam

Active sleepers who want a responsive foam mattress topper might consider a latex rather than a memory foam mattress topper. Natural latex is highly responsive and bounces back underneath your body as soon as you move.

Latex is also much more breathable than memory foam. That means it’s better at regulating its temperature than even gel memory foam. And it’s more buoyant as well. Our latex vs memory foam guide discusses these materials in more depth.

The main issue with natural latex is its expense. You can expect to pay at least twice as much for an average natural latex mattress topper. These mattress toppers are also not as contouring as memory foam, so they’re more supportive and less pressure relieving.

Natural Down

Natural down is the layer of feathers that keep fowl like ducks and geese warm and dry. These feathers make some of the softest, squishiest bedding out there. And they’re hugely popular in quilts, comforters, pillows, and – yes – mattress toppers.

A down mattress topper offers a highly contouring and lofty feel. It can make your bed look and feel like a cloud. Many people like the feel of a down mattress topper because it makes their mattress feel like a feather bed.

However, down may not be great for hot sleepers. While it is breathable, it evolved to retain warmth. This means it may not be suitable as a summer mattress topper or for those who wake up in a sweat during the night.

Wool

Natural wool mattress toppers are a wonderful option for those who don’t want foam. Wool is breathable and pressure relieving. Contrary to popular belief, wool is also temperature neutral. It evolved to keep sheep cool in the summer and warm in the winter, so it’s less prone to overheating than you might think.

The main issues with wool mattress toppers are they’re not easy to find, and they can sometimes have a “barnyard” or “sheep” smell when you first get them.

Firmness

The firmness of the mattress topper you get depends on what you want it to do for your mattress. Soft mattress toppers will take the firmness level of your mattress down a notch or two. Firm mattress toppers can raise it up – but only so much.

It’s much easier to make a too firm mattress softer using a mattress topper than it is to make it firmer. This is because the softness of a mattress is created by the layers of padding on top, while firmness is created by the support layer. The thinner the plush comfort layer, the firmer the mattress.

This means you can easily stack a mattress topper on your mattress to soften it up as much as you like. But a firm mattress topper will only go so far. It will increase the firm feel a little, but it cannot make up for a lack of support. This is why saggy or overly soft mattresses may need to be replaced rather than topped with a topper.

As a reminder, the best mattress firmness will depend on what your sleep style is. Softer feels are better for side sleepers and lightweight sleepers, while firmer feels are well-suited for back, stomach, and heavier sleepers.

“One of the first questions I ask my patients is about their quality of sleep,” notes Jennifer Miller. “We spend hours of our day asleep, so naturally this can impact our posture and pain.”

“I highly encourage my patients to sleep on their back or sides to ensure proper alignment of their spine and to ensure their mattress supports these positions. If they can’t afford a supportive mattress, then a mattress topper is a great option.”

Thickness

Mattress toppers are typically between two and four inches thick. If it’s thinner than two inches, it may be a mattress pad. See our mattress pad vs. mattress topper for an in-depth comparison of the two.

The general rule is the thicker the mattress topper, the more it changes the feel of your mattress. That means if you only want to slightly alter your mattress’s firmness, a thinner mattress topper is likely your best option.

Those who want to radically alter the feel of their mattress should opt for a three or even four-inch mattress topper. You might also want a thicker topper if you’re a heavier sleeper who needs extra support or a side sleeper with an overly firm mattress. Thicker toppers will offer more support (if they’re firmer) and more pressure relief (if they’re softer) than thin toppers.

Remember that the thickness of your topper also affects your bed height. For many sleepers, their bed height isn’t of important consideration. However, older sleepers may need to watch that their bed isn’t too tall, as it can make getting out of bed difficult.

Density

The density of your mattress topper also has a lot to do with how much support and cradling it offers. Less-dense mattress toppers are more contouring. This means if you want to add a lot of compression to your mattress, a lighter topper may be the way to go.

Conversely, if you want more buoyancy in your mattress, a denser topper may be for you. Denser mattress toppers fight sinkage and help keep you lifted onto the sleep surface. This means they’re particularly good for heavier sleepers.

Price

The good news is that mattress toppers are definitely cheaper than a whole new mattress for back pain. The bad news is they’re still not cheap. Affordable mattress toppers do exist, but you should watch out for quality issues if you find a mattress topper for much under $100.

Generally, you should expect to pay $80 to $500 for a good-quality mattress topper. Luxury mattress toppers can cost upwards of $1,000. But you don’t have to pay anywhere near that much for quality and functionality.

Remember that material, thickness, and size can affect how much the topper costs. For example, a king size mattress topper will cost more than just about any other standard size, and a 3-inch topper will cost more than a 2-inch topper. Latex and down are two of the more expensive potential materials, due to their production costs, with memory foam and down alternative providing more budget-friendly options.

FAQs

What thickness is best for a pain-relieving mattress topper?

If you’re buying a mattress topper for back pain, a thicker mattress topper is likely best. Mattress toppers that offer more support or cushioning between you and your mattress will do more for your back pain than thinner toppers or mattress pads.

This is true of both firmer and softer mattress toppers. If you need extra support, a thicker firm mattress topper will do more for you than a thinner firm one. This is also true if you need to drastically increase the compression of your mattress. A soft and thick mattress topper will help.

The only time this is not true is if you want to slightly alter your mattress’s feel but are overall happy with the level of cushioning and support. In this case, a thinner mattress topper will suffice.

Can I use a mattress topper with my adjustable bed?

You can use a mattress topper with an adjustable bed. Mattress toppers are flexible and can bend with the bed because they don’t have springs or any other internal mechanisms stopping them.

That being said, you’ll need to make sure that your mattress topper has elastic bands or gripping fabric that will keep it from moving around on top of the mattress when you alter the adjustable bed’s position.

What’s the best mattress topper material for back pain sufferers?

That depends on what is causing your back pain and the type of sleeper you are. If lack of pressure relief or low contouring power is causing your back pain, and you don’t sleep hot or like to toss and turn, then memory foam is probably going to be the best fit for you. If you do sleep hot but still need lots of contouring, gel memory foam may be a better solution.

Conversely, active sleepers who like to toss and turn might want to consider natural latex for their mattress topper. Natural latex is also a good option for those who want more buoyancy and less sinkage in their mattress. Hot sleepers may also prefer natural latex because of its amazing breathability.

How firm should my mattress topper be to relieve back pain?

The general rule is a medium-firm mattress is the best firmness level to relieve back pain. So the mattress topper firmness that helps you achieve this overall firmness level is likely to be the best. That means if your mattress is a firm or extra firm mattress, a softer mattress topper with more contouring will be the best firmness level for your back pain.

Conversely, if your mattress is too soft, then a firmer mattress topper will help you achieve a firmer overall feel for your mattress. Just remember that if your mattress is extremely soft, then it likely needs to be replaced. A firm mattress topper cannot make up for the lack of support in the core of the mattress.

What should I expect to pay for a mattress topper?

That depends on a number of factors, including size, material, and brand. Generally speaking, if your mattress topper costs a lot less than $100, you should be concerned about its quality and durability.

On the other hand, if it costs over $500, you need to figure out why to avoid being ripped off. Luxury organic latex mattress toppers can cost a pretty penny, but standard memory foam mattress toppers should not cost much more than $500.

Bottom Line

Depending on the cause of your back pain, a mattress topper may be the perfect solution. If your pain is caused by a lack of contouring or pressure relief, a topper can help. If, however, your back pain is caused by a saggy or unsupportive mattress, it may be time to choose a new mattress.

Our buyers’ guides to the best mattresses on the market can simplify what can seem a complicated shopping experience.