There’s evidence1 to suggest a medium-firm to firm mattress is better for back and stomach sleepers, as well as those experiencing back pain. Anyone who falls into these categories and is struggling to sleep in their current sleep setup should consider switching things up. Now if you’re not quite ready to splurge on an entirely new extra-firm mattress, a topper can be a great way to improve your current bed. By covering your existing mattress with a firm foam topper, especially latex foam, you’ll get one step closer to finding the best mattress to help you fall asleep—and stay there. “It really can vary, but it’s all about proper alignment for the spine and neck,” Harris says. “Think about how you sleep—on your stomach? Back? Side?” Once you’ve taken note of your sleep position, there are a few tried-and-true mattress pairings: “Stomach sleepers usually need a firmer mattress, side sleepers need a medium-firm bed to support the neck and shoulders, and back sleepers range from medium to firm to help support the spine,” Harris adds. So, if you’re a back or stomach sleeper who can’t get comfortable, or if you keep waking up with back pain, you might want to firm up your current mattress situation—literally. There is only one firmness option for each of the models, and the latex version is a true medium-firm. It’s on the slimmer side compared to others on this list, so if you’re truly not a fan of your current mattress, this 1½-inch model might be too thin for you. However, that also means you won’t sink too deeply into the topper, which is good news for stomach and back sleepers. Reviewers of all sleep styles seem to be pleased with the support and cush of the latex version. The organic cotton cover isn’t removable, so you’ll have to stick to spot cleaning. But one great perk of this topper is that it comes with elastic straps to make sure it doesn’t slide around on top of your existing mattress. Speaking of the cover, it is removable. If you want to wash it, PlushBeds recommends you hand wash and air dry the material. Several reviewers say the combination of the cotton cover and perforated latex makes for a cooler sleep surface than other foam toppers that they’ve tried. With five different firmness options and two different thickness options (2-inch or 3-inch heights), you can customize your PlushBeds topper to suit your existing setup. Side sleepers could probably stand to get away with a medium or medium-firm version, while back and side sleepers wanting a firmer surface should stick to medium-firm or extra-firm. PlushBeds also recommends that anyone seeking a true extra-firm surface (especially folks weighing over 250 pounds) choose the extra-firm model. It also gets rave reviews for maintaining a comfortable temperature during the night—that’s thanks to the thick layer of organic, moisture-wicking wool at the top. Not into wool? They also have a vegan version of this mattress topper, which swaps cotton for wool (but is the same price). Speaking of price, this topper is on the higher end. However, if your priorities are temperature regulation, eco-friendly practices, and sustainable materials, the extra bucks might be worth it. A few considerations: There isn’t a removable cover on this topper, so you’ll need to spot-clean as you go. Reviews are also mixed as to whether this topper slides around on top of a mattress. A few folks suggest layering it on top of a grippy surface (like a rug grip) to avoid needing regular adjustments. The cover on the TEMPUR-Topper Supreme is removable for easy washing. And while memory foam is notoriously warm, not many reviewers complain about sleeping hot on this topper made of it. If sleep temperature is a concern for you, you can upgrade your topper’s cover to a “cool-to-the-touch” material, which costs an additional $60. TEMPUR-Pedic has been a household name for decades thanks to its signature memory foam material (you might have witnessed a demo of someone walking on the foam with a glass of red wine at your local mall in the aughts?). However, the foam isn’t made from sustainably sourced or recycled materials. On the upside, you’re likely to find a TEMPUR-Topper to lie on at a mattress store near you to try before you buy, which is helpful as TEMPUR-Pedic doesn’t offer trials or returns for toppers. One big perk of this latex topper is that it comes with a removable organic cotton cover that’s also machine-washable (so there aren’t any excuses when spring cleaning rolls around). You can even purchase additional covers separately if you so choose. Silk & Snow’s topper comes in a medium or firm option. Since it’s rather thin—we couldn’t find an exact measurement, but it looks to be around 1½ inches—you should consider how much you’re trying to firm your current mattress. If you’re looking to make a big change to the overall feel of your bed, you’re likely better off with the firm version. Side sleepers, on the other hand, might prefer the feel of the medium. The Pure Green Natural Latex topper comes in three different thickness options and three firmness options. Side sleepers might prefer the feel of the medium topper, while back and stomach sleepers are likely better off choosing the firm. There’s also an option to add an organic cotton cover if you don’t like the feel of perforated latex through your sheets—however, the perforation should help regulate temperatures nicely for hot sleepers. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to fall back in love with your existing bed, from new sheets to a quality new topper. And if you’re looking to improve your current mattress versus buying an entirely new one, a firm mattress topper might just do the trick.
