There are a few factors to consider when looking for a mattress to help with back pain:
- Support: A mattress should provide proper support to help maintain proper spinal alignment. This is especially important for people with back pain.
- Firmness: The firmness of a mattress can affect the level of support it provides. Some people find that a firmer mattress is better for back pain, while others prefer a softer mattress. It’s a good idea to try out a few different firmness levels to see what works best for you.
- Pressure relief: A mattress should be able to reduce pressure points, which can help reduce back pain. Memory foam and latex mattresses are good options for pressure relief.
- Sleeping position: Different sleeping positions may require different levels of support and firmness. For example, side sleepers may benefit from a softer mattress with more pressure relief, while stomach sleepers may need a firmer mattress for proper spinal alignment.
It’s important to note that the best mattress for back pain will vary depending on an individual’s specific needs and preferences. It’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider and try out different mattresses before making a decision.
What people with back pain should look for in a mattress
Mattress type and materials
The 10 best mattresses for back pain
If you or someone close to you is experiencing back pain, you are not alone. Back pain is so common that the National Institute of Health estimates that 80% of adults in the United States suffer from acute or chronic back pain. Although this pain can be caused by a number of variables, your mattress is critical – it can cause back pain or get worse if you don’t sleep on the right mattress.
In order to find the ideal fit, the main areas to be assessed are firmness, sleeping position and mattress type and materials. It is also crucial to know how your bed affects the alignment of the spine and assists in relieving pressure. In this guide, we’ve selected five of the best back pain mattresses based on customer reviews and extensive testing.
These are the top 10 mattresses for back pain.
- Best adjustable bed: Saatva Solaire
- Best for combined sleepers: fluffy mattress
- Best for hot sleepers: Casper Wave Hybrid
- Best value: nectar mattress
- Best for side sleepers: Helix Midnight Luxe
- Best for pressure relief: Nolah Original 10 “
- Best Flippable: Layla
- Best for active people: bear
- Best firm mattress: Cocoon by Sealy
- Best technology: purple mattress
Read on to learn more about how your mattress is related to back pain and what each of them has to offer.
What people with back pain should look for in a mattress
Buying a new mattress is a very personal decision, but there are some factors that back pain sufferers should be aware of when choosing a bed.
Firmness
It was already believed that a firmer mattress offered the best support for the back, but that is no longer the current wisdom. “While it is a common belief that a firm mattress is best for sleepers suffering from back pain, this is not always the case,” said Dr. Luis Peña-Hernández, MD, FCCP, of the Pulmonary Institute for Critical Care and South Florida Sleep Disorders. “A firm mattress does not always provide adequate spine contour, which can cause additional problems. A better approach is to select a mattress in line with your preferences and unique sleeping needs, rather than a one size fits all option.”
Sleeping position
Depending on whether you sleep on your side, on your back or on your stomach, mattresses are designed to accommodate different sleeping positions. Authorities like the Cleveland Clinic and the Mayo Clinic emphasize the correlation between sleeping position and back pain and offer tips on how to reduce pain in each position. On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the firmest), see what you should look for depending on your normal sleeping position.
- The side sleepers need a slightly softer mattress and can look for something in the range of 5.5 to 6.5 for firmness.
- People who sleep on their backs need a solid mattress of medium firmness and should reach about 6 to 7 on the firmness scale.
- Stomach sleepers need a slightly firmer mattress in the range of 6.5 to 7.5, allowing individual preferences.
Mattress type and materials
Mattresses can be made from many different materials, both natural and synthetic. The most popular types are made with viscoelastic foam, latex, inner tubes, internal spring, or a combination, also known as a hybrid. All of these mattresses can be great, but for back pain, when extra support is needed, some are better than others.
Viscoelastic foam and latex
The most commonly recommended beds for back pain are memory foam and latex. Viscoelastic foam mattresses and their natural alternative, latex mattresses, offer incredible support and contour. They hug the body and protect all its natural curves, supporting pressure points such as shoulders and hips, and relieving pressure to reduce pain. Looking for less shoulder, hip, or back pain? Memory foam and latex also help keep your spine aligned during sleep, which further reduces back stress and reduces pain in all areas.
Innerspring
An internal spring mattress sometimes referred to as a traditional mattress, is a reel bed with a layer of foam on top. These mattresses have been the standard for about a century, and although they have improved with pocketed coils and better movement insulation, a regular innerspring with a foam top generally does not provide enough support for substantial back pain relief.
Airbed
Airbeds have gained popularity in recent decades and there are now more elaborate versions on the market. The basics don’t offer the kind of contour that viscoelastic foam or latex offers. However, there are beds with air components that can be mechanically adjusted for more or less filling and more or less firmness. The ability to personalize your bed can be a great asset when trying to get good support to relieve your upper back or lower back pain.
Hybrid
Common hybrids have a coil or airbase with a plush viscoelastic foam or latex top. The combination of two elements can work well to decrease back pain, reduce pain and help with a good night’s sleep. Look for a hybrid that has a good-sized layer of viscoelastic foam and, preferably, multiple layers of foam, not just a topper.
The 10 best mattresses for back pain
Of the many mattresses on the market today, those that are at the top of our list of best back support are detailed below. The prices listed are for queen-size mattresses, but other sizes are available in different price ranges.
Best adjustable bed: Saatva Solaire
Saatva Solaire is an unusual hybrid mattress that is technically an air mattress. It is built to be customizable, which means that you can adjust the air to 50 different settings to obtain the perfect level of firmness for your individual needs (a great option if you have back problems). You can also use it with an adjustable base for an even better fit and more support. In addition to its customizable features, this Saatva mattress is also very environmentally friendly. It has a quilted pillow top made of organic cotton over a certified latex layer, two of the best natural materials available for mattresses. In addition, there is a layer of foam with CertiPUR-US® memory for added comfort, and customers praise the impact on their back pain.
Overall, the Solaire is a luxury mattress at a competitive price. It comes with a generous sleep test period, free home delivery and setup, and an incredible 25-year warranty.
- Mattress type: Latex and viscoelastic foam with inner tubes
- Customer rating: 4.8 out of 5
- Firmness: customizable
- The test period for returns: 120 days
To buy: Mattress Saatva Solaire, $ 2,695, (Click for an exclusive offer)
Best for combined sleepers: swollen
Puffy is a bed in a box, a luxurious firm mattress built with different layers of foam and memory foam – which creates the perfect support balance whether you are on your side, on your back, on your stomach, or in a combination. This is how it works: Puffy is designed with a top layer of gel foam that will keep you cool and comfortable all year round, as well as having a second layer of foam to support your body’s contour and cushioning. The base layer is made of a firmer support foam which, combined with the upper layers, provides excellent back support.
In addition to the physical components, Puffy has a competitive lifetime warranty, free returns, and a 101-day sleep test.
- Mattress type: foam
- Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Firmness: Medium-sized (7/10)
- The test period for returns: 101 days
To buy: Puffy mattress, $ 1,150, (Click for an exclusive offer)
Best for hot sleepers: Casper Wave Hybrid
If your back hurts and you also sleep with heat, Casper Wave Hybrid is a solution for both. It has an innerspring
base layer with two layers of memory foam: the top layer is a highly breathable foam to disperse body heat and keep it cool; the lower layer of supportive foam relieves back pain.
The Casper Wave Hybrid offers everything that someone with back pain could wish for and more – it is the most luxurious mattress of the brand. It cools, supports and aligns, and is extremely durable. In a solid 5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, this model is especially favorable for side sleepers. And those who sleep restlessly will appreciate their great recovery, which makes turning from side to side an experience without friction.
Casper also scored high in several other areas. The company earns high marks for its near-perfect transportation and stellar return policy.
- Mattress type: Hybrid (viscoelastic foam and pocketed coils)
- Customer rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Firmness: Medium (5/10)
- The test period for returns: 100 days
To buy: Casper Wave Hybrid, $ 2,595, (Click for an exclusive offer)
Best value: Nectar
Nectar, considered one of the best shopping and most comfortable mattresses on the market, is great for supporting your back and reducing lower back pain. In addition to the price, which is cheaper than most mattresses on the market, Nectar has many things going for it. It is consistently rated highly for comfort and pressure relief. In Nectar mattress reviews, superlatives like “best sleep” and “best mattress” are common.
The Nectar is a layered viscoelastic foam mattress with contour and pressure point relief, which makes it an excellent choice for back support. It has a viscoelastic gel for temperature neutrality, which means that you don’t get hot while sleeping on it. In addition, it comes with an allergen and dust mite repellent cover, a year-long sleep test (the best in the industry), and a generous return policy to make life easier.
- Mattress type: foam
- Customer rating: 4.8 out of 5
- Firmness: Medium firm (6.5 / 10)
- The test period for returns: 365 days
To buy: Nectar mattress, $ 799, (Click for an exclusive offer)
Best for side sleepers: Helix Midnight Luxe
Hybrid beds are often referred to as “the best mattress for side sleepers”, and the Helix Midnight Luxe is no exception. This popular Helix model features firm reels and soft foam, which is ideal for side sleepers that need support but don’t want to compromise on comfort. Pocket reels in particular are designed exclusively for excellent lumbar support. In fact, Helix Midnight Luxe scored an impressively high score on the spine alignment tests.
In addition to being a great option for those who prefer the side sleeping position, the durable construction of the Helix Midnight Luxe is also suitable for couples. In addition, your refreshing pillow top will also keep even the hottest sleepers happy throughout the night.
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Customer rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Firmness: Medium
- The trial period for returns: 100 nights
To buy: Helix Midnight Luxe, $ 1,799, (Click for an exclusive offer)
Best for pressure relief: Nolah Original 10 “
People with back pain also need a mattress that provides excellent pressure relief to prevent them from waking up in pain and aches every morning. This is Nolah. Made from a special type of memory foam called “AirFoam”, Nolah is more buoyant and sleeps cooler than traditional memory foam mattresses. This makes it much easier on parts of the body that normally require pressure relief, such as hips and shoulders.
In addition to pressure relief, Nolah has achieved impressive results in spine alignment and responsiveness tests, which are critical areas to note if you suffer from back pain. The sleepers report that Nolah packs and responds to your movements in a comfortable way, without creating that trapped feeling that many other viscoelastic foam mattresses provide. In addition, for just over $ 1,000 for a queen, Nolah is one of the cheapest pain relievers on the list.
- Mattress type: AirFoam
- Customer rating: 4.8 out of 5
- Firmness: Medium-sized
- The trial period for returns: 120 nights
To buy: Nolah Original 10 “, $ 1,109, (Click for an exclusive offer)
Best Flippable: Layla
Different sleepers have different mattress preferences, especially with regard to the level of firmness. That’s why Layla is such an attractive choice. With two faces that offer different levels of firmness, it is the perfect option for those who are not sure which type of mattress best suits their needs. Simply turn the mattress over and experience the feeling that’s right for you.
In addition to its unique ability to move, Layla is also infused with copper, which helps to reduce joint pain and stiffness, as well as inflammation. So, if you have back pain and arthritis or osteoarthritis, this may be a good mattress for you.
- Mattress type: viscoelastic foam
- Customer rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Firmness: Soft and firm (depending on the side)
- The trial period for returns: 120 nights
To buy: Layla, $ 999, (Click for an exclusive offer)
Best for active people: bear
If you are an active person, you need a mattress that works as well as you do. The bear was designed exclusively to meet the needs of athletes and people who lead an active lifestyle. Mainly made of memory foam, Bear features a special cell cover that reflects infrared light back to the body. These cellulating fibers improve muscle recovery and promote blood circulation, which helps people with active sleep with back pain to sleep soundly and to wake up refreshed and free from pain.
Bear also has open-cell response foam designed to promote airflow and keep sleepers cooler than traditional memory foam – in fact, it is cool to the touch.
- Mattress type: viscoelastic foam with graphite gel
- Customer rating: 4.7 out of 5
- Firmness: Medium-sized
- The trial period for returns: 100 nights
To buy: Bear, $ 800, (Click for an exclusive offer)
Best firm mattress: Cocoon by Sealy
You may know Cocoon by Sealy as one of the best refreshing mattresses on the market, but did you know that it is also one of the best firm mattresses you can buy online? This viscoelastic foam mattress is constructed from three layers of foam that come in two firmness options: medium-soft and extra firm. For those who sleep with back pain, the firmer option is probably the best, because it keeps the spine aligned and relieves pressure on the hips and shoulders.
Despite being an excellent firm mattress, Cocoon still manages to remain highly responsive, meaning that its foam layers adapt to your movements as you change your position during the night. In other words, if you sleep on your back, sleep on your side, sleep on your stomach or a little of all three, Cocoon is a great choice.
- Mattress type: viscoelastic foam
- Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Firmness: Medium-soft and extra firm
- The trial period for returns: 100 nights
To buy: Cocoon by Sealy, $ 930, (Click for an exclusive offer)
Best Technology: Purple
Purple is a unique mattress with a unique and innovative construction. The top layer is made of a hyperelastic polymer molded in a grid pattern. This creates a unique type of support, other than foam, memory foam, or internal spring. This mattress offers exceptional pressure point support and helps with proper spinal alignment, which the International Association of Chiropractors emphasizes is crucial for reducing back pain.
If you want a durable mattress, Purple is a great candidate. It comes with a 10-year warranty and an almost cultured audience of satisfied customers.
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and hyperelastic polymer)
- Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Firmness: Medium firm (6.5 / 10)
- The test period for returns: 100 days
To buy: Purple Mattress, $ 1,099, purple.com (Click for an exclusive offer)
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