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The Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Improper spinal alignment is often caused by poor sleeping position or an unsuitable mattress. A mattress topper, which is a product similar to a mattress and several inches thick, sits atop your mattress. This allows for increased comfort, provides the softness akin to a pillow-top, and adds support; therefore, potentially alleviating back pain.

The best mattress toppers are like mattress pads, except that mattress pads are relatively cheap, less thick but don't give a lot of comfort when compared. Below we have listed the best mattress topper reviews for any back and hip pain if you don't want to purchase a new mattress for your bed.

1. Sleep Innovations 4-inch Memory Foam Topper

Sale
Sleep Innovations 4-inch Dual Layer Gel Memory Foam...
  • Dual Layer Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper: This luxurious 2...
  • Bedtime Made Better: This gel foam mattress topper offers plush...
  • Instantly Improve Any Mattress: Relieve pressure points, enjoy...
  • Made In The USA: Our memory foam mattresses, mattress toppers,...
  • Committed To Great Sleep: We invented the memory foam mattress in...

Sleep Innovations foam mattress topper is a perfect combination of 4inches fiber and gel memory foam. It uses SureTemp technology which allows adequate air circulation and an optimum sleeping temperature. The top layer of the mattress topper is a pillow-top filling that is very soft to touch, while the bottom layer is the gel foam that helps contour your body and regulate the heat for a better night's sleep. To get the most out of this mattress topper, you should have a premium mattress or get a new mattress of premium quality as it won't replace your current mattress and add comfort.

The bed topper provides twice the comfort of any traditional mattress thanks to its dual layer of quilted fiberfill, which gives you the feeling of sleeping on a cloud and offers balance for different body zones. The other half of the thickness is a gel memory foam topper that is flexible and customizable and easily adjusts and conforms to your shape within the first several nights of use. Even though the topper is heavier, there are significant advantages and an exceptional feel brought by this mattress pad. The Innovations mattress topper is machine washable and hypoallergenic.

Pros:

  • It offers excellent support because of the memory foam layer.
  • Has two firmness options
  • It does not move during the night.
  • The topper has a cooling gel that prevents memory foam from becoming too warm.
  • The topper works excellent for overall spine alignment.
  • CertiPUR-US certified
  • It is suitable for back and stomach sleepers.
  • It packs a warranty of 10 years which guarantees durability.
  • It is machine washable and comes with a washable cover.

Cons:

  • The quilted fiber topper traps some heat.
  • It does not return to the original shape well.

2. Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Supreme Mattress Topper

Sale
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Supreme 3-Inch Medium...
  • MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS TOPPER—Designed with the same...
  • ADAPTS TO YOUR BODY—TEMPUR material responds to your body’s...
  • WASHABLE COVER—Say goodbye to dirt, dust, allergens, and...
  • MULTI-USE TOPPER—This conforming mattress topper is not only...
  • DURABLE & RELIABLE—More durable than the average memory foam...

Tempur Pedic is the best memory foam mattress topper for a long-term luxurious feel and softening an extra firm mattress that does not flatten over time like the cheaper options. The mattress topper is built from dense memory foam and therefore offers adequate pressure relief while cradling pressure points such as the shoulders and hips for back sleepers weighing less than 230 pounds. For heavier sleepers, you might notice a little sag on the hip area, but for any weight, it provides standout pressure relief.

Tempur topper material is durable enough to resist sagging and absorb any vibrations to avoid them transferring across the surface while being quiet all through the night. The topper is available in six different sizes and ideal for beds with innerspring mattresses with too much bounce or a new mattress that generally needs support.

Pros:

  • It comes with a removable and washable cover.
  • Resists allergens such as dust mites and mold
  • A suitable option for couples looking for motion isolation and weigh below 230 pounds
  • The multi-layer design supports spinal alignment.
  • Suitable option for back sleepers
  • It can be used as a sleeping pad.

Cons:

  • The topper is quite expensive.

3. LUCID 3 Inch Ventilated Memory Foam Topper

LUCID 3 Inch Lavender Infused Memory Foam Mattress...
  • The 3-inch profile adds just the right amount of plushness and...
  • A calming lavender scent is infused directly into the memory foam...
  • This topper features a ventilated design to provide a more...
  • Foam is CertiPUR-US certified for highest standards of safety and...
  • New foam scent is normal and will dissipate over the first 48...

Lucid ventilated mattress topper is made of memory foam and is a premium memory foam that ensures your spine is aligned and eliminates pressure points by conforming to your body. The firmness of the memory foam mattress is somewhere in the middle, soft enough for contouring your body but firm enough to offer your generous body support. Medium-firm toppers work best for people who suffer low back pain, knee and hip pain since they can help if your mattress is too firm.

Lucid mattress topper has a foam that is ventilated and therefore doesn't heat up at night, and the memory foam quality is top-notch; hence it doesn't deteriorate or sag quickly. These memory foam toppers easily adapt to your body shape, whether the side sleepers, back or even the stomach sleepers. Additionally, the memory foam mattress features an open-cell technology that limits lasting body impressions from forming in your foam mattress.

Pros:

  • Keeps your spine well-aligned
  • It is resistant to allergens and dust mites.
  • Offers good ventilation
  • The gel-infused memory foam regulates body heat and maintains coolness.
  • The topper relieves pressure from your back.
  • It packs a three-year warranty.Ideal for all sleepers

Cons:

  • It can smell when new, but if you air it for a few days, the smell will go away.
  • The topper may feel warm despite being ventilated for heat-sensitive sleepers.

4. LINENSPA 3 Inch Gel-Infused Mattress Topper

Linenspa 3 Inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Queen Mattress...
  • Three inches of ultra plush memory foam that conforms to your...
  • Infused with temperature regulating gel beads that capture and...
  • Comfortable memory foam distributes weight evenly to align the...
  • Available in plush 2 inch and 3 inch profiles; The 3 inch topper...
  • A comfortable and affordable way to rejuvenate an old mattress,...

LinenSpa gel memory foam mattress topper is among the best sellers with plenty of ratings regarding comfort and relieving lower back pain. The foam is said to be ultra plush which helps to soften hard mattresses and is equipped with unique gel beads that help regulate temperature and distribute it evenly across the sleep surface. Linenspa uses 100% Polyurethane memory foam infused with gel beads that regulate temperature and distribute pressure evenly to provide the sleeper with comfortable sleep.

With a 4 inches thick bed pad, the memory foam mattress topper is suitable for individuals with severe lower back pain, hip pain, neck pain, and generally people that have trouble finding sleep at an affordable price. It is also ideal for side sleepers who need cushioning if their mattress is too firm. However, the downside is you cannot wash it in the machine because it will reduce the quality. It is available in different sizes ranging from twin to California King size.

Pros:

  • Softens extra firm mattresses
  • Regulates temperature and distributes it evenly
  • An ideal option for lighter weight since it is a soft foam
  • Relieves back and hip pain
  • Naturally cradles your body providing extra comfort.

Cons:

  • It is not machine washable.
  • The topper does not come with a cover.Relatively expensive

5. Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper

Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper - Medium...
  • Medium Firmness - Provides Pinpointed Comfort & Support
  • Adjusts to your Body Instantly - Latex Foam Naturally Stays Cool
  • Made of Natural Latex Harvested from Organically Grown Rubber...
  • GOLS Certified Organic (Global Organic Latex Standard)
  • Oeko-Tex Standard 100 - Greenguard Gold - ecoInstitut Certified

Pure Green latex mattress topper is produced from 100% latex, making it quite pricey compared to the synthetic toppers or the memory foam ones. This is a firm mattress topper that is a suitable option for any mattress that feels too soft, offering pressure point relief and improving spinal alignment and compression support. Being more reliable than a memory foam mattress topper, the latex mattress toppers are rated as medium-firm and are available in standard sizes ranging from Twin size to Cal King size, with each size being available in several inches of thickness.

The thicker the topper on your bed is, the more support it offers for back pain sufferers. However, natural latex is delicate and should be handled with extra care to avoid tearing the latex pad. Make sure you purchase a cover for your latex topper to protect the latex against stains, dirt, and moisture.

Pros:

  • It is 100% natural and GOLS organic certified.
  • The topper offers maximum and excellent support.
  • Suitable for too soft mattresses
  • Three depth optionsIdeal for all sleeping positions

Cons:

  • It does not come with a cotton cover.
  • It is relatively expensive.

What to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain

There are specific features one should consider before making a mattress topper purchase, and we have listed them below:

1. Conforming Ability

This is when mattress toppers allow heavy and wider body parts to sink in more, helping relieve pressure buildup on such areas while maintaining the spine's natural alignment. Most mattress toppers are built to add some conforming, mostly the thicker and softer options, but thin and firm mattresses may not conform as much.

2. Sleeping Position

Any sleeping position determines which body parts put force on the mattress, where the pressure may build up, and how aligned your spine is. The side sleepers may need to get mattress toppers with additional cushioning for their shoulders and hips, while back sleepers may need a somewhat firmer surface to prevent sinking. Before you decide on the best mattress topper for your mattress, consider your favorite sleeping position.

3. Price

The price of mattress toppers varies depending on the quality of the materials used and the construction process. Most budget-friendly and low-priced options may use lower-quality materials that may easily break down, but they provide a quick short-term fix for an uncomfortable mattress. However, the expensive ones might resist rapid deterioration and sag because of unmatched quality and therefore giving you service. Whichever price point you are using, pick the most durable toppers with no sag for long-lasting comfort.

4. Firmness Level

How firm a mattress topper can determine how much conforming a mattress can do and the amount of support you can get. Keep in mind that a customer's body weight plays a role in how the firmness may feel like. This is because heavier sleepers of over 230 pounds may quickly sink into a soft mattress topper, and therefore they need a firm option. On the other hand, customers under 130pounds may not put a lot of pressure on the mattress topper to cause it to sink; hence they need a soft topper.

Anyone looking to relieve back pain, choose the firmness wisely because soft products can mess your back more, while an extra firm mattress topper might be challenging to sleep in depending on your weight. Also, gauge your options based on your current mattress, where if your mattress is a little firm, you could use a soft topper.

5. Pressure Relief

Mattress toppers also help to relieve pressure points by evenly redistributing the users' weight across the bed. The relief of pressure can reduce the pressure buildup that was previously on shoulders or hips. If you are looking for more pressure relief, choose thick toppers because they conform more.

6. Thickness

Mattress toppers for back pain have a thickness that ranges from 1 to 4 inches of thickness. The thickness of a mattress topper determines how much the contouring and cushioning the topper provides and adjusts your sleep surface.

For high back pain levels, pick the thickness of 4 inches, which offers more support relieving pressure points. However, if you don't have severe back pain, a thinner mattress topper will work fine since you don't have to reduce pressure points. It would help if you also got pads with densities between 3 and 5 pounds per cubic foot.

7. Quality Materials

For a topper for back pain, the quality of materials is crucial to ensure the lower back pain gets better and not worse. High-quality materials may sometimes have useful characteristics such as a bounce and temperature regulation that supports how someone sleeps through the night. High-end materials give you service by lasting for a long time, unlike low-quality mattress toppers that may also last long but don't stand a chance in the high-quality topper mattress potential benefits.

8. Heat Retention

There is a perfect sleeping temperature, and different mattress toppers give different temperatures. For example, memory foam mattress toppers get warm quickly. They may retain heat from your body, and gel-infused memory foam can spread your body heat evenly while at the same time cooling our sleeping environment. A latex topper is recommended as foam toppers because they are cooler and circulate the air better.

To avoid getting mattress toppers that retain heat, invest in the ones with a cooling gel feature that releases heat from foam mattress toppers. To get a comfortable night's sleep, get mattress toppers with extra components or moisture-wicking properties that ensure moisture or sweat does not stick to the mattress topper.

9. Motion Transfer

Some mattress toppers are designed to reduce the release of kinetic energy that disrupts your sleep when sharing the bed with someone. Most memory foam or latex toppers have been designed to absorb any motion and isolate it around the topper area. Therefore, you should get a mattress topper with motion transfer technology if you sleep with someone that tosses and turns in their sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What kind of mattress topper is best for back pain?

The most common types of mattress toppers for back pain are memory foam, latex, and polyfoam. They are popular because they form according to the sleeper's body and relieve pressure, maintaining a well-aligned spinal arrangement.

2. What is the best mattress topper for a side sleeper?

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Supreme Mattress Topper is the best because medium-firm and side sleepers have exaggerated pressure points on the shoulders and hips.

3. What firmness of mattress do hotels use?

Hotels usually use a medium-firm range because many guests sleep each year. Softer mattresses won't withstand regular use. 

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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