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Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain

Learn how to find the best mattress topper to alleviate your back pain

By Katie Dyal

A mattress topper doesn’t receive nearly enough of the credit it deserves. Typically, toppers appeal to shoppers who prefer a softer mattress, but a mattress topper can be a great addition for any type of sleeper, especially those with back pain.

If you think it might be time to introduce a topper to your mattress but you don’t know where to begin, don’t fret. We’ll go over some of our top-rated picks for the best mattress toppers for back pain and explain how you can know what key factors to look for when shopping.

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The Best Mattress Toppers to Relieve Back Pain

Linenspa 2 inch gel infused memory foam mattress topper

Linenspa 2 Inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Best Overall Topper for Back Pain

Maybe you’re not ready to invest in an expensive topper yet but you’d still like something that’s proven to work. Well, look no further! The Linenspa 2-inch gel-infused memory foam mattress topper is the perfect start to investing in better sleep and less pain.

This topper is gel-infused, allowing for your body to ease into it, relieving pressure points and aligning the spine. This topper can be purchased in a 2-inch or 3-inch thickness which is convenient for serving multiple body types. The gel-infused beads help to eliminate heat from getting trapped throughout the night, keeping you cool and comfortable.

It’s backed with a three-year warranty and has been highly reviewed by many as a solid, yet cheap fix! One customer said, “I purchased a very cheap mattress and after a week, I had unbearable neck and back pain, so I thought maybe a topper could help. And oh yes it did. I feel like I have totally cheated the expensive mattress system and am sleeping like a queen! Buy this topper!”

Lucid 3 inch ventilated memory foam mattress topper

The LUCID 3-Inch Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper for Back Pain

With over 4,300 reviews, the LUCID 3-inch ventilated memory foam mattress topper is one of the best bed toppers out on the market. This is a prime example of “you get what you pay for.” This topper is designed with ventilated memory foam, meaning it stays cool while still giving the contouring capability you need throughout the night to remain pain-free. With 100% premium memory foam, this high-quality topper was designed for individuals that are in need of back pain relief.

The memory foam is fully ventilated through open cell construction designed to improve airflow and breathability. Say goodbye to heat retention with the luxury of having hundreds of ventilation holes distributed throughout the entire topper. Not only does the ventilation help with airflow control, but your topper will also retain its shape for a longer period of time than other mattress toppers.

This LUCID memory foam mattress topper is three inches thick, which is the happy-medium level of thickness for mattress toppers. This will most often work for the average person. It’s also hypoallergenic, making it naturally resistant to allergens and dust mites. With a three-year warranty in place and its ability to ventilate itself, this is the topper that’s the perfect investment to give you a long-term fix.

Zinus Swirl Gel Memory Foam mattress topper

Zinus 3 Inch Swirl Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Best Affordable Mattress Topper for Back Pain

The 3-Inch Swirl Gel Memory Foam mattress topper by Zinus offers a great balance of comfort and support that sleepers with back pain need. The egg crate design of this topper allows your body weight to be even distibuted across the surface of your bed so you won’t have pain in the pressure points like the hips, knees, and shoulders. It also makes this topper naturally optimized for great airflow so you stay cool while you sleep.

As an added bonus, this Zinus mattress topper is infused with green tea extract and castor natural seed oil to keep your bed smelling fresh. It’s available in sizes twin, full, queen, and king with height variations of 1.5″, 3″, or 4″. The 3-inch option gives a nice medium-firm feel that support back pain well. The foam of this mattress topper are also CertiPUR-US Certified and it comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

Why buy a mattress topper for back pain?

If you’re becoming unsatisfied with your mattress but it’s still in the early years of its lifespan, adding a mattress topper could be the solution you need. While you could go to the lengths of shopping around for a new mattress that’s proven to be effective for sleepers with back pain, you may not be ready to make that large of an investment if your mattress is still relatively new. Luckily, when your mattress starts to lose its edge, you can revamp it with a quality mattress topper for a fraction of the price!

Benefits of a mattress topper

Mattress toppers tout a wide array of beneficial qualities. They offer comfort, help relieve back pain, and support the longevity of your mattress’s lifespan. A topper can restore the comfort of your mattress that inevitably becomes lost over years of use, and they are even capable of decreasing your chances of severe back pain before it even begins.

What happens if you’re already experiencing back pain? Investing in a mattress topper will be one of the best decisions you can make for yourself and for your bed. With a proven track record of improving back pain, why not give it a shot?

How a mattress topper can relieve back pain

A mattress topper isn’t the end-all-be-all to alleviating back pain but it definitely helps improve the situation. The main reason your mattress could be causing you back pain or exacerbating already present pain has to do with your spinal alignment.

When a mattress is too soft, your body will sink and your spine will fall out of its natural alignment. When a mattress is too stiff, the opposite problem exists where your body can’t sink in enough where it needs to. Both of these issues are especially true for side sleepers (check out our Best Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers guide). A mattress pad can make up the difference and offer the extra support you need to keep your spinal alignment in check all night long.

Related: Mattress pad vs. topper

How to Find the Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain

Before you purchase a mattress topper, you’ll need to know what key considerations to make. There are many different features and types of toppers in the market, so you should know what to look for when shopping to be sure you make the best choice. The most important features to keep an eye out for when choosing a mattress topper to help with back pain include the materials, thickness, and density.

Mattress Topper Materials

The most common materials for mattress toppers are memory foam and latex. These also happen to be the best choices for back pain relief. Memory foam and latex both will conform to your body to offer you the comfort you need while still remaining durable and offering long-lasting support. The last thing you want is your topper to start doing exactly what happened with your mattress.

Memory foam and latex materials also perform well at evenly distributing your body weight. This helps to avoid pain in the pressure points of your hips and shoulders and properly supports your body to keep your spine aligned. With either of these materials, your body will stay properly aligned throughout the entire night and your mattress will continue to offer both support and comfort allowing you to sleep peacefully and pain-free.

Thickness or Height

Another key element to review is the thickness of the mattress topper. Most toppers range from 2-4 inches thick. The best thickness for your mattress topper will depend on your personal preferences and sleeping habits. Thick toppers are known to be best suited for individuals who sleep on their backs and those who are heavier and will need more support. If you just need a little extra comfort and cushion, a thin topper may be suited for you. If you’re unsure, the medium level of thickness should work for you.

Mattress Topper Density

One of the last key attributes to pay attention to when picking out a mattress topper is the density. Density determines the quality and durability of your topper and how it will feel on your mattress.

Just as body weight factors into choosing the best thickness, it also applies to density. The heavier you are, the more dense you will need. You should also consider your sleep temperature. A less dense mattress topper will allow for more air flow, which is critical to sleepers with back pain. The more oxygen your body can receive, the better for healing your body and preventing pain.

Summary

We’ll quickly review our top picks for the best mattress toppers for back pain below in our comparison chart:

Mattress Topper Materials Best for Customer Rating
Linenspa 2 Inch Topper Gel infused memory foam Best rated 4.4/5
LUCID 3 Inch Topper Ventilated memory foam Cooling 4.2/5
Zinus 3 Inch Swirl Gel Topper Memory foam Budget 4.2/5

Many people fail to realize the importance of proper sleep etiquette. Your sleeping experience matters. Pay attention to your body type, weight and struggles when deciding which top will work for your mattress.

If your current mattress topper doesn’t seem to conform to your body shape like it used to, it may be time to upgrade. Comfortable sleep starts with the basics and ends with you! Get the products you need to rest with comfort and support each and every day.

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