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If you are dealing with back pain, a mattress topper may help you recover. We researched and tested the most popular brands for back pain recovery so you don’t have to. After an extensive trial process, we ranked the top 5 best mattress toppers for back pain. Our Editor’s Choice is the Tuft & Needle Mattress Topper.
Top Picks for Best Mattress Topper for Lower Back Pain
- Tuft & Needle Mattress Topper – editor’s choice
- Lift by Amerisleep – best for heavier individuals
- Plushbeds Natural Latex Topper – best customizable mattress topper
- Saatva Mattress Topper – best for stomach and back sleepers
- Bear Pro Topper – best cooling mattress topper
#1. Tuft & Needle Mattress Topper
Check Current Price | Editor’s Choice
Pros
- Excellent pressure relief
- Great for people suffering from back pain
- Adds plush feel to your bed
- Excellent for stomach and back sleepers
Cons
- Not for heavier individuals
- Not for people seeking for added support
Our Experience with the Tuft & Needle Mattress Topper
The Tuft & Needle mattress topper is made using hypoallergenic materials. The mattress topper adds a plush and supportive feel to your existing bed. Mattress toppers don’t radically change the feel of an existing bed but may add extra padding and cushion.
The Tuft and Needle mattress topper has two layers – mattress cover and fill. The mattress cover is a soft and breathable polyester blend removable fabric. A little warning here, the cover is not washable so spot cleaning is recommended in case of any spills or accidents. We also recommend the use of mattress protectors to avoid stains.
The silicone beading on the bottom layer of the mattress topper prevents it from sliding off the bed. The Tuft & Needle uses CertiPUR-US® certified materials meaning their products are free from any chemicals or pollutants.
The mattress fill of the Tuft & Needle mattress topper is a one solid block of open-cell foam. The fill is 2″ thick and offers great pressure relief and body contouring. The foam used by Tuft & Needle is not only responsive but also cushions your body. People suffering from chronic back pain looking for an affordable mattress fix can benefit most from this mattress topper.
The topper is a great choice for back sleepers already using a medium-firm bed. Even side sleepers wanting to add little cushion for pressure relief will find this topper useful.
If you already have a soft mattress and are suffering from hip pain or shoulder pain, you might want a topper like this one for more relief especially at your pressure points. Similarly, we recommend the Tuft & Needle mattress topper to stomach sleepers who need a firm mattress, but want an added top layer with some gentle pressure relief.
Sizes
The Tuft & Needle mattress topper comes in 6 different sizes which fits almost all mattress sizes. The topper measures 2″ in thickness.
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King
- California King
Warranty
The Tuft & Needle offers free shipping for their mattress toppers. They also offer a 100-night sleep trial for you to find your perfect fit. The mattress topper is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.
Buy: Tuft & Needle Mattress Topper
#2. Lift By Amerisleep
Check Current Price | Best For Heavier Individuals | 30% Off Coupon: SLEEPLINE | Review
Pros
- Responsive
- Cooling
- Firmness options
Cons
- Slight off-gassing
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Our Experience with the Lift By Amerisleep
The Lift by Amerisleep mattress topper comes in two firmness options:
- Comfort
- Support
Both variants come with a breathable and machine-washable mattress cover. However, Amerisleep recommends air drying rather than drying out in a dryer.
The main difference between the two types is the materials used in construction. The Comfort variant uses Bio-Pur material for extra cushion and quick response. We found this version to be comfortably soft, bouncy and responsive. People who toss and turn frequently while sleeping won’t get that “stuck” feeling on this topper.
The Support Lift mattress topper is made up of Amerisleep’s own Affinity material offering a firmer feel to the sleeper. This variant is an excellent choice for people suffering from back pain.
We found that back sleepers will do particularly well with the Support Lift mattress topper. This variant offers extra support as well as a firmer feel that could benefit sleepers suffering from back pain.
Both Bio-Pur® and Affinity materials are made with an advanced open-cell design to regulate temperature and wick away heat. They also feature Amerisleep’s proprietary HIVE® technology to enhance comfort and reduce pain-causing pressure points.
The Comfort Lift mattress topper offers a softer and more cushiony feel that is more suitable for strict side sleepers and combination sleepers. The mattress topper also helps to wick away heat, making it aa good choice for those who tend to sleep hot.
We did experience a slight off-gassing upon unboxing the mattress topper but it dissipated immediately. We also found that it took almost 4 hours for the topper to expand completely.
Sizes
The Lift by Amerisleep mattress topper comes in 6 sizes and is 3″ thick.
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King
- California King
Warranty
Amerisleep does not offer a sleep trial for their mattress toppers but they do come backed by a substantial 5-year warranty. They also offer free shipping within the continental United States.
Buy: Lift By Amerisleep
#3. Plushbeds Natural Latex Mattress Topper
Check Current Price | Best Customizable Mattress Topper | $100 Off Coupon: SL100
Pros
- Suitable for all sleeper types
- Great for people prone to allergies
- Greenguard Gold certified
- Multiple options
Cons
- Could be too thin for some people
Save $100 with coupon code “SL100”
Our Experience with the Plushbed’s Natural Latex Topper
The Natural Latex mattress toppers are made from 100% Talalay latex, which means it’s free from any synthetics fillers or chemicals. It’s a great pick for eco-conscious people looking for an organic mattress topper. The mattress topper has certifications from OKEO-TEX, GOTS, and Greenguard Gold – which is one of the most esteemed global certifications in the world.
The open cell technology used by PlushBeds optimizes air flow and accelerates air regulation along with the natural cooling properties of latex. If you are a hot sleeper and looking for an affordable substitute for a regular memory foam bed, you should give this mattress topper a try. It also offers great motion isolation for people who share a bed with a partner or a fidgety pet.
The Natural Latex mattress topper offers pressure-relieving support especially for main pressure points such as hips, shoulders, back, and knees. This makes the Natural Latex one of the best mattress toppers for back pain.
Since there are multiple firmness options, back, stomach, side, and combination sleepers, all can find their suitable match. Not many brands offer mattress toppers with a wide range of firmness options.
PlushBed’s Natural Latex mattress topper also offers options in thickness preferences. The thicker option offers a bit more cushion and support and is recommended to above average weight sleepers. Back sleepers suffering from chronic pain in particular will benefit from the wide range of customizable options PlushBeds is offering.
There was hardly any off-gassing observed in the mattress topper. Mostly polyfoam mattress toppers come with excessive off-gassing.
Sizes
The Plushbed’s mattress topper comes in 6 sizes and measures 3″ in thickness.
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King
- Cal King
Warranty
PlushBeds do not offer a sleep trial for their mattress toppers but they come with a 5-year warranty. PlushBeds also offer free shipping for all their mattress toppers.
Buy: PlushBed’s Natural Latex Mattress Topper
#4. Saatva Mattress Topper
Check Current Price | Best for Stomach and Back Sleepers
Pros
- Supportive
- Contouring
- Pressure relief
Cons
- Not cooling
Our Experience with the Saatva Mattress Topper
The Saatva name calls to mind the words natural and organic. Saatva has centered their brand around the wellness and health not only of its users but the environment as well. They use all-organic raw materials to construct their products.
The Saatva mattress topper comes in three variants:
- Graphite
- Latex
- Foam
Graphite: As the name suggests, this variant has a cooling technology to help wick away heat. Saatva uses its proprietary advanced cooling technology to offer temperature regulation to its users by adding a special graphite top layer to its mattress topper. If you tend to sleep hot, this variant will be a great pick for you.
Saatva’s Graphite mattress topper is 3″ thick with a comfort layer made up of memory foam to provide extra support and pressure relief to the sleeper. The use of two layers by Saatva in its Graphite variant makes it a great topper for back pain sufferers. The medium firmness works well for back, stomach, as well as combination sleepers. However, strict side sleepers will be more comfortable with a soft mattress topper like Zoey.
Latex: Many orthopedists and chiropractors recommend a latex mattress to people suffering from neck, shoulder, or back pain. A latex mattress topper is an affordable and easy substitute for an existing mattress that has softened over the time. Saatva’s Latex is 1.5″ thick medium firm mattress topper and offers responsive support and restricts motion transfer. Latex is also naturally hypoallergenic, making the Saatva Latex mattress topper a solid choice for people who are prone to allergies.
Foam: Saatva’s Foam mattress topper is 1.5″ thick high-density foam and does particularly well for back and side sleepers. The medium firm mattress topper conforms and contours to your body curves and provides pressure-point relief. It helps to evenly distribute body weight relieving pressure not just from the main pressure points but throughout the entire body. This variant is a great pick for people who suffer from chronic back pain.
Little warning here, the mattress topper cover is neither removable nor machine-washable cover, so spot cleaning is recommended.
Sizes
The Saatva’s mattress topper comes in 7 sizes and measures 1.5/3″ in thickness.
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King
- Cal King
- Split king
Warranty
Saatva offers free shipping for their mattress topper. They also offer a 180-night home sleep trial for you to find your perfect fit. The Saatva mattress topper is backed by a 1 year warranty.
#5. Bear Pro Topper
Check Current Price | Best Cooling Topper
Pros
- Great pressure relief
- Excellent motion isolation
- Cooling
- Plush feel
Cons
- Might be too thin for some people
Our Experience with the Bear Pro Mattress Topper
The Bear Pro is a memory foam mattress topper and has one main foam layer topped with a cover. Bear uses premium memory foam infused with copper to pull away heat from the body. Copper is a thermal conductor meaning it helps draw away heat to keep you at the ideal temperature as you sleep.
The cover of the Bear Pro uses Celiant® fiber fabric ensuring cooling of the mattress. The material used helps in muscle recovery for the body. Celliant® Technology has been clinically proven to promote a more restful sleep and aid in quicker recovery. The FDA has even determined Celliant® Fibers to be a medical device/general wellness product.
Due to the material used in manufacturing of Bear Pro mattress topper, it is particularly beneficial for gym enthusiasts, and athletes as it accelerates recovery time. The kind of memory foam used in the Bear Pro brings pressure relief and support.
Sizes
The Bear Pro mattress topper is available in 6 sizes. The mattress can be used with most bed bases as well as adjustable bed bases.
- Queen
- Twin XL
- Full
- Full XL
- King
- California King
Warranty
The Bear Pro mattress topper is shipped to you in a small box and comes with a 3-year limited warranty with 30-night trial.
Quick Comparison
| Brand | Tuft & Needle Mattress Topper | Lift by Amerisleep | Plushbeds Natural Latex Topper | Saatva Mattress Topper | Bear Pro Topper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sizes | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Thickness (inches) | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3/1.5 | 2 |
| Feel | Firm | Firm/Soft | Multiple Options | Medium | Plush |
| Sleeper type | Stomach and back sleepers | All | All | All | All |
| Removable cover | yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep trial (nights) | 100 | No | No | 180 | 30 |
| Warranty (years) | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Link to buy | Buy Tuft & Needle Topper | Buy Lift by Amerisleep | Buy PlushBed's Natural Latex Mattress Topper | Buy Saatva Mattress Topper | Buy Bear Pro Mattress Topper |
What type of mattress topper is best for back pain?
Memory foam and latex mattress toppers are a great choice for people suffering from chronic, back, hip, shoulder, or lower back pain. The density of the foam help the mattress topper cradle your body and provide pressure relief. Medium-firm latex or memory foam is not only pressure relieving but also responsive and helps you move around easily while changing positions.
The experts recommend medium-firm mattress topper compared to extra-firm to people suffering from back pain for a better sleeping experience. A soft mattress would let your body lose its original alignment causing pressure buildup. A medium-firm mattress topper will not only provide you ample support but also limit pressure buildup in pressure-points of the
Frequently Asked Questions
Latex mattress toppers have been scientifically proven to be great for back pain. Memory foam mattress toppers also help people recover from back pain but it depends on the firmness level. Medium-firm latex and memory foam mattresses help people suffering from back pain by providing ample support for spinal alignment.
A Medium-firm mattress topper is a great option to help one recover from back pain. However, using an extra-firm mattress topper for back pain might do the opposite for some people and cause spine misalignment. Firmness of the mattress may vary for people with different body weight. Therefore, heavy individuals might need a more firm mattress to feel the same firmness as an average weight individual.
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