If you've been waking up with aches and pains, it might be time to upgrade your sleep with the best mattresses for back pain. From Silentnight to Tempur, a whole host of brands are offering mattresses that are designed to keep your spine aligned as you rest, which can help prevent a bad back.
The mattress you choose for an aching back should provide both support and comfort while you sleep. Hybrid, spring and foam are some of the types off mattresses which can help soothe your pains - so be sure to keep those in mind.
We've made things easier for you with our guide to the best options of 2023. Whether you're on a budget or don't mind splashing out, there's bound to be something for you on this list.
Best mattresses for back pain 2023
Need some help choosing a mattress? These are some of the best options worth considering if you're suffering with aches and pains. Be sure to take advantage of any deals and discounts available, as these will help you save money on your new mattress.
1. Nectar Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress, from £379.60
Best overall mattress
Nectar Sleep is one of the UK's most popular bed-in-a-box mattress brands, offering a 365-night trial and forever warranty. The retailer's 25cm-thick hybrid mattress combines the comforting benefits of the Nectar memory foam mattress with a layer of 1600 individually encapsulated springs, giving you the ultimate balance of comfort and support.
Sleep expert shares 7 plants you need in your bedroom that can help you snoozeWe found this mattress exceptionally cool to sleep on. Its micro-springs enhance breathability and allow for ease of movement, meaning you'll be less disturbed when you change sleeping position.
The Nectar Hybrid is also wonderfully soft, however it kept us supported throughout the night, and it was great for sleeping on the back. This was no doubt due to the pressure-relieving memory foam - which is designed to provide comfort and support where your body needs it most.
- Type: Hybrid, memory foam
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial: 365 nights
- Sizes: Single, Double, Small Double, King, Super King
Price: From £379.60, Nectar - buy here now
2. The Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress, from £698.40
Most comfortable mattress
The Hybrid Pro from Simba is something to get excited about, boasting seven layers of innovation including two unique patented, titanium Aerocoil spring-comfort layers and a breathable sleep surface.
The mattress also boasts a layer of British wool, which is naturally temperature regulating and perfect for all seasons.
You'll also get an impressive 200 night's trial period to test it out, which is double the normal period most companies follow of 100 nights.
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial: 200 nights
- Sizes: Single, Double, Small Double, King, Super King
Price: From £965.40, Simba - buy here now
3. Emma Original Mattress, from £264.35
Best mattress for couples
Voted Which Best Buy 2020, the Original Mattress from Emma is multi-award winner with some great specs, perfect for a good night's rest.
The Emma mattress is foam-based, ensuring no movement transfer, so if there's two of you in bed you won't be woken by the tossing and turning of the other.
There's three layers and a seven zone back structure, which improves pressure distribution and offers much needed lower back support for comfortability as you sleep.
Steps to feel less tired in the morning - caffeine cut-off time and warm bath- Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial: 200 nights
- Sizes: Single, Double, Small Double, King, Super King
Price: From £264.35, Emma Sleep - buy here now
4. Silentnight Essentials 600 Pocket Sprung Double Mattress, from £239
Best mattress for side sleepers
This affordable Silentnight offering has plenty of features to love. Boasting a single layer of 600 individual pocket springs, it responds to the contours of your body to keep you comfortable no matter what position you sleep in.
It offers a medium comfort, perfect for those who sleep on their side. You'll also get a 100-night sleep trial.
- Type: Pocket sprung
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial: 100 nights
- Sizes: Single, Double, King
Price: From £239, Argos -
5. Nectar Memory Foam Mattress, from £379.60
Best memory foam mattress
The Memory Foam mattress from Nectar is an affordable option, commended for its comfort levels especially where lower back pain is concerned.
The premium 25cm mattress hugs your body and gel-infused foam keeps you cool during the warmer months of the year. The top layer of memory foam offers pressure point relief, which is a great choice for back support.
- Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial: 365 nights
- Sizes: Single, Double, Small Double, King, Super King
Price: From £379.60, Nectar - buy here now
6. OTTY Hybrid Mattress, from £439.99
Best hybrid mattress
Every OTTY Hybrid mattress contains 2000 encapsulated pocket springs, as well as a layer of foam - giving you full support and optimal comfort.
Thanks to a layer of temperature-regulating Cool Blue Gel, infused within the memory foam, whether it's summer or winter you'll be able to sleep at a temperature that is comfortable for you.
It's also one of the cheaper award-winning mattresses out there, so won't cost an arm and a leg if you do decide to upgrade.
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial: 100 nights
- Sizes: Single, Double, Small Double, King, Super King
Price: From £439.99, OTTY - buy here now
7. Brook + Wilde The Elite Mattress, from £1099.00
Best firm mattress
If you're looking for premium, this is it.
Ensure luxe for your bedroom as well as a great night's sleep now and every night in the future.
Boasting eight layers of innovative sleep tech, including unique ‘wave technology’ which ensures the right levels of support and pressure distribution; helping to keep your spine aligned and relief from pressure points.
Enjoy 100 days to see if you like your new mattress, as well as a 10 year warranty.
- Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Three options available
- Trial: 100 nights
- Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King
Price: From £1099.00, Brook + Wilde - buy here now
8. Nemo Mattress, from £499
Best eco-friendly mattress
Nemo's range of mattresses are 100% recyclable and have been created to give you a decent night's rest whilst combatting the landfill crisis. Super affordable, each one is made using plastic bottles which are spun into a soft and breathable fibre.
With three carefully constructed layers, this hypo-allergenic and chemical free mattress offers a perfectly tensioned medium-firm support for back and side sleepers. It feels impressively pleasant to the touch - we was able to have a completely uninterrupted rest during our test. The structural base layer delivers a great amount of support without being too firm.
Now with 25% off, it’s easier than ever to invest in a comfortable and eco-friendly mattress.
Price: From £499, Nemo - buy here now
9. Ergoflex 5G Mattress, from £385
Best cooling mattress
The Ergoflex 5-layer sleep system consists of premium materials all working hard to give you a comfortable, cool and supportive night's sleep every night.
The top layer consists of true high-density visco-elastic memory foam, contouring to your bodies every curve, and lessening disturbance through movement from your partner.
It also features a Cool-Sleep airflow layer which helps maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature by preventing warmth from building up within the mattress.
- Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial: 30 nights
- Sizes: Single, Double, Small Double, King, Super King
Price: From £385, Ergoflex - buy here now
10. DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress, from £580.07
Best mattress for pressure relief
The DreamCloud Mattress is a luxury hybrid mattress with a plush quilted surface and a medium firm feel.
The DreamCloud combines pressure relief and great support to keep the sleeper’s spine aligned and midsection supported, making it a great option for those with back pain.
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial: 365 nights
- Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King
Price: From £580.07, DreamCloud - buy here now
11. Dormeo Octasmart Plus Memory Foam, from £319.00
Best breathable mattress
Wonderfully affordable, this mattress is designed to provide relief to your key pressure points. It features a core base layer, followed by a layer of supportive and breathable patented springs.
The Octasmart Plus Mattress also features open-cell memory foam which boasts different layers to support your shoulders, back and hips whilst you sleep. What's more, the cover is made up of hundreds of little pockets for extra comfort and great air circulation.
- Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial: 60 nights
Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
Price: From £319.00, Dormeo - buy here now
12. Silentnight Eco Comfort Miracoil Ortho Mattress, from £299
Best orthopedic mattress
This extra firm spring mattress is designed with a breathable layer to stop you from overheating.
What's more, its Miracoil zoned springs offer incredible support to relieve aches and pains, making it easier for your spine to stay in the right position throughout the night.
- Type: Pocket spring
- Firmness: Extra firm
- Trial: 365 nights
- Sizes: Single, small double, double, king, super king
Price: From £299, Silentnight - buy here now
13. Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress, from £950.40
Best luxury mattress
With ten indulgent layers, this mattress is Simba's most advanced and luxurious yet.
It boasts double stacked titanium Aerocoil spring comfort layers at the top, and a high carbon steel Aerocoil spring layer at the base to guarantee maximum support and pressure relief.
The mattress also has a breathable, bamboo infused wool layer which offers incredible temperature and moisture control.
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial: One year
- Sizes: Single, small double, double, king, super king
Price: From £950.40, Simba - buy here now
14. Tempur Original Mattress, from £1,319
Best medium feel mattress
This top rated mattress is made with material originally developed by NASA to cushion their astronauts against the rigors of test flights. Sounds good, right?
So, you can imagine how dreamy it is for those suffering with back problems, offering a great balance of comfort and support in a medium feel. It comes with a removable cover, which is machine washable up to 60 degrees.
In a five-star review, one impressed customer said: "It heals my wife's back pain she have had for years."
The mattress is available in ten sizes and there's a 100-night free trial available as well.
Price: From £1,319, Tempur - buy here now
15. Brook + Wilde The Lux Mattress, from £749
Best for different levels of firmness
Several bed-in-a-box mattresses are only offered with one level of firmness, but not with Brook + Wilde. The sleep store's Lux mattress is available in soft, medium and firm varieties, perfect if you're after a specific level of support for your aching back.
Should you have any issues, you can return the mattress for a full refund within 100 nights.
- Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Soft, medium and firm
- Trial: 100 nights
- Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King
Price: from £749, Brook + Wilde - buy here now
16. Simbatex Essential Foam Mattress, from £399
Best budget-friendly option
Part of Simba's wallet-friendly range, this Simbatex Essential mattress is designed with premium foam that will gently mould and support your body, whilst providing up to 30 times more airflow than regular memory foam.
One reviewer gave it five stars and said: " for months before and after pregnancy I suffered with back pain. Now I have been sleeping on this I can already tell the difference with my back."
Price: from £39, Simba - buy here now
Here are some things you should know before buying your new mattress.
How can a mattress help with back pain?
A mattress that offers both comfort and support can help to reduce lower back pain, giving your spine a chance to rest and recover throughout the night. Older mattresses, on the other hand, can place pressure on your muscles to support your body. This is why it's important to choose a mattress that suits your needs and supports you effectively while you sleep. If you're suffering from discomfort during the night, then it's time for a mattress upgrade.
What is the best type of mattress for back pain?
Memory foam mattresses conform to your body and offer a good balance of support and pressure relief, which is why they are often recommended by chiropractors for back pain. They keep your spine aligned in every sleeping position and also help to reduce pain in hips and other sensitive areas along the spine. Some of the best memory foam mattresses available on the market come from Emma Mattress, Simba and Silentnight. What could be better than a bed that gently cradles you?
How to choose the right mattress
When choosing a mattress for back pain, there are a few things you should look out for.
Sleeping position
Mattresses are created to suit different sleeping positions, so it's important to know which ones to look for depending on how you regularly sleep. Here's what you should know.
- If you're a side sleeper, it is recommended to go for a comfort grade between soft and medium to support vulnerable pressure points.
- For back sleepers, a firmer comfort grade is recommended to support spine alignment.
- Stomach sleepers need a slightly firmer mattress should look for a mattress with a medium to firm comfort grade, to ensure their spine is supported.
Materials
Mattresses can be made of several different materials, but the most popular types are made with memory foam, latex, innerspring, air chambers. They can also be made from a mix, known as hybrids. While these can all be good mattresses, some are better for those who need extra support for back pain.
Memory foam and latex
Memory foam and latex are widely known as the most comfortable types of mattresses on the market for bad backs. This is because they both conform easily to the body to provide incredible spinal support, reducing stress on the back and relieving pain in all areas.
Innerspring
An innerspring mattress uses a steel coil support system and is covered with padding or upholstery materials, such as foam. These mattresses have been around for a century and whilst they have improved over the years, a regular innerspring generally doesn’t provide enough support for back pain relief.
Hybrid
The best hybrid mattresses provide a combination of supportive coils and foam or latex, helping to keep your spine in line and reduce back pain, soreness. They tend to be medium-firm and slightly pricier.
Airbed
An airbed, also known as an air mattress, is an inflatable mattress that's usually made from vinyl, plastic or rubber. Whilst some don't offer contouring for the body like memory foam or latex does, there are adjustable options if you need one that's firmer or softer.
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