Best Mattresses for Back Pain in Canada

For those suffering from back pain, choosing the right mattress can make a difference in getting quality sleep. Whether you are experiencing chronic back pain or an injury or just need minimal lumbar support, our testers tried all of the best mattresses that provide deep support.

Our team of experts selected mattresses that are ideal for those with back pain, as well as those needing pressure relief, temperature control and motion isolation. We took a look at the following mattress features when choosing our favourite mattresses for back pain in Canada.

Firmness Levels

When choosing a mattress that can help alleviate back pain, we looked at slightly firmer mattresses with excellent lumbar support. Those who happen to sleep on their side or stomach may find a mattress that is 6.5 or lower on the firmness scale to be more comfortable than a firmer mattress.

Back sleepers who are experiencing back pain will do best with a firm mattress or one that has specific lumbar support built in. Looking at firmness levels, your sleeping position and the other features a mattress offers are good ways to figure out if a mattress will be a good fit.

Pressure Relief

Side and back sleepers often wake up feeling sore and achy, with uncomfortable hips and shoulders. Our experts looked at mattresses that offered pressure relief measures and chose some of the best ones available in Canada.

Many of our recommended options feature gel foam that cradles joints and pressure points throughout the night, no matter what position you sleep in. Many hybrid options are constructed with a pocket coil base, which is often zoned to cater to specific areas throughout your body. Zoned coil bases will have softer coils around hips, knees and shoulders and firmer coils around your head, back and legs.

Edge Support

Those who sleep on or near the edge of the bed may find that their mattresses start to lose shape and sink along the perimeter over the years. An uneven sleeping surface can contribute to back pain while sleeping, so finding a mattress with good edge support is key.

Our testers tried countless mattresses and looked for hybrid options with reinforced coils for those needing edge support. While all foam mattresses can provide minimal edge support, those who sleep on the edge of the bed should consider a hybrid mattress with an edge support system in place.

Edge support systems typically have extra strong and durable coils made of reinforced steel that surround the edges of the bed. These coils won’t break down as fast as foam and help the mattress keep its shape, which provides a more stable surface to sleep on.

Type of Mattress

Our researchers tested both hybrid and a-foam mattresses when looking for the best mattresses for those with back pain. Constructed differently and using different materials, there are pros and cons to choosing either a hybrid or a foam mattress to help alleviate back pain.

Hybrid mattresses are designed with multiple layers of foam that sit on top of a thicker coil base foundation. The pocket coil base can be great for motion isolation and zoned lumbar support, ideal for those with back pain. The layers of foam at the top tend to be made from gel or memory foam, which helps reduce heat and alleviate pressure points. Hybrid mattresses tend to be more costly than an all-foam mattress, but the benefits may make it worth it.

All-foam mattresses tend to feature more layers of foam and can have the same cooling and pressure-relieving measures as hybrid mattresses. Typically, the cover can be removed and machine washed, which is ideal for those with allergies or in case of accidental spills and stains. All foam mattresses are less expensive than hybrid options and can provide great value to many Canadians.

Motion Isolation

Couples who co-sleep often struggle with getting woken up at night due to their restless partner. Not all mattresses have good motion isolation, but our team of experts looked for options that will keep all couples sleeping soundly.

Both foam and hybrid mattresses can feature good motion isolation as long as they have specific foam or coils built within. Transition foams help absorb motion before it can be transferred, as well as individually wrapped pocket coil bases.

Those who co-sleep should seek out a mattress with good motion isolation features in order to get the best night’s sleep, and we have multiple recommendations in our list today.

Temperature Control

Many Canadians who sleep hot or live in warmer climates have to deal with overheating and night sweats on a regular basis. Our testers know how important it is to have a mattress that keeps you cool, which can be challenging to find with foam and hybrid mattresses.

For those who sleep moderately warm, choosing a mattress that has a cooling cover and breathable foam layers will be enough to have you sleeping comfortably. Canadians who tend to sleep extra hot will want to look for a mattress with cooling gel foam, fabrics infused with cooling threads and hybrid mattresses with breathable coils.

Sleep Trials

Buying a mattress online may worry some buyers who worry about being unable to test it out, but all of the options we recommend include risk-free sleep trials. Sleep trials allow purchases to keep the mattress for a specific length of time, typically between 100 and 365 nights, to try the mattress out at home.

With most sleep trials, you must keep the mattress for at least 30 nights in order to fully experience it and maintain it in good condition. If you still are not happy with the mattress, simply contact customer service and provide proof of purchase. They will then schedule a time to pick up the mattress for donation or recycling and refund you, usually within a couple of weeks, but the process can vary between companies.

Warranty Policies

Each mattress that our experts looked at included a warranty policy, but the terms and conditions will range from mattress to mattress. All of the limited warranties we examined included major issues like manufacturing defects, zipper and fabric flaws, and large body indents.

Those hoping to own their mattress for a long time should pick a mattress with a longer warranty for long-term peace of mind. The mattresses we tested had warranties that ranged from 10 to 20 years and varied in coverage, so always read the policy before purchase if you are concerned about needing to make a claim in the future.

All warranty claims require you to be the original owner and have proof of purchase. The mattress must have the tags intact and placed on approved surfaces while being used. Issues like stains, rips and other damage caused by the user are not included in a warranty policy.