Best Mattress Topper For Back Pain (Upper & Lower)
Last Updated: January, 2021 | This Post May Contain Affiliate Links
People who experience constant back pain will often have their quality of sleep compromised due to discomfort. Many mattress toppers have been created to provide you with the relief and comfort that you need to wake up the next morning refreshed and energized for the day. In order to know which mattress topper will be the best for you, you will need to know what factors to consider and how the best mattress toppers can help you with your back pain. We've tested a range of the best mattress toppers for back pain so keep reading to see our findings.
7 Best Mattress Toppers For Back Pain
Pros
Cons
Summary
You don’t have to get a new mattress to get the support you need for your back. We love how this mattress topper uses all organic latex, which is best for the environment while keeping allergens at bay. When it comes to moving around, this isn’t a mattress topper that sinks and makes it hard to get comfortable. The latex and foam provides just enough bounce back to make getting out of bed easy, while also taking the strain off pressure points. When you have back pain, these are crucial qualities.
You can get the same quality and basic construction, but with the tailored support you need. There’s no settling for a harder or softer mattress topper just because your back hurts. You can choose between four different levels of firmness depending on what you need. Choose between soft, medium, medium firm, or extra firm depending on where you need support. This is a bonus, since it can be really hard to find a soft feeling mattress or mattress topper that still provides enough support.
We recommend the softer options for people that have more pain in pressure points (like hips, shoulders, or knees), and the firmer options for people that need more support in keeping their spine aligned.
Pros
Cons
Summary
One thing that really stood out to us about this mattress topper is that it solves two problems back pain sufferers often complain about. First, most people already don’t have enough support in their mattress. This is a major cause of back pain if you’re not aligned and supported. Second, we know how hard it is to move around to find a cool spot when you’re already in pain. This mattress topper delivers a solution to both problems.
It gives your back relief, and it’s designed to stay cool and ventilated throughout the night. We really like the unique design of this topper, which includes a beehive like hexagon structure. It feels a lot different than other mattress toppers for back pain, and works just as well. It’s technically called HIVE technology, but we’re just glad it works as well as it does. Each support area is spaced to deliver the kind of cushion and structure that your back, hips, and shoulders need most. Plus, it also helps to keep the bed cooler throughout the night.
We liked the firmer support we felt along the spine, and the softer cushioning feel we get around our shoulders, hips, and pressure points.
Pros
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Summary
We had to try this one given all the hype it's received and it went beyond expectations because it also does a great job relieving back pain. Plus, It’s one of the most affordable mattress toppers targeted to back pain out there. There’s no reason to buy an entirely new mattress when you can simply top your mattress with this, and get all the same benefits (if not more).
Because it uses cooling memory foam, it adapts to both your body heat, and your sensitive pressure points. As soon as we checked it out, it became obvious how adaptable it is. It isn’t made with your typical static layer of support foam. Gel beads within the memory foam help create this effect. While a lot of memory foam simply conforms to your body shape, the gel beads take it up a step.
When you lay down, the gel beads shift to provide support where you need it most, and to cushion areas like pressure points. This memory foam mattress topper helps keep your spine and the rest of your back aligned by equalizing pressure, and we found it to be a real game changer.
Pros
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Summary
Back pain is no joke, and we’ve been on the search for the right mattress topper to make waking up a breeze. Some mattresses and mattress toppers rely on stacked layers to provide back support. While this mattress topper does have three different stacked layers, that’s not the only way it caters to people with back pain.
The upper layer feels comfortable, but what we really noticed is how well it gets rid of hot spots. The middle layer is memory foam gel with beads that keeps you supported, increases ventilation, and even wicks away moisture. The bottom layer has a really special design, which makes it especially best for back pain.
The bottom layer isn’t just for support. Other mattress toppers have a solid layer with the same support throughout. This mattress topper has three distinct zones (as you might guess from the name). Near the head and feet, the patterning gets smaller, which provides more gentle support. Then, in the center, there’s larger patterning to create firmer support for your back and spine. It seems like a lot of detail, but these details really make all the difference.
Pros
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Summary
The Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a 2 inch-thick copper-gel infused memory foam mattress pad made to be comfortable for people with back pain. It claims to keep your bed cool and after testing it, we can confirm how effective it was!
This mattress topper is accompanied by a cover infused with Thermogel to help spread the heat across the pad. One of the advantages of having a topper is that it’s not only an added cushion to your bed, but it also acts as an antimicrobial protection shield that will keep your original mattress clean and free of bacteria. It also comes with straps to secure the topper to the bed, and make sure that it doesn’t move throughout the night.
We found that it’s best to leave it out for a whole 24 hours for it to expand to its fullest. To our surprise, the Layla Mattress topper also comes with a firmer side for those who prefer firm mattress toppers. Oftentimes, we expect memory foam mattress toppers to only be super soft for the most comfortable experience, but the firmer side was able to provide the same back relief. We were still able to enjoy the cool feeling of the copper.
We felt great support when lying on the back as it mainly targeted the lumbar area. It is also quite comfortable for side sleepers in terms of pressure relief, but can be too soft when lying on the stomach. We definitely recommend this topper if you tend to sleep on your back and are a fan of memory foam. This topper is on the softer side, so if you’re not a fan then it might not be the best choice for you. You can still try out the firm side on a firm bed, but if it’s not to your liking, you can get a 100% refund back.
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Summary
Tempur-pedic is a known brand within the industry, so when we saw they also had a topper available to purchase, we had to try it out. This is a memory foam topper that is specifically designed to be medium-firm. It comes with a washable cover and is supposed to last for over two years. We thought this was a great change from the usual soft memory foam topper, since some of us prefer firmer beds than softer ones. Despite its firmness, it completely molds to the body and provides ergonomic support.
The cover is made of a knit polyester blend which allows the body to breathe and keep the mattress always fresh. After first use, we noticed the topper felt quite firm, which surprised us considering this is after all memory foam. However, the body starts to sink in while retaining its thickness and a certain level of firmness.
Another difference between the Tempurpedic TEMPUR Supreme 3 inch Topper and other memory foam toppers is its design. The topper uses the TEMPUR material which is meant to slowly respond to pressure rather than fall right into the bed. For this reason, it doesn’t feel as bouncy, and it doesn’t need to be. Instead, it feels great to relieve back and shoulder pain.
Pros
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Summary
The ViscoSoft 3 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a 3-inch gel-infused high-density memory foam topper meant to align the spine and prevent users from sinking too much into the topper.
Once we received the package, we waited a whole 48 hours to make sure we get the full experience. Like other toppers, the cover protects the memory foam from getting used up too quick, and can be thrown in the wash. It is slip resistant and comes with straps to keep the topper in place for a good night sleep, and weighs close to 40 pounds. This means it is more durable, firmer, and isolates the weight distribution if you sleep with a partner.
We found this topper to especially support the neck and the back, without sinking in too deep. The memory foam adjusts to the body and sleeping position. For back sleepers, it allows the hips to sink in the right amount, while side sleepers can feel relief all along their sides. It especially presses against the lumbar area preventing the hips from sinking in too much. However, like other toppers, this one isn’t recommended for stomach sleepers as no support is felt under the hips.
The ViscoSoft 3 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper is also designed to provide ventilation and dissipate the heat. The Rayon from Bamboo cover is meant to work in tandem with the mattress topper to not only make sure that the body is well aligned, but also keep the body temperature neutral. We recommend this mattress to anyone who wants to feel like they’re sleeping on a cloud. It has all in one: medium firmness, straps, cooling gel, thickness, and a 60-day trial if you’re not satisfied with the product.
Benefits of Getting a Mattress Topper Specifically For Back Pain
For a mattress topper to benefit you, you need to buy one that has the right depth and also individually matches with your bed. The correct mattress topper can convert a great and comfortable mattress into an extraordinary one. Here are more details on the benefits of mattress toppers:
Related Content: Best mattress topper for hip pain
Comfort
When you sleep on a core mattress that has no additional topper, your body compresses the softer top component. This causes discoloration on the mattress due to sweat. The extra layer provided by the topper layer not only adds extra comfort but makes it easy to turn and rotate the mattress. It also resolves mattress construction-related issues that come with one-sided mattresses.
Offers Protection
People often tend to sleep directly on their mattresses. However, whether it’s through sleeping directly or not covering it, you leave it open to sweat, germs and dirt. A mattress topper will not only increase your comfort but also increase the longevity of your mattress. By protecting your mattress from harboring sweat, germs and indentations, a mattress topper increases the longevity of the mattress.
Your body releases a lot of moisture through normal breathing, sweating and the release of other fluids. Most of these fluids get into the mattress, duvet and bed covers or bed sheets. With a mattress topper, sweat does not seep through into your mattress.
Indentations can also occur when your foam is compressed due to an increase in body weight affecting the foam structure. Instead, the topper will sag and instead of your mattress. This prevents the top layers of your mattress from slumping.
Dirt dead skin and bacteria can also land on your mattress. With dirt, sweat and germs eradicated, you will reduce the possibility of developing allergic and asthmatic symptoms caused by breathing harmful microorganisms.
Cooling Effect
Most memory foam mattresses tend to feel comfortable. But with time, they retain too much body heat and end up so hot. The breathable wool combined with the cooling gel that is used to make the best mattress toppers combats this issue.
How to Choose a Mattress Topper if You’re a Side Sleeper
Compared to other sleeping styles, side sleepers have more requirements look out for when choosing a mattress and a topper. You will first need a good mattress so always examine your mattress for worn out and dented sections. Any indentations can add extra pressure to your body, making your sleep that much more uncomfortable. If need be, you might even have to buy a brand new mattress before you buy a topper.
The body weight of side sleepers is mostly concentrated in the shoulder and hip areas. This brings about the potential risk of hurting your back and joints. As a side sleeper, you need to go through all the main features a topper has to get the most out of your purchase. Here are features to consider when choosing a mattress topper for side sleeping.
Thickness
Different sleeping positions require different mattress topper thickness. While stomach sleepers are comfortable on a very thin mattress, side sleepers are not. Side sleepers have a hard time sleeping on a thin mattress since it has no padding.
When choosing a topper, buy a thick one with a depth of around 7 cm to maintain a straight spine when sleeping. Thick toppers also come in handy if you suffer from back pain.
Check the firmness level of your mattress to determine the actual size of your mattress topper. Ensure that your spine is aligned and that you’re not sinking too deeply into your bed to avoid future joint and back problems. A medium-soft mattress topper or a thick one is the top recommended choice.
Memory Foam or Latex
If you are a side sleeper, a memory foam or latex mattress toppers is the best choice. The materials conforms to your body shape promoting a straight spine. It’s also durable.
Heat Retention Capability
Most users have a problem with heat retention when using memory foam toppers. A cheap mattress topper with no ventilation is a bad choice if you live in a warm or hot climate. It doesn’t matter if you are a side sleeper or not, the end result is a stuffy and hot night which affects your sleep.
To prevent this, topper manufacturers have improved the air flow and ventilation within a mattress by making toppers that heat quickly and easily. In turn, this helps to regulate your body temperature.
Level of maintenance
Since they are not waterproof, it’s not possible to clean a memory foam mattress topper in a washing machine. Therefore, you have to spot clean the topper if needed. Dab it using a dry cloth to collect any excess moisture. If cleaning it is a problem, just use a waterproof cover to prevent your topper from staining, especially if you have young children.
Conclusion
From comfort to mattress hygiene, mattress toppers can really improve your sleep. Toppers are much better and cheaper, compared to having to frequently remove, wash or even replace the entire mattress. What mattress topper is best? Follow our tips or pick out any one of the best mattress topper for side sleepers we've listed in this guide and you'll be on your way to a much better sleep!