The Best Mattresses for Back Pain

Buying Guide for Mattresses for Back Pain

Why buy a mattress for back pain?

You deserve to wake up feeling ready to start your day. Buy a mattress to better support your body and ease back pain. That old mattress you’ve been using likely lacks the proper support your spine needs. Sleeping night after night on a poorly designed or worn-down mattress only reinforces back pain because your spine needs proper alignment, support, and cushion to be at its best.

What should you look for in a mattress for back pain?

• Construction: High-density memory foam offers good motion isolation and resilience to prevent you from rolling into positions that exacerbate back pain. Because the texture is thick and squishy to conform to your body, the mattress can begin to sag over time. Hybrid mattresses combine spring coils and memory foam, making a fabulous firm memory foam feel with some bounce.
• Thickness and Firmness: Consider your personal preferences, sleeping position, and possibly your doctor’s recommendation. There are 12-inch thick twin mattresses to 8-inch California King mattresses to choose from. It pays, in the end, to buy a mattress you like while also keeping in mind the recommended qualities for back pain.
• Material: Fortunately, most back-pain relieving mattresses are CertiPUR-US certified, which means they’re free of toxins such as harmful off-gassing substances and heavy metals. You may want to steer clear of products that do not have this certification. Memory foam is one of the most popular materials used in modern mattresses, and for good reason. It’s extremely comfortable for most people. Some mattresses have a top gel foam layer used for cooling properties.

What should you expect when your memory foam mattress arrives?

Regardless of the mattress you buy online, it won’t look right at first. The mattresses we review here have all been compressed and rolled before being placed in the compact box you’ll receive. Unbox and unroll the mattress. And know that you can sleep on it once it’s expanded to its full shape, which typically takes about 72 hours. If it’s cold where you live, it may take more time before it’s ready.

Our Picks for the Best Mattresses for Back Pain

Pros: This is a CertiPUR US-certified 100% pressure-relieving foam mattress for superior comfort and support. The foam mattress is 12 inches thick, including 3 inches of memory foam, 2 inches of soft comfort foam, and 7 inches of durable, high-density base support foam. The soft poly-jacquard cover adds that slight sense of sinking into a soft bed that makes bedtimes something to look forward to. For those who appreciate the properties of green tea and activated charcoal to freshen and block moisture, the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress might be worth your investment.

Cons: Note that the thinner you go, the firmer it feels.

Bottom Line: For a 100% memory foam mattress with CertiPUR-US certification and hundreds of thousands of positive reviews, this is the mattress for you. The strategic 12-inch layering of foam densities provides perfect comfort and support.

 

Pros: The Marley mattress by Sleep Innovations takes the memory foam mattress trend to a new place with the addition of a cooling gel foam top layer. The 12-inch mattress comprises a 7-inch sturdy base, a 3-inch air channel layer for breathability, and a 2-inch gel foam top. Every layer plays a role in creating a surface to promote proper spine alignment and breathable comfort, especially nice for hot sleepers. The gel foam also molds to your body’s sleeping position and adds bounce. The Marley is made to make all bodies and sleeping positions happy.

Cons: Some users report that the mattress begins to sag over time. This effect can make sleeping with a partner unpleasant and possibly exacerbate back pain.

Bottom Line: This mattress might be perfect for those with back pain who want an extra-cushy mattress that doesn’t make them hot and sweaty at night. The Marley is also hypoallergenic and CertiPUR-US certified.

 

Pros: This Zinus mattress incorporates gel-infused foam and green tea for an ultra-comfortable mattress to support the spine. The medium-firm layered mattress has a 4.5-inch high-density supportive bottom, a 1.5-inch high-density foam middle layer, and a 2-inch gel-infused foam top layer topped with a knitted poly-jacquard cover for comfort. The result is a pressure-relieving, temperature-balanced night’s sleep.

Cons: For some, the slight sink of a gel-infused foam mattress works wonders. But if you like a bit more bounce, this mattress may be a disappointment.

Bottom Line: This mattress is CertiPUR US-certified. You don’t have to be a hot sleeper to appreciate the cooling formula design. Air circulation is a valuable quality for those seeking deep sleep.

 

Pros: This hybrid mattress is has layers of memory foam sandwiching a tempered coil filling. The top layer is 2 layers: a thick, 2.5-inch layer of comfort memory foam plus a 0.5-inch quilted top layer for extra cushion. The center spring and bottom foam layer together measure 6 inches. The Linenspa 10-inch mattress offers contoured support and a bit of bounce. This hybrid mattress won’t sag like some 100% memory foam which can create poor alignment and back pain. Instead, there’s hope that you’ll wake up refreshed and pain-free.

Cons: Some users report that the motion isolation quality needs improvement.

Bottom Line: Edging around the mattress increases longevity and provides even more support for your body. This CertiPUR US-certified, quality-made hybrid mattress makes an excellent buy for sleepers who like medium-firm mattresses with some bounce.

 

Pros: This Novilla queen-size motion-isolating mattress comprises four foam layers. A 3-inch gel memory foam layer provides cooling for a more comfortable sleep. Next, there’s a 2-inch thick layer that supports airflow. The bottom two layers are 3.5 inches each; the top is air-circulating foam, and the bottom is a high-density memory foam layer. This CertiPUR US-certified mattress offers medium to firm support and works great for all sleeper types: tummy, side, and back.

Cons: Multiple reviewers had issues with the mattress fully expanding to the size it should be.

Bottom Line: This mattress keeps hot sleepers cool and all sleepers in place. Another CertiPUR-US certified foam mattress, the Novilla aims to provide the healthiest, back-pain-relieving deep sleep.

Final Thoughts

Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep. But those who have chronic back pain have to be on the lookout for supportive mattresses. Fortunately, there are lots of mattresses out there ready to help give you pain-free nights and days.