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Best Pillows for Back Sleepers

Back sleeping is considered the healthiest sleep position for spinal alignment. The right pillow cradles your head while supporting the natural curve of your cervical spine without pushing your head too far forward.

What Back Sleepers Need in a Pillow

When sleeping on your back, your pillow should fill the natural space between your neck and the mattress while keeping your head in a neutral position. A pillow that's too high pushes your chin toward your chest; too low and your head tilts back.

Key Features for Back Sleeper Pillows

  • Medium Loft (3-5 inches): Enough to fill the neck curve without over-elevating your head
  • Cervical Support: Contoured designs can provide extra neck support
  • Medium Firmness: Supports head weight without excessive sinking
  • Moldable Fill: Conforms to head shape for even pressure distribution

Benefits of Back Sleeping

  • Even weight distribution across spine
  • Reduced pressure on joints
  • Less facial wrinkles from pillow compression
  • Minimized acid reflux (with proper elevation)

Top Pillows for Back Sleepers

Compared by loft, firmness, and fill type

Pillow Fill Type Loft Firmness Rating Price
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud
TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow
Adaptive TEMPUR material
 Memory Foam Medium (4.5") Soft-Medium
★★★★☆ 4.5
$89 View on Amazon
Beckham Hotel Collection
Beckham Hotel Collection
Gel-filled fiber
 Gel Fiber Medium (4") Medium
★★★★★ 4.7
$50 View on Amazon
Casper Original Pillow
Casper Original Pillow
Pillow-in-pillow design
 Microfiber Medium (5") Medium
★★★★☆ 4.3
$65 View on Amazon
EPABO Contour Memory Foam
EPABO Contour Memory Foam
Ergonomic cervical design
 Memory Foam Contoured (3.5-4.5") Medium-Firm
★★★★★ 4.4
$40 View on Amazon
Sleep Number ComfortFit
Sleep Number ComfortFit
Classic shape with support foam
 Memory Foam Medium (4") Medium
★★★★☆ 4.2
$99 View on Amazon
Nest Bedding Easy Breather
Nest Bedding Easy Breather
Adjustable shredded foam
 Memory Foam Adjustable Medium
★★★★★ 4.5
$119 View on Amazon

Detailed Reviews

Best Overall: TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow

The TEMPUR-Cloud is designed specifically for back and stomach sleepers with its lower profile and adaptive material. The proprietary TEMPUR foam molds to your head shape while maintaining consistent support throughout the night.

Pros

  • Premium TEMPUR material
  • Excellent pressure relief
  • Maintains shape over time
  • Removable, washable cover
  • 5-year warranty

Cons

  • Higher price point
  • May sleep warm for some
  • Takes time to break in
Fill TypeSolid TEMPUR Memory Foam
Cover MaterialSoft-touch polyester knit
DimensionsQueen: 16" x 25", King: 16" x 31"
Weight3.5 lbs

Best Value: Beckham Hotel Collection

The Beckham Hotel Collection pillow offers hotel-quality comfort at a budget-friendly price. The gel-filled fiber provides excellent support while remaining breathable and cool throughout the night.

Pros

  • Excellent price-to-quality ratio
  • Comes in set of 2
  • Machine washable
  • No-shift construction
  • Fade and stain resistant

Cons

  • May flatten over time
  • Not adjustable
  • May be too soft for some
Fill TypeGel Fiber
Cover Material100% Cotton, 250 thread count
DimensionsQueen: 20" x 28", King: 20" x 36"
Set Includes2 pillows

Best Cervical Support: EPABO Contour Memory Foam

For back sleepers experiencing neck pain, the EPABO contour pillow provides targeted cervical support. The ergonomic wave design cradles your neck while the head area is slightly lower to maintain neutral spine alignment.

Pros

  • Ergonomic cervical design
  • Two height options (flip sides)
  • Breathable cover
  • Budget-friendly price

Cons

  • Fixed shape, not adjustable
  • May feel too firm initially
  • Not ideal for combination sleepers

Back Sleeper Pillow Buying Tips

The Chin Test

When lying on your back with the right pillow, your chin should be in a neutral position - neither tucked toward your chest nor tilted back. If someone could draw a straight line from your chin to your sternum perpendicular to the mattress, your pillow height is correct.

Consider a Cervical Pillow

Contoured cervical pillows have a raised edge to support your neck and a lower center for your head. These can be particularly beneficial if you experience:

  • Morning neck stiffness
  • Tension headaches
  • Cervical spine issues

Mattress Firmness Matters

Your mattress firmness affects your ideal pillow loft:

  • Firm Mattress: You may need slightly higher loft as your body doesn't sink in
  • Soft Mattress: Lower loft often works better as your body sinks deeper
  • Medium Mattress: Standard medium-loft pillows typically work well