8 Best Mattresses for Back Pain After Testing 250 Models

WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Those looking for a no-frills mattress with tailored support that doesn't break the bank

WHO SHOULD AVOID IT: Anyone who prefers a cushier, foam-forward feel

Last year, Sealy upgraded its popular Posturepedic line with innovative coils for maximum support and tailored comfort. Its entry innerspring model was a favorite in our tests for its versatile feel. Plus, it's delivered straight into your home with no extra cost.

✔️ HOW IT COMPARES: The unique coils provide Goldilocks-level comfort and support—not too soft, not too hard—which is a difficult feat for an innerspring mattress. The Medium firmness makes it an approachable option for a wide range of sleepers, though some may prefer the Soft or Firm variations that are sold exclusively at Mattress Firm.

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:

✔️ Standout coils: The new coils are truly one-of-a-kind, having a tapered design with a tightly-wound top and a looser bottom to mimic pricey micro-coils. This helps it lightly conform to users with smaller and lighter frames or provide deeper, firmer support for those with larger or heavier frames. Beyond the unique shape of the coils, the pocketed coils have a zoned layout, with a firmer section around the lower back that users appreciated.

✔️ Comfortable support: One tester noted, "It was firm enough to not sink into yet had a lot of cushion to it." Another liked that it evenly distributed her weight and eased her pressure points. Testers also agreed that it was easy to transition to the bed and reported better sleep. One said, "In the mornings, I feel well rested and don't feel stiff at all."

✔️ Cooling: While innerspring mattresses sleep cooler than foam, some hot sleepers noted that this one ran warm compared to their previous mattresses, while others didn't have any issues. Still, we like that the cover is moisture-wicking.

WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Anyone interested in a balance of tailored relief and support

WHO SHOULD AVOID IT: Those looking for plush pressure relief or extra firm support are better off with all-foam or innerspring mattresses.

Hybrid mattresses are designed to combine foam and coils for a happy medium, but few can hold a candle to the Bear Elite Hybrid when it comes to comfort and support. It's garnered glowing praise from all of our testers, including several with recurring back pain.

✔️ HOW IT COMPARES: Bear's seven-zone layout offers more give or support in key areas, like the shoulders and hips, to promote spinal alignment. It's earned unanimous praise from every tester, including Lexie Sachs, GH's executive director of testing strategy & operations, who's been testing mattresses for over 15 years. She found herself sleeping through her alarms for the first time in years within a month of sleeping on the Elite Hybrid.

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:

✔️ Zoned support: Most mattresses with zoned support use three sections with firmer coils around the lumbar region, so Bear's seven-zone design feels more fine-tuned. When I first laid down on this mattress, I was surprised by how instantly comfortable I felt.

✔️ High praise from testers: All our sleep testers have reported improved sleep quality. A recent tester with chronic pain shared, "The pain in my shoulders or hips that would usually creep in when trying to fall asleep, or eventually wake me up in the middle of the night, has subsided dramatically." Others shared that they wake up feeling well-rested.

✔️ Durability: While it's on the newer side (it was first launched in 2022), it has held up well in our tests so far, aside from some pilling on the outer cover after the two-year point.

Note: Bear makes some claims on its product listing that we weren't able to verify, specifically about how Celliant fibers use infrared technology to promote recovery, but we still stand by its comfort.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Bear Elite Hybrid

WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Side sleepers looking for personalized support for their hips and shoulders or back sleepers who like the feel of foam

WHO SHOULD AVOID IT: Those who prefer a firmer surface over the sinking-in feel of memory foam and hot sleepers since this pick ran warm in our tests

No other mattress we've tested provides precise pressure relief and support like Tempur-Pedic. The Tempur-Cloud delivers superior motion isolation and contouring foam at a more affordable price than the brand's other non-boxed foam models.

✔️ HOW IT COMPARES: Compared to other all-foam beds, it feels more luxurious, from the cloud-like texture to how the foam is perfectly tailored to the shape of your body. It does sink in as it adjusts to you curves, but you'll feel firmly cradled for maximum relief. One tester said it best: "You really feel hugged by the mattress."

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:

✔️ Precise support: Our testers confirmed that it quickly molds to your body for precise support, though it can feel a bit hard when you first lie down. One combination sleeper said, "I feel like my entire body is supported in a very gentle way."

✔️ Pressure relief: Our most recent testers were blown away by just how comfortable they felt sleeping on this bed. Side sleepers in particular praised how well the foam cradled their hips and shoulders. This is especially important for maintaining a neutral spinal alignment: Sleeping on your side may relieve back pain, but you may also experience hip or shoulder pain if sleeping on a too firm bed.

✔️ Motion isolation: Testers who share the bed with partners or pets were impressed with the motion isolation and reported improved, uninterrupted sleep.

✔️ Temperature: The downside of memory foam is that it traps heat, so hot sleepers who love the feel should consider a cooling mattress, like one from the brand's Breeze line.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud

WHO IT'S BEST FOR: People looking for support above all else; this responsive pick has breathable, sturdy coils and a reinforced lumbar region

WHO SHOULD AVOID IT: Those who prefer the cradling feel of memory foam; many told us that this mattress ran firm

Our testers who struggle with on-and-off back pain usually fall into two camps: Either they need gentle pressure relief or extra support on the lower back. While boxed mattresses stand out for their convenient shipping and cushioning feel, the Saatva Classic is one of the most supportive mattresses we've tested.

✔️ HOW IT COMPARES: It uses two layers of durable, low-gauge steel coils that can't be compressed like your typical bed-in-a-box. There's also extra padding in the lumbar region that hundreds of our survey respondents swear by. Still, the mattress itself runs firm as a result, so I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who prefers a softer bed.

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:

✔️ Excellent support: One tester said, "I tend to have chronic back pain, which has much improved since using this mattress." The edge support is also impressive and makes it easier to get in and out of bed.

✔️ Breathable design: This mattress, while traditional, has nice features for hot sleepers: It uses two coil bases for optimal ventilation and minimal foam.

✔️ Excellent customer service: Our panelists consistently highlight the brand's customer service, especially the short wait times. We like that the brand also offers free white-glove delivery and mattress removal with a generous 365-day trial, though you'll have to pay a $99 return fee if it's not the right fit.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Saatva Classic Mattress

WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Hot sleepers in search of a more breathable mattress or those who want a firmer and more responsive mattress that still offers a cradling feel

WHO SHOULD AVOID IT: Cold sleepers or anyone who prefers a tall mattress (this is our shortest pick at 9.25 inches); those who prefer to use a mattress pad or topper won't feel the grid's cooling effects

The Purple Mattress is the most unique mattress on our list, and one of our favorites for its exceptional pressure relief and breathability, which was a highlight amongst many survey respondents. The topmost layer is made of an elastic polymer (in the shape of a 3D grid) that cradles your body where you need it most.

✔️ HOW IT COMPARES: Purple's GelFlex Grid is one-of-a-kind. It has a squishy texture and each square of the grid responds precisely to your body. As a result, you'll get the cradling feel and motion isolation you'd expect from memory foam with the springy, responsive nature of latex.

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:

✔️ Excellent breathability: Aside from its unique feel, the grid offers superior breathability. Some of our testers even found the mattress too cool during the winter.

✔️ Pressure relief: The GelFlex Grid stands out for how it relieves pressure from pain points without sinking in like foam. Many of our testers and panelists appreciated its ability to relieve their and their partner's back pain. One said, "This is the first mattress where we both woke with no pain." Another added, "It only took a couple of nights of sleeping on the Purple mattress for my back to feel much better."

✔️ Height: Some of our testers found it a bit too short for comfort, given its low 9.25-inch profile. If you prefer a taller, hybrid mattress or are willing to splurge, Purple's RestorePlus Hybrid is designed with additional lumbar support and a medium-soft feel.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Purple Mattress

WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Eco-conscious consumers who prefer organic materials and shoppers looking for a more responsive bed

WHO SHOULD AVOID IT: Sleepers who prefer the conforming nature of memory foam—while latex is excellent at contouring to your body, it doesn't offer the cradling feel of foam.

This certified-organic mattress is stacked with supportive features designed to promote spinal alignment. The coil base has various zones with extra give or support, while the latex foam works to evenly distribute your body weight without sinking in. It comes in three firmness levels, though you'll need to pay a little extra for a softer feel. There's also a 365-day trial period.

✔️ HOW IT COMPARES: Latex feels very different than foam or coils. It's notably springy and can feel both dense and airy at the same time. While it will contour to your body, it also pushes against your body for a "floating" sensation. The Avocado Green Mattress balances that responsive latex with zoned coils for a premium feel.

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:

✔️ Certified organic: Latex is responsive yet pricey, so you'll want to make sure it's high quality. Luckily, this mattress is fully certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standard) and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard), so you know the entire manufacturing process follows strict guidelines.

✔️ Comfortable & firm support: The bed has a responsive feel from the latex, so you feel like you're floating on air rather than lying down on a cushy surface. Beyond that, the zoned coils provide extra support near the lower back, which our testers greatly appreciated. One said, "The bed definitely helped with my upper back and lower back pain, and when I go to bed with hip pain, I wake up refreshed in the morning."

✔️ Durability: Many survey respondents told us their beds have held up well over the years without developing any dips or indents. One told us, "It's held up even after two years, when other expensive mattresses we've purchased were already showing signs that they'd need to be replaced."

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Avocado Green Mattress