If you’re in the market for a new mattress, are a side sleeper, and have back pain when you wake up, take a look at this roundup that shares our picks of the best mattresses for side sleepers and back pain.
A new mattress isn’t a cure-all for back pain. But if your current mattress is sagging and worsening your aches and pains, an upgrade may provide some relief.
*Prices are based on queen-size mattresses. All prices are accurate at the time of publishing.
When making our mattress selections, here are the main factors we take into consideration:
- Company policies: We look for companies with extended in-home trial periods and dependable shipping and return policies. Because who wants to bet on a mattress being comfortable without trying it first?
- Company reputation and transparency: The brands included in this article have a positive reputation and no shady business practices. This also means they haven’t had recent lawsuits regarding their products or customer service.
- Customer reviews: Obviously, this is a biggie. Each mattress has rave reviews from customers. We also focused on mattresses with positive reviews that came specifically from side sleepers with back pain.
- Safety: All mattresses meet federal flammability requirements.
Back pain is a common issue among U.S. adults. Trying to sleep with back pain is no joke. It can keep you up at night and reduce the overall quality of your shut-eye.
While you should avoid companies that make wild claims about their products — including promises to end your back pain altogether — there are some things to look out for if you want to alleviate pain while you sleep.
Consider firmness level
You may assume that a harder mattress is more supportive and, therefore, a better choice for back pain. But that’s not necessarily true.
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Your preferences also matter. Some people may prefer the feel of a softer mattress, while others may prefer something firmer.
A medium-firm mattress is also a solid choice if you’re primarily a side sleeper. A too-firm mattress can create unwanted pressure points when sleeping on your side. Some softness allows your body to sink a little into the mattress, helping correctly align your spine.
Keep mattress type in mind
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Many mattresses nowadays combine the pressure-relieving properties of foam with the supportive feel of coils. If you’re looking for extra support, consider opting for a hybrid mattress.
Try before you buy
How can you tell whether a mattress will feel comfortable for your unique body? The only way to know for sure is to try it out.
It’s wise to pick a company that offers a trial period. The company should also offer easy, no-hassle returns, so you can exchange or return the mattress without a fuss if you dislike it.
If you live with back pain, the wrong mattress can exacerbate your discomfort. Likewise, the wrong mattress can cause back pain.
When a mattress is unsupportive or not supportive enough, it can strain muscles, reinforce misaligned sleeping posture, and cause spinal misalignment.
If you looked for doctor-recommended mattresses for back pain in the past, you would probably get well-meaning pointers toward a firm mattress. This has now changed. A
Choosing the right mattress for your needs can help minimize back pain, which may help increase sleep quality. A comfortable, supportive mattress can help keep your spine aligned, which can help you rest throughout the night and help alleviate back pain the next day.
Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization providing information about products to consumers, says in its Mattress Buying Guide that the top criteria for choosing a mattress for back pain is how supported you feel on it. Your spine should feel aligned, not flexed or twisted.
If you’re looking for the best mattress for low back pain and sciatica, the National Council on Aging recommends mattresses that:
- are medium-firm
- allow easy position changes
- combine both cushioning and support to promote spinal alignment and relieve pressure from sensitive areas
Although every mattress will feel different for each person, the Helix Midnight Mattress is a highly rated option for side sleepers. It has extra cushioning designed to help protect sore pressure points, such as your hips, and middle layers for added support for body contours.
Consumer reviewers note that the Helix Midnight Mattress and the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress have helped side sleepers relieve shoulder pain.
Since every mattress will provide a different sleep experience for different people, there’s no one mattress preference for lower back pain.
However, reportedly, the Saatva Solaire, Saatva Loom & Leaf, DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid, and Birch Natural mattresses have been shown to reduce or eliminate lower back pain.
Soft mattresses with little support, as well as extra-firm mattresses with little cushioning, are both to be avoided by people with back pain. Mattresses in the middle ground, with medium firmness and good support, are most often recommended to help avoid or relieve back pain.
Mattresses with intermediate firmness are considered to be best for improving back pain. Firmness is generally rated on a scale of 1 to 10. Medium-firm mattresses are rated 5 to 7, which offers a good balance of support and comfort for your back.
If you have both back and hip pain, and you are a side sleeper, a hybrid mattress that combines both innerspring coils for support and a foam comfort layer for pressure relief may be a good choice.
Our pick for “Best flippable mattress,” the Layla Hybrid, may combine just the right amount of firmness and comfort. One side of the Layla is soft and plush, while the other is firm and more supportive.
If your back is aching because of your mattress, it won’t just ruin your morning. It can also interrupt your sleep and negatively affect your overall health.
Replacing your old, sagging mattress can help relieve back discomfort. If you sleep on your side, look for a quality mattress with medium-firm support from a company that includes a generous in-home trial period.