Back sleeping is a relatively common sleeping position among Australians. This then raises the question – what is the best mattress for back sleepers?
Australia’s mattress experts
Bedbuyer™ is Australia’s largest sleep and bedding resource. Our expert team of health professionals have tested over 1,600 mattresses and have compiled top product lists such as this one below!
Here is our best mattress for back sleepers list in 2024:
Australia’s best mattresses for back sleepers
- Yinahla Posture Gel
- Atlantis S1 Mattress (Firm)
- Sleep Republic Mattress
- Emma Diamond Hybrid
- Dusk&Dawn Premiere (Firm)
- Silent Night Onyx (Firm)
- Sleeping Duck (Firm)
To make your decision easier, we have discussed the key features of each mattress below. We have also included links to our ‘full reviews’ (most of which include a video review), and instructions on how to claim our exclusive discounts!
At the end of this article, we also discuss some important information that you need to know before you buy. Please leave a comment (at the bottom of this article) if you have any questions. Our team is happy to help!
1. Yinahla Posture Gel
$3,455.15 (Queen)
The Yinahla Posture Gel has a supportive, medium-firm feel, making it an ideal mattress for back sleepers. This mattress forms part of the award-winning Yinahla range that also includes the popular Yinahla Classic Comfort.
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Along with Yinahla’s heavy duty spring system, this mattress contains a medical grade Posture Gel™ layer. This layer has an open airflow structure (to maximise ventilation) and also conforms to the natural shape of the body.
The Yinahla Posture Gel combines quality comfort layers with a first class spring unit. It also comes with a 100 night trial period, so you can return the mattress for a refund if you are not satisfied. Here is our full review (which includes a video review).
2. Atlantis S1 Mattress (Firm)
$1,679 (Queen)
The Atlantis S1 Mattress features a unique, customisable design that allows you to adjust firmness levels to suit your specific needs. The firm version of this mattress has a lovely medium-firm feel and is perfect of back sleepers.
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This mattress includes a top cover containing a fibre called Seaqual. This special fibre is made from rescued plastic waste from our oceans, making it notably eco-friendly. This cover sits over premium foams, and a robust pocket spring system.
The Atlantis S1 Mattress is incredibly well priced in context of its design, comfort, and quality. It is Australian made, and comes with a 100 night trial period (so you can return the mattress for a refund if you are not satisfied). Here is our full review.
3. Sleep Republic Mattress
$1,119.20 (Queen)
The Sleep Republic Mattress was awarded by Bedbuyer as Australia’s ‘best overall’ mattress in a box in 2023. Not surprisingly, this product is a great buy for those looking for a top quality mattress at an affordable price.
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This mattress should suit all sleeping positions, but its medium-firm feel is well suited for back sleepers. Its top comfort layer contains a lovely cashmere fabric, premium memory foam, and 100% natural latex. Its ‘high definition’ pocket spring system provides excellent spinal support, particularly for those who like to sleep on their back.
The Sleep Republic Mattress has become one of the most popular online mattresses in Australia. It is well backed with a 100 night free trial period, and can be delivered free, anywhere in Australia. Here is our full review (which includes a video review).
4. Emma Diamond Hybrid
$928.26 (Queen)
The Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress forms the flagship mattress in Emma’s popular bedding range that also includes the Emma Comfort Mattress. It has a firm and supportive feel, making it ideal for back sleepers.
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This mattress includes a number of rather fancy materials in its comfort layer. From the top lies a a ‘climate-regulating’, elastic cover, a layer of ‘Diamond Degree® graphite foam’ and a layer of adaptive foam. These materials produce a firm, dense feel that should offer the right level of firmness (for those who sleep on their back).
The Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress is a true hybrid mattress, meaning that it contains a combination of foam and springs in one cohesive unit. Here is our full review.
5. Dusk&Dawn Premiere (Firm)
$1,583.12 (Queen)
The Dusk&Dawn Premiere forms the mid range option of the Dusk&Dawn mattress range. The Premiere (Firm) has a lovely medium-firm feel that should offer the right balance of comfort and support for back sleepers.
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The Dusk&Dawn Premiere has a sophisticated construction that includes a ‘Comfort-Stretch Premium Fabric’, a Dusk-Air Tech layer, and premium comfort foams. Its ‘ISO Coil’ 5 Zone Pocket Spring System feels sturdy and will accommodate back sleepers well.
As with all Dusk&Dawn mattresses, the Premiere comes with a free firmness adjustment as well as a return/refund option if you are not satisfied. Here is our full review (which includes a video review).
6. Silent Night Onyx (Firm)
$2,429 (Queen)
The Silent Night Onyx (Firm) is Australian made and is one of the advanced mattresses on the market. The firm version in this collection has a distinct firm feel, making it very suitable for back sleepers.
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This mattress combines supreme back support, with a high level of cooling. Its top layer includes Silent Night’s exclusive ‘ICE-TEK Cooling Knit’ which feels noticeably cool to touch. This cooling knit sits over an ‘open cell layer’ and a dual layered spring system, maximising support and ventilation.
The Silent Night Onyx is an outstanding product that is surprisingly well priced when you consider the quality of materials used. It also offers a free firmness exchange (and return/refund option) if you are not satisfied. Conditions do apply.
Here is our full review (which includes a video review).
- 100 Night Eco Exchange only applicable to Bedbuyer online metro customers.
- To quality as a Bedbuyer customer (and be eligible for a 100 Night Eco Exchange) you must click SHOP NOW and use code BUYONYX at checkout.
- Delivery cost will vary depending on your location but a typical metro delivery fee is $100. To avoid a delivery fee, the mattress can be collected from a distribution centre.
7. Sleeping Duck Mattress (Firm)
$1,749 (Queen)
The Sleeping Duck Mattress is now arguably the most well-known mattress in a box in Australia. It features an incredible level of customisation (firmness adjustments) with the firm version being an ideal mattress for back sleepers.
This mattress starts with a ‘BreathTech’ cover that is removable and washable. This cover sits over two layers of foam, namely an ‘AntiGravity Surface Foam’ and a ‘ComponentAdapt Customisation’ layer. The main support system is a ‘multi-zoned’ pocket spring system (called the ‘Motherboard’) that should accommodate people of all sizes.
The Sleeping Duck Mattress is well made and comes with a 100 night trial period. It can be delivered (free) Australia-wide, adding to its appeal and popularity. Here is our full review (which includes a video review).
If you’re a back sleeper, there are some things that you need to know before purchasing your new mattress.
Choosing a mattress for back sleepers
When discussing the best mattress for back sleepers, we generally recommend a firmer mattress, rather than a softer mattress. Again, this will vary between individuals, but back sleepers typically require a reasonably firm sleeping surface to properly support the hips and low back.
A mattress that is too soft (in the back sleeping position), may cause muscle tightness, joint pain, and restlessness during sleep.
In terms of ‘firmness’, we would recommend that back sleepers choose a mattress that is classed as extra firm, firm, or medium-firm. As we alluded to above, back sleepers should generally avoid plush or ultra plush mattresses.
Is back sleeping common?
Interestingly, it is rare for people to sleep solely on their back (2%), but back sleeping is commonly combined with side sleeping (34%). Back sleeping is also common as part of a ‘freestyle’ sleeping pattern (side sleeping, back sleeping and stomach sleeping) with around 19% of Aussies adopting this mix of positions.
When discussing the best mattress for back sleepers, we generally recommend a firmer mattress, rather than a softer mattress.
According to a recent Bedbuyer survey (of over 1,000 people), the single most preferred position that Australians sleep in is on their side, but back sleeping still features prominently overall.
Back sleeping may be simply a preference of an individual, but back sleeping may be required when side or front sleeping is uncomfortable. Shoulder or hip injuries can be painful in a side lying position, and so back sleeping may be recommended as a temporary or longer term solution.
With that said, the most optimal sleeping position will be different for each person. This will depend on bed size, personal preference, comfort, and/or back pain. Some health conditions or post surgical situations may even require an individual to be seated upright during sleep.
To find what position is best for you, it may come down to trial and error. Try out different sleeping positions to get a sense of what is best for you.
So there you have it! After conducting over 1,600 mattress reviews, Bedbuyer gives you our Best Mattress for Back Sleepers list in 2024, along with some useful, additional information!
If you have any queries about your mattress purchase, leave a comment below or contact our friendly team. We are here to help!
Bedbuyer is Australia’s largest bedding website and leading independent mattress review group. To read our disclosure and disclaimer statement, click here.