Best Pillows for Back Pain – Useful Tips and Top Models

Our guide to choosing the best pillows for back pain is based on in-depth research and analysis and verified customer reviews, and it can help you make the right decision.

Written by:

Renata

Last Updated: Thu, July 4, 2019

Millions of people in the United States experience pain in their backs. Back pain can happen to anyone, at any time, and varies in intensity. Although anyone can suffer from this unpleasant problem, some people are at a higher risk of experiencing it than others. Some of the risk factors that can contribute to back pain include sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy, stress, obesity, poor posture, strains, and skeletal problems. It is also crucial to know that women are more likely to experience back pain than men.  

If you experience frequent back pain, you have probably had a chance to notice that it can affect your quality of sleep. It is not easy to be focused and well-rested the next day if you don’t get sufficient sleep because of the pain in your back. Luckily, the right choice of pillows can help you, whereas the wrong one can worsen your problem. In case you have chronic back pain, you should opt for models that conform closely to the sleeper’s body and provide excellent pressure relief. Our guide to choosing the best pillows for back pain is based on in-depth research and analysis and verified customer reviews, and it can help you make the right decision. Here are our top picks for this category: 

Bear Pillow 

One of the best pillows for people with back pain is the Bear model. It provides close conforming to the sleeper’s body and alleviates pain and aches in sensitive areas. This hybrid pillow is an ideal combination of the comfort of memory foam and the responsiveness of latex. This pillow is medium, which is the most popular firmness setting among back pain sufferers, especially those who are lightweight or have average weight. Additionally, it has exceptional cooling features, and it is perfect for hot sleepers. 

source: bearmattress.com

The cover of the Bear pillow is made with cool yarn and polyester, and it has a satin-like feel. It is very breathable, soft, and comfortable. The interior of the pillow is made with a blend of polyurethane foam, and it is a latex and memory foam hybrid. It has holes punched into it that allow the air to circulate throughout the pillow.  

The Bear pillow has a medium firmness, and it is an ideal solution for those in the average and light weight group, and every sleep position. This model is the best pillow for combination sleepers. It is also excellent for heavier people who prefer softer pillows. This model alleviates pain and pressure on sensitive body areas and conforms closely to the sleeper’s neck, head, and shoulders. It is the best pillow for shoulder pain, and it sleeps cool compared to other foam models, which makes it an excellent solution for hot sleepers. This pillow provides an outstanding sleeping experience and responds quickly to the applied pressure. People don’t have to worry about feeling stuck on this pillow thanks to its dense foam construction. It is moldable and great for sleepers who like to snuggle with a pillow and has a minimal off-gassing odor. Additionally, this pillow is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, and perfect for those who suffer from allergies. 

The Bear pillow comes with a sleep trial period of 100 nights and a 2-year warranty. The shipping is free within the contiguous United States. 

Recommended for: 

 

Malouf Z Zoned Gel Dough Pillow 

Another excellent option for people who suffer from back pain is the Z Zoned Gel Dough Pillow by Malouf. It is made with aerated memory foam that is soft to the touch and conforms closely to the person’s neck and head and reduces pain in these areas. This single-piece foam pillow also sleeps very cool thanks to the ventilation holes that provide incredible air circulation. It is one of the best cooling memory foam pillows available on the market. 

source: maloufsleep.com

The cover of the pillow is made with polyester and rayon from bamboo, and it is very breathable and soft. It is hypoallergenic and made with materials that won’t irritate the skin of the person sleeping on it. Additionally, it is machine washable and easy to clean, and it is resistant to dust mites. The pillow itself is made with gel-infused polyurethane foam and has holes that improve airflow. It is very comfortable, has fantastic shape recovery and has a long lifespan. 

Zoned Gel Dough pillow is available in three different loft options – low, medium, and high, and when it comes to firmness it is medium soft. It is an ideal choice for people who sleep hot and who prefer denser foam pillows. It is an excellent model for all weight groups, and it provides proper support. This pillow won’t start sagging over time, and it doesn’t require fluffing. You can choose from three sizes – standard, queen and king, and can even get scented options if you pay extra. 

Malouf Z Zoned Gel Dough pillow comes with free shipping in the continental United States and a warranty of 5 years. 

Recommended for: 

 

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Symphony Pillow 

TEMPUR-Symphony pillow is a perfect choice for sleepers with back pain because of its flippable design. It is a fantastic model as it comes in two different options, one on each side. One side of this pillow is flat and has even surface, and it provides excellent pressure relief and close conforming to the sleeper’s body. The other side is gently arched, and it offers excellent shoulder, neck and head support. The design of this pillow is especially beneficial for those who suffer from back pain as they can choose between two surfaces with different level of support. 

source: uk.tempur.com

The cover of the pillow is breathable, removable and machine washable. It is very comfortable, soft and made with 100% polyester. The pillow itself is a single-piece molded pad made with viscoelastic polyurethane foam. It is moldable and an excellent choice for people who like to snuggle with a pillow. 

TEMPUR-Symphony is a soft pillow with a medium loft and excellent shape retention. It is very durable and has a longer lifespan compared to most of the other foam pillows. This pillow fully recovers after each use, offers close conforming and sleeps cool. It is 5 inches thick and available in one size. Pressure relief that this model offers is incredible, and it helps keep the spine properly aligned. 

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Symphony pillow comes with a warranty of 5 years and free shipping to the continental United States. 

Recommended for: 

 

Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow 

The Eden pillow offers close conforming to the sleeper’s head, shoulders and neck and it improves the spinal alignment. This model is filled with shredded memory foam filled with gel, and it sleeps very cool. Sleepers with back pain like it because it has a fully adjustable loft. They can add or remove the filling of the pillow to increase or decrease its thickness, and it is ideal for those whose loft preferences vary. The Eden is considered the best pillow for back sleepers. 

source: coophomegoods.com

The cover of the pillow is made with 60% polyester and 40% viscose rayon from bamboo, and it is super breathable and very soft. It is hypoallergenic which makes it perfect for allergy sufferers, and it is easy to clean as it is machine washable. The interior of the pillow is filled with gel-infused memory foam, and it is very breathable and allows the proper air circulation. This filling is also adjustable, which means that it is possible to adjust the thickness and the firmness of the pillow. Additionally, the memory foam used in this pillow is CertiPUR-US certified. 

The Eden is an excellent choice for every sleep position and sleepers with changing thickness preferences. It sleeps exceptionally cool and offers fantastic breathability. It is very comfortable, moldable, has excellent edge-to-edge support, and conforms closely to the sleeper’s body. This pillow is available in standard, queen and king size, and it offers impressive pressure relief. Another great thing about it is that it is easy to clean, and it is also very durable. The Eden model is an excellent bamboo pillow for back pain. 

Coop Home Goods Eden pillow comes with a warranty of 5 years and a trial period of 100 nights. The shipping is free to customers in the continental U.S., and it also comes with extra filling. 

Recommended for: 

 

Leesa Hybrid Pillow 

The Leesa Hybrid is another excellent option for people who want a flippable pillow, and it has two firmness options – medium soft and medium firm. The medium soft side is quilted, and it provides excellent pressure relief and close conforming. This side is perfect for people with strong back pain. The medium firm side is flat, sleeps cool thanks to its gel insert, and it is the perfect choice when sleepers experience minimal back pain. 

source: leesa.com

The cover of the Leesa Hybrid is made with a combination of nylon and Tencel fibers, and it is soft and resistant to bacteria. There are two different layers of the pillow, one on each side. One layer has a down-like fiber fill, and it is soft and cushiony, and it is on the medium soft side. The other layer is made with ventilated gel, provides a cool feel and excellent support, and it is on the medium firm side of the pillow. In the middle of the pillow, between these layers, there is a removable inner pillow filled with microfiber. 

This pillow is excellent for every sleep position and all weight groups. It has an adjustable loft which means that people can change the thickness of the pillow. Additionally, it provides exceptional pressure relief and the right level of support. It is very comfortable, soft, and has a very long lifespan thanks to its durability.  

Leesa Hybrid has a 3-year warranty and a sleep trial period of 100 nights. The shipping is free to shoppers in the continental United States. 

Recommended for: 

 

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow 

Easy Breather provides close conforming to the sleeper’s head and neck, and it keeps the spine properly aligned. This pillow offers exceptional relief from pain and pressure on sensitive areas of the body, and it is a perfect model for people with back pain. This model made with shredded memory foam is very comfortable and allows fantastic air circulation. It is one of the best pillows 2018. 

source: nestbedding.com

The cover of the pillow is made with Tencel-blended fabric that is very popular because of its moisture-wicking properties. It is very soft, breathable, and stays cool and dry when someone sleeps on it. The cover also comes with a reliable and durable zipper which means that sleepers don’t have to worry about a faulty zipper. The filling of the pillow contains shredded memory foam and it is 8 inches thick. Due to being filled with small pieces of memory foam, the pillow has amazing air circulation. 

Easy Breather by Nest Bedding has excellent molding and contouring capabilities and it sleeps very cool. The breathability of this pillow is fantastic and so is pressure relief. It has a slow response to the applied pressure and medium firmness. This pillow is an excellent option for people with light and average weight and those who like to hug a pillow while sleeping. The loft can be adjusted by adding or removing some of the filling. Additionally, Easy Breather offers excellent cushioning and support. 

Nest Bedding Easy Breather comes with a lifetime warranty, sleep trial period of 100 nights, free shipping in the continental United States and free returns. 

Recommended for: 

Things to Consider in a Pillow for Back Pain 

If you suffer from back pain, you are not alone as many children and adults have the same issue. Various things can contribute to back pain, from skeletal problems and poor posture to a sedentary lifestyle. If you want relief from pain, you need to be careful when selecting the right pillow. Here are some of the things that you should take into consideration before you go shopping: 

Shape 

If you are searching for the right pillow for your bedroom, you should be aware that there are two available types – even and curved. Even pillows have a non-contoured surface, and they are great for people who experience minimal back pain and neck pain. These models conform to the sleeper’s neck and head and provide targeted relief from pressure and pain. On the other hand, curved pillows are also known as orthopedic models, and they are an ideal solution for people with severe back pain. Thanks to their design, they offer enhanced support and pressure relief. 

Thickness 

You should choose the right loft based on your favorite sleep position. Back sleepers prefer models with medium thickness because they offer the right combination of softness and thickness. Medium thickness supports the neck of back sleepers properly. People who sleep mostly on their side prefer pillows with medium or high loft as these models keep their spine aligned. Stomach sleepers usually choose pillows with low loft because models with high loft put more pressure on the lumbar spine.  

Price 

If you want to buy a perfect pillow, you should determine your budget first. Knowing how much money you are willing to spend on a pillow will help you narrow down your options. 

 

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Renata is an economist who has always had a passion for writing. She is a dog lover, Netflix addict and a sleepaholic. When she is not busy doing sleep research, she spends her time reading books, hiking and playing video games.

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