With our time in bed being crucial for our overall health and well-being, finding a comfortable and supportive mattress is essential. But exactly what is an orthopedic mattress? We spoke with an expert to better understand what the orthopedic mattress label really means and how to find the best mattress for reducing back pain. Keep reading to learn about the best orthopedic mattresses, plus our picks to achieve that deep sleep we’re all craving. “Orthopedic” is a blanket term that’s touted by plenty of mattress brands, but it’s one that isn’t clearly defined by medical associations. “There are some mattresses that are marketed as orthopedic mattresses, which are designed to provide support for the musculoskeletal system,” says Cameron Yuen, DPT, CSCS, and director of rehab and training at Bespoke Treatments Physical Therapy in New York City. “This isn’t an official designation, however, so it isn’t necessary to only look for those listed as ‘orthopedic’ if your back is bothering you.” To be clear, labeling a mattress as “orthopedic” isn’t a bad thing. It’s just important to remember that this label doesn’t necessarily make the mattress better than any other medium-firm mattress out there, and these mattresses aren’t guaranteed to solve all of your aches and pains. “Back pain can rarely be attributed to a single factor,” Yuen explains. “Pain can be caused by the health of the spine, activity levels, stress, and, in some cases, sleeping positions or mattresses. Look for a mattress that is somewhat firm but soft enough to conform to the curves of your joints and muscles.” This mattress is a great pick for stomach sleepers thanks to its firm yet plush design. It’s a luxury hybrid made from recycled, individually wrapped steel coils, gel-infused foam, and a plush Euro-top. You can choose from four firmness options: softer, luxury firm, firmer, and plus, which is intended for heavier people. The Luxury Firm is the brand’s bestseller and is rated at a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. It arrives compressed and rolled in a box. You don’t need to wait long for it to expand, and you can sleep on the mattress as soon as it’s reached its full size. What customers say: This mattress has 4.8 out of five stars, across 8,000 total reviews. It’s a hit with all sleep positions and with couples as well. One person writes, “I sleep on my side and back and my husband sleeps on his stomach and we both really like it. I definitely wake up with less hip and back pain. This may be the first time ever that we agree on a mattress!” Of course, some reviewers complain that their WinkBed is either too soft or too firm. If you end up not loving your bed, you can exchange for a different firmness option (or return it altogether) within the first 120 nights. The original DreamCloud mattress is another hybrid mix of innerspring coils and foam, but it comes at a significantly lower price point than the other beds we selected. It only comes in one medium-firm firmness option, but if you’re a strict side sleeper or just someone who likes a little additional cushion, you can upgrade to the DreamCloud Premier, which adds a plush foam topper for an additional $400. Like most of the mattresses on this list, this one arrives compressed and wrapped in a box. The brand recommends leaving it to expand for 24 hours, and once the mattress is in your home, you’ll have a full year to decide if it’s the right one for you. What customers say: With just under 8,000 reviews and 4.8 out of five stars, this mattress gets overwhelmingly positive reviews online. “The DreamCloud is super comfortable. It is fluffy but firm and has good support. No more achy body!” one person reports. Most negative reviews are from people who say their DreamCloud was firmer than they wanted (and there is only one firmness option). Reviews are very mixed from side sleepers: Some folks recommend upgrading to the Premier if you need a little more cushion for side sleeping. All Avocado beds ship from their factory in Los Angeles, California. They’re actually a carbon-negative company, which means they voluntarily offset more than 100% of their emissions! When it arrives, the bed will be compressed and rolled in a box. But because it’s made with natural and organic materials, you won’t experience any weird smells while it comes to life. What customers say: With an overall rating of 4.7 out of five stars and over 17,000 reviews, people with all different sleep styles praise the buoyancy of this mattress. Many report waking up without aches and pains, and a back sleeper writes, “The perfect solution for our increasingly aching backs! Its comfort is amazing and there was absolutely no odor! We love it!” While the brand does offer a generous 365-night sleep trial, the most common complaints from reviewers are about less than stellar customer service during the return process. This mattress arrives compressed and rolled in a box and will take a couple of hours to reach its full size. There might be a slight smell to your mattress while it expands, but it will go away quickly. What customers say: This is a newer model, so there aren’t a ton of reviews, but it has 4.5 out of five stars overall with mostly positive comments from side sleepers. One reviewer says, “The mattress itself is a perfect balance between soft, supportive, and springy. As a side sleeper, this has helped a surprising amount with shoulder soreness.” As with all mattresses, some people say it’s either too firm or too soft for their liking. The silver lining here is that if it doesn’t work out for you, you can return it for free within the 100-night trial, and the company will help you donate it. The Luxury Firm is the brand’s bestseller and is most popular with folks looking to relieve aches and pains. However, since this is a firmer bed by design, some side sleepers and smaller-bodied folks might prefer the Plush Soft model. Saatva delivers all of their mattresses through white glove delivery, meaning someone will bring it into your home for you and help set it up. The brand says it won’t have any funky off-gassing smells and, since it was never compressed, you won’t have to wait to sleep on it. What customers say: This bed has 4.8 out of five stars and over 2,800 reviews—most of which are very positive and speak to reduced back pain or feeling supported. “It’s like sleeping on a marshmallow while being fully supported, firm but not too firm, no pressure points digging into my body, no sagging in the middle,” one person raves. The majority of the negative reviews are from people who find this bed to be too firm. Still, even these comments typically mention Saatva’s quality customer service and generous return policy. The brand offers a Lifetime Renewal Exchange, which allows you to trade in your original comfort layer for a different firmness. If you swap a few years into owning your mattress, you will also extend its lifespan—a win for sustainability! This mattress arrives compressed and rolled in a box, and the comfort layer will already be built in. Most reviewers say there aren’t any funky smells as it expands; you can sleep on the mattress right away. What customers say: Reviews are generally very positive about this mattress. Side sleepers, back sleepers, and people who previously experienced pain have great things to say. One person who ordered a split king writes, “We ordered the split king with plush/medium comfort layers. It has been a great purchase. My wife loves her side and my lingering lower back pain that I had for years was gone in about 2 weeks, plus I sleep much better!” A few people warn that the Medium and Firm comfort layers are rather firm, so if you’re a strict side sleeper you might be better off with the Plush. Per our expert’s recommendations, focus your search on a bed that’s medium-firm and provides a good combination of cushion and support. Take your body weight into consideration, as lighter people will likely find that their mattress feels firmer than those with more weight. This is where a generous in-home sleep trial is a huge help. Prioritize returns and trials. On that note, if solving back pain is your goal, it can be even more frustrating if your new mattress doesn’t work out. Prioritizing brands that allow for extended in-home sleep trials and easy returns or exchanges will help soften the blow a bit if the bed you choose ends up not being the one. Keep a discerning eye. Mattress brands love to make claims that their beds “promote spinal health” or are “doctor-recommended.” Just remember that mattresses are extremely personal, and just because something comes doctor-recommended for one person doesn’t mean it’ll be a fit for you. Consider your sleep style. Your sleep position will also determine what feels comfortable to you, so keep that in mind when searching for a supportive bed. Folks who are strict side sleepers need a little more cushion to cradle their hips and shoulders, while back or stomach sleepers should choose a firmer surface to keep their spines in alignment.
