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13 best mattress for back pain 2025, tested & reviewed

Banish the bad back with these supportive selections.
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Best mattress for back pain overall

Simba Hybrid® Pro Mattress
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Best supportive mattress for back pain

Emma Hybrid Premium Mattress
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Best memory foam mattress for back pain

Nectar Sleep Premier Mattress
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FAQs:


How long does a free trial for a mattress last?

It depends on where you're buying from, but a typical mattress trial period will last between 30 and 100 nights — with some luxury brands even extending it to as long as a year. Also, it's worth noting that it's definitely not a 'free' trial — it's just an extended period of time that you can return the mattress and get a full refund if you decide its not the right model for you.

How should I sleep with lower back pain?

“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," Schnorbach explains. Can't get to sleep if you're not lying on your front? Help the spine stay in alignment by opting for a thin pillow under your head, and placing a more supportive pillow under your hips and abdomen to help prevent your lower back from sinking into a U-shape. This should help reduce some strain.

A top tip for back sleepers is to place a pillow under your knees to help support your spine's natural curve, whereas side sleepers may benefit from tucking a pillow between their slightly bent knees to help ensure proper hip alignment, and reduce pressure on the lumbar region. Different sleeping positions require different types of pillows — so make sure you pick one that's the right height, and helps keep your head aligned with your spine.

It's also worth getting into the habit of incorporating a gentle stretching routine before bed to relax your muscles. And for overall wellbeing – including your spinal health – it's good to maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

What type of mattress is best for the spine?

"Your sleep position will have a big impact on which mattress type will best support you,” Schnorbach explains. Here's everything you need to know about the three most common types of mattress, including which one is best suited to which specific sleeping styles.

1. Memory foam

A pressure-absorbing material pioneered by NASA, memory foam has quickly become one of the most popular mattress materials. Ensuring spinal alignment by allowing heavier body parts like to sink deeper — while also removing excess pressure from the joints and hips — foam mattresses offer the perfect balance of sinkage and support, and are therefore a popular pick amongst side sleepers suffering with back pain and other orthopaedic issues. However, side sleepers who are taller or heavier will likely require more support — and back and stomach sleepers will definitely need a firmer sleeping surface.

2. Pocket sprung

Made up of thousands of tightly coiled springs that respond individually to any movement, pocket sprung mattresses are generally firmer — with a higher number of springs or coils equating to a higher level of support. Engineered to support the natural curvature and alignment of the spine, pocket sprung mattresses don't provide the famous ‘sinking in’ experience of memory foam — but they can still generally be found in a wide range of different firmness levels. Providing optimal stability and pain relief for the lower back and lumbar region, pocket sprung mattresses remain the most popular orthopaedic pick amongst back and front sleepers — as well as side sleepers who are taller or have a heavier build.

3. Hybrid

Constructed with foam layers and innerspring coils, hybrid mattresses are known for their excellent pressure relief and motion isolation, and 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.