Remember when you were a kid, and any old pillow would do? Unfortunately, as we get older, our bodies become a bit pickier about the type of pillow we need for a good night’s rest.
In many cases, as you age, your sleep position determines the type of pillow that’s most comfortable and supportive. And if you’re a back sleeper, you need a pillow that allows for proper spine alignment, comfort, and adequate support for your head and neck.
If you’re not sure what type of pillow works best for you, we’ve rounded up eight of the best pillows for back sleepers to help you in your quest to find the right one.
We considered many criteria when selecting the best pillows for back sleepers. For instance, we took into account:
- specific features such as firmness, loft, adjustability, and quality of materials
- recommendations from two experts who treat patients with neck and back pain and who often recommend pillows for their patients based on sleep position
- user reviews and customer feedback
- how easy each pillow is to clean (both the cover and the pillow itself)
- $ = under $60
- $$ = $61–$80
- $$$ = over $80
Pillow prices vary by fill and brand. Most pillows come in standard, queen, and king sizes. We based our price point on a standard pillow size.
Specialty pillows will cost you more than a standard pillow you pick up at a department store. That’s why we included a range of choices.
Coop Home Goods
- Price point: $
- Fill: Memory foam
Key features: It’s affordable, adjustable, and has an abundance of positive reviews from customers — just a few reasons why we consider Coop Home Goods to be the best-rated pillow for back sleepers.
This pillow seems to work well for anyone who’s looking for a balance of soft and firm, with enough support to encourage proper posture. Plus, since it’s fully adjustable, you’re in control of the loft and height. Simply add or remove the foam to determine what works best for you.
This top pick is also hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. And it comes with a 100-night guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, contact customer service for a full refund, no questions asked.
Considerations: Some customers report that the pillow sleeps hot. Also, you may want to let it sit out for a while before tossing it on your bed. This pillow can have an odor when it first comes out of the package.
Sunshine Pillows Chiropractic Neck Pillow
- Price point: $
- Fill: Polyester and a supportive column filled with flax seeds
Key features: The Sunshine Pillows Chiropractic Neck Pillow gives back sleepers comfortable support in the cervical area which, according to musculoskeletal experts, may help ease neck pain.
Dr. Allen Conrad, BS, DC, CSCS, of Montgomery County Chiropractic Center, explains that this soft pillow option contains flax seeds that contour to your neck and help prevent neck spasm when you wake up. This is beneficial for people with extremely sensitive neck pain. Plus, it works for both back and side sleepers.
Available in three sizes, this pillow can accommodate neck circumferences from 12 inches to 20 inches. The small pillow works for necks of 12 inches to 14 inches circumference, medium for 15 inches to 17 inches, and large for 18 inches to 20 inches.
Considerations: This pillow is compact. Even the larger size is more like a travel pillow, so it may not be to your liking if you prefer bigger or oversized pillows.
Shop for the Sunshine Pillows Chiropractic Neck Pillow online.
TEMPUR-Symphony Pillow
- Price point: $$
- Fill: Memory foam
Key features: If you tend to sleep on both your back and stomach, the TEMPUR-Symphony pillow with its dual-sided design is a worthy contender. For back sleepers, the pillow provides additional support for your head, neck, and shoulders with a gentle arch on the back-sleeper side. Flip it over, and stomach sleepers will appreciate the flatter, more traditional side of the pillow.
According to customers, it has a medium-firm feel, and it also tends to be cooler than other memory foam pillows.
Considerations: This pillow is on the higher end of the price spectrum. Also, it only comes in a standard size: 24″ x 17″ and 5″ thick. Plus, you can only wash the cover, not the pillow.
Riley Home Down Pillow
- Price point: $$$
- Fill: 750 fill power white down
Key features: If you’re looking for a comfortable 100 percent down fill pillow that also offers good neck support, the Riley Home Down Pillow may just fit the bill.
Available in both plush and firm density, this machine-washable fluffy pillow is filled with down that carries the Responsible Down Standard certification. This means it follows strict standards to ensure humane animal treatment and the highest-quality down.
If you’re a back sleeper, it’s recommended that you opt for the plush density. This will allow you to sink into the pillow but still feel support in your neck.
Considerations: This pillow is more expensive than many other back-sleeper pillows, but it does come with a 5-year warranty.
D-Core Cervical Support Pillow
- Price point: $
- Fill: Polyester fiber fill
Key features: If you’re a back sleeper who’s looking for a firm pillow to support your neck’s cervical curvature, the D-Core Cervical Support Pillow is one to consider.
“Back sleepers need a pillow that presses firmly into the cervical curve without pushing the neck into a tilted-forward position,” says Dr. Gil Kentof, founder of the Dr. Gil Center for Back, Neck, and Chronic Pain Relief. This pillow’s cervical roll has the ability to comfortably cradle your head and restore proper curvature of your spine.
Considerations: Your body may need time to adjust to this pillow, so it’s best to ease slowly into using it. The good news is you can choose between two cervical roll options: The smaller roll is ideal if you’re just beginning to use the pillow or need less support, and the larger roll provides maximum support.
Shop for the D-Core Cervical Support Pillow online.
Helix Wedge Pillow
- Price point: $$$
- Fill: Gel memory foam layer and polyurethane foam
Key features: Sleeping on a wedge pillow may take some getting used to, but back sleepers who’ve made the switch rave about the benefits. Some advantages, according to customers, include less neck and back pain, less snoring, and fewer bouts of acid reflux at night.
The Helix Wedge Pillow is a medium-firm wedge offering 10 inches of support and a layer of cooling gel memory foam. Plus, it comes with a 100-night sleep trial.
Considerations: A wedge pillow isn’t for everyone. Many people only use them for reading or watching television, but if you experience sleep apnea, snoring, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or neck pain, you may want to consider trying one.
WonderSleep Premium Adjustable Loft Pillows
- Price point: $
- Fill: Memory foam
Key features: The WonderSleep Premium pillow is fully adjustable and designed to improve your sleeping posture. Filled with 100 percent shredded memory foam and wrapped in a breathable cover, the WonderSleep puts you in control of the firmness. For a firmer pillow, simply add foam. To decrease the firmness, remove the foam filling until you find the right support for your back and neck.
It also comes with stay-cool material and a breathable cover that helps keep you cool. Plus, you get two pillows, which makes the WonderSleep an affordable option for couples.
Considerations: The pillows tend to have an odor, so be prepared to let them breathe before using.
Parachute Down Pillow
- Price point: $$$
- Fill: 750 fill power European white down
Key features: The Parachute Down Pillow works well for back sleepers who like a medium-firm pillow that offers neck support but still has an airy, quality feel.
The pillow comes in three densities: soft, medium, and firm, allowing you to choose your sleep style. It’s recommended that back sleepers opt for the medium density. Customers praise the pillow for its ability to maintain its shape after use as well as how cool the pillow sleeps. Parachute’s pillow carries the Responsible Down Standard certification.
Considerations: Down isn’t for everybody since it’s often more expensive and doesn’t retain its shape as well as memory foam. If you choose the standard size, don’t be surprised if it feels slightly smaller than the typical standard-sized pillow.
When choosing a comfortable yet supportive pillow for sleeping on your back, Dr. Kentof says the key is to find a pillow that provides firm support for the cervical curve of your neck.
“The pillow should press into your cervical curve but not cause your neck to jut forward,” he says.
If the pillow is too thick, your head will be forced upward in an unnatural way. And if the pillow is too thin, your head may drop below your shoulders, which can lead to neck or back pain.
Try to choose a pillow that keeps your head and neck in a neutral position and prevents you from tilting in any direction.
Pillows for back sleepers may also be appropriate for side sleepers, so if you tend to switch between the two positions, make sure to look for a design that supports movement from back to side.
You’ll also want to consider the fill. Each type of fill has a different feel and consistency. Knowing what type of fill is most comfortable for you will help you make the right decision.
Some pillows come with a limited warranty, with 1-year being the most common. If you’re spending a lot of money on a pillow, a warranty might be an important factor to keep in mind. If you’re unsure about the type of pillow that will work for you, opt for brands that offer a return policy. Many come with a 30- to 100-day trial.
If you’re a back sleeper, the design of your pillow can have a big impact on your sleep quality. It can also affect how your neck, shoulders, and back feel in the morning.
Plus, a pillow with the right amount of neck and head support may help reduce snoring and acid reflux.
Back sleepers need a pillow that allows for proper spine alignment by keeping their head and neck in a neutral position.
Pay attention to different types of fill to determine which one works best for you. Also, take careful note of return policies to make sure you can return a pillow if it’s not the right fit for you.