There are a few tell-tale signs your mattress is too soft: you wake up with back pain, struggle to get out of bed or there are obvious lumps and sags present. If your mattress still has life in it, our best firm mattress topper picks can help you get a better, more comfortable sleep, without having to spend money an a brand new mattress.
According to Raymond Hwang, MD, MBA, senior medical director at Hinge Health and assistant clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine, the best firm mattress toppers “strike a balance between comfort and support, which can help keep the spine in alignment while reducing pressure points.” These mattress toppers can range in firmness from medium to true firm, and they are most often made from high-density memory foam or natural latex.
The best firm mattress toppers offer more reinforcement under your lower back and make for a comfier … [+] sleep space.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
Our top pick, the Nolah Luxury Firm Mattress Topper, provides a medium level of firmness that can easily add extra support to an old or overly-soft mattress. It also features durable straps to secure it to your bed and a removable cotton cover that can be tossed in the wash. We also offer other recommendations, like the best firm mattress topper for back pain, if you want to head in a different direction.
The Nolah Mattress Topper, available in Plush or Luxury Firm, is a two-inch thick topper crafted from “AirFoam”—which Nolah claims is cooler and better for air circulation than traditional memory foam. The Luxury Firm option is the winning ticket here for back and stomach sleepers, or if you’re looking to make your current mattress feel more firm (a feat I was also looking to achieve).
This topper also features a lightweight organic cotton cover, which can be removed for washing. Additionally, it has corner straps to secure it to your mattress. Nolah’s AirFoam is also CertiPUR-US certified—meaning it releases few volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other potentially harmful chemicals into your sleep environment.
Some reviewers say they sleep a little warm on this topper, and it can be expensive compared to other firm toppers on the market. However, Nolah offers a 30-day return policy and the mattress is covered by a 10-year warranty.
Pros:
Removable and washable cotton cover
Proprietary AirFoam promotes air circulation to keep the topper cool
Straps to secure the topper to the mattress
Cons:
Expensive compared to other firm toppers on this list
Can be warm, according to some reviews
What testers say:After trying 11 mattress toppers in about as many weeks, this is the one that my husband and I chose to put back on our bed. It transformed our extra soft foam mattress into a comfortably firm and extremely supportive sleep surface. I also really appreciate the wider placement of the corner straps compared to other mattress toppers, which helps the topper stay in place much more securely.
Looking for a mattress topper that won’t break the bank? This BedStory topper is available on Amazon for under $150, sometimes with a generous coupon available for additional savings, too. It has a unique reversible design that features one firm side and one extra firm side.
The three-inch topper is made from gel-infused memory foam. It’s also infused with green tea, bamboo charcoal and copper—all of which BedStory claims may help promote temperature regulation and provide antimicrobial qualities. The detachable cover has corner straps to secure the topper to your mattress.
Although the product is CertiPUR-US certified, some reviewers have reported that it has a very strong off-gassing smell. BedStory offers a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty.
Pros:
Dual-sided, with a firm side and an extra firm side
Infused with gel, bamboo charcoal, copper and green tea
Machine-washable cover
Cons:
Has a strong off-gassing smell according to some reviewers
Reviewers say that it loses firmness and starts sagging quickly
What the reviews say:Reviewers like the low price of this mattress topper, and many reviewers are completely satisfied with the topper itself. According to one, it’s “like sleeping on a firm cloud.” However, other reviewers say that the topper has a strong off-gassing smell and that it starts to lose structure and firmness within just a few months.
Best Firm Mattress Topper For Back Pain
A Premium Pick Made With Natural Materials
Saatva
Saatva Mattress Topper (Queen)
Type: Latex | Trial: 180 nights | Warranty: One year
Saatva offers a fairly comprehensive lineup of mattress toppers, including graphite-infused memory foam, micro-coils, down alternative and high-density foam. However, for a higher degree of firmness, their latex topper is a solid choice. According to Hwang, “A medium-firm to firm mattress topper is a good place to start for sleepers with back pain.”
Made from eco-INSTITUT and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified latex, this topper is firm and durable—despite being only 1.5 inches thick. It also has an organic cotton cover and corner straps to help keep it in place. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, we think this is a great option to make your bed feel more firm.
For their mattress toppers, Saatva offers a generous 180-night trial period along with a one-year warranty.
Pros:
eco-INSTITUT and FSC certified latex
Removable, organic cotton cover
Elastic bands to secure the topper to the mattress
Cons:
Thinner than other mattress toppers at 1.5 inches
More expensive than other mattress toppers on this list
What the reviews say: Reviewers like this Saatva topper for its firmness and support. One reviewer explains, “I’ve been sleeping on a memory foam mattress that is way too soft, and it caused a bunch of pain. This topper helped support my body extremely well, and I no longer feel like I am on the same mattress.” Another reviewer admits that he was skeptical about both the price and the thickness of the topper, but ultimately says, “It’s the best topper we’ve tried. It made a truly dramatic difference.”
Best Cooling Firm Mattress Topper
Organic Latex Offers An Eco-Friendly, Supportive Design
Avocado
Avocado Latex Mattress Topper (Queen)
Type: Latex| Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: 10 years
Avocado specializes in mattresses and bedding made from 100 percent organic materials. Their latex topper in Firm provides rigid but comfortable support, and it’s also designed to stay cool naturally. It features breathable organic latex, moisture-wicking wool and a lightweight cotton topper.
Avocado’s certifications from Made Safe, eco-INSTITUT, Greenguard Gold and GOLS also signify demonstrably low levels of VOC emissions from this mattress topper.
However, the topper doesn’t have any straps to help it stay in place on your mattress. Still, Avocado offers an extremely long trial period of 365 nights, and the topper is covered with a 10-year warranty.
Pros:
Made of 100% organic latex, wool and cotton
Certified by GOLS, MADE SAFE, eco-INSTITUT, Greenguard Gold and more
Cons:
No straps to help the topper stay in place
Significantly more expensive than other mattress toppers
What the reviews say: Customers who have purchased Avocado’s firm mattress topper are overall very pleased. Many are drawn to the brand initially because of its use of organic materials. However, one reviewer also says the firm mattress topper was the “perfect antidote” to his sagging, overly soft bed. Another reviewer states, “I was worried this might increase heat retention, but I worried unnecessarily. I can’t remember ever sleeping so cool and comfortable before.”
Best Extra Firm Mattress Topper
A Latex Option You Can Customize
PlushBeds
Natural Latex Mattress Topper (Queen)
Type: Latex | Trial: 0 nights | Warranty: 5 years
PlushBeds, like Saatva, offers toppers made with natural, organic latex. However, PlushBeds allows you to essentially build a topper from scratch to suit your exact preferences. In addition to the size of the topper, you can choose from five different firmness levels (from extra soft to extra firm) and a thickness of two or three inches. From there, you can add an organic cotton cover for an extra fee, or keep your topper bare.
Their extra-firm option features an indentation load deflection (ILD) rating of 44, meaning 44 pounds of pressure is required to compress 50 square inches of latex in this topper by 25 percent. This makes it remarkably firm and supportive, and—according to PlushBeds—ideal for larger people.
Unfortunately, though, PlushBeds does not allow returns for their products once they have shipped, so there is no trial period or money-back guarantee. Still, they offer a 5-year warranty for manufacturer defects.
Pros:
Choose your preferred firmness and thickness
Made with organic latex and an optional organic cotton cover
Cons:
No trial period and returns not accepted
More expensive than other firm toppers
What the reviews say: These customizable toppers are highly rated by customers. One reviewer states, “The firmness of the mattress [topper] helps my back. Without it I am in a lot of pain.” Another says she “loves the firm and comfortable feel of the latex.”
Viscosoft’s top selling mattress topper features three or four inches of gel-infused memory foam, with a density level of three pounds or greater. While the high density rating of the foam helps it to stay firm and supportive, the infused gel adds softness and contouring—making this topper a good compromise for couples who may have different firmness preferences.
Additionally, the topper features a removable and washable cover and durable, adjustable straps to keep it in place on your bed. This topper also clocks in as one of the most affordable options on the list.
Viscosoft offers a 90-day return period for their mattress toppers, and the topper is also protected with a five-year warranty.
Pros:
Made with gel-infused memory foam
Features adjustable straps to fit snugly to most mattresses
Cons:
Some reviewers say they “sink” into this topper, making it difficult to change position
More “medium” than a true firm
What testers say:I really like this mattress topper, and we are holding on to it for when our current one bites the dust. It’s firm but also conforms very well to the body, providing a great deal of support without being uncomfortable. The straps are thick and durable, and I appreciate that they’re adjustable—it makes them much easier to get on our rather lofty 15-inch mattress.
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At Forbes Vetted, we are heavily invested in all things sleep. We stay on top of the research, keep our finger on the pulse of sleep product trends and have an extensive network of experts in sleep health and bedding construction.
Personally, I have also tried eleven mattress toppers in the past two months—along with countless pillows, blankets, sheets and even mattresses over the past year or two. Am I tired of changing my fitted sheet and lugging mattress toppers on and off my bed on an almost daily basis? Yes, but it’s absolutely worth it to bring you all the details about the latest sleep products that may help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your day.
Additionally, for this piece we interviewed Hwang, an orthopedic surgeon with extensive knowledge of body mechanics, spinal alignment and sleep positioning, to ensure we’re providing the best and most up-to-date advice for people shopping for firm mattress toppers.
How We Chose The Best Firm Mattress Topper
When choosing which firm mattress toppers made the cut, there were several factors we considered. First, we narrowed down our options only to mattress toppers that were described on the product website or in reviews as “medium,” “medium-firm,” or “firm.”
Next, we took into consideration Hwang’s expert insights. He recommended toppers crafted from latex or high-density memory foam that were at least two to four inches thick.
Finally, we also considered customer reviews. Each topper on our list had an average rating of at least four out of five stars among reviewers.
What To Look For In The Best Firm Mattress Topper
Naturally, you’ll want to gravitate towards mattress toppers that are described either by the manufacturer or reviewers as “firm” or “medium firm.” However, beyond that, Hwang says there are three other factors to consider: material, thickness and density.
Material
Most firm mattress toppers are made from solid layers of memory foam or latex foam.
“Memory foam contours to the body, providing excellent support and pressure relief which can help alleviate back pain,” says Hwang.
He adds, “Latex is a good alternative as it can also promote proper spinal alignment during sleep.”
You’ll probably want to avoid softer materials like down, down alternative, microfiber or even shredded foam—which can be squishier and less supportive.
Thickness
Particularly if you’re trying to firm up a soft mattress, you’ll want a mattress topper that’s on the thicker side. Hwang explains that a thickness of two to four inches is ideal and that the topper you choose should be thick enough to provide adequate support and comfort for you personally.
Density
Finally, density also matters—denser foams are going to feel firmer. You can look for descriptors like “high-density” on the manufacturer’s website, or check to see if the foam the topper is crafted from has a density of at least three to five pounds per cubic foot. A bonus? “Higher density materials are often more durable,” says Hwang—and that can translate into a longer life span for your mattress topper.
Can You Make A Soft Mattress Firmer With A Topper?
Yes, a firm mattress topper can give your soft mattress a support makeover. “If your mattress is on the s
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