Best mattress for back pain in the UK 2025
SUFFERING from back pain might have seen you struggling to get a good night's sleep.
We have tried and test the best mattresses for back pain and spoke with a couple of sleep experts to make sure shoppers get the support they need.
If you wake up feeling worse than you did when you went to bed and your joints are aching, then it might be time to replace your mattress.
Telltale signs that your mattress needs replacing include stains, smells, tears and holes in the mattress as well as a general lack of comfort.
If your mattress is dipping or sagging, and you just don’t feel supported as you sleep, then it’s time to start shopping - especially if you're waking with back pain.
Dreary British weather can heighten aches and pains according to Google search data, recording a whopping amount of Brits searching for back pain remedies during winter.
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According to , back pain is single biggest cause of disability in the UK and it is estimated more than 80 out of 100 people suffer at some point in their lives.
If you’ve had your mattress a countless number of years, and its only adding to your discomfort, then it’s probably time to buy a new one.
advises you change your mattress every seven or eight years, by which time your mattress has had more than 20,000 hours of !
Mattresses can be spenny, and it is important to do your research before buying, which is why we have tried and tested the best mattresses for back pain.
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The Sun Shopping team has tried and tested popular mattresses for back pain, to help you in your search, keep reading to find out more.
We regularly update our best mattress deals page to ensure you snag mattresses at the best price.
How we tested the mattresses?
All mattresses tried and tested were by members of the Sun Shopping team with existing light to moderate back pain.
We absolutely recommend consulting with a health care professional about your back pain and using this as a tried and tested guide and not a cure.
However, we did speak with a couple of sleep experts for professional advice to support our claims.
Our reviews factored in delivery, ease of installation, first night thoughts and prolonged use, to paint an honest overall picture of what you can expect.
Best mattress for back pain at a glance:
- Best for back pain - Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Pro
- Best budget - Otty Original Hybrid Mattress
- Best service - Brook and Wilde Lux mattress
Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Pro
Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress Pro, £1,290
Pros: Removable cover is machine washable, really supportive, comfort cool bamboo top
Cons: Much firmer than I was used to, which took some adjustment, price, heavy to move
Rating: 4/5
Waking up with a stiff back and sore hips every morning was getting old, so when I was offered the chance I jumped (or hobbled) to review the .
Its combination of memory foam and pocket springs promises to relieve my pressure points and help me sleep better.
It arrived rolled up, looking suspiciously thin, but after a few hours of puffing up, it was good to go.
I won’t lie, the firmness (7/10) was a shock at first – my old mattress was much softer – but after a couple of weeks, I got used to it.
The best bit? My back doesn’t feel as stiff, and I don’t wake up creaky anymore.
It’s supportive without feeling like a brick, and the bamboo cover is soft and keeps things cool.
, it’s not exactly cheap, but it’s been a game-changer for me. If you can get past the firmness (or already like a firm mattress), it’s worth considering.
Review by Lisa Burn
Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 200 nights, Guarantee: 10 years
Otty Original Hybrid Mattress
Otty Original Hybrid mattress, £599.99 (was £699.99)
Pros: Excellent for side sleepers, balanced support, generous guarantee (10 years), cooling and does not dent
Cons: Too hard for the first two weeks, lack of side handles makes it difficult to flip or rotate
Rating: 4.5/5
I’m someone who moves around a lot in my sleep, which used to wake my partner up a lot. Since getting the , we’ve both been getting more sleep.
I noticed how I stayed cool with a duvet on during the summer and my partner has mentioned how he no longer feels me moving during the night.
It definitely feels sturdy and well-made.
It arrived quickly (next day!), and it only took a few hours to fully expand. One thing to note: you’ll probably need deeper sheets as regular ones might not fit its depth.
It’s really comfy. No matter how I sleep, it feels supportive, and best of all, I rarely wake with aches and pains in my back.
I’m knocking off 0.5 points because it doesn’t have side handles, which makes rotating it a bit annoying.
After five months, it’s still in perfect shape. It bounces right back every morning, unlike our old mattress, which showed signs of wear and tear after a few months and became a pain to sleep on.
With over 9,900 Trustpilot reviews and an excellent rating, clearly knows what they’re doing.
We’re absolutely chuffed with our and I would honestly recommend it to anyone.
Review by Pavlina Theodoulou
Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 150 nights, Guarantee: 10 years
Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress
Simba Hybrid Pro mattress, £1,149
Pros: Free delivery, no need to flip it, supportive
Cons: Heavy, needs deep fitting sheets, premium price tag
Rating: 4.5/5
The arrived at a time when my sleep was at an all-time low—waking up overheated and achy had become the norm. Eager for relief, I jumped at the chance to give it a try, and it didn’t take long to see why it was so highly rated.
Packed with innovative cooling technology, including breathable layers, dual MiQro spring sets, and a temperature-regulating wool layer, the Hybrid Pro lived up to its promises.
It is on the softer side and I was skeptical to try a softer mattress, but I didn’t need to worry.
It struck the perfect balance between softness and support, a welcome change from my overly firm memory foam mattress.
Within a week, I was sleeping soundly, even during a heatwave.
And meant I could turn over without waking my partner.
The offered equal comfort whether I lay on my back, side, or stomach.
However, there are drawbacks. The mattress is undeniably expensive, requires deep-fitted sheets, and after a year, a slight hump developed in the centre—an issue tied to my bedframe’s metal bar. A solid base would likely resolve this.
While I can’t personally attest to its impact on back pain, many reviewers claim significant improvements. With a 200-night trial and a 10-year guarantee, the for those willing to invest. If cool, comfortable, and undisturbed sleep is the goal, this mattress is worth considering.
Read the full Simba Hybrid Pro mattress review here.
Review by Clara Wolsey
Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 365 nights, Guarantee: 10 years
Brook and Wilde Lux mattress review
Brook and Wilde Lux mattress, £600
Pros: Supportive, comfortable, quality
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 5/5
The really impressed me. Initially, I was worried it might feel too soft, but those concerns quickly disappeared.
It offered a great balance of comfort and support, making it a pleasure to sleep on and surprisingly hard to leave in the mornings.
customer service also stands out.
The delivery team not only carried the mattress to the bedroom but unpacked it and removed all the packaging too, which was much appreciated.
Spoiler alert: we’re still using this mattress more than five years on, which says a lot about its quality and durability.
The way it’s made means it feels spongy to lie on, but also feels supportive. Best of all, it didn’t leave us with sore backs, even after months of use.
While the is on the premium side of the mattress world, the 200-night trial provides reassurance just incase it isn’t your cup of tea.
For those dealing with back pain or discomfort from lower-quality mattresses, this one offers a noticeable improvement.
Years later, it continues to provide excellent sleep quality, making it an option well worth considering.
Review by Joel Watson
Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 200 nights, Guarantee: 10 years
READ MORE
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What type of mattress is best for back pain?
In general, foam mattresses are better at supporting those with back pain as they can offer more targeted support and conform to the curves of your body.
However, if you’re heavier, they may not offer enough support for your spine - a sprung mattress is better for this.
A good compromise is a hybrid mattress that combines the best features of the two types of mattresses.
Another thing to consider is whether you’re sleeping with a partner as their movements can also affect how well you sleep.
There are mattresses that reduce movement and feature different levels of firmness for different sides of beds specifically designed for this.
What firmness of mattress is best for lower back pain?
The Sun Shopping team are not qualified to advise on what mattress is best for back pain, but we followed the advice of Dr Seeta Shah, Panda's Sleep Expert.
She recommends ‘medium-firm mattresses with a hybrid construction that combines memory foam or latex for pressure relief and pocketed coils for spinal support’.
According to Dr Shah, these mattresses ‘optimise spinal alignment and reduce back discomfort’ helping you to sleep like a baby and wake ready to seize the day.
Picking the right mattress can make all the difference, and if you’re doing your research we have tried and tested some of the best mattresses on the market, doing the hard work so you don’t have to.
How to choose the best mattress for back pain?
Choosing the best mattress for back pain is all about finding the right level of support for you.
In general, you need a mattress that’s firm enough to help your spine align in the right position while you sleep, but not so firm that it puts pressure on your back.
Back pain mattress guide:
Simba’s mattress specialist Ian Atkins, recommends shoppers follow the advice below to help them pick the best mattress for back pain according to the position you sleep in.
If you have back pain but sleep on your front - Pick a mattress with a firm surface to keep your body supported, especially the waist area.
If you have back pain but sleep on your side - Pick a mattress that allows the shoulders and hips to sink in whilst at the same time having enough support.
If you have back pain but sleep on your back - Pick a mattress that allows the shoulders and hips to sink in, but is supportive enough to cushion the lower back area.
Remember, most online mattress retailers have LIVE chat boxes, so you can get real-time advice if you're stuck not knowing what mattress to choose.
The best way to find a mattress that suits your needs is to test one out and fortunately many of the top brands offer long trial periods so you can do just that.
How often should I change my mattress?
Experts recommend replacing your mattress every seven years or so and turning your mattress regularly to keep it in shape.
Always follow the manufacturer’s advice as caring for your mattress; can prolong its lifespan.
Some mattresses need to be flipped or rotated to maintain their best assets, so be sure to do so if it calls for it.
Where to buy mattresses for bad backs
All of the companies mentioned in our round-up sell appropriate mattresses to consider if you have back pain. , , , , , , and
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Other retailers to check out include , , , and , but don’t forget bed specialists such as , and if you don't fancy buying online.
If you're curious about how to sleep better, check out our sleep tips and tricks page.
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