Best Mattress for Hip Pain – Expert Tested & Reviewed

We have affiliate relationships where we are paid a commission on sales through some of our links. See our disclosures.

Restful sleep is crucial for optimal health and quality of life. If you have hip pain, a good night’s slumber can be elusive, particularly if you’re sleeping on the wrong mattress. In this roundup, we’ll guide you through the process of finding the best mattress for hip pain step-by-step, including a Buyer’s Guide at the end that will help you understand how the condition can impact sleep.

To pick the best mattresses for hip pain, we ran each one through a series to tests to see how well they performed in areas such as pressure relief, cooling, and more. We paid special attention to pressure and pain relief at the hips, and cooling for added comfort.

Our Top Pick for Hip Pain

The Helix Midnight Luxe has enough pressure relief to alleviate aches and pains at the hips, while still providing enough support with its springs to keep your spine neutrally aligned.

Best Mattresses for Hip Pain of 2024

Best Mattress for Hip Pain Video

Note: The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldn’t take the place of medical advice and supervision from a trained professional. If you feel you may be suffering from any sleep disorder or medical condition, please see your healthcare provider immediately.

What We Look For In The Best Mattresses For Hip Pain

Firmness and Spinal Alignment

When shopping for a mattress for hip pain, one of the most important things to consider is how the mattress will help to align your spine, and have enough firmness to keep that alignment healthy. We tested all of the mattresses in this lineup for their alignment and firmness properties using our firmness scale. This scale goes from 1-10, with 10 being the most firm. We recommend that people with hip pain opt for a mattress around a 6 to ensure they are good for alleviating hip pain.

Pressure Relief

We know that pressure relief is important for any mattress shopper, but it is especially important for those looking to relieve hip pain. With this in mind, we used a pressure map to test all of these mattresses and ensure they relieved pressure on the hips to help alleviate pain.

Contouring Ability and Comfort

We know it is important to you to have a comfortable mattress that still helps alleviate hip pain, so we tested these mattresses to make sure they can perfectly contour your body for optimum comfort all night.

Compare the Best Mattresses for Hip Pain

Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress Saatva Rx Mattress Nectar Mattress DreamCloud Premier Mattress Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress WinkBed Mattress Titan Plus
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress Saatva Rx Mattress Nectar Mattress DreamCloud Premier Mattress Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress WinkBed Mattress Titan Plus
Rating
Firmness Medium-soft: 6/10 Medium-firm: 6.5/10 Medium-soft: 6/10 Firm: 7/10 Multiple firmness options Multiple firmness options Multiple firmness options Firm: 7/10 Firm: 7.5/10
Material Hybrid Hybrid Foam Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid
Cooling -- -- -- -- --
Sleep Position Combination Combination Back & Side Back Back & Stomach Back & Side Back & Side Combination Back & Stomach

Helix Midnight LuxeBest Overall

Sleepopolis Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.3
Helix
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
Medium-Soft Comfort
Cooling Pillow Top
Zoned Support
Hybrid
100 nights
Free shipping
Fourth of July Sale-Extended
Use code JULY30 and save 30% off luxe & elite mattresses See Details
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial
Material
Hybrid, combining foam and zoned support coils for a supportive feel.
SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness
Firmness
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a medium-soft to medium-firm bed in the brand’s luxury line of hybrids, coming in at a 6 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale (1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest).
SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice
Price
$1,373–$2,873 (before any discounts)
so brand icons 2023 Mattress Review Home Page
Size
Twin, twin XL, full. queen, short queen, king, California king, RV king
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleepers
The springs in the Helix Midnight Luxe should help back sleepers maintain a neutral posture.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleepers
The pillow top and layer of memory foam should give these folks plenty of softness and contouring.
Pros of the Helix Midnight Luxe
The luxury version of the standard Helix Midnight comes with a pillow top and Tencel cover.
The Midnight Luxe should sleep fairly cool, thanks to its airflow-promoting coils and breathable Tencel cover.
The springs give the Helix Midnight Luxe a good deal of bounce and responsiveness that should make it easy for combination sleepers to change. positions
Cons of the Helix Midnight Luxe
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. See our best mattresses for stomach sleepers for more options.
Likewise, heavy sleepers over 250 pounds will likely need a firmer and more supportive mattress. They should look at our best mattresses for heavy people.
SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping
Shipping
Free shipping
SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod
Trial Period
100 nights
SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty
Warranty
10-year warranty
so brand icons 2023 Editorial Policy Home Page copy
Returns
Free refunds after 30 days, as long as it’s still within the 100-night trial period.

Helix has a line of six hybrid mattresses, each with a different level of firmness. The Midnight is one of their medium 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.

What our tester says:

“I like the Helix Midnight Luxe for back sleepers and side sleepers. The medium-soft to medium-firm feel should give these folks the right balance of comfort and support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester

Expert Opinion 

The most obvious solution for a mattress to alleviate hip pain might be a soft foam bed, but what if you want the support and bounce of coils? If that’s the case, we’d recommend the hybrid Helix Midnight Luxe mattress. It’s an incredibly well-rounded luxury option that most sleepers with hip pain should enjoy. When we put it through our pressure map test, the graphic was almost all blue at the hips, with just a hint of green. This indicates very low pressure buildup at the hip in all sleeping positions.

We also think the Midnight Luxe could be a comfortable option for couples, as it has strong edge support, which allows you and your partner to spread out and use the full surface of the bed. Additionally, it’s responsive enough for sex and good at regulating temperature, so it should be able to cool down two bodies in stead of just one. We should say that the bed isn’t the best at motion isolation, but you only need to worry about this if you or your partner are a light sleeper who’s easily woken up at night.

What our tester says: “I think the Helix Midnight Luxe is adept at relieving pressure for sleepers with back pain, shoulder pain, and hip pain. The pressure map is mostly blue, with just a touch of green in all of those areas.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer

What Customers Say

When searching for “pain relief” in the customer testimonials on the Helix website, 1,262 reviews come up. “The bed is very supportive and comfortable,” wrote one verified buyer. “It is a bit firmer than I expected, but my back and hips feels supported.” That said, we experienced the Midnight Luxe as a softer mattress (more on that below).

Highlights of the Helix Midnight Luxe

  • This mattress includes a number of luxurious touches, including zoned support and a plush pillow top cover. So, luxury shoppers should adore this model.
  • We scored the Helix Midnight Luxe a 6 out of 10 firmness on our scale. We think its soft yet balanced feel is ideal for back sleepers.
  • The plush pillow top should give adequate pressure relief for the shoulder and hip for most side sleepers.

What to Keep in Mind about the Helix Midnight Luxe

  • As a medium-firm mattress, the Helix Midnight Luxe probably isn’t firm enough for most stomach sleepers.

Interested in learning more? Read our full Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review or check out our roundup for the best overall mattresses.

Saatva RxBest Mattress for Hip Pain and Back Pain

Sleepopolis Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.7
Saatva
Saatva Rx Mattress
Medium-Firm Feel
Caters to Joint Pain
Unique Construction
Hybrid
365 nights
Free white glove delivery
14th Anniversary Sale Extended
Save up to $600 See Details
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial
Material
This is a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines soft foams and sturdy coils for a balance of comfort and support.
SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness
Firmness
We rated the Saatva Rx a 6.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. A 6.5 means that it’s a medium-firm mattress.
SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice
Price
$1,995–$4,390 (before any discounts)
so brand icons 2023 Mattress Review Home Page
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleepers
You should get enough cushioning for your lumbar region and enough support for a neutral spinal alignment.
SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you ever overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
stomach sleeper
Stomach Sleepers
The Saatva Rx is supportive enough to prevent stomach sleepers’ hips from bowing into the mattress.
Pros of the Saatva Rx
It’s supportive while providing enough pressure relief for joint pain
The specially designed blend of comfort and support makes it a good fit for all three primary sleeping positions
There are plenty of cooling features, including airflow-promoting coils and infusions of gel and phase change material
Cons of the Saatva Rx
It’s a very pricy mattress. For less-expensive options, see our roundup of the best cheap mattresses.
SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping
Shipping
Free shipping and white glove delivery
SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod
Trial Period
365 nights
SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
so brand icons 2023 Editorial Policy Home Page copy
Returns
Free returns after at least 45 days and within the 365-night trial period

Designed specifically for sleepers with back pain and joint pain, the Saatva Rx features several layers that combine both foam and coils. This creates a blend of comfort and support throughout the entire mattress that’s cushioning enough for any aches and pains while still being sturdy enough for a neutral spinal alignment. Learn more in our Saatva Rx video review.

What our tester says:

“I found that this bed has a supportive feel that easily works for people of all weights, but still feels plush and comfortable.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer

Expert Opinion 

As its medically themed name implies, the Saatva Rx was designed specifically for those with back pain and joint pain, which is why we placed it on this list. It has a unique construction of five layers and a cover, alternating between foam and coils. This gives the mattress a balanced feel that delivers comfort and support in equal measure. When we laid down on it, we got just enough of a lift to keep the spine neutrally aligned, while also experiencing some deep pressure relief. Both of these traits are key to reducing hip pain and back pain.

To more formally gauge its pain-relieving capabilities, we put the Saatva Rx through our pressure map test. This involves using a specialized mat with heat-mapping technology to show us where pressure builds up the most on our body. To showcase this to our readers, we use the device’s imaging to create a graphic. Orange and red areas reveal a high buildup of pressure, while blue and green areas indicate low pressure buildup. Our test showed mostly blue with just a little bit of green in all positions, and we believe it to be a fantastic option for joint pain.

What our tester says: “I thought the Saatva Rx did a good job relieving pressure for me in both the back- and side-sleeping positions. There is very little pressure buildup showing on these pressure maps, indicating this bed should be effective at pressure relief for back and side sleepers.” – Amelia Jerden, Sleepopolis senior staff writer

What Customers Say

Throughout every step of the order and delivery process, customers have great things to say about Saatva’s customer service. A variety of shoppers had positive comments on phone orders, mattress returns, and response time.

Highlights of the Saatva Rx

  • All of the springs and breathable foams in the construction allow the Saatva Rx to sleep cool. This is good news for couples, since two people create more body heat than just one.
  • Thanks to the alternating layers of the bed, those with back pain should also be able to find the best balance of comfort and support for their body type.
  • The Saatva Rx comes with a year-long trial and a lifetime warranty. So, shoppers with hip pain have time to decide if it’s the best model for their pain needs.

What to Keep in Mind about the Saatva Rx

  • With amazing features comes a heftier cost. The Saatva Rx is a luxury bed, and it’s priced like one. So it isn’t going to be the best option for budget shoppers.

Want more information? Read our full Saatva Rx mattress review or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for back pain.

NectarBest Affordable Mattress for Hip Pain

Sleepopolis Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.2
Nectar
Nectar Mattress
Medium-Soft
Cooling
CertiPUR-US Certified
Memory Foam
365-night trial and lifetime warranty
Free shipping
Summer Spectacular
Up to 40% Off Mattresses See Details
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial
Material
Memory Foam
SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness
Firmness
We rated the Nectar as a 6 out of 10, meaning it is just a touch softer than medium-firm.
SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice
Price
$699–$1,798 (before any discounts)
so brand icons 2023 Mattress Review Home Page
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleepers
If you sleep on your side, this bed will keep your joints cushioned.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleepers
If you sleep on your back, the Nectar will provide a nice mix of cushioning and support.
SO Sleeper Type Icons BudgetShoppers
Budget Shoppers
This affordable mattress is a great pick for those looking to save.
Pros of the Nectar
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
Stomach sleepers likely won’t get enough support for spinal alignment from the Nectar.
It incorporates some cooling materials but it’s not by any means the best cooling mattress.
The Nectar isn’t supportive enough to be one of the best mattresses for heavy sleepers, which accommodate folks weighing 250 pounds or more.
SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping
Shipping
Free shipping
SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod
Trial Period
365 nights
SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
so brand icons 2023 Editorial Policy Home Page copy
Returns
Full refund and free returns within the 365-night trial period

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:

“I think memory foam lovers should be happy on the Nectar. This bed has a classic memory foam feel, so there’s lots of sinkage, contouring, and pressure relief. This can be great for anyone with shoulder pain or hip pain since it gives them cushioning at sensitive pressure points.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer

Expert Opinion 

The all-foam Nectar has a softer feel that’s incredibly gentle yet supportive, which is ideal for those with hip pain. With a strong foundation, back sleepers especially should notice comfortable cradling at the hips. This mattress is also a solid option for those with arthritis. The cushy foams help take pressure off sensitive areas, so these folks should appreciate the soothing sinkage. Another perk of the Nectar? It’s a very affordable mattress, with a queen size often available for well under $1,000 after discounts.

To test the pressure-relieving abilities of the Nectar, we put the mattress through our pressure map test. While testing, we found the Nectar revealed absolutely no orange and red areas while back and side sleeping (not even around the hips). So, we’ve tested it ourselves; the Nectar should be a great mattress for hip pain, whether you’re lounging on your back or snoozing on your side.

What our tester says:Memory foam lovers should be happy on the Nectar. This bed has a classic memory foam feel, so there’s lots of sinkage, contouring, and pressure relief. This can be great for anyone with shoulder pain or hip pain since it gives them cushioning at sensitive pressure points.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer

What Customers Say

Customers online fondly comment on the Nectar’s balanced feel, which they say helps with their aches and pains. Specifically, many folks mention how the Nectar alleviates back pain with nice cushioning and plenty of support.

Highlights of the Nectar Mattress

  • Since the Nectar has a balanced foam feel, we highly recommend this mattress for back sleepers. These folks should experience a mix of comfort and support that’s ideal for proper spinal alignment.
  • The balanced construction that makes this bed good for back sleepers also makes it good for side sleepers. But the Nectar is especially cushioning as well. So, folks should have plenty of pressure relief for the shoulder and hip, but also adequate support from the high-density foam.
  • The Nectar’s all-foam construction excels at isolating motion. So if you sleep with a restless partner, you’re unlikely to feel each other’s movements at night.

What to Keep in Mind about the Nectar Mattress

  • With a medium soft construction, we think the Nectar won’t be able to properly support stomach sleepers. These folks should definitely search for a mattress with more support.

Have your heart set on a Nectar? Learn more about this mattress in our full review or check out our roundup for the best cheap mattresses of 2024.

DreamCloud Premier – Best Mattress for Couples

Sleepopolis Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.6
DreamCloud
DreamCloud Premier Mattress
Firm, Supportive Feel
Cashmere Blend Cover
Three Layers of Foam
Hybrid
365 nights
Free shipping
Summer Spectacular
50% off all mattresses See Details
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial
Material
Hybrid, combining soft foams and sturdy coils for a balance of comfort and support.
SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness
Firmness
We rated the DreamCloud Premier a 7 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. A 7 means that the DreamCloud is fairly firm.
SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice
Price
$1,119–$2,119 (before any discounts)
so brand icons 2023 Mattress Review Home Page
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleepers
You should get enough cushioning for your lumbar region and enough support for a neutral spinal alignment.
SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
The coils in the support layer leave plenty of room for airflow.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Combination Sleepers
The DreamCloud Premier is responsive enough for you to easily change positions.
Pros of the DreamCloud Premier
Couples should sleep undisturbed with the Premier’s excellent motion isolation
The hybrid construction affords a mix of comfort and support suitable for back sleepers
Luxury shoppers should enjoy the Premier’s cashmere cover, Euro top, and cooling capabilities
Cons of the DreamCloud Premier
Strict side sleepers might find this mattress to be too firm, check out our best mattresses for side sleepers
As a luxury mattress, the Premier is set at a price point that might not be suitable for budget shoppers, check out our best budget mattresses
SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping
Shipping
Free shipping
SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod
Trial Period
365 nights
SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
so brand icons 2023 Editorial Policy Home Page copy
Returns
Free returns after at least 30 days and within the 365-night trial period

The DreamCloud Premier’s construction is a thoughtful, luxurious take on the company’s flagship mattress. It uses a hybrid of foam and coils to achieve a firmer feel that’s still pressure-relieving. We think many back sleepers and stomach sleepers should appreciate this mattress. With such versatility and many special features, the Premier is well-equipped to cater to couples. Learn more in our DreamCloud Premier video review.

What our tester says:

“From the cashmere cover to the Euro top, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck with this bed. I really like how this mattress combines sturdy support with cozy pressure relief — making it a great choice for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor

Expert Opinion 

Although the hybrid DreamCloud Premier mattress is a firmer bed (coming in at a 7 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale), its luxurious memory foam should give sleepers a good amount of pressure relief at the hips. During our pressure map test in the back-sleeping position, the graphic was almost entirely blue. There was also very low pressure buildup while we were stomach sleeping.

When looking at how the DreamCloud Premier performs for couples, it’s responsive enough for sex while still having solid motion isolation. All the airflow in the coils should also help you and your partner stay cool. Finally, there’s strong edge support, allowing you both to spread out and use the whole surface of the bed.

What our tester says: “When I had my colleague get into bed with me and move around, I hardly felt her movements on my side of the bed at all. This tells me that the DreamCloud Premier should be a good choice for couples who don’t want to be woken up by their restless partner during the night.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor

What Customers Say

There are more than 5,100 customer reviews of the Premier on DreamCloud’s website, and it has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. In regards to its performance for couples, one review reads, “So far, my wife and I are very pleased with the comfort and support of the mattress. I was worried about it holding heat or making me hot, but that hasn’t been an issue.”

Highlights of the DreamCloud Premier

  • As the luxury upgrade of the already luxurious DreamCloud Original, the Premier has several elegant touches, including a soft cashmere cover and a Euro pillow top for extra cushioning.
  • It’s also available in an all-foam model if you want something a little softer.
  • All of DreamCloud’s mattresses have a feel similar to what you’d find in a high-end hotel.

What to Keep in Mind about the DreamCloud Premier

  • Due to its firmness, we don’t recommend the DreamCloud Premier to most side sleepers. They’d be better off with a softer mattress.

Interested in learning more? Read our full DreamCloud Premier mattress review or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for couples.

Bear Elite Hybrid – Best for Side Sleepers with Hip Pain

Sleepopolis Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.6
Bear
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
Designed for Athletes
Soft Feel
Luxurious Foams
Hybrid mattress
120 nights
Free shipping
Summer Savings
Save 30% off sitewide + free accessories See Details
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial
Material
This is a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines soft foams and sturdy coils for a balance of comfort and support.
SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness
Firmness
Multiple firmness options: Soft, Medium, Firm. We rated the Medium model a 6 out of 10, meaning it is softer than average.
SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice
Price
$1,865–$3,997 (before any discounts)
so brand icons 2023 Mattress Review Home Page
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleepers
Ideal for back sleepers of all weights, as it is supportive but cushioning.
SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
A good match for people who sleep hot, thanks to a cooling cover and breathable coils.
so brand icons 2023 Best Mattress Home Page
Athletes
This mattress was designed for rest and recovery and uses Celliant, a material Bear says assists with muscle recovery.
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 sleepers
A responsive feel makes this bed easy to move on
Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid
Heavyweight stomach sleepers won’t get enough support. See our best mattresses for heavy people for better options
As a luxury mattress with many special features, the Bear Elite Hybrid is priced higher. Budget shoppers may want to check out the best cheap mattresses
SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping
Shipping
Free Shipping
SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod
Trial Period
120 nights
SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
so brand icons 2023 Editorial Policy Home Page copy
Returns
If you return within the 120-night trial period, you can get a full refund.

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’d recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid for most back and stomach sleepers.I think these sleepers will get the needed pressure relief and contouring around the lower back and hips. This mattress does a wonderful job at offering body contouring while still helping the sleeper stay elevated and lifted as well. The layers of foam should provide comfort while the coil system should offer lots of support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester

Expert Opinion 

If you’re a side sleeper with hip pain, it’s even more important to find the right mattress since you’ll be putting pressure on your hips every night when you sleep. You need a bed that’s going to cradle your hips and shoulders, and provide some much-needed pressure relief. The Elite Hybrid comes in three different firmness levels, and we recommend the Soft model for side sleepers with hip pain.

What our tester says: “Feel-wise, it’s very plush and offers optimal body contouring and pressure relief. But as much as it has a nice, cushiony feel, the coils make it easy to move around.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer

What Customers Say

Many comments speak highly of the Bear Elite Hybrid’s cooling abilities, as it features a number of properties dedicated to a cooler sleep.

Highlights of the Bear Elite Hybrid

  • This mattress was made for athletes, and this certainly shows in the Bear Elite Hybrid’s design. It offers a special Celliant cover (available for an added fee) and is designed for muscle recovery and proper blood circulation.
  • The medium firmness and excellent support make this bed great for back sleepers of all body types.
  • If you find yourself having trouble falling or staying asleep due to overheating, this could be the bed for you. The Bear Elite Hybrid is equipped with copper infusions and coils for airflow.

What to Keep in Mind about the Bear Elite Hybrid

  • One of the company’s most luxurious models, Bear Elite Hybrid uses high-quality materials with a number of special certifications. Understandably, this drives up the price, which is certainly a con for budget shoppers.
  • The Celliant cover that may help in muscle recovery and cooling must be purchased separately for around $130.

Interested in this luxurious bed? Read more in our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for side sleepers.

Nolah EvolutionBest for Shoulder and Hip Pain

Sleepopolis Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.4
Nolah
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
Multiple Firmnesses
ArcticTex Cover
HDMax Support Coils
Hybrid Mattress
120-night Trial and Lifetime Warranty
Free shipping
Summer Sale
Save 35% off + free pillows on select mattresses See Details
Icon MattressReviews MattressType 250
Material
Hybrid, meaning this bed combines foam and coils in its construction.
SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness
Firmness
Multiple Firmness Options: Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm. We tested the Luxury Firm and rated it as 6.5 out of 10, meaning it is a medium-firm mattress.
SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice
Price
$1,499–$3,198 (before any discounts)
so brand icons 2023 Mattress Review Home Page
Sizes
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you overheat while you sleep, this mattress may help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleepers
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
back sleeper
Back Sleepers
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
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 should appreciate the pressure relief
Cons of the Nolah Evolution
Too soft to be one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
Bargain hunters may find this to be a bit pricier and may want to stick to the best mattresses for the money.
Doesn’t have a slow-moving memory foam feel that you’d find in the best memory foam mattresses.
SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping
Shipping
Free shipping and returns
SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod
Trial Period
120 Nights
SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
so brand icons 2023 Editorial Policy Home Page copy
Returns
Full refund after 30 days and within the 120-night trial period

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 

Unfortunately, pain is not always concentrated in one area of our bodies. If you find your stubborn hip pain paired with concerns of shoulder pain while you sleep, we may have found the mattress for you: the Nolah Evolution. It has tons of pressure relief to cushion the shoulders and hips, but it doesn’t sacrifice support.

What our tester says: “The Nolah Evolution brings sleepers total support but also doesn’t hold back on pressure relief. I love how the Luxury Firm model provided body contouring while side and back sleeping. Since the bed comes in three different firmnesses, you can find the right one for your sleeping position and get the relief you need.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor

What Customers Say

Many praise the Nolah Evolution’s Luxury Firm version (there are three firmnesses to choose from). Customers comment on how much they love the balanced feel, especially as back and side sleepers.

Highlights of the Nolah Evolution

  • The same pressure relief that benefits those with shoulder and hip pain also benefits side sleepers. We recommend these sleepers opt for the Plush or Luxury Firm model of the Nolah Evolution.
  • With good edge support and motion isolation, couples should be able to move around the mattress without worrying about falling off the edge or disturbing their partner.
  • The Nolah Evolution has breathable coils and proprietary cooling foam. With this in mind, you shouldn’t overheat at night.

What to Keep in Mind about the Nolah Evolution

  • Since this mattress features high-quality materials and support, it does come with a luxury price tag. If you’re looking for an affordable mattress, the Nolah Evolution is likely not the one for you. In any case, be sure to use our coupons to get the best deal.

Think this is your dream mattress? Read our Nolah Evolution mattress review to learn more or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for shoulder pain.

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora LuxeBest for Arthritis

Sleepopolis Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.7
Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress
Medium-Firm Comfort
Cooling Gel Infusions
Supportive Coils
Hybrid construction
120 nights
Free shipping
Summer Sale
Use code SUMMER25 and save 25% off sitewide See Details
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial
Material
Hybrid (this mattress combines both memory foam and coils)
SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness
Firmness
Multiple firmnesses (Soft, Medium, and Firm). We tested the Medium and rated it a 6.5 out of 10, which is the industry standard for medium firm.
SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice
Price
$999–$2,265 (before any discounts)
so brand icons 2023 Mattress Review Home Page
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
This mattress features a number of cooling features that should prevent overheating.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleepers
The thick comfort layer provides good body contouring, but the coils provide enough support to keep you from bottoming out.
SO sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleepers
There’s enough support here to keep the hips elevated and in line with the shoulders.
Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
The coils allow for airflow, the cover uses material that’s cool to the touch, and the foam has a gel infusion to fight heat
Its hybrid construction makes it easy to move around on
The coils provide enough support for stomach sleepers, preventing them from sinking too far into the bed
Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
It won’t have that slow-moving memory foam feel you might look for in the best memory foam mattresses
SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping
Shipping
Free shipping
SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod
Trial Period
120 nights
SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty
Warranty
10-year warranty
so brand icons 2023 Editorial Policy Home Page copy
Returns
Full refund within the 120-night trial. Brooklyn Bedding charges a $99 pick-up fee.

The Brookyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress is one of Brooklyn Bedding’s more high-end mattresses. It’s got a ton of cooling features in it that can help hot sleepers sleep cool all night. It’s also available in three different firmnesses, so it can accommodate all of the sleeping positions. For more information, check out our video review.

What our tester says:

“First and foremost, I’d recommend this mattress to hot sleepers. This bed sleeps nice and cool thanks to special phase change technology and gel infusions. The Aurora Luxe is also a nice pick for back sleepers. This mattress in the Medium model is medium-soft, so it should contour the hips while also lifting them into alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer

Expert Opinion 

The Brooklyn Aurora Luxe could have been given a few different superlatives. Best Cooling, Best for Pressure Relief, and Best Body-Contouring, to name a few. We settled on Best for Arthritis because all of these qualities work together to create a mattress that handles the most sensitive parts of the body for a great night’s sleep. Folks can also choose from multiple firmness options so they’re getting the comfort that’s best for their pain.

What our tester says: “Along with loving how soft and cuddly this mattress is, I really appreciate how cooling it is! This mattress brings a luxury feel that can support sleepers and also prevent them from overheating. I felt great on the Luxury Firm model and found it promoted spinal alignment while side and back sleeping.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor

What Customers Say

If you’re looking for a supportive mattress that also has a super plush feel, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe might be the bed for you. Customers speak highly of this construction.

Highlights of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

  • This is a great mattress for side sleepers. Of course, we recommend those with hip pain stick with the Soft model for more cushioning.
  • During testing, we noticed that most back and side sleepers should receive plenty of back pain relief from this mattress. There’s shouldn’t be a lot of pressure buildup here.
  • The stand-out feature of this mattress is its cooling ability. You’ll notice it as soon as you touch the icy-cool cover.

What to Keep in Mind about the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

  • Heavy sleepers over 250 pounds probably won’t find enough support on the softer Aurora Luxe.

Looking for some relief from arthritis pain? Check out our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review to learn more or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for arthritis.

WinkBeds OriginalBest Mattress for Heavy People with Hip Pain

Sleepopolis Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.7
WinkBeds
WinkBed Mattress
Firm, Supportive Feel
Euro Pillow Top
Sturdy Coils
Hybrid
120 nights
Free shipping
Summer Sale
Get $300 off all our award winning mattresses See Details
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial
Material
Hybrid, combining a plush pillow top with coils and foams for a luxury feel.
SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness
Firmness
Multiple firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer. We tested the Luxury Firm and scored it a 7 out of 10, meaning it’s on the firmer side of medium-firm.
SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice
Price
$1,149–$2,049 (before any discounts)
so brand icons 2023 Mattress Review Home Page
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is ideal for anyone suffering from back pain.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
A great option for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Pros of the WinkBed
Back sleepers should get the support they need
It 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
It lacks a contouring, slow-sinking feel that most associate with the best memory foam mattresses.
It may be too pricey for some, and we recommend those shoppers browse the best mattresses under $1,000.
SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping
Shipping
Free Shipping
SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod
Trial Period
120 nights
SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
so brand icons 2023 Editorial Policy Home Page copy
Returns
Full refund within the 120-night trial period

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:

“If you like the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress, the WinkBed could work for you. Since this bed offered great pressure relief around my lumbar region, I’d also recommend it to folks who suffer from lower back pain.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer

Expert Opinion 

Finding a mattress that can relieve hip pain if you have a heavier body weight might seem tricky. We’ve found that for hip pain, people want a softer, pressure-relieving mattress, but as a heavy person, they want something supportive and sturdy. While reviewing the WinkBed Original, we found it strikes a balance between these two characteristics. For heavy side or back sleepers with hip pain, we think the Softer model works well to provide great pressure relief, as well as the support from the pocketed coils below.

What our tester says: “The WinkBed is a solid choice for heavy back sleepers. It offers firm support that should keep them supported throughout the night.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer

What Customers Say

Many customers shed praise on the company’s customer service. There are multiple reviews about the easy delivery and set-up. Some comment on the convenient return process as well. One thing to keep in mind: as a hybrid mattress with sturdy coils, the WinkBed is a bit heavier. So, if you have trouble lifting heavy objects, we definitely encourage you to find a friend or two to help.

Highlights of the WinkBed

  • It’s a hybrid mattress available in three different firmnesses: Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer. This makes the WinkBed suitable for most sleeping positions and body types. Heavier folks could also be comfortable on the WinkBed Plus, which was made for heavier sleepers.
  • The WinkBed is a durable mattress option with good motion isolation, responsiveness, cooling, and edge support. These are all crucial factors to consider when selecting a mattress for couples.
  • During testing, we experienced plenty of pressure relief and found our weight was distributed evenly across the mattress surface. This is an indication that this is a great mattress for back pain.

What to Keep in Mind about the WinkBed

  • The WinkBed has a responsive, “on top of” feel that delivers quite a different feel. If you’re a fan of slow-sinking memory foam, you’re going to want a different mattress.

Think the WinkBed is the right bed for you? See our full WinkBed mattress review to learn more or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for heavy people.

Titan Plus – Best for Stomach Sleepers with Hip Pain

Sleepopolis Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.5
Brooklyn Bedding
Titan Plus
Firm, Supportive Feel
Built for Heavy People
Extra-Strong Coils
Hybrid
120 nights
Free shipping
Summer Sale
Use code SUMMER25 and save 25% off sitewide See Details
Icon MattressReviews MattressType 250
Material
Hybrid, meaning it uses both foams and coils in its construction.
SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness
Firmness
We rated this bed as 7.5 out of 10, meaning it is significantly firmer than average.
SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice
Price
$699–$1,699 (before any discounts)
so brand icons 2023 Mattress Review Home Page
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split California king
SO sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed should be a great option for anyone suffering from back pain.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleepers
Ideal for heavyweight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleepers
Ideal for heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Pros of the Titan Plus
Heavy sleepers should find this mattress comfortable and supportive
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, so they might be better off with one of the best mattresses for lightweight sleepers
SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping
Shipping
Free shipping
SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod
Trial Period
120 nights
SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty
Warranty
10-year warranty
so brand icons 2023 Editorial Policy Home Page copy
Returns
Brooklyn Bedding offers returns and exchanges with a $99 return fee

The Titan Plus mattress is a durable mattress made with heavy sleepers in mind. It’s firm and features heavy-duty coils and Titanflex foam that makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. We think that heavy back sleepers and stomach sleepers should be especially comfortable. For more information on the Titan Plus, check out our video review.

What our tester says:

“I think the Titan Plus lives up to its name as a good mattress for heavier sleepers. It will offer them the deep compression support and durability they need.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer

Expert Opinion

Brooklyn Bedding designed their Titan Plus mattress specifically for heavy sleepers over 250 pounds. Its durable construction includes Titanflex foam up top (a more responsive alternative to standard memory foam) and strong innerspring coils at the very bottom. When we had a heavier sleeper test out the Titan Plus, he was very supported and didn’t feel like he was sinking to far into the bed’s layers.

Like heavy people, stomach sleepers also need stronger-than-average support, which is why we think the Titan Plus is such a good fit for them, too. And if you sleep in this position and also experience hip pain, you’ll want a mattress that keeps your hips elevated so they don’t dip out of alignment with your spine. This is essential for healthy sleep posture and the prevention of further pain. For this, we can’t recommend the Titan Plus enough. You should feel a lift — an on-top-of-the-bed feel — that can go a long way to reducing future aches.

What our tester says: “I felt really comfortable stomach sleeping on the Titan Plus. Its firm support kept my hips lifted and helped my spine stay aligned, which is ideal for this sleep position. I also liked how its soft cover felt really cozy.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor

What Customers Say

Heavy sleepers and average weight sleepers both comment on the pleasing level of firmness and support in the Titan Plus. All in all, it currently has 2,450 customer reviews on the brand’s website, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Highlights of the Titan Plus

  • With great testing scores for motion isolation, responsiveness, and edge support, the Titan Plus is a stellar option for two.
  • Back sleepers and stomach sleepers should feel the proper blend of comfort and support that’s key to alleviating back pain.
  • The sturdy construction of this mattress is also great for back sleepers wanting a firmer feel and additional support.

What to Keep in Mind about the Titan Plus

  • With a thinner comfort layer and lots of firm support, the Titan Plus will likely cause pressure buildup for side sleepers.

Interested in this firm bed? Read more in our full Titan Plus mattress review or check out our roundup for the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

Hip Pain and Sleep

Chronic pain is one of the most common causes of insomnia and other sleep disturbances. Pain may flare at night or make falling and staying asleep more difficult. Pain medications can also have side effects that disrupt or change sleep, and may not be as effective in people who are sleep-deprived. (5)

Why Hip Pain Matters for Sleep Quality

Pain-related sleep loss can result in a number of negative physical and mental effects, including:

  • Feeling tired and/or groggy
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Irritability or mood swings
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Diminished work performance
  • Reduced coordination

Poor sleep can also heighten the brain’s perception of pain, worsening hip discomfort and making restful slumber even more difficult. So how can you get healthy sleep if you suffer from hip pain? Medical treatment is important, of course, but sleep position and choice of mattress are key for many people. Below, you can learn how to pick the right mattress for your hip pain, as well as what sleeping positions and mattress materials are best for alleviating hip pain. You can also read more about common causes of hip pain.

Is your Mattress Causing Hip Pain?

It is certainly possible that your mattress is causing hip pain, especially if it is not supportive enough through your spine and hips. The same is true for other pain across the body. However, chronic hip pain is likely caused by another source, so we recommend consulting a doctor if you are experiencing prolonged and excessive pain. Based on this, we suggest using the following guidelines when purchasing a mattress with hip pain in mind, but we can not say for sure if your mattress is the culprit. Another issue may be your sleeping position, which you can also read more about below. Whether your pain is chronic or slight, the tips below can help you find a mattress that is supportive, firm, and contouring enough to help ease your pain and give you the best night sleep possible.

How To Chose the Best Mattresses for Hip Pain

At Sleepopolis, we take the information we put out to our readers very seriously. That’s why we rigorously test and review as many mattresses as we possibly can. Below we have laid out our top considerations for sleepers with hip pain when they are looking for a mattress. Here, you can find our expert recommendations for shopping for a mattress, as well as some of the ways we test the best mattresses for hip pain.

Firmness

Mattress firmness is an important consideration not only for the comfort of your mattress but also for the supportive elements. While firmness does not equate to support, extra soft mattresses are generally more hugging and contouring, whereas firm mattresses can generally be more supportive.

At Sleepopolis we test each mattress firmness and rate it on a 1–10 scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. 6.5 is the mattress industry standard for a medium-firm mattress. Firmness describes how a mattress feels when you lie down on it. A firmer mattress provides more push-back against the body and has a more level sleeping surface. A softer mattress (1-4 on the firmness scale) has increased sinkage and a cushiony feel. A medium firm mattress offers a balance between pushback and cloud-like conformity.

SO Firmness StomachSleeper
The ideal firmness range for sleepers with hip pain

What is the Best Mattress Firmness for Hip Pain?

We generally recommend medium-firm mattresses for sleepers with hip pain. Anywhere between a 6 and 7.5 on our firmness scale should help you find a comfortable mattress that still lifts and supports your hips and spine. A medium-firm mattress will help you stay comfortable and contoured but can prevent sinkage that may not be good for your hip pain.

Support & Spinal Alignment

Firmness and support might sound similar, but they describe different mattress characteristics. Both soft and firm mattresses can be supportive. Whereas firmness refers to the stiffness and pushback of the mattress surface, support refers to structural features that help keep the spine aligned and the neck in a neutral position. These features typically include steel coils and/or foam support layers. A supportive mattress also prevents excessive sinkage or “bottoming out” of the materials under body weight.

Support and spinal alignment are especially important for sleepers who are experiencing hip pain because that pain can be accentuated by poor support. It is also possible that a mattress that lacks the correct support could contribute to increased hip pain, as the hips are not lifted correctly. When testing these mattresses we looked out for things like zoned support, lifting properties, and the feeling of spinal and hip alignment when testing the mattress.

What is Zoned Support?

Zoned support in mattresses means a bed will have different levels of firmnesses to support specific areas of the body. Zoned beds allow your hips to feel more supported throughout the night having firmer zones under heavier parts of your body. For sleepers with hip pain, a mattress with zoned support can offer extra contouring around your hips without allowing excessive sinkage under your body weight.

Thickness

The thickness of your mattress is important when considering the best bed for hip pain. A thicker mattress can generally provide deeper contouring and support, which may continue to help alleviate hip pain while you sleep. Further, a thicker mattress can feel more comfortable and cushioning, which may help you get a better night’s sleep.

Temperature Regulation

The ability of your mattress to stay cool is especially important if you are dealing with pain in a certain part of your body. If you are experiencing hip pain, waking up during the night may already be an issue for you, so you want to be sure you are not also awoken or uncomfortable from being too warm. Ensuring that your mattress can regulate it’s temeperature to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night is important for this reason.

We test the cooling capabilities of the mattresses we review by measuring the temperature changes between the mattress at its standing temperature and after our tester has laid on it for a few minutes. We regard anything under an 8-degree change to be good cooling, and under a 6-degree change to be great cooling.

An example of our cooling test
Thermal Gun Cooling Test from the Studio

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief describes the ability of a mattress to alleviate tension in problem areas such as the shoulders, hips, and lower back. To test for pressure relief of each of our mattresses for hip pain, we use a pressure mat that we roll across the mattress and lay on it in various sleeping positions. The mat then reads the pressure buildup on various parts of the body using thermal technology and gives us a digital map reading of those pressure points. On the map, blue and green indicate low-pressure buildup and good pressure relief, whereas red and yellow show poorer pressure relief.

For sleepers with hip pain, we recommend looking for a mattress that helps to alleviate pressure buildup around the hips and spine. A mattress that can help lift the hips and not build pressure around them may help alleviate some of the discomfort felt in that area when sleeping and during the day. Contouring foam comfort layers can also be essential for pressure relief, particularly if you suffer from chronic hip pain.

PressureMap BrooklynBeddingTitanPlus
An example of our pressure map

Motion Isolation

MotionTransfer Leesa Sapira Chill
An example of the seismograph reading
An example of the Sleepopolis Red Wine Test
An example of our red wine test

Similarly to cooling, motion isolation is important not only for generally good sleep but especially important if you are a sleeper with hip pain. You may find yourself waking up often due to the pain, and a bed with poor motion isolation may only make that worse. Motion isolation refers to the amount of movement that can be felt across the bed. This is an important consideration if you sleep with a partner or pets, as their movements could wake you up on a mattress that has poor motion isolation.

We test the motion isolation capabilities of our mattresses using two tests. The first is a red wine test, where we place a glass of red wine of a mattress and see how much movement causes it to tip. The more movement required to knock over the glass, the better motion isolation the mattress likely has. The second test is called the ball drop test, where we drop a steel ball from various heights to mimic different movements that could be happening in the bed. We measure the amount of motion that is then rippled across the bed using a seismograph machine. The smaller the waves on the reading, the better motion isolation the bed has.

What is the Best Sleeping Position for Hip Pain?

The short answer is that it depends. Sleep position can certainly affect the pain you are experiencing in your hips, but each position can have drawbacks and benefits. Generally speaking, however, back sleeping is the best position for helping with hip pain, because it can keep the spine and hips neutrally aligned. Keep reading for information on mattress specifics for each type of sleeper with hip pain.

Side sleeping

Side sleeping is the most popular of all sleep positions and is the choice of 41% of people. Sleeping may occur on either side and take place in a fetal-type position or with one or both legs down.

  • Pros: Sleeping on your side can keep the tongue and throat muscles from falling into the throat and causing snoring or sleep apnea. Left side sleeping can also reduce acid reflux by preventing acid from flowing into the esophagus.
  • Cons: Side sleeping can cause shoulder, arm, and/or hip pain due to pressure from the mattress and poor spinal alignment. Pressure on the jaw from sleeping on your side against a pillow or mattress may result in jaw pain. If you tend to feel like this, I recommend taking a look at our best mattresses for side sleepers reviews.

Mattress firmness is an important factor for side sleepers with hip pain. A medium-soft model can help cradle the hips and provide pressure relief without too much sinkage. Heavier side sleepers may need a medium-firm mattress that helps to prevent excessive sinkage and curvature of the spine.

P1038815
Performing a side sleeping test in the Sleepopolis studio.

Back sleeping

While only 14% of people sleep on their backs, back sleeping may be the healthiest of all sleeping positions. Back sleeping is often recommended for people with orthopedic conditions or after certain types of joint surgery.

  • Pros: Sleeping on the back aligns the spine and helps the neck and head maintain a neutral position. Back sleeping also distributes body weight evenly and minimizes tension on pressure points. Sleeping on the back can help reduce pressure on the side and front of the hip joint, which may be helpful for many folks who experience hip pain.
  • Cons: Back sleeping can allow the tongue to fall back into the throat, blocking the airway and causing snoring and sleep apnea. Back sleeping can also feel uncomfortable or awkward to some folks, who may have difficulty sleeping in this position for extended periods of time.

Sleeping on the back is often the position of choice for folks with hip pain, who may experience greater pain relief and improved spinal alignment. The right mattress for back sleepers with hip pain is typically a medium-firm model that cushions the hips and prevents gapping between the mattress and lower back. If you’re on the heavier side, a slightly firmer mattress can prevent too much sinkage that may aggravate orthopedic pain.

Stomach sleeping

About 16% of folks sleep on their stomachs. Stomach sleeping is known for putting stress on the neck and spine and is generally considered the least healthy of the sleep positions.

  • Pros: Sleeping on the stomach can keep the tongue from blocking the airway and reduce the risk of snoring and sleep apnea. Folks who experience hip pain when lying on their sides may prefer to sleep on their stomachs but should be aware that the position can cause poor spinal alignment.
  • Cons: Stomach sleeping can cause poor head and back alignment and counteract the natural curve of the spine. This can lead to muscle and joint pain during sleep and waking hours.

As a general rule, stomach sleepers who experience hip pain should look for a firmer mattress that will support the spine and help prevent sinking of the torso to avoid back pain. Heavier stomach sleepers typically do best with a very firm mattress that will help prevent poor spinal alignment and neck strain.

If you also tend to suffer from back pain, I recommend taking a look at our best mattress for back pain round up.

Types of Mattresses for Sleepers With Hip Pain

What Type of Mattress is Best for Hip Pain?

We generally recommend memory foam mattresses for sleepers with hip pain. Memory foam is offered in various firmness levels, so you find the one that makes you the most comfortable, while still getting the contouring and support that you need to help alleviate hip pain. The pressure relief capabilities of memory foam can also help sleepers who have hip pain.

Memory Foam

As we mentioned, memory foam is a good option for people who have hip pain as it can offer the support, comfort, and contouring needed to help with hip pain during the night.

Memory foam is a type of polyurethane foam known for its plush, comfortable feel. When you think of memory foam you might be imagining an ultra-soft material that is sinking, but memory foam comes in a range of firmness options, from extra soft to extra firm. For this reason, it is a great option for a lot of different kinds of sleepers, and has great motion isolation, which is important for sleepers with hip pain.

P1038823 1
Memory foam tends to be slow-moving and offer deep sinkage.
Pros of Memory Foam MattressesCons of Memory Foam Mattresses
Responds to pressure and body heat, and is touted for its ability to relieve pressure and conform to the body. This can be a great feature for hip pain sufferers, especially those who sleep on their sidesOlder and less expensive forms of memory foam can retain body heat and “sleep hot.” This is less likely with newer forms such as those infused with gel and copper
The absorptive quality of the material decreases motion transfer, making it a good option for partners who share a bedLess edge support can cause sloping or poor spinal alignment for folks with hip pain who sleep close to the edge of the mattress
Increasingly affordable as their popularity and use have increasedMemory foam mattresses may not offer enough support or durability for some sleepers, particularly those who weigh more than 225 pounds

Latex

Latex foam is a natural product made from the sap of the rubber tree. Latex has a bouncier feel than memory foam and has a quick response to pressure. The bounciness of latex may not make it an ideal option for sleepers with hip pain, but it is exceptionally cooling because it is naturally breathable and porous. The breathability of it, and the fact that it is organic also makes it a great choice for sleepers with allergies.

ecosleep luxe
A closer look at latex foam.
Pros of Latex MattressesCons of Latex Mattresses
The naturally airy structure of latex means that it ventilates better and sleeps cooler than some memory foamsLatex transfers more motion than memory foam, so bed mates may feel each other’s tossing and turning at night
Latex is a great option for hip pain sufferers who prefer natural mattress materialsA bit pricier than other foams and hybrid mattresses
Stomach sleepers with hip pain may prefer latex, which feels more buoyant and sinks less than other types of foamThe material doesn’t hug the body like memory and poly foams and may feel less comfortable for hip pain sufferers
Comfort layers made from latex can be a good choice for heavier sleepers who sink through memory or poly foam 

Poly Foam

Poly foam is made from a type of polyurethane that lacks the viscoelastic properties of memory foam. Poly foam has a quick response to pressure and is typically used to complement memory foam or latex.

This is an excellent option for shoppers who are looking for a cheaper material, as memory foam can be a more expensive option. However, just because it is more affordable does not mean it cannot provide contouring for those with hip pain.

P1060718
Poly foam is often more responsive than memory foam, which makes it easier to move around on.
Pros of Poly Foam MattressesCons of Poly Foam Mattresses
Can offer pressure relief to hip pain sufferers when used as a comfort layerLess expensive types of poly foam may degrade quickly, often within a few years of use
The material can feel light and airy, which may be helpful for folks with hip pain who sleep hotPoly foam can feel less responsive and plush than memory foam, which offers more of a conforming “hug”
One of the more affordable materials used in mattresses, particularly as a comfort and/or support layerWhen new, poly foam can have a strong smell that may take time to go away

Hybrid

Like an innerspring mattress, a hybrid mattress utilizes a steel coil core for durability and structure, but adds memory foam, poly foam, and/or latex comfort layers for a satisfying balance of pressure relief and support. Innerspring mattresses are not typically recommended for hip pain sufferers, who tend to sleep best on conforming comfort layers that cradle the joints and muscles.

P1058278
An inside look at a mattress’ hybrid layers with foams on top and individually wrapped coils on bottom.
Pros of Hybrid MattressesCons of Hybrid Mattresses
Typically contain pocketed coils, which are quieter and transfer less motion than traditional innerspringsThe coil structure of a hybrid mattress may transfer motion, making it feel bouncier and more disturbing to a bed partner
The foam comfort layers can offer plush pressure relief for hip pain sufferers, especially in softer models that utilize memory foamMay be heavier and more difficult to move
May be cooler than all-foam models and can be a good choice for hip pain sufferers who sleep warm at nightLess expensive hybrids may not be as durable as those made from pricier materials such as low-gauge steel coils and cooler forms of memory foam

Can I add Something to my Bed to Help with Hip Pain?

You certainly can. If you are struggling with hip pain, buying an entirely new mattress is not the only option. A mattress topper that offers extra contouring might be a good addition to your bed if you are not in the market for a new mattress right now. The right topper can help alleviate some pain and also make your bed more comfortable. There are a lot of options for mattress toppers on the market that range in price and can help with various things, whether that is making the bed softer, firmer, more supportive, or more contouring. Check out our recommendations for the best mattress toppers for more information.

Another option is a good pillow that helps keep your neck and spine in alignment. This alignment will be helpful for pain in these areas as well as the hips. Keeping the neck and spine aligned healthily will help with pain across the body. We have also had some success sleeping with a pillow between our legs if we are sleeping on our sides to help keep the pelvis aligned. Additionally, it may be helpful to consider sleeping on your back if you don’t already to help with body alignment.

Hip Pain: Common Symptoms and Causes

The hip is one of the most important joints in the body, and one of the most common sources of pain. Hip pain impacts more than 22 million Americans, including 14.3% of adults aged 60 and over. (1) Hip pain is considered chronic when it persists for longer than 3-6 months. (2)

Do You Suffer From Hip Pain?

Pain in the hip is often described as:

  • Stabbing
  • Shooting
  • Achy
  • Tight
  • Stiff

Pain may also radiate to other parts of the body such as the knee and back.

Common causes of hip pain

  • Osteoarthritis (OA) – OA is characterized by wearing away of the cartilage that protects the end of bones, inflammation, and changes in the tendons and ligaments. In addition to pain and stiffness, OA of the hip may cause decreased range of motion. OA is most common in older adults but can also occur in younger people.
  • Other forms of arthritis – Hip pain can be caused by other forms of arthritis, as well. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis affects children 16 years or younger. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints. (3) Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some sufferers of psoriasis, an inflammatory autoimmune disease. If you have any of these types, you may want to check out our Best Mattress for Arthritis list to get some relief.
  • Injuries, falls, and fractures – Athletic injuries, sprains, and falls are common causes of hip pain. Hip fractures can result in chronic pain and occur most frequently in older adults.
  • Overuse – Hip pain can occur because of overuse of the joint, repetitive motion such as running, or stress on ligaments and tendons.
  • Autoimmune diseases – Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis are well-known causes of hip pain. (4) The immune system can cause pain by attacking healthy tissue, including the lining of joints.
  • Bursitis and tendinitis – Inflammation of the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint, known as bursitis, can result in temporary or chronic pain. Tendinitis is irritation or inflammation of the tendon and can occur in any joint.
  • Excessive weight – Being overweight or obese is a common cause of hip and other joint pain. Additional body weight can increase strain on the joint structure, increasing the risk of injury and discomfort.

How We Chose These Mattresses

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 300 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.

When selecting the best mattresses for hip pain, we knew that comfort and support would be crucial factors. Proper support results in proper alignment, and having the right pressure relief and comfort is just as important. Click here to learn more about our methodology

FAQs

Can your mattress cause hip pain?

Absolutely. A mattress that is too firm or worn out to provide adequate pressure relief can cause hip pain to develop during the night.

Is memory foam good for hip pain?

In general, yes. If a mattress has a thick layer of quality memory foam on top, it allows to sink into the bed and enjoy some pressure relief around the hip. That said, it’s important to look for a mattress that provides adequate spinal support so your hips and spine don’t get misaligned.

Is a firm or soft mattress better for hip pain?

Medium-firm mattresses are generally the best option for sleepers with hip pain. While firmness does not equate to support, a medium-firm mattress will generally offer enough support around the hips and lower back while still being contouring enough to help you get a good night sleep even with hip pain.

How will I know if my mattress is contributing to my hip pain?

Your mattress may be contributing to your hip discomfort if you feel stiff and achy in the mornings or wake up during the night in pain. You may notice that you sleep better when away from home or in a different bed. If your hip pain begins after the purchase of a new mattress, it may be due to pressure from excessively firm materials or poor spinal alignment.

A Look Into the Sleepopolis Testing Lab

sweetnight prime side sleeper

In order to ensure that we’re recommending the best mattresses to sleepers everywhere, we test each one individually in our mattress lab in Raleigh, North Carolina. Here, our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 300 beds, putting each one through a rigorous testing process that includes measuring a mattress’s motion transfer with a seismometer, tracking its cooling capabilities with a thermal gun, and visualizing its ability to relieve pain with a pressure map.

From there, we give every bed an overall score based on its materials, comfort, support, cooling, edge support, and more. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.

We know that sleep is an integral part of your health, which is why we’ve developed such a detailed methodology when testing mattresses and writing our reviews. We also know that every sleeper is different when it comes to body type, sleeping position, and mattress preference. With so many factors at play, we want to give you an informed opinion so you can make an informed purchase.

You can click here to learn more about our methodology.

Recap: The Best Mattresses for Hip Pain of 2024

MattressBest ForPrice (Queen)CouponReview
Helix Midnight LuxeOverall$2,374Helix CouponRead Our Review
Saatva RxHip Pain and Back Pain$3,295Saatva CouponRead Our Review
NectarAffordable$1,099Nectar CouponRead Our Review
DreamCloud PremierCouples$1,832DreamCloud CouponRead Our Review
Bear Elite HybridSide Sleepers with Hip Pain$2,111Bear CouponRead Our Review
Nolah EvolutionShoulder and Hip Pain$2,499Nolah CouponRead Our Review
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora LuxeArthritis$2,265Brooklyn Bedding CouponRead Our Review
WinkBedHeavy People with Hip Pain$1,799WinkBeds CouponRead Our Review
Titan PlusStomach Sleepers$1,249Brooklyn Bedding CouponRead Our Review
Bridget Chapman

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

Sources

  1. Christmas C, Crespo CJ, Franckowiak SC, Bathon JM, Bartlett SJ, Andersen RE, How common is hip pain among older adults? Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, The Journal of Family Practice, April 5, 2002
  2. Treede, RD et al., A classification of chronic pain for ICD-11, Pain, June, 2015
  3. Krati Chauhan; Jagmohan S., Rheumatoid Arthritis, StatPearls, February 26, 2020
  4. Eberhardt K, Fex E, Johnsson K, Geborek P., Hip involvement in early rheumatoid arthritis, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, January, 1995
  5. J. A. Robertson et al., Sleep disturbance in patients taking opioid medication for chronic back pain, Anaesthesia, November, 2016