The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint and a hot spot for pressure buildup, injury, and chronic pain. There are a variety of conditions that could cause shoulder pain, but if you can’t point to a specific ailment (like arthritis), your pain could be caused — at least in part — by your mattress. The best mattresses for shoulder pain are better at alleviating and preventing mattress-induced shoulder pain than others, so I’ve put together a list of my favorites. While doing so, I took the words of Sleepopolis Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta to heart.
“If you’re looking to ease shoulder pain with your mattress, look for one that’s softer yet supportive, offers pressure relief, and keeps your hips and spine aligned,” Dr. Dasgupta says. “Memory foam or latex can be good materials for this, and you can also consider adding a mattress topper for a more plush surface.”
We run all the mattresses we review through a series of tests, and per Dr. Dasgupta’s advice, I paid close attention here to our pressure map test. I start by spreading out a specialized mat on the mattress, then lie down on it in different positions. The map records how much pressure I feel in each position, and visualizes that information into a color-coded graphic or “map”. Blue and green equate to low pressure, while yellow and red mean that there’s quite a bit of pressure building in those areas. For this list, I obviously went with mattresses that showed little to no pressure buildup around the shoulders.
Keep reading to take a look at my best mattresses for shoulder pain. Sleepopolis has helped 12,544 people find a mattress in 2024 alone, and I hope I can do the same for you.
Best Mattresses for Shoulder Pain
- Best Overall Mattress – Helix Midnight
- Best Mattress for Neck and Shoulder Pain – Saatva Classic
- Best Hybrid Mattress for Shoulder Pain – WinkBed
- Best Cooling Mattress for Shoulder Pain – Nectar
- Best Mattress for Back and Shoulder Pain – Saatva Rx
- Best Mattress for Couples with Shoulder Pain – Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
- Best Mattress for Athletes with Shoulder Pain – Bear Elite Hybrid
- Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Shoulder Pain – Nolah Signature
- Best Mattress for Heavy Sleepers with Shoulder Pain – Titan Plus Luxe
- Best Organic Mattress for Shoulder Pain – Birch Luxe Natural
Disclaimer: Please note that the content in this article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or serve as a substitute for seeing a medical professional regarding any sleep problems you may have. Please see your doctor regarding any urgent medical issues.
Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain 2024 Video Review
What I Look For In The Best Mattresses For Shoulder Pain
Firmness
Shoulder pain can often happen from sleeping on your back or with arms up on your stomach, so it is especially important for these sleepers to consider the firmness of their mattress. Firmness can help to alleviate pain these sleepers experience, so I was sure to test for the firmness of all of the mattresses on this list. To test them I used our firmness scale, which runs 1-10 with 10 being the most firm. I generally recommend a 6.5 or softer for sleepers with shoulder pain.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is very important for anyone who is experiencing any kind of pain when they sleep or because of how they sleep. For this reason, I was sure to test for pressure relief of each of the mattresses on this list using a pressure map and focusing on shoulder relief to help alleviate pain and discomfort.
Material
The material of a mattress is important to any sleeper, and I wanted to be sure to include mattresses made from quality materials that would help keep you comfortable, cool, and alleviate shoulder pain. I generally look for innerspring or hybrid mattresses for those with shoulder pain, as these materials provide the necessary support and alignment needed for relieving shoulder pain.
Compare the Best Mattresses for Shoulder Pain
Helix Midnight Mattress | Saatva Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Nectar Mattress | Saatva Rx Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress | Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress | Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Titan Plus Luxe | Birch Luxe Natural Mattress | |
Rating | ||||||||||
Firmness | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Soft: 5.5/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Firm: 7/10 |
Material | Hybrid | Innerspring | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid |
Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
Best For |
Couples,
Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Seniors
|
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers
|
Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Couples
|
Back Pain, Hip Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers
|
Couples,
Back Sleepers, Hip Pain |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors
|
Side Sleepers,
Back Pain |
Side Sleepers,
Back Sleepers |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers |
Best Overall Mattress for Shoulder Pain – Helix Midnight
The Helix Midnight is amongst Helix’s line of six standard mattresses. It’s known for its more balanced feel, allowing it to accommodate a wide range of sleepers. We also recommend it for couples, as it scored well on our motion isolation, responsiveness, edge support, and cooling tests. For a plusher and more cooling version of this mattress, see the Helix Midnight Luxe. Learn more in our video review.
Best Mattress for Neck and Shoulder Pain – Saatva Classic
The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction provides a classic innerspring feel. It’s a good option for combo sleepers, who will want to feel free to switch positions and avoid feeling “stuck” in the mattress. It comes in three firmness levels, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The white glove delivery Saatva provides is an added perk and will save you the headache of getting rid of your old mattress (they take it away for free!). For more information, watch our video review.
Best Hybrid Mattress for Shoulder Pain – WinkBed
The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid mattress. It has a similarly supportive and sturdy feel to a traditional innerspring mattress, but upgrades like a Euro top and cooling Tencel cover give it a touch of modern luxury. Available in three firmness levels, there is a WinkBed for just about every sleeper. And a responsive and bouncy feel makes it a great pick for combination sleepers. Learn more in our video review.
Best Cooling Mattress for Shoulder Pain – Nectar
The Nectar delivers a balance of comfort and support: it’s definitely contouring, but still provides a firm enough foundation for most light to average weight sleepers, especially if they sleep on their back or stomach. Plus, a lengthy trial period, lifetime warranty, and affordable price make the Nectar a reassuring choice for many. Watch our video review to learn more.
Best Mattress for Back and Shoulder Pain – Saatva Rx
Designed specifically for sleepers with back pain and joint pain, the Saatva Rx features several layers that combine both foam and coils. This creates a blend of comfort and support throughout the entire mattress that’s cushioning enough for any aches and pains while still being sturdy enough for a neutral spinal alignment. Learn more in our Saatva Rx video review.
Best Mattress for Couples with Shoulder Pain – Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress combines a foam comfort layer and sturdy coils. This combination of materials makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. It comes in three firmness levels, and we recommend the Medium model for most back sleepers. It’s a great choice for shoppers who are looking for a new mattress on a budget. For more information, check out our video review.
Best Mattress for Athletes with Shoulder Pain – Bear Elite Hybrid
The Bear Elite Hybrid uses foam and coils for a mix of support, cushioning, and cooling. While designed for athletes prioritizing wellness and recovery, sleepers of all activity levels can enjoy the many luxurious features. Enjoy zoned support for targeted relief, an “on top of” feel allowing for ease of movement, and cooling features throughout. For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“I’d recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid for most back and stomach sleepers.I think these sleepers will get the needed pressure relief and contouring around the lower back and hips. This mattress does a wonderful job at offering body contouring while still helping the sleeper stay elevated and lifted as well. The layers of foam should provide comfort while the coil system should offer lots of support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Shoulder Pain – Nolah Signature
If you’re looking for a soft yet supportive foam option, the Nolah Signature should be a good fit. It’s supportive enough for back sleepers, while also providing enough contouring for side sleepers, especially at the shoulders and hips where the put the most pressure while sleeping. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Nolah Signature is a great choice for a lot of back and side sleepers. The sinkage this mattress provides should be a nice match for these sleepers and offer the pressure relief they need.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor