Our favorite mattress for a bad back is the Brooklyn Aurora mattress, a hybrid bed that sleeps cool and isolates motion well. Our second favorite is the Layla mattress, which allows you to choose between two firmness levels for optimal comfort.
If you’re a back pain sufferer, you already know how debilitating it can be. Using an old, worn-out bed can make the issue even worse and leave you waking up achy every day. Whether your pain is related to a chronic condition or from using a mattress that’s past its expiration date, switching to a new bed can make all the difference.
The best type of mattress for back pain depends on several factors, including your body type, sleep position, and comfort preferences. For that reason, we’ve decided to include a variety of mattresses on our list of top beds for back backs, each one with a different benefit to suit a variety of sleepers.
The Best Mattresses for Bad Backs
Researching new beds can be time-consuming and difficult to find time for in a busy schedule. We’ve saved you some hassle by doing all the mattress research for you. Here are the top beds for bad backs:
#1 Best Flippable Bed for Back Pain- The Layla Mattress
What We Liked:
- Two firmness levels in one
- Lifetime warranty
- Isolates motion well
- Works well for heavy people
- Suits all sleep positions
What We Didn’t Like:
- Potential off-gassing
- Hard to flip (heavy)
The Layla mattress is our favorite flappable mattress because it has two firmness options in one. One side of the bed is Medium Soft (4.5 out of 10 firmness) and the other side is Firm (8.5 out of 10). The bed conforms closely for comfort, although the Firm side less so than the Medium Soft side.
Back pain sufferers will benefit from a bed that contours to their curves for pressure relief. Lightweight sleepers with back pain will likely prefer the Medium Soft side of this bed, as it will provide a comfortable amount of sinkage without causing uncomfortable pressure points.
Side sleepers with back pain will also likely prefer the softer side, as it’ll provide their hips and shoulders with the cushioning they need.
Heavier sleepers with back pain will do better on the firmer side of the mattress, as it’ll encourage even weight distribution. Stomach and back sleepers with back pain should also opt for the firmer side of this bed to make sure their pelvis stays aligned with the rest of their spine.
The cover of the bed is made of a soft polyester blend material. Under the cover (starting on the Medium Soft side) is a 3-inch layer of memory foam, infused with antibacterial copper to provide conforming pressure relief.
Next is a firm, 2-inch layer of polyfoam that acts as a transition between the top layer and the bottom support layer. The supportive core of the bed is made of 4.5 inches of firm foam, followed by another 1-inch firm layer of copper-infused foam that acts as the surface of the Firm side of the bed, when flipped over.
Since the Layla is an all-foam mattress, it isolates motion well, making it a good choice for couples. Customers report that the firm side of the bed is especially helpful for reducing back pain. This mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial and an impressive lifetime warranty.
#2 Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Back Pain- The Casper Mattress
What We Liked:
- Helps keep spine aligned
- Zoned support
- Positive customer feedback
- Open-cell foam for breathability
What We Didn’t Like:
- Below-average edge support
The Casper mattress is an all-foam bed with areas of zoned support that make it a great choice for back pain sufferers. It uses four layers of foam for breathability and comfort and customers report that it helps with back pain. The Casper mattress has a polyester blend cover that zips off for easy handwashing.
Under the cover is a 1.5-inch layer of latex-like foam that has a responsive feel, which makes it easy to switch positions in the night. Below the top layer is a 1.5-inch layer of memory foam that provides pressure relief and absorbs motion. Next is a 1.5-inch transition layer with zoned support.
Under the hips is a firmer section of foam and under the shoulders is a softer section with a bit more sinkage. These areas of zoned support help keep your body in alignment as you sleep. The foundation of the Casper bed is a made of a 5.5-inch thick, dense polyfoam layer.
Back sleepers with bad backs find this mattress especially supportive, as it’s firm enough to promote even weight distribution. Combination sleepers with bad backs should also appreciate the Casper mattress, as it has a responsive surface that makes it easy to switch positions in the night.
Users report that this mattress is especially helpful for easing lower back discomfort. The bed comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
#3 Best Customizable Bed for People With Bad Backs- The Helix Mattress
What We Liked:
- Customizable support
- Good for couples
- Affordable
- Minimal/no off-gassing
What We Didn’t Like:
- May not suit heavy sleepers
- Doesn’t sleep very cool
The Helix mattress is a unique mattress manufacturer that presents its customers with a survey and then crafts a customized bed to suit their individual needs and preferences. Each Helix bed is made with foam, polyfoam, and pocketed coils. The softest model available is rated as a 3 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale and the firmest is a 9 out of 10.
While the beds have what are supposed to be breathable covers, some customers report that they retain some heat. If you’re an especially hot sleeper, you may want to choose another bed (like the Brooklyn Aurora mattress below). We won’t cover the specific construction of the Helix mattress here since that will depend on the results of your quiz.
The Helix mattress could be a good pick for you if you’ve already tried a few one-size-fits-all beds and they haven’t helped your back pain. Users report that the customized design of their Helix mattress is helpful for easing tension and back soreness.
The Helix mattress is a good pick for couples because it provides quality motion isolation and you can get a split design with two different firmness levels for each side of the bed.
This mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
#4 Best Bed for Hot Sleepers with Bad Backs- The Brooklyn Aurora Mattress
What We Liked:
- Three firmness options
- Breathable cover
- Sturdy edges
- Supports heavy sleepers
What We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive
- Heavy (hard to move)
The Brooklyn Aurora mattress is our top pick for hot sleepers with bad backs because it has a breathable cover and an 8-inch layer of coils that promote air flow. The hybrid mattress comes in three firmness options: Soft (3 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale), Medium Firm (6), and Firm (8 out of 10). As a general rule, the more you weigh, the firmer your bed should be.
Each of the three models of the Brooklyn Aurora mattress has the same order and thickness of layers. But the firmness of the top two foam layers will be distinct in each model. For example, the Soft model has softer foam in the top two layers, while the Firm model has firmer foam in the top two layers.
The cover on each Brooklyn Aurora mattress is made of a breathable knit material, followed by a 1.5-inch layer of latex-like foam, infused with antimicrobial copper. Next is a 2-inch layer of medium-firm foam for cradling sinkage. Under that is a 1-inch gel foam layer that limits heat retention and motion transfer.
The bed has an 8-inch layer of pocketed coils that give the bed its bouncy feel and provides a firmly supportive core. The base of the bed is made with a 1-inch layer of dense foam.
Since the bed uses foam layers and individually wrapped coils, it absorbs motion well and is suitable for couples. Customers report that the bed is helpful for easing back pain, but make sure you choose a model that’s firm enough for you (more on how to select the right firmness later).
The Brooklyn Aurora mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
#5 Best Mattress for Larger People with Bad Backs- The DreamCloud Mattress
What We Liked:
- Good motion isolation
- Lifetime warranty
- Year-long sleep trial
- Works for all sleep positions
What We Didn’t Like:
- May feel too firm for lightweight sleepers
The DreamCloud mattress is a medium-firm bed and is about a 6.5 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale. It’s a good pick for people of average or heavier people (over 250 pounds) because it has a firm, supportive coil layer that helps promotes spinal alignment.
Heavier people should be careful when selecting a mattress and stay away from beds that are too soft, as they can sink in too deeply, causing back pain.
The DreamCloud bed has a comfortable cashmere cover, followed by a half-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam that helps the bed sleep cool. Under that is a 1.75-inch layer of quilted foam for additional softness, followed by a half-inch layer of latex for a responsive feel that makes it easy to switch positions in the night.
Next is a half-inch layer of dense foam for contouring support, then another layer of half-inch dense foam that acts as a transition layer between the top layers and the coils below.
The 8-inch coil layer is made with five different zones to provide targeted support for your back and body. The coils also encourage airflow through the mattress to help prevent you from getting too hot. The base is made of a 1.5-inch layer of dense foam to provide stability for the coils and further absorb vibrations.
The DreamCloud mattress should comfortably support back pain sufferers in all sleep positions. User reviews state that switching to the DreamCloud from an innerspring bed lessened their pain noticeably.
The DreamCloud mattress comes with a 365-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty.
#6 Best Budget Bed for Bad Backs- The LUCID 10-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress
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What We Liked:
- Very affordable
- Absorbs motion well
- Promotes pressure relief
- Simple design
What We Didn’t Like:
- Off-gassing potential
- Weak edge support
The LUCID 10-Inch Gel Memory Foam mattress is a good pick for budget shoppers and only costs a fraction of what most memory foam mattresses cost. The LUCID Gel Memory Foam bed uses a simple two layers in its construction. First, a 2.5-inch gel-infused foam layer for pressure relief, then a 7.5-inch dense base.
The bed is wrapped in a TENCEL™ fabric cover, which promotes breathability. The LUCID 10-Inch Gel Memory Foam mattress is a good pick for couples, as it absorbs motion well. It doesn’t have the sturdiest edges, though, which can make it harder to get out of bed in the morning, especially for elderly folks.
The mattress has a medium-firm feel that should comfortably suit back pain sufferers in all sleep positions. Customers report that switching to the LUCID Memory Foam mattress helps with back pain and sleeping soundly through the night.
The mattress comes with a 30-night sleep trial, whether you buy it through LUCID or Amazon. The LUCID 10-Inch Gel Memory Foam mattress comes with a 10-year warranty.
What to Look for in a Mattress for Back Pain
When you’re shopping for a bed to help ease your back pain, there are some important factors to keep in mind. We’ll cover some of these below to help you make an informed purchase.
Budget
The first thing you want to define when you’re shopping for a new bed is how much money you can comfortably spend. Your mattress is an important purchase, especially if you suffer from back pain. So opting for the cheapest of the cheap may not be the best idea unless you absolutely have to.
Innerspring and memory foam mattresses can be found for budget-friendly prices. Latex and hybrid-style mattresses, on the other hand, tend to cost more due to their more complicated manufacturing processes.
Body Weight and Sleep Position
Your body weight will determine what type of mattress you should pick for optimal support. Smaller people (under 150 pounds) will usually do best on a soft or medium-soft bed that comfortably cushions their bodies without creating painful pressure points. Side sleepers also tend to favor softer mattresses since they need extra cushioning around their hips and shoulders.
Medium-firm mattresses are designed to suit a wide range of sleepers and therefore work well for all sleep positions and most body types.
Back and stomach sleepers tend to favor firmer beds that encourage hip support and keep their pelvis aligned with the rest of their body. Overweight sleepers should also opt for a firmer bed to make sure they don’t sink too far into the mattress.
Temperature
Your sleep temperature plays a key role in the quality of rest you’ll get at night. And, since getting good rest can help you manage your back pain symptoms and allow your muscles to get the relaxation they need, this factor shouldn’t be ignored.
Memory foam tends to retain heat more than other mattress materials, so if you select this type of mattress, make sure it has cooling technology built in. Breathable covers, gel infusion, and open-cell foams are all examples of popular cooling technology that help reduce heat. If you struggle a lot with sleeping too warm, you may want to research mattresses for hot sleepers that are known to help with this problem.
Durability
Mattress durability refers to how well the bed retains its shape over time without sagging in the middle or breaking down in some way. Buying the wrong mattress that sags prematurely is just asking for more back trouble in the future. Read user reviews and look for information that suggests how long the bed should last (including warranty info) to determine how durable a mattress is.
Spinal Support
Keeping a neutral spine is key to easing your back pain. A mattress that encourages spinal alignment can help take some pressure off your back. Some mattresses offer zoned support for a more targeted approach to easing back pain.
Whichever mattress you select, make sure it’s firm enough for your sleep position and body type (which we discussed earlier). That will ensure that your weight is evenly distributed across the mattress and prevent any uneven sinkage, which can worsen pain or even lead to other issues over time.
Sleep Trial Period
When you’re buying a bed online, it’s best to choose one that offers a sleep trial period, which will enable you to test out the bed for a period of time (usually around 100 days) and decide whether or not to keep it. Most trials require that you test out the mattress for at least 30 days before you make your final decision.
Use a Quality Pillow
While your mattress is the most important factor in getting a good night’s sleep, your pillow is also important. Choosing a pillow for your specific sleep position with conforming support for your head and neck can make a big difference when it comes to easing back pain. A pillow made with memory foam, like the Nectar Pillow, could be a good switch.
Consider a Mattress Topper
A mattress topper is an additional layer of padding that you put on top of your bed. It can help soften up your mattress if it’s too firm or provide some comfort to an old, worn-out bed. While a mattress topper should never act as a replacement for a new mattress, they can serve as a placeholder for the time between putting up with your old mattress and getting a new bed.
Final Verdict
Choosing the right mattress for your body type and sleep position is essential for getting quality sleep with a bad back. Our favorite all-around pick is the Brooklyn Aurora mattress, which comes in three different firmness options and sleeps cool. No matter your body weight or sleep position preference, you should be able to find comfort with this bed.
