Why You Can Trust CNET Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers With Back Pain of 2024
Stomach sleepers with back pain need a mattress that can ease their symptoms. Here are some of the best based on our testing experiences.
- Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach
Although it's recommended to not sleep on your stomach due to neck, back and hip pains, sometimes you just like to sleep how you're most comfortable. We understand that and have gathered the best mattresses to provide stomach sleepers the support they need. You'll want a bed with extra support so the torso doesn't fold in, irritating your back.
Our team of mattress experts have tested, rolled around on and cut open dozens of mattresses, so we know what it takes to earn the title of best mattress for every category. Read on to see which ones made our list.
What’s the best overall mattress for stomach sleepers with back pain?
Our team of sleep experts has tested a ton of mattresses, many of which are great for people who live with back pain. When selecting beds for this list, we considered firmer options or ones with enough support to give stomach sleepers what they need and ease back pain. We found the best overall to be the Saatva Rx mattress.
Video: Best mattress for stomach sleepers with back pain
Watch CNET video producer Owen Poole review the best firm mattresses.
Best mattresses for stomach sleepers with back pain
Mattress price scale:
$ = Budget: $799 and below
$$ = Average: $800 to $1,699
$$$ = Premium: $1,700 and up
These reflect MSRP or list prices. Sales might make a mattress less expensive, but are always changing.
Why we chose the Saatva Rx mattress:
The Saatva Rx mattress is the best overall for stomach sleepers with back pain because of its quality and unique construction.
This was specially designed to alleviate back pain from health conditions like sciatica and scoliosis. It does this with a noticeable zoned support design that provides extra support under the back without being too firm. Unique to the Saatva Rx, the coils in this bed are encased with an additional two inches of foam called the “Rx foam module” to add pressure relief that contours to the body. There’s also a 2.75-inch-thick layer of micro coils wrapped in high-density foam.
Saatva RX is slightly softer than some stomach sleepers want at a medium or four to five out of 10. The Saatva Classic mattress is a firmer alternative that offers the support and durability the brand is known for, but the beds feel slightly different. While the Saatva Rx has the pillow top innerspring feel that the Saatva Classic has, there is a hint of memory foam.
For more on this bed, read our Saatva Rx mattress review.
Pros:
- Accommodating feel
- Zoned support design
- Unique construction
Cons:
- Potentially too soft for some stomach sleepers
- One firmness option
- Expensive
Why we chose the Nectar mattress:
Memory foam mattresses for stomach sleepers are a good choice if you like your bed to mold and conform to the curves of your body. The Nectar mattress is our top memory foam recommendation for stomach sleepers with back pain. This affordable mattress is medium to medium-firm (or 6) on our scale, making it a good choice for stomach sleepers who want a balance of support and pressure relief.
I only recommend this mattress if you like the feel of dense memory foam. The Nectar mattress is the definition of memory foam. You slowly sink in until it surrounds you in a comfy memory foam cocoon. Thankfully, it is firm enough that stomach sleepers will get enough support to keep the spine aligned and back pain at bay.
The Nectar mattress is available in a hybrid and all-foam version. I recommend the hybrid for people who are 250 lbs or more. You’ll get the same dense memory foam feel with either construction. Nectar is also highly affordable, so it’s a great budget choice.
To learn more about this mattress, check out our Nectar mattress review.
Pros:
- Great price for the quality
- Ultimate memory foam feel
- Firm enough for stomach sleepers
Cons:
- People over 230 pounds should go with the hybrid option
- Memory foam might be hard to move around on
Nectar Memory Foam
Why we chose the Purple Restore Hybrid mattress:
The Purple Restore Hybrid mattress is great for stomach sleepers with back pain because it strikes a nice balance between pressure relief and support.
The Purple grid gives the Restore Hybrid mattress the unique feel that Purple is known for. It’s squishy and gel-like, but it’s super responsive while cradling your curves when you lie on it. It also makes the bed super breathable. While it won’t actively cool you, it will keep you from overheating at night. The coil layer provides the necessary support that we like to see for stomach sleepers with back pain.
The Purple Restore Hybrid mattress has two firmness levels: soft and firm. We rate the firm model around a medium firmness, or 7 out of 10 on our scale. For more on this bed, check out our full Purple Restore Hybrid mattress review.
Pros:
- Two firmness options
- Unique feel you can’t get anywhere else
- Ultra-breathable design thanks to the Purple grid
Cons:
- Expensive
- Some people will not like the feel
Purple Restore Mattress
Why we chose the Helix Dusk Luxe mattress:
The Dusk Luxe mattress is one of the most accommodating mattresses of the 18-bed lineup from Helix Sleep. It feels like a comfy, pillow-top bed that you would find in a hotel. Just about any sleeper is going to find it comfortable.
The zoned support coil construction makes this bed a good option for stomach sleepers with back pain. When you lie down on it, you’ll feel that zoned support design for added support, but the neutral foam layers ensure it’s comfortable. It falls at about a medium to medium-firm, or 6 on our firmness scale. It’s not the firmest bed you’ll find, but it still has plenty of support to ease your back pain.
To learn more about this mattress, check out our Helix Dusk Luxe mattress review.
Pros:
- Zoned support design is good for back pain
- Comfortable pillow top feel
- You can add a cooling cover
Cons:
- Only one firmness option
- On the pricey side
Helix Dusk Luxe (new)
Why we chose the Leesa Legend mattress:
If you’re a stomach sleeper who likes a soft mattress, then you’ll probably like the Leesa Legend. We rated it between medium and medium soft (or 4 on our scale). I see it being a good option for women stomach sleepers who have found that firm mattresses can be painful across the chest.
The Leesa Legend mattress has a two-coil layer construction, meaning it will be more supportive and durable than the average soft mattress. Dual coil layers aren’t common in the mattress industry, giving this bed a significant leg up. Despite having more coils than most, you can’t feel them lying on the Leesa Legend mattress. The neutral foam layers give you plenty of pressure relief without trapping you in.
To learn more about this bed, check out our Leesa Legend mattress review.
Pros:
- It’s a softer bed but still supportive
- Dual-layer coils
- Neutral foam feel
Cons:
- Not a budget choice
- Too soft for some sleepers
Leesa Legend
Why we chose the Plank Luxe mattress:
Stomach sleepers with back pain who like firm mattresses will like the Plank Luxe mattress. The name alone is a good indication of just how firm the Plank Luxe mattress is.
My favorite thing about the Plank Luxe mattress is its flippable design. This allows you to choose your firmness level, but don’t worry, both sides are very firm. There’s a firm (medium-firm or 7) and extra firm (medium-firm to firm, or 8) side. Both are great for stomach sleepers with back pain, though which one you choose comes to preference. The hybrid construction makes it more supportive and durable than an all-foam mattress.
The Plank Luxe mattress is also a great budget pick, with a queen costing $1,532 before sale, although you’ll be able to get it around $1,000 with certain annual sales and deals. You can also add a cooling cover if you’re a hot sleeper.
Pros:
- Backed by the American Chiropractic Association
- Flippable design with two firm sides
- Additional cooling cover available
Cons:
- With sales, it’s a good budget option
The Plank Firm Luxe from Brooklyn Bedding
Why we chose the WinkBed mattress:
The WinkBed mattress is a high-quality, hotel-style mattress with a big punch. With a mix of coils, foam layers and soft pillow tops, it’s easily my choice for the best hybrid mattress for stomach sleepers with back pain. It’s got the support that stomach sleepers need, with a dominating pillow-top feel that offers plenty of comfort.
When I think of WinkBed, I think of the classic innerspring style but made better by the super comfy pillow top and layers of foam. One of the best parts of the flagship WinkBed mattress is the fact that you get to choose between four firmness options: softer (medium-soft or 3), luxury firm (medium or 5), firm (medium-firm or 7) and plus (firm or 8 to 9). Stomach sleepers with back pain likely want to stick to the firmer options, but I always appreciate a bed that allows people to personalize their firmness to their preference.
The WinkBed mattress isn’t what I’d consider a budget pick at $1,500 before sales, but this bed is an excellent value compared to other beds. Thankfully, mattresses are nearly always on sale, so you can save a few hundred if you watch the price.
For more on this bed, read our WinkBed review.
Pros:
- Super comfy pillow top
- Hotel luxury style that’s fairly affordable
- Suitable for any body type
Cons:
- Not a true budget pick
The WinkBed
Compare the best mattresses for stomach sleepers with back pain
| Mattress | Mattress Type | Price (Queen MSRP) | Sleep trial | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saatva Rx | Hybird | $3,295 | 365 nights | Lifetime warranty |
| Nectar | Memory foam | $1,099 | 365 nights | Forever warranty |
| Purple Restore Hybrid | Hyper-Elastic Polyemer hybrid | $2,399 | 100 nights | 10-year warranty |
| Leesa Legend | Hybrid | $2,599 | 100 nights | 10-year limited warranty |
| Plank Luxe | Hybrid | $1,532 | 120 nights | 10-year warranty |
| WinkBed | Hybrid | $1,799 | 120 nights | Lifetime warranty |
Other mattresses we’ve tested
Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress: The Signature hybrid mattress from Brooklyn Bedding is a dependable and durable bed with three different firmness options. Stomach sleepers should stick with the firmer options to ensure they get enough support. It’s also one of the best value mattresses you can get.
Loom & Leaf mattress: From Saatva, the Loom & Leaf mattress is a good choice for memory foam lovers who like the cooling benefits of gel foam. Either firmness option of this bed -- relaxed firm and firm -- will give stomach sleepers all they need.
How we tested the best mattresses
The CNET sleep team has collectively tested over 200 mattresses. This extensive industry expertise has allowed us to establish methodologies to test and assess each mattress. It also means that when we chose which beds would be featured on this best mattress for stomach sleepers with back pain list, we were intentional about considering this group’s needs.
When we assess each mattress, we rank it on how it feels, how firm it is and how it performs in the key categories for the list we’re putting together. The performance of a mattress includes motion isolation, edge support and temperature regulation. We also pay close attention to what the bed is made of to hypothesize how long it will last and who is best off buying it.
Find out more about our mattress testing process.
Things to consider when shopping for a mattress for back pain as a stomach sleeper
Choosing your next mattress can be a long process. From sorting through the dozens of options and recommendations across the internet, it can be a lot. That’s why thinking about your next bed through your needs and desires is essential. Just because most stomach sleepers need a firm mattress, you should consider how firm you like your mattress before buying. You may want something slightly softer than others.
Keep these key factors in mind to narrow your search and find the best mattress.
Source of your back pain
Before shopping for a mattress for back pain, you should figure out the source of your back pain. There is a chance it’s your old, sagging mattress that’s causing the pain. If it’s something else, you should know before buying a new bed.
Your body needs
Considering anatomical differences, men and women who sleep on their stomachs need to consider distinct mattress factors. We recommend stomach sleepers choose firmer mattresses to keep the spine in a neutral position at night. While this is true, there is some nuance that women have to pay attention to when shopping for their next bed.
If you sleep flat on your stomach as a woman, you may want to stay away from the firmest options out there to avoid pain across the chest. Or you can opt for a memory foam mattress that contours to the shape of your body better. It all comes down to what’s comfortable for you.
Your body type
How much you weigh does influence which bed you should get because it determines how you experience a mattress. Heavier people (over 230 pounds) will put the most pressure on a mattress, making it feel softer. The inverse applies to petite body types (under 150 pounds); mattresses will feel firmer.
Your body type will also help you determine what kind of mattress you should get. We always recommend that heavier body types opt for a hybrid mattress. There are plenty of good all-foam mattresses you can probably get by just fine on, but hybrid mattresses are more durable and supportive in the long run.
Your budget
Your budget is the final and arguably most important factor to consider when looking for a mattress for a stomach sleeper with back pain. Mattresses are a big investment, one that you don’t make that often.
The average online mattress costs between $850 and $1,200. Options are available for every budget from under $300 to well over $2,000.
Best mattress for stomach sleepers with back pain FAQs
What mattress firmness is best for stomach sleepers?
Stomach sleepers tend to need a firmer bed that gives enough support to the spine. That doesn’t mean you have to get the firmest bed out there. Firmness is a scale that incorporates your preference. You can get enough support while prioritizing pressure relief. We recommend a medium-firm (six) profile and up.
What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain?
Back pain is something that many sleepers deal with. To avoid back pain flare-ups, choose a firmer mattress that’s supportive enough to keep your spine in a neutral position. We recommend medium-firm (six) and up.
You can also opt for a mattress with zoned support construction, which means it will be the firmest across the center third of the bed where your back is and softer at the head and foot.
Can a bad mattress cause back pain?
Unfortunately, a bad mattress can cause back pain, but what exactly is a bad mattress? It could be an old, sagging mattress that needs to be replaced or simply a mattress that is too soft for your needs. Sleeping on a mattress that’s too soft for a back or stomach sleeper will allow you to sink too far in and leave your spine in an awkward position.