Our Highest Rated Pillow For Back Sleeping You Can Buy in 2021

We are all different when it comes to the bedroom. Some of us like to sleep with the window open, others prefer a climate that might resemble a warm nest, and others like to sleep in the nude. None of it matters really – as long as we get enough quality sleep, everything is in the green zone.

Our sleeping position defines us also. The majority of people sleep on their side, about seventy percent to be exact. And then, more of us love to slumber it out on our front. And those of us who are left prefer reclining on our backs – we couldn’t imagine anything more comfortable.

But there are a few things to consider no matter which position you sleep – the mattress and the cushion come to mind. For our purposes in this article, we are going to focus on back sleepers, and this review guide will hopefully make it easier for you to make the best decisions regarding the pillow cushion.

As you read, you will encounter lots of information, and our favorite top pillow picks for your type of sleeper.

Don’t forget to read our complete list of the best-rated pillows in the world.

Why Back Sleepers Need a Special Pillow

Those of us who are so-called back sleepers have specific requirements when it comes to the mattress and pillows.

In general, a relatively flat orthopedic neck support pillow is the first choice for people who prefer to sleep on their backs. In combination with a point-elastic mattress, you will sleep perfectly.

Most people who sleep this way move relatively little during the night. Those who fall asleep on their back usually wake up in the position they fell asleep. Therefore, when choosing an optimal cushion, you should pay particular attention to the correct head and neck posture. Factors such as pillow flexibility are also important, but less so than for other sleeping positions.

The right sleeping position for the back sleeper is characterized by the fact that your spine adopts its natural S-shape. To do this, the neck and the head must be adequately supported so that the head rests at its lowest point in relation to the neck. The most common mistake is an overly elevated head positioning, which warps the spine’s S-shape into a bow-shaped curve.

The neck pillow or neck support cushion is considered the most suitable as a back sleeping cushion. The characteristic shape (cuboid, for example, 18×31 inches, as well as undulating with an indentation for the head) keeps your head in the optimal position for the correct spinal alignment. We will look into the materials in more detail in a later section.

How the Product is Constructed

Considering that the average person sleeps a third of their lives, investing in comfortable bedding seems like a breeze and the most logical thing to do. But with the number of options on the market, finding the perfect cushion with the ideal construction can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you prefer a specific sleeping position.

For a back sleeper, a firm, high loft cushion with head and neck slopes ensures the best spinal alignment, which is required for a comfortable sleep.

So, let us move on and get a good look at what constitutes the best pillow construction for back sleep.

• The cushion choice is relatively simple: Since people who prefer sleeping in this position usually remain still and do not cuddle with the cushion, we recommend a neck support option that supports the head in an orthopedically correct way. Softer natural fiber or buckwheat pillow is also recommended.
• You do not place your heads as high as side sleepers – so when buying a neck support cushion, be sure that you can reduce the loft or cushion height – shredded latex and memory foam are outstanding options.

Materials Used Inside

Memory Foam

Memory foam is one of the best-known materials around – developed by NASA for astronauts, this stuff contours to the shape of the physique, reducing the G-force pressure produced by the takeoff. And this substance acts pretty much the same in mattresses and pillows.

The viscoelastic nature of memory foam reacts to body heat and adapts to your head’s shape and neck in pillows. Some people may find that memory foam sleeps too hot. For this reason, you must make sure that infused elements like copper, gel or an open cell structure are given for breathability.

Memory foam can serve back sleepers well because of all the contouring properties. Also, it is a very versatile material and often shredded in pillows for breathability, support and loft adaptation. Memory foam gets the job done, but if you do not like delayed surface adaptation and the sinking feeling, then it may not be the stuff for your cushion.

Cotton

Cotton is a natural substance frequently used in pillow manufacturing. The great thing about cotton is that it is eco-friendly due to the fiber sustainability and also it is incredibly breathable and perfect for hot nights.

In addition, cotton is washable at high temperatures of up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit – you can easily keep your cushion clean and free of dirt particles and dust mites.

For back sleeping, cotton may not be firm enough to support the neck and upper spine. Having said that, many brands tout the firmness of their products. On the downside, cotton tends to bunch over time, reducing the longevity and cushion effectiveness.

This material is soft if you get a product with a higher thread count – but this is not as important for back sleepers because the front of your face rarely comes into contact with the cushion.

Bamboo

Contrary to what the material suggests, it is is not firm. Bamboo pillows are voluminous and airy, and the feel is more like Synthepon. As a starting material for the bedding filler, young bamboo shoots are split and exposed to a chemical treatment. Afterward, the chemicals are removed, leaving a purely natural product.

The covers for these pillows are traditionally sewn from bamboo fabric, but conventional cotton is also often used in conjuncture with bamboo.

All about bamboo

• Bamboo fiber is hypoallergenic.
• Highly breathable / Cool – you will not suffer from heat and discomfort and a sweaty head – see our top pillows to stay cool.
• Bamboo pillows are moderately firm and retain their shape – perfect if you complain of neck pain or have problems with the spine – a good solution for sleeping on your back.
• Bamboo is durable and relatively inexpensive.
• Over time, your bamboo item may shrink in size – to delay the inevitable; you need to shake it regularly.
• Not ideal in very humid climates as moisture gets retained.

Gel

A gel bedding product is a particular type of sleeping pillow that is either completely filled with gel or acts as a component in for example memory foam pillows.

The principle is straightforward. The gel contained in the cushion is displaced within the cushion when pressure is applied, and the gel pad automatically adapts to the individual anatomical conditions. Through the gel, the contact pressure of the body is thus distributed evenly over the entire surface, and the neck is relieved.

Main gel characteristics

• Due to the gel filling, the pillow adapts very well to your head and neck area.
• Gel pads provide an excellent support function and relieve neck, shoulders, and back.
• When the sleeping position changes, the gel pad automatically adapts.
• Hypoallergenic
• No animals need suffer in the production process

For whom is gel suitable?

Gel pillows are mainly intended for side and back sleepers. For the front, however, most gel cushions are less suitable because they are too high.

Polyester

In general, synthetic fiber pillows are relatively cheap to buy and also suitable for allergy sufferers – mites do not find the necessary breeding ground in polyester products.

Polyester pillows generally have a shorter lifespan than down or feather pillows. The filling material wears out quickly or the fill clumps. Therefore, this material should not or only be washed by hand. Washers can tear the adjacent fibers apart, resulting in them sticking together.

The situation is different with polyester balls. If a pillow is filled with many individual pieces of synthetic fiber, clumping will not occur even after a wash cycle. In addition, these fillings can repeatedly be shaken, so that the shape and volume are retained.

Also, the filling quantity is variable. Depending on your wishes, the cushion can be filled with many or few fiber balls. Polyester is supportive and breathable – possibly a good solution if you sleep on your back.

Buckwheat Hulls

When we think of cushions, things like clouds or fluffy cotton balls come to mind because we associate them with something soft. However, if the weight of the head collapses the cushion’s structure, then you will not get the right support you need. To maintain good posture during sleep your neck requires proper support.

Buckwheat pillows provide excellent support and are obtained from sustainable sources.

A buckwheat product can do that because the kernels do not compress while you are asleep, so when you are in a comfy position, your neck and head are molded into the pillow suitably.

Buckwheat hulls act as the ideal pillow fillers

Millions of hulls can be found a buckwheat pillow. The hulls or kernels move and stack on one another when you shift your head – the movement remains until you find the most comfortable position and the individual parts fit into place. The downside is that the individual hulls make rustling noises when you move.

Multiple Materials

As with mattresses, there are pillows with a physical makeup out of various materials. In the bedding industry, they are referred to as hybrid products. Manufacturers attempt to incorporate the best of breed elements to produce the very top-rated product with multiple advantages. You will see that one of the pillows we reviewed for this article contains a blend of memory foam and natural Kapok fiber.

Another hybrid option is an amalgamation of latex with a bamboo cover – the natural latex is durable, breathable and has active surface adaptation. The bamboo element, as we have seen in a previous section, is also breathable and soft to the touch.

A shredded fill pillow will invariably include two different materials like for example memory foam with gel. If you sleep on your back, looking into a hybrid bedding product can be a good idea if you pay attention to the different components so that you get it right.

Your Partner Might Need a Different Pillow

Back Sleeper

If you sleep on your back, your mattress and pillow must work together so that your spine receives optimal alignment. The top way to do this is to sleep on a medium to firm mattress so that the slightly protruding buttocks sink into the sleeping surface and the shoulder blades are supported. Then, the pillow should accommodate the cervical spine through subtle cradling so that the head can rest.

As long as you neck finds the proper support, you will be fine on your back. The pillow need not be too firm so that the back of your head can sink into the cushion. Make sure that you do not sink too much because you may feel constricted and get hot, especially if the material is memory foam.

Another thing to watch out for is the pillow loft. If it is too high, the neck will feel strained possibly resulting in neck pain.

Side Sleeper

Side sleepers have the hardest job when it comes to bedding accouterments. The main reason for this is the fact that sleeping on the side involves a tad more observation regarding the firmness of a mattress and the pillow loft.

To achieve optimal spinal alignment, the bed must support the hip area and allow for sufficient sinking for the shoulder. Like this, the spine is correctly aligned all the way up to the neck. And this is where the pillow comes to play.

The most important thing is that the loft of the pillow reflects the height of your shoulder in relation to your cervical spine. If the cushion is too low, for example, then the head will dip down, adding tension to the neck muscles – at this juncture, it is important to say that the head is heavy so dipping will occur quickly.

Stomach Sleeper

Many people love sleeping on their fronts. It feels cozy and warm, and one is fully connected to the mattress. However, the pillow does not play the same crucial role for front sleepers as it does for side and back sleepers.

As the front of the body touches the bed, especially the pelvic area needs uplift and the ribcage adequate give, resulting in optimal spine alignment. Pillows for tummy sleep need not be overly high so as to avoid an unnatural bending of the cervical spine – excessively high pillows will tilt the head back, causing strain to your neck.

For this reason, many people who sleep on their fronts prefer to sleep without a cushion. We don’t recommend doing this because the best-quality cushion will keep the head in place – you just have to keep an eye out for the dimensions.

Combination Sleeper

Are you someone who falls asleep on your back and wakes up on your front or side the following morning? Many people switch positions during the night. This type of combination sleeper requires a versatile pillow that can cater to multiple positions.

For this reason, molded or fixed pillows are not ideal as they focus primarily on one particular position. For example, cervical spine pillows designed for back sleepers will feel supremely uncomfortable if your change position in the night.

Consider a high-quality memory foam or latex cushion for versatility. Down cushions also do a good job. The most important attribute is that the cushion surface is fast adaptable and silent – buckwheat drops out of the race at this point because the kernels rustle with movement. Another thing to watch out for is that the mattress plays along with your pillow.

If you love to sleep on the side but have neck pain go here.

Top Pillows for Back Sleepers Reviewed

The Layla bedding company knows what they are doing – this company is a real consumer favorite. And we assume that it has to do with the copper-infused elements to the memory foam and Kapok fill mix. Copper acts as a heat conductor, allowing for cool and refreshing sleep. Also, this metal is anti-microbial and hypoallergenic with anti-inflammatory properties – an excellent all-rounder for the pillow.

The Kapok fill along with the fiber elements in the cover is breathable and very soft to the touch. Throw in the memory foam, and you have a pillow that contours perfectly to your head. The Layla is one of the best bedding products for back sleepers.

This bird-friendly alternative is almost as soft and plush as a down fill. You will feel cozy and supported with the Layla and maybe a little nostalgic because it will remind you of the down cushion you slept on as a child.

Shredded memory foam allows for the name, Nest Bedding Easy Breather because of the individual shredded parts that allow for optimal airflow and heat transference. You will sleep cool no matter the time of the year.

The Nest Bedding Easy Breather mimics down pillows concerning softness, luxuriousness, and plushness. And the best thing about it is that you can adjust the loft by simply removing or adding shredded memory foam. This item is undoubtedly perfect if you sleep on your side – actually, It’s ideal for any sleeper type.

This cushion comes in the Standard, Queen and King sizes – excellent for every size of bed. And you won’t be able to get enough of the soft and silky breathable Tencel cover that is softer than cotton. The back of your head will instantly feel cradled into sleeping nirvana.

Putting your head onto the Purple pillow is like discovering an entirely new world because there is nothing much like it in the bedding industry today. Hundreds of little triangles bedecking the surface provide extra comfort to the head. Also, this gridding technology directs air throughout the cushion so that the head won’t get hot during the night.

The state-of-the-art hyper-elastic polymer maintains the shape of the pillow for extended durations of time – in theory, the company claims that their product will never fall out of shape. The design promises to support any kind of sleeper whether they are on their side, back or front.

And say goodbye to irritating fluffing thanks to the purple stuff that constitutes the material makeup. In short, the Purple is the pillow that does things, and there is nothing else like it.

Our Final Thoughts

So, as we started this article with the words, ‘we are all different when it comes to the bedroom,’ we shall end it on the same note. Individuality and personal preference are a blessing – it is what defines us as human beings.

And now, in conclusion, we will go one step further thanks to the things we learned and target our initial claim with the words that we are all different when it comes to the position in which we sleep. Sure, seventy percent of people prefer lying on the front, while approximately twelve percent of people like it on their back – but still, despite generalizations, we still define ourselves individually.

And if you’re a back sleeper the pillow is one of the best ways to do precisely that in the sanctity of our bedrooms. So, if you like sleeping on your back, do the proper research so that you can decide what it is that you want. You have already done an excellent job by sticking with us until the end of this – that’s commitment for you.

And for this reason, we are confident that you will find precisely the right bedding product for your head. You now know what you have to look out for and what materials are best – so, good luck with the pillow hunt.

Sources:

• Pillow Support and Comfort – https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/pillow-support-and-comfort
• Your Pillow May Not Guarantee a Good Night’s Sleep or Symptom-Free Waking – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3076923/