Best Orthopedic Mattress

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.Learn more

Just Updated

We’ve recently re-reviewed all of our top orthopedic mattress picks 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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Healthy sleep is key to well-being and quality of life. But a good night of slumber can be difficult if you suffer from back, hip, or other types of orthopedic pain. So, how do you choose the best orthopedic mattress, especially when there are so many options out there? Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches is here to help. Despite the abundance of choices, the process doesn’t have to be confusing. We’ve rounded up our top picks for the best orthopedic mattresses to help you select a bed that mitigates discomfort and promotes better slumber.

Our Top Pick for Orthopedic Mattresses

Saatva ranks first on this list since its Memory Foam Hybrid mattress offers a balanced mix of pressure relief and support to help maintain spinal alignment while sleeping. This is crucial when it comes to alleviating pain.

Best Orthopedic Mattress 2023

• Best Overall – Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
• Best Orthopedic Hybrid Mattress – Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
• Best Orthopedic Mattress for Back Pain – DreamCloud Premier
• Best Orthopedic Mattress for Kids – Nectar Premier Copper
• Best Orthopedic Mattress for Back Sleepers – Bear Elite Hybrid
• Best Orthopedic Innerspring Mattress – WinkBed
• Best Orthopedic Mattress for Side Sleepers – Helix Midnight

Best Overall – Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid

Expert Opinion

With their Memory Foam Hybrid mattress, Saatva created a bed that has a little bit of everything. Up top, two layers of memory foam provide some plushness while keeping cool with infusions of gel. When we lie down on the bed, we sink in just enough to get some pressure relief at the lumbar region. At same time, an extra-tall layer of coils at the bottom of the mattress keeps us lifted and supported. There’s enough contouring and relief for side sleepers, and back sleepers should get the support they need to keep a healthy spinal alignment. 

To show in real time how this mattress works with our bodies, our team at Sleepopolis put the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid through our pressure map test. This involves spreading a mat across the mattress surface. This mat tracks areas of high and low pressure using our body temperature. On our map, it reflects heavier pressure buildup with red or orange, moderate pressure buildup with yellow, and little to no pressure with green and blue. In the case of the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid, we found overall low pressure (mostly blue and some green) in the back and side sleeping positions. Side sleeping, there was a touch of yellow at the shoulder and hip, but we feel that those with joint pain should still be comfortable on this mattress.

What our tester says: “I really enjoyed how this mattress felt laying on my back and side. I was so comfortable and loved the medium-firm feel that had a touch of softness. I think the foam layers offered a contouring feeling while also making me feel supported.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Folks with back pain and joint pain report that the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid either helped alleviate or completely do away with their discomfort.

Pros of the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid

• Combination sleepers should love this bed since the responsiveness makes it easy to change positions.
• The mattress has a hypoallergenic cover that’s unlikely to activate anyone’s allergies.
• The bed’s responsiveness makes the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid a good mattress for sex. And for a hybrid, it’s good at isolating motion. You and your partner are unlikely to be woken up by each other’s movements.

Cons of the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid

• This mattress is probably too soft for strict stomach sleepers. These folks tend to need more support to keep their hips from sinking too far into the bed, which can throw the spine out of alignment.

Think the Saatva is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses. 

Best Orthopedic Hybrid Mattress – Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines cushioning foams with a support layer of pocketed coils. Overall, we found that the bed had a soft feel. When we tested it out, we felt ourselves sinking into the layers, getting a cuddly hug. We think this contouring could be especially helpful to sleepers who suffer from orthopedic hip and shoulder pain, as they tend to need a lot of pressure relief.

In our mattress lab, we tested the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe’s Medium version. Our pressure map test showed almost entirely blue while we laid on our backs. So, back sleepers with back pain or joint pain should receive plenty of pressure relief. While lying on our side, however, we did notice a bit more pressure buildup. The map showed a tinge of orange at the shoulder, and lots of yellow at the hip. So, while side sleepers who like a firmer feel should be alright, those who have joint pain or want more cushioning should opt for the Soft model.

What our tester says: “My favorite thing about this bed is how cooling it is. Even some of the best soft mattressestend to sleep a little hot because of the snuggly foams they use. The Aurora Luxe really solves this problem with Phase Change Material and breathable pocketed coils.” – Senior product editor Bridget Chapman

What Customers Say

Customers are impressed with the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe’s overall value, saying that it’s a supportive, cooling, and high-quality mattress for a reasonable price.

Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

• The Aurora Luxe is offered in three different firmness levels and with an optional pillow top. So, sleepers of most body types and preferences can pick the best one for their personal sleep needs.
• Both the cover and the comfort layer are made with Phase Change Material, which is cool to the touch and helps dissipate body heat. The coils also have plenty of room for airflow, further helping make the Aurora a cool-sleeping mattress.
• Even though this is a soft bed, it should be responsive enough for combination sleepers to change positions.

Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

• Heavy stomach sleepers over 250 pounds will probably need a firmer bed with more support.

Think the Aurora Luxe is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best hybrid mattresses. 

Best Orthopedic Mattress for Back Pain – DreamCloud Premier

Expert Opinion

If you struggle with orthopedic back pain, you’re going to want a mattress that helps keep your spine straight. The hybrid DreamCloud Premier accomplishes this with an extra-tall 8.5-inch layer of coils at the bottom. Each coil is individually wrapped, allowing them all to move independently and conform to your body. When we laid down on the bed’s surface, we could feel these springs adapting to the curve of our back. And we should say that, while this is a firm mattress overall, we did get some contouring and pressure from a comfort layer of memory foam and a Trueloft Euro top layer.

Looking at our pressure map, we saw almost no pressure buildup in the back sleeping position. This tells us that the DreamCloud Premier is soft enough to ease back pain for many back sleepers. However, we do think that side sleepers with back pain will do better on a softer mattress. Stomach sleepers with back pain will want a firmer mattress.

What our tester says: “I really appreciate that the DreamCloud isolates motion well despite its bounce. That, plus its firm edge support, makes me think most couples will also be fans of this DreamCloud.” – Zoe Ettinger, former Sleepopolis editor and mattress tester

What Customers Say

Shoppers report that the shipping time was fast, and any returns came through quickly as well. This is great for those wanting some great customer service, or for those needing a mattress as soon as possible.

Pros of the DreamCloud Premier

• Back sleepers should appreciate the Premier’s optimal blend of comfort and support.
• The DreamCloud Premier has exceptional edge support, allowing you to comfortably spread out and sleep near the end of the bed. When paired with the bed’s responsiveness (a key factor for sex), this makes the DreamCloud Premier one of the best mattresses for couples.
• Combination sleepers should have no problem changing their sleeping position on the DreamCloud Premier, mostly due to the responsiveness of the coils.

Cons of the DreamCloud Premier

• Some sleepers have reported that the DreamCloud Premier sleeps a bit hot. This is something to consider if you have a hard time cooling down at night.

Think the DreamCloud Premier is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full DreamCloud Premier mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for back pain. 

Best for Kids – Nectar Premier Copper

Expert Opinion

As kids get older, their bodies constantly change, often resulting in growing pains. The all-foam Nectar Premier Copper could be a good sleep remedy to this, thanks to comfort layers of memory foam that cushion sensitive joints. These layers are also infused with gel and a Phase Change Material to help young sleepers stay cool at night.

Our pressure map test showed primarily blue and green for both back and side sleeping. So, we think this should be a fantastic mattress for lightweight and average weight sleepers, such as kids. While some kids (specifically those under 130 pounds) should be comfortable on the Nectar Premier Copper because of all of the pressure relief, stomach sleepers will likely want a firmer mattress. This will help keep the hips lifted, and the spine in a neutral alignment.

What our tester says: “This Nectar did a great job of contouring to my body, something most memory foam lovers should appreciate. I found it to have a slightly firmer feel that gets softer over time.” – Senior product editor Bridget Chapman

What Customers Say

There are an impressive 57,000+ reviews for the Nectar Premier Copper, and over a thousand of them have to do with the word “cool.” Numerous customers say they sleep soundly on this mattress because of its extremely satisfactory cooling properties.

Pros of the Nectar Premier Copper

• Side sleepers need pressure relief at the shoulders and hips — the parts of the body where they put the most pressure. A pressure-relieving mattress like the Nectar Premier Copper should give them all the contouring they need.
• Because the Nectar Premier Copper has a firmness of 7 out of 10, back sleepers should also enjoy the mixture of comfort and support.
• Hot sleepers will find some additional cooling in the cover, which contains polyethylene and copper fibers to promote airflow.

Cons of the Nectar Premier Copper

• Larger sleepers over 250 pounds will most likely want a firmer and more supportive mattress.

Think the Nectar Premier Copper is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Nectar Premier Copper mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for kids. 

Best Orthopedic Mattress for Back Sleepers – Bear Elite Hybrid

Expert Opinion

Bear designs their mattresses with athletes in mind, so the brand has a lot of experience with addressing orthopedic pain. We think the Bear Elite Hybrid could be a good match for any back sleepers who struggle with this issue, as the bed has a layer of individually wrapped coils for spinal support and two layers of foam (one of which is zoned) for relief in the lumbar region.

When we tested out the mattress, we got some contouring, along with a slight lift. Also, our pressure map showed all blue, meaning it put almost no pressure on our back whatsoever. We should also note that the bed is available in three different firmness levels: Soft, Medium, and Firm. We recommend Medium for back sleepers, but heavier sleepers might want to test out the firmest version for additional support.

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.” – Senior product editor Bridget Chapman

What Customers Say

Many combination sleepers found the Bear Elite Hybrid’s feel and firmness to be effective when it comes to changing sleeping positions at night.

Pros of the Bear Elite Hybrid

• The Soft model could be comfortable for side sleepers and the Firm model could be comfortable for stomach sleepers.
• The Bear Elite Hybrid has several advanced cooling features, including Phase Change Material in the cover and an infusion of copper in the foam. The springs also leave plenty of room for airflow
• Overall, the Bear Elite Hybrid has a slightly softer feel, but it’s still responsive enough for combination sleepers to be able to switch positions.

Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid

• Compared to Bear’s other models, the Elite Hybrid is significantly more expensive. So, it’s not the best option for those wanting a budget mattress.

Think the Bear Elite Hybrid is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for back sleepers. 

Best Orthopedic Innerspring Mattress – WinkBed

Expert Opinion

Innerspring mattresses tend to offer more support than other beds because they have so many coils. When we lie down on the WinkBed, for instance, we get a very “on-top-of-the-bed” feel from its springs. This is key to helping sleepers maintain a neutral spinal alignment, which can help address orthopedic pain throughout the body. The mattress is available in three different firmness levels: Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer. There’s also the WinkBed Plus, which is designed for heavy sleepers over 250 pounds, although it is a bit more expensive.

To take our testing to the next level, we put the WinkBed through our edge support test. It’s an indicator of durability, but first and foremost edge support tells us the strength of a mattress’s perimeter. A bed with good edge support doesn’t cave in too much while sitting or lying down on the edges. This allows sleepers to maximize the mattress surface area, which is useful for keeping folks supported while sleeping toward the edge of the mattress. We found that the WinkBed has great edge support, as the perimeter of the mattress doesn’t collapse so much that we were unstable.

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.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

A number of shoppers comment how the process of ordering and receiving this mattress was smooth and efficient. There are several positive notes customers make about WinkBed’s customer service. Representatives seem happy to provide mattress knowledge and seem to be quick to issue refunds.

Pros of the WinkBed

• Because there are several different models, there’s a WinkBed for everyone. We recommend the Softer model for side sleepers, Luxury Firm for back sleepers, and Firmer for stomach sleepers.
• The coils in the WinkBed are extra-tall and leave a lot of room for air to flow through the mattress’ construction.
• Even the Softer model of the WinkBed has a bouncy and responsive feel, which makes it easy for combo sleepers to change their sleeping position.

Cons of the WinkBed

• There isn’t a lot of contouring and sinkage on the WinkBed, so if you love that classic feeling of memory foam, you’ll probably want another mattress.

Think the WinkBed is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full WinkBed mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best innerspring mattresses. 

Best Orthopedic Mattress for Side Sleepers – Helix Midnight

Expert Opinion

Side sleepers who struggle with orthopedic pain should seek out a mattress that’s soft enough to relieve tension at their shoulders and hips, but supportive enough to keep their spine neutrally aligned. They should find this delicate balance in the Helix Midnight, a hybrid bed with a slightly softer feel. When we laid down on our side, we got a decent amount of contouring without ever feeling like we were going to sink too far into the mattress’ layers.

While resting on our side on top of the pressure map, we saw mostly blue and green appear on the device, with a bit of yellow at the hip and shoulder. This isn’t exactly surprising, as the hip and shoulder are the most common areas for pressure buildup while side sleeping. From these results, we think that most side sleepers should be comfortable, even folks with hip and shoulder pain. If you have super severe pain issues, it might be worth investing in a mattress topper or selecting a softer mattress.

What our tester says: “I honestly understand why this is the brand’s most popular model. It’s really comfortable and supportive for back and side sleeping. I love that the Helix Midnight offers solid edge support — you can use the whole bed!” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Lots of folks mention that the Helix Midnight is a great mattress for their back pain. Other customers speak highly of the Helix Midnight’s Luxe version, which includes a pillow top and additional cooling features for a higher price.

Pros of the Helix Midnight

• All of Helix’s hybrid mattresses have a lot of airflow due to the layer of coils. If you sleep especially hot, you may want to pay extra for the Helix Midnight Luxe, the bed’s luxury upgrade that includes a soft and breathable Tencel cover.
• Couples should appreciate the Helix Midnight’s cooling capabilities. The mattress is also good at isolating motion, so partners shouldn’t be woken up by each other’s movements.
• Like side sleepers, back sleepers should love the Helix Midnight’s blend of comfort and support.

Cons of the Helix Midnight

• Stomach sleepers usually need a firmer and more supportive mattress to keep their hips from bowing and throwing their spine out of alignment.

Think the Helix Midnight is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Helix Midnight mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for side sleepers. 

How to Find the Best Orthopedic Mattress

When shopping for a mattress that can help maximize comfort, keep the following terms and information in mind:

Firmness

Firmness describes how a mattress feels when you lie down on it. A firmer mattress provides more pushback against the body and has a level sleeping surface. A softer mattress has increased sinkage and a plush feel. A medium-firm mattress offers a balance between pushback and cloud-like conformity. The best firmness level for you will depend on your sleeping position, personal preferences, and the type of orthopedic pain you experience.

How We Rate Firmness

Mattress firmness is rated on a 1 to 10 scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. The mattress industry standard for medium-firm is 6.5.

Support

Firmness and support refer to different mattress characteristics. Firmness describes the degree of pushback and rigidity of the mattress surface, while 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 layers. A supportive mattress also prevents excessive sinkage or “bottoming out” of the materials under body weight.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief refers to the ability of a mattress to alleviate tension in parts of the body like the shoulders, hips, and lower back. A mattress that provides pressure relief is especially important for people who sleep on their sides or have joint or neck issues. Contouring foam comfort layers can be key to pressure relief, particularly if you suffer from orthopedic pain.

Orthopedic Pain and Sleep Position

Now let’s look at another important part of choosing the right mattress: sleep position. Each sleep position has pros and cons that can impact spinal alignment and affect the health of the joints and spine. Let’s start with the most common of all the sleep positions.

Side Sleeping

Side sleeping is the most popular sleep position and may occur on either side. Some folks who sleep on their sides lie in a fetal-type position or with one or both legs down.

Pros:

• Sleeping on your side can prevent the tongue from falling into the throat, reducing the risk of 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 may result in jaw pain.

Mattress firmness is an important factor for side sleepers with orthopedic pain. A medium-soft mattress can provide pressure relief and prevent too much sinking. Heavier folks who sleep on their sides may do best with a medium-firm mattress that prevents excessive sinkage and curvature of the spine.

Back Sleeping

Sleeping on the back is often touted as the healthiest of all the positions. Back sleeping may be recommended for people with orthopedic conditions or after certain types of joint surgery.

Pros:

• Sleeping on the back keeps the neck and head in a neutral position and aligns the spine. Back sleeping also distributes body weight and minimizes tension on pressure points. Sleeping on the back can reduce pressure on the side and front of the hips, shoulders, and knees.

Cons:

• Back sleeping can cause the tongue to fall into the throat and increase the risk of snoring and sleep apnea. Also, some people find back sleeping uncomfortable, especially over long periods of time.

The right mattress for back sleepers with orthopedic pain is typically a medium-firm model that cushions the shoulders and hips and prevents gapping between the mattress and lower back. If you weigh more than 250 pounds, you may prefer a firmer mattress that prevents too much sinkage into the comfort layers.

Stomach Sleeping

Stomach sleeping can put 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 lower the risk of snoring and sleep apnea. It may also help clear the lungs during respiratory infections.

Cons:

• Stomach sleeping can cause poor back alignment and lead to muscle and joint pain.

Stomach sleepers who experience orthopedic pain should consider a firmer mattress to support the spine and reduce sinking of the torso. Heavier stomach sleepers typically feel more comfortable on a very firm mattress that helps to maintain spinal alignment and decrease neck strain.

Mattress Types

Let’s look at the pros and cons of the most common types of mattresses. Most of them can easily be found in stores, online, and as bed-in-a-box models.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is a polyurethane foam that feels plush and conforms to the body. It’s available in a range of firmness options, from soft to extra-firm.

Pros:

• Memory foam absorbs motion and decreases the transfer of motion between partners who share a bed.
• It’s responsive to body heat and is known for its ability to relieve pressure on the joints. This can be helpful for folks who suffer from orthopedic pain, particularly side sleepers.
• Memory foam mattresses are one of the most popular mattress materials and are now one of the most affordable.

Cons:

• Memory foam mattresses that don’t include innerspring or pocketed coils may not provide adequate support for folks who weigh more than 250 pounds.
• Some forms of memory foam retain body heat and make sleeping uncomfortable. This is less likely with newer forms such as those infused with gel and copper.
• Less edge support can cause sloping or poor spinal alignment for folks who sleep close to the edge of the mattress.

Latex

Latex foam is made from the sap of the rubber tree. Latex is a natural product with a quick response to pressure and a bouncier feel than memory foam.

Pros:

• Latex’s open-celled structure makes for natural ventilation and cooler sleeping.
• The material can be a good choice for people who suffer from orthopedic pain and prefer natural materials
• The natural buoyancy of latex can be helpful for stomach sleepers, who may sink too deeply into a memory or poly foam mattress.
• Latex comfort layers may be more supportive than memory or poly foam, and are a great option for heavier sleepers.

Cons:

• Latex is a natural material that requires harvesting. As a result, mattresses made from latex may be more expensive than memory or poly foam.
• Foam made from latex tends to transfer more motion between bed partners than memory foam.
• Latex doesn’t hug the body like memory, and poly foams and may feel less comfortable to some sufferers of orthopedic pain.

Poly Foam

Poly foam is made from polyurethane and has a quick response to pressure. The material is often used to support or complement memory foam or latex.

Pros:

• When used in a comfort layer, poly foam can offer pressure relief and cushioning for aching joints and muscles.
• The material can feel light and breathable, which may be a benefit for hot sleepers.
• Poly foam is often more affordable than other more durable mattress materials.

Cons:

• Less expensive poly foam can degrade quickly.
• Poly foam may have less of a responsive feel than memory foam, which conforms to the body and cradles joints.

Hybrid

Like an innerspring mattress, a hybrid utilizes a steel coil core for durability and structure, but adds memory foam, poly foam, and/or latex comfort layers for pressure relief and support. Innerspring mattresses are not typically recommended for folks who suffer from orthopedic pain, as they often sleep best on comfort layers that cushion the joints and muscles.

Pros:

• Hybrid mattresses contain pocketed coils, which are quieter and transfer less motion than traditional innersprings.
• The foam comfort layers of a hybrid can offer plush pressure relief for pain sufferers.
• Hybrid mattresses may be cooler than all-foam models and can be a good choice for folks who sleep warm.

Cons:

• The coil structure of a hybrid mattress may transfer motion, making it feel bouncier and disturbing to a bed partner.
• Hybrid mattresses may be heavier and more difficult to move.
• Less expensive hybrids may not be as durable as those made from pricier materials such as low-gauge steel coils and cooler memory foams.

Last Word From Sleepopolis

Orthopedic pain doesn’t have to keep you awake. Pressure relief and support are key factors to remember when shopping for a mattress, along with primary sleep position. No matter what your budget or preference of mattress material, you can find a durable mattress that helps to mitigate pain and provide a great night’s sleep.

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.

For the mattresses featured on this list, we’ve given special consideration to pressure relief, support, and overall comfort. All of the products scored at least a 4 out of 5 in each of these categories. Click here to learn more about our methodology. And if you’re still not sure of the right mattress at the end of this article, you can take our mattress quiz to be shown a selection of mattresses curated to your sleep preferences.

Best Orthopedic Mattresses of 2023

Logan Block

Former Content Director

About Author

Logan is the former content director of Sleepopolis. As content director, he reviewed new mattresses every week and curated the comparisons, best of pages, and video guides on the site. Logan perfected his method by personally testing over 200 different mattresses, so he’s not only able to discern the overall vibe of a specific bed, but to contextualize its feel within the bed-in-a-box market as a whole.

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