Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Here we go! Writing a long one in case it can help anyone else, since I spent way too long researching this stuff. I have a 2 year old Queen Simmons BeautyRest Recharge Mattress that (another long story made short) is Extra Firm. On a scale of 1 to 10, the Mattress would be a 9.5 or 10, with 10 being the firmest. So we got a plush comforter style Mattress topper which worked for a while, but eventually I ruined it by washing and drying it wrong. This begins my search for a new topper. First attempt was a 3" NovaForm Gel Memory Foam topper from Costco. Very comfortable and cool. I loved laying on it. It was about a 6.5/10 and felt just right. Except the itching. I had some kind of allergic reaction which apparently only 1 other person in the world had, itching and hot prickly feelings on my arms and feet. Even though it didn't affect my wife, I still tried to find another source of this feeling since I liked the memory foam feel so much. Eventually I couldnt handle it anymore and returned it. I then returned to the search again, but I still wanted a memory foam topper or now, even a new memory foam bed. I convinced myself to get a new bed, trying to decide between a GhostBed, Tuft and Needle or a Leesa. But my bed was only 2 years old, so spending 700+ seemed a bit crazy this early. I took to amazon and found this 2" Lucid topper. I almost got the charcoal bamboo topper, but figured I'd give this one a shot. After I ordered it, I started reading reviews about the smell, and how bad it is, how its unbearable, etc. I tried to cancel my order but it was too late, it shipped. THE SMELL: Don't Worry. I braced for the worst when it came. Opened the package, let it sit out for 24 hours in an open room with the window wide open. Maybe it was because I was expecting the worst, but it really wasn't that bad. Sure there was a smell, but it faded fast. Preemptively I sprayed a little febreeze on it about 12 hours in, which may have helped too. I put it on after the 24 hours of airing out, no smell. My sense of smell isnt great, but my wife is very smell-sensitive. It didn't bother her at all, which was the big test. I'd recommend that if it still smells, don't put it on your bed and cover it up. Wait for it to gas off, spray some febreeze on it, don't be impatient. You're gonna be laying on this a while, so whats a few days? But again, mine only took 24 hours. Putting a fan on it might help. HEAT: It's not that bad. Overall, it's pretty comfortable. Revived my mattress for a low price. I sleep very hot in general, and this hasn't been a problem for me either. Not as cool as topper-less or the gel, but I dont wake up hot or sweaty either. I'm going to give this 5 stars but I do have some critques. It doesn't look like the picture. It's a good product and works, but astetchically, it looks like cheap yellow foam. But in all honesty, do you really care what it looks like when you're going to cover it up? FIRMNESS: Firmness-wise, it is still firmed than i'd like. I'd say it lowered my 9.5/10 bed to a 8/10. Much better improvement, but I'd like a 6 or 7. Again, i'm giving this a 5 because that is purely personal preference and might be fine for you. I also like that i don't "sink" in it deep, but it does let me conform. OTHER: I've had lower back issues in the past. I don't wake up sore with this one, like I had been when i temporarily had no topper. So that's a plus. I'm not a doctor though. I'm also using the WEEKENDER Fitted Jersey Mattress Protector with Noiseless Waterproof Barrier for reference. Seems a good combo. END: Overall, good product for a good price. You might want a plushier one, but this will help you get more milage from your bed. 5 Month update- Still enjoying it and keeping a 5/5 rating!