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If you’re a back sleeper, it can be challenging to find a mattress that suits your needs. To start our quest of identifying the best beds for those who sleep on their backs, we turned to our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, for his expertise. He said, “Back sleepers should focus on a medium-firm mattress for proper spinal alignment and support, as well as pressure relief, especially in the lumbar area.”
In layman’s terms, you’re going to want a balanced bed with a reasonable firmness that keeps you comfortable and helps you sleep through the night. But how do you find the best of the best when there are hundreds of mattresses out there? Luckily, we’ve done the heavy lifting and crafted this list of nine beds built for back sleepers.
Our team of sleep experts has been testing and reviewing mattresses for years, categorizing them based on our firsthand experience. We also receive input from expert sources like Dr. Raj Dasgupta (MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM) and Dr. Joe Tedesco (DPT). With our help, over 60,000 folks have found a new mattress, with 15,622 of those satisfied customers in 2024 alone.
If you want to join the ranks and find the right mattress for your needs, peruse our carefully curated list of the best mattresses for back sleepers below. We offer a range of options that are sure to pique your interest, tailored to your specific needs, preferences, and budget.
Sleepopolis’ Best In Rest — Back Sleepers
We put the Nectar Classic at the top of our list due to its medium-firm feel and balance of softness and support. Its contouring feel should help fill in the gap at the lower back, providing some extra pressure relief. Additionally, it comes at a reasonable price, accompanied by a year-long trial and a lifetime warranty.
Best Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Nectar Classic – Best Overall
- Helix Midnight – Best Mattress for Side and Back Sleepers
- DreamCloud – Best Affordable Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Leesa Sapira Chill – Best Hybrid Mattress for Back Sleepers
- WinkBed – Best Mattress for Back-Sleeping Couples
- Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling – Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Saatva Classic – Best Luxury Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Bear Original – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Nolah Evolution – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Back Pain
Disclaimer: Please note that the content in this article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or serve as a substitute for seeing a medical professional regarding any sleep problems you may have. Please see your doctor regarding any urgent medical issues.
How We Picked the Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
Dr. Raj Dasgupta recommends a medium-firm mattress for most back sleepers, but what does this mean? We rate firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being as soft as a cloud and 10 being as firm as the floor. Medium-firmness falls around 6.5/10 on our scale. We tried to find beds that fell around this number. You may see that some are softer or firmer, often to fit specific sleeper types that need extra pressure relief or support.
When we talk about support, we mean how well a mattress keeps your spine aligned while you’re lying on your back. The goal is to maintain the natural S-curve with the right balance of sinkage and lift. This support should be consistent from edge to edge, so you feel just as stable at the perimeter as you do in the center. A strong perimeter is also a sign of durability, which is why we prioritized mattresses that scored at least a 4 out of 5 in the edge support category.
When you lie on a mattress, certain parts of your body dig in deeper, creating pressure points. For back sleepers, pressure most commonly builds up in the lumbar area (the lower back), but they can also experience it in the shoulders, hips, or any sensitive joints. For this list, we prioritized models that performed well in our back-sleeping pressure-relief tests.
We’ve developed a rigorous 13-point testing methodology that tells us how each mattress performs and who it might be a good fit for. All of the beds on this list have been evaluated for pressure relief, cooling abilities, responsiveness, edge support, and much more.
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has tested more than 500 mattresses over the last decade, allowing us to guide more than 145,000 people to the best mattress for them. Not only do we use and evaluate these products ourselves, but we also consult with Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, who’s quadruple-board certified in pulmonary, sleep, internal, and critical care medicine, to ensure we keep up to date with the latest in sleep science and medicine.
Additionally, Dr. Joe Tedesco, DPT, OCS, ATC, CSCS, comes into our studio to personally test mattresses and give a medical perspective on each product, and sleep and nutrition experts such as Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD, regularly verify our articles.
Now that you’ve got a feel for what we kept at the forefront of our search, let’s dive into the beds that made the final cut.
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Comparing the Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress | Helix Midnight Mattress | DreamCloud Classic Hybrid | Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid | WinkBed Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress | Saatva Classic | Bear Original Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | |
| Rating | |||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-Firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-Firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-Firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple Firmness Options | Firm: 7/10 | Multiple Firmness Options | Multiple Firmness Options | Firm: 7/10 | Multiple Firmness Options |
| Material | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Innerspring | Foam | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Best For | Motion Isolation & Cooling | Side and Back Sleepers | Budget Shoppers | Hybrid Mattress Feel | Couples | Sleepers Who Need a Firm Bed | Luxury | Memory Foam Feel | Back Pain |
Best Mattress for Back Sleepers Video Review
Nectar Classic – Best Overall Mattress for Back Sleepers
The Nectar delivers a balance of comfort and support: it’s definitely contouring, but still provides a firm enough foundation for most light to average weight sleepers, especially if they sleep on their back or stomach. Plus, a lengthy trial period, lifetime warranty, and affordable price make the Nectar a reassuring choice for many. Watch our video review to learn more.
What our tester says:
“I think back sleepers are going to love the Nectar Classic. These sleepers will get plenty of support from the firm memory foam in the Nectar Classic, which should translate to great pressure relief and a good night’s sleep. Similarly, lightweight and average-weight stomach sleepers should find that they get enough support around their hips to sleep comfortably on this mattress. The Nectar Classic is firm enough to keep these sleepers’ spines in a healthy position.” – Kenny Timper, staff writer and certified sleep science coach
When I gave the Nectar Classic Memory Foam mattress the old college try, I was instantly convinced that back sleepers would be the most comfortable on this bed. This mattress has a comfortable medium-firm feel with just a smidge of contouring that molds to your body as you lie on your back. It also scored high in motion isolation (4.7/5) and cooling (4.5/5).
Motion Isolation: 4.7/5
The memory foam version of the Nectar does a great job of dampening motion.
Cooling: 4.5/5
After lying on it for 5 minutes, the temperature of the Nectar only increased by 5.4 degrees.
Response: 4/5
Despite being an all-foam bed, the Nectar is surprisingly easy to change positions on.
Edge Support: 4/5
There was more sinkage along the edge while sitting on it, but one could lie on it without falling off.
Pressure Relief: 3.8/5
The Nectar Classic felt great on our testers’ backs, but they noticed some pressure buildup on their sides.
Firmness: 6.5/10
The Nectar Classic is a medium-firm memory foam mattress.
How Did it Perform in Our Pressure Map Test?
My fellow testers and I rated back-sleeping pressure relief for the Nectar mattress at 4 out of 5, noting that this bed has a more lifted feel despite its all-foam construction. Most memory foam beds are known for their deep sinkage and contouring, which can affect overall support. But physical therapist Dr. Joe Tedesco was most pleased with this bed’s ability to promote proper alignment: “I feel like everything is being supported evenly, and I’m not noticing pressure anywhere,” he said.
These rave reviews, combined with the bed’s stellar performance across the board, led me to slot it into our number one spot for back sleepers.
We rated the Nectar Classic mattress at a 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, a true medium-firm feel that’s perfect for back sleepers. While the mattress does mold to your body a little bit, you’re not going to sink deep into it. Dr. Tedesco noted, “I feel like I’m lying on top of the mattress, not in it.” He likened it to lying on the floor with a bit more cushioning, which is great for spinal alignment. “Everything feels like it’s in a neutral position,” he finished.
Though our testers most enjoyed the bed in the back-sleeping position. I think that some side sleepers who like a more lifted feel will find comfort on this bed. Heavyweight tester Caine Wilkes gave the bed a 5 out of 5 for pressure relief on his side. “It feels more supportive than I was expecting,” he said. “Everything feels in line on my side. I feel a little pressure on my shoulder but it isn’t uncomfortable.”
What Else Stood Out About the Nectar Classic?
As an all-foam mattress, it’s not a surprise that the Nectar mattress earned its highest rating in the motion isolation category. The dense, cushy nature of memory foam is prized for its ability to stop movement before it travels across the mattress surface. I actually hopped into bed alongside Kenny and moved around to mimic how it might feel to sleep with a restless partner. “I could feel Livvi jump into bed but had trouble figuring out if she was switching positions or not – which is great,” Kenny said. He gave motion isolation a score of 4.7 out of 5 and recommended it for couples.
With this level of motion absorption, Kenny was surprised by how easy it was to move around on the surface of the mattress. “I think it’s easier to switch positions on because it’s not a very tall bed and it is quite firm for a 100-percent memory foam mattress,” he said. “When you use your hands to press down into the mattress, they don’t sink too far into the layers, which makes it easy to flip over from your back to your side to your stomach.” He rated the response at 4 out of 5, making it an appealing option for combination sleepers who prefer the feel of memory foam.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nectar Classic
Although the Nectar received high scores in most categories, it may not offer the best edge support, a common failing of most all-foam mattresses. Kenny noticed the most sinkage when he sat down on the very edge of the mattress, enough that he felt liable to slip off. “People with mobility issues may find that they have to put even more effort into getting out of bed,” he said. He did note that lying down felt much more stable, but if you’re looking for a foam bed with more solid edges, you might prefer the Bear Original.
Read more about this mattress in our Nectar Classic Memory Foam review.
Helix Midnight – Best Mattress for Side and Back Sleepers
The Helix Midnight is amongst Helix’s line of six standard mattresses. It’s known for its more balanced feel, allowing it to accommodate a wide range of sleepers. We also recommend it for couples, as it scored well on our motion isolation, responsiveness, edge support, and cooling tests. For a plusher and more cooling version of this mattress, see the Helix Midnight Luxe. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I would recommend this mattress for side or back sleepers because it’s supportive, without putting pressure on your joints.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Back and side sleeping are common sleeping positions. If you happen to switch between both, you’ll need a bed that can accommodate both. The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress with a medium-firm feel (6.5 out of 10 on our scale) and plush foams on top. This bed was designed for side sleepers, but our testers found that it also worked well for back sleeping. We rated pressure relief in both sleeping positions at 4.3 out of 5, with testers of all sizes giving the bed at least 4 out of 5 in each position.
Motion Isolation: 4/5
Our partner test showed that the Helix Midnight Luxe has solid motion isolation.
Cooling: 4/5
A 7-degree temperature increase after 5 minutes spent on the bed marks a good cooling mattress.
Response: 4/5
It was pretty easy to move around on this bed, despite some pushback from the softer top.
Edge Support: 4.8/5
The edges were exceptionally strong, earning a near-perfect score from our tester.
Pressure Relief: 4.2/5
Our pressure map test showed negligible pressure buildup in all sleeping positions.
Firmness: 6.5/10
This bed’s hybrid construction yields a true medium-firm feel.
How Did it Perform in Our Pressure Map Test?
My colleague Riley Otis was the primary tester for this mattress and the first to note its comfort for both back and side sleepers. She tried out the mattress in each position, praising the balance of comfort and support in each. “The mattress overall contoured my body really nicely, and I think most back sleepers [and side sleepers] will find a nice balance between support and pressure relief,” she said.
Riley also invited our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, Dr. Joe Tedesco, to test the pressure relief of the Helix Midnight and offer his thoughts. He agreed that the Midnight is a solid choice for back sleepers looking to relieve pressure during sleep.
“It’s appropriately soft for back sleeping,” said Dr. Tedesco. “My hips are definitely sinking in. I am getting some good support between my hips and lower back in this position.”
What Else Stood Out About the Helix Midnight?
If you’re switching between your back and your side, you’re going to want a bed that makes it easy to do so. That’s why we recommend that combination sleepers look for a bed with high responsiveness, meaning it helps you move with ease rather than leaving you feeling “stuck” on a doughy surface.
Riley performed the response test by moving around on the surface and toggling between each sleeping position, giving the bed a final responsiveness score of 4 out of 5. “I found it fairly easy to move around on the Helix Midnight,” she said. “I did have to put in a bit of effort when moving from my back to my stomach, but moving onto my side from either position was a breeze.”
Usually, a hybrid mattress doesn’t fare well in terms of absorbing motion, which can be an issue if you share the bed with a partner. But the Helix Midnight also did fairly well in our partner test. Riley got into the mattress alongside a fellow tester, who moved around on the other side. “I could definitely detect my partner sitting down, lying down, and then switching positions,” she said. “I think very light sleepers prone to waking up will be disturbed, but sound sleepers should be able to sleep through it.”
What to Keep in Mind About the Helix Midnight
Though it’s a relatively well-rounded mattress, the Helix Midnight falls behind many of its counterparts in its ability to regulate temperature. Riley used a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature of the mattress in two instances: first, before she got into the mattress, and again after lying on it for five minutes. She recorded a whopping 10.5-degree increase, well above the 6.1 degrees we see on average. As for how she felt lying there, Riley said, “I didn’t feel uncomfortably hot, but I wouldn’t recommend this bed to sleepers prone to overheating since its cooling abilities are just okay.”
Want a cooler bed? Check out the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid. Or you can read more about this bed in our full Helix Midnight mattress review.
DreamCloud – Best Affordable Mattress for Back Sleepers
With soft foam and a sturdy layer of innerspring coils, the DreamCloud strikes a balance between comfort and support — a little bit of contouring up top and on-top-of-the-bed feel that comes from the bottom. It’s a fairly firm mattress that we think is most comfortable for back sleepers. It also has some luxury touches such as a cashmere-blend cover that are reminiscent of a high-end hotel. Learn more in our DreamCloud video review.
What our tester says:
“I really like how luxurious this mattress feels and how it could work for a variety of sleepers. Along with that, I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night. Thanks to its medium-firm to firm support, I think the DreamCloud is a durable mattress. It balances support with plenty of pressure relief for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
If you’re a back sleeper on a budget, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort and quality with an affordable mattress. Our testers gave the bed a perfect 5-out-of-5 rating for back sleepers’ pressure relief — alongside an abundance of high scores. This mattress garnered scores of 4 and above in all performance categories, resulting in an overall mattress score of 4.5 out of 5. To top it off, it comes in at under $700 for a queen-size.
Motion Isolation: 4.7/5
Our tester noticed little disturbance in the water during our ripple test, confirming the bed’s motion-isolating ability.
Cooling: 4.5/5
The temperature rose less than 5 degrees after 5 minutes of our tester lying on the bed.
Response: 5/5
The lack of sinkage earned the DreamCloud a perfect responsiveness score.
Edge Support: 4/5
There was some moderate sinkage — but not much — when our tester sat on the edge.
Pressure Relief: 4.4/5
The DreamCloud relieved more pressure while back sleeping than side sleeping.
Firmness: 6.5/10
This hybrid mattress has a balanced medium-firm feel.
How Did it Perform in Our Pressure Map Test?
The DreamCloud hybrid is an affordable option with the ideal blend of comfort and support, featuring a medium-firm feel that’s sure to please. Physical therapist Dr. Joe Tedesco found this out for himself when he lay on the surface. “It is a very soft mattress, but I love how supportive it is of my extremities when I am on my back,” he said.
Mattress tester Riley Otis agreed with this assessment, saying, “I feel very comfortable on my back. I’m feeling a lot of pressure relief in my upper back and shoulders. My hips are finding a bit of sinkage that feels really soothing, yet my lumbar region is still being supported.”
What Else Stood Out About the DreamCloud?
Aside from pressure relief, the DreamCloud mattress earned its highest score in response, another 5-out-of-5 rating. This means the mattress has plenty of bounce, making it easy to move around on the surface to switch positions during sleep or sex. My colleague Riley Otis awarded this score because of the ease of movement she experienced.
“Even though the bed has some plush cushioning, it didn’t inhibit my mobility or prevent me from easily rolling,” she said. “I think combination sleepers would be able to move around with no issues.”
With such a bouncy bed, we’d expect motion to travel easily across the mattress surface and create a problem for light sleepers, but that wasn’t the case. Another tester got into the mattress alongside Riley and moved around to replicate sleeping with a restless partner.
“As she rolled around next to me, I could tell another person was there, but my body wasn’t affected by her movement,” Riley said. “I think very light sleepers might be annoyed by the motion disturbance, but typical sleepers will be able to sleep through the night.” She rated motion isolation at 4.7 out of 5, signaling that it should work great for couples.
What to Keep in Mind About the DreamCloud
As for who should steer clear of the DreamCloud mattress, Dr. Tedesco had some thoughts: “The soft nature of it makes me think it wouldn’t be great for heavyweight back sleepers,” he said. “But those under that weight threshold should really enjoy this mattress.” Folks over 230 pounds may have better luck with the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe, which has a firmer feel that can offer more support.
For more information about this bed, read our full DreamCloud mattress review.
Leesa Sapira Chill – Best Hybrid Mattress for Back Sleepers
The Leesa Sapira Chill is a hybrid mattress, available in three firmness levels. We tested the Medium-Firm model and felt it was just softer than average, but could still work for all three sleeping positions — a rare find among mattresses. It also has some effective cooling technology built into it, which helps to keep sleepers cool throughout the night. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I really think the medium-firm model is a great fit for all sleeping positions. Yep, the Leesa Sapira Chill is one of those unicorn mattresses that provides a great balance of comfort and support for a wide range of sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
Hybrid mattresses are among the best options for back sleepers, as their combination of foam and coils provides precisely what these sleepers need: contouring pressure relief and lifted support. The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid is one such mattress, featuring a plush pillow top that provides ample cushioning without allowing you to sink out of alignment.
Motion Isolation: 3.7/5
The water sloshed around quite a bit during our ripple test, indicating just-average motion isolation.
Cooling: 4.5/5
This bed lived up to its name with its exceptional cooling abilities.
Response: 4.5/5
Moving around was largely seamless, save for rolling over on the doughier pillow top.
Edge Support: 3.9/5
While our tester found the edge support acceptable, there was more sagging in our weighted tests.
Pressure Relief: 4.5/5
Our pressure map results showed almost no pressure buildup on the Leesa Sapira Chill.
Firmness: 6/10
We found the Leesa Sapira Chill’s construction to have a softer feel.
This mattress comes in multiple firmness levels, but we tried the Medium-Firm model. Our testers rated pressure relief for back sleepers on this bed at 4.3 out of 5. Its medium feel (rated at 6 out of 10 for firmness) should also offer a softer feel than some of the other beds on this list, perfect for back sleepers with a smaller frame.
How Did it Perform in Our Pressure Map Test?
My colleague Riley Otis was the main tester for this mattress, and also happens to be a lightweight sleeper. She thought the mattress was great for back sleepers overall. “I really enjoyed the feeling of the soft pillow top around my hips and shoulders, and it did an excellent job filling in the space at my lumbar zone,” she said. “Although the top is plush, I didn’t notice my hips dipping out of alignment.”
Our chief medical product tester, Dr. Joe Tedesco, felt similarly about the Leesa Sapira Chill, adding that he didn’t feel any pressure on this model.
“My hips are sinking into the mattress more than any other part of my body,” said Dr. Tedesco. “There’s no pressure in my lower back and the springs are providing plenty of support. It has a nice responsive feel.”
What Else Stood Out About the Leesa Sapira Chill?
Since it is called Leesa Sapira Chill, you might be curious about the bed’s cooling capability. I’m happy to report that it lives up to its name. Riley said, “The cover has a cool-to-the-touch feel that stayed the whole time I was lying on it,” she said. “The gel-infused foam quilted into the pillow top was noticeably cool.” She rated the cooling at 4.5 out of 5, heartily recommending it for hot sleepers.
If you’re a back sleeper who wants to spread out on the surface of your mattress, the Leesa Sapira Chill has “solid” and “better than average” edge support, per Riley.
What to Keep in Mind About the Leesa Sapira Chill
While Riley was able to lie down on her back at the very edge of the mattress without feeling like she was going to slide right off, she found that sitting down was a bit trickier. In this position, she could feel the edge collapse a bit more under her weight. Folks with mobility concerns who need more support to get in and out of bed may want to look for a bed with firmer edges.
Additionally, I can’t recommend the Leesa Sapira Chill to light sleepers in confidence. To ensure you don’t feel your bedmate’s movements, you’ll want a mattress that keeps their motion from traveling across the bed. The Leesa Sapira Chill earned a 3 out of 5 in this category, which Riley awarded it after trying out the bed with a fellow tester.
“I felt very disturbed when my fellow tester switched sleeping positions beside me, as the movement very clearly travelled to my side,” she said. “I felt like my body was being jostled around heavily, and I don’t think I would have been able to sleep through it.”
If you want a better bed for couples, check out the WinkBed. Otherwise, read more in our full Leesa Sapira Chill mattress review.
WinkBed – Best Mattress for Back-Sleeping Couples
The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid mattress. It has a similarly supportive and sturdy feel to a traditional innerspring mattress, but upgrades like a Euro top and cooling Tencel cover give it a touch of modern luxury. Available in three firmness levels, there is a WinkBed for just about every sleeper. And a responsive and bouncy feel makes it a great pick for combination sleepers. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“If you like the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress, the WinkBed could work for you. Since this bed offered great pressure relief around my lumbar region, I’d also recommend it to folks who suffer from lower back pain.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Finding a mattress for back sleepers when you share the bed with someone else can add another layer of consideration to your mattress search. If you’re a light sleeper with a restless partner, you’ll appreciate the WinkBed’s motion-absorbing pillow top that keeps movement from traveling across the mattress surface. During testing, the WinkBed scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in the back-sleeping pressure relief, motion isolation, and edge support categories.
Motion Isolation: 4.3/5
Our tester didn’t notice much movement during our ripple test.
Cooling: 3.5/5
Our cooling test found that the WinkBed did not excel at temperature regulation.
Response: 3/5
It was a little difficult to move around on the WinkBed, despite its hybrid construction.
Edge Support: 4.4/5
We found the WinkBed’s edges to be very strong.
Pressure Relief: 3.8/5
While pressure mapping the WinkBed, our testers found some pressure buildup on their side.
Firmness: 6.5/10
The Luxury Firm WinkBed has a medium-firm feel.
How Did it Perform in Our Pressure Map Test?
Back sleepers will most benefit from the Luxury Firm WinkBed’s sturdy coil unit. As a back sleeper, Dr. Joe Tedesco (DPT) heartily recommends this mattress to those who share his sleep position preference. “I have little to no pressure buildup anywhere right now,” he said. Our testers also rated pressure relief for these sleepers at a 4.3 out of 5, so they should benefit from that cushy pillow top, too, even as they remain lifted from the coils beneath.
Further proving the bed’s aptness for back sleepers, our average-weight tester Sosha Lewis proclaimed, “I don’t ever sleep on my back, but this bed might just convert me.” She was particularly impressed by the bed’s lumbar support. “It’s firm yet still provides contouring at my lower back, which sometimes causes issues for me.” It should also be a great pick for sleepers with lower back pain.
What Else Stood Out About the WinkBed?
As mentioned, this bed has relatively low motion transfer despite having coils in its construction, earning a motion isolation score of 4.3 out of 5, which is its primary draw as a mattress for couples. My colleague and fellow tester Riley Otis hopped into the WinkBed alongside another tester to earn these results. “I could tell that someone else was in the bed, but it didn’t affect my side too much,” she said. “Although I could detect a bit of motion, I think light sleepers would be able to sleep through it, as it didn’t jostle my body at all.”
Couples should also appreciate the bed’s strong edges, which will allow them to make full use of its surface area. Riley most noticed the edge support when she lay down on the edge of the mattress; the edge only slightly dipped a negligible amount when bearing her weight. Sitting at the perimeter, she noticed a “decent amount of sinkage,” but added, “I didn’t feel unstable or like I was about to slide off the bed.” This means the edge support (which earned a 4.4 out of 5) should also assist in getting in and out of bed, a boon for older couples or those with mobility issues.
What to Keep in Mind About the WinkBed
Sharing a bed with a partner can increase your risk of overheating. While the WinkBed only had an average score on our temperature regulation test, I wouldn’t write it off as a bad bed for hot sleepers.“It didn’t necessarily feel cool, but I didn’t feel like the foams were noticeably hot,” Riley said. While it shouldn’t be an issue for the average sleeper, if you’re an especially hot sleeper, you might prefer a mattress with a cooler feel.
If you and your partner are sexually active, beds with plenty of bounce can be helpful. Though the WinkBed is a hybrid mattress, Riley didn’t find it to have a responsive surface, making it more challenging to move around. “Mobility on this bed was just average,” she said. “I definitely feel inhibited by the dense pillow top, but I didn’t feel trapped in the foams.” Sexually active couples may prefer a mattress like the Saatva Classic, which has more than enough bounce for bedroom activities.
Find out more about this mattress in our dedicated WinkBed review.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling – Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers
The Brookyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress is one of Brooklyn Bedding’s more high-end mattresses. It’s got a ton of cooling features in it that can help hot sleepers sleep cool all night. It’s also available in three different firmnesses, so it can accommodate all of the sleeping positions. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“First and foremost, I’d recommend this mattress to hot sleepers. This bed sleeps nice and cool thanks to special phase change technology and gel infusions. The Aurora Luxe is also a nice pick for back sleepers. This mattress in the Medium model is medium-soft, so it should contour the hips while also lifting them into alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
We tend to recommend medium-firm mattresses for back sleepers because of their balanced nature, but some folks may need something firmer. Perhaps you have a bigger body type, sleep on your stomach, or just prefer a firmer mattress. If any of these sound like you, check out the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress.
Motion Isolation: 3.8/5
We noticed minor movements from the water during the ripple test.
Cooling: 4/5
The temperature rose by 7.1 degrees during our 5-minute cooling test.
Response: 4/5
Our tester found it very easy to move around on this bed and awarded it a strong responsiveness score.
Edge Support: 4/5
The edges were quite sturdy on the Aurora Luxe.
Pressure Relief: 4.5/5
Our pressure map readings only showed significant pressure buildup for lightweight side sleepers, but it there was little pressure for any back sleepers.
Firmness: 7/10
The construction of the Aurora Luxe resulted in a firm feel.
How Did it Perform in Our Pressure Map Test?
Our testers rated this bed 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, and also gave it an impressive 5 out of 5 score for back-sleeping pressure relief. While testing pressure relief for side and back sleeping, mattress tester Riley Otis found it should be a solid option for both, with some exceptions for the former.
“I think this mattress is an excellent choice for back sleepers,” Riley said. “It has the right level of firmness to keep the spine lifted and properly aligned, while still offering plenty of softness to cushion the upper back.”
What Else Stood Out About the Aurora Luxe?
Aside from its firmness and propensity for back sleepers, most shoppers are probably drawn to the bed’s name. Our testers put the bed’s cooling moniker to the test. Riley used a thermal gun to record the surface temperature of the mattress, first before she’d gotten in, and a second time after a five-minute nap. During this test, Riley noted a 7.1-degree average uptick.
Riley noted that while she rested on the mattress, the cover felt “pleasant and cool to the touch” and never seemed to heat up. This solidified her final temperature regulation rating of 5 out of 5.
The bed’s firm feel also lends it much in the way of response, which earned a 4 out of 5. Responsiveness refers to how easy it is to move on the surface of a mattress. Riley thought this bed was “super easy to move on.” She felt it had a more “on-top” feel rather than the slow sink of some softer foam beds. “I could switch to and from any position,” she added.
What to Keep in Mind About the Aurora Luxe
While this mattress is great for back sleepers who prefer a firm mattress, as well as heavyweight sleepers and stomach sleepers, it may not work for other sleeper types. If you weigh less than 130 pounds or want deep sinkage on your side, you may want to opt for a softer bed. You might like the Leesa Sapira Chill, also featured on this list.
Read more in our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review.
Saatva Classic – Best Luxury Mattress for Back Sleepers
The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction provides a classic innerspring feel. It’s a good option for combo sleepers, who will want to feel free to switch positions and avoid feeling “stuck” in the mattress. It comes in three firmness levels, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The white glove delivery Saatva provides is an added perk and will save you the headache of getting rid of your old mattress (they take it away for free!). For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Saatva is a great option for back sleepers, as the Luxury Firm model provides enough cushioning for their lumbar region, but also lots of support to keep their spine in a neutral alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Back sleepers wanting to sleep like royalty should consider upgrading to a luxury mattress like the Saatva Classic. I own the Luxury Firm model of this mattress myself, and though I’m not a dedicated back sleeper, the support that this bed provides is unmatched, thanks to its two coil units. These coils helped the bed earn a perfect response score of 5/5, as well as an edge support score of 4.8/5.
Motion Isolation: 2.7/5
Our tester could feel a lot of his partner’s movement on the Saatva.
Cooling: 4/5
This bed has a temperature-neutral feel.
Response: 5/5
The Saatva’s innerspring feel makes it super bouncy and easy to move around on.
Edge Support: 4.8/5
The perimeter of the Saatva Classic is rock-solid.
Pressure Relief: 4/5
Pressure relief is better for back sleepers than side sleepers on this bed.
Firmness: 7.5/10
The Luxury Firm model of the Saatva Classic has a firmer feel.
How Did it Perform in Our Pressure Map Test?
Aside from my experience, our testers rated pressure relief on the Saatva mattress at a respectable 4 out of 5 for back sleeping. Dr. Joe Tedesco (DPT) also praised the bed’s balanced feel. “I feel a very even pressure distribution from my ankles up to my neck,” he said. “The mattress is doing its job in terms of how the springs are placed and supportive, giving just enough to hold my weight.”
What Else Stood Out About the Saatva Classic?
As a luxury mattress, some of the Saatva’s biggest perks actually come from the brand’s customer service and policies. This mattress comes with free white-glove delivery, which I took full advantage of when I moved. A team delivered the mattress to my bedroom and took away my old one, eliminating all the hassle of doing it myself. On top of that, the mattress comes with a year-long sleep trial and lifetime warranty, speaking to the brand’s confidence in their product.
The confidence is warranted; aside from its proficiency for back sleepers, it’s also the perfect fit for combination sleepers. My favorite thing about the Saatva is its bounce, which my fellow tester Kenny Timper rated at 5 out of 5 when testing the bed’s responsiveness. As he moved around on the surface, he was able to switch between positions and roll around to his heart’s content. “I think this is pretty much the gold standard for combination sleepers,” he said.
This bed’s edge support is also nothing to scoff at, another feat of its double-innerspring construction. Whether Kenny sat or lay at the very edge of the mattress, there was no sinkage to be found, and he felt stable and secure. “The coils make this bed feel really sturdy and stable,” he said, rating edge support at a perfect 5 out of 5. “I think this mattress would be great for older adults and people with mobility issues.”
The coils in the Saatva Classic also allow for air to keep moving through the bed, helping it keep cool for hot sleepers. Kenny put this to the test by lying down on the mattress for about five minutes to judge whether or not it warmed up. “I didn’t think it was noticeable when it heated up,” he said. Most hot sleepers should be satisfied by the bed’s 4-out-of-5 cooling score.
What to Keep in Mind About the Saatva Classic
Despite my strong affection for this mattress, I find that it’s lacking in the motion isolation department. I’m an extremely light sleeper, and I’ve taken to banishing my partner or friends to the couch when they sleep over. You can feel everything on this bed — even the smallest twitch is amplified and jostles you awake. If you’re looking for a bed with better motion isolation, you’re better off with an all-foam bed like the Nectar.
Read more about this bed in our Saatva Classic mattress review.
Bear Original – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
Even though it’s made entirely of foam, the Bear has a firm, supportive feel that should be sturdy enough for back sleepers and stomach sleepers alike. Additionally, combination sleepers should be able to easily move around on its surface. You can also pay extra for a Celliant cover that may help with cooling and muscle recovery. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I found the double poly foam construction produced a firm, supportive feel. Though you’re likely to sink into its top layer of memory foam, this sinkage is somewhat curbed by the taut poly foam transition layer. This means most folks are going to be positioned more “on top” of the structure than “in” it.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
Foam mattresses are great picks for back sleepers looking for pressure relief. However, with how contouring these beds are, you’ll want an option that also properly supports your spine. Luckily, this isn’t an issue with the Bear Original, an all-foam bed with a firmer feel (7 out of 10 on our scale) that brings more lift. It may not have the super-soft, slow-moving feel of memory foam, but this profile is perfectly suited for back sleepers who like a slightly firmer bed. It also earned high scores in response (4/5) and motion isolation (4.7/5).
Motion Isolation: 4.7/5
Like many other memory foam models, the Bear Original has excellent motion isolation.
Cooling: 4.5/5
Our testers found that the surface of the Bear Original stayed cool and comfortable.
Response: 4/5
The Bear Original is surprisingly easy to move around on despite not having any springs in it.
Edge Support: 4.2/5
Sleepers should be able to lie along the perimeter of the mattress without feeling unsteady or falling off.
Pressure Relief: 3.2/5
The Bear Original excels at relieving pressure for back sleepers but might be too firm for some side sleepers.
Firmness: 7/10
The Bear Original is a touch firmer than the industry standard of medium-firm (6.5 out of 10).
How Did it Perform in Our Pressure Map Test?
Physical therapist Dr. Joe Tedesco particularly enjoyed this mattress as a dedicated back sleeper. He didn’t encounter much pressure buildup, calling this bed a “neutral mattress.” He added, “I am sinking into it a little, but the mattress is pushing me back up.”
Mattress tester Riley Otis shared a similar experience. “I felt comfortable sleeping on my back and could feel the firm support lifting my hips in line with my shoulders,” she said. “I did notice a minor gap in my lumbar region. The foam did not fill the space in my lumbar region, which would have provided additional comfort. I am a lightweight sleeper, so I think average-weight and heavier-weight sleepers will find more cushioning in the lumbar region when back sleeping.”
What Else Stood Out About the Bear Original?
The Bear’s firmer feel lends it a bit of response when it comes to moving around on the surface of the mattress. Riley Otis hopped on top of the Bear Original and started rolling through each sleeping position to gauge her ease of movement.
“Since this bed is firmer than a lot of memory foam beds and doesn’t have a lot of sinkage, I never felt trapped in the foam or like it was inhibiting my mobility,” Riley said. She noted that the bed wasn’t bouncy like a spring bed, which may make it even easier to switch positions. With this in mind, she rated the response at a 4 out of 5. If you prefer the comfort of foam but dislike feeling “stuck” in it, the Bear Original may be a good compromise.
Despite the bed’s decently high response score, it still isolates motion like a traditional memory foam bed. After witnessing how the Bear Original maintained its shape, Riley was surprised by how well the bed absorbed motion when she tested it alongside a colleague.
“I could detect a very slight disturbance when my colleague got in the bed and switched positions,” Riley said. “However, I didn’t feel movement on my side of the bed — I could just tell someone applied pressure to the other side of the bed.” She awarded it a 4.7-out-of-5 score in this category, a good sign for light sleepers who share the bed with a restless partner.
What to Keep in Mind About the Bear Original
The Bear mattress had decent edge support for a foam mattress, but nothing to write home about. Foam beds often have saggy edges due to the dense nature of the foam. Riley thought that the edges held up a bit better than a traditional foam, but added, “I wouldn’t say it was stellar.” They sank quite a bit when bearing her weight, regardless if she was lying down or sitting at the perimeter, but she never felt like she was going to slip right off.
Need more solid edges? Check out the Nolah Evolution. Or you can read more about this mattress in our Bear Original review.
Nolah Evolution – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Back Pain
The Nolah Evolution’s hybrid construction offers the cushioning of memory foam with the responsiveness of coils. The Luxury Firm model is a good option for side and back sleepers due to its medium-firm feel, though there are Plush and Firm versions as well. Those who share a bed may also appreciate its low motion transfer, so you won’t be disturbed by a partner’s movements and its solid edge support to allow you to maximize surface area. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I laid down to rest on this mattress on my back — my primary sleep position. I felt comfortable, but also appreciated the cozy, plush top of the bed. After some time lying on my back, I switched over to my side. I didn’t find this position quite as comfortable, as I did feel some slight pressure buildup in my shoulder.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Like mattresses designed for back sleepers, the best mattress for back pain should strike a balance between support and softness to keep your body properly aligned. The Nolah Evolution is a luxury hybrid mattress that will check the boxes for both. While the coils keep you lifted, the dense foams on top of the mattress provide plenty of pressure relief; the mattress earned a 4.3-out-of-5 score for back-sleeping pressure relief.
Motion Isolation: 5/5
Our tester noticed no movement during our ripple test, resulting in a perfect score for motion isolation.
Cooling: 4.5/5
The Nolah Evolution showed above-average cooling capabilities.
Response: 4/5
Our tester found it fairly easy to roll around on the Nolah Evolution.
Edge Support: 4.6/5
The Nolah Evolution had a strong perimeter, earning a high edge support test.
Pressure Relief: 4.3/5
The bed was good at relieving pressure, though some of our testers wanted more sinkage.
Firmness: 7/10
The springs in the construction made for a slightly firmer feel.
How Did it Perform in Our Pressure Map Test?
Physical therapist Dr. Joe Tedesco tried this bed out for himself and gave it his seal of approval. “I think people who have back pain could stand to benefit from this mattress,” he said. “You get some great weightlessness and slight posterior tilt as a back sleeper with this mattress, which is ideal for alleviating hip and back pain.”
The Nolah Evolution comes in multiple firmness options, but we tested the Luxury Firm model. Our team rated it at a 7 out of 10 in terms of firmness, just a smidge firmer than industry-standard medium-firm. It has a more “on top” feel that’ll leave you feeling lifted on the bed’s surface rather than sinking deeply into it. Despite this, you still won’t feel any “significant pressure buildup,” per Dr. Tedesco, creating a balanced sleep environment perfect for back pain relief.
The Nolah Evolution offers much more than support for back issues. It earned its highest score, a perfect 5 out of 5, in the motion isolation category, making it a great option for couples. “Cait is a lightweight sleeper, and I barely felt her at all,” Sosha said when her fellow tester got into bed alongside her. “The most motion was when she sat down on the bed.” She noted that this might change if your partner has a larger build, but still recommended the bed for light sleepers easily awoken by their bedmates.
What Else Stood Out About the Nolah Evolution?
This hybrid also had great edge support, thanks to its reinforced coils along the perimeter of the bed. Our testers didn’t notice much dipping when sitting or lying down at the very edge, and they bounced back when getting in and out of bed. At a 4.6 out of 5 score, the Nolah Evolution’s edge support should be enough to give older adults and those with mobility concerns the extra bit of stability they need.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nolah Evolution
The edges weren’t the only thing that bounced back on this mattress. Sosha found that the mattress surface had some response to it despite its cushy foam feel. “I found it fairly easy to switch to every position,” she said, rating response at 4 out of 5 because of the little effort she had to put in to roll from her back to stomach. She did note that it wasn’t as bouncy as a typical hybrid bed, so don’t expect to be bouncing across the surface like you’re part of the moon landing.
The biggest qualm most shoppers might have with the Nolah Evolution is its price. As a luxury bed, this bed will run you almost $1,500 for a queen-size. We think it’s worth every penny, but it may not be a feasible budget option. If you want a cheaper hybrid mattress, you might like the DreamCloud instead.
To find out more about this bed, read our full Nolah Evolution review.
Other Mattresses I Considered
Didn’t find what you were looking for in our list above? Here are other beds that almost made the list, and who they should appeal to:
WinkBeds EcoCloud
The EcoCloud is an organic latex mattress with zoned support in its coil unit, providing extra lift in the center. This helps to promote proper spinal alignment in the back-sleeping position, which studies suggest may prevent back pain and improve sleep quality over time. However, this bed may feel too firm for some side sleepers, unless they weigh over 230 pounds or prefer a firmer feel. If you also switch between your back and stomach, the EcoCloud may not offer the proper support for the latter position.
Plank Firm
If you’re looking for an extra-firm mattress for back sleeping, the Plank Firm is hard to beat as the firmest out there. It’s an all-foam mattress designed for cooling and extra support, with a flippable design with two firmnesses in one, a more “traditional” firm side and a super-firm one. It’s great if you also sleep on your stomach or have a bigger body. Unfortunately, it may not offer much in the way of pressure relief for back sleepers of a lighter weight. Combination back and side sleepers should also stick to a softer option.
How We Picked and Tested These Mattresses
Back sleepers are in a league of their own in terms of the support, pressure relief, and ideal firmness they need. It’s a tricky balance to strike, but one that the best mattresses do with ease. Below, I’ll go over what we looked for in each of these categories to find the best beds for back sleepers.
Firmness
Firmness refers to how hard or soft a bed feels. We rate firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Many back sleepers will prefer a mattress that’s in the medium to slightly firm range. The industry standard for medium-firm is 6.5 on the firmness scale, so they’ll likely want to land on a structure that hovers around that score.
Why is this 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.
Moreover, a soft mattress can be just as supportive as a firm one, so it’s important to acknowledge that the terms “firmness” and “support” are not synonymous with one another.
Support
How do you spot a truly supportive bed? 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.
Ideally, whatever mattress you choose would actively work to keep your spine aligned and balanced. Otherwise, you could end up with aches, pains, and limited mobility. Additionally, good alignment helps alleviate any pain that may be causing insomnia.
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 constructed with different zones, each with a distinct firmness level. Most offer firmer support in the center where it’s needed most to keeps the hips from sinking in too far to the mattress.
Pressure Relief
While you’ll want your spine 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.
We test pressure relief using a specialized mat, which we lay out on the surface of a mattress before a tester gets in. As our tester lays on their back and side, the mat records where pressure builds up along their body. The result is a color-coded map that shows areas of high and low pressure. Blue and green mean low pressure, while red and yellow indicate high pressure. We generally want to see more of the former.
Our testers will also describe how they feel lying on top of the bed, whether they feel any part of their body digging in uncomfortably or sinking out of alignment. Their results, combined with that of the pressure map test, are what guide us to rate pressure relief for the mattress out of 5. We take note of pressure relief in both side- and back-sleeping positions, as well as ensuring different weight categories are represented in our test, as this can affect pressure relief.
What to Consider in a Mattress for Back Sleepers
Aside from ensuring comfort and support from your bed, back sleepers may have other preferences in terms of performance or even price that can affect the overall feel of their bed and whether it will work for back sleeping. I’ll go over some other factors you should consider before making a final decision.
What Is the Best Type of Mattress for Back Sleepers?
Whether you choose a spring, latex, or memory foam mattress can determine its feel and performance. Some mattress types are better for back sleepers or those with more specific preferences, which we’ll outline below.
Medium-Firm to Firm Mattresses
For many back sleepers, medium-firm to firm mattresses, or those that land on a 6.5 or higher on our firmness scale, are ideal. Models at this firmness level provide ample support for the lower body, keep the spine properly aligned, and provide tension-relieving contouring.
As Lauri Leadley, clinical sleep educator and founder of Valley Sleep Center, advises, “Back sleepers typically need a firmer mattress. If I were rating on a scale of 1-10, I would recommend maybe a 6 or an 8. A back sleeper will find that a mattress in this range will support the lumbar spine and prevent the hips and legs from sinking. Go with a hybrid mattress if you can – something with a mix of internal springs and memory foam. I find it’s a great balance for a restful outcome.”
When a mattress is too soft, the hips can sink too deeply, causing spinal misalignment and potentially leading to lower back pain. A firmer surface helps keep the torso and hips elevated and in line with the shoulders.
That said, a firm mattress doesn’t have to be rigid or uncomfortable. The best options still offer a bit of cushioning at the surface to relieve pressure along the shoulders and lower back.
Mattresses with Zoned Support
Zoned support mattresses, or those designed with different firmness levels across the bed, accommodate the body’s natural weight distribution. For back sleepers, this typically means firmer support through the center third of the mattress (where the hips and lower back rest) and slightly softer zones near the shoulders and legs.
This targeted support is especially beneficial for maintaining proper spinal alignment. Zoned support mattresses ward off sagging while allowing lighter areas to settle comfortably by reinforcing heavier areas of the body, such as the lower lumbar region and hips.
The varying levels of support result in a more balanced, ergonomic feel that can reduce strain on the lower back.
Responsive Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses are ideal for back sleepers seeking balanced cushioning and support without the quicksand-like feel of memory foam. Natural latex has a buoyant, responsive feel, meaning it gently contours to the body but quickly pushes back to keep you lifted and aligned. This responsive support prevents the hips from sinking further into the mattress, causing pressure buildup.
Whether in an all-latex bed or a latex hybrid with coils, this responsiveness also makes it easier to move and change positions while maintaining consistent support.
Hybrid mattresses that use latex instead of traditional memory foam couple that pressure-relieving surface with sturdy coil systems for added structure. For this reason, these models are often on the firmer side and are a strong choice for back sleepers who need added stability (for example, those with larger bodies).
Additionally, some studies even show that latex can be more cooling than foam. However, latex can also drive up the price of a bed, especially if organic materials are used.
Body Weight
“Your body type and weight can directly affect how your mattress feels and whether a mattress will be right for you,” says our chief medical advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta. We’ve mentioned that medium-firm beds are the best for back sleepers, but some sleepers might experience this firmness as too soft or too firm for their needs.
We’ve found that folks over 230 pounds may fare better on firmer beds to better support them. A bed with too-soft comfort layers can have them sinking too far into the mattress, “bottoming out” on the uncomfortable support base. A firmer mattress that keeps them comfortably lifted can prevent this issue.
Sleepers under 130 pounds may have the opposite problem; if a bed is too firm, they might have trouble sinking into the mattress, perhaps not getting enough pressure relief. This is why we recommend lightweight sleepers consider getting a softer mattress.
Company Policies
A mattress purchase is no small feat. You’re investing in a product you’ll use every night, and it should be in your life for years to come. When making this decision, it can be a good idea to read the fine print surrounding your purchase. Three of the most important policies to look at are the warranty, sleep trial, and shipping.
A mattress warranty can be a good indicator of a mattress’s durability, as it can measure how long the company expects their product to last. A warranty is how long after purchase the company is willing to replace your mattress for free. These warranties can be handy if your mattress has manufacturing errors, premature sagging, or defective materials. Most online mattress retailers offer a 10-year or a lifetime warranty. However, other brands offer no warranty at all, so it’s important to check.
A sleep trial is the amount of time you can sleep on your mattress before it becomes ineligible for returns or exchanges. Online mattress companies understand hesitancy to purchase a bed without trying it first, so they will usually offer a lengthy trial.
We recommend looking for a sleep trial period of at least 100 nights so you have plenty of time to decide whether you want to keep it. Some companies even let you try the mattress for a full year before deciding it’s not for you. It can sometimes take up to 30 days to fully adjust to a new mattress, so some companies will not begin accepting returns until 30 days after delivery.
If you’re purchasing a bed-in-a-box mattress, it will ship right to your door compressed in a box. Some mattress companies offer white glove delivery, meaning they’ll deliver the bed to your home and set it up for you. Some companies will even take away your old mattress for free.
Price
For most folks, a big investment like a mattress might come down to the price. Most queen-size beds can run you around $1,000, which isn’t always feasible for folks on a budget. Before you pick the cheapest mattress out there, be sure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Take a look at the details of the bed’s construction for high-quality materials like dense memory foam or high coil count. Always look at reviews both on and off the company’s site.
Finally, I recommend taking full advantage of any sleep trial or return policy offered by the brand. Get a feel for whether or not you’d pay full price for the product you received before committing to your purchase. As mentioned, most brands will give a full refund if you initiate a return within the trial period.
Mattress Accessories for Back Sleepers
Some accessories could improve comfort and support for back sleepers. Small adjustments that add targeted cushioning or fill in gaps along the spine can make a noticeable difference for back sleepers dealing with discomfort.
Lumbar Pillows
Lumbar pillows support the natural curve of your lower back, which can be a game-changer if your mattress does not fill in that area. Back sleepers often experience a small gap between the mattress and the lower spine, and without proper support, this can lead to pressure buildup or lower back pain over time. A lumbar pillow is a cost-effective way to help maintain spinal alignment and reduce strain on the lower back.
“It’s important to identify those pressure points on the body that are preventing you from finding a comfortable position, be it on your back, side, or even stomach,” explains Lauri Leadley. “If you have pain in your lower back, try using a good lumbar pillow which is typically 20″x12″. Slide it under the curve of your spine between your lower back and tailbone. This will ease sciatica, hip, and lower back pain.”
Plush Mattress Toppers
On the other hand, a too-firm mattress can be just as problematic as an unsupportive one. For these mattresses, a plush topper provides additional cushioning that can help relieve pressure points.
A softer topper (such as one made from memory foam or plush latex) can provide cushioning for the lower lumbar area while still allowing the mattress underneath to provide structure. This added layer of pressure relief can create a more balanced feel, improving comfort without the need to replace your entire mattress.
FAQs
Is a soft or firm mattress better 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. Soft mattresses may work for sleepers of a lighter weight, while firm mattresses may be more supportive for folks over 230 pounds.
Are foam or spring mattresses better 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.
What type of mattress is best for back sleepers?
We generally recommend hybrid mattresses for back sleepers because of their balanced feel. However, if you prefer a different mattress type, just make sure it provides the support and pressure relief you need.
Sources:
- Bai, D. L., Liu, T.-W., Chou, H.-L., & Hsu, Y.-L. (2020). Relationship between a pressure redistributing foam mattress and pressure injuries: An observational prospective cohort study. PLOS ONE, 15(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241276
- Low, F.-Z., Chua, M. C.-H., Lim, P.-Y., & Yeow, C.-H. (2017). Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles in Different Sleeping Postures. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 16(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2016.09.002