Best Pillows for Back Sleepers – Useful Tips and Top Models

Back sleeping has many benefits, including improved spine alignment, reduced acid reflux and neck pain. If you want to get enough quality sleep, you need the best pillow for back sleepers. Our guide to choosing the best pillow for back sleeping is based on extensive analysis and research.

Written by:

Derek

Last Updated: Wed, July 17, 2019

Back sleeping is not the most common position, but still, around 10% of people sleep in it. It is considered the healthiest position for sleepers as it has many health benefits. However, the same as other positions, it also has some drawbacks. For example, back sleeping provides better spinal alignment compared to other sleep styles. Thanks to the proper alignment of spine and neck people who sleep mostly on their backs don’t have to deal with pain in neck and shoulders. Symptoms of acid reflux are also minimized when resting on the back, as long as the pillow is elevated and supportive, and this position also results in fewer wrinkles. However, people who are prone to snoring should avoid back sleeping as this position causes muscles and tissue to relax and obstruct airways, which prevents air from circulating properly to the lungs and back out of the body. Additionally, it is a bad sleep position for pregnant women as it can compress veins that run beneath the uterus and affect blood pressure. 

If you sleep mostly on your back, you should get the right pillow for your bed. Choosing the perfect pillow is essential if you want to get enough good night’s rest that you deserve. The choice of pillows can have a significant impact on the duration and quality of sleep for back sleepers. If you want to feel as comfortable as possible while sleeping, we will help you make the right decision. Our guide to choosing the best pillows for back sleepers will help you select an ideal pillow. Our choices are based on in-depth product research and analysis and verified customer experiences. 

 

Hullo Pillow 

Hullo is one of the best buckwheat pillows available on the market, and it is an excellent model for people who sleep mostly on their backs. This pillow doesn’t contain any synthetic materials, its filling contains natural buckwheat hulls, and it is one of the eco-friendliest models that back sleepers can find on the market. If you are a back sleeper looking for a quality natural sleeping surface, you should consider the Hullo. Some people consider it the best pillow for back sleepers 2018.

source: hullopillow.com

 

The cover of this pillow is made of 100% organic cotton twill, and it is very breathable and sleeps incredibly cool. It is perfect for back sleepers who tend to sleep hot. The pillow itself is filled with natural buckwheat hulls and doesn’t contain any synthetic materials. This filling is also very breathable and maintains a neutral temperature.  

Hullo pillow is incredibly friendly to the environment, and it has a low manufacturing carbon footprint. It is a perfect solution for eco-friendly shoppers. Not only this pillow is natural and eco-friendly, but it is also very durable and has a long lifespan. This pillow conforms closely to the sleeper’s body and offers amazing pain and pressure relief on the shoulders and neck. It is also possible to adjust the filling of the pillow. The Hullo is a firm buckwheat pillow that sleeps very cool, and it is a perfect solution for back sleepers and side sleepers. It is excellent for those who have average weight or are heavyweight. Additionally, it is easy to clean as the cover is machine washable whereas the filling doesn’t need cleaning at all.  

The Hullo comes with free shipping within the continental United States and a sleep trial period of 60 nights. 

Recommended for: 

 

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow 

Easy Breather is an excellent pillow for back sleepers as it provides superior cushioning and support that people who sleep in this position need. This shredded memory foam model is very comfortable, breathable, and has a very soft cover. It conforms closely to the sleeper’s body and cradles the neck. Thanks to this, it offers incredible pressure and pain relief. Easy Breather by Nest Bedding is a perfect pillow for every sleep position, especially back sleeping, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. 

source: nestbedding.com

The cover of this pillow is made with Tencel Lyocell fibers, and it is very soft, breathable and known for its moisture-wicking properties. It comes with a very reliable zipper which makes it easy to add or remove the filling to adjust the thickness of the pillow. The filling is made of shredded memory foam that delivers coolness and breathability and has improved molding and contouring capabilities. 

Easy Breather pillow allows excellent air circulation thanks to its breathable cover and the interior filled with chunks of memory foam. The response to pressure is slow, and pressure relief is incredible. This pillow is very comfortable, has an adjustable loft and sleeps very cool. It is an ideal solution for hot back sleepers who tend to suffer from pain in neck and shoulders. It is considered the best pillow for back sleepers with neck pain. Additionally, it is very moldable and ideal for those who like to hug a pillow while sleeping. When it comes to firmness it is medium, and it is one of the best pillows for sleepers with light or average weight. It is also a good option for heavyweight individuals who prefer softer pads. 

Nest Bedding Easy Breather pillow comes with free returns and free shipping anywhere in the continental United States. Also, it is backed up with a sleep trial period of 100 nights and a lifetime warranty. 

Recommended for: 

 

Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow 

Coop Home Goods Eden is another excellent model for back sleepers. This pillow has an adjustable loft, and it can fit the needs of back sleepers with different thickness preferences. It offers incredible relief from pressure and pain and conforms closely to the sleeper’s body. It is a medium soft shredded memory foam pillow with excellent shape retention and fantastic breathability.  

source: coophomegoods.com

The cover of this pillow model is made with a combination of viscose rayon from bamboo and polyester. It is very smooth and soft and allows the proper air circulation. It is also hypoallergenic which makes it a perfect solution for people who are prone to allergies. Additionally, it is easy to clean as it is machine washable. The filling of the pillow is adjustable, and it contains gel-infused shredded memory foam and microfiber pill. The interior of the pillow is incredibly breathable as it is filled with small pieces of memory foam that allow the proper airflow, and it is also Certi-PUR US certified. 

The Eden pillow sleeps very cool and has excellent shape retention. It is also very durable and has a longer lifespan compared to most memory foam models. It is one of the best pillows for back sleepers and side sleepers and all weight groups. This pillow is ideal for people who suffer from neck pain and shoulder pain as it provides incredible pressure relief and keeps the spine properly aligned. If you decide to get this pillow, Coop Home Goods will also send you extra filling. 

Coop Home Goods Eden pillow comes with a warranty of 5 years and a sleep trial period of 100 nights. The shipping is free within the continental United States. 

Recommended for: 

 

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow 

TEMPUR-Neck pillow is a perfect model for back sleepers who suffer from chronic neck pain. People with chronic pain issues in their neck prefer sleeping on orthopedic pillows as they offer enhanced neck support. This model is extra firm, and it is available in three different loft options. It is very durable and has a lifespan that is above average. If you are a back sleeper who struggles with neck pain, you should consider getting TEMPUR-Neck pillow because of its pressure relieving benefits. 

source: tempurpedic.com

The cover of this pillow is removable, machine washable and it is made of 100% polyester. It protects the pillow from allergens and dust and comes with a durable zipper. There is also a polyester netting beneath the cover that prevents the filling from escaping. The pillow itself is single-piece and made with viscoelastic memory foam. 

TEMPUR-Neck pillow conforms closely to the sleeper’s body and maintains its shape longer than other memory foam models. It is incredibly durable, and it is ideal for heavyweight people or those with average weight. The pillow is extra firm, and it provides supportive cushioning to the sleeper’s head, neck and shoulders and keeps them aligned without excessive sinking. It offers exceptional relief from pressure and aches in the most sensitive body areas, and it is very responsive to body weight and temperature. 

TEMPUR-Neck pillow comes with free shipping in the continental U.S., and it is backed by a warranty of 5 years. However, this model doesn’t come with a trial period. 

Recommended for: 

 

Purple Pillow 

Another excellent pillow that back sleepers need to take into consideration is the Purple. This pillow has an innovative Smart Grid design, and it is a perfect option for people who sleep on their backs because of the comfort and support that it provides. It is also very breathable and has exceptional durability and shape retention. 

source: purple.com

The cover of the pillow is made from a combination of nylon and spandex. It is white and has a durable purple zipper that makes it easy to access the interior of the pillow. It is thin and extra breathable which means that it allows exceptional air circulation, and it is also machine washable. When it comes to the construction, this model uses the company’s patented hyper elastic polymer which is arranged in a pattern referred to as Smart Comfort Grid. The pillow interior contains hundreds of small purple triangles, and this structure enables fantastic air circulation and excellent conforming without losing its shape. 

The Purple pillow sleeps cool and provides an exceptional level of comfort. It also offers the right level of support that back sleepers need and it is very durable. This pillow conforms well to the sleeper’s body, and it won’t break down. Due to its design, it is a bit firmer around the edges and softer in the middle, which makes it excellent for those who like to hug a pillow when in bed. When it comes to firmness, it is medium and has a medium loft that is 3 inches thick. 

The Purple pillow comes with a warranty of 1 year, and a sleep trial period of 100 nights. The shipping is free to shoppers in the continental United States. 

Recommended for: 

 

Leesa Hybrid Pillow 

The Leesa Hybrid is an excellent model for people who prefer sleeping on their backs. This pillow is flippable with two firmness options, one on each side, and back sleepers can choose between a medium soft and a medium form option. It also has an adjustable loft which means that the filling can be added or removed to adjust the thickness of the pillow, which makes it perfect for all weight groups, and it is an ideal solution for sleepers with changing loft preferences. 

source: leesa.com

The cover of the pillow is made with a combination of Tencel fiber and nylon, it is stretchy and very soft, and it is also very resistant to bacteria. Because of the dual nature of this model, it has a down-like fiber fill on one side that makes the pillow cushiony and soft and a layer of ventilated gel on the other side that offers firmer support and a cooler feel. Between these two layers, there is an inner pillow covered in polyester and filled with fluffy microfiber, and it is removable.  

Leesa Hybrid pillow sleeps very cool and provides the proper level of support that people sleeping on their backs need. Besides being excellent for back sleepers, it is also perfect for other sleep positions thanks to its adjustable loft and dual-sided design. The pillow is soft and offers fantastic relief from pressure and pain in sensitive areas. It is the best pillow for shoulder pain. Additionally, it is very durable and has a much longer lifespan compared to an average pillow.  

The Leesa Hybrid comes with a sleep trial period of 100 nights and a warranty of 3 years. Shipping is free to customers in the continental United States. 

Recommended for: 

 

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pillow for Back Sleepers 

If you are not sure how to choose the right pillow that fits your needs and wishes perfectly you should take into consideration the following factors: 

Shape 

You can choose between pillows with even and contoured surfaces. The first ones are more common and they have flat or full shapes, depending on the material of the pillow, but without the contours. On the other hand, contoured pillows have curved surfaces elevated below the neck, and they are ideal for those who suffer from neck pain or shoulder pain. 

Price 

It is crucial to determine your budget before you go shopping for a new pillow. Many different models are available on the market, and they have different prices. You need to decide how much money you are willing to spend on a pillow so that you can make the right decision. 

Thickness 

In case you are a back sleeper, you need to keep in mind that the thickness of the pillow is crucial. The right pillow height for back sleepers is essential for the proper spinal alignment. In most cases, back sleepers prefer medium of high thickness, meaning the loft should be at least 3 inches. However, this is entirely subjective, and many people sleeping on their backs prefer low loft. You need to consider your weight, shoulder width, and head size before purchasing a pillow, not only the position that you sleep in. 

 

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