Best Mattress for Back Sleepers

As a mattress tester and writer, I always want to give you the most detailed, thorough info possible. However, I’m also just a regular shopper, and knowing that real people actually tested a product makes me feel way more confident. My team and I built and refined our hands-on testing process using years of experience. After testing more than 1000+ mattresses combined, we know exactly which features matter most for your sleep. These include firmness, pressure relief, support, cooling, and motion transfer.

Using what we’ve learned over the years, we describe how a mattress actually feels. This helps our readers know what they’re walking into before they buy.

Sharing how a mattress feels is a great way to give shoppers easy-to-understand info with a personal touch. However, gathering hard data using our specialized pressure mat—which creates color-coded heat maps of our bodies—helps back up those impressions. We use tools like the pressure mat, heat guns, and seismograph apps to check whether our instincts line up or clash with the numbers.

When testing is wrapped up, each performance category gets a score between 1 and 5. Those numbers are then averaged for one overall rating. The mattresses chosen for combination sleepers stood out in responsiveness and motion isolation.

Sleep is a big part of our overall health. Therefore, we work closely with medical experts like Dr. Raj Dasgupta and Dr. Shelby Harris as a key part of our testing and decision-making. Their guidance on sleep health and bedding shapes every review we write and helps us track down the best mattresses out there.

“A good mattress will keep your spine aligned while you sleep,” said Dr. Harris. “Your sleep position, body type, and personal preferences for feel and materials all play a role in which mattress will work best for you. You also want to think about cost, convenience, durability, whether or not you share the bed, and any sleep concerns you deal with regularly — sleeping hot, back pain, and so on — and look for mattresses designed to address those specific needs.”

Our crew of certified sleep science coaches pick the top mattresses for sleepers.

Our full process also digs into how a bed performs in other ways, like how cool it stays, how well it absorbs motion, and more. We measure these details using fancy tools (think heat guns and pressure-mapping pads) along with honest feedback from testers of all sizes and firmness tastes.

Once all the scores are in, we crunch the numbers using a weighted formula to get the bed’s total score. That overall rating is a solid clue about its general quality and always lands somewhere out of five.

As we narrow down which mattresses make our final list, we only keep ones that earn at least a 3.5 out of 5 overall. Even if a bed shines in one area, we won’t recommend it if it doesn’t hit that minimum bar.

• 1000+ mattresses tested in person
• 30+ data points collected for each bed
• 6 Certified Sleep Science Coaches on staff
• Expert input from our Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta (MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM).
• 40,000+ readers who bought a new bed based on our recommendations

We rate mattress firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the absolute firmest. A rating of 6.5/10 is usually considered medium-firm, which is the sweet spot for back sleepers. We focused on finding beds that either land around this level or give you multiple firmness choices so you can match your personal preferences. We'll also call out specific recommendations based on individual needs.

Back sleepers need a mattress that dishes out solid support to keep the spine lined up properly. This means the mattress should gently nudge the spine into its natural S-curve. We had multiple testers lie on each mattress in the back-sleeping position to confirm they felt nicely supported.

In addition to support, back sleepers need pressure relief, especially around the lower back. We measure this using a pressure mat that maps out the pressure on the body’s contact points. Testers of different body weights lie on the mat in both side- and back-sleeping positions to check out how the mattress performs. We then calculate the pressure in PSI (pounds per square inch) and compare it to the average pressure for that position and weight category to give it a rating.

While you’ll want your spine lifted into alignment all night, you’ll also want to look for something equally crucial: pressure relief. A pressure-relieving mattress eases tension in sensitive spots. For back sleepers, comfort foams should fill in the lumbar area and hug around it. This helps prevent pain from flaring up or getting worse.

We test pressure relief with a special mat that we lay across the mattress before a tester hops on. As they lie on their back and side, the mat tracks where pressure builds along their body. The result is a color-coded map that shows areas of high and low pressure. Blue and green mean low pressure, while red and yellow signal high pressure. We’re always hoping to see more of the cool colors.

Our testers also talk through how they feel lying on the bed—whether anything feels like it’s poking, pushing, or sinking weirdly out of alignment. Their feedback, plus the data from the pressure map, guides us in rating pressure relief out of 5. We take notes on pressure relief in both side- and back-sleeping positions, and we make sure testers of different weights try the bed, since body type plays a big role in how pressure relief shakes out.

Firmness refers to how hard or soft a bed feels. We rate firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the squishiest and 10 being the stiffest. Many back sleepers will lean toward a mattress that falls in the medium to slightly firm pocket. The industry standard for medium-firm is a 6.5 on the firmness scale, so they’ll probably want something that hangs out around that number.

Why is this firmness the sweet spot? Well, it means the mattress hits that ideal combo of supportive lift and pressure-melting give. This helps keep your spine hanging out in a neutral line, sets you up for actually decent sleep hygiene, and brings comfy, balanced vibes to the hips, shoulders, and lower back.

Moreover, a soft mattress can be just as supportive as a firm one, so it’s worth pointing out that “firmness” and “support” aren’t interchangeable terms.

How do you spot a bed that’s truly supportive? We suggest back sleepers keep an eye on the transition and base layers of a mattress. A tall stack of pocketed coils, for example, will bring more solid, reliable support than a slab of high-density poly foam. And when it comes to comfort layers, if you’re craving memory foam, make sure it’s backed up by a firmer layer of latex or poly foam. That way, the sinkage won’t take over the whole show.

Ideally, whatever mattress you choose should actively help keep your spine balanced and aligned. Otherwise, you could wind up with aches, cranky muscles, or limited mobility. Additionally, good alignment can ease pain that might be triggering insomnia.

Different weight-bearing parts of your body—like your hips, shoulders, and lumbar area—may each need their own level of firmness to feel good. To help with this, some mattresses are built with different zones, each with its own firmness level. Most bump up the firmness in the center to keep the hips from dipping way too far into the mattress.

Latex

Latex has a springy, bouncy feel with a touch of sponge-like give. Its quick response keeps you from feeling stuck the way memory foam sometimes does, making it easier to move or flip positions. Latex tends to stay cooler than most foams, which makes it a solid pick for a sleepers who overheat or wake up sweaty. It’s also a natural material tapped from rubber trees, so it’s a good fit for people who have breathing sensitivities or want something eco-friendlier.

Latex beds usually give a firm, supportive surface that helps stomach sleepers keep their spine straight and avoid sinking too much. If the latex is too firm, though, it might not cushion enough, which can leave your chest or hips feeling sore or tense after a night’s sleep.

Memory Foam

Memory foam beds mold closely to your body and tend to ease a lot of pressure. Though old-school memory foam was famous for trapping heat, newer versions sleep cooler thanks to bigger air pockets in their design. The feel, firmness, and thickness of memory foam change depending on the brand, model, and price point. In general, moving around on memory foam takes a little more effort than on other materials.

Memory foam beds do a great job of hugging your shape, which helps take pressure off key areas and keeps the spine lined up right for sleepers. The downside is that memory foam can let your body sink too far down, which might throw your spine out of line and cause stiffness in your lower back or neck.

Innerspring

Classic spring mattresses use a framework of steel coils throughout the bed. Coils usually create a firmer, springier feel and offer solid support, though they can also spread movement more easily. Pocketed coils do better with motion control since each coil is wrapped separately in fabric.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses mix and match materials like coils, foams, and latex to blend support with comfort. They’re made in all kinds of firmness levels, from soft and plush to extra firm.

Hybrid beds often hit a nice balance between structure and cushioning. They offer enough firmness to keep a sleeper’s spine aligned, while still giving a little softness around the hips. Depending on the hybrid’s design, though, some may sink too much or create pressure points if the top layer is overly soft, which could mess with alignment and cause hip or back pain.

Your ideal firmness level really depends on how you sleep. But if you’re not sure where to begin, most folks tend to feel comfy on a medium-firm mattress. When we test mattresses, we rate each one on a firmness scale from 1 to 10—1 being crazy soft and 10 being rock-hard. We usually land around 6.5 for that universally comfortable medium-firm feel.

“Sleeping on a mattress that’s either too stiff or too mushy for your position can cause serious pressure spots and long-term aches,” says Dr. Dasgupta. “It’s crucial to choose a firmness that fits your sleeping habits, weight, and day-to-day lifestyle. If your spine isn’t lined up right, your hips, lower back, or shoulders can sink out of alignment and cause pain.”

Check out our mattress firmness guide if you want more details on picking a firmness that actually feels right for you.

Body weight plays a big role in what kind of mattress feels right. As Dr. Harris explains, “People who weigh less will usually think a mattress feels firmer than someone heavier would.”

Lighter sleepers (under 130 pounds) often go for softer beds that cushion the body without swallowing them up. Average-weight sleepers (between 130 and 230 pounds) usually do best with something in the medium to medium-firm range for balanced support. Heavier sleepers (over 230 pounds) tend to need firmer or hybrid mattresses that keep them lifted and supported through the night.

Your sleep position also shapes what firmness works best. Side sleepers, who need a little extra give for the shoulders and hips, usually prefer a softer bed—around a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale. Back sleepers need proper spinal alignment, so they feel best on a medium-firm mattress—about 6.5 out of 10. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, need something firmer—around a 7 or higher—to keep their hips from dipping too low and throwing their spine out of line.

Mattress prices are all over the place depending on what they’re made of and what extra features they include. For example, hybrids tend to cost more than most other types. Add-ons like motion isolation, adjustable firmness settings, or eco-friendly materials can also bump up the price tag.

Most queen-size beds range from a few hundred bucks to a few thousand, depending on build and quality. For context, the mattresses in this guide cost between $1,319 and $2,499 for a queen, before discounts. Generally, anything under $1,000 for a queen feels like a steal—but that doesn’t always mean top-notch quality. Check our value score or read other reviews to gauge how durable and comfy a bed really is.

Check out those lists for wallet-happy options.

• Best Mattresses Under $1,000
• Best Mattresses for the Money
• Best Cheap Mattresses
• Best Queen Mattresses

When shopping for a mattress, you’ll wanna stick with brands that treat their customers right—with good warranties, free shipping, and nice long trials. Nobody wants surprise fees when testing a new bed. To save you the trouble, we dug into the warranty, trial, and shipping info for all these beds.

Warranties: A warranty is basically the brand promising your bed won’t fall apart under normal use. It’s also a hint at how durable it is. Every company’s warranty is different, but we suggest sticking with 10-year to lifetime ones. Cheaper beds usually have shorter coverage, but that doesn’t always mean they’re bad deals. Just keep it in mind when comparing price, quality, and expected lifespan.

Shipping: The coolest part of buying online is having the bed show up right at your door. We made sure each one here ships free. Some brands offer “white-glove” delivery for extra cash—they’ll hand-deliver it, carry it to your room, unbox it, and take your old one away.

If you’re shopping across borders, shipping can get pricey, so we also checked out some top mattress picks to make things easier.

Sleep Trials: Trials are a must—they let you test your new bed for a set time before you’re stuck with it. Usually you get anywhere from 30 to 365 nights to figure out if it fits your sleep style and return it if not. For side sleepers, this is your shot to see if it eases pressure in the right spots and feels comfy enough for you and your partner.

Back sleepers do best on a mattress that strikes a balance between solid support and gentle contouring. Medium-firm to firm beds usually hit the mark, giving enough lift to keep your spine straight while still cushioning your lower back. Hybrid mattresses can be a great pick since they blend sturdy coils with pressure-relieving foam layers.

Hybrid mattresses can be awesome for back health. The mix of supportive coils and soft comfort layers helps keep your spine in line and gives your lower back that extra bit of cushioning it needs.

Your go-to sleep position and what’s causing your back pain will usually decide whether innerspring or memory foam is the better fit. Innerspring mattresses offer more lift and sturdiness, while memory foam shines at easing pressure. A hybrid that combines both can be a solid middle ground for a lot of people.

Medium-firm mattresses are ideal for back sleepers as they provide the right balance of support for spinal alignment while cushioning the shoulders and hips.

We recommend that sleepers choose mattresses with a thickness of at least 10″, regardless of their preferred sleep position. This ensures a good balance of comfort and support.

Back specialists and sleep experts usually point to medium-firm mattresses with strong spinal support. Those tend to fit the biggest range of sleepers and keep your body feeling well-aligned through the night.

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