Buying Guide: The Best Mattresses For Back Sleepers

Woman sleeping on her back using a sleep mask

by Sleep First 6 min read

Just like a go-to morning coffee order or a favorite old t-shirt, everyone has one. And believe it or not, your preferred sleeping position plays a big role in what mattress you should be sleeping on. So in order to know which mattress is best, you’ll want to answer this question: do you prefer to sleep on your side, your back, or your stomach?

Today we’re continuing our sleep position guide with the position that many sleep experts praise but few sleepers actually prefer: back sleeping. If you're a back sleeper, you're in luck! Experts generally consider back sleeping to be ideal, thought only about 10% of us naturally sleep that way. Back sleeping is excellent for your back and spinal health, as well as for proper circulation-- as long as you're sleeping on the right mattress!

So, what are the best mattresses for back sleepers? In general, back sleepers do best with medium-firm mattresses, as they provide a more consistent support for your pressure points. If you go too soft, you could end up with sinking hips and a sore back. But go too firm and you'll likely have too much resistance on your hips and shoulders, also resulting in back pain. 

The key is to find the firmness sweet spot: soft enough that the small of your back can rest comfortably on the mattress, but firm enough that your hips and shoulders are equally supported.  If you like what you're reading and are wondering what your options are, here are a few of our favorite hybrid mattress picks from Tempur-Pedic and Sealy:

Tempur-Adapt Mattress in Medium

The Tempur-Adapt medium mattress provides the optimal amount of support for a back sleeper. It pairs premium spring coils with their original Tempur support layer for a perfect blend of comfort and pressure-relief. Additionally, it’s innovative cover provides a cooling feeling, keeping you comfortable all night long. 

Sealy Hybrid Chill Mattress

With the Sealy Hybrid Chill, you get the comfort of memory foam with the support of traditional springs, making it perfect for back sleepers. Additionally, you get their exclusive Posturepedic Technology™ with innovative cover technologies, which provide ever more support. It's DuoChill™ cooling system keeps you at the perfect temperature, while it's Immersion™ advanced memory foam and Comfortsense™ foam conform to your unique shape and provide you with a breathable, comfortable sleep.


When you’re considering which mattress is right for you, you’ll want to take into account your own individual comfort preferences and circumstances, as well as your preferred sleeping position. The best way to know which mattress feels just right is to come in to a store and try out the options for yourself! When you’re ready to find your next mattress, come visit us at your nearest Sleep First. We’ll be waiting to help guide you towards your perfect night’s sleep.

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