Compare Our Top Five Favorite Mattresses for Back Pain
Model Composition Firmness Height Cooling? Trial Period Bear Elite Hybrid Five-layer hybrid with zoned coils Three options, firm is a 7.5/10 14 inches Yes 120 nights Plank Firm Luxe Four layers of foam and coils, plus quilted and cooling covers (cooling optional) Two sides with different levels, 8/10 and 10/10 13 inches No (unless you choose cooling pillow top) 120 nights Helix Sleep Twilight Luxe with ErgoAlign Six layers of foam and coils One option, 8/10 13.5 inches No (unless you choose cooling pillow top) 100 nights Saatva Rx Seven layers of foam and coils One option, supportive plush is about 5/10 15 inches No, but has phase change material 365 nights Leesa Sapira Chill Seven layers of foam and coils Three options, firm is 7.5/10 14 inches Yes 100 nights
Honorable Mentions
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling Mattress for $1,586: If you're looking for something akin to the Plank Natural that's firm without being too firm, this is another good pick. It has cooling features, too, which is a nice bonus.
DreamCloud Premiere Hybrid for $1,099: This soft mattress was still supportive. I liked sleeping on it, but it didn’t erase my back pain as much as other mattresses we recommend. Still, it was a nice option if you want support without too much firmness as a side sleeper.
Essentia Tatami Organic Mattress for $3,435: This mattress is made of a really comfortable organic latex support core that has holes for breathability (and to help with cooling), and the active organic foam center helps spinal alignment and contouring support for pressure points. It doesn't have coils or springs, but it's still surprisingly supportive.
Saatva Classic for $1,879: This was a previous pick in our guide to the Best Mattresses. It's a good option for back support, specifically in the “Luxury” firmness level.
Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid for $1,799: The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid is marketed as firm, and is designed to support your lower back with cushioning in the center. WIRED contributor Nicole Kinning was a little too short at 5'2" for the lumbar support, but it could be a good fit for more average-sized folks. There are also cooling properties, but they didn't stand out compared to other cooling mattresses.
Nectar Premier for $949: WIRED reviewer Martin Cizmar is a side sleeper who suffers from sciatica back pain from time to time, and he says that this hybrid mattress is a great choice for anyone who wants a softer mattress to sink into while getting plenty of pressure relief and excellent contouring while you sleep.
Plank Firm for $1,072: WIRED reviewer Adrienne So says it takes a few days to reach its full firmness levels—she thought it was too soft after she initially unboxed it, but it became much firmer after a little more time. She describes the Plank Firm as sleeping on a clean wooden floor (which she loves). It's entirely foam, and flippable with two different firmness levels on each side.
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