When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Recovering from back pain is a delicate process. Yes, you need to rest your back, but how you rest is important, and too much rest can lead to other problems. Sleeping on a supportive mattress is key to healing your
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Recovering from back pain is a delicate process. Yes, you need to rest your back, but how you rest is important, and too much rest can lead to other problems. Sleeping on a supportive mattress is key to healing your back. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution to finding the best mattress for back pain, the experts we spoke with said it should feel medium-firm to you.
I consulted with two experts and tested over 25 of the best mattresses for this guide. I'm also a chronic back pain sufferer. The Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress is our top pick because it supports all sleep positions, offering pressure relief and soothing comfort. For a budget option, we recommend the Helix Midnight Mattress. It will save you $500 and has a firmer feel that will appeal to back and stomach sleepers, though it may be too firm for side sleepers.
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress provides great edge support and motion isolation. Its mix of memory foam and pocket springs produces an average firmness, making it an outstanding solution for back pain sufferers of any sleeping style.
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Foam and pocket springs offer breathability and support
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Ideal motion isolation and edge support for couples
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medium firmness will benefit all sleeping styles
What we don’t like
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Heavy and difficult to maneuver
Specifics
Best for:All sleeping styles, couples, hot sleepers, back pain sufferers
Type:Hybrid
Firmness:5/10 (medium)
Trial period and warranty:100 nights (no return fee), 10 years
Price range:$1,349-$2,299; Often 25% off
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress is our top pick for several reasons. During the year I slept on it, I had the least back pain since my initial injury, despite exercising heavily. The sub-$2,000 mattress is also great because it has an average firmness that will appeal to most sleeping styles and body types. When sleeping on the Leesa, I preferred sleeping on my side. That's why it's the best mattress for side sleepers with back pain in our best mattress for side sleepers guide. It shaped to my contours, which kept my spine aligned. It's also our best overall mattress across all our mattress reviews.
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid is made of CertiPUR-US-certified foam and pocket springs. The top layer is a cooling foam. Below that is contouring memory foam for targeted support and comfort. The following foam layer, the pocket coils, and the base foam layer add durability and support. The cover is made of a soft, cooling material that keeps the body cool.
The pocket coils offered outstanding edge support. The motion isolation is also excellent; the mattress passed my bowling ball test with flying colors. These results and my subjective experience suggest the mattress is an excellent solution for couples.
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Exceptional edge support
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good motion isolation
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great for back and stomach sleepers
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CertiPUR-US and OKEO-TEX certified
What we don’t like
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Poor heat dissipation
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Strong initial odor
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. May not be comfortable for side sleepers
Specifics
Best for:Stomach and back sleepers
Type:Hybrid
Firmness:6/10 (medium-firm)
Trial period and warranty:100 nights, 10 years
For our budget mattress criteria, $1,100 was our maximum price, and while not cheap, the Helix Midnight Mattress is the best for back pain at that price point. It has the medium-firm feel that our experts recommend for back pain sufferers. The mattress did a great job helping me recover from a back pain episode. I preferred sleeping on my stomach while testing it and recommend it for stomach and back sleepers or heavier individuals. Of note, Helix tailored the Midnight to side sleepers, so as comfort is subjective, the 100-night trial will come in handy for you to determine how you respond to the medium-firmness.
It's made with CertiPUR-US and OEKO-Tex-certified materials. The top comfort layer is cushioning memory foam, followed by two layers of supportive pressure-relieving foam. The base consists of pocket coils that help with motion isolation, support, and durability. The soft cover is designed for airflow, but the Helix was one of the worst at dissipating heat in our tests. Since we tested, Helix also offers a GlacioTex cooling cover upgrade for $200; it's made with a 50/50 blend of polyester and polyethylene for high thermal conductivity to pull heat away from your body.
This is also an outstanding bed for couples. The Helix Midnight passed my bowling ball test, and I could barely feel it as my second-grader bounded onto the bed. The edge support may be the best of any mattress I've tested. I didn't sink much when sitting on the side, and I was on the very edge before I rolled off while lying down.
The gel memory foam of the Nectar makes it a versatile mattress that conforms to the contours of your body to relieve pressure. It's a premium sleep experience, but its price tag is way under a grand.
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Year-long home trial and lifetime warranty
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Lightweight
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Impressive heat dissipation
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Outstanding motion isolation
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. The medium firmness is ideal for most sleep positions
What we don’t like
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Poor edge support
Specifics
Best for:All sleeping styles, hot sleepers
Type:Memory foam; three layers
Height:12"
Firmness:6/10 (medium-firm)
Trial period and warranty:365 nights (no return fee); lifetime
Price range:$699-$1,799; Often 25% off
The Nectar mattress will appeal most to side sleepers thanks to its medium firmness, though it may still be firm enough for back and stomach sleepers. I preferred sleeping on my side, and my back remained pain-free during testing.
The Nectar features a cooling mattress cover made of a Tencel-poly blend. The mattress is comprised of three layers of CertiPUR-US certified foams: a top layer of gel memory foam, an adaptive-response transition layer to help relieve pressure points, and a base layer of supportive foam. Even in a hot room, the mattress stayed cool, and I didn't overheat. When I got up, the heat dissipated quickly.
Couples will appreciate the excellent motion isolation. However, the mattress fell short in the edge support department. The foam sank noticeably on the side whether I was sitting or lying down. At under $800, the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is cheaper than our budget pick, but we don't feel it's as supportive as the Helix Midnight. Still, if you want to save a few hundred dollars and prefer foam mattresses to hybrids, the Nectar is a great buy.
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Stays cool
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent heat dissipation
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great for side sleepers
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified materials
What we don’t like
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. May not be suitable for stomach sleepers, back sleepers and heavy individuals
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Below-average motion isolation
Specifics
Best for:Side sleepers and hot sleepers
Type:Hybrid
Firmness:5/10 (medium)
Trial period and warranty:120 nights, lifetime
Bear mattresses feature Celliant covers. Celliant is supposed to help with heat dissipation, but no scientific studies on mattresses support this. However, in my objective tests, I found the Bear Hybrid stayed cool and quickly dissipated heat when I got up from it.
The Bear Star Hybrid has an average firmness, which catered to my side-sleeping preference. It was just what I needed as I recovered from back pain, and my back felt strong again after the testing period. The mattress features a combination of coils and CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold-certified foams. The cool top layer is gel memory foam. Below that is a comfort foam, a transition foam for pressure relief, durable coils, and a supportive foam base.
The Bear Star Hybrid was average in our motion isolation and edge support tests. It failed the bowling ball test, and I could feel movement on the bed while I lay on it, but it wasn't extreme. Lying on the edge, I had to roll quite far before I fell off. However, the edge sank substantially when I sat on it. This is a good but not fantastic mattress for couples by those assessments.
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medium firmness that suits an array of sleeping styles
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent motion transfer dampening
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Sleeps cool
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. White-glove delivery
What we don’t like
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Heavy
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Subpar edge support
Specifics
Best for:All sleeping styles, hot sleepers, back pain sufferers
Type:Hybrid
Firmness:6/10 (medium firm)
Trial period and warranty:90 nights ($175 return fee), 10 years
Price range:$4,099-$8.198
Back sleepers who suffer from back pain should look for a medium-firm mattress that provides added cushioning around the shoulders and hips. According to our testing, the best bet for back sleepers is the Tempur-Pedic PRObreeze Mattress.
I love the way Tempur-Pedic's proprietary foam contours to my body to supply optimal pressure-point relief and support where I most need it, especially around the shoulders and hips. It does an outstanding job of keeping my spine aligned while I sleep, reducing the chance of back pain.
The slightly firm mattress worked well for my wife and me. Between the two of us, we exhibit every sleeping style. The motion-dampening properties made sharing the bed with my wife and dog easier since I wasn't jostled as they moved during the night. However, the edge support left a lot to be desired. The PRObreeze comes with free white-glove delivery, saving you some back pain since the bed is quite heavy. It's also heavy on the pocketbook at over $4,000. If that's out of your price range, consider the Birch Mattress by Helix at a third of the price.
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good heat dissipation
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Made of eco-friendly materials
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. All four sides have two handles
What we don’t like
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not ideal for side sleepers
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Sinks significantly when sitting on the side
Specifics
Best for:Stomach and back sleepers
Type:Hybrid
Firmness:6/10 (medium-firm)
Trial period and warranty:365 nights (no return fee), lifetime
Price range:$896-$1,758; Often 20% off
You need to keep your spine in a neutral alignment if you want a fighting chance of healing and avoiding back pain. For stomach sleepers, that means sleeping on a firmer mattress. The sub-$1,500 Awara Organic Luxury Hybrid Mattress offers the firm, comfortable support ideal for stomach sleepers.
While testing the Awara mattress, I preferred stomach sleeping, though I tend to gravitate to my side on other beds. During the two-week testing period, I didn't experience any back soreness or pain. I liked the comfortable feel of the soft organic wool Euro-top. Under that is Rainforest Alliance-certified Dunlop latex. The base support core is made up of individually wrapped pocket springs.
The Awara mattress barely failed our motion transfer test, suggesting average motion isolation. The bed also has average edge support. However, it has a significant bounce. The heft of the mattress makes it hard to move, but the sewn-in handles help with maneuverability.
The Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress features contouring foam that cradles sleepers of all body types and sleeping styles while offering outstanding pressure relief and heat dissipation.
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Layers of conforming comfortable and supportive Tempur foam adjust to all sleeping styles
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Impressive motion isolation
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent heat dissipation
What we don’t like
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Unimpressive edge support
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Shipping fee deducted from refund
Specifics
Best for:All sleeping styles, hot sleepers, back pain sufferers
Type:Foam
Firmness:6/10 (medium-firm)
Thickness:10 inches
Trial period and warranty:90 nights ($175 return fee), 10 years
Price range:$1,699-$3,398; Often 30% off
I spend my time in all sleeping positions during the night, though I gravitate to my side. The Sleep Number i8 adjustable bed is my favorite for combination sleeping, but it's out of the price range for most shoppers. So for most budgets and sleepers, I recommend the Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress.
At $2,000, the Cloud is the most affordable Tempur-Pedic mattress, featuring the brand's comfortable proprietary foam. The three layers of foam adjust to your body's contours no matter your position. Couples with different sleeping styles will benefit from this and the impressive motion-dampening properties that keep you from getting jostled when your partner shifts in the night.
The Cloud has outstanding heat dissipation for an all-foam mattress. I usually overheat at night, but the Tempur-Cloud kept me cool. The biggest negative is the edge support. I sank significantly when I sat on the edge of the bed.
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Free in-home setup and old mattress removal
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Zoned support
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great heat dissipation
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good bounce
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Outstanding edge support
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long home trial and warranty
What we don’t like
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Average motion isolation
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $99 fee deducted from your refund if you return the bed
Specifics
Best for:All sleeping styles, hot sleepers, couples
Type:Hybrid
Firmness:5-7 in luxury firm; also available in plush soft (3) and firm (8)
Trial period and warranty:365 nights ($99 return fee); lifetime
Price range:$1,395-$2,990; Often $250 off
If you want a luxury experience with high-quality materials and white-glove delivery, the Saatva Classic is the way to go. The Saatva Classic is an excellent choice for back pain sufferers thanks to the dual-coil design and zoned support that aid with spinal alignment and pressure-point relief. Saatva offers free in-home setup and removal of your old mattress, a rarity at this price point.
The Classic's 3-inch Euro pillow top has a cool-to-the-touch organic cotton cover. A thin memory foam layer below has a firmer middle for optimal back support. The next layer of individually wrapped pocket springs contours to the curves of your body. Another layer of thicker coils at the base adds durability and airflow. A high-density foam border around the springs gives the bed impressive edge support.
I appreciated how the Saatva Classic kept me from overheating, a regular problem for me. The Luxury Firm I tested was a little too firm for sleeping on my side, but when on my back, I sank in just enough to keep my spine optimally aligned. I recommend side sleepers try the Plush Soft version.
Senior home editor Jaclyn Turner, a back sleeper, also slept on the Classic for almost two years. She appreciated the plush pillow top paired with the gentle support. However, she experienced a break-in period.
The Saatva Classic has average motion isolation. Its vibrometer readings were higher than usual, and it failed our bowling ball test. Yet, I didn't feel people or pets moving while lying on the bed.
If you and your partner just can't agree on mattress firmness, the Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed allows you to customize each side to your perfect firmness. The bed automatically adjusts based on your body's position.
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Built-in sleep tracker
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Adjustable firmness to cater to your specific sleeping style
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Automatically adjusts as you shift in the night
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Free in-home setup
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good edge support
What we don’t like
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Poor motion isolation
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Subpar heat dissipation
Specifics
Best for:All sleeping styles, couples
Type:Adjustable air
Firmness:20 firmness levels
Trial period and warranty:100 nights (no return fee), 15 years
Price range:$3,399-$5,799; Often 25% off
Adjustable air beds offer custom firmness on each side, making them ideal for couples with different sleep preferences. The best air bed we've tested for back pain is the Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed, though at $3,200, it isn't for all budgets.
The i8 has 20 firmness options. You can adjust each side of the bed to get the ideal medium-firm feel experts recommend to reduce back pain. An "automatic air" function also adjusts the firmness as you shift positions to provide consistent support and pressure relief around your hips and shoulders. I found this feature alleviated my back pain and facilitated undisturbed sleep.
While the i8 has good edge support, its motion isolation is subpar. My wife said the mattress felt almost like a waterbed because it jostled her so much when I flopped down. I was initially unimpressed with the sleep tracker, which Sleep Number hypes as the main selling point of this expensive mattress. However, the accuracy and quality of the SleepIQ app (available for iOS and Android) have improved dramatically since I tested this mattress.
How we tested each mattress for back pain
We use a laster thermometer to test heat dissipation for each mattress. James Brains/Business Insider
I tested all of the mattresses in this guide. I put the beds through several objective tests and slept on them for at least 14 nights. Unless otherwise noted, I tried each model's queen size.
I mostly sleep on my side, with some stomach and back time. I am 6 feet tall, 205 pounds, and sleep hot. Plus, I have chronic lower back pain.
When shopping for a mattress for back pain, the most important factors to consider are comfort, motion isolation, and the home trial policy. To get additional information on what to look for in a mattress, I spoke with three experts:
Hooman Melamed, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of The Spine Pro
Tamara Huff, MD, a Georgia-based, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and health disparities advocate
Amit Jain, MD, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and chief of minimally invasive spinal surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital
Test results for the main attributes we tested:
Attribute
Leesa Sapira Hybrid
Helix Midnight
Nectar
Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed
Bear Star Hybrid
Tempur-PRObreeze Hybrid
Awara Luxury Hybrid
Tempur-Cloud
Saatva Classic (Luxury Firm)
Firmness (1 softest to 10 firmest)
5
6
6
20 levels
5
5
6
6
7
Motion Isolation (1 awful to 10 best)
7
7
8
3
4
7
5
7
5
Edge Support (1 awful to 10 best)
7
9
7
6
5
7
5
3
10
Heat Dissipation (1 traps heat to 10 stays cool)
7
3
7
3
9
7
6
9
7
Trial Period
100 nights
100 nights
365 nights
100 nights
100 nights
100 nights
100 nights
90 nights
365 nights
Warranty
10 years
10 years
Lifetime
15 years
20 years
10 years
25 years
10 years
Lifetime
Here are the main attributes we look for and how we test them:
Comfort: Based on my years of experience testing dozens of mattresses, I subjectively assess how supportive the bed feels, how hot it sleeps, the firmness, and how my back feels in the morning.
Heat dissipation: I rely on objective laser thermometer measurements. I take readings before lying down, immediately after spending at least an hour on the bed, and two minutes after getting up.
Motion isolation: Excellent motion dampening is a must if you are a light sleeper and share the bed with someone who moves around at night. To test motion isolation, I drop a bowling ball from 4 feet above the mattress, so it lands 12 inches from a can of soda pop. If the can falls over consistently, the bed has poor motion isolation. If the can stays upright, the mattress passes the test and has sound motion isolation.
Trial and warranty: The only way to know for sure if a mattress is going to be comfortable for your back is to sleep on it for an extended period. I looked at the trial periods for each bed and read the fine print of the return policy to see if there were any loopholes or hidden fees. All of the mattresses in our guide have trial periods of 100 nights, except the Nectar (365 nights.) A long warranty is also essential. Each of our picks has a warranty of at least 10 years.
Edge support: I lie on the edge and slowly roll off to test edge support. If my body reaches a roughly 45-degree angle to the mattress before I fall off, it has good edge support. Additionally, I sit on the side and put my socks and shoes on. I note how much the mattress sinks. Significant sinkage is a sign of poor edge support.
Portability: I look at how easy moving and rotating the mattress is, an essential task for ensuring your bed lasts. To test portability, I move the mattress several times from room to room and note how much it flops around, if it has handles, and how heavy it feels.
Setup: While I recommend that you get help, I set up each mattress on my own and timed how long it took. I noted unique aspects of the experience that made it harder or easier. I also sniffed for a "new bed smell." Then, when I went to bed at least 10 hours later, I assessed whether or not the odor dissipated. Lastly, I looked for in-home setup availability or white-glove delivery and its cost.
FAQs about mattresses for back painBack pain sufferers should look for a medium-firm mattress. James Brains/Business Insider
Is it better to sleep on a firm mattress for back pain?
Both orthopedic doctors we talked to said that medium-firm mattresses are best for back pain. Since there is no standardized way to measure firmness, Huff recommended choosing a mattress that feels medium-firm to you based on what you're used to.
What should people with back pain look for in a mattress?
Recognizing the subjective comfort experience of mattresses, Huff stressed the importance of finding a bed that comes with a long, risk-free sleep trial. She was a fan of the custom feel of adjustable air beds and Tempur-Pedic foam mattresses.
What sleep position is best for back pain sufferers?
"Sleeping on your side with pillows between your knees is very effective for back pain reduction," said Jain. As a side sleeper with back pain, I rely on the Coop Home Goods Memory Foam Body Pillow to help keep my spine aligned.
Is a memory foam or spring mattress better for back pain?
Huff said it's important to pick a supportive mattress that isn't too firm. Both memory foam and spring mattresses can achieve this. However, Huff said memory foam tends to do a better job of cradling the body, keeping the spine aligned, and helping avoid back pain.
What type of mattress is best for lower back and hip pain?
"There's no such thing as one size fits all," said Melamed. "That's the problem." He recommends adjustable airbeds, such as Sleep Number or Personal Comfort. These beds allow you to adjust the firmness to keep your spine in a neutral position.
What helps upper back pain while sleeping?
"The most important thing is to make sure you have proper support," said Melamed. He recommends using pillows to maintain your spine's natural curvature, including providing extra support around the upper shoulders and neck.
Is a soft or firm mattress better for shoulder pain?
"Definitely a little bit on the softer side," said Melamed. He added that firmer mattresses put too much pressure on your shoulders, leading to shoulder pain. A softer mattress allows you to sink in and keep your spine aligned.
How can you tell if your mattress is causing back pain?
The telltale sign that your mattress is causing back pain is that you consistently wake up in the morning with back pain despite going to bed feeling fine, according to Melamed. This is likely because your spine isn't aligned while you sleep, which you may recognize while lying on your mattress.
How often should you change your mattress?
Experts recommend replacing your mattress every 8 to 10 years, but you should change it out when it starts to sag and no longer provides the support you need. If your mattress degrades during the warranty period, see if the manufacturer will provide you with a replacement.
How should I take care of my mattress?
Deep clean your bed with baking soda two to four times a year. Use a disinfectant wipe to treat stains immediately. A mix of hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing liquid is best for tougher stains. Check out our guide on how to clean a mattress for more tips.
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Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress (Queen)
Helix Midnight Mattress (Queen)
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress (Queen)
Bear Star Hybrid Mattress (Queen)
Tempur-Pedic ProBreeze Mattress (Queen)
Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress (Queen)
Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress (Queen)
Saatva Classic Mattress (Queen)
Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed (Queen)