Best Mattress for Back Pain 2022

In the U.S., 1 in 3 adults claim back problems affect their everyday activities, including sleep. Less sleep can cause back pain to escalate because of the lack of time spent in non-REM — a key part of the sleep cycle responsible for muscle recovery.

The right mattress can make a difference between a good night’s sleep and a sleepless night. The best mattress for back pain will conform to the body, relieve pressure points, and provide full-body support. We’ve compiled a list of the best mattress options on the market today. We also include a guide on what to look for in the best mattress for back pain.

Our Top Mattress Recommendation

View on Amerisleep

AS2 Highlights

• 100-night sleep trial
• 20-Year Warranty
• Designed to reduce pain points
• Heat reducing mattress cover
• Comes in King, Queen, Twin, Full, and Splits

Our Runner-Up

View on Zoma

Zoma Highlights

• 100-night sleep trial
• 10-Year Warranty
• Designed for faster recovery
• Triangulex™ technology promotes healthy posture
• Comes in King, Queen, Twin, Full, and Splits

Best Mattresses for Back Pain

Mattress	Brand	Highlights	Price (Queen)
	Amerisleep AS2	Medium-firm feel with targeted back support and cooling foam	$1199.30
	Zoma Mattress	Triangulex™ provides deeper compression in the shoulder and hip areas	$799
	Vaya Mattress	Vaya Comfort Foam contours closely to the body and keeps you cool all night	$599
	Amerisleep AS3	The perfect blend of soft and firm to comfortably support different sleepers	$1399
	GhostBed Flex	Medium feel mattress with a cooling, quilted cover	$2145
	Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Hybrid	Copper-infused foam and choice of three firmness levels	$2199
	Zoma Hybrid	Pocketed spring coil base offers zoned support to the lower back	$999
	Purple Hybrid Premier	Thick layer of grid-like material on top of transition foam and responsive coils	$2399 or $3099
	Saatva Classic	Pocketed coils, spinal support layer, and a tempered steel coil base	$1499
	Helix Midnight Luxe	Pillow top with cooling tech cover and targeted support from springs	$1949

The Amerisleep AS2 is our favorite mattress for back pain. The AS2 is Amerisleep’s second firmest mattress model. Other Amerisleep mattress models include the AS1, AS2 Hybrid, AS3, AS3 Hybrid, AS4, AS5, AS5 Hybrid, and Organica. The only mattress firmer than the AS2 is the AS1, being a true firm while the AS2 and AS2 Hybrid are only medium-firm. For a little extra cushioning, the AS3 or AS3 Hybrid may be more appealing than the AS2.

How Lying Down Feels

AS2 owners describe the bed as slightly bouncy and highly supportive, yet still cushiony so as not to cause joint pain or lower back pain. Buyers also rave about the helpful customer service and straightforward return policies, in case they decide they need to return their bed.

Inside the Mattress

The AS2 mattress is 12 inches thick with 2 inches of Bio-Pur®, 3 inches of Affinity, and 7 inches of Bio-Core®. The mattress cover is made with a soft, breathable cover designed to keep you cool and comfortable.

Bio-Pur® is a plant-based foam— castor oil replaces part of the petroleum during the manufacturing process. As a result, the foam breathes better than traditional memory foam with little to no off-gassing odor.

The Affinity layer uses special HIVE® technology, a 5-zone support layer offering firmer support to the head, back, and legs, and softer support to the hips and shoulders.

The Bio-Core® foam in the base of the mattress provides additional support to the spine and helps the mattress keep its shape. With a layer of soft yet supportive foam and Amerisleep’s unique Affinity layer with HIVE® technology, the AS2 is one of Amerisleep’s best mattresses for back pain.

Zoma specializes in making mattresses to reduce pain, boost physical performance, and help you sleep deeper. One of our favorite Zoma mattresses for relieving back pain is the Zoma Mattress. Compared to Zoma’s other two beds, the Zoma Start and Zoma Hybrid, the Zoma Mattress has a medium feel built to alleviate pressure and respond rapidly under your body’s curves.

The Zoma Mattress’s medium feel is excellent for back, side, and combo sleepers. Considering Zoma makes their beds with athletic individuals in mind, if you’re an active person or athlete, the Zoma Mattress may be the right bed for you.

The Zoma Mattress is one of the best mattresses for athletes and back pain sufferers. Each foam layer is designed to keep the body cool and improve muscle recovery. The Zoma Mattress includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

Zoma Mattress reviewers have noted how the mattress has improved lower back pain and tightness, making it easier for them to do physical activities and complete manual labor jobs. The mattress is designed to compress under your body and, with its zoned support technology, evenly distribute your weight for maximum comfort and minimal pressure build-up.

Inside the Mattress

The Zoma Mattress is 11 inches tall and contains 2 inches of Triangulex™, 2 inches of Reactiv™, and 7 inches of Support+. The mattress cover is made of a polyester blend.

Triangulex™ is a 3-zone layer that provides even body support. Shoulder and hip areas receive deeper compression than lighter sections of the body like the head and legs. Pressure-relieving Triangulex™ foam reduces pain and may even provide a pain-free sleep.

The Zoma’s transition layer is made with their responsive foam, Reactiv™. This layer ensures that no part of the body sinks too far into the mattress, so the spine can rest in a safe, neutral position.

Vaya Sleep prioritizes making eco-friendly, breathable, and affordable mattresses. They currently only offer two mattresses, the Vaya Mattress and Vaya Hybrid, but both are stand-out products. The hybrid model contains pocketed coils in the place of support foam, but otherwise, the two beds are quite similar.

The Vaya Mattress is made right here in the USA with CertiPUR-US® certified foams.

Each Vaya Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping, free returns, and a 10-year warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

Though the Zoma Mattress only contains two layers, the Vaya offers excellent support, motion isolation, and pressure relief for all kinds of sleepers. As a medium mattress, it has a balanced feel, with customers saying it doesn’t feel too soft or too firm. Despite being so affordable, customers say the bed is just as good, if not better than some more expensive mattresses.

Inside the Mattress

First, the Vaya Comfort Foam, wrapped in a soft cover, relieves pressure points and conforms closely to the body’s curves. That way, sleepers won’t feel trapped in the foam or wake up with aches and pains. This layer is also silent and it absorbs motion, so no more squeaky mattress.

The Vaya Base Foam is the thickest in the mattress and ensures the softer layer above it doesn’t sag. It’s a high-density foam that supports your spine.

Though Amerisleep’s AS2 is our favorite mattress for back pain, their AS3 is another great option for back pain, specifically for side sleepers. Amerisleep’s AS3 is one of their best mattresses for side sleepers because it’s designed to offer an even balance of comfort and support.

As a true medium, the AS3 is softer than the AS2 to cushion the shoulders and hips yet firm enough to maintain a neutral posture. The AS3 comes in a hybrid model as well, if you want extra bounce and air circulation throughout the bed.

Like the AS2, the Amerisleep AS3 comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

The AS3 is Amerisleep’s most popular mattress overall, with its user describing it as soft, yet still supportive. The bed snaps back into shape quickly, making it easy for combo sleepers to switch positions. Along with back pain, the AS3 has also helped sleepers with joint pain, aches, and other physical conditions.

Inside the Mattress

The AS3 features 3 inches of pressure-relieving Bio-Pur® foam. These three inches of memory foam mold to your body and offer immediate pressure relief and comfort. The AS3 is ideal for side sleepers because its comfort layer is thick enough to allow for deeper compression and pain relief without causing you to sink too far into the mattress.

Amerisleep’s AS3 includes proprietary HIVE® technology, a technology that helps to relieve pressure points and keep the spine in alignment. HIVE® is softer under your shoulders and hips and firmer under your midsection to facilitate proper spinal alignment, alleviate pains, and prevent future discomfort.

​​Many sleepers move between positions in the night, switching from their sides to their back or stomach. If their mattress can’t support them adequately in different positions, these combination sleepers may wake up with back pain and other aches.

When it comes to GhostBed’s mattresses, our top recommendation is their luxury hybrid model, the GhostBed Flex.

The GhostBed Flex is backed by a 101-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

The GhostBed Flex has a notably lightweight, springy feel similar to latex. Customers note how easy it is to move positions or get out of bed because of how responsive the foam and coils are. It’s supportive without feeling overly firm or worsening pain.

Inside the Mattress

This 13-inch mattress contains six mattress layers underneath a quilted pillow top with plush cooling fabric. Sewn into the pillow top is the first layer, an inch of cool-to-the-touch fibers.

Underneath the fibers are two layers of gel memory foam, each an inch thick. The gel memory foam layers deepen compression and offer a hug-like feel while staying cool throughout the night.

Unique Ghost Bounce foam forms the transition layer, keeping sleepers from feeling stuck in the mattress. The foam is engineered to provide a floating sensation that has the buoyancy of latex and the conforming feel of memory foam.

The mattress core has individually wrapped pocket coils. The coils respond independently, supporting a sleeper in different positions. Air can freely circulate between the coils, and the bed’s sides offer reinforced edge support.

The last layer is high-density support foam to structure the coils and increase the mattress’s likely lifespan.

Brooklyn Bedding offers five hybrid mattresses, each suited for a different sleep need. Our top recommendation for hot sleepers with back pain is the Aurora Hybrid, thanks to its combination of cooling features and bouncy coils with targeted support.

Brooklyn Bedding includes a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty with the Aurora Hybrid.

How Lying Down Feels

The firmness you choose will affect the actual softness of your Aurora Hybrid, but regardless, the mattress will be cool to the touch. Brooklyn Bedding infuses the Aurora Hybrid with multiple cooling technologies to help you sleep at the optimal temperature all night. By staying cool, you sleep more restfully and wake up feeling restored.

Inside the Mattress

The exact construction of the Aurora Hybrid depends on whether you choose a soft, medium, or firm mattress.

No matter what firmness level you pick, the top layer will always be 1.5 inches of CopperFlex™ foam. The infused copper not only maintains a cool surface temperature but also keeps bacteria from infesting the mattress. Plus, the copper concentrates at the surface when the foam is compressed for added support.

The transition layers vary and depend on your chosen firmness. The soft mattress has 2 inches of plush TitanFlex™ foam with an underlying 1-inch layer of swirl gel memory foam. The medium mattress is similar, with the TitanFlex™ foam establishing a balanced foam. The firm mattress has 1.5 inches of firm TitanFlex™ foam and 1.5 inches of VariFlex™ transition foam.

The support core is 8 inches of pocketed coils and an 0.75-inch of dense base foam.

The mattress is covered with fabric infused with TitanCool™, a phase change molecule material designed to maintain a surface temperature of 88 degrees. The gel beads that make up this technology are liquid at high temperatures, solidifying as the temperature cools.

The Zoma Hybrid Mattress is another great Zoma mattress for people with back pain. This bed has the same responsive foam layers as their memory foam mattress, but the Zoma Hybrid features a spring coil base that gives this model a slight bounce. This bed also has a medium comfort level that is suitable for most sleep positions and body types.

As with their memory foam model, the Zoma Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

The mattress’s breathable comfort layer conforms well to your body’s curves for near-instant pressure relief. At the same time, the bed has lots of bounce so you don’t feel stuck or unable to move at nighttime. Zoma Hybrid users note how the bed improves their chronic soreness and discomfort, making it easier to wake up and get the day started without pain.

Inside the Mattress

Like its memory foam counterpart, the Zoma Hybrid’s comfort layer is made with their propriety gel-infused memory foam with zoned support. This layer cradles each area of the body with pressure-free support, so you’re less likely to develop painful pressure points near the joints.

Beneath this layer is their Reactiv™ transition layer. This material keeps the heaviest parts of the body lifted and in alignment with the hips and shoulders, so you wake with fewer aches and pains.

Supporting both of these foam layers is a 7 inch pocketed spring coil base. The coils are zoned to react differently to pressure. For example, coils are thinner and softer near sensitive areas like the hips and shoulders. However, near the lumbar region, they are firmer and offer more stability. This base is also reinforced with edge support to reduce motion transfer and to make getting in and out of bed easier.

Many back pain sufferers dream of sinking into a mattress that eases tension and aches. When it comes to beds that feel like a luxury mattress, our top recommendation is the Purple® Hybrid Premier. Its thick comfort layer, paired with a set of responsive coils, can support various positions and body types.

The Purple® Hybrid Premier is the most expensive mattress model the company offers. While many sleepers find it worthwhile because of the bed’s weightless comfort, budget shoppers might prefer the thinner Purple®  Hybrid or the original all-foam Purple® mattress.

Like all Purple® mattresses, the Purple® Hybrid Premier has a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

The Purple® Hybrid Premier has a distinct “no pressure” feel. It has an incredible balance of responsive support and cushioning so you feel weightless at night. The stretchy, bouncy feel of the Purple® Hybrid Premier stops you from sinking into bed so you don’t feel suffocated in your own mattress. The motion-isolating characteristics of the mattress are also great for couples!

Inside the Mattress

First is a 3-inch or 4-inch layer of Purple GelFlex

Grid™, designed to flex under pressure. The unique material supports the spine while cushioning the shoulders and hips, maintaining ideal alignment. The squares that make up the grid double as cool channels, boosting airflow through the mattress.

Next is an inch of polyfoam to limit uncomfortable sinkage and prevent spinal misalignment. The support core is 7.5 inches of pocketed springs on top of a foam base.

The mattress’s airy cover boosts the bed’s overall breathability, with its side panels specifically woven to increase air circulation between the mattress’s coils.

Saatva offers numerous mattress models, but one of their popular options is the Saatva Classic. With a base of tempered steel coils and a mid-layer of pocketed coils, the classic is a good choice for heavier people and sleepers interested in a bouncy mattress. It has a specialty layer to promote spinal alignment and a conforming pillow top to ease pressure points that can turn into back pain.

The Classic mattress comes in three firmnesses, with customers able to choose a plush soft, luxury firm, or firm surface. All firmnesses contain the same quality materials and are offered at the same price.

The Saatva Classic mattress comes with a 180-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

The Saatva Classic has the bounce and support of a traditional innerspring mattress, but the luxurious feel of a foam mattress. The firmness will vary, but every Saatva Classic is still notably cooling and cushions achy pressure points.

With patented lumbar support technology, the Saatva Classic provides incomparable back support to relieve pain. It’s firmer under your back area to promote healthy alignment and keep you from sinking into your bed at night.

Inside the Mattress

Four layers make up the Saatva Classic bed. First is a 3-inch Euro pillow top for a more beautiful and comfortable mattress. The cover fabric is breathable, hypoallergenic cotton treated with a botanical antimicrobial treatment. The pillow top is designed to offer back and joint pain relief, easing tension across the body.

Underneath the pillow top are responsive pocketed coils made from recycled steel and wrapped to isolate motion. The third layer contains patented spinal zone technology. The active wire and dense CertiPUR-US® memory foam layers boost back support and increase pressure relief in the mattress’s midsection.

The bed’s enduring support is tempered steel coils for a sag-resistant surface. Stiff foams surround the coil layers, providing structure and edge support.

Pillow tops are a common feature to give a mattress deeper cushion. While traditionally they’re associated with standard innerspring mattresses, hybrid mattresses and even some all-foam mattresses can have a pillow top for added comfort. The Helix Midnight Luxe is one such hybrid mattress and is an updated version of the brand’s original Midnight model.

The Helix Midnight Luxe comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty. As a side note, the original Midnight mattress only has a 10-year warranty, so shoppers benefit not only from greater comfort but increased coverage with the upgraded model.

How Lying Down Feels

The Helix Midnight Luxe has a medium feel, although Helix gives it a relatively wide range on the firmness scale for a medium bed. How it feels to you will depend on the pressure you exert on the mattress, though the majority of sleepers should find its surface pleasantly balanced between support and cushion.

Inside the Mattress

Shoppers can choose what cooling fabric cover their Helix mattress has. The default is Tencel fabric, made with partly natural fibers for cool, dry comfort. However, they can upgrade to the GlacioTex Cooling Cover for an added charge,

The Helix Midnight Luxe has a straightforward design typical of a hybrid mattress. The main comfort layers are the top layer of MemoryPlus Foam and the underlying layer of gel visco foam. These foam layers establish the bed’s compressive cushion for pressure relief.

The transition foam is engineered to provide responsive body support, while also increasing comfort by limiting sinkage. The base is pocketed coils, arranged for softer support for the shoulders and firmer hip support to maintain spine alignment. These coils rest on a sturdy based foam named DuraDense for its dense durability.

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain results from injuries, daily activities, prolonged static postures, and medical conditions. Some forms of back pain fade away after treatment, while others persist.

Before looking for a mattress to help reduce back pain, talk with your doctor. Your doctor is more familiar with your symptoms and can offer suggestions for the best pain relief.

Injuries

Back pain can result from muscle and ligament strain, causing stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons. Back injuries can come from a variety of situations, such as car accidents, sports injuries, lifting too much weight, or lifting weights improperly.

Another common back injury is bulging or ruptured discs. Discs, or wedges of cartilage, cushion the bones in the spine. When the discs weaken, the cartilage’s soft center pushes or bulges out, pressing against nerves and may cause pain.

Medical Conditions

Back pain can result from medical conditions, including arthritis, skeletal irregularities, and osteoporosis. Understanding each condition can help customers find a mattress to help lessen symptoms, particularly pain.

Arthritis

Arthritis is caused by joint inflammation due to weakened cartilage between bones resulting in pain, weakness, and stiffness of joints. A common problem for those with arthritis is falling asleep and staying asleep. Common forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, and gout. “People with arthritis may wake up feeling back pain from stiffness in their joints,” says Dr. Bhavik Sheth, Physical Therapist.

• Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage breaks down inside the joints, making movement painful. Over time, pain can escalate when the bones start grinding against each other once the cartilage is gone.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where, for unexplained reasons, the body’s immune system attacks the joints, specifically the synovium. The synovium is a thin membrane that surrounds the inner lining of a joint. The synovium produces synovial fluid that nourishes and lubricates the joint. “Arthritis affects the synovial lining ability to produce the synovial fluid which allows the joint to move smoothly, and results in a more painful movement,” says Dr. Bhavik Sheth, Physical Therapist.

• Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the body, including the tendons or ligaments connecting bones and skin. Pain, swelling, and inflammation can occur.

• Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is central pain syndrome. Pain signals are processed differently by the brain and spinal cord. Pain occurs from touch or movement which would normally not happen. Pain either comes and goes or remains constant.

• Gout

Gout occurs from uric acid crystal build-up. When the body produces too much uric acid or if the body is unable to remove the excess uric acid, crystals form in the joints, causing inflammation and pain.

Skeletal Irregularities

Common forms of skeletal irregularities include:

• Lordosis: Also known as swayback, lordosis is a condition where the spine curves abnormally inward in the lower back.
• Kyphosis: A condition where the upper back is rounded more than 50 degrees.
• Scoliosis: A condition where the spine curves sideways in an S-shape or C-shape.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the skeletal structure. Bones become porous and brittle, easily fracturing from simple movements like sneezing.

How Back Pain Affects Sleep

Those with back pain struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep. Back pain may be temporary (acute back pain) or constant (chronic back pain). Lack of sleep can escalate pain because the body’s recovery time is cut short.

Acute Back Pain

Individuals who suffer from acute back pain experience pain for less than three months. Acute back pain is usually connected with an injury or a car accident. Pain fades after treatment such as physical therapy is complete.

Chronic Back Pain

Those who suffer from chronic back pain experience consistent pain for longer than 3 months. Chronic back pain can result from an injury, car accident, or medical condition.

What to Look For in a Mattress

Before shopping for a new bed, take a step back and evaluate what you want. For back pain sufferers, support and pressure relief are major factors. Back pain sufferers need a mattress to evenly support the body while relieving pressure points to reduce pain and inflammation. Those with back pain also need to consider their preferred sleep position, body weight, and mattress type.

Sleepers may also want to consult with their doctor or another medical professional before making a choice. A mattress recommended by chiropractors or doctors can provide just what a sleeper needs to relieve back pain.

Support

Support provides proper spinal alignment while feeling comfortable to the sleeper. Proper support prevents or reduces back pain by keeping the spine in neutral alignment, no matter the sleep position. A mattress with poor support misaligns the spine and may worsen pain.

Pressure Relief

All mattresses should include some form of body contouring to provide pressure relief. Pressure points form when body weight is not supported properly. Contouring relieves pressure points, lessens pain, and reduces inflammation.

For those who want to maximize pressure relief, we suggest pairing your mattress with an adjustable bed for back pain. The freedom to move beyond a flat surface can further decrease pressure on the spine.

Sleep Position

How a person sleeps on a mattress can affect the type of mattress they decide to buy. There are three different sleep positions— side sleeping, back sleeping, and stomach sleeping. Each sleeping position needs a specific firmness to maintain healthy spinal alignment.

Side Sleeping

Side sleeping is one of the most common and healthiest sleep positions. Side sleeping, especially on the right side removes pressure off vital organs and improves heart health. Side sleepers breathe better at night and face less risk of snoring and developing sleep apnea.

Back Sleeping

Another healthy sleep position is back sleeping. Back sleepers also breathe better at night, but unlike side sleeping, back sleepers run the risk of snoring and developing sleep apnea. Sleeping on the back may cause soft tissue at the back of the throat to collapse, or the tongue to fall back, blocking airways. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to heart problems and high blood pressure.

Stomach Sleeping

Stomach sleepers face higher health risks than other sleepers. Twisting the neck to the side puts your spine in an awkward position, resulting in neck strain. Gravity pulling the weight down in the midsection straightens the spine, causing lower back pain. Switching to the side sleeping position is a healthier alternative to stomach sleeping, and could reduce back pain.

Body Weight

Bodyweight can have a large impact on sleep quality. Customers need to keep their weight in mind when looking for a good mattress. Couples, in particular, need a mattress to support and conform to their bodies while handling their combined weight.

Bodyweight determines how much the body sinks into the mattress. Avoid mattresses with a deep sink— too much sinkage throws off spinal alignment, resulting in pain and pressure buildup.

Lightweight Sleepers

Lightweight sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds need a softer mattress. Softer mattresses allow a lightweight sleeper’s body to slightly sink into the mattress, conforming to the body and relieving pressure. Lightweight sleepers need a soft to medium mattress, depending on preferred sleep position.

Average Weight Sleepers

Average weight sleepers who weigh between 130 pounds and 230 pounds, should choose mattresses ranging between medium-soft to medium-firm, depending on preferred sleep position. Average weight sleepers need a mattress to conform to the body while offering full support.

Heavyweight Sleepers

Heavyweight sleepers who weigh 230 pounds or more need a firmer mattress. Firmer mattresses won’t bottom out and provide equal levels of comfort and support to heavyweight sleepers. Medium-firm to firm mattresses are good options for heavyweight sleepers, depending on preferred sleep position.

Mattress Type

The type of mattress you choose can affect back pain. Memory foam and latex are the best options for those with back pain because of their excellent contouring abilities and pressure relief. Innersprings are a poor choice because of their lack of conforming abilities— innerspring mattresses have a thin comfort layer that may not be enough to reduce pain from built-up pressure. Hybrid mattresses are okay choices, but look to see what type of materials make up the comfort layer.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is a great option for those with back pain. Memory foam hugs the body, relieving pressure points and evenly distributing body weight across the sleep surface. Memory foam mattresses contain a comfort layer of memory foam with a high-density poly-foam base.

Traditional memory foam was known to retain heat, but manufacturers today have since altered memory foam to include cooling properties like replacing part of the petroleum with castor oil or infusing the foam with gel beads.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses, while a good option for those looking for a medium-firm to firm mattress, are not the best choice for back pain sufferers. Those with back pain need a sleep surface to conform to the body, relieving pressure points. Innerspring mattresses have little conforming capabilities due to the lack of a comfort layer— some mattress companies use a layer of microcoils as their comfort layer. Compared to foam and latex, innersprings are more likely to create pressure points rather than eliminate them.

Latex

Latex is another type of mattress ideal for reducing back pain. Latex mattresses may contain natural latex or synthetic latex. Natural latex comes in one of two forms— Dunlop or Talalay.

Dunlop latex is denser and more durable. Talalay latex contains strategically-placed holes for a zoned support system and is softer and less durable than Dunlop latex.

Latex mattresses are more expensive than other mattress types, but natural latex will come at a higher price tag. For back pain sufferers and eco-conscious individuals, a latex mattress might be the right choice.

Hybrid

To create the perfect mattress, manufacturers took the body-contouring abilities of memory foam and the cooling coils of an innerspring to create the hybrid mattress. The best hybrid mattress will have a comfort layer at least 2 inches thick with a coiled support layer. Hybrid mattresses might be a good option for back pain, but look to see how thick the comfort layer is and what type of material the top layers are made of.

Sleep Trials, Warranties, and Return Policies

Before committing to a mattress, customers should look to see if a sleep trial is offered, read the fine print of a warranty, and see if there is a return policy. Each of these features are reassurances to the customer from the manufacturer.

Sleep Trial

Sleep trials are mostly offered through mattress-in-a-box brands because the customer buys an online mattress without being able to try it first. Sleep trials allow the customer to try a mattress within the comfort of their own home. Most sleep trials last between 90 to 120 nights.

During the sleep trial, if the customer is not satisfied with the mattress in a box they can return it for a full refund. Return mattresses are either donated to a local charity or dropped off at a recycling center through the mattress company.

If a sleep trial isn’t offered, the next best thing is to look at the return policy. Sleep trials are better because of their extended trial period, but return policies can act as a good substitute.

Warranty

Warranties protect the mattress investment of the customer. Most mattresses come with a standard 10-year warranty, which outlines what the customer can expect from the manufacturer and what the manufacturer expects from the customer. Warranties cover sagging and manufacturer defects not caused by customer misuse.

One thing to keep in mind is water damage. If you haven’t already, purchase a mattress protector. Should a liquid spill occur, the mattress remains protected and the warranty won’t be voided.

Return Policy

If a sleep trial is not included with the purchase of a mattress, a return policy is the next best thing. A typical return policy lasts 30 days, the same amount of time it takes for the body to adjust to a new mattress. During this time, the customer decides whether they wish to keep the mattress or return it. Return policies usually aren’t as long as sleep trials, but they’re a good substitute.

Additional Tips

Additional sleep accessories, like pillows, mattress toppers, and adjustable beds can reduce pain and inflammation.

Pillows

The right pillow can work in tandem with a mattress to align the spine and reduce back pain. Look at the loft of a pillow, or a pillow’s height, before committing to buy. A pillow’s loft and your preferred sleep position determine spinal alignment. Side and back sleepers do well with a medium to high loft pillow, while stomach sleepers do best with a low loft pillow.

Extra pillows can also reduce back pain. Placing a pillow between the knees can take the pressure off the hips for side sleepers. Back sleepers should use a pillow under the knees to slightly elevate the lower body, removing pressure off the lower back. Placing a thin pillow under the hips reduces pressure in the lower back and aligns the spine for stomach sleepers.

Mattress Topper

A mattress topper is an individual layer that provides additional cushioning to the body. Mattress toppers are normally used to alter the sleep surface or adjust the firmness level of the mattress. Mattress toppers are great options for customers who can’t return their mattresses and for couples with different firmness preferences.

Please note: mattress toppers are not a solution to a sagging mattress. If your mattress is 7 years old or more, or you’re noticing a definite sag on the surface, it’s time to buy a new bed. Old and sagging mattresses could be the reason behind back pain.

Adjustable Bed

An adjustable bed automatically lowers and elevates different sections of the body— the angled surface reduces back pain. Users make adjustments using a remote or phone app. Adjustable beds can be expensive— most quality models cost around $2000— but many back pain sufferers feel the high price tag is worth it when their sleep quality improves.

Saving on a Mattress for Back Pain

Shoppers don’t need to overspend to find the right mattress to relieve backaches and morning stiffness. Keeping an eye for the year’s best mattress sales can help them save significantly:

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Other Things to Consider

Are firm mattresses best for back pain?

While firm mattresses were thought to be the best for back pain, many actually prefer medium-firm because these beds allow for a little more cushion. Medium-firm mattresses are great for keeping the spine in a neutral position, but they also relieve pressure points, which can contribute to back pain.

What type of mattress is best for back pain?

Many sleepers with back pain love memory foam for its contouring and pressure-relieving abilities. Memory foam mattresses, especially ones with zoned support technologies, can cradle the spine in a neutral position and eliminate discomfort. It’s best to choose medium-firm or medium memory foam mattresses, though.

What mattress is best for side sleepers with back pain?

When struggling with back pain as a side sleeper, check out mattresses with a medium firmness level. They provide more support than bo sleepers, outright soft mattresses but are still cushiony so you won’t face pressure build-up, stiffness, or achiness.

Some mattresses we like for side sleepers with back pain include the Amerisleep AS3, Zoma Hybrid, Vaya Mattress, Bear Original, and Purple Hybrid.

What mattress is best for combination sleepers with back pain?

As a combo sleeper with back pain, we generally recommend going for a medium mattress. With this in mind, consider what sleeping positions you generally prefer. If you’re switching between back and stomach sleeping, choose a medium-firm or medium mattress. If you generally prefer sleeping on your side or back, a medium mattress works fine.

Regardless, several mattresses that work well for combination sleepers with back pain are the Amerisleep AS3, Vaya Hybrid, and Sweetnight Mattress.

What mattress is best for lower back pain?

Lower back pain is often a result of the lumbar spine curving unnaturally and or by sleeping on too firm of a bed. Resolve lower back pain with a medium-firm mattress since it will support your entire back while lightly cushioning your lower back.

When it comes to medium-firm mattresses for lower back pain, we suggest checking out the Amerisleep AS2, Zoma Mattress, Nolah Original 10”, and Avocado Green Mattress.

Conclusion

Back pain is one of the most common disabilities in the United States. Back pain can affect sleep quality, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. The right mattress may reduce pain and inflammation and could provide relief. Before buying a new mattress, talk with your doctor for guidance in finding the best solution.

Now that you know what to look for, start improving your sleep tonight by purchasing the best mattress for back pain.