15 best mattresses for back pain, spinal issues
Shoppers are raving over the “excellent” bedroom essential that's garnering plenty of praise for the dreamy “hugging” feel.
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Feel sore in your lower or upper back? You're not alone, with many Australians having experienced some form of back discomfort — partly from a mix of lifestyle factors like posture, daily activities and the amount of time sitting or standing. Even our sleep quality can take a hit, depending on how comfortable and supportive our environment feels.
But mattresses aren't a one-size-fits-all kind of purchase. There’s no single “best” option for everyone — comfort is highly personal. People vary in whether they prefer a softer or firmer feel, and in the types of materials they find most comfortable.
Experts suggest that, alongside regular movement and maintaining good posture during the day, choosing a mattress that feels supportive and comfortable to you may help you wake feeling more rested. The ideal choice will depend on your body shape, sleeping position, and personal comfort preferences.
RELATED: Top-rated mattresses in Australia
That’s why finding the right bedding shouldn’t be something you should sleep on – just ask chiropractor and Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) Board Member, Dr Damian Kristof.
“I think a mattress is absolutely crucial to helping maintain a healthy sleep posture,” he told news.com.au checkout.
“If your posture is supported and your muscles are relaxed, you can get a better night’s sleep because your spine is actually relaxed and supported.
“Then, you’ll decrease any increased pressure, torsions or interruptions to your spinal health … and that’s the important thing.”
To help strike the perfect balance between comfort and support for all kinds of sleepers, we’ve rounded up several top-rated mattresses.
The Silentnight Onyx Mattress is one luxe contender, and it's currently an epic $2210 off. Fans say it's "superb quality" and feels "firm but supportive enough".
Eva's Premium Adapt Mattress has also been called a "no-brainer" by some shoppers, and you can score it on sale for $150 off.
Please note mattresses are listed in Queen size, unless otherwise stated .
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST OVERALL MATTRESSES FOR BACK PAIN
Origin The Origin Hybrid Mattress, $597.55 (down from $629) at Origin Mattress
What You Need To Know
Origin has already made huge waves in the mattress world, despite entering the scene in just 2018. The upgraded Origin Hybrid Mattress is designed to be suitable for most sleep positions and made with a more supportive feel in the centre of the mattress, which is typically where most of our body weight usually sits.
"This is by far the best mattress I have ever slept on! If me or my partner wake up and move in the night we don’t disturb each other’s sleep as the mattress is very stable. Love this mattress!" raved a shopper
"My husband and I generally struggle to find a mattress that we are both happy with as he prefers a firm mattress, and I like a softer one. But the Origin mattress... somehow manages to be perfect for both of us," another reviewer said.
Emma Comfort Plus Mattress, $1200 at Emma Sleep
Tried and Tested by Troy Nankervis, former Shopping Writer
Combining memory foam and pocket springs, the award-winning Emma Comfort Plus* is another option designed to let you sleep peacefully in whatever position you like. It also includes a CoolTex cooling cover to allow breathability, helping make those summer nights less of an uncomfortable sweaty mess.
Former news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer Troy Nankervis was keen to put this mattress to the test - and for him, it did not disappoint.
"It’s luxurious and comfortable even sitting on the bed... It was an instant 'oh, I quite like this' sense that caught me by surprise," he said.
Read our full review of the Emma Comfort Plus Mattress.
Peace Lily Hybrid Mattress (Queen), $1099 at Peace Lily
Peace Lily Hybrid Mattress
What You Need To Know
Latex isn't just in small items like gloves and rubber bands — it's also in mattresses, such as this one from family-owned company Peace Lily, and is generally seen as a comfortable and durable material that lasts for years.
Happy customers say the hybrid mattress is "so comfortable and cosy" and "worth every penny".
"The springs give it a little bit more bounce and add softness to it that the straight latex mattress doesn’t have. She loves it and is super happy!" a reviewer posted.
"I was looking for an Australian brand that is sustainable and this ticks all of the boxes," a second wrote.
Mattress Crafters Chiro Luxe Luxury Mattress, $2319.20 (down from $2899) at Mattress Crafters
What You Need To Know
Love to take road trips? Unlike many other mattress brands, Mattress Crafters offers a dedicated custom 'caravan' size along with the usual options.
Its Australian made Chiro Luxe model features a quilted top for softness, and Honeycomb springs to give a firmer feel around the shoulder area as well as help with the overall longevity of the bed. The mattress also uses an open cell foam design for breathability, making sure your body heat doesn't stay trapped and leave you feeling overly warm.
BEST FIRM MATTRESS FOR BACK PAIN
Silentnight Onyx Mattress, $2689 (down from $4899) at Beds N Dreams
What You Need To Know
Fans can't help but praise this 10-zone dual pocket spring mattress, with impressed customers saying it's "firm but supportive enough", and exceeding "all of our expectations around comfort and quality".
This Aussie made mattress also features memory foam for that 'hugging' feeling, and a cooling gel layer to help minimise the night sweats.
Impressed customers similarly raved over the "superb" quality and "excellent build".
BEST ADJUSTABLE MATTRESS FOR BACK PAIN
Ecosa Pure Mattress, $1360 (down from $1700) at Ecosa
What You Need To Know
Prefer the classics with spring mattresses? Ecosa's Pure Mattress packs up to 2250 pocket springs across five zones plus two edge support zones to maximise airflow, minimise motion transfer and keep your whole body feeling supported. It also features a mix of natural latex and the brand's BounceTech foam to give a bit of bounce whilst also allowing you to sink into the bed for that cloud-like feel.
"I started out with the standard Ecosa Mattress about six years ago, and it's still perfect to this day," raved a reviewer.
"... I can’t fault this mattress and the price tag!" another praised, rating the hybrid mattress five stars.
Sleeping Duck SD Mach II, $1649 at Sleeping Duck
Sleeping Duck SD MACH II
What You Need To Know
Fighting over what makes a mattress great? Unlike adjustable mattresses from most other brands, Sleeping Duck’s SD Mach II features a 'Half-half' option which splits the bed into two firmness levels - firm and medium - so you don't need to compromise on something you and your partner don't 100 per cent want.
And if you're constantly finding yourself sleeping on the edge of the bed, the bed contains double tempered springs around the perimeters of the mattress which the brand claims adds 20 per cent extra space.
“Luckily this Sleeping Duck is fabulous, no sag, comfortable and I don’t feel hubby moving in bed,” a customer posted on Product Review.
“We bought our Sleeping Duck Mattress about seven years ago and it is amazing. Still as good now as when we bought it and my husband is 120kg plus! So that’s the ultimate test I believe,” agreed another.
BEST MATTRESSES FOR PRESSURE RELIEF
Eva Premium Adapt Mattress, $1540 (down from $1690) at Eva
What You Need to Know
Love having options? Eva’s Premium Adapt Mattress offers nine firmness levels, along with a 'half/half' option for people who won't want to settle for an in-between feel. There are three support layers to choose from, ranging from 'softer' to 'firmer' and each of these comes in a 'soft', 'medium' and 'firm'. So, if the standard support layer isn't a dream to sleep on, you contact customer service to get that bonus level of softness (or hardness).
"(It's) a great mattress which is supportive but not too firm. Great thickness with a breathable top layer. It arrived promptly and easy to set up," a customer posted.
"It was a no-brainer," a second reviewer commented.
Sealy Advantage Barbuda Firm Mattress, $584.55 (down from $1299) at Myer
Sealy Advantage Barbuda Firm Mattress
What You Need To Know
Sealy is one of the biggest names in the mattress world and the Advantage Barbuda Firm Mattress seems to be a “super comfy” pick.
“The quality and feel of the mattress is awesome,” a Myer customer commented.
This Australian made mattress features EdgeGuard to help you make the most of every inch of the bed without rolling off, and a cushioning quilt foam for some plushness.
BEST MATTRESSES FOR ALL SLEEP POSITIONS
Ergopedic Mattress 5 Zone Spring Mattress, $374.95 (down from $549.95) at Myer
What You Need To Know
For those humid, sticky nights, a latex bed can be useful since it’s naturally breathable and generally good at wicking away body heat. It’s also very responsive, which means any areas that have been sat or lain on will bounce back quickly.
While latex mattresses can be pricey and a little difficult to find compared to other types of mattresses, many brands like Ergopedic are now incorporating it into their comfort layers.
“This mattress is very comfortable to lie on... One thing is that it is a very thick mattress and my sheets don’t fit over it. Other than that this is a highly comfortable and good quality mattress,” one reviewer posted.
BEST MATTRESSES FOR SIDE SLEEPERS WITH BACK PAIN
Macoda Mattress, $1200 (down from $1300) at Macoda
What You Need To Know
Prefer a plush feel? Or can’t quite decide? Macoda offers an adjustable mattress that’s ideal for sleepers who like to stay on the softer side but still want the option to increase the firmness. The Macoda mattress is also especially great for warm sleepers, featuring a cool-touch cover, a layer of graphene-infused memory foam to wick away heat (as well as ensure adaptive comfort), and the brand's AirFlow foam for breathability and pressure relief.
“It was a great price, but what really sold me was the interchangeable top layer. I tried the medium configuration it came in, but that was too hard for me. Swapped to the softer setting and I’m in heaven,” praised a fan.
BEST MATTRESSES FOR BACK SLEEPERS WITH BACK PAIN
Eva Comfort Classic Mattress, $1200 at Eva
Eva Comfort Classic Mattress
What You Need To Know
Worried about buying a mattress without trying it in-store? Eva offers a generous 365-day trial, offering much more wiggle room compared to other brands. The mattress itself includes a gel memory foam that gives you that 'hugged' feeling without holding onto all your body heat, plus pocket springs to allow for airflow and add support.
“Customer service was great, delivery was great, the mattress itself is great. Both me and my wife love the mattress,” a happy customer wrote.
“It's the comfiest mattress I’ve ever slept on. It's suitable even for me as a side sleeper and my wife as a back sleeper,” agreed a second shopper.
BEST FOAM MATTRESS FOR BACK PAIN
Ergoflex 5G Memory Foam Mattress, $1199.99 (down from $1599.99) at Ergoflex
What You Need To Know
For those who already have fairly good posture, a memory foam mattress may be the way to go. This orthopaedic grade option from Ergoflex features a 9cm top layer made from high-density visco-elastic memory foam, which contributes towards minimising motion transfer and supports the body by following your unique contours. The mattress also promotes airflow with features like the 5cm Cool Sleep airflow system, helping regulate temperature.
“This is my second Ergoflex mattress and it’s perfect – firm but not too firm, soft but doesn’t sink, moulds to the shape of the body and best of all, this is the first mattress that my wife doesn’t feel my tossing and turning! Can’t recommend it more,” an impressed reviewer said in an online post.
BEST BUDGET MATTRESS FOR BACK PAIN
Zinus Chiro iCoil Queen Pocket Spring Memory Foam Medium Feel Mattress, $199 at Amazon Australia
Zinus Chiro iCoil Queen Pocket Spring Memory Foam Medium Feel Mattress
What You Need To Know
This Zinus mattress is an affordable option compared to other products on the market, so you can still add a topper without breaking the bank. It features firmer high-density foam for a supportive feel, plus green tea memory foam and an independent coil system to cushion different parts of the body and minimise partner disturbance.
“Excellent value for money, very comfortable mattress. I have just ordered my third one as I am replacing everyone’s old mattress with these,” one Amazon customer posted.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A MATTRESS
Picking the best mattress for you is all about personal preference, says Dr Kristof.
“Some people find that even a futon style bed that’s just a cushion is really great for them. Other people would find a full latex mattress good. There’s a wide variety of desired formats so it all comes down to personal choice,” he said.
When choosing a mattress to include on this list we evaluated several factors:
Types of mattresses
There’s no right or wrong answer when choosing a mattress type, according to the experts. The most common types include:
• Innerspring mattresses: These are made of springs that are hidden under layers of fabric, latex, or foam.
• Foam mattresses: Foam mattresses usually contain different types of foam, such as gel foam and memory foam. Depending on what you buy, the mattress can offer a variety of benefits like motion isolation and heat regulation.
• Hybrid mattresses: Hybrid mattresses feature multiple layers, which usually includes an innerspring system along with a latex, gel or memory foam layer.
• Latex mattresses: Latex is a rubber-like material that makes the mattress both firm and comfortable, similar to memory foam.However, both mattress types perform very differently.
Firmness
Medium support is seen as the sweet spot by experts, especially since it can be easily adjusted. “Most people can adapt to a medium mattress. If it’s a little too hard, they can add a mattress topper. If it’s too soft, they can add something underneath the mattress to make it firmer,” Dr Kristof said.
Mattress features
Mattresses can be made from a mix of materials and contain a range of 'technology' to cater to different needs, such as cooling gel for hot sleepers or a design better suited for side sleepers. Some key features include:
- Temperature regulation
- Motion isolation (minimise partner disturbance)
- Edge support
- Zones (i.e. where different sections of the mattress are tailored to provide a more supportive feel, based on the area of the body)
- Different materials and 'technology' (e.g. gel-infused foam)
Dr Kristof says that while technology can play a big role in maintaining a healthy posture, the type of features to look out for changes depending on whether you’re sharing a mattress or not.
“If you’re in the bed with someone else, you’ll probably need more technology. Like how pocket springs enable you to have a night of sleep that’s less interrupted by the person in the bed with you because you’re not feeling that movement,” he said.
“The other thing you can get is zones of support. Some bedding manufacturers will have firmer springs in the areas you need more support, including your lumbar spine, cervical spine or where your feet are. There’ll be different types of springs and support in those areas to enable your body to curve better and to be supported better.”
Budget
Did you know buying a mattress at a certain time can help you save big bucks? Brands usually introduce models around late winter to early spring (between July and September), which means you can get discounts on what will now be ‘older’ models.
Trial period
Some experts recommend finding a mattress that you can test drive so you can get a better clue as to how it fits your body.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the best back-pain friendly mattresses for your needs and budget, we asked chiropractor and Australian Chiropractors Association Board Member, Dr Damian Kristof for his expert advice and recommendations on what to look for when buying a mattress. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best mattress from premium to budget to help you find the right one.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DOES A MATTRESS IMPACT BACK COMFORT?
A mattress can influence how supported you feel during the night. Some people prefer medium-feel mattresses because they strike a balance between cushioning and support, while others find firmer or softer options more comfortable. Age, body shape, and sleeping position can all play a role in what feels best.
If you share a bed, you might also consider features that help minimise movement transfer so you’re less likely to be disturbed by your partner’s movements.
Dr Kristof suggests focusing on the level of support the mattress offers, rather than simply picking something based on the number of pocket springs.
“The key thing is that if you’re a heavier person, whether that’s muscle or body fat, you would want more support because your posture is being affected a lot more compared to someone who is lighter and would need less support,” he explained.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY MATTRESS NEEDS REPLACING?
You can tell if your mattress needs replacing based on a mix of several signs, such as:
- Mattress feels lumpy or saggy
- Mattress feels much softer and less supportive compared to when you first used it
- Mattress feels more uncomfortable over time
- You wake up feeling less refreshed
- You're tossing and turning more often
Trial periods can be helpful to test whether a mattress feels right for you, as it can take a few weeks to adjust to a new sleeping surface.
"Once you buy a new mattress, keep in mind that it can take up to four weeks to get used to a new sleep surface," Dr Kristof said.
HOW TO DEAL WITH MORNING BACK DISCOMFORT
If you notice stiffness when you wake up, gentle stretching and moving can help get your muscles active for the day. Paying attention to your posture during daily activities — especially when sitting for long periods — can also contribute to overall comfort. If discomfort continues, it’s worth speaking to a qualified health professional for personalised advice.
Dr Kristof says getting the body moving at the start of the day, in particular, can also help.
“And be mindful of your posture throughout the day, especially when you’re sitting on a chair or at a desk."
*Product was supplied by Emma Sleep for a 100 per cent independent, honest review.
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Dr Damian Kristof
Dr Kristof is a Melbourne-based chiropractor, nutritionist, naturopath with more than 20 years of experience in the wellness industry. You can learn more about his thoughts on health by tuning into Rush Hour with James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless on Triple M, as well as podcasts including The Wellness Guys’ Show and 100 Not Out. Dr Kristof additionally runs seminars on issues relating to the body, nervous system, food functions and responses.
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If you are having trouble with back pain, we recommend you seek help from a healthcare professional to make sure you’re getting the right treatment as well as get advice on how to choose the right mattress for your body.
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