Best Rated Pillows For Back Sleepers - Pillow Reviews
Last Updated: August, 2020
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Nothing is worse than waking up sore with a stiff neck or not being able to fall asleep because you're so uncomfortable. If you’re a back sleeper, the key to getting a comfortable night’s sleep is having a high quality, supportive pillow that will keep you aligned.
If you’re ready to improve your sleep quality and find the best pillow, check out these great pillow options for back sleepers.
According to our tests, the best pillow for back sleepers is the Idle Sleep Gel Memory Foam Pillow. This innovatively designed pillow provides all-night support and unmatched ventilation and airflow for a restful night sleep, free of aches and pains.
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Our Picks For Best Pillows For Back Sleepers
Zoma Pillow
This adaptive support pillow uses microcushions that give you a customized level of support that will never go flat or lose support.
Idle Sleep Gel Memory Foam Pillow
This premium gel memory foam is aerated to provide excellent comfort and support for back sleepers while keeping you cool in the process.
Vaya Pillow
The Vaya Pillow uses a proprietary plush Vaya Foam blend that's based on memory foam, but without the sinking feeling or the heat.
Qutool Gel Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
A shredded memory foam pillow that you can customize by adding or removing stuffing. The foam is infused with cooling gel to keep you cool all night.
Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow
Perfect pillow if you want the feeling of a down pillow with more support and cooling. Ultra-soft cover is allergen and chemical free.
Juvea Pillow Talalay Latex Pillow
Eco-friendly and sustainably made pillow with natural latex filling. Can be molded and manipulated to provide you with custom support.
Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Bamboo Pillow
This is a medium-firm pillow that can be adjusted to your exact needs. Additional filling is included to help your customize your level of comfort.
Snuggle-Pedic Supreme Plush Gel-Infused Pillow
This adjustable, shredded gel foam pillow was created by a doctor for ultimate neck and spine alignment. It is ideal for all types of sleepers.
Sormag Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Shredded memory foam pillow with ergonomic design for ultimate support and alignment. Breathable, bamboo case keeps you from overheating and is machine washable.
BedStory Down Alternative Luxury Pillows
Ergonomically designed pillow filled with plush down alternative for resilient support. Both the pillow and cover are 100% machine washable and dryer safe.
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Overall Thoughts:
As a back sleeper, you generally need a thicker pillow that won't flatten throughout the night. Down alternative and cotton will compress and need to be refluffed, this pillow isn't like that. It's made out of microcushions that can be completely customized to fit the exact shape of your head and neck. These microcushions are also great because unlike a normal pillow, they won't lose their fluffyness over time. This pillow will last much longer than a down alternative or cotton pillow will.
This pillow is often called a sports pillow, and is built with "performance" in mind. Now, we're not quite sure how much performance you can do with a pillow, but having a pillow that actively cools you and conforms to your shape will help you get more restful sleep, which is essential.
There isn't another pillow out there like the Zoma. It's a high quality, unique product that works great for people who sleep on their back and need thick support while they sleep.
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IDLE IS CURRENTLY RUNNING AN AWESOME SALE RIGHT NOW. Get 20% off of any purchase.
Overall Thoughts:
As a back sleeper, you need a pillow with solid support all night that won't flatten with the weight of your head and neck. This premium pillow by Idle is an investment into a great night sleep, and relief from aches and pains. It has a unique ventilated gel memory foam design that keeps you cooler than just about any other pillow on the market.
This pillow is great for back sleepers because it provides a supportive yet soft cradle-like level of comfort. It has zoned comfort that cradles your head while providing excellent neck support.
Unlike other pillows, this gel foam pillow is solid and doesn't need to be fluffed. This is especially great for back sleepers, since you won't have issues with the area you rest your head on being flattened throughout the night.
If you're a back sleeper and you're serious about improving your sleep with the right pillow, give this one a shot. You get free, no hassle returns if you find out the pillow isn't right for you.
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This affordable memory foam pillow is an excellent value for the quality of product you get. It's a memory foam based pillow, but instead of straight memory foam, its a proprietary combination foam made by Vaya that conforms more naturally and helps dissipate heat while you sleep.
While this pillow is technically rated to be good for all sleep styles, the density and height of the pillow is best suited for a back sleeper who needs a thicker pillow with more support for the head and neck.
If you want a serious upgrade from a down alternative or cotton pillow, this reasonably affordable foam is a great way to add a ton of comfort and support to your sleep experience without spending a ton of money.
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This gel memory foam pillow is ergonomically designed to fully support your neck and head. Unlike some memory foam pillows, this one moves with you to ensure that your neck is always in line. It’s filled with unique shredded memory foam and can be opened up so that you can add or take out the foam to customize your comfort level to fit your needs.
The memory foam filling is infused with cooling gel particles to ensure that your temperature is regulated and you’re staying cool all night.
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This luxurious pillow is filled with cushiony gel fibers that provide ultimate comfort and is ideal for back sleepers, side sleepers and stomach sleepers. The filling gives it a down-like feel, while cooling gel fibers keep you from getting too hot. It’s built with a unique no-shift construction that keeps it in place to ensure that you quickly fall asleep and stay asleep all night.
The cover is made from silky-soft 100% sateen cotton that resists mold, mites and mildew, and is also free of allergens and chemicals.
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Talalay latex provides responsive support to your neck and head all night long. It is 100% natural latex, making it non-toxic and baby-safe. You can choose from a high or low profile design depending on your needs and how soft or firm you would prefer. ComforFill filing can be shaped, bent and molded to fit your exact needs as a back sleeper.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly pillow option, this is a great choice because it’s both plant-based and biodegradable.
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This adjustable is filled with a combination of memory foam and microfibers to provide perfect medium-firm support. The balance of softness and support will help you fall asleep and stay asleep with minimal tossing and turning. The side of this pillow allows you to access the stuffing so that you can add or remove filling to customize the support and height to your exact liking.
The cover is made of soft, breathable polyester and viscose rayon derived from bamboo that is hypoallergenic and prevents dust mites.
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Keep your spine properly aligned all night with this pressure relieving pillow, which was actually created by a doctor. It’s made with gel-infused shredded memory foam filling that automatically adapts to any position. You can easily remove the outer cover to adjust the amount of filling inside. The foam is both CertiPur and Biogreen certified making it very eco-friendly.
The soft, bamboo cover is made with Kool-Flow technology and is machine washable.
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This ergonomically designed pillow provides your neck with optimal support and promotes prolonged sleep. It’s filled with soft, CertiPur-US certified foam that perfectly contours your neck and never goes flat. The cover is made from breathable, woven bamboo fiber that is both comfy and cooling.
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This pillow is expertly designed according to a specific ratio that balances your head and supports your cervical spine. It is filled with a fluffy down alternative that never flattens out and is chemical and allergen-free. Both the cover and microfibers and breathable and 100% machine washable, making them very easy to care for.
Essential Information About Back Sleeping
Advantages
There are many wonderful advantages to being a back sleeper. In fact, back sleeping is even considered to be the healthiest sleeping position by many medical experts. The health benefits that you could experience from being a back sleeper include having the most optimal spine alignment, eliminating the need for extra pillows, the reduction of acid reflux symptoms, and even fewer wrinkles on your face.
Sleeping on your back will provide you with the best form of spinal alignment, although it may be difficult to find the best pillows available that can give proper support to your head and neck.
Some medical professionals even advise against using pillows if you are a back sleeper. However, this is not considered a possibility for many people because of how uncomfortable it may become.
Therefore, it is best to find a thick and firm pillow that will cradle your head and neck properly to help you retain the best alignment for your spine.
Most people who do not sleep on their backs usually need extra pillows between their legs to provide the support they need for their spines, but that is not necessary for back sleepers. Additionally, the chance to avoid experiencing symptoms of acid reflux and having fewer wrinkles will prove to be excellent for your overall health.
Disadvantages
While the advantages of back sleeping are clear, there are also a few disadvantages to be aware of. If you are a back sleeper, you may be at a higher risk for experiencing neck pain, have a higher chance of snoring during the night, and can experience many different medical issues if you are pregnant.
In order to prevent neck pain, you can find some pillows that are designed specifically to help align your entire body. Be careful to avoid any possible pressure points in your sleep.
Sleeping on your back will cause your airway muscles to relax, which will lead to snoring heavily as a result. This risk will be increased if you experience sleep apnea. Medical professionals greatly recommend side sleeping for people who experience sleep apnea in order to decrease snoring at night.
If you are a back sleeper and you are pregnant, you may be at risk for compressed veins. You may regularly experience aches and pains, and you might even experience heightened levels of blood pressure.
Physicians encourage sleeping on your side if you are pregnant to avoid putting yourself at risk for health complications. It’ll also help you feel more comfortable.
Proper Neck Alignment
For back sleepers, your neck will need to be kept in a neutral alignment and supported with a normal cervical curvature. A good back sleeping pillow will be able to cradle your head properly in order to keep it in proper alignment, along with your spine and head.
Latex, cotton, and foam pillows will be able to offer your neck and back with the support you need and conforming to the natural contour of your neck.
The Importance of a Back Sleeping Pillow
Spine Alignment
Back pillows will help back sleepers maintain a proper cervical spine curvature while supporting the head, neck, chest, back and shoulders. Having proper spine alignment will help to prevent muscle aches, strain, and discomfort during the night and upon waking up in the morning.
Waking up in the morning in pain from an uncomfortable body alignment can be a horrible experience, but a proper back sleeping pillow can help ease at least some of that pain.
Reducing Neck and Back Pain
Back pillows are designed specifically to offer an adequate level of support to reduce neck and back pain. If you experience pain and discomfort regularly, back sleeping pillows will be able to help you cope with a bit of the pain and offer support to your neck and back. They do so by helping you maintain a proper spinal alignment while you sleep.
Conforms to Your Body
Memory foam pillows have a knack for conforming to your unique body. Memory foam can maintain its shape so you can rest easy every night, knowing that your neck and back will receive the support it needs. Find a pillow that is easily adjustable, particularly ones that you can fluff and form to further enhance your personal sleeping experience.
What to Consider When Purchasing a Back Sleeping Pillow
Material
The material that your pillow is made of can contribute to the amount of support and comfort you will receive during the night. You will want a pillow that is thick and firm enough to be able to support your head and neck while remaining comfortable enough to sleep on.
Each type of materials have their own advantages and disadvantages. So it’s important to look into the different benefits of the materials you are considering before you make a purchase.
Firmness
The level of firmness that a pillow has can directly affect spinal alignment. Generally, you will want your pillow to keep your neck aligned properly along with the rest of your body. You will not want your neck to drop too far back or rise too far up while you sleep.
Your neck should be placed in a neutral position and your pillow should be able to form properly to the space beneath your neck.
Moldability
The moldability of your pillow will determine how well your pillow can conform to your body shape for a more personalized level of comfort and support. Your pillow should be able to form easily to the contour of your neck and head. It should be able to retain its form in order to ease neck pain.
Conclusion
While back sleeping may be the healthiest sleeping position, it is still important to be aware of how your pillow can affect the amount of support and comfort you get every night. Find a pillow for back sleepers that can form to the natural curvature of your neck and back while also providing the comfort you need for a peaceful sleep.