What is a pressure relief mattress?
A pressure relief mattress is built to ease the load on the parts of your body that press hardest into the sleep surface, most commonly the shoulders, hips and lumbar region. Rather than supporting you with a single firm plane, these mattresses use materials or spring systems that respond differently under different parts of your body. Heavier areas sink slightly while lighter ones are gently supported, leading to more even weight distribution, fewer pressure points and a quieter night with less tossing about.
Who benefits most from a pressure relief mattress?
Side sleepers
If you sleep on your side, your shoulder and hip carry far more of your body weight than the rest of you. On a mattress that doesn't give at those points, you'll often wake with a sore arm, a numb hand or aching hips. A pressure relief mattress lets those heavier points sink in just enough to take the strain off, while still keeping your spine in a healthy alignment.
Back and joint pain sufferers
For anyone managing back pain, arthritis or general joint aches, the goal is a sleeping surface that supports without forcing your body into a rigid position. Pressure relief mattresses tend to cushion the joints rather than press against them, which can help ease overnight discomfort. They're often paired with a medium or medium firm tension for this reason.
Heavier sleepers
If you're on the heavier side, pressure builds up faster on your shoulders, hips and lower back. A pressure relief mattress with a deeper comfort layer (memory foam, latex or gel-infused foam) cushions those points and spreads your weight more broadly across the springs or foam beneath. This usually means a better night's rest and longer life out of the mattress itself, since the load isn't concentrated on a small area of the surface.
Which types of mattress offer the best pressure relief?
Memory foam mattresses
Memory foam is the material most closely associated with pressure relief, and for good reason. Memory foam mattresses respond to your body heat and weight, moulding to the contours of your shape and easing the load on heavier areas. The trade-off is that traditional memory foam can sleep warm, so if you tend to feel hot at night, look for an open-cell or gel-infused version that lets more air through.
Pocket sprung mattresses
A pocket sprung mattress contains hundreds or thousands of individual springs, each wrapped in its own fabric pocket. Because the springs move independently, they can react to different parts of your body at different weights, which gives them strong pressure relief without the warmth that comes with all-foam mattresses. They're a popular choice for sleepers who like a more responsive feel underneath them.
Latex mattresses
Natural latex has a buoyant, slightly springy feel that cushions pressure points without the deep sink of memory foam. It's also breathable and durable, often lasting longer than other comfort layer materials. Latex tends to suit sleepers who want some give but don't enjoy feeling enveloped by the mattress.
Hybrid mattresses
A hybrid mattress pairs a pocket sprung base with a comfort layer of memory foam, latex or gel, combining the responsive support of springs with the pressure-relieving cushion of softer materials on top. Hybrids are a good middle ground if you find foam mattresses too warm or sprung mattresses too firm.
Geltex and gel-infused foam
If pressure relief is the priority but you sleep hot, Geltex and gel foam are worth a closer look. They cushion pressure points like memory foam but include an open cell structure or gel beads that let warm air escape, helping to regulate your temperature through the night.
What support tension is best for pressure relief?
There isn't a single right answer. For most people, medium or medium firm tensions strike the best balance, with enough cushion to ease pressure points and enough support to keep your spine aligned. Side sleepers often lean towards medium, while back and stomach sleepers tend to prefer medium firm. If you find firmer mattresses leave you sore in the morning, a soft mattress may give you the cushion you need, though we'd usually recommend pairing it with a supportive spring or foam base rather than going for an all-soft build.
What sizes are available?
We stock pressure relief mattresses in every standard UK size, including small single (75 x 190cm), single (90 x 190cm), small double (120 x 190cm), double (135 x 190cm), king size (150 x 200cm), super king (180 x 200cm), king size zip and link (150 x 200cm) and super king zip and link (180 x 200cm). Custom sizes are available on certain ranges if your bed frame falls outside the standard dimensions.
Why purchase a pressure relief mattress with Mattressman?
Next-day delivery
Order an in-stock mattress before 4pm and you can receive it as soon as the next working day, free of charge. We deliver across mainland UK, with most postcodes covered by our own drivers rather than third parties.
60-night sleep trial
A new mattress takes time to settle into, and your body takes time to settle into it. That's why every pressure relief mattress on our site is eligible for our 60-night sleep trial when purchased alongside a mattress protector. If it isn't the right fit, you can exchange it.
Mattress recycling
Add our mattress recycling service at checkout and we'll take your old mattress away when we deliver the new one. No skip hire, no awkward trips to the tip.
If you're still unsure which pressure relief mattress is right for you, our sleep experts are on hand. Call us on 0333 577 5773 or use our live chat. We'll happily help you narrow it down based on your sleeping position, weight and any aches and pains you're trying to ease.
