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Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed 600+ mattresses and accessories for over seven years using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing. We assess each bed for support, cooling, firmness, pressure relief, and more.
We’ll be discussing our top picks for the best mattresses for back sleepers who have trickier needs when it comes to support and contouring. We’ll look at these factors plus comfort, spinal alignment, and durability.
For back sleepers, finding the right mattress can be a challenge. Where side sleepers tend to need a soft mattress with lots of pressure relief and stomach sleepers often require something firmer, folks who sleep on their back are stuck in the middle, and will want a bed that’s both comfortable and supportive. Fortunately, I’ve reviewed a lot of mattresses and have come up with ten standouts that should be a great match.
How We Chose the Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 600 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.
To identify the Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers, we’ve paid special attention to support, durability, and other relevant criteria. For example, eight of our 10 products scored a 4 out of 5 or above for support, while seven of them scored a 4 out of 5 or above for durability.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.1
DreamCloud
DreamCloud Premier
Medium-Firm Feel
Cooling
Plush Pillow Top
Hybrid mattress
365-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Cyber Weekend Extended
Up to 50% off mattresses + spend $1,000 and save $100 See Details
The DreamCloud Premier is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 6.5/10. This is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$1,169-$2,998 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Hot Sleepers
This bed’s cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros of the DreamCloud Premier
The DreamCloud Premier is an excellent cooling mattress. Its hybrid design and breathable materials ensure you won’t be overheating during the night.
Back sleepers will feel very comfortable on the DreamCloud Premier. It boasts a perfect balance of comfort and support, which is exactly what back sleepers need.
While it is closer to medium-firm, it is a good fit for side sleepers. Its plush top will help relieve pressure on the shoulders and hips.
It features a plush pillow top design. Those who like the feeling of a luxurious pillow top will love the DreamCloud Premier.
Cons of the DreamCloud Premier
Stomach sleepers won’t get enough support on this mattress.
If you prefer the feeling of a memory foam mattress, the DreamCloud will be too bouncy for you.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
The DreamCloud Premier is a luxurious hybrid that gives you the feeling of sleeping in a nice hotel. Its combination of foam, coils, and cooling materials make it an ideal pick for both back sleepers and hot sleepers as well. At the same time, it is plush enough for the majority of side sleepers. However, if you sleep on your stomach, take a look at the firmer DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
The DreamCloud Premier uses multiple pressure-relieving foam layers and coils to deliver exceptional lumbar support, especially for people who sleep on their backs. Our testers found the DreamCloud Premier to be one “of the best mattresses for back sleepers” after extensive testing on it. The DreamCloud Premier earned a great support score (4/5), with testers feeling ultra-comfortable when resting on its upper foam layers without experiencing posture-disrupting sinkage into them due to its durable (4/5) coil and support foam layers. While all types of lightweight (under 130 pounds) and average weight (under 230 pounds) back sleepers should enjoy the DreamCloud Premier according to our tests, heavier sleepers, particularly those who sleep on their stomach, may want to consider another mattress.
Overall, DreamCloud Premier’s construction provided an “orthopedic level of support” for people who struggle with back pain or sleep on their back according to our testers. However, the industry-average firmness of the Premier (6.5/10) may have some sleepers who don’t like resting in between an ultra-soft or ultra-firm feel, opting for a mattress with a firmness more unique to their sleeping needs. On the other hand, this accessible firmness makes the DreamCloud more accommodating to most sleeper types. In addition to this accessible firmness, the bed’s excellent motion isolation (4/5) and durability make the Premier a great choice for couples looking to share a versatile bed that can meet both of their preferences.
The Premier’s fusion of foam and coils should help you fall asleep feeling relief from the pressures of back pain while still ensuring your back has the support it needs at night. Potentially helping to alleviate inflammation rather than worsen it.
What We Love About the DreamCloud Premier
The DreamCloud Premier is made with a breathable cover and should allow air to pass in and escape from the mattress. This means that this mattress should be a good fit for hot sleepers.
The DreamCloud Premier stood up pretty well when we tested for motion isolation on this mattress. This should make it a great fit for couples who share a bed and are worried about being woken up by their partner’s movements.
The mattress is made of durable and high-quality materials, meaning that it should last you for years with proper care.
What to Keep in Mind About the DreamCloud Premier
When we sat near the edge of the DreamCloud Premier, it collapsed a bit around the perimeter. This is something to keep in mind if you sleep near the edge of the bed.
Many of the mattresses we test are perfectly medium-firm, making them too soft for stomach sleepers to feel supported. This is the case for the DreamCloud Premier, so if you’re a back sleeper who switches to their stomach, this may not be a great fit for you.
Other user reviews
The DreamCloud mattress is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by real customers on the company’s site. Reviewers praise the fact that heavier sleepers can sleep comfortably on the mattress, even in multiple sleeping positions. Other reviewers noted that the mattress can be heavy and bulky, so it may be useful to set it up with the help of a friend.
Helix Midnight – Best Mattress for Back Sleeping Couples
Best Mattress for Couples
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.1
Helix
Helix Midnight
Medium-Firm Feel
Breathability
Motion Isolation
Hybrid mattress
100-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Cyber Monday Sale – Extended
Save 20% sitewide + 2 FREE pillows with any mattress ($150+ value) See Details
The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 6.5/10. This is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$936-$1,748 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, California king, RV king
Side Sleepers
Provides good pressure relief for side sleepers under 230 lbs.
Back Sleepers
This mattress offers good support and body contouring for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Couples
This bed absorbs motion well for a hybrid mattress, so couples shouldn’t notice their partner’s movements.
Pros of the Helix Midnight Mattress
The Helix Midnight mattress is a fantastic choice for back and side sleepers. It’s a perfect medium-firm mattress that offers a lot of comfort from the foam at the top with supportive coils at the bottom.
This mattress shouldn’t trap too much heat thanks to the coils, which allow for airflow. You also have the option to add a specialized cooling cover.
Hybrid mattresses can be bouncy and disturb others who are in bed, but the Helix Midnight absorbs motion very well for this type of mattress.
Cons of the Helix Midnight Mattress
This mattress is too soft to support stomach sleepers. The hips will dip into this bed over time, which can cause strain on the lower back.
While this bed absorbs motion well, it’s still a hybrid. If you don’t want that bouncy, coil feeling to your mattress, you should look for an all-foam bed.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10 years
Returns
Free returns during the trial period
The Helix Midnight is Helix’s most popular model because of its medium-firmness and works well for back and side sleepers. The top layers of foam provide good pressure relief, but the coils offer a good amount of support. It won’t trap heat thanks to those coils, and you can even opt for a cooling cover. Be sure to watch our video review to learn more about the Helix Midnight.
Our Expert’s Take
The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress that comes in at a 7/10 on the firmness scale. According to our testers, the bed’s durable and responsive design makes it excellent for lightweight and average-weight back sleepers and uniquely supportive enough for heavier back sleepers to get good quality rest as well. Furthermore, testers found the combination of coils and foam offered back sleepers the specific “balance of comfort and support they need”. Due to both its hybrid design and harder firmness, you can also expect exceptional bounce on the Midnight, making it super easy to move around on and, as a result, a good mattress for sex. In addition to the bed’s impressive bounce, couples should also take note of the Midnight’s motion isolation score of 4/5. When testing the Midnight’s ability to isolate motion, our testers felt minimal disruption on the bed’s surface when moving next to each other. So, if your significant other tends to toss and turn, waking you up at night, the Helix Midnight could be an ideal solution.
Furthermore, the Helix Midnight has awesome edge support, scoring a 4/5 by our testers. You should expect the same level of support and comfort on the sides of this bed as you would in the center, meaning you and your partner don’t need to fight over who gets the sweet spot on the Helix Midnight.
What We Love About the Helix Midnight
Side sleeping is the most popular sleep position, so even if you’re a back sleeper, chances are you’ll share a bed with a side sleeper. The pressure relief offered by Midnight is great for side sleepers, but the supportive coils provide excellent support as well for back sleepers.
The Helix Midnight is very cooling. It has a layer of coils that make it great at promoting airflow, and customers get to choose between a Breathe Knit cover or upgrade to a GlacioTex™ Cooling Pillow Top cover. Both are breathable and should provide cooling benefits. With the standard cover, we measured a 3.4 degree F rise on the bed’s surface after a tester’s nap. Not bad. Hence, the bed’s 4/5 cooling score.
Thanks to the supportive coils, the Helix Midnight has some decent bounce (4/5 responsiveness score from testers), and edge support. Folks who sleep near the edge of their mattress should feel supported.
What to Keep in Mind About the Helix Midnight
Since the mattress has a coil layer, it is more bouncy and responsive than other mattresses. It does okay at isolating motion, but if you sleep lightly and sleep with a partner, their movements might wake you up.
Because of the coil layer, we did hear a bit of noise when moving around on the mattress. This may be an issue for people who sleep lightly.
Other user reviews
On the Helix Midnight website, customers rated the mattress 4.5 out of 5 stars. Most customers shared the same sentiments as we did – the mattress is very comfortable. However, there were a few users who felt like the mattress was too firm for their liking and suggested that potential customers should purchase a mattress topper to go with this mattress.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.3
Emma
Emma Hybrid Comfort
Firm Feel
Supportive
Breathable
Hybrid mattress
365-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Exclusive Black Friday Sale
Use BLACKFRIDAY10 to get an additional 10% off See Details
The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a hybrid mattress that combines foam in the top comfort layer with coils at the bottom for support.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest, we rated the Emma Comfort Hybrid an 8/10, meaning it’s quite firm.
Price
$812-$1,649 (before discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Back Sleepers
Good support for average to heavyweight back sleepers (230 lb and up)
Couples
This bed isolates motion well for those who are easily disturbed while still being responsive enough for sex
Stomach Sleepers
Supportive for all stomach sleepers
Pros of the Emma Hybrid Comfort
The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a great choice for back sleepers who want a firm mattress that can support heavier weights. Back sleepers should get a good amount of comfort and support here.
This bed is good for budget shoppers, as it can be discounted up to 50% during major holidays.
Hot sleepers shouldn’t worry about overheating because the coils allow for airflow, the cover is breathable, and you don’t sink into the bed, which means it won’t trap heat.
Cons of the Emma Hybrid Comfort
It’s far too firm for side sleepers.
The foam doesn’t offer a lot of contouring.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
Full refunds during the trial period.
The Emma Hybrid Comfort is an affordable mattress that’s very firm and offers great support for stomach and back sleepers. It can also handle heavier weights, so it’s a great choice for heavyweight individuals who need a supportive mattress. Couples should sleep soundly without worrying about noticing their partner move around during the night and it won’t trap too much heat. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
The Emma Hybrid is a luxury mattress containing zoned-support coils and multiple layers of pressure-relieving foam. However, this mattress is definitely on the firmer side, with an 8/10 level of firmness. Considering the industry standard is 6.5/10, this mattress is for people who want a firmer feel. In light of that, this mattress is great for back and stomach sleepers, especially those on the heavier side, but side sleepers and lightweight sleepers may find it too hard. The Emma Hybrid has multiple upper comfort layers, with a base of coils and dense foam. This combination creates a balance of comfort and support where you should experience decent pressure relief amidst a mattress that specializes in providing firm support.
Notably, back sleepers should feel that the Emma Hybrid offers exceptional spine support when resting, helping them avoid the problematic sinkage they may feel when easing into a classic memory foam bed. However, if you prefer memory foam’s plush feel, the Emma Hybrid is likely too firm for you despite its foam components. Back sleepers, especially heavier back sleepers, should definitely consider the Emma Hybrid if they’re looking for an ultra-firm mattress that still incorporates cushioning foam components in its design.
What We Love About the Emma Hybrid Comfort
The Emma Hybrid Comfort is ideal for heavy people. Its zoned coil layer is perfect for weights up to 300 lbs, and its foams are high-density, so they should support heavier weights very well.
The Emma Hybrid’s covers and foams are meant to dissipate heat, and there is also a coil layer that helps promote airflow. This means that the mattress shouldn’t sleep hot.
As we’ve mentioned before on this page, most mattresses we test are medium-firm. This one is firmer than average, which may work well for sleepers who prefer a harder sleeping surface.
What to Keep in Mind About the Emma Hybrid Comfort
This is a bouncy bed that doesn’t offer much contouring. If you prefer mattresses that allow you to sink in, you may want to consider an all-foam mattress.
In addition to the point above, mattresses that don’t offer contouring and pressure relief likely won’t work for back sleepers who shift to their sides. Side sleepers tend to need more joint and pressure relief than this mattress offers.
Other user reviews
On the Emma website, customers gave the Hybrid Comfort mattress an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Some of the more positive feedback included how bouncy and responsive it is, and how supportive it is for heavier folks. Most of the negative feedback revolved around the brand’s customer service.
Saatva – Best Innerspring Mattress for Back Sleepers
Best Innerspring Mattress
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.3
Saatva
Saatva Classic
Multiplem Firmnesses
Durable
Responsive
Hybrid mattress
365-night sleep trial
Free white glove delivery
Limited Time Offer
Take $300 off your order of $1,000 or more See Details
The Saatva is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Luxury Firm model a 7/10, which is a bit firmer than average.
Price
$1,295-$2,790 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king, split California king
Stomach Sleepers
Supportive enough for stomach sleepers under 230 lbs.
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 300 lbs.
Hot Sleepers
This bed’s cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros
The Saatva mattress is a great option for combination sleepers. It is available in multiple firmness options, but the Luxury Firm model works well for multiple sleeping positions.
The Luxury Firm model of the Saatva will work well for most back sleepers. Its balance of comfort and support and zoned construction ensure you’ll sleep in good neutral alignment.
Shoppers looking for a long-lasting mattress will love the Saatva. It feature high-density foam and durable coils that should ensure it lasts for over 10 years.
Cons
If you like the feel of a memory foam mattress, you’re not going to love the feel of the Saatva.
Lightweight side sleepers might not get the best pressure relief, even on the softest Saatva model.
Shipping
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period. A removal fee of $99 will be deducted from your refund.
The Saatva is a luxurious hybrid innerspring mattress that should be a great long-term investment. It is available in multiple firmness options, so it should work for the majority of sleeping positions, and its Luxury Firm model is one of the best mattresses for back sleepers. However, lightweight side sleepers and fans of memory foam should look elsewhere. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
The Saatva uses coils, memory foam, and organic cotton to deliver a luxury-grade sleeping experience for back sleepers. Unlike many other mattresses, the firm layer of coils makes the Saatva great for not only lightweight and average-weight back sleepers, but also heavier (230 lb and over) back sleepers. Notably, when testing Saatva’s support and responsiveness, our sleep specialists gave the Saatva a 4.5/5 for both. Furthermore, the innerspring design really stimulates airflow through Saatva’s core, creating a super cool (4/5) sleeping surface. Our heavyweight tester, who weighs 250 pounds, took multiple naps on the Saatva in different positions and determined that the mattress provides great spine and joint support regardless of which position you occupy. As a result, combination sleepers can really enjoy the versatile construction of this bed.
Despite different types of sleepers enjoying the Saatva, its coils create quite a bit of bounce. While such bounce is great for sex, moving around on the bed, and experiencing consistent support, it did result in less-than-perfect motion isolation (3/5). The Saatva should help provide a firm yet plush base for back sleepers, making it our favorite innerspring mattress for people who rest on their backs.
What We Love About the Saatva
The Saatva comes in multiple firmness options, but for back sleepers, we recommend the Luxury Firm version. Your hips should sink into the mattress, and the coil layers should hold your body up properly.
The Saatva has zoned construction, so it should feel firmer or softer depending on your sleeping position. Even if you’re a back sleeper who shifts into other sleeping positions, you should feel comfortable on the Saatva.
We rank the Saatva as one of the best orthopedic mattresses. Its plush foams and dual coils make it comfortable yet supportive, and it helps keep the spine in neutral alignment and relieves pressure on the joints.
What to Keep in Mind About the Saatva
If you love a super soft, plush-feeling mattress, this one isn’t for you. Even the softest model of the mattresses isn’t as soft as its competitors.
The Saatva is bouncy and responsive, so if you prefer a memory foam mattress, this won’t be a good fit.
Other user reviews
Users seem to love the Saatva mattress, as it’s rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on the Saatva website. The top reviews raved about how great the brand’s customer support team was, as well as the luxury feel of the product. Some users even went as far as claiming that they have improved sleep quality since purchasing the mattress.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The WinkBed EcoCloud is a hybrid mattress, meaning the bed uses innerspring coils and foam comfort layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress a 6.5/10, meaning the bed is an industry standard medium-firm.
Price
$1,399 – $2,399 (before discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
Back Sleepers
Offers excellent support for heavy weight back sleepers.
Side Sleepers
Average weight heavy weight side sleepers should feel supported.
Pros of the WinkBed EcoCloud
Sleeps super cool thanks to use of natural, breathable materials.
Environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced materials.
Testers thought the bed had excellent edge support and pressure relief.
Cons of the WinkBed EcoCloud
Has a higher price point stemming from materials.
Not as great an option for stomach sleepers.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
The WinkBeds EcoCloud is a hybrid mattress made with organic materials and zoned latex, offering a balanced feel with natural, sustainable materials. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
The WinkBeds EcoCloud is an eco-friendly luxury bed that uses wool, cotton, coils, and latex in its construction. The EcoCloud has a 6.5/10 firmness, which typically may be too soft for heavier back sleepers, but due to the bounce generated from the bed’s latex layer, heavier back sleepers should really appreciate it. The EcoCloud allows heavier back sleepers to rest their spine more safely in the bed’s comfort layers without compromising their posture’s alignment. Our testers deemed the EcoCloud excellent for all back sleepers. However, most stomach sleepers will likely not get enough hip support, which could intensify back inflammation.
Latex beds are notorious for their exceptional bounce and responsiveness but, unfortunately, also for their subpar motion isolation (2/5). Our testers discovered this to be the case with the EcoCloud as well. However, it’s not all bad; this level of bounce and support resulted in exceptional scores when testing the EcoCloud’s support (4.5/5), edge support (4.5/5), and durability 5/5). In addition, hot sleepers can enjoy the EcoCloud’s cooling latex foam and coiled layers, as testers found the bed’s sleeping surface cool (4/5) to the touch. Notably, the EcoCloud’s name references its super eco-friendly design, with WinkBeds using primarily eco-friendly and non-toxic materials when building this mattress. This means that beyond being a more conscientious consumer choice considering its environmental impact, the EcoCloud is a highly hypoallergenic bed, free of many of the toxic chemicals you may find in cheaper generic mattresses.
What We Love About the WinkBeds EcoCloud
It’s an eco-friendly mattress, meaning that the foam layer is made from latex foam instead of memory foam. This, in combination with the breathable coils, makes it a great cooling mattress for hot sleepers.
Latex is a much more durable material than regular foam, so the WinkBeds EcoCloud should be a durable and long-lasting mattress.
Back sleepers who need a balance of comfort and support.
What to Keep in Mind About the WinkBeds EcoCloud
Much like many of the other mattresses on this page, the WinkBeds EcoCloud is perfectly medium-firm. This means that if you prefer a mattress that is very soft or very firm, this may not be a great fit for you.
Since it’s a latex mattress and made with other high-quality materials, the WinkBeds EcoCloud is not a cheap mattress and may be too expensive for shoppers on a budget. Check out some of the best cheap mattresses for affordable alternatives.
Other user reviews
The WinkBeds EcoCloud mattress has a pretty high rating on the company’s site, averaging a 4.8 rating out of 5 stars. Some of the most positive reviews praised the mattress for being extremely comfortable and lacking an off-gassing smell, unlike some of its competitors. However, some of the less positive reviews say that since the mattress is bouncy, they are disturbed by their partner’s movements at night.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.5
Nolah
Nolah Evolution
Multiple Firmnesses
Cooling
Motion Isolation
Hybrid mattress
120-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Cyber Monday Sale
35% off sitewide + 2 free pillows + $150 off BedJet with mattress purchase See Details
The Nolah Evolution is a hybrid mattress, which means it has coils at the bottom and memory foam on top.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options: Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Luxury Firm model a 6.5/10, which is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$1,499-$3,198 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Back Sleepers
The Nolah Evolution Hybrid offers great lumbar support for most back sleepers under 300 lb.
Hot Sleepers
This bed has graphite-infused foam, which helps dissipate body heat. It also has coils that promote airflow.
Pros of the Nolah Evolution
It has great cooling features, such as graphite-infused foam and airflow-promoting coils.
Even though it has coils, it isolates motion well. This makes it a great mattress for couples.
It’s available in three firmness levels, so it works for a variety of people.
Cons of the Nolah Evolution
It lacks a slow-moving feel.
It’s not supportive enough for most people who weigh more than 300 lb.
Because it’s a luxurious mattress, it might be too pricey for some people.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
The Nolah Evolution Hybrid mattress is available in three firmness levels. The Luxury Firm model works well for many back and side sleepers. This mattress has many cooling features, and it isolates motion well. It’s not a great option for most people who weigh over 300 lb, though. If you fall in this category, you may need more lumbar support. Watch our Nolah Evolution mattress review video to learn more.
Our Expert’s Take
The Nolah Evolution is a hybrid mattress made of high-quality foam and coils, which deliver what our testers have determined is “excellent lumbar support for back sleepers.” According to our sleep specialists, the Evolution creates a “balanced hybrid feel” that allows back sleepers to safely ease into the bed’s upper comfort foam layers without disrupting their spine’s alignment. The bed’s healthy cradle of your spine not only prevents inflammation from building up in your back, but may help to alleviate it by allowing your spine to focus on restoring itself while in its healthiest resting position when you sleep. Notably, the Evolution is excellent for lightweight and average-weight back sleepers and “fair” for heavier back sleepers. I should point out, though, that this was determined by tests conducted on Nola’s luxury firm model. Fortunately, Nolah offers its Evolution mattress in plush, luxury firm, and firm firmness options, allowing you to likely, regardless of how you sleep, find a mattress that best suits your specific sleeping patterns.
The Nolah Evolution has a zoned-support design, which ensures firmer support in some areas and softer cushioning in others where your body needs it. This zoned support helps to maximize pressure relief while maintaining support according to your body’s demands, making it a more orthopedic mattress by design.
In addition to exceptional support (4/5), I should note that our testers gave the Nolah Evolution a 5/5 for its cooling abilities, making it a great option for back sleepers who struggle to stay comfortably cool at night.
What We Love About the Nolah Evolution
The Nolah Evolution is made with coils that promote airflow, and its foam layers are infused with graphite. This helps with cooling and makes the mattress a good fit for sleepers who tend to overheat at night.
We expect the Nolah Evolution to be a long-term investment thanks to its high-quality foams and coils. With proper care, we expect this mattress to last at least a decade.
Partners who want the best mattress for sex typically will want a mattress that is bouncy and responsive. This makes the Nolah Evolution a good fit.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nolah Evolution
The Nolah Evolution is a luxurious mattress made with high-quality materials, so it comes at a luxurious price tag. If you’re looking for a less expensive mattress with similar features, try the original Nolah mattress instead.
We noticed some off-gassing with the Nolah Evolution mattress, which is common for bed-in-a-box mattresses. After about a day or two of airing out the mattress, the smell should dissipate.
Other user reviews
The Nolah Evolution is one of the most highly rated mattresses on the Nolah site, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, giving it an almost perfect score. Some of the best reviews praised the luxury feel of the mattress, as well as the high-quality materials, and many reviewers also praised the comfort of the mattress. What’s even better is that customers also seemed to love the brand’s customer service team.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
3.8
Bear
Bear Original
Medium-Firm Feel
Affordable
Lifetime Warranty
Foam mattress
120-night sleep trial
Free shipping
December Deals
Use code DEAL30 for 30% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with mattress purchase See Details
The Bear Original is a memory foam mattress. It features softer foam layers for cushioning and firmer ones for support.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 6.5/10. This is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$786-$1,690 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Side Sleepers
Great pressure relief for side sleepers under 230 lbs.
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Hot Sleepers
This bed’s cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros of the Bear Original Mattress
The Bear’s gel-infused memory foam can help hot sleepers stay cool throughout the night.
It’s an affordable option. A queen-size Bear mattress is less than $1,000, even before discounts.
Bear offers a lifetime warranty on this mattress. That means if you find any covered defects or indentations during the life of your mattress, they will replace it free of charge.
Cons of the Bear Original Mattress
This bed probably isn’t a good fit for side sleepers who weigh over 230 lbs.
Stomach sleepers likely won’t find this bed firm enough to keep their spine in proper alignment.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
The Bear Original is a memory foam mattress with broad appeal. It provides good support and pressure relief for side and back sleepers who weigh less than 230 lbs and comes with plenty of cooling features. It isn’t firm enough for most sleepers who weigh more than 230 lbs, though. If you need a more supportive bed, check out the Plank Firm. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
The Bear is an affordable luxury mattress that is great for back and side sleepers. Its cooling memory foam and breathable quilted cover top help it retain a sleep-friendly temperature when resting on its surface. Furthermore, our testers found that the Bear offered back sleepers durable support (4/5) despite being an all-foam mattress. This is likely due to the durable foam materials Bear uses for its mattresses, which allow for a plush feeling when easing into this bed’s comfort layers without having your spine “bottom out” due to a lack of support. In addition to more durable and hot-sleeper-friendly foam materials used by Bear, the company uses only GREENGUARD GOLD and CertiPUR-US Certified foam materials. This means the Bear is lower in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and has a more eco-friendly manufacturing process. As a result, you shouldn’t expect the chemical-like smell you may expect from other all-foam mattresses when they first arrive.
In addition to a more reliably cool sleeping surface, the Bear has excellent motion isolation (4.5/5), which will appeal to couples. This means that if you’re sharing the bed, you or your partner are less likely to disturb each other if either of you tends to move around at night. The Bear’s quality cooling should also be of interest to couples seeking a bed. The Bear’s ability to dissipate body heat should help couples cuddle or rest near each other without being overwhelmed with shared sweat. Overall, the Bear is a great foam option if you’re sleeping on your back and want a mattress that relieves pressure without making you feel clammy.
What We Love About the Bear
It’s a good balance of comfort and support, which is one of the major reasons why we highlight it as one of the best mattresses for back sleepers.
Though the Bear mattress is an all-foam mattress, it shouldn’t sleep hot. It’s made with a celliant cover that helps with cooling, and the foams within the mattress are infused with graphite.
Because it’s an all-foam mattress, the Bear mattress is great at isolating motion. This makes it a great fit for couples who disturb each other throughout the night with their movements.
What to Keep in Mind About the Bear
As we’ve mentioned before, this mattress, like others on this list isn’t firm enough for stomach sleepers. Check out our list of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers if you sleep on your stomach as well as your back.
If you want a bouncy, innerspring mattress feel, try another mattress, such as the Helix Dusk.
Other user reviews
On the Bear website, real customers who reviewed the mattress gave it a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. Back sleepers in particular tended to find this mattress comfortable, along with side sleepers, and the highest ratings seemed to come from them. Some users complained that this mattress doesn’t work well for stomach sleeping, though.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options available.
Price
$1,199 – $2,665 (before discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, California king, split California king, RV king, RV bunk
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Side Sleepers
Great pressure relief for side sleepers over 130 lbs.
Hot Sleepers
This bed’s cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
Available in a large variety of sizes. Whether you’re looking to add this to your bedroom or fit it in your RV, you should be able to find the right size.
This bed performed well on our cooling tests, making it a good fit for hot sleepers.
Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
This bed isn’t supportive enough for stomach sleepers.
Heavyweight sleepers who weigh more than 230 lbs won’t find enough support on this bed.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period. A removal fee of $99 will be deducted from your refund.
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe offers a responsive surface great for combination sleepers. It’s also a good choice for hot sleepers looking for a bed that can keep them cool but that’s available in a wide array of sizes. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
The Aurora Luxe by Brooklyn Bedding offers back sleepers exceptional lumbar support while still delivering deep pressure relief. One of our testers took a nap on the Aurora Lux on his back and attested to the benefits of this bed’s hybrid design, saying, “I felt the sturdy coils support my lower back and the memory foam cushion my shoulders.” While great for back sleepers, the Aurora Lux’s hybrid design is generally a great mattress for helping ease back pain. Our testers gave the Aurora Lux a 4/5 for its support but warned that this level of support only applied to back and side sleepers, as stomach sleepers likely will need a firmer mattress. Furthermore, due to its hybrid design, the Aurora Luxe offers the pressure relief of foam without trapping body heat. Due to its coiled core, our testers found the mattress provided excellent temperature regulation (4/5). More specifically, one tester used a heat gauge gun to measure the difference in temperature before and after resting on the Aurora Luxe and found the surface temperature only rose by six degrees, which is pretty impressive when considering the heat our bodies generate.
Overall, the Aurora Luxe allows back sleepers to safely sink into the cradle of memory foam while still getting quality support and plenty of airflow.
What We Love About the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is made with cooling materials including a breathable cover and gel-infused foams. This makes it a great choice for people who tend to sleep hot at night.
We listed it as a great choice for back sleepers since it does a great job of balancing comfort and support.
It’s bouncy and responsive, so for folks who need to change positions easily throughout the night, this should be a great fit.
What to Keep in Mind About the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
Heavy people probably won’t be supported enough on this mattress. If you weigh more than 230 lbs, you may want to opt for other Brooklyn Bedding mattresses, such as the Titan.
Much like other bed-in-a-box mattresses, the Aurora Luxe does have some initial chemical smells when it’s first unboxed, otherwise known as an off-gassing smell. This odor should dissipate within 24-48 hours, though.
Other user reviews
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe seems to be liked by customers, as it’s rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on the company website. Some of the top reviews praised how comfortable the mattress is and said that it kept them from tossing and turning throughout the night. The few negative reviews mostly stated that the mattress wasn’t comfortable enough.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The Plank Firm Luxe is a hybrid mattress, meaning it contains both coil and foam layers.
Firmness
The Plank Firm Luxe is flippable, offering an 8/10 (firm) firmness on one side and 9/10 (ultra-firm) on the other.
Price
$693-$1,299 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, Olympic queen, king, short king, California king, split California king, RV king
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Stomach Sleepers
Provides lots of support under hips for stomach sleepers.
Hot Sleepers
This bed’s optional cooling panel can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros of the Plank Firm Mattress
The mattress is flippable, giving you two different firmness options (firm and extra-firm) in one bed.
You can add a cooling cover to each side for a modest fee.
Cons of the Plank Firm Mattress
It doesn’t offer a slow-moving memory foam feel. You’ll feel more on-top of the bed, than sunken in.
Side sleepers may not be able to get enough pressure relief, even on the bed’s less firm side.
Shipping
Free shipping except for HI and AK
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
$99 return fee
The Plank Firm Luxe is a versatile ultra-firm mattress for sleepers who may typically struggle to find a bed that offers the level of firmness they need (heavyweight, stomach, and back sleepers in particular). Moreover, the bed’s dual firmness levels, and cozy, cool, yet durable construction, make the Plank Firm Luxe our favorite firm mattress for back pain.
Our Expert’s Take
The Plank Firm Luxe is an ultra-firm mattress that is uniquely flippable. On the Plank Firm Luxe, one side has an 8/10 firmness, and the other has a 9/10 firmness. Regardless of which side you choose, this is one of the firmer mattresses available. This level of firmness is particularly helpful to stomach sleepers and heavier back sleepers. Because of this firmness, you can also expect consistent support and responsiveness across the entirety of the Plank Luxe’s surface, which is why our testers gave the Plank Luxe a nearly perfect 4.5/5 for its edge support. This level of edge support also makes it easier to get in and out of bed or comfortably sleep on the edges of the bed if you share it.
This bed is not for most lightweight or side sleepers. However, the Plank Luxe received some quality scores concerning average-weight and heavy-weight back and stomach sleepers. Our testers gave the Plank Luxe a 4.5/5 for its support and a 4/5 for its durability. When testing out the Plank Luxe, we found it also had great temperature control (4/5) due to the airflow produced by its coiled layer and breathable cover top.
If you’re on the heavier side and seeking a mattress that you can comfortably hang out or rest on the edges of, the Plank Luxe is a great choice. Furthermore, expect firm support for your spine if you sleep on your back and have had issues getting the posture support you need with less firm mattresses that may be unable to hold up your weight.
What We Love About the Plank Firm Luxe
The Plank Firm Luxe is a flippable mattress, meaning that you get two firmness options in one mattress.
If you’re a lover of firm mattresses, this one is for you. The Plank Firm Luxe is an extremely firm mattress. It’s an 8/10 on our firmness scale on the soft side and a 9/10 on the firm side.
There is an optional GlacioTex cooling cover for the Plank Firm Luxe, so hot sleepers should stay cool on this mattress.
What to Keep in Mind About the Plank Firm Luxe
If you’re a fan of soft mattresses, or even medium firm mattresses, this won’t be a good fit for you. This mattress is one of the firmest mattresses on the market.
If you like to be hugged by your mattress, again, this won’t be a good fit. The Plank won’t give you a contouring feel at all.
Other user reviews
On the company site, the Plank was rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by real customers. Many customers raved about the fact that the mattress was firm but could be flipped for either a softer or firmer feel. On the contrary, some of the less positive reviews were that the mattress was too firm, making it uncomfortable.
Birch Natural – Best Eco-Friendly Mattress for Back Sleepers
Best Eco-Friendly Mattress
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.5
Birch
Birch Natural
Firm Feel
Sustainably Made
Responsive
Latex mattress
100-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Cyber Monday Sale – Extended!
Save 20% sitewide + 2 FREE pillows with any mattress ($150+ value) See Details
The Birch Natural is a latex hybrid mattress. It has both cushioning latex and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 7/10. This is just slightly firmer than average.
Price
$1,498-$2,498 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Stomach Sleepers
Supportive enough for stomach sleepers under 230 lbs.
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Hot Sleepers
This bed’s cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros of the Birch Natural
The Birch Natural is made with sustainable materials that have earned certifications from multiple third-party organizations, including GOTS and GREENGUARD.
Thanks to the latex layer, this bed is a bouncy, responsive mattress. Combination sleepers will appreciate how easy it is to change positions on it.
Ventilated latex and individually wrapped coils make for a breathable, cool night’s rest on this bed. Hot sleepers shouldn’t have to worry about this mattress trapping heat.
Cons of the Birch Natural
This bed is likely too firm to provide the cushioning most side sleepers need.
With such a responsive surface, this mattress won’t offer much motion isolation.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
25-year warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period. A removal fee of $99 will be deducted from your refund.
The Birch Natural is a great option if you’re looking for a sustainable, responsive bed. It features natural latex and individually wrapped coils for comfort and support. Its firmness is best suited to back and stomach sleepers under 230 lbs, though, so side sleeepers should opt for a softer bed, like the Helix Midnight. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
The Birch Natural is a slightly firmer (7/10) all-natural hybrid mattress that is great for back and stomach sleepers. While not ideal for side sleepers, back and stomach sleepers can enjoy what our testers determined was a 5/5 level of support on the Birch Natural. Also, the Birch Natural is one of the most eco-friendly mattresses available today. The Birch uses only certified organic and natural materials in its construction. The Birch is also fair-trade and GREENGUARD GOLD certified.
The Birch Natural uses organic cotton, wool, and all-natural latex for its upper comfort layers and base around its core layer of coils (for support and airflow), which is produced under eco-friendly conditions. Moreover, due to its all-natural design, the Birch offers one of the more hypoallergenic mattresses available today and is generally free of toxins. This hyper-eco-friendly build didn’t result in lower scores by our testers either. The Birch scored quite well when putting it to the test. The Birch scored a 4.5/5 for its edge support, 4.5/5 for its durability, and most impressively, a perfect 5/5 for its temperature regulation, which is rare for our testers to give to a mattress.
The Birch Natural is not only one of the more eco-friendly mattresses we’ve reviewed, but it’s also one of the highest-scoring. Back sleepers who want a more ethical mattress will not only feel better about purchasing the Birch but will likely be very pleased with the quality of sleep they get on this luxury mattress.
What We Love About the Birch Natural
As its mattress lab scores indicate, the Birch Natural sleeps exceptionally cool, making it an excellent fit for hot sleepers. Testers said the bed is one of the most breathable mattresses they’ve tried.
Some mattresses collapse when you sit near or on the edge of them. That’s not the case with this one. The Birch Natural has some nice edge support, so you should feel supported if you sleep near the perimeter.
The Birch Natural should last you quite a while — between 7-10 years — thanks to its use of eco-friendly but durable materials like latex.
What to Keep in Mind About the Birch Natural
If you prefer soft or medium-firm mattresses, this one won’t be a good fit. It’s firmer than average, and we rank it 7/10 on our firmness scale.
If you sleep with a partner and their movements wake you up at night, the Birch Natural might be a poor choice. Bouncy latex and coils don’t isolate motion as well as memory foam beds, so disturbances from movement are more likely.
Other user reviews
On the Birch Natural page, customers gave the mattress an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Customers love the bed’s use of organic materials, lack of unboxing odor, and cool feel. There are no 1- or 2-star reviews, and a few 3-star reviews were from customers who didn’t think find the mattress to feel as they expected.
Birch Natural Mattress Specs
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
25-Year Warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
100 Nights
Shipping
Free Shipping
Weight (Queen)
Not specified on manufacturer site but likely 110-130 pounds
Important Considerations When Shopping for The Best Mattress for Back Sleepers
Mattress Firmness
At Mattress Clarity, we always rate firmness on a scale of 1 to 10. Back sleepers will want to find something in the medium-firm range of 6.5 to 7. If the mattress is too soft, they might not get the support they need, and their hips could sink in too far (potentially leading to lower back pain). If the mattress is too firm, they won’t sink in far enough and get the contouring that they need.
Let’s dig into that a little further. Dr. Daniel Davids, a DPT and Mattress Clarity Expert Network Member, explains that we actually require natural motion while we sleep, which can be unhealthily reduced by a too-soft bed. Unlike standing, walking, or other upright activities, Davids says actions like lying down and sleeping allow our muscles to be in a relatively off position. Because our muscles provide stability to our joints when they’re relaxed, our joints also relax. However, he says that if we maintain a position for too long that pushes the limits of our joint range, we may wake up with pain or stiffness.
Likewise, a mattress that’s too stiff puts undue pressure on certain areas of our body with “bony prominences” — areas where the bone isn’t as covered with soft tissue (muscle and fat), says Davids. This issue can even lead to skin breakdown as we see with seniors and bedsores. Check out our best mattresses for seniors page to see alternative recommendations.
Comfort Layer Thickness
When consumers are looking at the design of the mattress, they should pay close attention to the thickness of the comfort layer. While a thick comfort layer can be nice for those who sleep on their side, back sleepers won’t want it to be too thick. A comfort layer between 2″ and 4″ should allow them to sink into the mattress just enough while still getting enough support for their back and cushioning in their lumbar area.
Your Weight
As with any mattress purchase, people will want to consider their overall size and weight. A mattress that’s supportive enough for a lighter-weight sleeper might not support a heavier sleeper. Likewise, a larger person might think a mattress is perfect for back-sleeping, while a lighter person could possibly find it too firm. Consumers should definitely keep their size in mind when attempting to find that perfect balance between comfort and support.
Best Mattress Types for Back Sleepers
There are a few major types of mattresses, and they all offer benefits and drawbacks when it comes to back-sleeping. Let’s discuss exactly how each one can be a good and poor fit.
Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses are good for back sleepers in that they provide excellent contouring and really fill all the gaps (such as the lumbar area) that naturally occur when you rest on your back. They can also be extremely soft, however, and sometimes don’t offer the best support for back-sleeping. If a shopper wants a memory foam mattress for back-sleeping, they should find something where the comfort layer isn’t too thick. They’ll want a bed that will allow their hips to sink in just the right amount while the mattress supports the rest of their body.
Innerspring
A mattress with high-grade coils can indeed be a good match for back-sleeping, but it really comes down to the overall firmness and what’s in the comfort layer. If an innerspring mattress is too firm, it can push the hips out of the mattress and cause back pain. That’s why innerspring pillow-top mattresses are often a good fit for back-sleeping. The pillow-top adds some softness and allows those hips to sink in just a bit. If shoppers want an innerspring mattress for back-sleeping, they just need to make sure it is truly medium-firm.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses provide the soft comfort of foam and the support of coils, both of which help back sleepers rest comfortably. However, there are still a few things to look out for. First off, make sure the comfort layer is the right thickness. If it’s a thick layer of memory foam, your spine might get out of alignment while you’re sleeping. If it’s just a thin layer of a firmer foam, the mattress might push the hips out of the mattress.
Latex
Latex mattresses are known for being eco-friendly, but how do they work for back-sleeping? First off, latex is a denser material that can sometimes be on the firmer side. If it’s too dense, it might not let sleepers’ hips sink in the right amount. So, back sleepers want to make sure there’s some give in place. Latex mattresses can also be good for back-sleeping because they’re highly durable. While they do cost more, they’re a better long-term investment and are less likely to sag.
Is Back Sleeping Healthy?
Yes. In fact, most medical professionals consider back sleeping to be the healthiest of all the positions. As a back sleeper, you’re less likely to face the pressure point pain that often comes with side sleeping, and the lower back pain that often comes with stomach sleeping.
While you already have a leg-up on the other sleeping positions in terms of sleep health, there are still some things you should keep in mind as a back sleeper. Back sleeping can cause snoring, as in this position the tissues in your throat can naturally fall backwards and restrict airflow. If this is a problem for you, though, you could consider a wedge pillow, which will adjust your angle of rest so as to prevent airway restriction.
Doctors also recommend that pregnant people avoid back sleeping, as it can lead to the reduction of blood flow to the fetus. For more on this, check out our guide on how to get the best sleep during pregnancy.
Sleep Accessories for Back-Sleeping
For back sleepers, getting a good night’s rest doesn’t stop with finding a mattress. There are also some accessories that can help ensure comfort and support.
First off, a pillow can really help with back-sleeping if it’s a proper fit. Back sleepers should look for something that isn’t too thick and isn’t too thin. A pillow with a medium loft will keep the head, neck, and spine neutrally aligned. These can come in many types, including latex and memory foam. There are also some pillows made specifically to support the neck. Make sure to take a look at our best pillows for back sleepers for more information.
Mattress toppers can also be a great accessory for back sleepers, especially if their current mattress is too firm. A 2″ or 3″ mattress topper can add just a bit of comfort to the top of the mattress, providing some more contouring and allowing the hips to sink in. There are also zoned mattress toppers that can provide some more lumbar support for back sleepers.
Overall
Here’s a recap of our top picks for the best mattresses for back sleepers:
Medium-firm mattresses are great for back sleepers since it supports proper spinal alignment while cushioning the shoulders and hips.
Are foam mattresses good for back sleepers?
Memory foam is great for back sleepers since it cradles the body in some of the heavier places while also cushioning the spine.
Which thickness is best for back sleepers?
We recommend sleepers have mattresses at least 10″ thick, regardless of your sleep position.
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Marten Carlson
Lead Mattress Reviewer
About Author
Marten has been writing about mattresses and sleep health for six years. He is the lead reviewer at Mattress Clarity where he tests mattresses, bedding, and sleep accessories.
In his role here, Marten’s reviewed over 500 mattresses and 150 sleep accessories (so you can rest assured that if he recommends a product, it’s been put through the wringer in our Austin studio). In addition, he has written more than 400 articles reviewing the quality of sleep and sleep products as well as sleep health. He’s especially interested in the correlation between sleep and mental health.
Marten’s also got a personal stake in sleep health. After writing dozens of pieces on the dangers of sleep apnea, he decided to get tested for the condition. Realizing he did, in fact, suffer from sleep apnea, he immediately started using a CPAP machine. He knows all too well the importance of a healthy night’s sleep and is passionate about helping others get the healthy, restorative sleep they deserve.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Film Production from Denison University and his master’s degree in Film Studies from Emory University.