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Many people experience difficulty sleeping, and neck and back pain is a common cause. Here, we share our top picks for mattresses that provide more support and pressure relief.
- Best gel-infused memory foam: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress | Skip to review
- Best ventilated: Zoma Hybrid | Skip to review
- Best organic: Avocado Green Mattress | Skip to review
- Best for couples: Saatva Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress | Skip to review
- Best for combination sleepers: The Winkbed Luxury Firm | Skip to review
- Best for zoned support: Casper Original Mattress | Skip to review
- Best for side sleepers: Leesa Original | Skip to review
- Best cooling: Purple Mattress | Skip to review
- Best for back and stomach sleepers: Helix Dusk | Skip to review
- Best durable: Nolah Original 10″ | Skip to review
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publishing.
Below are some popular mattresses for people experiencing back and neck pain.
All guide prices relate to a queen-sized mattress unless otherwise stated.
Best gel-infused memory foam: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
- Price: $699
- Type: memory foam
- Height: 12 in
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Trial period: 365 nights
- Warranty: forever warranty
- Financing: available through Affirm
Well-reviewed by those with back pain, Nectar’s website states this mattress is suitable for side, back, and stomach sleepers.
The mattress is 12-inches (in) deep and made from different layers of gel-infused memory foam, with a quilted cover that the brand says provides a cool sleep.
The company offers free shipping, free returns, and a trademarked “Forever Warranty”.
Pros
- comes with a forever warranty
- more affordable than many other comparable mattresses
- reportedly helps keep users cool
Cons
- memory foam tends to be denser and retain more heat than hybrid mattresses
- some customer reviews mention poor customer service and long delivery times
Best ventilated: Zoma Hybrid
- Price: $1,149
- Type: hybrid
- Height: 12 in
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
- Financing: available through Klarna
This 12-in deep mattress features hundreds of individual pocketed coils, which Zoma says helps keep the spine aligned, alongside pressure-relieving gel memory foam.
The manufacturer states that the ventilated air cloth and perforations in the gel layer help provide a cool sleep, while its trademarked Reactiv layer and pocketed coils offer a slight bounce.
It comes with free shipping in the continental U.S., free returns within a 100-night trial period, and a 10-year warranty.
Pros
- has cooling technology to help prevent sweating and overheating
- free shipping and returns
- features a responsive spring layer to provide more bounce and support
Cons
- shorter sleep trial than some other companies
- according to reviews, may not be as durable for people with a higher body mass index (BMI)
Best organic: Avocado Green Mattress
- Price: $1,999
- Type: latex hybrid
- Height: 11 in
- Firmness: plush, medium, firm
- Trial period: one year
- Warranty: 25 years
- Financing: available through Affirm
This mattress features 100% certified organic latex, wool, and cotton.
With 1,459 individual coils arranged in seven zones, it claims to reduce back pain, promote even-weight distribution, and keep the spine aligned.
It comes with free shipping in the continental U.S., a 1-year trial period, and a 25-year warranty.
Pros
- lengthy warranty and trial period
- features 100% organic materials
- customers agree that is helps relieve back pain
Cons
- unsuitable for those with latex allergy
- medium or plush firmnesses are only available at an extra cost, which may nearly double the mattress’ price
- more expensive than some competitors
Best for couples: Saatva Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress
- Price: $3,745
- Type: latex foam
- Height: 13 in
- Firmness: adjustable
- Trial period: 365-nights
- Warranty: lifetime
- Financing: available through Affirm
People can choose the firmness of either side of this mattress with a remote, allowing couples to change each side to suit their needs.
This mattress may be especially suitable for couples or cosleepers where one person has neck and back pain and needs a firmness the other finds uncomfortable.
It contains natural latex and CertiPUR-US-certified foam alongside an organic cotton cover.
The company offers free in-room delivery and set-up, a 365-night sleep trial, and a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- lengthy warranty and trial period
- suitable for couples who require different firmness feels
- according to reviews, reduces motion transfer
Cons
- contains latex, making it unsuitable for people with a latex allergy
- more expensive than many other mattresses
- due to the air chambers, the mattress may be noisy when adjusting the firmness
Best for combination sleepers: The Winkbed Luxury Firm
- Price: $1,799
- Type: hybrid
- Height: 13.5 in
- Firmness: luxury firm
- Trial period: 120 nights
- Warranty: lifetime
- Financing: available through Bread Pay
The Luxury Firm Winkbed is suitable for all sleep positions, providing a good level of spinal alignment and pressure relief. People who sleep with others or are combination sleepers may find that this mattress provides the right level of support.
This mattress combines gel-infused foam with individually wrapped pocketed coils to provide more breathable and adaptable support.
It is available in other firmness options, including plush, firm, and plus for people with a higher BMI.
Learn more about the best mattresses for heavy people here.
The Winkbed comes with free shipping, free returns, a 120-night sleep trial, and a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- suitable for all sleeping positions
- provides enhanced edge support
- lifetime warranty
Cons
- shorter trial period than some competitors
- customer reviews mention poor delivery experiences
Best for zoned support: Casper Original Mattress
- Price: $1,295
- Type: memory foam
- Height: 11 in
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
- Financing: available through Affirm
This mattress features three ergonomic support zones to help keep neutral spinal alignment and relieve pressure, providing softer support for the shoulders and firmer support elsewhere.
Despite containing memory foam, which is denser and more prone to trapping heat than hybrid mattresses, the foam has Airscape technology, increasing breathability.
Casper offers free delivery, a 100-night free trial, and a 10-year limited warranty.
Pros
- suitable for all sleeping positions
- provides zoned support
- contains perforated foam for extra airflow
Cons
- shorter trial period than competitors
- no firmness options
- beds in boxes may be difficult and heavy for some to set up
Best for side sleepers: Leesa Original
- Price: $1,299
- Type: memory foam
- Height: 10 in
- Firmness: medium
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10nyears
- Financing: available through Bread Pay
Leesa makes each mattress to order, so delivery times may be longer than when shopping with other companies.
This all-foam mattress has a pressure-relieving recovery layer and a breathable and bouncy comfort layer. The medium feel may make this mattress most suitable for side sleepers, as it is not too firm for the hips and shoulders.
Leesa provides a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty.
Pros
- offers in-home set-up for an extra fee
- according to reviews, it is most suitable for side sleepers
- customers say that the company honors its warranty
Cons
- delivery times may be longer than with other companies
- may not be firm enough for back sleepers
Best cooling: Purple Mattress
- Price: $1,399
- Type: all foam
- Height: 9.25 in
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
- Financing: available through Affirm
This all-foam mattress contains a GelFlex Grid, which reportedly offers superior airflow and pain relief. The grid holes allow the mattress to wick away moisture and heat while cradling the body.
The Purple Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. Purple also offers free shipping and returns.
Pros
- the materials are nontoxic and hypoallergenic
- offers access to sleep experts
- available in some physical stores so a person can try the mattress before purchasing
Cons
- may have an unusual feel at first due to the material, according to reviews
- a few customer reviews mention back pain worsened when using this mattress
Best for back and stomach sleepers: Helix Dusk
- Price: $1,373.80
- Type: hybrid
- Height: 11.5 in
- Firmness: medium
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
- Financing: available through Affirm
The Helix Dusk is most suitable for people who sleep on their stomachs or backs. It has a medium feel and contours to the body to promote neutral spinal alignment.
It features up to 1,000 wrapped coils that respond dynamically to the body as it moves during sleep. People can choose between a breathable knit cover or a GlacioTex cooling pillow top for an extra fee.
Helix offers free shipping with delivery within eight business days.
Pros
- offers reduced motion transfer
- more edge support prevents a “rolling off” sensation
Cons
- extra cooling technology costs more
- contains latex, making it unsuitable for people with a latex allergy
Best durable: Nolah Original 10″
- Price: $1,449
- Type: all foam
- Height: 10 in
- Firmness: medium
- Trial period: 120 nights
- Warranty: lifetime
- Financing: available through Affirm
This mattress contains proprietary AirFoam, which Nolah claims offers four times the pressure relief of traditional memory foam.
The company also states that it sleeps 20% cooler than memory foam and lasts for up to 400% longer. The lifetime warranty reflects Nolah’s commitment to making durable mattresses.
While Nolah offers free shipping, people must pay extra if they want the company to set up the mattress.
Pros
- reportedly more responsive, cooler, and durable than traditional foam mattresses
- has one of the longest industry warranties
Cons
- in-home set-up is only available for an extra fee
- some customers report an off-gassing smell
Below, we compare all of the above products side by side.
| Price | Type | Height | Firmness | Trial period | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nectar | $699 | memory foam | 12 in | medium-firm | 365 nights | forever |
| Zoma | $1,149 | hybrid | 12 in | medium-firm | 100 nights | 10 years |
| Avocado | $1,999 | latex hybrid | 11 in | • plush • medium • firm | one year | 25 years |
| Saatva | $3,745 | latex | 13 in | adjustable | 365 nights | lifetime |
| The Winkbed | $1,799 | hybrid | 13.5 in | luxury firm | 120 nights | lifetime |
| Casper | $1,295 | memory foam | 11 in | medium-firm | 100 nights | 10 years |
| Leesa | $1,299 | memory foam | 10 in | medium | 100 nights | 10 years |
| Purple | $1,399 | all foam | 9.25 in | medium-firm | 100 nights | 10 years |
| Helix | $1,373.80 | hybrid | 11.5 in | medium | 100 nights | 10 years |
| Nolah | $1,449 | all foam | 10 in | medium | 120 nights | lifetime |
A 2021 literature review states that a medium-firm mattress may be best for promoting comfort, spinal alignment, and sleep quality. Therefore, a person experiencing back and neck pain may benefit from these mattresses.
An older 2016 Consumer Reports survey indicates an adjustable air mattress is the best option for individuals with back and neck pain. This means people can adjust the firmness to a level that best suits their needs.
Other considerations include:
- Alignment: Mattresses that keep a person’s body in good alignment may help those seeking relief from back and neck pain.
- Body mass index (BMI): People with a higher BMI may benefit from a firm mattress as they offer greater support and pressure relief. A lower BMI may benefit from a softer mattress to experience the same effects.
- Allergies: Individuals with certain allergies may opt for a mattress with natural, breathable materials.
- Temperature: People can sometimes run hot or cool when sleeping, which may guide their mattress choice. Materials such as latex can be cooler than memory foam, and some manufacturers may use gel infusions that help regulate body temperature.
- Preference: An individual may have specific interests, such as sustainably made products.
Mattresses to avoid
Individuals who experience back and neck pain might avoid super-soft mattresses that provide little support. People may also consider avoiding super-firm varieties that may not conform to their body shape, therefore exacerbating symptoms.
Along with any accompanying symptoms, the type of pain and how long a person has been experiencing it will determine when to consult with a medical professional.
Back pain
Most cases of back pain improve for people without treatment or with over-the-counter pain relief and moderate rest.
- when the pain lasts more than two weeks
- when the pain is due to a fall or an injury
- when there is accompanying numbness and tingling
- when they experience a loss of bladder or bowel control
- when they experience a fever
- if they feel weakness in their arms and legs
- unintended weight loss
Neck pain
Neck discomfort also typically resolves without the need for a person to contact a doctor. However, an individual should seek medical attention if the pain does not ease after 1 week or they experience any of the following additional symptoms:
- pins and needles
- numbness or tingling
- a cold arm
What firmness of mattress is best for back and neck pain?
According to a 2021 literature review, a medium-firm mattress may help with back pain by promoting neutral spinal alignment.
Can a bad mattress cause back and neck pain?
Yes, a mattress that does not provide an appropriate level of support may result in back and neck pain. A mattress should relieve pressure points and cradle the body to provide support.
Is a soft or hard mattress better for neck pain?
Medium-firm mattresses are usually the most comfortable firmness feel. However, firmness is subjective, and people should try out different mattresses before committing to purchase.
What kind of mattress do I need for neck pain?
People should look for a mattress that cradles the body and relieves pressure points. Foam or hybrid mattresses may offer the right level of comfort and support to prevent neck pain.
Sleep is essential for health, but many people cannot get adequate rest due to physical discomforts, such as back and neck pain.
Research suggests a medium-firm mattress may be the best option for back and neck pain.
Interested shoppers have a wide selection of medium-firm mattresses to consider.
If people experience back or neck pain with specific accompanying symptoms or do not improve within 1–2 weeks, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible.