When buying a new mattress for back pain, the discussion is often about firmness — but the most important factor is maintaining a neutral spine in your preferred sleeping position. The ideal mattress balances both support and comfort.

Your hips and shoulders shouldn't sink too deeply into the comfort layers, but they also shouldn't be pushed upward by a mattress that's too firm.

We recommend trying any mattress you're considering for at least 5–10 minutes in your normal sleeping position. Even though it can feel awkward in-store, trying to fully relax gives you a much more accurate feel for how the mattress will support your body overnight.

Most people in NZ choose a queen bed for standard bedrooms, but the right size depends on how much walking space you have around the bed and how you want the room to feel when you're using it.

As a rough guide, aim to leave at least 60–75 cm of space around the sides of the bed where you need to walk, otherwise the room can start to feel tight even if the bed technically fits.

In NZ homes, people generally choose:

• Queen as the most balanced option — fits most rooms without overwhelming the space
• King or Super King if the bedroom is large enough and you want extra sleeping space
• Double or King Single for smaller rooms, guest rooms, or kids' spaces

Before you go shopping, it's worth measuring your room first so you know what size options will actually work in your space.

New Zealand mattress sizes are measured in width x length. Here are the standard NZ bed sizes:

Note: dimensions can vary slightly between manufacturers. Click any size above to browse our full range.

In New Zealand, the main difference between queen, king, and super king beds is width — all three are the same length, and sizes are approximate depending on the manufacturer.

• Queen: approx. 153 cm x 203 cm
• King: approx. 167 cm x 203 cm
• Super King: approx. 183 cm x 203 cm

A Queen bed is the most common choice in NZ bedrooms and works well in standard spaces. A King gives you noticeably more sleeping space — that extra width can make a real difference for couples. A Super King provides the maximum standard sleeping space and is often chosen for comfort-first setups in larger bedrooms.

As a general rule, go as large as you can comfortably fit, while still leaving enough space to walk around the bed and use the room properly.

Most mattresses should be replaced every 7–10 years, although this can vary depending on the quality of the mattress, how it's used, and how well it's cared for.

You may need to replace your mattress sooner if you notice:

• You wake up feeling sore or stiff
• Visible sagging or body impressions
• You sleep better in other beds than your own
• You feel like you're rolling into the middle or losing support
• It no longer feels supportive or comfortable, even if you can't pinpoint why

To help extend the life of your mattress, rotate it regularly and use a mattress protector to guard against sweat, spills, dust, and allergens.

Neither is strictly "better" — it comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for each person. Both can provide good support when designed well.

• Memory foam contours closely to your body, distributes weight evenly, and reduces partner movement. The trade-off is that it can feel warmer and less responsive than springs.
• Pocket spring uses individually wrapped coils for a more responsive, breathable feel with better airflow. Many people prefer the more lifted feel, though it doesn't contour as closely as foam.

In most cases, the best choice is simply what feels right for you when you lie on it.

Side sleepers usually do best on a medium to medium-soft mattress. The key is finding the right balance between support and comfort — the mattress needs to cushion the shoulders and hips while keeping your spine in a neutral position.

• Too firm → shoulders and hips can't sink in properly, which can create pressure points and stiffness
• Too soft → hips sink too far, which can misalign the lower back

Neither memory foam nor pocket spring is automatically better — it comes down to what feels right when you lie on it.

Choosing the right mattress firmness depends on your sleep position, body type, and how well the mattress keeps your spine in a neutral position.

• Soft/Plush → best for lighter body types or side sleepers who need more pressure relief
• Medium to medium-soft → the most common range, offering a balance of comfort and support for most sleepers
• Firm → better for back or stomach sleepers, or those who prefer a more lifted, supportive feel

A good way to choose: lie in your usual sleeping position and check if your body feels evenly supported.

The best bed for couples balances support, comfort, motion isolation, and enough space so both people can sleep without disturbance.

• Hybrid mattresses (foam + pocket springs) are often the most popular choice — combining support, airflow, and motion control
• Memory foam is great for reducing partner disturbance, but can feel warmer
• Pocket spring feels more responsive and supportive, but may transfer more movement unless well-designed

Choose the largest bed size your room comfortably allows, then choose a medium-feel mattress that keeps both people's spines aligned.

Expensive mattresses can be worth it, depending on what you're looking for in comfort, support, and durability. Generally, as price increases, you'll see improvements in materials, construction quality, and overall design — including higher-density foams, more advanced pocket spring systems, better pressure relief, improved temperature regulation, and stronger edge support.

Ultimately, the best value comes down to how well the mattress matches your individual needs.

Yes — we have most of our products available to try in our showroom, so you can get a real feel for how each mattress supports your body before making a decision. We recommend lying on each mattress for at least 5–10 minutes in your preferred sleeping position.

Showroom mattresses may feel slightly softer than a brand-new version as they've been tried by other customers. Your new mattress may feel a little firmer at first and then gradually soften as it settles in with use.

Yes — we deliver to most parts of New Zealand, with delivery charges based on distance and the size of the items being sent. Delivery outside of Auckland is calculated on a case by case basis.

You can reach us by phone on 09 849 7504, by email at stlukes@simplybedsnz.co.nz, or by filling in the contact form on our website.

Our Everyday Low Price range is a collection of quality beds and mattresses that are always priced at their best — no sales, no waiting, no timing required. These products are priced fairly every single day of the year.

For Auckland deliveries, stock typically arrives within approximately 10 business days, with delivery to you taking up to a further 3 business days after that.

For deliveries outside of Auckland, timeframes will depend on your location and courier availability. Get in touch with our team on 09 849 7504 or email stlukes@simplybedsnz.co.nz and we'll confirm timing for your area.