The 6 Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain & a Rejuvenating Sleep (2024)

Whether your mattress is too firm, too soft, or lacking in support, it can lead to the same hassle- a bad back. Instead of feeling invigorated in the morning, you’ll wake up feeling tired and drained. Not a perfect way to spend the right?

Buying a new mattress may seem like the solution, but it can be a very expensive one.  Did you know you can transform your uncomfortable mattress into a snooze-worthy zone with just a mattress topper?

Buying Guide: How we Curated our recommendations

These are more economical solutions than buying a new mattress altogether. But still, it’s a wise idea to make the proper choice. And here’s how we made ours.

• Firmness level

How soft or how firm should your mattress topper be? It all depends on the condition of your current, is it too soft or too firm?

The goal of a topper is to improve the quality of your existing mattress and to adjust the firmness level according to your sleeping needs. 

Thus, if your mattress is too soft and lacks support that your back caves in, you need a mattress stopper that is firmer. This will lend your back that needed support and pressure relief.

On the other hand, if your mattress is too firm that it hurts your back, you need a topper that has sufficient contouring and enough plushness to render a more forgiving surface for your entire back. 

So we picked mattress toppers with varying levels of firmness, so you can find one that fits either your too-soft or too-firm bed.

• Latex vs Memory foam

These are the two more common materials utilized in the mattress toppers we have on our list. And the better option depends on what your needs are for more relaxing sleep and a rejuvenated back. If your mattress feels the opposite of what you need, you’ll end up feeling tired with a bad back to mend

Memory foam contours the body whereas latex provides a more bouncy on-the-bed feel. Both can be effective in relieving back pain, it depends on your personal preferences. 

For more memory foam toppers, we also chose those that have decent support amidst the contours, so you will not have your back caving in. For latex toppers, we chose pieces that have a soft cushion that can lend sufficient plushness, this prevents the topper from being too firm

Our Top 10 Mattress Toppers for Back Pain

Plushbeds Latex

This is for you if you want a buoyant floating feel in your bed. And being latex, it has impressive pressure-relief properties. This is one mattress topper that most will find extremely sporty and can relieve joint pains. 

A large number of people can also find this comfortable, whatever their sleeping position is. The brand offers this in five firmness levels. So whether you want something more plush or a bit more firm, they’ve got it. 

But keep in mind that even if you get the plusher topper, you’ll never sink into it like a memory foam. It will give you the bed experience rather than in the bed.

Nolah 

It has sufficient support and contouring and yet the luxurious softness is still noticeable. However, stomach sleepers might find this topper too soft as they might sink deeper into it. But if you are a combination or side sleeper, then you’ll surely fall in love with this. Strictly stomach sleepers will need something firmer than this, but this is heaven for side sleepers.

At the same time, heavier folks will find this topper thin and they might easily sink into it. But if you are of average weight or skinny, then this will make you snooze in no time. It will not be as sinking as a memory foam, rather it has this slightly elevated feel.

Linenspa

This is a memory foam mattress that gives you a medium-firm feel. You will not feel like sleeping in the clouds with plush comfort. But it will have that nice and supportive contouring feel. If you tend to wake up with a stiff neck and a bad back, this type of contoured support is what you need. You’d still feel that comforting hug but it will not feel like you’re sinking in too deep.

Also, if you’re a sweaty sleeper, this sleeps cool. It is infused with gel beads that can give you a cool and comfortable snooze. 

Serta Thermagel 

This mattress is a tad bit more firmer than the other two options above. This has that more aggressive contouring and support that can suffice if you have more pronounced needs. 

It also comes with a machine washable cover so you just have to toss it in the hampers should it need some cleaning, 

The firmness level is just right and some may even find it decently soft despite being more supportive. Your body will sink right into it and the cushion of the foam supports the body and has this nice pressure relief.

ViscoSoft Select High Density 

That’s why side sleepers can find zen right away with this mattress topper.

On the other hand, stomach sleepers will sink deep into this, especially heavier folks. 

And since the memory foam is denser, this is more resistant to wear and tear. We see this lasting for years to come.

Lucid Gel Memory Foam

This is a gel topper for those with allergies. It has a layer of memory foam and another layer made of alternative down/ organic cotton. And speaking of cotton we immediately imagine fresh and cool sleep, making this a great fit for summer, even all year round. 

It also has antimicrobial properties, it can deter dust mites too. This can also be great for kids, you don’t have to worry about them waking up sneezing in the morning. 

Tuft & Needle 

This will give you a medium-firm to a firmer type of comfort. You will not sink into it but there is an acceptable level of softness. It will still be easier to get out of bed. There is also contouring and pressure relief, but not as pronounced as what you’d expect from a medium-firm to firm mattress topper from other brands.  

This however might not be a good fit for heavy sleepers. They will find it a bit thin and can sink deep into it.  

Other mattress toppers we have lab tested:

Saatva High Density

This is another topper that can give a firmer comfort. Those who need more support and pressure relief will find this a more viable option. It is denser and has this impressive contouring that envelopes the entire body. So we find this very suitable for back and stomach sleepers, even heavier people will find this comfortable with just the right touch of softness.

A high-density foam like this does have some cons. It can be hot and sweaty, you might find it not appropriate for summer, well unless you have the AC full on. 

Brooklyn Bedding Micro Coil

A distinct feature of this topper is the micro coil system. The coils are wrapped and this renders it more supportive and can give out more pressure relief. it can even feel firmer than a memory foam mattress topper. So if you have joint pains, you will find comfort and relief as you sleep on this. The foam is also high-density, so this can hold itself pretty well, even for heavier folks. 

Bear PRO 

It has this medium firm comfort that has impressive contouring and support. But if you need your mattress to also have that nice touch of luxurious plushness at the same time, you’d be blown away with this.

This can also give you sufficient pressure relief for all the zones of the body. But apart from that, it has this layer of softness for a dreamier sleep. The memory foam layer is also infused with copper. This makes the material cooler as it can adapt to your body temperature. So this can be ideal for all seasons since it can adjust itself to your body temperature. The cover also has anti-microbial properties so this makes it heaven for hypochondriacs. 

Mattress toppers can significantly reduce back pain, you just have to choose well 

While a mattress topper is not the only solution to existing back pain, it can downplay the discomfort. These toppers are also made from different materials, they can be made from foam or latex. Both can help improve and minimize back pain, but they offer a different experience. 

Latex is bouncy and has that on-the-bed experience while memory foam can help you decently sink into the mattress while providing support at the same time. And both can be beneficial for your back, it just depends on what feels better for you.  Thus, trying out a topper first before purchasing will help see which can be the most suitable solution for you.