Best Mattress for Back Sleepers

Written by Bridget Chapman, Senior Product Editor

Our Methodology

Our Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 220 mattresses in our lab, testing each one on its materials, comfort, cooling, support, and other categories.
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Just Updated

We’ve recently re-evaluated all of our top mattress picks for back sleepers and added more feedback from the testers in our lab — so you can rest easy that if it’s on this list, we found it to be both comfortable and supportive, and we stand by its recommendation.

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Shoppers looking for the best mattress for back sleepers may want something that offers a blend of comfort and support. While back sleepers benefit from contouring and pressure relief (especially in the lower back), they also might need a mattress that’s strong and sturdy enough to give them a slight lift and help keep their spine in a neutral alignment.

In this guide, we’re going to introduce folks to the absolute best mattresses for back sleepers. These are beds that truly hit the sweet spot for all the traits mentioned above. We’ve included picks for all types of sleepers, from those who living back pain to folks who sleep hot, budget shoppers, and more. And we of course selected mattresses that shouldn’t put any added pressure on the back, thanks to something called a pressure-map test (more info on that below).

Our Top Pick for Back Sleepers

We have the Emma Hybrid Comfort at the top of our list due to its supportive coils that help with spinal alignment. We also love the soft foams that help cushion the back and prevent back pain.

Best Mattress for Back Sleepers 2023

• Emma Hybrid Comfort – Best Overall
• Saatva – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Lower Back Pain
• Helix Dusk – Best Value Mattress for Back Sleepers
• Nolah Evolution – Best Cooling Mattress for Back Sleepers
• WinkBeds EcoCloud – Best Organic Mattress for Back Sleepers
• Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers
• DreamCloud Premier – Best Hybrid Mattress for Back Sleepers
• Bear – Best Mattress for Back-Sleeping Couples
• Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe – Best Soft Mattress for Back Sleepers
• Birch Natural – Best Latex Mattress for Back Sleepers

Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers Video Review

Comparing the Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers

Emma Hybrid Comfort – Best Overall Mattress for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

Hybrid mattresses are a natural fit for back sleepers because their construction creates a blend of comfort and support. In the case of the Emma Hybrid Comfort, the sturdy springs at the bottom of the mattress help keep sleepers lifted, which in turn helps keep their spines neutrally aligned. But at the top of the mattress, a layer of soft foam and a plush cooling cover provide pressure relief at the lumbar region. So back sleepers get the cushioning they need without sinking too far into the Hybrid Comfort’s layers.

We run all of our mattresses through something called a pressure map test. This is where we spread a specialized mat across the mattress to detect how much pressure it’s putting on our body in different sleeping positions. It then uses thermal imaging to create a color-coded “map” (blue means no pressure, green means little pressure, yellow means moderate pressure, orange means high pressure, and red means very high pressure). The Emma Hybrid Comfort showed impressive results while back sleeping. The map presented primarily blue with a touch of green at the lumbar region (low pressure buildup), and we didn’t feel any pressure either.

What our tester says: “The first thing I noticed when I laid down on the mattress was how firm it felt. It definitely felt like I was sleeping “on” the bed rather than “in” it, thanks to the firm foam layers. It does offer a small amount of sinkage, but overall, I’d say the Emma mattress does a great job of keeping you lifted up and supported.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

There aren’t many reviews for the Hybrid Comfort yet, but as a whole, Emma customers say the models they ordered arrived quickly and involved a convenient setup process.

Pros of the Emma Hybrid Comfort Mattress

• The Hybrid Comfort was made with cooling in mind, as it includes a moisture-wicking cover, cooling foam, and breathable coils. Our thermal gun test showed an increase of 7.7 degrees after lying down on it, indicating good cooling abilities.
• This bed is excellent for heavier sleepers, thanks to high-density support foam and strong coils with zoned support towards the mattress foundation.
• Overall, the Hybrid Comfort has a bouncy, responsive feel that makes it easy for combination sleepers to switch positions.

Cons of the Emma Hybrid Comfort Mattress

• Side sleepers may feel too much pressure at the hip and shoulder. For them, we recommend a softer mattress, or the addition of a thick mattress topper.

Think the Emma Hybrid Comfort is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses. 

Saatva – Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain

Expert Opinion

When determining if a mattress is good at addressing back pain, we use a device called a pressure map that displays how much pressure a mattress is putting on a certain area of the body. Because the Saatva — a luxury mattress with a coil-on-coil construction and Euro pillow top — showed little pressure in the lower back, we think it’s an excellent option for back sleepers who experience lower back pain. Its firm, bouncy, and extra-supportive feel also promotes neutral spine alignment, which can help prevent overall back pain. The Saatva comes in Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm, so shoppers can choose what’s best for their body type, sleeping position, and personal preferences.

What our tester says: “I think this mattress is a nice option for back sleepers and combination sleepers. I also appreciate how the Saatva Classic comes in three different firmness levels and two different heights, so sleepers can choose the model that works best for their needs.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

There are over 3,000 customer reviews on Saatva’s website, and their original mattress has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. One feature that customers especially love is the brand’s free white glove delivery. If you buy a mattress from Saatva, they’ll send someone to your house to deliver it and set it up. Also, Saatva mattresses arrive uncompressed and don’t come in a box, which makes them stand out from other mattresses on this list.

Pros of the Saatva Mattress

• Back sleepers can find comfort in the Luxury Firm model, side sleepers can sleep soundly on the Plush Soft, and stomach sleepers can feel supported by the Firm model.
• Because of the Saatva’s springiness, combination sleepers can easily easily switch positions.
• Since the bulk of the mattress is made up of coils, there’s a ton of room for airflow in the Saatva. This is good news for hot sleepers who have a hard time staying cool at night.

Cons of the Saatva Mattress

• As is the case with many innerspring mattresses, there’s a lot of motion transfer on the Saatva, meaning that if you sleep with a partner, it’s easy for both of your movements to travel across the bed. So couples are likely to feel each other tossing and turning if they’re light sleepers.

Think this is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full Saatva mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for back pain.

Helix Dusk – Best Value Mattress for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

Mattresses last around five to 10 years depending on the overall quality, and overtime this essential purchase can get pricey. If you’re wanting the best bang for your buck, we absolutely have to recommend the Helix Dusk. It’s less than $1,100 after discounts. Like all of Helix’s beds, it has a hybrid construction of coils topped with foam. This results in a good amount of support to keep the spine neutrally aligned and enough cushioning to provide pain relief at the lower back. Each Helix model has a different firmness, with the Dusk falling into the medium-firm category. The comfort layer is actually made of a blend of latex foam and memory foam, so it’s a bit responsive while still offering some plushness and sinkage. This balanced feel can appeal to many different types of sleepers, but especially back sleepers.

On our pressure map test, Helix Dusk only showed blue, with just a little bit of green, while we were sleeping on our back. This tells us that it’s one of the best mattresses for back sleepers.

What our tester says: “The Helix Dusk mattress offers a balance of support and pressure relief that back sleepers should really appreciate. It has a balanced feel, and I liked that this bed offers a nice blend of body-contouring and bounce!” – Logan Block, former Sleepopolis director of content and mattress tester

What Customers Say

The Helix Dusk has a little over 1,200 reviews on the Helix website and an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Many reviewers compliment the mattress on its ability to address back aches and pains.

Pros of the Helix Dusk Mattress

• On the pressure map, we saw little to no pressure around the shoulders and hips. This is where side sleepers put the most pressure, so they should also be comfortable on the Helix Dusk.
• The Helix Dusk has strong edge support, so couples can spread out and use the whole surface of the bed. The latex foam is also responsive enough for sex.
• Another bonus of latex is that it’s naturally cooling. Combined with coils that promote airflow, the Helix Dusk should have no problem keeping hot sleepers cool.

Cons of the Helix Dusk Mattress

• Stomach sleepers will likely want a mattress that’s firmer and more supportive than the Helix Dusk.
• Heavy people weighing over 250 pounds may want to check out one of our best mattresses for heavy people, or the Helix Plus — Helix’s model made especially for those over 250 pounds.

Take a look at our reviews of the Standard Helix and Helix Luxe lines, as well as the Helix Plus.  Think the Helix Dusk is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full Helix Dusk mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best value mattresses. 

Nolah Evolution – Best Cooling Mattress for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

It can be difficult to accurately measure how hot or cool different individuals are going to feel on a mattress. So we usually start with materials and construction. Was the bed built with cooling in mind? In the case of the hybrid Nolah Evolution, it very much was. The brand made the foam layers of this bed with a more ventilated version of memory foam that allows air to flow through the whole mattress. They then infused it with graphite for additional cooling.

At the bottom of the mattress, there’s a layer of coils that not only allows extra airflow, but creates some support to keep back sleepers’ spines neutrally aligned. The Nolah Evolution hybrid is also available in three different firmness levels: Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm — we tested the Luxury Firm. The soft foams and supportive coils create a balanced feel, which is beneficial for back sleepers. They should get some nice cushioning at the lumbar region.

What our tester says: “This mattress provides good pressure relief and body contouring. I think the Luxury Firm model is a great choice for side sleepers, and back sleepers who like a softer mattress. One of my favorite features is the soft pillow top. It’s a great touch for anyone with shoulder or hip pain.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

On Nolah’s website, the Evolution has an average customer rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Many reviewers love how the foams feel soft while still being supportive. And you can actually see what each person’s age and sleeping position is, so you can get the opinion of someone similar to you.

Pros of the Nolah Evolution Mattress

• Side sleepers might get the balance of comfort and support they need from the Luxury Firm model, although they might be more comfortable on the Plush model.
• While the Nolah Evolution isn’t responsive enough to be one of the best mattresses for sex, it has solid motion isolation and strong edge support. So we think it’s a good choice for couples.
• The cushioning the Nolah Evolution offers makes it an excellent choice for sleepers with pain around their joints, especially the shoulders and hips.

Cons of the Nolah Evolution Mattress

• Stomach sleepers will likely find comfort in a firmer and more supportive mattress.
• The Nolah Evolution offers a little bit of sinkage that, while comfortable, might make it hard for combo sleepers to switch positions.

Think the Nolah Evolution is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full Nolah Evolution mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best cooling mattresses. 

WinkBeds EcoCloud – Best Organic Mattress for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

When our mattress experts want to single out the best organic mattresses, they look at a bed’s materials and environmental certifications. We think the WinkBeds EcoCloud is a solid eco-conscious pick because of the recycled steel used to make its coils and its comfort layer of Talalay latex — a material derived from the sap of a rubber tree. Together, the foam and coils work to create a medium firmness that’s a natural fit for back sleepers.

The EcoCloud also has a cover made from organic cotton and sustainable New Zealand wool. Plus, its construction includes zoned support, which means the coils vary in firmness across different parts of the mattress, with the springs being firmer by the hips and softer by the shoulders. This helps to promote proper spinal alignment, which studies suggest may prevent back pain and improve sleep quality over time.

What our tester says: “The EcoCloud’s zoned support makes this mattress great for anyone who suffers from back pain, as it promotes an ideal straight spinal alignment. I also love how environmentally friendly this mattress is.” – Zoë Ettinger, former Sleepopolis editor and mattress tester

What Customers Say

Being one of WinkBeds’ newer products, the EcoCloud has just a little less than 250 reviews on the company’s website, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. But you can actually filter out the reviews by category and search for specific traits of the mattress. Many of the reviewers specifically call out the WinkBeds EcoCloud for providing a lot of pain relief at the lower back and sciatic nerve.

Pros of the WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress

• Heavy sleepers who weigh 250 pounds or more may find that the EcoCloud provides a good level of support. It also features what the brand calls”ExtraEdge Anti-Sag Support” along the edges, which makes the bed more durable and helps prevent sinkage for heavy sleepers.
• Combination sleepers should appreciate how bouncy the EcoCloud is, thanks to the responsive latex and springy coils. This makes it easy for them to change sleeping positions at night.
• The latex and coil construction make the EcoCloud an exceptionally cooling mattress. This is good news for hot sleepers.

Cons of the WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress

• This bed might feel too firm for strict side sleepers, unless they’re heavy side sleepers or really enjoy a firmer feel.
• Stomach sleepers will likely not find the proper support on the WinkBeds EcoCloud. 

Think the WinkBeds EcoCloud is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full WinkBeds EcoCloud mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best organic mattresses. 

Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

While many back sleepers like a balance between comfort and support, others prefer a firmer feel. For instance, back-stomach combination sleepers or heavier sleepers often require more firmness and support in a mattress. If this sounds like you, then we recommend the Plank Firm. It’s an all-foam mattress designed for cooling and extra support. But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the Plank Firm is its flippable nature. We think back sleepers are going to be most comfortable on the firm side (a 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale). However, folks have the option to transition to the ultra firm side (an 8.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale).

While we certainly don’t recommend the Plank Firm to side sleepers (there were poor results on our pressure map test), back sleeping is a different story. Yes, the Plank Firm provides support and lift to the hips, but its comfort layer is also plush enough to properly contour the lumbar region and prevent back pain in this area. This resulted in our graphic showing mostly green and blue, indicating lower pressure.

What our tester says: “The Plank Firm is a flippable mattress, so the five layers work double duty. The support layers on one side become the top layers when the mattress is flipped. When the logo is right side up, the firmer side is facing you.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

There are almost 3,000 reviews on the Plank Firm, and many are positive comments about how it’s a fantastic value buy for such a firm, supportive bed.

Pros of the Plank Firm Mattress 

• With good scores in motion isolation and responsiveness, we recommend this bed for couples who like a firmer feel.
• Combination sleepers should find this bed to have a bouncy feel that makes it easy to switch between back and stomach sleeping.
• Stomach sleepers should love the Plank Firm because its firmness should keep the hips lifted and in proper alignment.

Cons of the Plank Firm Mattress

• Folks struggling from joint pain, such as hip and/or shoulder pain, likely won’t find enough relief on this firm bed.

Think the Plank Firm is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full Plank Firm mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best firm mattresses.

DreamCloud Premier – Best Hybrid Mattress for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

Hybrid mattresses are some of the best options for back sleepers, as their combination of soft foams and sturdy coils provides the ideal balance of comfort and support. The DreamCloud Premier is no exception. We think that this firmer mattress (a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale) should appeal to back sleepers of all body types. Whether you’re a lightweight sleeper under 130 pounds, a heavier sleepers over 250 pounds, or somewhere in between, the Premier’s luxurious features should make any back sleeper fall in love.

Our pressure map test revealed some extremely low pressure buildup. Across the graphic in the back-sleeping position, we saw almost entirely blue. We felt the cashmere blend cover and three layers of foam prevent pressure at the lower back. At the same time, 8.5 inches of pocketed coils keep sleepers from feeling stuck in the mattress’s materials, promoting a neutral alignment.

What our tester says: “First up, this feels like a true luxury mattress. From the cashmere cover to the Euro top, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck with this bed. I really like how this mattress combines sturdy support with cozy pressure relief — making it a great choice for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Many customers note how the DreamCloud Premier has helped alleviate their back and hip pain.

Pros of the DreamCloud Premier Mattress

• The more responsive transition layer and the springy coils should keep combination sleepers lifted on top of the mattress.
• Because it tested well in edge support, responsiveness, and motion isolation, couples should enjoy a sound sleep on the Premier.
• Stomach sleepers under 250 pounds, as well as heavyweight side sleepers, should enjoy the DreamCloud Premier as well.

Cons of the DreamCloud Premier Mattress

• While the DreamCloud Premier excels in many aspects, we felt it lacked in cooling ability. Folks who sleep extra hot at night might want to check out more cooling mattresses.

Think the DreamCloud Premier is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full DreamCloud Premier mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best hybrid mattresses.

Bear – Best Mattress for Back-Sleeping Couples

Expert Opinion

One of our most important tests when finding the best mattress for couples is measuring a bed’s motion transfer. It involves dropping a steel ball onto the surface and using a seismometer to track the ball’s movements and vibrations. If a mattress has low motion transfer, it means the bed is good at isolating motion, and that partners shouldn’t feel each other tossing and turning at night. The Bear has excellent motion transfer results, plus a ton of support from the firm foams at the bottom of the bed. So we think it’s a good choice for back-sleeping couples. They should get the support they need to keep their spines neutrally aligned, and are unlikely to wake each other up. 

We also put the Bear through our pressure-map test. When looking at the results, there was nothing but blue along our entire back while back sleeping. This confirms that the mattress is a fantastic pick for back sleepers.

What our tester says: “I really appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it a great option for back sleepers with back pain. I also really like the Bear’s Celliant cover!” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

As the brand’s flagship mattress, the Bear has over 10,000 reviews on the company’s website, and an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Almost 200 of these reviews come from back sleepers. Most of these folks say that the mattress does wonders for their back pain and that they wake up every morning feeling refreshed.

Pros of the Bear Mattress

• One of the most unique features of the Bear is that it offers a cover made of Celliant. This is a material designed to absorb body heat, then redirect it back to sleepers as a means of promoting blood flow and recovery. So far, studies on Celliant are small but promising: A 2019 study that asked 24 participants to wear both a regular shirt and a Celliant shirt found that the participants experienced an increase in skin oxygenation after donning the latter. This helps to boost Bear’s claims that the material promotes recovery after exercising, and makes the mattress a sensible choice for athletes. However, before you purchase this mattress, it’s important to note that this cover does cost an extra $130, in addition to your mattress total.
• The foams in Bear are pretty responsive, so combination sleepers can easily switch positions.
• As a material, Celliant sleeps cool, and there are graphite infusions in the foam to help the Bear (and hot sleepers) keep a low temperature.

Cons of the Bear Mattress

• The Bear is probably a little too firm for side sleepers, who will want to seek out a softer mattress with more contouring.
• We don’t think stomach sleepers will find the proper support or firmness on this mattress.

Think the Bear is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full Bear mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for couples. 

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe – Best Soft Mattress for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

When testing out soft mattresses for back sleepers, we pay extra attention to support. While a mattress with a soft feel should contour and soothe the lumbar area, there still needs to be enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned. We think the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe strikes this balance, mostly due to a layer of zoned coils as the support layer at the bottom of the bed.

This hybrid mattress is available in three different firmnesses: Soft, Medium, and Firm. Most back sleepers should feel comfortable on the Medium or Firm models. We tested the Medium, and found that it had a really soft, cuddly top foam layer. As the memory foam cushioned our body, it really did feel like we were sleeping in the lap of luxury. Two other foam layers added cushioning and eased us into the support layer of pocketed coils. 

What our tester says: “With this bed, back sleepers should enjoy a balanced feel that promotes spinal alignment and maximum comfort. I also appreciate how soft and cuddly this bed is. It feels similar to a lot of luxury hybrids on the market right now, but is a little cheaper than these beds.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

On the Brooklyn Bedding website, the Aurora Luxe has an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. 19 of these reviews are confirmed back sleepers, most of whom rated the mattress a perfect 5.

Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress

• Almost every layer of the mattress has cooling features, from a cover made of Phase Change Material to infusions of gel and copper in the foam and coils that leave space for airflow. These traits make the Aurora Luxe a great match for hot sleepers.
• Side sleepers might enjoy how the foam cushions their shoulders and hips.
• We have to admit that the Aurora Luxe doesn’t have the best edge support, which could be a detriment to some couples. However, it has decent motion isolation, excellent cooling capabilities, and good responsiveness, which makes it a good mattress for sex.

Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress

• Even the Firm model probably isn’t going to be supportive enough for stomach sleepers.
• There might not be enough support for heavy sleepers (who weigh 250 pounds or more) , and the poor edge support may led to discomfort.

Think the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best soft mattresses. 

Birch Natural – Best Latex Mattress for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

Back sleepers looking for a high-quality latex mattress might not find much better than the Birch Natural. The mattress’s foam is made from naturally sourced Talalay latex that gives sleepers quality support, responsiveness, and cooling. When we laid down on our back to test it out, we felt our hips being lifted and kept in line with our shoulders, which is crucial for preventing back pain. At the same time, there was enough cushioning from the foam to provide pressure relief at the lumbar region.

We also felt comfortable stomach sleeping on the Birch. Stomach sleepers tend to need a firmer, more supportive mattress than other sleeping positions, and we found that the durable latex and springy coils prevented us from sinking too far into the mattress’s layers. We scored the Birch Natural at a 7 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale.

What our tester says: “I also think anyone looking for a classic latex feel will really appreciate this bed. Its organic layers have a taut, springy feel and really offer great lift and support. If you’re a back and stomach combination sleeper, I’d highly recommend the Birch.” – Madison Schaper, former Sleepopolis staff writer and mattress tester

What Customers Say

The Birch has almost 4,200 reviews on the mattress’s website, and many back sleepers say it’s a great match for anyone with a stiff back.

Pros of the Birch Natural Mattress

• With organic cotton, organic wool, and natural latex, the Birch is an eco-friendly mattress, which should appeal to green-minded shoppers.
• Latex is a naturally cooling material, and the pocketed coil system provides lots of airflow, so the mattress should have no problem sleeping cool.
• The responsive nature of latex and coils is great for combination sleepers who need easy mobility to change sleeping positions throughout the night.

Cons of the Birch Natural Mattress

• Even with the pressure relief provided by the wool comfort layer, it’s probably not enough to cushion side sleepers’ shoulders and hips.

Think this is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full Birch Natural mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best latex mattresses. 

Important Considerations for Buying the Best Mattress for Back Sleepers

Here are some factors to consider when shopping for a back-sleeping mattress of your own:

Support

Back sleepers are in a league of their own in terms of the support and pressure relief they need. On one hand, it’s important for these folks to experience enough support at the hips to lift them up into alignment with the shoulders and lower back. On the other hand, they also need deep pressure relief to soothe tension at the lower back. It’s a tricky balance to strike, but one the best mattresses do with ease.

So how do you spot a truly supportive bed? Well, we recommend back sleepers pay attention to the transition and base layers of a mattress. A tall section of pocketed coils, for example, will bring a little more support to a mattress than a layer of high-density poly foam. And when it comes to comfort layers, if you want memory foam, make sure it’s buffeted by a firmer section of latex or poly foam. That way, the sinkage won’t dominate too much.

Neutral Spine Alignment

Ideally, whatever mattress you choose would actively work keep your spine aligned and balanced.. Otherwise, you could end up with aches, pains, and limited mobility. Plus, good alignment helps ease any pain that might be causing insomnia. If you’re trying to figure out if a bed is going to help you achieve neutral spine alignment, we recommend keeping an eye on two different types of designs: zoned support and balanced foam.

• Zoned Support — As briefly discussed up top, mattresses with zoned support are designed to target different parts of the body in different ways, with softer foams at the shoulders and firmer ones at the hips. This helps to encourage a healthy body line and promote relief.
• Balanced Foam — Beds built with several different types of foam (latex, memory foam, and high-density poly foam) are going to offer the best support for those living with back pain. This balanced approach combines lift with pressure relief for a well-rounded feel.

More On Zoned Support

Zoned support is when a mattress has multiple firmness levels built into it, so it can support different areas of your body in different ways. The goal for every sleeping position is to keep the spine aligned to ensure good sleep posture.

Different weight-bearing sections of your body, such as your hips, shoulder, and lumbar region may require different levels of firmness to cater to their individual needs. To help with this, some mattresses are made up of different “zones,” with each zone having a different firmness level.

Pressure Relief for Back Sleepers

As outlined in earlier sections, one of the most important parts about back sleeping is support. While you’ll want your hips lifted into alignment throughout the night, you’ll also want to look for something equally as important: pressure relief. A pressure-relieving mattress eases points of sensitivity. In the case of back sleeping, comfort foams should fill in the lumbar region and contour around it. This should help pain from developing or worsening at the back.

The best mattresses for pressure relief are soft mattresses. These mattresses are especially good for side sleepers because they have the give necessary to allow hips and shoulders to really sink in. 

In the graphic above, you’ll see how we test pressure relief in our mattress lab. First, we spread our pressure map across the mattress surface. Then, we lie down on it in a couple of different sleeping positions. The graphic shown uses thermal imaging to demonstrate areas of high pressure (red and orange), moderate pressure (yellow), and low pressure (green and blue).

For back sleeping, you can see the map above shows primarily blue and green. This should be a great mattress for pressure relief in the back sleeping position.

Firmness

Firmness refers to how “hard” or “soft” a bed is. A soft mattress can be just as supportive as a firm one, so it’s important to acknowledge the terms “firmness” and “support” are not synonymous with one another.

That being said, many back sleepers will prefer a mattress that’s on the medium to slightly firm range. The industry standard for medium firmness is 6.5 on the firmness scale (where 1 is super soft and 10 is the most firm), so they’ll likely want to land on a structure that hovers around that score.

Why is medium firmness the ideal? Well, it implies the mattress strikes an ideal balance between supportive lift and pressure-relieving give. This will help achieve neutral spine alignment, set you up for some solid sleep hygiene, and bring optimized comfort to the hips, shoulders, and lower back.

Best Mattress Materials for Back Sleepers

Latex

The best latex mattresses are known for their durability, cooling, and eco-friendliness. Generally, these mattresses are firmer and have a bouncier feel. While this gives the mattress plenty of structure to help lift your hips, it may not provide adequate pressure relief depending on your body type. An easy fix would be to invest in one of the best mattress toppers for some extra plushness. 

Innerspring

The best innerspring mattresses are known to have a thick layer of supportive coils and a thinner foam layer. For some body types, this mattress works for back sleeping. But similar to latex mattresses, there may not be enough of a comfort layer to fill in the lumbar area. A mattress topper might be needed here, too.

Memory Foam

The best memory foam mattresses have a famous slow-moving feel and provide lots of contouring and pressure relief. For this reason, they’re great for alleviating pain in sensitive areas. In the case of back sleepers, we recommend finding a quality memory foam bed with high-density foam for support. Some foam mattresses are prone to premature sagging, which causes the mattress to lose support and throw your spine out of alignment.

Hybrid

The best hybrid mattresses combine the support of innerspring coils with the comfort and relief of all-foam beds. For this reason, we highly recommend them to back sleepers. The hips should stay lifted yet cushioned. Hybrids come in a variety of firmnesses, so they’re great for a lot of different body types.

FAQs

What mattress firmness is best for back sleepers?

While it depends on body type, medium-firm mattresses are known to suit back sleepers well. This is because medium-firm beds balance pressure relief for the lumbar area with support for spinal alignment.

What is the best mattress thickness for back sleepers?

Regardless of your preferred sleeping position, it is recommended that folks use a mattress thickness of 10 or more inches.

Is a spring or foam mattress for back sleepers?

Coils are great at providing structure and durability, while foam is beneficial for pressure relief around the lumbar region. For this reason, we actually recommend a hybrid mattress, which combines the benefits of spring and foam mattresses.

How We Chose These Mattresses

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 220 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, comfort, support, cooling, and edge support. We also factor in brand performance with categories, such as value and warranty.

Back sleepers usually need a good amount of support, so for our roundup, we only chose beds that scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in this category. Jump back to our mattress picks or click here to learn more about our methodology.

Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers 2023

Bridget Chapman

Former Senior Product Editor

About Author

Bridget is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and senior editor here at Sleepopolis. From testing mattresses to writing about various sleep health topics, her goal is to help you get a good night’s sleep. You can also find her in videos on our YouTube channel. Bridget graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a minor in English. Before joining the Sleepopolis team, she was a TV news reporter and worked in cities across the country. She loves spending time outdoors, checking out new restaurants, snuggling with her pets, and of course — getting some quality Zzz’s.

Combination Sleeper

Sources

• Gordon Ian, L. Effect of shirts with 42% Celliant™ fiber on tcPO2 levels and grip strength in healthy subjects: A placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Textile Science and Engineering. 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8351537/

• Wei Yu. Investigating the influence of an adjustable zoned air mattress on sleep: a multinight polysomnography study. Frontiers in Neuroscience. April 20, 2023. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1160805/full