Best Mattresses for Sciatica (2025), Expert-Tested for Pain Relief and Spinal Support

For sleepers with sciatica, it doesn’t get much better than the Helix Midnight Luxe. This mattress earns our title of best mattress for sciatica overall, thanks to its balance of comfort, pressure relief, and spinal support. The Midnight Luxe features a plush pillow-top surface that cushions joints. Meanwhile, layers of memory foam and innerspring coils help sleepers maintain ergonomic alignment, which is crucial for relieving tension through the lower back and hips. During testing, we awarded the Midnight Luxe a 4 out of 5 or higher in pressure relief, edge support, and cooling.

Our expert testing team was particularly impressed with the Helix Midnight Luxe’s corner-to-corner support, awarding it a near-perfect 4.8 in the edge support category.

“When lying on the edge of this mattress, I didn’t feel at any risk of tumbling or sliding off,” one of our in-house testers said. “I think you could sleep at the far edges of this bed without worrying about the sides sagging or crumbling.”

That same reliable support contributes to the Helix Midnight Luxe’s standout pressure relief, which we rated 4.2 overall after conducting our pressure map test. Using a specialized pressure-mapping mat to measure tension buildup, our in-house mattress tester found minimal pressure around her hips and shoulders in the side-sleeping position, and almost no tension at all while lying on her back.

“I love how this mattress felt against my back and on my side,” she said. “The puffy dough of the pillow top provided plenty of contouring and cushioning, but I could feel plenty of support from deep within the lower layers of the mattress. My spine felt fully supported.”

Our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, Dr. Joe Tedesco, felt similarly about the Midnight Luxe. He praised its performance for side sleepers with back pain and sciatica symptoms, specifically.

“This could be great for side sleepers with back pain,” said Dr. Tedesco. “I do feel my pelvis lifted. For some people, this can mean opening up space in the lower back, which should feel really good, as long as you’re lying on the side of your body you want to lie on.”

The Midnight Luxe’s temperature-regulation performance was another highlight for our testers, who awarded it a 4.5 out of 5 in that category. Our testers praised its breathable cover featuring crisp, cooling fibers for keeping things crisp and comfortable. 

After using a thermal gun to measure its surface temperature before and after lying on it for 5 minutes, the increase was just seven degrees, which is an impressive result for a plush pillow-top design.

The only limitation noted during testing was that the Helix Midnight Luxe may not feel firm enough for sleepers over 230 pounds, who might sink too deeply into its comfort layers. For those sleepers, the Helix Dawn Luxe offers a firmer alternative with similar luxurious quality.

For more details on this model and insights from long-term owners, visit our full Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review.

Mattresses with a traditional innerspring feel can be beneficial for sleepers with sciatica who may require a firmer, more supportive sleep surface. The Saatva Classic is an ultra-supportive, slightly firmer-than-medium-firm model with two layers of innerspring coils for added support. We appreciated its edge-to-edge support, especially for back sleeping, and awarded it a 4 out of 5 or higher in both categories.

During testing, I was impressed by how supported I felt on my stomach and back on the Saatva Classic. In both positions, I felt like I was floating on top of the mattress thanks to its robust dual-coil layer construction. My hips were elevated and perfectly aligned with the rest of my body, and I could feel the tension actively leaving my lower back, so I gave it a 4.3 out of 5 in the back-sleeping pressure relief category. 

This robust support extended to the mattress’s far reaches, which is why I awarded it a near-perfect 4.8 out of 5 in the edge support category. I highly recommend the Saatva Classic to anyone who tends to gravitate toward the side of the bed at night, or anyone looking for a supportive surface to bear down on while standing up in the morning.

While testing the Saatva Classic, our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, Dr. Joe Tedesco, also provided insights on how this mattress might perform for those with symptoms of sciatica.

“This could work really well for people with sciatica,” said Dr. Tedesco. “In all positions (back, side, and stomach), I feel supported and in great alignment. Your pelvis is in a great position here. Everything feels neutral on this mattress.”

That said, I would not recommend this mattress to sleepers under 130 pounds or to those who sleep strictly on their sides. These sleepers might find the Saatva’s dual-coil construction too firm. I would recommend something with better contouring, like the Saatva Rx, instead.

For more information and long-term testing notes from one of our mattress experts who took this model home, check out our full Saatva Classic mattress review.

Due to the plush, slow-sinking feel of many memory foam mattresses, it can be challenging for sleepers with sciatica to find one that is firm enough to maintain healthy spinal alignment without sinking too much. Fortunately, the Nectar Classic is a supportive medium-firm memory foam mattress that can help alleviate sciatica symptoms. During testing, we awarded the Nectar a 4 out of 5 in edge support and back-sleeping pressure relief.

One thing about the Nectar Classic that impressed me during testing was its consistent corner-to-corner support. I gave it a 4 out of 5 for edge support because I could lie along its perimeter without feeling like I was going to roll off the mattress. No matter where I lay on the Nectar Classic, my lower back got enough support to maintain healthy spinal alignment, which is essential for folks with sciatica. 

However, I knocked off a point because the corners sank a little more when sitting on them. If you’re someone who needs a reinforced edge to bear down on or comfortably sit down to tie your shoes, you might not find enough support here.

Perhaps most importantly, though, the Nectar Classic excelled in back-sleeping pressure relief. My fellow mattress testers and I were impressed by how comfortable and tension-free we were in this position, and awarded it another 4 out of 5 in this category.

“My spine is aligned very well, and I don’t feel a ton of pressure building anywhere,” said mattress tester Sosha Lewis. “There’s good lift at my hips that keeps them in line with my shoulders.”

That said, one of our mattress testers who weighs more than 230 pounds noted that he could feel some tension around his lower lumbar area, indicating that the Nectar might be too soft for sleepers with larger bodies who experience  sciatica.

While testing the Nectar for sleepers with sciatica, we invited our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, Dr. Joe Tedesco, to weigh in. Overall, he was pleased with the Nectar Classic’s performance.

“I like this bed for people who have sciatica,” said Dr. Tedesco. “You’ll feel completely aligned if you’re on your back or your side. That alignment can help alleviate pressure points, and that should help with sciatic symptoms, especially when you’re on your back.”

Interested in learning more about this model’s performance across the board? Check out our full Nectar Classic mattress review. For a soft mattress that offers more support for larger bodies, try the Titan Plus Luxe instead.

Hybrid models are often the ideal mattress candidates for sleepers with sciatica because they offer the best of both worlds: supportive innerspring coils with layers of plush, contouring memory foam. The Luxury Firm WinkBed is our pick for the best hybrid mattress for sleepers with sciatica because it scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in back-sleeping pressure relief and edge support, and earned some positive feedback from Dr. Joe Tedesco, our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist.

One of the first things that mattress tester Riley Otis noticed was how effectively the WinkBed relieved pressure in her lower back. During testing, she noted that its innerspring coils were sturdy enough to help her lower back and spine stay in a neutral position, while its memory foam layers and soft cover layer provided just enough cushioning to prevent her from feeling stiff. She gave it 4.3 overall in the back-sleeping pressure relief category.

“The WinkBed is an excellent choice for back sleepers,” Riley said. “My hips and shoulders were level. Meanwhile, my lower back got ample cushioning. I really enjoyed the soft feel of the pillow top, which was balanced nicely by the firmer support system below.”

Dr. Joe Tedesco, our chief medical product tester, echoed her thoughts, particularly for sleepers with sciatica.

“On this mattress, I’m noticing that there is adequate support to disperse the pressure across your pelvis,” Dr. Tedesco said. “This dispersion reduces the need to shift your weight from hip to hip during the night, which people with sciatica may find themselves having to do on other mattresses.”

Riley also praised the WinkBed’s consistent support during testing, noting that it extended to the far reaches of the bed. She was very well supported when lying directly on the edge of the bed and thought the edges felt just as strong as the center. She gave it a strong 4.4 out of 5 in the edge support category.

That said, Riley was more critical of the WinkBed’s cooling and responsiveness. She gave the WinkBed average scores of 3.5 and 3 in those categories, respectively. Based on her feedback, we would not recommend this to sleepers who get extremely hot at night and combination sleepers who frequently toss and turn to get comfortable.

Want to learn more about the WinkBed? Check out our full WinkBed mattress review to see how it performed on all our tests. For an option with better cooling and responsiveness, consider upgrading to the WinkBed Plus instead.

Side sleepers with sciatica often benefit from a mattress with additional cushioning and better contouring. And thanks to its soft, quilted top layer, the Bear Elite Hybrid offers just that. After spending time with this mattress, our chief medical product tester, Dr. Joe Tedesco, praised its performance for side sleepers. Meanwhile, mattress tester Sosha Lewis was also impressed with the Bear’s performance across the board, awarding it a 4 out of 5 or higher in edge support and cooling.

Before getting hands-on with the Bear Elite Hybrid herself, Sosha had our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, Dr. Joe Tedesco, test the mattress in all sleeping positions and weigh in on its performance for people with sciatica. He was most impressed with how it felt on his side.

“In the side-sleeping position, I feel much better on this mattress,” Dr. Tedesco said. “I feel very supported and cradled. I don’t notice any pressure that would lead me to believe that people with sciatica would enjoy this mattress.”

Sosha also praised the Bear Elite Hybrid’s soft top layer while lying on her side. “Although the mattress feels slightly firmer than average, the pillow top contours around my side, and I feel very comfortable in this position,” she said. 

Aside from its impressive showing for side sleepers (and more specifically, side sleepers with sciatica), Sosha also praised the Bear Elite’s performance in edge support and cooling, awarding it a 4.4 and a 4.5 in both categories, respectively.

“The bottom line is that this is a very comfortable and supportive mattress,” Sosha said. “I feel supported while lying down on it, even toward the edge of the mattress. I also appreciate that I couldn’t notice it heating up beneath me while I was on it.”

However, there are a couple of things to consider before purchasing the Bear Elite Hybrid. If you’re a combination sleeper who frequently changes positions to get comfortable at night, the tufts in the Bear’s soft cover layer may prevent you from doing so swiftly. Additionally, sleepers weighing more than 230 pounds may find that the sink too far through the mattress layers, compromising spinal alignment.

Head over to our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review to learn more about this model. For a mattress with an easier surface to maneuver on, consider the Birch Luxe instead.

Back sleepers with sciatica should sleep on a mattress that provides ample support and deep pressure relief around their lower lumbar area to help relieve pain. The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is a premium model that is ideal for sleepers in this category. During testing, it earned impressive scores (4 out of 5 or higher) in the back-sleeping pressure relief and edge support categories.

The plush mattress topper on the Aurora Luxe offers deep contouring and cushioning for back sleeping specifically. Mattress tester Sosha Lewis awarded this mattress a near-perfect 4.7 out of 5 for back-sleeping pressure relief.

“It’s firm but gives a balanced, supportive feel,” Sosha said. “It kept my hips nicely elevated, and it filled in around my lower lumbar region. I also liked how it felt around my shoulders, and think that full-time back sleepers will like this one.”

Sosha also asked our chief medical product tester, Dr. Joe Tedesco, to weigh in on the Aurora Luxe’s performance. He agreed that this mattress is ideal for back sleepers, particularly those with sciatica symptoms.

“This is great for people with sciatica who are back sleepers,” said Dr. Joe Tedesco. “My pelvis is very neutral, and my femurs stay aligned with my pelvis, which means my feet aren’t turning out, creating pressure that could lead to flare-ups.”

The Aurora Luxe’s firm yet balanced feel extends to its farthest reaches. Sosha noted that the surface of this mattress stays consistently supportive, no matter where you lie on the bed. Even around the mattress perimeter, she noticed that her hips felt elevated and her spine stayed aligned. She gave the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe an impressive edge support score of 4.4 out of 5.

The only area where the Aurora Luxe did not score a 4 out of 5 or higher was in side-sleeping pressure relief, where it earned a 3.7. Sosha and her fellow mattress testers agreed that the Aurora Luxe is likely a touch too firm for strict side sleepers. Sleepers in this category will likely need something that lets them sink further into the foam.

Visit our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review to learn more about this model. If you’re a side sleeper looking for something on the softer side, check out the Helix Sunset instead.

The Nolah Evolution is a luxury mattress that performed exceptionally well across all of our testing categories. Sleepers with sciatica looking to upgrade to the most comfortable mattress possible should seriously consider the Evolution. Our testers were particularly impressed by its pressure relief and edge support, awarding it a 4 out of 5 or higher across each category.

According to our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, the best mattresses for relieving pressure in your lower back are those that include contouring materials (including memory foam) that provide cushioning at the hips and shoulders. The Nolah Evolution is a hybrid mattress with supportive coils and comforting memory foam, delivering deep pressure relief in any sleeping position.

During testing, Sosha Lewis and her colleagues awarded the Nolah Evolution an impressive 4.3 out of 5 for pressure relief across the board.

“The top of the mattress provided some gentle contouring around my lower back and relieved any pressure I might have felt there,” said Sosha. “My spine felt supported, and there was no sinking at all. I felt like I was floating on top of the soft, pillow-top layer.”

Dr. Joe Tedesco, our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, shared a similar opinion.

“This is a pretty great mattress if you have sciatica,” said Dr. Tedesco. “You will have some good posterior pelvic tilt, which can alleviate pressure. Your core sinks nicely into this mattress while still being supported enough to avoid pressure buildup.”

Speaking of support, the Nolah Evolution offers stability across its entire surface, so those who gravitate toward the edge of the mattress will not have to worry about sagging or falling off the bed. Sosha noted that she received the same amount of lift and support around her lower lumbar spine on the perimeter of the bed as she did in the center of the mattress. She gave it a near-perfect 4.6 out of 5 in the edge support category.

The only negative point about the Nolah Evolution has nothing to do with its construction or the mattress itself. The one drawback our testers identified was the brand’s relatively restrictive 120-night trial. Despite having a strong limited lifetime warranty, its trial period is less generous than some competitors.

Head over to our full Nolah Evolution mattress review for more information. For a similar mattress with a better sleep trial, consider the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid.

Latex mattresses are often an excellent option for combination sleepers with sciatica. This type of mattress typically offers deep pressure relief and snappy responsiveness, making it easy for combination sleepers to move around while staying adequately supported in every sleeping position. Both of these apply to the best-in-class Leesa Natural, which earned a 4 out of 5 or higher in the pressure relief and responsiveness categories.

When it comes to alleviating tension, the Leesa Natural outperformed nearly every mattress that has come through our doors, earning a 5 and 4.5 out of 5 in the side-sleeping and back-sleeping pressure relief categories, respectively. After trying the Leesa, tester Riley Otis noted that the Leesa Natural could benefit sleepers with sciatica symptoms and lower back pain.

“I think this bed is a solid choice for back sleepers and sleepers with back pain,” Riley said. “It’s supportive enough to lift my hips in line with my shoulders, and I’m not feeling any one particular area sinking in further than the rest. The top layers are doing a nice job cushioning my upper back and providing a touch of softness across the whole body.”

Our chief medical product tester and physical therapist, Dr. Joe Tedesco, agreed with Riley’s assessment during testing. “For the most part, this mattress is soft enough on top to avoid increasing pressure for sleepers with sciatica symptoms,” he said.

Aside from pressure relief, the Leesa Natural also scored a perfect 5 out of 5 in the responsiveness category. Like many other latex options, the Leesa Natural is incredibly easy to move around and change positions on, which makes it ideal for combination sleepers and sexually active couples.

“As a latex hybrid, the Leesa Natural is very responsive,” Riley said. “The latex has this natural buoyancy that creates a decent level of bounce, which helps spring me from one sleeping position to the next.”

The only area where the Leesa Natural did not score a 4 out of 5 or higher was in edge support. Riley noted that, while she didn’t feel like she was going to fall off, her body felt like it was sloping downward. She also said that the center of the mattress felt more supportive than its outer reaches. Based on Riley’s feedback, the Leesa Natural might not be the best option for sleepers with mobility concerns who need a sturdy surface to help them stand up in the morning.

Learn more in our full Leesa Natural mattress review. For a latex mattress with superior edge support, consider the Birch Natural instead.

The Plank Firm Luxe introduces a modern take on the classic innerspring feel; this firm mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers with sciatica who need maximum spinal alignment. This flippable hybrid offers two distinct firmness levels: firm (7 out of 10 on our firmness scale) and extra-firm (8 out of 10). Our mattress testers awarded this mattress a 4 out of 5 or higher in the responsiveness and back-sleeping categories.

A mattress that is too soft may not adequately support your lower body, which can contribute to sciatic pain over time. Stomach sleepers tend to sink in more around the lower lumbar area, so they often need an extra boost to keep their hips aligned with the rest of their bodies. A firm mattress minimizes hip sag and keeps the spine level, helping prevent nerve compression and lower-back strain that can worsen sciatic pain.

Fortunately, the sturdy innerspring coils in the Plank Firm Luxe provide enough responsive support to keep these sleepers comfortable. Mattress tester Sosha Lewis awarded the bed a perfect 5-star responsiveness score on the extra-firm side and 4.5 out of 5 on the regular-firm side.

“On the extra-firm side, I feel supported and like I am squarely on top of the bed,” Sosha said. “There is no sinkage when changing positions, either.”

The on-top-of-the-bed feel of the Plank Firm Luxe also contributes to its excellent back-sleeping pressure relief, which earned a perfect 5 out of 5 on the firm side and a strong 4.3 out of 5 on the extra-firm side.

“I think the extra-firm side is great for back sleepers with back pain, as it keeps your spine in a completely straight line,” Sosha said. “My hips were perfectly aligned with my shoulders in this position, and I didn’t feel much sinkage at my hips.”

However, the real crown jewel of the Plank Firm Luxe was its pressure relief for stomach sleepers. When our chief medical product tester, Dr. Joe Tedesco, tested the Plank for himself, he praised it for being an excellent fit for stomach sleepers with sciatica.

“I would recommend this for stomach sleepers with sciatica,” Dr. Tedesco said. “You get enough support that you could find some pressure relief here.”

That said, the Plank Firm Luxe may not be the best fit for hot sleepers or individuals under 130 pounds. While it earned an average score in the cooling category during testing, extra-hot sleepers may still find that it retains too much heat. Likewise, both sides of the offer minimal cushioning, meaning lighter sleepers may not experience enough contouring for comfort.

Learn more in our full Plank Firm Luxe mattress review. For a firm mattress with better cooling, try the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam instead.

The Titan Plus is a highly supportive mattress for sleepers who want extra spinal support without sacrificing comfort, making it a standout option for sleepers with sciatica. The Titan features heavy-duty innerspring coils and high-density memory foam to comfortably support sleepers with larger bodies while maintaining a stable sleep surface. During testing, we awarded the Titan Plus 4 out of 5 or higher in back-sleeping pressure relief and edge support.

Mattress tester Sosha Lewis was immediately impressed with the Titan’s edge support, awarding it a 4.6 out of 5 in this category. In her notes, she highlighted its reinforced perimeter and consistent feel across the surface. 

“The perimeter of the Titan Plus felt very secure across every sleeping position,” she said. “I found it easy to switch positions on the edge, and I wasn’t afraid of rolling out of bed when I flipped onto my side.” 

Sleepers with sciatica often benefit from extra stability when changing positions, as the added support can help them avoid further strain on their lower backs and hips.

Sosha also gave the Titan Plus a 4 out of 5 in the back-sleeping pressure relief category, as it provided enough lower lumbar support to align her entire body and remove tension from that area.

“I felt comfortable on this mattress on my back,” said Sosha. “There wasn’t any contouring, but it still provided a very balanced feel that helped alleviate pressure. I think average-weight back sleepers would appreciate this bed, especially those who prefer a firmer feel.”

However, when Dr. Joe Tedesco tested the Titan Plus, he shared a slightly different opinion on its performance for sciatica. While he recommended it for side sleepers with sciatica, he noted that some back sleepers may find it too firm to remain in that position all night long.

“If you’re a side sleeper and you suffer from sciatic pain, you probably won’t feel pressure buildup around the pelvis because you’ll get an even pressure distribution,” Dr. Tedesco explained. “However, some back sleepers may experience pressure buildup in the sacrum and have to change positions. I would recommend this to side sleepers with sciatica first, and combination sleepers who switch between their backs and sides second.”

Additionally, we do not recommend the Titan Plus to sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds, as it will likely be too firm to provide significant pressure relief.

Learn more about this model in our full Titan Plus mattress review. For a similar mattress with more cushioning for lightweight and strict side sleepers, consider upgrading to the Titan Plus Elite instead.