A look at “The 7 Best Mattresses for Back Pain of 2023” In order to ease back pain, the Saatva Mattress maintains natural spine alignment.
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Anyone who lives with back pain understands what a major difference a restful night’s sleep can make—and, on the flip side, how disruptive it is when you wake up already experiencing discomfort. There are many causes of back pain, including sleeping on a bad mattress, so you’ll want to make sure that the mattress you sleep on every night is meeting your needs.
Reviewed & Approved
- The individually-wrapped coil of the Saatva’s Classic Mattress offers relief to your pressure points and supports natural spine alignment.
- The Linenspa 8-Inch Hybrid Queen Mattress is a budget-friendly option.
When looking for a mattress for back pain, choose one that provides “adequate support for the natural curves and alignment of the spine,” says Gregory Funk, DC, a chiropractor and the owner of Ideal Health Chiropractic in Denver. “There is no ‘best kind’ of mattress for your back problems, so you may need to be open to some trial-and-error,” Dr. Funk adds.
We researched dozens of mattresses and evaluated them for firmness, thickness, type of mattress, trial period, cover and cushion materials, and price. Each of the mattresses chosen in this article were determined to be the best of these factors.
Based on our research, we determine these to be the best mattresses for back pain on the market.
Best Overall – The 7 Best Mattresses for Back Pain of 2023
Saatva Classic Mattress
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/saatva-classic-mattress-40d235e9413040faa9019a4eb827c1d6.jpg)
Saatva
Pros
-
Promotes healthy spine alignment
-
Antimicrobial outer cover
-
Made with recycled steel coils
-
Two height options
Cons
-
Return fee
-
Prone to sagging
-
May be too firm for some
Who else recommends it? Forbes and The Strategist both picked the Saatva Classic Mattress.12
We chose the Saatva’s Classic Mattress as the best overall because it offers pressure point relief no matter your go-to sleeping position. Designed to add benefits to those recovering from surgery or experiencing back or joint pain, its individually-wrapped coil construction contours to your body’s unique movements while the memory foam keeps your spine in check. And if you’re prone to overheating, its dual-coil system promotes enhanced airflow while the organic pillow top promises breathability.
Depending on your body type and if you prefer a hugging or floating feel, choose from the comfort levels plush soft, luxury firm, or firm. For added weightless comfort, you can also purchase the Lineal Adjustable Base, which offers underbed illumination and head and foot support, to complement the mattress. Plus, it comes with a 365-day trial period, at a pickup cost.
Price at time of publication: $1,795
Firmness: Available in plush, luxury firm, and firm | Thickness: 11.5 inches | Type: Hybrid (foam and innerspring) | Trial Length: 365 nights
Best Memory Foam
Amerisleep AS2 12″ Memory Foam Mattress
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Amerisleep-1bb4289d9e8749789ce5f32b099042be.jpg)
Amerisleep
Pros
-
Free returns
-
Base is designed to prevent sagging
-
Open-cell design promotes breathability
-
Made to resist dust mites and mold
Cons
-
May be too firm for some
While it doesn’t come cheap, the Amerisleep AS2 Mattress is heralded as one of the best options for people with back pain and is designed with common sleep problems in mind.
The 12-inch AS2 mattress is described as medium-firm and is popular among both stomach and back sleepers. The mattress includes several layers of material to provide comfort and support and has zones that provide extra pressure relief for your shoulders and lower back.
The mattress is made from a unique type of memory foam that’s eco-friendly and keeps you cool throughout the night. Even more, the memory foam bounces back to its original shape in mere seconds, so you don’t get stuck in ruts if you shift during the night. If you buy this mattress through the manufacturer, you’ll have 100 nights to test it out in a risk-free trial.
Price at time of publication: $1,199
Firmness: Medium-firm | Thickness: 12 inches | Type: Memory foam | Trial Length: 100 nights
Best Budget
Linenspa Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/81eV4Yr6m1L._AC_SL1500_-39005e7bf3954a01b5544fab32051e2e.jpg)
Amazon – The 7 Best Mattresses for Back Pain of 2023
Pros
-
Free returns within 30 days
-
Compatible with any base
-
Doesn’t require a box spring
Cons
-
Takes up to 48 hours to expand
-
May not be as breathable as some need
You don’t have to put up with your back pain just because you don’t have a huge budget for a new mattress. This eight-inch mattress is described as medium firm and combines memory foam with the traditional support of an innerspring mattress. The innersprings are topped with a 1.5-inch layer of memory foam to cradle your body as you sleep and minimize pressure points.
The Linenspa mattress comes compressed in a box for convenient delivery as well, but as is true of all boxed mattresses, it perks up to its intended size and firmness level once it’s unpacked.
Price at time of publication: $250
Firmness: Medium-firm | Thickness: 8 inches | Type: Hybrid (foam and innerspring) | Trial Length: None offered
Does Price Matter?
“Don’t assume the more money you spend, the more comfortable you’ll be. The best sleeping surface is the one that feels best to you,”—Neel Anand, M.D., professor of orthopaedic surgery and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles
Best Boxed Mattress
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Helix-Assets-Photography-Product-Mattress-Standard-Midnight-Lifestyle-20190312-5c9124aa46e0fb0001555923.jpg)
Helix – The 7 Best Mattresses for Back Pain of 2023
Pros
-
Offers a hybrid of coil and foam
-
Great for side sleepers
Cons
-
Strong chemical odor
Today, more and more mattresses are being shipped in boxes, allowing for faster delivery and easier set-up. Hands down, one of the best boxed mattress options for those with back pain is the Helix Midnight mattress.
This 14-inch mattress provides support with a layer of wrapped coils which sits under layers of foam for comfort. The company claims that this mattress is their most popular—providing a medium firm feel that is ideal for side sleepers who need pressure point relief. The mattress is covered with a breathable quilted pillow top that keeps you cool throughout the night.
Helix offers a 15-year warranty on their Midnight Luxe mattress, so you know you’re getting the most protection for your investment. You can test out your new mattress for 100 nights, opting to return it if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
Price at time of publication: $2,099
Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 14 inches | Type: Hybrid (foam and coil spring) | Trial Length: 100 nights
Best for Side Sleepers
Casper Original Mattress
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/CasperOriginalFoamMattress-ed2226a34c02455989ef085672c25661.jpg)
Wayfair – The 7 Best Mattresses for Back Pain of 2023
Pros
-
Free returns
-
Minimal movement disturbances to partner
Cons
-
May be too firm for some
Sleeping on your side is tricky as you need adequate support around your waist to keep your spine in alignment. If your mattress doesn’t provide this support, you may wake up with a stiff, achy back.
One of the best mattress options for side sleepers with back problems is the Casper mattress, which has a special zoned design to give you support exactly where you need it. The Casper mattress is constructed from four layers of memory foam that balance support, comfort, and breathability. And there’s a softer “zone” under your shoulders, allowing you to sink in as you sleep on your side, and a firmer zone under your hips and core to keep your spine in place. They use open-cell foams to keep you cool throughout the night, too.
The company offers a 100 night risk-free trial, so you have plenty of time to make your decision.
Price at time of publication: $1,295
Firmness: Softer around shoulders, firmer under the hips, waist, and lower back | Thickness: 11 inches | Type: All foam, or Hybrid (foam and innerspring) | Trial Length: 100 nights
Best for Stomach Sleepers
Lucid 10 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Lucid10_Mattress-9620d11216734ac2ba3f0dc0c35d487e.jpeg)
Lucid Mattress – The 7 Best Mattresses for Back Pain of 2023
Pros
-
Free returns within 30 days
-
Hypoallergenic properties
-
Ideal for all sleep styles
-
Compatible with any base
Cons
-
Non-removable cover
If you sleep on your stomach, a plush mattress will likely cause back pain as you’ll sink into it throughout the night, causing your spine to be out of alignment. However, a mattress that’s too firm will be uncomfortable, putting too much pressure on your stomach and ribs.
Because of these variables, it can be tough to find a great mattress for back pain if you sleep on your stomach. One of the better choices available is the LUCID 10-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress, which is the perfect medium-firm option to make sleeping on your front comfortable and pain-free.
It’s constructed with two layers—a 7.5-inch high-density foam base that provides the support you need and a 2.5-inch gel-infused memory foam surface that makes sleeping on your stomach more comfortable and regulates temperature throughout the night.
Price at time of publication: $340
Firmness: Firm | Thickness: 10 inches | Type: Memory foam | Trial Length: None offered
Best Gel Foam Mattress
Sweetnight 12 Inch Queen Size Mattress Medium Firm
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/SweetnightBreeze12InchQueenSizeMattress-26b11ff0fe1c45fcbefce00efa835497.jpeg)
Amazon
Pros
-
Free returns within 100 days
-
Hypoallergenic
-
Reversible
Cons
-
Non-removable cover
There are many quality foam mattresses that can help reduce your back pain. And one of the best, most affordable options is the Sweetnight 12 inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress.
While it costs hundreds less than comparable products, this 12-inch memory foam mattress will give you a great night’s sleep, helping to reduce body aches all the while.
This mattress has three thick layers of foam for optimal comfort. The top layer is made of a gel memory foam that regulates temperature, keeping you cool throughout the night while cradling the contours of your body—no matter what position you sleep in. Plus, the mattress is hypoallergenic and resistant to allergens, making it a great option for those who are sensitive to pollen and dust.
Price at time of publication: $375
Firmness: Medium-firm | Thickness: 12 inches | Type: Gel-infused memory foam | Trial Length: 100 nights
Final Verdict
Those with back pain who want appreciate construction and choice, should consider the Saatva Classic Mattress (view at Saatva). The hybrid composition of the mattress brings the best of memory foam, a pillow top, and a dual-coil system to support healthy spine alignment and provide back and joint pain relief. It’s available in three different firmness levels and comes with a 180-night trial so you can test it out with peace of mind before making a final decision.
If you’re looking for an option that’s slightly more affordable but still offers excellent support, the Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress from Linenspa (view at Linenspa) is another great choice.
How We Rated Mattresses for Back Pain
4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best mattresses for back pain we reviewed. We recommend them without reservation.
4.5 to 4.7 stars: These mattresses for back pain are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them.
4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great mattresses for back pain, but others are better.
3.5 to 3.9 stars: These mattresses for back pain are just average.
3.4 and below: We don’t recommend mattresses for back pain with this rating; you won’t find any on our list.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Casper-Mattress-Bedding-1-d1caef51d4b647ef8631f2bf03a4bb76-d23743525d984c6ca222a9826acc3e7c.jpeg)
The 7 Best Mattresses for Back Pain of 2023 / Sage McHugh
What to Look for in a Mattress for Back Pain
Mattress Type:
Memory foam
Memory foam has become enormously popular. Though most of us associate the material with the Tempur-Pedic brand, it’s widely used by other mattress brands.
Aptly named, memory foam sinks in wherever you put pressure and molds to that shape, bouncing back when you take it away. Because of this, these mattresses provide even support all along your spine, says Steve Knauf, D.C., executive director of chiropractic and compliance for The Joint Chiropractic. It’s also great for isolating motion—that is, not being disturbed when your partner or dog moves in the middle of the night. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic.
Memory foam mattress can be made of a few different materials which come with their own pros and cons:
Traditional memory foam is petroleum-based polyurethane. It’s temperature sensitive so it softens with your body heat and stays hard where it’s cool, making it great for not only cradling your body shape but also isolating movement. However, it also retains that body heat which can interrupt sleep for some.
Plant-based memory foam is made from coconut, soy, and other plant materials so it has the perk of being vegan, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.3 These materials often spring back more quickly, too, so they’re great at shaping around your body as you move in the night.
Gel-infused are memory foam mattresses finished on top with a layer of gel. This adds both comfort and breathability. While full memory foam can be quite hot from your body heat, the gel allows air to circulate more, making for a cooler sleep surface. They also spring back to their initial shape very quickly after weight is removed.
Coil
Coil mattresses (also called innersprings) are the most traditional and most common type available. That’s largely because they’ve been the leading type of mattress for nearly forever.
The mattress is comprised of a series of steel coils that compress when you sit or lay on them. The shape, size, and number of coils all vary from mattress to mattress, as well as the different coil options—continuous, Bonnell, offset, and pocketed coil. But in general, the more coils, the higher the quality and support.
The main draw of this type of mattress is that it’s the most affordable option (other than an air mattress). It’s also very bouncy and keeps you cool because there’s more room for air to circulate, Knauf points out.
However, coil beds also usually wear out faster so while you may get it cheaper, you’ll have to replace it sooner to maintain sufficient spine support. Also, coil beds can be squeaky, so it’s not an ideal choice if you or your partner move a lot in the night.
Toppers
Like mattresses, toppers in themselves are made in a variety of materials, densities, and thicknesses. Polyester blends are a decent option and usually the cheapest, but they don’t provide a ton of support and degrade quickly over time. Feather toppers, often called featherbeds, feel extremely soft and luxurious but they don’t offer much support for your spine (and a lot of people are allergic to them).
For more spine support, latex and memory foam are typically best. They add either softness or firmness, good support for your joints, and motion control for others on the bed.
Latex
Natural latex comes from the sap of a rubber tree, so it’s a great option for those concerned with chemicals and environmental footprint.
In a mattress, it performs similarly (but to a slightly lesser extent) to memory foam with its ability to contour to your body and bounce back. But it offers a little more bounce than full memory foam, so it’s nice if you don’t want that full sinking feeling. It also retains less heat than memory foam which can be good for sleep hygiene. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic.
Firmness:
Mattresses come in every level of firmness from squishy soft to hard as concrete. Though a lot of people think harder is better, surprisingly there is no one ideal firmness to help ease back pain, says Harrison Linder, M.D., pain management specialist with The Center for Interventional Pain Medicine at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. In fact, one study found when people were given seven different firmness to try, there was no collective favorite.4 Some people like to sleep on a harder surface, others on one that’s soft. Dr. Linder says in general, people usually prefer a “medium-firm” option. “They tend to be firm enough to offer support for back and front sleepers, but still offer some cushion from those that prefer to sleep on their sides.”
In fact, a 2015 study analysis in Sleep Health found medium-firm mattresses were most ideal for sleep comfort, quality, and spinal alignment.
Continue to check our website for more articles of this kind. And, please use our comment section as well, we would love to hear from you.
