For 12 years I had a Simmons Beautyrest that was great-i got it in 2005 after I had a car accident and it really was perfect. The store had put some information into a computer program that suggested the mattress but apparently that program no longer exists.
Anyway in 2017, I decided after 12 years to get a new mattress for no reason other than that I thought it was time. I first got a Casper and had low back problems. I returned it and got a newer version of a Beautyrest which also gave me low back problems (never had low back problems before-only upper back and neck issues back in 2005 after the accident). The store only did exchanges of equal or greater value and talked me into a tempurpedic for double the price. The mattress felt great and no back issues BUT i couldn’t deal with the chemical smell and had the horror experience so many of spoken about before. I eventually talked the store into giving me a refund for the additional amount i paid for the tempurpedic. I then went to a smaller store and got a latex mattress-no smell issue but this mattress is an OMI that is their low profile extra firm (didn’t realize that in the store and was in a rush to get something-my mistake) although I figured its always easier to soften a firm mattress than vice versa. So i got a latex topper from pure green. No more low back pain but now everything feels solid as a rock (topper and mattress) and my neck and upper back hurts again like it hasn’t since before the 2005 mattress. I’ve therefore been looking to try a different topper. I was in the naturepedic store and tried one of theirs but it was soft and soft sinks me into the extra firm mattress. I am seriously thinking of trying a tempurpedic topper just because it seems to be the only thing that made my back feel ok-BUT i know it will be a disaster for me with the smell. I am therefore asking is here any good memory foam that is tempurpedic-like without the smell? Or any other topper recommendation? Its been a nightmore for over a year of back issues i never had before. I really just miss my old Simmons but they don’t make them like that anymore I’m told. One more thing–i also got an adjustable base last year and i’m wondering if not having a box spring etc anymore but a solid base makes a firm mattress feel even more firm? Just a thought. Anyway-not even sure if this is the right forum subcategory but i’m at my wits end. Please send me to the right forum (first time on here) if its not. Thanks for your time.
Hi jmo28,
I would suggest getting a North American made 2" thick, 5lb Memory Foam topper. They usually smell for a short period while they off-gas. Some of our customers place them in a guess room, and sprinkle some baking soda on them to help absorb odours. In our experience, all foam toppers (including latex) have an odour, but the good news is that it eventually dissipates.
Did I answer all your question?
Please let me know if you need any further information.
All the Best!
Mario
I’ll research that but your description honestly sounds to me like the tempurpedic. I put baking soda on that one too and it did nothing. And if it its a chemical odor made with VOCs i don’t think i want to be around it anyway. That’s the paradox. I’m looking for comfort without hurting my health.
Hi jmo28,
If off-gassing is an issue, then your only choice is organic dunlop or all natural talalay latex.
Good luck in your search!
Hi JMO,
I have been sleeping on a tube waterbed mattress for years. and have never had low back issues. Over my 30 years of experience with this mattress I have learned a few things. I used to drag my tubes to the tub to refill them, but I now believe that caused more issues with leaks. I replaced my original with another queen size because the original eventually all leaked and got stained.
When I bought the new one, I got the bright idea of using a topper with it. This would provide extra protection to the mattress, and did feel more comfortable. Two of the tubes in my new mattress did develop leaks, and I found that the memory foam toppers did not stand up to the water at all. If they got wet they were trash. Without a cover, I also tend to kick enough in my sleep to wear them out after 2-3 years, so have been buying new toppers.
This year I finally learned about latex, and just ordered a new 2" medium latex topper with organic cotton cover, from Sleeponlatex, which had the best price I could find. I have not used it yet, but am confident it will be more durable and just as comfortable as the memory foam. In the event of another leak, the latex topper should prove to be impervious to damage from the water, and with the cover, I don’t expect to ever have to buy another topper. I can just wash the cover occasionally, while my mattress will be protected from wear and dust mites. I do have a coccyx injury, and I have found that the softer fill of my bed causes me more problems, because it distributes more pressure to my coccyx, so have moved to a firmer fill of the tubes.
Other than that I find this bed to be very comfortable. Waterbeds just naturally distribute pressure very evenly.
If you are a back sleeper you may find the medium firmness to be best for your low back. Sleeponlatex offers 1"- 3" toppers at soft, medium, and firm densities at the best prices I could find for latex toppers. Rather than looking for different companies I think your issue is going to be more of one of finding the right thickness and density for your low back comfort. I found the 2" memory foam toppers to be comfortable, but none have proven to be very durable. My present one has held up for 2 years now, because I think a fabric covering protected it from my kicking. Nevertheless, I have decided to try the latex topper, because the off-gassing of the memory foam makes me nervous and I think may be stealing my memory - ironically. I don’t worry about flame retardant chemicals with my waterbed though.
I just now also got the bright idea of perhaps replacing the polyfoam tube covering with a latex topper. This mattress has a thin foam layer that fits directly over the water tubes. I could replace that with a latex foam topper without adding so much height to the mattress, which might be an option you would like. I wish you luck in your search for sleeping comfort. Hopefully, my rambling helps you. 
Failing all else maybe you should consider going back to your Simmons Beautyrest.
I would like to add to my last post to give my experience since switching to a latex topper. My last memory foam topper was a 2" 4 LB density as opposed to the prior toppers which were 3 LB density. Even when I had firmed up my water tubes, I woke with some coccyx pain, and would roll to my side. I think the elasticity of the memory foam allowed it to apply some pressure to my coccyx, which was causing the pain. So I wouldn’t suggest a memory foam topper to those with a coccyx injury.
I got the 2" medium density dunlop latex topper, and my coccyx pain has gone away - allowing me to sleep all night on my back - waking refreshed - finally. I find this density to be very similar to the 4 LB memory foam I was sleeping on, but was surprised how soft it is. I am pleased with it. My water mattress has returned to complete comfort.