Choosing The Best Mattress For Back Sleepers

Last Updated: May, 2023

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Mattress shopping can be such a hassle, especially for those of us who require certain features to prevent aches and pains. For back sleepers, your neck, spine, and pelvis must be aligned while you sleep. But, what does that mean? What kind of mattress helps with that?

In this guide, you will find the best mattresses for back sleepers along with helpful tips to ensure you get the right mattress for you.

According to our tests, the best mattress for back sleepers is the Plush Beds Botanical Bliss. It's a cooling mattress that offers great support that back sleepers need.

10 Best Mattress For Back Sleepers

The Botanical Bliss Mattress - Small

Plush Beds Botanical Bliss

Lives up to the brand name with comfort. Unique material supports spinal alignment through the night.

Puffy Lux Mattress

Puffy Lux Mattress

The Puffy Lux mattress is a soft hybrid mattress that’s a great pick for back sleepers due to its excellent support and contouring, cooling foam.

Natural Foam Euro Small

Natural Euro Form

The Natural Form Euro is a hybrid mattress with patented and unique layers cradling your back and relieving pressure points.

Nolah Signature 12" Mattress

This super soft mattress is great for back sleepers because it contours your body while supporting areas like your hips and shoulders throughout the night.

Purple Queen Mattress

Purple Queen Mattress

Lives up to the brand name with comfort. Unique material supports spinal alignment through the night.

Sweetnight 12 Inch Queen Mattress

Sweetnight 12 Inch Queen Mattress

Big and plush, this firm foam mattress is great for back sleepers. The supportive and cool foam keeps you comfortable throughout the night.

Tuft & Needle Bed In A Box

Tuft & Needle Bed in a Box

Tuft and needle backs their products with warranties and trials. Cooling mattress gel memory foam foam reduces overall heat trapped in the mattress.

Casper Sleep Essential Mattress

Casper Sleep Essential Mattress

Three layers of foam makes this a soft and supportive medium firm option. The knit mattress cover is washable and included with purchase.

Leesa 10” Memory Foam Mattress

Leesa Mattress

This medium firm bed from Leesa is a great budget option. It'll support your back better than a. traditional innerspring mattress, and better than most other memory foam mattresses.

Zinus Cloud Memory Foam Mattress

Zinus Cloud Mattress

Perfect option for those on a budget still seeking quality. The bed is multi-layered and back supportive.

The Botanical Bliss Mattress

What We Like

  • Customizable height and firmness
  • Great buoyant support that doesn't feel restrictive, but supports your back
  • Anti-microbial & dust mite resistant
  • Sleeps much cooler than a traditional mattress

What We Don't Like

  • The thick versions can weigh over 200 lbs, so they'll need a secure, sturdy base and multiple people to set the bed up

Overall Thoughts: 

Not every mattress company lets you customize your mattress. Plush Beds Botanical Bliss mattress is a little different. While back sleepers generally like a firmer mattress, how much you weigh, and whether or not you partner also sleeps on their back are all factors to consider. 


This mattress is made of 100% organic latex, which is considered a premium mattress material that will last 25 years or long (compared to the industry average of around 10 years.)


We tested the medium firmness plush Dunlop latex mattress and found that it was great for relieving pressure in your shoulders and lower back. However, if you're a heavier sleeper (275lb+) this mattress may be too soft, especially for a back sleeper. Luckily, you can completely customize your mattress based on your specific needs, and if you don't love it, you have 100 days to return it!

What We Like

  • Lifetime warranty
  • Free shipping and returns
  • Cloud Gel Mattress Layer designed to keep you cool
  • Enhanced spinal alignment

What We Don't Like

  • You may find it too soft for your body weight if you prefer a firmer feel

Overall Thoughts: 

Best known as the best mattress for side sleepers and back sleepers, Puffy Lux is a top-rated mattress brand thanks to its firmness level, accommodating feel, and price. This hybrid model is designed with both pocketed coils and super soft foam layers, which brings forth a balanced vibe between bouncy mobility and deep, cuddly comfort. With sturdy edge support and luxurious, slow-sinking foam, the Puffy Lux is one of the most supportive-feeling mattresses for back sleepers.


Puffy Lux mattress is a six-layer foam mattress that will give you the medium-firm mattress feel necessary for a great night's sleep. It comes with 1.5" of pressure-relieving cloud foam for reduced strain and maximum recovery. What's more, its 7" of high-density foam has a counter-adapt coil base that helps stabilize your bed with advanced edge support.

We found Puffy Lux to be relatively easy and comfortable to switch between positions due to its quick responsiveness. Unlike most memory foam mattresses, there's little to no resistance at all. Although the bed is soft-to-the-touch, it keeps your spine aligned and eliminates pressure points. You won't sink deep into the top layers to the point where your lower back falls out of proper alignment.

The Puffy Lux mattress also performs well in offering excellent motion isolation. If you're a back sleeper suffering through sleepless nights, it's time to give the Puffy Lux Mattress a try for 101 nights.

Natural Foam Euro

What We Like

  • Stable and supportive performance
  • Extra-firm feel and minimal conforming offer an even sleep surface
  • Merino wool cover helps keep the mattress cool
  • Splendid motion isolation

What We Don't Like

  • It could be too firm if you like a softer feel

Overall Thoughts: 

The Natural Form Euro is a hybrid mattress with patented and unique layers cradling your back and relieving pressure points. The transitional layer has thick memory foam, offering an even tighter, medium-firm feeling that most foam mattresses lack. Generally, these mattresses will give back sleepers just the perfect amount of sink to allow their backs to fall into a neutral position. However, if you often find yourself switching from back to side sleeping, you might want to consider purchasing a softer hybrid


If sudden shooting back pain or a dull constant ache keeps you from enjoying a good night’s sleep, the Natural Form Euro mattress is all you need. It features pressure-relieving and body-conforming features that aid in maintaining proper spinal alignment. The bed achieves this by conforming to your spine’s natural curvature, thus boosting lumbar support. Due to its soft, breathable fabric, Natural Form Euro will keep you cool throughout the night as it wicks away moisture.

The patented dual-sided system and dozens of helix air pods work together to give you complete control of the pressure relief and the firmness of your mattress. The pods also work best at responding to movement during the night. They quickly adjust to your body’s shape as you shift positions, ensuring you sleep comfortably and wake up with no pains. Couples will love the Natural Form Euro mattress as it allows them to customize the side of their bed to their preference. If you want a softer mattress, you simply turn the dial to the left and further out to the right for a firmer sleeping surface.

What We Like

  • Great contouring to support your spine
  • Great motion isolation, so you won't be woken up if your partner gets in and out of bed
  • Made of cooling memory foam which is great for hot sleepers
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Free shipping and returns

What We Don't Like

  • It could be too soft if you like a firmer feel

Overall Thoughts: 

This ultra-soft mattress provides next level support for your neck and spine. It's ideal for back sleepers, side sleepers, and combination sleepers. Since it's an all foam bed, it has excellent motion isolation which means that you won't be woken up if your partner moves around a lot or gets out of bed. 


Nolah also guarantees their mattresses with a lifetime warranty and a generous 100 night trial period. If you're not happy with it, they offer free returns and full refunds. If you're looking for a mattress that's reasonably priced, but will last a long time, this mattress is a great pick. It's one of the best options for the best memory foam mattress, and one of the best  mattresses overall for back sleepers.


This supportive mattress is also great if you sleep hot. Not only is it a supportive mattress, but it's also a cooling mattress as well.


Related Content: Best mattress for combo sleepers

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Purple Queen Mattress

What We Like

  • Innovated design for great heat dispersion
  • Soft yet supportive materials
  • Supports lower back
  • Offers great spinal alignment

What We Don't Like

  • Less supportive along the edges than an innerspring mattress

Overall Thoughts: 

Purple is a brand known for its impressive ads bolstering mattress stability and motion isolation. You can sleep soundly through the night even if your partner or pets roll around. Purple uses sleep science to create a mattress that isolates movement where it happens. This is great for all sleepers.

Back sleepers specifically will greatly benefit from the equalized pressure throughout the mattress that aids in proper spinal alignment. The top layer is soft and cozy, sinking right into the lower back for a support system, while the top layer is firm to keep you aligned.

Comfortably sleep without overheating thanks to the uniquely designed free-slow air channels that neutralize temperatures. Unlike a memory foam mattress, latex mattresses, or an innerspring mattress, this mattress feels like it airs itself out as you sleep.


Related Content: Purple Mattress Review

Sweetnight 12 Inch Queen Mattress

What We Like

  • Plush, yet firm
  • Stays cool all night
  • High density foam core provides great support

What We Don't Like

  • The heavy mattress is hard to move and will require a sturdy base

Overall Thoughts: 

Have a sweet night with this 12-inch Sweetnight memory foam mattress. You will get undisturbed sleep with Sweetnight’s high-density foam core layer that is firm for enhanced support. Back sleepers can feel the relief in their joints and muscles as they lay on the gel-infused cushiony as a cloud upper layer.

Breathable foam is designed with airway chambers to allow ventilation as you sleep. This keeps you cool and prevents overheating. The product comes with a 10-year warranty and quality customer service.

Tuft & Needle Bed in a Box

What We Like

  • Relieves pressure while providing support
  • Cooling gel foam reduces overheating
  • Foam conforms to your body shape

What We Don't Like

  • Softer than other beds advertised as “firm”

Overall Thoughts: 

Tuft & Needle is a company that likes to remain transparent and open. When you buy this mattress, not only do you get a 100-night sleep trial, but you also get a ten-year warranty. Their mattresses are certified by Greenguard Gold and Certi PUR and one of the best foam mattresses out there.

This memory foam mattress is an ideal blend of firm and soft, bouncy yet supportive. For back sleepers, you will enjoy the pressure relief from the softness while still feeling supported and comfortable. Foam gel is infused with cooling technology that pulls heat away from you as you sleep.


Memory foam mattresses are great for single sleepers, light sleepers, or those who like a lighter mattress.

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Casper Sleep Essential Mattress

What We Like

  • Made of premium foam
  • Hybrid mattress (multiple foam types) is great for pressure relief
  • Knit cover is made from quality materials
  • Durable with 10 year warranty

What We Don't Like

  • It's a lower cost hybrid mattress and may not last as long as some other options

Overall Thoughts: 

Casper Mattress backs their product with a ten-year warranty and a 100-night trial. Being able to test a bed out for more than a few minutes at a store is so beneficial in ensuring that you get your money's worth out of a mattress.

The 11-inch hybrid mattress is made from premium foam that is about mid-firm for back sleepers. Three layers of foam work together to create a comfy, supported, and cool night’s sleep. This hybrid mattresses knit cover is included with your purchase and it helps protect the mattress and is built to last. The color is dark so you won’t have to worry about unsightly stains ruining it.


Hybrid mattresses may be too soft for heavy back sleepers, so only opt for this mattress if you and your partner are an average weight.

Leesa 10” Memory Foam Mattress

What We Like

  • Contours to your body
  • Consistent supporting throughout the entire mattress, including edges.
  • Soft outside cover

What We Don't Like

  • Gets hot through the night

Overall Thoughts: 

Sleep in luxury with Leesa’s 10-inch memory foam mattress. Each layer is made from quality materials that adapt to your body shape as you sleep. Three layers combine to give you a blissful sleep. The first layer is made for comfort and softness – adds just a bit of bounce to the bed. The second later relieves pressure all over your back and neck while contouring to the rest of your body. The final layer is firm for support.

Lessa also donates one mattress for every ten that they sell. Feel good buying from Lessa for what you can do for others with your purchase and the comfort you will receive.

Zinus Cloud Memory Foam Mattress

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly hybrid mattress
  • Great pressure relief
  • Layered memory foam technology that provides optimal support

What We Don't Like

  • Edge support was noticeably lacking

Overall Thoughts: 

If you're looking for a comfy memory foam mattress for back sleepers on a budget that provides great pressure relief, this Zinus bed might be the one for you. The 12-inch height of this mattress adds to its overall comfort and stability, so this height is preferred. Each layer is perfectly crafted to contour to your lower back and legs to keep you aligned while relieving pressure.

The plush upper layer of the mattress provides that soft, cushy feeling while the bottom later provides the high-density support. The cloud feeling makes you feel like you are laying in a supportive cloud.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Sleeping on Your Back

Those of you who prefer sleeping on your backs are in the minority. It is estimated that only around 10% of adults favor sleeping on their backs. Despite these low numbers, there are some clear advantages for snoozing on your back, and can be a sleepers best shot at sleeping pain free. Most back sleepers prefer a firm or medium firm mattress. A medium firm mattress is great for keeping your neck and spine aligned when you sleep on your back. The only type of sleeper that likes a firmer mattress than back sleepers are stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers need a firm memory foam layer, or innerspring mattresses for adequate support.

With a nice firm mattress, proper alignment of the neck, spine, and pelvis occurs when sleeping on the back. Pressure points are relieved and aches and pains are typically minimized with good rest and alignment. Additional pillows or pads for support are not necessary for back sleeping. Neck discomfort increases, however, if you are not using an appropriately sized pillow.

On the other hand, some disadvantages should be considered. Sleep apnea sufferers or snorers will find that their condition may worsen when sleeping on their backs. This is due to the tongue relaxing into the airway. Acid reflux-related discomfort can also increase in this sleeping position.

>> Related Content:

Back Sleeper's Mattress Buying Guide

If you are new to back sleeping or just are not sure what mattress features will suit your favorite sleep position the best, then this is the section for you. Before investing in a new mattress, you need to evaluate what features work best for back sleepers like yourself.

Let’s take a look at what considerations are important for back sleepers best chance at getting the right mattress.

Your Budget

Decide what you can spend before diving into the world of mattress shopping. If you have a solid idea of what you can spend before shopping, you will be less likely to overspend or even look at items that are over budget.

Firmness Level

Comfortable sleeping is the goal and proper firmness level is how we achieve it. Medium to medium-firm is the optimum starting place for back sleepers and then adjust based on your size. You want your lower back to have adequate support and keep you aligned. Getting a mattress with the right firmness level makes a world of difference when it comes to getting restful sleep on your back.

Warranty

A good warranty is a sleepers best friend. It gives you peace of mind that you purchased the right mattress with the ideal firmness level for you. Most mattresses come with a product warranty that extends over ten years. This tends to cover certain defects like indentations or sinkage. Other mattresses companies offer much less.

Read the fine print to ensure that you are getting a good deal. Prorated charges typically require that you pay a fee to repair the mattress, and these charges may kick in two years into a ten-year warranty.

Conclusion

Whether its firmness levels of pocketed coils, the soft support of memory foam, getting a great mattress is essential for good sleep. Back sleepers can rejoice once they finally have a mattress that provides them adequate support and relief. The best mattresses in this guide provide you with generous options that vary enough for you to find the right fit for you. Your long nights of tossing and turning are just a few clicks away.

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