The Best Mattress for Back Pain of 2020 (Reviews & Guide)

This is the best of the best, the creme de la creme when it comes to mattresses (in our humble opinion). This is an all-around fantastic mattress that’s made just so much better thanks to the innovative materials used in its structure.

What sets Purple Mattress apart is the brand’s very innovative, patent approach to its products. It uses its own special Hyper-Elastic Polymer material. But we’ll get to that in a sec.

Let’s start with its construction. At its base, the mattress has a four-inch layer of polyurethane foam, keeping it stable. Then, there’s the second transitional layer—softer than the base, but still hard. Finally, the third layer is where their special Polymer comes in. This is what makes it the best of all the best mattresses for back pain.

This polymer is more akin to a gel or silicone, not at all like memory foam. It’s very soft, flexible, and highly responsive. It is, at the same time, soft and firm in all the places you need it to be. It gives you both support and pressure relief. This top layer is further improved thanks to the grid-like structure it’s made in.

Furthermore, the polymer doesn’t retain heat. It’s a temperature neutral material that doesn’t allow the sleeper’s body heat to transfer to the bed. The grid-like structure allows air to move freely, adding to its cooling effect. It’s the best mattress for lower back and hip pain for those who really can’t stand hot nights.

The polymer actually conforms to your body, but in a different way from foam. However, it also delivers just enough resistance so you won’t get “stuck” if you move around a lot, which gives a lot of comfort no matter if you sleep on your back, stomach, or side.

Our Verdict

The best of the best. It basically gives you all of the pressure relief of memory foam but still provides extra support. It’s also wonderful when it comes to heat since the special polymer used here simply doesn’t retain it. In our opinion, it’s the best mattress for back pain, with its only flaw being that some might need to accustom themselves to the special feel of its polymer.

If you care about the environment and truly want to do as much as you can, then getting a mattress like this is a pretty good step in that direction. The Awara Luxury Organic Mattress is made from natural Dunlop latex and organic cotton, and it even uses a natural wool cover.

So, let’s start with its structure. You only have two layers, with a base layer of zoned support coils (more on these in a minute), followed by Dunlop latex foam top support. This combination of a foam top layer, supported by a thick innerspring base, makes it one of the best mattresses for lower back pain, especially when it comes to organic mattresses.

These organic materials aren’t just beneficial for the environment. Natural latex is antimicrobial, meaning it doesn’t gather dust mites or any other elements that can provoke allergic reactions.

Of the other latex mattresses on our list, this one is also probably the best mattress for lower back pain. Namely, the support coils underneath this mattress give you ample support, keeping your back in proper alignment. They also have just enough softness in the foam, which lets your hips sink (but not too much), keeping your lower spine nice and parallel to the floor.

For this same reason, Awara’s hybrid is the best mattress for back and neck pain that’s made from organic materials, no matter whether you sleep on your back or on your side (sleeping on your stomach is always bad for your neck anyway).

It also has a nice, year-long trial period.

Our verdict

An excellent, natural organic mattress that gives you a lot of support, lots of responsiveness, while still providing some softness and “give” for side sleepers. Its price tag might be a bit daunting, but you’re getting a quality mattress that’s amazing for the environment—and great for your back.

This is one for the everyman—an affordable, sturdy mattress that does everything right. With the right level of pressure relief and contouring, at an acceptable price, Bear’s flagship is a fantastic choice.

This bed, like almost all of the products on this list, comes with a sturdy, foam base at the bottom. Then, there’s the middle layer, made from responsive foam. The top layer is made from open-cell graphite-gel memory foam, and it’s this combination that makes the mattress stand out.

The combo of a sturdy foam base with a softer transition layer and special gel-infused memory foam makes it the best memory foam mattress for back pain for the average consumer.

Many memory foam mattresses have issues with retaining heat. This graphite gel foam is there to help you out. The material itself retains minimal heat, something that’s further emphasized with its open-cell structure.

What also makes it stand out is the mattress’s firmness. Even though it’s made from memory foam, you won’t get that sinking, stuck-in-the-mud feeling (which some people admittedly like and may refer to with more optimism).

Our Verdict

This is the best memory foam mattress for back pain when it comes to getting the biggest bang for your buck. It keeps you cool at night, and its combination of softness and firmness makes it amazing for stomach sleepers. Still, some people might find it a bit too firm, possibly wanting something softer and lighter.

Right off the bat, if you’re not happy with your mattress, note that DreamCloud will refund you completely and will even pick up the mattress for free. They offer their Everlong warranty: when you say the word, they’ll stop by and pick your defective mattress up. You also get a one-year trial period to test it out.

This one is amazing thanks to its specific combination of coils and memory foam, not to mention the Euro top, pretty much giving you the best of both worlds. So first you have a dense layer of support foam for the base. Then, you get a layer of pocketed coils that add extra support and a little bit of responsiveness.

What makes this DreamCloud’s best mattress for lower back and hip pain—and for comfort in general—is its hybrid nature. The third layer is essentially transition foam, which gives a bit of extra softness between you and the coils. Then, you get gel-infused memory foam, and finally, the quilted Euro top.

The quilted Euro top is what gives this mattress that little extra something. It allows for added softness and comfort, while still not messing with the responsiveness and firmness of the innerspring layer.

Our Verdict

DreamCloud has consistently been considered the best mattress brand for back pain. The way the materials and layers are combined give it a special quality, along with the right amount of firmness and comfort. It’s very good for heavyset individuals who need that extra support without wanting to completely sink into the mattress itself.

Another excellent mattress on our list. The Leesa Hybrid Mattress has five layers. First, there’s the base layer of support foam. Then you get a layer of pocketed coils that give the bed its durability, support, and responsiveness. Next, there’s a layer of support foam that serves as a transitional layer between the coils and the top layers. Finally, the top layer is 1.5 inches of memory foam to give you pressure relief.

This same memory foam is a bit different than the regular stuff. It’s a special blend—aerated premium foam, which is more neutral than the regular kind. It might just be the best mattress for side sleepers with back pain out of all those using memory foam.

Namely, this bed is paradoxically soft and firm—you sink into it a bit, but you also get a lot of support. The main reason for this is that it’s a hybrid that has a relatively thin layer of foam on top of the coils. This means the metal innerspring part gives you the structure you need, while the rest is just soft enough to keep you comfy.

Our Verdict

Among our list of the best mattresses for back pain and reviews, this one is great for almost all sleepers, but it’s still perhaps the mattress for side sleepers. It’s both comfortable and responsive. Its soft, yet firm, gives you a kind of memory-foam feel, but not too much. However, people might be dissuaded by its price, and they still might find it a bit too firm.

Another eco-friendly bed, we have Avocado’s Green Latex Mattress. As an organic hybrid, it gives you a strong level of support through its innerspring coils while also providing a solid layer of foam so you get some softness.

But just “some,” which could either give you trouble or make you really like this mattress. Namely, this isn’t a bed for people who are looking for plush. Basically, it gives a lot of responsiveness, and a lot of support, but you might want some extra padding (which Avocado can also provide).

This is the best mattress for a side sleeper with back pain who doesn’t have muscle or joint issues. Namely, it delivers perfect alignment for your spine, but it also can add more pressure to painful muscles and spots.

People who switch positions a lot in their sleep during the night will also appreciate this bed since they won’t sink into it while they move around. It’s truly great for upper back pain because it’s made from organic materials and keeps your back aligned with the floor.

Our Verdict

This is the best innerspring mattress for back pain when it comes to firmness. In fact, some people might even think it’s a bit too firm. This makes it fantastic for combination sleepers and for people who like a lot of support. Also, by buying this mattress, you’re helping the environment.

This one is a true jack-of-all-trades. It’s not overly firm, and it’s not overly soft. It isn’t lacking in any one area, but it also doesn’t really shine in any other area either. The structure of the mattress is made from four layers. You have a base layer of support foam, then a transition layer, then a layer of memory foam, and another layer of special, open-cell foam. This may be the best type of mattress for back pain when it comes to all-around quality.

Furthermore, it doesn’t especially feel like memory foam, so you don’t sink in as much as you would with other memory foam mattresses. That’s a good thing for some people and a bad thing for others. Many people don’t like the sensation of getting sucked into their mattress. Happily, this one’s a happy medium on our scale of firmness and softness.

Our Verdict

This may be the best mattress for back and hip pain, since you get support for your spine, but you also get some softness to help with hip aches. We said that there’s no one-size-fits-all mattress, and that’s true. However, this one is closest to that statement, for better or worse, since most people won’t be making a mistake if they choose this one.

One of the more popular brands in the US, Nectar is known for providing an excellent mattress on a budget. Namely, its greatest feature is the price tag accompanying this solid product.

The Nectar Mattress is a complete foam bed made up of four layers, roughly eleven inches thick. First, there’s the base layer of thick support foam, followed by Nectar’s Adaptive Hi Core Memory Foam. This proprietary foam earns its place on our list as a great option if you’re still deciding on the best mattress for back and hip pain—for reasons covered below.

This mattress, thanks to three of its memory foam layers, has a nice, strong feel to it. You won’t sink immediately into the bed. The foam will conform around your body, taking on its shape, but not too much. In fact, you don’t really sink in as much as you would with other memory foam mattresses. Rather, your shoulders and hips will be cradled nicely.

Note that both very light and very heavy-set individuals might not enjoy this mattress. For lighter people, it might be a bit too firm. On the other hand, heavier people will sink too deeply into it since it still is a memory foam mattress. However, for buyers on a slight budget, it’s the best mattress for side sleepers with lower back pain.

There are, finally, some nice additions from the company itself. Namely, these mattresses are shipped for free. The company also offers an amazing one-year-long trial period that allows you to test out the bed. In addition, you get a Forever Warranty where you can return the bed, no questions asked. Finally, you get a new pillow.

Our Verdict

This bed is perhaps the best mattress for upper back pain, lower back pain, and neck pain if you’re looking for a great deal all around. It’s an excellent mattress for a variety of sleepers, providing you with an excellent trial period, a warranty, and an amazing price. Its special construction really gives you that extra bit of comfort you might need.

The Nola Original 10 is the best foam mattress for back pain if you want to feel like you’re lying on a cloud. This mattress is made from three layers, all foam. First, you have the base support foam layer, followed by a thin transition layer. Finally, you get Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam top layer.

This one stands out because this layer is made out of open-cell foam. This allows better airflow circulation, which further allows better temperature regulation within the mattress. Essentially, it draws body heat. It also isolates motion, meaning movement and changes on one side of the bed won’t influence the other side. Furthermore, out of all the entries on our list of mattresses for back pain and the reviews accompanying them, it’s a pure foam mattress that retains the least heat.

Note that this one is not for heavier people (anyone over 240 lbs) since they will most likely sink too far into the mattress. There simply isn’t that much support to spare. For people who really like a soft mattress, however, this one is fantastic.

Our Verdict

A very solid and affordable bed that’s great for side sleepers. With a strong, longer than average warranty, and with their special proprietary foam that keeps you cool throughout the night, Nola is the best mattress brand for back pain and for side sleepers who like to stay cool while still enjoying that nice memory foam feel.

We’re gonna start this one off by noting that there are multiple mattresses in this line. While we’ll be focusing on the Dawn model, keep in mind that you can actually do a quiz on the Helix website that directs you to the right mattress for you.

The six core models of this specific Helix line (one of them being Dawn) all have 4″ of foam and 8″ of coils. Each of these models offers a kind of soft foam with a neutral feel. You won’t really get that special memory foam experience, but these mattresses also don’t feel like traditional innerspring mattresses. Some of the best mattresses for lower back pain are hybrids that give you support and softness.

Thanks to the coils, you get lots of responsiveness, support, and durability, but the Dawn model is also nice and soft. In fact, it’s specifically great for back and stomach sleepers of lighter and medium builds since it gives you support but still allows for some softness.

Our Verdict

A pretty solid mattress on its own, but also nearly the best mattress for low back pain due to its combination of support and foam. The coils also give it some extra bounciness and firmness, which might annoy some people, while others might really need it.