If you're looking for a memory foam mattress for back and hip pain, this weekend is the time to shop. Labor Day ushers in some of the year's strongest deals we'll see for the best memory foam mattresses ahead of Black Friday — and you can get ahead of potential price increases due to tariffs.
Several members of our expert sleep team struggle with back, hip, or joint discomfort. After testing over 40 memory foam beds, some of which you'll find in our overall best mattress of the year guide, here we're highlighting three that we believe are comfy, soothing and cradling for people with aches and pains.
However, you want to do your homework before diving into this year's Labor Day mattress sales and deals, which is why we're also offering some quick tips to help you find a memory foam mattress for back and hip pain that suits your needs and budget. After all, no two sleepers are the same!
Why memory foam?
Memory foam is a dense, slow-moving material that molds to your body, cradling your touch points (shoulders, hips, knees) while evenly distributing your body weight. In turn, this reduces pressure on your joints and promotes neutral spine alignment for comfortable, pain-free sleep.
Just be careful if you tend to sleep warm at night, as memory foam is prone to trapping heat. (That said, some of the best cooling mattresses are made entirely of foam and contain specialized materials to wick away heat.)
Our top 3 foam mattresses for aches and pains
From all the memory foam mattresses our expert team has tested, these are the three models we recommend browsing during this year's Labor Day sales if back or joint pain is keeping you awake at night...
5 things to look for when choosing a memory foam mattress if you have aches and pains
Whether you have an achy back or creaky joints, these are the top five qualities to look for when buying a memory foam mattress for pain relief...
1. Sufficient pressure relief
Think about the areas where your body presses into the mattress — shoulders, hips, knees, and back. To alleviate stress from these pain-prone areas, choose a memory foam mattress with an appropriate level of give for your sleep style and body type.
A less common feature in all-foam mattresses (but a signature of the best mattresses for back pain) is zoned relief and support, which provides tailored comfort to all areas of your body. That typically results in softer relief at the shoulders and legs, with firmer support across the central third.
2. Full-body support
A supportive mattress will help you maintain a neutral spine — no unwanted dipping or bending — when in your desired sleep position.
While memory foam is known for being 'squishy' and soft, you don't want your body to sink too much, as this will throw your back out of alignment and cause pain. Alternatively, anything too firm will cause your hips or shoulders to rise too high.
3. Stable edge support
Edge support is an area in which many memory foam mattresses struggle but it's not impossible to find an all-foam model with sturdy sides you can sit on comfortably.
If you have mobility issues and need to take your time getting in and out of bed, you'll certainly want a mattress with supportive edges. The Plank Firm Mattress, for example, is an all-foam bed we rate highly for edge support.
4. Above-average cooling
Temperature regulation is another category where memory foam mattresses can fall short. If you're prone to overheating and also deal with pain, you don't want to exacerbate aches by thrashing in an attempt to cool down. Cooling mattresses incorporate infused or perforated foams along with breathable, heat-wicking covers to increase airflow.
While all-foam beds might not be known for their breathability, cooling memory foam beds like the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress and the GhostBed Luxe mattress impressed our testers with their chill feel.
5. Adequate at-home trial period
Mattress trials are standard, giving you time to break in your new bed and determine whether it's the right fit for your needs. Generally speaking, it takes about a month for your body to adapt to a new sleep surface.
The average trial period is 100 nights, but look out for closeouts (which are final sale) or certain third-party retailers (including Amazon and Walmart) that may not accept returns on used mattresses.
What to avoid
As tempting as the latest Labor Day mattress sale prices may be, don't purchase a mattress based on price alone — and don't rely solely on brand name recognition, either.
The best mattress for your needs will be a good fit for your sleep position, body type, bedroom space and budget. Before you go shopping, consider what those qualities are, then narrow your search from there.
It also helps to read the reviews — not only from our panel of expert sleep testers, but also from everyday shoppers who have the same preferences and pain points you do. Doing your homework before buying a mattress goes a long way in preventing buyer's remorse.
