Best Mattress for Back Pain by Bed Type, Sleep Style, and Pain Points [2025]

What mattress is best for back pain? The verdict: The Purple RestorePremier® Hybrid is the best mattress for back pain because it works for all types of sleepers. It’s built for pressure relief and responds to your movements throughout the night, fending off any morning aches and pains.

There’s nothing worse than waking up with a backache, a familiar feeling for many adults. Choosing the right mattress can remedy this problem. The best mattress for back pain is the one that fits your sleeping position and provides the proper support to keep your spine in neutral alignment.¹ 

Unfortunately, there isn't a one-mattress-fits-all solution for everyone with back pain, but there are a few top options that can significantly help. Some of the best mattresses for back pain feature innovative, adaptive materials that can relieve pressure points and align your spine. 

Purple mattresses do the trick, promoting spinal alignment and revolutionary comfort. Read along to learn how you can wake up pain-free and refreshed with a new mattress.

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A combination of pocketed coils, comfort layers, and the revolutionary GelFlex Grid® provides superior pressure relief and full-body support.

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The Best Mattresses for Back Pain

If you suffer from back pain, you’re not alone. According to the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University, 65 million Americans have suffered a recent episode of back pain, and 16 million Americans experience chronic back pain — nearly 8% of all adults.² Factors like sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, and the natural aging process can contribute to this widespread issue.³ 

Whether you have regular lower back pain or sciatic nerve pain, you can find comfort. Choosing the right mattress, particularly a hybrid mattress, can provide the support you need to promote spinal alignment and reduce pressure points.  

Keep reading to learn what type of mattress is best for back pain and how to find the right option for your unique needs.

Best Mattress for Back Pain Overall: Purple RestorePremier® Hybrid Mattress

Alternative to: TEMPUR-Luxe-Adapt and Sleep Number P6

The Purple RestorePremier® Hybrid Mattress is a game-changer for individuals dealing with backaches. This mattress combines cradling pressure relief and support, making it the best hybrid mattress for back pain on the market. 

By utilizing the innovative GelFlex Grid®, the RestorePremier® adapts to your body contours, cradling your pressure points while offering a solution for shoulder pain from side sleeping. The advanced edge support system ensures easy entry and exit from the bed. 

Additionally, the RestorePremier® is 4X cooler than leading competitors, making it ideal for hot sleepers and the best cooling mattress for back pain. Purple’s premier hybrid mattress has earned the following accolades:

• NBC: Best Hybrid Mattress for Back Pain⁴
• Rolling Stone: Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers Online⁵
• NY Mag: Best Hybrid for Combination Sleepers⁶

While the TEMPUR-Luxe-Adapt offers good pressure relief, the Purple RestorePremier® excels in providing a cooler night's sleep with its innovative airflow design. On the other hand, Sleep Number P6 provides adjustable firmness but lacks the pressure-relieving technology found in the Purple mattress.

• Key Features: Adaptive GelFlex Grid®, Maximum Airflow
• Materials: GelFlex Grid®, Ultra Comfort Foam, CoolFlex® Coils, Antimicrobial Cover
• Sizes: Twin XL, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
• Price: $3,249-$6,498

For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the RestorePlus® Hybrid Mattress is also available, with zoned support and the adaptive GelFlex Grid® for soothing pressure relief.

Many sleepers find this mattress to be the perfect Sleep Number alternative. Here is what one customer had to say:

“My old sleep number was starting to cause low back pain, tossing, and turning. This mattress is magic. It's cooling (perfect combined with linen sheets). This supports you in all the right places. LOVE” — Katie L, RestorePremier® Hybrid Mattress review

Elevate your sleep experience with one of the best mattresses for back pain, with advanced cooling, pressure relief, and soothing comfort.

Best Mattress for Low Back and Hip Pain: Purple RestorePlus® Hybrid Mattress

Alternative to: TEMPUR ProAdapt and Sleep Number P6

It’s a common misconception that the best mattress for back pain is also the softest. The Purple RestorePlus​​® Hybrid Mattress proves this theory wrong with a medium-firm feel that works to combat the primary causes of back pain.⁷

Purple’s Restore® Hybrid Collection cradles your body to relieve pressure and tension on the back while responding to your body’s movements during the night — with the RestorePlus® Hybrid Mattress being the top performer. This mattress offers zoned support for the center third of your body and extra support for the lower and middle back. 

In contrast to the TEMPUR-ProAdapt’s traditional materials, the Purple RestorePlus® Hybrid features 3-Zone Coils and the advanced GelFlex Grid® that offer pressure relief and lumbar support throughout the night so that you can avoid lingering back pain regardless of your preferred sleeping position.⁸ 

Unlike the Sleep Number P6, the RestorePlus® offers more effective support without needing constant adjustments for a consistently comfortable sleep experience.  

• Key Features: Zoned support and adaptable GelFlex Grid® for comfort
• Materials: GelFlex Grid®, Ultra Comfort Foam, Edge-to-Edge Coils, Antimicrobial Cover
• Sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
• Price: $2,549-$5,098

The RestorePlus® Hybrid has earned several awards, recognizing its unique support and comfort structure:

• Forbes: Best Mattress For Side Sleepers With Neck And Shoulder Pain⁹
• Good Housekeeping: Best Mattress for Heavy People With Back Pain¹⁰
• Refinery29: Best Mattress for Sleeping Next To a Hot Sleeper¹¹

With its zoned support and adaptive design, the RestorePlus® Hybrid Mattress has transformed the sleep experience for many users. As one satisfied customer shared:

“This mattress has been great, after using it for close to a month. I wake up feeling better rested and my back is much less sore. My wife also says my snoring is improved. Glad we took the plunge and went with this mattress. Also, I have been sleeping much cooler than with my previous standard mattress.” — John P, RestorePlus® Hybrid Mattress review

Ready to experience the comfort and support of the RestorePlus® Hybrid Mattress for yourself?

Best Tempur-Pedic Alternatives in 2025 (+ Why It’s Purple)

Best Affordable for Back Pain: The Purple Mattress®

Alternative to: TEMPUR-Cloud or TEMPUR-Adapt and Sleep Number C4

If you’re seeking the best mattress for upper and lower back pain at an affordable price, the Purple Mattress® is an excellent choice. Compared to the TEMPUR-Cloud and TEMPUR-Adapt mattresses, the Purple Mattress® provides a perfect balance of comfort and support without breaking the bank.

Unlike the Sleep Number C4, which may require additional costs for adjustable features, this mattress comes at an affordable, competitive price. Despite its budget-friendly price, it doesn't compromise on quality. It features the same technology as our higher-end products, such as the 2-inch GelFlex® Grid that cradles pressure points and a durable foam base that offers stability and motion isolation for various sleeping positions.

• Key Features: Adaptive GelFlex® Grid for cooler, more comfortable sleep
• Materials: GelFlex® Grid, Comfort Foam, Base Support Foam
• Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
• Price: $999-$2,198

The Purple Mattress® has earned recognition for its cooling and pain relief, including the following awards:

• Tom’s Guide: Best Mattress on Amazon for General Aches and Pains¹²
• CNET: Best Mattress for Side Sleepers With Shoulder and Hip Pain¹³
• Good Housekeeping: Best Cooling Mattress for Adjustable Beds¹⁴

With its budget-friendly price point and great support, the Purple Mattress® has transformed the sleep experience for countless users. Here's how it benefited one customer:

“I slept on a Purple as a guest while staying with a relative. I immediately had to buy one. I sleep so deep and don't keep waking throughout the night in pain.” — Penny D, The Purple Mattress® review

For the most affordable option with the adaptive pressure relief you want, try the original Purple Mattress® today.

How To Choose a Mattress for Back Pain

When mattress shopping, you’re presented with a slew of options to choose between: Hybrid mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and mattresses with different firmness levels. With all these options, it’s often difficult to conclude what mattress is best for your back pain. 

Remember, you should always talk with your doctor about how to best manage back pain. However, if you decide to invest in a new mattress, here are a few factors to consider before making your purchase.

1. Decide on a Mattress Type

The type of mattress you choose makes a big difference in how comfortably you sleep. Several types of mattresses include innerspring, memory foam, hybrid, latex, and GelFlex Grid®, with some types providing better pressure point relief than others.

• Innerspring mattresses use coils to provide support as you sleep. This isn’t the best type of mattress for pressure relief and may cause unnecessary pain when you wake up in the morning.
• Memory foam mattresses are known for cushioning pressure points, such as shoulders and hips. They also do a great job of supporting the body and helping your spine maintain neutral alignment. While memory foam mattresses are not bad for your back, they have drawbacks, such as a lack of adequate airflow and difficulty in movement. 
• A hybrid mattress is another excellent option. It combines comfort layers of memory foam or latex with pocketed coils to provide comfort and support and help keep you cool while you sleep. It's a great choice for hot sleepers and may even be what you need to help alleviate your back pain.
• Latex mattresses are great options made from natural materials. People looking for the best environmentally friendly beds for back pain often use them. They also offer solid support and comfort while helping you sleep relatively cooler than a memory foam mattress.
• GelFlex Grid® mattresses, Purple's own unique mattress type, are utterly in a class of their own. Each model features the GelFlex Grid®, a proprietary sleep technology designed to instantly adapt to your body as you move, offering unparalleled pressure relief with a breathable, supportive feel.

2. Consider Mattress Firmness

Generally, people with back pain often prefer a medium to firm mattress. However, firmness is subjective. The best mattress firmness for back pain may differ from one person to another and does not accurately reflect the support and comfort level of the bed.

The most important factor to consider when shopping for the best mattress for back problems is your personal comfort preferences. You should always prioritize a mattress that helps you wake up feeling refreshed and without pain. 

If you like softer mattresses, stick with a softer mattress. If you prefer a firmer mattress, opt for a firmer model. If you need help deciding, check out our mattress firmness guide for more information.

3. Determine Mattress Density

When it comes to memory foam mattresses, density is not related to the thickness of the mattress. Instead, mattress density refers to the density of the actual memory foam, which is related to the firmness of the mattress.  

Density is measured by indentation load deflection or ILD. ILD measures the amount of force required to compress the foam layer of the mattress. The higher the ILD, the firmer the foam, and vice versa. Noting the ILD ranking can help when comparing the firmness of two similar mattresses.

4. Account for Sleep Position

Your sleeping position can make a big difference in what mattress you should choose. Stomach sleepers may suffer from back pain more than back sleepers and should look into a mattress that can better support their hips while they sleep. A mattress that is not supportive enough will cause excess pressure on the lower back and can leave you with back pain.

Back and side sleepers may benefit from a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress to help maintain proper spine alignment. A slightly softer mattress will help cradle the pressure points of the hips and the shoulders while providing the support your back needs for all-night comfort.

5. Prioritize Pain Points

The mattress you choose should help cushion the pressure points that most often cause you pain. Common pressure points are the neck, shoulders, hips, and lower back.¹⁵ The lower back, or lumbar region, is essential to care for if you suffer from back pain.

Look for a mattress that will cradle pressure points to give you both pain and pressure relief. This will help you sleep better and not wake up stiff or sore.

6. Accommodate Sleeper Height and Weight

When selecting the best mattress for back pain, it’s essential to consider your height and weight. Each mattress has a specific weight limit, which can affect its durability and performance over time. Heavier individuals may require a firmer mattress to prevent excessive sinking, while lighter sleepers might prefer a softer option that still offers adequate support.

Additionally, taller sleepers should look for mattresses that provide enough length to accommodate their height without compromising comfort. A mattress that caters to your unique size will help alleviate pressure points and enhance overall sleep quality.

7. Find the Best Value

The cost and value of a mattress are also important considerations when looking for something new. The price of your mattress shouldn't keep you up at night, but you should still look for a high-quality mattress that will provide lasting comfort and deeper sleep for many years.

8. Consider the Trial and Return Policy

When you deal with back pain, the last thing you want is to be stuck with a mattress for the next five to ten years. The best beds for back pain are the ones with a generous trial and return policy in case you need to reevaluate after a week of testing. 

At Purple, we offer a 100-night trial period because we understand that it takes time for your body to adjust to life-changing sleep. One hundred nights allow you to sleep with no risk and no pressure.

Tips for Sleeping With Back Pain

Adjusting your sleeping position to reduce your back pain is easier said than done. However, if you’re suffering from back pain, you can make small tweaks to your sleeping style so you’re less likely to wake up with aches and pains. Here are a few solutions for sleepers of all styles.¹⁶

• For Back Sleepers: Placing a pillow under your knees when sleeping helps keep your lower back curved and relaxes your back muscles. 
• For Side Sleepers: Tucking a pillow between your knees can reduce strain on your hips and lower back while maintaining spinal alignment. 
• For Stomach Sleepers: If you’re a stomach sleeper, placing a pillow under your hips or abdomen can keep your spine in a neutral position and prevent lower back strain.

Besides identifying what the best mattress for a bad back is and adjusting your pillow based on your sleeping position, consider the following tips to improve your sleep quality:

• Use Proper Pillows: Choose a pillow that supports your neck and aligns your head with your spine. For back sleepers, a medium-support pillow works best, while side sleepers may benefit from a firmer, loftier option. Stomach sleepers should opt for a thinner, softer pillow to prevent neck strain.¹⁷
• Adjust Your Sleep Environment:  Consider adjusting the room temperature, using breathable bedding, or implementing white noise to create a peaceful atmosphere conducive to restful sleep.
• Practice Relaxation Techniques Before Bed: Engaging in relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing or gentle stretching, can help ease tension in your muscles and prepare your body for sleep.¹⁸ This can be especially beneficial if you experience anxiety or stress that contributes to your back pain.

Are Purple Beds Good for a Bad Back?

Purple beds are some of the best mattresses for back pain, as they combine advanced technology with peak comfort so you can sleep well without waking up to all-too-familiar morning backaches. Independent studies found that the Restore® Hybrid Collection reduces body pain up to 40% for ache-free alignment, full-body support, and soothing relief, especially for the hips and shoulders.

If you’re tired of fighting off back pain in your daily routine, consider testing a Purple mattress and see what our products can do for you.

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The GelFlex Grid® in every Purple mattress instantly adapts to your body, providing pressure relief and support where you need it most.

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