Compare Our Top Six Favorite Mattresses for Back Pain
Model Composition Firmness Height Cooling? Trial Period Saatva Classic Three-inch pillow top with lumbar support, plus two different coil layers Three options, luxury firm is a 6/10 11.5 or 14.5 inches No 365 nights Bear Elite Hybrid Five-layer hybrid with zoned coils Three options, firm is a 7.5/10 14 inches Yes 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 Sonu Sleep System Three layers of foam; hybrid has two foam and one coil layer Three firmness levels, plush is 4/10 13.5 inches Cooling cover 100-night trial 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 Charles P. Rogers Estate Tradition Mattress Seven layers of latex, gel, and coils One option: gentle firm is around a 7.5/10 13 inches No 100 days of delivery
Honorable Mentions
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling Mattress for $1,699: 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.
Leesa Sapira Chill for $1,969: If you're grappling with whether you want a cooling mattress or a pain-relieving mattress, Leesa's Sapira Chill is a well-priced option that can do it all. The Sapira Chill is our runner-up in the Best Mattresses guide, thanks to its problem-solving capabilities.
Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid for $1,699: 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.
Saatva Solaire for $4,199: If you and your partner want different firmness levels, the Saatva Solaire has a fascinating solution: letting you adjust the firmness with inflatable air chambers and a remote for either side of the bed. There are 50 firmness levels, and WIRED reviewer Divya Viswanathan says her husband prefers a lower setting, around 25, to help with his lower back pain and to relieve pressure, while she prefers a firmer feel, around 35 out of 50.
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.
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