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Best Mattress For Back Pain: We Tested 210+ Mattresses

Derek Hales

Written by: Derek Hales

Updated On:

We’ve tested 210+ mattresses using our battery of objective & data-driven tests. Our best mattresses for back pain analyze all of our performance tests, data, and research to highlight the best-performing mattresses for sleeping on your back.

Best Mattress

Our Testing & Selection Process

210

Mattresses Tested
To Date

35

Data Points Tested
On Each Mattress

10

Mattress Winners Selected

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.

Performance Factors Gray

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.

You can see our complete testing and scoring process here.

In choosing the 10 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 (6 out of 10), slightly-firm feel (7 out of 10), or firm (8 out of 10) feel. Most back sleepers are most comfortable at the 6-8 firmness range, where 10 is the most firm.

In some cases, back pain is best alleviated with an extra firm mattress. If that sounds like you, see our best extra firm guide.

When selecting the best mattress for back pain, we’re looking at a combination of overall scoring performance, firmness, and US availability.

We divided mattresses into three types (Best All-Around, Best for Heavy Sleepers, and Best Natural / Organic). Only the top mattresses were included in each category.

To be included on these lists the mattresses needed to meet the following criteria:

  • Mattress must have an available firmness of 6-8 out of 10 for a medium-firm, slightly firm, or firm feel.
  • Mattress must have an overall performance score at or above 9.70
  • Mattress must be available for purchase within the USA

Outliers that met the criteria above, but were still excluded for other various reasons are listed below.

MattressScoreReason
Diamond Flurry Lux9.84Lesser known brand, limited consumer trust
Helix Midnight Luxe9.76Does not outperform the top 3 picks for “Best All-Around”
Nest Bedding Sparrow9.76Does not outperform the top 3 picks for “Best All-Around”
Elm Sleep Resort9.75Does not outperform the top 3 picks for “Best All-Around”
Leesa Sapira Chill9.75Does not outperform the top 3 picks for “Best All-Around”
iSense Premier Hybrid9.75Does not outperform the top 3 picks for “Best All-Around”

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.

Bodyweight 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 and provides too much pushback on their spine.
  • Heavier 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 74% of the sleeping population and generally need more contour and hug from a mattress than back or stomach sleepers.
  • Back or stomach sleepers typically need a medium-firm, slightly firm, or firm mattress to achieve the same level of adequate support.

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). Both WebMD and Harvard Health are in agreement that medium-firm is the optimal choice for those who struggle with back pain.

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.

What Firmness Is Right For You2

All but one of the mattresses (the Saatva HD) listed below 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 & Ghostbed 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 notably 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.

Nectar Hybrid edge support - back sleeping with vest
Nectar Hybrid edge support – back sleeping with vest

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.)

Douglas Summit Edge Support Back Sleeping
Douglas Summit Edge Support Back Sleeping

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 stonespregnancyendometriosis, 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

The 10 Best Mattresses For Back Pain

In this guide, we’re going to highlight our 10 best mattress recommendations for back pain. Because of the wide variety of needs of sleepers with back pain, we’ve divided recommendations into three primary categories.

  1. Best All-Around Mattresses for Back Pain
  2. Best Mattresses for Back Pain for Heavy Weight Sleepers
  3. Best Natural Mattresses for Back Pain

In This Guide
Saatva Classic | Winkbed | Nolah Evolution 15 | Winkbed Plus | Helix Plus | Saatva HD | Zenhaven | Saatva Latex Hybrid | Birch | Awara | Best Mattress By Category

Best All-Around Mattresses For Back Pain

#1 Best Overall

Saatva Logo 150px

Saatva Classic

Read Review

9.95

Price: $1,695
Firmness: Soft (4), Medium-Firm (6), Firm (8)

Gel Foam Hybrid

Winkbeds Logo 150px

Winkbed

Read Review

9.95

Price: $1,499
Firmness:  Soft (4), Medium-Firm (6), Slightly Firm (7)

Poly Foam Hybrid

Nolah Logo 150px

Nolah Evolution 15

Read Review

9.77

Price: $1,699
Firmness: Soft (4), Medium (5.5), or Firm (8)

Best Plus-Sized Mattresses For Back Pain

#1 Best For PLus-SIZED

Winkbeds Logo 150px

Winkbed Plus

Read Review

9.82

Price: $1,699
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)

Memory Foam Hybrid

Helix Logo 150px

Helix Plus

Read Review

9.72

Price: $1,199
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)

Poly Foam Hybrid

Saatva Logo 150px

Saatva HD

Read Review

9.71

Price: $2,945
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)

Best Natural Mattresses For Back Pain

#1 Best Natural Option

Zenhaven Logo

Zenhaven

Read Review

9.81

Price: $2,945
Firmness: Flippable; Slightly Firm (7.5) and Medium (5)

Latex Hybrid

Saatva Logo 150px

Saatva Latex Hybrid

Read Review

9.77

Price: $1,895
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6.5)

Latex Hybrid

Birch Logo 150px

Birch

Read Review

9.72

Price: $1,592
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)

Latex Hybrid

Awara Logo 150px

Awara

Read Review

9.70

Price: $999
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)

Best All-Around Mattresses For Back Pain

The following mattresses are ideal for the majority of sleepers who struggle with back pain. These mattresses are best suited to sleepers up to 250 pounds.

Top Picks
Saatva Classic | Winkbed | Nolah Evolution 15

Saatva Classic

Saatva Material Layers
9.95 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.1
10 Cooling
9.8 Motion Transfer
10 Response Time
10 Edge Support
9.9 Sex
10 Pressure Relief
10 Off-Gassing
9.8 Company

Best For

  • Plush euro-top cover & great cooling performance
  • Moderate bounce with fast response time
  • Ships uncompressed, includes in-home delivery, setup, & old mattress removal

Quick Specs

  • Thickness: 11.5″ or 14.5″
  • Cover: Plush Euro-top
  • Trial: 365-night trial
  • Returns: $99 return fee
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Our Verdict

The Saatva Classic has a thickness of 11.5″ or 14.5″, depending on personal preference (price is the same for both thicknesses), and a coil-on-coil construction. The cover is a plush Euro-top cover followed by a small amount of comfort foam and two layers of coils.

Saatva has a more traditional coil feel and less foam than a more typical hybrid mattress. This combination of materials gives the mattress deep sinkage and extremely high bounce while retaining low levels of motion transfer (something other coil mattresses tend to struggle with).

The Saatva is available in three firmness levels—Plush Soft (4), Luxury Firm (6), or Firm (8), where 10 is the most firm.

This mattress is great for back pain because of the firmer feel, but also the thicker profile—available in 11.5″ or 14.5″. If you struggle getting in our out of bed, the 14.5″ can help relieve some of that pressure from your back and make it a smoother transition.

This mattress has a fantastic performance score of 9.95 overall, which ranks it as the #1 coil mattress, as well as within the top 1% among all mattress types we’ve tested to date.

For a Saatva Classic, in queen size, it costs $1,696. This is 10% less than average—a savings of $182, compared to other coil mattresses we’ve tested to date.

I would recommend the Saatva Classic for sleepers who enjoy a more traditional coil-based mattress feel.

Click here to read the full Saatva Classic review.  

Type: Coil-on-Coil
Firmness: Soft (4), Medium-Firm (6), Firm (8)

Saatva Performance

10

Cooling Test

Sinkage Test

Saatva Classic sinkage
9.8

Motion Transfer Test

10

Response Test

Bounce Test

10

Edge Support Test

Saatva edge support

Winkbed Original

Winkbed Mattress Layers
9.95 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.1
10 Cooling
9.8 Motion Transfer
10 Response Time
10 Edge Support
9.9 Sex
10 Pressure Relief
10 Off-Gassing
9.8 Company

Best For

  • High-quality materials
  • Deep-contouring pillowtop, while maintaining support
  • Sleepers of all body types and sleeper weights (up to 300 lbs.)

Quick Specs

  • Thickness: 13.5″ thick
  • Cover: Plush Euro-top
  • Trial: 120-night trial
  • Returns: Free returns,
    $49 fee for exchanges
  • Warranty: Lifetime

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.

It offers a balanced feel with deep sinkage (8% deeper than average) and moderate bounce (2% more bounce than average). The mattress has a balanced feel, despite the deep sinkage, and maintains limited heat retention with a very fast response time with an active feel.

The Winkbed is available in three different firmnesses—softer (4), luxury firm (6), and firmer (7), where 10 is the most firm. There is also the Winkbed Plus, which has a slightly firm (7) feel, ideal for heavier-weighted sleepers over 250 lbs.

This mattress is great for back pain when selected in the firmer feel. It offers a fantastic level of support and good pushback to keep your spine in alignment. Spinal misalignment is one of the most common reasons for back pain.

Winkbed has an exceptional performance score of 9.95 overall, which ranks it as the #1 hybrid, as well as within the top 1% among all mattress types we’ve tested to date.

The Winkbed in queen size is $1,499, 15% higher 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

10

Cooling Test

Sinkage Test

Winkbed Sinkage Test
9.8

Motion Transfer Test

10

Response Test

Bounce Test

10

Edge Support Test

Edge Support Modified
FactorWinkbed
Overall9.95
Max Temp.90.3° F
Max Sinkage2.38″
Total Motion Transfer5.85 m/s²
Response Time0.2 sec.
Total Bounce9.91″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage2.25″
Edge Support – Lying SupportExceptional
Sex Overall9.9
Comfort Material5.00″
Off-Gassing – SmellNone
Off-Gassing – Days0 days
Trial120 days
WarrantyLifetime

Nolah Evolution 15

Nolah Evolution 15 Material Layers
9.77 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.1
10 Cooling
9.8 Motion Transfer
10 Response Time
10 Edge Support
9.9 Sex
10 Pressure Relief
10 Off-Gassing
9.8 Company

Best For

  • Exceptionally good cooling
  • Fantastic pressure relief with a 6″ comfort layer
  • Fantastic edge support, only 3.25″ of sinkage at the edge

Quick Specs

  • Thickness: 15″ thick
  • Cover: Plush Euro-top
  • Trial: 120-night trial
  • Returns: $99 fee
  • Warranty: Lifetime

WhVerdict

The Nolah Evolution 15 is a 15″ high-profile hybrid mattress with a Euro-top cover, comfort poly foams, and a pocketed coil base.

It offers a balanced feel with deep sinkage (14% deeper than average) and moderate bounce (10% less bounce than average). Despite the deeper sinkage, this mattress still has a very fast material response time and great cooling.

This mattress is available in three different firmnesses—soft (4), medium (5.5), and firm (8), where 10 is the most firm.

This mattress is great for back pain because of it’s high-profile support (15″ thick) and optional firmer feel. Heavier sleepers would best be suited by the firm version (8 out of 10). Lightweight sleepers would likely do best with the medium feel (5.5 out of 10). With the proper firmness for your body weight, the level of support is incredible on the Nolah Evolution 15.

This mattress has a performance score of 9.77 overall, which ranks it among the top 5% of all mattresses tested to date.

The Nolah costs 20% more than the average hybrid mattress, $1,624 for a queen, but you’re getting a higher-performing mattress than average as well.

I would recommend the Nolah Evolution 15 for sleepers who are looking for a high-profile mattress (15″) with deeper sinkage, hug, and contour, without sacrificing support and overall comfort.

Click here to read the full Nolah Evolution 15 review.

Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Soft (4), Medium (5.5), or Firm (8)

Nolah Evolution 15 Performance

10

Cooling Test

Sinkage Test

Nolah Evolution 15 sinkage test
8.5

Motion Transfer Test

10

Response Test

Bounce Test

9.9

Edge Support Test

Nolah Evolution 15 edge support

Factor
Nolah Evolution 15
Overall9.77
Max Temp.88.6° F
Max Sinkage2.48″
Total Motion Transfer11.10 m/s²
Response Time0.2 sec.
Total Bounce8.72″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage3.25″
Edge Support – Lying SupportExceptional
Sex Overall9.8
Comfort Material6.00″
Off-Gassing – SmellStrong
Off-Gassing – Days3 days
Trial120 days

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).

Top Picks
Winkbed Plus | Helix Plus | Saatva HD

Winkbed Plus

Winkbed Plus Material Layers
9.82 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.1
10 Cooling
8.8 Motion Transfer
10 Response Time
10 Edge Support
9.4 Sex
10 Pressure Relief
9.9 Off-Gassing
9.8 Company

Best For

  • Excellent cooling, breathable with limited heat retention
  • Contouring euro top with 2.5″ of point sinkage
  • Exceptional pressure relief

Quick Specs

  • Thickness: 14.5″ thick
  • Cover: Thin Tencel cover
  • Trial: 120-night trial
  • Returns: Free returns,
    $49 fee for exchanges
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Our Verdict

The Winkbed Plus is a high-profile 13.5″ hybrid mattress designed for heavier weighted bodies. This mattress contains a blend of gel foam, latex foam, support foam, and a pocketed coil base. It has a 5.0″ thick comfort layer and a 9.0″ support layer, which is great for plus-sized sleepers.

The Winkbed Plus offers deep sinkage and low levels of bounce. It would be a good option for heavier side sleepers (given the deeper contour).

This mattress is available in a single firmness, 7 out of 10, giving the mattress a slightly firm feel.

In total, the mattress can support up to 900 lbs (450 pounds per side), making it a fantastic pick for heavier sleepers who struggle with back pain and are looking next-level support.

In our performance tests, this mattress scored 9.82 and is the highest-rated mattress for heavier sleepers (HD). The only small disadvantage may be the higher levels of motion

For a queen-size mattress, the Winkbed Plus will run you $1,699, so $200 more than the Winkbed Original. But given the thicker profile and supportive materials, it’s a solid pick.

Click here to read the full Winkbed Plus review.

Type: Plus-Sized / HD Hybrid
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)

Winkbed Plus Performance

10

Cooling Test

Sinkage Test

Winkbed Plus Sinkage Test
8.8

Motion Transfer Test

10

Response Test

Bounce Test

10

Edge Support Test

Winkbed Plus Edge Support
FactorWinkbed Plus Performance
Overall9.82
Price$1,499
Cooling10
Max Sinkage2.50″
Total Motion Transfer9.67 m/s²
Response Time0.3 sec.
Total Bounce6.75″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage2.50″
Mattress Thickness14.5″
Sex Overall9.4
Comfort Material5.5″
Off-Gassing – SmellModerate
Off-Gassing – Days1 day
Trial120 nights
WarrantyLifetime

Helix Plus

Helix Plus Material Layers
9.72 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.1
9.5 Cooling
9.7 Motion Transfer
10 Response Time
10 Edge Support
9.6 Sex
9.5 Pressure Relief
9.8 Off-Gassing
9.8 Company

Best For

  • Excellent edge support with 3.0″ of sinkage when seated
  • Lowest level of motion transfer for a plus-sized mattress (in this guide)
  • Fantastic value for the money

Quick Specs

  • Thickness: 13″ thick
  • Cover: Thin cover
  • Trial: 100-night trial
  • Returns: Free returns
  • Warranty: 15-year

Our Verdict

The Helix Plus is a 13″ hybrid mattress that contains a combination of memory foam, poly foam, and pocketed coils. It has a seamless Tencel cover and only 1.5” of sinkage, 1.0” less than what we measured on the Winkbed Plus.

It has a moderate level of bounce and very minimal sinkage. This limits the amount of contour and also helps maintain spinal alignment.

This mattress is available in a single firmness, 7 out of 10, with a slightly firm feel.

For sleepers with back pain, the Helix Plus is a top pick due to its firmer feel and 4.25″ comfort layer. Motion transfer is also very low, one advantage of the Helix Plus over the Winkbed Plus.

In our performance tests, the Helix Plus scored a 9.72, making it the 2nd best HD mattress for back pain.

As an added advantage, the Helix Plus costs 20% less than the average plus-sized hybrid mattress (based on all tests to date). For a plus-sized mattress on a budget, the Helix Plus is a top pick.

Click here to read the full Helix Plus review.

Type: Plus-Sized / HD Hybrid
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)

Helix Plus Performance

9.5

Cooling Test

Sinkage Test

Helix Plus sinkage test
9.7

Motion Transfer Test

10

Response Test

Bounce Test

10

Edge Support Test

Helix Plus - edge support (Body)
FactorHelix Plus Performance
Overall9.72
Price$1,199
Cooling9.5
Max Sinkage1.50″
Total Motion Transfer6.31 m/s²
Response Time0.2 sec.
Total Bounce9.38″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage3.00″
Mattress Thickness13.0″
Sex Overall9.6
Comfort Material5.0″
Off-Gassing – SmellModerate
Off-Gassing – Days2 days
Trial100 nights
Warranty10 years

Saatva HD

Saatva Hd Material Layers
9.71 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.1
9.5 Cooling
8.4 Motion Transfer
10 Response Time
10 Edge Support
10 Sex
10 Pressure Relief
10 Off-Gassing
9.8 Company

Best For

  • Excellent support for sleepers from 300-500 lbs.
  • Fantastic pressure relief with 7.5″ of comfort material
  • Exceptional edge support with only 2.5″ of sinkage when sitting on the edge

Quick Specs

  • Thickness: 15.5″ thick
  • Cover: Plush Euro cover
  • Trial: 365-night trial
  • Returns: $99 return fee
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Our Verdict

The Saatva HD is a 15.5″ mattress for plus-sized sleepers. The more supportive 12.5 gauge steel coils, higher density foams (5.0 PCF), and thicker comfort layer all contribute to the exceptional quality and performance of this mattress.

Regarding feel, this mattress has a minimal level of sinkage and a very high level of bounce. It has the most bounce (12.50″) of any plus-sized mattress featured on this list so you’ll want to make sure you really like bounce before choosing the Saatva HD.

Like the other plus-sized mattresses here, this mattress comes in a single firmness with a slightly firm feel (7 out of 10 on the firmness scale.)

What makes the Saatva HD great for back pain is the minimal sinkage, slightly firmer feel, and thicker comfort layer. All of these factors work together to provide exceptional support for heavier sleepers.

In our performance tests, the Saatva HD had a score of 9.71, just 0.01 of a point lower than the Helix Plus. This is a fantastic score for a well-rounded mattress.

The Saatva HD is more expensive than many other mattresses—$2,801 for a a queen. Comparing Saatva to the Winkbed Plus and Helix Plus, Saatva comes in at the top of the budget by a large margin. But that said, its material and build quality are als incredibly high end.

The more you weigh (especially above 300 pounds) the more the increased cost and material quality of the Saatva HD will be worth it.

Click here to read the full Saatva HD review.

Type: Plus-Sized / HD Hybrid
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)

Saatva HD Performance

9.5

Cooling Test

Sinkage Test

Saatva Hd Sinkage Test
8.4

Motion Transfer Test

10

Response Test

Bounce Test

10

Edge Support Test

Saatva Hd Edge Support
FactorSaatva HD Performance
Overall9.71
Price$2,745
Cooling9.5
Max Sinkage1.77″
Total Motion Transfer11.34 m/s²
Response Time0.2 sec.
Total Bounce12.50″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage2.50″
Mattress Thickness15.5″
Sex Overall10
Comfort Material7.5″
Off-Gassing – SmellNone
Off-Gassing – Days0 days
Trial365 nights
WarrantyLifetime

Best Natural Mattresses For Back Pain

The following mattresses are constructed using natural and organic materials, including natural latex.

Top Picks
Zenhaven | Saatva Latex Hybrid | Birch | Awara

Zenhaven Latex

Zenhaven Material Layers
9.81 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.1
10 Cooling
10 Motion Transfer
10 Response Time
9.8 Edge Support
9.6 Sex
9.5 Pressure Relief
9.8 Off-Gassing
9.8 Company

Best For

  • Exceptionally good cooling
  • Extremely low levels of motion transfer, despite the low-profile height & latex
  • Extremely fast material response time

Quick Specs

  • Thickness: 10″ thick
  • Cover: Quilted cover
  • Trial: 365-night trial
  • Returns: $99 return fee
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Our Verdict

The Zenhaven mattress is a 10″ latex foam mattress with a flippable design. It is made of 9″ of latex foam, with 0.5″ quilted cover on both sides.

This mattress has a minimal level of sinkage with moderate bounce. It also has a generalized level of contour, as is typical for this type of material.

One side has a slightly firm feel (Gentle Firm) and a firmness of 7.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. By comparison, the opposite side has a medium feel (Luxury Firm) and a firmness of 5 out of 10.

For sleepers with back pain, latex foam can be a great option due to its firmer feel and good support.

This is the highest-performing latex mattress we’ve tested to date and the flippable design can provide some big advantages for sleepers who aren’t sure exactly what kind of feel they’re looking for.

That being said, the higher performance also warrants the higher price tag. For a queen-size Zenhaven, the price is $2,801.

Click here to read the full Zenhaven review.

Type: Latex Foam
Firmness: Flippable; Slightly Firm (7.5) and Medium (5)

Zenhaven Performance

10

Cooling Test

Sinkage Test

Zenhaven Sinkage Test
10

Motion Transfer Test

10

Response Test

Bounce Test

9.8

Edge Support Test

Zenhaven Edge Support Test
FactorZenhaven Performance
Overall9.81
Price$2,845
Cooling10
Max Sinkage1.44″
Total Motion Transfer4.62 m/s²
Response Time0.2 sec.
Total Bounce8.40″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage3.50″
Mattress Thickness10.0″
Sex Overall9.6
Comfort Material4.0″
Off-Gassing – SmellStrong
Off-Gassing – Days3 days
Trial365 nights
WarrantyLifetime

Saatva Latex Hybrid

Saatva Latex Hybrid Cover Photo
9.77 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.1
9.5 Cooling
10 Motion Transfer
10 Response Time
10 Edge Support
10 Sex
9.5 Pressure Relief
10 Off-Gassing
9.8 Company

Best For

  • Extremely low levels of motion transfer, 3.13 m/s² max acceleration
  • Exceptional edge support
  • High levels of bounce, 10.82″ in our tests

Quick Specs

  • Thickness: 12″ thick
  • Cover: Quilted cover
  • Trial: 365-night trial
  • Returns: $99 return fee
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Our Verdict

The Saatva Latex Hybrid is a 12″ latex hybrid mattress that uses natural latex and pocketed coils for a balanced feel.

It has a minimal level of sinkage with extremely high levels of bounce. If you’re looking for a bouncy feel (good for couples), the Saatva Latex Hybrid may be the right option for you.

This mattress comes in a single firmness—6.5 out of 10 with a medium-firm feel.

What makes this mattress good for sleepers with back pain is the thicker comfort layer, Euro cover, excellent pressure relief, and a zoned support system targeted for optimal support.

In our performance tests, the Saatva scored a 9.77 and is the top-performing latex hybrid we’ve tested to date.

This mattress is $1,866 for a queen-size mattress, right at the average price level (among all latex hybrids tested to date). This mattress may be the best option if you’re looking for a supportive latex hybrid with natural materials and a bouncy feel.

Click here to read the full Saatva Latex Hybrid review.

Type: Latex Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6.5)

Saatva Latex Hybrid Performance

9.5

Cooling Test

Sinkage Test

Saatva Latex Hybrid Sinkage Test
10

Motion Transfer Test

10

Response Test

Bounce Test

10

Edge Support Test

Saatva Latex Hybrid Edge Support
FactorSaatva Latex Hybrid Performance
Overall9.77
Price$1,932
Cooling9.5
Max Sinkage1.85″
Total Motion Transfer3.13 m/s²
Response Time0.2 sec.
Total Bounce10.82″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage3.00″
Mattress Thickness12.0″
Sex Overall10
Comfort Material4.0″
Off-Gassing – SmellNone
Off-Gassing – Days0 days
Trial365 nights
WarrantyLifetime

Birch Original

Birch Material Layers
9.72 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.1
10 Cooling
9.9 Motion Transfer
10 Response Time
9.3 Edge Support
9.7 Sex
9.5 Pressure Relief
10 Off-Gassing
9.5 Company

Best For

  • Extremely low motion transfer, while retaining high levels of bounce
  • Exceptional cooling with hole-punched latex layers

Quick Specs

  • Thickness: 11″ thick
  • Cover: Organic cover
  • Trial: 100-night trial
  • Returns: Free returns
  • Warranty: 25-year

Our Verdict

The Birch Original mattress is a hybrid mattress that is a blend of pocketed coils and Talalay latex. The natural latex is perforated, which helps improve cooling and material response time.

This mattress has a moderate level of sinkage and extremely high bounce levels (54% more bounce than the average mattress). For sleepers looking for a very bouncy mattress, the Birch Original may be a fantastic pick.

For addressing back pain, the Birch Original is a good for moderate-weighted back and stomach sleepers. The firmer feel and fast response time provide support and pressure relief in a thinner 11″ profile.

In our performance tests, the Birch Original scored 9.72, a higher score than the average mattress.

It also offers some savings, costly only $1,499 for a queen, whereas $1,833 is the average latex hybrid price tag. For savings and solid performance for an organic mattress, the Birch Original fits the bill for many sleepers.

Click here to read the full Birch Original review.

Type: Latex Hybrid
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)

Birch Performance

10

Cooling Test

Sinkage Test

Birch sinkage test
9.9

Motion Transfer Test

10

Response Test

Bounce Test

9.3

Edge Support Test

Birch Edge Support
FactorBirch Performance
Overall9.72
Price$1,599
Cooling10
Max Sinkage2.00″
Total Motion Transfer5.52 m/s²
Response Time0.2 sec.
Total Bounce14.91″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage4.50″
Mattress Thickness11.0″
Sex Overall9.7
Comfort Material3.0″
Off-Gassing – SmellNone
Off-Gassing – Days0 days
Trial100 nights
Warranty25 years

Awara Luxury Hybrid

Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid Material Layers
9.70 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.1
9.5 Cooling
10 Motion Transfer
10 Response Time
9.5 Edge Support
9.8 Sex
9.5 Pressure Relief
9.8 Off-Gassing
10 Company

Best For

  • Extremely low levels of motion transfer
  • Excellent response time, 0.3 seconds for full recovery
  • Sleeper looking for very high bounce

Quick Specs

  • Thickness: 10″ thick
  • Cover: Organic cover
  • Trial: 365-night trial
  • Returns: Free returns
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Our Verdict

The Awara natural luxury hybrid, aka the original Awara mattress, is a 11″ latex mattress with Dunlop latex and pocketed coils—one of the best value latex hybrids on the market.

It has very deep sinkage and an extremely high level of bounce. For a mattress with deep engagement and an active, bouncy feel, the Awara hits the mark.

Awara comes in a single firmness (6 out of 10) with a medium-firm feel.

This mattress is good for sleepers with back pain because of its excellent pressure relief, 2″ natural latex comfort layer (like the Birch Original) and fast material response time.

The Awara Original scored 9.70 in our performance tests, for an above average score (comparing all mattress types).

This mattress only costs $1,099 for a queen and sometimes even less when there are active sales. Considering the average latex hybrid is $1,833, Awara provides a savings of over 40% off the average cost.

Click here to read the full Awara Hybrid review.

Type: Latex Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)

Awara Performance

9.5

Cooling Test

Sinkage Test

Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid sinkage test
10

Motion Transfer Test

10

Response Test

Bounce Test

9.5

Edge Support Test

Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid Edge Support Test
FactorAwara Performance
Overall9.70
Price$1,099
Cooling9.5
Max Sinkage2.63″
Total Motion Transfer3.72 m/s²
Response Time0.2 sec.
Total Bounce15.79″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage4.00″
Mattress Thickness10.0″
Sex Overall9.8
Comfort Material2.0″
Off-Gassing – SmellModerate
Off-Gassing – Days3 days
Trial365 nights
WarrantyLifetime

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 23 different specialized best lists. These lists can help you identify the mattresses best suited to specific performance criteria.

All Best Mattress Guides

Best by Type

Best in a Box

Best Hybrid

Best Memory Foam

Best Foam

Best Latex

Best Organic

About Derek Hales

Derek Hales

Derek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of NapLab.com. He has been featured in Fast CompanyReader's DigestBusiness InsiderRealtor.com, Huffington Post, Washington Post, AskMen, and She Knows. Derek has personally tested over 320+ mattresses and hundreds of pillows, sheets, beds, and other sleep products.

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