The 7 Best Mattresses for Back Pain

ProsAdjustable on both sides, so you can use different settings from your partnerBuilt-in cooling materials make it great for hot sleepersDesigned for joint and pressure point reliefConsBases sold separatelyCan't be used with a traditional box springEveryone’s body is different, which is why adjustable mattresses exist. No two people have the same exact mattress needs—not even people who share a bed, which is why Sleep Number’s ComfortMode bed is fully adjustable on both sides, so you can sleep on a firm surface that provides spinal support and pressure relief while your partner gets a softer feel. You can adjust the firmness level with a simple remote control, and ResponsiveAir technology automatically responds to your movements and adjusts firmness throughout the night for the highest quality of comfort. It’s also great for hot sleepers thanks to a 2.5" foam layer made with cooling materials that draws heat away.Firmness LevelAdjustableMattress Height10 InchesAvailable SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California KingTrial Duration100 NightsProsPlush top with a supportive baseHugs you and supports you in all the right placesSaatva's white glove delivery service (and old mattress removal if needed)ConsIf you just want to try something basic, there's more affordable optionsHigher height, might not fit all fitted sheetsDoes what it says on the tin, mate. The Saatva Rx mattress is our back-pain prescription. It’s the best option out there for anyone with chronic aches and pains in your back or joints. As with any mattress, there’s a lot of self-serious technology in this thing. The “Therapeutic Support Core” hugs you at your pressure points, and the “Patented Lumbar Zone” gives you extra quilting and gel-infused foam where you need the support.It sounds like a lot of snake oil tech, but it’s really good. So good, in fact, that our Editor in Chief, Michael Sebastian, gave it a shout-out when we asked our editors what mattresses they sleep on. The short pitch for the Saatva Rx is that it’s soft where you want it to be and firm where you need it to be. Plus, it’s got endorsements from all the notable chiropractic organizations. For our money, it’s the perfect tool to fight back pain.Firmness LevelSupportive PlushMattress Height15 InchesAvailable SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal KingTrial Duration1 YearAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsGreat support for the different sections of your bodyGelFlex is amazing for relieving pressure point painOne of the best cooling mattresses on this listConsGets pricey if you add the smart baseEven the firm option doesn't feel especially firmIf you want something on the squishier side that’s still supportive, Purple’s RestorePremier is a great shout. It can come in a soft or firm option. For back pain, we’ll obviously recommend the firm, but it’s not an especially firm sleeping experience. The Purple GelFlex Grid gives a squishy sensation, even though it’s a firm mattress. The mattress world would call this “Supportive Firm,” or “Luxury. Firm,” but we’d say “Squishy Firm” is more descriptive of the actual experience.Beyond that, it’s a great mattress for back pain. The GelFlex relieves pressure points, and the foam underneath it supports heavier parts of the body. Then at the bottom of it all is a three-zone set of coils—soft at the head and feet, firm in the midsection. It’s all built to keep your spine and back in healthy alignment.Another thing that’s great about Purple is the brand’s smart bases. For this mattress, the Premium Plus Base is a great addition. Elevating your head and feet is especially effective if your back pain is in the lower back. Bonus benefit is that it helps curb snoring, too.Firmness LevelSupportive FirmMattress Height15.5 InchesAvailable SizesTwin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split KingTrial Duration100 NightsProsMore supportive than your standard memory foamA tad cheaper than competitive hybrid mattressesFree shipping with a nice lifetime warrantyConsAll memory foam means it can run hot sometimesWe’re usually skeptical of mattresses that are all foam and claim to be as good as hybrid mattresses, but the Puffy Cloud is the exception. Before we get into what this mattress feels like, we’ll go ahead and tell you it’s got an American Chiropractic Association endorsement, so it’s legit.As for how it feels: in the middle of a proper hybrid mattress and its fully foam cousins. It has the medium-firm feel of a foam mattress. It handles motion well, but it feels quite supportive. There’s three levels of various foams on top, all good. The real star, though, is the dense foam base. More than other memory foam models, this base does what a coil base does in hybrid beds. It gives you plenty of support in the zones where you need it. Admittedly, we haven’t had an editor hit a decade with this bed, but it feels like it will be able to last longer than a standard memory foam.Firmness LevelMedium-FirmMattress Height10 InchesAvailable SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split KingTrial Duration101 NightsAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsGreat for back sleepers and side sleepersReversible—firm side or extra firm sideAll foam mattress is easy to setup and moveConsFoam only, but the Firm Luxe offers a hybrid mattressFirm is good for most back pain issues, but it takes getting used toFor some people with back pain, the answer is a mattress that coddles them, something that holds them in all the right places. For others, it's the hardest surface imaginable that gives relief. For back and stomach sleepers with spine and muscle issues, a firm mattress is what will keep their spine in nice alignment. The Plank is for those people.A specific brand within Brooklyn Bedding, Plank is focused on making the best firm mattress on the market. For us, it's done that. First of all, the mattress is reversible, with a firm side and an extra firm side. Flip it around to find out what's best for you. It doesn't let you sink or sag in ways that are going to put pressure on your spine.And on top of all that, this mattress is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. The ACA says it improves lumbar support and reduces spinal stress. Endorsements don't come much higher than that.One callout we will make, this is the foam-only version. It's great for renters that need an easy-to-move mattress or sleepers that aren't especially heavy. If you or your partner weigh over 275 pounds, or if you want the traditional support of coils, go for the Plank Firm Luxe.Firmness LevelFirm, Extra-FirmMattress Height10.25 InchesAvailable SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal KingTrial Duration120 NightsProsBudget price tagMedium-firm feel is perfect for back painSimple mattress that's easy to move and gets the job doneConsNot built to handle serious issuesNot a hybrid mattress, so expect it to have a shorter lifespanOkay, this one is a tough category. When you're looking for something built to relieve back pain, there's a lot of tech involved. It's different support for different areas of the body, and special toppers for spinal health. That stuff doesn't do well in the budget category.But the Casper One is a mattress we feel the need to shout out. It's as simple a memory foam mattress as you'll find. There's two layers of foam on top of a dense foam core, and it's all wrapped in a knit cover. That's it, but it's surprisingly adept at relieving back pain.The relieve comes down to the fact that this is a great medium-firm mattress. Like everything on this list, it's made to support you, not letting your spine droop into weird positions that stress out your vertebrae. But unlike something like the Plank mattress, it's not made to be hard as a rock, and unlike the Saatva Rx, there's not all the extra tech that raises the price.If you're a heavy sleeper, skip this mattress or try it with a box spring underneath. If you're someone with really bad back pain or a serious issue like scoliosis, skip this mattress. But if you're someone who gets mild back pain from your job or workouts, this is a great mattress for you.Firmness LevelMedium-FirmMattress Height11 InchesAvailable SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split KingTrial Duration100 NightAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSoft option is great for side sleepersGreat support tech, great cooling techFirm and Medium options are availableConsSoft mattress can have too much give for back painLook, we don't necessarily recommend a soft mattress for back pain. They can have too much give for people that really need more firm support. That said, Bear's Elite Hybrid is one of our favorite soft mattresses out there, and it's got the most supportive cred to sneak onto this list.The coil system is sectioned into five zones of support, giving you the most at your lumbar, least at head and feet. It's got plenty of cooling tech. And, when you buy the soft option, it's squishy enough for side sleepers that have worries about pressure points. This mattress won't be the best for back sleepers looking to relieve back pain, though. It's a true side sleeper option.Or, you can buy this mattress in firm and medium. Those are both great mattresses, but Bear's soft mattress has always been a standout for us.Firmness LevelSoft, Medium, or FirmMattress Height14 InchesAvailable SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split KingTrial Duration120 NightsHow We Picked Mattresses for Back PainWe slept on a ton of mattresses, talked to professionals, and combed through other reviews on the internet. You can trust our recommendations or strike out on your own, but it’s helpful to understand what we looked for specifically.Support - At the end of the day, back pain is all about support for the spine and the muscles around it. A good mattress is one that supports you.Trial - More than with any type of mattress, you need to try a mattress for back pain. If you like soft or firm, you can determine that on the internet. But, a mattress for back pain is a big deal. Try a mattress in-store if you can, and try it in your home for a few weeks after that. Everyone is different, so you need to know what works for you.Sleep styles - If you’re a back sleeper, most mattresses work for you. If you’re a side sleeper, something on the softer side will be the most comfortable. If you’re a stomach sleeper, harder is better. Within those categories, you can look for something that helps your back pain.What causes your back pain - The needs of someone with sever scoliosis will differ from someone who gets sore lower back muscles from sitting all day or another person who slipped a disc a few years ago. Talk to a doctor about your specific back pain issue and what you need to help it.That said, the general need is support. When you have back pain, no matter what kind, you want to support the spine and all the muscles around it.What will help your back pain - Like we said, we can’t diagnose you here. These mattresses are amazing for back pain, but a doctor can help you determine what is causing your exact pain and how to go about fixing it in the long term.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhy Trust Us?We don’t just believe in internet research and saying things just to say them—we believe in human research. We’re fighting the good fight against AI and robots, testing the things you can’t. We actually drink the alcohol, use the sheets, stay in the hotels, and of course, we sleep on these mattresses for real. We’re only recommending the best of the best, because that's what you deserve.