Best Mattress for Back Pain

Sleep is a key time for the body to recover at the end of the day. Unfortunately, upper and lower back pain can negatively impact your sleep quality. Sleeping on a mattress that lacks the support for proper sleep posture and spinal alignment can exacerbate existing upper or lower back pain. Our testing has shown the best mattress for any given sleeper supports the spine and promotes even alignment. This alleviates back pain and helps ensure deeper, more restorative sleep.

Our testing team has personally evaluated hundreds of mattresses using a comprehensive methodology that incorporates several performance categories. We rely on a diverse group of testers with varying body types and sleep positions to gauge how comfortable or uncomfortable each mattress feels to different people. For this guide, our testers focused on mattress performance categories related to back pain, such as pressure relief, support, and ease of movement.

Best Mattress for Back Pain Video

Watch our video below to learn more about our lab’s top mattress picks for sleepers with back pain.

Below are the mattresses that we’ve awarded the highest ratings for sleepers with back pain, and each one has received an accolade showcasing its strongest points. Scroll down for detailed information about each mattress, including how and where to buy them. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide further below that covers why people experience back pain in bed, which types of mattresses are best for back pain, and how to pick out the right mattress based on its materials and construction. If you’re looking for more bedding solutions to help with your back pain, check out our list of Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain.

Product Details

The DreamCloud Premier Rest Mattress is a luxury hybrid that combines adaptive comfort layers with a strong support system. A medium (5) feel ensures cushioning for the shoulders, lower back, and hips, but our testers found the thick pocketed coils maintained an even surface for their bodies and minimized uncomfortable sinkage around the midsection — a common source of aches and pains. Approachable pricing and a generous sleep trial sweeten the deal even further if you’re shopping on a budget.

How It Performed

While the Premier Rest’s strongest ratings came from our side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds, the mattress was well received by testers across a wide range of body types and sleep positions. Ample cushioning prevented our side sleepers from feeling sharp pressure points in their shoulders and hips, which often occur for people who use this position. The back sleepers on our team didn’t sink too much despite the thick, adaptive foam layers.

Temperature control was another performance area where the Premier Rest excelled during our tests. We’ve attributed the mattress’ above-average cooling to a moisture-wicking cashmere-blend cover and steady air circulation through the coil system. Thanks to the thick foam layers, the Premier Rest also performed better than most competing hybrids in categories like motion isolation and pressure relief.

What It’s Made of

The DreamCloud Premier Rest begins with memory foam quilted into the cover, followed by a soft polyfoam layer and two additional layers of polyfoam that balance cushioning and support. These materials give the mattress an invitingly plush feel when you get into bed, but each layer is progressively denser and you shouldn’t sink too deeply as your body settles into the surface. The support core contains pocketed coils over a high-density foam base.

The cover is composed of a breathable, moisture-wicking cashmere-blend fabric. At 16 inches thick, the Premier Rest has a higher profile than most competing beds you’ll find on the market.

Shipping is free for customers within the contiguous U.S. Each order comes with a sleep trial that spans an entire year, giving you plenty of time to test the mattress and decide whether it’s right for you. Should you decide to keep the Premier Rest, you’ll also receive a lifetime warranty against structural defects.

Read our Full DreamCloud Premier Rest Review to learn more

Memory foam mattresses can alleviate back pain by cushioning the spine and promoting even alignment, but you may find the foam layers too soft and prone to deep sinkage — especially if you weigh 130 pounds or more. The Nectar is a medium firm (6) all-foam model with an adaptive comfort layer reinforced with dense polyfoam layers. As we found during our hands-on tests, the result is a memory foam mattress that contours evenly while maintaining even support.

How It Performed

The Nectar earned solid ratings across the board during our sleeper tests. Side, back, and stomach sleepers weighing 130 to 230 pounds were particularly impressed by the firm, supportive feel. When testing the mattress for pressure relief, our body sensors detected minimal buildup in the upper and lower back.

Motion isolation proved to be one of the Nectar’s main strengths. Our testers noticed little to no motion transfer when lying beside each other and feeling for movement, even when the other person changed positions or got out of bed. We also found the mattress regulated temperature well for an all-foam model. A breathable cover and phase change material infused in the comfort layer both help maintain a cool, comfortable surface.

What It’s Made of

The Nectar’s three-layer design consists of adaptive memory foam over transitional and support layers of dense polyfoam. The topmost layer measures 2 inches thick, so you’ll notice close contouring — especially around the midsection — but the underlying foam layers should prevent you from sinking excessively. A cover made from a breathable blend of polyester and polyethylene encases the entire mattress.

In addition to its affordable price-point, the Nectar qualifies for free ground shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. Nectar Sleep’s 365-night sleep trial is one of the longest in the online mattress industry, and those who keep their bed also receive a lifetime warranty covering deep surface impressions and other structural defects.

Read our Full Nectar Mattress Review to learn more

If you carry extra weight around the midsection, a mattress with zoned layers might be a solid investment. The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid available in four firmness options, so most people should find at least one design that feels comfortable and supportive. The company’s generous return policy also allows you to exchange your initial selection if you aren’t satisfied with how soft or firm it feels.

How It Performed

Our team tested each version of the WinkBed. Those weighing less than 130 pounds found the medium soft (4) feel most comfortable, particularly the side sleepers on our team. The medium firm (6) feel received favorable ratings from testers weighing 130 to 230 pounds across all three position groups. Our back and stomach sleepers weighing 130 pounds or more also found the firm (7) design comfortable, and those weighing more than 230 pounds were impressed by the robust support of the WinkBed Plus (8).

Thanks to the zoned coils, the WinkBed performed well during our tests for edge support and ease of movement. Most of our testers were able to move across the surface of the mattress with little resistance, and the perimeter felt stable as we mimicked movements associated with getting in and out of bed, tying our shoes, and changing positions near the edges. Temperature control was another strength of the WinkBed during our tests. This can be attributed to steady airflow throughout the coil system and the breathable, moisture-wicking Tencel cover.

What It’s Made of

The medium soft, medium firm, and firm WinkBed models feature adaptive polyfoam quilted into the surface, followed by a layer of denser foam for added cushioning and reinforcement for your body. WinkBed Plus models swap out the second foam layer for zoned latex, which feels highly responsive and shouldn’t buckle too much beneath your body — even if you weigh more than 230 pounds.

All WinkBeds feature zoned pocketed coils in their support cores. Thicker coils line the perimeter to protect the edges from deep sinkage, and also rest beneath your chest and hips to push back against the extra weight of these areas. A cover made of eucalyptus-derived Tencel fabric encases the entire mattress.

Customers in the contiguous U.S. receive free ground shipping with their WinkBed purchase, and each mattress comes with a 120-night trial period. As part of WinkBeds’ return policy, you may exchange your initial mattress for a softer or firmer model if you aren’t satisfied with how it feels. The replacement mattress comes with its own 60-night trial. All WinkBed mattresses are additionally backed by lifetime warranties.

Read our Full WinkBed Review to learn more

Saatva’s mattress line has greatly expanded over the past decade, but the flagship Saatva Classic is still among the company’s most popular models. One of the first major innersprings to incorporate a coil-on-coil design, the Classic is available in three firmness levels and two profiles to accommodate a wide swath of sleepers.

How It Performed

Our testers found each of the Saatva Classic’s firmness levels distinct from the other two. The soft (3) design provides deep contouring, and was popular among our side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. Back and stomach sleepers on our team who weigh less than 130 pounds also found this design comfortable. At the other end of the spectrum, the firm (8) feel cushions very little and feels exceptionally supportive. Our back and stomach sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds preferred this model. Those seeking a balance of conforming and stability should consider the medium firm (6), which earned favorable ratings from our testers across different weight and position groups.

All three Saatva Classic models performed well during our edge support and ease of movement tests. The dual-coil construction ensures a responsive surface that shouldn’t sink or make you feel stuck when getting in and out of bed, and perimeter reinforcement pushes back against your weight when sitting or sleeping along the edges. Both coil layers promote steady air circulation, so the mattress also scored well when we tested it for temperature control.

What It’s Made of

The Saatva Classic features a Euro-top cover cushioned with foam and plush fibers. A memory foam pad located beneath the lower back is intended to support the lumbar region and minimize pain in this area of the body, while transitional minicoils offer extra reinforcement without generating too much motion transfer.

The support core contains sturdy, low-gauge hourglass coils made of recycled steel. You can opt for an 11.5-inch mattress with 4-inch support coils, or a 14.5-inch model with 7-inch coils. We recommend the latter if you need exceptional support to sleep comfortably. A cover made of breathable, GOTS-certified organic cotton encases the entire mattress.

The Classic’s sticker price is reasonable compared to other high-end innersprings and hybrids. Saatva is one of the only online mattress brands to offer free White Glove delivery to all customers in the contiguous U.S. This service includes full setup in a room of your choice, and removal of your old mattress and box spring upon request. All purchases are backed by year-long sleep trials and lifetime warranties.

Read our Full Saatva Classic Review to learn more

The Birch Luxe is a hybrid mattress made with luxury and comfort in mind. The high-end materials and thoughtful construction cater to shoppers who are willing to spend a bit more money for a comfortable night’s sleep.

How It Performed

The mattress has a medium firm (6) feel, with thick latex and wool layers that conform to your body without excessive “hugging.” This means you’ll feel a nice even mix of cushioning and support. While we found the balanced design well suited to an impressively wide range of sleepers, it was especially comfortable for side sleepers who weigh above 130 pounds as well as back and stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds.

One of the bed’s biggest strengths during our testing was its temperature neutrality. Wool and latex both have natural cooling properties and the coil system enables plenty of airflow, so you can expect excellent cooling from the Birch Luxe. Our testers also found the surface easy to move on, making it ideal for sleepers who don’t enjoy feeling “hugged” by their bed. The certified organic materials ensure this mattress is a great option for shoppers who are looking for eco-friendly models.

What It’s Made of

The Birch Luxe begins with a quilted cotton Euro-top followed by several layers of organic wool, one of which is blended with cashmere. Beneath is a thick latex layer that provides contouring but also generates some bounce. The support core contains a layer of steel coils that is zoned to enhance support to the lumbar region. The perimeter is also reinforced for sturdiness along the edges. The cotton and cashmere hold GOTS certification to guarantee organic sourcing, and the latex has GREENGUARD Gold and eco-INSTITUT certifications to indicate it has been tested for harmful substances.

Birch offers a 100-night sleep trial if you’d like to try out the bed before committing. The mattress also comes with a 25-year warranty. Shipping is free to all 50 states.

Read our Full Birch Luxe Review to learn more

The Layla Hybrid pairs copper-infused memory foam and high-density polyfoam with a support core of pocketed coils. The mattress is flippable, with different firmness levels on each side. We found this design excelled at pressure relief and motion isolation, while also sleeping cool and providing adequate support for a wide variety of sleepers.

How It Performed

The dual-sided construction offers two different mattress firmnesses, so the Layla Hybrid was a great option for most of the testers on our team. We noticed the medium soft (4) side was best suited to sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds while the firm (7) side was a better option for sleepers who weigh at least 130 pounds. The coil springs reinforced the edges and made it relatively easy for our testers to move around on the firm side of the mattress. Although memory foam tends to trap heat, air flows through the coils to help the mattress sleep cool.

What It’s Made of

The medium soft side has a 2.5-inch comfort layer of copper-infused memory foam. The memory foam contours to the body to a moderate extent to provide strong pressure relief, while the copper infusion is meant to combat heat retention. This layer rests on 2 inches of zoned transitional polyfoam that provides varying amounts of support to different areas of the body. In contrast, the firm side has a thinner layer of memory foam over 1.5 inches of zoned polyfoam. The mattress is encased in a breathable cover made of polyester, viscose, and spandex with vinyl handles on the sides for easier flippability. The support core consists of 6-inch pocketed coils between the foam layers. A cover made from a stretchy polyester, rayon, viscose, and poly-lycra blend encases the mattress.

The Layla Hybrid comes with a 120-night sleep trial and is backed by a 10-year warranty. Shipping is free to the contiguous U.S.

Read our Full Layla Hybrid Review to learn more

A mattress that promotes spinal alignment can be helpful for anyone who wakes up with pains or sore spots in their shoulders, back, and hips. The Nolah Evolution 15 contains four foam layers to cushion and contour to the body, evenly distributing your weight to improve your alignment, while a zoned coil system pushes back against extra weight from your midsection and significantly reduces sinkage.

How It Performed

We tested all three of the Evolution 15’s firmness levels. The medium (5) design conforms closely, and we found it best suited to side sleepers — especially those weighing up to 230 pounds. Our back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds felt comfortable on this design, but also gave favorable ratings to the medium firm (6) feel. For the firm (8) model, our testers weighing more than 230 pounds received adequate support and didn’t sink too much.

The Evolution 15 utilizes open-cell foam layers engineered to promote circulation and breathability. As a result, our temperature control tests showed very little heat buildup. The zoned coils also allowed the mattress to perform well during our tests for edge support and ease of movement. The two firmest models were particularly strong in these categories.

What It’s Made of

Four foam layers make up the Evolution 15’s comfort system, the topmost of which is encased in a Euro-top cover. These layers are progressively denser from top to bottom, so you’ll feel plush cushioning when you get into bed while the underlying foams keep your body on an even plane.

The zoned support core features thicker coils along the perimeter and beneath your chest and hips. This facilitates movement across the surface, and also helps ensure you’ll feel extra pushback around heavier areas of the body. The entire mattress is encased in a cover made of proprietary ArcticTex fabric that feels cool to the touch.

The mattress comes in seven sizes, including a split king. Nolah offers free ground shipping within the contiguous U.S. Each Evolution 15 purchase includes a 120-night sleep trial, but you can opt out of the trial period and reduce your up-front costs by as much as $150. A lifetime warranty against structural defects backs each mattress. For additional coverage, you can purchase an accident protection plan that covers stains and other types of physical damage not included in the standard warranty.

Read our Full Nolah Evolution 15 Review to learn more

Most hybrid models sleep fairly cool, but the Bear Star Hybrid offers better temperature control than many competitors. The foam and coil design also does a nice job of mixing cushioning and support. The well-rounded construction makes this model an excellent choice for couples looking for a bed that satisfies divergent sleep needs.

How It Performed

During our sleep tests, the Bear Star Hybrid’s best ratings came from people who weigh up to 230 pounds. In particular, side sleepers weighing 130 to 230 pounds and back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds found the mattress comfortable and supportive in equal measure. The deep foam layers alleviate pressure and isolate motion well.

The Celliant-blend cover effectively keeps the surface cool by offsetting heat retention from the foam layers. Steady airflow through the coil layer provides additional thermoregulation. Our testers also found the Bear Star Hybrid easy to move across without sinking or feeling stuck. This can be attributed to a coil system that makes the surface feel responsive and reinforces the perimeter.

What It’s Made of

The Bear Star Hybrid begins with a Euro-top over a layer of adaptive memory foam, followed by a polyfoam transitional layer. The mattress is medium firm (6), but the foam adapts to the body, creating a plush feel when you get into bed. The memory foam is infused with copper intended to dissipate heat from the surface.

Pocketed coils with reinforced edges and a polyfoam base layer comprise the support core. The cover is made of a proprietary fabric blend that integrates Celliant, a material engineered to wick away moisture to keep you dry at night. The Bear Star Hybrid measures 14 inches thick, making it a high-profile mattress.

Bear’s 120-night sleep trial gives you ample time to test the Bear Star Hybrid and decide whether it meets your needs. Should you decide to keep the mattress, you’ll also qualify for a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. Shipping is free for all orders in the contiguous U.S.

Many mattress brands advertise their beds as “soft” or “plush,” but the fact is some people benefit from less cushioning and a firmer feel from their sleep surface. These individuals are great candidates for the reversible Plank Firm Luxe, which features a firm (7) feel on one side and an extra firm (9) feel on the other. The latter is one of the firmest surfaces we’ve tested in our lab, and should be suitable for anyone who has found other foam hybrids too soft.

How It Performed

Due to the Plank Firm Luxe’s exceptionally firm design, the mattress earned its most favorable ratings from back and stomach sleepers weighing 130 to 230 pounds. The majority of our testers preferred the firm side, but some of our back and stomach sleepers found the extra firm surface provided better overall support.

As is often the case with firmer mattresses, the Plank Firm Luxe performed exceptionally well during our edge support and ease of movement tests. The mattress also sleeps quite cool thanks to consistent airflow through the coil layer. You can opt for a phase change panel on each side if you tend to overheat in bed or sweat in your sleep.

What It’s Made of

The Plank Firm Luxe’s firm side features a layer of quilting material, followed by latex-like TitanFlex foam and high-density polyfoam. These materials provide a small measure of cushioning without sacrificing firmness or support. The extra firm side does not contain any TitanFlex and the polyfoam layer is thinner, creating a surface that cushions very little. A shared support core of pocketed coils rests between the comfort systems.

In addition to the standard model, you can order phase change panels to be sewn into both sleep surfaces of the mattress. Phase change material is engineered to dissipate body heat on contact and maintain a cool, comfortable surface at all times. Note that adding these panels will increase the sticker price by up to $200.

The Plank Firm Luxe is reasonably priced compared to other hybrid models and ground shipping is free within the contiguous U.S. The mattress is available in 12 different sizes. These include standard mattress dimensions, as well as a split California king for couples with adjustable beds and several RV-friendly options. You’ll receive a 120-night sleep trial with your purchase, and a 10-year warranty against structural defects should you decide to keep the mattress.

Read our Full Plank Firm Luxe Review to learn more

Many mattresses provide back pain relief, but the Level Sleep Mattress is one of the only available models that is specifically created with this purpose in mind. A three-zone design provides enhanced support for the torso and lumbar region while gently cradling the head and reinforcing the hips. The result is a mattress that maintains an even sleep surface from head to toe, reducing aches and pains in the process.

How It Performed

The mattress’ “Tri-Support” construction features a soft (3) feel for the head and shoulders, a firm (7) feel for the midsection, and a medium (5) feel for the hips and legs. As such, Level Sleep earned favorable ratings from our side and back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. Stomach sleepers under 130 pounds also felt comfortable during our tests. We detected very little buildup when testing the mattress for pressure relief, as well.

Other strong performance areas for Level Sleep include motion isolation for couples, consistent cooling, and above-average edge support. The all-polyfoam design creates more responsiveness compared to beds with memory foam layers, so our testers encountered minimal resistance when moving across the surface.

What It’s Made of

The Level Sleep Mattress consists of three polyfoam layers. The topmost layer is fairly adaptive, while the underlying layers are denser and more supportive. Since the transitional layer is divided into three firmness zones, your upper and lower back shouldn’t sink too deeply into the mattress. A breathable poly-rayon cover encases the foam layers.

The Level Sleep Mattress is competitively priced and customers in the contiguous U.S. enjoy complimentary ground shipping. Your order includes a generous sleep trial that runs for an entire year, and the mattress is backed by a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.

Read our Full Level Sleep Mattress Review to learn more

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Other Mattress Guides

For more help deciding which mattress is right for you, check out our guides broken down by mattresses for your particular requirements.

How Back Pain Affects Sleep

Back pain is a widespread problem that affects an estimated 80% of adults at one time or another. It can make all types of daily activities difficult including walking, working, sitting, and lifting even lightweight items. Unfortunately, we know that back pain complicates sleep as well, making it hard to find a comfortable position to fall asleep and keep sleeping soundly through the night.

Research studies have found that over half of people with lower back pain report sleeping problems. These negative impacts on sleep arise in people who have both sudden and short-term (acute) back pain and those who have long-term, persistent (chronic) back pain.

People with pain tend to have fragmented sleep that occurs from waking up during the night. Upon waking up, getting back to sleep can be difficult because of ongoing aches and discomfort. Pain can also contribute to stress, depression, and anxiety, all of which can be detrimental to quality sleep.

Back pain sufferers can take a number of steps to try to feel and sleep better. Getting medical help for serious back problems may help reduce pain. Treatments depend on the cause and nature of a person’s symptoms and can range from surgery to physical therapy to pain-relieving medications.

Smaller changes can contribute to pain reduction as well. Taking care when lifting, sitting with proper posture, and avoiding unnatural movements can reduce aggravation of back pain. Based on our product research, we’ve found that having a mattress that keeps the body aligned can reduce stress on the spine and facilitate better sleep.

Types of Back Pain

Back pain can present in many different ways and for a wide variety of reasons. To help classify back pain, it is normally described as either acute or chronic.

Acute back pain comes on rapidly and is often a sharp, intense pain. In many cases, acute back pain is directly tied to a specific event such as a fall, an awkward twist of the body, or lifting a heavy object. It is pain that normally comes from injury to muscles and/or ligaments.

Chronic back pain lasts for three months or longer and persists despite attempts to remedy it. It can involve sharp pain but may occur as stiffness or a dull soreness. Sometimes it can be connected to a prior injury, but often has no clear or immediate cause.

Another way to distinguish between types of back pain is based upon which part of the back is affected.

Regardless of whether back pain has started suddenly or has been a long-term issue, people experiencing it should make sure to get checked out by a doctor. Not only can a physician help try to relieve pain, they can conduct a full diagnostic process to determine if back pain is being caused by a more serious underlying health issue.

Can Sleeping Position Affect Back Pain?

Sleeping position can have a direct effect on back pain. Each sleeping position creates a unique set of pressure points and areas that need cushioning, and this is why our testers believe having the right mattress to suit your sleeping position is an important part of preventing and reducing back pain.

Back sleepers tend to have their most serious pressure points around the lumbar area. Our pressure tests on various mattresses have shown that if a mattress is too soft, the weight of the abdomen will cause this region to sink out of alignment with the rest of the back and hips. If the mattress is too hard, it won’t accommodate the natural curvature of the spine in the lumbar area. For this reason, a medium-firm to firm mattress usually works best for back sleepers.

Side sleepers have high-impact areas where the body is the widest, notably at the shoulders and hips. A mattress needs to be contouring enough to cushion those pressure points but not so soft as to let them sink too deeply into the bed and out of line with the rest of the body. Most side sleepers on our test team get the best results from a medium to medium-firm mattress.

Stomach sleepers have pronounced pressure points in the lumbar area and around the neck. If their pillow is too tall, it can put excess bend in the neck and upper back. If the mattress is soft, the pelvic area can dip too far, putting the body in a U shape that stresses the spine as well as the muscles and ligaments in the lower back. As a result, stomach sleepers on our team tend to have less back pain if they use a thin pillow and have a firm mattress.

Body weight is an important factor to consider along with sleeping position. As we’ve learned firsthand from our hands-on sleep lab research, people who weigh more will sink further into a mattress, exacerbating the risks in all sleeping positions of the heavier parts of the body becoming misaligned. Sleepers of above-average body weight (over 230 pounds) typically need a firmer mattress than someone of average weight who sleeps in the same position.

Similarly, people who weigh under 130 pounds are less prone to sinking into the bed, and can sleep on a softer, more contouring mattress without the same risks of the body sagging out of alignment. In fact, to get the support that they need, lighter-weight sleepers generally need a softer mattress than an average-weight sleeper in the same sleeping position.

Sleeping Position Video

For more information about how side sleeping and other positions affect your sleep, check out the video below.

Can a Mattress Cause Back Pain?

A mattress can definitely be a cause of back pain because it plays such an important role in how the body is positioned through the night. Most people know that posture is important but only think about their posture in the context of standing and sitting. This can cause them to overlook the importance of having a mattress that is the proper fit for them based on their body shape, weight, and sleeping position.

If the spine and joints aren’t aligned and well-cushioned during sleep, they won’t be able to relax. Instead of recovering, the body will be strained, exacerbating pre-existing back issues and sowing the seeds for new ones. The easiest way to know whether a mattress is a contributing factor to back pain is if the pain tends to be the most pronounced in the morning when you wake up. If the pain is the worst when you get out of bed and subsides during the day, we recommend taking a close look at whether your mattress is playing a part in your aches and pains.

Which Type of Mattress is Best for Back Pain?

A key step in choosing a mattress is deciding which mattress type is most likely to work for you. Virtually all mattresses on the market today can be broken into five types based on their construction and materials.

Within each category, you can find consistent features; however, we know there can be notable variation from one brand or model to the next. Some types allow for a greater diversity of designs, which leads to a wider variation in the expected feel and performance of any specific mattress.

Hybrid

Definition: Hybrids are constructed with an innerspring support core that is supplemented by a significant comfort system that may include layers of foam, latex, microcoils, cotton or fiber fill, down, and/or wool. The comfort layers on a hybrid are much more robust than on an innerspring mattress.

Highlight: Balanced Features. Hybrids try to capture the best of multiple bed types without suffering from their downsides. For example, we’ve found that hybrids tend to offer moderate to significant contouring that aids in pressure point relief, while their coils permit excellent ventilation, making temperature regulation a plus on most hybrid beds.

Innerspring

Definition: An innerspring mattress is composed almost entirely of metal coils. There may be a thin layer of cotton, polyester, or foam above the coils, but we generally find that this layer does not significantly change the mattress performance. Historically, innersprings were the most common mattresses, but their popularity has declined considerably as foam, latex, and hybrid models have gained steam.

Highlight: Inexpensive and Customizable. A benefit to innersprings is that they are among the most inexpensive options that you can find. One option we recommend is to use the money saved to customize the bed’s feel with a mattress topper.

Latex

Definition: Latex mattresses have an interior construction made completely with latex, which is a type of rubber. Most mattresses use natural latex from trees, but synthetic or blended latex is used occasionally. The comfort layers and support core may employ different types of formulations of latex.

Highlight: Supportive Contouring. We’ve tested numerous latex beds, and most of them have moderate contouring effects. This allows the bed to cushion the body without an excessive amount of sink.

Airbed

Definition: Airbeds feature a support core of inflatable chambers. Sleepers can use a remote or smartphone app to control a pump that can add or remove air from the chambers, adjusting firmness in real time. There may be other materials, including foam, latex, cotton, polyester, or wool, layered as a comfort system above the support core.

Highlight: Adjustable Firmness. Our test team believes the primary benefit of airbeds is their adjustability. Being able to quickly modify the firmness of the bed can be a huge plus for people with back pain because it lets them get “dialed in” depending on the nature of their pain and posture at that exact point in time.

Foam

Definition: Foam is layered to create both the support core and comfort system of an all-foam mattress. Memory foam is a popular material in foam mattresses as is polyurethane foam (polyfoam), which can be manufactured to have a range of distinct characteristics. Latex may be included among the layers, but no coils are used in a foam mattress.

Highlight: Deep Contouring. Memory foam tends to offer the highest degree of hug. This allows these mattresses to deliver proportional cushioning to the areas of the body that need it most. Side sleepers on our test team can attest that foam is especially useful for cushioning sharp impact points like shoulders and hips.

How to Get Relief on a Budget

When you’re struggling with back pain, you may feel like you’re willing to give anything to get relief, but the realities of your budget can mean that you have to think about the impact of any mattress purchase on your bottom line. The good news is that there are multiple wallet-friendly ways to improve your bed, enhance your sleep, and give your back a rest.

Consider Buying a Mattress Online

A great way to score a deal on a new mattress is to buy online. While it might seem like a strange concept if you’re used to going to a brick-and-mortar store, we’ve found that buying online offers some huge advantages.

Most online mattresses are sold directly by the manufacturer. Eliminating the middle-man and the need for showroom space means lower prices, and the growing competition between retail and online storefronts has only generated more deals for shoppers.

But the benefits go beyond just price. Shopping online is convenient, allowing you to browse options from the comfort of your own home and without any salespeople eagerly pushing a sale to earn a commission. Having the time to research each mattress and compare it to others is a major contrast to the brick-and-mortar experience where you’re limited to just what’s available in that store.

When buying online you don’t have the ability to feel out a mattress before purchasing, but almost every mattress we test offers a sleep trial with no-hassle returns, including a full refund if you try out the mattress and don’t like it. This gives you a no-risk opportunity to try out a mattress for weeks or months in your own bedroom as opposed to for just a few minutes in a store. Over the longer-term, virtually all online mattresses come with a warranty of at least 10 years to protect against future problems, which are rare in mattresses sold both online and in-store.

Most beds we evaluate come with free shipping within the contiguous U.S., with the mattress being delivered as a “mattress in a box.” To do this, the mattress is compressed and sealed in plastic. When you remove it from its packaging, it regains its full size within a matter of hours. This serves as a convenient way of getting the mattress set up in your bedroom without having to coordinate with a delivery team.

Our test team comes across a wide range of styles and price-points, allowing every customer to find the right fit for their preferences and budget. These mattresses are typically reliable and made with the same quality of materials as mattresses sold in stores. Many of the big, well-known mattress brands have even come into the fold and launched products to be sold online.

Another benefit is that customers have a wealth of useful resources to help guide their decision. In the past, getting details about the performance of mattresses sold in retail stores was a challenge. Online, though, you will find helpful sites, including ours, offering reviews and detailed explanations of what you can expect from any specific brand or model. Many sites also have coupons to help you get the best price.

While it can seem like a leap to buy a mattress online for the first time, thousands of customers have already been won over to this exciting approach to finding a high-quality mattress at a great price.

Why Do People Buy New Mattresses?

Many sleepers buy new beds to replace an old mattress that has lost its support or is simply no longer comfortable. Other sleepers purchase new mattresses to alleviate pain caused by an incompatible mattress  — for example, switching from a firm to medium firm mattress to relieve pressure buildup. We polled more than 100,000 Sleep Foundation subscribers to find out the top reasons people purchase new mattresses.

Mattress Toppers

If you’re looking for a way to change up the feel of your bed without breaking the bank, we recommend a mattress topper. Instead of replacing your whole mattress, a topper lets you place a fresh layer above your existing mattress.

Most mattress toppers are 1 to 3 inches tall and can be made of memory foam, polyfoam, latex, cotton, polyester, down, or a mix of materials. We’ve found that memory foam is one of the most popular types of toppers, providing an opportunity to try out this material without committing to a completely new bed.

A major benefit of a topper is that you can take advantage of a new comfort system that fits your needs. This may include a change in the firmness and/or the contouring to cushion your pressure points. For people with back pain, the difference can be notable and serve as a meaningful step toward better sleep.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that any topper comes with potential downsides. Every material has pros and cons, and those will be reflected in a topper. Our sleep lab has tested a fair amount of toppers, and we’ve noticed that most sleepers above 130 pounds need a topper that is at least 2 inches thick, and higher-quality versions can cost a few hundred dollars.

Toppers also won’t offer the same level of overall performance as a full mattress. Remember that a mattress is built with multiple layers designed to work together. With a topper, that element of coordinated design doesn’t apply, so they may not capture the full benefit of the material (like memory foam).

A topper may wear out over a shorter period of time, especially if it’s thinner, made with lower quality materials, or if you weigh over 230 pounds.

Last, a topper can’t make a deteriorating mattress feel “like new.” If your existing mattress is already sagging, a topper will end up sagging, too. For this reason, a topper is the best bet when you need to adjust the feel or support of your existing mattress, not when your existing mattress has started to give out.

Try Changing Up Your Sleeping Position

Changing your sleeping position is one way to try to get back pain relief.

If you are a back or stomach sleeper with a soft mattress and you don’t have the budget for a new bed, you can try switching to a side sleeping position that will receive more support from your existing mattress. In general, experts recommend that stomach sleepers try to adjust to side or back sleeping because it’s easier to get appropriate support in those positions.

For people with acute pain, temporary changes to your sleeping position may help to reduce stress on already sore or achy parts of your back. For example, people with lumbar pain might try a period of side sleeping to avoid the excess bending of that area that can happen on your stomach or back.

While changing sleeping positions is worth a shot, it’s often not a long-term solution because the change can be hard to stick with. Some people just can’t get comfortable in a different position or they may quickly revert back to their old sleeping position during the night. In these cases, other approaches are more likely to be beneficial over the medium- to long-term.

Additional Sleeping Accessories for Sleepers With Back Pain

Besides a mattress, our product research has turned up other accessories that can play a part in making your bed conducive to quality, pain-free sleep. Upgrading your pillows and your bed base can be done as a lower-cost way of improving your sleeping surface, or you can purchase these along with a new mattress as part of a complete overhaul.

Pillows

Pillows play an important role in preventing and reducing back and neck pain. We’ve evaluated hundreds of pillows and found that models that provide proper support to the neck can improve spinal alignment because the spine extends into the neck (known as the cervical spine). In addition to supporting the head, pillows can be strategically placed to provide cushioning and comfort to other parts of the body.

Numerous factors affect which is the best pillow to best help an individual fight neck and back pain. The amount of loft of your pillow should fit your personal preference and body shape. The right loft level is also largely determined by the firmness of your mattress and your sleeping position, as outlined in the following tables.

Sleeping Position	Pillow Loft Recommended
Back	Medium
Side	Medium or High
Stomach	Low

Mattress Firmness	Pillow Loft Recommended
Soft – Medium Soft	Low
Medium	Medium
Medium Firm – Firm	High

To reduce back pain, pillows can be used to support other parts of the body besides just the head and neck.

• Side sleepers may find it helpful to put a pillow between their knees, especially if they draw their legs up toward their chest. Our testers have noticed that using a pillow in this way can reduce pressure on the hips and lumbar area. A full-length body pillow can be used to prevent twisting through the lower back.
• Back sleepers can benefit from a low-to-medium loft pillow placed beneath the knees, which can aid in maintaining a more natural bend in the lower back.
• Stomach sleepers may get pain relief by placing a thin pillow below the pelvis to hedge against excess pressure or sinking of the lumbar area. Some stomach sleepers on our team use no pillow at all for their head or may rest only their forehead on a very thin pillow.

Bed Platforms and Bases

The base of the bed can contribute to a supportive overall sleeping surface for people with back pain.

Some people opt for an adjustable bed, which allows for the upper and lower body to be raised at various angles. Many adjustable bed frames that we’ve tested also include a heat or massage feature that can be a nice bonus for back pain sufferers.

The optimal position for any sleeper on an adjustable base will depend on the type of back pain that they have and their sleeping position. Back sleepers, for example, frequently find that a slight elevation of the torso and legs helps take pressure off of the lower back. It is essential to ensure that your mattress is compatible with an adjustable bed before purchasing and setting one up.

Even customers who don’t want an adjustable bed should take care in choosing the foundation, platform, or base for their mattress. Most manufacturers list recommended characteristics of the base, including distance between any slats of a bed frame. Following these guidelines keeps the mattress in good condition and avoids premature sagging. Using an approved base may be necessary to maintain the validity of the mattress warranty as well.

Mattress Features To Look For to Relieve Back Pain

When shopping for a mattress to help relieve back pain, some features are more important than others. With so many products and a bevy of marketing hype, it can be tough to parse out what really matters. Based on our extensive experience testing mattresses, we believe that you’re most likely to get the most satisfaction out of your purchase by focusing on certain key considerations:

• Mattress Type: The materials and design will play a huge role in the performance of a mattress. The contouring, bounce, firmness, temperature regulation, and motion isolation of a mattress will be different for each mattress type, so it is critical for shoppers to think about their priorities and choose a mattress with components that will best meet their needs.
• Zoned Support: Weight from the body is not distributed evenly; instead, certain areas tend to require more cushioning. A zoned mattress takes that into account and offers reinforced support in those areas.
• Quality Materials: We’ve found that a mattress made with excellent materials is much more likely to provide the performance, reliability, and durability that people with back pain need.
• Firmness Level: Firmness is a key driver of mattress comfort and is largely a matter of personal preference. At the same time, the right firmness level can play a big part in whether a mattress offers sufficient support, and that will depend significantly on a person’s body weight and sleeping position.

Frequently Asked Questions