The 11 Best Pillows for Back Sleepers Loved by Testers and Experts

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt ProAdjust Pillow contours closely to your body to relieve pressure while keeping your neck aligned — a balance that’s especially helpful for back sleepers. A memory foam pillow can promote proper spine alignment by contouring to your body and supporting the natural curvature of your back.

‌“Foam (contour or memory) works well for shaping to your head and neck,” says Leah Kaylor, PhD, a clinical psychologist and sleep expert in Pittsburgh, and author of If Sleep Were a Drug. Dr. Kaylor recommends looking for memory foam or contour foam that cradles your head and neck without being too lofty.

This pillow features an adjustable Tempur material that adapts to your shape, allowing for personalized comfort in your sleep position. Another feature is a cool-to-the-touch outer layer for those who sleep warm. The outer layer is removable and machine-washable. I tested this pillow and really liked its features for myself as a back sleeper. It was very soft, and I liked how it had different levels of height adjustability to fit my preference. As a hot sleeper, I also appreciated the cooling outer layer.

The adjustable Tempur material truly adapted to my shape, and felt comfortable on my back and stomach as well, as I tend to roll over throughout the night. It also claims to relieve pressure in your head and neck, and I did notice my typical neck stiffness lessening after a few days. It’s easy to adjust the loft (the thickness or height of the pillow) to your liking by removing or adding filling inside the pillow. It also came with a convenient bag to store extra filling.

However, I prefer a taller height for a pillow as a back sleeper, because I have allergies and congestion; I felt like even the tallest height was not high enough for me. Because of this, I used another pillow underneath, which worked perfectly to help me enjoy all the other features of this pillow while breathing comfortably. A taller loft is my personal preference and may not apply to the average person.

However, Kaylor says the Brooklinen Down Pillow is a safe option for most back sleepers. Health writer Carrie Murphy tested the mid-plush version, which is in the middle, as there are also plush and firm options. She raved about this down pillow and says it was “so comfy right away, and it is fluffy and soft to the max. I love it.”

Murphy says this pillow worked wonderfully on its own, and she didn’t need to use another one for additional support. It also held its shape and felt like a plush pillow you’d see at a fancy hotel. She advises fluffing it a bit when taking it out of the box, which the instructions recommend. And while it did stay somewhat cool to the touch throughout the testing period, it may not be the coolest pillow out there for someone who truly needs a cooling feature.

The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow is an excellent choice for back sleepers. It offers a supportive yet bouncy feel that maintains a comfortable neck position throughout the night. Talalay is a specific type of latex that some people say is more-breathable than other latex foams.

This pillow’s cover is certified carbon-neutral and contains a biodegradable Tencel fiber. The cover is also hypoallergenic, although it’s not suitable for you if you’re allergic to latex. There are both high- and low-loft options for this pillow. Plus, it’s breathable and cooling to prevent overheating.

‌Health writer Amy Marschall, PsyD, tested the high-loft option and found it was very comfortable and soft yet supportive for her back. She also noticed that she’s had less neck pain since using it, and says it’s sized perfectly for the right amount of support. Latex can be rigid and less moldable than memory foam pillows, but Marschall felt this one was very supportive.

Schreiber says hybrid pillows combine foam or latex with down or fiberfill for balance, which can work well for those who like a plush feel but still need spinal support. The Purple Harmony Pillow is the top hybrid choice, combining a supportive coil core made from GelFlex material with a soft, stretchy top layer to provide both lift and plush comfort. This material is also said to improve airflow, which may help cool you down if you tend to get hot while sleeping on your back.

“With both GelFlex and temperature control, this pillow is great for adapting to each individual. This is a favorite among patients due to its durability and ability to conform to the person,” says Melissa Manilla, a board-certified chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner based in Beachwood, Ohio.

Writer and registered nurse Sadie Crouch tested the medium-loft option and was very happy with it. She says the pressure relief is fantastic, and the pillow is very soft and comfortable. Since she tends to roll onto her side, she would have preferred the tall loft option for more elevated head support. But she says that the medium height would be better for back sleepers. She also appreciated the cooling feature with the honeycomb GelFlex Grid, which worked great to cool both sides of the pillow.

The manufacturer doesn’t claim that this pillow can help with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, but Crouch has this condition and noticed that her neck was more relaxed and her jaw didn’t feel like it was pushing into anything. “I will absolutely continue using it,” she says. “The pressure relief is fantastic, and I sleep much cooler now.”

“Combination sleepers do best with adjustable pillows or medium lofts that provide neck support without pushing the head too far forward,” says Schreiber. The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Breeze ProLo Pillow is our top choice for dual-side and back sleepers, because its lower loft prevents excessive neck bending, while its cooling Tempur-material helps control body temperature throughout the night. So, this pillow provides both alignment and comfort.

Kaylor agrees that a medium-loft adjustable pillow, like this one, works best for combination side and back sleepers. Our tester, editor Ashley Ziegler, typically falls asleep on her side and wakes up on her back, and she says that this pillow exceeded her expectations.

“This is super-comfortable. It truly molds to my neck, and I can adjust the positioning to get my ‘just right’ snuggle position.” She also liked the “SmartClimate Cover” with cooling technology, but she says the cooling effect tends to fade in the area directly beneath your head. The pillow also had a plastic-like smell upon delivery, but it only lasted for a day.

Ziegler says this pillow has maintained its shape and remained comfortable and supportive after several weeks of use. Plus, her neck feels better since she switched to it. “It’s incredible and made of high-quality materials,” she says. What’s more, it comes with a generous five-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Plus, the foam filling holds together in uniform pieces if you need to adjust the loft height. “This pillow is not extremely firm or flimsy. It is a blend that will work with each person, and [is] especially great for a bit of extra support after an injury,” says Manilla.

Schreiber recommends a cervical contour pillow or one with a slight neck roll like this one, which he says helps maintain proper alignment and reduce morning stiffness.

Our tester, writer Raki Swanson, was very happy with this pillow and noticed she had significantly less neck pain compared with her previous pillow. “This pillow provides neck support. Prior to using this pillow, I would wake up with neck pain. I'm pretty sure this was caused by me using too many pillows that were not supportive. This pillow did support my neck when lying on my back and on my side, and did help alleviate this pain,” she says. She was also able to ditch the second pillow and use this one only, as it feels high enough to keep you comfortable and doesn’t make you feel so flat on the mattress.

“I thought I had the best pillows until I tried this pillow. Wow. At first, I was worried because I am used to a king-sized pillow, and this was the standard size. However, after one night, I was able to adjust to the size,” Swanson says. She does note that the pillow is heavy and the cover is difficult to wash. However, she refers to it as “the best pillow I’ve ever slept with in my 47 years.”

“Firm pillows can be useful if they are not overly tall. A thinner, firm latex or foam pillow works well to keep the neck neutral,” says Schreiber. According to Manilla, use of firmer pillows can also help align your cervical spine. This pillow is made from hypoallergenic, recycled poly micro-gel, and it comes with a 100-percent cotton sateen shell that creates a smooth, soft surface.

Our tester, writer Amy Sowder, says this pillow was comfortable from the start, and she didn’t need to puff it up or adjust it at all. She says it was supportive and firm enough to be used on its own, and it maintained its shape throughout use. Sowder mentioned she still had a bit of neck pain, which means this pillow might not be the best fit for someone with persistent issues.

Manilla echoes the benefits of cooling pillows not just for people with night sweats but even for those who just tend to run warm at night. Cooling options can improve comfort for these folks as well.

Our tester, writer and former nurse Lindsay Modglin, often wakes up hot several nights a week. She says this pillow felt instantly cool to the touch and kept her comfortable throughout the night. She also says it's very comfortable. “I love that you can adjust the firmness and height of the pillow to suit your own needs. The memory foam also provided great support for my head and neck,” she says.

To adjust the pillow, you just unzip the cover and remove one of the two inserts, she says. Modglin notes that some trial and error is involved in figuring out which insert would work best, but the actual process of removing and replacing the insert was a breeze and took less than a minute. The pillow also maintained its shape well and didn’t flatten even after several nights of use.

Modglin says the cover was not very soft, however. She also cautions users to be careful when zippering the gussets on the side to adjust the loft, as they can snag the pillow. She recommends this pillow for hot sleepers and says she’s planning to buy a second king-size one for her husband, who’s been vying for hers.

The Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow is super-customizable, so you’re sure to find the perfect loft for your body. It’s supportive, breathable, and easy to adjust, so back sleepers stay comfortable and aligned for better sleep. Kaylor specifically recommends “anything with a removable fill [that] allows customization. Coop Sleep Goods dominates here with its adjustable line.”

Schreiber says that a quality adjustable pillow allows you to add or remove fill to dial in the best loft for your body. He says this level of customization is key, since every back sleeper has a slightly different shoulder width and head size.

Our tester, writer Catherine Brown, says that while it took some fiddling with the foam filling to get the adjustment right, it was very comfortable once she set it up. Then, she found it much easier to adjust to her liking the next time around. Brown says the pillow had a slightly odd smell, similar to toasted sesame oil, but this didn’t last long. She also likes how it held its shape and didn’t deflate over time. “I will use it again; it grows on me more each time,” she says. Her partner is a huge fan of the pillow, too, and actually tries to steal it from her.

The Company Essentials Feather and Down Reading Wedge Pillow Insert is the ideal wedge pillow for its ability to comfortably prop you up for reading or lounging in bed. Its feather-and-down fill feels soft yet supportive, making it cozy while still holding its shape. This wedge pillow is advertised for use when reading, under your knees for back support. Or you can put it behind your head when sleeping.

I tested this one and found it worked very well for its intended purpose — sleeping a bit propped up or reading in bed. It was quite comfortable right away and molded to my body, maintaining its shape and flexibility after a few weeks of use without giving me any issues or neck pain. I used it to sleep and when sitting up to read, and I definitely didn’t need any extra pillows underneath.

The standard medium size I tested was slightly narrower than I’d have preferred, but it worked for me. There is also a larger size that is 36 inches (in) wide, for those seeking more of a full-body wedge like myself. The medium has an 8-in loft height, while the large has a 12-in loft for extra head and neck elevation.

Overall, the medium wedge pillow was soft, and I felt the 8-in loft was a good height for sleeping, especially for someone like myself who is congested and needs a little extra elevation. For reading, I think the large size would have offered more support and space to shift around. For sleeping, I found it comfortable in all positions, including on my back, which is how I mainly sleep. I will continue to use it for sleeping, but I would recommend choosing the larger size for reading.

The Brooklinen Marlow Pillow is the best budget pick for back sleepers, offering a range of features at under $70. These features include adjustable firmness, a cooling memory foam blend, and a breathable cover. It’s also hypoallergenic.

Our tester, writer Mary Sauer, loved this one. She says it’s soft and holds its shape well, and she appreciated its adjustability. It also included a cooling foam to make it more breathable, which Sauer appreciated during the Midwest summer weather. Sauer feels it represents a great value given the quality and support it offers, plus how easy it is to adjust to accommodate all sleeping positions. “The price point seems reasonable for a supportive pillow,” she says. “I struggle to find a pillow that balances support and softness, and this one does just that.”

Her only hesitation is that she doesn’t know how long the pillow retains its shape beyond a few weeks of use. Some customer reviews mention that the pillow starts to flatten after a month or two. However, since it is adjustable, you may be able to fluff it back up with extra filling.