Best Pillows for Back Sleepers: 2025 Guide + Reviews

Key Takeaways

• The right pillow helps provide proper spinal alignment and neck support for a comfortable night’s sleep.

• Most back sleepers do best with medium loft pillows. Soft, medium, and medium-firm pillows can all work well if the pillow provides enough support.
• Latex, memory foam, and GelFlex Grid® pillows typically provide the best support for back sleepers. Purple pillows are also made from hypoallergenic materials that offer cooling properties to promote comfort.
• Pillows with adjustable fill or height allow for personalized support so you can find the most comfortable option.

A quality mattress goes a long way in helping back sleepers rest comfortably at night — but so does the right pillow. An unsuitable pillow can negatively impact your spinal alignment, neck and back comfort, and overall sleep quality, leaving you stiff and tired in the morning. This makes finding the best pillow for back sleepers an essential part of your sleep health. 

With a pillow tailored to your sleep style and comfort preferences, you can achieve the support you need to sleep soundly throughout the night. Fortunately, Purple has plenty of great options to support quality sleep.

Enjoy Cooling Comfort and Support

Honeycomb GelFlex Grid® provides soothing pressure relief while keeping you cool. 

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Read along to learn more about the best pillows for back sleepers.

Best for Best for Side and Back Sleepers: Purple Harmony™ Pillow

Alternative for: Avocado Molded Organic Latex Pillow

If you’re looking for the best pillow for back and side sleepers that will help you stay asleep, look no further than the Purple Harmony™ Pillow. Made with a Honeycomb GelFlex Grid® and Talalay latex, this pillow combines an airy, bouncy feel with pressure-relieving support and incredible temperature balancing.

These materials are extremely durable and long-lasting, so whether you prefer a low, medium, or tall loft, you can count on your pillow not to lose its shape over time. Medium firmness is ideal for back and combination sleepers, especially as the pillow adjusts to your head contours to provide a comfortable night’s rest.

Reviews

“I love sleeping with this pillow and will plan to have one forever. Perfect squish but also enough support. Love it!!” — Erika

“​​Purchased our first purple pillows and do not regret. I have chronic pain, and hubby snores. If he uses his purple pillows, he no longer snores. And for the first time in ages, I can get some decent sleep. It doesn't end my pain, but it does help, as my shoulders no longer hurt when I sleep on my side. Also, no neck pain from sleeping on my side.” — Vanessa K.

“This pillow stays cool all night and is the first pillow I’ve had that fully supports my head and neck so I can sleep all night” — Madison M., Purple Harmony™ Pillow review

Best Cooling Pillow: Purple DreamLayer® Pillow

Alternative for: Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

If you’re a hot sleeper, it’s not just your sheets and mattress that can cause you to feel uncomfortably warm. The wrong pillow can also leave you feeling too hot to sleep through the night. This is where the Purple DreamLayer® Pillow comes in. With the contour-hugging, medium-soft comfort of traditional memory foam — without the heat — this is easily the best cooling pillow for back sleepers.

The MicroAir Foam® used in this pillow features billions of microscopic air capsules to promote airflow as the pillow conforms to your head and neck. Paired with our cooling GelFlex Grid®, you can receive optimal pressure relief and heat removal. And with its removable booster layers, you can adjust the loft to find the height that works best for you. 

Reviews

“I have been hunting for the right pillow for years, and I think this is it! I sleep well, stay cool, and I have no neck or shoulder pain when I wake up.” — Lori B.

“I love my new pillow. Been looking for the pillow that feels like I'm sleeping on a cloud. Great support on the neck.” — MEC

“This is the best pillow I've ever experienced. I love that it has [an] adjustable height. This one definitely is leagues above any other pillow I've ever tried.” — Kim C., Purple DreamLayer® Pillow review

Best Adjustable Pillow: Purple Freeform™ Pillow

Alternative for: Coop Adjustable Latex Pillow

If you want to customize your comfort, you can’t go wrong with the Purple Freeform™ Pillow. This pillow stands out thanks to its MicroFlex® Moon Foam, which is cut from solid pieces of premium, CertiPUR-US Certified foam that molds and adapts to your head and neck. 

The pillow arrives at a tall height, but you can adjust the fill level to your preferred loft and firmness. Optional neck roll chambers can add even more targeted neck support. Best of all, just like the other types of pillows sold by Purple, you still get the cooling and pressure-relieving support of the GelFlex Grid®.

Reviews

“I was having lots of neck pain with all types of pillows. We came across these as a hybrid style pillow to the original Purple grid pillows. These are AMAZING! Perfect combination of grid + supportive foam.” — J. Scott

“This pillow has helped my wife to not wake up with headaches. I got it originally for myself, and with it being adjustable, got it to work perfectly for me. Then my wife complained about headaches. I had her adjust the pillow comfort to fit her, and she hasn't woken with any headaches.” — Seth M.

“This pillow has revolutionized my sleep routine. Its innovative filling blends support and comfort seamlessly.” — Nizar, Purple FreeForm™ Pillow review

Best Soft and Fluffy Pillow: Purple GridCloud™ Pillow

Alternative for: Saatva Down Alternative Pillow

For some back sleepers, nothing compares to a soft and fluffy pillow for ultimate comfort. With the Purple GridCloud™ Pillow, you not only get a soft, premium down alternative fill, but you also get crucial pressure relief in a hypoallergenic package.

As a down alternative pillow, the Purple GridCloud™ offers relief from bedroom allergies while the supportive GelFlex Grid® layer keeps your head from sinking. The pillow’s soft and fluffy feel is strengthened by a silicone coating that prevents clumping and maintains the comfort you crave, even if you switch sleep positions during the night.

Reviews

“We've been a Purple mattress family for years, and absolutely love the mattress and pillows we have [from] them. Trying out this new cloud pillow was so fun! It's refreshingly cooler than most, supportive and moldable, and bunches back after use. We've already purchased one for our daughter! Five stars!” — Laney

“I toss and turn and flip my pillow multiple times during the night, but not with this pillow! Kept me cool and no neck pain in the morning! Bought 3 more!” — Aly D

“Sleep has never been better! This pillow is so comfortable and has helped so much with achy shoulders and neck after waking up in the morning. The pillow itself is soft and comfortable yet so supportive. It's also cooling and keeps me comfortable all night long. Highly recommend!” — Rebecca, Purple GridCloud™ Pillow review 

Best Travel Pillow: Purple Harmony Anywhere™ Pillow

Alternative for: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Travel Pillow

It’s one thing to have a comfortable pillow for back sleepers at home — but what about when you’re traveling? This is where the Purple Harmony Anywhere™ Pillow comes in. You get all the great features of the original Purple Harmony™ Pillow, but in a compact travel size that can go wherever you go.

The Purple Harmony Anywhere™ Pillow can compress en route, then bounce back to its regular size and shape when you’re ready to use it. It’s also easy to wash your pillow thanks to its removable cover and the ability to spot clean the core. Combined with the cooling, supportive comfort of the Honeycomb GelFlex Grid® and Talalay Latex core, it's no wonder why this is the pillow of choice for frequent travelers.

Reviews

“Very easy to pack for trips, and I bring it with me to hotels. So comfortable I use it as my every night pillow at home as well until I purchase full size version.” — Luke T.

“I recently took the Purple travel pillow on a long domestic flight. It was incredibly comfortable — the support is just right without being too firm or too soft. I usually struggle to get any sleep on planes, but this pillow made a big difference. Another huge plus: it's small and compact, so it easily fits into my carry-on suitcase without taking up much space. No more awkwardly hanging a bulky pillow around my neck at the airport! Best of all, it stays cool. Some travel pillows get warm and uncomfortable after a while, but not this one. The material is breathable and didn't trap heat, which made it even more pleasant to use for long stretches. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a lightweight, cool, and comfy travel pillow that actually works. Great job, Purple!” — Laura K.

“This Harmony Anywhere Travel pillow is a literal game changer and will be coming with me on all my traveling adventures.” — Justin K., Purple Harmony Anywhere™ Pillow review 

Best Firm Pillow: Purple Pillow®

Alternative for: Saatva Latex Pillow

For firm, ergonomic support for back sleepers, the Purple Pillow® offers a solid, no-fluff option. The 3-inch GelFlex Grid®, also known as a GelFlex Matrix™, instantly adapts to your head and neck, providing reliable support that keeps you properly aligned during sleep. The GelFlex Grid® also promotes optimal airflow, allowing you to stay cool.

The Purple Pillow® also comes with two removable booster layers, allowing you to adjust your pillow height based on your comfort preferences. For back sleepers, it’s the perfect complement to a Purple mattress.

Reviews

“I've had my pillow for 2 years and can verify it is excellent. It beautifully supports my head whether I'm on my back or side.” — Christy

“No pillow really felt right to me until I tried this one. I have a connective tissue disorder, so I have strange aches and pains often. I really do love the design and how it conforms to my body.” — Gabriel F.

“This pillow is, without a doubt, the finest I've ever had the pleasure of using. It has provided significant relief from my neck pain, and I've noticed an improvement in my sleep quality since I started using it.” — Zachary H., Purple Pillow® review 

How To Pick The Best Pillow for Back Sleepers

Maintaining proper spinal and neck alignment during sleep is crucial for preventing pain, stiffness, and other discomfort. While sleeping on your back already helps promote alignment, keeping your head and neck elevated properly is essential for keeping your entire body pain-free. It’s not just about knowing how to sleep on a pillow — you need to consider pillow characteristics that work best for you.

Loft

A medium loft pillow is usually best for back sleepers. A pillow that is too high could strain your neck, while a pillow that is too low could cause your head to sink unnaturally. Of course, the right loft can vary based on your personal preferences, which can make an adjustable pillow a good choice as you find what works best.

Support and Pressure Relief

Most back sleepers prefer pillows with a soft, medium, or medium-firm feel. Your pillow should provide enough support so your head doesn’t sink too low, while also relieving pressure on the head and neck. Your preferred firmness may vary based on your body type and comfort preferences.

Pillow Material

Latex, memory foam, and down alternatives are usually the best pillows, as they provide quality support and pressure relief while contouring to your head and neck, regardless of how firm the pillow is. Purple pillows, which use the GelFlex Grid®, also provide contouring support and pressure relief to reduce pain and soreness.

Pillow Size

When it comes to pillow sizes, back sleepers tend to do well with both standard and king pillows. Consider the size of your bed so your pillows don’t take up too much or too little space. If you have a king size bed, pick king size pillows rather than standard (and vice versa).

What Is the Best Pillow for Back Sleepers?

While sleeping on your back is already a great way to keep your neck and spine aligned, the right pillow is also essential to prevent pain and discomfort.¹ While the “best” pillow is subjective, finding a pillow that matches your personal preferences for loft, firmness, support, and pressure relief will help you enjoy comfortable rest every night.

Purple offers a wide range of pillow options to suit your sleep preferences, making it easy to find the perfect pillow for back sleepers. Many of our pillows can also help prevent shoulder pain for side sleepers and promote better alignment for stomach sleepers. No matter what your sleep preferences are, our pillows can help prevent tension and stiffness to promote better sleep.

Stay Cool and Comfortable

Purple pillows, like the DreamLayer®, provide adaptive support and pressure relief while promoting airflow for a cooler, more comfortable night’s sleep.

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