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While sleeping on a good mattress is one way to help you get a better night’s sleep, a bad one can lead to a seriously sore lower back in the morning. It all comes down to support and alignment.

If you have been having achy mornings and think your mattress is the culprit, read on. We can help you narrow down your shopping list with the 11 best mattresses for back pain.

Mattress materials

A mattress is a big purchase and should last you several years. That said, it might have been a while since you bought a new one, and the lingo can be a little confusing.

The main types of mattresses are listed.

  • Innerspring. These mattresses are made with wrapped coils or springs, which serve as the main support system. This is an old-school style, and they’re usually pretty inexpensive.
  • Foam. The total opposite of innerspring, foam mattresses contain zero coils. Instead, they use memory foam or latex foam as the main support.
  • Hybrid. Hybrid mattresses meet innerspring and foam mattresses in the middle. They use both coils or springs and foam layers for comfort.
  • Air bed. Not to be confused with air mattresses, air beds offer adjustable support with the ability to firm up or soften the mattress on command.

A 2015 study suggests that medium-firm, self-adjustable mattresses are effective for promoting comfort, so we looked for those in creating our list.

We also considered that.

  • Safety. Every mattress shared here complies with federal flammability regulations.
  • Brand reputation. All the mattresses are manufactured by companies that meet our content integrity and vetting guidelines, have good customer reviews, and are also determined by their Better Business Bureau profile and lack of litigation issues.
  • Materials certifications. We prioritized picks with third-party material certifications, like CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX.
  • Company policies. It’s generally understood that the best test of a mattress is sleeping on it for at least a few weeks. All our recommendations offer warranties and free in-home trials.

Healthline checks the quality and safety of the products in our lists on a number of levels, considering industry standards, customer reviews, and other factors. We check and update product reviews to make sure they are current and accurate.

Read about the process of vetting.

Pricing guide

The prices on our list are based on a queen-size mattress.

  • $ = under $1,700
  • $$ = $1,700–$2,000
  • $$$ = over $2,600

Best mattress for side sleepers with lower back pain

Helix Midnight Luxe

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 14 inches (in.)
  • Medium firmness
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
  • Who it’s best for: side sleepers who share their bed with a partner

PRO

  • The side support is provided by the memory foam.

CON

  • high cost

The Midnight Luxe mattress from Helix offers relief to side sleepers who are experiencing low back pain. The CertiPUR-US certified memory foam is designed to provide relief from pressure in the hips and shoulders. Zoned support coils offer additional cradling and comfort.

This mattress has a pillow top and is medium-firm.

You can try the mattress for 100 nights. It is free to ship in the US and has a 15-year warranty.

Buy the Helix Midnight Luxe online.

Best mattress for people with more weight and lower back pain

Helix Plus

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 12 in.
  • Firmness: medium firm
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
  • Who it’s best for: sleepers with more weight

PRO

  • The wrapped coils are reinforced.

CON

  • high cost

The mattress is made for comfort and support. A unique combination of memory foams, wrapped in oversized wrapped coils and reinforced with a reinforced perimeter offer superior pressure relief and cradling for people with more weight.

The mattress leans toward the firm side of support. It is made in the United States with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified materials.

There is a free shipping offer and a 15-year warranty on the Helix.

Buy the Helix Plus online.

Best adjustable mattress for lower back pain

Saatva Solaire Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: adjustable air
  • Height: 13 in.
  • Firmness: adjustable; 50 settings
  • Sizes: twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king, split Cal king
  • Who it’s best for: people looking for adjustability

PRO

  • The side support is provided by the memory foam.

CON

  • high cost

The Saatva Solaire Mattress has 50 firmness options. The mattress has 5 layers, including a quilted surface and a layer with dual air chambers that allow you and your partner to choose your level of support on any given night. The latex layer has five zones and is also support in the lumbar region.

Saatva offers a 180-night trial and free delivery, which includes removal of your old mattress. The Solaire has a 25-year warranty.

Buy the Saatva Solaire Mattress online.

Best mattress for stomach sleepers with lower back pain

Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: 12 in.
  • Firmness: relaxed firm; firm
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king, split Cal king
  • Who it’s best for: stomach sleepers who want a hypoallergenic mattress

PRO

  • It is possible to choose firmness plus cooling.

CON

  • high cost

Stomach sleepers need a mattress that offers adequate spinal support and even weight distribution. With a choice of relaxed firm or firm, Saatva’s Loom & Leaf Mattress is made with layers of high-density CertiPUR-US foam for contouring and pressure relief. A breathable gel cooling layer is concentrated in the lumbar region for maximum spinal support.

The Loom & Leaf Mattress has a 180-night home trial, a 15-year warranty, and free white-glove delivery service.

Buy the Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress online.

Best mattress for multiposition sleepers with lower back pain

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 14 in.
  • Firmness: luxury firm
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
  • Who it’s best for: combination sleepers who share a mattress

PRO

  • caters to multiple sleeping positions

CON

  • It is not possible to offer optimal support for each position.

Sleepers who go from their side to their stomach to their back can end up with low back pain if the mattress doesn’t adapt to their changing sleep shape.

The DreamCloud mattress has individually wrapped coils. They gently support your body and eliminate pressure point pain, no matter how you sleep.

DreamCloud comes with a full year of trial, and a guaranteed mattress.

Buy The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress online.

Best cooling mattress for hot sleepers with lower back pain

Birch Natural Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11 in.
  • Firmness: medium soft to medium firm
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
  • Who it’s best for: people who want organic materials

PRO

  • Support plus cooling effect.

CON

  • No soft or firm options.

If you deal with dual issues of sweaty sleep and lower back pain, consider the nontoxic Birch mattress. It’s made with natural materials like organic cotton, organic wool, and OEKO-TEX, eco-INSTITUT, and Rainforest Alliance certified latex for maximum breathability and support.

The mattress has a mix of foam layers and individually wrapped coils that offer superior air flow and temperature regulation.

Birch has a free shipping and a 25-year warranty.

Buy the Birch Natural Mattress online.

Best mattress for lower back and neck pain

Casper Original Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11 in.
  • Firmness: medium
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
  • Who it’s best for: back sleepers looking for targeted neck and lower back support

PRO

  • Targeted support for multiple areas.

CON

  • Not great for side and stomach sleeping.

The Original hybrid mattress has three zones of targeted support to keep your spine aligned. The CertiPUR-US certified foam around the shoulders cradles the upper body, while the foam around the hips, waist, and lower back supports it. A layer of springs.

The mattress comes with a 100 night trial, free shipping and returns, and a 10-year limited warranty.

Buy the Casper Original Hybrid Mattress online.

Best hybrid mattress for lower back pain

Amerisleep AS2 Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 12 in.
  • Firmness: medium firm
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king
  • Who it’s best for: combination sleepers who like the feel of foam

PRO

  • The side support is provided by the memory foam.

CON

  • The adjustment time is needed for optimal response.

“Amerisleep’s AS2 hybrid mattress has the benefits of memory foam and pocketed coil. The result is a mattress that is comfortable and soft.”

“The company says that its proprietary memory foam is more responsive than traditional foam, so you don’t get that stuck sensation if you roll around while you sleep.”

The mattress comes with a 100 night trial period. It has a 20-year warranty.

Buy the Amerisleep AS2 Hybrid Mattress online.

Best mattress for lower back pain and sciatica

Puffy Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: 10 in.
  • Firmness: medium firm
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
  • Who it’s best for: combination sleepers with less weight

PRO

  • Lower back support should be the focus.

CON

  • People over 230 pounds may not be able to get enough firmness.

Like back pain, sciatic pain may benefit from a medium-firm mattress that supports the spine. The Puffy Mattress offers firm core support with thick layers of cushioning foam that cradle the body and keep your spine aligned, even as you move throughout the night.

You can try the mattress out at home with a 101-night trial.

Buy the Puffy Mattress online.

Best latex mattress for lower back pain

Nolah Natural 11″

  • Price: $$
  • Type: latex hybrid
  • Height: 11 in.
  • Firmness: medium
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king
  • Who it’s best for: combination sleepers looking for support without feeling stuck in their mattress

PRO

  • Latex has superior pressure relief and full-body support.

CON

  • This mattress is heavy due to the latex.

The Nolah Natural mattress is made to support and cushion the spine. Nolah says that the pressure relief of the latex is 33 percent more with the Talalay type.

“If you don’t like the sinking-in sensation of memory foam, this is a good option.”

The company offers a 120-night trial. The mattress has a lifetime warranty.

Nolah Natural mattress is available online.

Best mattress for lower back pain under $900

Molecule 1

  • Price: $
  • Type: foam
  • Height: 12.25 in.
  • Firmness: medium
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
  • Who it’s best for: hot sleepers on a budget

PRO

  • The mattress is great.

CON

  • It may be too firm for some people.

The Molecule 1 mattress was designed to be a recovery-focused mattress with benefits that include temperature regulation, spine-aligning, and an affordable price tag.

The mattress is made with a CertiPUR-US certified foam for excellent pressure relief, a heat and moist cover, and a seven-inch layer of firm support to encourage healthy spine alignment.

“The mattress as a whole is a 6 on the firmness scale, and a layer of self-adjusting support is also offered. It’s suited to people with lower back pain and who are on a budget.”

Molecule has a free trial for a year.

The Molecule 1 mattress is available for purchase.

Mattress Type Firmness Price Warranty
Helix Midnight Luxe hybrid medium $$$ 15 years
Helix Plus hybrid medium firm $$$ 15 years
Saatva Solaire Mattress adjustable air adjustable $$$ 25 years
Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress memory foam relaxed firm, firm $$$ 15 years
The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress hybrid luxury medium $$ lifetime
Birch Natural Mattress hybrid medium firm $$ 25 years
Casper Original Hybrid Mattress hybrid medium $ 10 years
Amerisleep AS2 Hybrid Mattress hybrid medium firm $ 20 years
Puffy Mattress foam medium firm $$ lifetime
Nolah Natural 11″ latex hybrid medium $$ lifetime
Molecule 1 foam medium $ lifetime

Lower back pain takes a toll on people whether they’re awake or trying to sleep. A 2018 study found that people with chronic low back pain often also experience sleep problems like insomnia and daytime sleepiness. And their quality of life can lessen because of both. This may happen because of several factors:

  • Getting comfortable: Accommodating lower back pain may mean trying out new sleeping positions, which can delay sleep. For some, this could mean tossing and turning before feeling cozy enough to fall asleep.
  • Prominent pain: With fewer distractions at night, lower back pain may be more noticeable than usual, making it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. For some, pain could be the only thing on their mind while they’re lying in bed.
  • Medication: Some medications that may be prescribed for back pain, such as opioids, can also interfere with sleep, according to a 2009 study. And if lower back pain is severe enough to limit regular exercise, that can also play a role in poor sleep quality.

The right mattress can help you with your back pain.

“A mattress that doesn’t hold up our body will cause pain in the lower back,” explains Dr. Lynelle McSweeney, a chiropractor in Reno, Nevada. “We need support to keep our joints from going into a stress point, which puts pressure on nerves and strains the muscles.”

Firmness options

The hybrid or innerspring mattress may be too soft.

“The manufacturer’s rating can help you decide on a supportive option. The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest. Lower back pain can be alleviated with a medium-firm mattress that has a rating of 7 to 8.”

Sleep positions

Keep in mind that the firmness of a mattress will depend on a few different factors, including your preferred sleeping position, your body size and weight, and whether you share your bed with a partner or pet. Personal preference plays a role too.

Other things to consider

There are certain considerations when dealing with lower back pain, and there is no single right mattress for everyone.

  • Mattress firmness: Soft or plush mattresses likely won’t provide enough support. Research from 2003 suggests medium-firm mattresses are better for reducing low back pain than firm mattresses.
  • Adjustability: Adjustable mattresses that let you choose your firmness level from one night to the next can be a good option but be prepared to pay a premium for this feature.
  • Zoned support: Some mattresses are designed with zoned support, offering more firmness in the lower back region.

You should check reviews to see what previous buyers have to say about the mattress you are considering.

When you can find a mattress that balances enough support for your lower back with overall comfort, take advantage of the free in- home trials that manufacturers offer. Check the return policy and warranty as well.

Sleeping on your back is the best way to sleep. Supporting your body in your preferred sleep position can also work. Getting sleep is the most important thing for your health.

Here are a few tricks that can help reduce back pain.

  • If you sleep on your back, you try putting a pillow beneath your knees. It will help maintain the natural curve of the spine. You might also try using a small, rolled-up towel beneath the small of your back for extra support.
  • If you’re a side sleeper, try tucking a pillow between your knees to keep your hips, pelvis, and spine better aligned.
  • You can also try curling into the fetal position, with your knees tucked toward your chest and your back slightly curved forward, to help make space between vertebrae. Remember to switch sides to avoid imbalances. Note that if you have an extension bias, or find that arching your back relieves your symptoms, then the fetal position will not help with lower back pain.
  • To avoid low back pain, stomach sleepers can try using a pillow beneath the pelvis and lower abdomen. The extra support may relieve some of the pressure that can build in your low back when you sleep on your stomach.

If your back pain is making it hard to sleep, it is time to see a doctor. If your back pain is making daily activities difficult, you should.

Some types of back pain are associated with other symptoms, like pain that extends into other body parts, tingling or numbness, or a fever. These can be signs of nerve irritation or infection, and it’s important to see a doctor for more information.

If you suspect that your mattress is to blame, your doctor may be able to give you better sleep positions.

“There are other things you can do to help alleviate lower back pain if you can’t get a new mattress.”

Try a mattress topper

Mattress toppers can offer a budget-friendly way to offer specific benefits, including relief from low back pain. If you suspect your mattress is contributing to your lower back pain, a good mattress topper is one way to test your theory.

Try putting your mattress on the floor

Proper spine alignment requires support. If you want to see if a better mattress would be a better fit for you, you can put your mattress on the floor. It is an easy way to check if a mattress will help with your back pain.

Try putting a piece of plywood under your mattress

“If you can’t move your mattress to the floor, you can try sliding a piece of plywood between your mattress and bed frame. This will help increase support.”

Try an adjustable bed base

An inclined sleeping position may offer more relief from lower back pain than a flat sleeping surface. Swapping your standard base for an adjustable version gives you the option of elevating your upper body to alleviate lower back pain.

Use pillows

If you can’t invest in an adjustable bed base, a wedge pillow or a body pillow may help you adjust your positioning.

Can a mattress cause lower back pain?

Yes. A mattress that’s too soft, without enough spinal support, will cause pressure and pain in the lower back. But a mattress that’s too firm can also create lower back pain by not allowing enough “give” to pressure points, causing misalignment.

Can replacing your mattress improve lower back pain?

Yes. If your mattress isn’t offering enough support because it’s too soft or too old, swapping your mattress for a medium-firm option can help improve lower back pain.

Adding a supportive mattress topper or moving the mattress to the floor are other options you can try.

What style of mattress is best for lower back pain?

Medium-firm, adjustable mattresses are the most effective for lower back pain. The hybrid or innerspring models have more support in the back.

What style of mattress is worst for lower back pain?

Lower back pain will be worsened by Mattresses that are excessively soft. If you are already dealing with lower back pain, all-foam options that lack zoned support may not be a good choice.

Many people have back pain. Even if you sleep on a mattress that does not offer enough support, it can still be worse.

If you want a mattress that offers medium-firm support with layers of foam or a hybrid system, you should always look for a company that has a generous in- home trial period.

Jessica Timmons has been working as a freelance writer since 2007, covering everything from pregnancy and parenting to cannabis, chiropractic, stand-up paddling, fitness, martial arts, home decor, and much more. Her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and Coffee + Crumbs. See what she’s up to now at jessicatimmons.com.