Our Experts With 5+ years of mattress testing experience, we use our different sleeping position and body type perspectives to offer well-rounded, honest reviews. What to consider Firmness A firm mattress will offer more support while a soft mattress will be more pressure relieving. Medium mattresses fall in the sweet spot right in between.
The right firmness level for you depends on your sleeping position. Sleeping position Side sleepers should consider a medium to soft mattress that cradles the hips and shoulders. Back and stomach sleepers should consider a medium to firm mattress that keeps the spine in a straight alignment.
Switch between positions? A medium firmness level can accommodate all sleeping positions. Feel Coils and latex foam give a bed more bounce, while memory foam and poly foam make a bed feel more cushy and pressure relieving. The feel of your mattress will depend on the types of materials it has on the inside.
Construction There are essentially two mattress types, hybrid and all-foam. Hybrid mattresses are constructed with steel coils and foam, but all-foam mattresses are just as their name implies. Body type Hybrid mattresses tend to be best for people who want extra support and durability.
Sleepers over 230 pounds in particular should consider a hybrid over an all-foam mattress because it’s more supportive, durable and long-lasting. Performance Motion isolation, edge support and temperature are important features for couples or people who sleep hot to consider. Hot sleepers should consider a mattress that boasts special cooling features.
Couples want minimal motion transfer and a strong, supportive bed perimeter. Company policies All online brands offer a free trial, free shipping and a warranty, but some brands are more generous with their policies than others. Our Picks Sleeping on a good mattress every night is more important than you think, especially if you deal with chronic back pain.
Chronic back pain can greatly affect your overall quality of life. Sleeplessness, bad posture, neck pain and headaches often accompany back pain. If you have chronic back pain, you've likely experienced these debilitating side effects firsthand.
If you have this condition, it's essential to sleep on a mattress that helps alleviate these symptoms instead of contributing to them. A good mattress will provide ample support for your body's natural curves without putting pressure on the spine. Sleeping poorly also leads to fatigue, lack of concentration, weight gain and sadly, insomnia.
It's crucial to deal with anything that prevents you from getting a good night's sleep, including a bad mattress. We spoke with Dr. Andrew Casden, chief of orthopedics and spine surgery at White Plains Hospital in New York, about the best mattresses for back pain.
"What we know for sure is that too soft or too hard a mattress is not good for your back and can lead to back pain," Casden said. "You don't want a super firm mattress or too soft a mattress ." Where does that leave you? According to Casden, "Medical research does suggest that a 'medium-firm' mattress can help reduce the risk of developing back pain and decrease the pain for those already suffering from back pain.
" Read more : Best Mattress of 2024 I've tested more than 100 different mattresses, from just about every brand you can think of, and I have hundreds of hours of experience reviewing mattresses. This allowed me to select the best mattress for back pain, which checks all the boxes you need to ease your pack pain. Video: Best mattresses for back pain Watch CNET Video Producer Owen Poole review the best mattress for back pain.
What is the best mattress for back pain? After testing many beds, we selected the Saatva Rx as the best overall mattress for back pain. Its seven-layered construction includes gel memory foam, support foam, micro-coils, 8-inch pocketed coils and a targeted Therapeutic SupportCore system to give this mattress a supportive and comfortable design, all intended to alleviate chronic pain. The medium firmness level (or 4 to 5 out of 10 on our scale) of this bed means that it's suitable for all body and sleeper types.
Best mattresses for back pain of 2024 SCORE Read more about this bed in our Saatva Rx mattress review . SCORE The middle area of the mattress has "lumbar zone technology" that utilizes an active-wire system, which consists of wires within the center of the mattress that works with the individually wrapped coils to provide the correct spinal alignment. This adds extra support for your middle and upper back, while the high-end memory foam that covers the entire mattress offers pressure point relief and keeps your spine aligned, especially when sleeping on your side.
It's one of the best mattresses for back pain if you like a medium to firm mattress with a luxurious and supportive feel. It's offered in three firmness levels: Luxury Plush is around a medium, Luxury Firm is a medium firmness and the sweet spot for back pain sufferers, and Firm is a true firm. You can also choose between height profiles, a touch I appreciate.
Typically, the thicker the mattress, the more durable and supportive it is. Read more in our full Saatva mattress review . SCORE The Nectar Hybrid mattress also boasts a cooling, antimicrobial cover.
I don't think this bed has a cooling sensation when lying down on it, but I think it regulates body temperature better than a typical memory foam bed. If cooling ability is a big value point for you, take a look at the Nectar Premier Copper . It took a few moments for the foam in the Nectar Hybrid to start molding around my body, but once it did, it gave me a dense, pressure-relieving feel, especially around my shoulders and hips.
According to Nectar, 9 out of 10 back pain sufferers have found relief using their Nectar mattress. It lands around a 6 to 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it especially ideal for back and stomach sleepers. SCORE The memory foam in the DreamCloud Premier provides pressure relief without making you feel like you're sinking into the foam.
Lastly, in the bed's base layer, eight 1/2-inch coils are individually pocketed for optimal support and help to isolate motion. I'd rate the DreamCloud Premier around a medium-firm, or around a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale. That means it's firm enough to support you when you sleep on your stomach or back, but it's also going to provide enough pressure relief that you feel some contour around your pressure points.
I know two different people who sleep on a DreamCloud, and they think it's the best mattress they've had. Read more about this bed in our full DreamCloud mattress review . SCORE Leesa Legend Chill Hybrid's memory foam layer gently cradles your body, keeping the spine in a neutral position while providing pressure relief for the shoulders and hips.
At the bottom of this bed is a base layer of high-density foam for added support and durability, making it suitable for all body types, including heavier sleepers. Its unique micro-spring construction also means there is very little motion transfer, so it's much easier to move and change positions on this bed without disturbing your partner. Another notable feature of this mattress is the soft, breathable cover made of Merino wool and 100% organic cotton.
Although it's not necessarily cool to the touch, the moisture-wicking properties can help regulate your body temperature throughout the night. The Leesa Legend Chill Hybrid falls on the more expensive side of our best list, but it's a great option for hot side sleepers with back pain looking for a luxurious, pressure-relieving mattress. SCORE It will be best for back and stomach sleepers because of its medium-firm profile, but it's one of the cheapest mattresses I've tested that includes a supportive pocketed coil base layer.
Pocketed coils help to provide support for people who suffer from back pain. Paired with its firmness profile, it offers a good balance of support and pressure relief to help curb the aches. The Allswell mattress has a neutral and responsive feel, so you don't feel like you're sinking into the bed.
Instead, the mattress gently cradles your joints and quickly bounces back once pressure is removed. I think it's an enjoyable feel, especially if you're not a fan of a memory foam mattress. For more information, check out our full Allswell mattress review .
SCORE There are a lot of mattresses that claim to align your spine as you sleep, but many of these mattresses are designed to support a maximum of 230 pounds. If you weigh more than that (or close to that) your body can put extra pressure on the mattress, causing it to sag in all of the wrong places and leaving you with chronic back pain. That's where the Helix Plus comes in.
It will serve as the best mattress for back pain for those who are over 250 pounds. This mattress type is specifically made for heavier sleepers with higher body weights. It's 13 inches tall and has an extra layer of four-pound high-density foam that's designed to offer enough firmness to support up to 1,000 pounds of combined weight (or 500 pounds on each side).
This extra comfort layer of support helps delicately push against your weight to help with spine alignment so that you sleep in comfort and wake up pain-free. Read more in our full Helix mattress reviews . What to consider when buying the best mattress for back pain Shopping for the best mattress for back pain that fits your needs isn't always easy.
People with back pain especially have to be considerate of their new bed purchase because they don't want it to contribute to even more aches. Here are the key things to look out for when searching for a bed to help with back pain relief. As our medical experts have said, the best beds for back pain seem to be in the medium-firm range; you want a mattress that's neither too firm or too soft.
A medium-firm mattress mostly offers great support, but it's not so firm that it loses its pressure-relieving abilities. At the same time, it's important to consider your sleeping position to properly accommodate your needs. Medium-firm mattresses will be perfectly suitable for many people with back pain including back, stomach and combination sleepers.
The key is to have a mattress that keeps your spine in a straight alignment with your neck and head. As such, side sleepers with back pain may want a slightly softer mattress that gives underneath the curves of your shoulders and hips. A medium mattress is best for petite and side sleepers because you get more pressure relief without compromising support.
Between foam beds and hybrid beds that incorporate both foam and coils, hybrid beds are typically best at helping alleviate back pain. Foam beds are more prone to sagging and indentations, and this wear and tear can help contribute to your back pain. Hybrid beds with coils in the foundation layer provide more support for all body types, and do a better job of keeping your spine in proper alignment.
Some beds have average designs while others are made with back pain sufferers in mind. Keep an eye out for these ergonomic mattresses. Beds like the Saatva Rx with special lumbar support will likely prove to be more beneficial for back pain than a standard hybrid or foam mattress.
When you're shopping for the best mattress for back pain, it's important to find a firmness level that accommodates your sleeping position. How we test the best mattresses for back pain Owen testing the edge support of the Saatva Rx mattress. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit.
When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. We considered several key factors when testing the best mattress for back pain: price, firmness, feel and pressure relief. We also made sure to note what special features each mattress offered.
At the start of any mattress testing, we immediately note the bed's firmness and feel. To get the most well-rounded picture of how a bed performs in these categories, we have several team members test and rate each bed. Think of firmness as how hard or soft your mattress is.
Part of this is your preference, but firmness is also dictated by how you sleep. For example, back and stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to keep their spine and neck aligned. In contrast, side sleepers need a softer mattress with pressure relief to prevent painful pressure points at the shoulders, hips and knees.
People with back pain generally need at least a medium-firm level of support. Feel is a preference thing. It all comes down to what you want your bed to feel like.
Do you like sinking memory foam? Or thick pillow tops? What about the unique feel of the Purple mattress? The firmness and feel of each mattress are noted in the reviews. Regarding mattresses for back pain, great support with ample pressure relief is essential. Once we had a roundup of the beds that stood out the most, we carefully considered the beds with designs that were meant to help promote a neutral spinal alignment.
We also looked at mattresses that have been endorsed by the people who know best at the American Chiropractic Association. For even more expertise, we consulted specialized doctors with the necessary knowledge on the best and worst mattresses for back pain. Read more on how we test mattresses .
Other mattresses we've tested It's difficult for the average person to test every mattress they might be interested in, especially when it comes to online mattresses that are exclusively sold through the brands' websites. That's why we have our CNET Sleep editors test the mattresses we review, and create round-ups that include some of the best beds they snuggled up to. The beds above are top choices, but here are a few that could have easily made the list as an ideal mattress for back pain.
Avocado mattress: For individuals who live green or are particularly sensitive to household allergens, an organic mattress like Avocado might be appealing. With the optional pillow top, the Avocado mattress has a medium-firm profile that keeps the back in neutral alignment and prevents it from sagging into the mattress. It's also endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association , although it might be a little too firm for side sleepers.
Another plus about this bed is that thanks to its latex foam construction, it's hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. WinkBed mattress: There are several perks to a WinkBed mattress that make it an ultra-comfortable option for people who suffer from back pain. It's offered in three firmness levels, but the firm model (rated around a medium-firm) is what I recommend, thanks to its golden ratio of support to pressure relief.
Not only is it made with supportive pocketed coils, but it also has a "LumbarLayer" specifically designed to offer targeted support to your lumbar region. Loom & Leaf mattress: Offered in two firmness levels, medium-firm and firm, the Loom & Leaf mattress is a memory foam mattress that can help prevent back pain and offer cooling relief at the same time. It's a thick, foam mattress with a firm profile that keeps your spine from sagging into the bed.
If you happen to sleep hot, it also has a cooling gel layer that's very effective at keeping you and the bed at a comfortable temperature. Signs your mattress is causing back pain Dr. Jacob Hascalovici , chief medical officer of the telehealth chronic pain platform Clearing , gave us insight into the consequences of a bad mattress, and the signs to look out for.
"If you're frequently waking up with a crick in the neck, back pain , stiff joints, experiencing mental fogginess, and having trouble falling asleep can all be signs of a mattress that is hurting your back," Hascalovici said. "A bad mattress can mean a bad night's sleep. It can also add up to more pain, both in your back and in other muscles and joints that are forced out of alignment or have to compensate for a lack of support.
" That's why it's so important to sleep on an accommodating mattress. "Over time, pain and lost sleep can lead to memory problems, lack of concentration, mood swings, lowered immunity, and even weight gain and a higher risk of heart trouble," Hascalovici said. "Getting a good night's sleep is vital for multiple areas of your mind and body, so it's worth prioritizing.
" Different types of back pain "The back is such a large and important part of the body, it's not unusual for it to develop aches and pains," Hascalovici explained. "While back pain can be characterized in many different ways, it can be convenient to classify it by where it shows up." Neck pain: "Unfortunately common, neck pain can happen for quite a few different reasons.
The neck can get sore from supporting an out-of-alignment head -- if you carry your head thrust forward, for example, hunch, or have 'text neck' , you may notice soreness and difficulty turning your neck. Arthritis can happen, or the neck can get injured. It's also not uncommon to wake up with neck pain from unsupportive pillows, from sleeping on your stomach, or from tooth-grinding during the night, among other things.
" Upper back pain: "The upper back, or thoracic spine, can suffer from musculoskeletal pain," Hascalovici said. "Discs can slip, strains can occur, and nerves can get pinched. Often, the causes of upper back pain can be traced back to being sedentary, having relatively poor posture or weakened muscles that let the spine tilt out of alignment.
Upper back pain can affect the shoulders; shoulders may also hurt if you've been putting pressure on them unevenly while sleeping." Lower back pain: " Only five vertebrae comprise the lower back, but those bones bear a lot of weight and pressure," Hascalovici said. "Herniated discs, muscle strains, nerve damage, and arthritis can all cause lower back pain.
Doing heavy, repetitive labor, lifting heavy weights, toting a hefty bag around, or slumping don't help, either. For people with lower back pain, a medium-firm or firm mattress can sometimes yield some pain relief." "Wherever pain shows up in the back, it can be frustrating," he continued.
"The back is vulnerable to damage and to soreness caused by inflammation and arthritis; stress also contributes to back pain, since it often makes people clench their muscles." As a remedy, Hascalovici suggested "supplements, regular exercise, good posture, an anti-inflammatory diet, managing stress, and getting enough sleep all help to prevent and manage back pain." Other ways to reduce back pain Hascalovici said some sleeping positions are better than others for back pain, and offered a few tips to help you sleep more comfortably.
Best mattress for back pain FAQ Yes. A poor mattress or ill-suited bed for your needs can be a contributing factor to your back pain. If your bed is fairly new, less than a few years old, your bed may be too firm or too soft for your needs.
A soft mattress can cause back pain for back and stomach sleepers because it allows the lower back to sag into the foam. On the other hand, a firm mattress can press into the shoulders and hips of side sleepers, causing the spine to be misaligned. If your mattress has sags, indents or visible wear and tear, it's a sign your bed is too old.
Old mattresses with lumps and bumps aren't efficient and promoting proper spinal alignment, and can lead you to wake up with back pain. Memory foam and latex are the most commonly recommended mattress materials for back pain. These materials conform to your body and provide pressure relief where you need it most.
100% memory foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses — which combine springs with memory foam and/or latex — are both good choices. Memory foam mattresses are among the best for back pain. They contour your body, alleviating pressure on your joints and reducing aches and pains.
The memory foam also aligns with the natural curvature of your spine, providing lumbar support. Very firm mattresses were often recommended for back pain in the past, but based on feedback from sleepers, a mattress that's too firm can disrupt sleep and contribute to back pain. On the other hand, mattresses that are too soft also contribute to poor sleep quality and back pain, by throwing your spine out of alignment and putting too much pressure on your joints.
In general, the best mattress for back pain is one that's rated medium to medium-firm, but it also depends on how you sleep. For example, side sleepers need a mattress that's softer than back sleepers who generally need a firmer mattress, so the right mattress depends on your existing sleep habits. Some of the best mattresses to help alleviate back pain include: The best sleeping positions for back pain are on your back with a pillow underneath the knees to alleviate pressure or on your side with a pillow between the knees.
If you sleep on your stomach and can't make the switch, sleep with a pillow underneath the lumbar region (your lower back area)..
