Best Mattress for Back Pain

Written by Logan Block, Mattress Reviewer

Our Methodology

Our Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 220 mattresses in our lab, testing each one on its materials, comfort, cooling, support, and other categories.
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Just Updated

We’ve recently re-reviewed all of our top mattress picks for back pain and added more feedback from the testers in our lab – so you can rest easy that if it’s on this list, we’ve personally tested it, slept on it, and stand by its recommendation.

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Finding the best mattress for back pain can be a challenge. Sleepers come in all shapes and sizes, and if you struggle with upper or lower back pain, mattresses that promise deep pressure relief often don’t deliver. When putting together our list of the best mattresses for back pain, we made sure to choose a wide variety. They run the gamut from affordable to luxurious, from firm to soft, and are sure to give you plenty of options to mull over while you make your decision.

As you’ll see in our mini reviews below, we paid close attention to something called the pressure map when selecting these mattresses. A pressure map is a device that we roll across every bed we test. We lie down on the map, and it reads how much pressure the mattress puts on our body in different sleeping positions via thermal imaging. Blue indicates almost no pressure, green indicates low pressure, yellow indicates moderate pressure, and red means high pressure. If the pressure map shows blue (or maybe a little green) at the upper or lower back in various sleeping positions, it’s likely a good mattress for back pain.

Our Top Pick for Sleepers With Back Pain

Saatva shines on our list as the best overall pick due to its outstanding support of its two layers of springs. This should help give you a neutral spinal alignment. And because it comes in three different firmness levels, you can select a model that will provide an optimal amount of pressure relief.

Best Mattresses for Upper and Lower Back Pain

• Saatva – Best Overall Mattress for Back Pain
• WinkBed – Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain
• Helix Dusk – Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Back Pain
• DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Back Pain
• Nectar – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Back Pain
• Emma Hybrid Comfort – Best Mattress for Couples with Back Pain
• Titan Plus – Best Mattress for Heavy Sleepers with Back Pain
• Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Hybrid Mattress for Back Pain
• Nolah Evolution – Best Luxury Mattress for Back Pain
• Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Cheap Mattress for Back Pain
• Puffy Cloud – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Pain
• Birch Natural – Best Organic Mattress for Back Pain

Best Mattress for Back Pain Video

Disclaimer: The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldn’t take the place of advice or treatment from your physician or medical professional. This review is meant to be an informative guide for those looking to maintain healthy posture while they sleep. User experiences and needs will vary. If you experience lasting pain, soreness, or discomfort while sleeping, it’s always a good idea to seek out a healthcare professional in person.

Compare The Best Mattresses For Back Pain

Saatva – Best Overall Mattress for Back Pain

Pros of the Saatva Mattress

With three firmness options, most sleepers should find a Saatva model that works for them
The Saatva uses high-quality materials that will last you a long time
Its bouncy and responsive feel means it’s great for combination sleepers
The Saatva’s reinforced edges give it some of the best edge support we’ve ever seen

Cons of the Saatva Mattress

If you’re looking for a super-soft mattress, this won’t be a great fit for you
Motion transfers easily in the Saatva, so you may be disturbed by a partner’s movements
None of the Saatva Classic models will likely be supportive enough for heavy stomach sleepers

The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction provides a classic innerspring feel. It’s a good option for combo sleepers, who will want to feel free to switch positions and avoid feeling “stuck” in the mattress. It comes in three firmness levels, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The white glove delivery Saatva provides is an added perk and will save you the headache of getting rid of your old mattress (they take it away for free!). For more information, watch our video review.

What our tester says:

“I thought the Saatva was super easy to move around on thanks to its coil layers and cushiony foam top. I found the Luxury Firm model to have a very supportive, yet plush feel that kept me comfortable in multiple sleep positions.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor

Expert Opinion

We chose the Saatva as our best overall pick because of its traditional innerspring feel, which comes from its unique coil-on-coil construction. When testing it out, we saw and felt very little pressure buildup around the back (i.e. lots of blue on our pressure map). This means the mattress isn’t likely to cause any back pain. That being said, the Saatva comes in three different firmness levels, and different ones are going to to accommodate different sleeping positions, especially if you’re someone who experiences pain in the lumbar region or upper back. See our Pros section below for specific recommendations.

We should also take a moment to dive further into the coil-on-coil construction. At the bottom of the bed is a thick layer of durable support coils, with another layer of coils right above it. This results in a considerable amount of support, so sleepers should be able to keep a neutral spinal alignment. The coils also give the Saatva lots of responsiveness and bounce, which makes it easier for combination sleepers to switch positions.

What our tester says: “If you love a traditional innerspring feel and would appreciate an added touch of plushness, I think you’ll meet your match with the Saatva. The Luxury Firm and Firm models both should offer solid support to help ensure spinal alignment. The Saatva also has some of the best edge support we’ve tested, making it a great fit for couples who want to sprawl out and use the full surface of the bed.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

The Saatva has almost 3,000 reviews on its website, and a running theme seems to be superb customer service. Shoppers with any issues have gotten them resolved swiftly and satisfactorily, and many people are a huge fan of the brand’s free white glove delivery. Once you order, Saatva will send someone to your house to deliver and set up your new mattress. That means it arrives uncompressed without any off-gassing period, so you can start sleeping on it right away. Saatva is also one of the few mattress brands to have its own showrooms, currently in major cities such as Chicago, San Francisco, and New York.

Pros of the Saatva Mattress

• Back sleepers will likely find the right blend of comfort and support on the Luxury Firm version of the bed.
• The Soft version of the bed should give side sleepers plenty of pressure relief at the shoulders and hips.
• The mattress’s cover is soft and breathable, and because there are so many coils in the construction, there’s a ton of room for airflow. This is a plus for hot sleepers everywhere.

Cons of the Saatva mattress

• Although we think all types of sleepers could be comfortable on the Saatva, it isn’t the cheapest mattress around. So budget shoppers should look elsewhere, perhaps on our best cheap mattress page.

Will this mattress lead you to restful nights? Find out in our full Saatva mattress review, or check out our best mattress roundup.

WinkBeds – Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain

Pros of the WinkBed Mattress

Back sleepers and stomach sleepers should get the support they need
Has a traditional, supportive feel
The WinkBed has cooling capabilities to help people who sleep hot
Sturdy edge support and good motion isolation make this a good choice for couples

Cons of the WinkBed Mattress

It lacks a contouring, memory foam feel
It may be too pricey for some people

The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid mattress. It has a similarly supportive and sturdy feel to a traditional innerspring mattress, but upgrades like a Euro top and cooling Tencel cover give it a touch of modern luxury. Available in three firmness levels, there is a WinkBed for just about every sleeper. And a responsive and bouncy feel makes it a great pick for combination sleepers. Learn more in our video review.

What our tester says:

“One of my favorite things about the WinkBed is its durability. This is a high-quality mattress that should really stand the test of time. This is great news for any sleeper, but especially nice for heavy people and couples.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor

Expert Opinion

As a luxury hybrid mattress with a traditional innerspring feel, the WinkBed should appeal to sleepers who value lots of support, firmness, and responsiveness. And because there are so many coils throughout the construction, there’s lots of room for the mattress to breathe. We felt incredibly cool when testing it out.

Regarding back pain, we felt almost no pressure when sleeping on our backs and stomachs, in addition to getting some cushioning from the WinkBed’s quilted foam cover. We did feel pressure buildup in the hips and shoulders when side sleeping, and noticed some hot spots in these areas on our pressure map. However, this was on the Luxury Firm model of the WinkBed. The Softer model is likely going to be more comfortable for side sleepers. Additionally, there’s a Firm model and even a Plus model designed for heavier folks.

What our tester says: “I really liked how the WinkBed offered different levels of support for different areas of my body to ensure spinal alignment. Its breathable Tencel cover also was super cozy, while the cooling gel foams offered nice pressure relief!” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

On the WinkBeds website, you can actually filter the customer reviews based on topic (value, sleep trial, quality, etc.). When we looked at the reviews on pain relief, many of them talked about how comfortable the mattress is for sleepers with back pain. If you want to try it out for yourself in-person before purchasing, WinkBeds does have a handful of its own showrooms (including one in Miami), and it’s often available at independent mattress stores.

Pros of the WinkBed Mattress

• The mattress’s coils are zoned, so they’re firmer in the places where back sleepers need it most. There should be plenty of support here to keep their spine in a neutral alignment.
• Stomach sleepers should feel supported on either the Luxury Firm or Firmer model of the WinkBed.
• Due to its springiness, the WinkBed is responsive enough for combination sleepers to move around and change positions.

Cons of the WinkBed Mattress

• While we think the WinkBed could be a good mattress for couples because of its responsiveness (responsive mattresses are usually the best for sex), its motion isolation isn’t so strong. If you or your partner are light sleepers, this is something to consider. 

Could the WinkBed ease your back pain? Learn more in our full WinkBeds mattress review, or check out our roundup for the best cooling mattresses.

Helix Dusk – Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Back Pain

Pros of the Helix Dusk

For a bit more money, you can get the Helix Dusk in a luxury version that comes with a pillow top and Tencel cover
The Dusk should sleep fairly cool, thanks to its airflow-promoting coils. The Helix Dawn Luxe sleeps even cooler due to its soft and breathable Tencel cover
The springs give the Helix Dusk a good deal of bounce and responsiveness that should make it easy for combination sleepers to change positions

Cons of the Helix Dusk

The softness of this mattress isn’t going to be an ideal fit for stomach sleepers. They’ll need something more supportive to keep their hips elevated and in line with their shoulders
Likewise, heavy sleepers over 250 pounds will likely need a firmer and more supportive mattress

Helix has a line of six hybrid mattresses, each with a different level of firmness. The Dusk is one of their softer models. It has enough contouring for side sleepers, but should still be supportive enough for back sleepers, as long as they don’t mind a softer bed. Learn more in our video review of all the Helix mattresses.

What our tester says:

“Both Helix Dusk mattresses offer a balance of support and pressure relief that back sleepers should really appreciate. I personally enjoy a balanced feel, and I liked that these beds offer a nice blend of body contouring and bounce.” – Logan Block, former Sleepopolis content director and mattress tester

Expert Opinion

While Helix is known for their customizable mattresses, they also have a line of pre-existing hybrid beds made with layers of foam and a bottom layer of coils, each with a different level of firmness. When we tested out the Helix Dusk — the brand’s medium-soft option — we saw little to no pressure at the lumbar region in all three sleeping positions, making the Dusk an excellent choice for soothing back pain. And if you want even more contouring for your lower back, you can pay extra for the Helix Dusk Luxe, a luxury upgrade with a cushy pillow top.

Despite being a softer bed, the Helix Dusk has a lot of responsiveness due to its coils. This should make it easy for combination sleepers with back pain to change positions. They should have no problem switching back and forth between their back, side, and stomach.

What our tester says: “Both the Helix Dusk mattresses offer a balance of support and pressure relief that back sleepers should really appreciate. I personally enjoy a balanced feel, and I liked that these beds offer a nice blend of body-contouring and bounce!” – Logan Block, former Sleepopolis director of content and mattress tester 

What Customers Say

The Dusk has a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Helix’s website. Customers regularly praise its firmness and support, with several pointing out that they don’t see any body impressions on the mattress. While we recommend ordering a bed in a box online for both price and convenience, you can also try out the Helix Dusk yourself in several showrooms and independent retails across the country, including CB2.

Pros of the Helix Dusk Mattress

• Back sleepers should feel pressure relief on their lumbar region as it gets filled in with the bed’s soft foams.
• The pressure map showed little to no yellow or red at the shoulders and hips, where side sleepers put the most pressure. So they should be very comfortable on the Helix Dusk as well.
• Like most of Helix’s hybrid mattresses, the Dusk sleeps cool due to the airiness of its cover and coils that leave lots of room for air to flow through the bed. This makes it an excellent choice for hot sleepers.

Cons of the Helix Dusk Mattress

• The bed’s motion transfer results were just average. We test motion transfer by dropping steel balls of differing weights onto the mattress’s surface, then measuring the vibrations with a seismometer. We saw a bit of movement on the Helix Dusk, so if you or your partner are light sleepers, you’ll probably feel each other tossing and turning.
• Stomach sleepers are going to need a firmer option than the Helix Dusk.

Hungry to learn more about the Dusk? Read our full Helix Dusk mattress review, or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for combo sleepers.

DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Back Pain

Pros of the DreamCloud Mattress

Soft memory foam for cushioning at the lumbar region and sturdy coils for spinal support
Springs that provide a lot of bounce and responsiveness, both of which help you change positions
Strong edge support, allowing couples to use the whole surface of the bed

Cons of the DreamCloud Mattress

Not enough contouring at the shoulders and hips for side sleepers

With soft foam and a sturdy layer of innerspring coils, the DreamCloud strikes a balance between comfort and support — a little bit of contouring up top and on-top-of-the-bed feel that comes from the bottom. It’s a fairly firm mattress that we think is most comfortable for back sleepers. It also has some luxury touches such as a cashmere-blend cover that are reminiscent of a high-end hotel. Learn more in our DreamCloud video review.

What our tester says:

“I really like how luxurious this mattress feels and how it could work for a variety of sleepers. Along with that, I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night. Thanks to its medium-firm to firm support, I think the DreamCloud is a durable mattress. It balances support with plenty of pressure relief for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor

Expert Opinion

The DreamCloud is a luxury hybrid mattress with a slightly firmer feel (a 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale). For proper spinal alignment and ultimate comfort, back sleepers generally require a mix of pressure relief and support. The DreamCloud’s construction delivers this balance, with a quilted cashmere cover and cushioning memory foam for lower back pain relief, as well as a bottom layer of strong coils that help keep the spine neutrally aligned.

When we rolled out our pressure map over the DreamCloud, the upper and lower black lit up bright blue, showing little to no signs of pressure. So back sleepers should stay comfortable throughout the night without any pressure buildup.

What our tester says: “First and foremost, I’d recommend this mattress for back sleepers. The balanced feel of firm supportive foam and gentle pressure relief could be a real winner for these folks.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

On DreamCloud’s website, their original mattress has an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with nearly 2,000 reviewers praising the mattress for alleviating their back pain. The cheapest price for a DreamCloud is likely going to be online, but if you’d like to try it out in person, you can find it at a variety of stores, including Mattress Plus and Bed Pros.

Pros of the DreamCloud Mattress

• Even though it’s considered a luxury mattress, the DreamCloud is quite affordable. A queen is currently priced at $1,332 before discounts, and can often be found for under $1,000 after discounts.
• The responsiveniess towards the top of this mattress helps with ease of movement so combination sleepers can change sleeping positions.
• The DreamCloud’s gel infusions and airflow-promoting coils should appeal to hot sleepers and help them stay cool.

Cons of the DreamCloud Mattress

• The DreamCloud probably isn’t going to be firm or supportive enough for strict stomach sleepers.

Will this mattress lead you to restful nights? Find out in our full DreamCloud mattress review, or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for back sleepers.

Nectar – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Back Pain

Pros of the Nectar Mattress

The Nectar offers a classic memory foam feel, with deep sinkage and contouring
Side sleepers should enjoy how the soft foams relieve pressure on their shoulder and hip
Back sleepers should also feel supported, but pleasantly cushioned on the Nectar
Couples shouldn’t be too disturbed by movement, as the Nectar isolates motion well

Cons of the Nectar Mattress

Stomach sleepers likely won’t get enough support for spinal alignment from the Nectar
While it incorporates some cooling materials, hot sleepers may still find the Nectar sleeps warm
The Nectar isn’t supportive enough for most heavy sleepers, who weigh 250 pounds or more

The Nectar delivers on classic memory foam: it’s soft, contouring, and provides a slow-sinking feel. Still, it provides solid support for most light to average weight sleepers. The cushioning memory foam allows for plenty of pressure relief on pain points, like shoulders and hips. Side sleepers especially should enjoy the pressure relief. Plus, a lengthy trial period, lifetime warranty, and affordable price make the Nectar a reassuring choice for many. Watch our video review to learn more.

What our tester says:

“The Nectar has a great classic memory foam feel, so if you love deep sinkage and contouring, this is the mattress for you. I especially like this feel for back and side sleepers, who should find their pressure points cushioned, and spines supported.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor

Expert Opinion

Made entirely of foam, the Nectar is a pressure-relieving mattress with a medium-soft feel. When reviewing it, we found that the mattress was very effective in relieving back pain, especially for lightweight and average weight side sleepers. They should feel the top foams cushioning the pressure points at the hip and shoulder, which can help promote a healthy spinal alignment.

These feelings were confirmed by our pressure map test. While lying on our back and side on the Nectar, the map was entirely blue and green at the upper and lower back, indicating little no pressure in these areas.

What our tester says: “The Nectar’s upper soft foams do a wonderful job cradling the joints, while the high-density lower foams offer support. This combo is a great match for back sleepers in need of pressure relief and support.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Nectar is one of the biggest players in the mattress industry, so it’s no surprise that the bed has almost 48,000 reviews on the company’s website. Many customers have positive things to say about the optimal blend of comfort and support; how the mattress is soft without letting you sink too far into the layers. We recommend purchasing a Nectar online to take advantage of the Nectar’s lower price, especially because it also comes with a generous forever warranty. But you can also find it at independent mattress retailers such as Mattress Firm if you want to test it out in person.

Pros of the Nectar Mattress

• We think the Nectar could be extra-comfy for back sleepers who struggle with back pain.
• While it’s not the coolest mattress out there, the Nectar sleeps cooler than the average memory foam mattress. So if you’re a hot sleeper who still loves memory foam, it could be a sensible option for you.
• Memory foam is known for its ability to isolate motion, and the Nectar exceeds in this area. If you’re someone who sleeps with a partner, you’re unlikely to disturb one another with your movements. 

Cons of the Nectar Mattress

• Combination sleepers may want a more responsive, bouncy mattress that allows them to more easily switch positions.
• The Nectar isn’t supportive enough for stomach sleepers, although lightweight stomach sleepers under 150 pounds might find it comfortable. 

Interested in learning more about the Nectar? Read our full Nectar mattress review, or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for side sleepers.

Emma Hybrid Comfort – Best Mattress for Couples with Back Pain

Pros of the Emma Hybrid Comfort

Great motion isolation makes it a good choice for couples
A bouncy feel makes it easy to move around on
An airy hybrid construction keeps the mattress cool

Cons of the Emma Hybrid Comfort

Too firm for side sleepers, who won’t receive adequate pressure relief on the shoulder and hip
Edge support didn’t impress us — you may not feel supported if you sit or lie along the edge
May not appeal to memory foam lovers or those who prefer a plush feel

The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a firm mattress with a durable hybrid construction. It works well for heavyweight stomach and back sleepers, as it provides enough support to keep these sleepers’ spines in neutral alignment. In addition to making it a good choice for heavier people, the Emma Hybrid Comfort’s design also gives it nice breathability and responsiveness, meaning it stays cool as you sleep and is easy to move around on.

What our tester says:

“After five minutes of lying on the Emma Hybrid Comfort, it increased 7.7 degrees. This indicates good temperature regulation. I really did feel cool when resting on it. Considering this, the airy hybrid construction, and the additional cooling features, I feel that the Emma Hybrid Comfort is one of the best cooling mattresses.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer

Expert Opinion

The Emma Hybrid Comfort was built with ultra-sturdy materials — namely dense foams and strong coils. This makes it a good fit for heavy couples and average weight couples alike. This mattress should have no problem keeping two bodies adequately supported, plus the coils make it highly responsive. When we tested out the Hybrid Comfort, we could move around easily on it, which tells us that it’s a good option for sex. And when we laid down on the pressure map, it was mostly blue in the upper and lower back region, meaning you’re unlikely to feel any back pain while sleeping on the Emma Hybrid Comfort. 

What our tester says: “The supportive coils in the Emma Hybrid Comfort work well to maintain a neutral spine.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer

What Customers Say

The Emma Hybrid Comfort is still a fairly new mattress, so it doesn’t have a ton of reviews on the brand’s website. But across the board, reviewers talk about how much they love its bounciness and support. If you want to try out an Emma mattress yourself, the brand doesn’t have any of their own stores in the United States, but you may be able to find it at an independent retailer.

Pros of the Emma Hybrid Comfort Mattress

• Lightweight and average weight back sleepers should be comfortable on the Emma Hybrid Comfort, as long as they like a firmer mattress.
• Since stomach sleepers need more support than others, they will likely find a good match in the Emma Hybrid Comfort.
• The coils in the support layer leave plenty of room for airflow, and the foam is open-celled. This keeps the mattress breathable and helps hot sleepers keep a low temperature. 

Cons of the Emma Hybrid Comfort Mattress

• Side sleepers will probably want a softer mattress with more pressure relief. We recommend that they check out our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers instead.

Curious to learn more? Read our full Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress review, or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for couples.

Titan Plus – Best Mattress for Heavy Sleepers with Back Pain

Pros of the Titan Plus

Heavy sleepers should find this mattress comfortable and supportive
It isolates motion well, so couples shouldn’t disturb each other as they move around on it
It’s responsive, so combination sleepers should move around easily on it
It’s durable and has great edge support — it should last for many years

Cons of the Titan Plus

Lightweight sleepers probably won’t get any pressure relief or contouring
It doesn’t provide the best cooling benefits (Cooling cover available for purchase)
Though it’s a foam mattress, you won’t feel like you’re sinking into the layers

The Titan Plus mattress is a durable mattress made with heavy sleepers in mind. It’s a firm and features heavy-duty coils and Titanflex foam that makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. But it still offers low motion transfer across the surface, so you shouldn’t feel disturbed by a partner or pet moving. The Titan Plus sleeps hotter than some hybrid mattresses, but the brand offers a cooling cover for an additional cost. For more information on the Titan Plus, check out our video review.

What our tester says:

“It’s not often you can find a bed that works for all sleeping positions, but the Titan Plus delivers this for heavy sleepers. I think it’d be a great fit for heavy combination sleepers or couples who are looking for support without sacrificing pressure relief.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor

A Note On Weight and Body Type

We recognize that people come in all shapes and sizes, and people of every size deserve a mattress that works for their body type. We use the weight categories light, average, and heavy to more easily categorize sleepers based on how mattresses will perform for their body type, as most mattresses are designed for the group we call “average” (130 to 250 pounds). We consider heavy sleepers to be anyone over 250 pounds, and they tend to need more support to prevent them from sinking too far into the layers.

Expert Opinion

A firm and supportive mattress is absolutely crucial for heavy sleepers, who compress through mattress layers more than others. Fortunately for these folks, Brooklyn Bedding has designed the Titan Plus for people over 250 pounds.  When we asked our colleague Paulie (a professional powerlifter!) to test out this hybrid mattress, he felt immense pressure relief on his back. And when trying out the mattress in different positions, he found that his shoulders stayed aligned with his hips, thanks to the support from the coils at the bottom of the construction. Simultaneously, the foam gave him some cushioning. We should point out that sleepers under 250 pounds may not experience as much contouring, as the Titan Plus is likely to feel firmer to them than it would to a heavy person.

What our tester says: “The Titan Plus is made with heavy sleepers in mind, so it’s going to offer the support they need. I found it to maintain a cozy feel and appreciate how its foam layers double for pressure relief and motion isolation.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Across the more than 2,500 reviews on the Titan Plus website, customers comment on how comfortable the bed is for larger folks. The reviews also indicate the sleeper’s body type, sleeping position, age, and weight, so it’s likely you can find a testimonial from someone who’s similar to you. And if you’re not sure if it’s the right mattress for you, you can head to one of Brooklyn Bedding’s many brick and mortar stores to test it out for yourself.

Pros of the Titan Plus Mattress

• Average weight and heavyweight back sleepers alike should feel comfortable and supported on the Titan Plus.
• The same goes for stomach sleepers. The Titan Plus is firm and supportive enough to keep their hips lifted and in line with their shoulders — a key to avoiding back pain.
• The Titan Plus has great motion isolation, so you and your partner shouldn’t feel each other moving around at night. Additionally, the responsiveness of this mattress is great for sex, and the solid edge support lets you use the mattress’s full surface area. All of this makes the Titan Plus an excellent choice for couples.

Who Should Avoid the Titan Plus

• The mattress’s cover is made from polyester, so while it feels cozy, it has the tendency to trap a bit of heat. This is fixable if you purchase the brand’s cooling cover, which helps regulate body temperature and adds a bit more pressure relief. But it does cost extra.
• Lightweight sleepers under 150 pounds — especially side sleepers — should opt for a softer mattress with more pressure relief.

Think you and the Titan make a good pair? Learn more about it in our Titan Plus Mattress review, or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for heavy people.

Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Hybrid Mattress with Back Pain 

Pros of the Bear Elite Hybrid

Thick comfort layers provide lots of pressure relief while coils lift the hips for spinal support
The Medium model has a medium-soft feel that should suit most back and side sleepers
A responsive feel makes this bed easy to move on

Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid

Heavyweight stomach sleepers won’t find enough support. See our Best Mattress for Heavy People for better options
As a luxury mattress with many special features, the Bear Elite Hybrid is priced higher than other mattresses on the market

The Bear Elite Hybrid uses foam and coils for a mix of support, cushioning, and cooling. While designed for athletes prioritizing wellness and recovery, sleepers of all activity levels can enjoy the many luxurious features. Enjoy zoned support for targeted relief, an “on top of” feel allowing for ease of movement, and cooling features throughout. For more information, watch our video review.

What our tester says:

“I tested the Medium model and found that it’s a good match for most average-weight back and side sleepers. It has a balanced foam feel, and it offers a good blend of comfort and support.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor

Expert Opinion 

Many folks like a balanced hybrid mattress, which combines pressure-relieving foams and sturdy coils for support. It’s why hybrids often make some of the best mattresses for back pain, and the Bear Elite Hybrid is no exception. While testing the Medium model, we determined that the Bear Elite Hybrid is a phenomenal choice for back sleepers with back pain.

As for side sleeping, our pressure map displayed a little bit of pressure buildup in the lumbar region. However, side sleepers should fare well with the Soft model because it will relieve more pressure at the shoulder and hip. And stomach sleepers should get the support they need on the Firm model. There’s something here for everyone.

What our tester says: “I honestly like a lot about the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress — starting with how you can choose your firmness level. I tested out the middle level (Medium) and I think it’s great that each sleeper can pick what option works best for them. That being said, I thought the Medium worked great for both back and side sleeping. It’s also responsive enough to move around on easily and super cooling for my fellow hot sleepers out there. ” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

The reviews on Bear’s website consistently praise the medium support of the Elite Hybrid. Also, the company often responds to reviews in case you have a question or want to provide any additional feedback. These factors (as well as the discounted price) tell us that it’s best to purchase this mattress online. However, you might be able to find it in person at several other mattress retailers, including Brooklyn Bedding’s stores.

Pros of the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

• Bear has managed to carve out a niche in the mattress industry by catering specifically to athletes and active folks. That’s because the brand has outfitted their mattresses with a cover made of Celliant, which purportedly assists with blood flow and muscle recovery. While we haven’t verified the recovery properties of Celliant ourselves, there are several institutions that have. Read more about these clinical trials here.
• In addition to potentially aiding recovery, Celliant sleeps very cool. The foam has also been infused with graphite to help stave off heat. This makes the Bear Elite Hybrid a good choice for hot sleepers.
• For couples, the top layer of memory foam helps dampen movement across the mattress. So even if you sleep with a restless partner or pet, you shouldn’t be too bothered throughout the night. 

Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

• Before sales and discounts, a queen Bear Elite Hybrid is priced over $2,000. So it’s a rather expensive mattress that probably won’t appeal to budget shoppers.

Intrigued? Read more about the Bear Elite Hybrid in our full review, or check out our roundup of the best hybrid mattresses.

Nolah Evolution – Best Luxury Mattress

Pros of the Nolah Evolution

Great for couples due to its good edge support and low motion transfer
Works for back sleepers who need good lumbar support
Side sleepers will appreciate the pressure relief

Cons of the Nolah Evolution

Too soft for most stomach sleepers
Bargain hunters may find this to be a bit pricier
Doesn’t have a slow-moving memory foam feel

The Nolah Evolution’s hybrid construction offers the cushioning of memory foam with the responsiveness of coils. The Luxury Firm model is a good option for side and back sleepers due to its medium-firm feel, though there are Plush and Firm versions as well. Those who share a bed may also appreciate its low motion transfer, so you won’t be disturbed by a partner’s movements and its solid edge support to allow you to maximize surface area. For more information, check out our video review.

What our tester says:

“I laid down to rest on this mattress on my back — my primary sleep position. I felt comfortable, but also appreciated the cozy, plush top of the bed. After some time lying on my back, I switched over to my side. I didn’t find this position quite as comfortable, as I did feel some slight pressure buildup in my shoulder.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer

Expert Opinion

The Nolah Evolution is essentially an upgraded version of the original all-foam Nolah, with luxury touches such as a cover made of organic cotton and graphite infusions in the foam for added cooling. But the most notable new feature is a layer of coils toward the bottom of the mattress. We found that these springs helped create a strong foundation of support. We felt lifted when lying down, which should help prevent back pain.

We also saw almost no tension around the upper or lower back while looking at the mattress’s pressure-map results, and that was while both side sleeping and back sleeping. Also, the Nolah Evolution comes in three different firmness options (Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm), so sleepers can choose the support level that’s best for them. For what it’s worth, we tested out the Luxury Firm.

What our tester says: “I found the Nolah Evolution to exude luxury! It offers great materials, support, and plushness. Another major bonus is that it comes in three firmness levels, so every sleeper can find the right fit for them.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

The Evolution has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Nolah’s website. A common theme is reviewers calling it “luxurious”. Several folks even say that it’s more comfortable than a high-end hotel mattress. Nolah doesn’t have any of its own stores, but you can test out the mattress at several stores of its brand partners, including the Online Mattress Showroom in Minneapolis.

Pros of the Nolah Evolution Mattress

• The medium firmness of the Luxury Firm option should provide the right balance of comfort and support for back sleepers and side sleepers alike.
• Because there’s some responsiveness from the transition layer, combination sleepers should be able to easily switch positions on the Nolah Evolution (choose the Luxury Firm or Firm model).
• When testing out motion transfer on the Nolah Evolution, we found that it was adept at isolating movement. That means it could be comfortable for couples or anyone who sleeps with a pet. The reinforced edge support should also be a plus for couples. 

Cons of the Nolah Evolution Mattress

• Although stomach sleepers weighing less than 250 pounds may be comfortable on the Firm model, heavier stomach sleepers will probably want a firmer bed that provides additional support.  

Interested in more information about the Nolah Evolution? Learn more in our full Nolah Evolution mattress review, or check out our roundup for the best luxury mattresses.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Most Affordable Mattress for Back Pain

Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

It’s a good choice for budget shoppers. With a discount, queen sizes are often under $1,000
Back sleepers should find both comfort and support on the Medium model, which can help alleviate back pain
Brooklyn Bedding offers this bed in different firmnesses, making it a versatile option
The combination of coils and foam makes this mattress very easy to move around on

Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

It doesn’t have that sinking-in feeling of an all-foam mattress
The Medium mattress is too firm for side sleepers and too soft for stomach sleepers (though the Soft or Firm model may work, respectively)

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress combines a foam comfort layer and study coils. This combination of materials makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. It comes in three firmness levels, and we recommend the Medium model for most back sleepers. It’s a great choice for shoppers who are looking for a new mattress on a budget. . For more information, check out our video review.

What our tester says:

“I like that this mattress offers an ‘on-top-of-the-bed,’ plush feel. I think it’s a great choice for combination sleepers who need a mattress that makes it easy to change positions at night. I also appreciate that the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid mattress isolates motion well, has strong edge support, and sleeps fairly cool.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor

Expert Opinion

Brooklyn Bedding has a wide variety of models, with the Signature Hybrid being one of their most comfortable and economical mattresses (you can often find a queen-size under $1,000 after discounts). We found that the simple yet effective hybrid construction of foams and springs helped maintain a healthy sleeping posture, which is essential for avoiding back pain. Note: the mattress’s firmness and performance will depend on which model you buy — Soft, Medium, or Firm. We tested the Medium, which clocked in at an appropriate medium-firm 6.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale. 

During our pressure map test, the Signature Hybrid showed little to no pressure around the lumbar region, especially while we were back sleeping. This shows that it’s an excellent choice for folks who suffer from aches in this area.

What our tester says: “If you appreciate a good value, then the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is a great choice. I found the Medium firmness model to be really comfortable for back sleepers and combination sleepers, along with couples.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

With over 10,000 customer reviews on the Brooklyn Bedding website, the Signature Hybrid has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. You can also see the age, weight, body type, and sleeping position of many of the reviewers, which makes it easy to pick a bed that closely aligns with your individual needs. And you can test out the mattress in person at one of the brand’s many brick and mortar stores.

Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress

• The Medium model offers a nice mix of support and pressure relief that back sleepers need to sleep comfortably and avoid back pain.
• The foams here aren’t too dense, so the mattress should sleep cool. And hot sleepers should get plenty of airflow because of all the room between the coils.
• The mattress has an “on-top-of-the-bed” feeling that makes it a great choice for combination sleepers who change between sleeping positions.
• This mattress isolates motion well and has sturdy edge support. You and your partner should be able to easily spread out across the sleeping surface without disturbing each other with your movement.

Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress

• Side sleepers will likely need a softer bed, although they might be comfortable on the Soft model.
• On the flip side, stomach sleepers may want something firmer, especially those who weigh more than 200 pounds. We recommend the Plank Firm, also created by Brooklyn Bedding.

Sold on the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid? Fall in love with it even more in our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid review, or check out our roundup for the best budget mattresses.

Puffy Cloud – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Pain

Pros of the Puffy Cloud

The Puffy was designed to cushion joints and help with pain relief
Lighter bodies under 130 lbs should feel very supported on the Puffy
The Puffy has great motion isolation, so partners shouldn’t disturb each other by moving around

Cons of the Puffy Cloud

Like many soft mattresses, the Puffy probably isn’t supportive enough for stomach sleepers
Combination sleepers may struggle to move around this mattress since it “hugs” you
Heavy sleepers who weigh over 250 pounds likely won’t feel supported

The Puffy Cloud is a soft, all-foam mattress that contours the body and allows you to sink into the layers. It’s designed to cushion joints and alleviate pressure points, so it should be a great fit for light to average weight sleepers, back and side sleepers, and even couples who are concerned with motion transfer. If you want to learn more about the Puffy Cloud mattress, take a look at our video review.

What our tester says:

“I enjoyed the combination of pressure relief and support the Puffy Cloud offers. I think it will do a good job of reducing aches and pains that some people experience when sleeping on a mattress that isn’t the right firmness level for their sleep style.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor

Expert Opinion

Memory foam mattresses can be tricky when it comes to back pain; a cheaper option without adequate support can sag too easily and throw the spine out of alignment. Luckily, Puffy is one of the best in the memory foam game. Meet their flagship mattress, the Puffy Cloud. We determined that it’s a medium-soft mattress (a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale) that balances the pressure relief needed at the lower back with the support required to lift the hips into place. This is achieved through the Puffy Cloud’s balance of cushioning memory foam and high-density foam.

On our pressure map, there was a lot of blue around the upper and lower back while we were back sleeping, which indicates low pressure and tells us that the Puffy Cloud isn’t likely to activate your back pain. Side sleepers should feel overall comfortable as well, as we didn’t see too much buildup here.

What our tester says: “I really enjoyed the combination of pressure relief and support the Puffy Cloud offers. I think it will do a good job of reducing aches and pains that some people experience when sleeping on a mattress that isn’t the right firmness level for their sleep style. The Puffy Cloud’s combination of softness and support also might be helpful to those suffering from arthritis.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Lots of positive reviews (most from back or side sleepers) claim that the Puffy Cloud is true to its name and maintains a plush, cloud-like feel.

Pros of the Puffy Cloud Mattress

• The Puffy Cloud is super cushioning and traps movement exceptionally well. This helped it score a high score in our mattress lab for motion isolation.
• Because the Puffy Cloud suits many lightweight sleepers and has a stain-resistant cover, it’s one of our favorite mattresses for kids.
• The Puffy Cloud has a cooling gel infusion that helps it sleep cooler than other all-foam beds on the market.

Cons of the Puffy Cloud Mattress

• With a traditional slow-sinking feel, this memory foam bed isn’t the easiest to move around on, so it may not be the best for combination sleepers.

Will this mattress lead you to restful nights? Find out in our full Puffy Cloud mattress review, or check out our roundup for the best memory foam mattresses.

Birch Natural – Best Organic Mattress for Back Pain

Pros of the Birch Natural

Organic mattress with numerous GOTS and GREENGUARD Gold certifications
Naturally cooling Talalay latex in its transition layer
Enough firmness and strong support for anyone experiencing back pain
Enough responsiveness for combination sleeping
Ideal for anyone looking for a firmer, more “on top of the bed” feel

Cons of the Birch Natural

Side sleepers require a softer mattress that better cushions the joints
Higher price point that’s less than ideal for budget shoppers
Memory foam mattress fans won’t find the slow sinkage they’re looking for

The Birch Natural is a latex mattress utilizing individually wrapped coils for added support. This mattress specializes in cooling and responsiveness, and the firmer nature suits back and stomach sleepers well. Perhaps the most special part about this mattress is the material quality. Not only is the Birch organic, but it has also earned multiple certifications for safe production and materials. For more information, check out our video review.

What our tester says:

“One of my favorite things about the Birch is how cooling it is. I think any hot sleeper will be satisfied by this breathable bed. It’s definitely one of the most cooling mattresses available thanks to its wool and latex layers. These cooling materials also make it one of my favorite organic mattresses.” – Madison Schaper, Sleepopolis staff writer

Expert Opinion

If you’re looking for not only a quality construction to relieve back pain, but also quality organic materials, then the Birch Natural (created by Helix) is the bed for you. During testing, we found the responsive all-natural latex layers and bouncy springs kept our hips lifted and in alignment. The organic cotton cover and the organic wool beneath work to fill in the lumbar region, relieving pressure at the lower back.

As with all of our mattresses, we sought out to confirm the Birch Nautral’s pain-relieving abilities with our pressure map. We saw little to no pressure on our backs (i.e. lots of blue) while lying on both our side and our back. So we can confidently say this is one of the best mattresses for back pain.

What our tester says: “One of my favorite things about the Birch is how cooling it is! I think any hot sleeper will be satisfied by this breathable bed. It’s definitely one of the most cooling mattresses available thanks to its wool and latex layers. These cooling materials also make it one of my favorite organic mattresses!” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Across the 3,000+ Birch reviews on Helix’s website, customers rave about the Birch’s responsiveness and support, as well as the easy delivery and setup. You also might be able to try out the mattress for yourself at a variety of independent retailers, including CB2.

Pros of the Birch Natural Mattress

• The 7 out of 10 firmness the Birch scored in our mattress lab shows that although it’s a bit firmer than average, it still has the necessary comfort and support for back sleeping.
• As a material, latex is naturally cooling, and the coils at the support layer provide maximum airflow. Both of these factors should appeal to hot sleepers.
• The latex layer and bouncy springs create a responsive surface, so combination sleepers should find it easy to switch sleeping positions.
• Lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers should find their hips lifted and in proper alignment.

Cons of the Birch Natural Mattress

• Side sleepers likely aren’t going to be comfortable on the Birch Natural. It doesn’t have enough pressure relief to cushion their hips and shoulders.
• If you like the slow-sinking feel of memory foam, you won’t find it with the Birch. This mattress has a notoriously responsive, “on top of” feel.

Sold on the Birch Natural? Fall in love with it even more in our full Birch Natural review, or check out our roundup for the best organic mattresses.

How Can Sleep Help Chronic Pain?

Now that we’ve gone over our picks, we want to take a second to talk about the purpose of this guide. While it may seem like the focus is on finding a mattress that’ll make falling asleep with pain easier, it’s actually about finding the bed that’s going to help you use sleep to actively deal with said pain.

Of course, for a topic like back pain, we don’t want to rely solely on our own opinions and tests. We also chatted with physical therapist and Sleepopolis Expert Network member Dr. Keith Poorbaugh to get his tips for catching quality Zzz’s while dealing with chronic back pain and to learn what kinds of mattresses can aid in this process the most.

“Sleep is very important for restoring balance to the nervous system and improving coping strategies for pain,” Dr. Poorbaugh told us during our conversation. “Normally, our central nervous system is downplaying or ignoring stimuli from multiple sources simply because the information is not important. A person with chronic pain, however, loses this important dampening ability, so many activities that were once well-tolerated now become pain-provoking.”

Why You Should Take Your Sleep Seriously

Dr. Poorbaugh highlighted a 2017 study, which suggests that poor sleep patterns were directly related to:

• Higher rates of pain
• Poor mood
• Increased pain-catastrophizing
• Overall reduced physical function (1)

So what can be done? In order to get the kind of sleep you need to help deal with your chronic pain, consider the following when choosing the right mattress to deal with pain.

What to Look for in Mattresses for Back Pain

When looking for a mattress to combat back pain, it’s important to consider support, firmness level, and pressure relief. Different types of mattresses will offer varying degrees of these factors. Take a look at how they stack up below.

Types of Mattresses For Back Pain

There are several different types of mattresses, and we recommend some over others for combatting back pain. Take a look below to learn more about the main mattress types.

• Foam Mattresses: All-foam mattresses rely on high-density poly foams to support the sleeper. If you struggle with back problems, we often recommend avoiding all-foam mattresses in favor of slightly more supportive innerspring or hybrid mattresses.
• Innerspring Mattresses: Innerspring mattresses combine steel coil support with top layers made of thin comfort foam. They’re often firm and bouncy, which can work well for back pain (as long as they also provide enough pressure relief).
• Hybrid Mattresses: Hybrid mattresses use coil and foam layers to create a supportive, yet comfortable sleeping environment. These beds can vary widely in feel and materials, but are often the type of bed we recommend for sleepers looking for back pain relief.
• Latex Mattresses: Latex mattresses are taut, bouncy, and naturally cooling. These beds are very durable and supportive, but are not our first choice for sleepers with bad backs. These folks often need a material that offers more body-contouring. Latex mattresses don’t usually offer the right sort of cradling to ease tension, especially at the lower back.

Support

In our opinion, what’s more important than choosing the right mattress material is choosing a mattress that offers the right amount of support. Sound support is super-important for those who suffer with chronic back pain. We should note that support and firmness are not the same. You can have a soft mattress that’s ultra-supportive and a firm one that doesn’t support the body at all. Adequate support is all about how a mattress works to keep the spine in a neutral alignment, while also remaining comfortable.

When shopping for a mattress, keep an eye out for the following features:

• Zoned support: Mattresses with zoned support are designed to target different parts of the body in different ways, with softer foams at the shoulders and firmer ones at the hips. This helps encourage a proper spinal alignment, which is a key to relieving back pain.
• Balanced foam: Beds built with several different types of foam (latex, memory foam, and high-density poly foam) are going to offer the best support for folks who suffer from back pain. This balanced approach combines lift with pressure relief for a well-rounded feel.
• Contouring: A mattress that offers some body-contouring at the lower back can also help keep your spine in a neutral alignment. By filling in the spaces your body creates as it sinks into a bed slightly, contouring foams can ensure that you’re receiving evenly distributed support throughout the night.

Firmness

Since we started the firmness conversation above, let’s go ahead and wrap it up here.

What Does Firmness Do, Anyway?

Firmer mattresses tend to “float” the sleeper more on top of the sleeping surface, whereas softer beds allow the sleepers to sink in for deep pressure relief.

You need to ensure your mattress offers the right firmness level for your sleep position, which is what determines how your spine should be lined up.

While Dr. Poorbaugh says that “there is some evidence to suggest that a firm mattress is more beneficial to reduce pain among people experiencing CLBP (chronic lower back pain),” it’s actually more likely that “any change in back pain is more related to improved sleep patterns than any actual physical changes to the lumbar spine.”

Dr. Poorbaugh’s views line up with a 2010 study, which revealed that replacing mattresses based on sleeping position (i.e. selecting beds for side, back, and stomach sleepers) helped to reduce pain and discomfort in subjects. (2) Long story short, finding the right firmness can do wonders for a sleeper with specific needs. Below, we’ll go over back pain in different sleeping positions to help you find the best mattress firmness for back pain.

Sleeping Position	Ideal Mattress Firmness	Firmness Scale Level	Why This Firmness?
Back sleepers with back pain	Medium-firm to firm	6.5-7/10	Balances push-back support, yet still remains soft enough to offer comfort and remove pressure points.
Side sleepers with back pain	Soft to medium-soft	5-6/10	Allows sinkage around the shoulders and hips to ensure the spine falls into a neutral alignment (rather than twisting at the lower back).
Stomach sleepers with back pain	Firm to ultra-firm	7-8/10	These sleepers need tons of support (and little pressure relief) to ensure their hips stay lifted up in line with their shoulders.
Combination sleepers with back pain	Medium-firm	6.5/10	Delivers comfort and support in multiple sleeping positions.

Pressure Relief

Finally, let’s take a moment to talk pressure relief. More than other sleepers, those who struggle with chronic pain need to find a mattress that’ll actively alleviate tension at sensitive spots along the body, especially at the lumbar region and shoulders.

Typically, pressure points form when there’s more push back focused on a specific area, which tends to cause misalignment at the spine. As your body moves out of alignment, more pressure is placed on the back, which can lead to frustrating pains throughout the torso.

Therefore, it’s important to make sure you’re not sleeping on a mattress that places pressure on any of your major joints. By doing so, your body is able to enter a relaxed state and the chance of pressure points forming along the spine and lower back is diminished.

Here at Sleepopolis, we’re actually able to test a mattress’s pressure-relieving capabilities with our pressure map. We roll the map across the bed’s surface and lie down on it in different sleeping positions (back, stomach, side). The map measures how much pressure is being put on our body, then displays the results on a computer via thermal imaging.

Blue and green are signs of low pressure, yellow is a sign of moderate pressure, and orange and red indicate high pressure. So as you can see on the pressure map results above for the Minocasa hybrid mattress, there’s low pressure while stomach sleeping, but high pressure at the shoulder while side sleeping. That means we’d recommend it to stomach sleepers, but not side sleepers, especially if they struggle with shoulder pain.

Our Recommendations for Pressure Relief

When looking for a mattress with fantastic pressure relief, keep an eye out for the following things:

• Memory foam – While too much memory foam can lead to dramatic sinkage and spinal misalignment, a touch of the material can do a lot to soothe achy joints as the foam gently conforms to these areas. If you’re worried about memory foam’s reputation for sleeping hot, look for a gel memory foam mattress that encourages airflow.
• Hip support – As we discussed in the support section, finding a mattress that features a bit of lift at the hips can be a boon for back pain sufferers who need cozy relief, but also optimized spinal alignment.

Can Your Mattress Cause Back Pain?

If you’ve started waking up with back pain and you didn’t have pain before, your mattress could be the culprit. If you’ve recently purchased a new bed, it could be a bit too soft (or too firm) for your needs, which can cause back pain, especially if it’s throwing your spine out of alignment. If this is the case, we’d recommend sleeping on your new bed for 30 days to see if your body adjusts. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to return your mattress or purchase a topper to help.

Mattress sagging can also be a significant cause of back pain. If your mattress is seven to 10 years old and sagging in certain places, it could be negatively affecting your sleep health. Plus, you could be unconsciously contorting your body to compensate for the sagging. If you notice your mattress is sagging, it’s time to replace it, or add a topper until you’re ready to find a new bed.

Simple Sleep Tricks to Reduce Back Pain

A new mattress is a big investment, and sometimes it’s too expensive to fit into your budget. If you want to reduce back pain in a cost-effective way, there are a few other options you can test out.

• Pillow: A new pillow that works with your sleeping position and provides good neck support can be a great way to quickly improve your sleep posture and reduce some back pain. Our best pillows for back pain roundup includes a few options, and explains how pillows can help fight back pain in more detail.
• Mattress Topper: Adding a firm mattress topper to a sagging or unsupportive mattress can be a nice quick fix for back pain. It also gives some much-needed support and can extend the life of your mattress by a few months. Check out some of our best mattress toppers to see some options.
• Change your sleeping position: Your sleeping position could be creating some back pain. Back sleepers have the easiest time achieving a neutral spinal alignment, which can really reduce pain. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, are particularly prone to waking up with back pain. Side sleepers can also have some issues with pain if they aren’t careful about not twisting their back into odd positions as they sleep. If you’re struggling with back pain, training yourself to sleep on your back could be a big help. Check out our How to Train to Sleep on Your Back article for some tips.

What Is Back Pain? A Note from Sleepopolis’ Expert, Dr. Poorbaugh

Before we wrap up, we wanted to include some basic information on back pain that we learned from Dr. Poorbaugh.

According to Dr. Poorbaugh, most medical research is focused on “Chronic Lower Back Pain (CLBP).” Traditionally, to be defined as “chronic” someone’s lower back pain needed to continue for “more than three months.” But recently, doctors have started using functional brain imaging (as well as detailed assessments of depression and mood) to illustrate that “chronic” is not necessarily a time dependent label.

Dr Poorbaugh says that “the main determinant” of chronic back pain today is central sensitization. According to Dr. Poorbaugh, central sensitization occurs when “the central nervous system has lost its ability to dampen or control peripheral stimuli i.e. information from muscles, joints, and nerves.”

When your nervous system can’t control those stimuli, your peripheral nerves get irritated. This eventually affects your entire nervous system and makes normal activity feel painful (aka, causes back pain).

How is Back Pain Caused?

As Dr. Poorbaugh mentioned above, CLBP is often caused by central sensitization. But back pain can also be a result of injuries like a fall or pulled muscle. Pinched nerves or degenerating discs can also be a cause of back pain.

Types of Back Pain

There are a few different types of back pain. As Dr. Poorbaugh says, a common type is chronic lower back pain caused by central sensitization. But take a look at a few more common types of back pain below:

• Non-specific muscle pain: Muscle pain can occur in any area of the back, and is often a result of an injury or a strain. This type of pain often dissipates over time.
• Muscle spasms: Muscle spasms most commonly occur in the lower back and are often the result of an injury. This type of pain occurs when your back muscles contract involuntarily.
• Radicular pain: If you feel sharp shooting pain in your back that extends to your legs, you could be experiencing radicular pain. This pain is a result of disc degeneration or a pinched nerve.
• Sciatica: If you feel pain in your lower spine that extends to your legs, you might be suffering from sciatica. This type of pain is caused by the sciatic nerve, and is very common (and uncomfortable). If you’ve been experiencing sciatica, you may find your perfect mattress over on our Best Mattress for Sciatica page. (3)

Lifestyle Tips for Sleeping with Pain

To wrap up this guide, we want to share some tips and tricks for sleeping with chronic pain. Note that these have more to do with lifestyle adjustments than anything you add to your mattress.

“I always recommend that my clients see the big picture. When it comes to pain, we have two options: We can seek a fix or a heal. The path to less pain is quite different depending on your choice, but each option has three pillars of management with very little overlap.”

While the “fix” typically involves medication and surgery, the “heal” focuses on three main tenets: nutrition, sleep, and movement.

Nutrition

A well-balanced diet has been shown to lead to better sleep, which can help to alleviate stress and pain. (4) Reducing caffeine and sugar intake are great first steps to take toward modifying one’s diet for optimized slumber.

Sleep

As we’ve mentioned throughout this guide, it’s tantamount for pain sufferers to get enough sleep. Sleep is one of the biggest and most influential factors affecting stress levels, so it’s vital to allocate enough time to fully rest and recover each night. You can start by choosing a set bedtime and then working toward establishing a consistent nighttime routine. For more tips, check out our 30-Day Sleep Hygiene plan.

Movement

Exercise is another crucial piece of the pain-free puzzle. Low-impact workouts can help with mobility, which can then lead to better spinal alignment. Regular exercise has also been regularly linked to improved sleep, so figuring out a consistent workout could do a lot for the quality of your Zzz’s. (5)

Final Word From Sleepopolis

At the end of the day, a new mattress isn’t going to solve your back pain woes any more than a strict diet will. More than anything, it’s about a lifestyle shift in which you combine these different factors to create a plan specific to your needs.

Maybe your ideal routine will involve a healthy amount of fatty fish, long morning walks, and a bed featuring zoned support at the hips. For another sleeper, it may entail vigorous spin classes, more greens, and a plush memory foam mattress for pressure relief at the upper back.

As always, any major life decisions should be made in consultation with a medical professional. The information provided in this guide is just that: Information. We’re not doctors, nor do we claim to be, so we highly encourage those with chronic pain to seek professional advice for any and all serious health issues.

FAQs

What type of mattress is best for back pain?

There isn’t one type of mattress that we recommend over all others for back pain. It’s more about finding one that suits your needs and preferences. The most important factors to take into account are your body type, sleeping position, and ideal firmness. For instance, if you’re a stomach sleeper who struggles with back pain, you’ll probably do best on an innerspring mattress or a hybrid mattress. If you’re a side sleeper, you may prefer something softer that includes memory foam.

Can a firm mattress cause lower back pain?

It depends on one’s preferred sleeping position. Side sleepers will find that a firm mattress compounds their lower back pain (these folks tend to go for softer beds), while stomach sleepers will find a firm mattress helps with their back pain as the extra support lifts their spine into a neutral alignment.

Is it best to have a soft or firm mattress for back pain?

Typically, back pain sufferers will opt for something in the 5 to 7 range on the firmness scale (with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest). This medium-firm feel is likely to both soothe aches at the lumbar region and provide much needed support at the hips.

Is a memory foam mattress good for back pain?

Memory foam has a slow response to pressure, so it allows the sleeper to sink in for some satisfying contouring at the shoulders and hips. This helps to alleviate tension at these sensitive spots and can bring some much needed relief to the upper and lower back.

How do I choose the right mattress for back pain?

Identify what body type you have, what your sleeping position is, and your preferred firmness. Then scroll through our list of the best mattresses for back pain and pick one that fits your individual criteria.

How do I know if my mattress is causing my back pain?

If you need a new mattress for your back pain, there are a few ways you can tell. When pain occurs or worsens after sleeping on your mattress, this is a telltale sign. You can also experience restlessness throughout the night, which is an indicator that your mattress isn’t good for your back. Another important question to ask yourself is whether or not you feel comfortable. If your mattress feels like it’s sagging, or if you don’t feel supported in some way, then your bed is probably worsening your back pain.

How We Chose These Mattresses

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 220 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, comfort, support, cooling, and edge support. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.

Any mattress that’s going to combat back pain will need to have a substantial amount of support, so we aimed to pick beds that scored high in that category. Out of the 10 products included here, all of them scored a 4 out of 5 or higher. Click here to learn more about our methodology.

Best Mattresses for Back Pain

Mattress	Best For	Price (Queen)	Coupon	Review
Saatva	Overall	$1,995	Saatva Coupon	Read Our Review
WinkBed	Cooling	$1,799	WinkBed Coupon	Read Our Review
Helix Dusk	Combo Sleepers	$1,373	Helix Coupon	Read Our Review
DreamCloud	Back Sleepers	$1,332	DreamCloud Coupon	Read Our Review
Nectar	Side Sleepers	$1,099	Nectar Coupon	Read Our Review
Emma Hybrid Comfort	Couples	$1,199	Emma Coupon	Read Our Review
Titan Plus by Brooklyn Bedding	Heavy Sleepers	$1,249	Brooklyn Bedding Coupon	Read Our Review
Bear Elite Hybrid	Athletes	$2,111	Bear Coupon	Read Our Review
Nolah Evolution	Luxury	$2,499	Nolah Coupon	Read Our Review
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid	Cheap	$1,332	Brooklyn Bedding Coupon	Read Our Review
Puffy Cloud	Memory Foam	$2,399	Puffy Coupon	Read Our Review
Birch Natural	Organic	$2,124	Helix Coupon	Read Our Review

Sources

• Gerhart, James I., et al. “Relationships Between Sleep Quality and Pain-Related Factors for People with Chronic Low Back Pain: Tests of Reciprocal and Time of Day Effects.” Annals of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 51, no. 3, 2016, pp. 365–375., doi:10.1007/s12160-016-9860-2.
• Jacobson, Bert H., et al. “Effect of Prescribed Sleep Surfaces on Back Pain and Sleep Quality in Patients Diagnosed with Low Back and Shoulder Pain.” Applied Ergonomics, vol. 42, no. 1, 2010, pp. 91–97., doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2010.05.004.
• Ashburn, Michael. (2017, November 15). 3 Common Forms of Lower Back Pain. Penn Medicine Musculoskeletal and Rheumatology Blog.
• St-Onge, Marie-Pierre, et al. “Effects of Diet on Sleep Quality.” Advances in Nutrition, vol. 7, no. 5, 2016, pp. 938–949., doi:10.3945/an.116.012336.
• Kline, Christopher E. “The Bidirectional Relationship Between Exercise and Sleep.” American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, vol. 8, no. 6, 2014, pp. 375–379., doi:10.1177/1559827614544437.

Bridget Chapman

Former Senior Product Editor

About Author

Bridget is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and senior editor here at Sleepopolis. From testing mattresses to writing about various sleep health topics, her goal is to help you get a good night’s sleep. You can also find her in videos on our YouTube channel. Bridget graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a minor in English. Before joining the Sleepopolis team, she was a TV news reporter and worked in cities across the country. She loves spending time outdoors, checking out new restaurants, snuggling with her pets, and of course — getting some quality Zzz’s.

Combination Sleeper