Best Mattresses for Spinal Stenosis (2026)

The Nectar Classic is my favorite medium-firm mattress for spinal stenosis because its supportive yet comforting construction makes it an ideal choice for sleepers suffering from back and neck pain. During testing, my colleagues and I gave it a 4 out of 5 in the back-sleeping pressure relief and edge support categories.

I invited my colleague Sosha Lewis to help me test the back-sleeping pressure relief on the Nectar Classic. During this test, she lay on the Nectar mattress and reported any areas where she felt tension building up. She praised the amount of lift she got from this mattress, noting that it helped keep her spine in alignment. Her feedback helped it earn a score of 4 out of 5 in this category.

“I like this bed for back sleeping,” Sosha said. “The pressure relief is good, and I don’t feel a ton of pressure building anywhere. There’s good lift at the hips that keeps them in line with my shoulders.”

Dr. Joe Tedesco, our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, also echoed Sosha’s sentiments during his time with the Nectar Classic.

“The Nectar is keeping my spine neutral,” said Dr. Tedesco. “Orthopedically, that’s great. Everything feels like it’s in a very neutral position.”

Edge support was another category in which the Nectar Classic excelled during testing, earning another 4-star score. Edge support is another essential consideration for sleepers with spinal stenosis, as corner-to-corner support ensures they receive the same spinal support along the perimeter of the bed as they do in the center.

The Nectar Classic Memory Foam felt great while lying on my back and on my side at the edge of the bed. I never felt like I was going to slide off or fall at any point. However, while sitting on the corners and sides of the bed, I felt quite a bit of sinkage. 

Based on these results, I have no problem recommending this mattress to sleepers with spinal stenosis who prefer to lie at the edge of the bed; however, I would not recommend it to those with mobility concerns who need to sit at the edge of the mattress to get ready.

I also would not recommend this mattress to strict side sleepers who frequently experience soreness in their shoulders and hips, as the Nectar only scored a 3.6 in the side-sleeping pressure relief category.

Learn more about this model in our full Nectar Classic mattress review. For a similar memory foam mattress with better side-sleeping pressure relief, check out the Leesa Original instead.

The Saatva Rx is a high-performance model specifically designed for individuals experiencing back and joint pain. Unsurprisingly, this luxury mattress impressed our testers across vital categories for spinal stenosis relief, including pressure relief and responsiveness, where it scored a 4 out of 5 or higher.

A mattress built for pain relief must have exceptional pressure relief, and that is precisely what the Rx delivers. Our testers gave the Saatva Rx a rating of 4.5 out of 5 for side-sleeping pressure relief and 5 out of 5 for back-sleeping pressure relief.

“I feel really great on my back, and I would absolutely love this mattress,” said one of our in-house testers. “The pillow top fills in every area of my body, while the firmness supports the heavier regions of my body. This is probably one of the best mattresses I have tried.”

We also invited Dr. Tedesco to weigh in and provide his feedback on the Saatva Rx. He shared the same opinion on back-sleeping pressure relief as our tester and also enjoyed it for side-sleeping.

“When I lie on my side, I don’t have any significant pressure buildup,” said Dr. Tedesco. “Similarly, I don’t feel any pressure anywhere other than a little on my head when I’m on my back.”

The Saatva Rx also performed well in the responsiveness category, thanks to the innerspring coils in its hybrid design. A responsive surface can help sleepers with spinal stenosis by allowing them to swiftly change positions if they feel still or uncomfortable during sleep. Our testers gave it a 4 out of 5 in this category because they found it easy to maneuver and change sleeping positions on the surface of this mattress.

“I was able to roll around on the mattress easily,” said one tester. “However, the plush pillow top does give you a little more difficulty than normal to switch positions.”

Our tester also noted that the soft top layer contributes to weaker edge support than other hybrid mattresses. While you should still be able to lie along the side of the mattress without feeling insecure or toppling over, its seated edge support leaves much to be desired. In other words, individuals who need a secure surface to bear down on while waking up in the morning should look elsewhere.

Read our full Saatva Rx mattress review to see how it performed across all of our testing categories. For a mattress with stronger edge support, check out the Saatva Classic instead.

Back sleepers with spinal stenosis benefit from a mattress that provides balanced support and pressure relief, especially around their lower lumbar spines. According to my fellow certified sleep science coaches, the Helix Midnight Luxe is one of the most balanced mattresses that we have reviewed. During testing, the Midnight Luxe earned 4 out of 5 or higher in every category except one: back-sleeping pressure relief and edge support.

While testing pressure relief on the Helix Midnight Luxe, mattress expert Cait Giddings appreciated the balanced feel of the supportive innersprings and luxurious pillow-top cover while lying on her back.

“I love how this mattress felt against my back,” Cait said. “The puffy dough of the pillow top provided ample contouring and cushioning, but I could feel plenty of support from deep within the lower innerspring and foam layers of the mattress. I would give this a 4 out of 5 for pressure relief in this position, as some sleepers with bigger bodies may find that they sink too far into the pillow-top layer.”

Cait also invited our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, Dr. Tedesco, to lie on the Helix Midnight Luxe and offer his feedback. He agreed that, with a pillow, the Midnight Luxe is an excellent option for back sleepers with spinal stenosis.

“Once you get a pillow under your head, a lot feels better on this mattress,” said Dr. Tedesco. “I notice my upper body sits into the mattress better. Your upper body slowly sinks into this, and I don’t feel my pelvis sink into it as much as it does other pillow-top mattresses. I would say that this alignment could benefit those with spinal stenosis.”

Cait also praised the edge support of the Helix Midnight Luxe, awarding it a near-perfect 4.8 out of 5 during testing. Whether sitting or lying along the perimeter of the mattress, she felt that she received adequate support from the innerspring coils in its construction. Back sleepers who move toward the side of the bed at night will not have to worry about any awkward sinkage that could exacerbate their symptoms.

“The edge support felt fairly solid. It was easy to get in and out of the bed — I didn’t feel like I was bouncing to my feet, but nor did I feel like I had to fight to get up from a sunken position,” Cait said. “I could sit on the edge without feeling any slipping and sliding, and I didn’t have to use my hands for balance.”

The only area where the Helix Midnight Luxe earned below a 4 out of 5 was customer experience, due to its somewhat limited sleep trial. At 120 nights, we would have preferred to see something higher for a mattress of this caliber.

Interested in learning more about the Midnight Luxe? Visit our full Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review for more information. For a similar mattress with a stronger sleep trial, consider trying the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid instead.

Hot sleepers with back or neck pain caused by spinal stenosis face a double whammy. On one hand, they need a mattress that is supportive enough to relieve tension along their spines. On the other, they need something that can help regulate temperature and prevent them from waking up covered in sweat. Fortunately, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe provides both in equal measure, earning a 4 out of 5 or higher in back-sleeping pressure relief, edge support, and cooling.

Our tester Sosha Lewis appreciated the Aurora Luxe’s firmer-than-average surface (7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale) for back sleeping. She gave it a 4.7 out of 5 in the back-sleeping pressure relief category, praising its comfortable and supportive feel.

“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 I think that full-time back sleepers or those with lower back pain will enjoy this one.”

Dr. Tedesco, our chief medical product tester, shared an opinion similar to Sosha’s during testing: “Lying on my back, I feel great. I’m not feeling anything sinking into the bed, so there is even pressure throughout my body. Everything is in a neutral position, and my elbows and hips can really relax in this position. I don’t even feel like I need a pillow!”

Aside from excellent back-sleeping pressure relief, the Aurora Luxe’s firmer feel also contributes to its rock-solid edge support, earning a 4.4 out of 5 in this category.

“Edge support is great when lying down,” Sosha said. “I felt very secure. The Aurora Luxe Cooling is a great mattress for couples or those who sleep on the perimeter of the bed.”

However, the real crown jewel of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling is its temperature-regulating capabilities. During testing, we gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 in the cooling category, thanks to its outstanding performance in the thermal gun test, where we measure the surface temperature before and after lying on it for five minutes. Sosha found that it only increased by 4 degrees during this test, which is rare even among the best cooling models.

The only drawback of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is that its above-average firmness level makes it a hard sell for strict side sleepers and sleepers weighing under 130 pounds. These sleepers will likely find that the Aurora Luxe is too rigid around their hips, shoulders, and other potential pressure points.

Learn more about this model in our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review. For a softer mattress for side sleeping, check out the Glacier Summit Hybrid instead.

Many sleepers with spinal stenosis could benefit from an ultra-supportive mattress. A more supportive mattress can help ensure that your spine stays aligned, which in turn can help relieve pressure and eliminate pain. Among our favorite supportive mattresses is the WinkBed Plus, which excelled in pressure relief, cooling, and responsiveness, scoring a 4 out of 5 or higher in each category during testing.

During my hands-on testing, I gave the WinkBed Plus a 4.7 out of 5 in the pressure relief category. Thanks to its next-level support around my lower lumbar spine, I felt comfortable while lying on my back and stomach on this model. I thought this bed was comfortable for back sleeping, because it filled out my lower back and kept me feeling aligned throughout. I would describe everything as being evenly supported.

I also invited our chief medical product tester, Dr. Tedesco, to weigh in on the WinkBed’s firmer-than-average sleep surface. While lying down on his back, he appreciated the balanced feel from its plush, pillow-top cover and durable innerspring coils.

“I am appropriately into the cushioning pillow top without feeling contoured,” said Dr. Tedesco. “It’s not too cushy, and it’s giving good support. People who prefer to feel neutral will like the anatomical position it puts you in.”

Aside from performing well in pressure relief, the WinkBed Plus also earned perfect 5-star scores in the cooling and responsiveness categories. My colleagues and I found that it effectively dispersed heat and regulated temperature, thanks to its breathable cover layer material and innerspring coils that facilitate airflow.

There was only a 3.4-degree increase during the thermal gun test, where I measured the temperature of the mattress surface before and after lying on it for five minutes. I wouldn’t say the bed felt cool to the touch, but after lying on it, I didn’t feel like I had gotten any hotter or uncomfortable.

As for responsiveness, the WinkBed Plus is unsurprisingly easy to move around on. Combination sleepers or individuals with spinal stenosis who need to swiftly change positions to relieve discomfort should have no trouble doing so on this mattress.

The only downside of the WinkBed Plus is that its firmer-than-average construction is likely too firm for sleepers weighing under 130 pounds. Even with the plush pillow-top, these sleepers will likely not sink enough to receive the contouring they need in pressure-prone areas, like their shoulders and hips.

Visit our full WinkBed Plus mattress review to learn more about how this mattress performed in other testing categories. For an alternative that is better suited to sleepers under 130 pounds, check out the Nectar Classic Hybrid instead.

To find the best mattress for side sleepers with spinal stenosis, we tapped Dr. Tedesco, our chief medical product tester, to help us test numerous models. With his assistance, we determined that the Bear Elite Hybrid was the best option for these sleepers. The Elite Hybrid also performed well in responsiveness and motion isolation, earning a 4 out of 5 or higher in both categories during testing.

Side sleepers require a mattress that is firm enough to support them, but soft enough to prevent tension and pressure from building up in their hips and shoulders. This support becomes even more essential if you have spinal stenosis. Fortunately, the Bear Elite Hybrid delivers both and earns the seal of approval for side sleeping from Dr. Tedesco.

“I would absolutely recommend this for anyone who sleeps on their side,” said Dr. Tedesco. “The softness provides great contouring, but it is still firm enough to support you when you’re on your side. I don’t notice any pressure buildup at all. That said, I think if you weigh 230 pounds or more, you may sink into this more and therefore feel more pressure buildup in certain areas.”

The supportive surface of the Bear Elite Hybrid is also quite responsive, earning a 4 out of 5 in this category during testing. Mattress tester Sosha Lewis found it easy to change positions and move around on the surface of this mattress.

“It is very easy to switch positions on the Bear Elite Hybrid,” Sosha said. “However, the soft upper layer may make it a little challenging for those with mobility issues who need a steady surface to bear down on while standing up.”

Motion isolation, however, is where the Bear Elite Hybrid really shines. It scored the highest in this category, earning a 4.7 out of 5 during testing. We tested motion transfer on the Bear Elite Hybrid by having two mattress testers lie next to each other. One tester wears a blindfold while the other tosses and turns next to them. The blindfolded tester then reports how much movement they feel transfer to their side of the bed.

“I could tell when my partner sat down and got back up, but it was minimal,” said Sosha. “This bed had solid overall motion isolation, and my colleague’s movements didn’t disturb me on my side of the bed.”

Unfortunately, the Bear Elite Hybrid is not a good option for those with adjustable beds, as it did not play nicely with ours in the studio. In multiple settings, it failed to conform to the base. Additionally, its above-average firmness might be uncomfortable for sleepers under 130 pounds.

Read more about this model in our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review. For a mattress that is compatible with your adjustable base, consider trying the Bear Original mattress instead.

Hybrid mattresses are often ideal for sleepers with spinal stenosis because of their balanced construction. On a hybrid model, you get the best of both worlds: gentle contouring from memory foam and sturdy support from innerspring coils. The Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm is one of our team’s favorite mattresses in this category, thanks to its excellent performance in pressure relief and edge support. During testing, our experts awarded it a 4 out of 5 or higher in nearly every category.

Like many other hybrid models, the Nolah Evolution excelled in pressure relief and edge support during testing, earning scores of 4.3 and 4.6, respectively. Our testers were equally impressed with its pressure-relieving performance on both their backs and sides.

“I liked this bed on my side overall, despite it being firmer than I expected,” said mattress tester Sosha Lewis. “It hugged my body nicely, and I felt supported on my side. While lying on my back, the top of the mattress provided gentle contouring around my lower lumbar area and relieved any pressure I might’ve felt there.”

Thanks to the Nolah Evolution’s sturdy edge-to-edge support, Sosha experienced the same balanced feel along the perimeter of the bed that she felt in the center.

“I felt very supported on the edge of this bed in every position,” Sosha said. “It didn’t feel like I would roll off or that I was lying on the edge.”

Our chief medical product tester, Dr. Tedesco, shared a similar opinion to Sosha’s, praising the weightless feeling he experienced while lying on his back on this mattress.

“I’m not feeling any significant pressure buildup,” said Dr. Tedesco. “My feet, ankles, hips, and knees are aligned. My pelvis is relaxed, and I don’t feel any anterior tilt. I feel some great weightlessness across my midline.”

The Nolah Evolution is as close to flawless as a mattress can get, and honestly, our testers’ only gripe with it had more to do with the company policies. While we are confident that most sleepers should enjoy this mattress, Nolah only offers a 120-night trial, which is quite limited compared to other comparable mattress brands.

Need to know more about the Nolah before you buy? Read our full Nolah Evolution mattress review. For a similar model with a more generous sleep trial, consider the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid.

At only $850 before any promotions, the Silk & Snow Hybrid is one of the best mattresses available for under $1,000. It is also a solid choice for sleepers with spinal stenosis, thanks to its pressure-relieving construction. Our experts were impressed with its performance in the back-sleeping pressure relief and responsiveness, awarding it a 4 out of 5 or higher in both categories.

Mattress expert Sosha Lewis was particularly impressed with the Silk & Snow Hybrid’s soft pillow top during testing. She found that alongside the innerspring coils, the pillow-top layer provided significant pressure relief in her lower back. She gave it a 4 out of 5 for back-sleeping pressure relief.

“I think this has great pressure relief on my back,” Sosha said. “This feels like the perfect balance of support and contouring. It feels really good on my lower back. My midsection feels elevated, and my spine is aligned, even though this model has more cushioning than I would typically choose for a mattress.”

Dr. Tedesco, our chief medical product tester, was also impressed with the Silk & Snow Hybrid’s cushioned surface. However, he warned that it might not be supportive enough for sleepers with larger bodies.

“You get a little posterior pelvic tilt on this bed, which makes it feel like your knees are bent and your knees are slightly elevated,” Dr. Tedesco said. “It’s almost like having a small pillow under your knees, but without the pressure buildup you might get from having something actually under your knees.”

Responsiveness was another category in which the Silk & Snow Hybrid excelled, making it a good option for combination sleepers who frequently change positions to avoid pain or discomfort. Mattress tester Dan Caffrey gave it another 4 out of 5 in this category, praising how easy it was to switch between sleeping positions on this bed.

“I didn’t find it difficult to switch positions on this bed,” Dan said. “I would say that, overall, this is a pretty responsive mattress that makes it fairly easy to move around.”

The only areas in which the Silk & Snow performed averagely were edge support and side-sleeping pressure relief. Our team noticed more sinkage along the perimeter of the mattress as they sat on the sides and edges. If you are someone who needs a secure surface to push down on while getting up in the morning, you will need something with stronger edge support.

Additionally, some of our testers reported feeling pressure buildup in their shoulders while lying on their sides on this mattress.

Want to learn more about this high-performing budget bed? Head over to our full Silk & Snow hybrid mattress review to see how it performed on our tests. For a mattress with stronger edge support, consider the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid instead.