Back sleepers have a specific set of needs to feel well supported and comfortable on a mattress. For most, it’s imperative to create ample support in the middle of the mattress so the lower back can stay in alignment with the rest of the body.
Our experts have tested 360+ mattresses with our battery of data-driven testing to help find the best mattress for back sleepers. With that said, let’s jump in.
Top Pick
Leesa Sapira
The Sapira is our top pick for back sleepers. Its incredible, well-rounded performance (top 1%), price, and medium-firm feel make it a great choice for those who prefer sleeping on their back (as well as all other positions).
The 7 Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
- Leesa Sapira – Best Overall
- Helix Midnight Luxe – Best Cooling
- Saatva Latex Hybrid – Best Natural / Organic
- Birch – Runner Up Natural / Organic
- Glacier Apex – Best Affordable
- Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe – 3 Firmness Options
- DreamCloud Premier Hybrid – Best Affordable Runner Up
| Mattress Name | Overall Score | Type | Firmness | Price | Read Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leesa Sapira | 9.47 | Hybrid | Medium-Firm (6) | $1,599 | Review |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | 9.43 | Hybrid | Medium-Firm (6) | $1,899 | Review |
| Saatva Latex Hybrid | 9.42 | Latex Hybrid | Medium-Firm (6.5) | $2,199 | Review |
| Birch | 9.35 | Latex Hybrid | Slighty Firm (7) | $1,499 | Review |
| Glacier Apex | 9.27 | Memory Foam Hybrid | Medium-Firm (6) | $1,399 | Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe | 9.24 | Hybrid | Soft (4), Medium-Firm (6), and Firm (8) | $1,399 | Review |
| DreamCloud Premier Hybrid | 9.08 | Hybrid | Medium-Firm (6) | $1,099 | Review |
Our Testing & Selection Process
360+
Mattresses Tested
To Date
43
Data Points Tested
On Each Mattress
102
Mattress Brands Tested To Date
Each best list is put through a customized performance analysis with specialized consideration given to our objective & data-driven performance tests. In addition, we consider mattress type, design, materials, value, price, and more.
For our Best Mattress for Back Sleepers list, we based our selections on the best-scoring mattresses, according to our battery of testing and formulaic-driven scoring.
Our tests analyze performance across 8 critical factors, including cooling, motion transfer, response time, edge support, sex, pressure relief, off-gassing, and company. In addition, we also test sinkage and bounce (though these are not scoring factors).
Our tests include objective and quantifiable data whenever possible. In addition, we use subjective assessment supported by data to round out our testing process.
Our scores are based on mathematical formulas and equations that utilize inputs from our data-driven testing.
In choosing the best mattresses for back sleepers we looked at the totality of all of our tests, scores, data, and reviews to date. We analyzed this data alongside our established best mattress framework here.
In addition to achieving a high-performance score, all mattresses on this list have a firmness suitable to support back sleepers.
When selecting the best mattress for back sleepers, we’re looking at a combination of overall scoring performance, firmness, and US availability.
To be included within this list all mattresses:
- Had to have a firmness between 6-7 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm. This range is firm enough to provide good support and maintain spinal alignment.
- Had to have a performance score of 9.08 or higher.
- Had to be available for purchase within the USA.
- Latex and latex hybrid mattresses were limited to the top 2 picks by score. Latex has a polarizing feel that some love and some hate. It’s a far more polarizing feel than poly foam or memory foam. See our best latex mattresses list for more.
Our Testing Team
Derek
Lead Tester
Kayla
Writer
Kyle
Tester
Nathan
Tester
Samantha
Data Analyst
Leesa Sapira
Best For
- Cooling is outstanding with no notable heat retention
- Extremely high bounce, which makes for good sex
- Exceptionally good pressure relief in all sleeping positions
Considerations
- Off-gassing duration is nearly a week
- Edge support is lacking, sitting sinkage compression measured at 6.25″
- The 100-night trial period is lower than average (179 nights)
Our Verdict
The Leesa Sapira is an 11″ hybrid, which is 1″ thinner than the average mattress. Its design uses poly foam in the topmost foam layer, followed by memory foam, transitional support foam, and a 6″ pocketed coil unit.
The mattress is available in a single firmness option, which is a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale.
The Sapira has moderate levels of sinkage (2.05″) with an effective transition from comfort to support. Bounce levels are very high and just above my ideal range. Together these factors make for a lively surface that avoids creating any sort of “stuck” feeling.
The medium-firm feel from the Sapira is ideal for back sleepers. The mattress doesn’t allow for too much sinkage, and sleepers will experience a gradual transition from its foam comfort layers to its support coils that ensure an optimal amount of pushback for people who sleep on their back.
In our performance tests, the Leesa Sapira earned a score of 9.47, which ranks it among the top 1% of all mattresses tested to date.
When it comes to price, the Sapira is 9% more expensive than the average mattress. A queen-size costs $1,599. All things considered, the Sapira is a fantastic value given the performance of the mattress.
Click here to read the full Leesa Sapira Hybrid review.
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Leesa Sapira Hybrid Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Leesa Sapira |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.47 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,599 |
| Cooling – Score | 10 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.05″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 10 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 4.66 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.5 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.4 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 12.67″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Very High |
| Edge Support – Score | 7.5 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 6.25″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 9.1 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 10 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 11″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.3 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 6 days |
| Company – Score | 9.4 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Helix Midnight Luxe
Best For
- Thick luxury cover that is cool to the touch
- Satisfying memory foam feel with dramatic hug around body
- Outstanding pressure relief with dense memory foam (4.0 PCF)
Considerations
- Lower bounce creates a worse sex performance score
- Slightly slower-than-average responsiveness
- A bit pricier than other options on this list ($1,899)
Our Verdict
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a 14″ hybrid mattress made of memory foam, poly foam, and a pocketed coil support system. As a luxe model, it also comes with a luxury Tencel cover with poly foam sewn in for a soft, breathable feel.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is available in a single firmness level — medium-firm. This is a 6 out of 10 rating where 10 is the most firm.
This mattress has moderate sinkage and low levels of bounce. Poly foam in the cover keeps the feel balanced and balanced out the memory foam within the core. This isn’t an ultra-plush, enveloping feel. Rather, it’s balanced, even, and one that many sleepers will like.
For back sleepers, this moderate sinkage is essential. When heavier parts of your body sink too low it can compromise spinal alignment, causing back pain. For the Midnight Luxe, it has the right amount of pushback while having plenty of comfort material to relieve pressure.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 9.43, ranking the mattress in the top 1% of all mattresses tested to date. In fact, this mattress is ranked #4 by score.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is $1,899 for a queen sized mattress, which is 29% more expensive than the average mattress price ($1470)
Click here to read our full Helix Midnight Luxe review.
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Helix Midnight Luxe Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Helix Midnight Luxe |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.43 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,899 |
| Cooling – Score | 10 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.03″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 9.7 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 5.76 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 8.4 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.4 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 1.2 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 6.74″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 10 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 2.75″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Outstanding |
| Sex – Score | 7.9 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 10 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 5.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 14″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.1 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Moderate |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 7 days |
| Company – Score | 9.4 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Saatva Latex Hybrid
Best For
- Exceptionally low motion transfer
- Lightning-fast material response with high bounce and robust edge support
- Zero off-gassing wait time since it comes uncompressed
Considerations
- Minimal sinkage (1.85″) is not for everyone
- Firmness level is a little firmer than average
- The price is significantly higher than other options on this list ($2,199)
Our Verdict
The Saatva Latex Hybrid is a 12″ latex hybrid designed for a luxury feel at a luxury price. It uses an organic wool cover, 3″ of natural latex, and a pocketed coil unit made with recycled steel to achieve an eco-conscious sleeping experience.
This latex hybrid only has one firmness option, which is a medium-firm feel (6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale). This is a popular firmness level that, combined with the minimal sinkage, is particularly good for back sleepers.
The Saatva Latex Hybrid offers minimal sinkage (1.85″ compared to 2.16″ average). But it has high bounce (10.82″). Together, these make for an even livelier surface than the Sapira, due to the highly responsive latex foam.
While the Saatva Latex Hybrid may not have complex transitional layers, the latex comfort layer and luxury cover give this mattress great pressure relief with minimal sinkage, which is beneficial for back sleepers. Furthermore, the thick latex layer provides comfort and contour around the body with a medium-firm to slightly firmer feel that back sleepers will love.
The Saatva Latex Hybrid has a 9.42 performance score, which means it is ranked in the top 1% of all mattresses we’ve tested. Among just latex hybrids, the Saatva has the best performance we’ve seen to date.
The Saatva Latex Hybrid costs $2,199 for a queen. This is 49% more expensive than the average mattress, which is an increase of $727. This may be too far over budget for many sleepers. But if this price doesn’t break the bank and you enjoy sleeping on your back, this is a great choice.
Click here to read the full Saatva Latex Hybrid review.
Type: Latex Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6.5)
Saatva Latex Hybrid Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Saatva Latex Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.42 |
| Price (Queen) | $2,199 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.85″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Minimal |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 10 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 3.13 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 10.82″ |
| Bounce – Feel | High |
| Edge Support – Score | 10 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.00″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Outstanding |
| Sex – Score | 9.4 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 12″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 10 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | None |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 0 days |
| Company – Score | 8.8 |
| Trial | 365 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Birch
Best For
- Natural materials with GOLS and GREENGUARD Gold certifications
- Perforated latex and hybrid design make for exceptional cooling
- Extremely low motion transfer (5.52 m/s²)
Considerations
- Extremely high bounce, which my prove to be too much for some
- Slightly firm feel and limited sinkage are not ideal for side sleepers
- $99 return fee
Our Verdict
The Birch mattress is another latex hybrid designed with natural and organic materials in mind, but at a lower price. Its 11″ design includes an organic cotton cover, 2″ of organic latex (1″ thinner than the Saatva), a pocketed coil unit, and a thin wool base.
It has a slightly firm feel (7 out of 10 rating) that is well suited to many back sleepers. This is the sweet spot for most back sleepers as it provides extra support and pushback,
The Birch offers moderate to slightly minimal sinkage (2.00″) with extremely high bounce (14.91″). Its latex foam combined with the coil unit gives this surface an almost trampoline-like feel, which may not be to everyone’s preference. However, it is undoubtedly beneficial for sex.
For back sleepers, the Birch offers even more pushback than the previous Saatva pick. The slightly firm feel and minimal to moderate sinkage create more of a floating feel on the mattress. As such, Birch is great for those who need a little more pushback and support and don’t want to feel enveloped by the material layers.
The Birch has a performance score of 9.35, which is slightly lower than our previous picks while still ranking in the top 3%. Furthermore, the Birch is offered at a reasonable price for a latex hybrid.
At $1,499 for a queen, the Birch is 23% less expensive than the average latex hybrid. While there are other latex hybrids that are around the same price, we’ve not tested any that could compete with the Birch at this price point.
Click here to read the full Birch review.
Type: Latex Hybrid
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)
Birch Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Birch |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.35 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,499 |
| Cooling – Score | 10 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.00″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 9.8 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 5.52 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 14.91″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Extremely High |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.1 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 4.50″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Good |
| Sex – Score | 9.5 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 3.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 11″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 10 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | None |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 0 days |
| Company – Score | 8.2 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Glacier Apex
Best For
- Outstanding pressure relief in all sleeping positions
- Low motion transfer is great for couples sleeping together
- Extremely supportive edge for sitting and lying
Considerations
- Lower bounce is worse for sex performance
- Material responsiveness is slower than average
- 14.25″ profile height may not pair well with all furniture sets
Our Verdict
The Glacier Apex is the best-performance memory foam hybrid we’ve tested to date. As its name implies, it is the top-most offering from the Glacier brand, but it is also the most affordable mattress on this list. Its 14.25″ design includes a 6.25″ comfort layer made of memory foam and poly foam.
The mattress is available in a single firmness option, which is a 6 out of 10. This firmness is suitable for all sleeper weights and sleeping positions, including back sleeping.
The Apex mattress has moderate sinkage levels and low bounce. This creates a more relaxed surface that, while not super beneficial for sex, has that prominent memory foam feel many sleepers prefer.
The combination of memory foam layers with the transitional poly foam layer makes for an extremely comfortable back sleeping experience. The middle layer, in particular, has more of a modern memory foam feel that gives a bit more pushback so bodies don’t sink too far down, while still offering a dramatic contour and hug.
When it comes to performance, the Glacier Apex earned a score of 9.27 and is the #1 memory foam hybrid tested to date. Memory foam hybrids tend to struggle with slower response and low bounce, but the Apex is still among the top 6% of all mattresses tested to date.
The price is where the Apex truly shines. At $1,399, the Glacier Apex is the most affordable mattress on this list and is 14% less expensive than the average memory foam hybrid. With this performance and price, the Apex is the best choice for back sleepers who prefer the feel of memory foam.
Click here to read the full Glacier Apex review.
Type: Memory Foam Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Glacier Apex Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Glacier Apex |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.27 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,399 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.14″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 9.7 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 5.77 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 8.4 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.4 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 1.2 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 6.02″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 9.9 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.25″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Outstanding |
| Sex – Score | 7.4 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 10 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 6.3″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 14.25″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.9 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 4 days |
| Company – Score | 10 |
| Trial | 365 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
Best For
- Outstanding pressure relief with thick, 3-layer comfort layer
- Exceptional cooling and a cool-to-the-touch cover
- 3 different firmness options (2 of them great for back sleeping)
Considerations
- Motion transfer is higher than ideal, though not terrible (9.06 m/s²)
- Sex performance is good, but also not incredible
- $99 return fee
Our Verdict
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is where we start to see slightly more mixed performance from winners on this list. However, its perfect cooling and pressure relief more than justify its spot here. This is a classic, though thicker hybrid design with 3.75″ poly foam, a pocketed coil unit, support foam, and topped with a thin cover.
It is available in three firmness levels—soft (4), medium-firm (6), and firm (8). For back sleepers, I would recommend the medium-firm version for most sleepers.
The Aurora Luxe offers moderate levels of both sinkage and bounce to create a balanced feel that is safe for most sleepers. It doesn’t have too much or too little sinkage, contour, or pushback to which anyone can object.
For this reason, it strikes a balance that is enjoyable in any sleeping position. The medium-firm feel won’t give as much pushback as the Birch or Saatva. However, the comfort dynamic from the thicker, high-response poly foam layers gives it more versatility, especially for lighter and moderate-weighted sleepers.
In our performance tests, the Aurora Luxe Hybrid has an overall score of 9.24, which ranks it in the top 8% of all mattresses tested to date. Looking specifically at hybrids, the Aurora Luxe is also within the top 8%.
Concerning price, the Aurora Luxe costs $1,399 for a queen size. This is 5% less expensive than the price of the average mattress ($1,471). Considering the below average price compared to the above average performance, the Aurora Luxe is a fantastic value mattress for back sleepers.
Click here to read the full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe review.
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Soft (4), Medium-Firm (6), and Firm (8)
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.24 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,399 |
| Cooling – Score | 10 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.04″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 8.2 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 9.06 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.6 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.7 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 8.96″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Moderate |
| Edge Support – Score | 9.2 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.50″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 8.6 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 10 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.3″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 13.25″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.9 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 4 days |
| Company – Score | 8.2 |
| Trial | 120 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Dreamcloud Premier Hybrid
Best For
- Great cooling performance with quilted cover and gel-infused memory foam
- 5.5″ comfort layer—fantastic pressure relief
- Value-priced at $1.1K
Considerations
- Low bounce leads to below-average sex performance
- Good quality materials, but this mattress doesn’t have a luxury feel as higher-end mattresses would
Our Verdict
The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid is a 13.5″ hybrid mattress made of memory foam, poly foam, pocketed coils, and support foam, all wrapped within a quilted cover. It is designed as a budget-friendly value hybrid and is a solid pick for sleepers on a budget.
The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid is available in a single firmness level — medium-firm.
This mattress has moderate sinkage and low levels of bounce. The low bounce does negatively effect the sex performance, but also creates low levels of motion transfer.
For back sleepers, the DreamCloud is a good choice because of its moderate level of sinkage and fantastic pressure relief. To see 5.5″ of comfort material on a sub-$1.1K mattress extremely rare. This extra material helps the DreamCloud to provide contour, hug, and pressure relief for sleepers lying on their back.
In our performance tests, the DreamCloud mattress earned an overall score of 9.08, ranking the mattress in the top 16% of all mattresses tested to date. Especially given the low price of this mattress, this high of a rank is outstanding.
The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid is $1,099 for a queen-sized mattress, which is 28% less than the average hybrid mattress. If you’re a back sleeper on a budget and still want that medium-firm feel, the DreamCloud Premier is a great option.
Click here to read our full DreamCloud Premier Hybrid review.
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | DreamCloud Premier Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.08 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,099 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.24″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 9.7 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 5.71 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.3 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.6 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 7.26″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 9.1 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.75″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 7.8 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.5″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 13.5″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.1 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 7 days |
| Company – Score | 10 |
| Trial | 365 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Best Mattress By Category
Have a specific mattress type, sleeping position, feature, or firmness in mind? At NapLab we’ve ranked the mattresses we’ve tested in 24 different specialized best lists. These lists can help you identify the mattresses best suited to specific performance criteria.
You can also see our best mattress guide for our overall best-ranked mattresses.
Best by Features & Price
Best by Position & People
