The best mattresses for back pain – and how to choose one, according to osteopaths and sleep scientists

Is a firm orthopaedic mattress best for your back? How soft is too soft? We ask the experts

• The best mattresses in 2025, tested

British backs are in crisis. Almost a million people in the UK are too sick to work because of back and neck problems, according to official figures, while the charity Versus Arthritis says 5.8 million experience “severe” back pain each year. The causes of back problems are complex, and treatments often fail to bring relief, especially where the pain is chronic and debilitating.

Long-term back pain is unlikely to be cured by upgrading your mattress, and a doctor or physiotherapist should be your first port of call if pain is affecting your quality of life. But studies suggest that switching to the best mattress for your body type and sleeping position can genuinely help. I’m lucky to not experience chronic pain, but in years of testing mattresses, I’ve often suffered temporary backache after sleeping on a surface that doesn’t suit me. Switching to a more appropriate mattress has often brought real relief, along with a better night’s sleep.