The best mattress for back pain 2025: 8 expert-tested picks to help you sleep comfortably

Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association for the quality of its lumbar support, the Classic is designed not only to keep your spine properly aligned in every sleeping position, a combination of high density memory foam and zoned support means that lower back pain can quickly become a thing of the past. At $2,139 for a queen at full MSRP it's a premium mattress, but we think it's worth every cent, particularly if you're troubled by back pain.

Our review: in more detail

The Saatva Classic is the best hybrid mattress on the market today, with the look and feel of a luxury hotel bed. Our lead tester, Managing Editor Claire Davies, was struggling with lower back pain when she took delivery of the Saatva Classic earlier this year. From the first night and during the following seven months, she noted how she could feel her back straightening out when she lay down on it, and found that her spine and pressure points felt properly supported and cushioned.

That’s because while the Classic is an excellent all-rounder for (almost all) sleep positions and needs, where it really excels is in its back support. This was demonstrated further during a recent re-test in our Sleep Product Testing Lab. The Classic excelled in all areas of performance. However, its performance in two key metrics make it stand out as our top choice for those with back pain; it achieved a 5 out of 5 score for pressure relief and a 5 out of 5 for edge support.

That means the Classic provides plenty of cushioning support while holding the spine in correct alignment, has a reliably sturdy edge, which means you can sleep or sit on the edges with confidence.

Plus, our crucial heat dissipation test showed the Saatva Classic dissipates heat at an average of 1.58°F per minute, which, according to our scoring rubric, is excellent (and so far only beaten by the Bear Elite Hybrid, which you’ll find further down the guide). This reliable temperature regulation prevents overheating, which can exacerbate back pain.

As well as being exceptionally kind to your back, the Saatva Classic is suitable to almost every type of sleeper (it has a maximum mattress weight capacity of 450lbs per sleeper). That’s because it comes in three firmness options: Plush Soft, which is best suited to lighter weight side sleepers; Luxury Firm, a safe all-rounder pick for most sleep styles and particularly combination sleepers; and Firm, the ideal option for back and stomach sleepers who need the most spinal support.

As well as that, you get two height options – 11.5" and 114.5" – so that you can choose a size that proves to be the most comfortable fit for your bed type. Saatva even provides a handy calculator to help you visualize which would be the best option for you. It comes with a lifetime warranty, plus free White Glove Delivery, which includes the set up and removal of your old bed, so you can avoid further injury to your back.

In short, the Classic lives up to its name in every way, and in most cases it's a winner for back pain. We should point out, though, that if you experience chronic back or joint pain you could be better off with the more pain-focused Saatva Rx; you'll find details of that further down the page.

What we like about it...

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✅ Specialized lumbar support: The Classic features more supportive quilting in the center third of its pillow top as well as a half-inch memory foam lumbar crown enhanced by active spinal wire, all of which delivers outstanding lumbar support along with healthy spinal alignment.

✅ It's immediately comfortable: There's no break-in period with the Saatva Classic. Because it features the bare minimum of foam, you'll find that it's at maximum comfort levels the first time you get into bed.

✅ Suitable for all sleep positions: The Saatva Classic comes in three firmness options as well as two heights, so you can easily choose an option that fits in with both your sleep preferences and your bedroom setup.

What we don't like about it...

❌ Not for larger couples: The maximum weight capacity of the Saatva Classic is 600lbs, which means that it may not be an option for plus-size couples. There is a Saatva mattress for bigger bodies, the Saatva HD, but that will cost you an extra $1,300 in a queen size.

❌ There's a returns fee: Our long-standing gripe with Saatva is its $99 returns fee. Saatva says that this covers the admin costs for processing returns and exchanges, but it's still a bitter pill to swallow if your mattress doesn't meet your expectations.

When, where and how to buy

Saatva has viewing rooms across the USA but you can only buy online. The current MSRP for a queen size Saatva Classic is $2,139 but you'll basically never have to pay that. Saatva mattress sales run constantly and for most of the year they alternate between two deals: 15% off when you spend over $1,000 (sometimes slightly less than that), which will get you a queen for $1,819, and a set of tiered discounts depending on how much you spend, and that usually means you'll pick up a queen with $350 off.

However, the absolute best time to buy a Saatva Classic is during major sales events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when you'll see a flat $400 discount on all sizes . The next time we expect to see that deal will be Presidents' Day, so if you're in no great rush, we'd advise waiting then.

Although it's not a cooling mattress, it does a great job of keeping temperatures regulated for most sleepers (hot sleepers will need something actively cooling, such as the Bear Elite Hybrid at #3. The dense memory foam layers do an excellent job of dampening any motion across the surface of the mattress, while support around the edge of the bed is excellent (that’s important if you like/need to sit before standing.)

Our review: In more detail

At just $359 for a queen, the Siena 10” Signature memory foam mattress punches well above its cheap price tag in terms of overall comfort and performance. Forget about the typical ‘hug’ feel that you get with some memory foam mattresses (for that, check out the Nectar Premier at #4), this is a firm all-foam mattress boasting oodles of support.

Our testing panel gave the Siena an average firmness rating of 8.5 out of 10 for firmness, placing it in the true firm mattress category. While it does feel surprisingly hard when you first lie on the mattress, the 2” upper layer of contouring foam does exactly what it’s supposed to, adapting around the touch points of the mattress.

This tension was a hit with the back and stomach members of the team, with our lead tester and Senior Staff Writer Ruth Jones admitting she was “obsessed” with its support when sleeping on her stomach. Meanwhile, our Sleep Editor Nicola Appleton (who experiences recurrent lower back pain) described the Siena as “soothing” when lying on her back.

The downside to this robust support is that there isn’t enough pressure relief for side sleepers. During our studio testing, we placed a 25kg weight at the hip area of the mattress and measured a sink of 3.5" and a sink of 3" in the shoulder area. In contrast, we measured over a half an inch extra sink when testing the Nectar Premier. In short, if it's sink-in support you're after, try something with more 'hug', like the Nectar at #4.

What we like about it...

✅ Edge to edge support: Unlike most other memory foam mattresses in this price category, the Siena offers robust support along the edge of the mattress. To demonstrate this during testing, we were able comfortably rest a 25kg weight right on the bed's edge.

✅ Temperature regulating: It's not actively cooling, but the Siena does a decent job of keeping temperatures regulated. A thermal testing camera during testing showed some lingering heat retention (common for memory foam beds) but you're unlikely to overheat here unless you're already prone to.

✅ Superb motion isolation: Dense foam layers prevent motion from travelling along the surface of the mattress. That means that if you share a bed with a restless sleeper, you're unlikely to feel every toss and turn.

What we don't like about it...

❌ Minimal pressure relief: While the Siena was a hit among the back and stomach sleeping members of our testing panel, side sleepers will require a mattress with more sink-in support. If you're looking for a memory foam mattress that combines cushioning comfort for side sleepers and reliable lumbar support for back health, try the Nectar Premier instead.

❌ Potentially lacks durability: Concessions always need to be made when buying a cheap mattress. While the Siena outperforms competitors within its price range for comfort, support and overall performance, durability could be an issue. If you want a memory foam mattress that will last you for years and you can stretch your budget, we recommend the Nectar Classic as a more durable all-foam option ($649 for a queen.)

When, where and how to buy

A regular 60% off Siena mattress sale brings a queen down to $359 and a twin down to $179, so there's no need to wait for the best time to buy — this mattress is always exceptional value for money. That said, we did see a queen drop as low as $244 for Black Friday 2025, so don't rule out a surprise saving in the upcoming Presidents' Day sales.

Our review: In more detail

Packed with a combination of heat conducting materials like Celliant (a synthetic fiber that converts body heat into infrared energy to promote muscle recovery), Phase Change Materials (PCM) that absorb and release excess heat as they change from a solid to a liquid state, and copper-infused foams that conduct heat away from the body, no mattress comes close to the Bear Elite Hybrid for cooling.

Our lab-based temperature tests revealed the Bear Elite Hybrid quickly absorbs body heat and throws it out of the mattress. When our tester got off the bed after lying on it for 15 minutes, the mattress immediately shed 7.2°F of heat. This means the sleep surface remains cool to the touch, soothing any pains through the night.

You can pick between a soft, medium or firm Bear Elite Hybrid and our review panel tested the medium-firm model. When lying on this mattress, you can feel the quilted cover mold to your body shape, zapping pressure from joints and muscles in contact with the bed, while the responsiveness of zoned coils keep your spine in stable alignment.

However, our objective testing data revealed the Bear Elite Hybrid falls short in edge support (our 25kg weight couldn’t sit stably three inches in from the edge of the bed), which may ring alarm bells if your back pain means you need extra support getting in and out of bed. That said, our main reviewer hasn’t had any issues (or falls) getting in and out of bed at home, despite what the data suggested.

Anyone with a restless partner should also note that our motion isolation tests show movement is easily carried across the mattress, so you’re likely to feel your partner tossing and turning next to you, which is no good for soothing back pain. But this is typical of responsive hybrid mattresses and the payoff is that it's easy to move around on the bed surface. So, combination sleepers can easily switch positions without pulling themselves out of foams, potentially triggering pain points.

Alas, this is a premium bed with a premium price. If your budget doesn’t quite cut it, consider shopping the luxurious but more affordable Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Pro Hybrid at $999 for a queen size — it’s loaded with cooling materials and also boasts zoned lumbar support.

What we like about it...

✅ Exceptional cooling: Packed with temperature-regulating fibers, specialist cooling technology, heat-conducting foams and airy coils, the Bear Elite Hybrid helps keep you at a cool sleep temperature all night long.

✅ Zoned lumbar support: The cushioning foams, paired with responsive coils and zoned lumbar support, offer the perfect balance of pressure relief and soothing support for every sleep style.

✅ Responsive surface: If you're someone who likes to shift positions during the night you'll need a mattress with a responsive top layer, as opposed to one that traps you in dense foams (which can jolt and pull at already sore muscles.) Our subjective and objective test show that you can shift positions with ease on the Bear.

What we don't like about it...

❌ Motion isolation isn’t great: The flip side to that responsive layer means that motion travels freely across the surface of the mattress. That means that if you share a bed with a restless partner, you're likely to feel every toss and turn.

❌ Extra fee for Celliant cover: If you want to unlock the mattress's maximum cooling capabilities, you'll need to pay an extra $100 for the Celliant cover. But if you're a very hot sleeper looking for relief, we think it's it's worth the investment.

When, where and how to buy

The Elite Hybrid is the most popular bed at Bear, and its almost always discounted. At MSRP, a queen size with the Celliant cover upgrade is $2,712. But it tends to be on sale with at least 30% off and 40% off at best. Right now, you can get a queen size from $1,799 (adding the Celliant cover will set you back an extra $100 – we think it’s worth it).

Unsurprisingly, the best Bear mattress sales come around holidays, with generous discounts up for grabs around major sale periods in the calendar (we’re talking Memorial Day in May, President’s Day in February and Labor Day in September).

A queen dropped a to $1,456 for Black Friday 2025, and came with a free bedding bundle made up of pillows, sheet set and mattress protector. The next major sale is Presidents' Day, which is when we could potentially see that level of saving again.

However, for the ultimate support and improvements for chronic back pain, the Saatva RX beats all the other contenders.

Our review: in more detail

Like all Saatva mattresses, the Saatva RX is handmade in the US at Saatva-owned factories. It’s one of the best luxury mattresses on the market, delivered directly to your bedroom and set up with Saatva’s free white glove service. We'd recommend it over the flagship Saatva Classic if your back and joint pain is severe.

We reviewed a twin-size Saatva RX for a month and awarded it a test score of 4.5/5, rating it highly for exceptional pressure relief, enhanced back support and good temperature regulation. Our lead tester experiences mild scoliosis and long-term lower back pain and noticed a marked improvement in her pain levels.

Our tester sleeps alone but our objective drop tests revealed a level of motion isolation that's on par with some of the best hybrid mattresses we've tried. The surface has a nice bounce to it, so it's easy to change positions. That said, we think it might be too firm for lightweight side sleepers, who may feel a little pressure build up at the hips and shoulders.

On analyzing the Saatva RX’s user reviews, the most common complaint is that the edge support is poor – a distinct contrast to our personal experience. There are also a few complaints about the firmness being either too soft or firm, which is to be expected as firmness is subjective.

What we like about it...

✅ A perfect blend of comfort and support: The Saatva RX comes in a medium-firm feel, and chiropractors now recommend this as the best mattress firmness for back pain. During testing, we felt it delivered a magic combination of pressure relief, support and full body comfort.

✅ Reduces back and joint pain: Our main reviewer with mild scoliosis felt a big reduction in back pain when sleeping on the Saatva RX. This is down to the patented Lumbar Zone Quilting and specialist Therapeutic Support Core – two features that provide superior lumbar support and react to your body’s movements.

✅ Fantastic extras: Free white glove delivery is included with the Saatva RX, as is optional removal of your old mattress and bed base. This is great value for money. You’ll also get a full 365 nights to try out the mattress and a lifetime warranty, which adds to the peace of mind with such an expensive purchase.

What we don't like about it...

❌ Expensive: Though it's competitively priced and nearly always on sale, the Saatva RX is very expensive. If price is a barrier, the Saatva Classic (#1) is an excellent alternative.

❌ It’s very tall: A 15” height makes for a luxurious mattress, but perhaps not a practical one, especially if you have issues getting in and out of bed. Again, the Saatva Classic comes in two height options (11.5" and 14.5") if easy accessibility is important.

When, where and how to buy

Saatva mattresses are sold by Saatva itself, though we do sometimes see refurbished and past-season models popping up on mattress liquidator sites.

There are well over 20 Saatva Viewing Rooms located across America, where you can lie on every Saatva mattress and test out the brand's sleep accessories, too (these are now also being sold via Saatva's Amazon store). Saatva Sleep Guides are on hand to answer your questions, but orders still need to be placed via the website.

Saatva RX mattress prices typically fluctuate throughout the year, with the MSRP of a queen mattress now at $3,399, a $100 increase. You shouldn’t need to pay full price, though, as there's a monthly Saatva mattress sale offering 10-15% discounts. But do avoid buying during the summer months as this tends to be the only time of year that Saatva doesn’t offer a discount on its mattresses.

The best times to buy a Saatva RX is during a 15% off flash sale. These are fleeting and difficult to predict, but that's when you stand to save up to $599. At 15% off, you can buy a queen RX for $2,890 instead of $3,399.

At $949 for a queen in the Nectar mattress sales, the Premier Memory Foam is among the most affordable beds in this guide. Beds like the Plank Firm and the Cocoon by Sealy Chill are comparably-priced foam alternatives, but they lack the cushioned feel that sets the Nectar Premier apart.

And it's this cushioning, well-balanced with the support, that's earned the Nectar Premier Memory Foam mattress a place in this guide.

Our review: in more detail

The Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress is a 13" tall all-foam bed that offers indulgent pressure relief at a mid-range price tag. At $949 for a queen in the year-round sale, it's a competitor to the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress and the Plank Firm mattress.

But what the Nectar Premier delivers that's missing from its rivals is a memory foam 'hug'. The comfort layers immediately contour to the body, delivering cushioning at the joints comparable to the plush feel of the Helix Midnight Luxe or the Bear Elite. We think it's the best memory foam mattress you can buy online.

Our testing team agrees the Nectar Premier excels at pressure relief, particularly for side sleepers. Even our lightest weight side sleeper enjoyed the Nectar's cushioning, and she often struggles to find mattresses soft enough.

But it's not all about cushioning, and those with back pain will recognize the importance of support. We were impressed with how well the foam core of the Nectar Premier keeps the body lifted, and our objective weight tests showed even support at the shoulders and hips (a 25kg weight sank roughly 3.8" in both areas.) However, there's a tad too much sink for stomach sleepers, who would be better off with the Plank Firm or Siena Mattress.

The Nectar Premier also excelled during our motion isolation testing. A combination of poor motion isolation and restless co-sleeper can sometimes exacerbate pain but the Nectar Premier quickly dampens movement to keep you sleeping soundly.

And while temperature regulation can be a weak area for all-foam beds, the Nectar Premier quickly removed heat during our thermal imagining tests (although hot sleepers should consider the Bear Elite or the Cocoon by Sealy Chill.) It also delivered good edge support but the softer sides do sink when you press against them — the Plank Firm is sturdier at the perimeter.

What we like about it...

✅ Ample cushioning at the shoulders and hips: The dense foams of the Nectar Premier Memory Foam mattress easily yield to the pressure points, cradling the body for a cozy sleep feel.

✅ Eats up motion: We conducted a series of drop tests in our sleep studio which demonstrated the Nectar's ability to quickly dampen motion. If you share a bed, your partner's movements shouldn't travel across to your sleep area.

✅ Even support for side sleepers: Side sleepers will find the Nectar Premier holds the body straight while cradling the touch points (the shoulders, hips and knees), for head-to-toe pressure relief.

What we don't like about it...

❌ Can trap some heat: The Nectar Premier offers good temperature control for an all-foam bed but it lacks the breathability of most hybrids. The Bear Elite Hybrid is the best choice for hot sleepers but the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Pro Hybrid is a cooler alternative at $999 for a queen.

❌ Slightly weaker at the sides: On the whole we were impressed with the Nectar's edge support but the slightly softer perimeter can feel unstable when you press against it. The Plank Firm has much sturdier sides (but is also firmer all round.)

Where, when and how to buy

The Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress is sold both online and in-store, with Nectar mattresses found at over 4,000 stores across the country.

Online the best place to buy the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress is direct from Nectar, where you can typically find a twin for $549, a queen for $949 and a king for $1,099. Nectar mattress sales run year-round and those prices stay fairly consistent, although we have spotted occasional flash sales.

Elsewhere online, the Nectar Premier is available from Raymour & Flanigan, Ashley Furniture and Mattress Firm (among others). These third-party retailers typically price match Nectar but you might miss out on some benefits — Nectar offers a 365-night trial and a lifetime warranty when you shop direct.

The Nectar Premier Memory Foam mattress is also sold via Amazon, where we have, on very rare occasions, spotted a further price drop.

With a near-permanent sale on the Plank, the fact that you’re getting two mattresses in one makes it a bargain, although it’s not going to suit everyone. The mattress has quite a niche feel, but it’s not just a gimmick. This is a supremely supportive mattress that will particularly appeal to stomach sleepers with back pain, but also back sleepers with lower back pain. The flat and firm surface is particularly conducive to good spinal alignment.

With a 120-night trial, you’ll have plenty of time to decide if the mattress is right for you, although it’s worth noting that you will pay $99 if you want to return the mattress. Still, this is a reasonably priced mattress with discounts.

Our review: in more detail

Perhaps surprisingly for a firm mattress, the Plank Firm is an all-foam offering. At its core is a 6" layer of high-density foam that provides support to both sides of the bed. The extra firm side just adds a 0.75" quilted flat top to this core.

Flip over to the firm side and there’s a little more padding with a 2" layer of comfort foam plus a 0.75" quilted top. It’s quite a simple construction whichever way you flip it (on that note, it’s worth noting that there aren’t any handles on the Plank, which makes flipping it that little bit more awkward).

For many people, the firm side at 8/10 is going to be more than supportive enough for their sleeping needs. There’s minimal give, but there is just enough cushioning from the comfort foam to keep the hips from sticking up too far when sleeping on the stomach and therefore throwing the spine out of alignment.

Although Plank rates the extra firm side as 10/10, our testers did notice a small amount of give in the foam, with the mattress dropping to 9/10 after an initial wearing-in period. Back sleepers with lower back pain should particularly rate this side, which keeps the spine completely straight and supported.

The Plank Firm is also a good choice if you share a bed with a restless partner, with superb motion isolation and edge to edge support. Temperature regulation on the Plank could be better — despite being a firm mattress, the foam is a little prone to trapping heat. Fortunately, there is the option to upgrade to a GlacioTex cooling cover, which has a cool-to-the-touch feel and will keep even the hottest sleepers cool overnight. Back pain sufferers need to be comfortable overnight, as endless tossing and turning while trying to keep cool can exacerbate aches and pains.

The Plank Firm also has ACA accreditation, offering superb lumbar support and spinal alignment to ease away any back pain you might have.

What we like about it...

✅ It offers superior lumbar support: The ultra-firm feel of the Plank means that your lumbar region will always be well supported, helping to ease away back pain and particularly lower back pain if you sleep on your back.

✅ It’s supremely supportive for front and back sleepers: While we think the Firm side has a wider appeal overall for its minimal cushioning, our testing panel were pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they found the Extra Firm side when resting on their backs and stomachs.

✅ It suits heavier bodies: The Plank Firm has a maximum weight capacity of 950lbs, making it the perfect choice for heavier bodies. The extra firm side will also prevent these sleepers from sinking too far in, maintaining good spinal alignment however they sleep.

What we don't like about it...

❌ It doesn’t breathe well: It might offer fantastic support, but the dense foams of the Plank mean that the mattress struggles with airflow. Yes, you can add a GlacioTex cooling cover to solve the problem, but really hot sleepers might prefer to go for the firm version of the Bear Elite Hybrid (#3).

❌ Too firm for side sleepers: Unsurprisingly, the firm feel of the Plank means that this mattress won’t suit side sleepers, who need more cushioning at their pressure points for a good night’s sleep. Try the Helix Midnight Luxe (#7) instead.

Where, when and how to buy

You’ll find the Plank Firm mattress for sale on its own website, or through its parent company Brooklyn Bedding. It’s also available on Amazon. You’ll get a 120-night trial, 10-year warranty and free shipping, but do be aware that there’s a $99 return fee.

The Plank Firm has an evergreen discount of between 20 and 25%, although we have seen this jump to 30% during major sales events. Hold out for one of these and you’ll be able to pick up a queen size mattress for $932.40 (MSRP $1,332) — an extremely competitive price for a flippable memory foam mattress.

All WinkBeds also come with the brand’s 3-Step Back Relief System, which aligns the spine and joints, as well as helping to eliminate muscle tension. There’s also a Lumbar Layer for extra support in the middle lumbar region of the mattress, and these two innovations combined help remove back pain successfully.

Our review: in more detail

The choice of four firmness options means that the WinkBed is ideal for anyone who wants to fine-tune their mattress to provide optimum pressure relief to reduced back and hip pain. The Soft version is best suited to lighter bodies and side sleepers, the Luxury Firm is more of an all-rounder, the Firm model is ideal for back and stomach sleepers who need to sleep on top of a mattress rather than sinking into it, and as mentioned, the Plus is designed to provide reliable support for heavier bodies.

All WinkBed models are made with layers of pressure-relieving gel-infused foam and zoned, pocketed coils for targeted support, and the Soft, Luxury Firm and Firm options come with pillow-tops of various thickness. The Plus, meanwhile, has no pillow-top but gains a 2.5" latex layer for extra support, as well as reinforced coils and extra engineered support around the edge of the bed.

Our testers trialed the standard WinkBed, sleeping on the Luxury Firm option. They noted the excellent spinal support from the Back Relief System, which is backed up by the hundreds of WinkBed 5-star customer reviews that praise the mattress for getting rid of back pain. The mattress is rated at 8/10 on the firmness scale, but it is worth noting that sleepers weighing over 300lbs may find the bed a little softer, giving more of a 6/10 feel.

Motion isolation is excellent, but we did feel that really hot sleepers might find the mattress too warm. There is now an option to upgrade to a new cooling cover that WinkBed claim helps you sleep 20% cooler for an additional $125. However, if sleeping hot is your primary concern, we would recommend the the Bear Elite Hybrid at #3.

What we like about it...

✅ Targeted support: The WinkBed has zoned coils for targeted support and both a back relief system and added lumbar support to ensure the spine is kept aligned, with aches and pains smoothed out.

✅ Custom comfort: The WinkBed comes in three firmness options as well as a Plus version that's specifically designed for heavier bodies, which means that all sleepers can be comfortable and supported in all sleeping positions.

✅ Edge-to-edge support: The reinforced perimeter of the WinkBed means that the mattress is secure even when sitting or lying on the very edges.

What we don't like about it...

❌ Average temperature regulation: It’s not the worst mattress for temperature regulation, but some sleepers might find the WinkBed a bit stuffy, which can be a particular problem for heavier bodies. However, there is now an option to upgrade to an optional cooling cover for an additional $125.

❌ Heavy: There’s no white glove delivery option with the WinkBed and this is a heavy mattress that could be taxing to move about. Not great if you’re already experiencing back pain.

When, where and how to buy

WinkBed mattresses are available exclusively from WinkBeds. You can only buy the mattress online, but the brand does have dozens of showrooms located across America where you can try the beds and discuss your requirements with the onsite sleep consultants.

After four years of a steady MSRP, the WinkBed recently increased in price. You can now expect to pay $1,799 (was $2,570) for a queen after a 30% off WinkBed mattress sale. That places it in line with its direct competitor, the Saatva Classic. However, if you go with the Classic, you’ll also get free white glove delivery and old mattress removal.

The Helix Midnight Luxe usually has a sale on, with prices reduced by 20-25%, rising to 27% off with our semi-exclusive sale access around major holidays. You can expect to pay around $1,919 for a queen size (MSRP $2,398.75), leaving this mattress still firmly in the premium camp. Still, for side sleepers with back pain, nothing else on our list will give you as much comfort and relief.

Our review: in more detail

Made up of six layers, the Helix Midnight Luxe is a premium mattress with plenty of features to help sleepers with back pain rest easily. Enhanced lumbar support means that sleepers’ spines won’t slip out of alignment, ensuring that any back pain is mitigated. There’s also an option to add a zoned foam top layer for maximum lumbar relief.

Helix Responsive Foam, followed by a layer of Copper Gel Memory Foam provides body contouring support, while holding you on top of the mattress rather than allowing you to sink in. This is an important feature for back pain sufferers, as this helps to keep your spine in correct alignment with the rest of your body.

You will get plenty of cushioning from the pillow-top cover, which helps to soothe pressure points around the shoulders, hips and knees. We rated the mattress as a medium feel, but some sleepers did criticize it for being too firm. This is down to the fact that firmness is subjective, although it’s also likely that lightweight side sleepers may find it a little on the firm side.

Although you can’t see or directly feel any of the (up to) 1,000 individually wrapped steel coils, zoned lumbar support to support the spine and a sturdy bed edge means you'll know they’re there. These steel coils come into play again when we tackle the subject of temperature regulation — additional coils mean increased airflow, which means an all-round cooler night.

Of course, very hot sleepers will appreciate the option to upgrade to two different cooling upgrade options. However, the Luxe comes with a breathable Tencel cover that feels cool to the touch and kept our lead tester cool and comfortable during testing. Motion isolation is excellent, which will appeal to the restless sleepers out there who share a bed.

For maximum relief from your back pain, consider adding the ErgoAlign upgrade. This is a zoned top layer with ultra-dense foam around the mid-section to support and release pressure from your lumbar region. One of our testers with lower back pain slept on a Midnight Luxe with ErgoAlign for several nights while traveling and noticed that she didn’t develop the usual aches that follow her on the road.

What we like about it...

✅ Superb pressure relief: The premium quilted pillow top provides fantastic pressure relief across the shoulders, hips and knees: exactly where it's needed when side sleeping. Our lead reviewer is prone to hip pain and numb hips when sleeping on her side, but it disappeared when sleeping on the Midnight Luxe.

✅ Enhanced lumbar support: Zoned lumbar support combined with the premium memory foam layers means that you’ll get plenty of support from the Midnight Luxe, with the mattress being ideally suited to both side sleepers and even some back sleepers.

✅ Motion isolation: Another area the Helix Midnight Luxe excels in is motion isolation. If you're a restless sleeper who shares a bed, you'll experience very little motion transfer here.

What we don't like about it...

❌ Stomach sleepers will find it too soft: The Helix Midnight Luxe is an excellent choice for side sleepers and is supportive enough for back sleepers too — but will be too soft for stomach sleepers. If you’re a stomach sleeper with back pain, check out the Saatva (#1) or Winkbed (#6), which both come in adjustable firmness options.

❌ Extra lumbar support costs extra: The Helix Midnight Luxe comes with zoned lumbar support as standard, which does an excellent job of supporting the lumbar while side and back sleeping. But for the ErgoAlign layer of extra dense foam for lower back pain relief costs an extra $248.75 at full MSRP.

When, where and how to buy

Away from major sales events, the Helix always has a 20-25% discount. Historically, the best time to buy the Helix Midnight Luxe has been during the Black Friday sales. During Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2024, our exclusive coupon shaved 27% off, bringing the price of a queen Midnight Luxe to $1,732.53. That beat Helix’s general 25% discount for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Right now, there's currently 27% off the Midnight Luxe with the code TOMS27 in the Helix Black Friday mattress sales.

However, the best Helix mattress sale in 2024 took place Memorial Day weekend, when we saw a rare 30% off sitewide discount. That dropped the sale price of a queen Midnight Luxe to $1,661 and the lowest price we’d seen all year.