Quick answer: It depends on what’s actually wrong. A
mattress topper (from around $200) is the right fix if
your mattress is still structurally sound but has firmed up or lost some
plushness. A new mattress (from around $700) is the
right fix if your current one is sagging, worn out, or was never the
right firmness for your body. An adjustable bed (from
around $2,500) is the right fix if the position you sleep in —
flat on your back — is what’s aggravating your pain, regardless of the
mattress itself. Many people with chronic back pain end up combining an
adjustable base with a mattress designed to flex with it, since the two
problems (support and position) are often both at play.
With around 80% of Australians experiencing low back pain at some
point in their lives (healthdirect),
“what should I actually buy to fix this” is one of the most common
questions we hear at our Perth showroom. Here’s how to work out which of
the three you actually need — and when it’s genuinely more than one.
Step 1: Work Out What’s
Actually Wrong
Before spending money, it helps to identify which of these three
problems you’re dealing with:
| Your situation | Likely fix |
|---|---|
| Mattress is fairly new, still flat and even, but feels a bit too firm or has lost some plushness |
Mattress topper |
| Mattress is 8+ years old, sagging, or you can feel the base/springs through it |
New mattress |
| Mattress is fine, but you’re in pain from lying flat — sciatica, acid reflux, poor circulation, or general lower back strain |
Adjustable bed |
| You have ongoing pain even after ruling out the mattress and sleep position |
See a GP or physiotherapist — a bed setup helps manage symptoms, but it isn’t a medical treatment |
It’s genuinely common for more than one of these to be true at once —
for example, an ageing, sagging mattress and a preference for
sleeping semi-upright due to reflux. In that case, the right move is
usually a new mattress paired with an adjustable base, since most modern
mattresses are designed to flex with a base rather than being bought
separately.
Option 1: Mattress Topper
Cost: roughly 200–650 depending on size and material
Fixes: surface comfort and pressure points on an
otherwise supportive mattress Doesn’t fix: sagging,
worn-out support, or pain caused by sleep position
A topper adds a 5–7.5cm layer of latex or memory foam on top of your
existing mattress, softening firmness and cushioning pressure points at
the hips and shoulders. It’s the lowest-cost, lowest-commitment option —
but only genuinely effective if your mattress’s support structure is
still sound. We go into more detail in Do Mattress Toppers
Really Help Back Pain?
Option 2: New Mattress
Cost: roughly 700–8,000+ depending on size, material and
brand Fixes: worn-out support, incorrect firmness for
your body and sleep position, sagging Doesn’t fix: pain
caused specifically by sleeping flat, rather than the mattress
itself
If your mattress is genuinely past its best, no topper will fix it —
you’re cushioning a problem rather than solving it. The right firmness
depends on your body weight and sleep position (we cover this in detail
in Best Mattress for Back Pain in Australia), but as a
general rule, medium-to-firm memory foam or natural latex gives most
people the right balance of support and contouring. Every mattress we
sell comes with a 60 Night Comfort Guarantee, so you’re not stuck if the
firmness isn’t right once you’re sleeping on it at home.
Option 3: Adjustable Bed
Cost: roughly 2, 500–7,000+ depending on size and features
Fixes: pain caused by lying flat — sciatica, poor
circulation, acid reflux, general lumbar strain — via the zero gravity
position Doesn’t fix: an unsupportive mattress on its
own (though most adjustable bed packages include a compatible
mattress)
An adjustable bed lets you raise the head and foot independently,
finding a “zero gravity” position that takes pressure off the lumbar
spine and improves circulation — commonly recommended by
physiotherapists for chronic back and neck pain. It’s the biggest
investment of the three, but it’s solving a different problem: position,
not just surface comfort. Full details in Adjustable Beds
for Back Pain: How the Zero Gravity Position Actually Works.
A Simple Decision Path
- Is your mattress sagging or 8+ years old? → Start
with a new mattress. - Is your mattress fine, but slightly too firm or a bit
flat-feeling? → Try a topper first — it’s the cheapest fix and
often solves it. - Is your pain specifically worse from lying flat
(sciatica, reflux, circulation, general lumbar strain that eases once
you sit up)? → Look at an adjustable bed, ideally with a compatible
mattress. - Still in pain after addressing the above, or symptoms
include numbness, tingling or bladder/bowel changes? → See a GP
or physiotherapist. Your bedding supports treatment; it isn’t a
substitute for it (healthdirect).
Why Get Advice Before You
Buy
We’ve spent 20 years fitting Perth customers with the right
back-friendly bedding, and the single biggest mistake we see is people
spending money on the wrong fix — buying an expensive adjustable bed
when a $250 topper would have solved it, or layering toppers on a
mattress that needed replacing years ago. Because we stock all three
categories, we don’t have a reason to steer you toward the more
expensive option — we’d rather you buy the right thing once.
Visit our Booragoon showroom to test mattresses, toppers and
adjustable bed zero gravity presets side by side, or call our
specialists on 1300 349 771 and describe your pain —
we’ll point you to the right category before you spend anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should
I buy an adjustable bed or a new mattress for back pain?
It depends on the cause. If your current mattress is worn out,
sagging, or the wrong firmness, start with a new mattress — an
adjustable base won’t fix inadequate support underneath. If your
mattress is fine but you’re in pain specifically from lying flat (such
as with sciatica or reflux), an adjustable bed addresses that directly.
Many people ultimately choose a mattress and adjustable base together,
since the two are designed to work as a system.
Is a
mattress topper a waste of money for back pain?
Not if you’re using it for the right problem. A topper is excellent
for softening a mattress that’s still structurally sound but has firmed
up, or for cushioning pressure points. It’s a waste of money if your
mattress is already sagging or worn out — in that case, you need a new
mattress, not another layer on top of a failing one.
What’s
the cheapest way to reduce back pain from sleeping?
A mattress topper is the lowest-cost option, typically starting
around $200, and can meaningfully help if your existing mattress just
needs softening or extra cushioning. It won’t help if the mattress
itself has lost its support — in that case, spending on a topper first
will only delay the real fix.
Can I
combine a mattress topper with an adjustable bed?
Not usually recommended as a substitute for a proper adjustable-base
mattress. Adjustable bed bases need a mattress specifically designed to
flex at the joints (most modern memory foam and latex mattresses
qualify), and adding a topper on top of an incompatible flat-spring
mattress won’t solve the flex issue. If you’re setting up an adjustable
bed, it’s best to check mattress compatibility with a specialist
first.
How
do I know if it’s my mattress or something medical causing my back
pain?
If your pain eases once you’ve been up and moving for 20–30 minutes,
is linked to a specific sleep position, or coincides with an old or
sagging mattress, bedding is a reasonable place to start. If pain
persists beyond a few weeks, is getting worse, or comes with numbness,
tingling, or bladder/bowel changes, see a GP — these aren’t signs a new
mattress will fix (healthdirect).
Explore our full ranges: Mattresses
for back pain · Mattress
toppers · Electric
adjustable beds. Or call our Perth bedding specialists on
1300 349 771 for a recommendation based on your
specific pain.