Back pain can be a frustrating feeling and an unsupportive mattress can certainly worsen existing pain or cause new pain altogether. In this guide we’ll be walking through our top picks for the best mattresses to help lessen or eliminate back pain altogether.
To determine the best mattress for back pain we’ve tested 370+ different mattresses with our battery of objective and data-driven tests. With that said, let’s jump into it.
Top Pick
Winkbed
Winkbed is our top pick as the best mattress for back pain. It is a 14″ hybrid with the highest performance of any mattress we’ve tested to date. It comes in three firmness levels and has well-rounded performance across the board.
The 8 Best Mattresses for Back Pain
In this guide, we’re going to highlight our 8 best mattress for back pain. Because of the wide variety of needs of sleepers with back pain, we’ve divided recommendations into three primary categories:
Best for Most People
- Winkbed – Best Overall
- Leesa Sapira – Best Overall With Thin Cover
- Helix Midnight Luxe – Best Overall With Pillow Top
Best for Heavy People
- Winkbed Plus – Best for Heavy People
- Helix Plus Elite – Best Luxury Mattress for Heavy People
- Big Fig – Best for Heavy People With Minimal Sinkage
Best Natural & Organic Materials
- Saatva Latex Hybrid – Best With Natural & Organic Materials
- Birch – Best Affordable Mattress With Natural & Organic Materials
| Mattress Name | Overall Score | Type | Firmness | Price | Read Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winkbed | 9.79 | Hybrid | Soft (4), Medium-Firm (6), Slightly Firm (7) | $1,499 | Review |
| Leesa Sapira | 9.47 | Hybrid | Medium-Firm (6) | $1,599 | Review |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | 9.43 | Hybrid | Medium-Firm (6) | $1,899 | Review |
| Winkbed Plus | 9.34 | Plus-Sized | Slighty Firm (7) | $1,699 | Review |
| Helix Plus Elite | 9.31 | Plus-Sized | Medium-Firm (6.5) | $2,812 | Review |
| Big Fig | 9.31 | Plus-Sized | Slighty Firm (7) | $1,899 | Review |
| Saatva Latex Hybrid | 9.42 | Latex Hybrid | Medium-Firm (6.5) | $2,199 | Review |
| Birch | 9.35 | Latex Hybrid | Slightly Firm (7) | $1,499 | Review |
Our Testing & Selection Process
360+
Mattresses Tested
To Date
43
Data Points Tested
On Each Mattress
102
Mattress Brands Tested To Date
Each best list is put through a customized performance analysis with specialized consideration given to our objective & data-driven performance tests. In addition, we consider mattress type, design, materials, value, price, and more.
For our Best Mattress for Back Pain list, we based our selections on the best-scoring mattresses, according to our battery of testing and formulaic-driven scoring.
Our tests analyze performance across 8 critical factors, including cooling, motion transfer, response time, edge support, sex, pressure relief, off-gassing, and company. In addition, we also test sinkage and bounce (though these are not scoring factors).
Our tests include objective and quantifiable data whenever possible. In addition, we use subjective assessment supported by data to round out our testing process.
Our scores are based on mathematical formulas and equations that utilize inputs from our data-driven testing.
In choosing the best mattresses for back pain we looked at the totality of all of our tests, scores, data, and reviews to date. We analyzed this data alongside our established best mattress framework here.
In addition to achieving a high-performance score, all mattresses on this list have a medium-firm to slightly firm feel (6-7 out of 10 firmness), which is advantageous for most sleepers who struggle with back pain.
When selecting the best mattress for back pain, we’re looking at a combination of overall scoring performance, firmness, and US availability.
To be included within this list all mattresses:
- Had to have a firmness between 6-7 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm. This firmness is best suited for maintaining spinal alignment, as misalignment is a popular cause of back pain.
- Had to have a performance score of 9.31 or higher. (Note: Performance cut-off differs based on each category.)
- Had to be available for purchase within the USA.
Lastly, because the causes of back pain can vary for individual sleepers, the solutions to fix that back pain can also vary. To that end, we have divided our recommendations into three categories, including: best for most people, best for heavy people, and best natural / organic mattresses.
Our Testing Team
Derek
Lead Tester
Kayla
Writer
Kyle
Tester
Nathan
Tester
Samantha
Data Analyst
How To Fix Back Pain
To better understand the difficulties in determining the source and best solution for your back pain, we’ve included the following explainer below. These short questions and answers can help you better understand your specific needs and our guide can then help match you with an appropriate mattress that can help alleviate your pain.
However, if you just want to jump to the best mattress for back pain recommendations click here.
Body weight and sleeping position are arguably the two most important factors to consider when trying to address back pain.
- Lightweight sleepers may experience back pain if their mattress is too firm or provides too much pushback on their spine.
- Heavier weighted sleepers may experience back pain if their mattress is too soft and the spine is allowed to sink deeper into the mattress.
Sleeping position also plays an important role here.
- Side sleepers represent 86% of the sleeping population (based on our 2025 survey of 70,000 sleepers) and generally need more contour and hug from a mattress than back or stomach sleepers.
- Back or stomach sleepers typically need a medium-firm or slightly firm feel, and typically do better with minimal or moderate sinkage.
Most sleepers who struggle with back pain will want to go with a medium-firm feel (a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale). While research is limited, there have been several studies that indicate a medium-firm or slightly firm feel is the best mattress for back pain (National Library of Medicine, Sleep Health, and Harvard Health).
That said, depending your body weight and sleeping position, you may need something slightly firmer or softer. The chart below can help you identify the right firmness for you.
All of the mattresses in this guide are compatible with an adjustable foundation. Adjustable foundations are a great way to reduce lower back pain and they can also help with other pains (neck, shoulders, etc.) because they force you to sleep in a position that reduces stress and pressure on the lower back, while also maintaining a better spinal alignment.
Our favorite adjustable foundations are:
Saatva & Helix are your more luxury end adjustable foundations. Both have massage, under bed lighting, and a higher end look. Winkbed is more utilitarian, has no massage, no under bed lighting, a more basic aesthetic, but it also costs less. In terms of head / feet adjustable functionality all three are basically the same.
Is there a single best mattress for back pain? Despite what the internet or advertisements may say, there simply is not one mattress that will fix everyone’s back pain.
The sources of back pain vary dramatically. In addition, sleeper position, body weight, and firmness preference all factor in to determining which mattress best matches the needs of any individual sleeper.
There are many different factors that cause back pain including (but not limited to):
- Poor mattress or bad foundation / frame
- Injuries, health, and genetic issues
- Poor sleeping posture and bad sleeping positions
- Body weight and body type creating a mismatch with your mattress
Back pain can be caused by inadequate mattress support.
The most common cause of back pain is spinal misalignment (according to WebMD.)
A misaligned spine typically involves problems with the way the spine (and the discs of the spine) move. Discs can shift, slip, or degenerate altogether, causing major pain while you sleep.
Back pain can also be caused by falls, injuries, or certain diseases.
Back injuries, like falls or auto accidents, as well as chronic back pain from certain diseases, can also cause back pain.
Diseases with a history of back pain include:
Scoliosis (a curvature of the spine), spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal column), kidney stones, pregnancy, endometriosis, certain cancers, and various forms of arthritis
WebMD
Additional lifestyle factors may also cause or worsen back pain.
According to NIH (National Institute of Arthritis and Muschulosketal and Skin Diseases), there are other factors that can increase your chance of developing back pain.
These factors include:
- Fitness level
- Weight gain
- Job-related risk factors (like heavy lifting or pulling)
- Stress level
- Age
- Hereditary
Best Mattresses For Back Pain: For Most Sleepers
The following mattresses are ideal for the majority of sleepers who struggle with back pain. These mattresses are best suited to sleepers up to 300 pounds.
Winkbed
Best For
- High-quality materials
- Outstanding pressure relief
- Sleepers of all body types and sleeper weights (up to 300 lbs.)
Considerations
- $49 exchange fee, but free returns
- Deep sinkage may not be ideal for all sleepers
Our Verdict
The WinkBed is a 13.5″ hybrid mattress that has a plush, euro cover, poly foam comfort material, and a pocketed coil base.
The Winkbed is available in three different firmnesses—softer (4), luxury firm (6), and firmer (7), where 10 is the most firm. Most sleepers are best served by the luxury firm version, but if you over 200 pounds and/or you know you prefer a firmer feel, then the firmer version is also a good option.
It offers a balanced feel with deep sinkage and moderate bounce. The mattress has a balanced feel, despite the deep sinkage, and maintains limited heat retention with a very fast response time.
Both the quantity and quality of the materials used in the Winkbed go a long way to provide relief for back pain. It’s topped with a euro-top cover, which allows for deeper sinkage. Beneath the cover, Winkbed’s multi-foam design allows for an easy transition from comfort to support layers. Finally, its zonal support is essential for proper spinal alignment.
Winkbed has an exceptional performance score of 9.79 overall, which ranks it as the #1 best mattress we’ve tested to date.
The Winkbed in queen size is $1,499, which is 2% less expensive than the average hybrid mattress. Still, given its performance advantages, the value is fantastic on the Winkbed.
Click here to read the full Winkbed review.
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Slightly Firm (7)
Winkbed Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Winkbed |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.79 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,499 |
| Cooling – Score | 10 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.38″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Deep |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 9.6 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 5.85 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 9.91″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Moderate |
| Edge Support – Score | 10 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 2.25″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Outstanding |
| Sex – Score | 9.1 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 10 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 5.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 14″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 10 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | None |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 0 days |
| Company – Score | 9.4 |
| Trial | 120 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Leesa Sapira
Best For
- Exceptionally good cooling
- Low motion transfer
- Fantastic pressure relief, despite only having an 11″ thickness
Considerations
- Very high bounce (12.67″) may not be ideal for all sleepers
- Edge support struggles when seated at or near the edge
- 100-night trial is shorter than the average (178 nights)
Our Verdict
The Leesa Sapira is an 11″ hybrid that uses poly foam, memory foam, support foam, and a pocketed coil base. This dynamic use of different materials gives the Sapira a balanced feel.
The Sapira comes in a single firmness, medium-firm, ranking 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale. At this firmness, the Sapira is ideal for most sleepers, body types, and sleeping positions.
This mattress has moderate levels of sinkage and very high levels of bounce. The thin cover is a stark contrast to the pillow top cover that you’ll get with the Winkbed. Neither is better or worse, but each offers a more unique and specific feel.
The Sapira has a performance score of 9.47 overall, which ranks it among the top 1% of all mattresses tested to date.
The Sapira Hybrid costs 4% more than the average hybrid mattress, $1,599 for a queen. That said, you’re getting a higher-performing mattress than average as well.
Click here to read the full Leesa Sapira Hybrid review.
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Leesa Sapira Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Leesa Sapira |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.47 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,599 |
| Cooling – Score | 10 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.05″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 10 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 4.66 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.5 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.4 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 12.67″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Very High |
| Edge Support – Score | 7.5 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 6.25″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 9.1 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 10 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 11″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.3 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 6 days |
| Company – Score | 9.4 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Helix Midnight Luxe
Best For
- Incredible cooling performance from an impressive cooling cover
- Thick, quality memory foam creates fantastic pressure relief
- Edge support is extremely robust
Considerations
- Lower bounce makes sex worse
- Price tag is higher than average
Our Verdict
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a 14″ hybrid mattress made up of poly foam, memory foam, and a pocketed coil base. The plush 2.0″ quilted cover is thicker than what you’ll see with the standard Helix Midnight, but it’s also a bit more expensive. You can also upgrade to an advanced cooling cover (GlacioTex) for $199.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is available in a single firmness level — medium-firm with a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm.
This mattress has moderate sinkage and low levels of bounce. For sleepers with back pain, this dynamic helps to create a stable surface that allows for a high degree of contour and incredible pressure relief.
For sleepers who struggle with back pain, the 14″ profile and extra-thick comfort layer provide better pressure relief and overall comfort. This mattress has dense foams, including a 4.0 PCF foam layer. Denser foams help a mattress resist sagging and body impressions, and in general simply last longer.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 9.43, ranking the mattress in the top 1% of all mattresses tested to date.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is $1,899 for a queen-sized mattress, which is 24% more than the average hybrid mattress. Opting for the cooling cover does increase the cost up to just slightly above $2K, but again, what you gain in cooling may certainly be worth the added price.
Click here to read our full Helix Midnight Luxe review.
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Helix Midnight Luxe Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Helix Midnight Luxe |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.43 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,899 |
| Cooling – Score | 10 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.03″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 9.7 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 5.76 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 8.4 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.4 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 1.2 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 6.74″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 10 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 2.75″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Outstanding |
| Sex – Score | 7.9 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 10 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 5.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 14″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.1 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Moderate |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 7 days |
| Company – Score | 9.4 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Best Mattresses For Back Pain For Heavy People
The following mattresses are better suited to sleepers who are at least 250 pounds and are capable of supporting sleepers up to 450+ pounds per side or 900+ pounds for the total mattress.
Heavier people who suffer from back pain benefit from greater support and thicker comfort layers. While the cause for back pain in heavier people may vary, the best remedy is typically more robust support that has materials tuned to the needs of a heavier body.
Winkbed Plus
Best For
- Exceptional cooling, highly breathable with limited heat retention
- Contouring euro-style pillow top
- Exceptional pressure relief, 14.5″ thick overall
Considerations
- Lower sex score, largely due to the low levels of bounce
- More motion transfer than average
- Deeper sinkage is great for side sleepers, but not ideal for stomach sleepers
Our Verdict
The WinkBed Plus mattress is a high-profile 13.5″ hybrid mattress designed for sleepers over 300 lbs. It uses a blend of gel foam, latex foam, and support foam for a total 6.0″ comfort layer.
The Winkbed Plus comes in a single firmness (7 out of 10) with a slightly firm feel. It can support up to 450 lbs. per side (900 lbs total).
This mattress has deep sinkage with a low level of bounce. I would recommend this mattress especially for heavier weighted side sleepers who can benefit from the deeper contour this mattress provides.
The combination of durable construction and tailored support makes the Winkbed Plus a reliable choice for heavier people seeking back pain relief. Its zoned support system and a layer of latex provide targeted pressure relief and contouring in key areas like the lower back and hips. In addition, the Winkbed Plus is tuned with denser foams, firmer coils, and a thicker comfort layer, all of which improve support for heavier bodies.
Regarding performance across our scored categories, the Winkbed had a combined score of 9.34, putting it in the top 3% of all mattresses tested to date and the top 1% of plus-sized mattresses.
The price is also surprisingly affordable, $1,699 for a queen, which is 9% less expensive than the average plus-sized mattress. When you combine the top-tier performance with the below-average price tag, the Winkbed Plus feels like a real bargain.
Click here to read our full Winkbed Plus review.
Type: Plus-Sized
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)
Winkbed Plus Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Winkbed Plus |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.34 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,699 |
| Cooling – Score | 10 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.50″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Deep |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 7.9 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 9.67 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.5 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.4 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 6.75″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 10 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 2.50″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Outstanding |
| Sex – Score | 7.8 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 10 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 5.5″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 14.5″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 9.7 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Moderate |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 1 day |
| Company – Score | 9.4 |
| Trial | 120 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Helix Plus Elite
Best For
- Exceptionally good cooling performance with an advanced cooling cover
- Outstanding edge support for both sitting and lying
- Incredible pressure relief and comfort
Considerations
- High price tag—nearly twice as much as the average plus-sized mattress
- Low bounce means sex is worse
- 100-night trial is shorter than the average (178 nights)
Our Verdict
The Helix Plus Elite is a 15.5″ hybrid designed for plus-sized sleepers. It has a robust 7.25″ comfort layer containing a sandwiched blend of poly foam and micro coils. Support comes from pocketed coils and a support foam base with a cooling pillow top cover.
The Helix Plus Elite mattress comes in a single firmness (6.5 out of 10) and with a medium-firm feel.
The mattress has deeper-than-average sinkage, which creates more hug around the body. The deeper sinkage and dramatic hug gives it a more luxurious feel and is an amazing choice for side and back sleepers. The mattress has notably less bounce than average, which is great for keeping motion transfer lower, but also means that sex performance isn’t great.
For heavier sleepers with back pain, the Elite pulls out all the bells and whistles. What we see on the Plus Elite is an extra-thick comfort layer, micro-coil transitional layers, and a zonal support layer. On top of the robust comfort layer, sleepers will be met by pocketed coils that reinforce the heavier sections of the mattress to ensure proper spinal alignment, thereby reducing back pain.
In our performance tests, the Helix Plus Elite has exceptional performance, with an overall score of 9.31. Its only real disadvantage is a lower sex score. Despite sex performance, this score puts the Elite in the top 4% of all mattresses we’ve ever tested.
As expected, high performance can sometimes come at a higher price. The Plus Elite is $2,812 for a queen, which is 51% more than the average plus-sized mattress. While the price certainly is steep, the performance is top-notch. For a luxury-level mattress that has the quality to provide excellent support, the Helix Plus Elite is a solid option.
Click here to read the full Helix Plus Elite review.
Type: Plus-Sized
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6.5)
Helix Plus Elite Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Helix Plus Elite |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.31 |
| Price (Queen) | $2,812 |
| Cooling – Score | 10 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.64″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Very Deep |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 8.7 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 7.87 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 8.6 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 1.4 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 6.98″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 10 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.00″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Outstanding |
| Sex – Score | 7.9 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 10 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 6.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 15.5″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.3 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 6 days |
| Company – Score | 9.4 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Big Fig
Best For
- Slightly firm feel, good for heavier back or stomach sleepers
- Exceptional edge support for heavier people
- Excellent cooling with limited heat retention
Considerations
- 8-day off-gassing duration is slightly longer than average
- Very minimal level of sinkage may not be ideal for side sleepers
- Higher bounce than average
Our Verdict
The Big Fig is a 13″ hybrid designed for plus-sized sleepers. It includes a plush quilted cover, poly foam, and a pocketed coil base.
The Big Fig has a slightly firm feel with a firmness rating of 7 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm. This is the only firmness option available.
From our data, the Big Fig has very minimal levels of sinkage and high levels of bounce. This is fairly standard with firmer mattresses designed for heavier people, but it maintains a comfortable feel appropriate for heavier sleepers. That said, the slightly firmer feel and minimal sinkage makes this a better choice stomach sleepers and not as great of a choice for side sleepers.
The Big Fig is a bit more utilitarian compared to the Winkbed Plus and Helix Plus Elite. However, it does have a thicker support layer than average, showcasing a pocketed coil unit with 1200 individual coils (queen size). This is on the high end of the typical range of 800-1200 coils. It also includes a latex layer, a high-density base support layer, and reinforced perimeter foam for edge support. Overall, it can support bodies of 550 lbs. per side (1,100 lbs. total) and scored a 9/10 performance score for pressure relief, making it a great option for sleepers with back pain.
The Big Fig scored 9.31 in our performance tests, ranking within the top 4% of all mattresses tested to date.
On top of fantastic performance scores, its price tag is only 2% more expensive than the average plus-sized mattress. If you’re looking for great support for back pain without overspending, the Big Fig is a fantastic value.
Click here to read the full Big Fig review.
Type: Plus-Sized
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)
Big Fig Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Big Fig |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.31 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,899 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.49″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Very Minimal |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 10 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 4.63 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.7 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.6 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 11.04″ |
| Bounce – Feel | High |
| Edge Support – Score | 10 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.00″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Outstanding |
| Sex – Score | 9.5 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 13″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 7.8 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 8 days |
| Company – Score | 9.0 |
| Trial | 120 nights |
| Warranty | 20 years |
Best Natural & Organic Mattresses For Back Pain
The following mattresses are constructed using natural and organic materials, including natural latex. Natural materials provide a different feel that can be more polarizing than poly foam and memory foam.
While natural materials don’t necessarily provide any advantages for back pain, they tend to be more responsive and can help sleepers from feeling “stuck” in a mattress. In addition, they provide a more unique feel that can work better for some sleepers.
That said, the biggest advantage to a natural mattress for may sleepers is simply the piece of mind of sleeping on more natural, organic, and healthier materials.
Saatva Latex Hybrid
Best For
- Extremely low levels of motion transfer, 3.13 m/s² acceleration range
- Exceptional edge support
- Excellent sex performance
Considerations
- High levels of bounce is great for sex, but could still be too much for some
- Higher price tag—14% more expensive than the average latex hybrid
- Minimal sinkage isn’t ideal for many side sleepers
Our Verdict
The Saatva Latex Hybrid is a 12″ latex hybrid mattress with 3.0″ of natural latex followed by an 8.0″ pocketed coil support system. It has a 1.0″ quilted cover and a luxurious feel.
This mattress comes in a single firmness with a medium-firm feel (6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale). This would be an ideal firmness for all sleeping positions.
Concerning the feel, the Saatva Latex Hybrid has minimal sinkage paired with high levels of bounce. The coils give it a more active and responsive feel.
The mattress does a nice job of finding the balance between support and comfort, while still working with natural and organic materials. The medium-firm to slightly firmer feel can also go a long way towards creating proper spinal alignment, especially for back and stomach sleepers. If your back pain comes from the lower back sinking too deep into the mattress, the Saatva Latex Hybrid can be a great remedy. The minimal sinkage ensures the body stays more “on” the mattress, as opposed to “in” the mattress.
In our performance tests, the Saatva has an overall score of 9.42, making it the highest-scoring latex hybrid we’ve tested to date. Among all mattress types, the Saatva Latex Hybrid ranks in the top 1% overall.
Concerning price, this mattress costs $2,199 for a queen, which is 14% more expensive than the average latex hybrid. Still, given the high performance, the Saatva Latex Hybrid is a superb value.
Click here to read the full Saatva Latex Hybrid review.
Type: Latex Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6.5)
Saatva Latex Hybrid Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Saatva Latex Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.42 |
| Price (Queen) | $2,199 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.85″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Minimal |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 10 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 3.13 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 10.82″ |
| Bounce – Feel | High |
| Edge Support – Score | 10 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.00″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Outstanding |
| Sex – Score | 9.4 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 12″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 10 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | None |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 0 days |
| Company – Score | 8.8 |
| Trial | 365 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Birch
Best For
- Extremely low motion transfer, while retaining high levels of bounce
- Exceptional cooling with perforated latex layers
- GOLS-certified organic latex
Considerations
- Extremely high levels of bounce (14.91″) = excellent sex performance
- 100-night trial is shorter than the average (178 nights)
- Slightly firm feel isn’t ideal fir side sleepers
Our Verdict
The Birch is an 11″ thick latex hybrid mattress with a blend of pocketed coils and GOLS-certified organic latex. The natural latex comfort layer is 2.0″ thick with an organic cotton cover with wool liner.
The Birch comes in a single firmness—7 out of 10 with a slightly firm feel. For a softer feel, check out the Birch Luxe, which shares many similarities but has a thicker, softer cover for a medium-firm feel (6 out of 10).
The Birch has moderate sinkage and extremely high bounce. This mattress offers deeper contour, while still having a firmer feel overall. This makes for a bouncy feel that won’t cradle or overly envelop your body.
The quality of the latex layer goes a long way in creating a comfortable sleeping surface that mitigates pressure point issues. For sleepers with back pain, this can be a real game-changer. Heavier people should find it provides a good balance of comfort and pushback, especially for back and stomach sleepers.
In our performance tests, the Birch earned the third-highest performance score for organic mattresses with a 9.35. This puts it within the top 3% of all mattresses tested to date.
Birch costs $1,499 for a queen, which is 23% less than the average latex hybrid, making it a great value.
Click here to read the full Birch review.
Type: Latex Hybrid
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)
Birch Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Birch |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.35 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,499 |
| Cooling – Score | 10 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.00″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 9.8 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 5.52 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 14.91″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Extremely High |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.1 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 4.50″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Good |
| Sex – Score | 9.5 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 3.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 11″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 10 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | None |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 0 days |
| Company – Score | 8.2 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Best Mattress By Category
Have a specific mattress type, sleeping position, feature, or firmness in mind? At NapLab we’ve ranked the mattresses we’ve tested in 24 different specialized best mattress lists. These lists can help you identify the mattresses best suited to specific needs and preferences.
You can also see our best mattress guide for our overall best-ranked mattresses.
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