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10 Best Mattresses For Back Pain In 2023, According To Doctors And Reviewers

Pick the right firmness and materials for every sleeping position.

By Jasmine Gomez and Addison Aloian
best mattress for back pain
Christine Giordano

Back pain can seriously affect your quality of life, but there is one way to skip the tossing and turning at night, and that's by trying a new mattress. Yep, medical experts say that sleeping on a mattress with the right firmness and thickness can be a total game changer for your spinal health.

Peep a few of the best mattresses for back pain (per experts!), below:

  • 1
    Hybrid Mattress

    Best Mattress For Back And Hip Pain

    Layla Sleep Hybrid Mattress

    Shop at laylasleep.com
    Read more
  • 2
    Dusk Mattress

    Best Mattress For Back And Shoulder Pain

    Dusk Mattress

    Read more
  • 3
    Classic Mattress

    Best Mattress For Lumbar Support

    Classic Mattress

    Read more
  • 4
    Gel Memory Foam Mattress

    Best Mattress For Spinal Alignment

    Nectar Gel Memory Foam Mattress

    Read more
  • 5
    Lux Hybrid Mattress

    Best For People Who Alternate Sleeping Positions

    Lux Hybrid Mattress

    Read more

“We spend almost a third of our lives in bed, so it is important to sleep on something that is comfortable and meets your needs for good sleep,” says Santhosh A. Thomas, DO, the medical director of the Center for Spine Health at the Avon-Richard E. Jacobs Medical Center.

Plus, experts say that the right mattress could even help with hip, shoulder, and sciatica pain (just be sure you have a good pillow, too). If better sleep and and less pain sound good to you, see below for the best mattresses for back pain, all of which are loved by spine experts and happy reviewers.

1
Best Mattress For Back And Hip Pain

Layla Sleep Hybrid Mattress

Hybrid Mattress
1
Best Mattress For Back And Hip Pain

Layla Sleep Hybrid Mattress

Shop at laylasleep.com
Credit: Courtesy
Pros
  • Easy to clean
  • Adapts to a range of body weights
  • Provides increased support for deep compression areas
  • Flippable with one plush side and one more firm side
Cons
  • Some don't like a mattress with coils

The Layla Hybrid Mattress is made with a combo of coils and memory foam to provide next-level support. Because sleep preferences can change, the mattress is flippable. One side has a soft, plush feel, while the other is a bit more firm and supportive.

Details: The mattress comes with a zipper that allows you to remove the cover for simple cleaning and handles that make it easy to flip it from one side to the other. It's made with six layers, including a cooling and airy cover, copper-infused gel memory foam, and coiling that prevents motion transfer.

Why it's helpful for back pain: The mattress's memory foam is infused with copper that allows its firmness adapt to your body weight. Layla claims that also allows it to provide increased support to deep compression areas, like your hips.

Rave Review: "My wife and I got the Layla Hybrid and we love it. We can sleep on our back or side without the pain at pressure points, like shoulders and hips."

TypeHybrid
FirmnessSoft and firm (flippable)
Warranty10 years
Trial period120 days
Price$1,500 for a queen
2
Best Mattress For Back And Shoulder Pain

Dusk Mattress

Dusk Mattress
2
Best Mattress For Back And Shoulder Pain

Dusk Mattress

Credit: Courtesy
Pros
  • Hundreds of wrapped coils cradle the body
  • Foam layers provide pressure relief
  • Reviewers say it reduces body pain
  • Quiz finds the best mattress for you
Cons
  • Not the best for those wanting a super plush feel

Helix makes several mattresses, each designed to match your sleeping style and position preference. You can take a quiz to find the best mattress for you, but several reviews claim the Helix Dusk is the best option for back pain.

Details: The Helix mattress is made with several foam layers in different densities to provide pressure relief, while allowing the mattress to contour to the body. The Helix Dusk is medium firm—it's not too plush or too rigid.

Why it's helpful for back pain: This mattress contains with hundreds of wrapped coils to cradle the body and ensure pressure relief where you need it most, whether it's your lumbar spine or shoulders.

Rave Review: “Bought this mattress after my friend recommended it to me and I love it. I used to wake up with back pain three to four times a week and I haven’t had any pain since sleeping on my Helix."

TypeHybrid
FirmnessMedium
Warranty10-15 years
Trial period100 days
Price$1,000 for a queen
3
Best Mattress For Lumbar Support

Classic Mattress

Classic Mattress
3
Best Mattress For Lumbar Support

Classic Mattress

Credit: Courtesy
Pros
  • Provides lower back support
  • Won't sag over time
  • Ideal for side sleepers
  • Cradles your body
Cons
  • On the pricier side

Saatva mattresses are made out of a special high-density foam that's designed to provide pressure relief along the spine and lower back. They oven-bake and temper their coil units three times to prevent the mattress from sagging over time, while the foam encasement provides extra durability.

Details: This mattress was specifically designed for people who suffer from back pain. It can be purchased in three different levels of firmness. Plush soft is ideal for side sleepers who prefer a soft, contouring, cushiony feel, and luxury firm provides a balance of comfort and support. The third option—firm—is designed for back or stomach sleepers.

Why it's good for back pain: The mattress is designed with Lumbar Zone support technology. That means there is a concentrated amount of support in the center of the mattress designed to help provide optimal spine alignment.

Rave Review: “I am 68 and have had five major back surgeries. I am a side and back sleeper, as is my husband. We chose the luxury firm mattress. Never have I ever slept on such a comfortable and supportive mattress. Three months in, I can't see peaks or valleys. We don't have that sunk-in and stuck feeling as we did on memory foam!"

TypeHybrid
FirmnessMedium
Warranty15 years
Trial period180 days
Price$1,700 for a queen
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4
Best Mattress For Spinal Alignment

Nectar Gel Memory Foam Mattress

On Sale
Gel Memory Foam Mattress
4
Best Mattress For Spinal Alignment

Nectar Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Credit: Courtesy
Pros
  • Designed to keep spine in proper alignment
  • Contouring gel conforms to body's curves
  • Design to relieve shoulder, hip, and leg pressure
  • Lifetime warranty
  • More affordable than other options
Cons
  • Some customers report off-gassing during first-time use

If you feel like you constantly have kinks in your back, this mattress might be able to help. Its medium firmness and special foam layers are designed to help keep your spine in proper alignment throughout the night.

Details: A feel that's not too soft or firm, a breathable cooling top layer, and five layers of construction are all packed into this Nectar mattress. Inside the five layers, you'll find contouring gel memory foam that can help the mattress meet the natural curves of your body.

Why it's helpful for back pain: The Nectar mattress is made with an adaptive memory foam layer that the company claims helps relieve common pressure points beneath your shoulders, hips, and legs for better spinal alignment.

Rave Review: "My first night sleeping on this, I slept like a log. I was able to get up in the morning and touch my toes without stretching out my lower back. I'm in love with this mattress!"

TypeGel memory foam
FirmnessMedium
WarrantyForever
Trial period365 days
Price$700 for a queen
5
Best For People Who Alternate Sleeping Positions

Lux Hybrid Mattress

Lux Hybrid Mattress
5
Best For People Who Alternate Sleeping Positions

Lux Hybrid Mattress

Credit: Courtesy
Pros
  • Made with plant-based foam
  • Provides back and spine support
  • Good for taller people
  • Strong and thick
Cons
  • Reviewers say customer service may be hard to reach

Whether you're a back, front, or side sleeper, the Haven LUX Hybrid Mattress's seven layers of memory foam tech are designed to provide cloud-like support that'll make you feel like you're sleeping in a luxury hotel.

Details: The layers of the Lux include gel buoyancy foam, a blended foam that the brand claims reacts faster than traditional memory foam and has better support for more pressure relief. Bonus: Haven uses plant-based foam, so you can reduce your carbon footprint just by sleeping on it.

Why it's helpful for back pain: Because it offers 14 inches of thickness, the Lux Hybrid Mattress provides firm support for both your back and spine.

Rave Review: "I am a big guy (6'3") and I sleep on my back so I find it really difficult to find a good mattress, but the Haven Boutique is thick enough, strong enough, and soft enough to give me all the support I need while also being super comfortable."

TypeHybrid
FirmnessFirm
WarrantyForever
Trial period100 days
Price$1,350 for a queen
6
Most Firm Mattress For Back Pain

Original Mattress

Original Mattress
6
Most Firm Mattress For Back Pain

Original Mattress

Credit: Courtesy
Pros
  • Good value for the price
  • Made with environmentally-friendly materials
  • Pulls heat away from the body
  • Loved by a lot of athletes
Cons
  • Firm feel may not be ideal for everyone's taste

At less than $1,000 for a queen, the Bear Original Mattress isn't exactly cheap, but it's more affordable than many other brands while still providing similar perks. As a bonus, they keep sustainability in mind. The mattress is made with environmentally-friendly materials, so you won't find heavy metals or ozone disruptors in it.

Details: This mattress is on the firmer side. Made with four different layers, including responsive and supportive foam that contours to the body's shape while pulling away excess body heat, this mattress will keep you comfortable through the night.

Why it's helpful for back pain: It's woven with Celliant Infrared Yarn technology, patented tech that Bear claims converts the body's heat or natural energy into infrared light and emits it back into the body's tissues and muscles, helping you recover more quickly from issues like back pain.

Rave Review: "As an athlete, this company spoke to me immediately. I was looking for a mattress that was clean and eco-conscious and had cooling features for my husband. This mattress is the perfect amount of firmness that we need for muscle relaxation during the night."

TypeGel memory foam
FirmnessMedium-Firm
Warranty10 years
Trial period100 days
Price$750 for a queen
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7
Most Budget-Friendly Mattress For Back Pain

Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
7
Most Budget-Friendly Mattress For Back Pain

Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Credit: Courtesy
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Made with cooling gel
  • Easy to unbox without a professional
  • Several reviewers like to use it after getting surgery
Cons
  • Customers report bed edges may not be as supportive

If you’ve already started looking, you know that mattresses can be really, really expensive. But since your back isn't going to be impressed by a price tag, there's no need to spend more than even $400 on a mattress if it isn't in your budget right now—at $330 for a queen size, this Sleep Innovations mattress is proof of that.

Note: Payam Farjoodi, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon, advises that you try out a mattress before you decide to keep it. That may mean testing it out in a store or simply getting one with a good warranty.

Details: This cooling gel memory foam mattress has a three-layer TriComfort Design, which includes a gel memory foam top layer, breezy middle layer, and an ultra supportive foam bottom. It’s also delivered in a box, so it'll be shipped to you compressed and rolled in convenient packaging that you can unpack and unroll on your own.

Why it's helpful for back pain: This mattress claims to have proven pressure point relief and is ideal for any sleeping position.

Rave Review: “I recently just got back surgery and needed a new mattress, so I decided to just quickly order one on Amazon. My first night sleeping on it, I slept for 12 hours straight, which is not only the most amount of sleep I’ve gotten since my operation, but in actual years."

TypeGel memory foam
FirmnessMedium
Warranty10 years
Trial period100 days
Price$330 for a queen
8
Best Mattress For Customization

360 C2 Smart Bed

360 C2 Smart Bed
8
Best Mattress For Customization

360 C2 Smart Bed

Credit: SleepNumber.com
Pros
  • Adjustable
  • Doctor-recommended
  • Responds and adjusts to movement
  • Great for the back
Cons
  • Not ideal for customers looking for a very thick, cushioned mattress

You might want to consider a Sleep Number bed if your budget allows for one. Adjustable beds are pretty sweet, and they can do your back a solid, too. “Beds that adjust, like the Sleep Number, are good,” Dr. Farjoodi says. “Different configurations tend to be the most versatile. I’ve found that patients can be the most satisfied with that.”

Details: The Sleep Number mattress can be adjusted to meet each sleeping partner's preference. You can also customize the mattress so that it can be gently raised in certain places, providing a variety of head and foot positions.

Why it's helpful for back pain: The mattress is designed to respond to your movements and automatically adjusts its firmness to keep you comfortable.

Rave Review: "I've slept on this bed for a month and it solved long-standing issues with my spine that I've had no relief from for years. Would 100 percent recommend!!"

TypeUnspecified
FirmnessAdjustable
Warranty15-year limited warranty
Trial period100 days
Price$1100 for a queen
9
Best Soft Mattress For Back Pain

Nontoxic Mattress

Nontoxic Mattress
9
Best Soft Mattress For Back Pain

Nontoxic Mattress

Credit: Courtesy
Pros
  • Cooling top layer
  • Breathable fabric
  • Made with supportive, high-density foam
  • Relieves pain
Cons
  • Some customers say it is too soft for them

Each layer of the Purple mattress is designed to help you get your best sleep ever. The top cover is made with breathable material to help you sleep cool, while the inside layers consist of durable high-density foam to provide you with a cloud-like feeling without causing your body to sink into the mattress.

Details: Inside the mattress you'll find dual-layer foam—one layer is soft and responsive, while the other is firm and supportive.

Why it's helpful for back pain: The Purple mattress is made with a "Purple grid," which is designed to flex directly under your pressure points while still giving your body the support it needs.

Rave Review: "As a person with scoliosis, a mattress with a good medium-firm support is best for me. Purple is soft and breathable, as well as just firm enough in all those pinpoint areas to relieve any aches and pains. Purple is the first mattress to relieve any of my back pain and allow a decent night's sleep in over 15 years. I highly recommend!"

TypeGel
FirmnessMedium
Warranty10 years
Trial period100 days
Price$1,300 for a queen
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10
Best Mattress For Sweaty Sleepers

Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress

Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress
10
Best Mattress For Sweaty Sleepers

Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress

Credit: Courtesy
Pros
  • Cooling
  • Good for side, back, and stomach sleepers
  • Affordable
  • High-quality
Cons
  • 30 days may be too short of a trial period for some

You shouldn't sweat sleeping—or sweat while sleeping, for that matter. So if you tend to perspire while dozing, consider investing in a mattress that's not only good for your back (duh), but also a pro at keeping you cool.

"Better quality sleep is paramount because fatigue and sleep deprivation can exacerbate pain of any kind. So, whatever it takes to get a good night's sleep will be key in managing pain and that includes cool sleeping conditions, says Leigh Hanke, MD, an orthopedics professor at the Yale School of Medicine.

Details: This gel memory foam mattress is designed to pull heat away from your body, with millions of microscopic holes that act as airway chambers.

Why it's helpful for back pain: This medium-firm foam mattress supposedly offers perfect spinal alignment for side, back, and stomach sleepers.

Rave Review: “I was blown away with the quality of the product, and better yet—the quality of my sleep! Somehow, this memory foam gives me the soft, supple feel I like and the support my husband likes. It’s amazing."

TypeMemory foam
FirmnessMedium
Warranty10 years
Trial period30 days
Price$370 for a queen

Which mattress is best for back pain?

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There are a few basics to mattress shopping that all women should know about, especially if you are dealing with back pain.

Firmness. Though you'll definitely want something that's more firm than soft, exactly how firm should be determined by your body weight, says Carleara Weiss, PhD, a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. "Medium firmness seems ideal for people weighing approximately 130 pounds and satisfactory for back and side sleepers under 230 pounds," she explains.

The higher your body weight, the more firm you may need your mattress to be, though it really depends on the individual, as sleep preferences differ from person to person (and again, comfort is king!).

Sleeping position. The way you sleep determines what areas you put the most pressure on, says Weiss, which is pretty useful information when it comes to buying a mattress.

  • Back sleepers: If you're a back sleeper, for example, you might prefer a mattress that alleviates pressure points in the lumbar (lower back) area, explains Dr. Weiss, and you'd likely fare better considering medium-firm mattresses, as they often provide good spine support. "On the other hand, back sleepers should avoid extra-firm mattress as those are less flexible and may fail to adjust to the lumbar curve," she adds.
  • Stomach sleepers: This position puts pressure on the neck, in addition to the lumbar area, so you may prefer a firm mattress since it's ideal for spine support and helps alleviate neck tension. That will help prevent the lower body from sinking into the mattress and putting the neck at an even more intense angle.
  • Side sleepers: For side sleepers, Weiss also recommends a medium-firm mattress. "Shoulders and hips are pressure points for side sleepers. A medium-firm mattress would be ideal for this sleep position while still flexible to the body curvature," she explains.

Materials. There's no one-size fits all answer for which material is best for back pain, says Weiss. You can choose a memory foam hybrid mattress, which has different levels of firmness in each area of the mattress along with springs. (Read on to find out which type might be best for your back pain!)

How do I choose the best mattress for back pain?

best mattresses for back pain

It...depends.

Memory foam works, but only when supported by a firm or medium-firm core. "A mattress exclusively made out of memory foam tends to deform and increase pressure in sensitive areas," Dr. Weiss says.

Then, there's the hybrid mattress, which is designed so that each side of the mattress offers a different level of firmness. They tend to be super supportive. "Hybrid mattresses are growing in popularity as they promote excellent support with an innerspring core and comfort with top layers of foam, cotton, or other materials," says Dr. Weiss.

And don't rule out springs, even if they seem old-fashioned! "Their sturdy metal coils can be a good source of support," and when they're paired with a layer of foam, they can totally be comfortable, adds Dr. Weiss.

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Is memory foam good for back pain?

s

Memory foam mattresses are popular because they conform to an individual’s unique body shape and may provide greater ventilation, " says Peter Whang, orthopedic surgeon and spine Expert at Yale Medicine. So, when you think of them you may assume that the material's plush comfy feeling is perfect for back pain, but proceed with caution.

"When it comes to back pain, it is important to ensure that a mattress provides sufficient support and does not allow for the trunk to 'sink' into the material," explains Dr. Whang. Unfortunately, some mattresses made from memory foam are not the best for avoiding this. But there are some made with firmer foam or bases to specifically address back pain, like the Sweetnight mattress on this list. Overall though, "many people with back pain may benefit from a more rigid mattress because it serves to better stabilize the spine," says Dr. Whang.

Is a firmer mattress better for back pain?

best mattresses for back pain

Where you experience back pain also impacts what kind of firmness you should look for. "The general concept when thinking about buying a mattress is that lower back pain can be alleviated with a mattress that is on the firmer end of the spectrum rather than softer or squishier," says Dr. Hanke.

If you don't wake up with lower back pain and you like a softer experience, you can probably get away with a less firm mattress. If you find yourself dealing with upper back pain, Dr. Ghannad suggests a medium-firm mattress, since it provides the best support for the back and is effective for reducing pain.

“It is also important to have a supportive pillow to maintain a neutral spine position,” she says. “Memory foam pillows tend to be better at this than cotton or feather.”

How often should you cycle out mattresses?

s

There is no hard-and-fast rule, says Dr. Ghannad. “It depends on multiple factors, such as how often you rotate the mattress, how much use you put it through, and if you use it every day versus only part of the year in a guest room.”

A good rule of thumb is to purchase a new one every 10 years. But before you do dive into mattress shopping, Dr. Ghannad recommends that you first see a doctor to explore whether there's a structural problem in your spine if you're experiencing severe back pain that prevents you from sleeping. It might quite well be your mattress, but it's a good ideal to rule out any physical health issues first.

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How should I maintain my mattress?

s

Mattresses go through a lot. Think about it—you sweat on them, drool on them, and maybe have even spilled a glass or two of OJ on them while having breakfast in bed (hey, it happens). So, it's important to maintain your mattress if you don't want to throw it away before its shelf life is up.

One thing you can do is purchase a mattress protector. Since you can't throw the whole mattress into the wash, a protector will collect the icky stuff, and since it is removable, it's very easy to keep it maintained and clean.

When it comes to your actual mattress, you can use baking soda and a vacuum to clean it up. You can sift a whole box over your mattress, let it sit for a hour, and then vacuum it up. It'll deodorize your mattress and hopefully, make it almost as good as new.

I'm just gonna leave WH's mattress-cleaning guide here.

Headshot of Jasmine Gomez
Jasmine Gomez
Commerce Editor

Jasmine Gomez is the Commerce Editor at Women’s Health, where she cover the best product recommendations across beauty, health, lifestyle, fitness, and more. When she's not shopping for a living, she enjoys karaoke and dining out more than she cares to admit. Follow her @JazzeGomez.  

Woman's healthWoman's health Lettermark logo

Addison Aloian (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Women’s Health. When she’s not writing about all things pop culture, health, beauty, and fashion, she loves hitting leg day at the gym, shopping at Trader Joe’s, and watching whichever hockey game is on TV. Her work has also appeared in Allure, StyleCaster, L’Officiel USA, V Magazine, and Modern Luxury Media. 

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