Mayola Fernandes, Ali Howard
1. Memory foam
With its breathable open-cell structure, memory foam gives you important pressure relief, cleverly contouring to the shape of your body and distributing weight evenly across the entire mattress. This massively reduces any pressure points, which in turn alleviates stress on your spine, making it particularly good for back pain. But some disadvantages to consider include the initial adjustment period – some buyers report that it takes time to adapt to the feel of a memory foam mattress, and if you’re suffering acute back pain, you won’t want to wait. Memory foam mattresses can be particularly heavy, too, so if you’re already wincing in pain, you won’t want to give your back any more woes with the initial setting up, or any regular rotating that needs doing.
2. Hybrid
A hybrid mattress offers a supportive structure, combining foam layers with innerspring coils. Known for its excellent pressure relief and motion isolation, this type of mattress can be a godsend if you’ve been putting up with irritating back pain for far too long. Hybrid models tend to be great all-rounders, so if you’re struggling with your back but your partner isn’t, they’ll reap the sleep quality benefits, too, including preventative care. Due to their complex makeup and mix of materials, hybrid mattresses often come with a higher price tag, so if you’re looking to treat your back pain in the immediate, you may have to wait to save up your pennies.
3. Orthopaedic
Designed specifically for treating back pain, a traditional pocket sprung orthopaedic mattress is engineered to support the natural curvature of the spine. This type is known to provide much needed relief for targeted problems, such as the upper back, lumbar, or for lower back pain. Also known for their firmness, these mattresses prevent the body from sinking too deeply, ensuring the spine remains properly aligned. That said, a firmer mattress is not to everyone’s taste, and some may find it uncomfortable and a bit restrictive when it comes to moving around in bed.
“When looking at choosing a mattress to support with back pain, there’s no one type which performs better, as everyone has different shapes and sizes, and everyone requires different levels of support” says Hannah. It’s not only body size and weight that should determine the best mattress for our aching back, but our regular sleeping style, too. Front sleepers take note! “Back pain can be caused when your mattress fails to hold your spine in the proper alignment, leading to your back being put under undue pressure”, says Theresa Schnorbach at Emma. “Generally speaking, sleeping on your back or side are the best options as both of these positions are less taxing on your spine than sleeping on your stomach. However, your sleep position will have a big impact on which mattress type will best support you.”
How do I know if my mattress is causing me back pain?
If you wake up with stiffness or pain that improves throughout the day, your mattress may well be the culprit. Sagging spots or lumps in the mattress can disrupt spinal alignment. Notice if you sleep better away from home; a different bed could highlight your mattress’s flaws. Consistent discomfort, despite stretching and good sleep hygiene, points to mattress issues. If it’s old (think 7-10 years), it’s likely time for a replacement.
How we tested the best mattress for back pain:
In order to ensure that this guide only features the best mattresses for alleviating back pain available on the market, we rigorously tested mattresses from well-known sleep tech brands in our own homes. For the mattresses we’ve tested IRL, we slept on them for a minimum of 30 days, often longer, before delivering our final verdict. During our testing process, we evaluated factors such as quality, motion transfer, temperature regulation, durability, sustainability credentials, and most importantly, how our testers’ bodies felt in relation to back pain and whether the mattress provided relief. Furthermore, we factored in elements like delivery convenience and price affordability, giving bonus points to mattresses that provide sleep trials. The outcome is a comprehensive review of the best mattresses for back pain, suitable for a range of sleepers, including allergy sufferers and hot sleepers alike.
Fancy yourself a browse of our other bedding round ups? Check out our selections of the best bed sheets, the best cheap mattress, best mattresses, best pocket sprung mattress, best cooling mattress, best cooling mattress topper, best mattress for side sleepers, best memory foam mattresses, best Black Friday mattress deals, best bedding sets and the best cooling pillows. We’ve also got silk bedding, best bed frames, mattress protectors and linen bedding, plus body pillows, and pregnancy pillows to invest in if you’re expecting, sleep masks to keep the morning light at bay and pillow spray to help you nod off. For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Commerce Writer Mayola Fernandes, follow her on Instagram @mayolafernandess.