6 Best Mattress Toppers For Back Pain In 2021

If you frequently feel stabbing pain along your back, you don’t have to grin and bear it. Sometimes, you can alleviate the discomfort by updating your bedding!

And no –  this doesn’t mean you have to shell out hundreds of dollars for a new bed. Mattress toppers can provide the comfort and pressure relief you need.

After testing dozens of online mattress toppers, we landed on six that will help ease the ache. These are the best mattress toppers for back pain in 2021.

Don’t know what to look for? Scroll down to our buyer’s guide. There, we go over all of the important aspects to consider when shopping for a mattress topper to soothe back pain.

Our Top Picks

• Saatva – Best Rated
• Casper – Best Mattress Topper For Lower Back Pain
• ViscoSoft – Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper For Back Pain
• TEMPUR-Topper Supreme – Best Luxury Mattress Topper For Back Pain
• Avocado – Best Firm Mattress Topper 
• Dreamfoam – Best Budget Mattress Topper

 

Want to learn more about each of these mattress toppers? We’ve provided all of the details you’ll need below!

Best Rated

Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper

When pain pierces your lower back, you’ll need a topper that can ease the strain. The Saatva Graphite, with its many luxurious features, is our top pick. 

This 3″ mattress topper has a plush, slow-moving feel. It feels soft enough to ease pressure, but not so soft that your back will sink out of alignment. If you’re a back or side sleeper with back pain, you’ll especially want to consider the Saatva. 

In addition to softening your mattress, the Saatva Graphite topper helps you stay cool. Thanks to its unique graphite infusion, this topper draws heat away from the body. 

And because it’s made out of high-quality memory foam, it isolates motion well. If you share a bed with someone, this is great news. On this topper, you’re less likely to feel your partner’s movements in the middle of the night. 

Last but not least — this topper is very durable. We expect it to last at least five years. 

What Makes The Saatva Stand Out?

• It creates the right amount of softness and pressure relief you’ll need if you suffer from back pain. 
• This topper is well-suited for back and side sleepers. 
• It has a graphite infusion, which helps sleepers stay cool at night. 
• It isolates motion well, so it’s great for couples. 
• The Saatva Graphite is especially durable. 

Read the full Saatva mattress topper review. 

Best Mattress Topper For Lower Back Pain

Casper

Most toppers have one or two comfort layers, but the Casper has three! All of them work together to create a balance of comfort and support, which is especially beneficial for those dealing with lower back pain. 

The first comfort layer, made of alt-latex foam, creates wonderful body contouring. Beneath that, you’ll find a layer of graphite-infused foam. This material helps sleepers stay cool at night, so you won’t have to worry about waking up feeling hot and clammy. At the bottom sits a support layer made of memory foam.

This topper should soften a mattress by two points. If you’re a back or side sleeper, it will work great for you. 

Because of its unique construction, the Casper topper should last a long time. 

What Makes The Casper Stand Out?

• It has three layers, which combine to create both comfort and support. This is especially great for people with lower back pain. 
• It will soften a mattress, so it’s a good choice for back and side sleepers. 
• The graphite infusion helps sleepers stay cool.
• This topper is made with durable materials, so it will last a long time. 

Read the full Casper mattress topper review. 

Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper For Back Pain

ViscoSoft High-Density Mattress Topper

If you’re a fan of memory foam, check out the ViscoSoft High-Density mattress topper. 

Because it’s 3″ thick, this product creates excellent pressure relief — which is especially beneficial if you suffer from back pain. The ViscoSoft topper will soften a mattress by two points, so it’s well-suited for back and side sleepers. 

And you won’t need to worry about the memory foam trapping heat. This topper has a gel infusion running throughout, which helps keep sleepers cool all night long. 

To make things even better, the ViscoSoft High-Density mattress topper has four corner straps that keep it secure to the top of the bed. If you happen to make a mess, you can easily clean it. Just unzip the cover and wash on the cold cycle!

What Makes The ViscoSoft Stand Out?

• It is 3″ thick, so it creates wonderful pressure relief — an especially important thing for those suffering from back pain. 
• It has a slow-moving memory foam feel, but it won’t trap heat. 
• Because it’s made with high-density foam, it’s a great match for side and back sleepers. 
• This topper has four corner straps, and it’s machine washable. 

Read the full ViscoSoft mattress review

Best Luxury Mattress Topper For Back Pain

TEMPUR-Topper Supreme

When most people think about memory foam, their mind jumps to TEMPUR-Pedic’s luxurious, slow-moving tempur material. This is the kind of bedding you can really sink into, and if you need extra pressure relief for your back pain, it will do the trick. 

This high-end mattress topper will significantly soften a mattress, and it’s great for back and side sleepers. Because it’s 3″ thick, the TEMPUR-Topper Supreme is fantastic for a variety of different body types. Whether you’re lightweight or heavier, this topper will provide soothing pressure relief. 

And, like all TEMPUR-Pedic products, this topper will last a long time. It’s a bit more of an investment up front, but it has an impressive lifespan. 

What Makes The TEMPUR-Topper Stand Out?

• It features 3″ of luxurious Tempur material.
• The TEMPUR-Topper Supreme is great for a variety of different body types. 
• This product will significantly soften a mattress.
• It is made with high-quality materials, so it has a long lifespan. 

Read the full TEMPUR-Topper Supreme review. 

Best Firm Mattress Topper For Back Pain

Avocado Mattress Topper

If you’re a stomach sleeper, you’ll need a sleeping surface that feels firm and supportive. If your bed is too soft, your hips may sink into the mattress. This not only gets your body out of alignment — it can also lead to lower back pain. 

Unlike many bedding products on the market, the Avocado mattress topper adds support and firmness. It has a responsive feel, so you won’t sink into the layers like you might on a memory foam topper. 

Its cover, made of organic cotton, feels soft and breathable. Beneath this sits a layer of organic Dunlop latex, a material that helps sleepers stay cool at night. These materials are especially durable, so this topper should last a long time.  

What Makes The Avocado Stand Out?

• This topper adds support, so it’s a great choice for stomach sleepers. 
• It’s made with eco-friendly and organic materials. 
• This topper has a responsive feel, so it won’t trap heat easily. 
• It’s an especially durable mattress topper.

Read the full Avocado mattress topper review.

Best Budget Mattress Topper

Dreamfoam

The Dreamfoam Gel Swirl mattress topper helps alleviate back pain — without breaking the bank. 

This 2″ topper is made with classic memory foam, so it provides wonderful body contouring. The slow-moving material will ease pressure along shoulders and hips while side sleeping and ease hip pain while back sleeping. Because this topper isn’t incredibly thick, you’ll still get the necessary support for your lower back. 

Unlike many memory foam toppers, the Dreamfoam has a gel infusion running throughout. This material helps pull heat away from the body, so you shouldn’t overheat at night. 

Plus, with our Mattress Clarity coupons, this is the most affordable mattress topper on our list! 

What Makes The Dreamfoam Stand Out?

• This mattress topper creates excellent body contouring and helps relieve pressure, which is great for people who suffer from back pain. 
• Because it has a slow-moving memory foam feel, it’s a good match for back and side sleepers. 
• It has a gel infusion running throughout, which should prevent sleepers from overheating at night. 

Read the full Dreamfoam mattress topper review.

How Do Mattress Toppers Help With Back Pain?

Old mattresses can exacerbate back pain, but that doesn’t mean you have to throw your current bed in the garbage. By adding a mattress topper, you can refresh your mattress and bring back its original comfort.

The best toppers create both comfort and support. You’ll need some pressure relief, but you don’t want your body to sink out of the proper alignment. Side and back sleepers will benefit from a thick and plush topper, while stomach sleepers will need something more supportive.

Of course, there’s a lot to know about the world of mattress toppers. Let’s take a close look at each element, one by one.

What’s The Best Type Of Mattress Topper For Back Pain?

After a quick search online, you’ll like find hundreds of different mattress toppers. How do you know which type is best for back pain? To make the process easier, we’ve broken down the most popular models below.

Memory Foam

Memory foam remains one of the most popular materials for mattress toppers. If you’re a back or side sleeper with back pain, this material can help alleviate the pressure. Thanks to its slow-moving feel, you’ll really sink into it. This creates comfy body contouring around the lower back, which helps soothe pain.

On the downside, memory foam tends to overheat at night. If you already struggle with this, we recommend looking for a cooling memory foam topper. Gel and graphite infusions helps pull heat away from the body, and open-celled foams promote airflow.

Polyfoam

Most commonly found in budget mattress toppers, polyfoam doesn’t have a long lifespan. Oftentimes, manufacturers only use this material in a small portion of the bedding product. If you purchase a topper made entirely out of polyfoam, you’ll still get some nice pressure relief and comfort, but you may have to replace the product after a short while.

Latex

If you love a mattress topper that feels bouncy and responsive, look for something made out of latex foam. Unlike memory foam, latex quickly springs back into place after you apply pressure. This has many benefits. First, because you won’t sink into it too much, this material doesn’t trap body heat. Also, latex lasts much longer than many other materials. Many latex toppers feel quite firm, so they could work well for stomach sleepers.

Down

Down toppers are made out of geese or duck plumage, and they create a soft and malleable feel. They don’t provide much support though, so we don’t recommend them for people dealing with back pain. Down also tends to trap dust mites. If you already suffer from allergies, you may want to look for a topper made with down alternative.

Feather

Feather beds often get confused with down mattress toppers, but they aren’t quite the same thing. Feather beds are made with, you guessed it, geese and duck feathers. Down, on the other hand, utilizes the bird’s plumage.

The main difference between the two? Feather beds have a higher density. They create a bit more support than down toppers, but we still don’t recommend them for those suffering with back pain.

Wool

Wool mattress toppers don’t create much pressure relief, so they may not work well for back and side sleepers dealing with pain. However, if you’re a stomach sleeper, a wool topper could help you stay in the proper alignment.

This material can get pricey, but it does have many benefits. First, it helps regulate temperature. Wool stays dry in the summer and warm in the winter. These toppers also last a long time, and they create an extra layer of comfy softness.

What To Consider When Buying A Mattress Topper For Back Pain

We’ve learned about the different types of toppers out there. Now, let’s narrow the search even more. Here are the main things to consider when buying a mattress topper for back pain.

Feel

Before clicking “add to cart,” you’ll want figure out what you want your mattress topper to feel like. If you love sinking inside your bed and feeling its luxurious comfort all around you, shop for a memory foam mattress topper. But what if you prefer to sleep on top of the bed, rather than inside it? In that case, you’ll want to look for a topper made with a responsive material like latex.

Firmness

Back pain sufferers will especially want to pay attention to their bed’s firmness level. If your bed feels too firm or too soft, you won’t get the proper spinal support.

To make things clearer, we created a firmness scale that ranges from 1 – 10. Medium firm mattresses come in at 6.5/10.

First, consider your mattress’s current firmness level. If it’s closer to an 8/10, you may want a topper that will soften it by a few points. If your bed feels like a 5/10, look for something that will make your bed firmer.

Sleeping Position

When you regularly experience back pain, it’s especially important to make sure your bed promotes the proper spinal alignment in your sleeping position.

Back sleepers will need a mattress that provides both comfort and support. They’ll need some body contouring and pressure relief along the lower back. But if it’s too soft, the bed could cause back sleepers to rest in an unnatural position.

Side sleepers will need some extra pressure relief along shoulders and hips, so they may benefit from a thick memory foam topper. Stomach sleepers need firm beds in order to keep their backs in the correct alignment.

Pressure Relief

Many people experience back pain because their mattresses don’t provide enough pressure relief. Back and side sleepers will especially need to find a topper that can soothe pain along shoulders and hips. Stomach sleepers may not need to worry about this issue, because they need firm mattresses.

Thickness

Most often, mattress toppers come in three thickness levels: 1″, 2″, and 3″.  Heavier side and back sleepers will want to look for a 3″ topper, because this will create the most pressure relief. If you’re a lightweight back or side sleeper, a 2″ topper could work well. Stomach sleepers may only need a 1″ topper, because these often feel firmer.

Durability

Mattress toppers, in general, don’t last as long as mattresses. Some, however, can sleep comfortably for up to five years. Sometimes, it’s worth paying more money up front so you get something that lasts through the years. But if you’re only sleeping on the topper occasionally, you may not need to invest in a high-end model.

Budget

Toppers come in a variety of different price points. Sometimes, it’s not necessary to choose the most luxurious option. Luckily, we’ve included options that should work for many different budgets! And if you need more ideas, take a look at our list of the best cheap mattress toppers.

Final Thoughts

Need a refresher? Here are the six best mattress toppers for back pain in 2021.

Mattress	Best For
Saatva Graphite	Best Rated
Casper	Best Mattress Topper For Lower Back Pain
ViscoSoft	Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper
TEMPUR-Topper Supreme	Best Luxury Mattress Topper
Avocado	Best Firm Mattress Topper
Dreamfoam	Best Budget Mattress Topper

If you tend to sleep hot at night, look for one of the best cooling mattress toppers.

FAQs

If you want to learn more about mattress toppers for back pain, we’ve got you covered.

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