The best mattress for back sleepers will be one that provides a soothing blend of comfort and support when lying on your back. For most sleepers, this will be a mattress that errs on the firmer side of medium firm in order to keep your spine in healthy alignment with the rest of your body.
However, firmness is subjective, and body type and preference both play a part in how a mattress feels. So how to choose? In our quest to bring you our guide to the very best mattresses to buy online in 2025, our testing team has reviewed over 120 beds. Among those, we have carefully selected those of which impressed our team of testers for their suitability for all types of back sleepers.
So, as well as comfort and support, we’ve carefully considered price when compiling this guide. The Siena Signature Memory Foam Mattress is our top budget choice and usually retailing for $359 for a queen (if you’re quick, you can buy it for $244 in the Black Friday mattress deals.) Read on for our top mattress pick for back sleepers, as chosen by sleep experts…
1. The best mattress for back sleepers
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide, Future Plc)
Simply the best back sleeper mattress for most people
Specifications
Type: Innerspring hybrid
Materials: Dual coils, foam
Firmness (1-10): Plush soft (3), luxury firm (5-7), firm (8)
Height: 11.5″ or 14.5″
Sleep trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Our review score: ★★★★★
Reasons to buy
+
Multiple firmness and height options
+
Supportive from edge to edge
+
Breathable construction & materials
+
Free in-home delivery
Reasons to avoid
–
$99 return or exchange fee
–
600lbs max weight capacity
Overview
The Saatva Classic is a luxury innerspring style hybrid mattress that earned a near-perfect score in our Saatva Classic mattress review. In fact, it’s the best hybrid mattress we’ve ever tested. It’s our top recommendation for back sleepers, thanks to its blend of cushioning comfort and soothing lumbar support for healthy spinal alignment.
The Classic comes in two heights, 11.5” and 14.5”, and three firmness options, Plush Soft, Luxury Firm and Firm, which makes it suitable for practically everyone. If you’re a back sleeper and weigh in the region of 160-240lbs, we recommend the Luxury Firm. For those who genuinely like a harder bed, opt for the Firm.
You’ll pay $2,139 for a queen Saatva Classic at full MSRP, but that comes down to $1,739 in this year’s Saatva Black Friday sales, with $400 off all sizes with our semi-exclusive link. After recent tariff price increases, that’s the lowest price you can expect to pay for this bed.
You might balk at the price, even taking regular Saatva mattress sales into account. However, when you consider how it’s packed with premium, organic materials and its quality, handcrafted design, it becomes apparent that this is a mattress that is built to last and well worth the investment. It comes with a 365-night sleep trial, lifetime warranty and free white glove delivery.
What we like about it…
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✅ Soothing back support: Features such as phenomenal pressure relief, Zoned Lumbar Quilting and a dual coil support system that contours to your back mean that your spine is kept in healthy alignment while you sleep. It’s approved by the American Chiropractic Association, which is partly why we rate it as the best mattress for back pain for most people.
✅ Reliable temperature regulation: The Classic isn’t marketed as a cooling mattress, but it scored a full 5 out of 5 during our recent temperature regulation tests, in which we monitored heat absorption and heat dissipation. It’s one of the best cooling mattresses you can buy, making it a safe option for hot sleepers.
✅ Comfortable right up to the edge: The Saatva Classic scored an impressive 5 out of 5 for edge support during recent retesting, which means you can sleep comfortably right to the very edge. That’s great news for anyone who shares a bed, and for those who like (or need) to sit before standing.
What we don’t like about it
❌ 600lbs weight capacity: The Classic has been designed to accommodate sleepers with a combined maximum weight of 600lbs. That means that if you or anyone you share a bed exceeds 300lbs you’ll need a mattress with a higher weight capacity, like the Bear Elite Hybrid at #3 or the Winkbed Plus, at #5 in the guide.
❌ Paid returns: We can’t imagine anyone ordering the Saatva Classic and not immediately falling in love with it. However, on the off chance that the Classic doesn’t live up to your expectations, you’ll be liable for a $99 return or exchange fee.
Expert verdict
Nicola Appleton
Sleep Editor
I recently had the chance to test the Saatva Classic mattress and was blown away by how immediately comfortable it was and luxurious it felt. I tested the Classic in Luxury Firm, which was superbly supportive for both back and side sleepers. That makes it an excellent choice for combination sleepers, or for couples with different sleep needs. A queen is $2,139 at full MSRP, which places it in the premium price category, but it’s actually competitively priced for a mattress of this calibre.
Read more: Saatva Classic Mattress review
Our review score: ★★★★★
Today’s best Saatva Classic Mattress deals
2. The best cheap mattress for back sleepers
(Image credit: Future)
Budget friendly, impressive, and incredibly supportive for back sleeping
Specifications
Type: Memory foam
Materials: Memory foam, other foams
Firmness (1-10): 8
Height: 10″
Sleep trial: 180nights
Warranty: 10 years
Our review score: ★★★★
Today’s best Siena 10″ Memory Foam Mattress deals
Reasons to buy
+
Lots of support
+
Great motion isolation
+
Regulates heat well
+
Amazingly affordable
Reasons to avoid
–
Not for side sleepers
–
May not be very durable
Overview
As well as being the best cheap mattress you can buy, the Siena Signature Memory Foam Mattress is supremely comfortable for back sleepers. It’s a 10” all foam mattress that out-performs other models in much higher price categories, offering excellent all-round comfort and support.
With a firmness rating of 8.5 out of 10, the Siena is one of the best firm mattresses we’ve ever tested. That means that you won’t get the typical ‘hug’ of most other memory foam mattresses, instead you’ll be kept aloft by firm with corner to corner support for anyone who likes to sleep right up to the bed’s edge.
Temperature regulation is surprisingly decent for an all-foam mattress in this price category, while edge support is excellent (you can sleep right up to the bed’s edge). As you would expect from one of the best memory foam mattresses of the year, it also dampens motion across the surface of the mattress well.
It costs $359 for a queen at full MSRP, but Amazon occasionally undercuts that price during major sale events during the year. Right now, you’ll pay $244 for a queen at Amazon, which is the lowest price we’ve ever tracked this mattress.
What we like about it…
✅ Reliable temperature regulation: Considering its low price, all-foam build and complete lack of specific cooling technology, we found that the Siena regulated temperature surprisingly well.
✅ Excellent motion isolation: As you would expect from one of the best memory foam mattresses we’ve ever tested, the Siena dampens motion incredibly well. That means that if you share with a restless sleeper, you’re unlikely to be disturbed by their nocturnal fidgeting.
✅ Exceptional value for money: With a queen typically priced at $359, the Siena Signature is an absolute bargain and doesn’t feel cheap; in fact it outperforms many more expensive beds.
What we don’t like about it
❌ Potential issues with durability: When buying a mattress within this lower price category, concessions need to be made. While the Siena outperforms many mattresses double its price in terms of comfort and support, there are potential issues with durability. For a firm all-foam mattress that will last longer, try the Plank Firm in our ‘Also tested’ section instead.
❌ Not suitable for combination sleepers: As a firm mattress, the Siena is supremely comfortable for back and stomach sleepers. However, everyone on our testing panel found it to be too firm to be a feasible option for side sleepers. If you sleep exclusively on your back, that won’t be a problem. But combination sleepers will need something with a little bit of give, so try the Nectar Classic instead.
Expert verdict
Nicola Apppleton
Sleep Editor
I recently had the chance to test the Siena and was really impressed by just how comfortable it is when lying on your back. It feels surprisingly firm as soon as you lie on it, but gently contours around your lumbar, resulting in a blissful, weightless feeling. Senior Sleep Writer Ruth Jones has been sleeping on the Siena for the past two months and calls it a “dream” for back sleepers.
Read more: Siena Signature Memory Foam Mattress review
Our review score: ★★★★
Today’s best Siena 10″ Memory Foam Mattress deals
3. The best cooling mattress for back sleepers
(Image credit: Future)
A top cooling mattress for back sleepers with zoned lumbar support
Specifications
Type: Hybrid
Materials: Coils, foam
Firmness (1-10): Soft (5), Medium (6) or Firm (7)
Height: 14″
Sleep trial: 120 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Our review score: ★★★★
Reasons to buy
+
Three firmness options
+
Active cooling features
+
Responsive feel
+
Easy to move about on
Reasons to avoid
–
Not the best edge support
–
Some motion transfer
Overview
We’ve recently retested the Bear Elite Hybrid, confirming its crown as the best cooling mattress you can buy (providing you invest in the optional Celliant-infused cover). During testing, the Bear shed an astonishing 7.2°F of heat in under a minute, making this the ideal choice for hot sleepers. With its combination of Celliant-infused cover and other advanced cooling materials that include copper foams and Phase Change Material, the Bear Elite Hybrid kept our testers cool throughout the night.
Temperature regulation is vital for a good night’s sleep, but it’s not the only factor that makes a good mattress. The reason the Bear is ideal for back sleepers is down to its zoned coils, with the coils in the middle third of the bed being a higher gauge to provide extra support to the lumbar region. This means the spine is kept perfectly aligned as you lie on the bed. You’ll also get plenty of comfort from the quilted cover and foams, meaning the Bear gives sleepers fantastic pressure relief. The Bear Elite Hybrid is also customizable, with the medium and firm options probably being best suited to back sleepers, depending on your body weight and preferred firmness feel.
Bear’s Black Friday deals are already live, and our exclusive code TOMS40 will give you 40% off all sizes of the Bear Elite Hybrid. This takes a queen down to $1,627.20 (MSRP $2,570) and Bear is also throwing in a bedding bundle of a mattress protector, pillows and a sheet set. The sleep trial is for 120 nights, and you’ll also get a lifetime warranty plus free shipping and returns.
What we like about it…
✅ Fantastic temperature regulation: Packed full of specialist cooling materials, the Bear Elite Hybrid is designed to keep you cool at night, drawing away and dispersing heat from the body. The optional Celliant cover is a must for hot sleepers.
✅ Customization options: The mattress comes in soft, medium and firm options — we tested the medium option and found it ideal for most sleepers, although lighter weight sleepers will probably appreciate the soft and heavier weight sleepers, the firm.
✅ Zoned lumbar support: Lumbar support is crucial for back sleepers to keep their spine aligned and body free from aches and pains. The Bear doesn’t disappoint here, with the coils featuring ergonomic zoned support with stronger springs in the middle third of the mattress.
What we don’t like about it
❌ Motion isolation isn’t great: You’ll feel your partner moving around next to you because of the bounciness of this mattress. Our lab tests showed that while the Bear initially absorbs motion well, the residual movement does carry across the mattress, which could disturb another sleeper.
❌ Celliant cover costs extra: Slightly annoyingly, the Celliant cover costs extra to buy, although our offer means it will only add $85 to your bill. But if you want to enjoy the full cooling effects of the mattress, you will need to shell out.
Expert verdict
Eve Davies
Sleep Tech Product Tester and Writer
I’ve slept on the Bear Elite for well over a month and can easily see why it deserves a spot in this guide. I’m a combination sleeper who spends a lot of time on their back and often sleeps hot (until I began sleeping on the Bear Elite, that is). The Bear Elite provides ample support for the hips and plenty of cushioning around the shoulder blades, all while wicking away hot flashes through the night.
Read more: Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review
Our review score: ★★★★
Today’s best Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress deals
4. The best firm mattress for back sleepers
(Image credit: Future)
The ideal mattress for back sleepers who love firm beds
Specifications
Type: Memory foam hybrid
Materials: Memory foam, other foam, coils
Firmness (1-10): 8
Height: 11.5″
Sleep trial: 100 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Our review score: ★★★★½
Reasons to buy
+
All-over support
+
Very firm feel
+
Pressure relief for back sleepers
+
Cooling and support upgrades available
Reasons to avoid
–
Retains some heat
–
Less support at corner
Overview
Helix’s USP is that it has a mattress for every sleeping style and body type, with the Helix Dawn being a firm mattress designed for back and stomach sleepers. We think it’s one of the best firm mattresses we’ve tested, providing full body support and plenty of pressure relief.
Although there’s no enhanced lumbar support, the Helix Dawn combines multiple firm foam layers with a spring base that straightens the back and keeps the spine firmly aligned. If you’re a back pain sufferer, there is also the option to upgrade with an ErgoAlign layer of foam that’s specifically designed to ease aches and pains, although this will currently add $187 to your purchase price. However, our tester found that it eased her aches and pains even without this layer and that there’s plenty of responsive pressure relief from the foam layers. Motion transfer and edge support are excellent, but there is a tiny bit of heat retention which could be an issue if you’re a hot sleeper.
Evergreen Helix mattress deals mean you’ll never pay full price for the mattress, but our exclusive discount code TOMS27 gives you 27% off the Dawn over Black Friday. That means you can pick up a queen for $972.36 (MSRP $1,332) and you’ll also get a 120-night trial, lifetime warranty and free shipping and returns.
What we like about it…
✅ Fantastic pressure relief: You won’t sink into the Dawn mattress but there’s still plenty of pressure relief and cradling from the foam and spring layers, meaning your pressure points will be supported and soothed.
✅ Full body support: Because the mattress is designed to be firmer, you’ll feel supported from your head to your toes, with your spine kept aligned and your hips lifted when you’re sleeping on your back or stomach.
✅ It has some customization options: As well as the aforementioned ErgoAlign layer to help with back ache, you can also upgrade to a GlacioTex cooling cover to help keep your temperature regulated through the night.
What we don’t like about it
❌ Can retain a little heat: If you’re a hot sleeper you’ll definitely want to invest in that GlacioTex cooling cover. The Helix Dawn isn’t bad at temperature regulation, but it can hold on to a little heat, meaning it’s not the best option for very hot sleepers.
❌ Not suitable for side sleepers: In fairness to Helix, this mattress isn’t advertised for side sleepers who would certainly find it too firm and unyielding to cushion their pressure points. But if you do want a firm mattress that is designed for side sleepers, the Helix Twilight will fit the bill.
Expert verdict
Ruth Jones
Senior Sleep Staff Writer
The Helix Dawn has been designed for back sleepers and side sleepers — honestly, it hits the nail on the head. It’s firm, so your body is held straight, but responsive, so it moves when you move to keep the touch points cradled. It might not feel luxurious but the build is sturdy and high quality, so I think you’re getting an excellent value mattress at $999 for a queen.
Read more: Helix Dawn mattress review
Our review score: ★★★★½
Today’s best Helix Dawn Mattress deals
5. The best mattress for back sleepers with back pain
(Image credit: WinkBed)
A luxury hybrid back sleeper mattress that cushions anyone with back pain
Specifications
Type: Hybrid
Materials: Coils, memory foam, other foams
Firmness (1-10): Softer (4.5), Luxury Firm (6.5), Firmer (7.5), Plus (8)
Height: 13.5″
Sleep trial: 120 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Our review score: ★★★★½
Reasons to buy
+
Four firmness options
+
Zoned support for the back
+
Great pressure relief
+
Tested for durabilty
Reasons to avoid
–
Average temperature regulation
–
Cooling cover is a paid upgrade
–
$49 fee to exchange
Overview
One of the best mattresses for back pain you can buy, the WinkBed’s secret lies in its zoned support system, which gives sleepers firmer support in the lumbar region but still provides plenty of cushioning comfort around pressure points. The brand’s 3-Step Back Relief System is designed to align the spine and joints, helping to eliminate any aches and pains, and this is combined with the Lumbar Layer that adds extra support in the middle third of the mattress.
Much like the Saatva Classic, the WinkBed is customizable but in this case you’ll get four options. The Soft version is better suited to side sleepers, or those that are very lightweight, but the Luxury Firm and Firm could both appeal to back sleepers, thanks to their more rigid support. Finally, there’s also a Plus version aimed at sleepers weighing over 300lbs.
The WinkBed pricing structure has sadly recently changed, with prices increasing as brands cope with mattress tariffs. A queen size is on offer for $1,799 with 30% off in the WinkBeds Black Friday sales and you’ll also get a 120-night trial, lifetime warranty and free shipping and returns. Do note, the Plus version is more expensive and currently $1,999 for a queen.
What we like about it…
✅ Customizable options: The four different firmness options available with the WinkBed means you can pick the best fit for both your sleeping style and body weight.
✅ Exceptional lumbar support: Thanks to the brand’s 3-Step Back Relief System and enhanced lumbar support, you’ll never find your spine slipping out of alignment with the WinkBed and it should help to alleviate aches and pains.
✅ Excellent edge support: This is another mattress with excellent edge support, allowing sleepers to utilize the full width of the bed.
What we don’t like about it
❌ Average temperature regulation: Temperature regulation on the WinkBed is average at best so if you’re a hot sleeper you’ll want to take advantage of the brand’s new cooling cover option.
❌ Lacks a hotel finish: Compared with the Saatva Classic, the WinkBed looks a little less premium and lacks the hotel finish we’d expect from a premium mattress.
Expert verdict
Jo Plumridge
Mattress tester and sleep writer
With its fantastic lumbar support and dedicated 3-Step Back Relief System, the WinkBed is my pick for back sleepers with back pain. You’ll find that your spine stays perfectly aligned in this bed, which is essential for avoiding aches and pains. I also love the fact that there are four different firmness options, meaning this really is a mattress for all body types.
Read more: WinkBed mattress review
Our review score: ★★★★½
Today’s best WinkBeds The WinkBed deals
Also tested
We’ve tested lots of mattresses of all kinds at Tom’s Guide. The following mattresses might not have made the final cut, but they’re still worth looking at if you’re a back sleeper.
How we test
Finding the right mattress is a tricky task, as well as a large financial investment, so we understand you need to get it right.
To create well-rounded reviews that accurately capture how a mattress will feel to most sleepers, we combine subjective and objective data from in-depth testing. This takes place both in our Sleep Lab and at home (every mattress we review goes home with an expert where it’s used for at least three weeks.)
For back sleepers, it’s important that a mattress can provide support and pressure relief across the shoulders, spine and lumbar region. We ask a testing panel featuring a variety of sleep needs and body types to try each mattress and relay how it supports and cushions the body.
This provides us with a subjective overview of the mattress which we back up with objective data from our pressure relief weight tests. We place 10kg and 25kg weights at select areas on the mattress (roughly where the body applies the most pressure.) Using a laser pen, we measure how far the weights sink and how quickly the materials bounce back when pressure is removed.
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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Back sleepers need even support (you don’t want more sink at different parts of the body) with some cushioning to maintain the natural curve of the spine and prevent pressure build-up.
Beyond comfort, we consider performance aspects: temperature regulation, edge support and motion isolation.
A mattress with good temperature regulation disperses excess heat quickly to prevent warmth from building up — we use a thermal camera to watch it happen, in addition to feedback from our testers.
We also measure edge support, again using our trusty weights. On a mattress with strong edges the weights will sink a similar amount at the sides and center, indicating robust support for sitting. We also use a roll off test (literally how close can we get to the edge before rolling off.) For back sleepers, good edge support means you can lie close to the side and still enjoy even support across the body.
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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Finally, motion isolation is an important metric for co-sleepers. We use an accelerometer to measure how much force transfers across the mattress when a slam ball is dropped onto the bed. We also do hands-on testing; jumping on the bed to annoy our coworkers and see how much movement they felt.
The subjective and objective data is combined to provide a score out of five for each aspect. These scores are then used to determine our overall rating. For this guide, we assessed our top scoring mattresses for back sleeping comfort — only the very best make it in.
For a detailed breakdown of our testing process and why it matters, check out our mattress testing methodology.
Back sleeper mattress FAQs
Is Black Friday a good time to buy a mattress for back sleepers?
The short answer is yes. Black Friday is a great time to invest in a new mattress, with all the major online brands and many physical stores offering great discounts. You’ll also find that retailers such as Amazon, Walmart and Mattress Firm join in on the action, so this is prime time to grab a discount. Many online brands have already launched their Black Friday sales, so there’s no need to wait for the actual day itself, although you may see some flash sales and bundles included on Black Friday and through to Cyber Monday. It’s important to remember that not all deals are as good as they look on paper, so we’d advise bookmarking our Black Friday mattress deals page so you can see where we’d recommend spending your money.
Black Friday was the original ‘big’ sale day but in recent years we’ve seen equally high discounts during other major sales events such as Labor Day and Memorial Day. We’ll be watching to see if this Black Friday beats the other sales of 2025 but, overall, this is still undoubtedly the best time of year to pick up a discounted mattress.
Which mattress type is best for back sleepers?
As we said at the top of this guide, mattress firmness is subjective and depends on body type and sleeping preferences. But, in general, the best type of mattress for back sleepers will err on the firmer side of medium firm. This is because back sleepers need to make sure that their lumbar region is adequately supported as they sleep, in order to avoid the spine dipping out of alignment and causing back issues. Do bear in mind that the more you weigh, the firmer a mattress you’ll probably need in order to get the same levels of support.
How to choose a mattress for back sleepers
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to mattresses so, if you’re a back sleeper, consider these points before you part with your money:
Body weight: The best type of mattress for back sleepers will be heavily influenced by your body weight. Lighter weight sleepers need more cushioning around the pressure points of the shoulders and hips, which are likely to be a little more on the bony side, so should look for a slightly softer mattress. Whereas heavier weights will need more support to keep their spine aligned. The best mattresses for heavy people, such as the Plank Firm listed above, will provide that support and stop heavier bodies sinking too far into the mattress. Average weight sleepers will probably find a medium firm mattress the most comfortable, as it combines enough comfort and support to provide the perfect balance.
Sleep needs: In addition to a comfortable mattress, you’ll also want to consider motion isolation, edge support and temperature regulation. If you share your bed with a restless sleeper, you’ll want to ensure that your mattress can absorb enough motion to stop you being woken up every time said partner rolls over. Likewise, good edge support allows you to stretch out and use the full width of your mattress so that you’re not too close to a flailing partner. And it also allows you to sit comfortably on the edge of the bed while getting dressed. Temperature regulation is particularly important to hot sleepers prone to overheating but even the most reptilian of sleepers won’t want to sleep in a bed that traps heat and leaves you feeling clammy. So, it’s important to choose a mattress that can keep your temperature consistent through the night.
Sleep trial & warranty: Buying a mattress online is incredibly quick and easy, and can be done without you leaving your sofa. But the downside of buying online is that you can’t try out the mattress before you purchase it. That’s why it’s imperative to make sure your chosen mattress comes with a decent sleep trial. You should look for a trial of at least 100 days but you will find some brands offering a full year, such as Saatva and DreamCloud. This gives you plenty of time to trial the mattress at home and make sure it’s a perfect fit. A warranty is also essential as it will protect you against any manufacturing faults and errors. A 10-year warranty is considered the industry standard, but some brands offer 25-year and even lifetime warranties.
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