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Low-Back Pain Keeping You Awake? These Are The 10 Best Mattresses For Relief

Emma Loewe
Author: Medical reviewer:
January 15, 2023
Emma Loewe
By Emma Loewe
mbg Contributor
Emma Loewe is the former Sustainability and Health Director at mindbodygreen. She is the author of "Return to Nature: The New Science of How Natural Landscapes Restore Us" and the co-author of "The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide To Ancient Self Care." Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,500 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes.
Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS
Medical review by
Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS
Board-certified Family Physician
Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS is a family physician and HIV specialist in California. He takes a holistic approach to healthcare, incorporating principles of functional medicine and using food as medicine when working with patients.
Image by mbg creative
January 15, 2023
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Of all the things that keep people up at night, back pain is one of the most common—and annoying. Up to a quarter of adults in the U.S. report having occasional low-back aches1, and they tend to flare up in the early morning hours after all that lying in bed. And sleeping on the wrong mattress only makes matters worse.

Turns out, getting a supportive snooze is extra important for back pain sufferers, so we spoke with chiropractors to find out how to choose the best mattress for your needs. Rest assured that the following 10 picks will have your back.

A peek at the best mattresses for lower-back pain of 2023:

Best for back and hip pain
The WinkBedGo to review
Best for stomach sleepers with low back pain
Birch Luxe Natural MattressGo to review
Best for side sleepers with low back pain
Helix TwilightGo to review
Best for low back and shoulder pain
Awara Premier Natural Hybrid MattressGo to review
Best firm mattress for low back pain
Avocado Green MattressGo to review
Best latex mattress for low back pain
Saatva Zenhaven Latex MattressGo to review
Best memory foam mattress for back pain
Leesa Original MattressGo to review
Best cooling mattress for low back pain
8 Sleep Pod 3 MattressGo to review
Best affordable mattress for low back pain
Nolah NaturalGo to review
Best hybrid mattress for low back pain
Nest SparrowGo to review

Lower-back pain and sleep.

Low-back pain is one of the main causes of poor sleep quality2. And the tricky thing is that if you're not getting proper sleep, back pain becomes a whole lot harder to recover from.

"Without the healing benefits of a good night's rest, the injury may last longer, and therefore pain levels last longer too," says Jacinta Di Prinzio, D.C., of Open Space Healing in Western Australia. She adds that poor sleep is also associated with increased markers of inflammation3, which only exacerbate pain.

On the other hand, when back pain sufferers are able to rest up, it's super beneficial for their recovery. "Think of a good night's sleep as our body's way to reset from the wear and tear of the day and heal," says Caitlin Redding, D.C., RYT, of Redding Chiropractic in Pennsylvania. There's no part of the body that doesn't benefit from a solid snooze, our backs very much included.

Lower-back pain and mattresses. 

For low-back pain sufferers, the right mattress can mean the difference between nights of tossing and turning and snoozing comfortably. The key is finding one that's just the right level of firmness to support a healthy sleeping posture and keep the spine neutral. Most often, that's going to be a medium or medium-firm mattress.

"A too-soft mattress might allow your hips to sink deeper into the mattress, pulling your spine out of alignment," explains Redding. "An overly firm mattress will create too much pressure on the hips and shoulders."

Research confirms that back pain sufferers who use medium-firm mattresses tend to find them to be the most comfortable4. Sleeping on this type of mattress has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing low-back pain2 in the future.

Di Prinzio notes that in her practice, she sees a lot of people who come in with back pain because they've held on to their mattress for too long. If you notice that your mattress is sagging and doesn't offer the support that it used to, it's time to invest in a new one that's just right for your needs. (And consider recycling your old one while you're at it.)

How to choose a mattress for low-back pain.

Ultimately, Redding explains that people who have back pain should look for the same kind of mattress as people who don't have back pain: a comfortable one!

Ideally, your mattress will allow your spine and head to remain in a neutral, relaxed position throughout the night. And you'll want to opt for one that supports your weight and contours your body without sinking too deep, says Di Prinzio. 

Your sleep position will also affect the mattress firmness that's right for you. Everyone's different, but here are some general tips on the firmness level that will be most comfortable for side, stomach, and back sleepers:

  • Side sleepers: Medium-firm. The best mattresses for side sleepers with back pain will be soft enough for hips and shoulders to sink into slightly. If it's too firm and doesn't have any give, you'll wake up with soreness in these regions that you're sleeping on. But if the mattress is too soft, it can allow hips and shoulders to sink too much, throwing off alignment.
  • Stomach sleepers: Medium-firm / Firm. Medium to firm mattresses tend to be most comfortable for stomach sleepers because they allow the spine to stay neutral. But heads up, Di Prinzio cautions that this is the worst sleep position for back pain sufferers since it can promote an excessive low-back curve (lordosis5) and aggravate flare-ups.
  • Back sleepers: Medium-firm / Firm. Back sleepers can typically also benefit from a firmer mattress that provides a stable and supportive surface for the back.

Hybrid mattresses that stack a softer top (typically foam or latex) on a coil innerspring tend to provide the medium-firm feel that back pain sufferers are searching for. But Redding notes that "no two human bodies are alike, and therefore, no one size answer/mattress can fit everybody's needs. Similar to running shoes, sometimes you just have to try them out and see which one is the most comfortable for you."

Some other considerations to keep in mind on your search: If you tend to run hot in your sleep, you'll want to look for a mattress material that's more cooling and breathable, like wool, latex, or gel-infused memory foam. If you have allergies or respiratory sensitivities, opt for one that is made from natural materials, or at least tested for polluting VOCs6. Finally, those with a bed partner who prefers a softer sleeping experience might want to look for a mattress with split firmness or a flippable mattress to test different firmness levels.

How we picked:

Firmness & comfort

At the recommendation of chiropractors, we chose mattresses that fall into the medium-firm range. These offer the support that back pain sufferers need to keep a neutral spine throughout the night. While comfort is subjective, we scoured hundreds of customer reviews to see which ones are the highest rated for pain relief.

Materials

We prioritized beds made with materials like natural latex and wool over synthetics like polyurethane memory foams. Not only are these resource-intensive to make, they also can off-gas potentially harmful VOCs as you snooze.

Sustainability

We celebrate mattress companies that offset their shipping, use plastic-free packaging, or go above and beyond to practice sustainability in another way.

Customer service

Since back pain sufferers need to be extra choosy about their mattress, we were sure to identify companies that offer sleep trials and make it easy to return a mattress if it's not the right fit.

Our picks of the best mattresses for lower-back pain of 2023:

Best for back and hip pain: The WinkBed

Pros

  • Customizable firmness levels

Cons

  • Made using synthetic memory foam

Material:

Memory foamInnersprings

Firmness:

MediumMedium-FirmFirm

Sizes available:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia King

Trial:

120 nights

Warranty:

Lifetime

This hybrid mattress gets high marks from those with back and hip pain, thanks to its combination of supportive innersprings and soft, pillowy gel foam. Winkbed offers their signature bed in multiple firmness levels, and they make it easy to trade in one model for another if you end up needing something different. Those who sleep on their backs might want to start with the firmer model or the plus, designed for heavier sleepers.

Winkbed also offers a 120-night warranty, and they'll pick your mattress up and refund you 100% if you're not satisfied. Bonus: This mattress comes with a generous lifetime warranty (and is pretty affordable to begin with). One downside is it's made with synthetic foam and doesn't have many sustainability merits to its name.

Eco-friendliness rating: 2 out of 5. Beyond using recycled metal for the innerspring coils, this bed doesn’t have many sustainability credentals. The brand does, however, make a latex hybrid mattress, the EcoCloud Hybrid Mattress, which is slightly softer but uses natural Talalay latex and organic wool.

Best for stomach sleepers with low back pain: Birch Luxe Natural Mattress

Pros

  • Made from natural and organic materials
  • Made in the USA

Cons

  • Optional topper is expensive

Material:

LatexWoolCotton

Firmness:

Medium-Firm

Sizes available:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia King

Trial:

100 nights

Warranty:

25-year

This medium-firm hybrid is just the right feel for stomach sleepers who also need some pain relief in their lower backs. This upgraded design of the brand's original mattress has an added layer of lumbar support, which gives the firmer feel that stomach sleepers love. It also features reinforced edges—more room for couples and individual sleepers to sprawl out (without rolling off). Free of polyurethane foams, this mattress contains organic wool, organic cotton, and natural latex, making it a nontoxic dream.

Eco-friendliness rating:

4 out of 5. Birch’s eco-friendly certifications make this mattress a great sustainable pick. The wool is sourced through the Wool Integrity NZ Program, meaning it meets best practice standards and strict animal welfare codes. The Talalay latex is 100% natural, derived from rubber trees in Asia, Africa, and Brazil. The organic cotton is Fair Trade and GOTS certified. We also appreciate that Birch will donate or recycle your mattress if you end up returning it. What's not so green is the extensive packaging that boxes this mattress up.

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Best for side sleepers with low back pain: Helix Twilight

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Comes with optional cooling cover

Cons

  • Made from synthetic foam

Material:

Memory foamInnersprings

Firmness:

Medium-Firm

Sizes available:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia King

Trial:

100 nights

Warranty:

10-year

This mattress uses multiple layers of poly memory foam to create plenty of cushion and take pressure off sensitive areas like the back and hips. While not the most sustainable option on the list, it's a good pick for sleepers who like that sensation of sinking into memory foam—but still need some added firmness to keep their spine aligned.

While memory foam traditionally sleeps warm, this mattress comes with an optional cooling cover to take off some heat. Helix offers tons of other sleep accessories too (think weighted blankets and mattress protectors) for a convenient one-stop sleep shop.

Eco-friendliness rating: 1 out of 5. This mattress is made from memory foam, and while the foams have the bare minimum CertiPUR-US® certification, there are no additional sustainability efforts, with a great deal of synthetic materials.

Best for low back and shoulder pain: Awara Premier Natural Hybrid Mattress

Pros:

  • Natural, sustainable materials
  • Cooling
  • Pressure-relieving

Cons:

  • Only one firmness option

Material:

LatexInnerspringsWoolCotton

Firmness:

Medium-Firm

Sizes available:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia King

Warranty:

Lifetime

An affordable pick as it relates to nontoxic mattresses, this brand hits all the sustainability marks. The mattress is made from all-natural, non-toxic materials such as organic cotton, organic wool, and Rainforest Alliance–certified Dunlop latex. The brand also doesn't use any chemical adhesives or chemical fire retardants.

The medium-firm hybrid design is great for people with back and shoulder pain, combining pressure-relieving Dunlop latex with individually wrapped coils for targeted support to your shoulders, back, and hips. The coils minimize motion transfer, while the latex is naturally cooling. The wool is moisture-wicking, so this truly is a cooling option as well.

What's more, your purchase includes sheets, pillows, and a mattress protector. We also recommend this mattress for stomach and side sleeperscouples, people with neck or back pain, and those who enjoy the feel of a great pillow-top mattress.

Eco-friendliness rating: 4.5 out of 5 This mattress has a slew of eco-friendly certifications, such as Rainforest Alliance, GREENGUARD Gold, and the Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX. For every purchase, the brand plants 10 trees through trees.org. The only con is that the mattress is wrapped in plastic for delivery.

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Best firm mattress for low back pain: Avocado Green Mattress

Pros

  • Made from natural and organic materials
  • Carbon-negative company

Cons

  • Might be too firm for some sleepers
  • Expensive

Material:

LatexInnerspringsWoolCotton

Firmness:

Medium-Firm

Sizes available:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia King

Trial:

365 nights

Warranty:

25-year

Avocado's classic mattress is a hybrid with innerspring and certified organic wool, latex, and cotton. It features five ergonomic zones for back and spine alignment and even weight distribution. And while it might be slightly too firm for side sleepers, it's a great pick for back or stomach sleepers. We've featured this mattress on many of our round ups, including the best latex mattresses, the best mattresses for stomach sleepers, and more.

As a B Corp–certified company, Avocado is a standout in the sustainability space. When you shop with them, you can expect a commitment to ethical sourcing, donations to environmental nonprofits, and carbon negativity (meaning they offset more than 100% of their total emissions).

Eco-friendliness rating: 5 out of 5. Beyond using organic and sustainably-sourced materials, Avocado is a brand that walks the walk. It’s a carbon-negative company, which means the brand voluntarily offsets more than 100% of its emissions, and provides a yearly impact report on sustainability efforts.

Best latex mattress for low back pain: Saatva Zenhaven Latex Mattress

Pros

  • Made from natural materials
  • Reversible layers for customizable firmness

Cons

  • Pricier than other options on the list

Material:

LatexWool

Firmness:

Medium-Firm

Sizes available:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia KingSplit King

Trial:

365 nights

Warranty:

Lifetime

This luxurious bed is made from natural, organic materials and designed with comfort in mind. It contains layers of latex that can be flipped for different comfort levels (the firmer side will likely be best for those with back pain) and is topped with temperature-regulating wool for those who run hot. Saatva sleepers note that the ergonomic design of the bed means that every part of the body—head to toe—feels supported as they sleep. "My back has never felt better" is one review you'll see quite a bit. Oh, and it's flippable, too.

It's Saatva's commitment to safety and sustainability that make this one a real standout. The mattress doesn't contain any synthetic, petroleum-based foams and it's certified free of potentially harmful chemicals and pollutants. Considering its high-quality materials, the price point on this one is also pretty reasonable.

Eco-friendliness rating: 4 out of 5. While not the most eco-friendly brand on this list, Saatva does more than most memory foam mattress companies when it comes to sustainability and nontoxic materials. It uses a nontoxic, botanical antimicrobial treatment, certified foams, organic cotton, and a flame retardant barrier made from natural thistle pulp (rather than chemical sprays). This particular mattress it one of the brand's most sustainable models, and gets a high score because of the use of natural latex and organic cotton.

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Best memory foam mattress for back pain: Leesa Original Mattress

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Tested for VOCs

Cons

  • Made using synthetic memory foam

Material:

Memory foam

Firmness:

Medium-Firm

Sizes available:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia King

Trial:

100 nights

Warranty:

10-year

This affordable mattress-in-a-box stacks three layers of foam for a comfortable yet supportive snooze for stomach sleepers (though it's soft enough for side sleepers, too!). The top layer of this cloud mattress is a cooling foam for anyone who sleeps warm. Reviewers with back pain note that the foam distributes pressure beautifully, easing aches and promoting pain-free wakeups. While it's made from synthetic memory foam, Leesa does test its mattresses to ensure they're low in VOCs.

Leesa's mattress comes with a 100-night free trial and 10-year warranty, and their customer service has a great reputation.

Eco-friendliness rating: 2 out of 5. We appreciate that the foams are GREENGUARD Gold & CertiPUR-US® Certified, but these are not the most extensive certifications. It is a certified B Corporation, though, which means it's held to rigorous standards for public transparency, legal accountability, and environmental impact.

Best cooling mattress for low back pain: 8 Sleep Pod 3 Mattress

Pros

  • Thermoregulating
  • Tracks your sleep quality

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Comes in limited sizes
  • Made from synthetic foam

Material:

Memory foam

Firmness:

Medium-Firm

Sizes available:

FullQueenKingCalifornia King

Trial:

100 nights

Warranty:

2-year

Prepare to wake up in the future with Eight Sleep's smart mattress equipped with sensors that track your sleep through the night, and adjust accordingly. Log into the accompanying app to set your personalized sleep temperature, track your nightly heart rate, and have your mattress wake you up with a gentle vibration. The ultimate sleep gadget, this one is sure to please anyone tech-obsessed.

The Pod 3 Mattress itself is made from layers of poly foam that offer gentle pressure relief for the back and hips.

Eco-friendliness rating: 1 out of 5. When you're talking about a vibrating mattress with technology that tracks your sleep and warms or cools to your personalized sleep temperature, it's not going to be the most sustainable option. The brand does not follow any particular environmental practices yet.

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Best affordable mattress for low back pain: Nolah Natural

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Made from natural and organic materials
  • Free shipping
  • Has split king option

Cons

  • Might be too soft for some with back pain

Material:

LatexInnerspringsWoolCotton

Firmness:

Medium

Sizes available:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia KingSplit King

Trial:

120 nights

Warranty:

Lifetime

"Affordable" and "latex" often don't belong in the same sentence, as the natural bedding material is more expensive than synthetic foams. But Nolah's hybrid latex mattress, which also features organic wool and an organic cotton cover, starts at less than $1,000. It's a great affordable mattress option for anyone curious to try the plush, cozy feel of natural latex without shelling out a ton. Its medium feel is a bit softer than other beds on the list, but it's ideal for side sleepers who need a little added softness. And it's still firm enough to be supportive, as evidenced by many reviewers who say it's helped their pesky back pain.

Eco-friendliness rating: 4 out of 5. This brand uses high quality, sustainable materials including recycled steel coils, GOTS-certified organic wool, organic cotton, and natural Talalay latex. That said, the mattresses are wrapped in plastic for shipping.

Best hybrid mattress for low back pain: Nest Sparrow

Pros

  • Adjustable firmness level
  • Offers split bed option

Cons

  • Made using synthetic memory foam

Material:

Memory foamInnersprings

Firmness:

MediumMedium-FirmFirm

Sizes available:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia KingSplit King

Trial:

365 nights

Warranty:

Lifetime

One of our favorite hybrid mattresses, this is also a great option for hot sleepers, as the top foam layer is infused with cooling gel. Nest beds are made from synthetic foams, but they air out in the factory to decrease off-gassing a bit.

Couples love this bed, too, as the Split King size of the Sparrow Signature Hybrid allows bed sharers to choose their own firmness level (medium, plush, or firm) using interchangeable layers you can swap for free. Four layers of foam and a layer of innerspring mean that any firmness you choose will comfortably distribute pressure.

Nest offers free returns within one year, and their beds come with a lifetime renewal exchange program that lets you get a new comfort layer any time your current one is starting to sag—a plus for back pain sufferers who need the support.

Eco-friendliness rating: 2 out of 5. This bed doesn’t contain any organic or sustainably-sourced materials, but we do appreciate the Renewal Exchange initiative, which can help extend the life of your Nest mattress. For a more sustainable pick, check out the brand’s Owl Natural Latex Hybrid.

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FAQ

Can a mattress cause lower back pain?

Many factors can cause or exacerbate lower-back pain—including the wrong mattress. Redding notes that if your back discomfort is greater first thing in the morning, it's possible that your mattress is to blame. That being said, if your pain worsens, lasts more than a few weeks, or begins interfering with your life, it's worth seeing a doctor.

What firmness is best for people with back pain?

While it depends on the person, medium to medium-firm mattresses are typically considered best for those with back pain. Softer mattresses don't usually lend enough spinal support, while hard mattresses can lead to soreness upon waking.

What sleeping position is best for people with back pain?

Side sleeping and back sleeping can be comfortable for those with back pain since they allow for a neutral spinal position. Di Prinzio suggests not sleeping on your stomach if you have back pain because of the way it strains the spine.

The takeaway.

If you suffer from lower-back pain, investing in a medium-firm mattress that supports a healthy sleep posture can help you find some relief as you snooze. Be sure to integrate practices like yoga and stretching into your nighttime routine to set yourself up for your best rest.

Meet The Experts

Emma Loewe is the former Sustainability and Health Director at mindbodygreen. She is the author of "Return to Nature: The New Science of How Natural Landscapes Restore Us" and the co-author of "The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide To Ancient Self Care." Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,500 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes.
Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS is a family physician and HIV specialist in California. He takes a holistic approach to healthcare, incorporating principles of functional medicine and using food as medicine when working with patients.

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