Turns out, getting a supportive snooze is extra important for back pain sufferers, so we spoke with chiropractors to find out how to choose the best mattress for your needs. Rest assured that the following 10 picks will have your back. “Without the healing benefits of a good night’s rest, the injury may last longer, and therefore pain levels last longer too,” says Jacinta Di Prinzio, D.C., of Open Space Healing in Western Australia. She adds that poor sleep is also associated with increased markers of inflammation3, which only exacerbate pain. On the other hand, when back pain sufferers are able to rest up, it’s super beneficial for their recovery. “Think of a good night’s sleep as our body’s way to reset from the wear and tear of the day and heal,” says Caitlin Redding, D.C., RYT, of Redding Chiropractic in Pennsylvania. There’s no part of the body that doesn’t benefit from a solid snooze, our backs very much included. “A too-soft mattress might allow your hips to sink deeper into the mattress, pulling your spine out of alignment,” explains Redding. “An overly firm mattress will create too much pressure on the hips and shoulders.” Research confirms that back pain sufferers who use medium-firm mattresses tend to find them to be the most comfortable4. Sleeping on this type of mattress has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing low-back pain2 in the future. Di Prinzio notes that in her practice, she sees a lot of people who come in with back pain because they’ve held on to their mattress for too long. If you notice that your mattress is sagging and doesn’t offer the support that it used to, it’s time to invest in a new one that’s just right for your needs. (And consider recycling your old one while you’re at it.) Ideally, your mattress will allow your spine and head to remain in a neutral, relaxed position throughout the night. And you’ll want to opt for one that supports your weight and contours your body without sinking too deep, says Di Prinzio. Your sleep position will also affect the mattress firmness that’s right for you. Everyone’s different, but here are some general tips on the firmness level that will be most comfortable for side, stomach, and back sleepers: Some other considerations to keep in mind on your search: If you tend to run hot in your sleep, you’ll want to look for a mattress material that’s more cooling and breathable, like wool, latex, or gel-infused memory foam. If you have allergies or respiratory sensitivities, opt for one that is made from natural materials, or at least tested for polluting VOCs6. Finally, those with a bed partner who prefers a softer sleeping experience might want to look for a mattress with split firmness or a flippable mattress to test different firmness levels. Winkbed also offers a 120-night warranty, and they’ll pick your mattress up and refund you 100% if you’re not satisfied. Bonus: This mattress comes with a generous lifetime warranty (and is pretty affordable to begin with). One downside is it’s made with synthetic foam and doesn’t have many sustainability merits to its name. Eco-friendliness rating: 2 out of 5. Beyond using recycled metal for the innerspring coils, this bed doesn’t have many sustainability credentals. The brand does, however, make a latex hybrid mattress, the EcoCloud Hybrid Mattress, which is slightly softer but uses natural Talalay latex and organic wool. Eco-friendliness rating: 4 out of 5. Birch’s eco-friendly certifications make this mattress a great sustainable pick. The wool is sourced through the Wool Integrity NZ Program, meaning it meets best practice standards and strict animal welfare codes. The Talalay latex is 100% natural, derived from rubber trees in Asia, Africa, and Brazil. The organic cotton is Fair Trade and GOTS certified. We also appreciate that Birch will donate or recycle your mattress if you end up returning it. What’s not so green is the extensive packaging that boxes this mattress up. While memory foam traditionally sleeps warm, this mattress comes with an optional cooling cover to take off some heat. Helix offers tons of other sleep accessories too (think weighted blankets and mattress protectors) for a convenient one-stop sleep shop. Eco-friendliness rating: 1 out of 5. This mattress is made from memory foam, and while the foams have the bare minimum CertiPUR-US® certification, there are no additional sustainability efforts, with a great deal of synthetic materials. The medium-firm hybrid design is great for people with back and shoulder pain, combining pressure-relieving Dunlop latex with individually wrapped coils for targeted support to your shoulders, back, and hips. The coils minimize motion transfer, while the latex is naturally cooling. The wool is moisture-wicking, so this truly is a cooling option as well. What’s more, your purchase includes sheets, pillows, and a mattress protector. We also recommend this mattress for stomach and side sleepers, couples, people with neck or back pain, and those who enjoy the feel of a great pillow-top mattress. Eco-friendliness rating: 4.5 out of 5 This mattress has a slew of eco-friendly certifications, such as Rainforest Alliance, GREENGUARD Gold, and the Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX. For every purchase, the brand plants 10 trees through trees.org. The only con is that the mattress is wrapped in plastic for delivery. As a B Corp–certified company, Avocado is a standout in the sustainability space. When you shop with them, you can expect a commitment to ethical sourcing, donations to environmental nonprofits, and carbon negativity (meaning they offset more than 100% of their total emissions). Eco-friendliness rating: 5 out of 5. Beyond using organic and sustainably-sourced materials, Avocado is a brand that walks the walk. It’s a carbon-negative company, which means the brand voluntarily offsets more than 100% of its emissions, and provides a yearly impact report on sustainability efforts. It’s Saatva’s commitment to safety and sustainability that make this one a real standout. The mattress doesn’t contain any synthetic, petroleum-based foams and it’s certified free of potentially harmful chemicals and pollutants. Considering its high-quality materials, the price point on this one is also pretty reasonable. Eco-friendliness rating: 4 out of 5. While not the most eco-friendly brand on this list, Saatva does more than most memory foam mattress companies when it comes to sustainability and nontoxic materials. It uses a nontoxic, botanical antimicrobial treatment, certified foams, organic cotton, and a flame retardant barrier made from natural thistle pulp (rather than chemical sprays). This particular mattress it one of the brand’s most sustainable models, and gets a high score because of the use of natural latex and organic cotton. Leesa’s mattress comes with a 100-night free trial and 10-year warranty, and their customer service has a great reputation. Eco-friendliness rating: 2 out of 5. We appreciate that the foams are GREENGUARD Gold & CertiPUR-US® Certified, but these are not the most extensive certifications. It is a certified B Corporation, though, which means it’s held to rigorous standards for public transparency, legal accountability, and environmental impact. The Pod 3 Mattress itself is made from layers of poly foam that offer gentle pressure relief for the back and hips. Eco-friendliness rating: 1 out of 5. When you’re talking about a vibrating mattress with technology that tracks your sleep and warms or cools to your personalized sleep temperature, it’s not going to be the most sustainable option. The brand does not follow any particular environmental practices yet. Eco-friendliness rating: 4 out of 5. This brand uses high quality, sustainable materials including recycled steel coils, GOTS-certified organic wool, organic cotton, and natural Talalay latex. That said, the mattresses are wrapped in plastic for shipping. Couples love this bed, too, as the Split King size of the Sparrow Signature Hybrid allows bed sharers to choose their own firmness level (medium, plush, or firm) using interchangeable layers you can swap for free. Four layers of foam and a layer of innerspring mean that any firmness you choose will comfortably distribute pressure. Nest offers free returns within one year, and their beds come with a lifetime renewal exchange program that lets you get a new comfort layer any time your current one is starting to sag—a plus for back pain sufferers who need the support. Eco-friendliness rating: 2 out of 5. This bed doesn’t contain any organic or sustainably-sourced materials, but we do appreciate the Renewal Exchange initiative, which can help extend the life of your Nest mattress. For a more sustainable pick, check out the brand’s Owl Natural Latex Hybrid.
