After Testing 117 Pillows, Here Are the Top 9 Picks for Back Sleepers

Top Pick

The Neck Support Memory Foam Pillow from The Company Store achieved top marks in comfort, quality, and durability during our tests, securing its place as the best overall pillow for back sleepers. Its distinctive winged shape, unlike traditional rectangular pillows, is engineered to alleviate pressure and promote spinal alignment. Testers were impressed by how effectively it supported the neck and head, with even those suffering from neck stiffness reporting pain-free mornings. 

This pillow delivers an ideal blend of firmness, providing robust support while remaining plush and cozy. It demonstrated impressive durability, retaining its shape even after a month of nightly use, minimizing the need for frequent fluffing. However, its solid memory foam core limits airflow compared to other models we tested. For those who sleep hot, the included CoolMax polyester cover helps manage moisture overnight. Alternatively, the pillow also features a polyester Tencel knit cover for added comfort. 

The winged design of this pillow is particularly well-suited for back sleepers, making it less ideal for combination sleepers. If you're unsure about the purchase, the brand offers a 90-day return policy, allowing ample time to test it out. 

Firmness: Firm | Fill: Solid memory foam | Cover: Polyester/Tencel lyocell knit cover, CoolMax fiber cover | Return Policy: 90 days | Machine Washable: Cover only

Top Affordable Pick

This two-pack from AmazonBasics is an incredible value for the price. The pillows are generously filled, to the point where fitting them into pillowcases required some effort, yet they strike a perfect balance between support and softness. The polyester microfiber fabric is basic but expected at this price point. Once covered with a pillowcase, the material felt indistinguishable from higher-end options. A standout feature is that these pillows are fully machine washable, adding to their practicality. 

What makes this pillow truly stand out is its adaptability. Regardless of how much we shifted positions during sleep, it consistently provided the right level of support. It conformed to our neck and maintained its shape and firmness over three months of use. Remarkably, it seemed to reset each morning, offering a fresh and supportive surface every night. 

We were also pleasantly surprised by its breathability—after 15 minutes of use, it remained cool to the touch. Overall, this pillow delivers an excellent mix of plushness, support, and airflow. Given its affordable price, it’s an exceptional value. 

Firmness: Medium, soft | Fill: Down alternative | Cover: Polyester microfiber | Return Policy: 30 days | Machine Washable: Yes

Top Luxury Pick

The Saatva Latex Pillow exudes quality at first glance. Its soft, premium material and flawless construction, free of loose threads, immediately stood out. It features a dual-layer design: an inner latex core and a machine-washable, down-like microfiber outer layer. The brown piping along the edges might show through lighter pillowcases, but this is negligible with darker covers or if the color doesn’t bother you. 

This pillow comes in two loft options: standard and high. Its plush, weighty feel gave it a weighted sensation, and it bounced back instantly after pressure was applied. While it took a few nights to adjust to its height, it eventually provided exceptional comfort. Its loft makes it ideal for side and back sleepers, though stomach sleepers might find it less suitable. Regardless, its all-around support minimized the need for frequent adjustments. 

The 100% cotton cover ensures excellent breathability, keeping us cool all night without needing to flip it. While the cover is machine washable, air drying is recommended to avoid shrinkage, which we noticed made it harder to fit back on the pillow. Despite slight heat retention after three months, the pillow retained its loft throughout testing. As the priciest option on our list, it’s not for everyone, but its durability and quality make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a long-lasting pillow. 

Firmness: Medium | Fill: Shredded natural latex | Cover: Organic cotton | Return Policy: 45 days | Machine Washable: Cover only

Top Customizable Pick

Discovering the ideal pillow fill can be tricky, but Coop Home Goods’ adjustable pillow simplifies the process. It arrives with medium firmness and includes an additional half-pound of shredded memory foam and microfiber fill, allowing you to adjust its firmness. This customization ensures every sleeper can achieve optimal comfort. The extra fill also helps restore the pillow’s loft over time, making it a long-lasting choice.

While not marketed as a cooling pillow, its polyester and bamboo-derived viscose rayon cover offers breathability. During testing, it warmed up by 14°F over 15 minutes but remained comfortably cool throughout the night, eliminating the need to flip it. 

After three months of use, this pillow continues to impress. The machine-washable cover has maintained its quality, showing no signs of wear or loose threads. The only drawback is the gray stitch pattern on the cover, which is noticeable under white pillowcases.  

Firmness: Adjustable | Fill: Shredded memory foam and microfiber | Cover: Polyester/bamboo-derived rayon | Return Policy: 100 days | Machine Washable: Yes

Top Cooling Pick

The Turmerry Molded Solid Latex Pillow is a dream for hot sleepers, excelling in breathability during our tests. It effectively prevented heat retention, staying cool all night. This is thanks to its perforated surface, which enhances airflow and ventilation.

This pillow offers an ideal balance of firmness—neither too hard nor too soft. It comes in two loft heights (4 or 5 inches) and three firmness options (soft, medium, and firm), catering to diverse sleep preferences. The latex material provides a pleasant bounce, ensuring durability and ease of adjustment. Even after folding it into various shapes, it quickly returned to its original form without damage. After six months of use, it remains in excellent condition, maintaining its shape and firmness while alleviating neck tension.

We value its eco-friendly construction, featuring a GOLS-certified organic latex core and an organic cotton cover. However, removing the protector can be a bit messy, as small latex pieces may fall out during the process.

Firmness: Soft, medium, firm | Fill: Organic latex | Cover: Organic Cotton | Return Policy: 120 days | Machine Washable: No, spot clean only

Top Down Pick

This down pillow, filled with a mix of feathers and microfiber, is soft, supportive, and incredibly plush. Despite being labeled as “medium firm,” it leans toward the softer side, offering a sensation akin to resting on a feather bed. During testing, it warmed by 10°F over 15 minutes but remained breathable and cool to the touch. The high-quality filling quickly regained its shape after use, and its lightweight design makes it perfect for those who frequently change positions during sleep.

Although the manufacturer claims this pillow is machine washable, we advise against it—after washing, we noticed feathers poking through the fabric. By the three-month mark, the filling had also begun to shift. However, the thick cotton cover effectively concealed most of the prickly texture. 

Overall, this pillow retained its shape and comfort over time. Given its affordable price, it’s a low-risk investment.

Firmness: Medium firm | Fill: 80% feather, 20% microfiber fill | Cover: 100% cotton | Return Policy: 30 days | Machine Washable: Yes

Top Down Alternative Pick

For those who love the plush feel of down but want a more affordable and eco-friendly option, the Slumber Cloud Core Down Alternative pillow is an excellent choice. Available in two firmness levels—soft medium for stomach and back sleepers, and medium firm for side or back sleepers—it delivers the perfect mix of softness and support. During testing, it felt substantial yet not overly bulky, and its durability stood out. It maintained its shape under pressure and supported our head without flattening too much. 

The pillow’s cotton cover incorporates NASA-engineered technology to regulate temperature during sleep. While it absorbed some heat, increasing by 14°F over 15 minutes in our tests, it kept us cool and comfortable all night. 

Like most down-alternative pillows, this one is machine washable. After washing, we observed minor shrinkage and a few loose threads, but it retained its fluffiness. Even after six months of use, it remains a favorite due to its cooling technology and plush design, making it a worthwhile investment. 

Firmness: Soft medium, medium firm | Fill: Down alternative | Cover: Cotton | Return Policy: 60 days | Machine Washable: Yes

Top Supportive Pick

Our experience with this pillow was akin to using a Posturepedic model: plush, supportive, and incredibly comfortable. The foam adjusted seamlessly to our neck's contours, accommodating our movements throughout the night. Initially, some testers noted a slight firmness, but this quickly subsided, leaving no room for dissatisfaction. The pillow retained its form impeccably during trials, offering consistent neck support and swiftly regaining its shape after use. Remarkably, within just a month of use, we noticed a significant reduction in neck discomfort.

This pillow offers customizable loft by arriving overfilled with shredded foam, allowing you to adjust the fill to your preference. Its cooling features are particularly noteworthy. The cover, crafted from a mix of polyester, spandex, and the brand's Icecore technology, effectively manages temperature throughout the night. During our tests, the pillow's breathability stood out, remaining pleasantly cool. While adding a pillowcase slightly diminished the cooling effect, it still provided a comfortable and restful sleep.

After half a year of consistent use, this pillow remains in excellent condition. The filling shows no signs of wear, and a quick fluff restores its like-new appearance. It’s a long-lasting, supportive, and adaptable option—ideal for individuals dealing with neck pain, as it has effectively eased our discomfort and even lessened the frequency of headaches.

Firmness: Customizable | Fill: 80% shredded memory foam, 20% polyester fiber | Cover: 49% Icecore, 49% polyester, 2% spandex | Return Policy: 30 days | Machine Washable: Cover only

Top Firm Choice

Firm pillows are ideal for maintaining proper spinal alignment, especially for back sleepers. This is why the Amerisleep Comfort Classic Pillow stands out. Made with Bio-Pur, a foam derived partially from plant-based oils, it recovers its shape faster than traditional memory foam. During testing, it consistently retained its size and structure, springing back immediately after use.

Beyond its resilience, the Bio-Pur foam is engineered to enhance airflow. While it didn’t feel particularly cooling, it effectively regulated temperature, ensuring a comfortable sleep experience throughout the night.

The pillow’s density and thickness provided excellent support, preventing neck strain during sleep. However, its firmness and low profile made it less suitable for stomach and side sleeping. Combination sleepers might benefit from layering it with a thinner pillow for added height. For dedicated back sleepers, this pillow is a solid choice. Just note that it’s non-returnable and comes at a higher price point, so be sure of your preference before purchasing.

Firmness: Medium firm | Fill: Bio-Pur (memory foam) | Cover: Polyester, spandex | Return Policy: Non-returnable | Machine Washable: Cover only

Final Decision

The Company Store Neck Support Memory Foam Pillow is our top choice, offering exceptional neck support, spinal alignment, and pressure relief. It includes two covers—a polyester Tencel knit and a CoolMax fiber cover—allowing you to switch based on your needs. For a more affordable alternative, the Amazon Basics Down Alternative for Stomach and Back Sleepers is a great option, providing breathability, comfort, and durability for all sleeping positions.

Our Evaluation Method

We rigorously tested 117 pillows in both lab and home settings, assessing them on quality, performance, breathability, durability, and value. Since sleep preferences are subjective, we prioritized insights from our testers, especially when selecting the best pillows for back sleepers.

When the pillows arrived in our lab, we first assessed their quality, examining the materials and craftsmanship. We then tested how well they fit into standard pillowcases and checked if any cover designs were visible through the fabric. For adjustable pillows, we evaluated how simple it was to modify the fill.

To measure effectiveness, we spent five minutes lying on each pillow in a back-sleeping position, assessing comfort and any neck discomfort. We verified if the pillow matched its advertised loft and firmness and provided sufficient support. For breathability, we used an infrared thermometer to record the pillow’s surface temperature before and after 15 minutes of use.

Finally, we tested durability by washing and drying each pillow according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, observing any changes in firmness, fluffiness, or size. We then compared the price to its performance to determine its overall value.

For extended insights, we took the pillows home to evaluate their performance over one, three, and six months. We monitored their comfort, support, and whether they flattened or deteriorated over time, as well as their ease of cleaning.

Additional Options

Uttu Sandwich Pillow: This orthopedic pillow provided excellent head and neck support, whether we slept on our back or side. The cover felt luxuriously soft, though its smooth texture made it challenging to keep a pillowcase in place.

Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology: Casper’s pillow features perforated foam for enhanced airflow, along with Snow Technology and HeatDelete Bands to reduce heat buildup. However, its weight made it difficult to adjust and cover with a pillowcase.

Choosing the Right Pillow for Back Sleepers

Fill Material

Foam: Foam pillows adapt to the contours of your head and neck, providing support and alleviating pain during sleep. Available in shredded, charcoal, and solid memory foam varieties, foam is excellent for pain relief. However, Murray notes that foam may not suit hot sleepers due to its heat retention. She also mentions that foam pillows can have distinct odors—latex foam emits a vanilla-like scent, while memory foam undergoes off-gassing, which can produce a chemical smell unpleasant for sensitive individuals.

Down: Made from duck or goose down, down pillows are plush, lightweight, and breathable. Murray highlights their appeal for those who enjoy fluffing and shaping their pillows. However, she cautions that down lacks support, especially for side sleepers, and may trigger allergies.

Feather: Feather provides a similar plush feel to down but at a more budget-friendly price. It’s slightly firmer than down, making it ideal for those who want the luxury of down with added structure. However, feathers can be stiffer and may sometimes poke through the pillow cover.

Polyester: “Advancements in technology have made polyester down-alternative pillows nearly indistinguishable from real down, offering affordability and hypoallergenic benefits,” says Murray. These pillows are lightweight and easy to clean. However, polyester, being a synthetic material, may not be breathable enough for hot sleepers and tends to lose support over time, often flattening with regular use.

Gel: For those who sleep hot, gel-filled pillows are an excellent choice. Gel disperses heat effectively, ensuring a cooler sleep experience. Often paired with memory foam, gel provides the structure and comfort of foam with added cooling properties. However, Murray notes that the cooling effect depends on the gel’s design, and some gel pillows may feel overly firm depending on their composition.

Loft

Pillow loft refers to its height when compressed under your head. Pillows are available in low, medium, and high lofts. Low-loft pillows (under 3 inches) are best for stomach sleepers, medium-loft (4–6 inches) suits back sleepers, and high-loft (over 6 inches) is ideal for side sleepers.

Firmness

The ideal pillow firmness varies based on personal preference and sleep position. Firmer pillows, though potentially less comfortable initially, provide superior support and spinal alignment. A firmer pillow retains its shape better under head weight, reducing the likelihood of neck pain.

“A medium-firm pillow strikes the right balance, offering enough support to keep the head and neck properly aligned without being overly rigid, which can cause unnatural neck flexion and discomfort,” explains Murray. Some pillows, such as the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow and Coop Home Goods Original Pillow, are adjustable, allowing you to modify the fill to achieve your desired loft and firmness.

Breathability

Breathability is crucial for hot sleepers. Gel, down, and down-alternative fills are generally the most breathable. Additionally, some pillows incorporate cooling technologies to enhance temperature regulation. For example, our top cooling pick, the Turmerry Molded Solid Latex Pillow, features a perforated design to improve airflow during sleep.

Return Policy

It’s challenging to gauge a pillow’s comfort until you sleep on it, whether purchased online or in-store. Therefore, reviewing the brand’s return policy is essential. Many online bedding companies provide risk-free sleep trials, ranging from 30 days to a full year, allowing you to test the pillow at home. The Coop Home Goods Original Pillow, our top adjustable pick, offers the most generous return window at 100 days.

Care Instructions

Some pillows feature removable, machine-washable covers, while others, like the AmazonBasics Down Alternative for Stomach and Back Sleepers, are fully machine washable. To extend your pillow’s life, always adhere to the manufacturer’s care guidelines. Additionally, washing pillowcases regularly is vital—experts suggest cleaning them weekly and sheets every two weeks.

Questions You May Have

How Often Should You Replace Your Pillow?

Murray explains that pillow replacement depends on the pillow type and individual needs. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America suggests replacing pillows every two years or earlier, as they can accumulate dust mites, dander, or mold. However, some fills, like down, can last 5–10 years with proper care.

What Is the Ideal Loft and Firmness for Back Sleepers?

“Back sleepers should aim for a Goldilocks balance—neither too high nor too low in loft and firmness,” says Murray. She recommends a medium loft of 4–6 inches, which prevents the head from tilting too far forward or backward, ensuring proper airway alignment and cervical spine support.

Dr. Shifflett advises firmer memory foam or adjustable pillows, where fill can be customized for optimal height. He adds, “Some patients benefit from pillows with molded designs that cradle the head and support the neck during back sleeping.”

What Pillows Are Best for Those With Neck Pain?

Dr. Shifflett emphasizes that the ideal pillow should optimize spinal alignment. However, he notes that individual spinal curvature and mobility vary, making it impossible to recommend a one-size-fits-all solution. “Everyone’s lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spines differ, as does their spinal flexibility,” he explains.

For back sleepers, he recommends slightly firmer or memory foam pillows, as they “cradle the head and maintain their shape overnight, unlike softer pillows that may deform and cause discomfort.” He also suggests placing a pillow behind the knees to alleviate lower back strain.

Murray also advocates for memory foam and latex pillows, which are often recommended for neck, back, and shoulder pain, migraines, TMJ, acid reflux, and sleep apnea. She describes foam pillows as a “medical-grade option” that combines comfort and support. For neck or back pain sufferers, she suggests a contoured memory foam pillow, such as The Company Store Neck Support Memory Foam Pillow, which provides targeted neck support.

Take Our Word For It

This article was authored by Jamie Fischer, a contributor to Mytour. To curate this selection, we rigorously tested 117 pillows in both lab and home settings, assessing their comfort, breathability, and durability for back sleepers. We also sought expert advice from Kelly Murray, a certified adult sleep coach and acclaimed pediatric sleep consultant, and Dr. Grant Shifflett, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at DISC Sports and Spine Center.