Best Mattresses for Back Pain

Person sitting on edge of bed clutching their back as if it hurts

What Makes a Mattress Good for Back Pain?

Finding the right mattress can make all the difference, especially when it comes to managing back pain. A good mattress for back pain typically offers optimal support and alignment for the spine. Look for a mattress that provides firmness tailored to your preferences, as it should keep your spine in a neutral position while still contouring to your body's curves.

Typically, a comfort in the range of medium-firm to medium-soft will be best for those dealing with back pain. This minimizes pain from overly hard beds lacking pressure relief while also giving you the best chance of getting the support you need without sinking in too much where your spine starts to curve.

Additionally, materials like memory foam or latex can offer pressure relief, helping to alleviate discomfort in sensitive areas. Motion isolation is another factor to consider, as it can prevent disruptions from your partner's movements during the night.

Ultimately, a mattress that promotes proper spinal alignment, offers pressure relief, and minimizes motion transfer can significantly contribute to a restful night's sleep and reduced back pain.

Common Myths About Back Pain Mattresses

Is a Firm Mattress Good For Back Pain?

You don't need an extremely firm mattress for back pain. Something with a little more cushion can actually help prevent back pain by providing better spinal alignment and pressure relief than a very hard mattress would. You need to fill in the gap in your lower back, you're not meant to lie completely flat. Try to stick to something in the range of medium-firm to medium-soft.

Top Mattresses for Back Pain

I've highlighted several brands that provide excellent back support and chose a top model from each of the selected brands.

Beautyrest Black

With premium materials and a triple-coil design, any bed from the Beautyrest Black lineup is going to provide excellent support and pressure relief. This makes any model from the collection a good choice for back pain, so go with the comfort and style you prefer.

The one I'd choose out of them as all around best for back pain would be the Hybrid LX-Class Plush with its medium-firm feel and smooth top that'll contour to your every curve.

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Purple

The Purple mattresses are a good option for solving back pain, with the innovative Purple Grid. It provides comfortable support that has a unique feel. If you think a Purple mattress is the solution for your back pain, I recommend the Purple Restore Premier Hybrid Firm.

Any of the Purple mattresses would be a good option though, leaning towards the soft ones if you're a side sleeper and the firm ones if you sleep on your back or stomach.

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Scott Living

Scott Living makes mattresses with a high degree of individualized support and premium comfort materials. This means their beds are qualified to provide the type of pressure relief and spinal alignment needed to assuage back pain.

I'd go with the Atherton Euro Top if you go between back and side sleeping, or one of the firmer models if you sleep mostly on your back or stomach.

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Sealy Posturepedic

Sealy's Posturepedic technology provides extra support in the center third of the mattress which helps provide sturdy spinal alignment. It reinforces the area under the heaviest part of your body, which makes it more long-lasting.

This makes any of the Posturepedic beds a good choice for back pain, though if I had to pick one I'd choose the Posturepedic Plus Hybrid Albany Medium. Its neutral comfort feel and hybrid construction make it the perfect blend of support and contouring to keep you comfortable all night without aches and pains, in any position you choose to sleep in.

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Stearns & Foster

The double coil design that Stearns & Foster uses in their beds provides customized support that is excellent for helping those with back pain. The coil-in-coil support system gently contours to areas that are not as heavy with the taller, softer coil. Heavier areas are more sturdily supported by the shorter, thicker coil. This design allows for better pushback against your gaps, leaving you feeling fully supported across every inch of your body.

Any mattress from this luxury brand is a good bet for reducing the back pain you experience, but the one that stands out above the rest is the Lux Hybrid Firm mattress. I chose it for its supportive medium-firm feel that'll keep you in good spinal alignment while providing top notch pressure relief.

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Conclusion

Although the mattresses highlighted in this article are a good place to start, it's not an exhaustive list. Any mattress that is supportive and pressure relieving within your preferences will help you prevent back pain, especially if you're currently on mattress that is dipping or sagging.

When dealing with back pain, your mattress can make a huge difference. Choosing a reputable brand with a support system that will keep your spine in alignment, and comfort materials that'll provide the contouring to prevent pressure point pain.

I find that sticking with more of a medium feel, whether slightly firm or slightly soft, is usually best for those with back pain issues. You can experience pain from overly hard or overly plush mattresses so a soft mattress or an extra firm mattress may not be the way to go.