A woman with back pain from her mattress

A woman with back pain from her mattress (Photo by Kaspars Grinvalds on Shutterstock)

“Oh, my aching back!” Sound familiar? If you say that every morning, it might be time to consider a new mattress. Sleep experts recommend replacing your mattress every seven to 10 years. Though it can be a significant expense, the right mattress tailored to your sleeping habits can provide the support you need to alleviate back pain.

With so many brands and options out there, it might seem like you need a PhD to buy a bed, but don’t worry—we’re here to help. We’ve saved you the research and have identified the best of the best mattresses most often recommended for back pain by experts across seven websites. Did we miss one that helps you sleep like a baby? Comment below.

The List: Best Mattresses for Back Pain, Rated by Experts

1. Saatva Classic

Saatva Classic
Saatva Classic Mattress (saatva.com)

If you want a comfy bed that will support your back, the Saatva Classic is a top choice among expert reviewers. It’s designed to hug your body and support your spine. Choose the 11½-inch version for easier access if back pain is a concern, and rotate the mattress every six months to maintain its shape, recommends The New York Times. Saatva offers a 365-day trial, with the option for a full refund minus the transportation fee.

The Saatva Classic offers a premium hybrid design with upscale features for the luxury-minded shopper. It includes dual coil layers, a zoned three-inch pillow top, Lumbar Zone Spinal Wire, and pressure-relieving memory foam, making it an excellent choice for those with back pain. CNET loves the three firmness levels, along with the two height profiles.

Since this mattress is firmer, Verywell Health recommends it for stomach sleepers — thanks to the memory foam and innerspring construction offering enough support to ease lower back pain. The queen-sized mattress offers even more support for areas around the hips.

Standout Features:

  • Dual coil layers
  • Zoned three-inch pillow top
  • Lumbar Zone Spinal Wire
  • Pressure-relieving memory foam
  • Three firmness levels

2. Helix Plus

Helix Plus Mattress
Helix Plus Mattress (helixsleep.com)

If you’re a larger person, who can never find a comfy mattress — look no further than the Helix Plus. It gets the thumbs up from CNET as the “best mattress for back pain” if you weigh more than 250 pounds. It has an extra layer of high-density foam that can support a combined weight of 1,000 pounds (500 pounds on each side).

This plus-sized mattress not only outperforms its competitors but also does so at a reasonable price. The 13″ hybrid mattress won’t sink and will feel “slightly firm”, according to NapLab. It offers exceptional cooling, edge support, and pressure relief.

Very Well Health recommends the Helix Midnight mattress for side sleepers and those who switch positions during the night. The editor who tried it said it was like “sleeping at a luxury resort” and there was very little motion transference, which is great if you sleep with a partner. It contours to the body, and won’t lose its shape. You can also return it within 100 days if you don’t like it.

Standout Features:

  • An extra layer of High-density foam
  • Can support up to 500 pounds on each side
  • Designed to be cooling

3. Leesa Sapira Hybrid

Leesa Sapira Hybrid
Leesa Sapira Hybrid (leesa.com)

 

If you want more of a cuddle, rather than a tight hug from a mattress – the Leesa Sapira Hydrid will provide you with endless, pressure-relieving support thanks to its 1,000 individually wrapped coils. It’s not too hard or soft, but like Goldilocks says, “Just right!” According to The New York Times, the mattress supports any sleeping position — making it a versatile choice.

Business Insider endorses the mattress for its universal appeal, comfort, and affordability. Equipped with cooling technology, it ensures you won’t overheat and provides exceptional edge support and motion isolation, making it ideal for couples. Additionally, it comes with a 100-night trial and a ten-year warranty.

If you want a bit of a bounce in your mattress, you’ll get that and more with the Sapira Hybrid. It tends to be softer than other mattresses, but it still gives you enough support to ease back pain. If you want something firmer, NapLab suggests you check out the Sapira Chill.

Standout Features:

  • 1,000 individually wrapped coils
  • Affordable price
  • Cooling technology
  • Motion isolation and edge support

4. Nolah Evolution

Nolah Evolution Mattress
Nolah Evolution Mattress (nolahmattress.com)

Toss and turn all night long? The Nolah Evolution lives up to its name and will evolve with you. Testers at Health.com found the plush memory foam made things so comfy, they felt “energized” and had “fewer body aches” after waking up. We should point out the mattress is tall and not suitable for all bed frames.

This mattress is pricey, but you can often find it on sale. It offers not only pressure relief and spinal alignments but also features a “clever cooling” system so you don’t overheat. Thanks to tiny air pockets your weight is distributed evenly, placing less pressure on the back and hips, which Women’s Health likens to sleeping on a cloud. The mattress also comes with a lifetime warranty!

Not only is this hybrid mattress excellent at pressure relief, but it is also great at keeping you cool and comfy overnight. You can choose from one of three different firmness levels and it scores high in all areas except motion transfer. It is a very high mattress and NapLab says you will notice its presence in a room.

Standout Features:

  • Memory foam
  • Pressure relief and spinal alignments
  • Clever cooling system
  • Three firmness levels

5. Saatva Zenhaven

Saatva Zenhaven
Saatva Zenhaven (saatva.com)

Rounding out our list is the Zenhaven from Saatva, which has a flippable design. It’s firm on one side, and softer on the other side. It doesn’t have any coils and offers a “classic latex feel”. Because you’re getting two mattresses in one, you’ll pay a premium price, something NapLab reports is well worth it, considering it is the top-scoring latex mattress it’s ever tested.

This mattress is very heavy and it does require a box spring or a platform frame. That being said, you can test it out for a full year and still return it if you don’t like it. The all-latex design is described as “springy” by The New York Times and will last longer than regular memory foam.

The editor at Very Well Health who spent four weeks sleeping on this mattress felt better rested and didn’t have any back, neck, or hip pain when waking up. It won “Best Overall” mattress because it is great for stomach, side, and back sleepers and doesn’t come “rolled or boxed up” like other designs.

Standout Features:

  • Has a soft and firm side for flipping
  • Doesn’t have any coils
  • Made of latex

Sources used for our list:

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.

About Amy Chodroff

Amy Chodroff is a recovering Morning Radio Show Host and award-winning broadcaster who recently retired from DFW’s Morning News on KLIF in Dallas. Fondly known as the “Chief Googler” by her friends, it was a seamless transition for StudyFinds to enlist her expertise for their “Best of the Best” franchise. Amy has an innate curiosity and a penchant for thorough research before any purchase and she’s constantly on the hunt for top-notch products. Outside of her digital explorations, Amy loves to explore the world with her husband and is the proud mother of two adult daughters. You can also find Amy on the pickleball court, perfecting her dink and drop shots.

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