Buying a new mattress can be a minefield if you don’t know your memory foam from your pocket springs - not to mention finding out what type of mattress is best for your sleep style. It can be even trickier if you suffer from back pain and are looking to alleviate the symptoms with the right mattress.
Given that we spend an average of around 26 years sleeping in our lifetime and seven of those years can be taken up just trying to get to sleep - more if you have back pain, we thought we'd put some of the leading brands through their paces.
As with all our YourHomeStyle reviews, our expert team has put several different brands to the test, but rather than finding the ones we like best, we've judged each one on how well they live up to their description. Of course, finding the 'right' firmness is subjective - one person's comfort may be another person's sleepless night - so we've focussed on accurately assessing the level of firmness, so you can make your own decision.
How to choose the best mattresses for back pain
If you suffer with back pain, experts often suggest going for a mattress that’s more firm to maintaining the alignment of your spine from prevent dipping. In this case, a memory foam mattress could be the best solution for you, as it's super reactive and will mould to your body’s shape and sleeping position, giving you support exactly where you need it. A hybrid mattress that combines memory foam and pocket springs is another solution that can help to relieve any spinal discomfort.
While it's often suggested that the firmer the mattress the better if you have lower back pain, bear in mind this isn't always going to be the case, and depending on the severity of the pain, you will want to seek advice - or at least try different types of mattress - before making a choice about which one is best for you. Most online retailers offer some sort of trial period, so if you’re not completely satisfied with the product, you can return it no questions asked. So be sure to check out a brand’s trial period before you buy.
Tried and tested | Best mattresses for back pain at a glance:
- Emma Original Mattress | Buy now from Amazon (from £446.50)
- Dusk's Cool Gel Foam 2,000 Pocket Sprung Hybrid Mattress | Buy now from Dusk (from £399)
Keep your new mattress in tip-top condition with our guide: how to clean a mattress. Here at YHS HQ we've also spent a lot of time looking to find the best pillows to suit all tastes and requirements. From a general curated collection of the best pillows to buy, we've also put together rounds up of the best silk pillows, best wedge pillows and best for side sleepers, as well as testing out a range of best memory foam pillows. And, we haven't let you down when it comes to stylish bedding either - check out our guides to best bedding and best sustainable bedding.
How we tested the mattresses
We put over 15 mattresses to the test, judging them on everything from customer service and packaging through to sustainability and value for money. Each mattress could achieve up to 20 points for the following criteria:
- Information and customer service: How clear and helpful are mattress descriptions? (2 points) | What’s customer service like? (1 point) | Free delivery? (1 point) | How long is the trial period? (2 point) | Do they pick up your old mattress? (1 point)
- Features: (0.5 points each) Manoeuvrability: how does it arrive? Will delivery men take it upstairs? Handles? | If memory foam – how long to inflate? | Sustainable packaging? | Materials – memory foam, springs, hypoallergenic, etc? | Temperature regulation materials? | Care instructions – do you need to turn it? | Caters for different sleep needs? | Removable cover for washing? | Comes in all sizes? | Specifications – depth?
- Results: Does it live up to the description – firm/supportive etc? (2 points) | An odour when out of packaging? (1 point) | Durability? (2 points) | Sustainable material? (1 point)
- Value for money: (2 points) Is it good quality? | What is the warranty? | Is it worth the money?
On the lookout for a bargain find? Check out the best mattress deals currently on the market.
The best mattresses for back pain 2024
Emma Original Mattress Review
Score 18 out of 20
- Buy now from Amazon (from £446.50)
Pros
- Clear instructions
- 200-night trial period
- Easy to set up
Cons
- On the firm side
- Faint odour when first opened
The Emma Original mattress features a range of materials and layers to help prevent sweating, and ensure air flows to keep you cool and dry even when it's hot...
There's plenty of information on the website to explain how the mattresses are constructed and the features they offer, so it feel straightforward to make the choice about which mattress is best for you. The Emma Original mattress has been designed to be medium to ensure correct spinal alignment and support, and on a scale from 1 (soft) to 10 (very firm), it is a 5 (medium) mattress, however, it felt much firmer than this. The trial period of 200 nights means you have plenty of time to decide if you want to exchange it, and though we didn't try doing this, they claim returning unsuitable mattresses is free and 'super easy' thanks to a 'handy returns portal'.
Vacuum-packed, the mattress comes in a strong cardboard carton, and was easily carried upstairs by two of us - just as well, as the mattress itself doesn't have handles. The instructions were very clear and easy to follow and it only took 24 hours to fully 'inflate'.
The Emma Original mattress also features an impressive combination of materials and layers to help prevent sweating, and make sure air can flow to keep you cool and dry even when it's hot. A generous 30cms deep, it comes in various sizes, from single up to super king.
We think, given that it has a 10-year warranty and it's often discounted, it represents good value for money.
Read our full, in-depth Emma Original mattress review.
Tempur Sensation Mattress
Score 17 out of 20
Pros
- Extremely comfortable and I can tell it will last me a long time
Cons
- Expensive
The combination of comfort, quality, 100 night trial and 10 years guarentee, makes this mattress well-worth the investment.
The descriptions on the website clearly explain the difference and benefits of each mattress. After some deliberation, I went for the Tempur Sensations Supreme which is designed to 'gently conform to the individual contours of your body to relieve pressure points and soothe tired limbs'.
The mattress arrived promptly and there was a lot of communication on day of arrival regarding timings. However, it's an extremely heavy mattress and although it is memory foam, it arrives flat which makes it a two- or three-man job to move it. It comes with a 100-night free trial and free delivery to mainland UK. I couldn’t see anything on the website about a mattress collection service.
This is an extremely comfortable mattress and is exactly as described. The material and finish all demonstrate great quality and there's was no odour. The manufacturers recommend that the bed frame should be no more than five years old and offer a 'well-ventilated bed base or frame with feet, castors or legs to allow air to circulate freely'. When it comes to aftercare, there's no need to turn this mattress and it is machine washable up to 60 degrees.
The combination of comfort, quality, 100 night trial and 10 years guarentee, makes this mattress well-worth the investment.
Dusk's Cool Gel Foam 2,000 Pocket Sprung Hybrid Mattress
Score 15.5 out of 20
- Buy now from Dusk (from £399)
Pros
- Compact packaging for delivery and manoeuvrability
- Washable cover
- No motion transfer
Cons
- Can only rotate the mattress, rather than flip it
- Not particularly supportive for side sleepers
I found the mattress to be very firm - a little firmer than I expected bearing in mind its medium/firm rating.
The mattress description on the Dusk website is very brief and to the point, offering practical information about its fill, size, firmness, packaging and care requirements. So if you know what type of mattress you need, choosing a mattress will be a breeze.
Dusk offer lots of added extras, but they do charge: a 100 night sleep trial is also offered with all of Dusk’s mattresses, but collection and return incurs a £39.99 fee. You can also have the mattress delivered to a room of your choice (up to third floor) for £12.99, and recycling your old mattress will cost £30.
Unpacking the mattress and getting it into position was easy enough for two people. Our mattress expanded quickly and looked stylish and comfortable within minutes. Dusk advise you leave it for 4-6 hours before sleeping on it.
Like the Emma Original mattress, this one also features a number of layers: a breathable fabric base, 2,000 support springs, a layer of foam, cool gel foam and a breathable, soft touch top cover. The active cooling layer is perfect for regulating your body temperature.
Dusk has branded the mattress as medium/firm, but I found the mattress to be very firm - a little firmer than I expected bearing in mind the rating. As a side sleeper, it offered plenty of support for my back, however, I would have preferred to be able to sink into it more to relieve pressure on my shoulder and neck. After chatting with Dusk we added their Feels Like Down Topper to the mattress, which instantly added an extra layer of comfort to mould around my neck and shoulder, providing that extra bit of support I needed.
The mattress passed the sniff test, too - I expected there to be a slight odour after being sealed in the plastic packaging, but was relieved to find that there was no smell at all, and the cover is washable.
Available in single, double, king and super king sizes, catering for all of your family’s needs. Currently on offer and priced at £399 for a king size, it's at the more affordable end of the market.
I liked the look and feel of the mattress, and the neat, fuss free design gives it a durable, quality finish. I think it’s a great option for the price point and if you like firm mattresses, this is the perfect choice..
Read our full, in-depth Dusk Cool Gel Foam 2,000 Pocket Sprung Hybrid Mattress review.
- Buy now from Dusk (from £399)
Emma's Premium King Memory Foam mattress
Looking for a larger mattress? We haven't tested the Premium King Memory Foam mattress from Emma yet, but it's on our hit list: This mattress features two more layers than the Original mattress, and is designed to be a little firmer, and is rated as a 6.5 (medium firm) mattress. It's ideal for 'bigger people' and has one awards for it's overall design and the features it offers. Reviews on their website include 'best thing we have bought in years,' 'very helpful and job well done', and 'great sleep so far with no aches'. Just like the Emma original mattress, it also comes with a 200 night trial and 10 year warranty. It fits any 150x200 king size mattresses bed frame.
- Buy now from Amazon (£812)
FAQs
If you’re a side, front, back sleeper - what type of mattress should you be looking for?
If you’re a side sleeper choose a mattress with a soft to medium comfort level, memory foam and gel foam can provide the responsive support you need for the more vulnerable pressure points around your shoulders, hips and thigh.
Front sleepers are more prone to back pain, so a medium firm mattress can help support your spine. Avoid being able to sink in too far into your mattress, so opt for a hybrid of memory foam and pocket springs to ensure your weight is evenly distributed.
Back sleepers need a medium to very firm mattress to ensure lower back pain is kept at bay! You should also consider your weight when choosing a mattress as a back sleeper - as a rule, the heavier you are the firmer your mattress should be. Don’t allow your spine to sink too far into the mattress as this can cause misalignment and further back pain.
Where can I buy a budget mattress?
Memory foam and all-foam mattresses tend to be among the cheaper, more affordable on the market, so if budget is tight then check these out against your sleeping requirements before you take the plunge.
We've tested some of the best budget mattresses on the market, costing as little as £249 but still offering a top-quality night's sleep - read our budget mattress reviews to see our verdict!