Best Mattresses for Back Pain: 2020 - Top Picks & Buyers Guide

If you’re getting the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night, you’ll spend one-third of your life in bed. That makes the mattress you choose, one of the most important factors in the quality of your life. If your sleep quality is suffering, and not providing you pain relief, the importance of investing in the right mattress increases drastically.

In this guide, I will review the most important factors to consider when purchasing a new mattress for back pain. I will also dive into the specifics of each of our top picks, and help you decide which might be the best choice for you. So, if you have a bad back, explore our top picks for the best mattress for back pain in 2020, and discover which may aid in your pain relief!

Best Mattresses for Back Pain in 2020

• Best Mattress for Overall Back Pain – Level Sleep
• Best Firm Mattress for Back Pain – Amerisleep
• Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain – Saatva
• Best Mattress for Back & Hip Pain – Helix
• Best For Upper Back Pain – Brooklyn Bedding
• Best for Stomach Sleepers with Back Pain – Layla

While all the mattresses reviewed are fantastic, I feel that Level Sleep provides the best overall relief for back pain sufferers. Level Sleep has designed a mattress that provides both back and joint pain relief based on scientific and clinical data. 

This mattress has three layers of protection, referred to as Tri-Support Layers. The Tri-Support layers are designed to reduce pain, provide support, prevent sagging, and give contouring to your body for proper spinal alignment. 

Whether you require better absorption for shoulder pain if you’re a back sleeper, more support if you’re a side sleeper or alignment for your hips and lower back, Level Sleep is a great option for you. 

See our full Level Sleep Mattress Review to learn more!

Ranging from the A1 to the A5 model, these mattresses increase in price as you ascend. They are very transparent about the differences between each model, and which model is best suited for each type of sleeper. They have thought of everything from overheating, to pain relief, to overall comfort and have designed each of their mattresses with these concerns in mind. With free shipping in the U.S. and helpful customer support, Amerisleep is a great choice for a hybrid mattress!

Pain is not universal, so the ability to choose the firmness level you prefer all while still receiving the pain relief and support that you need is an amazing feature of Amerisleep mattresses.

Check out our full Amerisleep Mattress Review to see which one may be best for you!

If you’re a fan of a more classic-style mattress, but still want relief from low back pain, the Saatva mattress might just be the right fit for you. The Saatva mattress has the innerspring base of a traditional mattress but with the newer, hybrid technology of wrapped coils, a plush pillow top, and memory foam. 

The Saatva mattress is designed to provide additional support to the middle third of the mattress where your lumbar region (i.e. lower back) would be. Additionally, an added foam layer of “visco-elastic” memory foam supports the areas most commonly associated with pressure points. It comes in a plush soft, luxury firm, and firm option. 

Whether you require extra support to relieve your chronic lower back pain, or simply prefer the firmness of a traditional-style mattress and the added benefits of pain-free sleep, the Saatva mattress is a great option.

See our full Saatva Mattress Review to learn more! 

Helix does an incredible job of being inclusive with their products.  They have a variety of customized options so shoppers can find what’s just right. So it’s no surprise they have a model that fits the bill for back and hip pain. We recommend the firmer options for individuals with back pain, but if you prefer a more cradling feeling, one of the medium-firm options may work well for you. 

The Helix Midnight Luxe is a foam hybrid that offers some excellent support. It has multi-zone construction to provide different support to different parts of the body…exactly what you would help if you’re trying to maintain a healthy spine alignment to reduce back stress. Helix also comes with a 10-15 year warranty. 

Read our full Helix Mattress Review to learn more!

You’ve probably read it elsewhere on the site…I like Brooklyn products a lot.  They also offer quality goods thanks to their rigorous quality assurance process.

Brooklyn offers its Signature in soft, medium, and firm options.  While they’re not the only brand to do this, it’s still somewhat rare.  The beauty of this is that if you like the mattress materials, but it’s not quite the right feel, you can opt for a different firmness that fits your body type.  This is a fantastic option if you’re looking to relieve some pressure.

Combine the power of choice with Brooklyn’s 1024 premium wrapped coils and you have one supportive mattress.  Enjoy!

See our full Brooklyn Signature Mattress Review!

If at first, you don’t succeed…flip it over.  That’s definitely not Layla’s official slogan, but it’s what I like most about a flippable mattress.  

Stomach sleeping is finicky.  It’s often touted as the worst sleeping position.  But…it’s comfortable. So how can we make it as harmless as possible?  Find a mattress that supports the proper way and doesn’t put undue stress on your back.  That typically means a firmer mattress.

Layla has a firmer and softer side, to appeal to many, but the reality is, this is all relative depending on the person.  I’m confident that between the two sides, you’ll find one that is a good fit for a stomach sleeper. Layla is also one of our picks for the best bed in a box! 

See our full Layla Mattress Review to learn more!

Mattress Buying Guide For Back Pain

While relief from chronic back pain may be your primary concern, there are other factors you’ll want to consider before you make your final decision. Here are some other components you may want to look for in a mattress when you’re narrowing down your options. 

Mattress Type

Some individuals dealing with chronic pain prefer a memory foam mattress that contours to the shape of their body. Others prefer the firm support of an innerspring mattress for their back pain. There are some pros and cons to both types, and now, many companies have attempted to capture the best of both worlds in hybrid models. There is no one size fits all answer to which mattress type is best for your specific pain, so I advise taking advantage of companies trial periods to make sure you have made the right choice! 

Mattress Firmness 

Another important factor in reducing back pain is mattress’ firmness. Firmness varies from person to person and mattress to mattress. You might prefer a firm mattress or a medium-firm mattress. You may want a combination of both. Perhaps a firm, supportive mattress with an added top comfort layer would be the perfect solution for you. Again, if you’re not sure which is best, you can always try some before you make your final choice. Keep in mind, if back pain is your main concern, an overly soft mattress may result in too much cushioning and not enough support to ease your pain. I typically find those who choose a firmer mattress for this condition are happier with their decision. 

Sleep Position

The position you prefer to sleep in should definitely be a consideration when choosing a mattress. Whether you prefer to sleep on your side, your stomach, your back or a combination of positions, there is a mattress for you that will also provide pain relief for your back. In fact, many are engineered to support a variety of sleep positions.

Motion Transfer

If you plan to share your bed, you’ll want a mattress that minimizes motion transfer. That way, you and your partner won’t be woken up every time one of you has to get out of bed or change positions. If this aspect is important to you, you’ll want to find a mattress that has characteristics designed to eliminate motion transfer. 

Temperature

Are you a hot sleeper? Many older styles and cheap mattresses tend to retain heat. If you want cooling comfort in addition to pressure relief for your back, you’ll want to invest in a mattress designed for ventilation. Many of the newer types of foam used in high-quality mattresses are engineered to keep you cooler.

Related: Best mattress for hot sleepers

Edge Support

If you sleep near the edge of your mattress or sit on the edge of the bed often, you’ll want a mattress with good edge support. If this is particularly important, you may want to opt for an innerspring mattress as foam mattresses, by nature, don’t offer great edge support. If you’re planning to purchase an innerspring mattress, I recommend looking for a mattress with upgraded foam encasement around the edge as opposed to the old-fashioned steel rods on the side. 

Conclusion

Since you will spend a third of your life in bed, your mattress should be a good investment, particularly if you suffer from back pain. The right mattress can provide good support, relieve chronic back pain and provide the restful sleep you need to be productive and energetic. 

Choose a mattress that is specifically designed to treat your type of pain whether it is upper back, lower back or hip pain. And while that may be the most important factor, it isn’t the only factor. You’ll also want to take into account your preferred sleep position and mattress type. Finally, there are other factors that might be important such as motion transfer, temperature, and edge support. 

I’ve recommended mattresses that I feel could help with back problems, but your experience may be different from mine. The good news is that most mattress companies now offer sleep trial periods so you can be sure it’s the best match for you. If you are not ready to buy a new mattress yet, but still want to relieve some stubborn back pain, check out our picks for the best mattress toppers for back pain. 

If you want to learn more about how and when to purchase a mattress, check out our Best Mattress Buying Guide.

Recap of The Best Mattresses for Back Pain