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An unsupportive mattress can make back pain even worse. But if a new mattress just isn’t in the budget, you still have options. Enter the mattress topper — a clever and more affordable way to upgrade your sleep setup.

The key is finding a mattress topper with the right balance of support and comfort to alleviate your aching back, so you can get the rest you need. Read on for our recommendations of the best mattress toppers for back pain.

Just like mattresses, mattress toppers come in a variety of materials. Some, like latex and memory foam, are notable for their ability to alleviate pressure and offer superior support without sacrificing comfort. These materials also help maintain proper spinal alignment, which means fewer aches and pains when you wake up.

A 2021 review suggests that medium-firm mattresses can help reduce lower back pain, so that’s a firmness level worth considering.

If you have an older or unsupportive mattress, a good mattress topper can add a key layer of support and comfort that reduces the level of strain you notice in the lumbar region. Improving your level of comfort can also improve the quality of your sleep.

To choose the best mattress toppers for back pain, we prioritized specific materials known for their pressure-relieving properties and support. We also looked for reputable brands and considered reviews from real customers. Finally, we checked for certifications and standards that indicate a superior level of safety.

All prices are based on a queen-size mattress topper. Keep in mind that prices vary for other sizes.

The PlushBeds latex topper adds a buoyant layer of natural latex to your bed. Latex is known for its supportive and pressure-relieving properties. The topper’s open-cell design helps distribute body heat and isolate motion, so it’s a good choice if you share your bed with a partner.

The PlushBeds topper comes in a choice of five firmness options and two thicknesses. It’s OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and Greenguard Gold certified, and it comes with a 5-year warranty.

Over 1,000 customers overwhelmingly give it 5 stars for its quality, comfort, and the difference it’s made in their quality of sleep.

The Tempur-Pedic topper is made with 3 inches of TEMPUR material, which is known for its responsiveness and support. It’s designed for breathability and, according to the brand, it’s more durable than other kinds of memory foam.

The included cover, which is resistant to dust mites and allergens, can be removed and machine washed.

The company offers free shipping and a 10-year warranty. On the downside, this mattress topper can’t be returned.

There are more than 4,800 reviews of the Tempur-Pedic topper, and the overwhelming majority are 5 stars. Customers praise its comfort and softness.

Avocado is known for their nontoxic mattresses, and their mattress topper is no different. It’s made with Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certified latex and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified wool and cotton for durability, support, and breathability. The 2-inch topper is available in two firmness levels: soft and medium-firm.

For alleviating back pain, the medium-firm option adds support and resilience.

The topper has a 1-year trial and a 10-year warranty. It ships for free.

There are over 2,300 reviews, with an overall rating of 4.6 stars. Customers rave about their improved quality of sleep thanks to the supportive comfort of the Avocado mattress topper.

There are two models of the 3-inch Amerisleep mattress topper. Comfort Lift uses a material called Bio-Pur for a cushioning feel and responsiveness. Support Lift is made with the company’s Affinity material for a firmer feel. Both options have an open-cell design that helps wick away heat for cooler, more comfortable sleep.

Both toppers also have Amerisleep HIVE technology. According to Amerisleep, HIVE can reduce pressure point pain up to 49 percent.

The Amerisleep mattress topper ships free and comes with a 5-year warranty.

There are over 200 reviews, with customers mentioning its comfort, level of support, and soft feel.

The Saatva mattress topper is made with 3 inches of graphite-infused memory foam. The graphite pulls away body heat to keep you cooler while you sleep, while an organic cotton cover adds breathability.

The memory foam is contouring and pressure-relieving, and it limits motion transfer. If you share your bed with a partner, child, or pet, that’s a good thing! Each topper features elastic anchor bands, which help secure it to your mattress.

Saatva offers a 180-night home trial, free shipping, and a 1-year warranty.

There are only a handful of reviews, but they’re all 5 stars.

Copper gel beads in this memory foam topper absorb body heat for cooler, more comfortable sleep. The 2-inch topper is supportive but condenses under compression, cradling points like the hips and shoulders for proper spinal alignment. Plus, it’s made with foam that’s been CertiPUR-US certified.

The copper-infused gel in the Layla topper is antimicrobial, which means cleaner sleep.

Layla offers a 5-year warranty and a generous return policy. If you don’t love it, they’ll work with you for a full refund.

Over 500 reviews put the Layla mattress topper at 4.5 stars.

The 2-inch mattress topper from Tuft & Needle is made of responsive foam for a layer of softness and pressure relief on the hips and shoulders. The open-cell foam design is breathable and supportive, and the topper has a smooth polyester-blend cover. Silicone beading on the bottom helps keep it in place.

Tuft & Needle offers a 100-night trial, a 3-year limited warranty, and free returns.

Over 1,650 reviews give the topper a 4.4-star overall rating, with customers mentioning improved comfort and pressure relief.

This is a 3-inch gel-infused memory foam mattress topper. It’s designed to optimize airflow for cooler sleep and serve as a supportive base for proper spinal alignment.

The topper comes with a removable bamboo-rayon cover that can be machine washed. It has a slip-resistant mesh backing and adjustable elastic straps.

The ViscoSoft topper comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee and a 5-year warranty.

There are over 10,000 reviews on Amazon, and the overwhelming majority are 5 stars.

The Birch Plush mattress topper is made with organic cotton, organic wool, and natural latex. It has a plush, pillow top feel, thanks to the layers of hypoallergenic wool, but the Talalay latex layer offers a contouring effect for proper spinal alignment. The topper is wrapped with an allergen-free, quilted organic cotton cover for temperature regulation and breathability.

The 3-inch topper is also Greenguard Gold and GOTS certified, and it’s made entirely without synthetic materials.

Birch sends its topper with a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping, and a 10-year warranty.

The GhostBed memory foam topper has a few things going for it. The 3-inch topper is made with cooling and contouring gel memory foam. It has what the company calls “targeted comfort zones,” which deliver extra pressure relief. The included cover is cool to the touch and waterproof, with a grippy 2-inch elastic band to hold it securely in place. Plus, the cover can be removed and machine washed for easy care.

There are over 300 reviews, with an overall rating of 4.9 stars. Verified buyers praise its cooling comfort.

The topper also comes with a 5-year warranty.

As you’d imagine from the name, the Casper Comfy mattress topper is made for comfort. But its three-layer construction means it also delivers the extra support you need.

A perforated foam layer on top helps keep you cool, while a responsive top layer of cradling memory foam keeps you aligned. A memory foam base adds structure and support.

Casper offers a 30-night trial period for their topper, and shipping and returns are free.

An effective mattress topper will have a few qualities. Here’s what to consider in your search:

A mattress that doesn’t offer the right support can lead to back pain. This could be related to its firmness and your preferred sleeping position. A too-soft mattress for a back sleeper, for example, is a combination that creates poor spinal alignment.

Sleeping on your stomach can also strain your back and put pressure on your joints, leading to pain. If you’re a consistent stomach sleeper, you may want to try changing your sleeping position.

If back pain is routinely disturbing your sleep, it’s important to contact a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions.

Yes. A good mattress topper can add a layer of comfort and support to an older or unsupportive mattress to help alleviate back pain.

Look for materials with pressure-relieving properties, like latex and memory foam. A medium-firm feel is also a good idea — a topper with this firmness should have the support necessary for proper spinal alignment.

Latex and memory foam are good options, since they contour to your shape, minimize pressure, and help keep your spine aligned.

If you’re dealing with back pain and suspect your mattress is the issue, a good mattress topper can be a workaround. Materials like latex and memory foam may offer the balance of comfort and support that your body needs to stay comfortably aligned for a better night’s sleep.

Jessica Timmons has been working as a freelance writer since 2007, covering everything from pregnancy and parenting to cannabis, chiropractic, stand-up paddling, fitness, martial arts, home decor, and much more. Her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and Coffee + Crumbs. See what she’s up to now at jessicatimmons.com.

Last medically reviewed on March 21, 2022

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