Memory foam mattress toppers are a great budget alternative to buying a new mattress and can take your bed to the next level of comfort while providing greater support for your back.
Goodbye aching back hello fresh happy morning!
But before we delve into the depths of this guide let’s take a look at some of the things you need to know before you choose a memory foam mattress topper.
I’ve put all the top picks for the best memory foam toppers into the table below. My personal favourite is the Panda Topper, it’s the one I sleep on and it is really comfortable.
| Name | Thickness | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panda Life Hydro Foam Topper | 5 cm | Value For Money, Cooling, Bad Back | ££ |
| Silentnight Impress Topper | 5 cm or 2.5 cm | Bad Back | ££ |
| John Lewis Luxury Mircrofibre | 6 cm | Luxury Comfort and Pain Relief | £££ |
| Seafoam Memory Topper | 5 cm | Budget | £ |
| Eggshell Memory Topper | 5 cm | Cooling and Nightsweats | ££ |
An Introduction to Memory Foam Mattress Toppers
As I’m sure you know mattress toppers are an extra layer of padding you put on top of your bed to make it more comfortable.
What you might not know is that Memory Foam was actually developed by NASA for use in aircraft seats. The aim was to develop a comfortable seat that could be sat on for long periods of time without causing pain or discomfort.
Exactly what you want when you’re going to be lying down for 8 hours!
Now memory foam mattress toppers are used to add extra comfort to your bed but they are also designed to help ease the pain of a bad back.
Now if it’s neck pain you suffer from, consider checking out our Pillow Reviews. They are much more suited to curing neck pain and could be just what you need!
With that said let’s take a look at some of the great benefits a memory foam topper can provide
Benefits of Memory Foam
Let’s start with the obvious.
Memory foam is super comfortable!
There are no two ways about it, if you want to feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud then look no further. Memory foam is designed to evenly distribute your weight so that there is not to much pressure on any part of your body, the result?
A bed that you can’t wait to get into. No more jagged spring poking through, no more lumps that seem to follow you around the bed. It is an absolute dream to sleep on (Pun completely intended).
I actually prefer memory foam mattress toppers to regular memory foam mattresses. With a memory foam mattress, you tend to sink in quite deep and I feel like I get stuck, I then stay in that position all night and wake up with a stiff back. The opposite of what you want!
Now with a topper you can get at thinner one so that you don’t sink in all the way and you can still move around while you sleep. Perfect.
Back Support
For many people, memory foam is needed to fix a bad back. Well that comes from having your weight evenly spread, it means there isn’t pressure on any one part of your body so you can sleep soundly knowing your spine is properly aligned and got all the support it needs.
If you’ve recently suffered a back injury this could also be a great solution to sleepless nights. Check with your doctor first but it’s an easier solution to a good night sleep than a whole new orthopaedic bed!
Disadvantages of Memory Foam
Nothings perfect and memory foam does have some draw backs, but a lot of the time it’s cheap memory foam giving the good stuff a bad name.
Overheating
The most common problem people get from memory foam is overheating.
Memory foam can be prone to trapping a lot of heat because it’s dense and can’t distribute it, that leaves you way to hot all night long.
Luckily a lot of manufacturers have been working hard to remedy this.
You just have to look for some sort of cooling gel listed with the product, Panda for instance have Hydro Gel which is a special cooling gel mixed in with the memory foam to help with the heat problem. Which I’d say it does.
Doesn’t spring back
The other problem you can often face is that it doesn’t spring back fast enough so you roll over and get stuck in your own dent.
More of a problem in memory foam mattresses but it can be a problem in toppers too, but again this tends to only be in cheaper products.
Best UK Memory Foam Mattress Toppers
That brings us to the main event! Finding out what the best toppers actually are! I’ve broken them down into different categories based on what your needs might be. I’ve covered everything so I’m sure you’ll find what you need!
Panda Memory Foam Mattress Topper
- 10-Year Guarantee
- Cooling Memory Foam
- Washable Bamboo Cover
- 5 cm Thickness
Memory foam can often lead to hot sweaty nights spent tossing and turning. No fun right?
Panda agreed and came up with Hydro Foam – a memory foam mixed with a cooling gel that helps regulate temperature and keep you comfortable all night long.
Wrap that up in a breathable bamboo cover and you’re left with a pain-free back, cool comfortable nights and a smiling face in the morning.
As a massive bonus you can sleep comfortably for a decade before you have to think about replacing it. A 10-year guarantee is just unheard of amongst mattress toppers and makes this the best value topper on the list.
Verdict – Hydro Foam coolness and value for money easily make this one of the best mattress toppers available.
Read the full Panda Mattress Topper Review here.
Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper for Back Pain
Impress Topper
Brand: Silentnight
- Available in two depths 5 cm and 2.5 cm
- Hypoallergenic
- Great For Back Pain
- Removeable washable Cover
The Silentnight Impress is the perfect all round memory foam mattress topper. It’s available in two different sizes 2.5cm and 5cm. The 5cm thickness allows you plenty of room to sink in and get great support for your bad back while the 2.5cm is great if you’re looking for a comfort upgrade.
It’s also a really great price, the John Lewis topper below is definitely more luxurious but also a whole lot more expensive. And price is definitely an important factor so it shouldn’t be left out. If you’re not sure which depth chose for I’d say the 5 cm is definitely the one to go for. It just offers more comfort and support compared to the 2.5cm. Finally, it’s got a removable cover which is machine washable which is a nice final touch.
Silentnight have been in the business for over 70 years so you know you are getting a quality product. This topper is available for single, double, and king-size beds and comes with a 2-year guarantee and a cover.
Verdict – The Impress memory foam topper is the best all-round topper. It will give your bed as serious comfort upgrade while helping ease a bad back.
Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper For Comfort
John Lewis Luxury Memory Foam with Microfibre Mattress Topper
- 6cm Thick
- Great Back Support
- Temperature controlled
- Hypoallergenic
John Lewis have really outdone themselves with this mattress topper. The ultimate in luxury comfort and superb for back support. The catch is it’s a little pricey so won’t be for everyone. But if you can afford it do it. You’ll feel like your sleeping on a cloud with the 6cm depth. It will absolutely get rid of back pain and any other joint pain you might wake up with. And when you consider you spend a third of your like lying in bed it’s a worthy investment to make.
The micro fibre helps keep some of the worst of the heat out and the handy straps on each corner keep it in place on the bed, they fit up to a 35cm deep mattress as well.
A worthy investment that will last you years to come.
Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper on a Budget
Let’s keep it nice and simple at the start of the list with a cheap and cheerful option.
*Note If you suffer from a bad back please consider an alternative to this topper. It will provide you more comfort on your bed but it will not do much to help persistent back pain.
2” Memory Foam Topper
Brand: Seafoam
This is a bit debatable as to whether this topper is actual memory foam or not. It is definitely closer to plain ol’ foam but this is the budget section after all so you get what you pay for!
Available in four sizes: single, queen, double and king. It is also available with or without a cover. The cover helps increase the life of your topper and is easily removable so it can be washed at home.
Perfect for improving a lumpy bed and giving you a nice comfy sleep.
Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper for Night Sweats
Eggshell Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Brand:Visco
The Eggshell mattress topper is designed to stimulate airflow underneath you as you sleep getting rid of excess heat and ensuring you have a cool night sleep.
Because there’s nothing worse than waking up covered in sweat in the middle of the night!
Available in single, small double, double, king, and super-king.
The Visco Therapy Topper is suitable for any bed and perfect for those who tend to overheat through the night.
Best Mattress Protector – The Expert Buyer’s Guide
More on Different types of mattress topper
For more luxury consider a memory foam mattress
F.A.Q
What is that smell?
Memory foam mattress all tend to have a bit of a funky smell when they’re first opened. My suggestion is to leave it out to air for 72 hours before you put it on your bed.
This will also allow it to fully spring out if it’s been stuck inside of a vac-packed package.
Can I cut the memory foam down to a smaller size?
Yes and no, you can but it will leave the edges a bit ragged and if done wrong could cause the whole thing to fall apart. So if you do decide to cut it make sure you use something very sharp and use a cover to reinforce it to make sure it doesn’t fall apart on the bed.
Are they hypoallergenic?
Yes they are! All memory foam mattress toppers are naturally hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. This is because the material itself cannot be penetrated thus it cannot trap dust inside of it.
Will this help with neck pain?
It definitely won’t hinder neck pain but it is unlikely to improve it. For treating neck pain you are much better off getting yourself a new pillow. Have a look at our pillow buyer’s guide for more information.
Will I need to get a bigger sheet?
If you want to put the mattress topper under the bed then if you get a thicker one then you will likely need to get a bigger sheet. It depends on how big your current one is but you may have an extra 4” to cover up!
What size is my bed?
Measure your mattress!
Here are the various sizes of uk mattresses
Single: 90cm x 190cm (3’ 0” x 6’ 3”)
Small double: 120cm x 190cm (4’ 0” x 6’ 3”)
Double: 135cm x 190 cm (4’ 6” x 6’ 3”)
King Size: 150cm x 200cm ( 5’ 0” x 6’6”)
Super King Size: 180cm x 200cm (6’ 0” x 6’ 6”)
Hi Kieren, I’m really struggling to get the advice I need I feel, maybe you could help. I’ve made a few errors prior to this and i hope you can advise. I sleep on my front but suffer from lower back pain. i’ve tried but i cannot seem to get to sleep on my back. I brought a med/firm mattress from dreams on their advice, something didn’t feel right so swapped it. went for a firm one instead. turns out the first one broken but id swapped so had to keep the firm one. the firm one made my back hurt so i got a 3″ topper. its really soft and this hurt as well. so now have purchased a panda topper. its a lovely product but so far not so good for my back. really looked into the density and thickness and this has and idl of 7. i think i need a little more firmer, can you help?…PLEASE!!, James.
Hi James,
Sorry to hear your struggling so much, sounds like you’re having a hell of a time! Lower back pain isn’t uncommon for front sleepers, and the first piece of advice I’d give if you’ve tried a few different ones is to speak to a physio, perhaps there are some stretches you can do to help strengthen or ease your back so it doesn’t get sore? Just in case there is something more going on than faulty bedding, because my top recommendation would be the panda topper. Failing that though the Yanis Latex topper is firmer and might be what you’re looking for, it’s more expensive but check it out on Amazon through this link and see what you think.
I hope that helps and you can get it sorted and start sleeping well again.
Kieran
Kieran,
I have a tempur mattress and my back pain has got worse, cant sleep for more than 6 hrs without the pain waking me up. Most of the time the pain goes after been on my feet for 10mins.
Would you recommend a softer mattress?
Hi Paul, that’s an interesting problem, sorry to hear it too, it’s horrible being woken up by pain in the night. It might be because the memory foam is holding you in place and without that movement your back starts to hurt, it’s a problem I used to get myself, but before you get a new mattress you could try out the John Lewis Soft Touch Topper I talk about in my other post on mattress toppers. You can try that out for a lot cheaper than a new mattress too.
Hopefully that’ll help.
Kieran
Hello there, I have lower back problems, S1. Recently having had an accident at the gym.
I’ve decided I need to buy a topper.
You say Panda is the best. I’ve also read many reviews regarding the eve mattress topper and would like your opinion on this please?
Panda or Eve..? Many thanks and sent with love Nikki
Hi Nicola! I would say it has to be the Panda Topper out of the two!