Best Firm Mattress Toppers

By Katie Dyal •

Mar 26th, 2021 •

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.

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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

Sleep Innovations

Best Budget Topper

The Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper by Sleep Innovations brings an innovative approach to sleep as you know it. This firm mattress topper has enhanced support for those who need a little more stability in bed. It’s affordable, easy to clean, and will have you catching Z’s quickly and comfortably.

This 4” mattress topper is made up of two layers; 2” of quilted fiber fill and 2” of gel memory foam. Gel memory foam is cooling, morphs to the shape of your body, and provides incredible support. Quilted fiberfill adds a lightness and softness that works as a cushion rather than firm support. These materials combined are what makes this mattress pad a great addition to your bed.

Pros:

Keeps you at optimal temperature.
Mattress is particularly firm.
10-year limited warranty

Cons:

Needs 48 hours to fully expand.
May have issues keeping its shape over time.

Tempur-Pedic

Best Firm Memory Foam Topper

Tempur-Pedic’s products have a great reputation in the memory foam mattress world and the TEMPUR-ProForm Mattress Topper is no exception. Three inches of special memory foam material is incredible at relieving pressure and conforms to be personalized to your body.

Related: TEMPUR-Pedic Mattress Toppers

This mattress topper has a medium-firm density, making it a good in-between option for those who are looking for firmness, but not the firmest. A washable cover allows for effortless maintenance and will lengthen the life of this already durable product.

Pros:

Conforming and multi-use.
Good for back pain.
Keeps you warm but not hot.

Cons:

More soft than firm.
Can shift occasionally.

Sleep On Latex

Best Firm Latex Topper

If you’re over memory foam and you want to try sleeping on latex, try the Pure Green Latex Mattress Topper by Sleep On Latex. The popularity of memory foam has overshadowed latex in recent years, but this material offers amazing benefits that are worth taking note of.

Latex is much more resilient than polyurethane foam or memory foam, making this the most durable option on our list as well. This material is also heat-neutral, meaning that its firmness won’t change based on temperature. Because it’s an open-cell foam, this product still offers great breathability should a temperature change occur.

Related: Best latex mattress toppers

The latex that this topper uses is 100-percent natural and has been extensively tested by several internationally recognized laboratories to meet the safest standards. This Greenguard Gold and Oeko-Tex certified product will put your mind at ease and body to rest.

Pros:

Naturally stays cool.
Top quality latex foam with no fillers.
Serves as a great buffer between your body and a hot memory foam mattress.

Cons:

Potential difficulty holding shape long-term.
Latex can have a particular smell.

ViscoSoft

Best Gel Foam Topper

The Memory Foam Mattress Topper by ViscoSoft is soft and supportive, ensuring a sleep that exceeds your standards. Gel-infused high-density foam will relieve your pressure points and generously mold to your body. With that said, sinking won’t be a concern with this topper; its firmness stands up to the test.

With the purchase of this mattress topper, you’ll wake up every day feeling refreshed, energized, and pain-free. The ViscoSoft mattress topper also includes a bamboo-rayon cover that is machine-washable and will protect your topper for years to come.

Pros:

Revolutionary gel-infused memory foam.
Allows for natural sleeping positions.
Distributes body heat evenly.

Cons:

May get too hot for some people.
Can become softer over time.

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.

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.

Best Firm Mattress Toppers

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