If you've spent a few hours responding to emails, reading, or watching TV from bed, you've definitely experienced the that comes with it. After all, beds are designed for you to lay flat, not sit up for prolonged periods of time.
Above video: What would you give up for more and better sleep?
However, lounging in your favorite spot will be much more enjoyable once you find the best back pillows for sitting up in bed. Gone are the days of stacking multiple atop one another, only to see them slumping over and caving in. These back pillows, which come in both husband (the thick cushion with two arms on either side) and wedge form, will so much that you'll wonder why you didn't buy one sooner.
How, you may wonder, do we know these pillows are good? The experts at House Beautiful tested them to ensure that every product is well worth it.
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1
Best Overall Pillow for Sitting Up in Bed
Crystal Cove Wedge Pillow
brentwoodhome.com
When we think of a classic pillow designed for sitting up in bed, something like this doesn't exactly come to mind. In fact, we tend to picture the ever-popular "husband pillow" with arms that, when you lean against it, feels like a hug. This wedge, though, is giving the husband a run for its money. "I usually have to create a ridiculous stack of pillows behind me to have softness against my skin but enough push on my lower back when I'm sitting in bed," says. "This pillow is very firm, but I found it was just what I needed. I swear I can feel my spine aligning as I rested against it." It is quite firm, so this is definitely not designed to be slept on comfortably, but if you want to work, read, or watch TV from bed, you can't go wrong with this find.
2
Best Classic Pillow for Sitting Up in Bed
Squish Backrest Pillow
unhide.us
$129.00
Behold, the classic husband pillow, which Unhide has welcomingly renamed the Squish backrest pillow. "For those who do their best work with their feet up, this backrest pillow offers a surprisingly supportive surface to keep you propped up and comfy for as long as you need," says. "For long stints of reading and writing in bed, I’ve previously leaned against my normal bed pillows, which are far too squishy for the job. This sizable 31-inch-wide pillow is responsive enough to lean against without feeling muscle fatigue." Not to mention, unlike some of the other pillows on the list, this one doesn't require more than a few seconds to puff up to its full volume after removing it from the box. "I love the furry, removable cover that makes it easy to wash, though keep in mind that the furriness reduces friction, so you might find yourself sliding down this pillow after an hour or so of sitting." Yates also admits it's hard to store when she's not using it because it's so big, so be warned if you live in a small apartment without much storage.
3
Best Supportive Pillow for Sitting Up in Bed
Organic Latex Wedge Pillow Set
avocadogreenmattress.com
$179.00
You may know Avocado for its selection of extremely comfortable and sustainably made mattresses, so you can trust that their bed accessories, including this organic latex wedge pillow, will do its job. gave this a try to resolve her persistent back pain on days she works from home and agrees: It's fantastic. "I do not have a desk at home (not including my dining table) and I like to work in the quiet of my bedroom on my bed, so up until now I would use both my sleeping and throw pillows for back support. Not anymore!" she says. "This back pillow is a game changer. Its shape prompts me to sit up straighter, and it's firm enough not to sink into it but soft enough to be comfortable." What's more, she adds, it's heavy, durable, and the perfect size. "The top of it lands right at the back of my head and it's wide enough that my elbows don't hit the wall when I twist."
4
Best Pillow With Neck Support for Sitting Up in Bed
Backrest Pillow
casper.com
Like Avocado, Casper is more famous for its mattresses than its accessories, but that doesn't mean they're not worth buying. In fact, Assistant Social Media Editor Bianca Bonetti is pretty struck by the backrest pillow, which looks just like a pillow you'd sleep on, but with a little more heft at the base. "I normally have to prop up multiple pillows to feel comfortable sitting up in bed and they end up getting flattened pretty quickly. I sleep with Casper pillows and was very excited to try the back pillow. This backrest pillow is really sturdy and provides excellent support. The backrest is tall enough to provide neck and head support," she notes. "I was able to work for several hours with my lap desk while sitting against the pillow. My back and legs never got achy. Honestly, an adjustable lap desk, a weighted blanket, and this Casper pillow make for the perfect work-from-home setup."
5
Best Soft Pillow for Sitting Up in Bed
Feather and Down Reading Pillow
thecompanystore.com
Typically, down- or feather-filled pillows don't tend to hold their shape, making them secondary choices for back pillows, but this one from The Company Store is different. "The down wedge pillow is extremely soft and malleable, making it a great option if you like feeling like you're laying down on a cloud," explains. "It's also really easy to clean: You just have to throw it in the wash on a gentle cold cycle, then tumble dry low, and it's as good as new." What's more, Shouse says that it's soft enough to work as a nightly pillow, too. "While I personally like a bit more support and structure in my wedge pillows, this one is definitely great for people who prefer something softer," Shouse adds.
6
Best Tufted Pillow for Sitting up in Bed
Headboard Wedge Reading Pillow
wayfair.com
Since works from home most of the time, she needed a comfortable pillow that would make producing content from her bed, her couch, or anywhere else in her house comfortable. Enter this WOWMAX wedge pillow. "Whether I'm engrossed in whatever's on the screen or casually catching up on work, I need to be propped up during streaming sessions. Otherwise, you better believe I'll fall asleep in 20 minutes and miss the entire plot of whatever movie I'm watching," she notes. "So when I had the opportunity to test out this wedge pillow, I was optimistic it could be a complete game-changer to my lazy day hangs...and it was. Upon opening my package, I was admittedly skeptical that this pillow would actually raise me: Compared to the husband pillows I remember seeing in my teen furniture catalogs, this is relatively slim." She adds that this wedge "is like the Goldilocks of back pillows" in that it keeps her propped up at a comfortable angle without feeling completely upright.
