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.
Our Verdict
One of the best firm mattress toppers is the Saatva Latex mattress topper. This topper is the best of both worlds. It’ll be much firmer and supportive than traditional memory foam, but it’s not so firm that it’ll feel like sleeping on the floor. It can attach to your mattress with elastic straps in the corner and it shouldn’t sleep hot.
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
Saatva Natural Latex Mattress Topper
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.
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 We Love About the Saatva Latex Topper
- The Saatva Latex topper offers both lumbar support and pressure relief, which make it a good fit for people with back pain.
- Latex is great for two reasons: it’s durable and breathable. This means that this topper should last several years, and it won’t trap heat, making it a good choice for hot sleepers.
- While it has a bouncy and responsive feel, making it easy to move around on, it should isolate motion well. That can be beneficial if you sleep with a partner, because you’ll be less likely to notice them moving around.
What to Keep In Mind About the Saatva Latex Topper
- While this topper should last you a very long time, at full price, it costs about $450. This makes it more of a splurge, and not ideal for those with a budget in mind.
- Latex foam feels much different than traditional memory foam. If you prefer the slow-moving, sinking feeling of traditional foam, this might not be the topper for you.
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 We Love About the Nolah Mattress Topper
- The Nolah topper is designed to not trap heat. Nolah uses its proprietary foam called AirFoam, which is more breathable and responsive than traditional memory foam.
- This topper comes in two firmness options: Plush and Luxury Firm. I tested the Plush version, but the Luxury Firm version should work well for those who have soft mattresses and need some firm support.
- The cover is made with soft organic cotton that is very breathable. And in the corners, you’ll find straps to help it securely attach to your mattress.
What to Keep In Mind About the Nolah Mattress Topper
- This topper is only 2″ thick. For some, this might not be thick enough to offer additional support.
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 We Love about the Avocado Mattress Topper
- Avocado uses certified organic and eco-friendly materials. The organic latex, wool, and cotton used should be very long lasting, being able to last at least seven years. This is quite impressive for a topper.
- Hot sleepers shouldn’t feel hot on this topper. Latex is known for being breathable, and it is ventilated for airflow. The wool is temperature regulating and the cotton is very breathable.
- The firm option offers excellent lumbar support. You shouldn’t feel trapped in this topper either, as it’s very bouncy and responsive, making it easy to move around on.
What to Keep In Mind About the Avocado Mattress Topper
- This is one of the more pricey toppers on the list. At full price, it’s around $650. This should be a very long lasting investment, but the price might not fit everyone’s budgets.
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 may even provide some joint pain relief.
What We Love about the Plushbeds Latex Mattress Topper
- It’s available in five different firmness levels. For those who need some extra support on their mattress, we recommend the medium-firm or firm option for side sleepers.
- It’s made out of 100% natural latex that’s aerated for extra breathability. This means that this topper won’t trap heat.
- The medium-firm option offers a great balance of comfort and support. If your mattress is too soft, this should help offer some more support while still giving some pressure relief in your shoulders and hips.
What to Keep In Mind About the Plushbeds Latex Mattress Topper
- Latex is a very durable material. But having a cover can help make it last longer. If you want a cover, it comes at an additional fee.
Read our full Plushbeds Latex mattress topper review.
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. Side sleepers who still want comfort, but need something firmer should get what they need in the medium option. Plus, customers can choose between an organic cotton or Luxury Cooling cover!
What We Love About the TitanFlex Topper
- The firm option is great for back and stomach sleepers. The foam will still offer good comfort for back sleepers, but should help stomach sleepers keep their hips elevated.
- It’s made from durable proprietary foam. This foam feels different than traditional foam. It’ll be easier to move around on so you won’t feel stuck in it.
- It comes inside a cover which should help it last longer.
What to Keep In Mind About the TitanFlex Topper
- This topper might not be the best choice for hot sleepers. The foam doesn’t have any cooling features. And while you can opt for an outer cover that is intended for cooling, this comes at an extra fee.
Read our full TitanFlex mattress topper review.
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 We Love About the Birch Mattress Topper
- Birch uses materials that are certified to be eco-friendly, sustainable, and organic. These high-quality materials should last several years.
- It’s naturally breathable and moisture-wicking. This makes it a great choice for hot sleepers.
- This topper has more of a medium-firm feel, so it’ll offer both comfort and support.
What to Keep In Mind About the Birch Mattress Topper
- This topper is on the thinner side. It might not be thick or firm enough for side sleepers or heavyweight sleepers.
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.
How firm should my mattress topper be?
This depends on the firmness level of your current mattress. If your bed feels super soft, you may want to get an extra firm mattress topper such as the Nolah or Plushbeds. If you only need a bit more lumbar support, you should opt for a medium-firm topper such as the Birch.