Unfortunately, you might notice your back or neck pain is worse when you get out of bed in the morning—starting a never-ending cycle of trying to chase higher-quality sleep. That being said, you shouldn’t rule your mattress out altogether. “You can definitely sleep in less than optimal positions, which can leave you with a stiff back or sore neck,” explains Yuen. “If your mattress or pillow is not filling in empty space while you’re sleeping or is pushing you too far out of a neutral alignment, I would absolutely recommend exploring changes in mattresses or pillows.” Along with sleeping on a mattress with the right firmness and support, it’s also imperative to make sure your mattress is not too old. Research found2 that replacing a mattress that’s more than nine years old could reduce back discomfort and improve sleep quality. Birch is a sub-brand of the mattress company Helix, and it only makes one product: The Birch Natural Mattress. Available in a basic or upgraded version, the hybrid pick combines natural Talalay latex, organic cotton, organic wool, and individually wrapped steel coils into a medium firm design. Not only is talalay latex hailed for being more responsive than memory foam, but it’s a more natural option, too. If you’re up for the additional cost, the upgraded version of the Birch Natural adds a layer of lumbar support, which might be helpful for combating back pain. The Birch Natural Mattress arrives compressed and rolled into a box. It only needs one to two hours to expand once unboxed, and thanks to the natural latex and organic cotton, there shouldn’t be any unpleasant off-gassing smells. What customers say: The basic version of this mattress has 4.6 out of 5 stars and over 3,100 reviews. One reviewer says, “The aches and pains we were experiencing on our old mattress are no longer an issue and we feel much better knowing we are sleeping on quality materials that are safe for us and sustainably sourced.” Some negative reviews complain that this mattress was too firm for them. If that’s the case, several shoppers found adding the Birch’s Organic Mattress Topper helped. Memory foam isn’t the most supportive of materials, so it’s not often recommended for folks looking to relieve back or neck pain. That being said, some people still prefer the cradling feel of the material, so we found an option that could fit the bill. The Cypress Memory Foam Mattress from Brentwood Home is on the firmer side for a memory foam bed, rated at a 6 out of 10 on a firmness scale. It’s available in both an 11- and 13-inch height, and you can also opt to make the bed a hybrid for additional support. The Cypress mattress ships compressed and rolled in a box. Brentwood Home has more certifications for nontoxic materials than most all-foam mattresses, and this bed even uses a blend of plant-based memory foam, which helps reduce the likelihood of off-gassing smells. What customers say: The Cypress Memory Foam Mattress has over 1,000 reviews and is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars. Most people comment on the firmness of this mattress (as a good thing), including one reviewer who says, “It’s my ‘hotel bed.’ It’s so soft but firm enough that it supports my back.” On the downside, some people complain that the structure of this mattress didn’t hold up over time as they expected. One reviewer also noted an inconsistent feel throughout the bed. The Avocado Green Mattress is a combination of supportive coils, GOLS-certified organic latex, and GOTS-certified organic wool and cotton. While it’s technically suitable for all sleep styles, the Avocado Green is definitely on the firmer side. Back and stomach sleepers in particular will have better alignment (and less likelihood of aches and pains) on this mattress than side sleepers. Avocado does offer an additional plush pillowtop, which is recommended for anyone wanting a little more cushion. Avocado manufactures all mattresses in its factory in Los Angeles and ships them compressed and rolled in a box. Because the bed is made with natural and organic materials, you don’t need to worry about any weird smells while it expands to its full size. What customers say: The only reason we didn’t rank this bed as “best rated” is because there are fewer firmness options compared to Saatva. Still, the Avocado Green Mattress has over 17,000 reviews with a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. One reviewer says, “After sleeping on it for a month, I’m happy to say my neck and shoulder issues improved tremendously. I wake up in the morning, pain-free.” In all the reviews we read, the biggest complaints (besides the firmness of this mattress from side sleepers) were about the delivery process or customer service during returns. The Awara Premier is the more luxurious of the brand’s two models with a combination of natural Dunlop latex, steel coils, and moisture-wicking wool. A breathable option for folks who run hot, it’s a medium-firm bed rated at a 6.5 out of 10 on Awara’s firmness scale. Extra green points for the brand’s slew of certifications for quality and sustainability from the Rainforest Alliance, Greenguard Gold, and the Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX. The mattress arrives compressed and rolled in a box, and the four attached handles allow you to move the bed where you want before letting it expand. What customers say: Awara has over 1,000 reviews from happy sleepers. One reviewer says, “No more morning back discomfort. Very soft, but firm enough for a side sleeper and any other position my wife ends up sleeping in.” And another comments on the temperature control saying, “I live in Texas and this mattress is cool. Love it for the hot weather.”" Even the negative reviews are, well, not so negative! Of course that can be a little fishy. But if you’re up to try one out yourself, you’ll have a whole year to decide if it’s a fit for you. Take home the luxurious feel of a hotel bed with the Winkbed; the hybrid mattress layers recycled, individually wrapped steel coils with gel-infused foam and plush Euro top for a deluxe sleeping experience. It comes in four firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and Plus, which is intended for heavier folks. The Luxury Firm is the brand’s best-seller—rated at a 6.5 out of 10 on a firmness scale—and a great pick for anyone looking for a medium-firm feel to combat back and neck pain. The bed arrives compressed and rolled in a box. Once unboxed, the mattress expands immediately and can be used right away. What customers say: The original WinkBed mattress has 4.8 out of 5 stars across 8,000 reviews—and I can attest that they’re spot on. I’m a combination sleeper who switched to the WinkBed from a memory foam mattress that wasn’t nearly supportive enough. My husband and I share the Luxury Firm, which is the perfect combination of cushion and support for both of us despite our height difference (he’s 5'11" and I’m 5'3"). Not only do I sleep throughout the night, but I no longer wake up with pain in my back and shoulders. Reviewers who are unhappy with their WinkBed complain that it’s either too soft or too firm. Luckily you can exchange your bed for a different firmness option (or return it altogether) within the first 120 nights. Like the WinkBed, the original DreamCloud mattress uses a combination of innerspring coils and foam for a hotel-like feel—but it’s available at a considerably lower price point. The caveat is that the DreamCloud mattress comes in only one firmness opinion: medium-firm. If this “firm” feel doesn’t provide enough give, especially for smaller bodies, the brand also offers an upgraded model with a plush topper called the DreamCloud Premier for a couple of hundred dollars more. Similar to other direct-to-consumer brands, DreamCloud ships mattresses compressed and rolled in a box. You’ll need to wait at least 24 hours before sleeping on it to allow the bed to fully expand (reviews are mixed as to whether it lets off any scents). What customers say: This bed has just under 8,000 reviews and 4.8 out of 5 stars, which is a pretty great track record. A lot of reviewers mention reduced pain in their hips, shoulders, and back. One reviewer says, “This mattress has been a saving grace for my back. After suffering with low-back pain due to herniated discs, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease, I have finally found some relief.” Of course, comfort is personal. There are also a handful of negative reviews where folks complain that the bed is too soft or too firm for their liking. And unlike the WinkBed, if you don’t like the firmness, there’s not another option to swap for. Everyone’s idea of comfort is different, especially if you’re trying to target specific aches and pains. That’s where a bed like the Saatva Solaire can be a real game-changer; this adjustable air bed mattress offers 50 firmness options on each side (so long as you choose a queen or larger). Above the air chamber lies two layers of foam for added cushion, as well as a 3-inch Euro pillow top with an organic cotton cover. Each Saatva mattress comes with free white glove delivery and setup, and service typically includes removal of your old mattress. What customers say: Saatva as a company is a super well-loved brand, but there aren’t a ton of reviews for the Solaire. Of the few available on the website, most are positive with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Due to the adjustable firmness, it’s a hit with sleepers of all positions, including one stomach sleeper who says this is the first mattress they’ve owned where they don’t wake up with lower back pain. The most obvious con to the Solaire is that it’s expensive. But Saatva is known for its quality, generous trial, and lifetime warranties, so it’s worth the extra cash—especially for those with different ideas of comfort than their partners. Another Saatva pick, this hybrid mattress is one of the most highly rated designs on the market today. The more affordable pick combines supportive steel innerspring coils and a cushy layer of nontoxic memory foam to bring a plush, hotel-bed feel. The plush Euro pillow top has additional support in the middle to keep your hips in alignment and ward off lower-back pain. You can customize your bed by choosing an 11.5- or 14.5-inch height, as well as from three different firmness options. The Luxury Firm is the bestselling option—and likely the best fit for anyone looking to relieve back pain—although side sleepers and smaller-bodied folks might prefer the Plush Soft model. Like the Solaire, Saatva delivers the Classic mattress through white glove delivery, meaning someone will bring it into your home for you and help set it up. What customers say: With 4.8 out of 5 stars and over 2,800 reviews, the Saatva Classic has no shortage of fans. One customer raves, “I waited two years to write a review—words cannot describe the comfort, sleep is awesome, no more back pain. The mattress is not sagging in the middle or edges, it is like new to this day.” Almost every negative review (and there aren’t a ton) is about the mattress being too firm for their liking. So if you’re someone who knows you like a softer mattress, you should probably opt for the Plush Soft model. Leesa’s Legend Hybrid is the company’s first mattress focused on sustainable materials; it contains two layers of recycled coils, multiple layers of certified foam, and a soft cover made from organic cotton, merino wool, and recycled water bottles. This is a slightly softer option, which Leesa rates at a 4 to 6 out of 10 on a firmness scale. Side sleepers will appreciate the targeted support, which provides additional cushion under your hips. The Legend arrives compressed and rolled in a box and might take a couple of hours to reach its full height. The company also says there might be a slight smell to your mattress while it expands, but it’s harmless and should go away quickly (reviewers confirm!). What customers say: The Leesa Legend doesn’t have a ton of reviews (about 200) because it’s on the newer side—yet it still has a solid 4.5- out of 5-star rating. One reviewer says, “My husband and I are both side sleepers (occasionally rolling onto our backs) and we have slept great on this mattress since purchasing it about a month ago. My husband is about 180 pounds and I am 130 pounds and with this mattress I don’t wake with any aches or pains.” Of course, some folks complain that it’s either too firm or too soft for their liking. If it ends up being too soft for you, you can always return it within the 100-night trial for free (and the company will help you donate it). And while you’re taking stock of your current mattress, you might want to investigate your pillow to see if it could be causing your neck pain—we have plenty of suggestions there, too!
