Last Updated: January 2018
Of all of the positions that you can sleep in, your back is the considered the best. Why? – Because your weight is evenly distributed throughout your body when you sleep on your back, which maximizes blood flow throughout your entire body. As a result, you will have less pain, experience less ‘pins and needles,’ and toss and turn less, which means a more restful night of sleep.
While the back is the ideal position to sleep in, the majority of people actually don’t sleep in this position; instead, the sleep on their sides or their stomachs. This means that the vast majority of pillows on the market are designed for side and stomach sleepers. While you can certainly use one of these pillows, they aren’t going to give you the proper support that you need while you are sleeping on your back. As a result, you could end up experiencing pain as a result of pressure building up from improper support. Even back sleepers need to have the right pillow to accommodate their needs in order to get the most rejuvenating sleep.
If you are a back sleeper and you have been shopping for the perfect pillow, to no avail, then you have come to the right place! In an effort to help back sleepers find the ideal pillow, we have conducted extensive research to find out exactly what it is that makes a pillow suitable for sleeping on the back, and we have tested out tons of pillows, too. We have compiled all of our findings – including the best pillows for back sleepers – and created this comprehensive buyer’s guide. In it, you will find out everything you need to know to find the best pillow to use while sleeping on your back, including the top pillows that we recommend for this sleep position.
The Best Pillows for Back Sleepers
*5 Star Rating: this is based on the percentage of consumers who rate the pillows 10/10.
Keeping the above-mentioned factors in mind, we searched the market and tested out dozens of pillows. After conducting thorough assessments, we have concluded that the five following pillows are the best of the best for back sleepers.
Classic Brands Cool Sleep Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Gusseted Pillow
From Classic Brands, a well-known manufacturer of high-quality sleep products, comes the Cool Sleep Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Gusseted Pillow – and we definitely think it is a top pick for back sleepers.
What really makes this pillow unique is that it is constructed of cool gel memory foam, and that material is covered by a performance knit cover that is comprised of cool pass fabric. The cool gel memory foam is a truly unique material that infuses cool gel particles into viscose elastic memory foam. This allows the pillow to remain cool throughout the night so you don’t have to worry about overheating, which can cause tossing and turning and lead to discomfort. The cool gel memory foam actually disperses body heat throughout the pillow, so you don’t have to worry about constantly flipping your pillow over in search of a cool spot.
Additionally, this Classic Brands pillow is gusseted, so it will easily conform to the contours of your head and neck. This reduces unnecessary strain on your neck, making this pillow an ideal choice for back sleepers.
Our Score
Below is our final score of the Casper mattress based on multiple criteria that we use when testing all of our mattresses.
Coop Home Goods Shredded Hypoallergenic Certipur Memory Foam Pillow
Coop Home Goods really went the extra mile to create the perfect pillow for back sleepers when they made their Shredded Hypoallergenic Certipur Memory Foam Pillow. What really makes this pillow stand out from the crowd is that you have the ability to customize it to your specific needs, ensuring that your neck is properly supported and your spine remains in proper alignment. How can you customize the pillow? – Because it is made of a combination of shredded Visco elastic memory foam, which you can actually add or remove, so you can adjust it to your specific needs. And, no matter how you customize the pillow, it will always be medium in firmness, which is ideal for back sleepers.
All materials used in this pillow are CertiPUR US Certified, which means that it is free of dangerous chemicals that could be hazardous to your health. This means that you can rest easy knowing that you will be supported by a pillow that is actually good for you. It’s also hypo-allergenic, so if allergies are a concern, this pillow is an excellent choice.
To add to the features that we think you will enjoy, this Coop Home Goods pillow features a breathable cover that maximizes air flow, allowing the pillow to remain cool while you are sleeping. Additionally, the cover can easily be removed and is fully machine washable and dryable.
Our Score
Below is our final score of the Casper mattress based on multiple criteria that we use when testing all of our mattresses.
Sobel Westex Sahara Nights Pillow
The Sahara Nights Pillow from Sobel Westex is another excellent pillow option for back sleepers. Made of 100 percent polyester gel fiber fill, a 100 percent cotton 233 thread count cover, this pillow is designed to offer the perfect combination of softness and firmness. In fact, it actually offers softness that feels like a down pillow without the excessive sinkage that occurs with down.
Thanks to the gel fiber fill, this pillow easily adjusts to the contours of your head and neck. As a result, you won’t have to deal with excessive strain being placed on your neck, which means less tossing and turning and less aches and pains. This pillow is built to offer a consistently firm, yet supple feeling, and you won’t have to worry about constantly fluffing it back up. The surface also remains cool throughout the night, which definitely helps to improve comfort and allows for a more restful night of sleep.
Our Score
Below is our final score of the Casper mattress based on multiple criteria that we use when testing all of our mattresses.
Custom Sleeping Best Cervical Orthopedic Pillow
This pillow from Custom Sleeping offers a Patented Adjustable Neck Support (ANS) feature, which makes this pillow completely customizable to your specific needs. This feature allows you to actually make adjustments to the neck support zones and the headrest by simply adding or removing the fill inside. In doing so, you can shape the pillow to your unique head and neck, allowing you to receive customized support for the curvature of your neck and spine. As a result, your neck and head will be cradled in a neutral position while you are sleeping.
The filling of this pillow is a proprietary blend of gel memory foam, which is formed into cluster fibers. This material offers a substantial amount of support where it is needed the most, yet it is still remarkably soft. Additionally, this material allows for enhanced air circulation, which prevents the pillow from becoming overheated. The Coolmax pillowcase that it comes with also further enhances the coolness of the pillow.
The filling used in this pillow is CertiPUR US Certified, so it is free of harmful chemicals that could be hazardous to your health. It is also backed by a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can have confidence knowing that if you are not satisfied with the pillow, you can receive a full refund.
Our Score
Below is our final score of the Casper mattress based on multiple criteria that we use when testing all of our mattresses.
Xtreme Comforts Slim Hypoallergenic Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
The interior of this pillow is filled with a proprietary blend of shredded memory foam. This foam is guaranteed never to go flat, so you don’t have to worry about excessive sinkage and re-fluffing your pillow throughout the night. The foam contours to the shape of your head and neck, which results in less strain being placed on the neck so you will have a more restful night of sleep and wake up with less aches and pains. The pillow also keeps the neck and spine in proper alignment, thereby avoiding pinched nerves that can result in serious discomfort.
This Xtreme Comforts pillow is uniquely designed to combat many of the issues that back sleepers face, including snoring, neck pain, headaches and even TMJ. It also easily adjusts to your body and your head, so if you shift positions throughout the night to your side or your stomach, you will still have the proper support that is needed to enjoy a restful and comfortable night of sleep.
To add to all of these features, the foam used in the filling of this Xtreme Homes pillow is CertiPUR US Certified, so it is free of harmful materials that could be potentially hazardous to your health.
Our Score
Below is our final score of the Casper mattress based on multiple criteria that we use when testing all of our mattresses.
Pillows for Back Sleepers: Factors to Consider
There are several factors that you are going to want to take into consideration when you are shopping for a pillow to use while sleeping on your back. Some of the key factors include the thickness and the firmness of the pillow, as well as the malleability of the pillow. By taking these factors into consideration, your quest for finding the best pillow to use while sleeping on your back will be much more successful.
The Thickness
One of the most important factors that will impact your quality of sleep is the thickness of the pillow. The thickness of the pillow will determine how far above the surface of the mattress your head will be positioned, and this will have a huge impact on your overall comfort.
To find the ideal thickness, we recommend standing with your back pressed up against a wall while holding your neck straight. When you do this, you will notice that there is a gap between the back of your head and the wall. This gap indicates the thickness of the pillow that will be best suited for you, so have someone take a measurement of this gap.
The Firmness
A pillow that is medium in firmness is ideal for back sleepers. If the pillow is too soft, your head will sink down while you are sleeping, causing your spine to be misaligned. On the other hand, if the pillow is too firm, there will be no sinkage, which can result in a stiff neck and shoulders. For these reasons, a pillow that is medium in firmness is recommended.
The Malleability
Malleability refers to how much the pillow will conform to the contours of your head and neck. If you turn your head to the side while you are sleeping on your back, it can put a lot of strain on your neck. Therefore, it is important to choose a pillow that is malleable and will conform to the contours of your head and neck in order to avoid unnecessary strain that can lead to pain.
Conclusion
The back is the ideal sleeping position, as it ensures that your body weight is evenly distributed and leads to less pressure buildup, pain, and strain; however, even if you do sleep on your back, you still need a pillow that will properly support you, otherwise you could place unnecessary strain on your neck, back, and shoulders.
If you are a back sleeper and you are looking for the perfect pillow, we highly recommend the five options we have offered in this buyer’s guide. We tested each one and were thoroughly pleased by the results. However, if you are going to shop for another option, make sure that you consider the key factors that we mentioned so that you can find the best pillow to meet your specific needs and provide you with the comfort and support you need for a restful and rejuvenating night of sleep.