The quest to finding the best mattresses for back pain seems like a never-ending one.
Motivated by this growing concern, we’ve talked to hundreds of sleepers who are suffering from back pain to see what their experiences with different mattresses have been like.
Coupled with our expertise in the field, we’ve distilled the very best pieces of information that you’re going to benefit greatly when you read on next!
5 Best Mattresses for Back Pain
Classic Brands Cool Gel 1.0 Ultimate Gel Memory Foam 14-Inch Mattress with BONUS Pillow
The first one that’s totally worth your attention is this Classic Brands gel memory foam.
As you probably have heard, memory foam is doctor’s #1 recommended choice for body support because it’s highly conforming.
However, the thing with memory foam or specifically low-quality memory foam is that it tends to overheat at night. This makes many sleepers, especially back and stomach sleepers, very uncomfortable.
But guess what? You won’t have to deal with unpleasant heat when sleeping on a gel memory foam mattress. It keeps the temperature at an optimal level, which is so nice all night long.
Firmness is also an important aspect when choosing a mattress for you because you’re having a bad back. This thing right here feels just about the medium firm mark.
Which is an incredible thing because it gives your back enough support without being hard as a rock.
I really like the thickness of this mattress. It’s not too thin nor too thick. The size gives just the right amount of support even for heavier sleepers.
Going a little deeper into the construction, you’ll find layers of foam stacked on top of each other. At the base is a high-density foam layer, then a comfort foam, a memory foam, and a cool gel foam to top it all up.
Many patients with back pain choose an adjustable base to help them get off of their beds more easily. Good news, this mattress is adjustable-base-friendly.
The materials are fully certified by CertiPUR-US, meaning, there are completely no toxic chemicals or prohibited particles that could potentially harm you.
I love the free pillows they included with the purchase. It’s a very nice touch. When you receive the package, you’ll see a big carton box.
Inside it is the mattress compressed using vacuum technology. To use the bed, you do need to wait for it to fluff up. Speaking of which, you may notice some smell upon unpacking.
Other than that, this mattress works wonders for back pain relief. Don’t be fooled by its low price, though. This thing delivers. If you would love to give it a try, go right ahead!
Pros
- Free pillows
- Nice supportive foam
- Good thickness
- Well-ventilated
- Certified materials
- Neat packaging
Cons
- Unpleasant odor
Zinus Memory Foam 12 Inch / Premium / Cloud-like Mattress, Queen
This next mattress would get the attention of college kids or newlywed couples who are trying to save for their families.
A Queen mattress at this price? It’s unbelievable. Let’s see if this deal sounds too good to be true.
I must admit that I fell in love almost immediately when looking at the mattress for the first time. These swirly, leaf-like patterns look absolutely eye-catching.
Aesthetics aside, sleeping on the mattress feels like you’re on cloud nine. Unlike the first mattress, this one feels slightly softer. But it’s still firm enough to hold your shape nicely.
You won’t sink in too much, which could potentially give you more backaches. But it still gives you the great softness that will make you fall asleep easily.
The mattress does well for couples up to 700 – 800 lbs. There’s plenty of room for each sleeper as well.
Let’s face it, nobody loves cleaning or tidying. But when it comes to cleaning the cover of this thing, it’s a really easy task. You can simply remove the cover by unzipping it and put it into the washing machine. It’s also dryable.
If you love some bounce on your bed, sorry, this mattress would not be it. For a fact, it is made up of memory foam. This material is contouring and not entirely bouncy.
You don’t really need to put a box spring underneath the mattress because the mattress is high enough to stand on its own. You can, however. A platform bed would be another great choice.
There’s some slight odor at first but that’s a minute point. I would recommend it to someone who’s on a budget that needs a great bed for their back. Great find!
Pros
- Excellent back support
- Neutral temperature
- High max load
- Soft & comfy
- Affordable price
Cons
- Chemical smell
Sweetnight Queen Mattress in a Box – 12 Inch Plush Pillow Top Hybrid Mattress
We talked about that bouncy feel on mattresses a minute ago. And for those of you who love it, here is the mattress that you need!
Sweetnight mattress is the perfect combination of cooling memory foam and motion-isolating wrapped coils.
To give you the exact numbers, there are 775 metal coils inside the bed. Coupled with the foam, it gives you amazing support for your upper and lower back while significantly reducing pressure.
The mattress can also help prevent tossing and turning, both of which are no good for people with back pain.
Thanks to the well-made construction, you can use the bed for quite a long time without worrying that it’s going to sag quickly.
The firmness level on this thing is awesome. It’s just right there in the middle. A huge relief for your back!
I think the maker has done a great job in giving users safe and CertiPUR-US certified materials. They are hypoallergenic and won’t bring you any unnecessary allergies.
Sleep temperature on this one is also nice. Because it’s made from gel memory foam, you’ll get this nice cooling effect during your sleep.
Oh, and speaking of coils, are you worried that the sound of the metal coils will disturb your partner? Well, worry not! Because these are motion-isolating coils that are super quiet even when you switch sides.
There’s little for me to complain about the bed. However, some sleepers report that they are not happy with the edge support. Others find the bed quite soft to their liking.
Other than that, I give this mattress a 5/5. It’s an excellent choice that you can consider buying for yourself, your partner, kids, or parents!
Pros
- Awesome back pain relief
- Nice bouncy feel
- Motion-isolating metal coils
- CertiPUR-US certified materials
- Cool sleep temperature
Cons
- Not very good edge support
Sleep Innovations Alden 14-inch Memory Foam Mattress
Here’s another amazing all-foam mattress for your deep sleep!
What I like about this thing is its construction. You know that low-quality foam tends to heat up at night and disturb your precious sleep, right? Well, not with this one.
The smart thing they did was placing an air channel foam in between the top and bottom foam layer. At the base, there is a high-density foam layer. On the top, you’ll find the contouring memory foam layer.
Thanks to the air channel foam, air can flow easily in and out the mattress and no moisture will be trapped inside the bed.
Touching that tufted cover will give you this amazingly soft feel that’s also comfortable to lay your back on.
In terms of softness, this one ranks on the medium-soft mark. It’s still firm and supportive enough for your overall body weight.
Compared to expensive beds like Sleep Number or Tempur-Pedic, this bed is certainly on the same level, if not higher. Many people, including folks on the Sleep Like The Dead forum, love their Sleep Innovations mattress. Period!
You can rest assured because the materials they used here are safe and non-toxic. You won’t find any fiberglass content whatsoever.
Apparently, no bed can please every sleeper. In our case here, some users find it too firm for them. Well, I can’t say anything much because that’s partly personal preference.
Overall, I think this mattress is a great deal. It’s much more affordable than other high-end products, but it still gives you the same awesome quality. Give your back a rest on this one & see if you like it!
Pros
- TriComfort design
- Well-ventilated
- Comfortable to sleep on
- Supportive for back pain
- Safe materials
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Some find the bed too firm
LUCID 14 Inch Medium-Plush Memory Foam Mattress
Finally, let’s meet every family’s favorite Lucid gel memory foam mattress!
It’s very unique that Lucid knows how to use natural materials to get great results on their beds.
In our bed here, you’ll find bamboo charcoal infused into the foam.
What’s bamboo charcoal? – you might ask.
Well, it’s a natural substance that is derived from bamboo trees. What it does is help fight bad bacteria or sneaky mold that could be housing on your bed. In turn, it gives you a much more pleasant and safe sleeping experience.
The bed is at the medium-soft mark. But it’s not way too soft that you’ll sink deeply into it. There is still enough support for your back and overall body.
Standing on its own, the bed still holds sleepers well. It is suggested to get a box spring underneath, but not really necessary. You can if you want to.
The gel memory foam material makes this mattress well-ventilated and conforming. Sweat won’t get trapped inside the bed, creating mold. Your body will be naturally hugged at every curve for optimal support.
The Tencel blend fabric cover is also a nice touch. It’s soft and breathable. Removing the cover is also easy.
To give you a balanced view, I need to point out that some customers think this mattress is not soft enough for them. Now, I don’t want to confuse you, but others think it’s firm for them. Again, I must say this is a personal taste.
In one neat package, you’re getting the very best mattress for a very good price. This model will suit the taste of many people, including your kids, parents, spouse, and relatives! Have a try!
Pros
- Bamboo charcoal infused foam
- Sleeps cool
- Soft & breathable
- Excellent support for the back
- Good for heavy sleepers
Cons
- Firmness issues
FAQs
Is a memory foam mattress good for back pain?
From many users’ reports, memory foam ranks the first in the satisfaction category when it comes to back pain relief. Second to that is latex.
What is the best mattress for upper & lower back pain?
Zinus, Sleep Innovations, Lucid, or Sweetnight mattresses are very good choices. If your budget is high, check out Sleep Number or Tempur-Pedic.
How should I sleep with lower back pain?
You can:
- Place a pillow between your knees if you’re a side sleeper
- Put a pillow underneath or back if you’re a stomach sleeper
- Put a pillow underneath your belly if you’re a stomach sleeper
Is an adjustable bed good for lower back pain?
In short, yes. It can help people with lower back pain or patients who are having post-surgical pain to get up more easily at the right angle. This relieves some pressure your backs have to take.
Can a hard bed cause back pain?
Not entirely. Some doctors even recommend patients with back pain sleep as close to the floor as possible and choose firm or extra firm mattresses. However, if you’re in doubt, a medium-firm bed would be your best bet.
How should I sleep with a herniated disc?
The best way is to sleep on the floor with a little bit of cushioning. Here’s a helpful video for you:
Conclusion
At this point, I hope you’re feeling much better with the back pain you’re having. Remember that you’re not alone. After choosing the best mattresses, don’t forget to start making small lifestyle changes like exercising, massaging, or mediation. All of those will help you tremendously along your way!