If back pain keeps you up at night, then it may be time for a new mattress. Older adults are particularly susceptible to back pain as spinal discs, joints, and other body parts age, and a worn-out mattress can exacerbate the resulting pain. A quality mattress, however, can work wonders for your aching body, transforming your sleep into an ergonomic paradise and alleviating and reducing your discomfort.
To help you identify the best mattress for your body and budget, our team researched and tested a variety of mattresses known for their efficacy in improving back pain. Here are our five favorites.
How We Chose Our Favorites
When evaluating each mattress, here’s what we paid close attention to.
- Mattress type: Memory foam provides the deep compression support that aids upper-back pain, but sufferers of lower-back pain require the strong support offered by zoned coils. Given the importance of both areas, we looked predominantly for hybrid mattresses.
- Motion isolation: When you’re in pain, experiencing every toss and turn your partner or pet makes can be agonizing. We prioritized excellent motion isolation, which can help prevent further aggravation of your back pain.
- Zoned support: Zoned mattresses are known for helping to reduce back pain, so we sought them out during our search. These zones evenly distribute your body weight, align your spine, and provide pressure-relieving support where it’s needed most.
- Firmness levels: The ideal mattress firmness varies from person to person, so we selected mattresses with a range of firmness options — some of which even allow you to adjust firmness.
Our Favorite Mattresses for Seniors Suffering from Back Pain
1. The WinkBed - Best pressure relief
What We Like Most:
- Handmade to order in Wisconsin
- Cooling and heating temperature regulation while you sleep
- Four firmness options
- Three-step back-relief system
Overview
Cost for a queen: $1,799
Trial length: 120 nights
Warranty: lifetime
Made in the United States, the WinkBed is engineered for restorative sleep. The WinkBed’s four firmness options support all types of sleepers, and its combination of high-grade springs and a stabilizing gel imbues it with nearly zero motion transfer. WinkBed customers also receive the security of a lifetime warranty.
We decided to test the WinkBed because of its abundance of back-pain-relief features, specifically its three-step back-relief system. The lumbar support layer was a favorite among our testing team. Two individuals recorded a sizable reduction in sciatica pain after using the mattress. Its unique balance of sag-resistant high-density foam and individually wrapped coils also helped soothe joint pains and body aches for much of our team, and nearly everyone who tested the mattress said they experienced a more comfortable rest.
At almost $1,800, the WinkBed may feel like a massive chunk of change for a mattress, but the award-winning mattress is an investment in your health. Plus, with Americans spending $50 billion each year on back-pain treatment, the WinkBed could help you avoid additional health-care costs.
You can purchase a WinkBed mattress online or at one of the brand’s nine U.S. retail stores. In addition to a lifetime warranty, the WinkBed also comes with a four-month trial period, during which you can return it for a full refund. After this period, you can still return your mattress for 50 percent of its current price.
Pros
- Ideal firmness options for all types of sleepers
- Lifetime warranty
- Eco-friendly, American-sourced materials
- No off-gassing odors
- Options for financing, lease-to-own, and accident-protection coverage
Cons
- Poor motion isolation
- Non-removable cover
2. Layla Memory Foam Mattress - Best double-sided option
What We Like Most:
- for hip, shoulder, and back pain
- for deep compression support
- that covers sagging, loss of shape, and splitting
- for fibromyalgia pain
Overview
Cost for a queen: $1,099
Trial length: 120 nights
Warranty: lifetime
The Layla Memory Foam Mattress is two beds in one, with a different firmness level on each side: medium and medium-firm. Suitable for a wide range of sleepers because of its two options, the mattress would make a fantastic guest-room bed. Made in the United States, the Layla Memory Foam Mattress is also known for its outstanding cooling qualities.
While researching senior-friendly mattresses, our team landed on the Layla Memory Foam Mattress specifically for its versatility. We also appreciated that a quality mattress with multiple firmness levels could support a variety of preferences, even if they change.
The Layla Memory Foam Mattress has a 10.5-inch profile and six supportive and pain-relieving layers. One of the layers, made of copper-infused memory foam, provides variable support for deep compression regions. As an added bonus, copper is antimicrobial and forms a barrier against bacteria when you lie on it, ensuring a germ-free and odor-free bedroom.
The two-in-one firmness options paired with innerspring support make the Layla Memory Foam Mattress ideal for people with back pain, but customers often express their frustration with how difficult it is to flip the heavy — nearly 70 pounds — bed. That is particularly concerning for people with back pain, since it’s possible that moving the mattress may further aggravate back problems.
You can purchase the Layla Memory Foam Mattress straight from the Layla Sleep website, and it comes with free shipping to the 48 contiguous states.
Pros
- 10 or more inches of innerspring and copper-infused memory foam support
- Two free memory foam pillows
- Variable support for deep compression areas
- Antimicrobial odor control
- Multiple firmness options
Cons
- 70-pound weight
- Mediocre edge support
3. Linenspa Hybrid Mattress - Best value
What We Like Most:
- Under $500 for a queen
- Impressive motion isolation
- Highly supportive and durable steel-coil base
- Multiple layers of pressure relieving memory foam
Overview
Cost for a queen: $249 to $429, depending on mattress height
Trial length: Full refund within 30 days of purchase
Warranty: 10 years
Seniors on a budget will appreciate the Linenspa Hybrid’s reasonable prices, which range from $249 to $429 for a queen-size mattress. The mattress comes in 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-inch heights, and they all provide a good night’s rest. The 12-inch version offers strong motion isolation, which is an excellent benefit for people who share a bed with their partner.
The several layers of body-conforming support in the Linenspa Hybrid are certainly an upgrade over a worn-out or flattened mattress. For our team’s testers, the durable innerspring base combined with a 2-inch pillow top was enough to minimize mild back and hip pain over several days. The mattress doesn’t have the temperature control or advanced support that other mattresses offer, but the Linenspa succeeded in relieving minor back pain fairly quickly. It’s also priced at less than half of its competitors.
Unfortunately, the Linenspa Hybrid does not have a removable cover. We suggest buying a cooling cover or mattress topper separately that you can add to the bed for a more luxurious experience and ensure the bed remains clean. You can buy the Linenspa Hybrid via the Linenspa website, Amazon, and a handful of other online stores. It does not officially have a trial period, but you can return the mattress within 30 days for a full refund.
Pros
- Strong motion isolation
- Free shipping and returns
- Durability
- Ideal for stomach, back, and combination sleepers
Cons
- Nonremovable mattress cover
- No cooling technology
4. Sleep Number 360 c2 Smart Bed - Adjustable firmness
What We Like Most:
- Stretches and conforms to support you
- Improved back and hip problems referenced by customers
- Automatically adjusts firmness in response to your movements
- Smartphone app to monitor sleep patters
Overview
Cost for a queen: $1,099
Trial length: 100 nights
Warranty: 15 years
For a Sleep Number mattress, the 360 c2 Smart Bed is remarkably affordable. Priced at $1,099 for a queen, it lacks some features common to other Sleep Number mattresses, such as cooling, enhanced pressure-relieving layers, Smart Fabric, and a temperature-balancing sleep surface. Fortunately, it includes the four most important features that make Sleep Number beds what they are. They also happen to be significantly effective for nursing an injured back.
- Dual adjustability allows you to adjust the comfort and hardness on each side according to your Sleep Number setting.
- Responsive air technology automatically adjusts the firmness on each side of the mattress in response to your movements.
- SleepIQ technology evaluates your sleep and lets you know, via smartphone, how well you’ve been sleeping each morning.
- The contouring sleep surface cradles your body while it gently stretches and adjusts to your shape.
You can purchase Sleep Number beds via the brand’s website or in its more than 500 brick-and-mortar stores. Not only do customers receive white-glove delivery and removal of an old mattress, but the technicians who deliver your mattress help set up your SleepIQ account and navigate the smartphone app. Once you make your purchase, you have 100 nights to return the mattress for a refund, minus a $250 return delivery fee.
FYI: Struggling with lower-back pain? Studies show that yoga and regular stretching can help reduce sciatica and other lower-back pain.
Pros
- Adjustable comfort and firmness on each side
- Premium delivery, setup, and removal
- No interest for 36 months
- Built-in foot warmer
Cons
- No cooling function
- Not budget friendly
5. Helix Dusk Luxe - Highly Customizable
What We Like Most:
- Strong support for back, stomach, and combination sleepers
- Zoned lumbar support enhances body contouring
- Luxury ultra-cool cover and cooling memory foam
- Zero motion transfer
Overview
Cost for a queen: $1,199
Trial length: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 to 15 years
The Helix Dusk’s reputation for a responsive latex and foam surface, high-quality cushioning, and durable support made our team eager to try it as a solution for back pain. We weren’t surprised we could feel the difference almost immediately. Many of us agreed that we felt the most dramatic relief of pressure in our hips and lower back. A few people also noticed an improvement in shoulder and upper-back issues. One other thing that stood out was Helix’s promise to send a complimentary mattress topper to customers who enjoy the mattress but need a different level of firmness to see the most benefits.
If the Helix Dusk doesn’t work for you but you like the Helix brand, then look at the Helix Dawn, a slightly firmer Helix mattress popular for its back support. At nearly $1,200 for a queen, Helix Dusk mattresses tend to be less affordable than other bed-in-a-box options. We attribute part of the price gap to the abundance of luxury features available for Helix mattresses that are not ordinarily available with other compressed memory foam mattresses.
Pros
- Supports back, stomach, and combination sleepers well
- Excellent edge support
- Hypoallergenic cooling cover option
- 15 percent discount for veterans, first responders, and teachers
Cons
- Short trial period
- Weak motion isolation
Bottom Line
Having a mattress well suited to you is critical for seniors who experience back pain, and buying the right mattress can considerably improve the severity of your pain.
As you begin the search for your new mattress, review the best mattresses for back pain that we’ve identified above and see if one works for you. If not, then remember to search for beds that have proper support, effective pressure relief, and quality materials.
Always consider the critical role your sleep position, body weight, health conditions, and personal preferences should play in your selection.
To learn more about our favorite mattresses for seniors, check out our helpful guides.
- Guide to Mattresses for Seniors
- Best Mattresses for Seniors
- Best Mattresses for Seniors with Arthritis
- Best Mattresses for Senior Side Sleepers
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which type of mattress is best for back pain?
No one type of bed delivers the best back-pain relief for everyone. Memory foam and latex mattresses conform to your body, cushion pressure points, and align your spine, but a hybrid’s coils offer extra support for your spine and neck, helping ease and prevent back pain.
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Which is better for back pain: firm or soft mattresses?
The most common mattress recommendation for lower-back pain is medium-firm, and firm mattresses can help relieve minor back pain for some people. In contrast, firm mattresses are not a good choice for seniors with severe back problems, such as osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis, since harder mattresses put too much pressure on the joints and intensify pain.
- Which sleeping position is best for back pain?
The best sleeping position for lower back pain is widely considered to be on your back, since the position distributes weight along your entire spine.
- Can a bad mattress hurt your back?
Because a poor, unsupportive mattress reinforces improper sleeping posture, it can easily trigger new back damage and exacerbate any existing pain by reinforcing bad sleeping posture.