Best Pillows for Back Sleepers (2025) 

We consider back sleepers to be the Goldilocks of sleep, as they require mattresses and pillows that are neither too lofty nor too flat, but just right. For these sleepers, our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, recommends a medium-loft pillow of any firmness, as long as it ensures a neutral neck position. Enter the Cozy Earth Silk pillow, a soft, luxurious option we deemed the best for back sleepers overall.

Enter the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow. This pillow features a lower loft that should accommodate both sleepers, along with a squishy, compressible feel from its 100% mulberry silk fill. Riley Otis was the tester for this pillow and rated her experience at a 4/5, which was also the overall score she gave this pillow.

Riley found this pillow to be super smooth and soft, molded into any shape with little effort. If you like to sink into your pillow rather than have it elevate your head, this is the right fit. However, don’t mistake this for flimsiness. Riley said it was “heavier than most pillows” she owns, almost like a weighted stuffed animal, which made it great to cuddle with.

Not only is the inside silky, but the cover is too, adding to the luxurious experience this pillow provides. The 100-percent bamboo viscose cover was not only high-quality and durable, but it also felt soft enough for Riley to consider going without a pillowcase. The level of craftsmanship with this pillow led her to rate its materials at a perfect score.

But hold on, before you toss your pillowcase away. The Cozy Earth Silk pillow is spot-clean only. Riley had no qualms with this, though, as Cozy Earth noted that using a pillowcase regularly would eliminate the need for any washing. She therefore rated care for this pillow at a 4/5.

Riley’s main gripe with this pillow was its price. The standard size of this pillow currently costs $363 at full retail price, $254 on discount. This makes it the most expensive option on our list, and it’s definitely not a budget choice. The use of 100-percent mulberry silk fibers is the reason for this high price tag, and while the quality may justify the price, Riley noted this pillow wasn’t in her budget, nor would she spring for it. 

To be completely sure this pillow is worth it, I suggest you take full advantage of the brand’s 100-night return policy. It’s also a plus that this pillow has one of the longest warranties I’ve ever seen for an accessory—10 years, which may add some security to your investment. 

If you want something more affordable, check out Helix’s Wedge Pillow.

An ill-suited pillow can actually cause or aggravate neck pain. This can happen if a pillow is too firm, too soft, or fails to hold its shape, thereby not providing proper support for the neck. All of these issues shouldn’t arise with Saatva’s Latex Pillow.

My fellow tester Cait Giddings found that this luxury pillow doesn’t have the super-springy feel of latex, but rather a softer, contouring feel more akin to memory foam. Cait has had issues of pillows caving in at the center, leaving her neck unsupported, but this wasn’t the case here. “It delivers an ideal amount of support and pressure relief for those who like a high-lofted pillow,” she said. She rated her experience at 5/5, which helped the pillow earn its overall score of 4.4/5.

The Saatva Latex Pillow comes in high and low lofts. Cait chose the high loft as a combination side and back sleeper. She found that in the latter position, the pillow would flatten down to a more manageable height that supported her neck. It also offers ample pressure relief, reducing the risk of straining or craning.

Cait called this pillow a “pillow inception,” as its construction features three layers of pillows within each other, a real nesting doll situation. A layer of down alternative fill surrounds the latex core, allowing for adjustable and removable use according to your needs. 

Surprisingly, this fill is also machine washable, just like the pillow’s outer cover, which is made of organic cotton. The only bit of the pillow you can’t toss in the washer is that shredded latex core. This led Cait to give the Saatva Latex pillow a 4.5/5 score for care and another perfect score for materials.

The main drawback of this pillow, unfortunately, is its luxurious price tag. The standard-size queen pillow will run you $165, a price point I wouldn’t consider budget-friendly. I’d recommend waiting for a sale if you have your heart set on it. 

If you’re worried about making such an investment, Saatva offers a 45-night sleep trial for this pillow. You can return it for a full refund should you decide it isn’t for you. If you keep it, the pillow is backed by a 1-year warranty. As a Saatva mattress owner myself, I can’t say enough nice things about the brand’s customer service. If you encounter any issues with this pillow, the customer representatives should be able to assist you.

Back sleepers who prefer a more supportive pillow may find the Brooklyn Bedding Latex Pillow to be the best option. This latex block pillow features a buoyant, lifted profile that keeps your head comfortably elevated. I actually have this pillow at home, and as a fan of firm pillows myself, this one checks all the boxes.

My fellow tester Cait Giddings also took this pillow home for a trial run and fell in love with it. She’s primarily a side sleeper, but also occasionally sleeps on her back, and found the pillow worked great in both these positions. With an experience score of 5/5 and an overall rating of 4.6/5, this pillow should work well for back sleepers who want a robust-feeling pillow with a high loft.

This pillow comes in two lofts, low and high. Cait purchased the high loft and found it worked well for her sleeping style. “I feel fully supported, and there’s no wrenching feeling through my shoulders and neck,” she said.

Cait also thought that every aspect of the pillow felt “well-crafted.” The latex inside is made of natural Talalay latex, which is known for better breathability and bounce than other latex types. The pillow’s cover has recently been updated, but Cait had the older model. She found it to be “soft and smooth.” 

The new cover should be of the same quality, but it has added cooling features, including the use of breathable TENCEL fibers. This extra temperature regulation may not be necessary for hot sleepers, though, as Cait didn’t think this pillow trapped heat one bit. With all this in mind,  she rated the pillow’s materials at another 5/5 score.

For the level of comfort and quality she received, Cait thought the price for this pillow was “reasonable.” A standard size is available for $129, with ongoing discounts. Latex generally runs more expensive than other traditional foam pillows, but we’d still call this a good deal if you’re wanting a product that’ll last a long time. I’ve had my Brooklyn Bedding Latex Pillow for nearly two years now, and it hasn’t started to pucker or sag anywhere. 

The only real negative to this pillow is that its inside is spot-clean only. The cover is removable and machine-washable if needed, and it’s thick enough that stains should hopefully not penetrate. Still, for those who like to keep it clean and easy, it might pose an annoyance. 

Ready to buy? Brooklyn Bedding offers a 30-day trial period with this pillow. It’s also backed by a 3-year warranty.

Rather than hoping you find the pillow that miraculously works for you, why not invest in a completely customizable pillow like the Luxome LAYR? As the name suggests, this pillow is composed of multiple inserts or layers that can be arranged in almost any configuration for your personal comfort. These inserts are made of solid foam, shredded foam, or down alternative fibers for different firmnesses and feels. If you switch between your back and your stomach at night, this customization may be key, as those positions require different pillow heights for maximum alignment and comfort.

Our tester Matt Schickling took this pillow for a spin and dubbed it his new favorite. He called back sleeping with this pillow “divine,” and rated his experience at a perfect 5/5 score. The pillow earned an overall rating of 4.7/5.

Every aspect of this pillow can be adjusted to suit your needs. The pillow is two-sided, with one side featuring a more plush, down-alternative feel and the other a denser memory foam. It also includes three inserts: Soft, Medium, and Firm. Matt thought that each of the inserts and the pillow itself felt high-quality and durable, and gave the pillow a total durability score of 5/5.

Matt had to tinker a bit with these inserts to find his preferred configuration, but once he did, it was smooth sailing from there. He used part of the Firm insert for support, then added the Soft and Medium inserts on top, and found it perfect for back sleeping. You don’t have to follow Matt’s instructions, though; you can customize the Luxome LAYR to your personal preferences. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure, the brand offers suggestions. 

However, even after Matt settled on the customizations that he liked the most, he found that the edges seemed a bit firmer than the center of the pillow. As a combination sleeper, he noticed this most when he lay on his side and gravitated toward the edge of the pillow. He said, “This was a little frustrating given the time I had spent on getting this pillow just right, but after a few nights, this area softened up to match the rest of the pillow, so it wasn’t a long-term issue.

He also appreciated this pillow’s wash care. Not only is the outside pillow cover washable, but so are the covers for the inserts. The only parts of the LAYR you can’t wash are the inserts themselves. The pillow also came with an extra bag for any fill you decide to remove during the customization process. Matt gave this level of ease and consideration a 4.5/5 for care.

If this pillow sounds like the one for you, please note that it comes with a luxury price tag. A standard size will cost approximately $150, and a king size will be around $170. You get a discount if you purchase two. Matt called this “a luxury option with a decent price point,” but it may not be the most budget-friendly option. If you’re worried whether it’s worth the investment, Luxome offers a 30-day return policy. 

Looking for a cheaper option? Check out the Silk & Snow Pillow.

Wedge pillows are a popular option for back sleepers who need extra elevation, such as those with sleep apnea or snoring concerns. I tried out the Helix Wedge Pillow, and I think it should work wonders for back sleepers looking for a high-quality specialty pillow at a fair price. 

I’m not a dedicated back sleeper, so I wasn’t able to get a full night’s sleep in this position on this pillow, but I was able to nap comfortably on it. I also found it useful when working in bed, as if you turn it the “wrong” way, you can have some support sitting up. I found it to be a well-rounded pillow, giving it a 4.1/5 overall score.

If you’ve never slept on a wedge pillow, it does take some getting used to, as I found out. I like an elevated feel when I sleep, but this pillow keeps you at an interesting angle of not-quite-upright, not-quite-lying-down. This shape makes it conducive only to back sleeping. For giggles, I tried it out on my side, but there’s no way you can get your shoulder to sink in.

The pillow has a traditional memory foam feel that provides a slight sink, which definitely took the pressure off my lower back. The cover is a thick and cozy knit, which I found complemented the dense foam. I liked the feel and gave the materials a respectable 4/5 rating.

However, I feel like this standard shape may not fit every body type. For me, I thought I either needed to be a bit taller or shorter to find the right angle. For reference, I’m 5’5”, which I’d consider average height. Depending on the length of your torso, your head might end up more or less elevated than you might prefer or find comfortable, depending on your preferred sleeping position. It’s something to keep in mind if you’re buying this pillow to help with sleep apnea or snoring. This caveat is why I gave the pillow a 3.5/5 experience score.

All that being said, I’d recommend taking advantage of Helix’s 30-day sleep trial. It should be plenty of time to get accustomed to the wedge life or decide it isn’t for you. If you do commit, the pillow also comes with a 1-year warranty. Sales also bring the price of this pillow down to $80, which I’d say is fair.

The only other thing I’d point out about this pillow is its care. Only the cover is removable and machine-washable. I don’t think this is a real issue, though, as this pillow’s unique shape isn’t exactly designed for washer insertion. The cover’s thickness should keep this pillow swaddled and protected from any spills or stains.

Looking for a more traditional pillow? Check out the Saatva Latex Pillow.

As a perpetual night-sweater, the last thing I want is a pillow that leaves me with a pesky sheen of neck sweat. I was excited to try out Cariloha’s Gel Pillow, hoping it would be the answer to my prayers. 

This pillow is made up of graphite-infused memory foam and a cooling gel insert. It comes outfitted with a thick cover, which I did find inhibits its cooling effect a touch. But without this cover and in a traditional pillowcase, this pillow is truly cool-to-the-touch. I gave the materials of this pillow a 4.5/5 score for this, which helped it earn an overall score of 4/5.

The Cariloha Gel Pillow is available in only one loft, which is quite thick, so keep this in mind if you’re looking for a lower loft. It’s also rather wide, as I struggled to get my standard-size pillowcase over it, even after I removed the cover that came with it. It has a firmer memory foam feel, so you won’t sink in too far. I think the gentle cradle I got from this pillow should work great for back sleepers, as well as those who sleep on their side. 

The sheer size of this beast did, however, lead to an odd issue. I sleep pretty close to the top of my mattress to stay in line with my bedside table, and I’d wake up with this pillow halfway up my headboard, squished in half. It didn’t bother me, though it was a funny sight, and it might be an issue for fellow restless sleepers. 

I gave the pillow a 4/5 for my overall experience, only docking a point because to get true cooling, I had to remove the cover. Once I did, though, it was like an ice pack directly on my neck and the base of my skull. I even thought for a moment that I was imagining it. It does dissipate after some time spent lounging, but I was usually drifting off to sleep by then.

Although I removed the included cover because it impeded my cooling experience, it is machine-washable if you decide to use it. This is the only part of the pillow that can be washed in the washer, though. The actual pillow is a block of charcoal-covered foam with a green gel layer on one side. I don’t think it’s likely to get stained, but if any accidents happen, they should wipe off easily.

If you’re wanting to take this pillow for a spin, Cariloha offers a 100-night trial. I think that $125 for a pillow of this caliber is a fairly nice pill to swallow. It’s not the most expensive option available, but it’s definitely a worthwhile investment. I would have preferred this pillow to come with some kind of warranty, as I expect it to provide me with several years of icy-cool comfort.

Want a warranty? Check out Brooklyn Bedding’s Talalay Latex Pillow.