Written by Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Back sleepers benefit from snoozing in a position that keeps the spine relatively straight. The right bed will reinforce this healthy posture, ensuring that you sleep well and wake up without any new aches and pains.
So, what makes a good mattress for back sleepers? We settled on three key criteria: lots of support, a bit of pressure relief, and a medium-firm to firm feel. My team and I have tested the beds below for all three elements, and they passed with flying colors.
The Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
- Helix Midnight – Editor’s Pick
- Nectar – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
- DreamCloud – Best Hybrid Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Emma Hybrid Comfort – Best Mattress for Heavy Back Sleepers
- WinkBeds EcoCloud – Best Organic Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Saatva Classic – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Back Pain
- Nolah Signature – Best Mattress for Back and Side Sleepers
- Bear Original – Best Affordable Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe – Best Cooling Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers
Video Review of the Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
Compare Mattresses for Back Sleepers
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| Helix Midnight Mattress | Nectar Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Emma Hybrid Comfort | WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress | Saatva Mattress | Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress | Bear Original Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Medium: 5.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options |
| Material | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Latex | Innerspring | Foam | Foam | Hybrid | Foam |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| Warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty |
| Shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free white glove delivery | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping |
| Trial Period | 100 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
| Best For | Couples, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Couples | Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Seniors | Side Sleepers, Back Pain | Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain | Hot Sleepers, Back Pain, Side Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Seniors |
How We Picked the Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
We test mattresses in person at our studio, grading them on a long list of performance categories. For back sleepers, three criteria are more important than the rest: reliable support, decent pressure relief, and a medium-firm to firm feel.
Our Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Raj Dasupta, echoed these priorities when we asked him what a back sleeper should look for in a bed.
“If you sleep on your back, look for a mattress that’s not too soft or too hard — somewhere in the middle is ideal. It should support your spine well and give some cushioning to your pressure points.”
Keeping these requirements in mind, we set specific standards for the beds on this list. Every mattress here has …
- A testing score of least a 4 out of 5 in the support category.
- A testing score of at least 3.5 out of 5 in the pressure relief category.
- A firmness rating between 5 and 7 on our mattress firmness scale.
Expand the sections below to learn more about why each factor matters for back sleeping and how we tested for it.
Comprehensive Support
A mattress with comprehensive support will keep your spine lifted and aligned night after night.
Why is this so important? Well, without consistent support, you may feel like you’re sinking into the bed unevenly, with some parts of your body dipping much lower than others. Your spinal alignment won’t be guaranteed—and a misaligned spine can lead to all sorts of discomfort, including back pain.1
How Do We Test It?
We test support by having people with different body types (lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight) lie on the mattress in all three sleeping positions (side, back, and stomach).
These testers then report how aligned and “lifted” they feel atop the bed. We also judge their alignment visually: Does their spine seem straight, from neck to tailbone? Are there any zones that seem prone to sinkage?
For back sleepers, we especially keep an eye out for dipping around the hips and lower back, or lumbar spine. This sensitive spot often needs an extra boost to stay totally aligned with the upper body.
Finally, we assign the mattress a support score between 0 and 5, with 5 representing an extremely supportive bed.
Enough Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is another aspect of a mattress that can reduce or prevent aches and pains. Unsurprisingly, it refers to a bed’s ability to relieve pressure, particularly around areas of the body where it tends to build up over time.
Most back sleepers will want pressure relief around the shoulder blades and tailbone. Depending on how you hold your arms while you sleep, your elbows might want some pressure relief, too!
However, pressure relief isn’t as high a priority for back sleepers as it is for side sleepers (who need lots of cushion around their shoulders and hips). You want enough to feel cozy and slightly cradled, but not too much, lest you compromise on support.
How Do We Test It?
We test pressure relief by looking at pressure readouts for each bed we test. First, we place a thin, electronic mat on top of the mattress. Our testers then lie on top of the mat, which generates a pressure map—a color-coded diagram that shows where pressure is present or absent on their bodies.
A bed that’s very good at relieving pressure will produce a pressure map that’s mostly blues and greens. If we see yellow, orange, or red on the map, we know that pressure is accumulating around that area.
We give each bed a score between 0 and 5, with 5 indicating stellar pressure relief.
Medium-Firm to Firm Feel
Back sleeping tends to feel best with a medium-firm or firm bed. You’ll want a mattress that blends coziness with a reassuring solidity; like Dr. Raj said, not too soft, but not too hard.
If your bed is too soft, you risk sinking so deeply into it that your spine slips out of alignment. If it’s too hard, you probably won’t feel comfortable. We recommend looking at beds somewhere between a 5 and a 7 on our firmness scale.
Medium-firm beds—between a 5 and a 6.5 on our scale—tend to be the most popular as well as the most versatile. They’re a safe bet for the average sleeper, and they’ve been associated with better sleep quality and a lower risk of back pain.2
Sometimes, though, back sleepers want a flatter, firmer surface, and feel great on a bed with a firmness rating of 7 or more. The “ideal” firmness is both subjective and personal!
How Do We Test It?
We give every bed we test a rating on our mattress firmness scale. The scale runs from 0 to 10, with 0 being as soft as air and 10 being as hard as a rock.
It’s worth noting that your body weight will also influence how firm a bed feels to you. Lightweight people are very sensitive to firmness and will usually prefer softer mattresses, whereas plus-size folks generally enjoy firmer beds more.
We have testers of different body types test each bed so that we can reach an agreed-upon firmness rating for an average-weight sleeper. But you may experience a given bed as softer or firmer, depending on your own body type.
10 Best Beds for Back Sleepers
Helix Midnight – Editor’s Pick
Helix Midnight Mattress
Part of Helix’s core line of mattresses, the Midnight has a hybrid construction that’s particularly suited to back and side sleepers.
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Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Mattress
Part of Helix’s core line of mattresses, the Midnight has a hybrid construction that’s particularly suited to back and side sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Mattress
Part of Helix’s core line of mattresses, the Midnight has a hybrid construction that’s particularly suited to back and side sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why It Earned Best for Back Sleepers Overall
Although the Midnight is advertised as a bed for side sleepers, we really love it for back sleeping. It’s been through our testing studio multiple times, and each time, it kept our spines neutral and supported while providing a lovely amount of cushion.
It’s at the top of our list because it scored 5 out of 5 in the support, pressure relief, cooling and motion isolation categories—a spread we don’t see very often. At a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, it also hits the medium-firm sweet spot.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“Testers’ spines appeared to be straight from the base of the neck to the tailbone. When lying on our backs, we felt aligned.”
Loren Bullock, Former Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature for Back Sleepers
Helix Responsive Foam. There are two layers of this proprietary foam in the bed, each with a medium-firm feel. I think they’re doing some important heavy lifting in balancing the mattress’s lift and pressure relief.
Customer Reviews of the Helix Midnight
The Helix Midnight has over 6,500 reviews on Helix’s website, scoring at 4.5 out of 5. Some negative reviews mention feeling a dip in the middle of the bed when it’s shared with a partner. But overall, most users say they’re getting a great night’s sleep along with some pain relief.
Want to learn more about this bed? Check out our full Helix Midnight mattress review.
Looking for our all-time favorites? Read through our roundup of the best mattresses of 2024.
Nectar – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
Nectar Mattress
Nectar provides a premium memory foam bed backed up by a year-long trial and a Forever warranty.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nectar Mattress
Nectar provides a premium memory foam bed backed up by a year-long trial and a Forever warranty.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nectar Mattress
Nectar provides a premium memory foam bed backed up by a year-long trial and a Forever warranty.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why the It Earned Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
You might expect a memory foam bed to be pillowy all the way through. But some foam options—including the Nectar—don’t skimp on the support. I love how the Nectar’s base layer acts as a strong foundation for the hugging foams above it, creating a medium-firm feel (6.5 out of 10) overall.
On my back, the Nectar feels just heavenly. I definitely prefer that position over side and stomach sleeping on this bed, and would recommend it to any back sleeper who likes to have some soothing cradling at the surface.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“Seamless fit, this mattress and [back sleeping]. Good spine support and the memory foam contours easily to the body.”
Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Our Favorite Feature for Back Sleepers
ActiveSupport base foam. Without this dense, supportive base, the contouring foams at the top of the bed would be all cushion, no backbone. Back sleepers need this last layer to transform the Nectar into a spine-aligning sanctuary.
Customer Reviews of The Nectar Mattress
With an impressive 51,700 reviews on Nectar’s site, the Nectar mattress earns an average 4.7 out of 5 stars. One common customer complaint about the Nectar mattress is its longer-than-average break-in period, while many customers praise its excellent value and comfort once fully settled.
Want more details? Read through our Nectar mattress review.
Curious about other memory foam options? Browse our best memory foam mattress guide.
DreamCloud – Best Hybrid Mattress for Back Sleepers
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Luxurious hybrid at a great price with a lifetime warranty.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Luxurious hybrid at a great price with a lifetime warranty.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Luxurious hybrid at a great price with a lifetime warranty.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why It Earned Best Hybrid Mattress for Back Sleepers
The DreamCloud is a great example of how hybrids combine the best aspects of foam and innerspring beds. Its initial foam layers feel pleasantly plush, but the coils gave me a nice boost, so my spine stayed in alignment across all three sleeping positions.
I think this bed excels as a back-sleeping mattress, though. It’s in that coveted medium-firm zone at a 6.5 out of 10 on our scale, and a wide range of body types should be able to sleep supine without issue.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“I tested the DreamCloud in all positions, and it maintained support in each. So back sleepers should rest easy knowing they’ll stay lifted and aligned—all of this with luxurious features and reasonable pricing.”
Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature for Back Sleepers
Dynamic Transition Foam. It’s easy to overlook the foam that comes after those cushy memory foam layers, but this transition foam—so-named because it’s placed right between upper foams and the coil unit—helps to produce a medium-firm feel.
Customer Reviews of The DreamCloud
The DreamCloud Original scores a solid 4.6 out of 5 stars among its 8,900 customer reviews on site. One potential downside of the DreamCloud Original mattress is its weight, making it challenging to move or rotate, but it offers excellent support and comfort for those who prefer a medium-firm feel.
Want to explore this mattress more? Check out our DreamCloud mattress review.
Looking for other Hybrid options? Visit our roundup of the best hybrid mattresses.
Emma Hybrid Comfort – Best Mattress for Heavy Back Sleepers
Emma Hybrid Comfort
With three foam layers for comfort and a zoned innerspring unit, this hybrid mattress from Emma can support sleepers of all shapes and sizes.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Emma Hybrid Comfort
With three foam layers for comfort and a zoned innerspring unit, this hybrid mattress from Emma can support sleepers of all shapes and sizes.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Emma Hybrid Comfort
With three foam layers for comfort and a zoned innerspring unit, this hybrid mattress from Emma can support sleepers of all shapes and sizes.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 7/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why It Earned Best Mattress for Heavy Back Sleepers
The Emma Hybrid Comfort accomplishes a rare feat that plus-size back sleepers should appreciate: it relieves pressure even though it’s a relatively firm bed. To achieve this balance, the hybrid’s construction has three layers of cushioning foam above a sturdy spring unit.
Our testers gave it a 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, so it’s a bit firmer than average. Spencer, our heavyweight tester, was pleased at how it evenly distributed his weight and kept his lower back in line.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“My spine is lifted in all sleep positions, there’s no dip whatsoever.”
Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature for Back Sleepers
Zoned innerspring unit. The coils inside this bed are extremely strong and supportive enough for back sleepers of all body types. They’re also zoned, so they’ll give more or less resistance under certain areas of the body to help with spinal alignment.
Customer Reviews of The Emma Hybrid Comfort
This is a fairly new mattress, so Emma’s site has just over 100 reviews thus far, but early customers already rate it an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars. So far customers appreciate the Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress for its excellent motion isolation, but some have reported that it may have a slight initial off-gassing odor upon unboxing.
Searching for more detail? Read our full review of the Emma Hybrid Comfort.
Interested in other top-rated options? See our list of the best beds for heavy people.
WinkBeds EcoCloud – Best Organic Mattress for Back Sleepers
WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress
The EcoCloud by Winkbed provides a premium experience With some of the most natural materials in the bedding industry!
Material
Latex
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium: 5.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress
The EcoCloud by Winkbed provides a premium experience With some of the most natural materials in the bedding industry!
Material
Latex
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium: 5.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress
The EcoCloud by Winkbed provides a premium experience With some of the most natural materials in the bedding industry!
Material
Latex
Firmness
Medium: 5.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Why the WinkBeds EcoCloud Earned Best Organic Mattress for Back Sleepers
Topped with organic cotton and full of OEKO-TEX®-certified Talalay latex, this bed boasts more than a few eco-friendly credentials. It’s also a good bet for back sleepers who want lots of bounce and pressure relief.
My fellow testers and I were impressed by how quickly the materials in this bed sprung back into shape, especially considering how plush it feels. We gave it a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, so it’s on the softer end of medium-firm. On my back, I felt delightfully cushioned as well as buoyed.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“I’ve never slept on a water bed, but I figure this is the closest thing to it. It’s so bouncy and reactive as I move around. The most cushion is happening around the hips, and my body is held aloft.”
Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Our Favorite Feature for Back Sleepers
Talalay latex. This 4-inch layer is actually two separate, breathable Talalay latex sheets. They’re zoned and textured to support the lower back while allowing for pressure relief in the hips and shoulders.
Customer Reviews of the WinkBeds EcoCloud
At 4.8 out of 5 stars on WinkBed’s site, the EcoCloud has over 240 reviews, most of whcih are overwhelmingly positive. Customers appreciate the eco-friendly materials used in the WinkBeds EcoCloud mattress but have noted that the price point may be higher than some competitors.
Looking to learn more? Check out our WinkBeds EcoCloud mattress review.
Curious about all organic beds? Consult our best organic mattresses roundup.
Saatva Classic – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Back Pain
Saatva Mattress
Coil-on-coil structure gives this elevated innerspring bed a luxurious feel and versatility.
Material
Innerspring
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Saatva Mattress
Coil-on-coil structure gives this elevated innerspring bed a luxurious feel and versatility.
Material
Innerspring
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Saatva Mattress
Coil-on-coil structure gives this elevated innerspring bed a luxurious feel and versatility.
Material
Innerspring
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why It Earned Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Back Pain
Although the Saatva Classic feels plush at the surface, this innerspring bed doubles up on the support—and, hopefully, back pain prevention—with two coil systems. Stacked on top of each other, these units make for an exceptional experience in spinal alignment.
There are multiple firmness options available for this bed, and we thought the Luxury Firm felt pretty firm, around a 7 out of 10. We especially appreciated how the lumbar-focused features lifted up our lower backs.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“The firmer stitching and lumbar support layer at the center of the bed are working wonders for keeping the spine straight and posture aligned while laying down.”
Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature for Back Sleepers
Lumbar quilting and zoning – Back sleepers should feel the bed’s quilted cover and lumbar-centric foam strip bolster their lower backs, while the first layer of pocketed coils also give this region a boost.
Customer Reviews of The Saatva Classic
With over 3,400 customer reviews, the Saatva Classic rates 4.8 stars out of 5 on Saatva’s website. One negative aspect customers found with the Saatva Classic mattress is that it may feel too firm for some users, while a notable advantage is its high-quality materials that provide durability and support.
Want to read on? Go to our full Saatva review.
Experiencing back pain? See our picks for the best mattresses for back pain.
Nolah Signature – Best Mattress for Back and Side Sleepers
Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress
Shoppers interested in a hybrid feel should find this Signature bed a perfect choice for their needs.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress
Shoppers interested in a hybrid feel should find this Signature bed a perfect choice for their needs.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress
Shoppers interested in a hybrid feel should find this Signature bed a perfect choice for their needs.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Why It Earned Best Mattress for Back and Side Sleepers
An all-foam bed, the Nolah Signature hits a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale (the softer end of medium-firm).
Our testers were unanimous that it felt amazing on their backs and their sides, with neutral spines preserved across both positions.
This is a mattress for anyone who wants to feel swaddled by the top layers of foam. Its pressure relief is stellar, and we were “hugged” without sinking so deep that our alignment suffered.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“Great alignment: a perfectly straight spine. The foam hugs back sleepers really well.”
Loren Bullock, Former Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature for Back Sleepers
AirFoam™. Nolah created AirFoam™ as a memory foam alternative, and claims that it relieves more pressure, lasts longer, and stays cooler. There are two layers of AirFoam™ in this bed—one firmer than the other—and they definitely took the pressure off when I laid down.
Customer Reviews of The Nolah Signature
The Nolah Signature gets an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars on Nolah’s website, according to over 6,100 reviews. Customers appreciate the Nolah Signature mattress for its exceptional pressure relief, but some have mentioned that it lacks the edge support they desire.
Want additional insight on this bed? Read our Nolah Signature mattress review.
Like to sleep on your side more than your back? Peruse the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Bear Original – Best Affordable Mattress for Back Sleepers
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Firm: 7/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why It Earned Best Affordable Mattress for Back Sleepers
Though it’s an all-foam mattress, the Bear Original has a medium-firm feel that had us feeling lifted rather than swallowed up by the bed. It’s really solid for a foam option—it kept us aligned on our backs and our stomachs with ease.
We pegged it at a 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, so it’s meant for folks that want a flat, supportive surface. It’s also strikingly affordable. A queen costs about $1,000 before discounts, but sales run often, and you can usually order one for hundreds less.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“It has great support and alignment for foam without any zoned materials.”
Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Our Favorite Feature for Back Sleepers
Gel Memory Foam. The top layer in this bed doesn’t feel like stereotypical memory foam. Instead of sinking in slowly, it’s firm and robust, helping to hold your spine in alignment.
Customer Reviews of The Bear Original
According to over 10,600 reviews on Bear’s website, the Bear Original scores a 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers appreciate the Bear Original mattress for its excellent pressure relief but have reported that its edge support may be lacking, which could affect those who use the full mattress surface.
Curious about this bed? Read our Bear Original mattress review.
Looking for other affordable beds? See our list of the best cheap mattresses.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe – Best Cooling Mattress for Back Sleepers
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress
The Aurora Luxe is a cooling mattress with TitanCool™ Technology, copper and gel infusions, and a temperature-regulating coil layer working together to provide exceptional comfort for those who sleep hot.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress
The Aurora Luxe is a cooling mattress with TitanCool™ Technology, copper and gel infusions, and a temperature-regulating coil layer working together to provide exceptional comfort for those who sleep hot.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress
The Aurora Luxe is a cooling mattress with TitanCool™ Technology, copper and gel infusions, and a temperature-regulating coil layer working together to provide exceptional comfort for those who sleep hot.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why It Earned Best Cooling Mattress for Back Sleepers
I had superb spinal alignment on this bed while lying on my back, and so did my two testing partners.
We felt that the “Medium” model was actually pretty firm—around a 7 out of 10 on our scale—and could accommodate stomach sleepers as well.
We also ran temperature tests on the bed and got some heartening results. In one test, it managed to lower its surface temperature below the initial reading after we’d laid on top of it. Another test showed more standard temperature shifts.
We awarded it a 4 out of 5 in this category as a compromise, but its cooling materials are definitely working.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“My spine feels fantastic in every position. It’s aloft but not too much, very midline.”
Loren Bullock, Former Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature for Back Sleepers
CopperFlex™ Foam. Phase change material and a copper infusion enable this foam to regulate temperature way more than its memory foam predecessors. It also feels stable and firm, at least in the Medium model, so back sleepers should appreciate it.
Customer Reviews of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
The Aurora Luxe has over 3,300 reviews and an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Brooklyn Bedding’s site. Customers praise the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress for its advanced cooling features, but some have mentioned that it is relatively expensive compared to other options.
Want to explore this bed further? See our Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review.
Tired of sleeping hot? Peruse our roundup of the best cooling mattresses.
Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Those in the market for a Firm bed now have a dual-sided choice to see what they require to sleep well-supported and comfortable in Plank Firm, a new product from Brooklyn Bedding.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Those in the market for a Firm bed now have a dual-sided choice to see what they require to sleep well-supported and comfortable in Plank Firm, a new product from Brooklyn Bedding.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Those in the market for a Firm bed now have a dual-sided choice to see what they require to sleep well-supported and comfortable in Plank Firm, a new product from Brooklyn Bedding.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why It Earned Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers
Back sleepers seeking a flat, bracing sleep surface should enjoy the Plank’s relatively simple design and very firm feel.
It’s flippable, so you can switch between a standard firm side (about a 7 out of 10) and an “ultra firm” side (8.5 out of 10) whenever you want.
Out of all the sleep positions, back sleeping felt best to me on this bed, and I strongly preferred the standard side. We all found the ultra-firm side to be too firm for our tastes.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“Since there’s no sink happening at the hips especially, the lift and weight distribution is keeping the spine easily in alignment.”
Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Our Favorite Feature for Back Sleepers
High-Density Support Foam. The “core” of the bed is a thick layer of high-density foam. This is what gives the Plank its signature firmness and the strength to keep spines lifted and aligned.
Customer Reviews of the Plank Firm
On Plank’s website, the Plank Firm gets a 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 3,200 individual reviews. Customers appreciate the mattress for its exceptional firmness, but some have found it to be too rigid for their comfort preferences.
Want to take a closer look? Read our full Plank mattress review.
Curious about other options? Browse our roundup of the best firm mattresses.
Other Mattresses We Tested for Back Sleepers
The mattresses below didn’t quite make our list, either because we couldn’t acquire them for testing or they fell short of our criteria.
However, they still might feel great to certain back sleepers. We recommend checking them out if you’re not completely sold on any of the beds above.
Product
Type
Score
Product
Type
Score
Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers Price Comparison
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen Size) | Review |
| Helix Midnight | Editor’s Pick | $1,199 | Helix Midnight Mattress Review |
| Nectar | Memory Foam | $999 | Nectar Mattress Review |
| DreamCloud | Hybrid | $1,332 | DreamCloud Mattress Review |
| Emma Hybrid Comfort | Heavy Back Sleepers | $1,339 | Emma Hybrid Mattress Review |
| WinkBeds EcoCloud | Organic | $1,999 | WinkBeds EcoCloud Review |
| Saatva Classic | Back Pain | $1,995 | Saatva Mattress Review |
| Nolah Signature | Back and Side Sleepers | $1,599 | Nolah Signature Mattress Review |
| Bear Original | Affordable | $998 | Bear Mattress Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe | Cooling | $1,874 | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress Review |
| Plank Firm | Firm | $1,332 | Plank Firm Mattress Review |
Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers FAQs
What type of bed is best for back sleepers?
Hybrid beds generally have the best mix of support and pressure relief for back sleepers. They combine layers of foam on top with a sturdy spring system at the base, so they can offer the perks of multiple classic mattress types in one package.
However, some back sleepers may prefer the feel of memory foam or traditional innerspring beds. As long as your choice of mattress encourages a neutral spine and makes you feel cozy, you’re good to go.
What mattress firmness is best for back sleepers?
Medium-firm mattresses tend to be the best option for people who sleep on their backs. They balance a pleasant amount of cushion with strong support for a neutral spine. Heavier back sleepers may feel more comfortable on a slightly firmer bed, however.
Is memory foam good for back sleepers?
Memory foam can be a good mattress material for back sleepers, but only if the base of the bed is supportive enough to promote a neutral spine. If the foam layers cause you to sink deep into the bed, your spine may become misaligned, putting you at risk for neck and back pain.
Why is sleeping on your back good for you?
Sleeping on your back is thought to be a beneficial sleep position because it encourages a neutral spine—that is, a spine held in its natural shape and curvature, rather than in an unnaturally bent or twisted position.
Back sleeping isn’t the only position that promotes a neutral spine, however. You can try to achieve this posture in pretty much any sleeping position, though it seems to be the most difficult to maintain when on your stomach.1
Julia Forbes
Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
About Author
Julia specializes in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
Stomach Sleeper
References:
- Yu, Elizabeth. “What sleep positions are best for your back?” The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. October 4, 2018.
- Caggiari G, Talesa GR, Toro G, Jannelli E, Monteleone G, Puddu L. “What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature.” J Orthop Traumatol. December 8, 2021.