The best sleeping position for proper spinal alignment is back sleeping, which means good news back snoozers; you’re one step ahead of the pack.
Why then do sharp back pains keep you up at night, yet you sleep in the expert-recommended position?
Your mattress could be the culprit.
If your bed doesn’t support your weight, and sags too much or is too firm, it’s time to ditch it for a better mattress for back sleepers.
Here’s our top 5 list of the best mattresses for back sleepers:
- Saatva Classic Mattress
- Cocoon Chill by Sealy Memory Foam Mattress
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Mattress
- WinkBed Mattress
- Avocado Green Mattress
Saatva Classic Mattress — Best Overall Mattress
At any given time, 31 million Americans suffer from back pain. Sometimes, the agony gets so severe that they miss work and all the other fun things in life.
A mattress that supports your lower back, regardless of your weight, is a plus in alleviating back pain.
Here’s how the Saatva Classic mattress has got your back:
- A plush Euro-pillow top cushions your pressure points backed by a coil-on-coil support layer that supports your weight so that you don’t sink into the mattress.
- A special high-density memory foam lumbar pad surrounded by active wire support — thoughtfully placed at the center of the mattress — eases tension from your lower back.
If you’re a hot sleeper or are allergy-prone, you’ll enjoy the 100% organic, moisture-wicking cotton cover.
Highlights of the Saatva Classic mattress:
- Best for back sleepers with back pain and awarded the Chiropractic Seal of Approval
- Choose your comfort level from three options; soft, luxury firm, and firm
- Available in eight sizes including four King sizes
- Each size comes with two heights of 11.5 and 14.5 inches
- 180-night trial
- 15-year warranty
- Free shipping and white glove delivery
>> Read our full Saatva Mattress Review to learn more
Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam Mattress — Best Cooling Mattress
If you love the cushioning feel of memory foam but hate how hot it gets at night, the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam Mattress has found a way around this with an innovative Phase Change Material cover.
When it’s too hot, the cover absorbs heat from your body and when temperatures drop, it releases heat back to you. Pretty chill, right?
The mattress comprises three foam layers;
- Perfect Fit memory foam that contours to your body
- A highly responsive layer of memory foam that enhances movement
- High-density support polyfoam that gives the mattress stability and a medium-firm feel ideal for back sleeping
Highlights of the Cocoon Chill mattress:
- Ideal for couples because of excellent motion isolation and noise control
- Available in six standard sizes from Twin to Cal King
- CertiPUR-US® Certified foams
- 100-night trial
- 10-year warranty
- Free shipping and white glove delivery services
Brooklyn Bedding Signature — Best Value Mattress
You don’t have to break the bank to find the best mattress for back sleeping. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature is a hybrid that comes with an affordable price tag, without compromising on quality.
Brooklyn attributes their fair prices to owning their factory, thus cutting out huge middleman costs.
The hybrid mattress’s comfort layer has a unique gel-infused TitanFlex foam which contours to your body but is also highly responsive. This ensures your lower back is well-cushioned without making you feel “stuck in”.
In addition, the encased coils in the support core and edges give the bed stability and firmness by pushing you up and out of the mattress.
This design comes in three firmness levels; soft, medium, and firm. Back sleepers who weigh an average weight may want to look at the medium model, as it’ll give you the cushioning and support you need to align your spine.
Highlights of Brooklyn Signature:
- Excellent edge support because of reinforced perimeters with encased coils
- Available in three comfort levels to cater to all body weights
- Available in standard and customized sizes
- 120-night trial
- 10-year warranty
- Free shipping and returns in the U.S
WinkBed Hybrid Mattress — Best Luxury Mattress
The WinkBed is the epitome of luxury for back sleepers who are looking for a carefully hand-crafted, eco-friendly, super comfortable, and supportive model.
This hybrid mattress comes in four firmness options; Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and PLUS.
The Luxury Firm medium-firm (6.5) model is ideal for back sleepers because it offers a balanced feel of comfort and support.
The comfort layer comprises a Euro-pillow top made from Hypersoft gel-infused foam that’s more responsive than memory foam, cool, and conforming.
Beneath it, zoned, foam encased coils give the support layer excellent stability and durability. The mattress won’t sag under your weight, guaranteeing proper lumbar support. Also, reinforced coils at the perimeters give extra edge support.
Finally, the cover is made from Tencel — a 100% natural, Eucalyptus-based fabric that sleeps cooler than cotton and is allergen-free.
Highlights of WinkBed:
- OEKO-TEX certified
- CertiPUR-US® Certified foams
- Available in four comfort levels
- Available in six standard sizes from Twin to Cal King
- 120-night trial
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free shipping and returns in the U.S
What others say:
Avocado Green Mattress — Best Organic Mattress
If you’re an eco-conscious back sleeper searching for a natural, sustainable, and organic mattress, the Avocado Green Mattress will impress you.
The eco-luxury hybrid mattress comprises:
- A hand-tufted soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking cover made from GOTS certified pure organic cotton and wool.
- A GOLS certified latex comfort layer.
As a latex mattress is firmer and bouncier than foam, it’ll lift you up and out of the mattress, thus providing a natural spine alignment and preventing lower back pain.
It also sleeps cooler than foam, a plus for hot back sleepers.
If you’re lightweight or prefer a more cushioning feel, Avocado has an option for a plusher Euro-pillow top mattress.
- Encased and zoned steel coils support layer.
The zoned coils evenly distribute your weight and ease your pressure points. Since the coils are wrapped with fabric, they reduce motion transfer and increase airflow, making it ideal for couples and hot sleepers.
Highlights of Avocado Green Mattress:
- Available in six standard sizes from Twin to Cal King
- Available in two comfort levels
- Best for back pain because of zoned support
- 1-year sleep trial
- 25-year warranty
- Free shipping in the U.S
Avocado Green Mattress boasts of many certifications and awards including:
>> Read our full Avocado Green Mattress Review to learn more
How to Choose the Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
Mattress Firmness
Mattress firmness levels are gauged on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being very soft and 10 being extra firm. The right firmness level will depend on your body weight.
- Lightweight back sleepers — a medium soft to medium mattress that closely conforms to your body. Firmer models may cause your body to arch upwards, throwing your spine out of alignment.
- Average weight back sleepers — a medium-firm mattress that’ll conform moderately while still offering ample support.
- Heavyweight back sleepers — a firm mattress that’ll support your weight so that you don’t sink in the bed.
Pressure Relief
Choose a mattress that contours and cushions your key pressure point around the lower back. Foam models are the best for conforming. Other mattress types with a memory foam comfort layer also work well.
Temperature Regulation
Whether you’re a back, stomach, or side sleeper, a mattress that sleeps hot is a no-no. Check if the manufacturer has added cooling features such as gel-infused foam and phase change material.
Company Policies
- Do they offer free shipping?
- How long is the trial period?
- How long is the warranty, and what does it cover?
Find the Right Pillow for Your Back Sleeper Mattress
Without the right pillow, your back sleeper mattress won’t be effective. The right pillow for back sleepers should have a medium-loft, not too high or too low, to strain your neck and back.
Like mattresses, there’s more to consider when choosing the best pillow for back sleepers.
