If you’re someone who’s unfortunately familiar with troubled sleep and persistent back pain, listen up. It might be time to invest in a new mattress.
While it may not have crossed your mind before, that plush mattress you bought a decade ago could actually be the root of your discomfort.
Sleep expert Elina Winnel, says that many people can experience back pain for years without realising it’s their mattress that’s been the culprit all along.
“It could be that you have an old mattress, it could be that it’s not supportive,” she says. “Having a good mattress is incredibly important because it has a huge impact on the quality of our sleep.”
But hunting for the right mattress that will provide you with optimal back support is no easy feat since not all mattresses are made equal. So, to help you out, we’ve done the research and rounded up some of the best mattresses for back pain currently on the market.
Read on for our top picks that’ll improve the quality of your sleep.
The best mattresses to shop for back pain in Australia 2024
01
Sealy Executive medium matt (queen)
$1595, David Jones
When it comes to shopping for quality mattresses that will last years, Sealy is right there at the very top. The Executive Medium Matt model combines an alternating CoreSupport system with premium comfort laters to provide unmatchable support for the entire body. Moreover, it also features EdgeGauard to reinforce the mattress and an antimicrobial HealthShield treatment to help maintain a clean and fresh sleep surface.
“I am in my late seventies and suffer with arthritis,” one five-star reviewer wrote. “This mattress is extremely comfortable while offering the right amount of support for my needs. I now find I wake with fewer aches and pains so I am very happy with my purchase.”
Key features:
- Premium Sealy fibre and convoluted quilt foam for soft breathable comfort
- A combination of cushioning and Sealy comfort layers provide a supportive feel
- Twice-tempered CoreSupport System for deep-down support
- EdgeGuard reinforces the mattress, extends the sleep surface and provides a stable seating edge
- Antimicrobial treatment HealthShield helps maintain a clean and fresh sleep surface
- Australian made
- 10-year guarantee
02
Emma Sleep Luxe Pro mattress (queen)
$3680, Emma Sleep
Get ready to say goodbye to restless nights and achy backs. The Emma Sleep Luxe Pro mattress offers superior pressure relief and support thanks to its AirGrid Technology and seven-zone support system. It also boasts exceptional breathability with gel material that keeps you cool and comfortable all night long.
“Perfect balance between firm and soft,” one five-star reviewer wrote on Product Review. “Firm underneath while providing a soft layer of support at the top. I bought the mattress because I was suffering from severe back pain caused by a mattress that was quite firm and felt too hard on my skin. Pain started subsiding within a few days and completely disappeared after about a week. It has never returned.”
Key features:
- Targeted support for key pressure points
- AirGrid layer keeps you cool and dry
- Adapts to your body shape for undisturbed sleep
- Medium-soft firmness
- 100-night trial
- 10-year warranty
- Free delivery and returns
03
Koala Plus mattress (queen)
$1590, Koala
The most advanced Koala mattress to date, the Koala Plus features advanced cooling – including 33 per cent more Kloudcell foam combined with advanced cooling gel – and a moisture-wicking CoolThread topper that can be flipped when the seasons change.
The mattress itself can also be flipped to give you the choice between medium-firm and firm comfort. It even features Zero Disturbance to isolate motion – as well as five targeted support zones to align your lower legs, knees, hips, lumbar and shoulders. Plus, with free delivery, a 120-night trial and a 10-year warranty, this mattress makes investing in quality sleep convenient and risk-free.
“We recently got the Koala Plus Queen Size mattress, and it’s been an incredible upgrade,” one of the hundreds of five-star reviewers wrote. “The mattress provides the perfect balance of comfort and support, with a firmness level that ensures a great night’s sleep. It’s made a noticeable difference in my husband’s sleep quality, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable and durable mattress!”
Key features:
- Sleeps 13 per cent cooler than leading online mattress brands
- Additional 33 per cent Kloudcell for extra support and comfort
- 2cm flippable quilted topper for summer and winter
- Flippable medium firm/firm comfort layer
- B-corp certified
- Free delivery
- 120-night trial
- 10-year warranty
04
Origin LumbarCloud mattress (queen)
$2503.20 (usually $3129), Origin Mattress
Having won over 20 international awards – including the 2023 Luxury Mattress of the Year in Australia and the UK – it’s easy to see why this mattress is one of the best for back and joint relief.
Complete with up to 2400 springs for optimal spinal alignment, the cloud-like mattress is also made of graphite latex, which is ten times more cooling than memory foam.
“I had been struggling with severe back pain for months with no relief when sleeping, until we purchased our new mattress that is,” one five-star reviewer wrote on Product Review. “Wow what a difference it has made. My back pain was relieved within a few nights of using our new mattress and hasn’t come back.
It is comfortable, durable and enjoyable to sleep on.”
Key features:
- 33cm extra-plush mattress
- Up to 2400 springs for optimal spinal alignment
- Origin LumbarRelief for full-body recovery and relief
- Titanium springs for extra back support
- Graphic latex for supreme cooling
- Winner of more than 20 international awards
- 120-night trial
- 15-year warranty
- Tested in independent labs
- Free and fast delivery
05
Koala mattress (queen)
$1250, Koala
With an adjustable medium-firm mattress, the best-selling Koala mattress is a classic when it comes to quality mattresses that come in a box. It features three support zones and zero disturbance technology, so back pain from the wrong mattress is unlikely with Koala.
With a 4.7 out of five-star average rating from over 1.9k reviewers, it’s clear that this is Australia’s top-rated mattress.
“Ordered my mattress for better back support and wasn’t disappointed,” one of the hundreds of five-star reviewers wrote. “Since I’ve used my Koala, my back pain has significantly reduced. The mattress was also shipped real quick, so no long waiting time.”
Key features:
- 7cm Kloudcell comfort layer
- Carbon-zero Tencel Lyocell fibres for premium breathability
- Flippable to medium-firm/firm
- Zero disturbance
- Optional partner preference
- 120-night trial
- Fast and free delivery
- 10-year warranty
06
Eva Comfort Classic mattress (queen)
$825 (usually $1200), Eva Home
Eva’s hybrid mattress-in-a-box combines a pocket spring system with cooling memory foam that adapts to all bodies. This adaptability – also allowed by layers of premium latex and density foam – helps prevent back pain. The medium-firm mattress is ideal for the Aussie climate and minimises disturbance from partners who are restless sleepers.
“Best mattress ever from Day One! No back pain, ultra-comfortable,” wrote a five-star reviewer. “There is a drawback: I don’t want to get out of bed in the morning…”
Key features:
- Combines pocket springs and memory foam for an optimal sleep experience
- Memory foam technology reduces partner disturbance
- 5-zone pocket springs ensure full-body support across the entire mattress
- Features anti-microbial and cooling gel memory foam to regulate temperature and prevent night sweats
- Rated at 7-8 out of 10 in firmness
- Free delivery and returns
- 100-day trial
- 10-year warranty
07
Ergoflex 5G memory foam mattress (queen)
$1058.49 (usually $1449.99), Ergoflex
A best-seller in Australia for over a decade, this is the mattress of choice for elite athletes, as well as a recipient of awards and expert recommendations.
It’s a high-density orthopaedic mattress made to contour your body shape and relieve pressure points, making it one of the best bed-in-a-box options if you suffer from back pain, or frequently wake up sore. Made up of 9cm of high-density memory foam, a 5cm cool-sleep airflow layer for temperature regulation and a washable outer cover, this five-star mattress is what dreams are made of.
“This is the second mattress I’ve bought from Ergoflex,” one reviewer said. “I had frequent back pain but sleeping is more pain free than ever – it’s so supportive yet comfortable, the price is very reasonable for the quality, and service is great. Highly recommended.”
Key features:
- True HD proprietary foam
- Cool-sleep airflow system
- Naturally anti-allergenic
- 30-night home trial
- Next-day delivery and free returns
- 10-year warranty
08
Ecosa mattress (queen)
$805 (usually $1150), Ecosa
This squishy-soft memory foam mattress was designed to support your spine’s natural alignment and comes with adjustable firmness, so you can wake up feeling fresh every single morning.
In case you’re wondering just how good this mattress really is, just know it boasts a 4.8 out of five-star average rating from over 22k reviews.
“This mattress is so comfortable,” one satisfied customer wrote. “With my old mattress, I would wake up every morning with an aching back. Now I wake up with no back or hip pain whatsoever, feeling super well rested. Literally feel so much better and can’t believe I didn’t swap out my old mattress sooner.”
Another person added: “So good. I no longer wake up to my partner tossing and turning and no more back pain, so winning.”
Key features:
- Adjustable firmness — medium, medium-firm and firm
- Low partner disturbance
- Waterproof cover to protect the mattress from bacteria and dust mites
- 100-night trial
- Next-day delivery in metro areas
What factors should you consider when buying a mattress?
When buying a mattress, the sleep expert suggests considering features that promote good sleep quality such as adaptability, temperature regulation and different support zones.
Adaptability
“You want something that will adapt to the needs of your body,” says Elina.
As a general rule of thumb, she recommends opting for a firm mattress if you’re flexible so that your spine can be kept straighter. If you’re not very flexible, a softer mattress helps your body but supports it in a way that’s better for posture.
Different support zones
Elina says you want a mattress that will support your spine so that you don’t struggle to fall asleep or wake up during the night due to pain.
“Having different zones in a mattress with differing levels of support depending on the area of the body is really important,” she says. “You want a mattress where your shoulder can sink in more than your hips because that helps to keep spinal alignment. Everybody’s body is a bit different. And having a mattress that adapts to different body types is important.”
Temperature regulation
Elina notes that people can overheat in their sleep and partners sharing a bed can have different temperature preferences. Because of this, it’s ideal to have a breathable mattress that helps to regulate body temperature. Plus, having a temperature-regulating mattress is also great for living in the unpredictable Aussie climate.
How do I know if my bed is causing back pain?
A telltale sign that your mattress is responsible for your back pain is if you’re waking up with a sore back and stiffness. Other signs include tossing and turning, you keep waking up throughout the night, if you feel like you’re sinking in or rolling off, or you can see the mattress is lumpy, bumpy or indented. Plus, if you feel better and have less pain after sleeping at a hotel or a friend’s house, your mattress is definitely the issue.
Looking to save money on mattresses and bedding? Check out our coupon codes for Myer, Ecosa and more.
