Buying guide · Too-firm mattress

The Best Mattress Topper for Making a Firm Mattress Softer

A mattress that feels like a floor is one of the most common reasons people buy a topper, and one of the easiest to fix. The trick is choosing the right material and enough depth, because a thin or firm topper on a hard bed changes very little.

Which topper softens best Shop plush toppers

Made with GOLS-certified organic latex · Free UK mainland delivery · 30-night trial · 8,000+ happy sleepers

By Gurveer Sabharwal, Founder, Not Swiss Cheese

Last reviewed 17 October 20267 minute read

How we wrote this

Thought by people, made efficient with technology. Every guide starts with questions our customers ask us. We use AI tools to speed up research and first drafts. Then I check each claim against our own product specs, supplier certificates and the sources listed at the foot of the page, and rewrite anything that doesn't sound like us.

Spotted something wrong? Email hello@notswisscheese.co.uk and we'll fix it.

The short answer

Will a topper make a firm mattress softer?

Yes, as long as the mattress underneath is flat and supportive. For most people the best choice is 5 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 inches) of a soft, springy material. Plush latex gives cushioning without trapping heat or leaving you stuck in a dip. Memory foam gives a deeper, slower hug if you don't sleep hot. A thin 2.5 cm topper takes the edge off, but it won't transform a hard bed.

And yes, an organic latex topper works on a mattress that is too firm. Choose the Plush feel, at 2 or 3 inches.

Best depth: 5 to 7.5 cm
Best feel: Plush (medium soft)
Suits most: Side sleepers, lighter bodies
Won't fix: A sagging or dipped mattress

Which topper material softens a firm mattress best?

What each material does on top of a hard mattress. General characteristics; individual products vary.

Which topper material softens a firm mattress best?
Material	How soft it feels	Pressure relief at hips and shoulders	Heat	Springs back	Best for
Plush latex	Soft surface, buoyant underneath	Good. Shoulders and hips sink in, the rest stays level	Cool	Instantly	Side and back sleepers who want softness without sinking
Memory foam	Very soft, slow sinking	Very good, at first	Warm for many people	Slowly	Cool sleepers who like a hug
Wool	Soft, thin, cushioned	Mild	Regulates well	Compresses over time	A gentle change on a slightly firm bed
Feather and down	Very soft, plump	Mild, flattens in the night	Warm	Needs shaking	Pure softness, little support
Polyester fibre	Soft, springy when new	Mild	Warm	Flattens quickly	Low budgets, short-term use
Firm or supportive latex	Firm	Low on a hard bed	Cool	Instantly	Not this job. Choose it for a mattress that is too soft

Depth and feel: what to expect on a firm mattress

The Organic Topper comes in two feels and three depths, so you can be specific.

Depth and feel: what to expect on a firm mattress
Depth	With the Plush feel	With the Supportive feel
1 inch / 2.5 cm	Takes the hard edge off. Noticeable but modest	Very little change on a firm bed
2 inch / 5 cm	The sweet spot for most firm mattresses. Shoulders and hips settle in	A firmer, more even surface. Good for back sleepers who want only a little give
3 inch / 7.5 cm	The deepest change. For very hard beds, side sleepers and lighter people	Supportive and cushioned. Suits heavier side sleepers

What "plush" actually feels like

Plush means the surface gives easily under light pressure, so your shoulder and hip can settle in when you lie on your side. It does not mean you sink until you are wrapped up. That deep, slow, wrapped feeling is memory foam.

Latex plush feels buoyant. You press in, it pushes back gently, and when you turn over it is already back in shape. Firm support is the opposite: less give at the surface, more push-back, and a flatter, more even feel. Neither is better. The right one depends on how you sleep and what your mattress is doing wrong.

Our Plush is medium soft, not cloud soft. On a very hard mattress, choose 3 inch Plush rather than 2 inch.

Who should choose a plush topper

Side sleepers, whose shoulders and hips need to sink a little so the spine stays straight.
Lighter people, who don't press into a firm mattress enough to feel any give.
Anyone waking with sore shoulders, hips or numb arms on a firm bed.
Back sleepers who find their bed hard under the lower back: choose 2 inch.

Who should think twice

Front sleepers, as a deep soft layer can let the hips sink and arch the lower back. Choose 1 or 2 inch.
Anyone whose mattress sags. A soft topper follows the dip. Run our 10-point integrity audit first.

Our pick for a firm mattress

Best for softening a firm bed

The Organic Topper, Plush

From £149.00 In stock

Choose the Plush feel at 2 inch for most firm mattresses, or 3 inch for a very hard bed or a side sleeper with broad shoulders.

GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex, 75 kg/m³
GOTS organic cotton cover, zipped and machine-washable
1, 2 or 3 inch; Single to Super-King

Suits

Side sleepers
Hot sleepers
Anyone who dislikes sinking

Think twice if

You want the deep hug of memory foam
Your mattress has a dip

Choose Plush, size and depth

Frequently asked questions

Can a mattress topper make a firm mattress softer?

Yes. A soft topper of 5 to 7.5 cm is the cheapest way to soften a firm mattress, as long as the mattress is still flat and supportive.

How thick should a topper be to soften a firm mattress?

5 cm (2 inch) for most people, 7.5 cm (3 inch) for very hard beds or lighter side sleepers. A 2.5 cm topper takes the edge off but is rarely enough on its own.

Isn't latex too firm to soften a bed?

Latex comes in a range of firmnesses. Our Plush feel is medium soft. Our firmness map explains how latex firmness is measured (ILD) so you can compare honestly.

Latex or memory foam for a mattress that is too firm?

Both work. Memory foam feels softer and slower, but many people find it warm and it can take body impressions. Latex feels buoyant, sleeps cooler and springs back. See latex vs memory foam toppers.

Will a plush topper help my sore shoulders and hips?

It often helps side sleepers on a firm mattress by letting the shoulder and hip sink a little. The evidence on pressure relief is promising but limited. Here is what the research says. If pain persists, see your GP.

What if I choose the wrong feel?

You have a 30-night trial to find out. Terms apply, see our returns policy and how it works.

Soften the bed you already own.

Plush organic latex, 2 or 3 inches deep, with free UK mainland delivery.

Shop plush toppers Compare depths

Made with GOLS-certified organic latex · Free UK mainland delivery · 30-night trial · 8,000+ happy sleepers

Sources and how we checked

Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles in Different Sleeping Postures, Low, Chua, Lim and Yeow, Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2017Latex vs polyurethane foam peak pressure, 20 adults, 6-minute tests.
Not Swiss Cheese product specifications, Not Swiss Cheese, checked 17 October 2026Sizes, depths, feels, prices and stock are read live from our shop.

Gurveer Sabharwal, Founder, Not Swiss Cheese

Gurveer started Not Swiss Cheese in Leeds after a natural latex topper and pillow, suggested by the stepfather who raised him, put an end to years of sciatica. He trained as a chartered accountant before building the business, which is why our guides tend to show the numbers. Read our story.

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