Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain

7 Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain

Last Updated: March, 2024

Please Note: This Post Contains Affiliate Links

When suffering from back pain, whether due to injury or after surgery, it makes sleeping very challenging. It's likely that you'll need to buy a new mattress to improve your sleeping surface. Back pain sufferers require medium firm mattresses with cooling technology and conforming materials. In case you sleep on a firm mattress and can't afford to purchase a new one, then opt for a mattress topper.

The best mattress topper for back pain is the GhostBed Memory Foam Topper which is an egg crate mattress topper made of gel infused foam to keep you cool. We also tested other mattress toppers to give you several options. Read on to learn more.

Our Picks For The Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain

GhostBed Memory Foam Topper

Best Rated

This is the best cooling mattress topper with responsive memory foam build that will improve the experience of an uncomfortable mattress. This 3-inch gel-infused topper boasts excellent body contouring at an affordable price.

PlushBeds Natural Latex Topper

The PlushBeds mattress topper is an exceptionally firm topper that excels at pressure relief, ease of movement, and temperature control. It also boasts a longer-than-average lifespan thanks to latex’s natural durability. 

Lift by Amerisleep

If you like the pressure-relieving qualities of a memory foam bed but don’t want to ditch your old mattress, the Lift by Amerisleep could be just the topper for you. In addition to its two firmness options, it features cooling properties that prevent overheating.

Nolah Mattress Topper

Nolah Mattress Topper - Luxury Firm

If your sleep surface isn’t offering enough pressure relief for proper spinal alignment, the Nolah topper boasts an AirFoam design that cradles the body to promote healthy sleep posture.

Puffy Mattress Topper

Combining affordability and comfort, the Puffy Mattress Topper is an ideal budget-friendly option for back pain sufferers looking for a top-quality topper. It uses a 2.5-inch memory foam layer that feels simultaneously plush and supportive.

Molecule Triple Zone Pro Topper

If you’re looking for a topper that helps keep your sleep surface cool at night, the Molecule Triple Zone Pro Topper is made with temperature neutrality in mind. Its cool-to-the-touch cover features a microclimate-regulating cover material that should feel comfortable for back pain sufferers who run hot. 

Zoma Balance Pad

The Balance Pad from Zoma is a bouncy topper designed to maximize your comfort in bed and boost muscle recovery. It also isolates motion and keeps sleepers cool thanks to its ventilated fabric.

GhostBed Memory Foam Topper

Pros

  • Comes with a waterproof and breathable mattress protector
  • 2-inch Signature GhostGrip elastic band keeps your mattress from sliding
  • Gel memory foam design is cooler than traditional memory foam
  • Targeted comfort zones provide added pressure relief and promote airflow

Cons

  • It’s 3 inches thick, so you may need sheets with deep pockets to fit your topper perfectly

GhostBed’s knack for world-class memory foam sleep accessories isn’t just limited to mattresses. The GhostBed Topper is made of the same gel-infused memory foam that made the company’s mattress and pillow lines such big hits with sleepers. This material contours evenly to cushion your entire body without sinking excessively. The result is a mattress topper with an invitingly plush sleep surface that delivers multi-zone, head-to-toe comfort and excellent, long-lasting body support. 

Thanks to its 3-inch profile, the GhostBed Topper will significantly change the feel of your mattress, even if the surface is sagging and heavily indented from years of use. The topper’s balanced feel also ensures a bit of extra plushness if your mattress is too firm and adds support for a mattress that feels too soft. A deep-pocket cover doubles as a waterproof, breathable mattress protector that keeps your topper from sweat and spills. 

Commonly known as the best mattress topper for lower and upper back pain, the GhostBed Memory Foam Mattress Topper also features targeted comfort zones designed to relieve pressure in their respective areas. Plus, these zones are engineered to accommodate and adapt to an individual’s unique body shape and size. This means you’ll sleep pain-free all night, irrespective of your position.

Unlike the GhostBed mattresses, this topper isn’t returnable. However, it’s backed by a 5-year warranty against structural defects. Shipping is free to customers in all 50 states.

PlushBeds Natural Latex Topper

Pros

  • Natural latex provides exceptional durability and responsiveness
  • Ventilated design provides excellent airflow
  • Shoppers choose from two profile options and five firmness levels
  • Optional organic cotton cover available

Cons

  • It’s more expensive than other toppers

The perfect firmness for any individual is closely tied to sleep position and body type. If you suffer from back pain, you should opt for a mattress topper with a firmness level that offers the right balance of support and cushioning. Irrespective of your sleeping position or how much you weigh, chances are this PlushBeds topper will meet your needs. This latex mattress topper is available in five firmness levels: extra firm (8), medium firm (6), medium (5), medium soft (4), and soft (3). 

The topper is made of natural latex, well-known for its responsive feel and long lifespan. Small perforations that promote maximum air circulation should prevent your topper from trapping body heat and sleeping too warm. You can add a removable, machine-washable, organic cotton cover for an extra fee. You should only spot-clean your topper if stains occur. 

PlushBeds offers free ground shipping within the US. While you can’t return the topper for a refund once you unbox it, your order comes with a 5-warranty for added peace of mind. 

Lift by Amerisleep

Pros

  • Excellent cooling and temperature control
  • Balanced support along the spine and pressure points
  • Plant-based memory foam cushioning
  • Buoyant support from Affinity foam

Cons

  • No medium firmness level is available

The Lift by Amerisleep exemplifies the top-quality design and excellent pressure relief that has come to define Amerisleep’s memory foam products. It features the HIVE technology foam, which delivers targeted support to sensitive body sections and minimizes pain-causing pressure points. This topper stands out from other memory foam models with a reasonable price point.

Both the comfort and support versions of the Lift by Amerisleep use three inches of memory foam to help individuals with back pain sleep more comfortably. They also boast an advanced open-cell design, which wicks away warm air, keeping you cool throughout the night. However, they’re made slightly differently to offer sleepers different types of support. 

The comfort version uses Amerisleep’s Bio-Pur material to provide extra cushion while quickly bouncing back to its original form. That way, you won’t feel stuck when moving around at night. On the other hand, the support version uses Amerisleep’s Affinity material to deliver better support for sleepers who prefer a firmer feel. If you experience chronic back pain, this version is an excellent alternative as it’s a bit firmer than foam to offer more support. Another notable feature of this mattress topper is its breathable cover, which helps the surface retain less heat and sleep reasonably cool. It is also removable and machine-washable.

Orders ship free to the contiguous U.S. While the Lift by Amerisleep isn’t eligible for a return, a generous 5-year warranty backs it in the event of manufacturing defects.

Nolah Mattress Topper

Pros

  • Thick AirFoam layer minimizes motion transfer
  • Features two distinct designs that provide support and comfort to different sleeper types
  • Each topper is wrapped in a breathable organic cotton cover
  • AirFoam is CertiPUR-US certified for safety

Cons

  • Heavy sleepers who weigh over 250 pounds may want a thicker topper 

While most mattress toppers are softer and designed to add cushioning to your sleep surface, Nolah’s Luxury Firm model has the opposite effect of offering more support for an overly plush mattress. If your mattress topper is too soft to adequately withstand your body weight, you’ll likely feel pressure buildup in your back and areas along your spine. This is especially true for a side sleeper who can experience alignment problems if the hips and shoulders aren’t properly cushioned and a back sleeper who needs reinforcement to keep the midsection from sinking.

The topper is constructed from Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam with a 2-inch profile, which is 100% polyurethane foam. Even body contouring and minimal sinkage ensure the luxury firm feel best suits back and side sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds. A plush comfort feel is also available, which should be more comfortable for sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds. 

The Nolah Mattress Topper is encased in an organic cotton cover made from a blend of 4% poly lycra, 24% organic cotton, and 71% polyester. You can unzip and remove this cover for quick and easy cleaning. It also has elastic straps to secure the topper to your bed. This topper is available in six sizes, all corresponding to standard mattress dimensions.

Nolah ships their toppers free to shoppers in all 50 states. The Nolah Mattress Topper is backed by a 30-day trial period and a 10-year warranty for sleepers who decide to keep the topper once the trial period expires.

Puffy Mattress Topper

Pros

  • Breathable bamboo-derived viscose and polyester cover
  • Available in two firmness levels
  • Anti-slip bottom helps prevent shifting at night
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons

  • May not offer enough firmness or cushion for sensitive sleepers

If you live with back pain, you can benefit from a mattress topper that softens your mattress and gently cushions your body. Commonly known as the best mattress topper for hip pain, the Puffy Mattress Topper has an ideal amount of cushioning to ease the pressure off the sleeper’s body while delivering enough support to maintain a good sleeping posture. Two firmness options make it suitable for various sleep positions and body types.

The Puffy Mattress Topper measures 2.5 inches thick and features a single layer of memory foam. The soft (3) option is quite plush and should appeal to side sleepers who need strong cushioning on their hips and shoulders. While some back sleepers might find this model comfortable against their spine, the firm (7) option will likely offer better support for their back. You can also opt for an extra firm mattress topper for maximum body support.

This topper’s removable and machine-washable cover is made of 60% polyester and 40% rayon derived from bamboo, a breathable blend of fabric designed to help with temperature neutrality. It also includes an elastic band that can accommodate 15-inch mattresses, and the bottom of the topper has small nubs that grip your mattress to prevent slippage. 

Puffy offers free ground shipping to all 50 states. A lifetime warranty and a 101-night trial back each order. 

Molecule Triple Zone Pro Topper

Pros

  • Sleeps cool and wicks away excess moisture and sweat
  • Zoned support offers whole-body comfort
  • Very affordable

Cons

  • Slides a little bit for individuals that move a lot

The most comfortable mattress topper for any person with chronic back pain should reduce discomfort and cushion sensitive areas while maintaining even support. The Molecule Triple Zone Topper features a unique multi-layer construction, which creates a perfect balance between support and flexibility. 

The upper comfort layer is made of RestoreFLO premium gel memory foam in an open-cell structure for maximum pressure relief and breathability. Aside from keeping you supported and increasing ventilation, this slow-moving material eases pressure along your shoulders and hips while sleeping on your side and relieves hip pain while back sleeping. If you often sleep on your side, you can check out some of the best mattress toppers for side sleepers on the market for maximum pain and pressure relief.



The bottom layer boasts a unique design, which makes it especially suitable for sleepers with back pain. While other toppers have solid bottom layers with the same support throughout, the Molecule Triple Zone Pro Topper has a RecoveryFLO Precision-contoured 3D geometric surface with three distinct zones to provide hyper-targeted and self-adjusting support for different body parts. A temperature-regulating cover with MOLECULEshield antimicrobial treatment rests atop these layers, protecting your sleep surface against fungus, bacteria, and odors.

This gel memory foam topper carries an approachable price tag, and shipping is free throughout the contiguous U.S. Your order includes a 30-night return policy and a 5-year warranty for those who decide to keep the topper.

Zoma Balance Pad

Pros

  • Breathable and prevents heat retention
  • Dynamic foam quickly responds to body movements
  • Contains Reactiv™ foam, a buoyant foam similar to latex

Cons

  • No choice of firmness options

The Zoma Balance Pad offers a buoyant and breathable surface to ensure sleepers with back pain are well-supported at night. It’s made from a light and springy topper material that adds support to sleepers using overly soft mattresses and comfort to those with painfully firm beds. With a 3-inch profile, this topper is thick enough to alter the feel of any sleep surface significantly. This should offer a temporary fix for back pain sufferers whose mattresses have become indented or saggy with years of use. 

The topper features a breathable Reactiv™ foam that keeps the surface cool and contours to the body to reduce motion transfer and provide continuous body support. Its plush cover is also ventilated to promote airflow and minimize heat retention. The bottom of the mattress pad has a non-skid fabric that hugs your mattress, preventing it from slipping off at night.

Zoma offers a 5-year warranty for their Balance Pad that covers your topper from sagging and manufacturing defects. Customers living in the contiguous U.S. are eligible for free shipping.

Which Sleeping Position Is Good for Back Pain?

The best sleeping position depends on where you feel the pain; is it upper back or lower back? Generally, when experiencing back pain it's advisable to sleep on your side or on your back. These two positions maintain spinal alignment unlike stomach sleeping which misaligns your spine. You can also make use of pillows between your knees to help with pressure relief.

How to Choose a Mattress Topper for Back Pain

Mattress toppers come in different sizes and designs, therefore it's essential to choose the right one for your condition and other needs. Here are some factors and features to look out for.

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Topper Firmness

One of the most important considerations is to find a mattress that provides adequate support for your spine. A medium-firm mattress is often recommended as it can provide a balance of support and comfort. It can also help to keep your spine in a neutral position, which can alleviate pressure on your back. A firm mattress topper can leave you with a lot of pain the following morning due to strains on your back. A soft mattress topper will make you sink and curve your spine worsening your back pain.

Mattress Material

Memory foam mattresses are often recommended for back pain, as they can contour to your body and provide support where needed. Latex mattresses can also be a good option, as they can offer similar support to memory foam, but with more responsiveness and a bouncier feel. Either way, if you're a hot sleeper, go for a mattress with cooling technology to keep you comfortable through the night. Aside from hot sleepers, back pain sufferers also need a cool mattress because when it gets sweaty, tossing in bed with back pain will be difficult and painful.

Conclusion

Before choosing a mattress topper for back pain it's advisable to talk to your physician for any advice regarding your condition. They will be in a better position to know the best sleeping position and other practices to take on to improve your sleep quality. Ultimately, your mattress makes a big difference, hence, first buy a good mattress for back pain to avoid other problems in the future.