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7 Best Mattresses for Shoulder Pain Chosen by Experts in 2024
Apr 18, 2024
Fact Checked
Our Reviews Team chose the best mattresses for sleepers with shoulder pain based on pressure relief, support, mattress bounce and responsiveness, and more.
We chose Saatva Rx as the “Best Overall Mattress for Shoulder Pain.”
$1,249–$3,295 is the price range for the queen-sized mattresses in this review.
A medium-firm mattress is the standard recommendation for sleepers with shoulder pain, but there isn’t a one-size-fits-all mattress.
The right mattress to help support shoulder pain depends on your personal preferences, sleeping position, weight, budget, and other factors.
Our Reviews Team researched hundreds of mattress models and tested more than 20 mattress brands in person to determine the best mattresses for shoulder pain. Here’s how we chose our top mattresses:
Analyzed costs, benefits, features, and brand policies, such as returns and trial periods
Consulted sleep specialists, including doctors and physical therapists, for insight on choosing the best mattresses for shoulder pain
Identified and tested key factors for an objective measure of features, like motion transfer, pressure relief, edge support, firmness, and mattress bounce
Personally tested each mattress against these factors for an unbiased assessment
Medically reviewed our selections to ensure each brand and model is appropriate for the needs of our readers
“Disrupted sleep can cause an increase in pain and irritation because rest is very important to the body’s ability to recover and repair itself,” said Renee Roth Powers, physical therapist and owner of Fundamental Motion. “When that restorative process is disrupted, you are always ‘behind’ the recovery, and the emotional wear and tear from chronic fatigue over several days creates a spiral of pain and fatigue,” she said.
We want to help you find the best mattress to help relieve shoulder pain. While a mattress can’t eliminate pain, the right firmness and support can relieve pressure and properly support your neck, shoulder, and spine.
Our Reviews Team consulted Joey Torigoe, a traveling doctor of physical therapy, to learn how to comfortably sleep with shoulder pain. He recommends using a pillow to support your shoulder whether sleeping on your back, side, or stomach:
Back sleepers: Place the pillow under the armpit of your affected shoulder to keep it propped up.
Side sleepers: Lie on the unaffected shoulder and place the pillow under the armpit of your affected shoulder.
Stomach sleepers: Place the pillow in front of your shoulders to keep them in a neutral position. Make sure you can turn your head comfortably to one side without straining your neck.
Best Overall Mattress for Shoulder Pain
The Saatva Rx is specially designed for sleepers with injuries or chronic pain. During testing, the mattress demonstrated excellent pressure relief and support. We think many sleepers will benefit from the mattress’s cushioned top layers paired with the more supportive foundation. Saatva also offers free white-glove delivery (free shipping and installation of your new mattress and removal of your old mattress), which is a great perk.
Best Overall Mattress for Shoulder Pain
9.7
Exceptional
Saatva Rx
•
Designed for sleepers with injuries and chronic pain
Shipping: Free, mattress setup and removal included
Warranty: Lifetime
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king
Mattress height: 15 inches (″)
Pros and cons of the Saatva mattress
ProsExcellent support and contouring Free white-glove delivery Responsive hybrid mattressConsHigher cost $99 fee for returns
Our expert take
How the Saatva Rx may help shoulder pain: The Saatva Rx is a medium-firm mattress offering contoured support for back sleepers, which is a great sleeping position if you’re living with shoulder pain.
“While personal preferences vary, medium-firm mattresses are often recommended for sleepers with shoulder pain,” said Dev Batra, MD, dual-board certified vascular and interventional radiologist at Texas Vascular Institute. “A medium-firm mattress offers support and comfort, promoting healthy spinal alignment and reducing shoulder pressure.”
A gel memory foam layer in the mattress center relieves pressure in the lumbar area, followed by high-density foam layers. Each innerspring coil is topped with two inches of foam for extra contouring support.
We think most sleepers will feel great pressure relief when lying on their side—as long as it’s not on the painful shoulder.
From our tester
“When I lie on my side, There’s no pressure on my hips or shoulders. The mattress evenly supports both areas, and it feels like I’m lying on a cloud.”
How the mattress feels: The quilted top gives the Saatva Rx a soft, plush surface. Testers were gently cradled without sinking deeply into the mattress. They felt closer to the surface and were supported by the responsive innerspring coils.
Our testers easily moved on the mattress and could switch positions without feeling “stuck” or sunken in. We like that the mattress supports and moves with sleepers, especially if your shoulder pain makes it difficult to move around on your mattress or change positions.
The Saatva Rx has a strong, supportive edge.
Testers loved how strong and stable the mattress’s edge was. They could easily move from sitting on the edge to standing on the ground. Strong edge support is helpful if you like to sit on the edge of your bed or need additional support to get in and out.
Saatva mattresses are not “bed-in-a-box” mattresses. The Saatva Rx is ready to sleep on when delivered — unlike bed-in-a-box mattresses that are compressed, rolled, and sealed in a box. Saatva offers free delivery and setup of your mattress and removes the old one for free.
Additional information
The Saatva Rx is designed for sleepers with back injuries and conditions such as a herniated disc, scoliosis, or arthritis. The mattress’s unique design can also accommodate and support shoulder pain, especially for back sleepers.
Our recommendation
Who may love it
People who need a responsive bed with good edge support for easy mobility
Back sleepers of any weight
Shoppers who need white-glove delivery to haul the mattress into the bedroom
Payment options are Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Google Pay, and PayPal. Saatva offers financing options through Affirm.
Note that Saatva offers $225 off a purchase of $1,000 or more to adults age 65 and older, military members and their families, health care professionals, government employees, and more.
Our top pick
Best Soft Mattress for Shoulder Pain: Helix Midnight Luxe
Helix Midnight Luxe
Best Soft Mattress for Shoulder Pain
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The Helix Midnight Luxe has a soft pillow top paired with a supportive hybrid mattress.
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The cushioning, plush surface is great for sleepers looking for a softer mattress.
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, California king, RV king
Mattress height: 13.5″
Pros and cons of the Helix mattress
ProsPlush, soft pillow top paired with innerspring coils Strong edge support ConsMay feel “stuck” when trying to switch positions No white-glove delivery available Shorter trial period
Our expert take
How the Helix Midnight Luxe may help shoulder pain: Most back sleepers should feel pressure relief when sinking into the soft surface of the Helix Midnight Luxe. If you have sensitive shoulder pain and want a plush mattress that cradles you while you sleep, this may be the mattress for you.
How the mattress feels: Testers felt deeply hugged by the mattress when lying on their backs. One tester noted how the material comfortably conformed to their body, but they didn’t feel it pushing against their lower back for extra support.
For such a soft mattress surface, our testers were surprised their shoulders didn’t sink in as much as their hips when lying on their side.
We were pleasantly surprised the soft Helix Midnight Luxe has such a supportive edge.
While the quilted pillow top offers a soft and comfortable surface, changing positions on the mattress may take some effort. Our testers felt stuck in the pillow layer and had to lift themselves up when they switched sleeping positions. Sleepers with limited mobility may find it challenging to change positions comfortably throughout the night.
The plush surface may also make it more difficult to push to a seated position to get out of bed. Our testers sank into the mattress when adjusting from lying down to sitting. Depending on the intensity of your shoulder pain, it may be hard to exert the effort needed to sit up on the Helix Midnight Luxe.
Fortunately, the mattress edge is strong and stable despite the soft surface. Strong edge support allows sleepers to use more of the mattress’s surface since they can sleep closer to the edge. A supportive edge also makes getting in and out of the bed easier.
Additional information
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a hybrid mattress with a soft, plush pillow top and multiple memory foam layers before reaching the innerspring coils. It’s one of the softest hybrid mattress surfaces we’ve tested, but the innerspring layer offers some reinforced support.
Our recommendation
Who may love it
Back sleepers who may feel nice pressure relief from the plush pillow top
People who need excellent edge support for sleeping near the edge or safely getting in and out of bed
Who should probably avoid it
Sleepers who switch positions throughout the night
People who need a responsive bed for easy mobility
Customer service
You can reach Helix customer service by:
Phone: Call 831-777-5976, available Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Text: Texting HELIX to 67069, available Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Chat: Live chat via the bottom-right corner of the website, available seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
Credit card payment options are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Other options are Shop Pay, Amazon Pay, PayPal, and Google Pay. Helix offers financing through Affirm and Katapult.
The company currently offers 30% off for military members, first responders, students, and teachers. The discount code can’t be combined with other promotional codes.
Best Mattress for Neck and Shoulder Pain: The WinkBed Luxury Firm
The WinkBed Luxury Firm
Best Mattress for Neck and Shoulder Pain
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The WinkBed is available in four firmness options to help accommodate shoulder pain and sensitivity.
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The mattress supports multiple sleeping positions for most body types.
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Mattress height: 13.5″
Pros and cons of The WinkBed mattress
ProsMultiple firmness options Contains cooling materials Excellent motion isolationConsWhite-glove delivery not available
Our expert take
How The WinkBed Luxury Firm may help shoulder pain: The WinkBed Luxury Firm has a cradling yet supportive surface that may help sleepers experiencing shoulder and neck pain. Our testers were comfortably supported by the hybrid mattress when lying on their back and side, which are common positions recommended for neck pain.
“Sleeping on your back can help distribute weight evenly and maintain natural spinal alignment, reducing shoulder pressure,” said Batra. “Placing a pillow under the knees can further support the lower back and alleviate shoulder strain. It can also help reduce pressure on the shoulders and hips.”
Our tester Alfreda places a pillow between her legs to help relieve pressure when lying on her side.
If you’re living with neck pain, sleeping on the right pillow may be the best solution. Torigoe recommends working with your health care provider or physical therapist to find the pillow firmness and height that works best for you.
How the mattress feels: Unlike the soft Helix Luxe Midnight, The WinkBed Luxury Firm has a supportive, responsive surface that helps sleepers move and adjust positions without fighting the mattress material. Our testers easily switched positions and immediately felt the mattress conform to their new position. A bouncier, more responsive mattress means less exertion—and possibly less pain—when adjusting or moving on it.
Our tester had no pressure buildup when lying on their back—the ideal sleeping position when living with shoulder pain. They slightly sunk into the mattress, and the innerspring coil layer supported and reinforced their back.
We love that the mattress has a responsive bounce while also isolating motion. Sleepers have the perk of a mattress that supports their movement without being disturbed by their partner’s movements. The WinkBed has a layer of gel foam on top of its innerspring coils to help absorb movement.
Our testers used the mattress’s bounce to easily push up to a seated position. The mattress edge is stable, and testers comfortably sat on the edge and went from sitting to standing with ease.
Use The WinkBed firmness guide to help choose the right firmness option. If you don’t like the original mattress firmness you chose, you can exchange it for a different firmness option of The WinkBed for $49.
Additional information
The WinkBed comes in four firmness options: soft, luxury firm, firmer, and plus. Our Reviews Team tested the brand’s most popular option, The WinkBed Luxury Firm. We like that the mattress is available in multiple firmness options to accommodate specific pain sensitivity and personal preferences.
Our recommendation
Who may love it
People who need a responsive bed with good edge support for easy mobility
Sleepers who are easily disturbed by their partner’s movements
Sleepers who switch positions throughout the night
Who should probably avoid it
Higher-weight stomach sleepers may not get enough support with the Luxury Firm option
Sleepers looking for a softer mattress may want to choose the Soft option
Customer service
You can reach WinkBeds customer service by:
Phone: Call 855-946-5233, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
Chat: Live chat via the bottom-right corner of the website, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
Credit card payment options are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Other options are Shop Pay and Google Pay. WinkBeds offers financing through Bread Pay and Katapult.
The company currently offers $50 off for military members and their families, as well as first responders, law enforcement, and health care workers.
Best Firm Mattress for Shoulder Pain: Titan Plus
Titan Plus
Best Firm Mattress for Shoulder Pain
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The Titan Plus is a firm mattress designed to support higher-weight sleepers (more than 250 pounds).
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It contains high-density foam and a strong innerspring layer for durable, lasting support.
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split California King
Mattressheight: 11″
Pros and cons of the Titan mattress
ProsDesigned for higher-weight sleepers Responsive surface Has cooling materials ConsMay be too firm for lighter- and average-weight sleepers Poor motion isolation White-glove delivery not available
Our expert take
How the Titan Plus may help shoulder pain: The Titan Plus has two contouring, comfortable top layers to help relieve pressure. Sleepers with shoulder pain may feel relief from the quilted pillow top infused with gel foam, followed by the comfort foam layer. They won’t sink into the surface too deeply due to the firm support from the innerspring coils.
This mattress is likely too firm for lower-weight (less than 130 pounds) and average-weight (130–250 pounds) sleepers. The Titan Plus may work for some average-weight back sleepers who prefer a firmer mattress, but our average-weight tester didn’t feel completely supported when lying on their back or side.
“Comfort of a mattress can depend on body weight. Increased body weight creates more give in the mattress,” said Powers. “A moderately firm mattress that does not sag beneath your shoulders or hips is best [for shoulder pain].”
How the mattress feels: Because the mattress is so firm, our testers felt like they were lying close to the surface and not sinking into the mattress. Remember: body weight makes a difference in how the mattress feels since this mattress is designed for higher-weight sleepers.
The Titan Plus has a quilted top with some cushioning, but lighter-weight and average-weight sleepers may find the mattress too firm.
The strong, responsive innerspring coils give the mattress a nice bounce. Higher-weight sleepers should be able to easily switch positions and get in and out of the bed due to the mattress’s supportive movements.
Additional information
The Titan Luxe Plus is a firm hybrid mattress designed for higher-weight sleepers or anyone looking for a firm mattress. It contains firm and high-density foam for durable, pressure-relieving support.
Our recommendation
Who may love it
Higher-weight people who need a firmer and more supportive mattress for comfort
People who need a responsive bed for easy mobility
Who should probably avoid it
Lower-weight and average-weight people who prefer sleeping on their sides
Sleepers who are easily disturbed by their partner’s movements
Sleepers looking for a softer, more cushioned feel
Customer service
Titan is a Brooklyn Bedding brand. You can reach Brooklyn Bedding customer service by:
Phone: Call 623-624-1222, available seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
Chat: Live chat via the bottom-right corner of the Titan website, available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and Saturday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
Credit card payment options are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Other options are Shop Pay, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and Google Pay. Titan offers financing through Affirm.
The company currently offers 30% off for military members, first responders, medical providers, students, and teachers. The discount code can’t be combined with other promotional codes.
Best Foam Mattress for Shoulder Pain: Nolah Signature 12″
Nolah Signature 12″
Best Foam Mattress for Shoulder Pain
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The Nolah Signature 12″ proprietary Nolah AirFoam is designed to support the shoulders, hips, and back.
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The mattress contains flexible foam around the shoulder area for adjusting positions and side sleeping.
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Mattressheight: 12″
Pros and cons of the Nolah mattress
ProsAll-foam mattress Good support for back and side sleepersGreat motion isolation ConsMay be too firm for lighter-weight sleepers
Our expert take
How the Nolah Signature 12″may help shoulder pain: The Nolah Signature is an all-foam mattress designed for side sleepers. It contains proprietary Zoned AirFoam (not memory foam) that’s more cushioned in the shoulder area, allowing your shoulders to sink into the mattress to relieve pressure when lying on your side. The foam is firmer in the middle to support the lumbar and hip areas. We think this foam mattress offers contoured, pressure-relieving support for side sleepers without the typical sagging of memory foam.
How the mattress feels: Our testers felt the effects of the Nolah Signature’s firm, supportive foam right away. They were gently cradled by the mattress without sinking in, and they felt the material slightly contour to their lower back. When a tester switched to lying on their side, they didn’t feel any pressure buildup in their shoulders or hips, meaning their weight was evenly distributed on the mattress.
From our tester
“The Nolah Signature was firmer than I expected, but it offered nice pressure relief and support when lying on my back and side. It may be too firm to accommodate lighter-weight sleepers.”
Most foam mattresses have great motion isolation since soft foam absorbs movement and there isn’t a layer of bouncy innerspring coils. The Nolah Signature was no exception—when lying next to one another on the mattress, a tester hardly felt their testing partner’s movement when they switched positions multiple times on the other side of the mattress.
The Nolah Signature mattress has strong edge support, especially for an all-foam mattress.
We were impressed with how well the mattress isolates movement and how supportive and responsive it is. Our testers switched positions on the bed, rolled around, sat on it, and stood up from the edge easily.
Additional information
The Nolah Signature 12″ is the only all-foam mattress in our review. While some memory foam mattresses may be too cushioning or soft to support sleepers with shoulder pain, our Reviews Team was impressed with how firm and supportive this mattress is.
Our recommendation
Who may love it
People who need a responsive bed with good edge support for easy mobility
Average-weight (130–250 pounds) and higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) sleepers who prefer sleeping on their side
Sleepers with shoulder pain who prefer side-sleeping on their “good” shoulder
Who should probably avoid it
Lighter-weight sleepers (less than 130 pounds) who may find the mattress too firm
Customer service
You can reach Nolah customer service by:
Phone: Call 866-403-6615, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
Email: support@nolahmattress.com
Chat: Live chat via the bottom-right corner of the website, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
Payment options
Nolah accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Shop Pay, and PayPal. Financing is available through Affirm.
The brand currently offers $50 off for military members and their families, as well as health care workers. This discount can’t be combined with other promotional codes.
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief: The Bear Elite Hybrid
The Bear Elite Hybrid
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
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The Bear Elite Hybrid had perfect pressure relief scores for back and side sleepers during testing.
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The mattress is available in three firmness options to accommodate pain sensitivity and any personal needs.
Shipping: Free box shipping or $199 white-glove delivery
Warranty: Limited lifetime
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Mattressheight: 14″
Pros and cons of the Bear mattress
ProsSupportive for back sleepers Contains cooling materials Available in three firmness optionsConsHigher pricePoor motion isolation
Our expert take
How the Bear Elite Hybrid may help shoulder pain: We think back sleepers of any weight will experience excellent pressure relief and support with the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress. Sleepers with shoulder pain who primarily sleep on their back should feel the mattress contour to their lower back without any pressure buildup.
How the mattress feels: The Bear Elite Hybrid is comfortable and thoughtfully designed, from its soft, cool cover to its innerspring coils with zoned support. The mattress cover contains CELLIANT, a material that was shown to increase blood flow and oxygen levels in the skin during a clinical trial involving participants who wore clothing containing CELLIANT.
Our testers felt this hybrid mattress’s combined support and cradling pressure relief. They didn’t sink too deeply into the surface, and the quilted cover and memory foam layers contoured nicely to the lower back area.
“Zoned support” means the innerspring coils are specifically designed to support different areas of the body for optimal pressure relief and comfort.
The plush, quilted cover offers a comfortable surface with the reinforced support of innerspring coils.
Our testers didn’t exert much effort to switch positions or roll over because the mattress’s responsive bounce aided their movements.
From our tester
“I didn’t have to fight the mattress material to move around or switch positions. The cover pushes upward, and the surface is very responsive, making it easy to change sleeping positions.
A responsive mattress is a massive advantage for sleepers with shoulder pain—the less effort needed to move on the mattress, the less strain on your shoulder.
Additional information
The Bear Elite Hybrid is available in three firmness options: soft, medium, and firm. We tested the medium, which is the brand’s most popular option. Our Reviews Team likes that you can select the best firmness to help accommodate your pain sensitivity and personal preferences.
Our recommendation
Who may love it
Any type of sleeper—choose plush soft, medium, or firm comfort levels to accommodate preferences
People with lower back pain who benefit from extra support in the lumbar area
Hot sleepers who need high-performance cooling materials
Who should probably avoid it
Sleepers who are easily disturbed by their partner’s movements
Shoppers on a budget who might want to look for less expensive options
Customer service
You can reach Bear customer service by:
Phone: Call 844-311-0035, available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Email: support@bearmattress.com
Chat: Live chat via the bottom-right corner of the website, available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Payment options
Bear accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, PayPal, Google Pay, and Venmo. Financing is available through Affirm and ShopPay.
The brand currently offers a 40% discount for military members, first responders, law enforcement, health care workers, and teachers. This discount can’t be combined with other promotional codes.
Best Mattress for Shoulder and Hip Pain: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling
Best Mattress for Shoulder and Hip Pain
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The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling demonstrated excellent pressure relief in the hips and shoulders during our testing.
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The mattress has cooling materials designed to keep sleepers comfortable and cool.
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, California king, split California king, RV king, RV bunk
Mattressheight: 13.25″
Pros and cons of the Aurora mattress
ProsExcellent pressure relief Soft, medium, and firm optionsStrong edge support ConsPoor motion isolation No white-glove delivery available
Our expert take
How the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling may help shoulder pain: We like that sleepers will feel supported in both their shoulders and hips with the Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress. The hybrid mattress is firm enough for most sleepers to move around easily without exerting too much effort, but it has cushioning layers to contour to high-pressure points like the shoulders, hips, and lower back.
How the mattress feels: We tested the medium model and found it slightly firmer than a typical medium mattress. Even though it was on the firmer side, it still conformed in all the right places. Testers felt a gentle, slow contouring without sinking too deeply into the surface. We immediately noticed how cool the Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress felt compared to other mattresses we tested. The mattress combines various cooling designs to help dispel body heat and promote airflow.
The firm mattress supported our testers’ movement when they switched sleeping positions. Testers reported that moving around on the mattress was easy and didn’t feel like they were fighting the material.
We love the mattress’s high, stable edge. When our testers sat on the edge, the mattress didn’t collapse under their weight. They felt supported and stable in this position and were able to easily get in and out of bed.
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress has a stable, supportive edge.
From our tester
“The Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress edge doesn’t sink much when I sit on it. It’s about 14 inches high, which is helpful when going from a seated to standing position.”
Additional information
The Aurora Luxe Cooling is one of our favorite mattresses for side sleepers. When sleeping on your side, your hips and shoulders should slightly sink into the mattress so they don’t build up pressure and leave you sore in the morning. Our testers felt their weight evenly distributed and experienced excellent pressure relief when lying on both their sides and backs on the mattress.
Our recommendation
Who will love it
Any type of sleeper—choose plush soft, luxury firm, or firm comfort levels to accommodate your preferences
Back and side sleepers looking for pressure relief
Hot sleepers who need high-performance cooling materials
Who should avoid it
Shoppers who need white-glove delivery to haul the mattress into the bedroom
Light sleepers who are easily disturbed by their partner’s movements
Customer service
You can reach Brooklyn Bedding customer service by:
Phone: Call 623-624-1222, available seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
Chat: Live chat via the bottom-right corner of the website, available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and Saturday through Sunday from 11 a.m to 7 p.m. ET
Accepted credit card payments are MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Amazon Pay, Shop Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. Financing through Brooklyn Bedding is available through Affirm.
Compare the best mattresses for shoulder pain as of April 2024
When choosing the best mattress for shoulder pain, consider the mattress’s firmness level, pressure relief performance, how it supports your movement, the cost, and trial period. While we recommend a medium-firm mattress to help accommodate shoulder pain, this may not be the right firmness level for everyone. Consider your body weight and personal preferences when shopping for the right mattress.
Saatva Rx is our top pick for sleepers with shoulder pain, followed by Helix Midnight Luxe if you’re looking for a softer mattress. We like that The WinkBed is available in four different firmness options to help accommodate your specific needs and pain sensitivity. The WinkBed Luxury firm is our top choice to help with neck and shoulder pain.
Always consult your health care provider if you’re shopping for a mattress to help alleviate chronic pain. Our Reviews Team recommends mattresses that may offer pressure relief and support, but a mattress alone can’t alleviate shoulder pain.
Frequently asked questions
The best mattress for shoulder pain depends on your primary sleeping position, weight, and personal preferences. Our top mattresses for shoulder pain include Saatva Rx, Helix Midnight Luxe, and The WinkBed Luxury Firm. Look for a mattress with a supportive surface that isn’t too firm or soft, especially if you sleep on your side. If you have pain in both shoulders, we suggest a comfortable and supportive mattress to lay on your back.
The right mattress firmness for shoulder pain depends on your body type and primary sleeping position. Generally, we suggest a medium or medium-firm mattress for cushioning support that isn’t too soft. Average-weight (130–250 pounds) and higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) sleepers may sink too deeply into a soft mattress, but a lighter-weight (less than 130 pounds) sleeper may get the right support.
Firm or extra-firm mattresses are usually best for higher-weight sleepers or stomach sleepers. If your shoulder feels scrunched up when lying on your side or the mattress isn’t contouring to your lower back when on your back, the mattress is probably too firm. Depending on the sleeping position, a mattress should contour to your main pressure points—the shoulders, hips, or lower back—to distribute your weight evenly and help alleviate pressure and pain.
If you wake up with stiffness or dull pain in your shoulder, your mattress may not be supportive or comfortable enough. It may be time for a new mattress if you have a shoulder injury and the pain feels worse when you wake up. While a mattress can’t completely alleviate shoulder pain, the right mattress may help ease aches and pains by supporting your joints and evenly distributing your body weight.
Generally, we recommend a medium-firm mattress to help with shoulder pain. Some memory foam mattresses may be too soft for proper support, but we like the Nolah Signature 12″ all-foam mattress. It’s firmer and offers more support than most memory foam mattresses. The best mattress for every sleeper depends on sleeping position, weight, and personal preferences.
Penn Medicine. Shoulder Pain. Aug. 12, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/shoulder-pain
Jaco Rehab. Dos and Dont’s of a Frozen Shoulder. Found on the internet at https://www.jacorehab.com/blog/dos-and-donts-frozen-shoulder/
Harvard Health. Say ‘Good Night’ to Neck Pain. Feb. 2, 2022. Found on the internet at www.health.harvard.edu/pain/say-good-night-to-nek-pain
Gordon, I., et al. Effect of Shirts with 42% Celliant™ Fiber on tcPO2 Levels and Grip Strength in Healthy Subjects: A Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Textile Science and Engineering. Aug. 9, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8351537
Emily Breaux is a writer with a background in education. She has written on multiple health care and technology topics, as well as for the higher education and hospitality industries. She specializes in medical alert systems and enjoys writing about hearing aids, health insurance, and wellness topics specifically for older adults.
Dr. Suzanne Gorovoy is a clinical psychologist, behavioral sleep medicine specialist, and member of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. She received her graduate degree in School Psychology from Teachers College at Columbia University, her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Case Western Reserve University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Behavioral Sleep Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
