Most of the time, people buy mattress toppers because they need some additional pressure relief. But if your current bed feels too soft, there’s no need to rush out and buy a new mattress!
We rounded up a list of the best firm mattress toppers that will not only extend the life of your current bed, but offer the lumbar support you need.
Best Firm Mattress Toppers
- Saatva Latex – Best Firm Mattress Topper for Back Pain
- Nolah – Best Extra Firm Mattress Topper
- Avocado Latex – Best Firm Latex Mattress Topper
- Plushbeds – Best Firm Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers
- TitanFlex – Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress Topper
- Birch Latex – Best Cooling Firm Mattress Topper
How We Chose Our Products
Here at Mattress Clarity, we’ve tested dozens of mattress toppers. For this roundup, we focused specifically on firm toppers that offer both lumbar support and joint pain relief. We also assessed these toppers based on their durability, construction, cooling features, and motion transfer.
Best Firm Mattress Topper for Back Pain – Saatva Latex
For those who need just a little bit of extra softness to their bed, the Saatva Latex Mattress topper is 1.5" tall and full of springy, responsive Talalay latex.
Saatva Latex Mattress Topper
Made with 1.5” of hypoallergenic latex, the Saatva topper offers a great balance of comfort and support. And if you suffer from back pain, this is exactly what you need. You’ll feel the latex foam hug your body, but because the material is so dense and responsive, you won’t feel like you’re sinking into the topper.
We recommend the Saatva Latex for back and side sleepers, but it also works for people who tend to sleep hot at night. Latex is naturally cooling and breathable, so it doesn’t trap body heat.
What Makes The Saatva Latex Topper Stand Out?
- It offers both lumbar support and pressure relief, which is great for people with back pain.
- Because it’s made out of natural latex, it is durable and breathable.
- It works well for back and side sleepers.
Read our full Saatva mattress topper review.
Best Extra Firm Mattress Topper – Nolah
Nolah Mattress Topper
The Nolah Mattress Topper uses its proprietary CertiPUR-US certified foam to achieve a super pressure-relieving yet supportive feel.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.90 / 5
Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam is not only high-quality – it’s breathable, too! If you’re a hot sleeper who needs additional lumbar support, you may want to consider getting the Nolah Luxury Firm mattress topper.
This topper has an organic cotton cover that feels super soft and helps wick away moisture. It also has convenient corner straps that easily attach to the sides of the mattress.
What Makes The Nolah Topper Stand Out?
- It’s made with breathable AirFoam.
- The lLuxury Firm model offers lumbar support.
- The cover is made with soft organic cotton.
Read our full Nolah mattress topper review.
Best Firm Latex Mattress Topper – Avocado Latex
Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper
The Avocado is an all-natural mattress topper that is a good option for those who want something comfortable and eco-friendly.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.60 / 5
Read Full Review
The Avocado Latex topper is quite popular – and for good reason! Not only is it certified organic, it’s luxurious and long lasting. The organic cotton cover feels incredibly soft, and the organic wool helps wick away moisture.
But it’s the latex foam that really makes this topper stand out. A naturally breathable and responsive material, latex is great for hot sleepers. The firm topper offers excellent lumbar support, making it a great choice for back and stomach sleepers.
What Makes The Avocado Stand Out?
- It’s made with luxurious, durable materials.
- The latex foam helps dissipate body heat.
- The firm option offers excellent lumbar support.
Read our full Avocado mattress topper review.
Best Firm Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers – Plushbeds
Plushbeds Natural Latex Mattress Topper
If you want variety in your latex topper, Plushbeds offers an impressive five different firmness levels. This will fit every single body type and sleeping position out there.
Typically, side sleepers need soft mattresses that can alleviate pressure along the shoulders and hips. That said, the Plushbeds latex mattress topper is a great choice if you need a topper that feels supportive but not too firm.
This topper is all about options. It’s available in five firmness levels: soft, medium-soft, medium, medium-firm, firm, and extra firm. If you’re a side sleeper on the hunt for a firm topper, we recommend the medium-firm or firm option. Both of these should offer ample lumbar support and plenty of joint pain relief.
What Makes Plushbeds Stand Out?
- It’s available in five different firmness levels.
- It’s made out of 100% natural latex that’s aerated for extra breathability.
- The medium-firm option offers a great balance of comfort and support.
Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress Topper – TitanFlex
Brooklyn Bedding TitanFlex Topper
The TitanFlex is a comfortable topper that comes in three firmnesses. This makes it a good fit for any sleeping position.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.20 / 5
The TitanFlex topper contains 3” of proprietary Hyper-Elastic Foam, which is both responsive and durable. This topper is available in three firmness levels, but it’s their firm option that offers the most lumbar support.
This could be a great choice for back and stomach sleepers who need more lumbar support, but don’t want to purchase one of the best firm mattresses. Plus, customers can choose between an organic cotton or Luxury Cooling cover!
What Makes The TitanFlex Topper Stand Out?
- The firm option is great for back and stomach sleepers.
- It’s made from durable proprietary foam.
- Customers can choose between an organic cotton cover and a Luxury Cooling cover.
Best Cooling Firm Mattress Topper – Birch Latex
Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper
The Birch mattress topper is 3” tall. The cover is made of organic cotton and is very breathable. The first layer contains Birch wool, which is both durable and breathable. Below that, there is a layer of Talalay latex. The Birch is a great option for those who want an eco-friendly mattress topper.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.70 / 5
Read Full Review
The Birch mattress topper is made with organic and eco-friendly materials. It’s not only kind to the earth; it’s also extremely durable!
The latex foam feels naturally breathable, so it shouldn’t trap body heat. Plus, the cotton cover organic wool helps wick away moisture. This topper has a medium-firm feel, and it offers a great balance of pressure relief and lumbar support.
What Makes The Birch Topper Stand Out?
- It’s made with certified organic materials.
- It’s naturally breathable and moisture-wicking.
- The Birch topper offers both comfort and support.
Read our full Birch mattress topper review.
What to Look for in Firm Mattress Toppers
When shopping for a new mattress topper, there are a few factors to consider:
Sleeping Position
Firm mattresses tend to work best for back and stomach sleepers because they help keep the spine in a neutral alignment. Side sleepers usually need softer mattresses that offer pressure relief and comfort. If you sleep on your side and already have a supportive mattress, you may not need a firm mattress topper. For more ideas, take a look at our list of the best mattress toppers for side sleepers.
Price
When it comes to pricing, mattress toppers run the gamut. If you’re on budget, we recommend the Brooklyn Bedding TitanFlex mattress topper. It’s sold at a reasonable price point, and it’s quite durable. We don’t recommend purchasing a terribly cheap mattress topper, because they don’t tend to last very long. In our experience, more often than not, higher price tags correlate with durability and quality.
Sleeping Hot or Cold
If you sleep hot at night, you may want to stay away from memory foam mattress toppers. This material tends to trap body heat and cause sleepers to feel hot and stuffy. Instead, look for a breathable foam topper that’s infused with gel, graphite, or copper. Latex mattress toppers also help dissipate body heat.
Best Firm Mattress Topper Materials
Most firm mattress toppers contain either high-density memory foam or latex. Memory foam toppers usually offer more body contouring and cushioning, so they could be good choices for side sleepers in need of a firmer bed.
Latex foam feels naturally supportive, so if you need a particularly firm topper, this may be the best choice. Most latex mattress toppers won’t trigger allergic reactions because they have thick covers surrounding them. However, if you have a severe latex allergy, you may want to purchase a memory foam mattress topper instead.
Who Should Buy a Firm Mattress Topper?
Firm mattress toppers work well for back and stomach sleepers who need more lumbar support. If a mattress feels too soft, back and stomach sleepers could sink out of alignment and develop lower back pain.
Some side sleepers may benefit from a firm mattress topper, but in general, we don’t recommend firm mattresses or firm mattress toppers for people who rest in this sleeping position. Most side sleepers will need more pressure relief along their shoulders and hips.
Summary
Once again, here are our top picks for the best firm mattress toppers.
| Mattress Topper | Best For |
| Saatva Latex | Best Firm Mattress Topper for Back Pain |
| Nolah | Best Extra Firm Mattress Topper |
| Avocado Latex | Best Firm Latex Mattress Topper |
| Plushbeds | Best Firm Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers |
| TitanFlex | Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress Topper |
| Birch Latex | Best Cooling Firm Mattress Topper |
FAQs
Before we wrap up, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
Can a mattress topper make a mattress firmer?
Yes! There are many firm mattress toppers on the market. Some of our favorites include the Saatva Latex topper and the TitanFlex topper.
Where can I buy a firm mattress topper?
The best firm mattress toppers are sold online from retailers like Nolah, Avocado, and Brooklyn Bedding. Most companies also offer generous sleep trial periods, so you can easily test out the topper and see if it meets your needs.