Key takeaways
- Back sleepers usually need a lower, softer pillow than side sleepers, but the exact height depends on your body and your mattress.
- A pillow that is too high or too low leaves a gap or a bend between your head, neck and mattress.
- With the Yourzzz you order first. After delivery, the calculator tells you how much filling to remove from the pillow you received.
Why does pillow height matter for back sleepers?
When you lie on your back, your head rests directly on the pillow. The pillow fills the space between the back of your head, your neck and the mattress. If it is too high, your chin tips toward your chest. If it is too low, your head tilts back and the neck is left without support.
Neither extreme is a neutral position. A neutral neck position means your head sits roughly in line with your spine, without being pushed forward or dropped back. That is what a well-fitting pillow aims for.
You would not walk around in shoes a size too small, would you? Pillows work the same way. A store that sells one height rarely has yours.
What makes a pillow a good fit for back sleeping?
There are four things to look at. None of them is complicated, but each one changes how a pillow feels at night.
- Loft (height). Back sleepers generally do well with a medium-to-low loft. Your head should not be propped up, and the neck should not hang unsupported.
- Your body. Taller people and people with broader shoulders or a larger frame often need different support than smaller people.
- Your mattress. On a soft mattress your body sinks in, which changes the distance between your head and the surface. On a firm mattress you sit higher. The same pillow can feel different on each.
- Feel of the filling. Some people like a firmer surface under the head, others a softer one. A pillow that lets you choose is easier to live with.
We describe fit and support. The Yourzzz supports a neutral neck position, you adjust the height to your body, and many users report more comfort.
Does one pillow height work for every back sleeper?
No. We are not aware of research showing one ideal pillow height for all back sleepers, and we do not claim there is one. People differ in height, weight and build, and they sleep on mattresses of different firmness. That is why we treat height as something to fit to you, not something to pick from a fixed list.
It is also worth being clear about what a pillow can and cannot do. A pillow is not a treatment. If you have ongoing neck or back symptoms, or symptoms that are new or getting worse, talk to a healthcare provider. For general habits that go along with a good night, see our tips on the best sleeping position.
How is the Yourzzz pillow adjusted?
Yourzzz is a pillow you adjust at home. It is filled with premium memory foam flakes and polyester fibers. Removing filling makes the pillow lower and softer. The inner cover is polyester with a memory foam sheet, with one firmer side and one softer side, so you can also choose which side feels better under your head.
The algorithm behind the calculator was developed by Dutch physiotherapist Thijs van der Hilst. Here is how the process works:
- Order the pillow. You do not need to measure anything first.
- Use the calculator once it arrives. On our calculator page you enter your height (inches), weight (lbs), sleeping position (side, back or stomach) and mattress firmness (soft, medium or firm). Back sleepers choose “back”.
- Take out the recommended filling. Use a kitchen scale. The calculator also shows the final weight of your pillow. Without a scale, a 200 ml (6.8 fl oz) glass holds about 50 g (1.8 oz) of filling.
- Keep the extra filling. Store it in the storage bag, so you can adjust again later. The bag also works for traveling with the pillow.
If your body, mattress or sleeping habits change, you can put filling back and adjust again. Extra filling can also be ordered separately if you want a higher pillow. You can read more about the pillow itself on the Yourzzz pillow page, and our sleep guide covers sleep more broadly.
What are the key facts about the Yourzzz pillow?
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Price | $89 per pillow; buy 2 pillows and get 10% off |
| Shipping | Free on all orders |
| Size | About 25 x 17 in (64 x 44 cm) |
| Filling | Premium memory foam flakes and polyester fibers |
| Outer cover | Tencel and polyester blend, removable, machine washable at 104°F (40°C) |
| Not washable | Inner cover and filling |
| Trial | 100 nights; return the pillow if you are not satisfied |
| Warranty | 5 years on material and production faults |
| Replace | After 5 years at most for hygiene |
What if the pillow does not suit me?
You have 100 nights to decide. If you are not satisfied, you can return the pillow. There is no prepaid label, so return shipping is at your expense, and you include the return form. The refund goes to your original payment method 5-7 business days after we receive the return. The warranty covers material and production faults, but not normal wear or changes in firmness. Other common questions are answered in our FAQ.
Ready to try a pillow that fits your back sleeping?
Order the Yourzzz, adjust it to your body when it arrives, and try it for 100 nights. Order your Yourzzz pillow.
After delivery
Once your pillow has arrived, open the calculator. It tells you how much filling to remove from the pillow you received, based on your height, weight, sleeping position and mattress firmness. Keep the extra filling in the storage bag in case you want to adjust again.