Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.
As someone who struggles with sleep (thanks, perimenopause) and is susceptible to lower back pain, I jumped at the chance to try this Nolah Mattress Topper to help upgrade my high-quality but aging mattress and improve my night’s rest.
To be honest, I was skeptical. Could a topper really improve my sleep that much? I wasn’t sure. Plus, I typically find memory foam slightly too dense to be comfortable for my body, so the Nolah AirFoam™ material was a gamble, too. The site claims the “Airfoam” is four times more pressure relieving than memory foam as well as more durable.
After sleeping on it for nearly a month, I am happy to report that it had a positive impact on my body and rest from the first night onward, and now, I wouldn’t consider my bed complete without it.
The Nolah Mattress Topper is an affordable way to elevate your mattress to a more comfortable status. Its well-designed air foam provides cooling properties without a high price tag.
The price depends on the size of the mattress topper. On the Nolah site, the prices are as follows:
The Nolah Mattress topper can be purchased in “plush” or “luxury firm” and I choose the latter, as I prefer a firmer service for sleep. After about a week of sleeping on this topper, I noticed a difference in my stiff joints. I appreciated that while the mattress was firm, it let my body sink just enough to relieve my joints. It was the perfect balance between giving my spine the support it needed and cushioning my body without a deep sinking feeling that I often get when I sleep on a memory foam mattress. If you want a very hard surface (i.e., the kind of mattress you can bounce a coin off), this topper won’t be for you.
Only one layer is made from AirFoam—a type of memory foam that, as someone who doesn't like memory foam, I fully embraced for its comfort. The topper has a cooling and breathable organic cotton cover and four straps so you can easily secure it to your mattress. It gave my bed a couple of inches of height, and I was able to easily get my favorite (Garnet Hill) percale sheets onto the topper and mattress. The topper made the bed very smooth due perhaps to the firmness of the topper. I loved the look of the bed when it was made up with the topper, and I felt the upgrade as soon as I laid down.
I was impressed the first time I laid down on the bed. My bed honestly felt more comfortable with the topper on it. The Nolan Mattress Topper website cites that it provides pressure relief on the joints, and I agree with this statement. I sleep on my side and back and I slept more soundly using the topper than without it. My husband and I unilaterally felt the bed's comfort, and our rest was greatly improved. This could be due in part to the fact that Nolah’s mattresses, including the Topper, are designed with side sleepers in mind. (Nolah also sells mattresses and pillows for back pain with pressure relief.) Also, I overheat in my sleep, and the AirFoam supposedly dissipates heat better than memory foam, according to Nolah. I can't say for sure that it does have cooling powers, but I certainly didn't feel overheated with it.
The "luxury firm" topper lived up to its name without too much sinkage, even with two adults and two kids lying on it. It was firm enough for me to feel supported on my side and contributed to a less stiff body in the morning for both my husband and me. I wasn't testing for motion isolation with the topper, but I noticed that I wasn't waking up when my husband shifted in his sleep and didn't feel the bed move, even when a kid climbed into our bed in the middle of the night during a thunderstorm.
My nighttime sleep (and naps!) improved with this topper, not to mention my enjoyment of reading a good book in bed. I didn't overheat, so perhaps the AirFoam improved the cooling situation of our mattress. I loved this topper. It's firm for a side and back sleeper like me, but the AirFoam is soft enough to cushion my joints, which frequently ache upon waking. I haven't had any back pain in the month I've been sleeping on the topper, and I legitimately feel more rested after sleeping on top of it.
The Nolah Mattress Topper comes in a blue rectangular box (with excellent illustrated designs) wrapped in several thick layers of plastic. It was light enough for me to drag it up a flight of stairs by myself and heave it up onto my Queen-size bed. On the side of the box are simple four-step directions with illustrations on how to unpack, unwrap, position on your bed, unroll, and let it expand. All the steps were clear and easy to follow. I had to shift the topper a couple of times to get it squarely in the middle of my bed, but it was light enough to do this easily.
The Nolah Mattress Topper is definitely for me (and my family). We will continue to use the topper, and I will recommend it to friends, especially those who suffer from back stiffness and joint problems and want a firm yet supportive bed. I think this topper works best for those who are not ready (or cannot afford) to purchase a new mattress but need to upgrade their sleep situation. I could see this topper working for all types of sleepers from side to stomach, given the design and density of the AirFoam. I would also recommend it as a good mattress topper for back pain or neck pain.
The mattress topper market is vast, so it can be easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices. The Nolah Mattress Topper uses a form of foam (AirFoam) designed to be more durable and provide four times more pressure relief than everyday memory foam, making it a good alternative. The topper is relatively affordable, expands easily, and may be suitable for all sleep types, including people who struggle with back pain and achy joints.
Nolah also sells a Nolah Latex Mattress Topper. It is a three-inch topper versus the Nolah Mattress Topper, which is 2 inches and is latex versus AirFoam. It comes in three firmness levels versus two options of the Nolah Mattress Topper. As such, it retails at a slightly higher price point, currently $422 for a twin size.
Another option for those who like even bigger toppers is this 3.75-inch thick hybrid coil and foam mattress topper from Nolah. It comes with a cooling GlacioTex cover and offers two firmness options. Currently $400 for a twin size.
Most mattress toppers last up to five years; some may last longer, depending on the construction of the topper and how well you care for it.
Yes. It is made in the USA, in Nolah’s facility in Arizona.
The luxury firm may feel denser than the plush to some bodies and will likely be a better choice if you struggle with back pain and need a firmer surface. You will sink more into a plush topper, which, by its design, has more “give” than its firmer topper. Ultimately, it will come down to what you prefer in a mattress topper.
Yes. It comes with a 10-year warranty for the internal foam layer and a one-year warranty for the external cover. These warranties are for found defects and don’t cover regular wear and tear or changes in comfort or support over time.
The Nolah mattress topper ships for free via FedEx.
I slept on the Nolah Mattress Topper for a month and not only did my morning joint pain improve, so did my mattress. The topper worked well for me and my family. We will continue to use the topper, and I will recommend it to friends, especially those who suffer from back stiffness and joint problems.
The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.
