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If you have hip pain, you may think your sleeping options are limited and that sleeping on your back is the only right position for you. If you prefer side sleeping or are looking for general hip support, a mattress topper might be just what your sore hips need.

A 2021 study found that sleeping on a medium-firm mattress reduced low back pain, both while in bed and upon waking, better than a firmer mattress.

While comfort and pain relief are subjective, keeping your spine aligned can help relieve pain and pressure on your hips and back.

A mattress topper can

  • Add some cushioning and softness to a firm mattress or another sleeping surface.
  • Improve and refresh your current mattress at a much cheaper price than replacing the mattress.

A mattress topper can’t

  • Make up for significant structural changes in a mattress, like visible sagging or permanent indentations.
  • Work magic. While a more comfortable sleep can improve hip pain, you’ll need to also focus on your posture, exercise, and take good overall care of your body while you’re awake for maximum relief.
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  • Customer reviews. We sought out mattress toppers with reviews that average 4+ stars out of 5.
  • Company reputation. The mattress toppers on this list are from established brands.
  • Alignment and pressure point relief. The toppers below specifically mention spinal alignment and pressure relief in their descriptions and customer reviews.

Pricing guide for queen-size mattress toppers

The prices listed below are for queen-size mattresses:

  • $ = under $150
  • $$ = $150–$300
  • $$$ = over $300

If you’re looking for other mattress sizes, such as a twin or king, you can use the shopping links below to view those prices. Note that, in general, prices for twin-size mattresses are lower, while king-size mattresses are higher than queen-size options.

Best luxury mattress topper

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Topper Supreme

  • Price: $$$
  • Sizes: twin, twin long, full, queen, king, California king
  • Thickness: 3 inches
  • Materials: memory foam
  • Pros: molds to body type, regulates temperature, 10-year warranty
  • Cons: expensive, no returns

This luxury mattress topper is made to mold to your weight, shape, and temperature. It comes with a 10-year warranty and a removable, washable, dust mite- and allergen-resistant cover.

One reviewer raves about how this topper reduced their hip pain and allowed them to wake up refreshed and pain-free.

One con is that there are no returns unless the product is damaged.

Best mattress topper for hot sleepers

Molecule Airtec Topper

  • Price: $$
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Thickness: 3 inches
  • Materials: polyurethane foam
  • Pros: cooling effect, machine washable, 30-night trial
  • Cons: no anchor to keep topper attached to mattress

Molecule’s mattress topper is CertiPUR-US certified and made with foam manufactured in the United States. Reviewers of this 4.5-star topper rave about its support. Many mention how great their body feels upon waking up each morning. The cover features cooling microfibers that pull heat away from its surface. It’s also easily removable and machine-washable.

In addition, Molecule offers free shipping and returns, a 5-year limited warranty, and a 30-night sleep trial.

Best mattress topper for motion isolation

Saatva Mattress Topper

  • Price: $$$
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, California king, split king
  • Thickness: 2 or 3 inches
  • Materials: graphite-infused memory foam
  • Pros: cooling effect, omits motion transfer while sleeping
  • Cons: higher price point

This mattress topper is infused with 3 inches of graphite memory foam that pulls heat away from your body, while the organic cotton provides you with a cooling effect. The body-contouring memory foam in this mattress topper isolates movement and relieves your pressure points as you sleep. The elastic bands that come with the mattress topper help grip the bed and stay in place.

Saatva has a return policy of 180-days from the delivery date, a 1-year limited warranty, and free shipping.

The Saatva mattress topper has a 4.9 out of 5-star rating and a handful of reviews.

Best adjustable mattress topper

Lift by Amerisleep Mattress Topper

  • Price: $$
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Thickness: 3 inches
  • Materials: memory foam
  • Pros: two different firmness styles, anchor to keep topper from sliding
  • Cons: no trial period, expensive

With the Lift by Amerisleep Mattress Topper, you can choose between two firmness styles — comfort or support — depending on your preference.

For hip pain relief, the support option may be the way to go. A grippy surface keeps the mattress topper from sliding around your bed, and the soft cover is breathable and removable.

Shipping is free, and the topper comes with a 5-year warranty.

Best mattress topper for relieving pressure points

Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper

  • Price: $$
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, queen short, king, California king
  • Thickness: 3 inches
  • Materials: memory foam
  • Pros: temperature regulating, slip-resistant, 60-day trial period
  • Cons: some reviewers find it too soft

Reviewers rave about how cool and comfortably they slept on this high density foam mattress topper. The high density foam makes the topper extra supportive on tender hip joints and pressure spots. This topper features slip-resistant mesh and adjustable straps, so it stays firmly in place all night long.

Shipping is free, and you have 60 days to return it if you’re not satisfied.

Best affordable mattress topper

Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

  • Price: $
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Thickness: 1 to 3 inches
  • Materials: latex foam
  • Pros: customizable thickness, full refund within 30 days of delivery
  • Cons: some reviewers note an odor from topper

The Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper is made with certified natural latex. Some studies suggest that, compared with polyurethane memory foam, latex puts less pressure on the body, especially where it has the most contact with the mattress, such as the hips.

You can customize the thickness of this topper by choosing a height from 1 to 3 inches. Note that the price increases with each inch. You can also choose between three different firmness levels.

Shipping is free within the contiguous United States. If the topper is not to your liking, Sleep On Latex provides a full refund if returned within 30 days of receipt.

BrandPrice MaterialThicknessSizesWarrantyTrial period
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-TOPPER Supreme$$$memory foam3 inchestwin, twin long, full, queen, king, California king10 yearsno
Molecule Airtec Topper$$polyurethane foam3 inchestwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king5 years30 nights
Saatva Mattress Topper$$$graphite-infused memory foam3 inchestwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king 1 yearsaccepts returns 180 days from delivery date
Lift by Amerisleep Mattress Topper$$memory foam3 inchestwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king 5 yearsno
Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper$$memory foam3 inchestwin, twin XL, full, queen, queen short, king, California King5 years60 nights
Sleep on Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper$latex foam1–3 inchestwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king 5 yearsaccept returns 30 days from delivery
  • Comparison shop. Don’t buy the first mattress topper you see without investigating other options. Pick three to five choices and compare the pros and cons, costs, and other considerations.
  • Decide on your deal breakers. Figure out what’s most important to you in a mattress topper: price, warranty, eco-friendly materials? Then, determine what you don’t want, aka your deal breakers, like a no-returns policy. If any topper has a deal breaker, you can eliminate that option.
  • Set a budget. Decide how much you’re willing to spend, then seek out toppers in that price range. You can find toppers for less than $150 to more than $400.
  • Crowdsource. Reach out to a trusted friend or two, or even put out a call on social media for mattress topper recommendations.

Sleeping positions

Your preferred position can affect the amount of hip pain you experience. Taking your sleeping position into account when selecting a mattress topper can help you to achieve proper alignment, pressure relief, and support.

Temperature control

If you regularly feel overheated when sleeping, you might opt for a mattress topper that’s designed for cooling. Many memory foam options are infused with cooling gel to draw away excess heat. In addition, polyfoam toppers use breathable open-cell foam, which can help you sleep cooler.

Materials

Not all mattress toppers are created equal, and the quality of the materials used makes a big impact on performance and the topper’s life span.

High end materials are more expensive but are often more comfortable and last longer. Lower quality mattress toppers can also be comfortable, but they likely do not contain extras such as temperature control.

If you have hip pain, it may be worth investing in a high quality mattress topper, as the quality of support and performance makes a big impact.

Firmness

Mattress firmness typically ranges on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest topper you can find. How firm or soft a mattress topper is can affect how comfortable and supported you are.

If you find your existing mattress to be too firm, you might opt for a softer topper. If you feel as though your mattress is too soft, you might prefer a firmer topper.

Soft to medium density mattress toppers are good options for hip pain, but it depends on the amount of hip pain you have. If you have extreme hip pain, consider opting for an extra soft or soft mattress topper. If your pain is mild, you might go with a medium-firm topper. Toppers that are too firm may lead to more pressure buildup around the hips and lower back.

Pressure relief

Mattress toppers, especially thick toppers that conform to your body, can redistribute pressure, letting your muscles and nerves rest. They can also naturally increase blood flow and redistribute your weight more evenly over the surface.

Side sleepers

If you sleep on your side, your hips often sink deeply into the bed, which can result in pressure points. You’re also typically unable to maintain proper alignment, so you may need more cushion for the hips and shoulders.

In this case, you might prefer a medium topper that allows ample room for the hips and shoulders to be cradled but prevents them from sinking in too deeply. Toppers that are too firm or too soft could put a strain on your spine and lead to back and hip pain.

Body weight can also come into play. Sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds might want a softer option, whereas those weighing over 230 pounds might need a firmer topper to prevent the “sinking in” feeling. Try putting a pillow between your knees to help keep your upper hip aligned.

Stomach sleepers

If you sleep on your stomach, you might sink into your bed near your hips and stomach, which puts a strain on the spine. Over time, this strain can lead to lower back pain and discomfort in the hips and neck.

To prevent this excessive sinkage, consider opting for a firmer, thinner mattress topper.

Back sleepers

A medium topper is often the sweet spot for back sleepers, as a firmer surface helps give the support needed to maintain spinal alignment. If your mattress topper is too soft, your hips may sink in too deeply which can lead to an imbalance in the spine.

Memory foam

Memory foam is a synthetic material that gained popularity for its ability to mold and adjust to the shape of the sleeper. Memory foam is great for relieving hip pressure and promoting proper spinal alignment, as it cradles the body. The material is incredibly durable, yet often more expensive than other toppers.

Polyfoam

Polyfoam toppers are made up of a synthetic foam that allows air to circulate due to its open-cell structure. It has a spongier feel than other toppers and is often more affordable. These toppers can also reduce pressure buildup around the hips by contouring to the body.

Latex

Natural latex is formulated from the sap of rubber trees and is the most commonly used material in mattress toppers. Natural latex does not hug the body. Rather, it’s more buoyant, allowing the sleeper to hover over their mattress and switch positions easily. Synthetic and blended latex options are also available and are often more affordable.

Down and feather

Down and feather mattress toppers are great for sleepers looking to make their beds softer. Unlike memory foam, polyfoam, and latex, these mattress toppers do not contour to the shape of the sleeper. For those with hip pain, down and feather toppers can provide extra cushioning, but that’s about it.

You might even explore the world of pregnancy pillows. These pillows can help provide support and pain relief — even if you’re not pregnant.

Again, mattress toppers are just one way to manage hip pain. If hip pain is interfering with your daily life, it might be time to determine other ways to get relief. This may include using pillows to adjust your sleeping positions and support your body.

Also, check out the Healthline column “Life’s a Pain,” which explores different ways for managing and reducing chronic pain. Check out some of the past columns to read about five ways to reduce your pain right now, how topical pain creams can help, and five inexpensive products to manage pain in your daily life.

Can mattress toppers help with hip pain?

The right mattress topper might help reduce hip pain. However, if your mattress is simply outdated and not providing the proper support, you may need to purchase a new bed.

If your mattress is in good condition but not the right firmness for your sleeping position, you might benefit from a mattress topper.

Are soft or firm mattress toppers better for hip pain?

The short answer is, it depends on your body. Different factors could be affecting your hip pain while you sleep.

Consider your sleeping position: If you tend to sleep on your side, perhaps your mattress doesn’t support your hip quite enough. Maybe a firm mattress topper could provide more stability.

Body weight could also be a factor in determining mattress toppers. People with less weight may need a softer mattress topper to feel supported.

Is it better to get a new mattress?

If your bed feels too firm, too strong, or is lightly sagging, you might benefit from a mattress topper. Not only will you feel more comfortable falling asleep at night, but you may experience less hip pain.

However, if your mattress is too outdated (6 to 8 years old) or sagging too deeply, there’s only so much a topper can do. In that case, you may be better off purchasing a new mattress.

What type of mattress topper is the most popular?

Memory foam and polyfoam toppers are crowd favorites for those with hip pain, as they mold to the body, thus relieving any pressure from the hips and lower back.

Hip pain is a pain in the… well, hip joints! But there is relief out there. Investing in a supportive mattress topper is a quick, relatively affordable way to support your hips.

If you find a topper you like, relax comfortably and check out the articles linked above for additional hip pain relief. Good luck, good sleep, and good pain relief to you!


Ash Fisher is a writer and comedian living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. When she’s not having a wobbly-baby-deer day, she’s hiking with her corgi, Vincent. She lives in Oakland, California. Learn more about her on herwebsite.