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Back sleeping is the second most common sleeping position behind side sleeping. When searching for the best mattresses for back sleepers, proper spine alignment is probably the most crucial factor. In order to achieve this, a mattress must provide support to the hips and shoulders without putting too much pressure on them. Thus, an even sleep surface with some conforming but no sagging is usually the best bed for back sleepers.
To provide ideal support for back sleepers, a mattress must have the right firmness — and sleepers of different body types tend to have different requirements. Average-weight back sleepers often favor a medium to medium-firm feel. Lightweight individuals may prefer a softer option, while heavyweight sleepers often appreciate a firmer model.
With so many mattresses to choose from, selecting the best mattress for your sleep needs and preferences can seem complicated. In this guide, we’ll try to simplify the shopping process by sharing our top picks for the best mattresses for back sleepers and explaining criteria that can affect a back sleeper’s comfort.
Best Overall
The Saatva is a hybrid mattress with a dual coil system, foam comfort layers and a plush-pillow top. The bed comes in three firmness options, which can accommodate back sleepers of different weights.While back sleepers usually favor a medium or medium-firm feel, this varies between weight groups.
The Saatva’s hybrid design balances support and pressure relief. A Euro pillow top with an organic cotton cover uses polyfoam to cushion the surface of the bed. A thin layer of memory foam near the midsection of the bed cradles and supports the sleeper’s hips.
A layer of pocketed coils within the comfort system contours to the sleeper’s body without restricting airflow. Since the coils are individually pocketed, very little motion is transferred between them, minimizing disruptions to co-sleepers. Finally, a layer of Bonnell coils acts as the mattress’s support core. These coils give the mattress bounce and stable support.
The Saatva comes in three firmness options: soft (2-3), medium-firm (6), and firm (7-8). It also comes in two thickness options: 11.5 inches and 14.5 inches. Since back sleepers often favor firmer mattresses, Saatva’s firm option may be a particularly good match for back sleepers who weigh over 130 pounds. Sleepers under 130 pounds may prefer the soft or medium-firm model for extra conforming.
The Saatva Mattress comes with free White Glove delivery, in which a team comes to unpackage and setup the mattress. Saatva also provides a 180-night trial period and a 15-year warranty for the Saatva Mattress.
Best Value
The all-foam Cocoon Chill conforms closely to the sleeper’s body, relieving pressure while supporting a back sleeper’s natural spinal alignment. The mattress’s construction also gives it exceptional motion isolation, temperature regulation, and noise control.
The Cocoon Chill’s mattress cover uses phase change material, which is engineered to dissipate heat while remaining cool to the touch. While all-foam mattresses frequently trap heat against the sleeper’s body, this innovative cover helps the Cocoon Chill sleep cooler than most all-foam mattresses on the market.
A memory foam comfort layer adjusts to the sleeper’s body shape and position. This can help relieve pressure while providing a comfortable hugging feeling that many sleepers enjoy. Next, a layer of polyfoam prevents the sleeper from sinking in against the support core. The support layer uses firm polyfoam crafted to provide a durable base for the mattress.
The Cocoon Chill comes in two firmness options: medium-soft (4) and medium-firm (6). The medium-firm version has a particularly good balance of support and conforming for back sleepers, especially those who weigh under 230 pounds.
Sealy provides a 100-night trial and 10-year limited warranty for the Cocoon Chill.
Best Hybrid
The Bear Hybrid stays temperature neutral due to its coil layer and cover material. Eight inches of pocketed coils allows for airflow through the mattress all night. The cover is made with Celliant fibers, which absorb body heat. In addition to keeping sleepers cool, Celliant fibers are thought to transform body heat into infrared energy, which is then transmitted back to the sleeper to aid in physical recovery.
Medium-firm is the only firmness level the Bear Hybrid mattress is available in. As a result, this mattress tends to work better for light and average-weight sleepers. Sleepers who weigh over 230 lbs. might find that the Bear Hybrid doesn’t provide them enough support.
The Bear Hybrid is a quiet mattress, but it doesn’t isolate motion as well as some all-foam mattresses. The motion transfer won’t bother most sleepers, but very sensitive sleepers who share a bed might be aware that they can feel motion when their partner moves. This mattress has above-average durability, so it should last for several years.
Customers can order the Bear Hybrid online. The mattress ships to all 50 US states for free and comes with a 100-night sleep trial and 20-year partially prorated warranty. Customers may opt for white glove delivery and old mattress removal, but both come with a fee. Anyone wanting to return or exchange their Bear Hybrid under the sleep trial must wait until after a 30-night break-in period.
Most Comfortable
With four firmness options, the WinkBed can closely match the needs and preferences of most back sleepers, regardless of their weight group. Back sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds might gravitate towards the medium-soft or medium-firm options. Back sleepers who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds may prefer the firm version. Back sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds may find the firm or the Plus most comfortable.
The firmness options are medium-soft (4), medium-firm (6), firm (7-8), and Plus (7-8). While the medium-soft, medium-firm, and firm mattresses share similar constructions, the Plus varies in several key areas.
All the firmness options share a few features. A Tencel cover wicks away heat to help the sleeper stay cool and comfortable. A reinforced midsection promotes better spinal alignment by preventing excessive sagging around the midsection. To accomplish this, a foam enhancement adds support to the lumbar region, and the coil support core is zoned to be sturdier around the hips.
The coils are also pocketed to limit motion transfer while allowing air circulation. This coil support layer also creates an exceptionally stable edge, which may allow sleepers to use more of the mattress surface.
The three softest models of the WinkBed use a comfort system constructed of three main layers: a layer of polyfoam, a layer of gel polyfoam, and a layer of pocketed microcoils. This system balances conforming and breathability.
The Plus option uses a comfort system of a layer of high-density polyfoam and a layer of latex to contour to the sleeper’s body without excessive sinkage. This design lends to the mattress’s durability, resisting impressions more than many sleep surfaces. Additionally, the individually-pocketed coils are banded together in groups of four to bolster the mattress’s support.
The WinkBeds provides a lifetime warranty and a 120-night sleep trial with the WinkBed Mattress.
Best Cooling
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on the Tuft & Needle mattresses
Our next top pick for back sleepers is the Mint Mattress from Tuft & Needle. This model is constructed with 5 inches of adaptive polyfoam over a support core of high-density polyfoam. Polyfoam contours to the body without sinking like memory foam, so back sleepers can lie on the material without feeling loss of support beneath the lower back, waist, and other areas of the body where people tend to carry a disproportionate amount of weight. The Mint Mattress offers a medium firm (6) feel, so back sleepers who weigh up to 230 pounds should feel adequately supported. The mattress delivers good contouring and spinal alignment for side sleepers, as well.
The top two layers of the mattress consist of open-cell polyfoam that has been infused with graphite. As a result, the mattress sleeps fairly cool – especially compared to other all-foam models – and should be comfortable for people who tend to run hot in bed. We also recommend the Mint Mattress to couples because the foams absorb movement and prevent too much motion from spreading across the surface, minimizing disturbances for co-sleepers. The antimicrobial protection embedded into the cover fabric is a unique feature that’s designed to ensure a long lifespan for the mattress.
While slightly more expensive than Tuft & Needle’s flagship model, the Mint Mattress still carries a reasonable price-point. The company provides free ground shipping within the contiguous U.S., and backs the mattress with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
Best Firm Mattress
The all-foam Plank Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding was built for sleepers who prefer a firm feel. It uses a flippable design that allows sleepers to select between a firm and an extra-firm side. This may appeal to back sleepers looking for an even, stable sleep surface.
Both sides of the mattress use a quilted top for cushioning. While the firm side uses a thicker quilted layer, the extra-firm side pairs a thin quilted layer with a layer of polyfoam for deeper support and less cushioning. A high-density support core reinforces the mattress and stabilizes both the firm and the extra-firm sleep surfaces.
Because of the mattress’s firmness and lack of conforming, it does not retain as much heat as most all-foam models. However, people who tend to sleep hot may benefit from an optional cooling top panel that’s available for an extra charge. This cooling panel uses phase change material engineered to cool on contact to further dissipate heat and promote a cool night’s sleep.
The Plank’s firm side rates between 7 and 8 on the 10-point firmness scale, while the extra-firm side rates between 9 and 10. This rating makes the Plank one of the firmest mattresses on the market. Because the Plank is exceptionally firm, it may be best suited to back sleepers who weigh over 130 pounds. Most sleepers will likely favor the firm side of the mattress, though some sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds may prefer the added support of the extra-firm side.
Brooklyn Bedding offers a 10-year warranty and a 120-night trial period for the Plank Mattress.
Best for Back and Stomach Sleepers
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on the Avocado mattresses
The Avocado Mattress is a hybrid model that pairs latex and pocketed coils to create a bouncy, resilient surface that cradles back sleepers while preventing them from sinking in too deeply.
The mattress cover contains organic cotton and wool, which help regulate temperature by wicking heat and moisture away from the sleeper’s body. A vegan version of the mattress replaces the wool with additional cotton. The Avocado’s comfort layer uses natural Dunlop latex, which conforms moderately. A pillow-top version of the mattress adds an extra layer of Dunlop latex to soften the surface and add extra cushioning and pressure relief.
A support layer of pocketed coils gives the mattress more bounce while permitting air circulation making for a cool and responsive mattress. This layer is zoned with extra support under the midsection to promote better spinal alignment for back sleepers. The edge is also reinforced, which may enable sleepers to use the full surface of the mattress without feeling like they might roll off. A final base layer of latex supports the coil system.
The Avocado Mattress is firm, rating between 7 and 8 on the firmness scale. The pillow-top version has a medium-firm feel, rating around 6. The Avocado Mattress can provide exceptional support for back sleepers who weigh over 130 pounds. Back sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds may prefer the added cushioning of the pillow-top version.
A 25-year limited warranty and a one-year trial period come with the Avocado Mattress.
Best for Side Sleepers
The Leesa Hybrid pairs a dual-layer comfort system with a pocketed coil support core to create a balanced feel with bounce, pressure relief, and contouring that can help promote proper alignment for back sleepers.
The two-part comfort system starts with a layer of polyfoam. This foam conforms to the sleeper’s body, while holes throughout the surface allow body heat to dissipate. Next, a layer of memory foam contours more deeply to relieve pressure in the shoulders and hips.
A polyfoam transition layer prevents the sleepers from sinking into the mattress’s core. The support layer is constructed of pocketed coils. Since these coils can move independently, they provide more targeted support and transfer minimal motion between coils, minimizing sleep disruptions. The coil layer also gives the Leesa Hybrid a bouncier, more responsive feel. Finally, another layer of polyfoam acts as the base of the mattress.
The Leesa Hybrid has a medium-firm feel, rating at a 6 on the firmness scale. This firmness can provide most back sleepers with a balance of support and conforming, but it is especially appropriate for sleepers who weigh under 230 pounds.
A 100-night trial and a 10-year limited warranty come with the Leesa Hybrid.
Back sleeping isn’t the most common sleep position in the United States, but it has some distinct benefits. When sleeping on your back, your body is naturally centered over your spine, which makes it easier to maintain proper spinal alignment. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that back sleeping may also reduce the risk of developing wrinkles or breakouts on your skin and can alleviate lower back pain for some sleepers.
While back sleeping has some clear benefits, it isn’t ideal for all sleepers. Those who suffer from sleep apnea or are prone to snoring may find their conditions aggravated by sleeping on their backs. People who suffer from acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may also notice increased symptoms when sleeping on their back, especially for sleepers with stomach fat that puts extra pressure on their stomachs. Additionally, pregnant women often find that sleeping on their backs can contribute to back pain due to the extra weight in their midsections.
Spinal alignment refers to how well the spine lines up to its natural shape. When you’re standing, proper spinal alignment is synonymous to good posture. In sleepers, a well-aligned spine is harder to spot, but it’s just as important. Maintaining good spinal alignment overnight can help reduce aches and pains, contributing to a better night’s sleep. Because of this, the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that regardless of sleep position, sleepers should try to line up their ears, shoulders, and hips to maintain proper spinal alignment.
Back sleepers have an advantage when it comes to spinal alignment. A back sleeper’s body is already centered over their spine. So long as a mattress provides enough support to the shoulders and mid-section, preventing them from sinking to deepy, back sleepers should be able to maintain this healthy alignment.
Improper alignment can contribute to aches and pains. If a mattress does not balance contouring and support to help the sleeper maintain proper alignment through the night, their muscles may work overtime to try to improve the body’s alignment. Since these muscles can’t fully relax, the sleeper may awaken with more aches and pains.
If you’re not sure whether your mattress is giving you the right combination of contouring and support to promote good alignment, consider whether you are waking up with aches and pains. If you wake up with aches and pains that get better over the course of the day, your mattress may not be giving you the support and contouring you need. The right mattress can help you maintain proper spinal alignment effortlessly and awaken with fewer aches and pains.
A mattress’s firmness can affect how comfortable the mattress feels to an individual, how much contouring it provides, and how supportive it is. A 10-point firmness scale is commonly used to rate mattress firmness. In this scale, 1 is the softest mattress and 10 is the firmest. Mattresses on either end of the spectrum are uncommon, with most models falling between 3 and 8. When you’re shopping for a mattress, paying attention to its firmness rating can give you a better idea of how it will feel to you.
Most individuals between 130 and 230 pounds prefer a medium or medium-firm mattress. Average-weight back sleepers usually gravitate towards the firmer end of this range since they do not require as much conforming as side sleepers.
Sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds do not apply as much force on a mattress, so any mattress is likely to feel firmer to them. Because of this, back sleepers in this range often prefer a medium-soft model.
Individuals who weigh over 230 pounds need more support than other weight groups. Too soft of a mattress may cause their hips to sink in excessively, misaligning the spine. These sleepers frequently favor a medium-firm or firm mattress to give them extra support.
Comfort preference is subjective, and it’s impossible to guess how a mattress will feel to an individual. However, understanding firmness ratings and which rating tends to work best for your weight group and sleep position can give you an excellent starting point to finding the ideal firmness for you.
Below, we’ll describe the major types of mattresses on the market and explain what they have to offer back sleepers. While individual models may have notable differences based on their materials, quality, and construction, there tend to be some similarities between models of the same type of mattress. Understanding the key benefits and features that are common for each type of mattress may clarify which type is best for you.
Definition: Hybrid models fuse components of two or more other mattress types. The comfort layer most often consists of memory foam, polyfoam, or latex, though it may also contain wool, microcoils, or other materials. A hybrid mattress’s support core uses coils, like a traditional innerspring mattress.
Highlight: A hybrid mattress’s comfort layer is generally engineered to conform to the sleeper’s body for pressure relief. The coil support core usually gives even support, which can help promote proper spinal alignment for back sleepers.
Definition: A substantial support core of coils serves as the main component of an innerspring mattress. Innerspring models may also have thin comfort layers. While these comfort layers may provide some cushioning, they usually are not substantial enough for contouring and pressure relief.
Highlight: High-quality innerspring mattresses usually have even support that can help keep a back sleeper’s spine straight. Thin comfort layers may cushion the sleeper’s pressure points, but they generally are not thick enough to allow a back sleeper’s midsection to sink in too deeply.
Definition: Latex mattresses are traditionally constructed of multiple layers of latex foam, which may be natural, synthetic, or a blend. Talalay latex is usually lighter and springier. It is commonly used in comfort layers. Dunlop latex is generally denser and more durable, making it a popular choice for both comfort and support layers.
Highlight: While memory foam compresses directly beneath the sleeper’s body, latex spreads the compression over a wider area. This cradles the sleeper without excessive sinkage, creating a balance between cradling and support that may make back sleepers feel like they are floating on the bed.
Definition: Airbeds get their name from the air chambers they use to support the sleeper. Depending on the model, these air chambers can be emptied or filled using a pump, remote control, or app. Airbeds may also include comfort layers, though these are usually relatively thin. Comfort layer materials may include memory foam, polyfoam, latex, wool, and/or cotton.
Highlight: Since the air chambers can be filled or emptied to change the feel of the mattress, back sleepers can adjust an airbed to get as close as possible to their ideal firmness. Some models also allow sleepers to adjust each side of the bed independently, which may make them a good choice for partners who have different firmness preferences.
Definition: Most foam mattresses are constructed of multiple foam layers, which usually include memory foam, polyfoam, or a combination of the two. Some foam mattresses may also include other materials, including latex, wool, and/or cotton. Softer foams are traditionally used in the comfort layers to contour to the sleeper, while firmer support foams prevent them from sinking in too deeply.
Highlight: All-foam models tend to shape to the sleeper’s body, providing a close hug that relieves pressure points. Firmer models give less hug, but they still usually contour enough for pressure relief. Back sleepers who like to sink into their mattress more may appreciate this close conforming.
Accessories can be the finishing touch to make your sleep surface more comfortable. The right accessories can help reduce discomfort and promote quality sleep. While you might upgrade your accessories when you purchase a new mattress, sleepers on a budget may replace them as a lower-cost alternative to replacing their mattress.
While the right mattress can keep most of the spine aligned, the sleeper’s pillow is responsible for continuing that alignment into the neck and head. Because sleepers rely on their pillow to support their necks and heads, the wrong pillow can contribute to back and neck pain.
Pillow loft refers to how thick a pillow is. A pillow with too much loft may force a back sleeper’s head towards their chest. A pillow with too little loft may hyperextend the neck. Back sleepers frequently benefit from a medium-loft pillow that supports the head, neck, and shoulders without lifting them up too far. Back sleepers often prefer memory foam or latex pillows that cradle the head to help them maintain proper alignment.
While many back sleepers favor a medium-loft pillow, those with medical conditions aggravated by lying flat may prefer a wedge pillow to elevate the upper body. Sleepers who suffer from sleep apnea, acid reflux, or frequent snoring may benefit from this extra lift.
| Sleeping Position | Pillow Loft Recommended |
|---|---|
| Back | Medium |
| Side | Medium or High |
| Stomach | Low |
Many back sleepers also place a small pillow beneath their knees. The University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that this may help relieve back pain by supporting the natural curvature of the back and reducing stress on the spine.
A mattress topper is an extra layer that rests on top of the mattress to adjust the feel of the surface. While a mattress topper won’t completely overhaul your existing mattress, it may make it more comfortable.
Because mattress toppers are usually less expensive than purchasing a new mattress, they can be a convenient and affordable way to modify the sleep surface and try out different materials. Memory foam, polyfoam, and latex toppers can give you an idea of how a mattress that uses these materials might feel without the commitment of replacing your existing mattress.
Thickness varies between toppers. Thinner toppers can offer some cushioning, slightly adjusting the feel of the mattress. Thicker toppers modify the feel more significantly and can relieve pressure to a greater extent.
While mattress toppers can add some cushioning and contouring, they do not provide all the benefits of a new mattress. Most notably, they do not usually provide significant support. If a back sleeper’s hips are sinking in too deeply in their existing mattress, a mattress topper is unlikely to resolve the issue. A mattress topper also will not make up for a mattress that is in bad condition or is sagging. However, a mattress topper may be a good choice for back sleepers who feel their mattress is a little too firm or who are experiencing pressure points.
While many mattress companies claim their models are comfortable for all sleep positions, back sleepers have unique needs. Focusing on the most important mattress features can help you find a mattress that supports your spine while cushioning your pressure points. Below, we’ll detail key factors to consider when selecting the best mattress for back sleepers.
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