Slumber Search is supported by readers. Some links on Slumber Search are referral links. If you use one of these and buy something, Slumber Search may make a small amount of money. More info.
Whether you suffer from lower back pain from a sagging mattress or have chronic pain issues related to an injury or medical condition, lower back pain can be further exacerbated by a sagging, unsupportive, or wrong-firmness mattress. With options ranging from all-foam to pocket spring hybrids, not all mattresses offer lasting and well-rounded support. We've analyzed hundreds of mattress brands and the customer data to find the best options for sleepers with common lower back discomfort.
+2.9x better support
+2.7x more pain relief
Listed top rated mattresses vs. average comparable mattressesTOP PICK: DreamCloud Premier
BEST OVERALL SELECTION: Helix Mattresses
BEST COOLING SUPPORT: Bear Elite Hybrid
BEST SPECIALTY: Saatva Rx | Cloverlane
BEST BUDGET: Nectar Mattress
According to the WebMD, low back pain can be caused by acute injuries during sports, heavy lifting, or falling. Also, pain that lasts over 3 months is considered chronic and may be due to chronic inflammation, posture, sitting positions, or a herniated disk. There are other possible causes that should be discussed with your doctor.
According to Spine-Health, there are several remedies such as light exercise and aerobic activity act as natural pain relievers and can loosen up tight muscles, heat and cold therapy on the affected pain area can relieve pain short term, core exercises boost the support of your spine and help posture, and lastly deep sleep facilitates deep healing.
Focusing on sleep, many with lower back pain experience restless sleep because of their pain areas and this can further exacerbate their inflammation and lead to a cycle of more pain. That is one of the reasons why finding a comfortable and supportive sleeping surface is so important to those with pain.
Read on to find out which mattresses dissolve away the pain.
Some may think that softer mattresses are better for your back because they feel like melting into a marshmallow, but these pillowy mattresses may actually misalign the spine, causing even longer term pain. This is why first and foremost for those with back pain, the most important thing is to provide solid support for the spine for your individual sleeping position. Medium firmness mattresses that can be found in memory foam, latex, or hybrid builds tend to offer the ideal blend of softness and support.
What's the difference? Memory foam contours well to the unique curves of your body and can offer a comfortable and supportive surface for side sleepers. Hybrids offer a layer of memory foam on top but add more support below with pocket coils. Sleep hot or live in a warmer climate? You may prefer a mattress with a cooling layer such as those made by Bear Mattress. These beds are highly rated for those with lower back pain. They have memory foam that will contour to your body, along with a heat distributing top layer such as gel or moisture wicking polyester.
Our goal is to help you find your perfect mattress, but in the rare case it doesn't happen, the last thing you want is to be stuck with a headache and trying to exercise a return policy with a history of being unresponsive. To find the best mattress, our proprietary algorithm weighs reviews from lower back pain sufferers as well as customer satisfaction scores more heavily to help you get the relief you need.
DreamCloud is one of the most exciting brands with 3 of the best rated hybrid mattresses available. The DreamCloud offers the highest value of any hybrid mattress, featuring ultimate support, balanced pressure relief, and a cashmere blend top. The DreamCloud Premier is a fluffy dream that doesn't sacrifice support, great for all-around sleepers. Their DreamCloud Premier Rest adds a pillow top with a 16'' profile for the pinnacle of sumptuous, plush comfort. With customers reporting a deeper sleep and a 365 night trial, this is one of the best luxury bargains anywhere. Now available in Canada.
Overall Score for Lower Back Pain: 9.8/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.7/10
Price Value: 9.7/10
Back Support: 9.7/10
Price: $349-$2198
Helix is one of the most innovative companies in the mattress-in-a-box space and was one of the first brands to offer a wide selection of tailored firmnesses based on body type. Over the years, they've expanded beyond their original 6 comfort designs to also offer a thicker, more supportive collection of Luxe mattresses and a high-end, ultra-luxurious Elite collection. With high ratings for comfort across their offerings and a powerful sleep quiz to help you choose the right match, Helix really puts a focus on delivering quality mattresses for every type of sleeper.
Overall Score for Lower Back Pain: 9.7/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.6/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.6/10
Price: $936-$4498
Bear offers 5 top-rated mattresses. Their Bear Original memory foam has won acclaim with athletes on a budget. For those looking for a pressure-relieving feel, the Star Hybrid and Pro Hybrid are great options. Sleepers looking for the responsive feel of natural latex will enjoy the Bear Natural hybrid mattress. Lastly, their Elite Hybrid, features both cooling foams and zoned support to provide sleepers with a luxurious sleep experience. From the Celliant® fibers to copper cooling, customers love these mattresses for their superior cooling, muscle pain relief, and balanced back support.
Overall Score for Lower Back Pain: 9.6/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.5/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.5/10
Price: $786-$4996
One of the most popular mattress brands, Nectar has revolutionized the all-foam mattress industry with designs that focus on universally comfy firmness and support. With 3 all-foam mattresses and even some newer hybrid options, customers have reported enhanced cooling and supreme pressure relief in the Nectar Premier & Luxe. With value-add benefits like a full year trial and 'forever' warranty, quality materials for the price, and 'Buy Now, Pay Later' financing options, it should be a serious consideration for value-conscious shoppers. Now available in Canada. From the UK? See our review for the UK version.
Overall Score for Lower Back Pain: 9.6/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.7/10
Price Value: 9.8/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $349-$2598
Cloverlane is a new luxury brand by Resident Home. With a thick 15" mattress profile that boasts more layers than many online competitors, Cloverlane has been endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association with zoned and lumbar-enhanced layers focusing on spine health. With 3 firmness options, free white glove delivery, 365 day trial, and free returns, Cloverlane offers a serious disruption for the luxury mattress market by offering designs comparable to mattresses $1,000s more expensive.
Overall Score for Lower Back Pain: 9.6/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.5/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.5/10
Price: $999-$2598
Saatva has innovated over time with their mattresses. Their original Saatva Classic mattress is one of the best mattresses online for those looking for a traditional innerspring mattress feel. With an edge on quality, Saatva invested in better coil technology in their Classic, and lavish layers in their foam Loom and Leaf and all-latex Zenhaven mattresses. Over the years, they have innovated further, with their Saatva Latex Hybrid, the Solaire number bed, Saatva HD for larger sleepers, pocket coil Memory Foam Hybrid, and their pain-relieving Saatva Rx.
Overall Score for Lower Back Pain: 9.5/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.5/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.5/10
Price: $925-$5050
Nolah came to market in 2016 when they crafted their very own foam, called Nolah AirFoam®, as a response to the memory foam mattress industry. Its innovation is that it retains less heat than other memory foam or common 'visco elastic' foams. It is easier on the hips and shoulders, making it ideal for side sleepers. With multiple mattress options, good customer satisfaction scores, and a tailored mattress for plus sized sleepers, Nolah is a brand anyone can feel good about!
Overall Score for Lower Back Pain: 9.5/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.3/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $699-$2499
Brooklyn Bedding is a quality-focused mattress maker that produces a variety of mattresses with different firmness options. Manufacturing all of their mattresses in their own Arizona based factory, Brooklyn Bedding is able to pass on competitive prices and value to their customers. Also, read about their specialty brands: ultra-firm Plank Mattress, plus-size friendly Titan Mattress, and eco-friendly Ecosleep.
Overall Score for Lower Back Pain: 9.5/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.4/10
Price Value: 9.5/10
Back Support: 9.6/10
Price: $274-$2665
PlushBeds is a manufacturer & retailer of luxury organic mattresses. They are certified organic, going through the rigorous process of having their source materials, factory and products certified GOTS and GOLS organic. Also, their mattresses are GreenGuard Gold certified, passing strict tests against offgassing harmful compounds or allergens, ideal for those with chemical sensitivities. Their luxury organic mattresses include the luxury Organic Latex Mattress, organic Hybrid Latex Mattress, a Vegan Mattress, competitively priced Eco Mattress, and their organic Pillowtop Hybrid Mattress.
Overall Score for Lower Back Pain: 9.4/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.3/10
Price Value: 9.2/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $2149-$4598
Cocoon by Sealy is Sealy's answer to the disruptive mattress in a box brands that have been so popular over the past two years. They offer a cooling 'Chill' memory foam mattress and hybrid mattress. With massive brand awareness, competitive prices, and easy delivery, Cocoon is an exciting entry into the mattress-in-a-box space. One that's sure to continue to innovate!
Overall Score for Lower Back Pain: 9.4/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.4/10
Price Value: 9.1/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $769-$1999