Best Mattress Toppers for a Sagging Mattress

The Saatva Latex Topper is my best latex mattress topper for a sagging mattress due to its good amount of latex for body-cradling, its ability to firm a mattress due to the natural bounce of latex, and its ability to disperse heat. The Saatva topper comes with 1.5 inches of latex, which is a bit less than I typically like; however, latex is naturally more responsive than memory foams such as Ghostbed, meaning you can feel more support even if there’s less material. So, not only will you feel better pressure relief with latex, but I find the responsive support may help combat the sag in your mattress. 

Another feature I think you’ll like regarding the Saatva Latex Topper is its ability to disperse heat two-fold. Its cotton cover is not only organic and non-toxic, but coupled with the perforated latex below, it will help keep you cooler.

What I Don't Like About This Mattress Topper

One thing I don’t like about this topper is its price point, being priced $110 more than the most expensive topper on my list, the TEMPUR® Topper.

The Nolah Mattress Topper is my best mattress topper for side sleepers with a sagging mattress due to its unique AirFoam™ that's pressure-relieving as well as durable, and breathable cover. Nolah offers you a unique material, similar to the TEMPUR® Topper, that is 2 inches thick (the absolute minimum I like to see) and can capture your body’s weight better and spread it out over a wider area so you feel better pressure relief. I think this is handy if you’re a side sleeper, as more cushioning is needed to remove pressure build-up under the shoulders and hips. Along with this, AirFoam™ is more durable, meaning that you can use it to firm up your mattress for a longer period of time, as the AirFoam™ can handle weight more efficiently, and reduce the feeling of a sagging mattress.

On top of this, Nolah’s cover is made of organic cotton, which is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, helping to draw heat away, so you stay temperature neutral.

What I Don't Like About This Mattress Topper

One feature I don’t like about the Nolah topper is that it doesn't have more cooling features added to it, like the Ghostbed Topper, meaning that you may feel hot if you’re sensitive to heat changes.

Best Cooling Topper for a Sagging Mattress — GhostBed Mattress Topper

Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Mattress Topper for a Sagging Mattress 

The top factors to consider when choosing the best mattress topper for a sagging mattress are listed below:

• The thickness.
• The material used.
• The density of the material.
• The cooling or breathability of the topper.
• The topper’s warranty.
• The topper’s overall price.
• Your sleeping preferences and physique.

The Thickness of the Topper

When it comes to understanding what a mattress topper is, and how thickness plays a role in if a topper will provide adequate support or not, it’s important to know a thick mattress topper provides more space for your body to sink into the memory foam and be properly supported.

Ideally, a thickness of no less than 2 inches is what I look for when choosing a topper, as this is enough to provide adequate cradling. Less than 2 inches, and you may find you sink right through the material to the mattress below — except for latex for its high level of responsiveness, where 1.5 inches is the absolute minimum.

The Material Used in the Topper

The material used in the topper also affects whether a topper can help with a sagging mattress, as different materials, like latex, memory foam, or proprietary foam, can offer different levels of support and comfort.

Memory foam is excellent for offering a contouring, body-hugging effect. At the same time, latex is more responsive and can feel similar to a coiled hybrid mattress with the support it can offer. Memory foam toppers under 2 inches may not have enough material to support you properly, causing you to sink right into a sagging mattress. However, latex toppers less than 2 inches are more robust and can give better firmness, so you feel supported on a flat sleeping surface. The high responsiveness of a latex topper may also help improve your sleep in other ways, as studies have shown that a highly responsive topper can help improve your body’s natural sleep cycle (1).

The Density of the Topper

The density of the topper can also impact its ability to support a sagging mattress, as a lighter density will not perform the same as a heavier density.

A lighter-density material such as Ghostbed may not feel as supportive or last as long as a heavier-density material like the TEMPUR® Topper, despite both being made of memory foam and having the same profile height of 3 inches. The TEMPUR® Topper may last longer due to its unique TEMPUR® material, which is highly dense and designed to last longer than standard foams.

The Coolness and Breathability of the Topper

The coolness and breathability of a mattress topper can affect your overall comfort and sleep, as toppers with more coolness features can help keep you cooler while also helping combat a sagging mattress. 

For example, the Ghostbed goes above and beyond for cooling technology, using Phase Change Material in the cover, as well as gel memory foam that’s good for drawing away heat, and channeled foam that helps regulate airflow.

The Warranty of the Topper

Top-rated mattress toppers for a sagging mattress tends to have good warranties, such as Puffy’s lifetime warranty. A good warranty can give you peace of mind while shopping, so you’re covered in the case of any defects. It’s important to consider the warranty policy of the topper you have an eye on, as not all warranties are made equal. For example, Nolah only offers a limited warranty of 10 years for their topper, which is non-transferable if you decide to sell or give the topper to someone else. 

The Overall Price of the Topper

The price of a topper can widely range depending on the brand, material used, and thickness. Choosing a topper that fits your budget while still meeting your needs is important. For example, if you need extra responsiveness and have a large budget, the Saatva Latex Topper would suit your home. But, if you need cool cradling at a more budget-friendly price, you could consider the Ghostbed Topper.

A low price doesn’t guarantee that the topper will function properly, though, as anything less than $100 typically means inferior materials are used. Toppers at this price will likely fall apart more quickly. On the other hand, toppers over $500 typically won’t feel terribly different from toppers priced at the $250-350 mark. 

Your Sleeping Preference and Physique, and the Topper

Your sleeping preference and physique play a vital role in what topper suits you best, as the best mattress toppers for a side sleeper will feel different as compared to mattress toppers for stomach sleepers. Side sleepers need extra cushioning that the TEMPUR® Topper or Nolah Topper can provide, while stomach sleepers benefit most from the Saatva Topper for its integral firmness. 

Additionally, a heavier or lighter physique will cause some toppers to work better than others.

Heavier sleepers tend to have most issues with sag, as the extra weight goes through soft layers faster, which can contribute to spinal misalignment and back pain. This is why choosing the best mattress topper for lower back pain and a topper suited for a heavy person can be critical. These types of toppers are more firming and can handle extra weight by evenly supporting and distributing weight to keep you on an even plane.

Places to Find the Best Mattress Toppers for a Sagging Mattress

There are several places where you can find mattress toppers for a sagging mattress, including mattress stores, furniture stores, bed and bath stores, and online stores.

The mattress topper market is a total of 6.3 billion as of 2021 and is only expected to grow to at least 7.9 billion by 2027 (2). That means the market is competitive and diverse, with a range of products designed for your individual needs that can be found in various places.

Mattress stores usually have sales associates who can help point you in the right direction for tackling a sagging mattress with a sturdy, high-quality topper. Furniture and bed and bath stores may also carry a wider variety of mattress toppers, giving you more options.

You can consider finding your topper online from any retailer for extra convenience and a larger range of toppers. Most online retailers will ship your topper straight to your door and offer a warranty so you can try the topper without worrying about any defects or issues with the topper.

Things to Avoid When Choosing Mattress Toppers for a Sagging Mattress

The top things to avoid when figuring out how to fix a sagging mattress, and choosing a topper to help with sag, are as follows:

• Poor quality of the topper material.
• Improper fit.
• Topper material being too thin.
• Sag in the mattress being too much.

Poor Quality of the Topper Material

Avoid choosing a topper made of poor-quality materials, such as low-density foam. This type of foam will respond quickly but lacks the internal structure to hold up weight for a long time, and will lose its structural integrity faster over continual use. A topper without structural integrity will likely only worsen your mattress's sagging.

Topper Having an Improper Fit

Avoid choosing a topper that isn’t the right size or doesn’t come with proper fitting materials, such as straps or an elastic pocket. Toppers like Puffy, with an anti-slip grip and durable stretch pockets, will ensure your topper stays fully stretched over your mattress and doesn’t shift during the night. Shifting toppers can bunch up during the night and contribute to the overall sag of the mattress.

Topper Being Too Thin

Avoid choosing a topper that’s too thin (anything less than 2 inches, unless it's latex), as this may not provide enough support or be adequate to help reduce your mattress sagging. Thicker toppers can provide better support, hold you up before you start sinking through its layers, and more effectively address a sagging mattress.

Mattress Sag Being Too Much

Sometimes, the sag of your mattress can be too much for even a topper to help fix, so you have to know when to avoid buying a mattress topper and if you should look into a topper vs. a new mattress. If the sag in your mattress is more than 4 inches, consider looking for a new mattress that doesn't sag instead of a topper.

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