HomeLux Comfort
Perfect Pillow Guide: How to Choose the Best Pillow for Back Sleepers
Lux Comfort

Perfect Pillow Guide: How to Choose the Best Pillow for Back Sleepers

From Puffy Editorial Team
Last updated on: Feb 28, 2023 | 6 min read
How to Choose the Best Pillow for Back Sleepers?

Even though a good night’s sleep is coveted, it’s often elusive, especially when you keep waking up with a crick in your neck or unexplainable aches.

More often than not, lumpy pillows are to blame, especially if you sleep on your back but don’t have the best pillow for back sleepers.

Sleeping on your back is considered beneficial for maintaining spinal alignment, but without the best pillow for back sleepers, you leave yourself vulnerable to sleepless nights and unyielding pains.

The best pillow for back sleepers is ideally medium-loft that’s neither too plush nor firm so that it can support the natural curve of your neck. But there are other characteristics to note, including the material and the size.

All these considerations may make you feel like a pillow hunt isn’t worth the effort, but the right pillow is as essential for a restful night’s sleep as a high-quality hybrid mattress and sheets. The good news is the best pillow for back sleepers is out there, and we’ve got the rundown on everything you’ll need to pick one that’ll have you snoozing soundly through the night.

Is it Better to Sleep Without a Pillow if You’re a Back Sleeper?

Sleeping on your back

When neck pains are a constant nuisance, it can be tempting to forgo a pillow altogether. But the only sleepers who benefit from this strategy are those who sleep on their stomach. Sleeping without a pillow is inadvisable for back sleepers.

If you sleep flat on your back without anything to prop you up, your head will sink into the mattress, especially if you have a memory foam mattress. You may not experience the same feeling with a firm mattress, but pillows are intended to keep your spine in a neutral position, and sleeping without one might lead to neck pain and poor posture regardless of your mattress type.

Suffering from lower back pain may be another compelling reason to try sleeping without a pillow, but it may do more harm than good. Instead, find the best pillow for back sleepers to support your head and place a small pillow under your knees to encourage spinal alignment and reduce stress on your lower back.

Check out Puffy mattress reviews from real customers and see how we compare with other brands.

Picking the Best Pillow for Back Sleepers

Picking the Best Pillow for Back Sleepers

When it comes to maximum support and comfort, it’s hard to go wrong with a memory foam pillow.

Memory foam reigns supreme as the best pillow for back sleepers because it conforms to your head and neck and maintains this position while you sleep so that you’re fully supported throughout the night. Because of its contour-adapting capabilities, memory foam pillows are an excellent option for all sleeping positions, so even if you tend to shift around and sleep on your side or stomach during the night, you’ll still be comfortable.

In case you want to customize the comfort to ensure pain relief, try an adjustable pillow. With an adjustable pillow, you can unzip the inner sleeve and add or remove foam so you can enjoy a level of support that feels just right for you.

Another option worth considering is a pillow with bamboo rayon cover, especially if you want a pillow that’ll keep you cool throughout the night. These pillows are made with bamboo rayon fibers and stuffed with shredded memory foam to deliver dual cooling and contouring benefits. They aren’t just the best pillow for back sleepers when they’re at home; they’re also a trusty travel companion because they compress well.

The Puffy Pillow combines the best of both worlds - the cooling properties of the outer bamboo rayon fabric and the inner contouring benefits of memory foam. You can customize your comfort by removing and adding foam, and the cover ensures you don't overheat during the night. It is also designed for all types of sleepers, so it’s the perfect choice even if you don’t sleep on your back the whole night.

Considerations for Picking the Right Pillow

Is it better to sleep without a pillow?

Finding the best pillow for back sleepers sounds easy enough, but the reality is that a pillow that might be perfect for one person might feel like the equivalent of sleeping on a slab of wood to another. To ensure you find a pillow that’s right for you, here are some key things to keep in mind:

  • Hypoallergenic
Allergies can make it tougher to get a good night’s rest, so make sure you pick a pillow that is hypoallergenic to help you breathe easily during the night. A hypoallergenic pillow should offer a barrier against dust mites and other allergens.
  • Easy Care

Ideally, a high-quality pillow should last you 1 - 2 years, and with proper care, it may last you even a little bit longer. When picking the best pillow for back sleepers, be sure to find one with a washable cover so that you can keep it clean regularly.

Since you spend at least 8 hours lying on your pillow every day, it should be washed at least twice a year and more if you live in a humid environment. Washing your pillows is essential for protecting yourself against allergens and locking in a better night’s sleep.

  • CertiPUR-US® Certified Foam

Some foam products contain harmful materials, so if you decide to invest in a memory foam pillow, be sure to find one that is made with CertiPUR-US® certified foam. The certification guarantees that your foam pillow wasn’t made with harmful substances, such as formaldehyde, mercury, lead, or ozone depleters.

  • Personal Needs

When purchasing a pillow, it’s essential to consider your own needs. While guides and reviews may help you make an informed decision, you know your sleep requirements better than anyone else.

The Puffy Pillow guarantees a risk-free purchase offer. You can try the pillow for 101 nights, and if it doesn’t work for you, you can return it for a full refund. This guarantees that you can rest easy on your new pillow without suffering any post-purchase regrets.


If you’re a back sleeper, finding the right pillow can vastly improve the quality of your sleep. The best pillow for back sleepers should provide good head and neck support and proper spine alignment. To pick the best fit, make sure you do your research beforehand so you can finally put cricks and pains to bed.



Choose your Puffy Pillow
Experience cloudlike support with the Puffy Signature Pillow.
Sleep soothed with this soft, adjustable memory foam pillow:
  • Made with CertiPUR-US® certified foam.
  • Hypoallergenic cover.
  • Lifetime warranty.
  • 101-night sleep trial.
  • Free shipping and returns.
  • Made in the USA.
SHOP PUFFY PILLOW

Shop the award-winning Puffy collection.

puffy mattresss

Choose your award-winning mattress.

Experience the cloudlike comfort and support of our hybrid and memory foam mattresses.

  • 4 luxury mattresses
  • All sleeper types
  • Made in the USA

Prices start from $499

SHOP MATTRESSES
puffy bed frame

Customize your comfort with a bed frame.

Upgrade your sleep with our stylish and supportive bed frames, bases, and foundations.

  • Support for all mattresses
  • Adjustable comfort options
  • Quick and easy setup

Prices start from $152

SHOP BED FRAMES
puffy beddings

Elevate your sleep with luxury bedding.

Add luxury to bedtime with our silky soft sheets, protectors, blankets, and more.

  • Premium materials
  • Contemporary style
  • Ultra-soft comfort

Prices start from $59

SHOP BEDDING

Puffy is ranked America’s #1
luxury mattress.

Hear from
12,000+
satisfied Puffy sleepers about why they give our award-winning comfort 5 stars.

READ PUFFY MATTRESS REVIEWS

Find official Puffy
mattress stores near you.

Try out the cloudlike comfort of the luxury Puffy mattress collection before you buy at our partner stores across the USA.

FIND A MATTRESS STORE NEAR YOU
SIGN UP FOR EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS.
Get special offers, product news,
and sleep tips straight to your inbox.
Save $1,425 when you buy any Puffy mattress. Verify your eligibility for our: