I'm a side sleeper – this is my new favorite mattress topper

Earthfoam Mattress Topper | $349 at Earthfoam

Earthfoam doesn't take part in the seasonal mattress sales – they want you to know that you're always getting the fairest price on their product.

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The Earthfoam Mattress Topper couldn't have arrived at a better time. I'd just spent the spring testing a five-inch mattress topper, filled to the brim with shredded memory foam, and I couldn't wait to get rid of it. I've never liked the sinking feeling of memory foam and I get a little light-headed when I start thinking about how environmentally unfriendly it is. Still, as a side sleeper who struggles with joint pain, I thought I had to sleep on memory foam to get any sort of pressure relief.

Then, I started sleeping on the Earthfoam Mattress Topper. Just two inches thick, this organic latex layer has more bounce and less depth than memory foam. While the latex core offers springy support, the comfort layers of organic wool and cotton contour around your curves to take the pressure off your joints. Just a few nights into testing, I was falling asleep faster and waking up without any of my usual aches.

As an H&G sleep writer, I'm part of the search to find the world's best mattress topper. I've tested plush pillow tops and memory foam models, but I think this latex layer offers the best balance of pressure relief and solid support. The only downside is the thermoregulation, or lack thereof – I'm a hot sleeper, and even the Earthfoam Mattress Topper couldn't stop my night sweats.

Earthfoam Mattress Topper review

I tested the Earthfoam Mattress Topper from the start of May through to the end of July. For the sake of a fair fight, I assess each mattress topper against the same criteria: pressure relief; thermoregulation; motion isolation; and edge support. I compared my findings against verified customer reviews to identify common concerns. I also considered all the practical parts of buying a mattress topper, from the details of delivery to the length of the sleep trial, as well as the all-important price.

Earthfoam Mattress Topper specifications

Who would the Earthfoam Mattress Topper suit?

• All sleep positions: Earthfoam advertises their Mattress Topper as a Medium-Firm, which is the best mattress firmness for most people. It's sufficiently sinky to cushion your pressure points, yet firm enough to bear your weight and keep your spine in line.
• Anyone who suffers from joint pain: if you wake up with achy shoulders, hips, and knees, then your mattress might be part of the problem. Too firm, and your joints will end up crushed against the surface of the mattress: too soft, and you'll lose the support which bears your weight. The Earthfoam Mattress Topper combines solid central support with a plush top to relieve pressure from your joints. Two months into testing the Earthfoam Mattress Topper, I could feel a marked difference in my joints.
• Eco-conscious shoppers: the Earthfoam Mattress Topper is filled with organic latex and topped with organic wool and cotton. Earthfoam sources their materials from farmer-owned collectives and avoids the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Their latex is GOLS-certified; their wool and cotton is GOTS-certified; and their manufacturing process is certified Fair for Life.

What's it like to sleep on the Earthfoam Mattress Topper?

• Pressure relief: in order to relieve pressure, a mattress topper must strike a careful balance between comfort and support. What feels right for you largely depends on your sleep position. As a side sleeper, I need something soft enough to cushion my knees and hips, but not so soft that my shoulders start to fall forward, throwing my spine out of alignment. That's the problem I was having on my old memory foam mattress topper. I found the Earthfoam Mattress Topper was a true medium-firm, well-suited for my sleep needs. I'd happily recommend it to back and stomach sleepers who like a little more support.
• Thermoregulation: compared to my old memory foam model, the Earthfoam Mattress Topper is a revelation. Unlike dense memory foam, latex has an open-cell structure with plenty of air pockets to boost breathability throughout the bed. Plus, the organic wool in the comfort layer makes for a natural moisture-wicker. Still, I wouldn't say that the Earthfoam Mattress Topper is the best cooling mattress topper for eco-conscious shoppers. That accolade belongs to the Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper, which gets the full five stars from one of my fellow testers, Antonia Santoro.

• Motion isolation: this mattress topper is only two inches thick, which isn't enough to alter the motion isolation of your mattress. The best way to minimize motion transfer is to buy a memory foam mattress topper, such as the Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper. Side note: I was a little worried about the Earthfoam Mattress Topper sliding on my bed, since it doesn't come with corner straps. Turns out, my fitted sheet was enough to keep the Earthfoam Mattress Topper in place. It's worth saying that I stretched one of the best mattress protectors over my mattress topper, which added an extra layer of security.
• Edge support: I'd say that the Earthfoam Mattress Topper has decent edge support. The springy, responsive feel of the latex extends all the way around the sides of the bed. For ultimate edge support, I recommend the Nolah Mattress Topper: that's what you need if you're nursing a baby or trying to get dressed at the side of the bed.
• Delivery: the Earthfoam Mattress Topper arrived tightly rolled in a cardboard box. I was disappointed to find an organic product rolled in plastic wrap, and I wonder whether Earthfoam could explore eco-friendly alternatives for their packaging. Once I cut the plastic wrap and rolled out the topper, it took two or three hours to expand to its full height. Fortunately, there was no chemical smell from mattress off-gassing: you only get that with memory foam products.

How does the Earthfoam Mattress Topper rate online?

The Earthfoam Mattress Topper has a 4.5 average star rating from 24 verified customer reviews. It's easy to scroll through and read each review in turn, though there is the option to filter for reviews by sleeping position.

Happy shoppers praise the pressure-relieving properties and portability of the Earthfoam Mattress Topper. A few customers bought this topper for their camper vans or vacation rentals, and one even carries her mattress topper around the world as she travels for work.

The lowest review for the Earthfoam Mattress Topper still gives three stars. The customer acknowledges that 'the foam is of very high-quality', but finds that there is 'insufficient padding' for her 'serious spinal issues'. If you suffer with chronic back pain, then it's worth discussing your prospective purchase with a chiropractor before you buy.

Should I buy the Earthfoam Mattress Topper?

If you're in need of a mattress topper, and you're trying to shop more sustainably, I can highly recommend the Earthfoam Mattress Topper. As a side sleeper, this medium-firm mattress topper took the weight off my pressure points and helped to keep my spine straight.

Still, the Earthfoam Mattress Topper isn't the right fit for everyone. If you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, or you live in a particularly warm climate, then you're what's known as a hot sleeper. You'd benefit from a cooling mattress topper, such as the ViscoSoft Active Cooling Mattress Topper. If you're looking to soften up a firm, inflexible mattress, then you might prefer a softer topper, such as the Helix Plush Mattress Topper.

Earthfoam Mattress Topper | $349 at Earthfoam

Earthfoam doesn't take part in the seasonal mattress sales – they want you to know that you're always getting the fairest price on their product.

View Deal

How we test mattress toppers

The H&G mattress reviews team comprises dozens of seasoned product testers across America. Together, we represent a wide range of ages, body types and sleep styles. We test each mattress topper for at least 30 days in our own homes to give the best indication of long-term performance. After we publish our initial reviews, we continue to sleep on the toppers, watching closely for signs of deterioration. If the topper starts to deform, we update our original review and strike it from our buying guides.

We assess each mattress topper against the same criteria: pressure relief; thermoregulation; motion isolation; and edge support. Pressure relief is all about the balance between comfort and support to cushion your joints while keeping your spine straight. To assess pressure relief, we flip between our backs, stomachs, and sides to see how the topper feels in each position. To measure motion isolation, we fill a glass with water and set it in the center of the topper before applying pressure around it, getting closer and closer to the cup. The more the cup moves, and the more water spills, the worse the motion isolation, and the less suitable the topper for couples or light sleepers. To assess edge support, we sit on the side of the topper and measure how far we fall. The more we sink, the worse the edge support, and the harder it is to sit on the side of the bed to nurse a baby or tie your sneakers.

We like to compare our findings against verified customer reviews to pick out recurring pros and cons of purchase. We also consider all the practical aspects of buying a mattress topper, from details of delivery to the extent of the warranty, before we bring it back to the all-important price. If you'd like to learn more about how we test mattress toppers, then you can find all the details in our expert guide.