Written by Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
If you have back pain, you know that it can disrupt your daily activities as well as your nightly sleep. Your doctor should always be your first stop when you’re experiencing these symptoms—but your mattress may be a bigger part of the problem than you realize.
“Your mattress can either make your back pain worse or help ease it,” said Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a quadruple board-certified physician and Sleep Advisor Chief Medical Officer. According to him, there are multiple aspects to look for in a new bed if you’re seeking relief for an achy back.
My colleagues and I chose the best mattresses for back pain based on these factors, as well as the different kinds of back pain you might experience. Having tested these mattresses in person, we can speak directly to how they supported and pampered our spines.
Best Mattresses for Back Pain
- Helix Midnight – Editor’s Pick
- Nectar Hybrid – Best Mattress for Couples with Back Pain
- DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers with Back Pain
- Saatva Rx – Best Mattress for Upper Back Pain
- WinkBed – Best Mattress for Mid-Back Pain
- Nolah Evolution Comfort+ – Best Soft Mattress for Back Pain
- Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Affordable Mattress for Back Pain
- Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Back Pain
- Titan Plus – Best Mattress for Heavy People with Back Pain
Our Video Review of the Best Mattresses for Back Pain
Compare the Best Mattresses for Back Pain
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| Helix Midnight Mattress | Nectar Classic Hybrid | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Saatva Rx Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Nolah Evolution Comfort+ | Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | Titan Plus | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium: 5/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 8/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| Warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime Warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty |
| Shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping minus HI and AK | Free shipping | Free white glove delivery | Free shipping | Free shipping minus HI and AK | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping |
| Trial Period | 100 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
| Best For | Couples, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Seniors | Back Pain, Hip Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors | Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors | Couples, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain | Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors |
Our Mattress Testing Team
How We Chose the Best Mattresses for Back Pain
My fellow mattress testers and I spend our days assessing beds in person at Sleep Advisor’s studio. We’ve tested more than 150 beds and helped more than 2,500 readers find their next mattress.
As an average-weight stomach sleeper, I can only speak to how a mattress felt for my body type. So, I test beds alongside petite and plus-sized folks, too.
We grade mattresses on a variety of general performance factors during testing, but for this roundup, we paid special attention to the criteria that matter most for soothing sore backs.
We also reached out to Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a physician and sleep medicine expert who helped us clarify how exactly a mattress can address (and potentially relieve) back pain.
Advice from a Medical Expert
“To ease back pain, go for a mattress that keeps your spine aligned (medium-firm to firm usually does the trick). If it’s too soft, your spine might sink too much, putting extra strain on your lower back. But if it’s firm enough to keep your spine aligned, it can actually reduce pressure and discomfort.”
– Dr. Raj Dasgupta
What We Want to See in a Mattress for Back Pain
Support for Spinal Alignment
Perhaps the most important thing we want to see in a bed for back pain is support. Consistent, even support leads to neutral spinal alignment—that is, your spine being arranged in a relatively straight line, with no odd dips or unnatural curves.
Because support is so crucial to combating back pain, we weighted it very heavily for this roundup. Every mattress on the list below received a perfect 5 out of 5 rating from the testing team in this category.
Medium-Firm to Firm Feel
As Dr. Raj mentioned above, a medium-firm to firm mattress is best for someone with back pain. If your mattress is too plush, you risk your spine sinking out of alignment.
His advice is supported by a 2021 review of 39 articles and studies, which concluded that medium-firm beds both improved sleep quality for people with lower back pain and reduced the risk of low back pain developing.1
Therefore, all of the beds we chose for this list have a firmness score of at least 5 out of 10 (which is the softer side of medium-firm), and most are firmer than that.
Enough Pressure Relief for Comfort
Of course, if a mattress is only firm and supportive, you might as well be sleeping on a big brick. When your back is in pain, you want some degree of cushioning so that your sleep space feels cozy. Without pressure relief, you might even exacerbate existing pain as pressure builds up around stressed areas.
All of the beds on this list received at least a 4 out of 5 from our testers in the pressure relief category. Some feel softer than others, so whether you enjoy a buoyant, bouncy bed or you want to be cradled by pillowy foams, you’ll find options below.
Best Mattresses for Back Pain
Helix Midnight – Editor’s Pick
The Advisor Says: The Midnight has one of the most impressive score spreads of all the mattresses we’ve reviewed. The best word to describe it is “balanced”: it’s got pressure relief, support, and cooling power in spades, plus a versatile medium-firm feel that tends to satisfy lots of sleepers.
Why It’s Great for Back Pain
The Helix Midnight tops this list because it delivers support and pressure relief in near-perfect harmony. The testing team awarded it perfect 5 out of 5 scores in both of these categories, noting that the bed kept their spines aligned on their backs and sides in particular. Our pressure map test also showed blue and green across the board, signaling no problem areas where pressure might build up.
Combine these stats with an ideal medium firmness level (6 out of 10 on our scale), and you’ve got a bed that feels like it’s made to fight back pain.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“Testers’ spines appeared to be straight from the base of the neck to the tailbone. When lying on our backs, we felt aligned … There is definitely a sense of overall support.”
Loren Bullock, Former Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature
Helix Responsive Foam. There are two layers of the brand’s proprietary responsive foam inside this bed, and we think they make a big difference when it comes to addressing back pain.
Rather than sinking in slowly, like memory foam, these layers compress and bounce back fast. They provide a medium-firm feel, and were designed to encourage body alignment along with the innerspring unit underneath them.
Customer Reviews of the Helix Midnight
The Helix Midnight has over 6,500 reviews on Helix’s website, scoring at 4.5 out of 5. Some negative reviews mention feeling a dip in the middle of the bed when it’s shared with a partner. But overall, most users say they’re getting a great nights’ sleep along with some pain relief.
For a closer look: Read our in-depth Helix Midnight review.
For more top-rated beds: Browse our list of the best mattresses for 2024.
Nectar Hybrid – Best Mattress for Couples with Back Pain
The Advisor Says: This is the hybrid version of Nectar’s flagship mattress, and unexpectedly, it feels a bit softer than its all-foam counterpart! We recommend it for back sleepers, restless couples, and anyone looking for an affordable mattress with generous policies.
Why It’s Great for Couples with Back Pain
Mattresses that help with back pain often sacrifice motion isolation in their pursuit of a supportive, springy profile. But not the Nectar Hybrid—this bed preserves the motion-absorbing skills of its predecessor (the all-foam Nectar mattress) while adding coils.
The result is a bed that can still address back pain while allowing couples to sleep soundly. Thanks to how it dampens motion, “you could sleep through an earthquake on this thing,” said Stuart, who tested the bed.
Our Favorite Feature
Infinity innerspring coils. The springs are what give the Nectar Hybrid most of its spine-aligning properties. In fact, we chose this model over pricier Nectar Hybrids because it has fewer foam layers between the top and the innerspring unit, upping its support score (and your chances of relief from back pain).
The coils also shore up the edges of the bed quite nicely, earning it a 5 out of 5 in the edge support category. This is another big plus for couples who want to stretch out during the night without feeling like they might slide off the sides.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“I felt decently cradled on the top of the bed without feeling like I was sinking or becoming too stuck … This mattress does a really great job melting to my pressure points around my shoulders, and my hips, and my lower back.”
Stuart Petty, Mattress Tester
Customer Reviews of the Nectar Hybrid
On Nectar’s website, this mattress scored a 4.5 out of 5 stars, from over 2,000 reviews. The Nectar Hybrid mattress is favored by customers for its affordability and pressure relief. On the flip side, some customers complained about the off-gassing odors upon unboxing.
Interested in this bed? Get even more insight from our full Nectar Hybrid mattress review.
Searching for a new mattress to share? Look into the best beds for couples.
DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers with Back Pain
The Advisor Says: The DreamCloud is a pleasantly supportive hybrid that really appealed to the stomach sleepers on our testing team (though it proved itself capable of aligning spines in every position). Its affordable price and couple-friendly features have made it a mainstay of the bed-in-a-box scene.
Why It’s Great for Stomach Sleepers with Back Pain
Speaking as a stomach sleeper myself, the DreamCloud is one of my all-time favorite beds. During testing, it kept my pelvis lifted enough to prevent an uncomfortable curvature in my lower back—the very issue that can cause back pain with this sleeping position.
Actually, I felt supported in every position I tried on top of this mattress. I even prefer it to its upgraded siblings, which pad out the top with more comfort layers. That’s all well and good if you need more cushion, but I think that the average sleeper’s spine may be best served by this base model.
Our Favorite Feature
Supportive Quilted Foam. Underneath the DreamCloud’s cashmere blend cover, there are two layers of quilted foam: a soft one followed by a supportive one. That means that this hybrid is pushing for spinal alignment even in its uppermost layers.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“This bed is medium-firm, falling about a 6.5/10. So when it comes to spine alignment, you best believe it’s going to keep you from sinking into weird angles and enter the danger zone of back pain.”
Julia Forbes, Mattress Tester
Customer Reviews of the DreamCloud
The DreamCloud Original scores a solid 4.6 out of 5 stars among 8,000 reviews on its site. While some customers appreciate the value and affordability of the DreamCloud Original mattress, others find it to be on the heavier side, which could make moving or rotating the mattress more challenging.
For more details on this mattress: See our full DreamCloud mattress review.
For comfortable stomach-sleeping: Look through our list of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
Saatva Rx – Best Mattress for Upper Back Pain
The Advisor Says: The Saatva Rx was built for folks with chronic pain concerns. We think its support and pressure relief should provide soothing comfort. It should work for just about anyone who’s been let down by their mattress and wants to upgrade to a luxurious, sturdy bed with a well-balanced feel.
Why It’s Great for Upper Back Pain
The Saatva Rx was built specifically to combat both back and joint pain. Its design places more emphasis on pressure relief than some of the other beds on this list, so we think it’s especially suited to sleepers who feel sore in the upper portion of their backs.
Moreso than the lower spine, which typically needs lots of lift and firmness, the upper back and shoulders need some cushioning between them and a bed’s support system. We loved how this bed zeroed in our sensitive spots, cradling our upper bodies while keeping our spines straight and aligned.
Our Favorite Feature
Rx Foam Modules™. Every single spring inside the Saatva Rx is wearing its own “hat”: a foam module that stands 2 inches tall. Because the coils are topped with these individual pieces of foam, no matter where you lie on the bed, you feel simultaneously cushioned and lifted. All of our testers loved this aspect.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“The height, at first glance, insinuates a lot of cushiony layers. But turns out, it’s housing all those sturdy, wide pocketed coils. It feels squishy, supportive, and not too firm at all.”
Julia Forbes, Mattress Tester
Customer Reviews of the Saatva Rx
Customers on Saatva’s website have awarded the Saatva Rx 4.8 out of 5 stars on average.The bed has around 50 reviews, praising the bed for helping with chronic back and neck pain, with only a few mentioning drawbacks such as lackluster edges.
For more information on this bed: Read our comprehensive Saatva Rx mattress review.
Shoulders hurting? Check out the best mattresses for shoulder pain.
WinkBed – Best Mattress for Mid-Back Pain
The Advisor Says: Our testers often compare the WinkBed to a luxury hotel mattress, which is no surprise given its handcrafted touches and elegant hybrid design. It’s also one of the most customizable beds out there, with a firmness level for every body type.
Note: We tested the Luxury Firm version of the WinkBed, but there are three other firmness options: Soft, Firm and Plus.
Why It’s Great for Middle Back Pain
If your pain is located in the middle of your back, a mattress that distributes your weight evenly is essential. Otherwise, a buildup of pressure can occur in a localized area and worsen or even spread the pain.
Across the board, our testers praised the WinkBed for how it kept them lifted and level. Its zoned support system provides the right amount of cushioning or resistance beneath different areas, and its responsiveness makes it “one of the best mattresses for combo sleepers,” according to Loren.
Our Favorite Feature
Zoned innerspring unit. During testing, we felt like the zones of the WinkBed’s coil unit did a fantastic job of keeping us aligned in different positions. No matter which way we turned, we were buoyed in all the right places. These coils also give the mattress a “luxury hotel bed” feel, said Loren.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“I scored the WinkBed high in pain relief. The pressure-relieving foams and zoned support work to keep your body weight evenly distributed, and the built-in lumbar support helps to prevent back pain.”
Loren Bullock, Former Lead Product Tester
Customer Reviews of the WinkBed
On the WinkBeds site, the WinkBed has over 8,500 reviews and a score of 4.8 out of 5 stars. One drawback of the WinkBed mattress is that it might be too expensive for budget-conscious shoppers, but overall it offers excellent durability and customizable firmness options.
Want to know more? Read our in-depth WinkBed review.
Interested in other hotel-quality beds? Check out our list of the best hotel mattresses.
Nolah Evolution Comfort+ – Best Soft Mattress for Back Pain
The Advisor Says: The Nolah Evolution Comfort+ was made to please plus-size sleepers, but it’s a fan-favorite among our testers, regardless of size. Its perfect scores in pressure relief and support and medium feel should work for a variety of folks looking for a comfy luxury bed.
Why It’s a Great Soft Mattress for Back Pain
You typically don’t want a mattress that’s too soft if you’re dealing with back pain. But the Nolah Evolution Comfort+ is a rare breed of bed: it has a lovely amount of plushness to its upper layers, followed by a super-supportive and zoned coil unit.
My fellow testers and I were surprised to feel this much softness coupled with enough lift for our lower backs and midsections. Though the bed was designed for heavier people, I’m pretty sure it’ll work for just about anyone.
Our Favorite Feature
Cooling AirFoam™ HD. Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam™ allegedly cools better, lasts longer, and relieves more pressure than traditional memory foams. What’s more, the “HD” version of this material inside the Evolution Comfort+ is even denser than the AirFoam™ in other Nolah beds, an adjustment geared toward spine alignment and support.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“It’s a very inviting, soft sleep surface that doesn’t nix support. I feel plenty of lift around my midsection in any position I flip to, which is pretty unheard of for softer mattresses.”
Julia Forbes, Mattress Tester
Customer Reviews of the Nolah Evolution Comfort+
The Nolah Evolution Comfort+ rates 4.8 stars out of 5 on Nolah’s website. Some customers have mentioned how the Comfort+ gives them some cradling while remaining supportive, with several people praising this bed for alleviating their back pain.
Want to see more of this bed? Read our full Nolah Evolution Comfort+ review.
Like soft mattresses? Peruse the best soft mattresses we’ve tested.
Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain
The Advisor Says: This is a memorably bouncy and supportive hybrid with state-of-the-art cooling elements. It had a delightful balance of cushion and lift for back and stomach sleeping in particular.
Note: We tested the Medium version of this bed, but it’s also available in Soft and Firm models.
Why It’s Great for Lower Back Pain
All three of the testers who interacted with this bed pointed out how well it treated their lower backs. I thought the lift for my lower back was great, and I’m an average-weight sleeper who typically lies on her stomach.
Spencer agreed, commenting that he felt well-lifted across all positions—a rarity for plus-sized folks. Loren, our resident lightweight tester, was of the same opinion, saying she was pleased that there was “no excess sinking or sagging.”
Our Favorite Feature
Higher gauge coils in the lumbar zone. The innerspring unit inside the Bear Elite Hybrid is split into zones. The zone beneath the lumbar spine is full of coils with a higher gauge, grouped more tightly together. The net effect is that this region receives more of the pushback and support it needs to prevent lower back pain.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“There was full-body support, but also cushioning. There were no gaps between the mattress and my low back, which is rare for me.”
Loren Bullock, Former Lead Product Tester
Customer Reviews of the Bear Elite Hybrid
According to Bear’s website, where the Bear Elite has over 3,700 reviews, the mattress scores 4.6 out of 5 stars. Some customers find the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress too firm for their liking, but it receives praise in its reviews for its advanced cooling technology and pressure relief.
Get to know this bed even better: Read our full Bear Elite Hybrid review.
Have pain in your hips, too? Investigate the best mattresses for hip pain.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Affordable Mattress for Back Pain
The Advisor Says: For shoppers on a budget, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is one of the top hybrids we recommend. It’s simultaneously soft and bouncy, with three firmness options and decent cooling power.
Note: We tested the Medium version of this mattress, but it’s also available with a Soft or Firm feel.
Why It’s a Great Affordable Mattress for Back Pain
Finding the right mattress for your back-pain woes shouldn’t mean straining your budget as well. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is an affordable bed—often priced around $1,000 when discounts are in effect—with the right ingredients for back pain relief. It has a strong support system, pressure-relieving foams, and lots of bounce for quick repositioning.
Our testers experienced “perfectly straight” spinal alignment when lying on this bed, adding that its structure made them feel lifted and lightweight.
Our Favorite Feature
Supreme Response Comfort Foam. This upper foam layer helps with the bed’s superior responsiveness, which one tester called “insane.” Having a bed that assists with movement (instead of making you feel stuck in its layers) can be a big advantage as you find the most comfortable sleeping positions for your back pain.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“It feels wonderful [while I’m on my back]. The cushion around my hips is pushing back ever so slightly with this buoyant feel.”
Julia Forbes, Mattress Tester
Customer Reviews of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
On Brooklyn Bedding’s website, the Brooklyn Signature has over 10,000 reviews and a score of 4.7 out of 5 stars. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress receives praise from customers for its versatility with different firmness options, but some have mentioned that it may produce slight noise when bearing weight.
Want more details? Read our comprehensive review of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid.
Looking for budget-friendly beds? Browse the best cheap mattresses.
Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Back Pain
The Advisor Says: We’re constantly calling this mattress one of the firmest in the online market, and if you don’t believe us, try it for yourself! It offers both a classic firm and extra-firm feel in its flippable design, alongside posture-aligning support. Bonus points for good marks in performance for cooling, bounce, and couples.
Why It’s a Great Firm Mattress for Back Pain
If you’re coping with back pain and prefer a more bracing surface to a pillowy one, the Plank Firm should be up your alley. It’s an exceptionally firm mattress with two sides, one of which is described as “ultra-firm” while the other has a “traditional firm” feel.
The firmer side has no loft to it for a truly floor-like experience, whereas the other side has just a bit of cushion. During testing, all of us preferred the traditional firm side and found the ultra-firm side too floor-like for comfort. But on both sides, there was no denying the solid, ever-present support we felt under our backs.
Our Favorite Feature
High-Density Foam Core. This is the powerhouse layer of the Plank: a 6-inch core of strong, sturdy foam that won’t allow your back to sink even the tiniest bit. You’ll have some buffer between it and your body if you choose to sleep on the traditionally firm side (there’s a layer of TitanFlex™ foam on top), but none at all on the ultra-firm side.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“My lower back is cushioned and the gap between it and the bed is filled in. I could lay like this for awhile.”
Loren Bullock, Former Lead Product Tester
Customer Reviews of the Plank Firm
On Plank’s website, the Plank Firm gets 4.8 out of 5 stars. Customers left a little over 3,000 reviews, appreciating the Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm mattress for its exceptional firmness, but some have found it to be too rigid for their comfort preferences.
Want to dive deeper? Read our full Plank Firm mattress review.
Love a firm bed? Browse the best firm mattresses we’ve tested.
Titan Plus – Best Mattress for Heavy People with Back Pain
The Advisor Says: Brooklyn Bedding created the Titan Plus to cater to heavier shoppers looking for a bed that truly met their needs, and we believe they’ve delivered. Consider buying the Titan Plus if you’re looking for a comfortably supportive mattress with added benefits like cooling and bounce.
Why It’s Great for Heavy People with Back Pain
Plus-size sleepers need many of the same qualities from a mattress as someone with back pain. Even, reliable support is most important—dips and sagging can spell lots of discomfort. So, if you have a larger frame as well as back problems, you’ll want to consider this factor first and foremost.
Luckily, the Titan Plus was designed to comfortably support up to 1,000 pounds, and its firm feel caters to heavier people. Our heavyweight tester, Spencer, was very taken with this bed, calling it “very, very comfortable.” The lightweight and average-weight testers agreed that it provided “great lift and full-body support.”
Our Favorite Feature
TitanCore Coils. Taking up 8 inches of the bed’s height, these coils are the key player in its ability to support up to 1,000 pounds. Brooklyn Bedding says that they design the innerspring units in-house with an emphasis on strength and durability.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“My lower back especially is supported, and I’m not feeling any sinkage. I may be taking this bed home, it’s so comfortable.”
Spencer, Mattress Tester
Customer Reviews of the Titan Plus
Users on Titan by Brooklyn Bedding’s site have given the Titan Plus a 4.7 out of 5 stars. There are over 2,500 reviews where most customers find the Titan Plus mattress to offer exceptional durability and support, but some mention that it might be too firm for those who prefer a softer feel.
Want to know more? Read our full Titan Plus mattress review.
Interested in beds designed for plus-sized sleepers? Check out our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Other Mattresses for Back Pain We Tested
While these mattresses didn’t make our list, each of these bonus beds are great fits for sleepers with back pain looking for that extra relief. Check out our featured recommendations below.
Product
Type
Score
Can a Mattress Cause Back Pain?
Easy answer: yes. If your mattress is poorly suited to your body type, sleeping position, or any other health or preference concerns, it can cause or exacerbate back pain.
Spinal alignment is key. If your bed isn’t supporting your back or encouraging a neutral spine position, chances are, it’s contributing to your back pain. A bed that’s too soft can have you sinking too far, while a bed that’s too firm could prevent necessary pressure relief in crucial areas.
The solution is simple: find a bed that works with you, not against you.
What to Look For in a Mattress for Back Pain
Support & Pressure Relief
A good mattress for back pain will balance both pressure relief and support in a soothing combination. You don’t want to sink too far into your mattress, yet you need cradling around sensitive areas like the hips and shoulders (especially if you prefer to sleep on your side, as these areas experience a lot of pressure buildup).
This combination also works to ensure that your spine remains in the proper alignment. A misaligned spine is a common cause of back pain, especially in the lumbar area. It can also exacerbate pre-existing back issues, whether they’re acute or chronic.²
What Does an Aligned Spine Look Like?
When aligned, your spine should be relatively straight, regardless of your sleeping position. You’ll need a bed that doesn’t allow you to sink too far or feel too unyielding. Otherwise, it will put undue stress on your back.
The degree of alignment is mostly determined by the bed’s support unit, which can be made up of coils, foam, or even latex. We recommend hybrid models for the best balance of pressure relief and support.
How do we test for pressure relief and support?
When we say a mattress relieves pressure, we aren’t just sharing a personal opinion. We actually use a pressure map to record where pressure is building up. Everything is color-coded: red means more pressure, and blue means less.
For support, it’s a little less technical. We have all of our testers lay on the bed on their back, side, and stomach. Then, we judge how much we sink into the mattress, and whether our spines look and feel aligned.
Firmness
What Else Should You Think About As You Shop for a Bed for Back Pain?
Sleeping Position
Side Sleepers with Back Pain
Back Sleepers with Back Pain
Back sleepers are perhaps the easiest to please—they do well with the widest variety of mattresses. They need a bed that keeps their spine straight but not uncomfortably so, with a smidge of pressure-relieving ability for any areas that dig into the mattress. Medium-firm usually works best for these sleepers.
Stomach Sleepers with Back Pain
Combination Sleepers with Back Pain
How Does Sleeping Position Affect Back Pain?
Someone with back pain may experience it in any sleeping position they try—but certain positions are more likely to exacerbate it than others.
Remember, spine alignment is key, and you can achieve it most easily in the side-sleeping and back-sleeping positions.6 You can slide a pillow between your legs (if you’re on your side) or under your knees (if you’re on your back) to help your spine stay neutral and preserve its natural curvature.
Try not to sleep on your stomach unless you can’t fall asleep otherwise or your doctor has approved it.
Cooling
Motion Isolation
How do we test motion isolation?
We use a seismograph app to measure and monitor disturbances. Bigger waves mean more movement is being picked up, and smaller waves (or a straight line) mean little to no movement. Our testers also lie side by side on the mattress and see if they can feel each other’s movements.
Edge Support
Delivery
Which Mattress Type is Best for Back Pain?
Memory Foam
Innerspring
Hybrid
Latex
What Causes Back Pain?
Types of Low Back Pain
If you have lower back pain, then your symptoms are affecting what’s called your lumbar spine—the lowest five vertebrae in your spinal cord. There are several different ways to categorize low back pain, but the most common have to do with how long the pain lasts and whether it’s a mechanical issue or a medical condition.
Acute vs. Subacute vs. Chronic Low Back Pain
- Acute lower back pain has a relatively short duration. It appears quickly and lasts for up to a few weeks.
- Subacute lower back pain lasts between 4 and 12 weeks. It can build gradually or come on suddenly.
- Chronic lower back pain lasts longer than 12 weeks. It can happen slowly over time or occur suddenly.7
Mechanical Issue vs. Medical Condition
Low back pain can be caused by something that interferes with the physical functioning of the spine, such as a strain or fracture, or a medical condition, such as scoliosis or arthritis.8 Sometimes, conditions and injuries can also be interrelated (where one causes or feeds into the other).
Some common injuries and mechanical issues include:
- Sprains, strains, and other injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the spine
- Herniated discs
- Fractures
Some medical conditions that can cause lower back pain include:
- Spinal stenosis
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
These are by no means definitive lists, however, and your doctor should always be your first stop as you seek a diagnosis and treatment for your symptoms.
Bedtime Tips to Reduce Back Pain
Back Pain Sleep Accessories
Pillows for Back Pain
Mattress Toppers for Back Pain
Adjustable Bases for Back Pain
Best Mattresses for Back Pain: Price Comparison
Best Mattresses for Back Pain FAQs
Julia Forbes
Lead Product Tester
About Author
Julia is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
Stomach Sleeper