Photography: Kate Enno / Styling: Annalese Hay
Has anyone encapsulated the struggle you feel upon waking quite like Dolly Parton in 9 to 5? For many of us, tumbling out of bed and stumbling to the kitchen is hard enough but add back pain to the mix and you’ve got a full blown nightmare. The truth is, an unsupportive mattress can cause more than a few sleepless nights. Without proper spinal support, your whole body can suffer. That’s why finding the best mattress for back pain is so important.
What type of mattress is best to alleviate back pain?
For many years, people believed that the firmer the mattress, the better. But that’s not necessarily true. The most important aspects to consider when you’re looking for the best mattress for back pain are spinal alignment and support on your pressure points. Instead of a firm mattress, a medium or medium-to-firm feel may be more conducive to alignment. Body contour mattresses or memory foam mattresses, which conform to your body shape, can provide comfort and support for the spine while easing pressure on shoulders, hips, knees and feet. Experts also recommend looking for models that are designed to help reduce partner disturbance and are made with materials to keep you nice and cool while you slumber.
Zoning: No type of body has an even distribution of weight so a mattress that has evenly distributed support doesn’t totally make sense. Zoning mirrors the way the human body is shaped and distributes support accordingly. Five zones (for the head, shoulders, lower back, thighs and feet) are ideal.
Memory foam: This is a polyurethane foam that moulds to your body, creating support that is personalised for you. It reacts to temperature, meaning that when you’re not lying on the bed and heating up the surface, it will return to its original shape.
Look for these features in the best mattress for back pain
We’ve done the heavy lifting for you, taking all these features and searching high and low to find the best mattress for back pain, at varying price points. Once you’ve got your mattress sorted, be sure to check out our picks for the best doonas, Egyptian cotton sheets and the best bedframes. Now all that stands between you and a good night’s sleep is a little online shopping…
The best mattress for back pain: our top 8 picks
01
Englander Lincoln mattress in Medium
$2089/Queen (was $3799), Beds N Dreams
Best for: five zones to help support different areas of the body.
The Englander Lincoln mattress is Australian made and features five zones to better support every inch of your body. It offers body contouring with gel-infused memory foam as well as a European pocket spring system. It also features premium temperature regulation, so that you’re not sweating through the night.
Sizes: Single, Long Single, King Single, Double, Queen, King, Super King.
Feel: Plush, medium, firm.
Key features:
- Body contour mattress
- Memory foam mattress
- Individual pocket springs
- Dual pocket springs
- 5 zones
- Australian made
- Cooling gel layer
- 10 year guarantee
02
Koala mattress in Flippable Firmness
$1290/Queen, Koala
Best for: couples who simply can’t agree on firmness.
A bad mattress isn’t just a pain in the back – it can be a sore point in your relationship too. For couples who can’t agree on their preferred mattress firmness, the Koala mattress offers partner preference, meaning one half of the mattress can be medium-firm while the other can be firm. That, plus three zones and a breathable mattress cover that absorbs and releases moisture means you’re guaranteed to be comfortable all night long.
Sizes: Single, King Single, Double, Queen, King, Super King.
Feel: Firm and medium-plush.
Key features:
- 120-night trial
- 10-year warranty
- 3 zones
- Body contour mattress
- Half-half firmness options for couples
03
SleepMaker Montclair luxe medium mattress
$2799/Queen, Domayne
Best for: adjustable bed bases.
With layers of memory foam and Dreamfoam, the Montclair luxe mattress from SleepMaker provides support, personalised pressure relief and comfort. It is designed for adjustable bases meaning you can sit up in bed with the mattress still supporting your back. Kulkote technology also offers temperature regulation, catering to both hot and cold sleepers.
Sizes: Long Single, King Single, Queen, King.
Feel: Medium.
Key features:
- Australian made
- Memory foam
- Medium firmness
- Temperature regulation technology
- 10-year warranty
04
Comfort Sleep Emporio posture indulgence pillow top mattress in Extra Firm
$1544/Queen (was $2271), BedWorks
Best for: Environmentally friendly (and GECA approved)
This mattress combines body contour technology with a 5 zoned pocket spring system to give you a comfortable, supportive and personalised place to rest your weary bones. While it is available in four feels, the extra firm option is ideal for those who prefer to sleep on their stomach as this will help to keep your spine aligned.
Sizes: Single, Long Single, King Single, Double, Queen, King, Super King.
Feel: Soft, medium, firm, extra firm.
Key features:
- 10-year warranty
- Dust mite resistance
- Super firm
- Australian made
- Antibacterial
- 5 zones
- Customisable
- Super firm
05
Sealy Posturepedic Aura mattress in Medium
$4499/Queen, Freedom
Best for: natural wool cover.
For those with allergies or asthma (or a fun combo of the two), even the best mattress can be ruined by dust mites. The Sealy Aura mattress has a top panel with antimicrobial properties, helping to protect against dust mites and bacteria. The lower layers of this mattress feature titanium springs, which sense your body’s weight and respond accordingly to promote spinal alignment while gel relieves lower back pressure.
Sizes: Single, Long Single, King Single, Double, Queen, King, Super King.
Feel: Plush, medium, firm.
Key features:
- 10-year warranty
- 120-night returns
- Dust mite resistance
- Australian made
- Natural wool cover
- Titanium spring system
06
Celestial mattress in Medium
$3999/Queen, Freedom
Best for: available in eight sizes.
The foam top of this mattress features a breathable blend of wool and silk fibres for a luxuriously soft feel. The micro-pocket springs in this mattress are divided into 5 zones meaning that your body gets targeted support while the edge of the mattress is reinforced for stability. Best of all, the antibacterial properties help to prevent mould and mildew.
Sizes: Single, Long Single, King Single, Double, Queen, King, Split King, Super King.
Feel: Plush, medium, firm.
Key features:
- 5 zones
- 10-year warranty
- 120-night returns
- Dust mite resistance
- Australian made
- Breathable wool and silk fibres
07
Åkrehamn mattress in Firm/White
$899/Queen, Ikea
Best for: Budget-friendly
This Ikea mattress is at the more budget friendly side of the scale but that’s not due to a lack in quality. This mattress is comprised of three foam layers for support and comfort, plus five zones to help promote spinal alignment. Best of all, the cover on this mattress is removable and also machine washable.
Sizes: Single, Double, Queen, 180cm x 200cm.
Feel: Firm.
Key features:
- Removable and machine washable cover
- Memory foam
- 10-year guarantee
- Firm
- 5 zones
08
Koala luxe mattress in Plush
$2390/Queen, Koala
Best for: temperature control technology
When you’re looking for the best mattress for back pain, you should consider Koala’s luxe mattress. It has seven zones, offering unique support for your head, shoulders, back, hips, knees, legs and feet. The luxe mattress also has 50% more Kloudcell, Koala’s cooling comfort layer. This layer is copper-infused and designed to dissipate heat so that you don’t get overheated (or too cold) throughout the night.
Sizes: Double, Queen, King, Super King.
Key features:
- 7 zones
- 120-night trial
- 10-year warranty
- Australian cashmere and linen blend
- Temperature control
