Best Mattress for Back Pain
Everyone knows that your choice of mattress is crucial for matters of comfort and sleep quality in general. It doesn’t come as a surprise, then, that the mattress you sleep on can significantly contribute to chronic back pain and body aches you feel – or, alternatively, help relieve tension and discomfort as well as prevent them in the first place.
There isn’t a single design that could boast the title of the best mattress for back pain, but there are certain design elements that do make some mattresses better at preventing and treating sleep-related soreness and pain. The choice will largely be based on individual preferences – as each sleeper is unique- but there are certain features to look for if you want a mattress that will help reduce or eliminate back pain.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 | 
Casper Original Foam Queen Mattress |
|
| #2 |  Leesa Luxury Hybrid 11″ Mattress |
|
| #3 | 
TEMPUR‐Cloud Prima Medium-Soft Mattress |
|
| #4 | 
Zinus 12 Inch Support Plus Pocket Spring Hybrid Mattress |
|
What Are the Best Types of Mattresses for Back Pain?
Many people mistakenly think that all it takes to eliminate back pain and stiffness is a nice firm mattress. While firmer sleeping surfaces might work for some people, this is far from being the universal factor for comfort and pain relief. There are many different aspects to consider in order to get a mattress that will work for you. There are designs optimized to offer relief and support to people suffering from acute or chronic back pain as well as those that can be used by anyone- as they provide the right kind of support and ensure proper spinal alignment, both of which work to prevent back pain in the first place. Depending on your individual needs and preferences, your choice of mattress will vary- but if you want a mattress that’s great for people experiencing back pain, there are the main features to look for.
Mattress type and materials
There are many different designs when it comes to mattresses, but some of them are more suited for back pain sufferers than others- these are the most popular choices.
- Memory foam and latex
The unique combination of optimal support and pressure-relieving, body-contouring effect makes memory foam mattresses a fantastic choice for people with back pain. Memory foam will promote proper spinal alignment through sturdy support and the cradling feel of the foam will not only make you feel comfy while you sleep but also support pressure points for instant pain and tension relief. The same beneficial features apply to latex, a natural (and pricier) alternative to memory foam. Of course, not all memory foam mattresses live up to the expectations- make sure to go for high-quality options made by trusted brands.
- Innerspring hybrid mattresses
When you think of traditional mattresses, you think innerspring design- the combination of a sturdy base constructed from steel coils with an upper padded layer, made from wool or other insulating materials. This design is mostly considered outdated and there are many design flaws that make it unsuitable for persons suffering from chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain. However, there are the updated versions of innerspring mattresses with the highest quality foam and individually pocketed springs for better support and optimal comfort that might be a better choice for some. These are so-called hybrid mattresses, known for their combination of the best features of both memory foam mattresses and traditional innerspring mattresses: sturdy coils and contouring effect.
Support
Contrary to popular belief, the support that a mattress offers isn’t directly related to its firmness level. A good mattress will make sure that your spine is properly aligned when you sleep and that the pressure is relieved from the key stress points in your body (and it will slightly vary depending on the position you sleep in). As a result, there are two main types of support a mattress can offer: full body support and zoned support. A full-body support mattress relies on memory foam or latex to offer a good overall experience, so this is a good choice for both people that suffer from back pain already and those looking to prevent it. Alternatively, with zoned support- which offers varying levels of firmness, density, etc throughout different zones in the mattress- you could tailor the support levels to your liking (good if you have specifically lower back pain or upper body stiffness, for example).
Firmness
When it comes to misconceptions people have about mattresses for back pain, firmness is one of the most common. Despite what you might be led to believe, the idea that firm mattresses are the only choice for people with back pain has been debunked- and the choice is largely influenced by individual preference. However, a good rule of thumb is to go for middle ground if you’re unsure what will work best for your needs. Medium firmness is most recommended for people with back pain as it delivers a good balance between much-needed spinal support and the contouring, body-cradling effect to help relieve pressure and pain.
Sleeping position
The way you sleep should have a big impact on your choice of mattress. What works for someone that sleeps on their side won’t necessarily work for someone that spends their nights sleeping on their stomach and so on. Different sleeping positions put pressure on different key points on the body and it requires adjustments in firmness levels and overall design of the mattress. For instance, people who sleep on their stomach need the firmest mattresses of all, whereas the side sleepers require soft mattresses. Medium firmness is a good general choice but especially suited to people that sleep on their backs.
Best Mattress for Back Pain
Casper Original Foam Queen Mattress
Editor’s choice
When it comes to crowd-pleasers, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more universally liked mattress for back pain than Casper’s original design. Made completely out of high-quality foam, it is versatile enough to suit all sleeping positions and sturdy enough to give your body the support it needs for proper spine alignment. Not to mention that its memory foam layers help relieve tension and pain from key pressure points in the body! The mattress is constructed out of three layers: the bottom is a sturdy high-density base for optimal support and the top is body-contouring, cooling, and breathable perforated memory foam, whereas the key design feature of this mattress is in the middle: it’s zoned memory foam layer.
This layer of memory foam has three density zones that make sure that each part of your body gets the support it requires. The zone under your upper body is softer to provide the cradling feel and much-needed relief to shoulders and neck, whereas the firmer foam is located under the hips, waist, and lower back to ensure proper spinal alignment.
Who Should Buy This?
A good overall choice, this memory foam mattress is great for people suffering from acute or chronic back pain. It combines a comfortable, body-hugging effect of memory foam with tailored support for different parts of your body, making sure your spine is properly aligned and key pressure points relieved.
Pros
- A unique zoned memory foam layer
- Cooling and breathable top layer
- Comfortable for most sleepers
- CertiPUR-US certified
- 10-year warranty
Cons
Not good for side sleepers
Specs for comparison:
Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Type/material: Memory foam
Firmness: Zoned support- varying firmness throughout the mattress surface
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Leesa Luxury Hybrid 11″ Mattress
Runner up
It’s not easy striking a balance between comfort and support when it comes to mattresses for back pain, but this hybrid design by Leesa manages to pull it off. This award-winning design combines premium foam with pocket springs to offer advanced support that responds to your body movement and contours your body for a superior feel. The 5-layer construction of this mattress includes a 6 inches thick base of over a thousand 14.5 gauge pocket springs nestled on an inch thick high-density foam base, followed by another inch of support foam, and then and 1.5 inches of contouring memory foam. Finally, on the very top is 1.5-inches thick cooling memory foam layer that makes this mattress a great choice for hot sleepers as well.
This advanced design makes this one of the best mattresses for back pain on the market as it will ensure you maintain a healthy sleeping posture during the night as well as help relieve tension from your body. The mattress also boasts a great edge to edge support and bounce.
Who Should Buy This?
If pure memory foam mattresses simply don’t work for your needs, then a hybrid mattress is the next best thing for an aching back. This luxurious mattress brings together pocketed coils and multiple layers of foam to offer unparalleled comfort and support.
Pros
- 5-layer construction
- Edge-to-edge support
- Cooling top layer
- CertiPUR-US certified
- 11-year warranty
- Made in the USA
Cons
- For some people firmer than expected
- Expensive
Specs for comparison:
Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Type/material: Hybrid (memory foam and pocketed springs)
Firmness: Firm
Warranty: 11-year full replacement limited warranty
TEMPUR‐Cloud Prima Medium-Soft Mattress
Best for couples
Finding a mattress that is great for both your back pain and your partner’s needs can feel like a mission impossible- but this optimized design by Tempur is really fantastic for couples. Both the motion transfer is reduced (so you won’t wake up your partner by getting up or tossing and turning in bed and vice versa) and the impressive 4-layer construction allows for equal weight distribution so each person will “sink” in just as much as they need to. The layers include a high-density sturdy foam base as well as different memory foam layers that give the mattress its contouring effect and the unparalleled breathability that ensures that the memory foam won’t run hot underneath you.
Thanks to its unique design, each person will get personalized comfort and support tailored to their own needs and body shape. Somehow, this exclusive mattress manages to be both firm and soft at the same time, making sure that your pressure points are relieved and that you also feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud. Truly superior when it comes to support and comfort both!
Who Should Buy This?
If budget is not an issue and you want both you and your partner to get the most out of your new mattress, you can’t go wrong with this one. Designed to help prevent back pain and help relieve existing tension and strain, this memory foam mattress will give you a tailored sleeping experience despite the fact you share the bed with another person.
Pros
- Reduces motion transfer
- Equal weight distribution
- Perfect for couples
- A cooling memory foam layer
- 10-year limited warranty
Cons
- Might be overly soft for some people
- Expensive
Specs for comparison:
Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split California King
Type/material: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium soft
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Zinus 12 Inch Support Plus Pocket Spring Hybrid Mattress
Budget buy
You don’t have to break the bank to get rid of persistent back pain. There are many decent and affordable mattresses for back pain out there, and this clever design by Zinus stands out as one of the best mattresses for people on a budget. Available in two heights, 10 inches, and 12 inches, it boasts a hybrid design- meaning it combines the best features of both worlds to deliver unparalleled comfort. The sturdy base is constructed from 7.5 inches thick layer of motion-isolating iCoil pocket springs: there are 10 percent more coils than most mattresses offer to give it a bouncy feel and make sure there is no sagging. The rest of the layers are made from various types of supporting high-density foam with a cradling memory foam layer for optimal comfort and body-contouring effect.
Good for couples and singles alike, as well as back and side sleepers, this affordable mattress varies in firmness. The 10-inch option is more suited for people that prefer firmer beds (e.g. back sleepers) whereas the 12-inch version with a microfiber-filled euro top and the quilted jacquard cover is slightly softer.
Who Should Buy This?
Being on a budget doesn’t mean you have to deal with chronic back pain. This inexpensive hybrid mattress is a great choice for relieving pressure points and reducing back, neck, hip, and shoulder pain as it combines a sturdy support base with a softer, contouring top latter.
Pros
- Affordable price tag
- Hybrid design for optimal support and comfort
- Good for plus-sized people
- CertiPUR-US certified
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Not durable
Specs for comparison:
Available sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
Type/material: Hybrid (heavy-gauge steel coils and memory foam)
Firmness: Extra firm
Warranty: 10-year warranty
Bottom Line
Waking up with aching back, sore neck and shoulders and stiff hips can significantly contribute to chronic stress and fatigue. For good quality of sleep, comfort, and pain-free mornings, it’s best to go for a specially designed mattress for back pain. To find a mattress suited to back pain sufferers, there are various factors to consider, starting from firmness and support to the very material of the mattress.
Depending on your sleeping position and personal preference, there are plenty of different options that could help relieve pressure points and reduce (if not completely eliminate) chronic or acute back pain. Alternatively, with a quality mattress, you’ll also be preventing back pain- so even if you’re not suffering from aches all over, it doesn’t hurt to invest in your future by ensuring proper spinal alignment and support.