Many people don't realise that a lot of discomfort felt both during the day and while asleep is because of mattress quality. Now, buying a new mattress can be tricky, and not to mention expensive. That's why it could be much better to find a mattress topper to relieve your back pain.
Studies show that suffering from back pain can have a significant negative impact on your quality of life. Maybe you over strained yourself during a workout, or from remaining sedentary at work. But if the pain persists even if you take precautions and rest more, maybe it's time to search for the best mattress topper for back pain.
Some mattress toppers are designed specifically for back pain and relieving pressure in important areas of your body, making sure you sleep uninterrupted the whole night.
Our experts have tested the best mattress toppers for back pain and here are their top 8.
Top mattress toppers for back pain
Here are our top mattress toppers for back pain. These eight products are our favourites, and we are sure that at least one of them will fit your needs and give you more comfort with your existing mattress. Whether you are looking for a mattress topper double, single or other size β we're sure you'll find the right size to fit your needs as well!
Best Overall: Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper
The Panda topper is good for all sleeping positions and great for relieving pressure in the back and hips!
Best Overall
The Panda Bamboo topper gets our vote for the best mattress topper for dealing with back pain due to a few reasons. Firstly, it uses 3rd generation memory foam to provide a premium sleeping experience.
It's called Hydro-foam and it does away with memory foam's biggest downfall, overheating, while also providing that cradling comfort we all enjoy.
So, if you want to deal with both back pain and overheating, this topper is like killing two birds with one stone! In fact, if you suffer from allergies, you can even whack a third – as the Panda topper is hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial.
Couple all of this with a few nice perks, like an OEKO-TEX certificaiton and a 10-year warranty, and you get a truly premium topper!
Size: UK: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King + EU: Single, Double, King, Emperor
Material: Gel-infused memory foam
Removable over: Yes
Straps: Yes
Thickness: 5 cm
Support: 5/5
Warranty: 10 years
Trial: 30 days
Advantages
100% eco-friendly
Made in a 101% sustainable way. A true eco-friendly product.
Hypoallergenic
Thanks to bamboo material, you'll get hypoalllergenic product.
Good pressure relief
Excellent pressure relief. Good for hip pain treatment especially.
Disadvantages
Some off-gassing
The topper will have a distinct odour during the first one or two nights.
Best Cooling: Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper
While hybrid toppers aren't all that common, they are the MVPs when it comes to dealing with back pain and keeping you cool!
Best Cooling
Unlike most mattress toppers that are just one slab of memory foam or latex,Β the Simba Hybrid Topper has as many as 3 layers inside, which is something that even some mattresses don't have!
The base layer is there to give firmness,Β the aerocoil layer along with the base layer provides support, and the open-cell Simba pure layer is cooling and breathable, thanks to the cooling gel.
In other words, this topper is durable, supportive, pressure relieving and cooling. So, as you can see, no important features were left out!
An anti-slip base plus wriggle-free straps guarantee that this Simba mattress topper will also not move even a millimetre during the night. And to really seal the deal, Simba threw in a whoppingΒ 200-night trial period and a 10-year guarantee!
Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Material: Foam and springs
Removable cover: Yes
Straps: Yes
Thickness: 7 cm
Support: 5/5
Warranty: 10 years
Trial: 200 nights
Advantages
Cooling
Forget sweating during the hot summer nights. Great for hot sleepers.
Durable & sturdy
Highly durable thanks to the sturdy construction.
Straps
No slipping and wiggling, thanks to straps that help you to secure the topper.
Disadvantages
Slight motion transfer
The springs cause a hint of motion transfer.
Best Pressure Relief: Emma Premium Topper
If getting rid of body aches is your number one priority, and they're affecting more than just your back, the Emma Premium Topper is for you!
Best Pressure Relief
The Emma Premium Topper is among the best toppers at dealing with body aches for a few reasons. Firstly, it's a lot thicker than most other toppers, at 9cm thick. This means that your hip and shoulder have more space to sink in if you sleep on your side.
The topper also has two layers, with the bottom layer offering firmer support while the top layer focuses on comfort and pressure relief. And since both support and pressure relief are essential for dealing with body aches, you can see why we love the Emma Premium Topper as much as we do.
Lastly, Emma threw in some very nice features to really seal the deal: like a removable cover, a good trial period and an exceptional warranty.
And if you want to know more about the Emma Premium Topper (previously called the Emma Diamond Topper), we suggest you read our full review!
Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Material: 87% polyester and 13% polypropylene
Removable cover: Yes
Straps: No
Thickness: 9 cm
Support: 3.5/5
Warranty: 10 years
Trial: 100 nights
Advantages
Amazing pressure relief
This topper excells at dealing with hip and back pain.
Extra thick
The thicker the topper, the more it can influence the feel of the mattress.
Extra long trial and warranty period
You'd be hard pressed to find a topper with a longer trial or warranty period.
Disadvantages
Pricey
Not the cheapest topper.
No straps
The topper isn't as secure as it could be.
Best Budget: Silentnight Deep Sleep Ultimate Mattress Topper
If you need a budget-friendly option for your back, this is the one!
Best Budget
Silentnightβs Deep Sleep mattress topper is one of the best budget-friendly options for your aching back. Generously filled with soft microfibre, this 5 cm topper wonβt provide you with much support,Β but it will most definitely help make your existing mattress softer and comfier.
Encased in a polycotton, soft cover with easy-fit side straps, the Deep Sleep mattress topper is both nice to the touch and hypoallergenic, so you won't have to worry about sharing your bed with dust mites. It is also fully machine-washable, at a slow cycle at 40 degrees Celsius.
So, this mattress topper is affordable, soft, easy to clean, dust-mite resistant, and can help you deal with your back pain βΒ especially if you're a side sleeper. It shouldn't really be a surprise that it has over 19 000 positive reviews on Amazon alone!
Even when getting larger sizes, this topper won't break the bank.
Very soft
If you want your mattress to feel a bit softer, this is the way to do it.
Machine-washable
You can machine wash the entire topper.
Disadvantages
Some breathability issues
Polyester isn't a very breathable material.
No trial period
You can't test the topper out before committing.
Best Luxury: Octasmart Plus Mattress Topper
If you want the mattress topper that's going to help out with your back pain in the most efficient way and don't care about the price, this is the one to go for!
Best Luxury
The Octasmart Plus Mattress Topper is quite unique. This is because, unlike most mattress toppers that use memory foam, or even the Simba Hybrid that uses springs, the Octasmart Plus usesβ¦well, Octasprings!
These are basicallyΒ foam springs that can move in all directions and adapt to your body regardless of how much you toss and turn. And, as you can imagine, this type of tailored support is best-in-class when it comes to dealing with back pain!
The topper is also quite thick and supportive, to the point where it can even transform your sofa into a comfy bed. And thanks toΒ the open-cell foam and a clever design, this topper is quite good at keeping you cool as well.
So, while it's far from cheap, this topper is exception when it comes to performance, especially when back pain is concerned.
Both the foam and the cover are made of high-quality materials.
Disadvantages
Expensive
Not a very budget-friendly topper.
No straps
The topper might wiggle around a bit.
Best All-Faom: Duvalay Mattress Topper
Memory foam is the king of pressure relief. So, why not have a mattress topper that's all foam?
Best All-Faom
The Duvalay Mattress Topper is basically one slab of memory foam that you can place on your mattress for added pressure relief. And while only having one layer might sound like a downside, it has its upsides as well.
For one, most toppers that use memory foam only use about 2cm of it. And with the Duvalay Mattress Topper being 5cm thick, this means you're getting more than double the amount! So, the hugging sensation memory foam is known for will be a lot more pronounced.
Plus, we originally heard of Duvalay because of the mattresses they made for motor homes. And if a topper can make an RV comfortable, it can do wonders for a proper mattress!
Plus, this topper comes in two firmness options. This means that you can pick the perfect topper for your mattress, build, and sleeping style.
Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Material: Memory foam
Removable cover: Yes
Straps: No
Thickness: 5cm
Support: 3.5/5
Warranty: N/A
Trial: N/A
Advantages
Memory foam
The topper is made up of 100% high-quality memory foam.
Two firmness options
You can get the topper at a soft or a firm rating.
Significant change to mattress firmness
This topper affects the firmness of your mattress a lot more than most standard models.
Disadvantages
Expensive
Memory foam is a very expensive material.
Possible overheating
Memory foam tends to trap heat.
Unclear coverage
The warranty and trial conditions are a bit complicated.
Best for Hot Sleepers: Silentnight Wellbeing Cool Touch Mattress Topper
If waking up covered in sweat is as big of an issue for you as back pain is, the Silentnight Wellbeing Cool Touch Mattress Topper is here to save the day!
Best for Hot Sleepers
While we wouldn't say that the Wellbeing Cool Touch is the best cooling mattress topper on the market, it's the best choice for people who value breathability.
The topper basically utilises softer, breathable layers at the top and bottom, with a firmer memory foam core in the middle. By doing so, the topper has absorb any excess body heat and send it on its way, without disturbing your sleep.
The mix of softer and firmer foams also means that your hip and shoulder can properly sink into the upper layers of the topper while the middle can properly support your back. So, you can see why it's a win-win if you both have back aches and tend to overheat!
Lastly, the topper has very good bounce, meaning that it can quickly adapt to your movements. And if you're a combination sleeper, this should be music to your ears.
The topper can quickly adapt to all sleeping positions.
Easy to wash
The cover can be removed and machine washed.
Disadvantages
No straps
The topper isn't as secure as it could be.
Only two sizes
The topper only comes in two sizes, compared to most toppers that come in at least 4.
Best Safe Pick: Emma Flip Topper
If you're not sure whether you want a soft or a firm topper, experience both with the Emma Flip Topper!
Best Safe Pick
The main selling point of the Emma Flip Topper is that it has two firmness options, depending on which side of the topper you sleep on. One side is made of Airgocell foam and the other is ZeroGravity foam, both of which are trademarks and top-level quality.
It is suitable for all sleeping positions, and the Emma Flip topper is hypoallergenic as well, making it the perfect choice for allergy sufferers. Maintenance is simple, just remove the cover and wash it in the washing machine.
On the other hand, it is not the winner in the sustainability category, and it has minor heat retention problems, but other than that, it is a really great product.
Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Material: Memory foam, polyester, elastane
Removable cover: Yes
Straps: No
Thickness: 5 cm
Support: 4/5
Warranty: 10 years
Trial: 100 nights
Advantages
Double sided
Thanks to being double sided, it will prolong the lifespan of the topper.
Hypoallergenic
100% safe for people with allergies.
Supportive & pressure reliving
The perfect balance of support & firmness.
Disadvantages
Lack of straps
The lack of straps means it will slip off occasionally.
Slight off gassing
Slight off gassing possible due to the memory foam.
How to choose the best mattress topper for back pain?
Now that we've gone over our top picks for the best mattress toppers for back pain, it's time to ask “why?”. What is the difference between a topper that can get rid of back pain and a topper that's more likely to cause it in the first place?
Well, there's no one difinitive answer. To choose the best topper to deal with back pain, you have to consider your own build, sleeping position, and the mattress you use and then see how these factors influence the firmness, thickness, and design of your ideal topper.
So, let's break it all down and see what you should look out for!
Thickness
Thickness is one of the main factors that affect how you will sleep on a mattress topper. Mattress toppers usually vary between 4 and 7cm thick and the thickness influences the overall performance of the topper.
The thinner the topper, the less difference you will feel compared to sleeping only on a mattress and vice versa. For all those who experience back pain, it is best to buy a thicker topper because it will provide more support and pain relief. However, it's important to note that even a 10cm topper can't completely override the mattress underneath.
Firmness
The ideal firmness of the topper heavily depends on your sleeping position, your build, and the mattress underneath. For example, if you're a side sleeper and sleep on a firm, old couch, you'd want the softest topper you could find.
However, if you're a stomach sleeper and/or are of a larger build, a medium or a firm topper might yield better results. This is because the firmness of the topper directly influences how much your body can sink into the top layer. The same principles apply as with mattresses (shown in the table below). However, since the topper can't control the firmness of the mattress underneath, there is a bit more guesswork involved.
Size
Do you need a small double mattress topper or a king-size topper? It is very important to accurately measure your mattress before buying a topper for back pain. After all, if the topper doesn't properly fit the mattress, you can't use the straps and you might just roll off the topper and sleep on the bare mattress.
Due to the large supply on the market, finding the correct topper size shouldn't be too difficult. However, if you shop online, there may be small deviations in size that can make things more difficult. That is why it is often the best option to buy a topper from the same manufacturer as the mattress because then you can be sure that it will fit perfectly.
Material
The material of the mattress topper affects just about every feature it has to offer, so, it's quite important. Most of the time, you'll be looking at foam mattress toppers. However, do note that not all foam toppers were made equal!
For one, check whether it's one slab of memory foam or a thinner layer of memory foam backed up by regular foam. After all, if you want to deal with back pain, the more memory foam you can get, the better. But there are other options as well, although they're more difficult to find.
A latex topper is going to be firmer and bouncier. So, if you're a stomach sleeper or are of a larger build, latex might be a better solution for your back pain than memory foam. Something like a wool topper is going to be great if you're a hot sleeper. And a microfibre topper is excellent if you want a budget-friendly option.
So, pay attention to what exactly your new topper is made out of. The same goes for the covers. Sure, the mattress cover doesn't affect your back but it does influence the breathability and feel of the topper.
Your weight
Your weight is very important for choosing the best mattress topper for back pain. As we've mentioned, heavier individuals will usually need a firmer topper that will prevent their body from sinking too deep into the upper layers. This in turn will keep their backs straight and healthy.
On the other hand, lighter sleepers need softer mattresses. This is because they're not pushing onto the mattress with enough force to always properly sink to an appropriate level. And if all of this sounds a bit confusing, just keep in mind how your body looks when you're lying down. Is your spine straight? You can even have someone take a picture and see for yourself.
Your sleeping position
Different sleeping positions also require different mattress types. This is because, for example, if you sleep on your side, both your hip and shoulder need to sink into the mattress. Otherwise, you're spine will lightly bend to the side and put pressure on your middle back.
On the other hand, if you're a stomach sleeper, your back is already in a straight, healthy line when you lie down. So, your hips sinking into the mattress will result in lower back pain tomorrow!
In other words, look at the firmness table, see which category you fall under, and check out your posture when you lie in bed. As you can see in our infographic, you can also use knee pillows to ensure your back stays healthy through the night.
What are the advantages of a mattress topper for back pain?
So, now that we've covered how you can find the ideal mattress topper for your build, sleeping style, and back, let's discuss why you need one in the first place. The fact of the matter is that if you want the best results, a new mattress can alleviate back pain a lot more effectively than even the best mattress topper.
However, this also means spending a lot more money. And, what if you share a King-sized bed and only need some extra support for your side of the mattress? In other words, toppers have their own use cases. Let's examine a few!
Reduced back pain
Around 80% of people in the UK experience some sort of back pain. Of course, this pain can be caused by different medical conditions and/or injuries and thus won't be easy to deal with. In these cases, you'd likely need specific medication, treatment options, and enough time to heal.
However, let's not forget that we spend a third of our lives asleep. And if your current mattress isn't suited to your body, it will cause back aches. Plus, if you have already existing back pain, a fauly mattress can only make it worse!
This is because the wrong mattress will lead to pressure building up and along your back that lasts for seven hours or more. And even in healthy individuals, this is going to take its toll. It's just a matter of how long it might take.
Better posture
In this article, we've completely devoted our attention to back pain. What causes back pain, how toppers can solve it, and so on. However, it's important to note that your spine health affects more than just your back.
Improper posture, both while awake and asleep, forces other parts of your body to make up the difference. And this can cause quite a bit of musculoskeletal strain! In other words, the problem can outgrow just your back, resulting in seemingly unrelated issues like headaches.
So, just how it's important to have proper posture while sitting at your desk (like in the picture below), you need to make sure your posture is also good at night!
Cooling features
Back pain is not the only reason why you need a mattress topper. Many people have trouble falling asleep and maintaining sleep because they overheat at night. And your body temperature actually needs to drop for you to fall asleep.
This is why many mattress toppers have cooling features that will keep you cool all night. And while staying cool doesn't directly add or subtract from back pain, we'd say not being covered in sweat is a win for everyone. Plus, as we'll now cover, proper sleep is among the best pain treatment options we have!
Quality sleep
While it's the last reason in this section, quality sleep is by far the most important factor when getting a topper for back pain. Or any other bedding for that matter! And this is because high-quality sleep helps in all areas of health.
For example, if your back pain is caused by muscle strain, a good nap will actually help, as muscle recovery takes place while we're sleeping! So, anything that can help you fall asleep and stay asleep techically does help with back pain as well.
Tips for buying and using a mattress topper for back pain
Lastly, let's wrap everything we've said so far into a few essential tips for finding that perfect topper that's going to make your back pain go away! First off, identify whether your back pain only occurs at night and is caused by a bad mattress. After all, even the best mattress topper can't cure chronic back pain conditions.
Secondly, make sure that your topper fits your build and sleeping style. So, take into account how much you weight and your primary sleeping position and then get a topper that best suits you and your back!
Lastly, consider what other features you might need for a proper night's sleep. If you're a hot sleeper, get a cooling topper. If you suffer from allergies, opt for a hypoallergenic model. And so on.
Identify the cause of your back pain
Make sure to get the correct firmness level for your build and sleeping position
Consider other important features
Conclusion
And that's all you need to know to find that perfect mattress topper that will make your back pain go away! Not to mention that it will make an older mattress feel a lot more comfortable and fresh. And it will even protect it from wear and tear.
So, even if you don't have any back pain, we'd say that it's still worth looking into high-quality mattress toppers. After all, why wouldn't you want to spend a third of your life in comfort?
And if you have any questions about toppers, back pain, or a combination of the two, check out the FAQ section, leave us a comment, or get in touch with us directly!
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FAQs about mattress toppers for back pain
Like we promised, this final section is going to go over some of the FAQs we've run into when searching for the best mattress topper for back pain. If there are any we've left out, let us know!
Are memory foam mattress toppers good for my back?
In most cases, yes. Memory foam offers amazing pressure relief and can cradle your spine to prevent back pain in the morning.
What type of mattress topper is the best for lower back pain?
Memory foam, polyfoam and latex mattress toppers are likely the best because of the high level of support they usually offer.
Is there any difference between a mattress topper and a mattress pad?
A mattress topper is thicker than a mattress pad and can change the feeling of your mattress to a higher degree.
How often should I change my mattress topper?
You should change it every 4 or 5 years.
Do I need to rotate my mattress topper?
It is advisable to rotate your mattress topper to avoid dents. If you have a two-sided mattress topper, you should also flip it to stop lumps from forming.
How do I clean my mattress topper?
You can mix water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle, vacuum it and wash the cover. But always refer to the care label, especially if it's a memory foam topper.
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