If you’re a back sleeper, congrats: You sleep in one of the best positions to ease back pain. While the “best” sleeping position depends on your needs, experts we talked to for our review of the best mattresses for back pain said sleeping on your back is generally best for relieving back pain and pressure. 

While sleeping on your side is by far the most common position (see our guide to the best mattresses for side sleepers), sleeping on your back is what most orthopedic experts recommend. “That position keeps the spine completely aligned and prevents excess pressure on the shoulders and hips,” says Ruchir P. Patel, MD, founder of the Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona in Phoenix. Based on our testing, the best mattresses for back sleepers help ease pressure, keep your spine neutral, and have the right firmness (6.5/10). 

What type of mattress is best for back sleepers? This guide highlights those with the right firmness, weight distribution, and support for the spine and lower back. Our overall pick for best mattress for back sleepers is the Saatva Classic because it was the most supportive for back sleepers in our tests, and the brand has an overall reputation for quality.

Our Top Pick

Saatva Classic: Best Overall 

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• Exceptional back support
• Can help relieve pain

• Good balance of comfort and support

Helix Midnight Luxe: Best for Lower Back Pain

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• Can help ease back pain
• Promotes spinal alignment

• Relieves pressure in all sleeping positions

Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm: Best for Couples

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• Limits motion transfer between partners
• Top marks for back pain and pressure relief

• Sleeps cool

Best mattresses for back sleepers in 2025

• Saatva Classic: Best Overall
• Helix Midnight Luxe: Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Lower Back Pain
• Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm: Best Mattress for Back Sleeping Couples
• The WinkBed Luxury Firm: Best Value Mattress for Back Sleepers
• Birch Natural: Most Accessible Mattress for Back Sleepers

Comparing the best mattresses for back sleepers

What we look for in a mattress for back sleepers

The right firmness

A medium-firm to firm mattress, or one that is around a 6.5 on a 10-point scale, is generally the best for people who sleep on their backs. It’s soft enough to cushion the spine but firm enough to support it in a neutral position.

Good pressure relief

We looked for mattresses that evenly distribute weight and have good pressure relief (at least 3.5 out of 5) for the shoulders, back, and hips. Those are the areas that have the most contact with the mattress when you’re lying on your back. Properly supporting those pressure points helps keep the spine straight when sleeping on your back.

High accessibility score

Unique to NCOA, a high accessibility score refers to a mattress that’s easier to get in and out of due to a balance of bounce, support, and firmness. This score is important for anyone who has back pain, arthritis, or other types of chronic pain, as those conditions can make it harder to move.

Spinal support

Mattresses that keep your spine in a neutral position can help ease the strain on your back.

Saatva Classic: Best Mattress Overall

We chose the Saatva Classic as our Best Mattress for Back Sleepers Overall because it earned near-perfect scores in our tests for relieving pressure when sleeping on your back. Its mix of stable support and bounce makes it easier to move on than other mattresses we tested. Saatva is also known for its free white-glove delivery (meaning they’ll set up your new mattress and remove your old one for free). And it has one of the longest trial periods in the industry (365 nights).

Our Top Pick

Saatva Classic

Best Mattress Overall

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• Near-perfect test scores for back support
• Mix of pressure relief and firmness can help ease pain

• Balances support and comfort

Saatva Classic features

• Our pain relief score: 4.87/5
• Accessibility score: 4.55/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6/10

Why we chose the Saatva Classic as the Best Overall for Back Sleepers

The Saatva Classic hybrid mattress is a great mattress that has scored highly in many of our other roundups, including best mattresses and best mattresses for hip pain. It’s also our top pick for the best mattress overall for back sleepers for its even support, great all-around pain relief, and mix of stability and bounce for increased accessibility. See our Saatva mattress review for more information.

Saatva offers three levels of firmness for all its mattresses. We tested the Luxury Firm, which has a good balance of comfort and support. A 3-inch-thick European pillow top gives this mattress a plush feel, and a layer of memory foam adds extra support for the lower back. The innerspring layer, made of more than 800 individually wrapped steel coils, is also designed with reinforced lower back support. That may explain why this mattress got a near-perfect score in our pressure map tests for back support. It also earned one of the highest pain relief scores (4.87/5) of any mattress we tested. That means the Saatva Classic has the right mix of pressure relief, firmness, and more to help ease pain that may keep you up at night.

The Saatva Classic received high marks for accessibility due to its combination of bounce, stability, and edge support. It is constructed with memory foam surrounding the innerspring layer to create firmer edges, which can make getting on and off this mattress or changing positions on it easier. That’s a plus for back sleepers who may change positions frequently at night and anyone with mobility issues who needs a little extra help getting in and out of bed.  

Saatva Classic pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Saatva Classic

Testers found the Saatva Classic to be extremely supportive for all sleeping positions and rated the support when lying on their back as nearly perfect (4.5 out of 5). “I really feel great [lying on my back] on this mattress—it is unbelievable,” said Ruth, a 70-year-old average-weight stomach sleeper with sleep apnea and arthritis. “My shoulders and arms are even with my hips, and it contours my lower back very nicely. There’s no hollow spot at my lower back,” she said. “I’ll see you in an hour after this nap!”

The Saatva Classic is designed with reinforced low-back support in several layers, including the topper, memory foam layer, and innerspring layer. That resulted in good support and cushion for our testers’ spines. 

Testers also noticed the firm edge support of this mattress, a result of memory foam rails surrounding the steel coils. “I have experience in the past with bad edge support and have even fallen off my mattress a few times,” said Ruth. “This has good support. It feels like it helps my body when I’m getting out of bed.” This kind of assistance can be helpful for anyone with back or other pain that may limit their mobility.

In general, testers thought the Saatva Classic was comfortable, calling it “plush enough but still firm,” and rating it as slightly softer than the brand claims. They only gave it average ratings for cooling, which is supported by our heat gun tests. After our testing, the mattress had a temperature rise of more than 10 degrees. 

Who is the Saatva Classic right for? 

Based on our tests, the Saatva Classic would be great for people who tend to sleep on their back all or part of the night because of its great low-back support and responsiveness. It is equally supportive in other positions. So it may be good for anyone with mobility issues because it has a high accessibility score and stable edges. 

If you sleep hot you might want a mattress with better airflow and temperature regulation. The Saatva Classic is also not ideal for light sleepers who are easily disturbed by a partner’s movement because the bounce from the innerspring coils tends to transfer motion. 

The Saatva Classic customer experience

• Trial period: 365 nights
• Shipping: Free white-glove delivery
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Financing: Yes, through Affirm

Customer service

You can contact Saatva customer service by:

• Phone: 877-672-2882, available 24/7
• Email: info@saatvamattress.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, 24/7
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options
Saatva accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Google Pay, and PayPal. Financing is available through Affirm.

Saatva offers a $225 discount off purchases of $1,000 or more to adults age 65 and older, military members and their families, first responders, health care professionals, government employees, teachers, and college students. This discount cannot be combined with other offers.

Helix Midnight Luxe: Best for Back Sleepers with Lower Back Pain

We chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as our Best for Back Sleepers with Lower Back Pain because it received a solid 4/5 for easing pressure when lying on your back. It earned a high pain relief score, and the optional ErgoAlign contour layer ($259) provides extra, reinforced support for the lower back, which our testers loved.

Helix Midnight Luxe

Best for Lower Back Pain

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• Eases pressure on your back
• Zoned low-back support with ErgoAlign

• Helpful for pain relief
• Stays cool while sleeping

Helix Midnight Luxe features

• Our pain relief score: 4.21/5
• Accessibility score: 4.06/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6/10

Why we chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as the Best for Back Sleepers with Lower Back Pain

We chose the Helix Midnight Luxe with ErgoAlign as Best for Back Sleepers with Lower Back Pain because it scored higher for low back pressure and pain relief than most mattresses we tested. The Helix Midnight Luxe was named best for lower back in our best mattress for back pain review and best for chronic pain in our best mattress for a herniated disc review due to its superior back support and ability to help keep the spine straight.

The Helix Midnight Luxe hybrid mattress performed equally well for pressure relief in any sleep position, which means it’s supportive for anyone who tends to switch positions at night (for more information, see our guidance on the best sleeping positions for back pain). Our tests found it to be responsive enough to make moving on it easier, especially for anyone with lower back or other pain. 

Like the other mattresses in the mid-range Luxe line, the Helix Midnight Luxe can be upgraded with a dense foam ErgoAlign top layer ($259) for extra low-back support. This layer goes on top of the innerspring coils to provide extra pressure relief in the low back area and relieve stress on the hips, spine, and shoulders.

Helix Midnight Luxe pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Helix Midnight Luxe

Our older adult testers rated this mattress highly for pressure relief in every sleeping position, but it stood out in our pressure map tests as the most supportive for back sleepers, with the highest score. This is one reason we consider the Helix Midnight Luxe the best mattress for back sleepers with back pain. The Midnight Luxe is the medium-firm option in this line, but our testers rated it as firmer than it actually is (8 vs. 6/10), likely due to the exceptional support. They still reported feeling comfortable when lying on the Midnight Luxe. “It feels firm but not like I’m lying on a hard, flat surface,” said Chris, a 66-year-old higher-weight back sleeper with sleep apnea and spinal stenosis. “I feel supported. I don't feel any extra pressure on my lower back and my spine feels straight.”

The Midnight Luxe is a hybrid mattress made with individually wrapped steel coils and three layers of dense memory foam that help distribute weight evenly. This construction helps comfortably support higher-weight sleepers like Chris, who often need a somewhat firmer mattress than lighter-weight sleepers. He noted that, in addition to being supportive, “the extra firmness makes it easy to move about,” and gave the Midnight Luxe a perfect score for edge stability (also known as edge support).  “I don’t feel at all like I’m going to slip off the edge,” Chris said while lying on his back. “Going closer to the edge I still feel supported.”

Testers did point out that the Midnight Luxe doesn’t isolate motion well, which means light sleepers may be woken up by their partner’s movements. But this mattress does have good airflow, which means it stays pretty cool at night. The option to add on a GlacioTex Cooling Cover and CoolForce Layer can make it even cooler.

Who is the Helix Midnight Luxe right for? 

Our testing shows that the Helix Midnight Luxe may be supportive for anyone who sleeps on their back or who has low back pain. Its firmer feel and even weight distribution may suit higher-weight sleepers and anyone who could use help getting in and out of bed. The mattress was good at regulating temperature, but only average for limiting a partner’s movements. So it may not be the best choice for light sleepers.

The Helix customer experience

• Trial period: 100 nights
• Shipping: Free
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Financing: Yes, through Affirm

Customer service

You can contact Helix customer service by:

• Phone: Call 831-777-5976, available Monday through Friday from 12–6 p.m. ET
• Text: Texting HELIX to 67069, available Monday through Friday from 12–6 p.m. ET
• Chat: Live chat via the bottom right corner of the website, available seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
• Email: help@helixsleep.com
• Website: Submit a contact form

Payment options
Credit card payment options include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Other options include Shop Pay, Amazon Pay, PayPal, and Google Pay. 

The company currently offers 25% off for military members, first responders, students, and teachers. The discount code can’t be combined with other promotional codes.

Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm: Best for Back Sleeping Couples

We chose the Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm as our Best Mattress for Back Sleeping Couples because it earned high scores for easing pressure for back sleepers and minimizing motion better than almost any other mattress we tested. That means your partner’s movements are less likely to wake you at night.

Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm

Best for Couples

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• Great at limiting motion transfer between sleeping partners
• Top-rated for back pain and pressure relief

• Sleeps cool

Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm features

• Our pain relief score: 4.31/5
• Accessibility score: 3.96/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

Why we chose the Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm as the Best for Back Sleeping Couples

The Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm mattress performed well in our tests for back pain relief, and testers liked how this hybrid mattress supported them when they were lying on their backs. Hybrid mattresses tend to be both supportive and responsive, which can help with changing positions and getting in and out of bed. 

For the same reason, many hybrids tend not to be great for couples because the bounce from one partner moving may disturb their partner. The Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm is an exception because its individually wrapped coils limit motion transfer as well as some of the memory foam mattresses we tested. This combination of responsiveness, motion softening, and low back support makes this a good mattress for couples who both sleep on their back. 

The Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm is firmer than it feels, has zoned support for the lower back, and great edge support from larger-gauge side coils. All those features help distribute the weight of two people evenly for better individual spinal alignment. This mattress was also good at limiting heat buildup, which can be a problem with co-sleepers.

Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm

The Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm is made to be as plush as a hotel mattress—and as durable as one. It has individually wrapped 8-inch steel springs with larger coils around the edge for more stability, sandwiched between layers of pressure-relieving foam. The areas beneath the shoulders, knees, and hips have extra support, or zoned support, to keep stress off joints and spine. 

This hybrid mattress is the medium-firm option from the brand, and older adults who tried it described it as softer than the brand rating, but still supportive in all the right places. They called it “soft and springy,” but not unstable.

“I don't feel any pressure around my body,” said one tester, Sheila, a 70-year-old average-weight combination sleeper. When lying on her back, Sheila said, “This mattress is conforming to my body nicely. My spine feels aligned and I feel really great.” Testers gave this mattress high marks for support in every position, including 4.5/5 when lying on their back. This mattress also had fairly high pain relief scores.

Testers appreciated the quality construction and materials used for the Nolah Evolution. Sheila called the topper material “luxurious.” 

“It feels soft and silky and is one of the best textures I have felt from all the mattress options,” she said. Several layers of dense memory foam give the mattress a plush feel and cushion the sleeper, but the support of the springs was still noticeable, according to testers. “When I place my hand on the mattress, it bounces back instantly,” said Sheila. “The topper is soft and springy. It's really difficult to push past the topper and get to the second layer of memory foam.”

Several layers of foam and individually wrapped springs help soften the motion of the coils, so as responsive as the Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm is, it won’t transfer movement from one partner to the other. The Nolah had one of the top scores for a hybrid mattress for motion isolation, on par with many memory foam mattresses. Testers said they barely felt the bounce of a partner moving. “I didn't really feel the movement in my upper half at all,” said one tester. “I don't think this would wake me.” 

Couples also tend to generate more heat than single sleepers, so a cool mattress can be helpful. The Nolah was decent at maintaining airflow to regulate temperature and staying cool to the touch, according to our testers. An optional cooling cover may help if you sleep very hot. 

Testers did note that the plushness of the bed made it slightly difficult to change positions. “I feel like I’m struggling to switch positions due to the soft memory foam topper and quilted texture,” Sheila said. “It's a little too soft and stops my body from turning. I need to use my arms more to move my body.”

Who is Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm right for? 

For people who prefer a hybrid mattress to memory foam and sleep with a partner, the Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm was a top performer at making movements undetectable. Testers found it relieved pressure in most positions, and the combination of zoned support and memory foam helped ease back pain. Testers also liked that it stayed relatively cool. 

Nolah customer experience

• Trial period: 120 nights
• Shipping: Free white-glove delivery
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Financing: Yes, through Affirm

Customer service

You can contact Nolah customer service by:

• Phone: Call 866-403-6615, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
• Email: support@nolahmattress.com
• Chat: Live chat via the bottom right corner of the website, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT

Payment options 

Nolah accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Shop Pay, and PayPal. Financing is available through Affirm.

The brand currently offers $50 off for military members and their families, as well as health care workers. This discount can’t be combined with other promotional codes.

The WinkBed Luxury Firm: Best Value Mattress for Back Sleepers

We chose The WinkBed Luxury Firm as the Best Value Mattress for Back Sleepers because it offers similar back pain and pressure relief as other mattresses on our list, as well as perks like a lifetime warranty, for a more affordable price. The Winkbed Luxury Firm is also one of the few hybrid mattresses that works with adjustable bed frames.

The WinkBed Luxury Firm

Best Value

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• High scores for pain and pressure relief
• Easier to get in and out of

• Stays cool through the night

WinkBed Luxury Firm features

• Our pain relief score: 4.20/5
• Accessibility score: 3.99/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

Why we chose the WinkBed Luxury Firm as the Best Value for Back Sleepers

The WinkBed Luxury Firm hybrid mattress scored third overall for pain relief in our tests, which is why we included it in our roundups of the best mattresses for arthritis and best hybrid mattresses. Our older adult testers said it supported their back and helped cushion their hips and other pressure points.

Its combination of cushioning and bounce made this mattress easier to move around on and get in and out of than most others we tested. It is also one of the few hybrid mattresses that can be paired with an adjustable bed frame. Back sleepers may benefit from an adjustable frame because it can be positioned to take pressure off the low back, distribute body weight more evenly, and keep your spine aligned. 

WinkBed offers the support back sleepers need and a lot of the same features as pricier mattresses. It has: a 120-night trial period, free shipping and returns, and a lifetime warranty. Plus, we consider it to be a good value (it’s the least-expensive mattress on this list by about $100).

WinkBed Luxury Firm pros and cons

Our testing experience with the WinkBed Luxury Firm

The WinkBed Luxury Firm is the brand’s most popular model because of its balance of pressure relief and comfort. It’s constructed with several layers of contouring foam, and the innerspring layer has zoned support for the low back and individually wrapped coils to prevent motion transfer. Our older adult testers who tried this mattress felt it had good support for their back and their spine felt aligned. 

Testers liked the pressure relief and uniform support of this mattress. “My hips are cushioned and my body feels aligned,” said Patti, a 74-year-old lighter-weight combination sleeper, while lying on her back. Patti did note that there was a slight gap at her lower back, but she attributed that to her lighter weight. Our average-weight testers didn’t have that problem. Higher-weight sleepers may prefer the WinkBed Plus, which was named best for back sleepers in our review of the best mattresses for higher-weight sleepers. 

Patti found the WinkBed Luxury Firm really easy to move around on and change positions. “I definitely feel more ‘on top’ of this mattress than in,” she said. “I find it easy to roll around on. I feel a lot of soft cushioning but I’m not feeling ‘trapped’ in the material.”

The WinkBed Luxury Firm was one of the better models we tested for cooling. Testers mentioned how soft and cool the quilted pillowtop is. One tester said that it is “definitely one of the top ones I've tested based on how cool it feels when I immediately touch it.” They also said that when lying down, they could feel the airflow keeping her back a little cooler, even with the extra quilted fabric. “The top of the mattress feels soft like memory foam, but actually doesn't feel like it traps heat like memory foam usually does,” they said. “I don't feel like it's hugging me or making me feel hotter.”

Who is the WinkBed Luxury Firm right for? 

The WinkBed Luxury Firm may be a good choice if you’re on a budget and like a firmer, more supportive mattress or have back or other pain. If you prefer a cool mattress, testers ranked this one as above average. They say its edge support and firmness are assets for anyone who struggles to get in and out of bed or changes position frequently. 

WinkBed customer experience

• Trial period: 120 nights
• Shipping: Free shipping
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Financing: Yes, through Bread pay and Katapult

Customer service

You can contact WinkBed customer service by:

• Phone: Call 855-946-5233, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
• Email: info@winkbeds.com
• Chat: Live chat in lower right corner of website, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
• Calling or visiting a showroom

Payment options
Credit card payment options include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Other options include Shop Pay and Google Pay. WinkBeds offers financing through Bread and Katapult. 

The company currently offers an additional $50 off for military members and their families, first responders, law enforcement, and health care workers. 

Birch Natural: Most Accessible for Back Sleepers

We chose the Birch Natural as our Most Accessible Mattress for Back Sleepers because it had high pressure relief in the back sleeping position, great pain relief, and one of the highest accessibility scores of any mattress we tested. Strong edges, uniform support, and decent bounce made it one of the easier mattresses to move around on and get in and out of. That can be a plus if you sleep on your back, deal with back pain, or have mobility issues.

Birch Natural

Most Accessible

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• Stable edges
• Good for anyone with mobility issues

• Above-average pressure relief scores for back and stomach
• Uses eco-friendly materials

Birch Natural features

• Our pain relief score: 4.55/5
• Accessibility score: 4.51/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

Why we chose the Birch Natural as the Most Accessible for Back Sleepers

We chose the Birch Natural as the Most Accessible Mattress because it has one of the highest scores for accessibility due to its mix of strong edges, high bounce, and stability, while also providing good pressure and pain relief for the low back.

In our pressure relief tests, the Birch Natural scored a solid 4/5, and it had one of the highest pain relief scores (4.55/5). Its high level of firmness helps it maintain uniform support and stability, which makes it easier to move around on than other mattresses, like memory foam, that may feel softer and “suck you in” more. 

The Birch Natural is made with eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, sustainably sourced wool, and natural latex. This may help people who are sensitive to synthetic materials or have allergies. These natural materials can also promote airflow and help keep you cool.

Birch Natural pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Birch Natural

The Birch Natural hybrid mattress is made with latex and coils, which are reinforced along the edge of the mattress. This strong support, along with the mattress’s ability to spring back, makes this mattress easier to 

change positions on compared to almost every other mattress we tested.

Testers noted that Birch Natural’s firmness felt more like an 8/10 than its brand rating of 6.5/10, and commented on how that made it easier to move on. “You stay up high on this mattress and you're not sinking down into it so it's easy to roll,” said Chris, a 66-year-old higher-weight back sleeper with spinal stenosis and sleep apnea. “Going to the side is easy. And rolling over to my stomach is easy. You hardly need any effort to move around.” Chris, who usually sleeps on his back, said he felt “equally supported all over” when lying on the Birch Natural.

The Birch Natural is reinforced along the edges with individually wrapped coils for extra support and received perfect scores for both seated and lying down edge support. Chris, who says he sleeps on the edge of the bed a lot, said the Birch Natural felt much more stable than the mattress he uses at home. “When I'm lying on the edge, I don't feel like I'm going to roll off at all,” he said. “I feel very stable lying on my back. It's easy to move positions near the edge. It's very comfortable.”

The Birch Natural didn’t perform so well in terms of motion isolation. Testers gave it only a 2/5. The latex and coil mattress was, maybe unsurprisingly, too “springy” for some of our testers. So it may not be a good choice for lighter sleepers who are easily disturbed. “I can feel every single movement,” said one tester. “Nothing felt dampened. The bounce can be helpful for getting out of bed, but if you care about motion isolation, then this isn’t the best.” 

Who is Birch Natural right for? 

The latex and coil construction of this mattress makes it highly responsive, which can help those who have difficulty getting in and out of bed, or who switch positions frequently. It also got high marks for pain relief in our tests. And the natural materials can keep you cooler than synthetics.

Birch customer experience

• Trial period: 100 nights
• Shipping: Free
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Financing: Yes, through Affirm and Katapult

Customer service

You can contact Birch customer service by:

• Phone: 917-540-5525, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
• Email: info@birchliving.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
• Contact form: https://support.birchliving.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

Accepted payments include MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Google Pay, Shop Pay, Amazon Pay, and PayPal. Financing through Birch is available through Affirm.

Birch currently offers 25% off for military members, first responders, students, and teachers. The discount code can’t be combined with other promotional codes. To get the code, you’ll need to verify your identity and status using a third party called VerifyPass.

Our process testing the best mattresses for back sleepers

Our team has spent thousands of hours researching and testing mattresses so you can feel confident in our reviews. We work with experts in sleep, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, so we know what features are most important when searching for the best mattress for back sleepers.

For this review, we personally tested 30 mattresses identified through our research to offer pain relief and ease pressure for back sleepers. Each mattress was put through rigorous testing by older adults with pain, to ensure we have real-world data about how they perform.

We considered these important factors when testing the best mattresses for back sleepers:

The right firmness

A mattress that is medium-firm, or around a 6.5/10, is best for people who sleep on their backs. The degree of firmness helps ease back pain and pressure on the joints, according to research.³ Someone with a higher body weight may prefer a slightly firmer mattress, while someone with a lower body weight may prefer a slightly softer one.

Good pressure relief

Our pressure relief score reflects our testers’ experiences on the mattress and the results shown on our pressure map. The pressure map uses sensors to show how much pressure the body feels when lying on the mattress. Blue and green are great pressure relief; yellow, orange, and red show places where pressure builds up. We looked for high pressure relief scores (blue and green) for the back sleeping position.

High accessibility score

Our accessibility score measures how easily a person can get into and out of bed and change positions. It was essential to us that we made clear which mattresses were (and were not) accessible for people with mobility issues, or pain that affects the body’s ability to move easily. 

To create our accessibility score, we combined and weighted the following factors:

• Edge support: A mattress with strong edge support offers a stable surface for getting in and out of bed, especially for those with chronic pain.
• Bounce: A bouncy mattress ensures sleepers don’t feel stuck, restricting the ability to adjust positions or get up out of bed.
• Motion isolation: A mattress with strong motion isolation ensures you remain comfortably placed in the bed, even if a partner moves through the night.
• Firmness: Finding the optimal mattress firmness will vary depending on your needs. But a medium-firm mattress is soft enough to rest comfortably, and firm enough to offer enough resistance to move easily. 

Spinal support

For back sleepers especially, it’s important that your mattress keeps your spine aligned. We tested spinal support by having older adults lie on the mattresses on their backs and rate how comfortable and supported they felt. We asked them to note how much pressure they felt under their hips, knees, shoulders and other joints, and whether their spine felt curved or in alignment. 

What is the best type of mattress for back sleepers?

The materials a mattress is made from affect how comfortable and supportive it feels. A lot of choosing the best mattress for back sleepers is personal preference, and that includes what materials feel best to you. But knowing a little about the major kinds of mattresses and materials used in them may help guide your choice. 

Innerspring mattress

These are more traditional mattresses that use metal coils or springs to provide support. They tend to have good bounce, which helps mobility, and stay cooler than foam or latex mattresses. Some have individually wrapped coils to limit the amount of movement that can be felt from either side of the bed.

Memory foam mattress

Memory foam was originally developed by NASA as a way to cushion astronauts during flights.⁴ Its softness and ability to absorb energy is used in mattresses to contour to the body’s curves and support and cushion the spine and joints. Foam is also used in hybrid mattresses to dampen the motion of the coils, so your sleep won’t be disturbed by a partner changing positions. For more information, see our review of the best memory foam mattress.

Hybrid mattress

Hybrid mattresses combine the support and responsiveness of springs with layers of memory foam for cushion and comfort. There are many different configurations of hybrid mattresses. Some have zoned support, or extra foam in a specific area to help support your back or other areas. For more information, see our review of the best hybrid mattress.

Latex mattress

Latex is a dense, rubbery material that can be natural, synthetic, or a combination of both. It is often used as a foam in mattresses and is known for its durability and responsiveness. Natural latex can be good for anyone with allergies and may be eco-friendly depending on how it is made. Latex mattresses do tend to be heavier and more expensive than other kinds.

Additional factors for back sleepers

When it comes to the best mattresses for back sleepers, lower-back support, pain relief, and a medium-firm feel are top concerns. But there are other things to consider as well. Some include:

• How easy is it to get in and out of? 

Mattresses that have springs can help if you have any mobility issues because they add some bounce. Some people feel “trapped” in memory foam, which is dense and contours around their body. 

• Do you sleep with a partner?

Some people are easily awakened by a mattress moving due to a partner getting in or out of bed or shifting positions during the night. If you are a light sleeper, you’ll want to look for a mattress with good motion isolation. That means it limits how much motion you feel from a partner. Memory foam mattresses tend to be best at this, but hybrids with individually wrapped coils also work well. It’s also good to consider if your partner sleeps on their back or in another position.

• Does the temperature of the mattress matter?

Being too hot or too cold at night can interrupt your sleep. Some mattresses are designed with better airflow or materials that wick heat and moisture away to keep you cool. “A mattress that retains heat, like a foam-based mattress, can result in potentially increasing body temperature, which can impact melatonin release and sleep quality,” said Dr. Patel, doctor of sleep medicine in Phoenix.

• Can the mattress work with an adjustable frame?

Adjustable frames offer the flexibility to adjust the height of different parts of the mattress so you are best supported and feel most comfortable. Not every mattress works in every frame, so make sure to check whether the mattress you like is compatible with an adjustable frame. 

• Do you have a higher or lower than average body weight?

Most mattresses are designed for an average-weight person and may feel firmer for lighter-weight people, or not firm enough for higher-weight people. Consider your body weight when choosing the right firmness level.

How much do the best mattresses for back sleepers cost?

The mattresses in this guide range from $1,799–$2,373 for a queen size (without discounts). Along with size, factors that affect a mattress’s cost include the materials used in its construction, certifications, and added features such as a cooling layer or pillow top, as well as extras offered by the brand. Extras can include free shipping, white-glove delivery (where a mattress is delivered directly to your bedroom), or a lifetime warranty. 

How to save money on mattresses

A new mattress is often a hefty investment, but keep in mind that it is something you will use daily for several years. To help with the upfront cost, there are several ways to save money on a mattress:

• Many manufacturers have sales, especially around holidays like Labor Day and Memorial Day. 
• It’s also common to find coupons, sale codes, and discounts on a manufacturer’s website. 
• Many companies also offer discounts for current or former members of the military, students, teachers, older adults, and other groups. 
• If you’re not buying direct from a manufacturer, stores often have floor models at a big discount.
• Most mattress manufacturers offer some kind of financing plan, which can be a better bargain than paying for a mattress with a credit card. 

It’s a good idea to research mattresses before you buy, so you can find the best mattress for the best price. Knowing what features you need and which you can live without can save you some money, too.

Frequently asked questions

What firmness level is best for back sleepers?

People who sleep on their backs generally do best with a medium-firm mattress, or one that is around 6.5/10. This degree of firmness helps support the spine and joints and makes moving on a mattress easier than softer mattresses. Of course, you should choose the mattress that feels best to you.

Can a mattress help with back pain for back sleepers?

Yes, many of the mattresses in our guide earned high scores for pain relief, and simply providing enough lower-back support can help keep stress off the spine and prevent soreness. 

How can I tell if my mattress provides enough lumbar support?

Feeling soreness or pain in the lower-back region after you sleep or as the day goes on is one sign that your mattress may not be supportive enough. You can also lie on your mattress on your back and note how your lower back feels and whether there is a lot of space between your spine and the mattress. The best mattresses for back sleepers won’t sink too much (a sign that it is too soft) or leave a lot of space (a sign that it is too firm), but allow the spine to curve gently while staying supported and straight.

Questions? Reach out to reviewsteam@ncoa.org.