Best mattress topper for back and neck pain

Is a lumpy, springy mattress disrupting your beauty sleep? It's OK to lust after luxuriously comfy hotel beds when you're waking up tired and aching every morning.

If forking out for an expensive new mattress isn't possible right now, or you’ve already upgraded your pillows and that’s not quite fixed things, don't despair. It's time to buy yourself a mattress topper.

What mattress topper should I buy?

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we tested 12 mattress toppers to find the ones that will leave you sleeping soundly, so if you’re ready to press “buy” then nod off, here are our favourites:

  • Runner-up mattress topper

    Silentnight Airmax 600 Mattress Topper Read More

  • Best bamboo mattress topper

    Panda The Topper Read More

  • Best down mattress topper

    M&S Duck Feather & Down Mattress Topper Read More

  • Best mattress topper for softness

    John Lewis & Partners Synthetic Soft Touch Mattress Topper Read More

  • Best foam mattress topper

    Eve Mattress Topper Read More

  • Best wool mattress topper

    The Woolroom Chatsworth Organic Wool Mattress Topper Read More

  • Best hypoallergenic mattress topper

    The Duvet Store Dacron Allerban Mattress Topper Read More

  • Best luxury mattress topper

    The Duvet Store 100% Pure Duck Down Combination Mattress Topper Read More

  • Best firm mattress topper

    Dormeo Octasmart Essential Aerocell Mattress Topper Read More


How we test mattress toppers

To find the best mattress toppers for a great night’s sleep, we asked our panel of testers to trial them at home for three weeks. They then rated their experience, judging how comfortable, supportive and breathable each topper was, as well as its overall design.

We also put them to the test at the Good Housekeeping Institute, assessing how well the toppers fitted, how smooth they were under a bed sheet and how evenly distributed the filling was.

Scroll on to find the ones worth bedding down with, and everything you need to know about investing in a new mattress topper.

All prices are for a UK Double.

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Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper

Key specifications

TypeFoam and springThickness7cmSizesSingle, small double, double, king, super kingFeaturesMachine washableGuarantee10 years

Runner-up mattress topper

Silentnight Airmax 600 Mattress Topper

Key specifications

TypeHypoallergenic fibreThickness8cmSizesSingle, double, king, super kingFeaturesMachine washable and strapsGuarantee2 years

Best bamboo mattress topper

Panda The Topper

Key specifications

TypeMemory foamThickness5cmSizesSingle, small double, UK double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU king, EU emperorFeaturesRemoval, machine-washable cover, adjustable strapsGuarantee10 years

Best down mattress topper

M&S Duck Feather & Down Mattress Topper

Key specifications

TypeFeather and downThicknessUnspecifiedSizesSingle, doubleFeaturesElasticated strapsGuaranteeUnspecified

Best mattress topper for softness

John Lewis & Partners Synthetic Soft Touch Mattress Topper

Key specifications

TypePolyesterThickness6cmSizesSingle, small double, double, king, super kingFeaturesMachine washable and elasticated strapsGuarantee2 years

Best foam mattress topper

Eve Mattress Topper

Key specifications

TypeFoamThickness5cmSizesUK single, small double, UK double, UK king, super kingFeaturesMachine washable panel, velcro strapsGuarantee2 years with a 30-night trial

Best wool mattress topper

The Woolroom Chatsworth Organic Wool Mattress Topper

Key specifications

TypeWoolThickness4-5cmSizesSingle, small double, UK double, EU single, king, super king, emperor, EU double, EU king, large emperorFeaturesAllergy UK approved (naturally hypoallergenic), elasticated strapsGuarantee2 years

Best hypoallergenic mattress topper

The Duvet Store Dacron Allerban Mattress Topper

Key specifications

TypeDacron fibre fillingThickness7.5cmSizesSingle, double, king, super king, emperorFeaturesElasticated strapsGuaranteen/a

Best luxury mattress topper

The Duvet Store 100% Pure Duck Down Combination Mattress Topper

Key specifications

TypeFeather and downThickness7.62cmSizesSingle, double, king, super king, emperorFeaturesElasticated strapsGuarantee5 years

Best firm mattress topper

Dormeo Octasmart Essential Aerocell Mattress Topper

Key specifications

TypeFoamThickness5cmSizesDouble, king, super kingFeaturesSpot clean onlyGuaranteeUnspecified

Best cooling mattress topper

Duvalay Freshtec Cooling Mattress Topper

Key specifications

TypeFoamThickness5cmSizesSingle, small double, double, king, super kingFeaturesMachine-washable coverGuaranteeNone

What type of mattress topper is best?

best mattress topper

There is no best type of mattress topper – the choice depends on your personal sleeping style and preferences.

Side sleepers and anyone who suffers from back pain should consider a memory foam mattress topper. This firm yet flexible material moulds to the shape of your body and offers the most support if you toss and turn at night. However, some people find memory foam too hot and is often expensive.

If it's a soft and comfortable layer of padding that you're after, choose a feather or down mattress topper. It will be cooler than memory foam and is a good choice for front sleepers, but can be pricey and you'll need to fluff it up regularly.

If you struggle with allergies, try a microfibre or hollowfibre mattress topper. These cheaper materials are often treated with anti-allergy chemicals, but they can get hot and have a tendency to flatten quickly.

For an all-year-round option, look for a wool mattress topper. This natural, biodegradable material keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. It offers medium-firm support but can be on the heavy side.

What thickness of mattress topper should I get?

best mattress topper

It's worth considering how thick your chosen mattress topper will make your mattress, as you might need to buy bigger bed sheets! Toppers can range from thin slithers to 7.5cm wedges. In general, a thickness of up to 5cm should suffice.

What's the difference between a mattress topper and a mattress protector?

best mattress topper

Put simply, mattress protectors protect your mattress from stains, dead skin cells and dust mites. Parents often use them to protect children's beds from night-time accidents, too.

Toppers, meanwhile, are all about comfort. They can make a mattress higher, softer, firmer, hotter or cooler, depending on the type you buy, but they won't protect it from spills or allergens.

If you're using both, put on the topper on first.

Read our reviews of the best mattress protectors

How to clean a mattress topper

best mattress topper

Clean your mattress topper as often as your bedsheets to keep it bacteria-free. Check the label, but most mattress toppers can go in the washing machine. If possible, air dry it after cleaning, or tumble dry it on the lowest temperature.

Does mattress topper help with neck pain?

While a soft mattress topper may make your bed more comfortable, it will do nothing to support your neck and shoulders.

What is best mattress topper for back pain?

Healthline's picks of the 11 best mattress toppers for back pain.
PlushBeds 100% Natural Latex Topper. ... .
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Topper Supreme. ... .
Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper. ... .
Lift by Amerisleep Mattress Topper. ... .
Saatva Mattress Topper. ... .
Layla Memory Foam Topper. ... .
Tuft & Needle Mattress Topper..

Do mattress toppers work for back pain?

Toppers can be particularly useful for people with older, sagging mattresses who experience back pain or pressure buildup while they sleep. These layers can help to evenly distribute weight and remove strain from sensitive areas along the spine like the shoulders, lumbar region, and hips.

What firmness of mattress is best for neck pain?

When it comes to pain relief, mattress firmness can absolutely make a difference. According to research from 2015 , medium-firm mattresses tend to provide a great combination of sleep comfort, quality, and spinal alignment.