Best Mattresses for Hip Pain

Hip pain can stem from a variety of causes. From diseases like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis to sitting at a desk all day, chronic hip pain is not only is difficult to deal with while awake but can also cause severely disrupted sleep. Your mattress has a large impact on whether your hip pain is worsened when you lie down or gets better throughout the night. Mattresses that aid hip pain will cushion pressure points, improve sleep throughout the night, and may help your condition overall.

When selecting a mattress for hip pain, it’s important to choose a model that will relieve your pain by conforming closely to your body. Contouring mattresses will help align the spine in a proper position and alleviate pressure points in the hips as well as the neck, back, and other areas that come into close contact with the mattress. 

The best mattress for your hip pain will depend on several factors like your bodyweight, sleep preferences, sleep position, and the intensity of your pain. In this article, we’re sharing how to choose the best mattress for your hip pain as well as our top recommendations of the best mattresses for hip pain in 2020.

Best Mattresses for Hip Pain in 2020

• Casper Wave—Editor’s Pick
• Nolah Original 10—Best Value
• Nectar—Best Memory Foam
• Loom & Leaf—Best Luxury Mattress for Hip Pain
• Puffy —Best for Lightweight Sleepers with Hip Pain
• Tuft & Needle Mint—Best for Couples with Hip Pain
• Layla—Best for Hot Sleepers with Hip Pain

The Casper Wave is Casper’s take on a luxury mattress and is constructed with pressure-relieving comfort layers of polyfoam, blended latex, memory foam, and an ergonomic transitional polyfoam layer for added hip support.

This is our Editor’s Pick for the best mattress for hip pain for a few reasons. The top foams provide a deep cradle and the feeling of sleeping “in” the mattress, which many people with hip conditions prefer.

While the Casper Wave may not provide enough of a supportive surface for heavyweight sleepers (it’s a 4.5/10 on the firmness scale), the transitional layer and support core keep this soft bed from sinking too much. It creates a nice balance of conforming and spinal alignment for average weight and lightweight sleepers with hip issues. See: Best Mattresses for Plus-Size Sleepers

Read our full Casper Wave Mattress review to learn more!

The Nolah Original 10 is an all-polyfoam bed that offers a medium-firm feel and body-conforming for individuals with hip pain. Our value pick, this mattress has a high-quality design with thoughtful features that are typically found in much more expensive models, making it our value pick for best mattresses with hip pain. See also: Best Mattresses under $1000.

This mattress provides sleepers with the traditional, well-loved memory foam feel of sleeping “in” the mattress, thanks to the proprietary AirFoam that’s in the comfort layers. The AirFoam does a great job at hugging the hips and shoulders for pressure relief, while the support layers of the mattress maintain the medium feel and help keep the spine aligned by preventing the sleeper from sinking too much.

The Nolah Original 10 comes with generous policies for an affordable mattress, too, like a 120-night sleep trial, free shipping, and a 15-year warranty.

Read our Nolah Original 10 Mattress review to learn more!

All memory foam mattresses will likely provide some form of relief for sufferers of hip pain thanks to the cradling qualities of their memory foam layers. The Nectar Mattress is one of our top memory foam mattresses for sleepers with hip pain, however. It has two comfort layers that conform closely to the body without sinking too deeply. This means that it will hug the body to alleviate any aches and prevent further damage while maintaining proper spinal alignment in most sleeping positions.

We’d describe the Nectar as plush but highly supportive, meaning that sleepers who like the feeling of sinking into their beds but don’t want to sacrifice the health of their spine or joints, as a result, will enjoy this mattress. Not to mention, the Nectar is reasonably priced, available at Amazon and many other online retailers, and comes with a 1-year sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.

Read our full Nectar Mattress review to learn more!

Made by Saatva, the Loom & Leaf is a luxury all-foam mattress that’s 12 inches tall and comes in two firmness options (relaxed firm and firm). The mattress has a layer of gel memory foam and another layer of memory foam with additional gel at the center, meaning that the bed will target specific areas of pain closer to the middle area of the body.

Lightweight and average weight sleepers with hip pain will especially love this bed, as it cushions pressure points under the hips and shoulders exceptionally well for side sleeping. It also provides above-average motion isolation, making it a good luxury pick for those who sleep with a partner or co-sleep with a pet. See: Guide to CoSleeping and Bed Sharing

The relaxed firm option corresponds with roughly a 5.5/10 on the firmness scale, and the firm option corresponds with an 8/10. We recommend the relaxed firm for most sleepers, but if you prefer a very firm sleeping surface or need such a surface for ideal pain alleviation, we recommend the firm version. The Loom & Leaf comes with all the features that luxury beds typically do, including White Glove delivery, old mattress removal, free shipping, and more.

Read our full Loom & Leaf Mattress review to learn more!

The Puffy is an all-foam mattress made with a top layer of gel-infused memory foam, temperature-resistant polyfoam, and a high-density polyfoam support core. It’s the ideal pain-relieving mattress for side sleepers under 230 pounds and lightweight sleepers in any sleeping position, especially those with hip pain who need exceptional pressure relief. See: Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

From the soft, stretch-knit cover to the pillowy comfort layers, the Puffy has a deep, highly cushioning sleep surface that feels softer than most medium-firmness mattresses on the market. It compresses where weight is applied and remains resilient elsewhere, giving the mattress a cradling sensation that many sleepers with hip pain find therapeutic.

Lightweight sleepers will find the Puffy appealing for this quality in combination with the mattress’s ability to gently support their waist as they sink in. Lighter sleepers compress foam layers in memory foam mattresses less, so medium-firmness mattresses can feel too hard, but the Puffy offers the stability and support of a medium-firmness option with the top-layer relief of a mattress that would traditionally be rated much softer on the firmness scale.

Read our full Puffy Mattress review to learn more!

The T&N Mint is an all-foam mattress with a medium-firm feel, great pressure relief, and excellent motion isolation for couples. If you dislike the responsiveness of hybrid beds but also don’t want to sink into your bed as you would on a true memory foam model, this could be a nice option. 

The T&N Mint mattress is considered medium-firm, or 6.5/10 on the firmness scale, but the polyfoam layers conform closely to the body while offering more responsiveness than memory foam. The result is a balanced feeling of sleeping “in” and “on” the mattress. You won’t sink deep but it won’t feel too stiff, either.

This mattress is our recommendation for couples where one or both partners have hip pain, as it demonstrates great motion isolation thanks to its all-foam construction.

Read our full Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress review to learn more!

The Layla is a flippable memory foam mattress that features a soft, pressure-relieving firmness level on one side and a firmer, more supportive feel on the other side. This means that, regardless of your weight, size, or sleeping position, it’s pretty likely the Layla can accommodate you while relieving hip pain.

Both sides of the Layla feature copper-infused memory foam, which helps the bed sleep cooler than other memory foam models by drawing body heat away from the sleeper. This creates a win for those with hip pain who traditionally find the most relief on all-foam beds but may sleep hot on an all-foam model. All-foam beds tend to trap heat more than hybrid and innerspring beds due to the reduced airflow, but the Layla provides a cool surface and a body-hugging sensation for the best of both worlds.

The flippable design is appealing for sleepers who either have firmness preferences that change with time or anticipate needing a different firmness level as their condition changes for the worse or for the better. Better yet, the Layla is under $1,000 in all sizes, making it a high-value pick for hip pain.

Read our full Layla Mattress review to learn more!

What Causes Hip Pain? 

Hip pain, which is largely associated with older populations in the United States, can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, diseases, injuries, and more. Even poor sleeping habits can contribute to, or worsen the condition. Making things more complicated, hip pain may not actually be felt in the hip. For some, it radiates around other areas, like the leg and pelvis.

If you’re experiencing pain near your hip areas or in the lower torso, it’s best to visit a doctor for an official diagnosis. Medical facilities can use X-Rays, CAT scans, and MRIs to identify the root cause of your pain.

Here’s a list of the most common causes of hip pain:

• Arthritis—Arthritis is generally defined as joint inflammation or joint pain, and it comes in many forms. Some of the most common are juvenile idiopathic arthritis, osteoarthritis, septic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, all of which can affect the hip joint and cause pain, swelling, stiffness, red patches, cartilage deterioration, and more.
• Physical Injury—A fall, car accident, or other physical injuries, can result in a variety of hip-related issues that result in enduring pain. For example, bursitis, or joint inflammation, can prevent individuals from walking even if the incident that caused the bursitis wasn’t immediately or acutely painful. Other hip issues like tendinitis, hip fractures, dislocations, and sprains that result from injury can cause prolonged hip pain.
• Pinched Nerves—A pinched nerve occurs when there is too much pressure applied to a nerve. This can disrupt the function of the nerve and cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the body. Common types of pinched nerve conditions that impact the hips are pinching around the nerves of the outer thigh, pinching of the nerves around the sacroiliac joints, and pinching of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and legs.
• Cancer—Cancers like bone cancer and leukemia, which spread to the bones or impact the bone marrow, can cause pain in the hips.
• Other Conditions—A wide variety of other conditions and incidents can cause hip pain, from those as straightforward as menstrual cycle-related cramping in women to those as rare as synovitis, which is inflammation of the synovial membranes that line joints throughout the body.

In any case, the hip and surrounding joints are complex structures. As mentioned, we recommend visiting a doctor if you have undiagnosed hip pain. Getting to the root of the condition can help determine whether your issue is chronic and merits investment in a new, high-quality mattress or if it’s a short-term problem that pillows, bedding accessories, and lifestyle changes can alleviate.

How Can Sleep Affect Hip Pain?

Your sleep habits, including your sleeping position, resting and waking hours, the type and firmness of your mattress, and more, can either worsen or improve your hip pain. If you don’t struggle with a nerve condition, chronic condition, or injury-related issue and are having hip pain, your sleep could be causing it. If your spine is out of alignment throughout the night, you could be creating pressure in the hips that lead to pain in the daytime.

Most orthopedic doctors, chiropractors, radiologists, and other medical professionals who work with joints and the spine agree that sleeping on your back is ideal for spinal health and pain relief. Since back sleeping is most likely to keep the spine in alignment throughout the night, it creates the least amount of pressure points along the spine. However, proper spinal alignment can be achieved on the right mattress if you sleep on your side or stomach or are a combination sleeper.

Other lifestyle factors, like strenuous exercise,  can also cause pain that shows up at night. If you’ve recently changed your routine or are engaging in high-impact exercise, it could be linked to your pain. Obesity can also cause joint pain at night, especially if you’re currently sleeping on a mattress that isn’t supportive enough for your body.

Hip Pain by Sleeping Position 

Sleep position is essential to consider if you experience hip pain. Choosing the best position to alleviate pain and pressure can result in a better night’s sleep. Even if you’re dedicated to your current sleeping position(s), learning how to best support your hips and spine in your position of choice can lead to reduced pain, better daytime mobility, and improved sleep. 

Here are some tips for resting in each sleeping position with hip pain.

Side sleepers

Side sleepers’ bodies rest most of their weight on the hips and shoulders throughout the night, which can exacerbate hip pain without proper support. Mattress firmness is essential for side sleepers, who usually need slightly softer mattresses to allow for conforming around the hips and shoulders, which helps keep the spine straight overall. 

Sleeping with a pillow between your legs can also alleviate some pressure. If you only have pain in one hip, sleep with your bad hip facing up. If you have pain in both hips, change which side you sleep on every other night to keep the pressure even. See: Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers 

Stomach sleepers

Improper stomach sleeping can also worsen hip pain. This is because stomach sleepers tend to sink in the midsection, causing a misalignment in the lower back. Stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to keep the hips elevated, which maintains spinal alignment.

While spinal alignment isn’t recommended by doctors because of the pressure it places on the hips and neck, there are some tips for doing so if you have hip pain. Consider placing a firm pillow beneath your lower stomach and wedge pillows underneath your hips. These prevent the stomach from sinking too deeply and provide extra cushion for any discomfort.

Back sleepers

If you’re open to trying a new sleeping position for hip pain relief, we recommend back sleeping. Back sleeping is often the most relieving position for sleepers with many types of pain issues, including hip pain. Back sleeping supports spinal alignment, evenly distributes body weight, and creates less pressure in the hips. 

If you decide to sleep on your back, choose a mattress that’s medium-firm if you’re average weight, softer if you’re lightweight, and firmer if you’re heavyweight. If you still experience hip pain in this position, consider placing a pillow beneath your knees for added relief on the lower spine. 

Mattresses for Hip Pain Buying Guide

Types

While memory foam mattresses are the most common type of mattress recommended for individuals with bone and joint pain, other mattress types have unique qualities that can be appealing. “Good” mattresses for hip pain relief come in many styles, so here’s a look at the most common mattress types and what they have to offer for people who experience hip pain.

• Innerspring—The most traditional of all mattress types, innerspring mattresses have steel coils and thin foam comfort layers. They offer decent support but do not conform well. Depending on the construction, they may offer pain relief for sleepers whose pain is stemming primarily from their sleeping position. If you sleep on your back and like a firm mattress, you may do well on an innerspring style with a thicker-than-average foam layer.
• All-Foam—Memory foam mattresses and other foam mattress styles have comfort, transitional, and support layers of memory foam, latex, or polyfoam. They generally offer great conforming and comfort, but the support they offer varies by brand, style, and firmness setting. Edge support can also be poor (sagging occurs over time) in all-foam mattresses, which can be an issue for elderly individuals with hip pain who have trouble getting in and out of bed. It’s important to know the firmness setting that best supports your body and sleeping position if you’re opting for an all-foam style.
• Hybrid—Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds from innerspring mattresses and all-foam mattresses. They’re airy, breathable, and supportive like innerspring beds, but they have the comfort and conforming of all-foam beds. However, these are usually among the most expensive beds on the market due to the quality and variety of materials in their construction. Similar to all-foam beds, a good hybrid mattress for hip pain will have conforming comfort layers for pressure relief and a supportive enough core to maintain spinal alignment in your preferred sleeping position.

Considerations

In addition to mattress style, these are important considerations to keep in mind when selecting a mattress to help alleviate your hip pain.

• Budget—As with any mattress purchase, anyone buying a mattress for hip pain should consider the costs for the mattress and accessories they may need. Hybrid and foam mattresses tend to have the widest variety with regard to the price point, whereas latex mattresses are generally more costly and innerspring mattresses are generally inexpensive. See: Best Affordable Mattresses 
• Policies—We highly recommend selecting a mattress from a company with a generous sleep trial, return, and warranty policies if you have hip pain. This will ensure that you’re not cornered if you select a bed that ends up doing nothing for your hip pain or making it worse. Ideally, the company should cover return shipping fees and coordinate pickup of the mattress within at least a three month period after purchase. This will ensure you have a long time to try it out.
• Co-Sleeping—If you sleep with a partner or a pet, you’ll need to take their needs and the way they impact your sleep into consideration. A motion isolating mattress is a good idea to reduce noise and motion transfer, which can disrupt your sleep. If your partner prefers a different firmness level than you or doesn’t experience hip pain, consider a dual- or split-firmness model, which allows you and your partner to have varying firmness levels on your respective sides of the bed.
• Current and Future Habits—As mentioned above, sometimes sleeping habits can cause or worsen hip pain. We recommend evaluating your current sleeping habits, including sleeping position and nighttime routine, prior to deciding which mattress you want. Sometimes, changing your sleeping position to a healthier one (stomach sleeping to back sleeping) can alleviate pain so much that you won’t need a new mattress. 

Picking the Right Mattress for You

There are thousands of mattresses for hip pain available online with fast and free shipping. You can also visit a brick-and-mortar retail store to try out mattresses prior to purchase. Hip pain, especially chronic hip pain, increases the stakes in your mattress purchase, simply meaning that the bed you choose should be appropriate for your body or it could worsen the condition.

Conclusion

We hope this guide to the best mattresses for hip pain and our tips for choosing a mattress that’s right for your condition will guide you towards a better night’s sleep and improve pain relief for a healthier, happier lifestyle.