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Many companies sell mattresses that can support the spine, keep it aligned, and help relieve low back pain. However, a mattress alone may not be enough to stop lower back pain entirely.
Lower back pain can be acute, as it can develop quickly and get better on its own within a few days. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines back pain as chronic if it persists for
This article explores the types of mattresses that can help ease back pain. It also looks into the factors a person can consider factors when choosing a mattress and lists some of the most suitable options available to buy online.
A quick look at the best mattresses for lower back pain
- Best for cooling: Amerisleep AS2 Hybrid | Skip to Review
- Best for reducing stiffness: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress | Skip to Review
- Best for customization options: Dreamfoam Copper Hybrid Mattress | Skip to Review
- Best for lumbar support: Saatva Classic Mattress | Skip to Review
- Best for a lengthy warranty: Puffy Lux Mattress Hybrid | Skip to Review
- Best for a range of firmnesses: Winkbed | Skip to Review
- Best flippable mattress: Layla Hybrid | Skip to Review
- Best foam mattress: Casper Original | Skip to Review
- Best for organic materials: Birch Natural | Skip to Review
- Best for smaller budgets: Molecule 1 | Skip to Review
A 2021 review found that a medium-firm mattress could promote spinal alignment and sleep comfort.
Another paper from 2017 noted that latex mattresses can distribute weight more evenly across the body compared with polyurethane mattresses.
All mattresses wear out over time, but their longevity depends on the method and material a company uses to create them.
People with back pain who have an older mattress that has become saggy or lumpy with no edge support may benefit from a new one.
That said, some materials may be more suitable for helping with back pain than others. In an older article from 2000, the researchers reviewed the effects of foam and cotton mattresses and found that participants developed back pain after using the foam mattress. However, they experienced some relief after using a cotton mattress.
A person looking for a new mattress needs to ensure they choose one that is comfortable and provides spinal support. Some factors to consider include the below.
- Size: Mattresses come in different sizes, and a person should choose one that suits them best.
- Comfort: Individuals can choose between a soft, medium-firm, or firm mattress. The most suitable firmness will differ between people and may depend on their preferred sleep position and the severity of their back pain.
- Type: There are various types of mattresses available, such as memory foam, innerspring, hybrid, and air mattresses, among others. A 2017 study involving older adults and individuals who are in bed for more than 15 hours daily notes that alternating pressure air mattresses can be more effective at preventing pressure ulcers than viscoelastic foam mattresses.
- Sleeping position: People can choose a mattress according to the body areas that require greater support to provide spinal alignment. Health experts state individuals who sleep on their stomachs need to opt for firmer mattresses than those who sleep on their backs or sides.
- Price: A person should not only check the product’s price, but they also need to consider other fees that cover shipping, installation, returns, and other costs. Foam mattresses can be cheaper than hybrid models, but they may not be suitable for everyone.
Medical News Today’s methodology
MNT chooses mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet the following criteria:
- Certifications: MNT will choose products that have CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means that the products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
- Size: MNT chooses products that are available in various sizes.
- Materials and fill: MNT selects products made from different materials and fills, such as memory foam and latex, to suit a range of sleep and lifestyles.
- Budget: MNT features products to suit a wide range of budgets.
- Firmness [only applicable to some products]: MNT selects mattresses that are available in a range of firmness options to suit most people’s sleeping styles.
- Sleep trials: MNT chooses companies that offer a sleep trial.
- Shipping: Where possible, MNT will include shipping information, such as where the company delivers to and whether shipping is free.
- Warranties and return policies: MNT will include products that carry warranties and clear returns policies.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for cooling: Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid
- List price: from $1,499 to $2,648
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Height: 12 inches (in)
- Size: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king
- Warranty: 20 years
This medium-firm mattress is suitable for people with back pain.
Its features include:
- plant-based Bio-Pur material for cooling comfort and responsive support
- eco-friendly production
- pocketed coils for extra bounce and support
- limited motion transfer
- individual coils providing more airflow below the upper foam layers
The company also offers a risk-free, 100-night trial period, a 20-year warranty, plus free shipping and returns.
Best for reducing stiffness: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
- List price: from $359 to $1,258
- Mattress type: memory foam
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Height: 12 in
- Size: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king
- Warranty: lifetime
Nectar offers this medium-firm memory foam mattress, which is 12 in high.
It comes with several features, such as:
- a quilted cool cover with heat-wicking and cooling technology
- a shift-resistant lower cover to help the mattress stay in place
- a stay-stable base layer
- a dynamic support layer
- a nectar comfort layer for more softness and comfort
According to the company website, individuals who bought this product stated it helped reduce their stiffness, soreness, and discomfort.
This Nectar mattress also comes with free shipping, returns, and the brand’s own “Forever Warranty.” It also features a 365-night home trial.
Best for customization options: Dreamfoam Copper Hybrid Mattress
- List price: from $599 to $1,499
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium and firm
- Height: 12 and 13 in
- Size: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split California king
- Warranty: 10 years
This Copper Dreams mattress is customizable, so people can choose their preferred comfort level. There are options for height, firmness, and size.
It features:
- a smooth top weave for a cooling effect
- a copper-graphite infusion in the top memory foam layer that draws heat away from the body
- individually encased coils for deep compression support
- a secondary layer of memory foam that contours to the body
It also comes with a 10-year warranty, a 120-night, risk-free trial, and free shipping and returns.
Best for lumbar support: Saatva Classic Mattress
- List price: from $995 to $2,710
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Firmness: plush soft, luxury firm, and firm
- Height: 11.5 and 14.5 in
- Size: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king, and split California king
- Warranty: 15 years
This hybrid is reportedly suitable for those with lower back pain because it features lumbar zone support technology, which supports the spine. The company states this may help relieve back pain.
People can also choose their preferred size, height, and comfort level, such as plush soft, luxury firm, or firm.
Other features include:
- individually pocketed coils
- firm edge support
- a breathable and hypoallergenic organic cotton cover
- high-density memory foam
The company also offers a 180-night, home trial, free in-home delivery and setup, and a 15-year warranty.
Best for a lengthy warranty: Puffy Lux Mattress Hybrid
- List price: from $1,449 to $2,998
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Height: 10 in
- Size: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king
- Warranty: lifetime
This mattress reportedly relieves back pain by aligning the spine and minimizing stress on pressure points.
It also features:
- a hypoallergenic cover
- six layers
- a contour-adaptable coil base
- a stain-resistant cover
- a breathable design
- a cooling gel infusion
The company also offers free shipping, a 101-night sleep trial, and a lifetime warranty.
Best for a range of firmnesses: The Winkbed Hybrid Mattress
- List price: from $1,149 to $2,998
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Firmness: soft, luxury firm, firm, and plus
- Height: 13.5 in
- Size: twin, twin xl, full, queen, king, and California king
- Warranty: lifetime
This Winkbeds mattress helps relieve back, hip, and shoulder pain. It is suitable for hot sleepers as it offers breathability.
Other features include:
- gel-infused foam
- individually wrapped pocketed coils
- motion isolation technology
- anti-sag support
The mattress comes with a 120-night trial, a lifetime warranty, and free shipping.
Best flippable mattress: Layla Hybrid Mattress
- List price: from $1,299 to $1,899
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Firmness: soft and firm
- Height: 13 in
- Size: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
- Warranty: 10 years
Layla states its hybrid mattress suits all sleep positions and supports deep compression areas.
It comes with a copper infused memory foam construction. It has a flippable firmness design, so a person can choose the soft or firm side.
It has other features, such as:
- individually wrapped coils
- edge support
- a breathable cover
- an antimicrobial design
People can benefit from a 10-year warranty and a 120-night trial.
Best foam mattress: Casper Original Mattress
- List price: from $895 to $1,695
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Height: 11 in
- Size: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
- Warranty: 10 years
Casper’s Original Mattress helps with spinal alignment, pressure relief, and temperature regulation. It offers ergonomic zoned support.
It features:
- breathable foam
- a durable polyurethane foam base
- encased springs
The company also offers a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty with this model.
Best for organic materials: Birch Natural Mattress
- List price: from $1,399 to $2,149
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Height: 11.5 in
- Size: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
- Warranty: 25 years
The Birch Natural mattress reportedly supports all sleep positions. It has an organic design and offers:
- reduced motion transfer
- an organic breathable cotton cover
- a breathable design
Its organic materials include cotton that holds Global Organic Textile Standard certification. The comfort layer is organic wool, which can effectively regulate temperature but is unsuitable for those following a vegan lifestyle.
It also uses Talalay latex, a natural material with eco-INSTITUT certification. However, this may be unsuitable for those with a latex allergy.
People who buy this mattress can benefit from a 100-night sleep trial, a 25-year warranty, and free shipping.
Best for smaller budgets: Molecule 1 Mattress
- List price: starts from $699 to $1,099
- Mattress type: foam
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Height: 12.25 in
- Size: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
- Warranty: lifetime
This mattress supports the spine and is suitable for warm sleepers. It is one of the cheaper mattresses in this article and offers many of the same benefits as more expensive models. However, there are no options to customize firmness or height, which other brands may offer.
Its features include:
- an antimicrobial cover
- moisture wicking materials
- self-adjusting support
- breathability
The company offers a 365-night trial, free shipping, and a lifetime warranty.
The table below compares each of the mattresses in this article for type, firmness, price, and more.
| Type | Firmness | Sizes | Trial period | Warranty | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amerisleep | hybrid | medium-firm | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king | 100 nights | 20 years | $1,499–2,648 |
| Nectar | memory foam | medium-firm | twin, twin XL, full, queen king, California king, and split king | 365 nights | lifetime | $359–1,258 |
| Dreamfoam | hybrid | medium and firm | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split California king | 120 nights | 10 years | $599–1,499 |
| Saatva | hybrid | plush soft, luxury firm, and firm | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king, and split California king | 365 nights | 15 years | $995–2,710 |
| Puffy | hybrid | medium-firm | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king | 101 nights | lifetime | $1,449–2,998 |
| Winkbed | hybrid | soft, luxury firm, firm, and plus | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king | 120 nights | lifetime | $1,149–2,998 |
| Layla | hybrid | soft and firm | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king | 120 nights | 10 years | $1,299–1,899 |
| Casper | hybrid | medium-firm | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king | 100 nights | 10 years | $895–1,695 |
| Birch | hybrid | medium-firm | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king | 100 nights | 25 years | $1,399–2,149 |
| Molecule | foam | medium-firm | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king | 365 nights | lifetime | $699–1,099 |
The
- herbal products featuring cayenne, Brazilian arnica, and lavender essential oil
- acupuncture
- biofeedback therapy
- tai chi
- yoga
- mindfulness
- relaxation
Health experts recommend that people speak with a doctor if they experience these symptoms:
- persistent pain after an injury
- fever
- weakness in the arms and legs
- inability to control the bowels or bladder
- unexplained loss of weight
Below, we answer some of the top frequently asked questions about mattresses for lower back pain.
Are hybrid mattresses good for lower back pain?
A 2021 study notes that medium-firm mattresses can help reduce back pain and improve sleep quality.
A person can consider choosing a hybrid mattress with zoned support that offers a firm feel in the lumbar region.
Can mattresses cause lower back pain?
A 2018 article found that soft foam mattresses were one of the risk factors for lower back pain. As such, it may be best for people to opt for a medium-firm mattress if they have back pain.
Can mattresses help sciatica?
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), sciatica is a condition that can cause back pain. It is important to keep the spine aligned if a person has sciatica, so the sciatic nerve does not become more irritated.
To help sciatica, the NHS recommends placing a firm cushion between the knees if people sleep on their side. It also recommends placing firm pillows under the knees if individuals sleep on their backs.
People with low back pain can check whether they need to buy a new mattress.
Many companies stock mattresses, and a person can buy one that suits their preferred firmness level. They can also choose the size and height of the mattress they wish to purchase.
However, individuals with low back pain can also consider engaging in yoga, acupuncture, and mindfulness to help ease back pain.