15 best mattresses: tried and tested for back pain according to Women's Health experts
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Bad back? If so, you are far from alone. Pain in this area affects eight in ten of us at some point in our lives – and it can be agonising. One thing that can help (along with sciatica exercises and lower back stretches) is snapping up one of the best mattresses for back pain.
Especially now with the weather warming up, there's enough factors to contend with when fighting for a good night's sleep that a shoddy mattress is just going to make getting a good eight hours even trickier than it needs to be.
That's where we come in. The editors at Women's Health wanted to know which mattresses actually make a difference, so we undertook extensive research and tried all the market-leading models, and asked the experts to fill us in on everything we should be looking for in a mattress for back pain.
Here are our top tried and tested picks at a glance:
What type of mattress is best for back pain?
There's no one mattress that will suit everyone, because we all sleep differently, but there are some general tips you can follow to help make back pain a thing of the past.
We asked Ben Breen, chiropractor and owner of East London Chiropractic Spinal & Sports Injury Clinic, for his advice. 'Sleep is essential for both physical and mental health, and the benefits of a good night's kip go a long way, but there is no robust data to say that your snoozing posture affects neck, back or other musculoskeletal pain,' he explains. 'This means you’re free to sleep however you’d like.'
Shopping for a new mattress still requires research, but instead of looking for the supposed best mattress type for your sleep style, Breen advises keeping it simple and investing in the best quality product you can buy.
Prices listed are for the standard UK double size.
How we tested these mattresses
To find the best mattress for back pain, we had a team of editors and writers test out each and every mattress recommended in this guide. They tried each mattress for at least six weeks, and then reported back in detail on how they found it – from unboxing to breathability, and of course, how their backs were feeling.
They assessed each mattress on how comfortable they were (of course), how effective it was at motion isolation (aka, will a tossing and turning partner keep you up at night), and edge support (will you feel supported sleeping on the edge of the bed, or will the mattress start to sag).
Why you can trust Women's Health mattress reviews
At Women's Health, it's no surprise that we take health very seriously. We know how many products are out there that promise the world and yet don't deliver, so we're very particular about the products we endorse. You won't see anything recommended by our writers and editors that hasn't been thoroughly tested, and approved, by us.
We're particularly fussy with mattresses, as we're big believers in the power of a good night's sleep. Each mattress recommended in this guide has been put through its paces for a minimum of six weeks - and often a lot longer - before we write our review.
Simba Hybrid® Ultra Mattress
The most luxurious (and most expensive) mattress in the Simba mattress range, our tester was genuinely blown away after her first night sleeping on the Simba Hybrid Ultra. It was more comfortable than any 5-star hotel bed she'd slept in before, and helped her get a deeper sleep than ever before.
But was it a first night fluke? After a few weeks sleeping on this mattress and a steadily improving Oura Ring sleep score, our tester is sure the mattress is to thank for her spectacular slumbers.
As someone who tends to sleep on her side, our tester had been getting a dull ache in her lower back when she woke up. Since sleeping on the Hybrid Luxe, which has 8,500 supportive springs and is 34cm deep, she has felt supported and found there is less pressure on her back.
The top layer has been made with a blend of kapok, wool, and bamboo, an innovative combination of materials that's designed to keep hot sleepers cool during the night.
Earth Escape Mattress
The Simba Earth Escape mattress is a godsend for those with partners who tend to move around in their sleep or have different sleep schedules. The motion transfer technology limits how much you feel the other person moving around, meaning our tester was able to get a couple of more hours of sleep on the mornings her partner had to be up early. She also noticed a distinct relief in her stubborn back pain since she made the switch to this mattress.
Covered with wool viscose, this mattress is soft to the touch. The British wool layer makes the mattress very comfortable and helps regulate temperatures throughout summer and winter.
The level of support offered is incredible; those who lay on their backs will appreciate the high-carbon steel springs, which add stability to your spine.
It is, however, heavy, which is very common in high-quality, comfortable wool mattresses. Rotating this mattress every month (as suggested by Simba) might take two people, depending on your strength and the mattress size.
Hybrid Bamboo Mattress
If you’re suffering from back pain and looking for the perfect balance of comfort, support, and sustainability, the Panda Hybrid Mattress may be the answer to your prayers.
Designed with six innovative layers of sleep technology, this sustainable mattress combines orthopaedic-grade memory foam that adapts to your sleeping position with the breathability of bamboo-infused materials.
The result? A supremely comfortable sleep experience that helps you avoid waking up with aches and pains.
The mattress features up to 800 individually wrapped pocket springs to provide tailored support for your entire body, while Panda’s signature DualFlex Foam™ and comfort base add extra durability and cushioning. Topped with a soft, removable bamboo cover, the Hybrid Mattress is hypoallergenic, gentle on your skin, and sustainable.
While memory foam has a reputation for being too warm for hot sleepers, this bamboo cover helps keep you warm while you sleep so you can enjoy the supportive benefits of a hybrid mattress without spending sleepless nights tossing and turning during summer.
To make things even better, the Panda Hybrid Mattress is currently available at 30% off as part of the brand’s biggest-ever Black Friday sale.
Plus, they offer free UK delivery and a hassle-free recycling service for your old mattress, so you can enjoy your best night’s sleep stress-free.
Simba Hybrid Mattress
For a cloud-like sleep, Simba’s popular hybrid mattress will please with its delicious combination of support and sink-in comfort. Testers found it regulated their body temperatures well, and it didn’t creak or squeak either. In fact, multiple people told us it has improved the quality of their sleep, and one said they were no longer experiencing lower back pain either.
Some dips appeared after a while, but these didn’t impact our reviewers’ overall impression of this mattress – most said they’d shop with Simba again. Keeping on top of its rotation schedule would also minimise this.
As well as offering decent value for money, Simba boasts an array of eco creds. The brand is now a B-Corp, the mattress is 100% recyclable, and delivery is offset through investment in reforestation and biodiversity projects. Easy sleep incoming!
TEMPUR Original Mattresses
Our top mattress is made using innovative tech originally developed by NASA to keep their astronauts safely supported during rocket launches. No biggie, then!
It's robustly made, resulting in comfortable nights for all our testers. Unsurprisingly, it's a dream for those with back problems – testers told us their bodies felt much better after sleeping on the supportive mattress. It’s a great option for those who share a bed – our testers found it quiet and weren’t impacted by fidgeting partners.
Some hotheads may find it too stuffy to sleep on (as is often the way with memory foam), but this wasn’t true for everyone. There's a 100-night free trial available too, so you have time to see if your body adjusts. And both readers and testers were seriously impressed with Tempur overall, making this a reliable investment. One even said it’s the best mattress they’ve ever had!
NextGen Cooling Mattress
This mattress is at the firmer end of the ‘medium’ spectrum, and is designed to help you wake up with minimal aches and pains.
Furthermore, it contains a mix of foam and springs which lets air circulate through it as you sleep, meaning you’re less likely to wake up due to overheating.
Our tester undeniably sleeps very well on the mattress compared to her previous softer one, but it took a lot of getting used to, and eventually, she had to add a mattress topper.
The mattress comes with a 200-night trial period, so if you’re waking up sweaty and achy, it might be the key to a brilliant night’s sleep.
Emma Original Mattress
Concerned about splashing lots of cash on a mattress that may not soothe your aching limbs? Look to this more affordable 'boxed' option, which you can try for a generous 200 nights before committing.
The memory foam mattress rivalled the Tempur according to our panel and readers – we received glowing reviews about how comfortable it was. It was supportive too – one tester told us: ‘Our back aches have disappeared since sleeping on this mattress.’
It was warm for some, so if you run hot at night then a more breathable hybrid mattress may suit better, as the springs tend to help with air circulation. But it comes with a 10-year warranty, which is frankly the stuff adulting dreams are made of.
REM-Fit 500 Ortho Hybrid Mattress
This hybrid mattress has a whopping 9 out of 10 tension rating, so if you find your back feels its best sleeping on a firm mattress, then it’s a good, supportive pick. Don’t think that means it’s not comfortable though, testers found it had ample give, and one even told us, ‘I felt like I was sleeping on a cloud.’
Our panel said it helped ease aches and pains, and that it was temperature regulating. They found it stayed nicely still if they moved too, but some noticed that it wasn't quiet, so it may not be quite right if you or a partner are sensitive to noise and fidget a lot. It dipped a tad towards the very edges for some, too. But none of this stopped our testers from rating it highly overall and declaring it a quality, comfy pick.
Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress
Origin's mattresses are endorsed by a couple of top athletes (including Team GB Olympic curling champion Eve Muirhead), which piqued our interest because we’re always on the lookout for ways to minimise post-workout DOMs. And this hybrid (which features extra cooling layers made with latex and wool) certainly impressed our testers who found it dreamily comfortable and supportive.
It kept their body temperatures in check too, with one happy tester telling us it had helped reduce their sweating at night. Others found the mattress a successful back pain alleviator. And it's quiet, if you share the bed with a real wriggler.
Some testers found it took time for them to adjust to the firm design, and you can’t remove the cover, so a mattress protector would be a good investment to keep it in top shape. But you don’t need to rotate this mattress and Origin deserves an honourable mention for its partnership with the British Heart Foundation who receive any returned mattresses, so even if it’s not right for you, it will still go to a good home.
£529.00 at originmattress.co.uk
REM-Fit 600 Lux Hybrid Mattress
If you’re a hot sleeper, we’ve got good news – there’s no need to compromise between support and breathability with this hybrid. All our testers said it kept their body temperature just right, which may well be a first for us when it comes to testing mattresses with foam – and we were testing during summer.
The mattress is designed with optimum support in mind too – the foam sits across an impressive 4000 pocket springs and varies in density, so it supports you exactly where you need it, with no sagging sides. This meant testers were left undisturbed by moving partners too.
It’s heavy to move though, and some readers told us their REM-Fit mattresses have altered over time. But this didn’t put them off – most said they’d buy it again and an impressive 98% were happy with their mattress. Sounds dreamy if you ask us, is it bedtime yet?
Simba Hybrid Luxe
If you want hotel-level luxury, look no further than one of Simba’s high-end mattresses, which has an eye-watering 6000 springs in it to support your every toss and turn. The Simba Hybrid Luxe has a layer of breathable bamboo and wool to keep your temperature in check. Not only does that sound dreamy, but it delivered for our testers too, who loved its cushioning and supportive feel.
It’s 31cm deep, so your existing fitted sheets may be too small – although in our book this is simply a good excuse to invest in some new bedding and give your space a mini glow-up.
Like the Simba Hybrid, some testers noted the odd dip in the foam; however, many bounced back. Adding a mattress rotation into your workout schedule every now and again will keep it in shape, too. Overall, it’s one to opt for if you want to give your beauty sleep a serious upgrade.
Sealy Posturepedic Elevate Ultra
Most of the mattresses on this list fall into the medium firm category when it comes to support. But if you want to go softer or firmer, then this range from Sealy is a good choice as the hybrid mattress is available in three levels – plus, we’ve tested them all to rave reviews.
Don’t just take our word for it though. One tester told us: 'I have slept very well every night on this bed', while another said their mattress, 'has a perfect balance between being soft and firm.' Everyone agreed that it’s quiet and breathable, but it is heavy to move, and the 30cm depth meant some needed to buy new bedsheets. It also doesn’t come cheap, but it is a quality buy.
£1439.95 at mattressonline.co.uk
Emma NextGen Premium Mattress
Unlike its popular memory foam mattress, Emma’s latest innovation is all about the pocket springs. It still has a layer of foam, but the two combine to offer impressive support that adjusts well to your body as you move. Most found it comfortable no matter their sleep styles (although it was a tad too firm for some), and testers said it was breathable and cooling, too.
On the aches and pains front, it was another success story, with one tester saying they no longer woke up with a sore back in the mornings. The mattress kept its shape well, but testers did say they could feel the springs at the very edge of the mattress slightly. If you like to starfish in the middle of the bed though, then this shouldn’t be noticeable. Lastly, testers found it easy to put into place – no mean feat, given the struggles some had unboxing other mattresses on our list.
Silentnight Lift Breathe Pocket Mattress
Foam mattresses aren’t for everyone, and if it’s pure pocket spring that you’d like, look no further than this Silentnight design. It’s designed with body temperature regulation in mind, and this was a hit with testers, who all enjoyed breathable nights with no overheating.
It got the thumbs up for its comfort and support too, but note that although it’s billed as a medium mattress, some found it to be firm. It’s also heavy, so you may need help getting it into place, especially if you have back trouble. For our panel, the delivery team didn’t assist in every instance either. But given its track record as a cool, comfortable pocket spring mattress, it may be worth making arrangements to get it into your bedrooms ASAP.
£629.49 at mattressonline.co.uk
Sealy Recharge+ Men's and Women's Health 2300 pocket mattress
If you find a firm mattress leaves you feeling sore the next morning, you’re going to want something with a plusher feel for pressure relief. The Sealy Recharge+ Men’s and Women’s Health mattress fits the bill. Offering a medium rating for firmness, this mattress boasts 2300 pocket springs to ensure you’re properly supported, as well as a gel-infused comfort layer to keep pressure points at bay. In fact, it received rave reviews in the comfort category, with one tester reporting it was the only mattress they’d ever had which didn’t require a topper to make it more comfortable.
Medium mattresses can often feel a bit hotter than firmer ones, but the smart, temperature-regulating fabric used in this one’s design keeps things cool. Plus it’s also hypoallergenic too, helping you sleep more soundly once you do drop off. No wonder our testers loved it.
How do I know if my mattress is causing my back pain?
Mattresses should be replaced roughly every seven years. If yours is sagging, it may be too old or too soft to support your weight effectively.
If neither of the above is true, your back pain may not be caused by your mattress. 'Just because you’ve woken up with back pain, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your mattress or sleeping position is to blame,' says Breen.
'Pain is influenced by many different factors – consider your stress levels, sleep hours, physical activity levels, over- or under-training and moods (to name a few). Trying to improve these areas should markedly improve your pain experience.'
Is a harder mattress better for your back?
Like so many things, the best mattress for support really boils down to personal preference – it’s all about testing them out for yourself to find the most comfortable option for you.
Breen would generally advise opting for a firm mattress and these are typically recommended as a supportive pick. However, there’s no point powering through with one if it’s not comfortable for you, as it will just become another reason why you’re not getting the beauty sleep you need.
Is memory foam good for back pain?
Below, you’ll find a range of mattress styles, from pocket spring to memory foam. But the latter is the go-to filling for many, as it moulds to the shape of your body, cushioning your lower back, hips and shoulders, and allowing your muscles, discs and joints to relax.
Hybrid mattresses are increasingly popular too, as they combine the responsiveness of pocket springs with a layer of supportive memory foam on top. Note, however, that memory foam notoriously lacks breathability, so look for open-celled foam if you tend to get hot at night. Again, your choice will all come down to personal preference, so look for a mattress with a good trial period if you’re unsure.
How should I sleep with lower back pain?
Though the concept of one best sleeping posture is divisive, you’ll soon find out which positions help and hinder your pain, so listen to your body.
'There will be postures that aggravate symptoms and those that alleviate symptoms,' says Breen. 'Since musculoskeletal pain has a favourable natural history (meaning it tends to get better with time), finding soothing positions is an easy way to manage your pain while things calm down.
'The best sleeping position is the one you feel most comfortable in, even if it may seem awkward. Using pillows as support is fine as well.'Not sure how best to do this? If you can, sleep on your side with your knees partially bent towards you to balance your body. Pop one pillow under your neck (we've rounded up the best pillows too) and another between your knees for comfort.If you’re a committed back sleeper, place a pillow or two behind your knees and another beneath your lower back to ensure it gets enough support. Front sleepers should put a pillow under their hips for the same reason.During the day, Breen recommends focusing on good movement, activity and lowering stressors to help prevent and improve pain.
What type of mattress is best for spine?
What kind of mattress is best for your spine will depend on factors like your sleeping position, the kind of back pain you suffer from and how firm of a mattress you find comfortable.
If you're a side sleeper, a mattress that is too soft may cause your hip and lower back pain as it will cause an awkward curvature in your spine as you sleep. If you sleep on you back, a mattress that is too firm may inhibit the natural curve of your lower back and result in pain. If you sleep on your stomach, you may find you arch your back and strain your neck because your spine is out of alignment during your slumber. These are all considerations to take into account while shopping for your next mattress.
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