Best Firm Mattress Toppers

Most people add mattress toppers to their bed for added cushion and softness, but did you know that a mattress topper can also make your sleep surface more firm?

A high-density mattress topper can make your mattress more firm and supportive, while keeping your spine in alignment and relieving pain at the pressure points. In this guide, we’ll review our top picks for the best firm mattress toppers and help you learn how to shop for one for your mattress.

The Best Firm Mattress Toppers

• Best Budget Topper- Sleep Innovations
• Best Firm Memory Topper – Tempur-Pedic
• Best Firm Latex Topper – Sleep On Latex
• Best Gel Foam Topper – ViscoSoft

What is a Firm Mattress Topper?

Mattress toppers are bedding accessories that add a little extra comfort to your mattress. They are often used to boost the quality of an older mattress, provide extra cushiness, or change up the overall feel of your bed. 

In this case, the toppers we’re reviewing here are used to add firmness to your bed. Firm foam toppers work to resist your body weight, keeping you from sinking. High-density mattress toppers can also help align your spine and relieve pressure points. 

Related: Best mattress toppers for back pain

Although mattress toppers do serious work, don’t confuse firm mattress toppers for punishment. They can be just as comfy and conforming as other densities and many people actually prefer a firm density to other options. On the contrary, soft mattress toppers can also provide comfort, just in a different way.

Firm foam pays off. Lack of support, while you sleep, will definitely cause discomfort and can even eventually lead to bigger issues. If you’re someone that requires a supportive topper that goes above and beyond for your back, you know how frustrating it is to look for one that can measure up. Luckily, there are options out there that put firm density at the top of the checklist.

Pros of a firm mattress topper

• Less stress on muscles, veins, and arteries when you sleep.
• Allows for more oxygen intake when sleeping
• Keeps your lower back from collapsing when sleeping.
• Gives old mattresses a brand new life.

Cons of a firm mattress topper

• Some brands are exquisite while others are way below par.
• Sometimes you have to choose for size over firmness and depth.
• Satisfaction depends on the level of pain relief you desire from topper while feeling comfortable.

How to Find the Best Firm Mattress Topper

If you’re looking for a product that can guarantee great sleep and alleviate discomfort, you’ll want to break down this list of factors before you buy. Weighing your choices in material, breathability, thickness, and density will lead you to the option that balances your bed the best.

Material

Most mattress toppers are made from memory foam, while other brands are made with polyurethane foam, latex, and others. Which one do you choose? Use the following descriptions to help guide your selection. Understand your preferences based on this information regarding the materials available.

Latex mattress toppers

• All-natural material made from sap of rubber trees.
• Wide range of firmness degrees.
• Different latex toppers have different feels.
• Adds softness to a mattress that is too firm.
• Expensive and can make people too hot.

Memory foam mattress toppers

• Mostly made of polyurethane and other chemicals that increase viscosity and density.
• Denser than other foam mattresses, meaning more supportive and heavier.
• Retains heat so it can be too hot in summer.
• May cause more respiratory irritation than other materials.

Polyester blend mattress toppers

• Known as fiberfill, feel like feathers without the allergens
• Inexpensive and odorless.
• Flatten quickly, leaving little support or padding

Feather mattress toppers

• Also known as featherbeds, like duvets stuffed with feathers.
• Less expensive.
• Does not retain heat.
• Super soft but offer little support.
• Feathers compress, shafts poke through fabric, contain allergens, and can be noisy.

Wool mattress toppers

• Natural wool fleece are mattress pads instead of toppers.
• Cool in summer, warm in winter.
• Soft and cozy.
• Naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic.
• Expensive and hard to find.
• Not supportive enough to soothe chronic pain.

Breathability

Breathability refers to a topper’s tendency to retain body heat or regulate temperature. For example, memory foam retains heat but wool regulates temperature, staying cool in summer and warm in winter. Latex and polyester blends can also be hot. 

So if you tend to overheat at night and these materials are not ideal for you, explore cooling mattress toppers. Choosing a topper that allows airflow offers breathability that protects your sleep and also your topper from damage. Consider gel-infused memory foam toppers to help you stay cool at night.

Thickness

If a mattress topper has a higher thickness, that usually means that it’s made with more than one material and it’s more capable of conforming perfectly to your body. 

The thickness of toppers range between two and eight inches. Typically, memory foam and latex mattress toppers have the best range of thickness. 

Density

Density is measured in pounds per cubic feet. Most toppers have a density ranging between 2 and 6 pounds per cubic foot. The higher the density, the higher the cost. 

The cost can be worth it as density helps support your body and conform long-term to your body shape. Mattress toppers can vary drastically when it comes to density. Make sure that you pick one that explicitly identifies as “firm,” and be sure to look at pounds per cubic foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Greenguard Gold Certified mean?

A Greenguard Gold certification means that the product is considered safe for the most sensitive of individuals. These products are safe for children and the elderly to use and can be used in schools and healthcare facilities.

What does Oeko-Tex Certified mean?

An Oeko-Tex certification guarantees that the product has been lab-tested, ensuring that the textiles used are free from harmful substances.

How is density measured?

The density of a foam is measured by how much it weighs in comparison to its cubic square feet. Low-density foam weighs in at a rating of three or fewer pounds by the cubic foot. You know when you’re in the high-density range if a product has a rating of six pounds by the cubic foot or more. 

Summary

Here’s a recap of the best firm mattress toppers we’ve reviewed: 

Mattress Topper	Material	Best for	Rating
Sleep Innovations	Gel memory foam	Budget	4.4/5
Tempur-Pedic	Memory foam	Firm Foam	4.4/5
Sleep On Latex	Natural latex	Firm Latex	4.2/5
ViscoSoft	Gel-infused memory foam	Firm Gel	4.3/5

The verdict is in; there’s no topping this perfect list of firm mattress toppers. If you’re someone who needs a firmer density or just likes a sturdier sleep- refer to these options to find your best firm mattress topper.