Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers (2025)

Helix designed this upgraded hybrid with back and stomach sleepers in mind. Our testers found it just slightly firmer than medium-firm, rating its firmness level at 7/10. It delivered handily in pressure relief, with testers across weight classes noting steady spinal alignment and gentle contouring in the shoulders and lumbar zone when they tested the Dusk Luxe on their backs.

Mattress tester Sosha Lewis was particularly impressed: “It’s the perfect combination of plush and contouring. Excellent support, and it fills in the gap on my lower back so nicely. Plus, my shoulders feel fantastic.” Our heavyweight tester experienced a bit too much sinkage, but the mattress still scored well for pressure relief for larger-bodied sleepers, earning 4/5 stars. Overall, we found it delivered a great balance of support and cushion, especially for fans of a firmer feel.

The Helix Dusk Luxe also earned top marks for cooling and responsiveness with 5/5 stars in both categories, and a close-to-perfect score in edge support with 4.8/5 stars. That makes it an excellent fit for back sleepers who tend to run warm, prefer more rebound, or share the bed with a partner and need room to spread out. The brand offers a 120-night sleep trial and a limited lifetime warranty, but a queen-size Dusk Luxe is on the pricier side. Before discounts, it retails for around $2,399.

Read our full Helix Dusk Luxe mattress review for more details on this bed. Heavyweight sleepers looking for more firmness and extra support may want to consider the WinkBed Plus.

The Nectar Classic is the brand’s flagship memory foam model. It’s a bargain buy at $649 for a queen, and it has the slow-moving, doughy contouring of traditional memory foam. Mattress tester Livvi DiCiccio found it really accommodating for back sleeping, describing this position as “a breeze” on the Classic. “The bed conforms to your lumbar area and fills in the space there, and it’s supportive enough to feel comfortable as it cushions,” she said.

At the same time, we found the Nectar Classic balanced this doughy feel with firmer support. We gave it a 7/10 on the firmness scale, so it’s a touch harder than those with a medium-firm feel. The all-foam model has no coils, but its sturdy foam layers help maintain a supported posture with just a bit of sink. We think it’s a good match for average-weight back sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds, though the pressure relief may be lacking for back sleepers who weigh less than that.

The Nectar Classic earned its highest score (5/5 stars) for its cooling ability — an unusual feat since all-foam beds don’t typically allow as much airflow as those with coils. Our testers were also impressed by its excellent motion isolation, a hallmark of memory foam. Couples who routinely disturb one another when they roll over in bed should find the Classic’s motion-dampening foam layers help their sleep quality. And while the mattress didn’t score particularly well for edge support when our testers sat on the side, it was a much better story when they lay on their backs.

Read our full Nectar Classic mattress review for a closer look at this bed. Adults with mobility issues who need sturdy edges to make getting in and out of bed easier should consider the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid.

Hybrids tend to be a good fit for back sleepers thanks to their combination of supportive coils and cushioning foams. That’s exactly what you get with the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid. It’s an affordable mattress, priced at $699 for a queen. However, don’t let the cost fool you; this six-layer entry-level hybrid has a few surprises up its sleeve, scoring at least 4/5 stars in every test we ran.

We found the mattress quite a bit firmer than expected, rating it 7.5/10, which might be a little too firm for some people. That was the case for mattress tester Kayla Godfrey, but she still reported feeling very supported on her back. “I felt very well aligned. It did a great job of supporting my hips and keeping my upper and lower back feeling great,” she added. All three testers who assessed the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid for pressure relief reported excellent alignment and comfortable cushioning in the lumbar zone with a notable uplifted sensation. It means you won’t get the classic slow-moving feel of memory foam, even with the bed’s memory foam top layer.

The Classic Hybrid is a great choice for couples too. The mattress scored high in motion isolation and cooling with 4/5 stars, and it got a perfect 5/5 stars in responsiveness. That means fans of a springier bed should have no issues moving around.

Find more details in our full DreamCloud Classic Hybrid mattress review. If you prefer a more traditional memory foam feel, you may do better on the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid.

Back sleepers have a lot of direct contact with the mattress, which increases the chance of overheating. The WinkBed GravityLux, despite being an all-foam model, features a breathable cover and cooling gel layers that effectively combat heat retention.

During testing, we found the GravityLux to be another firmer-than-average model that really delivered for back sleeping. Our tester Sosha Lewis, who rated the bed 7.5/10 on the firmness scale, said, “The upper foam layer provided just enough cushioning while the support/firmness was close to perfection. I loved how it filled in my lower back. It was like I could feel it pulling the soreness from that area away.”

The GravityLux is available in different firmness levels. Our in-house team tested the medium model, which is advertised as a 5/10 on the firmness scale. The firmer model is likely going to run too firm for most back sleepers, but the softer mattress that we tested could be a good option for fans of cloud-like plushness. 

Sosha was just as impressed with the bed’s pressure relief when she tested it on her back, which earned the bed 5/5 stars. “Back sleepers will love this bed,” she said. “It really hit the sweet spot for my hips, as they are nicely elevated but not overly so. I feel really neutral and straight.” That wasn’t the case for all of our testers. Matt Schickling, our heavyweight tester, reported pressure in his lower back, while lightweight tester Kate Gorman experienced pressure in the shoulders and not enough cushioning in the lumbar zone.

The GravityLux earned 4.6/5 stars for edge support — unusual for an all-foam model — and it’s incredibly responsive as well. We think this responsiveness will make it a top pick for combination sleepers and sexually active couples who should find it easy to move around on. 

Read our complete WinkBeds GravityLux mattress review. For better pressure relief, consider the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid in this roundup.

The Bear Original is a memory foam model with a sub-$700 price tag for a queen, making it the right mattress for back sleepers shopping on a budget. Like other beds on this list, it has a slightly firmer feel, which we rated 7/10 on our firmness scale. 

Mattress tester Melanie Kassel found it well balanced: “I can feel my hips and backside sink in a bit, but the foam also fills in the gap under my lower back,” she said. “My limbs feel like they don’t sink into the bed at all, unlike my heavier areas, so there is a nice mix of on-top-of-the-mattress support for lighter areas and the contouring you’d expect from foam for heavier areas.”

The Bear Original has a simple four-layer construction that contributes to its low price tag, yet it delivers the support back sleepers need. Tester Kate Meier, a combination back-and-side sleeper who has owned the Bear Original for 3 years, said it’s been excellent for relieving her back pain. “I wake with considerably less lower back pain in the mornings,” she added.

While the Bear mattress scored well overall, its lowest mark came in pressure relief with 3.5/5 stars. Keep in mind that our score is an average of results from testers across different weight classes for both back and side sleeping. 

The Original got 4/5 stars for its pressure relief in the back position from lightweight tester Kate Gorman, who said it contoured nicely to her body. Our heavyweight tester also gave the bed 4/5 stars in the position, so we think the bed offers sufficient pressure relief for most back sleepers.

Most people who get warm at night should find comfort on the Bear, as it got 4/5 stars for its cooling. However, especially hot back sleepers are more likely to benefit from the breathability offered by the pocketed coils in hybrids.

You can find more details in our full Bear Original mattress review. If overheating is an issue, check out our recommendations for the best cooling mattresses for hot sleepers.

The Saatva Classic is a luxury mattress available in a range of firmnesses and two heights to suit different preferences. However, don’t get overwhelmed by the Saatva mattress options; we found they all offer enhanced lumbar support for healthy spinal alignment. That includes an active spinal wire, a gel-infused memory foam, and more support in the center third of the cushioned pillow-top.

We tested the Luxury Firm model, which in-house tester Livvi DiCicco rated as 7.5/10 on our firmness scale. She noted feeling supported and lifted; those with back pain should find that balanced feel and superior spinal alignment a welcome reprieve. Although this bed tends toward the firmer side, its plush, built-in topper provides contouring and helps make the Saatva a best mattress for back pain.  

The Classic earned excellent pressure-relief scores from all our testers, including 5/5 stars from both our average-weight and heavyweight sleepers in the back sleeping position. “The mattress hugs my lower back in a way that relieves its pressure,” said one of our expert product testers. “My hips and shoulders feel aligned nicely. It offers really great support without being too firm or too soft.” 

Matt Schickling, our larger-bodied tester, was just as impressed: “I immediately felt the alignment. It feels like a stretch when you haven’t stretched in a while. Nothing is sinking more than I expected. Overall, I am pretty supported. I feel totally aligned, and there is definitely some pain relief.”

One word of warning: the Saatva Classic is an innerspring mattress, and it has the characteristic bounce of this bed type. We gave the bed 2.7/5 stars for motion isolation, so keep that in mind if you’re easily disturbed by a partner’s movements during the night.

Read our full Saatva Classic mattress review for more details. Check out our guide to the best mattresses for couples if you’re looking for something without as much bounce. 

Not everyone who sleeps on their back spends the entire night in that position. Back sleepers who flip onto their sides need a mattress that accommodates both positions (not to mention delivers good bounce), and we think the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid fits the bill nicely.

Livvi gave the bed 4/5 stars for its responsiveness, which is courtesy of its bouncy coil construction. She noted that it was a little more challenging to move from her stomach to her side, but back-and-side combination sleepers should be able to move pretty seamlessly.

While the mattress shares a comparable feel to others on our list at 7/10 on our firmness scale, it scored very well on pressure relief for average-weight back and side sleepers. Our tester gave the Signature Hybrid 5/5 stars on her back and reported minimal to no pressure. On her side, she gave it 4/5 stars and noted great alignment and nice contouring.

Combination sleepers are a little more active at night, so motion isolation is worth careful consideration. This mattress combines cushioning foams with supportive coils, and it earned 4/5 stars in our motion isolation tests. Livvi reported that a lot of her partner’s movements were muffled by the cushioned top, though she was still aware of him getting in and out of bed. But she added that she’s very picky when it comes to motion isolation. Deeper sleepers are unlikely to be bothered.

The BB Signature Hybrid comes in three firmness options, and it’s priced reasonably at $1,332 before promotional pricing. On the downside, the trial period is only 120 nights, which isn’t quite as generous as some of the others on our list.

Get the full story in our Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress review. If a year-long sleep trial is important to you, both the Nectar Classic and the DreamCloud Classic in this roundup offer 365 nights.

The Avocado Green is a latex mattress constructed with organic materials, making it an eco-friendly alternative to the average bed-in-a-box. It has a lengthy list of impressive credentials: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GREENGUARD Gold, Made Safe, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and more.

These accolades speak to the sustainability, durability, safety, and ethical nature of this mattress. For back sleepers in particular, the Avocado Green also delivers excellent support with its ergonomic coil zones. 

The Avocado Green comes standard with a slightly firmer feel, rated 7/10 by our testers. Mattress tester Kate Meier, a self-described back and side sleeper, said it provides good support for those who prefer a slightly more firm mattress. Even so, the combination of latex foam and springs means the bed doesn’t skimp on pressure relief. 

Our testers across all weight classes gave the bed high scores when tested on their backs. “The mattress is definitely supporting my lower back,” reported Matt Schickling, our heavyweight tester. “I still feel on top of the bed and not in it, but I do feel some good contouring and support in this position. My spine also feels aligned.” Our in-house lightweight tester called the Avocado Green one of the most comfortable mattresses she’s tested on her back.

The drawback to latex is that it’s quite bouncy. The Avocado earned 3/5 stars for motion isolation, making it a good choice for solo sleepers or couples who aren’t easily disturbed. It earned high marks in edge support with 4.6/5 stars, which gives couples room to spread out and ensures stability as you get in and out of bed.

Learn more about this bed in our full Avocado Green mattress review. For more eco-conscious choices, read our top picks for the best organic mattresses.