The short answer: Back sleepers do best at 6–7 out of 10. The Leesa Original Hybrid (6–8 by the maker) is our first pick, the DreamCloud Premier is the all-rounder, the Sealy Posturepedic Pro Haverford is the firm, delivered-flat option, and the Tuft & Needle Original is the simple, bouncy foam choice. Add a thin pillow under the knees.
Top picks for back sleepers
- 1Leesa Original Hybrid (11 in)Best for back sleepers
- 2DreamCloud Premier HybridBest all-rounder
- 3Nectar Premier Memory Foam (13 in)Best memory foam for back sleepers
- 4Leesa Sapira Hybrid (11 in)Best cooling hybrid for back sleepers
- 5Nectar Classic Memory Foam (Firm)Best firm memory foam
- 6DreamCloud Classic Hybrid (12 in)Best value hybrid for back sleepers
- 7Sealy Posturepedic Pro Haverford (Firm hybrid)Best traditional hybrid
- 8Tuft & Needle Original (10 in foam)Best simple foam bed
- 9Serta Perfect Sleeper Ultimate Firm Pillow Top (14.5 in)Best Serta for back sleepers
- 10Avenco SyncDeep Firm Hybrid (12 in)Best budget pick
What back sleepers need
Lying on your back, three points take most of your weight: the upper back, the pelvis and the heels. The lower back curves gently between them. A good mattress for back sleepers supports that curve without forcing it: medium-firm enough that the pelvis does not sink, with a comfort layer that fills the small gap under the lower back.
If your bed is too soft, you will feel it as an ache that eases once you get up and move. If it is too firm, you may notice a gap you can slide your hand into under the small of your back. Either way, the firmness guide helps you place yourself.
Leesa Original Hybrid (11 in) (Queen)
Leesa's foam feel on top of pocketed coils, rated a little firmer than the all-foam Original.
Why it is here: 6–8 out of 10 in the maker's own words, coils for support and airflow, memory foam on top to fill the curve of the lower back.
- Sold by the maker's own Amazon store
- 120-night home trial
- 14-year warranty
- CertiPUR-US foams
Scale: maker's number.
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Combination sleepers
- Build
- Hybrid, 11 in, 789 pocketed coils (queen), memory foam recovery layer
- Trial
- 120 nights
- Warranty
- Listed as 14 years
- Sold by
- 3Z Brands (the maker's Amazon storefront)
- Price band
- Upper
Good fit if
You sleep mostly on your back, want some bounce, and run warm on all-foam beds.Look elsewhere if
You want a plush top. At 6–8 out of 10 this is on the firm side of medium.
DreamCloud Premier Hybrid (Queen)
A medium-firm hybrid with a quilted top that suits back sleepers and people who change position.
Why it is here: Medium-firm and quilted, a natural fit for back sleepers who drift onto their side later in the night.
- Sold and shipped by Amazon.com
- 365-night home trial
- Forever warranty (as listed)
- Fiberglass-free
Scale: our reading of the maker's label.
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Combination sleepers
- Build
- Hybrid, 13 in, 792 pocketed coils (queen), 2 in of memory foam under a quilted top
- Trial
- 365 nights
- Warranty
- Listed as a Forever Warranty
- Sold by
- Amazon.com
- Weight
- 800 lb listed limit
- Price band
- Upper
Good fit if
You sleep on your back or switch positions, want coils for bounce and airflow, and like the idea of a full year to decide.Look elsewhere if
You are a lighter side sleeper who wants to sink in at the shoulder, or you need a bed that is truly firm.
Nectar Premier Memory Foam (13 in) (Queen)
Nectar's step-up foam bed: thicker memory foam and a cooler cover than the Classic, rated 6.5 out of 10 by the maker.
Why it is here: Rated 6.5 out of 10 by Nectar and pitched at back and combination sleepers. Memory foam fills in the curve of the lower back more closely than springy foam does.
- Sold and shipped by Amazon.com
- 365-night home trial
- Forever warranty (as listed)
- Rated to 800 lb
Scale: maker's number.
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Combination sleepers
- Build
- All-foam, 13 in, five layers: quilted cooling cover, contouring memory foam (an inch more than the Classic), adaptive support foam
- Trial
- 365 nights
- Warranty
- Listed as a Forever Warranty
- Sold by
- Amazon.com
- Weight
- 800 lb listed limit
- Price band
- Mid-range
Good fit if
You like the slow, close feel of memory foam, sleep on your back or switch to your side, and want a year to decide with Amazon.com handling the order.Look elsewhere if
You sleep hot and have never got on with foam, or you need a firm bed for stomach sleeping; the firm Nectar Classic suits that better.
Leesa Sapira Hybrid (11 in) (Queen)
Leesa's premium hybrid: a 5-to-7 medium-firm with ventilated foam over more than a thousand pocketed springs.
Why it is here: Rated 5 to 7 by Leesa, with ventilated open-cell foam and over a thousand pocketed springs. Back sleepers who wake up warm on foam get the same medium-firm support with more airflow.
- Sold by the maker's own Amazon store
- 365-night trial, per the bullets
- Limited lifetime warranty, per the bullets
- Fiberglass-free
Scale: maker's number.
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Combination sleepers
- Build
- Hybrid, 11 in, up to 1,032 pocketed springs, memory foam over ventilated GreenFlex foam, cool-knit cover
- Trial
- 365 nights per the bullets (spec table says 120; confirm before ordering)
- Warranty
- Limited lifetime per the bullets (a spec field says 15-year limited)
- Sold by
- 3Z Brands (the maker's Amazon storefront)
- Price band
- Upper
Good fit if
You sleep on your back or switch to your side, run warm on all-foam beds, and share the bed with someone who moves a lot.Look elsewhere if
You sleep on your stomach and need firm, or you want one clear trial and warranty figure before you pay.
Nectar Classic Memory Foam (Firm) (Queen)
The firm-feeling version of Nectar's classic foam bed, priced well below most brand hybrids.
Why it is here: A firmer foam bed for back sleepers who want close contouring without sinking. Sold by Amazon.com, 365 nights.
- Sold and shipped by Amazon.com
- 365-night home trial
- Forever warranty (as listed)
- Fiberglass-free
Scale: our reading of the maker's label.
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Combination sleepers
- Build
- All-foam, 12 in: cooling cover, contouring memory foam, support foam
- Trial
- 365 nights
- Warranty
- Listed as a Forever Warranty
- Sold by
- Amazon.com
- Weight
- 800 lb listed limit
- Price band
- Mid-range
Good fit if
You want memory foam's slow, hugging feel but your back does better on a firmer surface, and you sleep on your back or stomach.Look elsewhere if
You sleep hot and have never liked foam, or you sleep only on your side and have sharp shoulder pain.Other versions: King
DreamCloud Classic Hybrid (12 in) (Queen)
DreamCloud's lower-priced hybrid: the same coil count as the Premier in a slimmer build with a firmer, flatter surface.
Why it is here: DreamCloud describes a solid surface with minimal contouring and aims it at back and stomach sleepers. Same trial, warranty and seller as the pricier Premier.
- Sold and shipped by Amazon.com
- 365-night home trial
- Forever warranty (as listed)
- Fiberglass-free
Scale: our reading of the maker's label.
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Combination sleepers
- Build
- Hybrid, 12 in, 792 pocketed coils (queen), 2 in of memory foam, CloudQuilt top
- Trial
- 365 nights
- Warranty
- Listed as a Forever Warranty
- Sold by
- Amazon.com
- Weight
- 800 lb listed limit
- Price band
- Mid-range
Good fit if
You sleep on your back or stomach, want coil support and a brand-name trial, and would rather not pay Premier money.Look elsewhere if
You are a side sleeper with sore shoulders; the maker describes minimal contouring, the opposite of what you need.
Sealy Posturepedic Pro Haverford (Firm hybrid) (Queen)
Sealy's firm hybrid: coils with a memory-foam layer, delivered and set up in your room.
Why it is here: Firm hybrid with a memory-foam layer, delivered and set up in your bedroom, old mattress hauled away on request.
- Sold and shipped by Amazon.com
- 10-year warranty
- CertiPUR-US foams
Scale: our reading of the maker's label.
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Combination sleepers
- Build
- Hybrid, 13 in tight top, encased coils with Sealy memory foam, DuraFlex coil edge
- Trial
- Not stated on listing
- Warranty
- 10 years
- Sold by
- Amazon.com
- Price band
- Upper
Good fit if
You are a back sleeper who wants firm with a thin layer of give, plus in-home delivery and haul-away.Look elsewhere if
You want written trial terms before buying.
Tuft & Needle Original (10 in foam) (Queen)
A plain, bouncy medium-firm foam bed that does not have memory foam's slow sink.
Why it is here: Medium-firm, bouncy, no slow sink. For back sleepers who dislike the 'stuck' feeling of memory foam.
- Sold and shipped by Amazon.com
- 100-night home trial
- 10-year warranty
- CertiPUR-US foams
Scale: our reading of the maker's label.
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Combination sleepers
- Build
- All-foam, 10 in, T&N Adaptive Foam with gel
- Trial
- 100 nights
- Warranty
- 10 years
- Sold by
- Amazon.com
- Price band
- Mid-range
Good fit if
You hate feeling stuck in foam, sleep on your back, and want a simple bed with a long track record.Look elsewhere if
You are a side sleeper with sharp shoulder pain; there is little deep cushioning.
Serta Perfect Sleeper Ultimate Firm Pillow Top (14.5 in) (Queen)
A tall, firm Perfect Sleeper with zoned coils under a pillow top: firm support with a softer first touch.
Why it is here: Zoned coils for the lower back and hips under a firm pillow top, from a traditional brand, sold by Amazon.com.
- Sold and shipped by Amazon.com
- Zoned support
- CertiPUR-US foams
Scale: our reading of the maker's label.
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Combination sleepers
- Zoned support
- Build
- Hybrid, 14.5 in pillow top, 850 zoned coils, Cool Twist gel memory foam, BestEdge foam rail
- Trial
- Not stated on listing
- Warranty
- Not stated on listing
- Sold by
- Amazon.com
- Zoning
- Zoned coils with targeted support for the lower back and hips (maker's wording)
- Price band
- Mid-range
Good fit if
You sleep on your back, need firm support for your lower back, but find bare firm beds harsh when you first lie down.Look elsewhere if
Your sheets are shallow or your frame is already high; at 14.5 inches it is tall. Side sleepers with shoulder pain should go softer.Other versions: King, Extra Firm 12 in
Avenco SyncDeep Firm Hybrid (12 in) (Queen)
A cheap firm hybrid with zoned lumbar support, sold by Amazon.com with a 100-night trial.
Why it is here: Firm hybrid with lumbar zoning, sold by Amazon.com with a 100-night trial. Good for heavier back sleepers on a budget too.
- Sold and shipped by Amazon.com
- 100-night home trial
- 10-year warranty
- Zoned support
Scale: our reading of the maker's label.
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Combination sleepers
- Zoned support
- Build
- Hybrid, 12 in, pocket springs, zoned lumbar support, reinforced edge
- Trial
- 100 nights
- Warranty
- 10 years
- Sold by
- Amazon.com
- Zoning
- Zoned lumbar support (maker's wording)
- Weight
- 500 lb listed limit
- Price band
- Budget
Good fit if
You need firm, lower-back support and coils, and the budget will not stretch past the low hundreds.Look elsewhere if
You are a side sleeper with shoulder pain.Other versions: Queen, 14 in; King, 12 in
Back sleepers: every pick in one table
| Model | Firmness | Build | Zoned | Trial | Warranty | Sold by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leesa Original Hybrid (11 in) | 6–8/10 | Hybrid 11 in | No | 120 nights | Listed as 14 years | 3Z Brands |
| DreamCloud Premier Hybrid | 6–7/10 | Hybrid 13 in | No | 365 nights | Listed as a Forever Warranty | Amazon.com |
| Nectar Premier Memory Foam (13 in) | 6–7/10 | All-foam 13 in | No | 365 nights | Listed as a Forever Warranty | Amazon.com |
| Leesa Sapira Hybrid (11 in) | 5–7/10 | Hybrid 11 in | No | 365 nights per the bullets (spec table says 120; confirm before ordering) | Limited lifetime per the bullets (a spec field says 15-year limited) | 3Z Brands |
| Nectar Classic Memory Foam (Firm) | 7–8/10 | All-foam 12 in | No | 365 nights | Listed as a Forever Warranty | Amazon.com |
| DreamCloud Classic Hybrid (12 in) | 6–8/10 | Hybrid 12 in | No | 365 nights | Listed as a Forever Warranty | Amazon.com |
| Sealy Posturepedic Pro Haverford (Firm hybrid) | 7–8/10 | Hybrid 13 in | No | Not stated on listing | 10 years | Amazon.com |
| Tuft & Needle Original (10 in foam) | 6–7/10 | All-foam 10 in | No | 100 nights | 10 years | Amazon.com |
| Serta Perfect Sleeper Ultimate Firm Pillow Top (14.5 in) | 7–8/10 | Hybrid 14.5 in | Yes | Not stated on listing | Not stated on listing | Amazon.com |
| Avenco SyncDeep Firm Hybrid (12 in) | 7–8/10 | Hybrid 12 in | Yes | 100 nights | 10 years | Amazon.com |
"Not stated on listing" means the Amazon page we read did not say. Ask the seller before you rely on it.
Pillows for back sleepers
A thin pillow under the knees relaxes the hip flexors and flattens the lower back slightly; many people with low back pain find it the single most useful change. The head pillow should be lower than a side sleeper's, enough to keep the chin level rather than pushed toward the chest. Some back sleepers also like a slim lumbar pillow under the small of the back.
If your current pillow keeps sliding out from under your knees, a purpose-made wedge stays put. Our knee pillow guide compares the shapes.
Bedluxe Knee Wedge Pillow
A memory foam wedge that keeps the knees bent while you sleep on your back.
- Sold by the brand itself
- Shipped by Amazon
Scale: our reading of the maker's label.
- Build
- CertiPUR-US memory foam wedge, 23.6 x 18.9 x 7.9 in, removable knitted cover
- Warranty
- Not stated on listing
- Sold by
- Bedluxe (the brand)
- Price band
- Budget
Good fit if
You sleep on your back and your lower back aches when your legs lie flat.Look elsewhere if
You are under about 5 ft 3 in; the maker says it may be too large for you.
RUQMUIS 8 in Knee Wedge Pillow
A softer knee wedge with a machine-washable, OEKO-TEX certified cover.
- Sold by the brand itself
- Shipped by Amazon
Scale: our reading of the maker's label.
- Build
- CertiPUR-US foam wedge, 23.6 x 18.9 x 7.9 in, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 cover, machine-washable
- Warranty
- Not stated on listing
- Sold by
- RUQMUIS (the brand)
- Price band
- Budget
Good fit if
You want knee elevation for back sleeping but find firm wedges hard under the calves.Look elsewhere if
You want firm, steady support under the knees; the Bedluxe is the firmer of the two.
When back sleepers should go firmer
Heavier back sleepers, and anyone who also spends time on their stomach, should move to 7–8 out of 10. See firm mattresses for back pain.
Before you order: reader questions
What firmness is best for back sleepers?
Medium-firm, roughly 6–7 out of 10. Heavier back sleepers can go to 7–8.
Are hybrid mattresses good for back sleepers?
Yes. Coils keep the pelvis from sinking and a foam layer fills in the lower back. The Leesa Original Hybrid and DreamCloud Premier are both good examples.
Should back sleepers use a pillow under their knees?
Many people with lower back pain find it helps. It is free to try tonight with a pillow you already own.
This page is general shopping information, not medical advice. If your back pain is new, getting worse, or keeps you awake whatever you sleep on, talk to a clinician before you spend money on a bed. Full disclaimer.