Best Pillows for Back Sleepers, Tested by a Sleep Expert

Regardless of your sleeping position, you need the right accessories to get a restful night's sleep. However, getting a new mattress can be expensive, so a supportive pillow might be a better option. The perfect pillow for back sleepers strikes the right balance between height and firmness. It should be supportive enough to ensure your neck and spine are properly aligned, but not so firm that it leaves you with a stiff neck. I have tested over 25 pillows during my time as a CNET sleep expert, and each pillow for this article was slept on for three nights. Using years of experience testing sleep products, I've compiled this list of the best pillows for back sleepers. The best overall pillow for back sleepers Caroline Igo/CNET The best overall pillow for back sleepers is the Coop Eden Cool+ Adjustable Pillow. This pillow is adjustable (meaning you can add and remove the filling to your liking), and it's made of high-quality, shredded memory foam that's CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold Certified. It also keeps your neck and spine supported and aligned. Another perk of this pillow: It's cool to the touch and great for hot sleepers. It also made our list of the best cooling pillows. Best 4th of July Mattress Deals We’ve rounded up the top July 4th Mattress deals from across the internet so you can find the deepest discounts without spending a lot of time searching. See Now What We Updated: July 2025 We added direct recommendations in each listicle. Products on this list stayed the same. Best pillow for back sleepers Editors' choice Caroline Igo/CNET Coop Eden Cool+ Adjustable Pillow Best overall pillow for back sleepers $139 at Amazon Why we like it: You may have heard of the Coop Sleep Eden Pillow, as it often tops lists of the best pillows. If you thought that pillow was cool, let me tell you, it got even better. The Coop Eden Cool Plus Pillow is the new version of the Eden Pillow. It has a similar cool-to-the-touch cover, but now it also has a heat-wicking inner liner, a gel layer and shredded gel-infused memory foam, which is great for hot sleepers. The filling is Greenguard Gold and CertiPur-US certified. It comes with extra filling, as well as an option to pull out the filling. Make it as firm or soft as you desire, as long as it isn't too high. Who it is best for: This pillow is also adjustable, making it ideal for those who aren’t sure how soft or firm they want their pillows. I like that the memory foam lets you sink a little into the pillow, regardless of how much you fill it. Back sleepers will feel fully supported with this pillow. Who shouldn’t get it: If you're a back sleeper who enjoys thick memory foam pillows or firmer pillows that don’t allow for the head to sink into the surface too much, this might not be for you. Pros: Cool to the touch; great for hot sleepers Adjustable and hypoallergenic Removable, washable cover Cons: Not for those who don't like to sink a little into pillows On the expensive side $139 at Amazon Caroline Igo/CNET Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Memory Foam Pillow Best memory foam pillow for back sleepers $90 at Brooklyn Bedding Why we like it: Memory foam is great for back sleepers who have neck pain because the foam will contour to the head and neck. The Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Memory Foam Pillow in a low loft is great for these back sleepers. The pillow's memory foam is perforated, and the top is infused with copper. This natural mineral helps fight against mold, allergens and dust mites. It's around a medium firmness. Who it is best for: This Brooklyn Bedding pillow is also ideal for hot sleepers, as the cover is cool to the touch and can be removed and washed. Also, Brooklyn Bedding often has deals, so deal hunters can usually grab this pillow for under $99. Who shouldn’t get it: While the pillow appeals to all sleeping positions, it may not be ideal for thicker pillow lovers. It's on the thinner side. Sleeping positions: Back, stomach, side and combination Pros: Cool to the touch; great for hot sleepers Good for combination sleepers who switch to their back Machine-washable cover Cons: On the thinner side Not for back sleepers who like a loftier pillow $90 at Brooklyn Bedding Caroline Igo/CNET Bear Pillow Best cooling pillow for back sleepers $88 at Bear Mattress Why we like it: If you're a back sleeper who often overheats at night, the Bear Pillow is a great option. It has a cover that's cool to the touch. Both ends of the pillow have mesh, allowing for more airflow. It's also hypoallergenic and resistant to mold, bacteria and dust mites. At its core, the Bear Pillow is made with a hybrid foam, which I consider halfway between bouncy latex foam and slow-molding memory foam. Note that you can't wash the Bear Pillow cover. Spot clean only, and use a light, breathable pillowcase to feel the full effects of the cool-to-the-touch cover. Who it is best for: I think it's right down the middle when it comes to firmness and softness -- the perfect combination for back sleepers who like pillows that aren’t too soft or too firm. Who shouldn’t get it: Sleepers who prefer down pillows or movable filling may not like how unadjustable this pillow is. Sleeping positions: Back and side Pros: Cool to the touch; great for hot sleepers Hypoallergenic Not too soft, not too firm Cons: Not machine washable On the expensive side $88 at Bear Mattress Caroline Igo/CNET Purple Harmony Pillow Best latex pillow for back sleepers $199 at Walmart Why we like it: You might have heard of Purple and its unique honeycomb-patterned grid layer. This feature, found in all products including the Purple Harmony Pillow, is flexible, supportive and slightly moldable, like memory foam. The pillow also has a Talalay latex core that's perforated for airflow. (Talalay is a natural latex sourced from rubber trees.) When you put your head down on this pillow, it feels light and slightly bouncy. My head never sank too far into the pillow. The machine-washable mesh cover is also slightly cool to the touch. Who it is best for: This pillow should support back sleepers and also back sleepers who may switch to their sides. Who shouldn’t get it: The Purple Harmony Pillow will cost you around $200, so steer clear if you're on a budget. Sleeping positions: Back and side Pros: Well-ventilated; great for hot sleepers Bouncy feel keeps head from sinking in too far Soft, machine-washable cover Cons: Expensive Its unique latex grid isn't for everyone $199 at Walmart Caroline Igo/CNET Brooklinen Down Pillow Best down pillow for back sleepers $110 at Brooklinen Why we like it: A good down pillow is made of quality materials, with evenly distributed down clusters, and it should cushion the head without feeling lumpy. The Brooklinen Down Pillow checks all those boxes. It's made of 100% down clusters and feathers, and it's covered with a cotton sateen shell. You can also choose your ideal support by opting for plush, mid-plush or firm. Spot-clean this pillow or dry-clean if needed. Who it is best for: I recommend the mid-plush option, and I'd say it's the best for back sleepers (in fact, this option should suit most sleepers). It's optimal in terms of firmness and support, especially for those looking for a middle-of-the-road pillow. Who shouldn’t get it: I’m not the biggest fan of down fill, especially when the feathers poke out and scratch me. If you prefer down alternative or memory foam fill, skip this pillow. Sleeping positions: Back, side, stomach and combination Pros: Available in plush, mid-plush and firm Soft and fluffy Great for all sleepers Cons: Not for people who are vegan or who have allergies Besides picking the loft, it isn't adjustable Requires daily fluffing $110 at Brooklinen Caroline Igo/CNET Casper Original Pillow Best down alternative pillow for back sleepers $59 at Walmart Why we like it: I felt very supported by the Casper Original. A more affordable version of the Avocado Green Pillow or other organic, all-natural pillows is a down alternative. These pillows are hypoallergenic and made without animal products while still being supportive and fluffy. The removable cover is washable, and the entire pillow can be machine-washed, as well. This pillow is made with a 100% cotton cover and polyester filling. Who it is best for: Like foam, the pillow adapts to your head and returns to its original shape when you get up. I would describe the Casper Original pillow as very basic. The price is reasonable, it’s versatile and doesn’t require constant fluffing. If you want a pillow without any bells and whistles, this is for you. Who shouldn’t get it: If you alternate between your stomach and back, this pillow is not adjustable and can be too tall for stomach sleeping. Sleeping positions: Back and side Pros: Affordable price Fluffy and supportive Entire pillow is machine washable Cons: Not for people who prefer solid foam pillows A little firmer than the other pillows on this list $59 at Walmart Caroline Igo/CNET Helix Wedge Pillow Best wedge pillow for back sleepers $87 at Helix Why we like it: Wedge pillows are great for supporting your back while you're lying in bed working, scrolling on your phone or watching TV. These pillows may also help with snoring, nasal drainage, acid reflux and heartburn. You can also place a wedge pillow under your knees if you have lower back pain. Who it is best for: I liked how the pillow propped me up and supported my head and neck, so I recommend this pillow for those who want to read in bed. It’s also recommended for snorers, those with colds and acid reflux. Who shouldn’t get it: Traditional pillow lovers will want to skip this one. Sleeping positions: Back and side Pros: Great for working or watching TV in bed Can be used when you're sick or having symptoms of acid reflux Removable, washable cover Cons: Takes up a lot of space (it's 24 by 24 by 10 inches) Not for people looking for a traditional pillow Looking for a new mattress? With this CNET-exclusive deal, you can take 27% off Helix sitewide and get two free pillows with any mattress purchase. This is the biggest discount available -- you won’t find it anywhere else. Use code CNET27 at checkout. $87 at Helix Caroline Igo/CNET Nolah Squishy Pillow Best adjustable pillow for back sleepers $89 at Nolah Mattress Why we like it: If you're unsure about how supportive you want or need your pillow to be, finding an adjustable pillow is the right move. The Nolah Squishy Pillow is my favorite adjustable pillow for back sleepers. It's made of cube-cut foam that's super squishy, hence the name. My head sunk into the pillow a little, but I felt supported enough to sleep through the night. Its cover is soft, machine washable and made of Oeko-Tex-certified bamboo-blend fibers. Who it is best for: The best part is that one box comes with two queen-size pillows, so you get two for the price of one. This pillow is great for those on a budget. Nolah even has frequent deals, so look for sales where you can get these two pillows for $20 cheaper. Who shouldn’t get it: This pillow will allow your head to sink into the surface a little. If you enjoy pillows that have less give, I recommend the Purple or Bear pillows instead. Sleeping positions: Back and side Pros: Soft and comfortable Sold as a set of two queen pillows Adjustable foam filling Cons: Some sleepers might find it too lumpy Not for those who don't like to sink a little into pillows $89 at Nolah Mattress Other pillows I tested for back sleepers Although these pillows didn't make my list, some have features worth noting. Here are my honorable mentions. Caroline Igo/CNET Parachute Down Alternative Pillow Also tested $80 at Parachute The Parachute Down Alternative Pillow is my favorite of the honorable mentions. It's made with a hypoallergenic microfill and a cotton sateen shell. I tested the Down Alternative Pillow in a medium firmness but soft, side sleeper and firm options are also available. I'd consider both the medium and firm to be good for back sleepers, and the firm should work for people who don't want to sink too far into their pillow. Although I loved the feel of this soft pillow, it does require frequent fluffing. As someone who isn't a big fan of down filling, I liked how this down-alternative pillow felt different. This won't be for someone who's a fan of down or down alternatives that feel like the real thing. $80 at Parachute Caroline Igo/CNET Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow Also tested $165 at Saatva This hefty pillow from Saatva is made with shredded memory foam and latex foam core. It comes with a soft knit cover that you can remove and wash. Around the core is a graphite-infused memory foam that may help you sleep cooler by pulling the heat away from your head. I found this pillow to be much better suited for side sleepers. Because it has a high loft of almost 6 inches, back sleepers might hurt their necks on this pillow. While you do sink a little into the material, the loft is still too high. Side sleepers, on the other hand, should find this pillow comfortable. It gave me great support between my head and shoulder. $165 at Saatva Caroline Igo/CNET Slumber Cloud UltraCool Pillow Also tested $109 at Slumber Cloud Slumber Cloud is known for its cooling bedding. Its UltraCool Comforter made our list of the best cooling comforters. Its UltraCool Pillow is no different: cool to the touch and fluffy. Its down alternative filling is made of polyester fibers that won't retain your body heat. For your firmness preferences, you can choose between soft/medium and medium/firm. The pillow itself isn't adjustable. For this review, I tested the medium/firm support, in consideration of back sleepers. I found this firmness level to be more medium than firm, which I was happy with. There isn't as much support there as I found with other pillows on the list. This isn't the pillow for back sleepers looking for more support. $109 at Slumber Cloud Best pillows for back sleepers compared Brand Price Size(s) Firmness Materials Machine washable? Hypoallergenic? Trial period Coop Eden Cool+ Adjustable Pillow $139 Queen, king Adjustable Shredded memory foam Cover only Yes 100 nights Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Memory Foam Pillow $97 Queen, king Medium Memory foam Cover only Yes 30 days Bear Pillow $88 Standard, king Medium Latex and memory "hybrid" foam No Yes 30 nights Purple Harmony Pillow $199 Standard, king Medium Latex Cover only Yes 100 nights Avocado Green Pillow $98 Standard, queen and king Medium Shredded latex and cotton Cover only Yes 100 days Brooklinen Down Pillow $103 Standard, king Medium Down clusters and feathers No Not specified 365 days Casper Original Pillow $65 Standard, king Medium Polyester fiber, down alternative Yes Not specified 30 nights Helix Wedge Pillow $87 Standard Medium-firm Gel memory foam and poly foam Cover only Yes 100 nights Nolah Squishy Pillow $89 Two queens Adjustable Shredded foam Cover only Not specified 30 days How we tested the best pillow for back sleepers These pillows are human and pet tested and approved. Caroline Igo/CNET During my testing, I considered price, materials, feel, firmness, height and size. When I tried each pillow, I checked to see if my neck and spine were aligned to make sure the pillow was supportive enough for back sleepers. I'm a combination sleeper, meaning I often switch to sleeping on my side or my stomach. Although I've tested more than 25 pillows (and another 10 for this article), I thought it would be best to consult a more consistent back sleeper for a second opinion. My boyfriend, who's a strict back sleeper, helped me test and pick these pillows. We both spent a few nights sleeping and lounging on them (my dog included). The pillows that made this list are truly the best of the best for back sleepers. Factors to consider when shopping for best pillows for back sleepers Material Look for pillows made with contouring foams like memory, poly and latex foam and other fill like down or down alternatives. Loft Back sleepers should find a pillow with a loft (height) that is not too high nor too low. Firmness Pillows that are not too firm nor too soft are perfect for back sleepers. Look for pillows that are right down the middle. Price A nice pillow can cost you anywhere from $50 to $100. Pillows with higher-quality materials may be over $150 or $200. Trial period You don't have to commit to a pillow. Look at the trial period to see how long you have to test it out.