Choosing A Pressure Relief Mattress Topper- Ultimate Guide
Are you currently wondering how to choose the best pressure relief mattress topper? It’s easy! You just need to know what you want from your new bedding.
We all want our topper to feel comfortable, but many people don’t consider other factors and they end up buying the wrong topper as a result.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about choosing the right mattress topper for you.
What Is A Pressure Relief Mattress Topper?
A pressure relief mattress topper is a cushion that you can use on top of your existing bedding. It adjusts to your body, providing you with great support while you sleep. When you lie down, it will distribute your weight evenly and allow you to sleep comfortably. No part of your body will feel like it is pressed against a hard surface.
Who Should Get One?
- People who are on bedrest.
- People who’ve just had surgery and need to spend additional time in bed.
- Older people, especially those who have a history of chronic pain.
- People who are likely to develop bed sores or back pain during their sleep.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Topper
There are many things for you to consider, ranging from physical health to personal comfort. Let’s take a look at them one-by-one.
Size
If you’ve never measured your mattress, it’s time to do so because you’ll use this information when making your purchase decision.
Price
You need to know your budget. Your options will change based on how much money you’re willing to spend.
Look carefully at the features offered by the product, as well as the manufacturer’s warranty, before making your decision.
Be ready to spend anywhere between £70 to £300 for your topper.
Sleeping Position
Your sleep position preference does not have anything to do with the kind of topper, but it affects what thickness you need.
The chart at the end of this guide should provide you with a better idea of what thickness is ideal for you.
Pressure Relief
At some point, everyone has woken with back pain. This could possibly be because of awkward sleeping positions that make your hips sink into your mattress topper, causing your naturally curved back to straighten out.
Pressure relief depends on three main factors:
- Type of topper
- Firmness level
- Thickness
Type Of Topper
There are four main types of toppers. Each has its own pros and cons.
- Memory Foam
- Polyfoam
- Latex
- Feather
Firmness Level
The comfort or softness of a mattress topper can affect how much it conforms to your body and how much support it provides. However, it is preferred that heavyweight sleepers get a harder topper instead of a softer one.
Thickness
The thickness of a topper can vary from 1 to 8 inches. Although everyone has different sleep preferences and habits, if you just want a bit more support, you could try a thin topper (2 inches). Those who are heavyweight could try a thick topper (6 inches).
Size, price, sleeping position, and thickness vary from person to person. We can’t guide you on the “size” and “price” of your topper, but we’ve put together a table to show you how thick your topper needs to be.
Durability
Durability depends on the quality and type of materials used. It’s common for polyfoam, latex, and memory foam toppers to provide you with the support you need even after multiple years of use (6-12 years).
Transfer Of Movement
If your partner tosses and turns in bed, it can disturb your sleep and that’s why you should choose a topper that doesn’t transfer motion.
The 4 Types Of Topper
Memory Foam
Memory foam molds its shape to a person’s body, providing excellent support throughout sleep.
One downside is that it is slow to respond to change, which can make it difficult to move and change position, and it tends to retain heat which could cause you to feel hot while you sleep.
Polyfoam
A polyfoam topper doesn’t fit around your body as much as memory foam, and it regains its shape too quickly.
Studies have shown that polyfoam is more breathable and can release trapped body heat quickly in the air.
Polyfoam toppers are more affordable than higher-end toppers, but they tend not to last as long.
Latex
Latex is soft, comfortable, breathable, and durable.
It’s also incredibly supportive. It spreads your weight over a wider area, creating a floating sensation.
The price range for latex mattress toppers is often higher compared to other toppers.
Feather
Feather toppers are too soft to be used to support the body. Hence, they are a terrible choice for pressure relief.
The Thickness Of A Mattress Based On Your Sleeping Position
Your preferred sleeping position can have a say in the thickness of your topper.
Position | Weight | Topper Thickness |
Side | Less than 130 pounds | 2.5 inches or lower |
Side | 130 to 230 pounds | 2.5 inches to 3 inches |
Side | More than 230 pounds | 4 inches or higher |
Back | Less than 130 pounds | 2.5 inches or lower |
Back | 130 to 230 pounds | 2 inches to 3 inches |
Back | More than 230 pounds | 3 inches or higher |
Stomach | Less than 130 pounds | 1.5 inches or lower |
Stomach | 130 to 230 pounds | 1 to 2 inches |
Stomach | More than 230 pounds | 2 inches or higher |
Buyer’s Guide
These are the four things you need to consider before ultimately making a purchase.
- Purpose
- Size
- Budget
- Weight
We’ve also taken the liberty of dividing toppers based on their type and analyzing their pros and cons so that you can choose the best one for you.
Memory Foam – Best for those who sleep in a single position or stay in a single place in bed for an extended period of time.
Pros | Cons |
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Polyfoam – Best for those people who easily develop back or neck pain while sleeping.
Pros | Cons |
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Latex – Best for those who want a more firm mattress than their current one. Suitable for pressure relief, but not as comfortable as the other two.
Pros | Cons |
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Feather – Bad for pressure relief. However, it’s cheaper than the others. Getting a thinner feather topper may give you a more comfortable sleep.
Pros | Cons |
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Conclusion
Hopefully this guide combined with your own personal preferences will help you choose the best pressure relief mattress topper for you. Click here and have a look at our top rated mattress toppers.