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The 8 Best Firm Mattress Toppers

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by Lisa Fogarty
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Bustle/Amazon

When looking for one of the best firm mattress toppers, you'll find a variety of materials can work to make your bed firmer. Mattress toppers made of materials including memory foam and latex can both make a soft mattress more supportive — if you know what to look for. So, what kind of mattress topper is firmest?

It's true you can find firm mattress toppers in any material, but after looking at the options out there, the firmest ones tend to be made of latex. When shopping for latex mattress toppers, pay attention to the indentation load deflection (ILD) which is the measure of the density. The lower the ILD number on your latex mattress topper, say 12, the less firm your topper will be. A topper that ranges between 40 and 50 ILD is considered to be super firm and amazing for your back.

If you prefer memory foam, look for a topper with a density of between 3 and 5 pounds per cubic inch. This will ensure your topper is dense and firm, so you don't sink too much into it. The height of your topper largely comes down to your personal preference. There's some reason to suggest that thicker mattress toppers might offer more support, but consider your own needs first. Thicker mattress toppers often mean you'll need deep-pocket sheets, and since some 4- or 5-inch mattress toppers are made of a combination of a few inches memory foam and a few inches of a different material, the density matters more than height.

In a hurry? These are the best firm mattress toppers:

1. An Extra-Firm Organic Latex Memory Topper: Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper

2. This Affordable Medium-Firm Latex Mattress Topper: NESAILA 3 Inch Mattress Topper

3. An Organic Latex Mattress Topper With Height Options: Take Ten Organic 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper

4. A Memory Foam Topper With Cooling Gel: ViscoSoft 3-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

5. A Pricier, But Firmer Memory Foam Pick: Memory Foam Solutions Visco Elastic Mattress Topper

6. An Affordable Memory Foam Topper For Less Than $115: subrtex 2-Inch Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper

7. A Copper And Memory Foam Mattress Topper: Maxzzz 2 Inch Mattress Topper

8. This Unique Lavender-Infused Mattress Topper: LUCID 4 Inch Lavender Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper

This list of firm mattress toppers includes options for sweaty sleepers, budget-conscious shoppers, and anyone who prefers a really (really) firm bed topper. Snag one and sleep better.

And if you're interested, here are our picks for the best firm mattresses, and our guide for how to make your mattress firmer.

1

An Extra-Firm Organic Latex Memory Topper

This extra-firm latex mattress topper has a firmness rating of 44 ILD (latex density), making it an extremely firm choice and one that beats out most memory foam options in terms of firmness. Another benefit of choosing latex is that it is naturally ventilated, breathable, and cooling. This 2-inch topper is a great choice for anyone who wants that firmness, but doesn’t necessarily need it to come with 3 to 4 inches of height.

Countless reviewers say this topper is amazing at addressing back and neck pain — and if you're not a fan of memory foam, it's the perfect alternative. It meets Global Organic Latex Standards, has passed Oeko-Tex Standard 100 requirements, and comes with a five-year warranty.

Positive Amazon review: "We love this mattress topper! [...] We have a name brand mattress that we bought several months ago only to realize that it was too soft for my husband. This topper has saved us hundreds of dollars because now we don't have to buy another mattress. We both sleep more soundly, and it provides the firmness that he needs without while it's still soft enough to be comfortable for me."

  • Available in sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

2

This Affordable Medium-Firm Latex Mattress Topper

Even without the thousands of reviews to back it up, this latex mattress topper is a great alternative to the previous pick if you want to save money and need a topper that is more medium-firm that extra-firm. It has an ILD of 26 and comes in one thickness level — 3 inches. The natural latex topper has a ventilated design for breathability and comes with a machine washable cotton cover that zips around the topper to keep it in place. The price is one of the lowest you’ll find in mattress toppers and this one has earned a solid 4.3-star rating. Information is not provided about a warranty for this pick.

Positive Amazon review: "We purchased this topper because it is latex and 3” thickness. It was placed on a 10+ year old latex firm mattress.We were amazed at the comfort. It eliminated the pressure points and pain that we had been experiencing before the purchase.It did not add any heat as some mattress toppers do.”

  • Available in sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, King

3

An Organic Latex Mattress Topper With Height Options

Made from 100% organic latex that’s USDA certified and meets Global Organic Latex Standards, this mattress topper is a highly rated and affordable choice for anyone who prefers knowing all of the materials used are organic. Similar to the previous pick, this one has an ILD 26 rating, which puts in squarely in the medium-firm category. It comes with a machine-washable organic cotton cover and comes in two height options — 2 or 3 inches — so you have more of a say over customizing your bed with this pick. This topper gives you the option of a 30-day trial and it comes with a five-year warranty.

Positive Amazon review: "This topper has been a game changer. My husband has complained about our bed for months, but we didn't want to purchase a new bed. [...] It is incredibly comfortable to sleep on but also provides good support. I would highly recommend the quality and price of this product to anyone looking to improve their quality of sleep. Best sleep we've had in months!”

  • Available in sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King

4

A Memory Foam Topper With Cooling Gel

With a density of just under 4 pounds per cubic foot, this hard topper is one of the densest memory foam mattress toppers on this list (remember, density equals firmness), and comes in a full range of bed sizes for every room. This 3-inch memory foam mattress topper strikes a great middle-of-the-road height that will give you plenty of support without making it hard to find sheets that fit.

Even better, it also solves one major dilemma a lot of people have when it comes to memory foam: Instead of retaining heat and making sweaty sleepers even hotter, this topper has a ventilated and gel-infused design that allows it to distribute body heat more easily and allows for better airflow. The topper comes with a removable, washable, hypoallergenic bamboo-rayon cover and four adjustable straps to keep it in place. It's no wonder after 8,000 Amazon reviews, this topper has earned a glowing, 4.5-star rating. It also comes with a three-year warranty for peace of mind.

Positive Amazon review: "The biggest problem I have with foam inserts on a mattress is the fact that I'm an incredibly hot sleeper - like two fans on me in the winter, personal AC unit next to me in the summer hot. This mattress topper is noticeably cool. In fact, when you climb in to bed you can feel how cool the pad is on your skin. [...] This topper is a great solution to getting more life out of a mattress, even if you're an incredibly hot sleeper."

  • Available in sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Queen Short, King, California King

5

A Pricier, But Firmer Memory Foam Pick

It's a bit pricier, but this 3-inch memory foam mattress topper has a density of 4 pounds per cubic inch, making it a bit firmer than the pick above. While the pick above is still a better value for what it is (and has features like the built-in ventilation that make it a standout choice), this high-density memory foam topper might make sense as an upgrade if you're looking for the firmest memory foam option. It consists of 3 inches of Visco elastic memory foam, which feels springy and conforms to your body, but also cradles it in a firm, supportive way — you aren’t going to sink into this mattress topper. It’s backed by a three-year warranty.

Positive Amazon review: "If you like EXTREMELY FIRM mattresses... this will work for you."

  • Available in sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

6

An Affordable Memory Foam Topper For Less Than $150

A hard truth: The denser the mattress topper, the more expensive it tends to be to produce and to buy. But this high-density memory foam mattress topper is amongst the cheapest truly firm options out there. It has a density of 3.5 pounds per cubic inch, which is lower than the other picks above. But, it comes in a bunch of different thicknesses and designs so you can customize it. And, like others on this list, it is made with a gel-infused memory foam (which has ventilation built in) and a bamboo cover to help keep hot sleepers cool throughout the night. But perhaps the best feature on this firm mattress topper is it's 10-year warranty. It has earned more than 4,000 reviews.

Positive Amazon review: "The topper provides a firm support WITHOUT pressure on the hips, shoulders and neck. The 3.5 lb density foam offers less of the feeling of sinking into the topper, and does a nice job of controlling body heat. It also stays firmly in place on top of the mattress. Great product!"

  • Available in sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

7

A Copper And Memory Foam Mattress Topper

If you like sleeping cool, this memory foam mattress topper is infused with a layer of copper that regulates your body temperature. The 2-inch ventilated topper has a firm density of 3 inches, according to reviewers, with ventilated holes for even more breathability and four adjustable elastic bands that keep it firmly in place over your mattress. The machine-washable polyester cover zips around the topper and this unique pick is certificated by CertiPUR-US and comes with a five-year warranty.

Positive Amazon review: "I've been having a lot of pain, all over my body that I've never dealt with before. I was looking at mattresses to replace mine then I seen this topper and yet with copper for pain relief. So I decided to try this instead and save money at the same time. I made the correct choice! When the other person moves , I do not feel it, the bed doesn’t move with this on it. [...] I'm also no longer waking up in pain.”

  • Available in sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King

8

This Unique Lavender-Infused Mattress Topper

Is the best sleep of your life just one mattress topper away? It’s completely possible, according to so many reviewers who adore this lavender-infused memory foam mattress topper, which has more than 12,000 reviews and a 4.5-star review. This breathable ventilated and contoured topper has a 3.5 pound density according to reviews (the manufacturer doesn’t state the density, which is something to consider if an extra-firm topper is a priority for you, though keep in mind this is a much cheaper pick that most of the others on the list). It has a high 4-inch profile, but also comes in 3 or 2 inch options and the Centipur-US certified pick is infused with soothing, sleep-inducing lavender. It comes with a three-year warranty.

Positive Amazon review: "I'm about 2-3 weeks in and it just smells like light lavender when I sleep on it. It's SUUUUUPER comfy and it's helped my boyfriend and I get to bed almost immediately. [...] it's also really heavy so it stays on your bed pretty darn well, especially since I have an electronic elevated baseboard. I'd 100% recommend.”

  • Available in sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King

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