We Tested 117 Pillows, and These Are the 9 Best for Back Sleepers
A pillow is a make-or-break purchase, impacting the comfort and quality of your sleep. Finding the right pillow largely depends on your sleep style and, of course, your personal preferences. Back sleepers typically require an option with medium firmness and loft, offering ample neck support and elevation.
We’ve been busy in the pillow-testing department, with a grand total of 117 pillows tested between our Des Moines lab and at home, where we evaluated them based on their quality, airflow, comfort, and durability. For expert insight, we consulted Kelly Murray, certified adult sleep coach, and Dr. Grant Shifflett, M.D., board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at DISC Sports and Spine Center. With our findings and their guidance, we named the following nine pillows the best for back sleepers.
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This pillow’s winged design relieves pressure and offers ample neck support.
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The foam doesn’t have much airflow.
The Company Store’s Neck Support Memory Foam Pillow earned perfect scores for its comfort, quality, and durability in our testing, making it our best overall pillow for back sleepers. Unlike standard rectangular pillows, this one has a unique winged shape designed to release pressure and align the spine. We were amazed by how well this pillow cradled our neck and head—even those of us with stiff necks woke up without any pain.
We found this pillow to strike the perfect balance of firmness, offering ample support while still being soft and comfortable. It proved durable enough to maintain its shape, even after one month of nightly use, so you won’t need to fluff it too often. It’s worth noting that this pillow didn’t have as much airflow as other options we tested, likely due to its solid memory foam core. However, hot sleepers can try out the included CoolMax polyester pillow cover, which wicks away moisture throughout the night. And if the CoolMax fiber isn’t your thing, the pillow also comes with a polyester Tencel knit cover.
This pillow’s winged design is best suited for back sleepers, so combination sleepers may want to look elsewhere. If you’re hesitant to purchase, don’t worry—the brand’s 90-day return policy gives you some time to try 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