These Top-Rated Mattresses Can Help Relieve Back Pain, According to Experts

We updated this article in April 2023 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.

We spend about a third of our lives sleeping—which is exactly why finding and using the right mattress is critical for overall health. In fact, an uncomfortable mattress can be the culprit of your chronic aches and pains—so if you’re waking up with an achey back every morning, it may be time to upgrade to the best mattresses for back pain.

Pain in your back has myriad causes, but according to Tamara Huff, M.D., F.A.A.O.S., an orthopedic surgeon based in Columbus, GA, some of the most common causes of lower back pain include degenerative disc disease, muscle imbalance, postural issues, and the natural wear and tear of the spine. But another factor that may be causing or exacerbating your back pain might just be from the way you sleep—and not just sleeping in the wrong position, either, but from sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress. “A mattress that does not correctly support the low back may be an aggravating factor [of back pain] during the night,” explains Troy Wood, M.D., a specialist in pain medicine, physical medicine, and rehabilitation at the Atlantic Health System.

When it comes to finding the best mattresses for alleviating your back pain, you’ll want to look for one that allows “the spine to experience pressure relief while maintaining alignment throughout the night,” advises Dr. Wood. Though the right type of mattress will of course depend on the individual, generally, a medium-firm mattress is ideal as it provides the necessary support to maintain proper spinal alignment, says Shelby Harris, M.D., director of sleep health at Sleepopolis.

Meet the Experts: Tamara Huff, M.D., F.A.A.O.S., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the founder of Vigio Orthopedics in Columbus, GA; Troy Wood, M.D., a specialist in pain medicine, physical medicine, and rehabilitation at the Atlantic Health System; Shelby Harris, M.D., director of sleep health at Sleepopolis.

Our top picks

Ready to settle in for your best night’s sleep? Shop these top-rated mattresses to help alleviate back pain, below.