8 Best Mattresses For Back Sleepers (Review) In 2021
Last Updated: January 14, 2021You might not realize there’s anything special about the way you sleep, but back sleepers require a different type of mattress compared to those who sleep on their side. To give you an idea of what to buy if you prefer to sprawl, starfish, and (occasionally) snore through the night we’ve selected a guide of the best mattresses for back sleepers to ensure you get the best night’s sleep every night.
If you’re a back sleeper, you need the right amount of support from your mattress. As the second most popular method for sleeping, behind side sleepers but in front of stomach sleepers, you have plenty of options available. But how do you know which mattress is the best choice for the back sleepers among us?
It comes down to spinal alignment, and any mattress that offers a solution to this is something you should consider a mattress best for back pain. Otherwise, you disrupt your natural position. To achieve this, you need adequate firmness. Too soft, and you sink into the mattress, which can curve your spine and cause back pain. A mattress that sits comfortably on the medium-to-firm scale is perfect to keep your back in tip-top shape. Of course, everyone’s a little different, which is why we’ve brought you a comprehensive choice to help you find the perfect back sleeper mattress.
The Best Mattress For Back Sleepers
1. The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress - Best Choice
HIGHLIGHTS:
Twin to California King sizes
365-night free home sleep trial period
Forever lifetime warranty
11-inch height
5 layers of premium materials
Coolest sleep with maximum airflow
1.
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress - Best Choice
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress offers everything you could ask for from a mattress that ensures you get the best and most comfortable night's sleep you have ever experienced. It offers a wide range of size options suitable for the singles and couples among us, and these sizes come with exceptional edge support and pressure relief to help you sleep easily.
The 365-night free home sleep trial period gives you an entire year to decide whether this is the right mattress. For back sleepers, you'll find it delivers on each promise it makes, while the lifetime warranty, or Forever Warranty, as they call it, gives you the confidence that this is a mattress that you can rely on for the rest of your days and nights.
It uses five layers of premium materials, and these offer breathable cooling action perfect for hot sleepers and motion isolation that eliminates possible disruptions, which is useful if you share a bed with a partner who gets up at a different time to you. If you want to maximize comfort and support, you can add a cooling pillow sheet set and mattress protector to ensure a luxury experience.
Learn more about The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
2. Saatva Classic Mattress
HIGHLIGHTS:
Twin to California King sizes
Split options
2 mattress height options
3 comfort levels
180-night home sleep trial
15-year warranty
The Saatva Classic Mattress comes with all the traditional mattresses size, but it also takes this a step further by offering a range of customization options ideal for helping back sleepers find the very best mattress for their needs.
This customization includes Split styles, where you can choose two firmness levels for either side to accommodate different sleepers. With this, your side sleeping partner can enjoy a plush firmness, while you can ensure excellent comfort layer support while laying on your back to go to sleep with a more firm model on the other side. This design will improve motion isolation, so you won't even notice the other's movements.
There are even more customization options, giving you absolute control over what you include in your mattress. You can choose a medium, soft, or firm feel and select the mattress height. Once you have made your decision, the 180-night home trial gives you the chance to test it out, and if all goes well, it is covered under a 15-year warranty.
Learn more about Saatva Classic Mattress
3. Casper Mattresses - Best Value
HIGHLIGHTS:
Range of mattress styles
All foam and hybrid options
100-night sleep trial
6 standard size choices suitable for regular sheets
10-year limited warranty
Targeted support
3.
Casper Mattresses - Best Value
Casper Mattresses offer a variety of mattress types to help back sleepers pick the perfect model for them. Although there are plush options, this isn't ideal for you if you choose back sleeping over other positions. However, if you're used to soft mattresses, the offer is there. Other options include the Wave Hybrid and Original model, and these come with a 100-night sleep trial that gives you the chance to try before you by properly.
The all-foam or hybrid choice gives you flexibility when selecting your mattress and allows you to consider how your everyday sleep experience is. If you're a hot sleeper, the hybrid is likely better for you, whereas cold sleepers will prefer the insulation found in foam mattresses.
No matter which you decide is the best mattress for back sleepers, you can enjoy a limited warranty that lasts for 10-years, and the mattress will last longer if you care for it properly, while the Targeted support ensures proper spinal alignment and pressure relief for the most problematic areas of your back.
Learn more about Casper Mattresses
4. WinkBeds - The WinkBed
HIGHLIGHTS:
Twin to California King sizes
Range of firmness levels
Decompression support for your spine
Advanced Pressure Point relief
Provides optimal sleep temperature
120-night risk-free sleep trial
One of the most appealing elements you'll find with the WinkBeds The WinkBed is the sheer ingenious level of engineering and innovation that goes into crafting and perfecting the best night's sleep for back sleepers. Here, you've got your classic choice of sizes and a range of firmness levels, including a medium-firm feel to help you get the support you crave every night.
It provides decompression support for your spine, which ensures proper spinal alignment, while the advanced pressure point relief makes it a bed that seems specifically designed for those with back pain. It takes hot and cold sleepers into consideration by offering the optimal sleep temperature, meaning black sleepers won't feel too hot or too cold no matter the time of year.
The 120-night sleep trial allows you to get an idea of whether it's right for you, but with all the unique features that stand out as being ideal for back sleepers, we're sure it will only take a night or two to confirm that this is the perfect mattress. It also offers motion isolation and deep support springs that push is so much further.
Learn more about WinkBeds - The WinkBed
5. Saatva Zenhaven Latex Mattress - Premium Pick
HIGHLIGHTS:
Twin to California King sizes
Split mattress option with Cali King
180-night home sleep trial
20-year warranty
Back and joint pain relief
Cool comfort experience
5.
Saatva Zenhaven Latex Mattress - Premium Pick
The Saatva Zenhaven Latex Mattress is a mattress for back sleepers that captures the luxurious feel you expect to give you the best night's sleep no matter how tired you are. There is a range of size options perfect for all situations and bedroom spaces, and you can also try the Split California King if you've got room. The 180-night home sleep trial gives you the chance to test before you rest, and the 20-year warranty ensures confidence in its longevity.
For back and joint pain relief, it is undoubtedly one of the best mattresses you can find. It also delivers a cool sleeping experience thanks to the Talalay latex that puts your comfort first, allowing you to get through the night without tossing, turning, or needing to remove a layer every hour.
The good times don't stop there, though. If you want to enhance your experience, you can add an organic mattress pad that follows the sustainable trend that Saatva encourages all their products. It also comes with premium White Glove delivery and setup, allowing you to sit back and relax.
Learn more about Saatva Zenhaven Latex Mattress
6. Layla Memory Foam Mattress
HIGHLIGHTS:
Twin to California King size
120-night money-back guarantee
Lifetime warranty
Copper foam superior to memory foam alternatives
Cool and rejuvenating sleep experience
Antimicrobial for a cleaner sleep
The Layla Memory Foam Mattress is a safe and effective mattress that looks at alternative ways to provide the comfort that back sleepers crave and deserve. It uses copper foam that is considered superior to regular memory foam by anyone in the know, and this results in a cool, rejuvenating sleep experience that will make you realize what you've missed out on all this time.
It also ensures cleaner sleep. The antimicrobial fabric prevents mold buildup and prevents dust particles from settling in the fibers. With this, you can enjoy enhanced sleep quality and prevent the risk of fungal infections that are always possible if you don't take care of your mattress properly.
The range of sizes means there is something for everybody, and the 120-night money-back guarantee is also something to consider. If you're someone who is eager to find the best mattress for back sleepers as soon as possible, this could be the answer, and it's packed with enough unique features to set it apart from other options.
Learn more about Layla Memory Foam Mattress
7. PlushBeds Organic Latex Mattress: The Botanical Bliss®
HIGHLIGHTS:
Twin to California King sizes
Split mattress options
100-night sleep trial
25-year warranty
Medium or Firm firmness levels
Customizable heights from 9 inches to 12 inches
From the name, you can expect that the PlushBeds Organic Latex Mattress: The Botanical Bliss® is a triumph of back sleeping technology, support, and comfort, and you'll soon find out how true this is. The range of sizes appeal to everybody, and the Split mattress styles for the Queen, King, and California King models give you some of the broadest flexibility around.
PlushBeds also offer a 100-night sleep trial, but while this isn't as much as others, you'll soon find that you don't need any longer. Instead, it will take just a few nights to realize you've made the right decision, and you'll never look back. There are two firmness options that will appeal to back sleepers, with a Medium and Firm feel option, and you can also customize the height to suit you and your bed frame.
It boasts organic materials that help keep you cool and dry, and the latex construction is also more effective and breathable compared to memory foam mattresses. This combination of temperature regulation combined with pressure relief gives you a mattress that is a strong contender for the best ever.
Learn more about PlushBeds Organic Latex Mattress: The Botanical Bliss®
8. NeST Bedding Love and Sleep Mattress - Budget Pick
HIGHLIGHTS:
Twin to California king sizes
Split mattress options
Medium or Firm mattress feel
Breathable all-foam design
Thermic Phase Change Cooling Fabrics
Lifetime warranty
8.
NeST Bedding Love and Sleep Mattress - Budget Pick
The NeST Bedding Love and Sleep Mattress brings together two of our (and your) favorite things. With this mattress that has been crafted with care from top to bottom, you're guaranteed to fall back in with going to sleep, allowing you to wake up every day without any pain, aches, or stiffness.
The changes will be remarkable, and this will have a direct impact on your overall performance and happiness. You can select from the range of sizes, as well as Split options that offer medium and firm options. Its breathable all-foam construction deceives the expected ideas of how cool memory foam can be, and it will keep you cool throughout the night without a hint of latex.
This is further encouraged with the Thermic Phase Change Cooling Fabrics that work throughout the night, while the Energex material will support a deeper sleep that prevents any interruptions and allows you to move freely across the mattress to change positions without the typical bounce you will find with an innerspring mattress. It absorbs the movement, which makes it easier for you to get out of bed in the morning.
Learn more about NeST Bedding Love and Sleep Mattress
Features To Consider With Mattresses For Back Sleepers
Before you decide which mattress is the best choice for you, it's important to get an idea of which are the most vital features and highlights to look for to make your back sleeping experience successful and comfortable. As everyone sleeps a little differently from one another, we've compiled a useful guide to help you pick the mattress best for your needs.
Firmness
Mattress firmness is one of the most important highlights to consider when looking for the best mattress to ease your back pain and make every night the most comfortable yet. Firm mattresses will provide exceptional support for different areas of your body, while also ensuring suitable spinal alignment to keep your posture in excellent shape.
Back sleepers will need to consider both medium and medium-firm mattresses, with the ultimate choice depending on their preference and previous experience. Finding the right firmness is essential when looking at back sleepers' mattress choices, but if you're unsure, you can speak to an expert. They will recommend the best mattress type for you.
Many brands will offer a mattress type that enables you to choose your firmness. This offers a level of customization that ensures excellent support for back sleepers, giving you something you can rely on. However, just because a more stable firmness level is generally recommended, you can still try something a little softer, such as a medium soft mattress, if this is what you are used to.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is another essential component of finding the right mattress for sleeping on your back. You will need to identify a mattress with a support core that will provide this pressure relief for your pressure points.
Thankfully, these are in high supply when looking for the best mattress. With the right pressure relief, you can avoid aches and pains while also achieving proper spinal alignment. This stops you from waking up each day wondering why you feel so stiff and can ensure a more refreshed and rejuvenated sleeping experience.
The pressure relief will also help your neck, and you can combine this with a special pillow for back sleepers that adds more relief while sleeping. There is a range of mattress types that can ensure excellent relief, including a hybrid mattress for back sleepers that can provide support for your lower back and your neck. These mattress types use comfort layers and targeted zones that will recognize where you need the most support.
Some of these mattresses can be a little expensive, though, so try to stick within your budget while still getting the best results from your mattress with a medium-firm feel.
Construction
You can't find the mattress best for back sleepers without considering the construction. This will include a range of materials and comfort layers that ensure each night is the best night's sleep you've ever had.
Most back sleeper mattresses will include pocketed coils or memory foam, or even a mixture of both if it is a hybrid mattress. They will also offer a support core and memory foam comfort layer that provides both comfort and support when you rest your weary self at the end of a long and exhausting day.
Some mattresses will also include a pillow top that acts as an extra comfort layer. You should also look for a mattress for back sleepers with excellent edge support. This is ideal if you are hunting for the best beds for back pain, but even those who just want a comfortable back sleeping experience will get plenty of joy from them. You can expect at least three layers from your mattress, and these will work together to provide edge support, increase motion isolation, provide pressure point relief for your neck and lower back, and give you a suitable balance of comfort.
Longevity
You would expect the very mattresses to last a lifetime. They may not do this, but you can still trust that your mattress, whether this is an innerspring mattress or coil mattress, memory foam mattress, or a latex hybrid mattress, will last for at least ten years. Many will last even longer.
In fact, mattress brands are so confident of this that they will offer anywhere between a ten-year and lifetime warranty, but we will get to this in a while.
When determining which mattress will be the best choice for you in terms of longevity and reliability, you will need to consider the materials and the overall mattress type. An innerspring mattress can last a long time, but the springs will eventually squeak, which will affect your sleep quality. Likewise, memory foam mattresses can become too 'set' in a certain shape, especially if you sit in bed to watch TV or read. These factors can impact overall longevity, although it will still take a while for these to occur.
You should also focus on the care and maintenance of your mattress. Look after the comfort layers and other layers, and the rest of the mattress will look after you. Try not to spill food or drink and rotate or flip the mattress at least every six months. You can also use a pillow top to prevent too much sagging with certain foam mattresses.
Warranty
The warranty period is always something you should consider when buying any product. This warranty will begin with the white glove delivery and (hopefully) free shipping and will last anywhere between ten and 25 years. Some mattresses will offer a lifetime warranty, although this is often a limited version, so make sure you read the small print.
A longer warranty gives you confidence that the mattress is built to last and ensures high-quality construction with top of the range materials. Despite this, even a shorter warranty of ten years can still give you plenty of reasons to get excited. As you will use this mattress every day, it’s essential that you feel confident and comfortable when buying it, and a thorough warranty that covers a range of potential problems can help with this.
You should also take advantage of the sleep trial period. The length of this sleep trial will vary between brands. Some brands offer a full 365-night sleep trial, allowing you to get a feel of the mattress for an entire year. Other brands can be more conservative, and will only offer 100 nights, 120 nights, or 180 nights. Still, this can give you enough time to decide whether your new mattress is the right choice for back sleepers or if you need to change to a medium-firm style to provide more comfort.
Benefits and Risks of Back Sleeping
There are several benefits and risks of back sleeping, so it's important to understand what it can and can't do for you. Whether you're sleeping on a regular bed, an air mattress, the floor, or your buddies' sofa, you want to ensure you are as comfortable as possible while sleeping on your back, so here is everything you need to know about back sleeping.
The Benefits
The good news is that there are more benefits than risks when sleeping on your back. These benefits include:
Spinal Alignment - Back sleeping is more forgiving on your spine compared to side sleeping or stomach sleeping. This is thanks to gravity, which keeps your body in a central position, preventing any bends or twists.
Reduced Aches and Pains - Excellent spinal alignment will directly influence aches and pains. You can avoid neck pain and back pain, as there is no extreme pressure on joints and muscles. There is no compression and no instance of twisting, and the neutral sleeping position will ensure you wake up pain-free.
Preventing Wrinkles (Maybe) - While not certain for everybody depending on your lifestyle, sleeping on your back can prevent wrinkles on one side of your face. This is because the pressure you put on your cheek when sleeping on your side can impact your skin's tightness, leading to wrinkles.
No More Headaches - If you suffer from regular headaches, you could solve this by sleeping on your back rather than your side. These headaches could result from bad neck alignment and are known as Cervicogenic headaches.
The Risks
While there is a range of benefits to sleeping on your back, there are also some risks. While they will not apply to everybody, they are things to keep in mind if you prefer sleeping on your back rather than side or stomach sleeping.
Sleep Apnea - Sleep apnea can be a significant problem for back sleepers as it blocks the airway and can hinder or prevent breathing. Men are more likely to experience Sleep Apnea than women, and overweight back sleepers are also at a bigger risk. If you need to sleep on your back and experience sleep apnea, a breathing mask can avoid any complications.
Snoring - Snoring is not as big of an issue as sleep apnea, but it can still cause problems. Back sleeping increases the chance of snoring, which can disrupt your sleep and your partners.
Pregnancy - No, sleeping on your back won't get you pregnant, but pregnant back sleepers will restrict the blood flow to the fetus when compared to sleeping on their side. Because of this, it is more comfortable for you to sleep on your side if you are pregnant.
Mattress For Back Sleepers FAQ
Q: What type of mattress is best for back sleepers?
There are several factors you need to look for in a mattress when sleeping on your back as we've mentioned above. However, we want to dive a little deeper into this idea. If you're looking for the very best mattress for sleeping on your back, you will need something that provides exceptional support and keeps your spine aligned properly.
Because of this, an open coil or pocket spring mattress is perfect for sleeping on your back. An orthopedic mattress specifically designed to alleviate back pain will also provide benefits. These mattresses provide the support you need, especially around the parts of your body that are naturally heavier, which is usually your midsection.
A pocket spring mattress will offer the best and most superior support as it is a zoned mattress. This means it offers varied support in different areas. For heavier parts of your body, such as around your lower back, there will be firmer support areas, whereas lighter sections will use a softer support zone.
Open coil mattresses will distribute your weight evenly, and this provides exceptional all-around support to relieve pressure. You might even find zoned open coil mattresses, which will work like the pocket spring counterparts.
A hybrid mattress for back sleepers is also a splendid choice. This provides the support of a memory foam mattress and the sturdiness you will find in pocket spring mattresses. For many people, a hybrid mattress is the most appropriate choice as it provides the best of both worlds.
Q: What else should a back sleeper consider?
When looking for the best mattress, back sleepers need to consider a variety of other elements to ensure you pick a suitable mattress. This includes firmness levels, edge support, a comfort layer, how it feels and impacts pressure points, and even a trial period.
Knowing what to look for when purchasing a mattress for back sleepers will help you make the right decision and save you any issues. You can take advantage of a sleep trial period, which gives you the chance to try before you buy for anywhere between 100 and 365 days.
You should also think about which aches and pains are most prominent when you wake up in the morning. Choosing the best mattress for back sleepers is all about finding the optimal comfort level. This means your back sleeping position should not cause you pain when getting out of bed. A mattress with a coil support core, a comfortable layer of memory foam, and offering an excellent balance of comfort, support, and breathability will all contribute to preventing excessive back pain, whether this is on your lower back, spinal alignment issues, or around your neck and shoulders.
Finding the right balance between firmness and support will limit the chances of early morning back pain, and this will ensure a good night's sleep every night, with minimal tossing and turning, allowing you to sleep through the night. In the morning, you'll wake up refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for anything.
However, back sleepers also need to consider their temperature when they sleep. While some people will have a regular, comfortable temperature, others might sleep too hot or too cold. This is an important element to consider when choosing a mattress. The foam comfort layer can impact the overall temperature, making it difficult to find the perfect level to sleep through the night. A memory foam mattress traps heat, which is useful for cold sleepers, whereas an innerspring mattress, latex mattresses, and mattresses with pocketed coils are ideal for hot sleepers, as they provide better airflow and breathability. A hybrid mattress can also provide an excellent balance to help you keep your temperature regulated.
Q: Is a firm mattress good for back sleepers?
Back sleepers will find better success with a firm or medium-firm mattress. Both choices provide enough support without causing back pain, as your body does not sink into the mattress the same way it does with a soft or plush firmness level. Because of this, you needn't worry about any spinal alignment problems.
The more firm the mattress, the better the overall support for heavier parts of your body. Again, these areas won't sink into the mattress, so you can get the support and pressure relief you need while also preventing lower back pain.
A medium mattress is the most popular firmness level if you sleep on your back. They offer the best support for back sleepers without feeling like you're sleeping on a plank or wood, so you can still get comfortable. These mattresses are also ideal for combination sleepers who change positions during the night, as there is enough give in the mattress to support the neck and hips if you turn onto your side.
A firm mattress is not as popular as a medium-firm mattress, but if you always sleep on your back with no tossing or turning, they are ideal for back sleepers. The firm feel supports your spine and prevents and sagging, and this also makes them popular amongst heavyweight back sleepers.
Of course, this is just a recommendation, albeit a scientific one. If you're used to soft mattresses, it can take some time to adjust to a firmer mattress, and you might decide that even the medium-firm level is too hard. This can still impact your back pain, though, so you should at least consider trying a slightly firmer bed for back sleepers and see how things go. As many mattresses offer a trial period, you can test the level of comfort and support with a medium or firm mattress to see if it works for you.