The Best Editor-Tested Mattresses That'll Help You Prevent Back Pain
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Whether you just sleep in your bed or use it for work and leisure, you’ll want a quality mattress. This is especially true if you’ve experienced back pain in the past or currently suffer from it. But finding the right mattress is much easier said than done because mattresses are a big investment. It’s tough to know whether a mattress will bring comfort or pain until you’ve tried it out for a while. Thankfully, we’ve done the work for you and tested them. We also spoke to experts on what to look for: physiatrist Dr. Nnaemeka Echebiri from the Hospital for Special Surgery and physical therapist Dr. Danielle Weis, who owns Wise Orthopedic Physical Therapy in Brooklyn Heights. Both frequently work with patients who experience back, joint, and neck pain, so they were able to talk to us about qualities to look for when mattress shopping.
Both Echebiri and Weis noted that the wrong sleep surface doesn’t so much cause bodily pain as it does exacerbate existing conditions. “People may have back pain due to poor posture, muscle weakness — those are typically the causes of back pain and muscular imbalance or atrophy over time, and that can typically be exacerbated by your sleep mechanics and body positioning,” Echebiri said. Weis tells her patients that pain does not exist in a vacuum. “Everything is connected,” she said. “So sleep is going to directly affect how they’re feeling — whether they’ve slept really well and they’re feeling better, or whether they haven’t slept great and it’s contributing to stress.”
Factors to Consider When Finding the Right Mattress for Preventing Back Pain
Mattress Firmness
Research has shown that where mattress firmness is concerned, medium-firm is the way to go. Sleeping on a surface that’s neither too hard nor too soft promotes optimal comfort and helps prevent stiffness in the back and other parts of the body, such as the hips. Weis noted, however, that the research has limitations, and buying a mattress just because it’s classified as medium-firm is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
“Medium-firm is what’s most recommended these days, but with the caveat that you have to try it, and you have to make sure you’re comfortable because if you’re going to have a terrible night’s sleep because you’re uncomfortable, that’s going to affect your overall wellness for the next day as well,” Weis said.
Sleep Position
Of course, the position in which you sleep is also important. You want to achieve neutral spine alignment, which is key for preventing back pain. “Unfortunately, the position that’s the worst for your back is going to be sleeping on your stomach,” Echebiri said. “When you do that, your belly and your hips tend to sink into the mattress a bit more, and you’re putting a lot of stress on the facets.”
As a result, you might also want to supplement your mattress with the right pillows. Research suggests, for example, that a soft mattress calls for a softer, thinner pillow. “With a hard mattress, you don’t get enough sinking,” Echebiri said. “It’s hard to get your shoulders to sink into the mattress, so you can have pretty bad neck pain, and you need to augment that with maybe thicker pillows. If you’re sleeping on your back, maybe your hips don’t sink into the mattress enough, and you might have to put pillows beneath your knees to help promote proper alignment.”
Test Before You Buy
What our experts emphasized above all else is the importance of testing mattresses before you decide on one. In any case, most mattresses are expensive, so you’ll want to do your research even if you don’t have a history of back problems. Unfortunately, the matter is not as simple as finding a mattress labeled “medium-firm” and ordering it to your address.
“Everybody’s body is different, and there is no ‘best’ for every person,” Weis said. “You have to invest some time into looking for the correct items for you. You know, going to the store, lying down on the mattresses, testing out a few pillows. Have a friend go with you and take pictures so you can see, like, ‘Oh my god, my head is totally lifted. That probably won’t feel good.’ It’s easy to go with these recommendations that we see everywhere, but we really have to cater to our own bodies.”
If you can visit a mattress store and test different options, that would be ideal. To give you a starting point, though, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite mattresses below from a range of brands and featuring a variety of materials. Our editors have tested and come to love each one of these mattresses, so you can at least keep in mind which ones have earned our stamp of approval while you search for your own perfect fit.
The Best Editor-Tested Mattress for Preventing Back Pain
The Classic Mattress, Queen The Classic Mattress, Queen
A true crowd-pleaser, the Saatva Classic has three firmness options, including the medium equivalent called “luxury firm.” This level is designed to provide a perfect balance of comfort and support for all sleep positions, not to mention mimic the feel of luxury hotel beds. Mark, Apartment Therapy's director of commerce, credits this mattress with alleviating his back pain and said he doesn't foresee replacing it anytime soon. “I’ve been sleeping on the Saatva Classic for about a year now, and I couldn’t be happier,” he wrote. “It’s beautifully crafted with a luxurious pillow top that is comfortable, supports any position I sleep in, and doesn’t leave me waking up with a sore back.”
Purple RestorePremier Hybrid Mattress Purple RestorePremier Hybrid Mattress
If you share your bed with a partner, you’ll want a mattress that can absorb the shock from them potentially tossing and turning. Enter Purple’s RestorePremier Hybrid mattress, which features independently responsive coils for dynamic pinpoint support and an Edge Support System for help getting in and out of bed. Charli, Apartment Therapy's executive lifestyle director, suffers from chronic back pain and said this Best List-winning mattress conformed to her body. “I feel cradled from the start and supported where it matters most — my lower back, neck, and shoulders,” she wrote. “This is the first ‘firm’ mattress I’ve experienced that is soft enough to feel luxurious but firm enough to give your resting body the overnight comfort and support it needs to be at its best.”
The One Foam Mattress The One Foam Mattress
Consistently highly rated on online reviews, Casper's memory foam mattress marries the comfort of memory foam with breathability and zoned support for your spine and has been doing so for over 10 years now. This mattress boasts a total of four layers, which are designed to keep you from tossing and turning and help you stay cool and asleep all night long. Stephanie, AT’s senior editor of cleaning and organizing, described it as neither too soft nor too firm. Plus, the low-profile mattress comes in a box for a super easy setup. No wonder it's a reader favorite, too!
Elite Hybrid, Queen Elite Hybrid, Queen
Say goodbye to aches and pains with the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress. After a history of back problems, senior commerce editor Ian decided to give this pick a try. With its hand-quilted cushion cover, three layers of supportive foam, and two layers of coils, this mattress had him sleeping like a baby. “Besides the unparalleled cooling power, my favorite aspect of the Elite Hybrid is that it’s the perfect compromise for my girlfriend and me — but it doesn’t feel like a compromise,” he wrote. “I feel like I got the better end of the deal with a firm mattress, while my girlfriend thinks she got the better end of the deal with a soft mattress.”
Pillow Cube Mattress Deluxe, Queen Pillow Cube Mattress Deluxe, Queen
Although sleeping on your back is ideal, Weis emphasized that ultimately, you want a mattress that’s going to give you comfort in your preferred position, even if that’s sleeping on your side. We actually deemed the Pillow Cube Mattress Deluxe our favorite one for side sleepers when we tested it for our Best List. The top third of the mattress is dubbed the Soft Shoulder Zone, and the rest of the mattress is called the Hip Support Zone. The top third is also pillowy soft, so you won’t wake up feeling like you’ve dislocated your shoulder overnight. Sam, AT’s social media manager, loves its five-layer construction and thoughtful design. “I didn’t realize how bad my previous mattress was until trying this one,” she said. “It’s so soft, and I love melting into it every day because it’s so comfortable and cozy. It’s the perfect level of softness and makes falling asleep so easy.”
Stratami Organic Mattress, Queen Stratami Organic Mattress, Queen
Essentia’s Stratami mattress features only latex and no springs, so you might find it to be on the firmer side. That being said, Ni'Kesia, our sister site’s former news and culture editor, said it delivers amazing posture support. “According to the brand, their patented Beyond Latex organic foam ‘eliminates negative space for proper back support’ and is actually featured in all of their mattress products,” she wrote. “As someone with neck and spine issues, having a mattress that actually delivers the comfort and support to help with proper spinal alignment during rest is truly a godsend.” And, because the mattress doesn’t have any wool, latex proteins, or fiber batting, it’s totally hypoallergenic.
Other Options to Consider
Below are some mattresses we have not tested, but they come from brands we trust and promise to promote comfort and relieve pressure.
Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress, Queen Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress, Queen
Drift away into the most relaxing sleep money can buy with this ultra-comfy memory foam mattress. Like Saatva's other mattresses, it promotes spinal alignment thanks to a special lumbar zone and gel-infused memory foam, which are both known to relieve back pain. The foam is also responsive, molding around you for optimal support and comfort.
Siena Memory Foam Mattress Siena Memory Foam Mattress
Siena is known around here for its quality memory foam mattresses, though this isn’t just any foam mattress. Instead, it boasts five layers of foam to help you achieve the best night’s sleep, including a 2-inch layer created to relieve pressure and adapt to your body, a 4-inch cushioning layer for enhanced support, and a breathable, cooling cover to top it all off. The foam also reduces motion, making this mattress another solid pick for couples who share a bed.
Nectar Hybrid Mattress Nectar Hybrid Mattress
Nectar’s hybrid mattress also features an impressive foam layer for premium stability, though it couples the material with a layer of innerspring coils for cushioning and edge support. This means you can sprawl out without fear of rolling over the edge, and you’ll also have an easier time getting out of bed in the morning. What’s more, an upper layer of gel memory foam conforms to your body and keeps you cooler than traditional memory foam.
Lessa Studio Mattress, Queen Lessa Studio Mattress, Queen
Leesa is another editor-favorite brand for all things bedding, including, of course, mattresses. The Studio mattress has that desired medium-firm feel, and it was designed for sleepers who want to feel cradled and supported without spending a grand for a quality mattress. This pick’s supportive foam layer was also made to relieve hip and shoulder pressure, so if you sleep on your side, it’ll help keep your body in proper alignment as much as possible in that position.
