Shopping for the best mattress for lower back pain can be overwhelming. Soft or firm? Springs or foam? Here are our picks to help you narrow it down.
A quick look at the best mattresses for lower back pain
- Best mattress for multiposition sleepers: DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress | Skip to review
- Best mattress for side sleepers: Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress | Skip to review
- Best mattress for people with more weight: Helix Plus Mattress | Skip to review
- Best mattress for sciatica: Puffy Cloud Mattress | Skip to review
- Best adjustable mattress: Saatva Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress | Skip to review
- Best mattress for stomach sleepers: Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress | Skip to review
- Best cooling mattress for hot sleepers: Birch Luxe Natural Mattress | Skip to review
- Best mattress for lower back and neck pain: Casper Original Mattress | Skip to review
- Best latex mattress: Nolah Natural 11-Inch Mattress | Skip to review
- Best mattress under $900: Molecule 1 Mattress | Skip to review
If you experience aches and pains first thing in the morning and suspect your old, unsupportive mattress is the culprit, you might be right.
When your mattress is saggy, uneven, or even too hard, your spine may not get the support it needs to remain in a neutral position while you sleep. A lack of support can mean lower back pain in the morning, or even longer if not treated.
If you’re searching for a mattress to help prevent a sore lower back, this list can help you narrow down your search and give you tips and guidelines for what to look out for while you shop around.
Why you can trust us
A 2015 studyTrusted Source suggests that medium-firm, self-adjustable mattresses effectively promote comfort, so we looked for the best when creating our list.
In addition to screening each product through our intensive vetting process, we considered federal flammability regulations and material certifications like CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX. We also identified the industry standard for best practices to make sure the mattresses we chose are, at baseline, safe and good quality.
We considered the brands’ reputation, making sure there are no ongoing, debilitating lawsuits. We made sure the customer reviews for each mattress were generally high. We also confirmed that our picks had at least a few weeks for at-home trials and warranties so you have the option to send the mattress back if it’s not working out.
Here are more details about how we score mattresses.
Healthline’s picks of the best mattresses for lower back pain
Best mattress for multiposition sleepers
DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress
4.6 (8.8k+) from DreamCloud
- Type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium firm
- Warranty: lifetime
- Trial period: 365 nights
- Price: $665.00
Use code “HEALTHLINE” for 40% off.
*Price may vary.
Healthline’s review
Healthline Score: 4.6/5
Our overall score is based on the average of the following key criteria:
User ratings: 4.6/5
Quality of materials: 4/5
Size availability: 5/5
Additional features: 3/5
Shipping: 5/5
Warranty: 5/5
Trial period: 5/5
Affordability: 5/5
Sleepers who go from their side to their stomach to their back can end up with lower back pain if the mattress doesn’t adapt to their change in sleeping position.
The DreamCloud mattress features gel memory foam and individually wrapped coils. Together, they contour your body and eliminate pressure point pain to keep your body properly supported, no matter how you’re sleeping.
DreamCloud comes with a full 365-night trial, and the mattress is guaranteed for life.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best mattress for side sleepers
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
4.4 (6k+) from Helix
- Type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium firm
- Warranty: 15 years
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Price: $2,373.80
Use code “SLUMBER150” for $150 off.
*Price may vary.
Healthline’s review
Healthline Score: 3.8/5
Our overall score is based on the average of the following key criteria:
User ratings: 4.5/5
Quality of materials: 4/5
Size availability: 5/5
Additional features: 3/5
Shipping: 5/5
Warranty: 2/5
Trial period: 3/5
Affordability: 4/5
This Midnight Luxe mattress may offer relief to side sleepers experiencing low back pain.
Layers of CertiPUR-US certified memory foam are designed to provide pressure relief in the hips and shoulders and promote proper spinal alignment. Zoned lumbar support coils offer additional cradling and comfort right where you need them.
With an added pillow top, this mattress offers plush comfort and overall medium firmness. This is ideal for striking that balance between support and softness.
You can try the mattress at home for 100 nights. It ships free in the United States and has a 15-year warranty.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best mattress for people with more weight
Helix Plus Mattress
4.4 (2.3k+) from Helix
- Type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium firm
- Warranty: 15 years
- Trial period: 100 days
- Price: $1,498.80
Use code “SLUMBER150” for $150 off.
*Price may vary.
Healthline’s review
Healthline Score: 3.4/5
Our overall score is based on the average of the following key criteria:
User ratings: 4.4/5
Quality of materials: 4/5
Size availability: 5/5
Additional features: 1.5/5
Shipping: 2/5
Warranty: 2/5
Trial period: 3/5
Affordability: 5/5
Designed with an additional support layer and the highest density foam, this mattress is made for comfort and support. A unique combination of memory foams, plus oversized wrapped coils with a reinforced perimeter, offer superior pressure relief and cradling for people with more weight.
This mattress leans toward the firm side of support with an ultra-breathable cover for cooler sleep. It’s made in the United States with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified materials.
Helix has a 100-night sleep trial, free U.S. shipping, and a 15-year warranty.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best mattress for sciatica
Puffy Cloud Mattress
4.9 (12k+) from Puffy
- Type: memory foam
- Firmness: medium firm
- Warranty: lifetime
- Trial period: 101 days
- Price: $2,399.00
*Price may vary.
Healthline’s review
Healthline Score: 4.4/5
Our overall score is based on the average of the following key criteria:
User ratings: 4.9/5
Quality of materials: 4/5
Size availability: 5/5
Additional features: 3/5
Shipping: 4/5
Warranty: 5/5
Trial period: 4/5
Affordability: 5/5
Like back pain, sciatic pain may benefit from a medium-firm mattress that supports the spine. The Puffy Mattress offers firm core support with thick layers of cushioning foam that cradle the body and keep your spine aligned, even as you move throughout the night.
Note that this is an all-foam option, which tends to be most supportive for people weighing 150 pounds (lb) or less.
If that’s not you, you may still find this all-foam option to be plenty supportive, as have other reviewers. But if you’re sinking into the foam too much, you may prefer one of the hybrid options on our list to best help with lower back pain.
The mattress is backed with a lifetime warranty, and you can test it out at home with a 101-night trial.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best adjustable mattress
Saatva Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress
4.7 (122+) from Saatva
- Type: hybrid
- Firmness: adjustable
- Warranty: lifetime
- Trial period: 365 days
- Price: $4,495.00
*Price may vary.
Healthline’s review
Healthline Score: 4.2/5
Our overall score is based on the average of the following key criteria:
User ratings: 4.7/5
Quality of materials: 4/5
Size availability: 5/5
Additional features: 3/5
Shipping: 2/5
Warranty: 5/5
Trial period: 5/5
Affordability: 4/5
With 50 firmness options, the Saatva Solaire Mattress is our pick for best adjustable mattress.
The mattress has five layers, including the quilted surface and a layer with dual air chambers that feature individual controls that allow you and your partner to choose your level of support on any given night. A latex layer with five zones also offers support in the lumbar region.
If you’re not quite ready to spring for this adjustable model, Saatva also sells a Classic mattress, which is an innerspring mattress and costs about half the price of the Solaire.
It’s another model worth considering if you want to spend less but crave more firmness than Saatva’s Loom & Leaf option that we recommend for stomach sleepers.
Saatva offers a 365-night trial and free white-glove delivery, which includes removal of your old mattress. The Solaire also comes with a 25-year warranty.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best mattress for stomach sleepers
Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress
4.9 (590+) from Saatva
- Type: foam
- Firmness: relaxed firm, firm
- Warranty: lifetime
- Trial period: 365 nights
- Price: $2,395.00
*Price may vary.
Healthline’s review
Healthline Score: 4.5/5
Our overall score is based on the average of the following key criteria:
User ratings: 4.9/5
Quality of materials: 4/5
Size availability: 5/5
Additional features: 3/5
Shipping: 5/5
Warranty: 5/5
Trial period: 5/5
Affordability: 4/5
Stomach sleepers need a mattress that offers adequate spinal support and even weight distribution.
While you might not think an all-foam option is the most supportive mattress compared to one with springs or coils, especially when back pain is an issue, the quality of the foam is what can make the difference.
With a choice of relaxed firm or firm, Saatva’s Loom & Leaf Mattress is made with layers of high density CertiPUR-US foam for contouring and pressure relief that offers more support. A breathable gel cooling layer is concentrated in the lumbar region for maximum spinal support. This makes it our top mattress pick for stomach sleepers, with or without existing back pain.
That all said, if you weigh more than 150 lb and find yourself sinking into the mattress enough that your spine is not aligned, it might be worth considering a hybrid option that offers the support of both high quality foam and coils.
The Loom & Leaf Mattress has a 180-night home trial, a 15-year warranty, and free white-glove delivery service.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best cooling mattress for hot sleepers
Birch Luxe Natural Mattress
4.6 (3.4k+) from Birch
- Type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium firm
- Warranty: 25 years
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Price: $2,623.80
*Price may vary.
Healthline’s review
Healthline Score: 4.2/5
Our overall score is based on the average of the following key criteria:
User ratings: 4.6/5
Quality of materials: 5/5
Size availability: 5/5
Additional features: 3/5
Shipping: 5/5
Warranty: 4/5
Trial period: 3/5
Affordability: 4/5
If you sleep hot and wake up with lower back pain, you may want to consider the nontoxic Birch mattress. It’s made with natural materials like organic cotton, organic wool, and OEKO-TEX, eco-INSTITUT, and Rainforest Alliance certified latex for maximum breathability and support.
The mattress offers superior airflow and temperature regulation, plus pressure relief and contouring, thanks to a mix of foam layers and individually wrapped coils.
Birch offers a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping, and a 25-year warranty.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best mattress for lower back and neck pain
Casper Original Mattress
4.4 (21.4k+) from Casper
- Type: foam
- Warranty: 10 years
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Firmness: medium firm
- Price: $1,295.00
*Price may vary.
Healthline’s review
Healthline Score: 3.9/5
Our overall score is based on the average of the following key criteria:
User ratings: 4.8/5
Quality of materials: 4/5
Size availability: 5/5
Additional features: 3/5
Shipping: 5/5
Warranty: 2/5
Trial period: 3/5
Affordability: 5/5
The Casper Original Mattress is medium firm, with three zones of targeted support to keep your spine aligned. Softer CertiPUR-US certified foam around the shoulders cradles the upper body, while firmer foam supports the hips, waist, and lower back. A layer of springs adds support.
The mattress comes with a 100-night trial, free shipping and returns, and a 10-year limited warranty.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best latex mattress
Nolah Natural 11-Inch Mattress
- Type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium
- Warranty: lifetime
- Trial period: 120 days
- Price: $2,099.00
*Price may vary.
Healthline’s review
Healthline Score: 3.5/5
Our overall score is based on the average of the following key criteria:
User ratings: n/a
Quality of materials: 5/5
Size availability: 5/5
Additional features: 3/5
Shipping: 2/5
Warranty: 5/5
Trial period: 4/5
Affordability: 4/5
With responsive latex layers and zoned support coils, the Nolah Natural mattress is made to support and cushion the spine. According to Nolah, Talalay latex has 33% more pressure relief than other types of latex.
Latex also has a more buoyant feel, so if you don’t like the sinking-in sensation of memory foam, this is a good option.
The company offers a 120-night trial and free shipping. Plus, the mattress has a lifetime warranty.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best mattress under $900
Molecule 1 Mattress
4.8 (177+) from Molecule
- Type: memory foam
- Firmness: medium to medium firm
- Warranty: lifetime
- Trial period: 1 year
- Price: $899.00
*Price may vary.
Healthline’s review
Healthline Score: 4.2/5
Our overall score is based on the average of the following key criteria:
User ratings: 4.8/5
Quality of materials: 4/5
Size availability: 5/5
Additional features: 3/5
Shipping: 2.5/5
Warranty: 5/5
Trial period: 5/5
Affordability: 5/5
The Molecule 1 was designed as a recovery-focused mattress with temperature-regulating, spine-aligning benefits, and an affordable price tag.
The mattress is made with a proprietary CertiPUR-US certified foam for excellent pressure relief, a heat and moisture-wicking cover, and a 7-in layer of firm support to encourage healthy spine alignment.
A contoured layer also offers self-adjusting support, and the mattress is a six on the firmness scale. The ends of the bed are softer for your head and legs, but the middle has a little extra firmness to support the lumbar spine. That makes it particularly suited to people with lower back pain and who are on a budget.
Note that if you weigh more than 150 lb, you may find this all-foam option to be plenty supportive, but if you find you’re sinking into the foam too much, you may prefer one of the hybrid options on our list.
Molecule has a generous 365-night home trial, with free shipping and returns.
Pros & cons
Product details
Comparison of mattresses for lower back pain
Mattress
Type
Firmness
Price
Warranty
hybrid
medium firm
$1,332
lifetime
hybrid
medium firm
$2,373.80
15 years
hybrid
medium firm
$1,498.80
15 years
foam
medium firm
$2,399
lifetime
hybrid
adjustable
$4,495
lifetime
memory foam
relaxed firm, firm
$2,395
lifetime
hybrid
medium firm
$3,248
25 years
foam
medium firm
$1,295
10 years
hybrid
luxury firm
$2,099
lifetime
memory foam
medium to medium firm
$899
lifetime
How to shop for mattresses for lower back pain
“You can blame your mattress for low back pain if you awaken with pain or have trouble getting comfortable because of pain,” says Monica Moreland, physical therapist and owner of Moreland Physical Therapy.
“Your best bet is looking for a mattress that combines softness and support, so pressure points can be relieved and [the] spine can be neutrally aligned,” she says.
“A mattress that doesn’t hold up our body will cause pain in the lower back,” explains Dr. Lynelle McSweeney, a chiropractor in Reno, Nevada. “We need support to keep our joints from going into a stress point, which puts pressure on nerves and strains the muscles.”
With that in mind, here are some characteristics to keep in mind as you decide on a mattress.
Firmness options
In general, hybrid or innerspring mattresses offer more support than all-foam options, which may be too soft.
“A good mattress is a medium-firm one that will allow for uniform pressure throughout the body and not cause excess pressure to bony prominences such as hips and shoulders,” Moreland says.
Soft or plush mattresses likely won’t provide enough support, but it’s also important to avoid mattresses that are too firm. The manufacturer’s firmness rating can help you zero in on a supportive option. Medium-firm mattresses, which have a rating of 7–8, are typically recommended for lower back pain.
Sleeping positions
Keep in mind that the best mattress will also depend on your preferred sleeping position, your body size and weight, and whether you share your bed with a partner or pet.
If you’re sleeping on your back, you may want a mattress that offers more support in the low back, hips, and shoulder area. Side sleepers may want slightly more plushness in the shoulder area. Stomach sleepers may be the only ones who could benefit from a fairly firm mattress to avoid their hips and pelvis from sinking.
Other things to consider
- Adjustability: Adjustable mattresses that let you choose your firmness level from one night to the next can be a good option, but be prepared to pay a premium for this feature.
- Zoned support: Some mattresses are designed with zoned support, offering stability and firmness in the lower back region.
Make a point of checking reviews so you can see what previous purchasers have to say about any mattresses you’re considering.
Comfort is highly individual, so take advantage of the free in-home trials that manufacturers offer when they’re available to find a mattress that balances enough support for your lower back with overall comfort. Check the return policy and warranty, too.
Still not sure where to get started?
Here are some articles that could help in your search for a painless night’s sleep:
- How to choose a mattress: Sleeping positions, body type, and more
- The best mattresses for every sleeping position and pain point
- Sleep style quiz: What type of sleeper are you?
- The 10 best mattresses for side sleepers with back pain
- The 9 best pillows for sleeping your best
The best sleeping position for lower back pain
How we sleep can be a direct contributor to lower back pain. “When we sleep, we can be in one position for a long period of time, 2–3 hours, before moving,” explains Moreland. “If this position is a compromised one, 2–3 hours could cause misalignment or pressure on a nerve.”
Moreland advises two sleeping positions. If you’re a side sleeper, use a pillow between your knees or a body pillow between your arms and legs. If you’re a back sleeper, lay with a pillow beneath your knees for a slight bend.
“Both of these positions keep the spine in a neutral position and are good for long time spans,” she says.
McSweeney agrees: “Sleeping on your back is generally considered best for the body, but supporting your body in your preferred sleep position can also work. Getting sleep is the most important thing for your health and well-being.”
To avoid low back pain, stomach sleepers can try using a pillow beneath the pelvis and lower abdomen. The extra support may relieve some of the pressure that can build in your low back when you sleep on your stomach.
Remember to switch sides to avoid imbalances. Note that if you have an extension bias, or find that arching your back relieves your symptoms, then the fetal position won’t help with lower back pain.
When to talk with a healthcare professional about lower back pain
If lower back pain is interfering with your ability to get a good night’s sleep and it persists, it’s time to see a healthcare professional. The same is true if your lower back pain is making daily activities difficult or if the pain is severe.
If low back pain accompanies other symptoms, such as pain that extends into other body parts, tingling or numbness, or a fever, it’s important to see a doctor, as this can indicate nerve irritation or an infection.
Other sleeping tips for lower back pain
If a brand-new mattress isn’t within your budget, there are other things you can try to help alleviate lower back pain.
Use a mattress topper
Mattress toppers are a budget-friendly way to offer specific benefits, including relief from low back pain. If you suspect your mattress is contributing to your lower back pain because it’s too firm, consider trying a plush mattress topper to help reduce common pressure points.
Put your mattress on the floor
Support is critical for proper spinal alignment. Try putting your mattress on the floor to see if a firmer mattress is a better fit for you. This is an easy way to check whether a firmer mattress will help alleviate your lower back pain.
Slide a piece of plywood under your mattress
If moving your mattress to the floor isn’t an option, try sliding a piece of sturdy plywood between your mattress and your box spring or bed frame. This will help minimize movement and increase support.
Try an adjustable bed base
An inclined sleeping position may offer more relief from lower back pain than a flat sleeping surface. Swapping your standard base for an adjustable version gives you the option of elevating your upper body to alleviate lower back pain.
Use pillows
If you can’t invest in an adjustable bed base, a wedge pillow or a body pillow may help you adjust your positioning.
Frequently asked questions about lower back pain
Can a mattress cause lower back pain?
Can replacing your mattress improve lower back pain?
Is a soft or firm mattress better for lower back pain?
What style of mattress is worst for lower back pain?
Takeaway
Many people experience lower back pain. A mattress that doesn’t offer enough support can make it worse, no matter how you sleep.
Consider looking for a mattress that offers medium-firm support with layers of foam or a hybrid system, and always opt for a company that has a generous in-home trial period.
