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Written by Livvi DiCicco, Certified Sleep Science Coach
Livvi has been writing and researching sleep-based content for over a year. This, alongside her penchant for napping and extreme tossing and turning, has made her something close to an โexpertโ in the realm of sleep science, sleep products, and sleep accessories. Sheโs been consulted for her knowledge of the sleep space by publications such as Authority Magazine, Bustle, and Livingetc.
After Sosha began writing sleep-related content, she knew she wanted to learn more about this important (yet often elusive!) aspect of human health and well-being. She became a Certified Sleep Science Coach to better understand what goes into getting a good nightโs restโincluding oneโs choice of mattress. Sosha now calls upon this training when she tests and writes about beds and sleep accessories, and when sheโs consulted for recommendations by publications such as Livingetc.
Melanie has been writing and editing sleep-related content for more than four years. After creating a comprehensive guide to sleep hygiene for a sleep tracker app, she became fascinated by the science behind getting good rest. Since then, sheโs immersed herself in the complicated world of mattresses and bedroom accessories, marrying her sleep expertise with a wealth of product knowledge.
If you struggle with aches and pains, an orthopedic mattress might help you get a night of restful sleep. These are softer-feeling mattresses that take the pressure off of sensitive joints, and may provide relief for sleepers experiencing chronic or acute discomfort. The best orthopedic mattresses will have you waking up feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ideally pain-free.
Below, weโve gathered our favorite orthopedic beds, picked for their excellent performance in our pressure relief and support tests, as well as the high praise they received from our medical experts.
Editorโs Note: When we classify a mattress as โorthopedic,โ we mean that it performed well in our pressure relief tests and met other important testing criteria. None of these beds are medical devices meant for use in a hospital setting, andthe information provided in this article should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a medical professional if you have personal health-related questions.
Clarityโs Clear Winner
The best orthopedic mattress is the Helix Midnight Luxe, because of its pressure- and pain-relieving pillow top, comfortable medium feel, supportive coils, and overall well-rounded performance. This bed scored 4s and above in all of our testing categories, and physical therapist Dr. Hannah Habeeb awarded it a plethora of perfect scores for various pain concerns and conditions.
At Mattress Clarity, we rate firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. During testing, we assign every bed a firmness rating that encapsulates how the mattress feels. Most mattresses fall around 6.5/10, or medium-firm, which typically accommodates the โaverageโ sleeper. However, the best orthopedic mattresses will often skew softer to offer better pressure relief, contouring, and sinkageโall things that make sleeping with discomfort easier.
On this list, most of the beds fall around or below a 6/10 firmness rating, or theyโre available in multiple firmness levels, including a softer model. Thereโs a few exceptions, as firmer beds can still be orthopedically soothing for certain sleeper types, including stomach sleepers and heavyweight folks.
Pain relief and pressure relief often go hand-in-hand. A lot of the time, nightly pain comes from certain parts of your body digging uncomfortably into the bedโs surface, which creates a buildup in pressure. Orthopedic mattresses therefore tend to be excellent beds for pressure relief.
We test pressure relief by having our testers lie down on their side and back on top of the mattress and report where they feel any discomfort.. We also use a specialized mat to record a diagram of where pressure builds up along the body. These results help us to rate each bedโs overall pressure relief out of 5.
For this list, we aimed to include mattresses that earned at least a 4/5 for pressure relief in one position. (Note that the overall pressure relief score may seem lower if it performed poorly for a certain position or body type.)
Along with these findings, we also called upon physical therapist Dr. Hannah Habeeb. She evaluated these mattresses from an orthopedic standpoint, considering how well they might work for sleepers with a variety of conditions, from shoulder pain to scoliosis. We only included beds that earned her stamp of approval.
Soft and cushy mattresses are wonderfully comfortable, but that plushness has to be balanced out with the right support. Improper spinal alignment can exacerbate existing pain. โYour mattress should help coax your spine into its natural S-curve position,โ Dr. Raj Dasgupta, our chief medical advisor, explains.
Support is always on our mind throughout our testing regimen. During our process, multiple testers of varying body types take turns lying on the mattress in each position, so we can get a feel for who will feel most supported on a mattress. If anything feels uncomfortable or uneven, weโre sure to note it. All of the mattresses on this list should provide the necessary support to keep your spine aligned.
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches selected the best orthopedic beds by looking for top performers in the categories above: firmness, pressure relief, and spinal alignment.
But our full process involves testing several aspects of a bedโs performance, including cooling, edge support, and more. We evaluate and score these factors using specialized technology as well as firsthand accounts of how a bed feels to testers with different body types.
Once we have all those scores, we calculate the bedโs overall score using a weighted formula. This overall score is a good indicator of a mattressโs general quality, and is always a number out of 5.
As we decide which mattresses to feature on any roundup, we only include beds with an overall score of 3.5 out of 5 or higher. Even if a mattress does certain things well, we wonโt point you towards it if it falls below this baseline.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a hybrid mattressโit has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 6/10. This is slightly softer than the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$1,436-$2,924 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, California king, RV king
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers of all body types should feel cozy on this bed.
Back Sleepers
It has enough support for most back sleepers.
Hot Sleepers
This bedโs cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros
This bed has a hotel-like feel. The pillow top provides a plush comfort layer to sink into.
The Helix Midnight Luxe sleeps very cool, and impressed us during our temperature testing.
Even though itโs a hybrid mattress, this bed has good motion isolation. That means if you co-sleep, youโre less likely to feel your partnerโs movements.
Cons
Stomach sleepers probably wonโt find this bed supportive enough to keep their spine in proper alignment.
This is a luxury mattress model, so it wouldnโt be considered a budget-buy.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
15-year warranty
Returns
Youโll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day โbreak-inโ period.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a premium medium-firm mattress that offers a hotel-like feel for a relatively affordable price. Its zoned support and supportive coil layers make it a great option for back sleepers. The only element in which it scored below average was responsiveness, so if you like a super bouncy bed or youโre a restless combination sleeper, consider another model.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a favorite of ours to recommend, a true jack-of-all-trades bed that excels in a number of areas, including pain and pressure relief. Dr. Habeeb, our chief medical product tester, called this mattress โso comfortableโ as soon as she lay down on it. โIt cushions your joints enough that people with arthritic pain, chronic pain, and joint pain would find support and relief,โ she explained. โItโs very plush and pillowy, and it provides excellent contouring.โ
Our expert testers agreed. This hybrid features sturdy coils for support and an uber-plush pillow top, yielding a comfortable medium feel thatโll have you sinking deeply into its cushy surface.. Aside from a 4.2/5 rating for pressure relief, it also received high marks for edge support (4.8/5) and cooling (4.5/5).
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Firmness: 6/10
The Helix Midnight Luxe has a medium feel, skewing slightly softer than traditional medium-firm.
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Pressure Relief: 4.2/5
Above average. Only our heavyweight tester noted some pressure on his lower back while back-sleeping.
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Edge Support: 4.8/5
Above average. There was minimal sinkage when sitting or lying down at the edge of the mattress.
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Cooling: 4.5/5
Above average. The Midnight Luxe has a cool-to-the-touch feel at the surface.
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Motion Isolation: 4/5
Average. We could feel some movement from the other side of the bed during the coupleรขโฌโขs test.
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Response: 4/5
Average. This bed has bounce, but the pillow top is softer, potentially impeding some movement.
At a 6/10 on our firmness scale, the Helix Midnight Luxe is just a touch softer than your typical medium-firm bed. This makes it great for back and side sleepers. I tested out this mattress and particularly enjoyed the former position, especially how it contours to the lower back, propping you up with a gentle boost.
Our heavyweight tester praised the bedโs balanced feel on his side: โThe plush top feels really nice and comfortable while the bottom layers are more supportive, keeping me aligned,โ he explained. โI usually sleep on my side, and I would recommend this for side sleepers in my weight category.โ
With its softer, pressure-relieving pillow top, I was surprised that the Midnight Luxe performed so well in our edge support test. When seated on the edge of the mattress, I felt very little sinkage beneath me. The same was true when I lay down at the perimeterโonly side sleeping caused a bit of extra dippage. As a whole, I was impressed, though I will note that the foot of the bed doesnโt have the same reinforcement. Older sleepers or those who otherwise rely on a sturdy perimeter should stick only to the lengthwise edges.
The Midnight Luxe also has a pleasantly cool-to-the-touch feel, which I noticed immediately when I lay down for our temperature regulation test. Throughout my 7-minute nap, I could feel the coolness against my skin. If the surface got any hotter, I never noticed. Moreover, our thermal gun recorded a meager 4.4-degree increase, one of the lowest Iโve seen. Hot sleepers should be set on this mattress.
The only bone I have to pick with the Midnight Luxe is its responsiveness. As a rowdy combination sleeper, I prefer a super-bouncy bed thatโs easy to move around on. The bedโs pillow top has a doughy feel, which impeded my movement and required more effort to switch positions. It was by no means impossible, but if youโre like me, Iโd recommend something more responsive, like the Bear Elite Hybrid.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.4
Nectar
Nectar Classic
Medium-Firm Feel
Motion Isolation
Pressure Relief
Foam mattress
365-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Current Deals
Save Up to 50% on Mattresses & 66% on Bundles See Details
The Nectar mattress is an all-foam mattress. It has a plush comfort layer followed by a thin layer of transition foam. At the bottom, thereโs a layer of high-density base foam.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Nectar mattress a 7/10, which is just slightly firmer than average.
Price
$699-$1,798 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Couples
This mattress isolates motion well, which means couples shouldnโt feel movement come over to their side of the bed.
Side Sleepers
It offers great pressure relief for side sleepers under 230 lbs.
Back Sleepers
The Nectar mattress offers plenty of support for most back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Pros of the Nectar Mattress
This mattress has a slow-moving feel. If you like mattresses that contour to your body, this could be a great option.
The Nectar mattress isolates motion well, which is helpful for people who share a bed with a partner or a pet.
It offers plenty of pressure relief for side sleepers who weigh less than 230 lb.
Cons of the Nectar Mattress
Even though it has cooling gel-infused foam, itโs not the best mattress for hot sleepers.
Itโs not supportive enough for most stomach sleepers. In this position, you may feel your hips sink out of alignment, which can lead to lower back pain.
Because itโs an all-foam bed-in-a-box mattress, it has a 48-hour off-gassing period. Youโll need to let the mattress air out for two days before sleeping on it.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Forever warranty
Returns
Youโll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period.
The Nectar is an affordable all-foam mattress that offers lots of pressure relief and body contouring. It works well for most side sleepers, because it helps cushion shoulders and hips. It is also a good option for couples, because it isolates motion well. However, the Nectar mattress isnโt supportive enough for most stomach sleepers and heavyweight people. If you tend to sleep hot at night, you may want to look for a mattress with more cooling features. Learn more in our Nectar mattress video review.
Memory foam is known for its slow-moving sink and deep contouring, making it the perfect material for an orthopedic mattress. When I tried out the Nectar mattress, I thought it had a surprisingly firmer feel for a foam mattress. However, there was still that classic sinkage I associate with memory foam at the surface, something Dr. Habeeb noted in her own tests: โI would consider this an orthopedic bed due to its foam feel that allows gradual sinkage and contouring,โ she explained.
Foam beds come with a number of pros, including excellent motion isolation and affordability, two things that the Nectar mattress embodies. This all-foam mattress provides the ideal blend of support and softness, as well as a surprisingly cool surface (scoring perfectly for temperature regulation) and versatile medium-firm feel. Itโll appeal to a variety of sleepers, but especially those looking for the best foam mattress for their orthopedic needs.
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Firmness: 7/10
This mattress has an โon-topโ feel that skews it slightly firmer than true medium-firm.
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Pressure Relief: 3.7/5
Below average. The Nectar offers better pressure relief for back sleepers.
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Edge Support: 3.4/5
Below average. While lying down along the edges of the Nectar Classic mattress feels seamless, thereโs a lot more sinkage when youโre seared at the perimeter.
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Cooling: 5/5
Exceptional. The bedโs cooling cover has a crisp feel.
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Motion Isolation: 4.7/5
Above average. Most disturbances should be stifled on the Nectar Classic, allowing light sleepers to sleep peacefully.
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Response: 4/5
Below average. The doughy nature of foam can make moving around a challenge on the Nectar mattress.
Dr. Habeeb recommended this mattress for back sleepers in particular because of how it โconforms to the lower back and prevents dipping at the hips.โ This quality shined through in our testing, as most of our testers praised the bed in this position.
Average-weight tester Sosha Lewis, however, liked the mattress on her side. โItโs elevating my hips enough, but thereโs also some sinkage, creating a really nice balance,โ she explained. The bed also worked well for our heavyweight tester, but our lightweight tester found it too firm for her needsโthe ultimate reason for the slightly lower-than-average pressure relief score, despite its good performance.
Most foam beds like the Nectar Classic tend to hold onto heat, leading to a possibly stuffy sleep surface. However, this isnโt the case for the Nectar. The bed features a cooling cover, and I was surprised to find it pulled its weight during our temperature regulation test. Though I wouldnโt call it particularly active cooling, the bed remained temperature-neutral as long as I lay there. My thermal gun recorded a less than 4-degree increase, an exceptional result for any mattress, not just a foam one. If youโre a hot sleeper who likes foam, this should be the bed for you.
Light sleepers are another category that should love the Nectar mattress. As one myself, I was pleasantly surprised by how much motion the surface absorbed in our couplesโ test. Even with another tester moving around on the other side of the bed, I didnโt feel jostled. I only noticed a bit of movement when my partner got in and out of bed, but even then, it was only slight. This makes the Nectar an excellent mattress for couples.
The Nectar does fall victim to one of foamโs common cons: lackluster edge support. Though I could lie down at the perimeter of the mattress without slipping, sitting down at the edge was another story. The bed dipped significantly beneath my weight. As someone who uses my bed as a second chair, I wouldnโt recommend the Nectar for folks who need top-notch edge support; they might like the Helix Midnight Luxe instead.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The Saatva Rx is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress a 5/10, which very soft.
Price
$1995 โ $4,390 (before discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, Cal king
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Side Sleepers
Great pressure relief for side sleepers under 300 lbs.
Hot Sleepers
This bedโs cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros
The mattress is designed specifically with pain in mind. Its unique design can prevent and easy future back pain.
It is a great luxury pick. If you want a mattress with all the bells and whistles, this is a good investment.
Cons
It doesnโt offer a memory foam feel.
It is a pricier mattress.
Shipping
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Youโll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day โbreak-inโ period. A removal fee of $99 will be deducted from your refund.
The Saatva Rx is a great fit for people with deal with pain issues. Its unique coil system offers some of the best contouring we have ever experienced. Learn more in our video review.
At a 5/10 on our firmness scale, the Saatva Rx is one of the softest beds we recommend. Youโll sink right into its surface and enjoy โperfect cushioning around the boney areas,โ as Dr. Habeeb pointed out. โThereโs no extra force being placed around the hips, shoulders, and knees, which provides excellent relief,โ she added.
As the medically inspired name implies, this bed is designed with chronic pain in mind. Its super-plush, cradling feel is the perfect profile for an orthopedic mattress. It earned a near-perfect 4.7/5 for overall pressure relief, so itโs bound to help melt away any discomfort or aches.
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Firmness: 5/10
The Saatva Rx has a super-soft feel.
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Pressure Relief: 4.7/5
Above average. This mattress provides exceptional pressure relief for both side and back sleepers.
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Edge Support: 3.4/5
Below average. When we sat down on the Saatva Rx, we felt like we could easily slide off.
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Cooling: 4/5
Average. We thought this mattress had a comfortable, breathable feel and kept temperatures from rising.
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Motion Isolation: 4.7/5
Above average. Any movement you feel on the Saatva Rx should be very light or completely unnoticeable.
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Response: 4/5
Below average. The plush, dense feel of the Saatva Rx may require a little more effort to roll around on.
Our testers particularly loved the bed for side and back sleeping, awarding it a number of perfect 5/5 ratings for comfort in each position. Lightweight tester Riley Otis preferred the mattress on her side, saying, โThere is a strong, sturdy base, but the top is plush and comfortable. I love how it feels on my extremities and keeps my spine very aligned.โ
Average-weight tester Sosha Lewis enjoyed back-sleeping on the Rx. โThis bed is really cushiony,โ she said. โIโm not normally a back sleeper, but this position is amazing. I would recommend this for all back sleepers.โ
Our testers gave the Rx the thumbs-up for couples, too. Our in-house tester noted it was โone of the best beds for motion isolationโ that she had ever tried. With another tester in the bed, she felt completely undisturbed. โThe movement was so light,โ she said, awarding the bed a 4.7/5 for motion isolation.
The Rx also offered a pleasantly cool sleep surface that should benefit most hot sleepers. The bed is swaddled in an organic cotton cover, which boosts airflow as well as softness. โI usually notice a change in temperature when Iโm lying on a mattress for a while, but that wasnโt the case here,โ our tester explained. โI think it does a good job of keeping it feeling cool with the breathable quilted top.โ
Though its extra-soft feel is great from an orthopedic standpoint, it didnโt do the bed any favors in the edge support test. โWhen I sit on the edge of the Saatva Rx, it collapses pretty significantly,โ our tester explained. โI felt like I was going to slide off the mattress.โ She felt more secure when lying down at the edges, but ultimately recommended folks with mobility concerns try out something else. I recommend taking a look at the WinkBed.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.4
Leesa
Leesa Sapira Chill
Multiple Firmnesses
Pillow Top
Breathable
Hybrid mattress
100-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Current Deals
20% Off Select Mattresses; Up to 25% Off Adjustable Base and Mattress Bundle See Details
The Leesa Sapira Chill is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options: Plush, Medium-Firm, and Firm. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Medium-Firm model a 6/10, which is slightly softer than average.
Price
$1,499-$2,399 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Hot Sleepers
This bedโs cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Side Sleepers
Great pressure relief for side sleepers under 230 lbs.
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Pros of the Leesa Sapira Chill
This bed is available in several firmness options. That means a variety of sleepers should be able to pick a feel that works for their needs.
It sleeps impressively cool. The cooling cover and breathable foam and coils mean it offers strong temperature-regulation.
The pillow top gives the bed a hotel-like feel. This provides plenty of cushion while the coils offer zoned support.
Cons of the Leesa Sapira Chill
This is a more responsive mattress, so you wonโt get that signtaure memory foam sinking feeling.
The Leesa Sapira Chill isnโt a cheap mattress.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
Youโll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day โbreak-inโ period.
The Leesa Sapira Chill is a cool, comfortable bed that pairs a plush pillow top with supportive zoned coils. Itโs available in three firmness options, so many sleepers should be able to choose a model that works for their sleeping position. This isnโt the cheapest option for a cooling mattress, though. Instead, check out the Cocoon Chill.
The last thing you need when sleeping on a super-comfy orthopedic mattress is waking up sweaty and overheated. Hot sleepers wonโt have this problem on the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid. Its cool-sounding name strikes true, as this bed will keep temps low throughout the night as it cushions and cradles the joints. It performed admirably in all of our tests, earning a 4.5/5 for pressure relief and a 4/5 for cooling.
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Firmness: 6/10
The Medium Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid has a slightly softerโbut still mediumโfeel.
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Pressure Relief: 4.5/5
Above average. Our testers encountered plenty of pressure relief in the back- and side-sleeping position.
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Edge Support: 4.3/5
Above average. The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid has excellent edge support for sitting and lying down at the far reaches of the bed.
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Cooling: 4/5
Average. True to its name, the Leesa Sapira Chill has a pleasantly cool-to-the-touch feel.
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Motion Isolation: 3.8/5
Below average. Youโll likely feel your partner moving around on the other side of the bed, just like we did.
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Response: 4/5
Below average. Though itโs a hybrid mattress, the Leesa Sapira Chill has a doughy pillow top that makes it harder to move around on.
The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid comes in multiple firmness options, and we opted for the mid-range medium-firm model. However, this bed skewed a touch softer, closer to medium, at 6/10 on our scale. โIt has that plush, cushiony element to where it makes you feel almost weightless,โ Dr. Habeeb said when she lay down on this mattress. โI like how good it is at contouring the body. It should do a really good job relieving pain in the hips and shoulders.โ
With this praise, itโs unsurprising that the mattress earned high marks for side-sleeping. Our average-weight tester in particular loved the bed in this position, despite not normally opting for it. โIt gives great pressure relief, and my body feels aligned,โ she said. โMy hips have no pressure, which is typically my problem area.โ
Our heavyweight tester agreed, though he also found the mattress comfortable on his back. โI feel equally supported, and thereโs no discernible added pressure.โ He also complimented the alignment he achieved on the mattress as a whole, calling it โspinalicious.โ
The Sapira Chill Hybrid earned a deceptively standard cooling score during our temperature regulation test. This was largely the result of our thermal gun, which recorded a 10-degree increase after my colleague, Melanie Kassel, lay on the surface for 7 minutes. She didnโt think the results reflected her experience: โThis bed feels cool to the touch, thanks to the cooling fibers in the cover,โ she said. โIt did not noticeably heat up while I was lying on top of it.โ She unreservedly recommended it for hot sleepers, especially if paired with some cooling sheets.
This mattress also boasts some impressive edge support, even with its plusher-feeling pillow top. Melanie noticed the edgesโ reinforcement when she sat down on them: โThe sides felt very strong. It was almost like a second edge trying to push me up,โ she explained. She experienced a similar effect while lying along the perimeter, feeling so secure that it was no different than lying in the center of the mattress.
Melanie did encounter a little bit of motion transfer during the partner test for this mattress. Though it wasnโt too concerning, she thought especially light sleepers might feel more disturbance. โThe pillow top did a handy job of absorbing the motion, but it couldnโt totally counteract the springiness of the mattress construction,โ she explained. โI felt the most movement when the other tester switched positions next to meโmy own body moved side to side a bit when that happened.โ If youโre on the hunt for top-notch motion isolation, I recommend the Saatva Rx.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.6
DreamCloud
DreamCloud Premier
Medium-Firm Feel
Cooling
Plush Pillow Top
Hybrid mattress
365-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Current Deals
Up to 60% Off Mattresses + 66% Off Bundles See Details
The DreamCloud Premier is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 6.5/10. This is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$1,169-$2,998 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Hot Sleepers
This bedโs cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros of the DreamCloud Premier
The DreamCloud Premier is an excellent cooling mattress. Its hybrid design and breathable materials ensure you wonโt be overheating during the night.
Back sleepers will feel very comfortable on the DreamCloud Premier. It boasts a perfect balance of comfort and support, which is exactly what back sleepers need.
While it is closer to medium-firm, it is a good fit for side sleepers. Its plush top will help relieve pressure on the shoulders and hips.
It features a plush pillow top design. Those who like the feeling of a luxurious pillow top will love the DreamCloud Premier.
Cons of the DreamCloud Premier
Stomach sleepers wonโt get enough support on this mattress.
If you prefer the feeling of a memory foam mattress, the DreamCloud will be too bouncy for you.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Youโll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day โbreak-inโ period.
The DreamCloud Premier is a luxurious hybrid that gives you the feeling of sleeping in a nice hotel. Its combination of foam, coils, and cooling materials make it an ideal pick for both back sleepers and hot sleepers as well. At the same time, it is plush enough for the majority of side sleepers. However, if you sleep on your stomach, take a look at the firmer DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress. Learn more in our video review.
Hybrid mattresses provide an enviable blend of comfort and support that orthopedic-mattress seekers are sure to love. The DreamCloud Premier is one such bed, providing plenty of pressure relief (4.4/5) to soothe aching joints while the springy coils below ensure spinal alignment. These coils also give the bed some impressive bounce, for which it earned a perfect response score.
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Firmness: 6/10
The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid has a medium-soft feel.
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Pressure Relief: 4.3/5
Above average. Back sleepers will reap the most pressure relief on the DreamCloud Premier.
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Edge Support: 4.4/5
Above average. The edges barely buckled when sitting or lying down on the DreamCloud Premierโs perimeter.
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Cooling: 3.5/5
Below average. This mattress did retain quite a bit of heat in our cooling test, so it likely wonโt appeal to hot sleepers.
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Motion Isolation: 4/5
Average. The dense pillow top of the DreamCloud Premier should absorb some motion.
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Response: 5/5
Exceptional. This hybrid mattress has a super-bouncy feel.
The DreamCloud Premier has a true medium-firm feel, but thereโs plenty of plushness on top. โThis mattress molds to your body and provides supportโbut not too much that it feels firm or uncomfortable,โ Dr. Habeeb explained. โI also think the plushness will help people with chronic pain and sensitive joints find relief.โ
With this report, it makes sense that our testers primarily enjoyed sleeping on their side. โThe contouring is great on my shoulder, and I really love how it feels on my ribcage,โ said average-weight tester Sosha Lewis. Riley Otis, our lightweight tester, added, โTypically, I have pressure in my shoulders but with this mattress I have relief there. I could stay in this position all night long and not feel any pain.โ
Meanwhile, our heavyweight tester noted that he preferred the mattress on his back. โNothing is sinking too far in, so I feel pretty aligned. I like the cushioning,โ he finished.
Regardless of your preferred position, switching between them should feel like a breeze on the DreamCloud Premier. โI never felt stuck in this mattress,โ said our in-house tester when she moved around on the bedโs surface. โEven though itโs not as firm as other hybrids Iโve tested, I never sank in too much or felt like I had to pull my way out.โ
Our tester was also pleased with the Premierโs โgreat edge support,โ as she put it. She noticed that any sinkage was confined to the pillow top, while the coils kept her aloft whether she sat or lay down on the bedโs perimeter. โThe mattress does a great job of holding me in place, and I donโt feel like I am going to slide off,โ she explained. She recommended it for โa senior sleeper looking for that extra edge support with a plush top.โ
The DreamCloud only faltered in our cooling test, scoring a just-okay score of 3.5/5. โI did feel the mattress was warming up, but it was nothing of concern,โ our tester summed up her experience lying on the mattress. โIf youโre a hot sleeper, I donโt think this mattress would work, but as an average sleeper, I wasnโt concerned about overheating.โ Check out the Leesa Sapira Chill for a cooler-feeling option.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Luxury Firm model a 7/10, which is slightly firmer than the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$1,149-$2,049 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Side Sleepers
Great pressure relief for side sleepers over 130 lbs.
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Hot Sleepers
This bedโs cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros
It has a bouncy, responsive feel. This is great for combination sleepers who benefit from a bed that makes it easy to change positions at night.
The WinkBed features zoned support. With firmer foam at the top and bottom and more cushioning foam in the middle, this bed has excellent lumbar support.
This bed sleeps cool. Thanks to the breathable coils and gel-infused memory foam, hot sleepers can expect a cool nightโs rest.
Cons
This isnโt the best option for motion isolation.
The WinkBed doesnโt have a traditional โsink-inโ memory foam feel.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Youโll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day โbreak-inโ period.
The WinkBed is a versatile mattress that provides zoned support and cooling comfort for a fair price. This bedโs excellent responsiveness makes it a good fit for combination sleeper that want a bed thatโs easy to move around on. For couples looking for motion isolation, though, this probably isnโt the best choice. Instead, check out the Nectar Premier Copper. Learn more in our video review.
While most orthopedic beds will proudly advertise their super-plush feel, this doesnโt appeal to everyone. Some people need a firmer mattress that still staves off aches and pains. That balance can be found in the WinkBed mattress.
This hybrid offers a slightly more โon topโ feel that will have you feeling lifted at the surface, all while the pillow top keeps sensitive joints cradled. The WinkBed earned high marks for back-sleeping pressure relief, especially for heavyweight sleepers, and Dr. Habeebโs approval for sleepers with back pain. Outside of relief from pain and pressure, it should also deliver excellent edge support (4.4/5) and cooling (4/5).
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Firmness: 6.5/10
The Luxury Firm model of the WinkBed has a true medium-firm feel.
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Pressure Relief: 3.8/5
Below average. Back sleepers gleaned the most pressure relief on the WinkBed.
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Edge Support: 4.4/5
Above average. We only noticed some minor sinkage when seated on the edge of the mattress.
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Cooling: 4/5
Average. As we used our thermal gun to record the bedรขโฌโขs surface temperature, we could see the number going down, even after someone lay on it for seven minutes.
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Motion Isolation: 3.7/5
Below average. The WinkBed has just-alright motion isolation, as we could feel our partnerรขโฌโขs movements. However, they werenรขโฌโขt too egregious.
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Response: 3/5
Below average. The WinkBedรขโฌโขs thick pillow top impeded our ability to seamlessly move around on the bedรขโฌโขs surface.
The WinkBed is available in multiple firmness levels, including Luxury Firm, Firm, and Plus models, each of which should deliver on the firmness you need. The Luxury Firm is the model we tried, coming in at a 6.5/10, or true medium-firm feel. This should satisfy most shoppers who want an orthopedic bed.
Dr. Habeeb thought the WinkBed would do well for folks wanting a bed that promotes spinal alignment. โSince the spine remains neutral, thereโs not too much sinkage anywhere along the body,โ she said. โSomeone with back pain, from conditions like degenerative disc disease especially, will find lots of support. Anyone who gets flares from lifting can also find relief from muscle spasms.โ
While our lightweight tester found the WinkBed too firm for her liking, both our heavyweight tester and average-weight tester Sosha Lewis enjoyed side and back sleeping on the mattress. โItโs firmer than I expected to like, but the top is soft enough that it contours to my hips and shoulder,โ Sosha said while resting on her side. Switching to her back, she added, โIf I owned this bed I would become a back sleeper. Itโs firm with a light touch, and it contours well around my lower back, which is a problem area for me.โ
My colleague Melanie Kassel particularly liked the WinkBedโs edge support, which was only bolstered by its firmer feel. She felt extremely secure when lying down at the perimeter of the mattress, regardless of which position she took. โEven when side sleeping (usually my most precarious position on the edge), I was fully elevated and it felt like lying on any other part of the bed,โ she explained. โIf my eyes had been closed, I would not have been able to tell you I was near the edge.โ
The WinkBed also produced some impressive results in our cooling test. To get a feel for how much heat a bed holds onto, we use a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature before and after lying on the bed. As Melanie took the second reading, she watched the number go down in real-time, signalling how quickly the WinkBed was cooling off. โThe bed continued to feel nice and cool during my testing, which impressed me because it feels so dense and solid,โ she added.
Firmer-feeling hybrids like the WinkBed usually perform exceptionally well in our responsiveness test, but that wasnโt the case here. Melanie encountered quite a lot of pushback from the doughy pillow top, which made it difficult to move around on the surface. โIt doesnโt trap me or leave me sunken into the surface, but itโs a lot less responsive than I expected. Movement between all three positions had to come from my efforts alone,โ she said. If you like a bouncier bed, Iโd check out the Bear Elite Hybrid instead.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.6
Nolah
Nolah Evolution
Multiple Firmnesses
Cooling
Motion Isolation
Hybrid mattress
120-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Current Deals
30% Off Sitewide, Additional $50 Off with Code CLARITY50 See Details
The Nolah Evolution is a hybrid mattress, which means it has coils at the bottom and memory foam on top.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options: Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Luxury Firm model a 6.5/10, which is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$1,499-$3,198 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Back Sleepers
The Nolah Evolution Hybrid offers great lumbar support for most back sleepers under 300 lb.
Hot Sleepers
This bed has graphite-infused foam, which helps dissipate body heat. It also has coils that promote airflow.
Pros of the Nolah Evolution
It has great cooling features, such as graphite-infused foam and airflow-promoting coils.
Even though it has coils, it isolates motion well. This makes it a great mattress for couples.
Itโs available in three firmness levels, so it works for a variety of people.
Cons of the Nolah Evolution
It lacks a slow-moving feel.
Itโs not supportive enough for most people who weigh more than 300 lb.
Because itโs a luxurious mattress, it might be too pricey for some people.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Youโll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day โbreak-inโ period.
The Nolah Evolution Hybrid mattress is available in three firmness levels. The Luxury Firm model works well for many back and side sleepers. This mattress has many cooling features, and it isolates motion well. Itโs not a great option for most people who weigh over 300 lb, though. If you fall in this category, you may need more lumbar support. Watch our Nolah Evolution mattress review video to learn more.
Back pain is a common complaint, especially upon waking, but you donโt have to resign yourself to discomfort. A good mattress for back pain that also delivers on overall orthopedic comfort is the Nolah Evolution.
This hybrid features multiple layers of luxurious-feeling foam, designed to offer contouring and cushioning where you need it most. It also features zoned support to promote proper spine alignment, i.e. a firmer center to provide necessary lift to the lower back. This, paired with its exceptional 4.5/5 pressure relief score, is the perfect recipe to wake up refreshed and pain-free.
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Firmness: 6.5/10
The Luxury Firm Nolah Evolution has a true medium-firm feel.
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Pressure Relief: 4.5/5
Above average. Both side and back sleepers should get pressure relief from the Evolution, but the latter will feel much more contouring.
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Edge Support: 4.6/5
Above average. When sitting on the edge of the Nolah Evolution, the pillow top compressed a bit but otherwise remained stable.
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Cooling: 4/5
Average. The Evolution isnรขโฌโขt actively cooling, but it should provide a comfortable temperature-neutral feel.
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Motion Isolation: 5/5
Above average. This mattress has exceptional motion absorption, so you shouldnรขโฌโขt feel any movement from your side of the bed.
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Response: 4/5
Below average. The doughy pillow top might slow down some sleepers as they switch positions on the Evolution.
The mid-range model of the Nolah Evolution is truly medium-firm (6.5/10), but the overall feel is similar to doughy, traditional memory foam mattress. โThis bed offers plenty of body contouring while still balancing support,โ Dr. Habeeb said after giving it a go. โThis makes it a good option for relief from back pain, and I would also consider it an orthopedic bed.โ
Our testers were able to find comfort in all three positions, though back and side sleeping reigned supreme. On his side, our heavyweight tester only noticed a little bit of pressure buildup in his hip, but said it was โnothing that would sway me from this mattress entirely.โ He added, โItโs still super-plush and contouring due to the pillow top, so I feel extremely cradled by this mattress.โ
Switching to his back, he even commented on the bedโs ability to relieve pain in this position: โItโs really contouring in my lower back, where I do have slight pain going on today, so it just feels particularly good this way. I feel like itโs lessening that pain on my lower back,โ he said.
Back pain and pressure relief werenโt the only areas where the Nolah Evolution earned glowing reviews. This bed earned an elusive 5/5 for motion isolation, perfect for light sleepers who share the bed with a rowdy partner. Our in-house tester was impressed by how little movement she felt during the partner test. โMy side of the mattress remained static, regardless of what was happening on the other side,โ she explained.
The Evolution also earned high marks for above-average edge support. There was only some slight dipping when seated on the edge, but not enough to compromise stability. โWhen lying at the far reaches of the bed, I felt beyond secure,โ our tester added. โWhether I lay on my side, back, or stomach, the mattress remained solid and steady, with no sinking or sagging to suggest its structured support would flag along the edges.โ
The sole area where the Nolah Evolution could improve is the responsiveness category. โFor the most part, it was easy to move around and switch positions, but the foamy pillow top slowed down my movements a bit,โ said our in-house tester. โI expected to feel more bounce from beneath the pillow top, but the overall feeling of the bed was more of slow-moving foam and not springy coils.โ It may not be enough to satisfy combination sleepers or sexually active folks, who may like the bouncy DreamCloud Premier Hybrid instead.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The Bear Elite Hybrid is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options: Soft, Medium, and Firm. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Medium model a 6.5/10, which is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$1,893-$3,920 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Side Sleepers
Back Sleepers
Hot Sleepers
Pros of the Bear Elite Hybrid
This mattress offers great value. Itโs made with high-quality materials and backed by a lifetime warranty, but available at a relatively affordable price point.
It comes with excellent edge support. The Bear Elite Hybridโs sturdy perimeter is helpful if you need a stable surface to get in and out of bed.
The bedโs cover and foam layers contain cooling materials to help regulate your body temperature. Its coil layer also promotes plenty of airflow to keep you cool.
Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid
Doesnโt do the best job of isolating motion.
Likely not supportive enough for sleepers who weigh over 230 lbs.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Youโll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day โbreak-inโ period.
The Bear Elite Hybrid is Bearโs most high-end mattress. It offers luxury features, like zoned support and extra height, while still offering the temperature regulation Bear mattresses are known for. Based on our testing results, weโd recommend this mattress to average-weight side and back sleepers, as well as hot sleepers. If youโre looking for a cheaper option, check out the Bear Star Hybrid. Learn more in our video review.
Side sleepers require a softer, pressure-relieving mattress to ensure they donโt end up with pain in the hips or shoulders. For a mattress that cradles these joints and allows for comfortable sinkage, I recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid. This luxury hybrid earned a 4.3/5 for overall pressure relief, as well as a 5/5 for side sleeping from Dr. Habeeb. To further sweeten the deal, the bed scored exceptionally well in responsiveness (5/5) and edge support (4.6/5).
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Firmness: 6/10
The mid-range model for the Bear Elite Hybrid skews slightly soft.
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Pressure Relief: 4.3/5
Above average. The Bear Elite offers better pressure relief for back sleepers.
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Edge Support: 4.6/5
Above average. The edges barely budged when sitting or lying down on them.
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Cooling: 2.5/5
Below average. We had conflicting results in our cooling test, but it heated up quite a lot.
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Motion Isolation: 4/5
Average. We could feel movement from the other side of the bed, but itรขโฌโขs likely not enough to wake a light sleeper.
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Response: 5/5
Exceptional. Even with the softer pillow top, moving around was a breeze.
Like many other beds on this list, the Bear Elite Hybrid comes in multiple firmness options. We tested out the medium version and found it true to its name, coming in at 6/10 on our firmness scale. Dr. Habeeb immediately noticed how it felt โreally comfortable on the side.โ She explained, โMy hips and shoulders are sinking in as the mattress nicely conforms to your body. My spine still feels neutral and comfortable.โ
Our pressure relief testers echoed these sentiments, particularly our average-weight and lightweight testers. โIโm not feeling a lot of pressure buildup,โ our average-weight tester said, while our lightweight tester added, โThe pillow top is giving great cushioning at my hips and shoulders, and the coils prop me into a neutral alignment.โ However, the medium model is likely too soft for heavyweight side sleepers. The Elite also received high marks for back sleeping, which is extra good news if you switch between your back and side at night.
Combination sleepers should also appreciate how easy it is to move around on the Bear Eliteโs surface. The soft pillow top provides cushioning, but not enough to totally muffle the springiness of the coils below. โToggling through different sleep positions felt very easy,โ our tester said after performing the responsiveness test. โThe bouncy core of the mattress made it a breeze to launch myself in and out of bed or roll around.โ
You should also be able to spread out as much as you like on the Elite Hybrid, thanks to its solid edge support. We could feel the reinforcement of the edges when sitting and lying down along the perimeter of the mattress. โI think seniors would appreciate how easy it is to rise up out of this bed or sit on its edge and muster up the energy to start the day,โ our tester explained. โAnd I felt like I could lie on the absolute farthest reaches of the bed without sliding or rolling out.โ
We only encountered conflicting results when it came time for our cooling test. Using a thermal gun to record the surface temperature before and after our tester rested on the surface produced a whopping 12-degree increase. This is practically double what we see on average and the reason for the low score.
However, our tester pushed back against these results as she never felt uncomfortable on the mattress: โThe temperature of the mattress wasnโt noticeably warm or cool, so I was surprised it warmed up by as much as it did,โ she said. She did describe herself as a โperpetually cold person,โ but still believed the bed could perform well for most sleepers. Extra-hot sleepers might prefer the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid instead.
Latest Updates: After re-testing of hundreds of beds and seeking input from physical therapist Dr. Hannah Habeeb, we optimized this page to include mattresses with the most orthopedically friendly profiles. Many of our top picks remained the same: The Nectar Classic, Bear Elite Hybrid, DreamCloud Premier, and WinkBed stuck around. But we added a few new faces, like the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid and Saatva Rx, based on our updated evaluations.
Other Orthopedic Mattresses We Researched
Didnโt find quite what you wanted? Here are some other beds weโve reviewed that didnโt make the final cut:
Brooklyn Bedding Sedona Elite โ This luxury hybrid offers a blend of pressure relief and support that should appeal to side and back sleepers dealing with pain or discomfort in their joints. The Sedona Elite also has a cooling cover, gel-infused memory foam, and an innerspring coil system to keep air flowing and ensure hot sleepers stay cool. It has a true medium feel, which may be too firm for certain sleepers with smaller frames, including those with extra-sensitive joints, so we opted not to include it.
Saatva Classic โ The Classic features two coil units for double the support and bounce, two testing areas in which it excelled. But it also features a dense, cushioning pillow top to balance out that firmness. While itโs available in multiple firmness options for your choosing, it does skew slightly firm. Sleepers who want to sink deeply into their mattress will prefer the Rx, and because the latter received such a good pressure relief score, it won out over this flagship model.
Helix Midnight โ The precursor to the Midnight Luxe, the original Midnight has a similar, if a bit firmer feel. It offers a blend of pressure relief and support that back sleepers will love, as well as decent responsiveness, edge support, and motion isolation. The Luxe only won because we thought it offered extra softness that should better contour to joints and sensitive areas.
What is an Orthopedic Mattress?
An orthopedic mattress is a type of mattress thatโs meant to offer extra spinal support and a touch of pressure relief for the back and joints, thereby reducing aches and pains.
The term โorthopedic mattressโ came to prominence after studies examining joint and bone function suggested that specially designed mattresses might help prevent morning back pain. The earliest orthopedic mattresses were indeed designed to adhere to orthopedic principles that could be therapeutic for achy backs.
But when the mattresses started selling well, the term โorthopedicโ was co-opted by manufacturers and marketers looking to cash in on their popularityโregardless of whether their beds were expressly designed to soothe pain. Because there are no government regulations regarding the language to describe these products, the term โorthopedic mattressโ has been diluted over the years.
None of this is to say that the concept of orthopedic mattresses is worthless. It just means that you need to do your research carefully. While some mattresses wrongly claim to be orthopedic in nature, there are others that will live up to the โorthopedicโ claim.
What Makes a Great Orthopedic Mattress
The best orthopedic mattresses will provide a blend of softness and support to ensure your comfort. But what does this actually look like? Iโve touched on it throughout this article, but if youโre still seeking clarity or looking to do your own sleuthing, let me dive further into the particulars of firmness, pressure relief, and spinal alignment.
Firmness
As I mentioned, mattress firmness is measured on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 feeling cloud-soft and 10 as firm as a plank of wood. In our studio, we arrive at this number after testing out the mattress in each sleeping position and asking our testers for input. Firmness can be subjective and vary from person-to-person, but the number we provide should represent how the bed feels to the majority of sleepers.
Most mattresses on the market fall around the middle of this range, specifically at 6.5/10, also called medium-firm. Medium-firm mattresses are not just versatile for multiple sleeper types, but many studies tout them as the most effective for mitigating back pain through properly aligning the spine.
However, when it comes to sleepers with orthopedic concerns, a medium-firm mattress may be too firm for their needs. โSleepers with joint pain will likely need a softer mattress, which offers better contouring around the bony areas,โ explains Dr. Dasgupta. โOf course, you should also take your body type and sleeping position into consideration.โ
For example, a heavyweight stomach sleeper may find even a medium-firm mattress is too soft to properly support them. Itโs important to strike the right balance. Thankfully, many mattresses come in multiple firmness options, so you can further tailor them to your needs.
Weโd consider medium to soft mattresses those that fall at or below 6/10 on our scale. For the list above, we aimed to stay within this range. There are some exceptions for sleepers who require that extra firmness to keep their spine aligned, but they should still provide the necessary pressure relief to feel โorthopedic.โ
Pressure Relief
When you lie down on a mattress on your back or side, you might notice that certain parts of your body sink further into the surface. Sometimes, you might encounter pushback in the hips, shoulders, or lower back, which is a sign that your mattress isnโt relieving pressure. Sleeping like this can lead to discomfort or exacerbate existing pain.
โPressure relief is especially important in an orthopedic mattress,โ says Dr. Dasgupta. โRelieving pressure around sensitive joints will keep them cradled and stave off pain.โ
Since pressure relief is essential to overall comfort, not just from an orthopedic standpoint, we spend a lot of time testing for it in our studio. We spread out a mat on the surface of the mattress, then have testers representing different weight categories lie down on their back and side. The mat uses thermal imaging to record where pressure builds up along the body, and the resulting image is a color-coded map. Blue and green indicate low pressure, while red and yellow denote high pressure. More of the former means better pressure relief.
The pressure mat also records the pressure distributed across the entire surface in PSI (pounds per square inch). This gives us an idea of the overall resistance you might encounter as you sink into the mattress. We compare this number against our average to see whether the bed performed better or worse than the majority.
On top of this, we gather firsthand testimonials from our testers. Theyโll note where they feel pressure buildup, pressure relief, and overall comfort. Finally, they give a rating out of 5 for each position.
The final pressure relief score you see is an average of all of this data. Itโs important to note that some beds score high for a specific sleeping position or body type, but may falter in others, bringing down the overall rating. For orthopedic beds, we want these scores to be relatively high across the board, but weโre always sure to note outliers. Rest assured that weโll never recommend a mattress thatโs uncomfortable for the majority of sleepers.
Spinal Alignment
The final component to a comfortable orthopedic mattress is spinal alignment. Itโs fine and dandy if your bed is super-soft, but sinking right through it can sometimes cause more harm than good. You might end up โbottoming outโ on the firmer support layers or otherwise compromising your posture, both of which can end in discomfort or pain.
Proper spinal alignment follows the natural S-curve of your spine. On your side, youโll want your hips and shoulders to sink in a bit, but your upper and lower half should remain roughly in line. For back sleepers, the spine is relatively straight, but youโll need a boost at the lumbar area. Stomach sleepers need their hips to remain lifted to avoid lower back pain.
Certain beds are more supportive for certain positions or body types, which I explain in detail below. In our studio, we have multiple testers try out the bed in every position throughout the processโincluding the pressure relief tests mentioned above. By the end of it, we understand whether a bed keeps the spine aligned and which sleeper types will glean the most support.
What Else Is Important When Buying an Orthopedic Mattress?
If youโre still struggling to make a final decision on an orthopedic mattress, there are some other factors to consider before purchasing a new bed.
Materials
The type of mattress you buy and whatโs inside it determine a number of things, including how it feels. Some mattresses are better than others when it comes to addressing orthopedic needs. Certain beds might also excel in certain performance categories, like cooling or responsiveness, which can further influence your decision.
Foam
Foam is a tried-and-true mattress material, known for its cushioning comfort. Memory foam is the most common iteration, prized for its doughy, slow-moving feel, but there are also other foam types.
Memory foam mattresses tend to offer exceptional pressure relief, though they can sometimes compromise some folksโ alignment. If youโre interested in a memory foam bed, look for options that balance pressure relief with spinal support, perhaps with the use of firmer foams underneath the comfort layer. The best mattress that fits the bill is the Nectar Classic, featured on our list.
Foam beds are also known for trapping heat in their dense layers, so they may not be the best pick for hot sleepers. But they can offer exceptional motion isolation if you sleep alongside a restless partner, so you shouldnโt feel their movements from their side of the bed.
Springs
Coil layers are nothing new in mattresses, though theyโve graduated from the interconnected coils of traditional innerspring mattresses to individually wrapped coils in hybrid beds. These pocketed coils move independently from one another, rather than all together. This can provide more pinpoint support and reduce motion transfer across the surface.
Hybrid mattresses are like the cooler younger sibling of innerspring beds. They feature thicker, more specialized comfort layers. This makes them the better choice for orthopedic beds. Alongside coils, they might contain layers of foam, latex, or even wool, depending on their construction. This range of constructions means a wide variance in feel, so youโre likely to find a hybrid that matches your preferences. Just note that they tend to cost more than foam beds.
Latex
Latex in mattresses is a more recent innovation. This squishy material is derived from the sap of rubber trees, and it can provide the pressure relief of foam plus the support of coils. Sleepers who love a bouncy bed may want to consider a mattress that contains latex, especially one with added coils (otherwise known as a latex hybrid). Beds made entirely of latex layers are also available, but less common.
Some studies tout latex as more pressure-relieving than foam, and itโs also more breathable. This makes it a great pick for orthopedic mattresses, hot sleepers, and the eco-conscious. But the natural and at-times organic nature of this material does drive up the cost, so latex mattresses arenโt the best budget buy.
Sleeping Position
โYour preferred sleeping position is a determining factor in choosing the right mattress for your needs,โ Dr. Dasgupta states. โWhile most sleepers can do well on a medium-firm mattress, others need a softer or firmer sleep surface to balance pressure relief and support.โ The last thing you want is to spend money on a new mattress thatโs supposedly orthopedic, only to find out itโs poorly suited to your preferred sleeping positions.
For side sleepers, pressure relief is paramount. They need something soft enough to sink into that also cradles the shoulders and hips. Think thick, plush layers of memory or latex foam, and a medium-to-soft feel.
Back sleepers tend to rest comfortably on a medium to medium-firm bed. It should provide the right amount of support to align the spine, but also a touch of softness to contour to the lower back.
The most difficult to please are stomach sleepers. These sleepers often need a firm or even extra-firm surface to keep them comfortably aloft. Otherwise, their hips could fall out of alignment, causing lower back pain. This can be difficult to reconcile with orthopedic concerns, but just ensure that whatever mattress you choose still offers enough pressure relief up top to soothe the joints.
If you switch between two or all three of these positions, that makes you a combination sleeperโlike yours truly. Itโs important to find a bed that accommodates each of your positions. I also find that a more responsive, bouncy mattress makes switching between these positions easy. Of course, if you love the slow-moving sink of memory foam, this could be a hard compromise.
Body Type
Aside from your sleeping position, how much you weigh can actually affect how a mattress feels. Weโve found that lightweight sleepers, for example, tend to find beds firmer than expected, since they wonโt sink into them as much as someone heavier. Sleepers over 230 pounds have the opposite problem; they can sink too far, leading to compromised alignment and eventual discomfort.
Once again, itโs all about striking the right balance. Some sleepers under 130 pounds may want to look at beds that are a touch softer than whatโs recommended, while those of a larger frame should look at firmer, more supportive mattresses. If you fall into the latter category, you may also want to check out our list of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Durability
Buying a new mattress is an investment, and an investment that youโll want to last a long time. Finding a high-quality, durable mattress might seem like a challenge, but thereโs a number of ways to make the search easier.
Whatโs inside the mattress goes a long way toward determining how long itโll last. We generally recommend beds with coils over those made exclusively with foam or latex; the springs give them more structure. A higher coil count, at or above 1,000 for a queen-size mattress, is also a good sign. If you do opt for an all-foam bed, look for one with thick, high-density foam on the bottom, as this will provide longer-lasting support.
Edge support is also a good metric to look at. If the perimeter of a bed holds up well when bearing weight, it follows that the rest of the mattress will behave similarlyโespecially after years of repeated use. We do rate edge support out of 5, and we sit, lie down, and even stack weights on the perimeter to get this number. Again, weโve found that coils tend to fare best in this category, as foam is more likely to sag. However, some foam mattresses feature extra reinforcement along the edges to counteract this.
My final recommendation is to peruse the offered company policies. First, take a look at the warranty. Most beds last anywhere from 7 to 10 years, so the typical warranty will fall around this range, maybe 5 or so years higher. We see the warranty as a preview of how long a product is expected to last. A lengthier warranty, therefore, means higher confidence in the productโs durability. You may notice that all the beds on this list come with some form of lifetime warranty, which speaks to the brandsโ belief in their longevity.
Donโt discount the trial period, either. Most mattresses come with a sleep trial or return policy that gives you time to try out the mattress before you commit to purchasing it. These can last anywhere from a month to a full year. In the absence of seeing the bed in-person at a brick-and-mortar store, this can give you an idea of the bedโs qualityโwith the added bonus of seeing how it holds up after a bit of use.
Best Orthopedic Mattress FAQs
What is the best brand of orthopedic mattress?
The best orthopedic mattress brand will vary depending on your personal preferences, but we chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as our favorite. Helix offers a wide range of customizable mattresses, including a number that provide plenty of plush comfort. The Midnight Luxe is no different, a favorite of ours to recommend for back pain, arthritis, and other joint concerns.
What type of orthopedic mattress is best?
The best orthopedic mattresses will contain plush, pressure-relieving layers on top, plus dense support below. Whether the latter is made up of high-density foam or coil layers can come down to your needs, preferences, or even budget. Some latex beds can also provide a combination of pressure relief and support that offers orthopedic comfort.
You may notice that hybrid mattresses dominate the list above. While memory foam beds are great for pressure relief and saving money, they may not offer the support some sleepers need and start to sag more quickly. On the other hand, hybrids can lag behind in motion isolation or cost more, depending on their construction. It all comes down to what you want in a new bed.
Radwan, A., Fess, P., James, D., Murphy, J., Myers, J., Rooney, M., Taylor, J., & Torii, A. (2015). Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; systematic review of controlled trials. Sleep Health, 1(4), 257โ267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
Low, F.-Z., Chua, M. C.-H., Lim, P.-Y., & Yeow, C.-H. (2017). Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles in Different Sleeping Postures. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 16(1), 1โ9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2016.09.002
Livvi has been writing and researching sleep-based content for over a year. This, alongside her penchant for napping and extreme tossing and turning, has made her something close to an โexpertโ in the realm of sleep science, sleep products, and sleep accessories. Sheโs been consulted for her knowledge of the sleep space by publications such as Authority Magazine, Bustle, and Livingetc.