Best Mattresses for Back Pain
Mattress Nerd consulted Vivian Eisenstadt, MAPT, CPT, MASP to ensure that this article met our editorial standards
Written by Becca Fair, Certified Sleep Science Coach
Back pain can disrupt sleep quality and leave one feeling worse in the morning, often exacerbated by an old or unsupportive mattress. While no mattress can cure all types of back pain, sleeping on an elevating, pressure-relieving bed can significantly improve comfort and reduce nighttime flare-ups.
Our team of experienced mattress testers looks at three key factors: pressure relief, spine alignment, and durability to determine if a mattress is suitable for those managing back pain. Ultimately, our goal is to offer mattresses suitable for a wide range of sleepers, while aiming to reduce back pain and improve sleep quality.
Bottom Line: What’s the Best Mattress for Back Pain?
Our experts chose the Saatva as the best mattress for back pain because of its balance of cushioning and support. Its innerspring coils promote proper spinal alignment by keeping you elevated on the surface, while the thinner foam layer provides targeted pressure relief in the low back.
Best Mattresses for Lower and Upper Back Pain
- Saatva – Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain
- Helix Midnight Luxe – Best for Side Sleepers with Back Pain
- Nectar Luxe – Best Luxury Mattress for Back Pain
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Budget Mattress for Back Pain
- Nolah Evolution – Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Back Pain
- Plank – Best Extra-Firm Mattress for Back Pain
- DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers with Back Pain
- WinkBeds – Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain
- Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Mattress for Back and Neck Pain
- Leesa Sapira Hybrid – Best Mattress for Lightweight People with Back Pain
Video Roundup: Best Mattresses for Back Pain
More of a visual learner? Watch some of our teammates break down the best mattresses for back pain.
Chosen by Experts and Advocates
At Mattress Nerd, our testing process involves assessing each product in categories that determine how they perform for every type of sleeper. In the case of back pain, we look at spinal alignment, pressure relief, and mattress firmness. Becca, one of our trusty certified sleep science coaches, has tested hundreds of mattresses throughout her career. The mattresses on this list check all of her boxes for back pain relief and prevention. To learn more, check out our review process.
Best Mattresses for Back Pain
Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain: Saatva Classic
Saatva Classic
Product Details
Our Recommendation
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.
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. During testing, our team awarded the Saatva a 4 out of 5 or higher in the edge support and responsiveness categories.
Not only does the Saatva Classic provide enough support to keep your lower lumbar spine aligned with the rest of your body, but it’s also easy to move around on, which is especially important if you’re someone who switches positions frequently to avoid stiffening up. Its coil-on-coil construction made it bouncy enough for our team to quickly maneuver and switch between sleeping positions. Their experience helped the Saatva earn a perfect 5-star score in the responsiveness category.
The Saatva’s only weak point was motion isolation. If you share your bed with a restless partner or pet, you’re sure to feel their every movement on this bouncy innerspring mattress.
What our testers say: “The two layers of lumbar support make the Saatva Classic a great mattress for people with back pain. With three firmness options, it can accommodate almost every sleeping position and body type, too.” – Loren Bullock, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Saatva Classic Mattress
- Hot sleepers, as it has temperature regulation technology and materials to keep you cool
- People with back pain, due to its firmness and ability to help align neck and spine
Who Might Not Like the Saatva Classic Mattress
- Couples easily disturbed by movement because this mattress is not the best at motion isolation. An alternative Saatva model for motion isolation is the Saatva Latex Hybrid
- Shoppers on a tight budget, as this mattress is not the cheapest
Other User Reviews
According to Saatva’s website, the Classic comes in at 4.8 out of 5 stars. Reviews are generally positive, praising the bed’s high-quality construction and comfort. Some customers complained about issues with delivery or felt the bed didn’t hold up as long as they would’ve liked.
See our full Saatva mattress review to learn more!
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Back Pain: Helix Midnight Luxe
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Helix does a great 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 pain. We recommend the firmer options (like the Helix Midnight) for individuals with back pain, but if you prefer a more cradling feeling, one of the medium-firm options may work well for you.
As mentioned above, the Helix Midnight works particularly well for side sleepers, as its pressure-relieving construction keeps hips and shoulders free of pain. In fact, during our pressure relief testing, the Helix Midnight Luxe earned a 4.1 out of 5. It also does a great job of keeping your spine aligned, which factors into back pain relief.
Helix offers a limited lifetime warranty and 120-night sleep trial with every mattress purchase.
What our testers say: “The Midnight has a true hybrid feel; in other words, it feels like a hotel bed—cushioning on top that’s balanced by a supportive, springy coil base. You’ll sink an inch or two into the memory foam top layer and feel the foam contouring around your curves. The coils below keep you lifted on top of the mattress.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
- Combination sleepers – Our testers found the Helix Midnight Luxe’s surface responsive and easy to move around on.
- Hot sleepers – We found that the Midnight Luxe did an excellent job of dispersing heat during testing and awarded it a 4.3 out of 5 in the cooling category.
- Back sleepers – Back sleepers should appreciate its balance of cushioning and support.
Who Might Not Like the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
- Heavyweight stomach sleepers, because it won’t provide the appropriate support or comfort. The Helix Plus, however, excels at providing better support for stomach sleepers.
- Couples easily disturbed by movement may want to find a mattress that is better at dampening motion.
Other User Reviews
On Helix’s website, the mattress scores 4.5 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews come mostly from side sleepers who found the mattress too firm and therefore uncomfortable for their tastes. Positive reviews cite pain relief, easy set-up, and overall comfort.
Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review to learn more! For more, see our ranking of the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Best Luxury Mattress for Back Pain: Nectar Luxe
Nectar Luxe Mattress
The Nectar Luxe is a luxury option for sleepers who want to splurge on pressure relief. It also stays impressively cool for a body-hugging foam bed.
Product Details
Our Recommendation
With the Nectar Luxe, the popular mattress brand aims to deliver a hotel-like sleep experience. During testing, our in-house team was impressed by its responsiveness and cooling, awarding it a 4 out of 5 or higher in either category. Our testers also enjoyed the plush surface of the Nectar Luxe, noting that it could be a great option for sleepers who prefer to feel hugged by their mattress.
That said, the Nectar’s softness also translates to weaker edge support. While we don’t think anyone is in danger of rolling off the bed if they lie on the perimeter, we wouldn’t recommend this mattress to sleepers who need a sturdy surface to help them get up in the morning.
Its motion isolation also left something to be desired. When partnering up to assess its motion transfer, our testers noticed they could feel a lot of movement travel across the bed’s surface.
What our testers say: “If you enjoy memory foam, you will really like the pressure relief that this gives. It’s pretty slow but not the slowest when you sink in. I feel a lot of cushioning at the hips. It’s also comfortable in my shoulders and upper back. This is a great bed for those who prefer a soft memory foam surface.” – Sosha Lewis, certified sleep science coach
Who Might Like the Nectar Luxe Mattress
- Hot sleepers should benefit from the Nectar Luxe’s cool-to-the-touch surface.
- Sleepers who prefer a soft surface will love the plush cover layer of the Nectar Luxe.
- Combination sleepers who prefer a memory foam mattress should find it surprisingly easy to move around on the Nectar.
Who Might Not Like the Nectar Luxe Mattress
- Sleepers with mobility issues will need something with a stronger perimeter to help them stand up in the morning.
- Couples who are sensitive to motion will want to find something that isolates movement better.
Other User Reviews
According to Nectar’s site, the Nectar Luxe has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews seem focused on personal preference that the bed is too soft or too firm. Overall, the majority of positive reviews find the bed comfortable and cooling.
Our full Nectar Luxe mattress review is coming soon.
Best Budget Mattress for Back Pain: Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The recently remodeled Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is an affordable hybrid mattress that impressed our testers with its pressure relief, motion isolation, and responsiveness. At only $1,465 for a queen-sized bed (and often even less with discounts), you get a mattress that earned a 4 out of 5 or higher in each of those categories.
Couples ought to appreciate the Signature Hybrid’s superior motion isolation (4.7 out of 5) and responsiveness (4 out of 5) because it gives them the best of both worlds: ease of movement for intimate moments and above-average motion-dampening to ensure that they don’t feel each other toss and turn when it’s time to get some shuteye.
Most importantly, though, the Signature Hybrid offers exceptional pressure relief for back sleepers. Our mattress testers were most impressed with how comfortable it felt while lying on their backs. They praised the Signature Hybrid for being supportive enough to keep their spines in a neutral position, without sacrificing any cushioning or comfort.
Unfortunately, the Signature Hybrid showed a weaker performance on the cooling and edge support fronts. Based on our testers’ assessments, I wouldn’t recommend this bed to hot sleepers and those with mobility concerns who rely on the side of the bed to get up in the morning.
What our testers say: “I really like this mattress for back sleeping. It has that balanced feel that lands right in the medium-firm range, which I think a lot of back sleepers will appreciate. My body felt evenly supported from head to toe, and my spine stayed in a nice, neutral position.” – Riley Otis, certified sleep science coach
Who Might Like the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
- Back sleepers should love its balanced medium-firm feel and ability to keep the spine in healthy alignment.
- Couples will appreciate the strong motion isolation and a responsive surface that makes it easy to move around without disturbing your partner throughout the night.
- With a queen-size priced around $1,465 before discounts, the Signature Hybrid delivers well-rounded performance at a price budget shoppers will love.
Who Might Not Like the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
- The mattress earned one of its lowest scores in cooling, so it may retain more heat than sleepers who run hot prefer.
- Folks with mobility concerns should note that its weaker edge support means the perimeter compresses more when sitting or pushing off the side of the bed.
Other User Reviews
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid has an average score of 4.7 out of 5 based on 11,657 Reviews. Most reviews praise its balance of cushioning and support. Others appreciate how neatly it was packaged. Some critical reviews note that its surface is too firm (or too soft, depending on their preferences), while others complained about a strong off-gassing smell.
Learn more about this model in our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress review.
Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Back Pain: Nolah Evolution
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The Nolah Evolution is a luxurious medium-firm mattress with multiple firmness options and a balanced feel, making it a fantastic choice for back pain. Its Luxury Firm version scored a 5.5/10 on our firmness scale, working for a wide variety of sleepers: side sleepers and back sleepers under 250 pounds.
And if you’re a sleeper who likes to toss and turn between these positions at night, not to worry. The Nolah Evolution’s hybrid construction serves a foam/coil combination that makes it easy to move around on top of the mattress. So, you won’t feel stuck in the material as you’re switching from back, to side, to back again. And these sturdy coils also provide the necessary support to keep the body lifted and in alignment throughout the night, helping it earn high marks during pressure relief and support tests.
The Nolah Evolution comes with a 120-night sleep trial, a lifetime warranty, and free shipping to the contiguous United States. The mattress is delivered to your doorstep and will arrive five to 10 days after ordering.
What our testers say: Nolah designed the Nolah Original mattress for side sleeping: it pays extra attention to the need for contouring around the hips and shoulders and supports proper spinal alignment. Everyone except stomach sleepers and heavyweight sleepers will find something to like about the Nolah Original mattress.” – Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Nolah Evolution Mattress
- Couples will appreciate the Nolah Evolution’s 5-star motion isolation. During testing, we could not detect any motion rippling across the surface of this mattress.
- The Nolah Evolution also earned a strong 4.3 out of 5 in cooling, making it great for sleepers who often overheat.
- Sleepers with mobility concerns who need a strong perimeter to bear down on will appreciate the Nolah Evolution’s near-perfect edge support (4.6 out of 5 in this category).
Who Might Not Like the Nolah Evolution Mattress
- Sleepers with bigger bodies might benefit from a firmer, more supportive sleep surface. We recommend trying the Firm version of the Nolah Evolution or the Saatva HD instead.
- People who enjoy the “hugging” feel of memory foam should look at something softer. You will feel more “on top of” than “in” the layers of the Nolah Evolution.
Other User Reviews
On Nolah’s site, the Nolah Evolution scores an incredibly impressive 4.9 out of 5 stars. With mostly positive reviews, customers say they find the bed comfortable and relieving of many aches and pains. Some customers disagree and say they’re still adjusting, and others took note of the bed’s lack of edge support.
Read our full Nolah Evolution mattress review to learn more! Interested in learning about more budget-friendly options? Check out our best mattresses for combination sleepers.
Best Extra-Firm Mattress for Back Pain: Brooklyn Bedding Plank
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
If you’ve always found most beds to be too soft for your liking, the Brooklyn Bedding Plank is going to be your best bet for an extra-firm bed. With this model, you get a flippable, all-foam mattress, with one side coming in at a 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, and the other side is a 9 out of 10, or extra-firm. We think light to average-weight folks will experience their best relief on the firm side (7.5/10), while average-to-heavyweight folks should try out the extra firm side (9/10) for even more support.
When we tested this bed out in our lab, we found the Plank to be very dense and supportive, while still being able to easily move around on, since you stay elevated on that firm surface. Plus, this bed performed very well in our pressure map testing for all sleeping positions, so regardless of if you’re a back, side, or stomach sleeper, you should experience great spinal alignment on this bed, which is essential to back pain relief.
As for policies, the Plank ships for free within the contiguous United States, comes with a 120-night sleep trial, and a limited lifetime year warranty. The Plank is priced pretty well compared to other online brands, and comes at a significantly lower price point than luxury competitors—especially considering the added value of multiple firmness options.
What our testers say: “The Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm is best for back and stomach sleepers who love extra firm mattresses. Surprisingly, it also works well for side sleepers who don’t mind the lack of cushion.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Plank Mattress
- Strict stomach sleepers who need an ultra-firm surface to keep their hips and lower back in a neutral position.
- Combination sleepers who frequently change positions and need a sleep surface that makes it easy to do so.
- Sleepers who need strong edge support will benefit from the Extra-Firm side’s sturdy perimeter.
Who Might Not Like the Plank Mattress
- Side sleepers who want deep cushioning would fare better on a softer surface. For these sleepers, we recommend the Brooklyn Bedding Sedona Elite instead.
- Hot sleepers would probably sleep cooler on a hybrid mattress. Our testers found that the Plank Firm model held onto body heat longer than other foam models.
Other User Reviews
On Plank’s website, the Plank Firm gets 4.8 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews tend to say that the bed is either too firm or softer than they expected. But, overall, many people seem satisfied and are finding relief from chronic pain.
Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Plank review to learn more! For more, see our ranking of the best firm mattresses.
Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers with Back Pain: DreamCloud
DreamCloud Classic Hybrid
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The DreamCloud mattress is a great option for stomach sleepers who experience lower back pain because of its firm, yet supportive feel, which will keep your hips lifted in alignment with your shoulders. This mattress is a hybrid option that offers five layers, including the soft-to-the-touch cover, three comfort foam layers, and a supportive coil layer.
Stomach sleepers tend to be susceptible to chronic pain because their spine is likely to hyper-extend, increasing the likelihood of lower back pain. With the DreamCloud, stomach sleepers who experience this issue will find comfort in the foam layers while receiving crucial lifting support for their hips and lower back.
Our testers gave the DreamCloud a pressure relief score of 4.4 out of 5 for its performance in the back- and stomach-sleeping positions. In either position, our testers could feel the tension actively leaving their lower back.
The DreamCloud Original comes with a 365-night sleep trial, a lifetime warranty, and free shipping within the contiguous United States. If you are ordering from Alaska or Hawaii, there is a $350 shipping fee. You can also opt into DreamCloud’s white-glove delivery service for an additional $199, which means a delivery team will set up your new mattress for you and remove your old one.
What our testers say: “The DreamCloud mattress brings a high-quality, hotel-like feel to the bed-in-a-box market. It performed well in all of our tests, and while it’s not a perfect fit for every sleeper, it’s a great option for a lot of people.” – Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the DreamCloud Mattress
- Strict stomach sleepers will have enough lower body support to rest comfortably through the night.
- People who frequently switch between sleeping positions will appreciate the DreamCloud’s 5-star responsive surface that essentially functions as a springboard.
- Hot sleepers won’t have to worry about sweating through their sheets on the DreamCloud mattress, thanks to its stellar 4.3-star cooling performance.
Who Might Not Like the DreamCloud Mattress
- Lightweight sleepers and strict side sleepers with sensitive joints might benefit from a softer sleep surface. These sleepers consider upgrading to the DreamCloud Premier instead.
Other User Reviews
The DreamCloud Original scores a solid 4.7 out of 5 stars among customers on its site. Reviews are mixed on the firmness of the mattress but overall users are satisfied with the comfort and say that their sleep has improved.
Read our full DreamCloud Original mattress review to learn more! For more, see our ranking of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain: WinkBed
WinkBed Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The WinkBeds Original Mattress is an excellent choice for stomach sleepers with back pain. This mattress is available in four firmness levels: softer, luxury firm, firmer, and plus. We recommend the firm option for stomach sleepers with back pain, so the hips will not sink too much.
The mattress is complete with a proprietary lumbar layer; this mattress is engineered to keep the spine aligned in every sleeping position, and the WinkBed will ease all your aches and pains. What’s more, the WinkBed mattress includes a Triple Layer Heat Disperse technology system that includes a cooling Tencel cover and breathable coils.
During testing, our in-house team noted a minor increase in temperature after lying on the bed for several minutes. Using a thermal gun, they measured a minor 6.7-degree increase, which is exceptional.
The mattress is also equipped with a 3-step back relief system, meaning it has zoned support throughout the length of the mattress. It will fill in areas of the back that need more support and give comfort to the areas that need more cushioning.
What our testers say: “The WinkBed is a solid mid-range hybrid mattress. With some great features like temperature regulation, strong edge support, and responsive materials, as well as having a variety of firmnesses to choose from, the WinkBed will work well for a wide variety of sleepers.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the WinkBed Mattress
- Hot sleepers, as the gel-infused memory foam and breathable layering keeps you cool.
- Sleepers with mobility concerns will benefit from the WinkBed’s consistent corner-to-corner support.
- Back sleepers wanting a medium-firm mattress that will cushion their lower lumbar area.
Who Might Not Like the WinkBed Mattress
- Sleepers who are sensitive to motion due to its somewhat average performance in motion isolation. The WinkBed GravityLux performed better in this category.
- Side sleepers may find the WinkBed’s surface too rigid to relieve pressure in their hips and shoulders.
Other User Reviews
On the WinkBeds site, the WinkBed earns a 4.8 out of 5 stars. Most negative reviews focus on problems with delivery and removal. But overall, people seem satisfied and consider the bed supportive and sturdy.
See our full WinkBeds mattress review to learn more. For more, check out the best mattresses for cooling.
Best Mattress for Back and Neck Pain: Bear Elite Hybrid
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Oftentimes, if you suffer from back pain, you may suffer from neck or hip pain as well. Many mattresses have cracked the code to remedy back pain, but the Bear Elite Hybrid was constructed to also accommodate those with neck pain. This mattress is especially good for sleepers who live an active lifestyle since it combines support, pain relief, and comfort all in one bed.
With multiple firmness options, the Bear Elite Hybrid is suitable for heavy sleepers, couples, and every sleeping position. It is a thicker-than-average mattress, so if you want enhanced durability, this bed should support your alignment for nights on end. This mattress earned praise from our testers for its strong corner-to-corner support, clinching a 4.5 edge support score overall.
The Bear Elite Hybrid also earned a 4.2 out of 5 for pressure relief, thanks in large part to its excellent performance for back sleeping. During testing, our team found it most comfortable in this position, noting that its plush comfort layers cushioned the body while providing enough support to keep the hips elevated and the spine in healthy alignment. Testers also appreciated how well the mattress filled in the lower lumbar region.
What our testers say: “The Bear Elite has a good balance of sink and lift, meaning that the mattress’s hand-quilted top layer has enough cushioning to feel soft but also gives enough support from the coils below. That said, while lying on this mattress, you can’t feel the coil support layer under you.” – Loren Bullock, Certified Sleep Science Coach
Who Might Like the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
- Couples, as its layers of foam effectively isolate motion.
- Athletes, as it was built specifically for those who lead an active life.
- Back sleepers, thanks to its excellent pressure relief and support.
Who Might Not Like the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
- The Bear Elite Hybrid might be too soft for stomach sleepers with bigger bodies.
- Shoppers looking for a budget option. At nearly $2,300 for a queen-sized bed before any discounts, the Elite Hybrid is one of the brand’s pricier models.
Other User Reviews
According to Bear’s website, the Bear Elite scores about 4.6 out of 5 stars. Most negative reviews complain that the bed was either too firm or too soft for their personal preference, while others noted the lack of edge support. Overall, customers say that this bed helped them stay cool at night and helped relieve their pain.
Read our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review to learn more!
Best Mattress for Lightweight People with Back Pain: Leesa Sapira Hybrid
Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Sapira Hybrid from Leesa is one of the best beds on the market for keeping the spine supported in every sleeping position. At a perfectly medium firmness level of 6 out of 10, the Sapira’s comfortable surface will appeal to a wide range of people, but especially to lightweight individuals with back pain. That’s because of its excellent pressure relief and hybrid construction, which provides cushioning comfort for sensitive areas like the lower back, shoulders, and hips, as well as a strong coil system for ultimate support.
When we put this bed through a series of performance tests, the Sapira was a hit for the lightweight back and side sleepers among our ranks., We gave the Leesa Sapira Chill a 4 out of 5 or higher in the cooling, responsiveness, and pressure relief categories.
The Sapira ships for free throughout the entire United States (yes, even for you customers from Alaska and Hawaii)! Leesa also offers white glove delivery at checkout for an additional fee of $179. You can try out the Sapira for 120 nights risk-free. If you like it and decide to keep it, you’re covered under the company’s limited lifetime warranty.
What our testers say: “The Sapira Hybrid is an excellent bed crafted for the average sleeper. With a robust comfort system, there’s plenty of cushion for most back, stomach, and side sleepers. And thanks to durable foams and strong innerspring coils, the Sapira hybrid is supportive enough for bigger bodies. It’s easy to move around on, sleeps cool, and works well enough for most couples.” – Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Leesa Sapira Chill Mattress
- Most sleeping positions and body types will benefit from the Leesa Sapira Chill’s fantastic pressure relief performance.
- Combination sleepers should find it easy to toss, turn, and roll around on the Leesa Sapira Chill’s snappy surface.
- Hot sleepers will appreciate the Leesa Sapira Chill’s superior temperature-regulating features.
Who Might Not Like the Leesa Sapira Chill Mattress
- The Leesa Sapira Chill is not firm enough to support sleepers with bigger bodies. We recommend these sleepers try the Helix Plus instead.
- Couples who are easily disturbed by movement.
Other User Reviews
On the Leesa site, this mattress scored a 4.4 out of 5 stars, from over 1,500 reviews. Praise is given to the support this mattress provides for different styles of sleeping.
Read our full Leesa Sapira Hybrid review to learn more!
Compare Mattress Nerd’s Scores for the Best Mattresses for Back Pain
| Model | Mattress Nerd Score |
| Saatva Classic | 4.3 out of 5 |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | 3.8 out of 5 |
| Nectar Luxe | 4.1 out of 5 |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | 4.4 out of 5 |
| Nolah Evolution | 4.8 out of 5 |
| Brooklyn Bedding Plank | 4 out of 5 |
| DreamCloud Original | 4.4 out of 5 |
| WinkBed | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Bear Elite Hybrid | 4.2 out of 5 |
| Leesa Sapira Hybrid | 3.8 out of 5 |
Back Pain and Sleep
If you have any experience with back pain, then you likely know the struggle of trying to fall asleep with that sort of discomfort. The smallest movement can cause a jolt of pain that yanks you right out of a deep rest.
Unfortunately, we cannot claim that a better mattress will fix your back pain. If possible, we recommend you visit a doctor who can provide a treatment tailored to your specific situation. That said, your mattress may be one of many factors contributing to your condition, and replacing it may not just make falling asleep easier, but may also lead to less pain throughout your days.
We’ll start off by briefly discussing different kinds of back pain before going into ways in which changing your mattress and your sleep preferences can lead to better health and better sleep.
Can a Mattress Cause Back Pain?
While it can be difficult to determine the primary cause of your back pain, your mattress should definitely be considered a culprit. This doesn’t mean that we recommend kicking your mattress to the curb if you suffer from back aches, but some investigation might be in order.
First, how old is your current mattress? The older they get, the less support they’ll provide. If your mattress does not offer that magical blend of comfort and support, then it can cause your spine to go out of alignment as you’re resting, which can certainly lead to morning back pain.
It’s also important to ensure that the firmness of your mattress is ideal for your body type, sleeping position, and personal preference. If, for example, you’re a lightweight side sleeper, you probably shouldn’t be sleeping on a very firm mattress. Doing so can not only cause lower back pain, but also hip and shoulder pain. Take a look at our mattress firmness guide for a more detailed breakdown on this subject.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Mattress
With proper use and care, a well-built mattress can last you 10 years or longer. If you’re wondering if it’s time to replace your mattress, there are a few signs to look out for. For starters, visible sagging, deep body impressions, lumps, and squeaky coils are all obvious signs that it’s time to invest in a new bed.
If this sounds like your mattress, you might also notice that you’re waking up feeling achy or stiff more often. And even if your mattress looks fine on the outside, changes in your body or sleep habits often suggest it’s no longer the right fit.
Pregnancy, injuries, weight fluctuations, or simply getting older can also affect the amount of pressure relief and support you need to sleep comfortably. If you’ve tried adjusting your pillow or sleep position and you’re still waking up uncomfortable, it may be time to start shopping for a new mattress.
Replacing your mattress isn’t necessarily a cure for back pain, but finding one that suits your preferred sleeping position and firmness can go a long way toward improving your comfort and helping you wake up well rested.
How to Get Better Sleep with Back Pain
Types of Back Pain
It’s important to note that back pain comes in different forms. Once you are able to better classify your back pain, it may become easier to find a solution for it.
Chronic vs. Acute Back Pain
If you have noticed a recent onset of back pain that immediately followed a determinable event, such as lifting something heavy, overexerting yourself playing sports, or falling down, then it is likely acute back pain. Acute pain, as the name would suggest, is quite sharp and may not last as long as chronic pain, if properly treated.
Chronic pain can occur when acute back pain is not properly managed. Though the symptoms are similar, chronic back pain can cause persistent discomfort in addition to the unexpected jolts of pain that are associated with acute back pain. Though it is not necessarily time dependent, if you have been experiencing back pain for several months then it has likely developed from acute pain into chronic pain.
If you’d like to learn more, head over to our full article on chronic vs. acute back pain.
Location of Back Pain
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain, the most common type of back pain reported in the U.S., can be caused by a variety of factors and can range greatly in severity. This affects the region of the back that naturally curves in, also known as the “lumbar region.” This condition is made most manageable by a mattress or pillow that fills in the lower back and allows it to be aligned with the rest of the spine.
For more on this, take a look at our article on sleeping with lower back pain.
Middle Back Pain
Middle back pain is caused by many of the same triggers for lower and upper back pain, it just manifests itself differently depending largely on a person’s body weight and lifestyle. People with this condition often have more feelings of “overall” back pain, and can benefit from using techniques for both lower and upper back pain together.
Upper Back Pain
Upper back pain is the second most common type of back pain. Upper back pain can be caused by several things, such as poor posture, muscle overuse, injury, herniated discs, and much more. This type of pain can also impact the shoulders, and cause overall pain in the top parts of the body. If you are sleeping with this condition, make sure your neck and spine are aligned, and that your body is properly supported.
Proper Spinal Alignment
It cannot be stressed enough how important proper spinal support is in keeping your back pain-free. A mattress that excels in this will contour to your body in such a way that keeps your spine resting in its naturally curved position. If your spine gets thrown out of whack as you sleep, then you will likely wake up with aches as a result.
Vivian Eisenstadt, CPT, explains, “…many times low back pain originates in the tight muscles of the low back, so full spinal support is imperative to a good night sleep where all the muscles in your back can rest and rejuvenate and heal you for the day ahead.”
There are a number of reasons why your spine might not be properly aligned as you sleep, it isn’t just a result of the quality of your mattress. Rather, your sleeping position, preferred mattress material, and your body type should all be taken into consideration when looking for the perfect mattress to keep your spine healthy.
For more information, check out our article on spine alignment and sleep.
Mattress Firmness
Mattress firmness should always be at top of mind when you are shopping for a new bed, regardless of whether or not you have back pain. How firmness works is, companies will grade each of their mattresses on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being extremely soft and 10 being extremely firm.
No firmness is inherently better than another one, but your personal preference as well as your particular situation will play a part in which firmness is most compatible with you. 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. For back pain, there isn’t one ideal firmness level. However, there are firmness levels that work better with different sleeping positions.
Read our mattress firmness guide for more information.
Sleeping Positions
While it is not the end-all-be-all, sleeping position can absolutely have an effect on your back pain. The good news is that there are ways in which each sleeping positioncan improve your sleep, and hopefully help your back pain.
Side Sleeping
Side sleepers put a lot of pressure on their shoulders and hips when they lie down, as these are the heaviest areas of their body that make contact with the bed. If you sleep on your side, you should look for a mattress that is on the softer end of medium-firm.
At this firmness level, your shoulders and hips will sink just far enough into the mattress, but not so far that your spine gets thrown out of alignment. Not only can this help prevent or reduce back soreness, it can also help with shoulder pain. Take a look at our best mattresses for side sleepers article for more great options.
Back Sleeping
Back sleepersneed something a bit firmer than side sleepers. Somewhere between 5 and 7 on the firmness scale tends to be right for them. It allows their shoulders to remain supported and their lower back to sink just far enough to maintain the natural curve of the spine. Also, it is still soft enough to help relieve pressure.
If you sleep on your back, a tip from Vivian Eisenstadt, CPT, is, “For Low back pain, you can sleep supine with a pillow half way under your buttocks to tilt your pelvis so your low back is more in connection with the mattress.” Take a look at our best mattresses for back sleepers article for more great options.
Stomach Sleeping
Stomach sleepers tend to need a mattress with a very firm feel, around the 7.5 or 8 range. That is because sinking into the mattress even slightly too much can lead to improper spinal support.
Another problem that stomach sleepers might contend with is that they usually have to twist their head at an awkward angle in order to make comfortable contact with their pillow. Though it is far up on the body, this twisting can still have a negative impact. Vivian Eisenstadt, CPT, suggests, “For stomach sleepers, you can use a body pillow to hug so your neck isn’t rotated too much.” Take a look at our best mattresses for stomach sleepers article for more great options.
Different Mattress Types for Back Pain
Hybrid Mattresses for Back Pain
Hybrid mattresses are made of all-foam or latex layers on top of a coil base. This construction performs well for those with back pain because it provides a good amount of contouring to the body along with adequate support. Depending on what these mattresses are topped with, they also have a decent amount of bounce and responsiveness. Our list of best hybrid mattresses has some of our favorite of this type of bed
Memory Foam Mattresses for Back Pain
Memory foam mattresses range in how they feel more than just about any other mattress type. They have a great amount of give, and closely contour to the body in many spots. As long as these mattresses are not too soft, they are usually good options for those with back pain, especially lower back pain since the moldable foam can fill in the lumbar region. Take a look at our best memory foam mattresses page for more info.
Innerspring Mattresses for Back Pain
Innerspring mattresses are often referred to as “traditional” mattresses. They are made up of a coil base and have a comfort top layer that is thinner than that of a hybrid mattress. These mattresses can be very supportive and provide a lot of back pain relief. See our best innerspring mattress list if you’re interested.
Latex Mattresses for Back Pain
Latex mattresses have gained popularity for their “all-natural” qualities and their pressure point relief. Latex is naturally breathable and offers very sturdy support, making it good for those with all types of back pain. Head over to our best latex mattresses roundup for a more comprehensive look.
Other Things To Consider When Sleeping With 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.
Body Type
Make sure you keep your body type in mind when looking for a mattress to help with your back pain. As mentioned above, the firmness of your bed can affect the quality of your sleep depending on your preferred position. Well, your weight plays a part in how firm a mattress feels to you. What feels soft to a larger person may feel uncomfortably firm to a petite person. Our heavy sleepers guide has more information that may prove useful in your buying journey.
Mattress Durability
As is the case for any mattress shopper, you’ll want to make sure you are investing in a quality product. The higher the quality, the likelier it is that your mattress will have high durability and be able to hold up under your weight for many years. If you get a mattress that begins to sag prematurely, this could contribute to worsened back pain.
Best Mattress for Back Pain FAQs
What type of mattress is best for alleviating back pain?
We recommend medium-firm mattresses because they provide the support required to maintain proper spinal alignment while offering enough cushioning to relieve pressure points. Memory foam and latex are known for their contouring properties, which can help distribute body weight evenly and reduce strain on the back.
Is a firm or soft mattress better for people with back pain?
Neither extremely firm or very soft mattresses are ideal for people with back pain.
An extra firm mattress will not conform to the body’s curves (neck, shoulders, and hips), leading to increased pressure and discomfort around the joints. Conversely, a very soft mattress may lack the necessary support, causing the body to sink too deeply and the spine to fall out of alignment. A medium-firm mattress is the best option because it provides a supportive yet comfortable surface that promotes healthy spinal alignment.
Can a new mattress really help reduce or eliminate back pain?
Yes, a new mattress can significantly reduce or even eliminate back pain, especially if your current mattress is old, sagging, or not suited to your sleep preferences. A good mattress will support the correct spinal alignment and provide pressure relief; these components work together to alleviate tension and strain on the back muscles and spine.
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.
We’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: Best Mattresses for Back Pain (2023)
| Model | Award |
| Saatva Classic | Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | Best for Side Sleepers with Back Pain |
| Nectar Luxe | Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Back Pain |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | Best Budget Mattress for Back Pain |
| Nolah Evolution | Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Back Pain |
| Plank | Best Extra-Firm Mattress for Back Pain |
| DreamCloud Original | Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers with Back Pain |
| WinkBed | Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain |
| Bear Elite Hybrid | Best Mattress for Back and Neck Pain |
| Leesa Sapira Hybrid | Best Mattress for Lightweight People with Back Pain |
Becca Fair
Editor, Certified Sleep Science Coach
About Author
Becca is the Sleep Accessories Editor at Mattress Nerd. She has always been interested in sleep health and how it relates to other areas of wellness. As an accessories editor on Mattress Nerd and a Certified Sleep Science Coach, Becca’s goal is to lead people to an amazing night’s sleep, so they can live their best lives. When she’s not typing away writing editorial reviews, you can find her as one of the faces of Mattress Nerd’s YouTube channel.
Combination Sleeper
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach
Vivian Eisenstadt is part of our panel of medical expert contributors on the subject of sleep health. They provide important perspectives on the topics we discuss to help make our content as accurate and dependable as possible. They do not personally endorse any products, nor are they associated with any brands featured in our review content.
