Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.
Parachute
Best Down Pillow Upgrade
Parachute Home Parachute Home Down Pillow
Pros
- Nice, hotel-style down
- Luxe construction
Cons
- Price is a little high
What makes Parachute's down pillow an upgrade? First, the construction. The piped seams are a bit heftier than other pillows on the market. The second distinguishing factor is how well the pillow supports your head. Casper uses a less conventional square shape to get the support. Parachute, on the other had, keeps that classic pillow shape I like, but the 85/15 down to feather ratio keeps your head nice and supported. Even if you get Parachute's softest pillow, it'll have some shape to it. It makes for a lovely hotel-style experience.
| Fill | 85/15 Down to Feather |
|---|---|
| Return Timeline | 60 Days |
Best Down Alternative Pillow
The Citizenry Signature Down-Alternative Pillow
Pros
- Really great down dupe
- Nice price
Cons
- Requires pretty regular fluffing
The Citizenry makes the best down alternative pillow out there. And, it's the perfect straight down the middle firmness that's perfect for back sleepers. It's not too tall, not too thin. It'll hit the mark for about 90 percent of back sleepers.
| Fill | Poly from Recycled Bottles |
|---|---|
| ReturnTimeline | 30 Days |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Cooling Pillow for Back Sleepers
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow
Now 11% Off
Pros
- Best cooling pillow on the market
- Get great support from the memory foam
Cons
- High price tag
We're guilty of putting a lot of stake in down and down alternative, but a lot of back sleepers, believe it or not, actually prefer the firmness of memory foam. Generally, the issue with foam is that it retains heat, making you wake up more often than you need to for pillow flipping. This Saatva pillow has graphite infused in with the memory foam to help it keep cool, and in all our testing, it's held up to that promise.
| Fill | Graphite-Infused Memory Foam |
|---|---|
| Return Timeline | 45 Days |
Best Luxury Pillow for Back Sleepers
Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Hypoallergenic, but still natural
- Easy on skin
Cons
- High price tag
Imagine telling your great-grandparents that you sleep on a pillow filled with silk. The fact that Cozy Earth makes silk filled pillows is crazy, but their reasonable price tag and incredible performance might be even crazier. If you're opposed to down but not a fan of the typical alternatives, this is one seriously luxurious solution.
The Cozy Earth pillow is great for back sleepers because it's got some structure to it, but sinks down enough to get your head in line with your spine.
| Fill | 100% Long-Strand Mulberry Silk |
|---|---|
| Return Timeline | 100 Nights |
Best for Back/Side Sleepers
Casper Down Pillow
Pros
- Works for back and side sleepers
- Nice and firm
Cons
- Not great if you want a more plush pillow
A lot of brands make these square pillows for side sleepers, but Casper's takes the shape and tones it down for the general population. So what you get is a down pillow that's nice and firm without having a ton of loft. As a back sleeper, this is perfect. It keeps your head supported, and just a few inches off the bed.
| Outer Chamber Fill | 80/20 Down to Feather |
|---|---|
| Inner Chamber Fill | 60/40 Down to Feather |
| Return Timeline | 30 Days |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best for Back/Stomach Sleepers
Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Memory Foam Pillow
Now 28% Off
Pros
- Works for back and stomach sleepers
- Protects against rounded shoulders
Cons
- To thin for some
Of all the dumb things American's say are just different in Europe, the one I actually care about is their pillows. The pillows across the continent tend to be a lot flatter than the ones here in America. For me, that's perfect. I sleep on my back or stomach, almost never my side, and a thin pillow is perfect for either application. This cooling foam pillow from Bluewave was the best I found on this side of the pond.
I love the 2.25-inch Hyper Slim, because it's barely there. It was great for sleeping on my stomach, but it was also surprisingly comfortable when I was on my back. Instead of propping my head up, it really let it fall in line with my spine. Maybe it's psychosomatic, but I feel like it made my posture better.
| Fill | Gel Memory Foam |
|---|---|
| Return Timeline | 30 Days |
What Do Back Sleepers Actually Need?
You're a back sleeper: Good for you. Generally, sleeping on your back is considered the "best" way to sleep. Your spine can be in good alignment no matter the pillow you use, so you can get away with pretty much any type of pillow.
That said, down the middle in terms of loft and firmness is typically what you want. You don't want anything too lofty that will compress your neck. Too soft is fine for spine alignment, but a lot of back sleepers don't find that as comfortable.
Watch Next
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pr%2FQrqCrnV6YvK57y6Kdnqukrrmme8ZtbW5oY2p%2Fc3vBnqqtZaCeua271madqKpdl66kt4yso56doJq%2FtHs%3D