11 Best Mattresses for Back Pain Relief in 2023, According to Experts

Something of a hidden gem on Amazon, this memory foam mattress is surprisingly affordable, considering how many reviewers swear by it. Its secret is a not-too-deep design that perfectly hits that medium-firm sweet spot, playing well with all sleeping positions. It’s built with four layers of gel memory foam split into three zones to keep your body properly aligned and supported for a cool and comfortable night of sleep.

What reviewers say: “I’ve had this mattress for a long time now and I just want to share the experience. Definitely worth the money and great for back pain relief. My back finally feels better after trying so many other mattress. I prefer this memory foam rather than spring,” shares an Amazon reviewer.

For those that experience both back pain and night sweats while sleeping, the Purple Mattress is a great option. This top-rated pick impressed experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute with its GelFlex Grid technology—coming in the form of an elastic grid layer on the surface—that not only provides great support and pressure relief, but also offers excellent breathability, helping hot sleepers stay cool. Testers raved that it helped relieve their back pain, while also providing a nice, cool feel and great motion isolation (meaning if you sleep with a partner, you’re less likely to feel them toss and turn throughout the night).

What reviewers say: “I love everything about this mattress. It’s comfortable, you don’t get sunk in, it’s not too hot, and it’s just the right level of firm. My husband has a broken back, and it has been wonderful for lower back pain relief,” writes one reviewer on Amazon.

With five depth options and a generous trial period, this budget-friendly mattress is a safe option for those who want a luxurious feel without a luxurious price. Brooklyn Bedding recommends going with the 10-inch depth for an ideal medium-firm feel—the density Dr. Huff suggests for a restorative night’s sleep—although the mattress depths vary from 6-inches to 14-inches, giving you the ability to choose a firmness that works for you.

One other stand-out feature of the Dreamfoam Essential is the variety of sizes it comes in, including those for shorter or extra-long beds, and even RV beds and bunks. This means you can likely find a comfortable, back-friendly mattress for whatever size bed you need... even if you’re traveling in an RV.

What reviewers say: “I love this mattress! Firm but not too firm. Side sleeper. I got the 10-inch and it’s the Goldilocks match for me. No more low back issues!” said a customer on the Brooklyn Bedding website.

Nolah’s foam mattress was crowned the best overall mattress for back pain by the Good Housekeeping Institute, thanks to its medium level of firmness that provides the ideal balance of pressure relief and support. Testers raved that it truly made a difference with their hip and back pain, helping cradle pressure points and offering firm support to ease any discomfort. In fact, the brand claims that their signature AirFoam™ offers four times better pressure relief, and is 300% more durable than regular memory foam—not to mention, it’s also designed to retain less heat to help keep you cool.

What reviewers say: “My new Nolah mattress is AMAZING! I have struggled with neck and back pain for years and the Nolah mattress has worked wonders. I sleep through the entire night and love my bed so much I never want to leave it!...The two free Nolah pillows I received with my purchase are also a game changer and the best pillow I’ve ever slept on,” writes one reviewer.

Start with Helix’s mattress matching quiz to find the mattress tailored to your needs. We love the Midnight Luxe mattress, which boasts six layers, including a breathable Tencel pillow top, tons of super-supportive foam, and more than 1,000 wrapped springs, which are its marquee feature—they’re softer under your shoulders and firmer under your hips, which helps align your spine throughout the night, especially if you’re a side sleeper.

What reviewers say: “You get good resistance, support, without just falling into it and contorting. I have not woken up with back pain since the day we got it, and this was consistently a problem for me on the old, spring-only mattress. We did test one of the softer Helix models and I don’t think I would have been as satisfied, as I was looking for something with a little more support. We are extremely satisfied with the mattress. The pillows that came with it are also perfect—best pillows I’ve had to date!” shares one customer on the Helix website.

Saatva’s mattress is a top pick from the Good Housekeeping Institute, and for good reason: It consistently earns high scores for comfort, support, and overall sleep quality from testers year after year, who swear that it truly helps alleviate their back pain. Lab experts were also impressed with the mattress’s luxurious feel and the brand’s white glove delivery service. Plus, the mattress is designed with a dual-coil design and high-density memory foam, both of which prevent sagging, promote support, and prolong the life of your purchase.

What reviewers say: “​​I was a skeptic and have had a difficult time finding a mattress that would be comfortable for me. I have 5 discs out and hip problems. I spent thousands on mattresses only for them to wear out or have divots after a few years. So, I tried Saatva at the recommendation of an ortho doc who had one. It was amazing. I slept better, had less pain, and had deeper sleep. Five years later it still looks and feels like new. No divots. I love it so much that I’m considering buying another for our new guest room,” shares a customer on the Saatva website.

Nectar’s all-foam mattress is ideal for side-sleepers because it’s on the slightly softer end of the medium-firm spectrum, which Dr. Huff recommends for ideal shoulder and hip support—a crucial way to fight back pain. It’s thick enough to feel like sleeping on a luxurious hotel bed, and reviewers rave that it won’t shift if your partner tosses and turns during the night. Better yet, Nectar has one of the most generous trial periods of any of the brands on this list, meaning it’s a must-try for indecisive shoppers.

What reviewers say: “We received our Nectar about 3 1/2 months ago. So far, it is amazing! It cradles and supports perfectly. I have a history of waking throughout the night with low back pain, hip pain. At first laying on it, it feels like it will be too firm, but it softens where you need it and maintains great support. There are mornings I wake in the same position as when I went to sleep. I’m always overjoyed when that happens! Also, the mattress breathes well. On our previous mattress, I would wake up sweaty throughout the night. I’m average height and overweight (5’7” 200 lbs) while my husband is tall and thin (6’0” 165 lbs). The mattress serves us both well,” shares a happy customer on the Nectar website.

Puffy’s flagship mattress boasts three levels of foam, each designed to cradle your body and align your spine during sleep. On top of all that, its cover is cooling, stain-resistant, and hypoallergenic, meaning it’ll withstand years of sleep.

What reviewers say: “I had back surgery over two years ago. The mattress we had for only three years was killing my back. And my husband felt like he was sleeping in a hammock or a hole. We replaced it with a Puffy Lux. Puffy is supportive but like sleeping on a cloud. Support yet comfort. We love it,” shares a reviewer on the Puffy website.

Although it’s one of the most expensive options on this list, the Tempur-Adapt mattress still outperforms its price. A remarkably durable hybrid option, it’s slightly firmer than other mattresses, but still offers Tempur-Pedic’s signature blend of support and comfort. (Yes, you’ll sink into it and never want to get back up.) Plus, it’s got a cooling cover, which is ideal for anyone who sleeps hot.

What reviewers say: “The 1st night I slept on this mattress was the best night sleep I’ve had in years; it’s been 3 weeks now and I’m sleeping soundly and waking up with amazing energy and no pain in my back or hips. Best purchase I’ve made,” shares a reviewer on the Tempur-Pedic website.

Stomach-sleepers will be delighted by this hybrid mattress’ pillow top, which supports your neck and provides cooling airflow with a mix of quilted foam and cashmere. But that’s only the first of five layers, which also include memory foam and individually wrapped coils. The result is a bed that feels like sleeping on, well, a cloud—one that comes with pillows, a sheet set, and a mattress protector included, no less.

What reviewers say: “This purchase was well worth the cost. My back no longer aches in the mornings. I’m finally getting a good night’s sleep which allows me to wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day,” a DreamCloud customer shares on the brand’s website.

Although medium-firm is the best density for back pain, Dr. Huff says, you might want to go with a soft or firm option instead—and WinkBed allows you to choose from all three (plus an even denser option) in its flagship mattress. A cooling eucalyptus cover is guaranteed to keep you comfortable throughout the night, while a pillow top, individually wrapped coils, and memory foam ensure it’ll alleviate your back pain, no matter your sleeping position.

What reviewers say: “After many months of research I finally chose the luxury firm WinkBed and could not be happier with my decision. It arrived sooner than promised. Very clear instructions on how to open. And the comfort and support are amazing. The first night in years I slept through and didn’t wake up with back pain. Highly recommend,” said a customer on the WinkBed website.