Best Mattress for Neck Pain (2025), Our Top Picks for the Stiff and Sleepless

The new-and-improved Helix Midnight is my pick for the best overall mattress for neck pain, as it excelled in nearly every category and provided exceptional pressure relief around the neck and shoulders. Mattress tester Riley Otis gave the Midnight mattress 4 out of 5 or higher in side-sleeping pressure relief and edge support, two categories that are highly important to those struggling with soreness in their necks and shoulders.

During testing, Riley gave the Helix Midnight a 4.3 for side-sleeping pressure relief, citing its ability to relieve tension around her neck, shoulders, and hips. She found that the Midnight’s hybrid construction provided her enough lift to keep her spine in healthy alignment while the soft cover layer cushioned her shoulders and hips.

“I loved sleeping on my side on this mattress,” Riley said. “I felt the perfect mix of cushioning and support. The cushioning around my hips helped eliminate some tension. Meanwhile, I couldn’t feel any pressure building up in my shoulders and neck.”

The Helix Midnight also scored a 4.4 out of 5 in edge support, which is another potentially important factor to those with neck pain. Ideally, you want a mattress that provides consistent support across its entire surface, so even if you gravitate toward the edge of the bed, you don’t have to worry about it sagging around your head, shoulders, or lower back.

Fortunately, the Helix Midnight mattress is supportive throughout, meaning you shouldn’t have to worry about any saggy areas causing unwanted pressure buildup in your neck.

“I felt super-secure when lying near the edge of the bed in all three sleeping positions,” Riley said. “The edges felt just as secure as the center of the bed, and I never felt at risk of falling off. I think sleepers will be able to use the entire surface of the mattress and feel supported.”

That said, cooling was the only category in which the Helix Midnight did not excel. After using a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature before and after lying on it for 5 minutes, Riley found that it increased by 10.5 degrees, which is about average. Because of this, Riley gave this mattress a 3.5-star cooling score.

“I didn’t feel uncomfortably hot, but I wouldn’t recommend this bed to sleepers prone to overheating since its cooling abilities are just okay,” Riley said.

Head over to our full Helix Midnight mattress review to learn more. If you’re looking for something similar with stronger cooling, consider upgrading to the Helix Midnight Luxe instead.

The Nectar Classic memory foam mattress is perfect for those seeking relief at an affordable price. The Nectar is often on sale for $649 and offers effective pressure relief around the neck, shoulders, and hips. It’s also an excellent option for couples, thanks to its cooling-fiber-infused cover layer and above-average motion isolation performance. I gave this mattress a 4 out of 5 or higher in the pressure relief, cooling, and motion isolation testing categories.

Memory foam mattresses are typically a safe bet for folks with neck pain because they offer better cushioning around the shoulders and upper body. I found that the Nectar was no exception in this category and awarded it a 4 out of 5 across the board for pressure relief. While lying on my side, I could feel the tension leaving my shoulders and hips. I couldn’t feel any pressure building up around my neck with a pillow beneath my head.

During the pressure relief test, I also invited our chief medical product reviewer and licensed physical therapist, Dr. Joe Tedesco, to give his professional opinion about this mattress. According to him, neck pain should be a non-issue on the Nectar.

“I don’t feel like I need a pillow at all on this mattress,” Dr. Tedesco said. “My neck feels very supported and stable on this mattress. Orthopedically speaking, your neck will be in great alignment on this mattress.”

Not only does this mattress earn a nod of approval for neck pain, but it also scored a 4.5 and a 4.7 for cooling and motion isolation, respectively. Hot sleepers and people who share their bed with a restless partner or pet should have no trouble finding reprieve on this mattress.

I was particularly impressed with how the cooling fibers in the cover layer gave it a chill feeling as soon as I lay on it, and when I invited a colleague to move around on one side of the mattress to see if I could detect their movements, I could hardly tell what they were doing, aside from them getting in and out of bed.

However, I wouldn’t recommend this mattress to everyone. While it has impressive edge support for an all-foam model, I think sleepers with mobility concerns may find it more challenging to get out of bed on this mattress. 

My colleagues and I also found that it didn’t cooperate with the adjustable bed frame in our Charlotte, NC, testing facility. I don’t think this will be an issue if you intend to order an adjustable frame from Nectar; however, if you already have one at home, you should probably confirm its compatibility beforehand.

Check out my full Nectar Classic mattress review to see how it performed on all my tests. If you would prefer something with stronger edge support, check out the Saatva Contour5 instead.

The WinkBed is ideal for sleepers who prefer a plush pillow-top mattress, but still need enough support to keep tension off their necks. Mattress tester Riley Otis and our chief medical product reviewer, Dr. Joe Tedesco, awarded the WinkBed a 4 out of 5 or higher in edge support and back-sleeping pressure relief.

During testing, Riley praised the WinkBed’s hybrid construction for offering consistent support across its entire surface and gave it a 4.4 out of 5 in the edge support category. No matter where she lay on the mattress, she felt that it distributed her weight evenly. Even weight distribution is essential to pain relief, as it ensures that there is no awkward sagging around high-pressure areas (including your neck).

“I felt very well supported, even when lying directly on the edge of the bed,” Riley said. “I thought the edges felt just as strong as the center of the bed, and I didn’t feel the mattress sagging anywhere.”

Riley noted that this consistent support also lends itself to some nice pressure relief, particularly while back sleeping. She gave it a 4.3 out of 5 in this position, because its steady support helped remove tension from her hips, shoulders, and neck.

“The WinkBed is an excellent choice for back sleepers,” Riley said. “In this position, I was able to achieve proper spinal alignment. My hips and upper body were level, and my lumbar region got some nice cushioning. I felt comfortable and didn’t notice any pressure buildup.”

To better determine if the WinkBed would be a viable option for sleepers with neck pain, Riley enlisted the help of licensed physical therapist Dr. Joe Tedesco to offer his clinical perspective. According to Dr. Tedesco, the WinkBed and a thin pillow should be a home run for sleepers with neck pain.

“I think this is a great mattress for those who have neck pain, whether you’re a back or side sleeper, because you don’t experience significant upper-body pressure or misalignment,” Dr. Tedesco said. “A thin pillow should be enough to adequately support your head and neck on this mattress.”

However, it’s worth noting that the WinkBed only performed about average in cooling and responsiveness, earning a 3.5 and 3 out of 5 in both categories, respectively. This isn’t surprising, as plush mattress toppers tend to absorb more heat than other models. 

Plush surfaces also tend to be less responsive and more challenging to maneuver on, and the WinkBed is no exception. If you stick to one sleeping position at night, then this shouldn’t be an issue. However, combination sleepers who frequently toss and turn should opt for a model with a springier surface.

Learn more about this model in our full WinkBed mattress review. For something with a responsive surface, consider checking out the latex WinkBed EcoCloud instead.

An unsupportive mattress can lead to pain over time if it causes misalignment between your neck and spine. If you’re noticing that your growing neck pain is coinciding with sagging in your mattress, it is likely not a coincidence. Fortunately, the luxury firm version of the Saatva Classic solves that problem, as its dual coil system offers some of the best support I’ve seen in a mattress. During testing, Livvi DiCicco and I gave the Saatva a 4 out of 5 or higher in back-sleeping pressure relief, edge support, and responsiveness.

People with neck pain need a supportive sleep surface to prevent pressure buildup on their upper body. During testing, Livvi and I gave the Saatva Classic a near-perfect 4.8 out of 5 in the edge support category and a strong 4 out of 5 in the back-sleeping pressure relief category, thanks to its corner-to-corner stability that kept our spines in healthy alignment, regardless of where we lay on the mattress.

Personally, I loved this mattress for back and stomach sleeping. It kept my hips boosted and leveled with my shoulders. With a pillow beneath my neck, I was elevated enough to keep it aligned with the rest of my body. If you sleep on your back or stomach, I don’t think you have to worry about pressure buildup around your neck, especially with the right pillow.

Livvi and I also invited licensed physical therapist Dr. Joe Tedesco to try the Saatva and give his opinion on how sleepers with neck pain would fare on this mattress. He agreed that it provided enough support around the upper body to prevent any tension or excessive discomfort.

“Generally speaking, I think people with neck pain would be very comfortable on this mattress,” said Dr. Joe Tedesco. “My spine feels great on my back, side, and stomach. I don’t even feel like I need a pillow here if I’m on my back. My head stays still, and I’m not having to rock back and forth to get the support and find the comfortable position I need.”

However, if you are a combination sleeper who frequently rocks back and forth to get comfortable at night, the innerspring coils in the Saatva make it easy to do so. Livvi and I gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 in the responsiveness category because its bounciness made it easy for us to move around and change sleeping positions.

The only complaint that Livvi and I shared about the Saatva Classic was its subpar motion isolation. As expected, a mattress with two layers of bouncy innersprings is bound to transfer motion from side to side. Livvi, who owns the mattress herself, noted that she could feel her partner’s every movement ripple across the surface of the mattress whenever they spent the night.

Read our full Saatva Classic mattress review to see how it performed on all our tests and learn more about Livvi’s experience with it. If you need a mattress with better motion isolation, check out the Saatva Rx instead.

If you or your partner (or both of you) wake up with neck pain, it might be time to treat yourselves to a new mattress. Alongside deep pressure relief and sturdy support, you should consider a mattress that offers excellent cooling and motion isolation. The Nolah Evolution is one model that excels in each of those categories, making it the perfect mattress for couples struggling with neck pain-related woes. During testing, mattress tester Sosha Lewis gave the luxury firm version of the Nolah Evolution a 4 out of 5 or higher in pressure relief, cooling, and motion isolation.

Sosha and her fellow mattress testers found that the Nolah Evolution provided comforting pressure relief across every sleeping position. This versatility is a big plus if you and your partner have different preferences. She gave its pressure relief an average score of 4.3 out of 5 because of its ability to prevent pressure points from forming, including those in the shoulder and neck.

“Overall, I found the Nolah Evolution comfortable in every position,” Sosha said. “I could feel the support from its inner layers under the pillow top. My neck and upper body felt supported and comfortable.”

Couples should also appreciate the Nolah Evolution’s perfect motion isolation. Sosha gave the Evolution a rare 5 out of 5 in the motion isolation category because of its ability to dampen motion and prevent it from rippling across the mattress surface. Sosha, who has an older version of this model at home, found that this was a vast improvement on what was already a strong suit for this mattress.

“I bought the Nolah Evolution because I needed a bed to combat my husband’s flipping and flopping,” Sosha said. “The updated version may do an even better job than the one I have. When my testing partner tossed and turned on the other side of the mattress, I couldn’t tell that she was moving.”

The Nolah also earned a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 in cooling, thanks to its exceptional performance on our thermal gun test. During this test, Sosha used a thermal gun to measure the temperature of the Nolah Evolution before and after resting on it for 5 minutes. Its temperature only increased by 4.9 degrees, placing it in the excellent cooling category.

While the Nolah Evolution performed spectacularly across the board, Sosha and her fellow mattress testers noted that the unboxing process was a pain. According to them, the box had tears and dents, and the mattress had a strong off-gassing smell that took a little over a day to dissipate.

Visit our full Nolah Evolution mattress review to see how it performed on all our tests. For a similar mattress that is more affordable, consider checking out the Glacier Original Hybrid instead.

Engineered to support sleepers with bigger bodies, the Titan Plus Luxe by Brooklyn Bedding features premium comfort layers and a weight capacity of up to 1,000 pounds. Sleepers who weigh 230 pounds or more require a mattress that is firm and durable enough to provide extra support around their pressure points. Mattress tester Sosha Lewis awarded the Titan Plus Luxe 4 stars or more in back-sleeping pressure relief, motion isolation, and responsiveness.

During testing, Sosha found the Titan Plus Luxe to be most comfortable and supportive on her back. Despite falling into our average-weight category, she didn’t think this mattress was too firm or stiff to get situated on. She gave it a 4 out of 5 for back-sleeping pressure relief, thanks to its ability to remove strain from her upper body and neck.

“I am a big fan of this bed for back sleeping,” Sosha said. “I felt the high-density memory foam absorbing my tension in my upper body and neck, and my spine was perfectly aligned.”

That said, sleepers under 130 pounds will likely find that this mattress is too firm, especially if they have neck and shoulder pain. These sleepers will feel more “on top” of this mattress, which may prevent them from getting the pressure-relieving cushioning they need around their upper body.

The Titan Plus Luxe also struck a near-impossible balance in motion isolation and responsiveness. In most scenarios, these two categories cancel each other out. However, Sosha awarded it a perfect 5-star score in both. In other words, couples should be able to toss, turn, and change sleeping positions throughout the night without worrying about waking each other up.

Unfortunately, the Titan Plus Luxe revealed lackluster edge support during testing. Sosha gave the Luxe’s edge support an about-average rating of 3.6 out of 5. She noted that its firmness did not extend to the perimeter of the mattress, especially when lying on her side.

“The edges felt a little Jell-O-like,” Sosha said. “I don’t feel like I’m going to fall off, but I am a little unsteady. I wouldn’t recommend this mattress to folks with mobility concerns who need a sturdy surface to bear down on in the morning.”

Head over to our full Titan Plus Luxe mattress review to learn more about the Titan. For a similar mattress with firmer edges, check out the original Titan Plus instead.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Plank Firm is one of the firmest mattresses we have ever tested. The Plank is a flippable memory foam mattress that offers two firmness levels: firm and extra-firm. However, it was the extra-firm side that stood out to us during testing. We recommend this mattress to back sleepers with neck pain who need structured support around their upper body. During testing, we gave the Plank a 4 out of 5 or higher in edge support, responsiveness, and motion isolation.

If your saggy mattress is causing pain around your upper body, you probably need a model with reinforced, edge-to-edge support to alleviate tension near your shoulders and neck. During testing, Sosha Lewis was particularly impressed with how supported and stable she felt in all sleeping positions, even while lying near the perimeter. She gave the extra-firm side of the Plank a 4.4 out of 5 for edge support.

“I felt supported and comfortable on my side, back, and stomach,” Sosha said. “However, I thought this mattress felt most balanced on my back. Despite its firmness, I didn’t notice any pressure building up in my neck, shoulders, or hips in this position.”

Another common memory foam mattress trend that the Plank dismantles is ineffective cooling. This type of mattress is known for trapping body heat, which often causes it to underperform in the cooling category compared to its innerspring and hybrid counterparts. However, the Plank performed surprisingly well in our cooling tests. 

To better assess the temperature-regulating abilities of the Plank, mattress tester Riley Otis used a thermal gun to measure the increase in temperature after lying on it for 5 minutes. She found a minor 5-degree increase on the extra-firm side, which is impressive for an all-foam model.

“The Plank doesn’t feel particularly cool to the touch, but it’s not stifling either,” Riley said. “I couldn’t detect the Plank heating too much beneath me.”

That said, while the Plank’s ultra-firm surface resists sagging and provides uniform support that is beneficial for a wide swath of sleepers, it is not the best option for folks who weigh less than 130 pounds. These sleepers will fare better on a softer, more adaptive mattress that can better contour their joints.

Its firm side also exposed a few weaknesses in its construction. The motion isolation on that side only scored a 3.7 out of 5 in our testing, so if you snooze next to a restless bedmate, you might notice their movements more at night.

For a better look into the Plank’s strengths and weaknesses, head over to our full Plank Firm mattress review. For a similarly supportive mattress that falls on the softer side of our firmness scale, consider upgrading to the Plank Firm Luxe instead.

Hybrid mattresses are often great options for sleepers with neck pain because they combine the support of innerspring coils with the pressure-relieving softness of memory foam. This balance prevents sagging that could cause spinal misalignment and discomfort in the upper body, while still cushioning the head and neck to avoid stiffness. The Bear Star Hybrid is my pick for the best hybrid mattress for neck pain because it is an affordable, well-rounded mattress that scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in responsiveness, edge support, and cooling.

During testing, I was most impressed with its highly responsive surface, which earned it a 5 out of 5 in the responsiveness category. I found it incredibly easy to maneuver between sleeping positions on this mattress. Its responsive and supportive springs are also a good indicator that folks with neck pain won’t have to worry about sagging causing discomfort around their upper body.

Similarly, I gave its stellar edge support a 4.6 out of 5. Not only is this mattress easy to move around on, but it also feels consistently supportive throughout its entire surface. Back and side sleepers should benefit from its steady support around their upper body. I didn’t feel any pressure building up in my hips and shoulders on my back or side while lying on this mattress, and I didn’t notice any awkward dips around my head that could lead to neck pain.

The Bear Star Hybrid also effectively regulates temperature, despite having a plush pillow-top layer. I gave it a 4 out of 5 for cooling because I could barely feel the heat on the mattress after placing my hands on where I had lain. The Bear mattress’s breathable fabrics and airy innerspring coils did a great job of promoting airflow and maintaining a neutral temperature.

However, the Bear Star Hybrid isn’t perfect. I wouldn’t recommend this mattress to couples because of its average motion isolation test results. Couples or folks who sleep with a restless pet will probably feel every movement at night on the Bear Star Hybrid’s bouncy, responsive surface.

Check out our full Bear Star Hybrid mattress review to learn more about this model. For a more luxurious option with improved motion isolation, consider upgrading to the Bear Elite Hybrid.

Thanks to its durable innerspring coils, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid delivers consistent corner-to-corner support for back sleepers with aches and pains. While testing the Signature Hybrid, I found that its balanced, medium-firm construction could be a good fit for various sleep styles and preferences. I gave it 4 out of 5 or higher in edge support and cooling, two categories that play a significant role in keeping you comfortable at night.

Whether you sleep on your side or back, the Signature Hybrid has sturdy edge-to-edge support, making it a solid option for sleepers with neck pain. I gave the Signature Hybrid a 4.3 out of 5 in edge support, because I felt evenly supported no matter where I lay on the mattress. I didn’t feel any awkward dips or pressure building up around common pressure points, such as the neck and hips.

I invited our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist Dr. Joe Tedesco to offer his take on the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid. Overall, he was impressed with how the Signature Hybrid handled pressure relief on his neck while lying on his back and side. 

“When I was on my back and side, I didn’t even feel the need for a pillow,” Dr. Tedesco said. “Everything felt very well supported, so I think this could be a viable option for people with neck pain. You aren’t put into any unnatural positions on this mattress.”

If you’re like me and get unbearably hot at night, you’ll be pleased to know that the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid also provides excellent cooling. During testing, I found that its breathable innerspring system and breathable cover did a great job of keeping temperature in check. 

I used a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature before and after lying on it for 5 minutes. After resting on the Signature Hybrid for 5 minutes, I recorded a temperature increase of six degrees, which puts it in our excellent cooling category. I barely noticed it heating up beneath me, so I gave it a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 for cooling.

However, I noticed a couple of drawbacks while testing this mattress. I found that its motion transfer and responsiveness were about average. Based on the Signature Hybrid’s performance in those categories, I don’t think it is ideal for couples who are easily disturbed by motion or combination sleepers who need a springy surface to move around at night.

Head over to our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress review to see how it stacks up in all of our testing categories. For a similar mattress with stronger motion isolation, check out the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe instead.

For shoppers who want to go above and beyond just remedying their neck pain, the Birch Luxe Natural is an organic mattress that places you right in the lap of luxury. The Birch mattress features organic latex foam, cotton, and wool. It excels on all fronts, scoring 4 out of 5 or higher in pressure relief and edge support.

The Birch Luxe Natural is a dream come true for sleepers with all types of chronic pain, thanks to its exceptional pressure-relieving performance. During testing, the Birch Luxe earned a perfect 5 out of 5 in back pressure relief, and a 4.5 out of 5 in side-sleeping pressure relief, making it one of our top-scoring mattresses in either category.

“My spinal alignment is great on this mattress,” said mattress tester Riley Otis. “The bouncy latex doesn’t offer deep contouring, but I feel weightless and evenly supported on my back. I don’t notice any tension anywhere.”

The Birch Luxe Natural delivers consistent support across its entire surface thanks to its durable innerspring coils and responsive organic latex, materials that are particularly well-suited for sleepers with neck pain. “If you’re looking to ease neck pain with your mattress, look for a latex or memory foam mattress that’s medium firm, supportive, offers pressure relief, and keeps your spine in a neutral position,” says Dr. Dasgupta.

Riley gave the Birch a 4.8 out of 5 for edge support, making this mattress almost perfect for sleepers with chronic neck pain caused by a saggy mattress. She would also recommend this mattress to sleepers who rest near the perimeter of the bed and those with mobility concerns.

“I don’t need to use my hands to help me get out of this bed,” Riley said. “This mattress is very responsive and rises with you as you stand. There’s just enough cushioning to feel comfortable and supported. Nothing feels lopsided or like it’s sinking too far into the mattress.”

However, the Birch Luxe only earned a 3 out of 5 in our cooling category. The Birch Luxe should work well for most people; however, sleepers prone to overheating will likely need a mattress with stronger temperature-regulating features.

Learn more about this model in our full Birch Luxe Natural mattress review. For a similar mattress with superior cooling, check out the Avocado Green instead.