Is back pain keeping you up at night?

It’s not the most glamorous topic, but it can be serious, and often, your mattress can be part of the problem. There are mattresses on the market for every sleep position, ones made for side sleepers, stomach sleepers, and even the starfish snoozers, who like to spread out. Finding a bed designed for people with back pain can be more of a challenge.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic back pain, sciatica, a pinched nerve, or a recent sports-related injury, choosing the right mattress is essential. The right sleep surface can significantly impact your spinal alignment and overall sleep quality. For those with injuries and underlying conditions, the New York Post always recommends consulting a Doctor before making any purchases that could affect your health.

To help shoppers make an informed choice, The Post also consulted Daniel Gartenberg, CEO of SleepSpace and Chief Sleep Scientist at CPAP.com and MDbiowellness. Utilizing Gartenberg’s recommendations as well as first-hand testing from Post Wanted staff, we’ve rounded up some of the highest-quality mattresses for back pain on the market.

If you’ve found yourself searching for the best mattresses for your aching back, you’re exactly in the right place. We’ve rounded up everything from advanced, luxury models to other more affordable bedding finds won’t break the bank, or your back.

Happy shopping, happy sleeping!

Zoned for support, the Bear Elite Hybrid ensures different areas of your body receive just the right amount of cushioning or firmness. It’s 14″ wide, and the high-gauge coils in the center provide added lumbar support for where sleepers need it most. For those with back pain, it’s considered a game-changer. It’s a great choice for hot sleepers, too. Copper-infused Memory Foam offers optimal temperature-regulation, so you’ll be waking up refreshed. It’s customizable as well, so you can pick a firmness level to your liking and throw in a celliant-infused cover, too.

New York Post Review: “As a lifelong side sleeper (it should be noted that the bed is specifically designed for side sleepers), I can say with full confidence that the Bear mattress is as supportive and forgiving on your back as advertised,” shared New York Post Live Events Reporter, Matt Levy. “Additionally, the motion transfer between my wife and me is almost nonexistent; movement barely registers, and even with over a month on the mattress, sleep is still more exciting than ever.”

Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Medium to firm | Material: Copper-infused memory foam, high-density polyfoam, innerspring coils | Height: 14″ | Number of layers: 6-7 | Sleep trial: 100-night risk-free trial | Free shipping: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime Warranty

If you’re looking for a bed for back pain that is also organic, the Birch Natural Mattress is a wonderful choice. This sustainable bed is sourced from Fair Trade Certified organic cotton and temperature-regulating wool, plus it’s GOLS and GREENGUARD Gold Certified. With a medium-firm feel recommended by experts, it provides ample support for back and side sleepers. A naturally responsive latex layer cradles the body, alleviating pressure from the lower back, hips, and shoulders. On the inside, individually wrapped steel coils help isolate motion and prevent sagging, so you should be able to enjoy this organic mattress for quite some time.

New York Post Review: “My initial attraction to the Birch Natural Mattress was mostly due to my plastic hysteria. It’s organic, eco-friendly, biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and so on — so yes, my conscience was cleared, in that department. The Birch also turned out to be one of the best beds for my body. I do a fair amount of running around in my day-to-day, and tense shoulders and a sore lower back are just part of the game. After a few weeks of sleeping on the Birch, I noticed the weight beginning to fly off my shoulders. Sure, it’s not as plush as the squishy memory foam I once thought I needed—but sometimes, a firmer foundation is exactly what your back thanks you for the next day. That’s how I think of the Birch mattress: supportive, contouring, and surprisingly comfortable.” — Miska Salemann, Commerce Reporter

Mattress type: Latex-Hybrid | Feel: Medium-Firm | Material: Fair Trade Certified organic cotton cover, organic wool, GOLS-certified natural latex, individually wrapped steel coils | Height: 11″ | Number of layers: Multi-layer (latex, wool, and coil layers) | Sleep trial: 100 nights ($99 return fee) | Free Shipping: Yes | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Reviewers have called this mattress “the best of the best,” and for some sleepers, it may just be the perfect fit. The Dawn Elite features five responsive layers with a sturdy, firmer feel, ideal for back and stomach sleepers. Reinforced edge support also keeps this sleep surface smooth and sturdy (even when your partner or pet is tossing and turning all night long). The setup requires a couple more steps than your typical bed in the box, but it’s well worth the effort if you’re looking for healthier, comfortable sleep.

Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Firm | Material: High-density foam layers, dual micro-coil layers, GlacioTex Elite cooling cover | Height: 15″ | Number of layers: 5 | Sleep trial: 100-night risk-free trial with free returns | Free shipping: Yes | Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

If you’re a back or stomach sleeper who wants your mattress rock solid, meet your match. The Plank Firm Luxe is a flippable hybrid mattress that gives you the choice between firm and extra-firm sides, both designed to support neutral spinal alignment without the sink. Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, it’s built for serious support with high-density foam, a core of individually encased coils, and strong edge reinforcement. Want to dial up the chill factor? Add the optional GlacioTex cooling cover. This bed doesn’t cushion — it holds you up.

Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Firm / Extra-Firm (flippable) | Material: High-density foams, individually encased coils, quilted top panel | Height: 13.25” | Number of layers: 4 (plus reversible use) | Sleep trial: 120-night trial | Free shipping: Yes | Warranty: 10-year limited warranty

Made for supreme support, the Sealy Posturepedic Plus Hybrid is another popular choice for individuals with back pain. Sealy uses advanced gel foams to help disperse your weight across the mattress, relieving pressure for maximum conforming comfort. Carefully engineered coils adapt to the body, providing exceptional pressure relief. Reviewers say it has just the right amount of firmness and bounce, making it a wonderful hybrid option for individuals with back pain.

Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Soft, medium, or firm | Material: ComfortSense Premium Memory Foam, SealyCool Gel Foam, Response Pro Zoned HD Encased Coils, DuraFlex Pro Coil Edge | Height: 13″ to 14.5″ | Number of layers: Multiple foam and coil layers | Sleep trial: 90-night sleep trial | Free shipping: Yes | Warranty: 10-Year warranty

Ready to sleep like royalty? This Purple mattress meets the mark. According to the brand, it’s ranked up to four times cooler than the competition with 100% free airflow between independent foam pillars. The unique GelFlex grid dissipates heat and is said to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep with far less tossing and turning. That means no more waking up in a puddle of sweat. Sleepers also appreciate the immersive feel, with extra relief for the hips and shoulders.

Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Medium-Firm | Material: 3″ GelFlex Grid, Ultra Comfort Foam, CoolFlex Coils | Height: 15.5″ | Number of layers: 3 | Sleep trial: 100-Night Trial | Free shipping: Yes | Warranty: 10-year warranty

There are mattresses that are good for people with back pain, and then there are mattresses made just for people with back pain. The Saatva RX is specially designed for maximum support and pressure relief to help alleviate discomfort associated with serious and chronic back and joint conditions, including sciatica, arthritis, herniated disc, and scoliosis. The unique Therapeutic Support Core conforms to your every curve and movement, which helps improve circulation and alleviate pressure. Saatva offers a year-long sleep trial, so you have plenty of time to decide how well this mattress supports your needs.

Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Supportive plush | Material: Organic cotton cover, CertiPUR-US foams, micro-coils, recycled steel coils, Guardin antimicrobial treatment | Height: 15″ | Number of layers: 7+ | Sleep trial: 365 nights | Free shipping: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty

Breathable and balanced, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid is a medium-firm mattress that combines the comfort of individually wrapped springs with five solid layers of foam and coils. This unique design allows light contouring around the body, which is ideal for back pain and other sensitivities. Customers are especially impressed with the smell of this bed, or lack thereof. Lots of mattresses come with a slight chemical odor, but the ultra-breathable Leesa Sapira stays fresh and clean for longer, effectively reducing unwanted smells. It’s also built to suit most sleep styles — one of the perks of a hybrid design. Commerce Editor, Kendall Cornish, had to find out if it lived up to the hype and shared her thoughts below.

New York Post Review: “The Sapira is supportive without being aggressive about it, cushy without making me feel like I’m stuck in a mattress swamp, and sturdy enough to convince me it’ll hold up for years. I finally understand why people get weirdly evangelical about good sleep, because once you have it, you realize you were basically surviving on crumbs before. Would I recommend the Leesa Sapira Hybrid to anyone who isn’t actively trying to sabotage their own life? Absolutely. Would I willingly carry another 100-pound box up three flights of stairs for it? Yep. Would I ever go back to the sadistic cruelty of an all-firm mattress? Never again. This mattress didn’t just change my nights — it changed my mornings too. It changed my work days, my mood…even my cat is 99% calmer. And honestly, for something that arrived in a box, that’s kind of heroic.” — Kendall Cornish, Commerce Editor and Reporter

Sizes: Hybrid | Feel: Medium-Firm | Material: Polyfoam, Memory foam layer (pressure relief), 6″ pocketed coils, 1″ high-density polyfoam base, polyester cover| Height: 11″ | Number of layers: 7 | Sleep trial: 100-night risk-free trial | Free shipping: Yes | Warranty: 10-year limited warranty

Sick of feeling like you’re waking up on a pile of bricks? It could be time to trade your old mattress in for a Puffy CLOUD. It’s just as dreamy as it sounds, assembled with six strategically placed layers that combat back pain and help distribute the body weight evenly for optimal spinal alignment. Reviewers love the cushioned, memory foam feel, and many have mentioned improvements in their back pain since they started sleeping on the CLOUD. It’s received a five-star rating from over 12,000 reviewers, so we know it’s worth the hype.

Mattress type: Memory Foam | Feel: Medium-Firm | Material: Cool Touch Cloud Cover, Climate Fiber Layer, Cooling Cloud Foam, Cloud Comfort Pressure Relief Foam, Firm Core Support Foam | Height: 10″ | Number of layers: 6 | Sleep trial: 101-night risk-free trial | Free shipping: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty

Dreaming of a bed that adapts to your weight, shape, and temperature? The TEMPUR-Adapt Legendary Pressure Relief Mattress may be the solution you’ve been waiting for. Made with one-of-a-kind technology originally created by NASA to cushion pilots during test flights, the exceptionally responsive material was later perfected by scientists for sleep. It’s said to deliver advanced motion cancellation as well as pressure relief, making it a great bed for side sleepers and those with pets or partners sleeping beside them. Plus, with select mattress purchases, TEMPUR-PEDIC will set you up with White Glove Delivery and throw in some additional sleep essentials. Use code 300FREE to unlock $300 in free accessories.

Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Medium | Material: TEMPUR-Material comfort layers, 1,000 premium double-stacked innerspring coils, cool-to-the-touch cover | Height: 11″ | Number of layers: | Sleep trial: 90-night risk-free trial | Free shipping: Free White Glove Delivery | Warranty: 10-year warranty

For a healthy and eco-conscious option, consider an Avocado bed. Made with GOLS-certified organic latex, wool, and cotton, the popular Avocado green Mattress is crafted with fine materials and free of polyurethane foams and fire retardants that could interfere with sleep. Temperature control shouldn’t be an issue, either. Wool and latex have naturally thermo-regulating properties to keep your body just where it needs to be for deep, restorative, uninterrupted sleep. Shoppers can fine-tune their selection and opt for a firm, medium, or plush feel — all of which come with multiple ergonomic zones and up to 1,379 individually wrapped support coils to offer lasting support.

Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Plush-Firm | Material: GOLS-certified organic latex, GOTS-certified organic wool and cotton, 1,414 wrapped recycled steel coils | Height: 11″ | Number of layers: 3–5 depending on model | Sleep trial: 365-nights | Free shipping: Yes | Warranty: 25-year limited warranty

Finding the right mattress for your needs and preferences requires time and patience. We evaluated the best mattresses for back pain based on some important criteria: material, firmness, motion support, sleep trial, and price.

The Post consulted Daniel Gartenberg, CEO of SleepSpace and Chief Sleep Scientist at CPAP.com and MDbiowellness.

“Poor sleep is related to every chronic health disease,” shared Gartenberg. “Yet, our medical system is horribly broken when it comes to solving this public health crisis. If you have a serious sleep issue, the right bed won’t necessarily fix that, but it could be an important component to getting you on the right track to better sleep health.”

According to Gartenberg, picking the right bed is a challenge because there isn’t data that clearly shows how a specific mattress improves different types of people’s sleep. There is no one-size-fits-all
solution, but when it comes to alleviating back pain, there are some materials to look for.

“Memory Foam and latex are similar in that they can provide more support and contour for your body. Latex is somewhat better at temperature regulation because the material is more porous. Innersprings are beneficial because they [disperse] heat through the cavity around the spring, but they can provide less support. For these reasons, often the best option is a hybrid mattress with latex,” Gartenberg noted.

According to Gartenberg, there are a few reasons why you may be experiencing back pain on a new mattress. Sciatica and generalized back pain are common reasons why someone may be looking for a special mattress, but there are other conditions that could also benefit from additional sleep support.

“Sciatica, hip replacement surgery, pregnancy, obesity, pinched nerves, herniated disk,
scoliosis, muscle strains, osteoarthritis, and more,” he explained.

While many people think a firm mattress is the answer to back pain, Gartenberg generally recommends a mattress with a medium-firm feel. “In a recent randomized controlled trial comparing firm mattresses to medium firm mattresses, medium firm mattresses actually resulted in less reported back pain at wake-up and during the daytime. These findings were also confirmed in a large meta-analysis.”

There are many reasons why your back may hurt on a new mattress. For some, it’s a matter of adjusting to your new bed. Discomfort could also reveal other issues, such as underlying conditions or injuries. It’s always important to discuss back pain with a Doctor, especially if it persists.

According to Gartenberg, sleep position and poor posture can also cause back pain. Generally, experts recommend sleeping on your back or side. For side sleepers, Gartenberg suggests hugging a large pillow or placing a pillow between your legs to keep your spine aligned.

“Sleeping on your stomach can negatively impact your spine by putting it out of alignment,
especially the lumbar region, and causing neck strain,” he explained. “It can lead to increased pressure
on the spine’s muscles and joints, potentially resulting in back, neck, and shoulder pain,” he shared.

“Another major factor here is how often you get a new mattress,” explained Gartenberg. “My wife and I were running close to 10 years on our old mattress, so we really felt the difference when we got a new one.”

Generally, a mattress should be replaced between six and 10 years. But, there are a few considerations to keep in mind if you’re looking to keep your mattress. “Another hack to extend the life of your mattress is to rotate it around every six months or so to even out the body pressure it takes every night.”

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