Due to a sedentary lifestyle and long hours sitting, back pain has become one of the most common health complaints in the western world. According to the National Institute of Health, 80% of adults in the United States suffer from back pain.
However, the chair or couch are not the only culprits in this scenario. Many people don’t sleep on the right type of mattress and this affects the way their spine sits during the night. In addition, if you sleep on a surface that’s too firm or too soft for your needs, you’ll wake up stiff and with joint pains.
So, if you’re tired of waking up feeling like an 80-year-old you need to take a look at our guide for the best mattresses for back pain. We also reviewed some of the best models for people who already suffer from back pain, so make sure to continue reading!
Great Buy | Editor's Choice | Runner Up |
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14019 Review | 3202 Reviews | 8980 Reviews |
Latex Foam | Coils & Memory Foam | Cooling Gel Infused Memory Foam |
Starting From $1199 | Starting From $1014 | Starting From $1145 |
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Here are our top picks for the best mattresses for back pain in 2021
AS2 Hybrid Mattress [Amerisleep]
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| 3202 Reviews | Best Features
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Considered the ideal mattress for back sleepers, the AS2 hybrid is a design with a medium-firm feel and plenty of ventilation. Now, the reason the AS2 is our top choice when it comes to the best mattresses for back pain is the combination of coils and memory foam.
The memory foam layers have a plant-based open-cell structure (called Bio-Pur) that allows air to move through and take care of the heat. But it also confers softness and contouring for the sleeper, who can enjoy a relaxing sensation without feeling like they are trapped in the sand (as it happens with standard memory foam designs).
Underneath the memory foam layers, there is the core of the mattress made from individually wrapped coils distributed on zones of support. This layer is the one that keeps the mattress responsive and bouncy, while also aligning the spine and helping relieve tension.
PROS
- Combination of memory foam and coils
- Zoned support system
- Springy and comfortable surface
- Medium-firm feel
CONS
- The memory foam may have some off-gassing
Avocado Latex Mattress
| 14019 Reviews | Best Features
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While this mattress has no springs, it still has a medium-firm feel and a bouncy surface. This is due to the organic latex foam used to make the core.
In fact, the Avocado Latex mattress is endorsed by the American Chiropractor Association! This is due to the unique pattern of the latex core designed to reduce tension and provide optimal back support where needed. The top foam layer is designed with concave peaks at the bottom in order to inhibit motion transfer and create three different zones of support. These zones contour to the natural curves of the body and keep the spine in alignment.
PROS
- Can offer back pain relief and motion isolation
- 100% organic materials
- Hypoallergenic surface
CONS
- It is a medium-firm with a bit of a firmer feel
- The mattress is a bit heavy
Puffy Lux Mattress
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| 8980 Reviews | Best Features
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Puffy Lux is hypoallergenic, medium-firm, and can support the needs of all sleepers. It’s also an all-foam design (4 layers), which may seem odd when talking about the best mattresses for back pain.
So why did we choose the review and add this mattress to this top?
Well, Puffy is a brand well-known for the ingenuity of their methods and the power of their research department. So, they managed to create two different layers of custom-made memory foam called the Puffy Cooling Cloud and the Body Adapting Dual Cloud Foam (both proprietary trademarks).
The first layer is in charge of contouring, comfort, and keeping the sleeper at the ideal body temperature for sleep. The second layer (exclusive to the Lux mattress) is a special blend of memory foam designed to provide maximum care and attention to the body’s pressure points.
Lastly, everything is supported by the Firm Core Support layer designed especially for proper spine alignment while eliminating pressure points.
PROS
- An all-foam design
- Contouring and comfortable for all sleepers
- Revolutionary support and spine alignment
- Cooling surface
CONS
- It’s still a memory foam mattress (for those who don’t fancy the material)
- Edge support is a bit weak
GhostBed Flex Innerspring Mattress
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  419 Reviews | Best Features
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The combination of memory foam and innersprings make this one of the best mattresses for people who usually wake up feeling creaky. Also, due to the layer of individually wrapped coils, edge support is impressive (it’s also reinforced by stronger coils). This means sleepers can sit on the edge (to put their shoes on, for instance) or even sleep without fearing they’ll fall off if they get too close to the edge.
Now, even though this is an innerspring design, it is so soft and contouring that it’s difficult to believe there are any coils. This happens due to the three layers of modified memory foam at the top of the coils. These provide softness while the coils spring back and keep the spine supported.
Of course, the surface is bouncy, but there is little to no motion transfer, so you can enjoy a great night’s sleep even if your partner likes to fuss around on their side.
PROS
- An innerspring mattress with the comfort of an all-foam design
- Designed to hit those pressure points
- Great edge support
CONS
- A bit tall for some bed frames (13″)
- It is heavier than an all-foam design
Saatva Classic Mattress
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  1974 Reviews | Best Features
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The Saatva Classic mattress is the one that gets closer to the definition of an innerspring design than any other on our list.
As a side note, we’re not saying that an innerspring is best for sleepers with back pain, but the support of the coils is more efficient in these designs. So, if this is what you need, you should consider the Saatva Classic.
Now, the reason you feel the bounciness and support of the coils stems from the fact that there are two different layers of coils. First, there is the layer at the base made with 416 tempered steel 13-gauge, that keeps the mattress durable in time. Next, there is a layer of 884 individually wrapped steel coils (14.5-gauge) that provide support and keep the surface responsive while limiting motion control.
Also, in between the two layers of coils, there is a layer of active wire high-density memory foam for enhanced back support. Lastly, the mattress is reinforced with high-density foam rails that keep the edges from collapsing.
Of course, everything is topped by a 3″ Euro pillow top covered with organic cotton for increased comfort and contouring.
PROS
- Two layers of supportive coils
- A layer of memory foam for added spinal support
- Fluffy and contouring pillow-top
- Hypoallergenic surface
- Impressive edge support
CONS
- The cover cannot be removed for washing
- This is a rather heavy mattress
Idle Latex Hybrid Mattress
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  2095 Reviews | Best Features
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This is a two-sided mattress which means that, when sleepers get bored of one side, they can just flip it over and try the other side. Moreover, buyers can choose between different levels of firmness or similar ones (for each usable side).
As a hybrid design with Talalay latex foam, this is a great surface for people who like a bit of spring in their bed. Of course, the individually wrapped coils prevent motion transfer (in case you share the bed with a partner or a particularly energetic pet). Moreover, the combination of latex and coils is ideal for support of the spine.
The mid-layer is made from 1000 smart support coils that compress and extend based on your movements and your body weight distribution. Lastly, the coils provide edge-to-edge support, so you’ll be safe if your dog takes most of the bed.
PROS
- Double-sided mattress, with different firmness options
- A combination of latex and coils
- Hypoallergenic surface
- Good back support and bounciness
CONS
- A bit heavier than other designs
How To Choose The Best Mattresses For Back Pain
Support is important for your spine and rest, but so is comfort. So, the best mattress for back pain is the one that combines both these qualities.
Personal Preference Matters
With the right mattress, you help lessen lower back pain and muscle straining. Your personal preference should matter. The mattress must be supportive to help you sleep without stiffness and pain.
Look for a mattress that comes with back support and can help with proper alignment of the spine and body curves, according to spine-health.com.
In all cases, seek a balance between comfort and support. Remember, adequate support is as important as comfort.
Go for a Medium Firm Mattress
Myessentia.com advises avoiding a firm mattress. Instead, you should opt for a medium-firm one to improve sleeping. Otherwise, you will suffer from back pain and aches even more.
Moreover, specialists seem to agree that people who use a medium-firm mattress experience reduced back pain incidents; thus, they are able to sleep better and reduce pain related to disability.
Overall, medium-firm mattresses are what you should compare and choose from if you want a balance between comfort and support for lower back pain.
Zoned Support
As you can see from the reviews above, most mattresses we selected have at least one layer that features zone support dispersed horizontally. This means that certain areas of the mattress are more supportive than others, allowing heavier parts of your body to stay in alignment with lighter parts.
For instance, the hips and shoulders areas are heavier than the torso and legs, so a difference in support helps balance things out and allows the spine to stay in alignment with the rest of the body.
Here is more help: Choosing a Mattress for Back Pain – VIDEO
OUR TOP CHOICE FOR THE BEST MATTRESS FOR BACK PAIN
Today’s winner among the best mattress for back pain is the AS2 Hybrid Mattress.
It offers supreme relief for pressure points and back pain and gives us peace of mind with a solid trial period. It is also made of high quality and durable materials that create a bouncy and healthy surface.