Best Mattress for Back Pain: Our Top Picks (2024)

A medium-firm latex mattress can provide comfort for people with upper back pain. Many mattresses with natural latex or ElastexⓇ foam layers (such as Douglas Original) help relieve specific pressure points in the upper back and shoulders. Zoned support creates an ideal balance of both pressure relief and support.

If you sleep on your side, choose a mattress that allows your shoulders to sink in while keeping your spine aligned. Using a pillow that isn’t too high and placing one between your arms can help prevent shoulder slouching, reducing upper back pain during sleep.

A medium-firm memory foam mattress is a great match for people with lower back pain. Memory foam conforms to the shape of your body, which can help relieve pressure points and support the lower back.

A medium-firm mattress helps distribute pressure evenly across your body and keep your spine aligned, which is ideal for nearly any sleeping position. Ultimately, the best mattress for lower back pain can vary from person to person, as individual preferences and body types play a significant role.

The best mattress for back pain is typically medium-firm. A mattress that’s too firm can cause pressure points on your body, while medium-firm mattresses distribute your body weight more evenly. When a mattress is too soft, your hips and shoulders may sink too deeply into the bed, causing your spine to curve unnaturally. A medium-firm mattress strikes a balance between these two extremes.

Many medium-firm mattresses come with additional comfort layers like memory foam or latex. These comfort layers provide some softness and contouring while maintaining ample support. They offer enough cushioning for side sleepers to ease pressure on their hips and shoulders while providing enough support for back and stomach sleepers.

It’s best to sleep in a way that keeps your head, back, and neck in a straight line. However, the best sleeping position for back pain can vary from person to person, based on body shape, weight, and pain levels.

Sleeping on your back is often considered the best position for back pain because it allows your spine to maintain its natural curve. Avoid using a tall pillow under your head for less strain on your neck. If you’re a back sleeper, try placing a pillow under your knees to keep your spine aligned and pelvis comfortable.

If you prefer to sleep on your side, try placing a pillow between your knees to help align your spine, pelvis, and hips, which reduces strain on your lower back. You can also place a small pillow or rolled-up towel under your waist for additional support.

Sleeping on your stomach is generally not recommended for back pain because it can strain your neck and lower back. If you must sleep in this position, place a thin pillow under your pelvis to reduce pressure on your lower back and try to use a flat pillow for your head.

READ MORE: What’s the best sleeping position for lower back pain?

Mattresses fall into many different categories. Each has different characteristics that are a good fit for a variety of sleep styles. Here are just a few types of mattresses:

• Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses like Logan & Cove combine innerspring layers with foam or latex for a perfect pairing of contour and support. They tend to have better edge support and lower temperatures than memory foam, but this comes with reduced motion isolation for a slightly less peaceful sleep. (Shopping for a hybrid? Check out our list of the best hybrid mattresses.)
• Cooling Gel Foam: Some sleepers find normal memory foam too hot, so cooling gel foam mattresses like Douglas can be a great alternative. This type of mattress combines memory foam with cooling gel to keep temperatures comfortable while you sleep.
• Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses support your weight with metal coils. This makes the mattress bouncy and provides good edge support, but you might find this type of mattress less comfortable if your body needs more contouring.
• Memory Foam: Memory foam mattresses like Octave “hug” your body to relieve pressure and keep your spine aligned. They usually have good motion isolation, which is good for couples. While memory foam is known for trapping heat, Octave is actually our pick for best cooling mattress with advanced features like a cooling nanofibre cover, copper-infused memory foam treated with PolarMAX® phase-change material, and multi-zone support foam with air channels.
• Latex: Natural or synthetic latex mattresses can relieve pressure in any sleep position. They have a reputation for comfortable temperatures and can last longer than other types of mattresses. However, latex mattresses can also be more expensive and may not be ideal for some people with latex allergies.

When you’re shopping for a mattress, it’s important to consider more than just how comfortable it is. There are a whole range of factors to keep in mind.

• Budget: Set a budget for your new mattress and stick to it. You might even be able to make this budget go further by finding limited-time deals and promotions online.
• Construction: Figure out whether you’d like an innerspring, foam, or hybrid mattress. There are pros and cons for each construction style, and knowing what you want will help narrow down your options.
• Firmness: Choose a mattress with the right firmness level for your sleep style—that is, whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach. For example, side sleepers often want a softer mattress, while back sleepers may prefer something firmer. (Did you know that a medium-firm feel is ideal for most sleep styles? Get our guide to the best medium-firm mattresses.)
• Motion Isolation: Pay close attention to motion isolation if you share your bed with a partner, kids, or pets. The higher the isolation score, the less you’ll notice movement from the other side of the bed.
• Edge Support: Are you in the habit of sitting or sleeping near the edge of the bed? Look for a mattress with good edge support so you feel supported in any position.
• Bounce: If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, you might prefer a mattress with extra bounce. (Your inner child will enjoy it, too!)
• Contouring: Contouring materials like memory foam help support your body in all the right places. That said, too much “hug” can cause overheating and make it hard to move, so find the level of contouring that’s best for your body.
• Temperature: Speaking of overheating—if you’re a warm sleeper, look for a mattress that promotes airflow and reduces heat. Octave Vista is a great choice with its cooling nanofibre cover, copper-infused memory foam treated with phase-change material for temperature balance, and multi-zone support foam with air channels.
• Responsiveness: A responsive mattress allows you to change positions without feeling stuck. Often found in hybrid designs, a responsive mattress can help you enjoy certain activities in bed even more.
• Noise: Nobody likes a squeaky or crinkly mattress. Get a quiet night’s sleep with a mattress made from noise-quieting materials like foam or latex.
• Company Policies: Get details about the manufacturer’s sleep trial, return policy, and product warranty so you know what you’re getting into.