The best mattress for relieving back pain in 2025, tried and tested

What is the best mattress for back pain in 2025?

Best overall for back pain

REM-Fit® 600 Lux Elite Hybrid Mattress

Jump to review

Best for back pain and motion isolation

Simba Sleep Hybrid Pro Mattress

Jump to review

Most affordable

Emma Sleep Emma Hybrid Premium Mattress

Jump to review

Waking up feeling stiff, sore, or like you've aged a decade overnight? You’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common sleep-related complaints and your mattress could be the culprit. While we're yet to find a single cure-all, the wisdom from industry insiders and sleep experts is that a mattress on the firmer side can soothe a temperamental back. However, there's a balance to be struck: opt for a too firm mattress and it won't be dissimilar to sleeping on the floor, too soft and you might as well sleep in a hammock.

James Leinhardt, the founder of British sleep brand Levitex, says ‘research suggests that a medium-firm mattress is much better for back pain, however, what ‘medium-firm’ is can vary so much across different brands. There’s no clear guideline, so medium-firm for one brand can actually be what is soft to the other!’ This is why it's important to ‘always take advantage of try-before-you-buy offers’, where possible. When choosing a mattress, osteopath Anisha Joshi, who is known as the Pain Expert, says ‘it may help to consider how well the mattress supports you and distributes weight. Factors like sleep position, body weight, and any existing pain or mobility issues can all influence what feels comfortable and supportive.’

Whether you're a side sleeper, back sleeper, or somewhere in between, we’ve combed through customer favourites and expert recommendations to test the best mattresses for back pain. Keep scrolling to discover our edit of affordable to luxe options that consistently help you wake up feeling refreshed.

With over ten years of experience between us testing and reviewing sleep products here on the shopping team at House & Garden, we've learnt a few things along the way when it comes to the qualities a product needs to really help you sleep better. With back pain, it's important to seek expert medical advice to relieve symptoms, but a great mattress can work in tandem with treatment to help you sleep in comfort. We've tested almost every single mattress in this guide for extended periods to give you our first-hand experience of them, outlining the pros as well as the cons.

When we test out mattresses, we consider a range of different elements to rate their performance, in terms of comfort, quality and in this case, how supportive they are to relieve aches and pains. Is it crafted from hi-tech, manmade materials or natural fibres? Hybrid, pocket sprung or memory foam? Is it a luxury or budget mattress, and is it good value for money? Does it feel durable and comfortable? How fast was delivery and do they take away your old mattress? Would we be happy to sleep on it each night in our own home? These are some of the things we factor in when reviewing mattresses.

Our team at House & Garden is led by commerce editor Arabella Bowes who's been writing about everything to do with sleep and interior design for the past five years. She's tried and tested countless mattresses, and oversees the testing process alongside Tilly Wheeler, assigning each mattress that requires testing to a writer who's right for it. They are joined by Daphne Bugler who's been writing about mattresses since 2021, regularly speaking to experts, interviewing sleep specialists and personally testing new and interesting mattress releases herself.

Something to be aware of when shopping for a new mattress is that prices fluctuate constantly. Sleep brands have regular sales, promo codes and bundle offers all year round, not just on occasions like Black Friday and Boxing Day (though there are big savings to be had on these days too!). So that said, we'd strongly advise keeping an eye on the retailer, and avoid paying full price if you're not in a rush to buy.

We've included prices for a double mattress in this guide as it tends to be the most popular size, but check out each retailer's page for full pricing details.

Read More

The 6 best January mattress deals we’ve found for 2026

REM-Fit® 600 Lux Elite Hybrid Mattress

Shop Now

Pros and Cons

AccordionItemContainerButton

Pros

• Not as deep as some other hybrids
• Very comfortable
• Great for back pain

Cons

• You have to pay extra for mattress disposal
• Perhaps not suitable for those looking for a firmer mattress

The most premium of REM-Fit’s hybrid range, the 600 Lux Elite combines 4,000 multi-zoned pocket springs with advanced foam layers for targeted support and responsive comfort. Handmade in the UK, it offers a medium-firm feel that particularly suits side sleepers and those prone to back pain, balancing contouring softness with reassuring structure.

Joy's verdict: 'The REM-Fit 600 Lux Elite Hybrid feels at once cloud-like and firm – an unusual combination that I quickly came to recognise as indulgent comfort. Lying first on my back, then on my side, I realised I wasn’t missing the ultra-firm surface I once thought essential. Better yet, I didn’t wake with that familiar ache in the right side of my neck, the sign that a night’s rest has gone very badly indeed. For me, the mattress feels exactly ‘medium-firm’, perfectly tuned to my weight and my predominantly side-sleeping style.

At £730 for a single, the 600 Lux Elite sits at the premium end of REM-Fit’s range, but its balance of comfort, support, and cooling technology makes it a worthwhile investment – particularly for side sleepers or anyone prone to back pain. With generous trial terms and consistently competitive pricing, it’s a mattress designed to deliver long-term value as well as better sleep.'

MAY WE SUGGEST: REM-Fit 600 Lux Elite Hybrid review

Simba’s dedication to sleep engineering continues to impress our House & Garden testers where it matters: writers and their partners alike sleep better and wake with a marked improvement in previous back pain. In fact, the motion isolation of this mattress is so good that we think this is the mattress to go for if you're in a couple where one or both of you suffers from back pain. Anisha mentions that ‘it might help to try mattresses together and choose one that minimises movement transfer and feels supportive for both people.’ Made of eight distinct layers, the Simba Hybrid Pro offers two layers of an intricate network of zoned and patented titanium springs (4,800 in total) within layers of precision engineered sleep supporting materials. You end up with a meticulously designed mattress down to the finest detail, to promote body alignment and pressure relief.

Arabella's verdict: 'Having slept on Simba's Hybrid Pro for over a year now, I can attest to it being a very good mattress that's well worth the investment. Its motion isolation technology is brilliant and I very rarely get disturbed by my partner coming home from work late, or getting up early. We haven't flipped or turned the mattress yet, but plan on doing so in the coming weeks to ensure even wear distribution. It's incredibly comfortable, providing even support throughout the mattress.'

MAY WE SUGGEST: Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress review

This award-winning hybrid from Emma is a clever combination of pressure-relieving memory foam and responsive pocket springs. Unique to Emma, special ‘High Resiliency Extra Foam’ is structured into zones with varying density to keep your spine in its natural alignment throughout the night.

Officially rated as “medium firm” — a sweet spot for those needing back support without sacrificing comfort — Emma also gives you the option to customise your Premium mattress with free additional foam layers, should you prefer something a little softer or firmer.

Ruth's verdict: ‘I would say this mattress is on the firm side. But this suits me, and would be a great choice for the many sleepers who like firm support. Particularly, those who tend to sleep on their back are much more likely to benefit from a firm mattress. Those who tend to sleep on their side need a mattress that has the right combination of support and flex so that their shoulders and hips can slightly sink into the surface, maintaining the straight line of the spine. This is the result that I was looking for for my husband, who does tend to sleep on his side, and needs to look after his spine.’

MAY WE SUGGEST: Emma Hybrid Premium Mattress review

Nectar Premier Hybrid Double Mattress

Shop Now

Pros and Cons

AccordionItemContainerButton

Pros

• Our tester found this mattress to offer outstanding motion isolation and described it as ‘ideal’ for co-sleepers.
• It really doesn’t get much better than a 365 night mattress trial period.

Cons

• If you’re a side sleeper who prefers ‘pillow-like softness’ this one isn't for you as our tester found it to be precisely medium firm - not too hard; not too soft.
• Fairly expensive.

Sleep on your side and wake up every morning with back pain? To avoid putting pressure on shoulders and hips, side sleepers should consider a medium firm mattress to support pressure points. Striking a balance between softness and support, this mattress sits comfortably in the middle ground. While side sleepers on the lighter side might find the mattress slightly too firm, this mattress scores highly with our House & Garden testers for cocooning the body whilst offering ample support where it matters.

Christabel's verdict: 'The eight (yes, eight!) layers of breathable foam, micro-springs, memory foam and firm support base have proven themselves to be the magical combination. Don't be deceived by the cloud-like top layer, this is a mattress that offers ample support for me and my weary back. For those who favour an ultra-firm mattress this may not be for you, likewise if you prefer a pillow-like softness. This falls somewhere in the middle: it's comfortable, that's for sure, and certainly soft, but with enough memory foam to ensure that your spine is aligned throughout the night, whether you sleep on your side or back.'

MAY WE SUGGEST: Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress review

Origin Mattress

Origin Hybrid Pro

Shop Now

Pros and Cons

AccordionItemContainerButton

Pros

• Easy to move around and set up
• Great value for money

Cons

• Does have quite a strong off gassing smell, but this goes away after a short while
• Some say it is on the firmer side, though it's advertised as medium-firm

Another bed in a box brand like Simba, Origin's USP is offering the same level of quality, but at a very accessible price point. The Hybrid Pro is Origin's more elevated offering, a little more expensive than their Hybrid mattress, but still offering fantastic value for money. With a luxuriously deep 31cm profile, this leaves plenty of room for all the layers and tech that go into this mattress to provide the best adaptive support possible for those struggling with trapped nerves, chronic neck pain and other ailments.

Daphne's verdict: 'So why is it so good? Well, the design consists of a few key bits of innovation that made a massive difference to our sleep while we tested it. The HexAdapt pillowtop adds plushness, while the addition of a HexaGrid foam helps to contour the body in the right places, relieving pressure and overall leaving us waking up with fewer aches and pains. Add in the springs, of which there are up to 5,700, and we honestly found it to feel more supportive and comfortable than many mattresses double the price. For anyone worried about temperature as well, the design is made to encourage airflow, wicking away heat, preventing moisture from building up, and it's oddly noticeable how cool you feel.'

Simba Sleep

Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress

Shop Now

Pros and Cons

AccordionItemContainerButton

Pros

• Very luxurious, you really do get what you pay for.
• Crafted with hi-tech materials.
• Highest number of springs in a Simba mattress, for more adaptive support.

Cons

• Quite heavy.
• Perhaps navigating a 35cm high mattress is not the most exciting prospect if your existing sheets don't fit it, or if you prefer a lower height bed.
• Very expensive.

You get what you pay for with the Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress. And what you get is precision sleep engineering that makes even the weariest back take notice. Our House & Garden tester was immediately smitten, noting that a shooting pain in her hips resolved from her first night on this mattress. Probably something to do with the three layers of 5,700 patented springs - two layers of titanium alloy springs specifically for pressure point relief and a third layer of micro springs that give your back firm yet cushioning support. With £2,799 as a starting point for a double, the Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress is a real investment in your back health that you’d expect to significantly contribute to refreshing sleep.

Charlotte's verdict: 'The mattress is soft and comforting when you first lie on it, but the layers of foam on springs mean that your spine is perfectly aligned at all times during the night, so it offers incredible support. The mattress is designed to isolate movement in this way and it truly does, it's magic. There are many reasons to love this mattress but the proof has been in the pudding for me: I am sleeping a lot better and waking up in the night a lot less.'

‘It has been the best investment in my sleep and continues to be as supportive as it was brand new. The brand advise that you rotate it every few months to ensure you have continual support and, having just done that, it feels brand new again.’

MAY WE SUGGEST: Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress review

John Lewis, Ortho Pocket Collection 1400 Pocket Spring Mattress, double

Shop Now

Pros and Cons

AccordionItemContainerButton

Pros

• Extra-firm tension with 1,400 zoned pocket springs helps maintain perfect alignment, making it a strong choice for heavier sleepers and those with back pain
• Recycled polyester comfort layer wicks away moisture and improves airflow for a fresher, more comfortable night’s sleep
• Enjoy a 60-night trial to make sure that an extra-firm mattress is right for you

Cons

• Sleepers who prefer a softer, more cushioned feel may find the extra-firm tension too unyielding
• Unlike some premium brands, no mixed-tension option is available for couples with different firmness preferences
• Should the tension be too firm, you may have to invest in a mattress topper to make the surface more cushioning

For sleepers who need uncompromising support – whether due to a heavier frame or ongoing back issues – the John Lewis Ortho Pocket Collection 1400 delivers extra-firm tension without losing sight of comfort. Available in single, double, and super king sizes, the mattress is built around 1,400 individually responsive, zoned pocket springs. These work in harmony to maintain optimal spinal alignment while adapting precisely to body shape and weight, offering targeted relief from aches and pains and avoiding the pitfalls of a “one-size-fits-all” design.

A breathable, moisture-wicking top layer made from recycled polyester ensures excellent temperature regulation, keeping your sleep environment cool, dry, and fresh. The hand-tufted finish feels soft against the skin yet provides reassuring support, combining durability with night-after-night comfort. Handmade to order in the UK and fully recyclable at the end of its life, the Ortho Pocket Collection 1400 shows that sustainable design and truly restorative sleep can exist side by side.