Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
In this guide, we’ll discuss the many benefits of sleeping on your back, and help back sleepers find the right mattress for their sleep position.
Mattress Nerd consulted Dr. Ravi Pandey, MD to ensure that this article met our editorial standards
Back sleepers are among the rare breed of U.S. adults who sleep in the position considered most ideal by health professionals. When lying on your back, the body rests in a relatively natural posture with the spine, neck, and pelvis aligned. While this position helps minimize aches and pains, its benefits can become negligible if a mattress is too soft, too firm, or has other qualities that throw the spine out of alignment.
If the time has come for you to invest in a new mattress, you are smart to search for one that is tailored specifically to your dominant sleeping position. The sheer number of mattresses available can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help! In this guide, we have narrowed down the best mattress models for back sleepers and included additional specifications, the benefits of sleeping on your back, and other considerations. If you find you want something a bit more general, check out our best mattresses of 2022 roundup.
Disclosure: By clicking on the product links in this article, Mattress Nerd may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Read full disclosure statement.
The Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers of 2022
- Nerd’s Pick – Helix Plus
- Best Pressure Point Relief for Back Sleepers – The WinkBed
- Best Latex Mattress for Back Sleepers – Saatva Zenhaven
- Best Mattress for Heavyweight Back Sleepers – Titan Plus
- Best Luxury Mattress for Back Sleepers – DreamCloud Premier
- Best Value Mattress for Back Sleepers – Nectar Original
- Best Flippable Mattress for Back Sleepers – Layla Hybrid
- Best Extra-Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers – Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm
- Best Mattress for Lightweight Back Sleepers – Leesa Original
- Best Cooling Mattress for Back Sleepers – Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
Chosen by Experts and Advocates
Our team of mattress testers consists of sleep science coaches with a wide range of personal preferences. From lightweight back sleepers to heavy side sleepers, our diverse set of sleep styles enables us to test mattresses with many types of sleepers in mind. For the purposes of this article, our resident back sleeper and seasoned mattress tester, Becca Fair, has signed off on these mattresses as providing the middle-of-the-road firmness and supportive comfort that back sleepers need. If you’d like to learn more, check out our review process.
Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers Video Review
Nerd’s Pick: Helix Plus
Helix Plus Mattress
The Helix Plus is designed with plus-size or taller individuals in mind. The mattress features extra-dense memory foam that won't lose its shape over time, even with added weight.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Warranty
15-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Plus Mattress
The Helix Plus is designed with plus-size or taller individuals in mind. The mattress features extra-dense memory foam that won't lose its shape over time, even with added weight.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
15-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Plus Mattress
The Helix Plus is designed with plus-size or taller individuals in mind. The mattress features extra-dense memory foam that won't lose its shape over time, even with added weight.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
15-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Helix Plus has a firm, foam-and-coil construction that has been designed to specifically suit heavier sleepers (over 230 lbs), particularly heavy back sleepers. Not only will larger back sleepers find comfort on the Helix Plus, but the mattress’s high durability score means that it will maintain its quality for a long time, even under a lot of weight.
While not cheap ($1,649 for a Queen), it also isn’t as expensive as some mattresses with comparable quality. Also, the Helix Plus comes with a 100-night sleep trial and 15-year warranty, so you’ll have plenty of time to make sure you’re happy, and if you are happy with it you’ll know that the company has your back for over a decade.
Read our full Helix Plus Mattress Review for all the details. If you aren’t interested in the Helix Plus mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for heavy sleepers for more great options.
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief: WinkBed
WinkBed Mattress
The WinkBed is available in four different firmness options. We particularly love it for hot sleepers because of its great temperature regulation, and it’s great for combination sleepers because of its responsiveness.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
WinkBed Mattress
The WinkBed is available in four different firmness options. We particularly love it for hot sleepers because of its great temperature regulation, and it’s great for combination sleepers because of its responsiveness.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
WinkBed Mattress
The WinkBed is available in four different firmness options. We particularly love it for hot sleepers because of its great temperature regulation, and it’s great for combination sleepers because of its responsiveness.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Winkbed is a hybrid, innerspring mattress with a plush pillow top and two layers of coils. It’s engineered to provide decompression support for the spine, enhanced ventilation for a cool sleep, and pressure point and pain relief.
The WinkBed has many properties that make it appealing to back sleepers. From a cool Tencel outer layer to motion isolation technology, anti-sag edge support, and a devoted “Lumbarlayer” for added lumbar support it will prevent sinkage and keep you supported. Additionally, back sleepers should find that this mattress evenly distributes their weight to help relieve pressure. The top layer is soft, but it won’t envelop you quite like an all-foam mattress might.
Read our full WinkBed Review to learn more.
Best Latex Mattress for Back Sleepers: Saatva Zenhaven
Zenhaven Mattress
Made by Saatva, the Zenaven mattress is a unique latex mattress, unique because you can flip it to change the feel of it. One side is a plush, soft layer and the other is a gentle firm layer.
Material
Latex
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Zenhaven Mattress
Made by Saatva, the Zenaven mattress is a unique latex mattress, unique because you can flip it to change the feel of it. One side is a plush, soft layer and the other is a gentle firm layer.
Material
Latex
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Zenhaven Mattress
Made by Saatva, the Zenaven mattress is a unique latex mattress, unique because you can flip it to change the feel of it. One side is a plush, soft layer and the other is a gentle firm layer.
Material
Latex
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
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.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Zenhaven by Saatva is a firm, luxury mattress for back sleepers, made of 100% Talalay latex for the eco-conscious shopper. Latex cradles hips and shoulders to provide pressure relief, but it’s also naturally buoyant so you won’t sink in. The mattress has a “5-zone” comfort design, in order to provide firmer support where you need it most. The ZenHaven is a two-sided mattress, which provides two levels of firmness.
This mattress is somewhat unrivaled in its ability to provide a responsive, body-contouring feel while also ensuring that an even surface is maintained. Average weight back sleepers will likely feel supported enough on the Gentle Firm side, while heavier back sleepers may enjoy the firmer Luxury Plush side. One upside to this bed is that it can accommodate a variety of sleeping positions. If you’re a back sleeper with a partner who sleeps on their side or stomach, this is a great choice.
Read our full Zenhaven Review for more details. If you aren’t interested in the ZenHaven mattress, check out our list of the best latex mattresses for more great latex options.
Best Mattress for Heavyweight Back Sleepers: Titan Plus
Titan Plus
The Titan Hybrid mattress was designed to be one of the best mattresses for plus-size sleepers. The hybrid construction, consisting of memory foam and pocketed coils, puts this mattress on the medium-firm end of the firmness scale, making it a great option for all sleeping positions.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Titan Plus
The Titan Hybrid mattress was designed to be one of the best mattresses for plus-size sleepers. The hybrid construction, consisting of memory foam and pocketed coils, puts this mattress on the medium-firm end of the firmness scale, making it a great option for all sleeping positions.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Titan Plus
The Titan Hybrid mattress was designed to be one of the best mattresses for plus-size sleepers. The hybrid construction, consisting of memory foam and pocketed coils, puts this mattress on the medium-firm end of the firmness scale, making it a great option for all sleeping positions.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Titan Plus mattress (formerly known as the Titan Hybrid) is designed with heavier people in mind. The hybrid construction, consisting of memory foam and pocketed coils, makes this mattress feel medium-firm on the firmness scale.
The Titan Plus’ firmness does an especially great job supporting heavyweight side sleepers due to the good weight distribution. With this mattress, the more body weight applied to the mattress, the better it performs. Average-weight and lightweight side sleepers will still feel good pressure relief, but the spinal alignment will be best for those over 230 lbs.
Titan is made with breathable materials to enhance the cooling effects, including gel memory foam and a breathable pocketed coil system. Additional features are available including a cooling top panel.
Read our full Titan Mattress Review for more details. If you aren’t interested in the Titan mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for heavy people for more great options.
Best Luxury Mattress for Back Sleepers: DreamCloud Premier
DreamCloud Premier Mattress
The DreamCloud Premier is a luxury hybrid mattress with a euro top and cashmere blend cover. It offers great pressure relief and maintains spinal alignment well.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
DreamCloud Premier Mattress
The DreamCloud Premier is a luxury hybrid mattress with a euro top and cashmere blend cover. It offers great pressure relief and maintains spinal alignment well.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
DreamCloud Premier Mattress
The DreamCloud Premier is a luxury hybrid mattress with a euro top and cashmere blend cover. It offers great pressure relief and maintains spinal alignment well.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
If you’re a back sleeper who falls into the category of average weight (between 130 lbs and 230 lbs), then the DreamCloud Premier may be your ideal mattress. It has a middle-of-the-road firmness and well-rounded construction that caters to not only the average back sleeper, but the average side and stomach sleeper as well.
The Premier also has great edge support (4.5/5) and durability (4.5/5), indicating a mattress with solid construction that will likely last you a long time. Speaking of a long time, DreamCloud offers a lifetime warranty on all of their mattresses, so you can sleep well knowing that you and your Premier will have a long, lovely relationship together.
Read our full DreamCloud Premier Mattress Review to learn more.
Best Value Mattress for Back Sleepers: Nectar Original
Nectar Mattress
The Nectar is a value memory foam mattress that excels at providing pressure relief and minimizing motion transfer. The medium-firm feel is ideal for cradling pressure points. Plus, it comes with a yearlong trial period and Lifetime warranty.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nectar Mattress
The Nectar is a value memory foam mattress that excels at providing pressure relief and minimizing motion transfer. The medium-firm feel is ideal for cradling pressure points. Plus, it comes with a yearlong trial period and Lifetime warranty.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nectar Mattress
The Nectar is a value memory foam mattress that excels at providing pressure relief and minimizing motion transfer. The medium-firm feel is ideal for cradling pressure points. Plus, it comes with a yearlong trial period and Lifetime warranty.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nectar provides good value for those who are looking for a memory foam mattress that supports back sleepers. The Nectar mattress provides five layers of foam that give back sleepers excellent comfort, cooling, motion isolation, and support.
The Nectar is an all-foam mattress and is on the firmer side to support many back sleepers, especially lightweight and average-weight sleepers. The Nectar distributes pressure evenly along the body and the lower back, helping to prevent pain.
If you sleep with a partner who moves around a lot or even a wiggly pet, motion isolation is key to a good night’s rest. During testing, the Nectar did a great job of cutting down on motion transfer.
Read our full Nectar Review for more details. If you aren’t interested in the Nectar mattress, check out our list of the best affordable mattresses for more great options.
Best Flippable Mattress for Back Sleepers: Layla Hybrid
Layla Hybrid Mattress
The Layla Hybrid mattress resembles the original Layla in temperature neutrality, comfort and dual-firmness. In addition, the hybrid's pocketed coil core improves edge support and responsiveness.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Layla Hybrid Mattress
The Layla Hybrid mattress resembles the original Layla in temperature neutrality, comfort and dual-firmness. In addition, the hybrid's pocketed coil core improves edge support and responsiveness.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Layla Hybrid Mattress
The Layla Hybrid mattress resembles the original Layla in temperature neutrality, comfort and dual-firmness. In addition, the hybrid's pocketed coil core improves edge support and responsiveness.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Layla Hybrid is a flippable mattress, meaning that it has two sides with varying firmness levels. You can try out both sides to see which you prefer.
In our scale of 1–10 for firmness, the softer side came in at 4/10, making it fall into our “soft” category. The firm side was rated at 6.5/10, which is more like a medium-firm feel. The more firm side is likely the best option for most back sleepers to better support the spine and prevent back pain.
The hybrid construction has coils for support and comfort layers of memory foam for a contouring effect. The firm side also closely contours to your body, but you don’t sink as far into the memory foam.
Read our full Layla Hybrid Review for more details. If you aren’t interested in the Nectar mattress, check out our overall list of best mattresses for more great options.
Best Extra-Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers: Plank Firm
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
The Plank mattress by Brooklyn Bedding is one of the firmest mattresses on the market. It's a flippable mattress with a Firm side (7.5/10) and Extra Firm side (9/10). It has firm foam layers on both sides and dense foam core in between.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
The Plank mattress by Brooklyn Bedding is one of the firmest mattresses on the market. It's a flippable mattress with a Firm side (7.5/10) and Extra Firm side (9/10). It has firm foam layers on both sides and dense foam core in between.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
The Plank mattress by Brooklyn Bedding is one of the firmest mattresses on the market. It's a flippable mattress with a Firm side (7.5/10) and Extra Firm side (9/10). It has firm foam layers on both sides and dense foam core in between.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Firm mattress lovers: this one’s for you. If you’re a back sleeper or have back pain, the Plank Firm is a great, supportive option. For versatility, the Plank has a flippable design with a firm side and an extra-firm side. On our 1–10 firmness scale, with 10 being the firmest, the firm side rates a 7.5/10 and the ultra-firm side a 9/10. This is one of the most firm mattresses we’ve tested.
As an all-foam mattress, the Plank feels dense and level. The lack of coils means there’s less bounce, but it’s still easy to move around due to the support.
For those looking for an extra-firm option, the Plank is ideal. Both stomach and back sleepers who dislike softer mattresses should find a side that will work for their needs.
Read our full Plank Firm Review for more details. If you aren’t interested in the Plank Firm mattress, check out our list of the best firm mattresses for more great firm options.
Best Mattress for Lightweight Back Sleepers: Leesa Original
Leesa Original Mattress
The Leesa mattress adapts to all sleep positions and most body types. With its cooling foam and additional layers that both hug and support you, it's no wonder customers love sleeping on their Leesa.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Leesa Original Mattress
The Leesa mattress adapts to all sleep positions and most body types. With its cooling foam and additional layers that both hug and support you, it's no wonder customers love sleeping on their Leesa.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Leesa Original Mattress
The Leesa mattress adapts to all sleep positions and most body types. With its cooling foam and additional layers that both hug and support you, it's no wonder customers love sleeping on their Leesa.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Leesa is an all-foam mattress that’s constructed with slow-moving memory foam and high-density foundation foam, giving it a balanced medium-firm feel. While it’s not our favorite choice for heavier sleepers, we think the Leesa has a great mix of comfort and support for lightweight sleepers. In fact, whether you’re a back, stomach, side, or combination sleeper, you should be able to find plenty to love with the Leesa. Back sleepers should especially enjoy the firmer feel of this mattress, since it provides the support for proper spinal alignment as well as pressure relief for more sensitive areas.
One of the most impressive features of the Leesa is how well of a job at cooling it does, especially for an all-foam mattress. Its soft twill cover is breathable and its responsive polyfoam helps with heat dissipation, making it great for many hot sleepers.
Read our full Leesa Mattress Review to learn more.
Best Cooling Mattress for Back Sleepers: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress
The Aurora Hybrid is Brooklyn Bedding's most popular mattress. It comes in three firmness levels and features both innerspring coils and cooling copper-infused gel foam, meaning it suits those who sleep hot, as well as a wide range of sleep preferences.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress
The Aurora Hybrid is Brooklyn Bedding's most popular mattress. It comes in three firmness levels and features both innerspring coils and cooling copper-infused gel foam, meaning it suits those who sleep hot, as well as a wide range of sleep preferences.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress
The Aurora Hybrid is Brooklyn Bedding's most popular mattress. It comes in three firmness levels and features both innerspring coils and cooling copper-infused gel foam, meaning it suits those who sleep hot, as well as a wide range of sleep preferences.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
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.
Pure memory foam mattresses often sleep a little hotter than their hybrid counterparts. So this hybrid, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe, gives sleepers lots of options for cooler sleep.
The Aurora Luxe has features that add breathability and a cool touch for those who sleep hot. Even on first touch out of the box, it feels cool. The Aurora Luxe offers “thermal conductivity” technology that helps to push heat away from the body. The memory foam is infused with cooling gel while the innerspring coils offer both support and air flow.
The Aurora Luxe is available in three firmness levels to accommodate most sleepers and sleep positions. For back sleepers, the medium or firm options are your best bets for spine support.
Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Review for more details. If you aren’t interested in the Aurora Luxe mattress, check out our list of the best cooling mattresses for more great cooling options.
Mattress Buying Guide For Back Sleepers
If you’re a back sleeper, congratulations! Snoozing in a supine position can have many long-term benefits, such as sinus relief, reduced pain, less stress on internal organs, and, since your face doesn’t rub against your pillow, less skin irritation. On the flip side, sleeping on your back can result in snoring and even sleep apnea.
Related: What is the Best Sleeping Position?
This buyer’s guide will provide you, back sleepers, with a better understanding of what you should look for when shopping for a mattress—which materials work best, firmness level considerations, and other factors that contribute to a restful, healthy night’s sleep.
We’ll also share with you some helpful tips on dealing with the problems that might be caused by back sleeping, and even some suggestions on how to change your sleeping position if it becomes necessary.
What Is the Best Mattress Type for Back Sleepers?
There are four major groups that mattresses generally fall into when it comes to materials: latex, memory foam, innerspring, and hybrid. High-quality, comfortable mattresses can be found within each of these groups, so your ideal material will come down to sleeping situation and preference.
Since your preference is back sleeping, we’ve provided some insight into how each of these types of beds might be good or bad for that specific position.
Latex Mattresses for Back Sleepers
Latex is known for its ability to quickly bounce back to its original shape, which helps it provide the slight contouring and cushioning feeling that back sleepers need. The material tends to conform to the body while alleviating pressure in all the right places. As an added benefit, the best latex mattresses offer motion isolation and sleep cooler than their foam counterparts. On the downside, they tend to be the most expensive options on the market.
Foam Mattresses for Back Sleepers
Like latex, foam conforms well to the body, alleviates pressure, and does a good job minimizing motion transfer for couples. Additionally, it’s more widely available and comes in at a friendlier price point than latex. If you opt for foam, take a look at our best memory foam mattresses page. Memory foam is well-known for its body-contouring properties. Traditional foam, while supportive, may give back sleepers the sensation that they’re “stuck” on the mattress.
Innerspring Mattresses for Back Sleepers
Innerspring mattresses are constructed with a layer of sturdy coils that provides high levels of breathability—a warm sleepers delight! But whether or not an innerspring mattress is a good fit for a back sleeper really depends on what’s on top of the metal coils. Because of the sturdy coils, innerspring mattresses have an inherent firmness that can push back sleepers’ hips up too high, throwing their body out of alignment and causing back pain. This firmness, however, can be counteracted with a pillow top that can provide more comfort and pressure relief. You can find some options with appropriate cushioning on our best innerspring mattress list.
Related: Best Cooling Mattresses
Hybrid Mattresses for Back Sleepers
Hybrid mattresses combine a supportive innerspring system with two or more contouring memory foam or latex support layers on top. Back sleepers should look for hybrids with well-designed comfort layers; a thicker comfort layer will mean that the mattress can provide more body-contouring than traditional innerspring mattresses. Many styles also offer a light bounce that may suit some back sleepers’ preferences. You can find many options that meet these criteria on our list of best hybrid mattresses.
Ideal Firmness Level for Back Sleepers
For most sleepers, firmness is a quality only thought of in terms of preference: you either like a soft surface to sleep on or you like a firmer mattress. However, a mattress’ firmness plays a crucial role in getting high-quality sleep, especially for individuals dedicated to one sleeping position.
Back sleepers will likely find that a medium-firm mattress is soft enough for their hips to sink into alignment with their shoulders and back, but also has enough firmness to keep their hips from sinking too far. The resulting proper alignment can lead to less stress on sensitive areas like the lower back and pelvic region.
In order to help you identify firmness in mattresses, we rate each one on a scale on 1 to 10. Medium-firm is anything from 5 to 7. Lightweight to average back sleepers should be happiest around 5.5 or 6, while heavier back sleepers may want to consider a mattress closer to a firmness rating of 7. For more information, take a look at our mattress firmness guide.
Other Factors for Back Sleepers to Consider
In addition to the type of mattress you choose, there are various other qualities within a mattress that can either support the natural alignment of the body or indirectly disrupt it as you sleep. Due to a person’s individual preferences, size, height, medical history, etc., the most important aspects of a mattress will vary.
It is important to ensure the mattress will work with your body, allowing it to rest in a natural posture that alleviates pressure points on the neck, spine, and pelvis. There are also some ways for you to optimize your back-sleeping experience by using the ideal sleep accessories and mattress foundations. We have outlined some factors to pay close attention to below.
Construction of the Support System
The core of the mattress should be stable and resilient, providing a relatively flat surface on which the softer, more comfort-focused layers can rest. The strong core will help balance out the softness provided by the comfort layers, and create the medium-firm feel that works so well for back sleepers. Look for innerspring support systems, pocketed coils, hyper-elastic polymer, and support polyfoam, which work in conjunction to create a supportive mattress core.
Contouring
While too much softness can lead to excessive sagging and exacerbate neck or chronic back pain, the ideal mattress for back sleepers will allow for contour in specific areas, like the hips. Foam and latex mattresses are usually the best at this.
Pillows & Accessories for Back Sleepers
Back sleepers don’t typically require support pillows like stomach sleepers and side sleepers do. However, back sleepers who struggle with sleep apnea may want to choose a thicker pillow to reduce snoring. A contouring memory foam pillow that provides support for the cervical spine can help in these cases by propping the sleeper up. Additionally, placing a pillow under your neck to fill in that space can result in optimal sleep. Take a look at our best pillows for back sleepers list for some great options.
Mattress toppers are also a good option for back sleepers whose current mattress is too firm for comfort, but who don’t want to replace it entirely. A 2” to 3” thick topper can make a world of difference when it comes to your mattress’ softness.
Related: Best Pillows, Best Mattress Toppers
Foundations/Bed Frames
The foundation, or bed frame, is what holds your mattress up from the floor. While all bed frames share similar traits, it’s important that back sleepers select a foundation that offers substantial support for the mattress. If opting for a standard metal frame, for example, you’ll want to ensure you’re using a box spring, since the metal frame has no additional supportive slats. Take a look at this article if you’re still unsure if you need a boxspring.
Related: Mattress Foundation Guide
Is Sleeping on Your Back Good for You?
If you are a back sleeper, you’re among the few people whose body has chosen the sleeping position with the most health benefits and the least amount of drawbacks. From allowing for even weight distribution and alleviating pressure points, to creating the ideal scenario for cervical spinal alignment and lessening stiffness in the neck, there are many benefits of this sleeping style.
While the position is a mostly positive one, there are some potential drawbacks. Finding a mattress that’s tailored to this sleep position and your body is crucial to ensure you are reaping the benefits, and not causing unnecessary pain. We explored some pros and cons of sleeping on your back, how you can make sure you are doing so in a safe and effective way, and some tips on switching sleep positions if it becomes necessary.
Pros of Back Sleeping
- Sleeping on your back naturally encourages proper spinal alignment as long as your mattress has the right firmness (between 5 and 7 on the firmness scale).
- Back-sleeping puts less pressure on shoulders and hips than side sleepers experience.
- With the right pillow, you likely won’t have to worry about neck pain as much as stomach sleepers might.
Related: Sleep and Neck Pain
Cons of Back Sleeping
- Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue to relax and slip back into a position that obstructs your airways, which can cause you to snore. Take a look at our guide on understanding how snoring affects sleep.
- Sleep apnea can be heightened or caused by back-sleeping. Check out our understanding sleep apnea guide, which details possible symptoms and steps you can take in treating this disorder.
- Back-sleeping can lead to lower back pain.
Is Back Sleeping Good for Back Pain?
In order to reduce the risk of lower back pain while sleeping on your back, place a pillow below your knees. Doing so helps to keep your spine aligned to its natural curve, which is very important in reducing discomfort in your lower back. Take a look at our video on sleeping with lower back pain for more information.
If lower back pain continues to be an issue for you, consider switching to a side-sleeping position, as it has been found to be the best position for preventing back pain. If you want to continue sleeping on your back, check out our roundup of best mattresses for back pain.
Switching to Side-Sleeping
Switching to a full-time side sleeper may not be as difficult as you think. After all, it’s only a 90 degree turn! Still, it may be challenging to get used to at first. Here are a couple of tricks that can help you train your body to adapt to the new sleeping style.
- The couch can be a great place to start. The narrow surface area encourages side sleeping and can be a useful tool in adapting to the new position.
- Try building a wall of pillows on either side of you. These will prevent you from rolling off your side and onto your back as you sleep.
- If you don’t have enough pillows for the walls, try putting a soft object in the back of your pajama shirt—a small stuffed animal, perhaps. The discomfort of it pushing into your back when you roll over will wake you up, at which point you can put yourself back on your side.
With enough practice, we’re confident you can become a world-class side sleeper in no time. And when you do, take a look at our best mattresses for side sleepers roundup!
Recap: Top Rated Mattresses for Back Sleeping
| Model | Award | Nerd Score |
| Helix Plus | Editor’s Pick | 3.8/5 |
| WinkBeds | Best Pressure Point Relief | 4.7/5 |
| Zenhaven | Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers | 4.8/5 |
| Titan Plus | Best Value | 4.7/5 |
| DreamCloud Premier | Best for Average Weight Sleepers | 3.8/5 |
| Nectar Original | Best Value Mattress for Back Sleepers | 4.8/5 |
| Layla Hybrid | Best Flippable Mattress for Back Sleepers | 3.8/5 |
| Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm | Best Extra-Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers | 4.8/5 |
| Leesa | Best for Lightweight Sleepers | 4.4/5 |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe | Best Cooling Mattress for Back Sleepers | 4.8/5 |
Dr. Ravi Pandey is part of our panel of medical expert contributors on the subject of sleep health. They provide important perspectives on the topics we discuss to help make our content as accurate and dependable as possible. They do not personally endorse any products, nor are they associated with any brands featured in our review content.
