Looking to save on a new bed? Most of these top-rated mattresses for back pain are heavily discounted for 4th of July weekend. Read on for details or check out our full roundup of the best 4th of July mattress sales going on now.
The best mattresses for back pain promote spinal alignment and pressure relief while catering to your sleep needs. For instance, maybe you need more back support plus a mattress that keeps you cool. If you’re a side sleeper or you’re recovering from an injury, consider responsive foam layers that cradle your joints. It’s also possible your current mattress is the main culprit for those morning aches. So if it’s time to upgrade your mattress, consider quality beds like the Saatva Classic Mattress, our top overall pick for blending sink-in softness with spine-aligning support.
The Casper Original Hybrid Mattress provides targeted support that’s ideal for back pain sufferers.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER
In general, when shopping for a mattress to alleviate back pain, seek something with a medium-firm feel as that’ll provide the right blend of softness and support. “Look for a mattress that supports the natural curve of your spine when you are lying flat and on your side,” says Neel Anand, M.D., a professor of orthopedic surgery and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles.
Our list of the best mattresses for back pain includes beds from top brands that we’ve thoroughly analyzed (and in many cases, tested ourselves). Fortunately, every entry includes a risk-free at-home trial period so you can give yourself sufficient time to try it before making a commitment. We also offer detailed mattress-buying advice to help you find your perfect match.
Best Mattress For Back Pain Overall
A Luxury Firm Mattress With Double Coils For Extra Support
USA-Made
- Materials: Memory foam, pocketed coils
- Firmness level: Luxury firm and firm recommended for back pain; plush soft also available
- Trial period: 180 nights
4th of July sale: Get up to $450 off during Saatva’s 4th of July sale.
Saatva offers three levels of firmness: plush soft, firm and luxury firm (a blend of cushiony softness and firm support). The latter two are recommended for people with back pain, with the luxury firm being the company’s most popular option. The mattress is built with double-layer coils for added support, along with layers of memory foam and polyfoam to help keep you comfortable and stable while you sleep. It also has a wire “Lumbar Zone” in the center of the mattress to add additional support and pressure relief to the middle of the mattress.
What the reviews say: “I am 36 and I used to wake up every morning feeling twice as old,” starts one review. “I have been sleeping on [a Saatva mattress] for almost a year and I still can’t believe how much it’s helped.” Meanwhile, another happy shopper who has owned a Saatva bed for years says: “I am a stomach sleeper and hubby is a side sleeper—it works wonderfully for both of us. We are seniors with the normal amount of aches and pains, and this mattress has eased those.”
Best Pressure-Relieving Mattress For Back Pain
Memory Foam Layers Offer Softness And Pressure Relief
USA-Made
- Materials: Memory foam, Helix dynamic foam, wrapped coils
- Firmness level: Very firm
- Trial period: 100 nights
4th of July sale: Spend more, save more to get up to $400 off and two free pillows with your mattress order. View the corresponding coupon codes on the site.
Helix offers mattresses that are tailor-built to your needs. You answer a short questionnaire, and the company will recommend the perfect mattress for you. That being said, the Helix Twilight is a top choice for back pain. It offers a firm feel with no sink or give, but it’s not so hard that you feel like you’re sleeping on a rock. (The company rates its firmness between 8/9 on a 1 to 10 scale.) The mattress has a specialized foam layer to help cushion your pressure points, especially when you’re sleeping on your side, along with a polyfoam transition layer for added support.
Use code FORBES100 to receive $100 off when you spend $600 or more; code FORBES150 to receive $150 off when you spend $1,250 or more; or code FORBES200 to receive $200 off when you spend $1,750 or more. Plus, score two free Dream Pillows with your purchase.
What the reviews say: One content sleeper shares, “This is the second Helix I have owned and [I] will continue to be a customer for life … I had nagging back and shoulder issues [but] as soon as I made the switch to Helix, I no longer suffer from aches and pains.” Echoes another satisfied shopper: “The Helix bed provides the needed support for my lower back and [it’s] quite comfortable/soft. I can actually get a good night’s sleep without waking up in pain!”
Best Mattress For Side Sleepers With Back Pain
A Temperature-Regulating Mattress That’s Ideal For Hot Sleepers
- Materials: Memory foam
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
- Trial period: 365 nights
4th of July sale: Enjoy $100 off your mattress and $499 in free accessories for a total savings of $599.
For side sleepers, finding the sweet spot is the key to a quality night’s sleep, and that’s possible with this Premier Memory Foam Mattress from Nectar. Its five-layer structure cushions your pressure points and supports your body weight, while also keeping you cool so you stay comfortable throughout the night. The 3-inch layer of gel memory foam is designed to respond to your body’s unique changes in temperature, while its shift-resistant lower cover keeps the mattress in place even if you twist and turn. If you’re trying to gauge its firmness, the brand puts it this way: It scores a 6.5 on a one to 10 scale, with one being a feather pillow and 10 being a cement floor.
What the reviews say: “Sleeping on my side, I no longer get pressure point pain,” says one customer. Further, she reports, it reduces motion transfer. “I love that I no longer can feel when my husband comes to bed later than me. It used to wake me up with it old mattress because of all the movement.” Sums up another sleeper, “It is firm but cushy enough for a side sleeper. Couldn’t be happier with this purchase.”
Best Luxury Mattress For Back Pain
A Luxury Model That’s Worth Every Penny
USA-Made
- Materials: Tempur-Material
- Firmness level: Available in soft, medium, medium hybrid, firm
- Trial period: 90 nights
4th of July sale: The retailer’s limited-time offers include $500 off Tempur-Breeze mattresses, 30% off Tempur-Clouds mattresses, buy one, get one on select pillows and more.
Constructed of special Tempur-Material that was originally developed by NASA, this luxury mattress provides advanced pressure-relieving power that’s ideal for those with back pain. Responding to your weight, shape and temperature, this adaptive mattress conforms to your body even if you shift positions throughout the night. The proprietary material also absorbs motion better than other memory foam mattresses so if you sleep with a partner, you won’t get jostled awake if they toss and turn in the middle of the night. As far as choosing a firmness: The foam is known for its supportive properties all around, but the overall consensus is that back sleepers usually opt for a firmer mattress while side sleepers tend to go for a medium to soft feel.
What the reviews say: Raves a buyer, “I love my new bed! It has almost eliminated my aches and pains. It provides the right amount of support for my back and, since it conforms to my shape, it eases the pressure on my joints.” Another sound sleeper says, “I’m a 59-year-old very active woman. [I’d been] suffering from very bad back pain and have tried many very expensive mattresses. I can say that [the Tempur-Adapt] has been the answer to my problem. I actually wake up without pain.”
Best Targeted Support Mattress For Back Pain
Three Separate Zones Offer Ultimate Comfort
USA-Made
- Materials: Memory foam, foam and springs
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
- Trial period: 100 nights
4th of July sale: Get up to $600 off mattresses, snag the Original Foam queen mattress for $995 and shave up to 50% off items across all categories.
The Casper mattress has three zones of targeted support to help align your spine—and hopefully ease your back pain in the process. Softer foam around your shoulders cushions your upper body, while firmer foam under your hips, waist and lower back keep your spine in the right position. The durable foam base underneath allows for added firmness and support, so the mattress doesn’t sink or sag under your weight. It’s available in all-foam or hybrid options, with the former being the firmer pick, the latter having a medium-firm feel. When asked, a Casper Snooze Specialist recommended the hybrid for back pain due to its combination of support and give. That said, it also comes in an all-foam version for those who prefer it.
What the reviews say: One glowing review says, “Long story short, this has been the best mattress I’ve ever owned and one of the finest mattresses that I’ve ever used, and I travel a lot. I decided to get an adjustable base to go with mine and ever since I started sleeping with the head and foot slightly elevated, my lower back pain has completely gone away.” Per another user: “I had many years of backaches and back problems and Casper was able to mold and fix my back [pain] without me spending extra money for [a] chiropractor or a massage.”
Best Organic Mattress For Back Pain
A Buoyant Mattress That Contours To Your Body And Sleeps Cool
Best Eco-Friendly Mattress For Back Pain
Another Organic Option That’s Ideal For Back Sleepers
USA-Made
- Materials: GOLS-organic latex, pocketed support coils
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
- Trial period: One year
4th of July sale: The brand’s 4th of July sale includes $100 off its green latex mattresses with code USA; its organic luxury mattress is $250 with code JULY. Select apparel is also 50% off.
Many of today’s mattresses are made from memory foam, which typically contains synthetic chemicals. If you’re looking for something a bit more eco-friendly, consider the Avocado Green Mattress. It’s constructed of organic ingredients, including a layer of organic latex sitting on top of more than 1,000 pocketed support coils. The mattress has a gentle-yet-firm feel and five distinct ergonomic zones that adapt to your pressure points and provide relief where you need it. The thoughtful construction also helps reduce motion transfer and distributes weight more evenly so the mattress can contour to your body’s natural shape. It’s best for back and stomach sleepers.
What the reviews say: “ I was initially worried that this mattress would be too firm for me because I’m fairly lightweight,” begins one review, “[But] my expectations were exceeded. This mattress feels even more expensive than it is, and in a matter of days my back pain was almost completely gone.” Another 5-star review reads, “My neck, shoulder and back pain is virtually gone after almost a month of sleeping on this fantastic bed. It’s the perfect amount of support without the annoyance of sinking so far into a bed that it’s hard to turn [over].”
Best Mattress For Combination Sleepers With Back Pain
A Zoned Model That’s Firm In The Middle And Softer At The Edges
USA-Made
- Materials: Pocketed coils, wool comfort layers
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
- Trial period: 100 nights
Made with layers of pure New Zealand wool and 100% organic cotton, the Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress is another eco-friendly mattress that can help alleviate back pain. It has two layers of pocketed steel coils, and it’s designed to be firm in the middle for back support and softer at the head and feet for pressure point relief and spinal alignment—great for combination sleepers. In between the coils is a comfort layer made from real wool, and the whole thing is wrapped in an organic cotton cover.
What the reviews say: One customer, who had been accustomed to sleeping on a very firm mattress due to back pain, says, “After sleeping on this mattress for a week, I was pleasantly surprised that I had no back pain even though this mattress is so comfortable.” Another buyer claims, “This is the first time I actually look forward to getting into bed at night because I’m finally getting a full nights sleep and not waking up with back pain!”
Best Two-Sided Mattress For Back Pain
A Flippable Mattress That Offers Two Levels Of Firmness
USA-Made
- Materials: Memory foam, support foam
- Firmness level: Soft on one side, medium-firm on the other
- Trial period: 120 nights
4th of July sale: Layla’s Summer Sale includes $150 off its queen memory foam mattress plus two free pillows. You can also find savings on bedding, bases and more.
Layla’s mattress has a four layer construction, including a 4.5-inch layer of support foam that’s specifically aimed at keeping your back aligned. This layer also combats the sinking feeling that you get with other memory foam mattresses, so you don’t feel like you’re dropping too far into the mattress when you sleep. The mattress is flippable, with both a soft and firm side (the soft side’s firmness is rated a 4 out of 10, the firm is a 7). That said, back pain sufferers will likely feel the most comfortable on the firm side.
What the reviews say: Here’s what one happy customer has to say about the Layla mattress: “I fall asleep fast and sleep through the night without moving. I wake up in the morning with no pain and well rested. I haven’t slept this good in many years.” And according to this short-and-sweet review: “It’s not a magic carpet, but we both have been sleeping better and waking up with MUCH less pain in our joints and back.”
Best Cooling Mattress For Back Pain
Its Unique Grid Structure Offers Optimal Airflow
USA-Made
- Materials: Memory foam, support coils
- Firmness level: Firm with responsive, adaptive support
- Trial period: 100 nights
4th of July sale: During Purple’s sale, save up to $200 on mattresses and receive $300-worth of sleep accessories with your order. Select sleep accessories are also 15% off.
Thanks to its patented Purple Grid, the Purple Hybrid Mattress is unlike any other on this list. It consists of five layers, and the Purple Grid gently gives under your body, hugging your pressure points and fully supporting your back while you sleep. The grid sits on top of a 7.5-inch layer of responsive coils that offer additional support while you sleep. Plus, there are open air channels that allow air to freely flow through, making it much cooler than memory foam-only mattresses. This particular model is the company’s firmest and offers the most support in the hybrid collection; the Hybrid Premier 3 and Hybrid Premier 4 are medium-soft and soft, respectively.
What the reviews say: When it comes to cooling and pain relief, several sleepers say it hits both marks. “I have had previous spinal surgeries so pressure relief and support are paramount, and this mattress delivers,” says a customer. “I feel very supported—it even corrected some back pain I had from the last mattress I tried. And yes it sleeps cool and I’ve always been the hottest of sleeper.”
Best Firm Mattress For Back Pain
Reactive Memory Foam Adapts To Your Body
USA-Made
- Materials: Bio-Pur memory foam
- Firmness level: Very firm
- Trial period: 100 nights
4th of July sale: Get $450 off any Amerisleep mattress plus free delivery with code AS450.
Thanks to its Bio-Pur memory foam—a proprietary foam that’s more responsive and adaptive to movement—this mattress contours your back and neck, promoting proper sleep posture and relieving pressure points. When you have back pain, soft spots can be detrimental to your comfort, but this mattress bounces back in seconds, alleviating sinking and misalignment that can contribute to aches. The Amerisleep AS1 also keeps you cool throughout the night by allowing air to quickly pass through its open-cell design. This is the company’s firmest mattress.
What the reviews say: One long-time Amerisleep shopper says, “Five years later, [there’s] no sag, no lumps, [it’s] still motionless when hubby gets out of bed [and it’s] a welcome support to an achy back at the end of the day.” And a newer Amerisleep customer adds, “I have back pain, and after two weeks of using the mattress, I realized that the nagging pain I had was greatly diminished. The new mattress has been an important part of my recovery process.”
How We Chose The Best Mattresses For Back Pain
We researched tediously, compared features, combed through reviews and enlisted expert advice to compile this list of the best mattresses for back pain. We also have a broad base of mattress knowledge from writing—and continuing to improve—our base of sleep content, which includes over 15 mattress-specific round-ups.
What To Consider When Buying A Mattress For Back Pain
There’s a lot that goes into choosing a bed that caters to your individual needs. In terms of picking the best mattress for back pain, the materials, construction and firmness of the mattress are all key factors to consider. Below is a breakdown to help you make your buying decision.
Materials
There are three main types of mattresses based on materials and design, and each have pros and cons. Here’s a brief breakdown:
- Innerspring: These are the traditional style of mattresses in which springs are the main support system, and in general, they offer the most structured support compared to other mattress types. However, innerspring mattresses can sink over time and create pressure points, so if you go this route, be sure to pick a high-quality brand that’s built to last.
- Foam: All-foam beds usually consist of memory foam, latex foam or separate layers of each. Often, there are also proprietary foams infused with cooling gels or antimicrobial materials for added comfort. The foam bed’s main claim to fame is its responsive feel that contours to curves and cradles joints. That said, some people find that they tend to trap heat (although many top brands have invented technologies to keep them cooler) and some sleepers don’t like the feeling of being “swallowed” by their mattress.
- Hybrid: Known for offering “the best of both worlds,” hybrid mattresses are popular because they feature both supportive coils and foam layers for plush, pressure-relieving comfort. They tend to be naturally cooler than all-foam mattresses because the coils allow for airflow and sleepers don’t have the same “sinking in” feeling as they might with a foam mattress. Because of the coils, hybrids may be bouncier than foam mattresses, but the foam they do contain does a decent job at eliminating motion transfer.
Once you settle on a type of mattress, you can take a closer look at its specific materials. Some aspects to consider include sustainability, the use of natural and/or organic fibers and safety certifications (see the Saatva Classic, Nolah Natural, Avocado Green and Parachute Eco Comfort as top earth-friendly picks). Cooling materials and breathable construction, like those used in the Purple Hybrid, are also important to consider if you tend to sleep hot.
Firmness
As mentioned, the firmness you settle on is ultimately a matter of preference, but generally, firmer mattresses are ideal for stomach sleepers while softer mattresses have more give for side sleepers’ joints. The best mattresses for back pain are somewhere in the middle, with medium-firm beds offering the supportive-yet-cushy sweet spot.
Delivery Method
Especially for back pain sufferers, delivery and setup options are important to consider before making your purchase. Many popular retailers offer bed in a box options in which the mattresses are vacuum-sealed and shipped in a compact box. This also means you don’t have to be home for your mattress delivery. Although the package will be heavy (enlisting help to haul it inside is strongly encouraged), the box is easier to maneuver than a full-size mattress; just unbox, unwrap and set it on the frame. Note that it will take a few hours—sometimes as much as an entire day—to fully expand. Mattress in a box options from this list include the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress, Helix Twilight, DreamCloud Premier, Casper Original, Layla Memory Foam Mattress, Parachute Eco Comfort, Nolah Natural, Avocado Green Mattress, Purple Hybrid and the Amerisleep AS1.
Setting up a mattress in a box requires some effort (and muscle), and if that doesn’t appeal to you, check out mattress brands that do the work for you. Saatva offers white glove delivery service free with purchase, as does Tempur-Pedic on select mattresses, foundations and adjustable bases. Avocado Green Mattress will also provide an optional In-Home Delivery Service for an additional fee. These services all include setting up your new bed and removing your old mattress.
Trial Period And Warranty
When shopping for any bed, especially online, it’s important to find out the trial period before pressing “purchase.” Luckily, most online mattress retailers offer generous risk-free trial periods in which you can try your bed at home for up to a full year. If you don’t like it, you can send it back for a refund or exchange.
You’ll also want to check out your mattress’ warranty. Things like manufacturing defects and premature wear should be covered for at least five or so years.
What Type Of Mattress Is Best For Back Pain?
Back pain often occurs when your mattress doesn’t provide adequate support to your body throughout the night, causing misalignment in your spine. The key to alleviating an aching back is finding a mattress that provides appropriate support.
Memory foam and latex mattresses are often considered the best options for back pain, as they conform to your body, cradling pressure points while supporting your spine and keeping it aligned. However, hybrid and coil mattresses can provide similar benefits, as long as you choose one that’s specifically designed for that purpose.
Is A Firm Mattress Better For Back Pain?
Many people will tell you that you need a firm mattress to stop back pain, but that’s not necessarily true. A mattress that’s too firm can also cause spine misalignment by pushing up the shoulders and hips. Instead, look for a medium-firm mattress that offers some cushioning for these key pressure points. Ultimately, it comes down to your comfort level, so be sure to choose a mattress brand that offers a generous trial period in case you choose to exchange or return your purchase.
Are Memory Foam Mattresses Good For Back Pain?
Memory foam mattresses are often touted as the best option for back pain, and they certainly can be, thanks to their balance of support and cushioning. However, choosing the right firmness is essential. If you go this route, find a mattress made with high-quality, dense memory foam designed to provide ample support. Keep in mind that many inexpensive memory foam mattresses are too plush to keep the spine properly aligned, which can actually worsen your back and joint pain.
How Do I Know If My Mattress Is Causing Back Pain?
Back pain can be caused by many different factors, making it difficult to pinpoint whether or not your mattress is the culprit. However, if your back pain is worse in the morning, it’s a good sign that your mattress isn’t providing proper support. You may also find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night. Additionally, if your mattress is more than seven years old, that’s another clue it might be time to invest in a new one. Regardless of what is causing your back pain, though, a supportive and comfortable mattress can help ease aches, and at the very least, prevent additional discomfort.
