Best Firm Mattress Toppers (Great For Back Pain Relief)
Last Updated: May, 2023 | This Post May Contain Affiliate Links
Many people often suffer from joint and back pain due to an uncomfortable mattress that causes strain. In turn, this affects your daily routine and health due to a lack of quality sleep. This is where mattress toppers can be worth investing in.
So, can mattress topper make mattress firmer?
Absolutely yes! Mattress toppers have been known to have a great difference in how your mattress feels. With the right firm mattress toppers, an old saggy mattress can undergo a significant change in enhancing comfort and support.
If you prefer a firmer feel but your current mattress is too soft, investing in a firm mattress topper can be game-changing because a mattress topper can make a mattress firmer.
We've tested a handful of the most popular mattress toppers to compile this list to help you decide which topper is best for you. According to our tests, the best firm mattress topper is the Amerisleep Lift with the "support" firmness selected. It's airy and supportive which will help you sleep cool and stay asleep all night.
7 Best Firm Mattress Toppers
Amerisleep Lift (Support) Mattress Topper
Pick out the Amerisleep Lift Mattress Topper if you want something with just the right amount of support to keep you comfortable while keeping you cool too.
GhostBed Mattress Topper
This zoned firm mattress topper adds 3 inches of support to your existing mattress. The thick grooves allow for maximum airflow to keep you cool while you sleep.
Plushbeds Memory Foam Topper (5.43 lb density)
Made to be plush yet supportive, this PlushBeds Memory Foam Topper really stands out with its high level of support for your joints.
PlushBeds Natural Latex Mattress Topper
If you're looking for a natural topper that doesn't smell, provides extra support and is made to last for decades, latex can be a great option.
Molecule Triple Zone Mattress Topper
It's hard to find something more comfortable than this Molecule topper, which has three different zones and cooling foam, but which also is made to support you comfortably as you sleep.
ViscoSoft High-Density Mattress Topper
If you're looking for a gel-infused memory foam topper that conforms to your body shape, you can't go wrong with the ViscoSoft High-Density topper, which is dense, comfortable, and great for stomach sleepers.
UTTU Firm Mattress Topper
Firm and supportive: that's the UTTU Firm Mattress Topper. It sleeps cool and with two layers of foam, it will conform to all body types and sleep positions. Stomach sleepers, back sleepers or side sleepers will love this topper equally.
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Summary
All you need to upgrade your current sleeping situation is an Amerisleep Lift Mattress Topper. Just add it to your existing mattress to feel the ultra-breathable cover that will let you sleep cool throughout the entire night. You can also choose your level of firmness: Comfort or Support, but we've chosen to take a look at the Support topper, since it's firmer.
First off, we find it great that this topper has a five-year warranty, which means that you can call the company if you notice any problems. You're completely protected. We didn't have to worry about your topper falling off our bed since it has MicroGrip technology which keeps up a gentle friction that will keep the topper in place.
When we laid on this three-inch topper, it kept us comfortable without feeling too plush. Sleepers of all types can use this topper comfortably without feeling uncomfortable. However, for sleepers who weigh over 230lbs, a unique topper for heavy sleepers should give them the comfort and support they need.
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Summary
The GhostBed mattress topper is a firm 3in, zoned mattress topper that's changing the game. It goes above and beyond what most other mattress toppers offer, especially within its price range. It's designed to add significant support to your existing mattress, but still keep you cool throughout the night.
If you struggle with back pain while you sleep and need a mattress topper to make your mattress firmer, this is one of the best choices. For the price, it's a great overall value. It's not only thicker than most other toppers in the same price range, it has more cooling features and even comes with a 5 year warranty and a FREE waterproof mattress cover as well.
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Summary
PlushBeds is known for their mattress toppers, like this Memory Foam Topper, which uses CertiPUR memory foam. Choose your size and choose how many inches of foam you want along with the topper's density. We tested the 5.34 LB density foam and found that it had the perfect amount of foam, and helped relieve pressure specifically in the lower back and neck. It's a great upgrade for an aging mattress.
What makes this mattress unique is that the memory foam has a closely-knit structure that has more contact with your body, which means that it has more comfort and support. It also absorbs more shock, so if you move around a lot when you sleep, or you have a partner or a pet who tends to move around, this topper is a great option for you. Sleep freely with some great support underneath you.
Since this topper is made of memory foam, you'll notice that despite your body type, you'll have a lot of support underneath you for your hips, shoulders, back, and knees. After sleeping on it for a few days, we noticed that it did help with back pain, especially. This mattress topper doesn't use any fillers so we didn't notice any intense chemical smells.
See The Full Review: PlushBeds mattress topper review
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Summary
Latex is known for being firmer than foam, and this mattress topper is no different. It's a great pick if you're looking for a high-quality firm mattress topper. Pick your thickness, pick your size, and even pick how firm or soft you want it, ranging from soft to extra-firm. Either way, this latex topper is soft, bouncy, and optimized specifically for pressure-point relief for your shoulders, hips, back, and knees.
With the open-cell airflow design, you get better heat distribution that absorbs movement. If you happen to have a partner who moves a lot or who gets up a lot in the middle of the night, you'll find that this PlushBeds topper is a great option. It's great that it's natural too, which means that you won't need to worry too much about possible allergies.
You shouldn't need to worry about replacing this mattress topper all to soon either, since it has a lifespan of up to 20 years.
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Summary
This Molecule Triple Zone Mattress Topper may be firm, but it is known for a few other things as well, including temperature management, pressure relief, and just the right amount of firmness and foam for the optimal level of airflow and support. Especially if you're struggling with back pain, like many of us are, you'll love the fact that this mattress gives you so much support. It's nice that the variable pressure foaming is environmentally friendly too—just place it atop your existing mattress and feel the relief in your pressure points.
When we laid down on this mattress topper, we could really feel the two layers of CertiPur-US foam. This foam is air engineered to maximize your sleep potential by keeping you cool. The really impressive part of this mattress topper though is the fact that there are three geometric zones that are targeted to help you with pain relief.
You have small diamond zones for a softer feel around your head, and larger more hexagonal zones in the center which support your lumbar region. This is especially good for people who sit at the desk a lot. Even when you're lying on top of this foam, there's a lot of consistent airflow that makes it comfortable to lay atop without compromising your durability.
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Summary
For a firm mattress beneath you, look no further than this ViscoSoft High Density Mattress Topper. It's made from gel infused memory foam that will not only provide you with support, but which will also optimize your air flow so that you can sleep cooler through the night.
This mattress topper is pretty special though. It's made to prevent the usual body aches that you get when you sink into your mattress, thanks to the 3-inch high-density structure that aligns your spine and keeps you supported for the entire night.
Beyond the support and the cooling technology in the gel memory foam, we love how this topper comes with a removable and washable cover too. The cover is non-slip too, so you shouldn't notice your topper falling off the bed while you sleep during the night. Lie down to sleep comfortably with a topper that will conform to your body shape, no matter your weight.
It's great that this gel memory foam mattress topper is comfortable, regardless of your sleep position too. Stomach sleepers, side sleepers or back sleepers can all be comfortable, enjoying pressure relief without worrying about pain in their joints.
Pros
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Summary
What's special about this UTTU Firm Mattress Topper is that is has a 2-layer design. You have one layer of one-inch foam and a second layer of 2-inch UTTU Dynamic Foam. This combination of foam gives you a great balance of softness and support, which keeps this topper comfortable while allowing your spine to align perfectly.
We found that this topper really did relieve the pressure in the spine, and in various pressure points too. It helped with back pain and was super comfortable, thanks to the breathability, which prevented it from getting too hot during the night. With the unique ventilated design, you can rest well through the night.
You also don't need to worry about your partner or pet making too much movement on the other side. This firm topper is made to absorb motion while conforming to the natural curve of your body. All kinds of sleepers can rest comfortably, and all kinds of people of different weights find that it supports the body well. If you want to clean it, the cover is conveniently removable and washable.
Why Choose a Firm Topper?
A firm mattress topper creates a firm mattress feel. While a soft mattress compresses more easily due to pressure, a firmer mattress tends to be more rigid. How firm or soft the mattress is, is determined by the spring tension or how the spring was constructed within the mattress. Thankfully, you do not have to purchase a new firmer mattress - all you have to do is get a firm topper for better firmness.
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Here's more about why you should choose a firm topper:
Body Alignment
A firm mattress topper can hold your body in a neutral position. This allows your spine and other body parts like the head, shoulders, buttocks and heels to be aligned. If it's a high quality mattress topper, it will feel as if you're resting on air, giving you a therapeutic effect. If you suffer from aches and pains, a firm topper will improve your sleeping position.
Joint Pain Relief
For people suffering from aches and joint pains, a comfortable night's sleep on a firm mattress can help reduce the pain. This is because most firm memory foam toppers promote good spinal alignment when sleeping.
Great for Pregnant Mothers
For pregnant women that experience extra heat due to pregnancy, a firm mattress topper can help regulate their body temperature. Giving more spinal support and pressure relief helps pregnant moms get a better night's sleep too.
Teenagers
A firm topper is an ideal option for teenagers. As they grow, they do need good spinal alignment and joint support. For children and teenagers, investing in an ideal mattress topper for kids that's fully washable is a great idea too.
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Elderly
Most elderly people develop aches and joint pains. A good firm topper will help relieve pressure, leading to greater comfort. You can also get a cooling memory foam mattress topper which can be quite effective during warm weather. A wool-fill topper is a great option for if you're not looking for something that will be too hot. When choosing the best mattress toppers for an elderly person, consider how much support is needed. This will enable you to determine the right firmness.
Factors to Consider
Before buying a mattress topper there are several things to consider, especially since you want to make sure you invest correctly. Below are some key features to look at when choosing the right topper.
Back Pain
If you are looking for a topper that will help relieve any back pains or a bad posture, a firm topper is the best. Gel-infused or latex memory foam mattress toppers provide extra support to the body. Firm toppers are effective for pressure point support and spinal alignment.
Side and Stomach Sleepers
If you are a side and stomach sleeper, a firm mattress topper is the best option. This is because firm mattresses are thick enough and can not only provide support but also hold their shape. They are usually around 3-inch thick. A thick mattress surface prevents you from sinking and provides pressure relief.
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Plus-Sized Sleepers
Firm toppers offer better support for plus-sized sleepers. If your mattress is soft or medium-firm, extra thickness and firmness can enhance your sleeping experience.
Hot sleepers
A high-density firm topper made from high-quality materials is an excellent choice if you're a hot sleeper. It is also a good option for those who sweat excessively throughout the night. Made from natural, organic materials like foam and crafted into breathable, ventilated layers, toppers can enhance the breathability of the mattress. They also evenly distribute temperature and provide an additional cooling effect.
Materials and Construction
Firm mattress toppers aren't that plushy and soft and it's therefore important to pay attention to the materials used. Most firm mattress toppers are made from memory foam. But to make them firm, the memory foam isn't the regular type used in most soft toppers.
Instead, a firm topper's memory foam is usually made from natural, dense, latex foam that is gel infused and dense. These materials are beneficial, especially if you experience back conditions like back pain or pressure point pain in your hips, shoulders, back or neck. Extra materials like cotton or wool enhance airflow and make the topper breathable.
Firmness and Comfort
Similar to softest mattress toppers, firm mattress toppers have their own firmness and comfort level scale. However, each mattress topper's level scale differs from another. Before you buy any mattress topper, you need to know the topper firmness and comfort level scale. The scale usually ranges from 1 to 10. 1 is the softest and 10 is ultra-firm. The medium-firm scale starts at 4 all the way up to 5/6.
Warranty
The best mattress toppers will come with a warranty and depending on the brand, it can serve you on average from between one, five, or ten years. Be sure to check the companies' warranty before buying the mattress topper. Also, check the return policy or sleep trial so you know what you're signing up for.
Thickness
Decide what thickness you want. To make a soft mattress firmer, go for a thick topper that's at least four inches. If you don't need a drastic change in firmness, simply choose a topper that's about one to three inches thick.
Price
Mattress toppers have varying prices. The prices range from $100 to $400 with the luxury and high-quality types obviously being the most expensive. If the high-end price point is not within your budget, there are various mattress toppers on the market that cost up to $100 which are durable and made of and quality.
You can also get a luxurious, high-quality mattress topper from $200 to $400 that can last you longer. While settling on the best mattress topper based on a set budget can be a little difficult, you can still get a good one that will serve you for several years to come. Just be careful not to assume that a cheaper mattress topper isn't good, or an expensive one is the best. It all depends on your preference in terms of the quality, brand and budget.
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Closing Thoughts
Firm mattress toppers come with so many benefits and are among the best toppers on the market. If your mattress is too soft and isn't providing enough support, getting a firm topper is the easiest and most cost-effective way to increase firmness. With the help of a high quality topper, you can customize the firmness that you want while also protecting your mattress and helping it last longer through the years.