Waking up with a sore neck can feel miserable. Even if you went to bed fine, you might wake up in the morning with stiffness, soreness, or even muscle spasms. Is your mattress to blame? There are different factors to consider when looking for the best mattress for neck pain (the best mattresses for back pain may also help ease neck pain).

Neck pain can be more common in older adults, with many noticing the first signs between ages 40 and 60.¹ Your joints (including your neck) rely on a supportive mattress and pillow in order to maintain proper alignment, according to Bobby Koser, a chiropractor and owner of HealthSpine Chiropractic and Lifeline Spine in Tampa, Florida. 

Our team of testers tried out multiple mattresses that can help with neck pain. We chose the top six to bring you a variety of mattresses to read about (and save time researching on your own). 

Our Top Pick

Saatva Rx

Best Overall

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• Excellent for pressure relief
• Mix of support and comfort helps ease pain

• Great for all sleeping positions

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Helix Midnight Luxe

Best for Back and Neck Pain

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• Great pressure relief on back
• Firm but comfortable surface

• Promotes spinal alignment

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WinkBed Luxury Firm

Best for Arthritis and Neck Pain

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• Cradles and supports joints
• Easier to change positions

• Good for back and side sleepers

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Best mattresses for neck pain in 2025

• Saatva Rx: Best Overall
• Helix Midnight Luxe: Best for Back and Neck Pain
• The WinkBed Luxury Firm: Best for Arthritis and Neck Pain
• Bear Elite Hybrid: Best Cooling Mattress for Neck Pain
• Titan Plus: Best for Higher Weight People with Neck Pain
• Nectar Premier Hybrid: Best Hybrid for Neck Pain

Comparing the best mattresses for neck pain

Top features of the best mattresses for neck pain

We looked for the following features when choosing the best mattresses for neck pain in older adults.

Pain relief score

Unique to NCOA, mattresses with a high pain relief score have a winning combination of pressure relief, firmness, and more, which can help soothe neck pain.

Good pressure relief

We looked for mattresses with good pressure relief in various sleeping positions, particularly along the shoulders and hips for added comfort during sleep. 

Spinal support

Mattresses that keep your spine in a neutral position can help ease the strain on your neck, along with other areas like the low back and hips.

Firmness

Medium to firm mattresses are most effective in relieving or avoiding neck pain, according to experts.

Saatva Rx: Best Mattress Overall for Neck Pain

We chose the Saatva Rx as our “Best Overall” because it scored highest in pain relief. Its Therapeutic Support Core adjusts to your body’s curves and movements, which helps ease pressure points and cradle your joints. The bed’s Lumbar Zone quilting provides extra support to your back to keep your spine aligned, which in turn reduces stress on your neck and keeps it in a neutral position.

Our Top Pick

Saatva Rx

Best Overall

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• Exceptional pressure relief
• Highest pain relief score

• Cradles joints to soothe pain

Saatva Rx features

• Our pain relief score: 4.99/5
• Accessibility score: 4.94/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

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Why we chose the Saatva Rx as the Best Overall

We chose the Saatva Rx as our “Best Overall” mattress for neck pain because it scored highest in pain relief, and received high scores in almost all features (support, bounce, cooling, and pressure relief). It has the right combination of pressure relief, firmness, edge support, and bounce to help soothe pain—especially neck pain. 

Testers said the Saatva Rx helped ease pressure and pain in all positions, but especially while lying on their sides (where your neck is a common pressure point). It also received high scores in almost all features including support, bounce, and cooling. Few mattresses we tested had such consistently high all-around performance. 

Saatva Rx pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Saatva Rx

The Saatva Rx is a hybrid mattress with three layers of foam, a single layer of individually wrapped coils, and a top layer of organic cotton. 

Testers loved the pressure-relieving properties of the Saatva Rx. They rated the Saatva Rx an almost-perfect 4.5 out of 5 for its ability to relieve pressure on their sides. Side sleeping is one of the most common sleeping positions that can worsen neck pain, since you’re resting on your hips, shoulders, and neck. One of our older adult testers noted while trying out the Saatva Rx for side sleeping, “It feels really good on my side. I feel supported down my side, my legs, and I don’t feel any pressure on my shoulders or neck,” they said. “My weight feels evenly distributed, the mattress is hugging my body gently and feels really good. I really love this mattress.” 

The same tester also found the Saatva Rx comfortable while lying on their back. “My butt is sinking in a little bit more but I feel like it's pretty even. I don't feel any pressure.” 

Stomach sleeping isn’t a good position when you’re experiencing neck pain, but our tester still gave the Saatva Rx high scores in stomach-sleeping pressure relief (another 4.5 out of 5). If you are a stomach sleeper with neck pain, we recommend sleeping with a thin pillow under your head to keep your neck aligned with your spine. 

Testers loved the Saatva Rx’s comfort and support, as well as its features. Saatva Rx ties for the longest free trial period on this list (with Nectar Premier Hybrid) by more than double with a free 365-night trial. The rest of the brands in this list offer a maximum of 120 nights. Not only that, but the Saatva Rx is also the only mattress on this list that offers free white glove delivery. That means Saatva will deliver your mattress, set it up in your home, and remove your old mattress—all for free. For older adults who may experience neck or back pain that makes it difficult to move heavy things, this is a great perk. 

While the Saatva Rx has a lot going for it, it does have some slight drawbacks. First, it’s the most expensive bed on this list by about $1,000. If you’re on a tight budget, the Saatva Rx may be too pricey. 

Second, it scored just average in edge support (how stable the edges feel). One of our testers, Chris, a 65-year-old higher-weight combination sleeper who experiences back pain, spinal stenosis, and sleep apnea, said he would’ve liked to feel more stable when sitting on the edge of the bed. He said that he felt like he sank deep into the mattress and had to use quite a lot of power to get himself up and out of the bed.

Who is the Saatva Rx right for?

We like the Saatva Rx for anyone who is experiencing chronic pain like arthritis, back pain, and neck pain. Sore joints can get some much-needed pressure relief. The Saatva Rx can also be a good mattress for those who like to sleep in different positions because there can be enough support for keeping the neck in a naturally curved position.

The Saatva Rx customer experience

• Trial period: 365 nights
• Shipping: Free
• In-home setup and mattress removal: Free
• Warranty: One-year limited

Customer service

You can contact Saatva customer service by:

• Phone: 860-452-3977, available 24/7
• Email: info@saatvamattress.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, 24/7
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • American Express
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal
• Discounts? Yes, find more information here
• Financing: Yes, Affirm

Helix Midnight Luxe: Best Mattress for Back and Neck Pain

We chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as our “Best Mattress for Back and Neck Pain” for its ability to relieve pressure on the back and neck, no matter the sleeping position. We think its combination of support and comfort can help soothe your neck pain. We especially love the optional ErgoAlign layer ($249) that provides extra, targeted support to your lower back.

Helix Midnight Luxe

Best for Back and Neck Pain

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• Excellent pressure relief on side and back
• Mix of cushioning and support helps ease neck pain

• Reinforced, targeted back support

Helix Midnight Luxe features

• Our pain relief score: 4.86/5
• Accessibility score: 4.74/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6/10

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Why we chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as the Best for Back and Neck Pain

We chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as the “Best Mattress for Back and Neck Pain” for its exceptional performance in testing and its firm and supportive surface. In our testing with older adults, it relieved pressure on the back better than any other mattress we tested. Its hybrid construction and mix of support and comfort make it especially suited to soothing back and neck pain that may keep you up at night. 

It earned high scores for relieving pressure in all sleeping positions, but especially back and side sleeping—which can strain your back and neck. 

Testers appreciated the extra ErgoAlign layer, which is a top layer of ultra-dense foam that helps align your spine. Despite the extra foam, the ErgoAlign layer doesn’t make the mattress softer. Instead, it conforms to the body’s natural contours, for better support in all the right places. 

Helix Midnight Luxe pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Helix Midnight Luxe

The Helix Midnight Luxe is a hybrid mattress with three layers of foam (one relieves pressure, one cradles the body, and the other provides base support) above a layer of steel coils.

Testers loved the mattress’ mix of firmness and comfort. “This mattress hugs me gently,” one tester said. “It feels firm but not like I'm lying on a hard, flat surface. I feel the firmness, but I also feel support,” they said. A firm mattress is extra important for dealing with back pain—research shows that medium to medium-firm mattresses are best for easing back pain.³ Helix rates the Midnight Luxe firmness as six out of 10, while our testers said it felt firmer at an eight out of 10. 

When lying on their sides on the Helix Midnight Luxe, testers confirmed the mattress did a great job easing pressure on their hips, shoulders, and neck. “My hips feel aligned nicely. I don’t feel much pressure on my side, maybe a slight pressure on my hips but otherwise I definitely feel comfortable and supported,” they said. “I don’t feel like I’m lacking support in any area.” 

Testers found the same mix of comfort and support when lying on their back, showing how the Midnight Luxe can help ease pressure on the back. “My butt, hips, and spine all feel aligned. I don’t feel any extra pressure on my lower back or hips,” they said. “My body feels equally supported all over.” 

The extra firmness of the Midnight Luxe also made it easier to switch positions, according to testers. 

One of our testers, a 65-year-old higher-weight combination sleeper who experiences back/neck pain, spinal stenosis, and sleep apnea, said he appreciates how simple it is to move, since he changes positions often throughout the night. “I can get into a position at night where I don’t feel pain, but it takes a bit of moving around,” he said. “In [the Helix Midnight Luxe], it’s not hard at all to move. It’s a little firmer than the other ones I’ve tested, and the extra firmness makes it easier to move about, I think.” 

While testers thought the Helix Midnight Luxe did a great job easing pressure and pain on the back and neck, they would’ve liked to see stronger edges. While sitting on the side of the bed, testers felt a little unstable. “While I don’t need to use my hands for balance or support, I do feel a little bit like I’m going to slide off the edge,” they said. “Overall, it still feels pretty good, but I’d like to feel just a bit more support.” 

The Helix Midnight Luxe also scored just average in motion isolation, meaning couples are more likely to feel each other’s movements. When testing how much movement we could feel, testers were worried it might wake them up. “I feel like the motion could wake me up. As the tester moved around on the bed, it made my body move and bounced me slightly,” they said. “I’m a heavy sleeper, so that probably wouldn’t wake me up, but my husband’s a light sleeper so I think it would definitely wake him up.” 

It’s also worth noting that the Helix Midnight Luxe has the shortest free trial period on this list: 100 nights.

Who is the Helix Midnight Luxe right for?

We like the Helix Midnight Luxe for anyone experiencing back and neck pain. Higher-weight sleepers or those with mobility issues may appreciate the firmness of the Midnight Luxe that makes it easier to move around on the bed. The firmness level can help out if you need to make even small adjustments in your position to get more comfortable. The Midnight Luxe can also be a good choice for those who need some extra support on their joints, especially the low back and hips. 

Helix customer experience

• Trial period: 100 nights
• Shipping: Free shipping
• In-home setup and mattress removal: $159
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Helix Sleep customer service by:

• Phone: 831-777-5976, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
• Email: help@helixsleep.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
• Contact form: https://support.helixsleep.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Paypal
  • Google Pay
  • Shop Pay
  • Amazon Pay
• Discounts? Yes, find more information here
• Financing: Yes, Affirm

The WinkBed Luxury Firm: Best for Arthritis and Neck Pain

We chose The WinkBed Luxury Firm as our “Best for Arthritis and Neck Pain” for its ability to relieve pressure when lying on your side. No matter the position, the WinkBed Luxury Firm’s gel-infused foam topper kept our spines aligned, which helped keep our necks in a neutral position. The WinkBed Luxury Firm provides stable support while cradling joints, helping to ease arthritis pain at night.

WinkBed Luxury Firm

Best for Arthritis

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• Great at relieving pressure on side
• Cradles joints to ease arthritis pain

• Easier to move around and change positions

WinkBed features

• Our pain relief score: 4.8/5
• Accessibility score: 4.44/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

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Why we chose The WinkBed Luxury Firm as the Best for Arthritis

We chose the WinkBed Luxury Firm mattress as the “Best for Arthritis and Neck Pain” for its high scores from testing. It earned one of the highest scores for relieving pressure when lying on your side, which can help keep your spine straight and your neck naturally curved. When your neck stays in its natural curve, you’re less likely to develop neck pain and stiffness while sleeping. 

Testers appreciated the firmness level (6.5/10), which they said provided a great mix of comfort and support to cradle their joints and potentially ease arthritis pain. And despite being on the firmer side, testers said it was still comfortable and easier to change positions, which can be useful for those with arthritis who move frequently throughout the night to find a more comfortable position. 

The Winkbed Luxury Firm pros and cons

Our testing experience with The WinkBed Luxury Firm

The WinkBed Luxury Firm is a hybrid mattress with two layers of foam above a base layer of individually wrapped coils. 

Testers were impressed with the WinkBed Luxury Firm’s pressure relief for back and side sleeping. When lying on their side, one tester said, “I feel really good in this position. My bottom is sinking in more which allows my spine and neck to feel neutral. Everything else is laying lightly on the mattress and feels really good,” they said. “There isn't much pressure in any part of my body.”

A different tester experienced similar pressure relief when lying on their back. “My body feels pretty evenly supported and my butt goes down in the mattress more but that feels okay,” they said. “Even the curve of my spine feels good and my lower back feels supported. My body feels very nice and even.”

Testers were nearly unanimous that the WinkBed Luxury Firm provides the right mix of support and comfort to cradle joints, which can ease arthritis pain. One of our testers, Lynn, a 69-year-old lighter-weight side sleeper with arthritis, loved how comfortable the WinkBed felt while lying on her side. “My legs and upper body feel “on” the mattress and my lower-back/butt feels like it’s sinking in,” she said. “I feel like the bed is soft and cradling my body nicely. Even my legs and lower back are filled in with the plushness of the mattress.” 

Lynn usually sleeps with a pillow between her knees, but she doesn’t think that’d always be necessary with this mattress. “I have to use a pillow between my legs at night. If I don’t do that, I feel pain and pressure buildup in my knees and lower back,” she said. “But honestly with this mattress it feels good without a pillow.” 

Lynn also said this mattress made it easier to move around. “It was consistently easy to move around from position to position,” she said. “I did not struggle at all to change positions and I didn’t have to use my arms to assist me. This bed is very supportive.” 

While Lynn appreciated the mixture of cradling comfort and supportive firmness, other lighter-weight sleepers may find the WinkBed too firm. That’s because the lighter you are, the more likely you are to perceive a mattress as too firm. Lighter-weight stomach sleepers will likely want to avoid this bed, as the firmness may cause their neck to curve upward slightly, which may cause pain or stiffness. 

The WinkBed Luxury Firm scored well in most areas, except for motion isolation. That means you’re more likely to be disturbed by your partner’s movement in bed. 

We measured motion isolation using a seismograph (an instrument that measures movement, typically vibrations or shaking during an earthquake). In the image above, notice the high peaks? That’s when our tester got into bed. The fact that in each axis (X, Y, and Z) the peaks extend beyond the lines reflects average or slightly below average motion isolation. The movement also ripples, reflected in the fact that there are several peaks and valleys right after the other.

Who is The WinkBed Luxury Firm right for?

We like the WinkBed Luxury Firm for anyone with arthritis or neck pain. It can be especially helpful for those who change positions frequently and who have trouble getting in and out of bed, since its firmness helps minimize how far the edges sink down under weight. 

Lighter-weight sleepers, especially lighter-weight stomach sleepers, may find this mattress too firm. 

The WinkBed Luxury Firm customer experience

• Trial period: 120 nights
• Shipping: Free
• In-home setup and mattress removal: No
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact WinkBed customer service by:

• Phone: 855-946-5233, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
• Email: info@winkbeds.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, same hours as phone
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • American Express
  • Google Pay
  • Shop Pay
  • Apple Pay
• Discounts? Yes, military and first responders
• Financing: Yes, Bread

Bear Elite Hybrid: Best Cooling Mattress for Neck Pain

We chose the Bear Elite Hybrid as the “Best Cooling Mattress for Neck Pain” because it was able to limit heat buildup better than any mattress we tested. Its zoned coil system provides extra support along the hips, shoulders, and neck, which can help keep your spine aligned and ease strain on your neck. It supports the natural curve of your neck while keeping you cool. 

Bear Elite Hybrid

Best for Cooling Mattress for Neck Pain

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• Good contouring for neck alignment
• Highest cooling score during testing

• Copper-infused memory foam

Bear Elite Hybrid features

• Our pain relief score: 4/5
• Accessibility score: 4.29/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

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Why we chose the Bear Elite Hybrid as the Best Cooling Mattress for Neck Pain

We chose the Bear Elite Hybrid as “Best Cooling Mattress for Neck Pain” since it supports the natural curve of your neck while also limiting heat buildup better than any mattress we tested. 

The ability to remove heat is important for all sleepers, but especially for older adults. People generally get their best sleep between 68–77 degrees Fahrenheit, according to research.⁴ When temperatures increase to 77–86 degrees, the same research found your sleep quality goes down by 5–10%. 

Older adults bodies’ also tend to be less efficient with regulating temperature than younger people, according to research.⁵ So if you tend to sleep hot, a mattress like the Bear Elite Hybrid could help you regulate your body temperature better at night, leading to more restful sleep.

The Bear Elite Hybrid did an excellent job relieving pressure in all sleeping positions, but especially on the side, where neck pain can be common.

Bear Elite Hybrid pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Bear Elite Hybrid

The Bear Elite Hybrid is a spring hybrid mattress with a layer of individually wrapped coils below a copper-infused top layer of foam. Copper has excellent heat transfer qualities, meaning it’s very efficient at transferring heat away from an object. And although more research is needed to understand temperature regulation in copper-infused mattresses, its reputation as a metal that efficiently transfers heat implies it can help slow heat buildup in your mattress.

We tested the temperature regulation of the Bear Elite Hybrid by first taking its normal resting temperature. Then we heated the surface to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (the average temperature of human skin is 90–94 degrees Fahrenheit).⁶ Next, we let the mattress cool for five minutes, then took another temperature reading. The mattresses that showed the least amount of heat buildup earned higher scores. The Bear Elite Hybrid showed an increase of only 3.5 degrees (from a starting temperature of 64.9 to an ending temperature of 68.4). 

The Bear Elite Hybrid’s construction is likely key to its ability to reduce heat. It’s made using a mix of individually wrapped coils below a layer of copper-infused foam. The individually wrapped coils help promote airflow and breathability, and the copper helps transfer heat. 

Testers could feel the cooling effects almost instantly. “The cover is really cool to the touch and light,” said one tester. “Ultimately it warmed up only a bit. There’s not a lot of fabric, which I think helps the cover stay cool.” 

But even a slight temperature increase from 77–86 degrees Fahrenheit is enough to influence your cognitive performance, next-day activity levels, and feelings of stress, according to research.⁴ The same research found that increasing the temperature only nine degrees was similar to the sleep effects of:

• Drinking alcohol at night
• Consuming nicotine at night
• Experiencing chronic pain

Testers felt the Bear Elite Hybrid did a good job relieving pressure in all sleeping positions, but especially for side sleeping, which can contribute to neck pain and stiffness. “I feel pretty even on my side,” one tester said. “My spine feels neutral and there’s no pressure in my neck.”

While the Bear Elite Hybrid removed heat well, it’s worth noting that it’s one of the softest mattresses on this list (medium firmness), and has slightly weak edges. 

Testers still found the mattress to be stable, but cautioned that might not be true for everybody. “I don’t feel like I’m going to slide off. The edge feels stable and solid,” one tester said while sitting on the mattress’ edge. “But when I sit down I feel a little off-balance for a split second. Then the top supports both sides of my body. For someone with balance issues, this could be a problem.” 

Who is the Bear Elite Hybrid right for?

We think the Bear Elite Hybrid is best for those who heat up at night and who experience neck pain. Those who like the feel and contour of memory foam may also like this mattress, since the copper-infused foam helps you sleep cooler than traditional memory foam mattresses. 

The Bear Elite Hybrid is probably not a good fit for those with mobility issues and need help getting in and out of bed, since the edges are weaker and less stable than other mattresses we’ve tested.

Bear Elite Hybrid customer experience

• Trial period: 120 nights
• Shipping: Free
• In-home setup and mattress removal: $100–$200
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Bear customer service by:

• Phone: 844-311-0035, available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
• Email: support@bearmattress.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Paypal
  • Shop Pay
  • Venmo
• Discounts? Yes, find more information here
• Financing: Yes, Affirm and ShopPay

Titan Plus: Best for Higher Weight People with Neck Pain

We chose Titan Plus as the “Best for Higher-Weight People with Neck Pain” because it’s made specifically for higher-weight sleepers (it can support up to 1,000 pounds). Testers rated it an almost-perfect 4.5 out of 5 for relieving pressure when lying on your side, and the Titan Plus had the most stable edges of all the mattresses we tested. The Titan Plus’ mix of great pressure relief on the back plus extra-strong edges make it a good choice.

Titan Plus

Best for Higher Weight People with Neck Pain

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• Promotes spinal and neck alignment
• Built specifically for higher-weight people

• Individually wrapped coils for great pressure relief

Titan Plus features

• Our pain relief score: 4.74/5
• Accessibility score: 4.92/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 8/10

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Why we chose the Titan Plus as Best for Higher Weight People with Neck Pain

The Titan Plus is the obvious choice of “Best for Higher-Weight People with Neck Pain.” Testers gave it an almost-perfect score for easing pressure when lying on your side (a position that can lead to neck pain and stiffness). The Titan Plus also had the strongest/most stable edges of any mattress we tested. Edge support is important for all of us, but especially older adults and higher-weight people. The stronger the edge support, the less likely you are to slip or fall while sitting on the bed’s edge. 

The Titan Plus also has the highest weight limit of any mattress on this list at 1,000 pounds. That, and its strong performance in relieving pressure on the side and neck, makes the Titan Plus a clear winner.

Titan Plus pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Titan Plus

The Titan Plus is a firm hybrid mattress with a base layer of foam, a layer of individually encased coils, another layer of foam to provide contouring and pressure relief, and a quilted top with gel foam for comfort.

Testers were impressed with the Titan Plus’ ability to ease pressure when lying on their sides (a position which can cause neck pain) no matter their weight. 

One tester, Lynn, a 69-year-old lighter-weight sleeper side sleeper with arthritis, was surprised how comfortable the mattress was when lying on her side. “I don’t feel any sinkage, and no pressure or pain forming,” she said. “My spine is aligned. I can tell it’s firm. It’s not cushioning or contouring but not painful. I think it’d be good for back and neck problems.” 

Another tester, Chris, a 65-year-old higher-weight combination sleeper with spinal stenosis and sleep apnea, felt the same. “There’s a very good balance between pressure relief and support. I feel like I could lie here forever.” Both testers scored the Titan Plus 4.5 out of 5 for relieving pressure on the back and side.

And likely owing to its firmness, testers found the Titan Plus was easier to move around on. “It was very easy to roll from one position to the next,” Lynn said. “There’s no sinkage that’s making it hard for me to move. All positions were equally easy to do.” 

Also likely owing to its firmness, testers found the Titan Plus to be one of the most stable mattresses we tested. It earned one of the highest accessibility scores (4.92 out of five), meaning it provides an extra-stable surface that can help prevent you from falling when sitting on the edge or getting in and out of bed. 

The bedroom (along with the bathroom and stairs) is the most common place⁷ for older adults to fall at home, according to research, so a mattress with strong edges may help reduce your at-home falls risk. 

The Titan Plus did well in many areas, but not temperature regulation and motion isolation, where it scored slightly below average. 

If you’re a hot sleeper or someone who’s woken easily by your partner’s movements, you may want to consider a different mattress. 

For more information, see our review of the best mattresses for higher-weight people.

Who is the Titan Plus right for?

We think the Titan Plus is right for higher-weight sleepers who experience neck and back pain. It’s a very firm mattress, so it’s best suited for average- or higher-weight sleepers. Lighter-weight and stomach sleepers may need a softer mattress to help keep their spine aligned. 

Titan Plus customer experience

• Trial period: 120 nights
• Shipping: Free
• In-home setup and mattress removal: Not available
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Titan customer service by:

• Phone: 623-624-1222, available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Saturday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET 
• Email: support@brooklynbedding.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Saturday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Paypal
  • Google Pay
  • Shop Pay
• Discounts? Yes, for military, first responders, educators, students, and medical professionals
• Financing: Yes, Affirm and Shop Pay

Nectar Premier Hybrid: Best Hybrid Mattress for Neck Pain

The Nectar Premier Hybrid is our pick for “Best Hybrid Mattress for Neck Pain.” It successfully relieves pressure when lying on your side and provides the right mix of support and contouring to keep your spine straight and your neck in a relaxed, neutral position. The mattress’ dense memory foam and responsive coils offers the best of both worlds for side sleepers and those looking to ease the strain on their necks. 

Nectar Premier Hybrid

Best Hybrid Mattress for Neck Pain

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• Relieves pressure on shoulders, hips, and neck
• Contouring memory foam offers comfort and support

• Promotes spinal alignment and keeps neck neutral

Nectar Premier Hybrid features

• Our pain relief score: 4.07/5
• Accessibility score: 4.92/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

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Why we chose the Nectar Premier Hybrid as the Best Hybrid Mattress for Neck Pain

We chose the Nectar Premier Hybrid as the “Best Hybrid Mattress for Neck Pain” for its high pressure relief scores for both back and side sleeping. The mattress’ contouring memory foam supported by a base layer of coils helps cradle your neck while easing pressure in common areas of buildup, like the hips and shoulders. This mixture of contouring and support can help keep your spine aligned and preserve the natural curve of your neck.

We gave it a perfect 5/5 for its bounce. When a mattress has good bounce, it makes it easier to change position, which is helpful if you’re having sciatic pain and need to adjust your body or turn over. It also helps when you need to move to the edge of the mattress to stand up. We also gave it a perfect 5/5 score for edge support. That means we were able to sit confidently on the edge of the mattress without feeling like we were going to slide of 

Nectar Premier Hybrid pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Nectar Premier Hybrid

The Nectar Premier Hybrid has two layers of dense memory foam (one for pressure relief and one for support) above a base layer of eight-inch individually wrapped coils. 

Testers loved the Premier Hybrid’s mix of comfort and support that is a hallmark of hybrid mattresses. When lying on their side, one tester named it the most comfortable mattress they tested. “I feel really aligned lying on my side,” they said. “There’s no pressure at all on my hips, shoulders, or neck and I think this is the most comfortable mattress.” 

When we tested the Premier Hybrid’s pressure-relieving capabilities for side sleepers, we saw very little pressure buildup. 

Another tester, this one lying on their back, agreed. “My shoulders and hips also feel aligned. This is the best one I tried all day,” they said. “I feel really good support in my lower back.” 

Overall, testers were also struck by just how comfortable the mattress was. “I feel a gentle hug when lying down,” one tester said. “I feel a little ‘in’ the mattress, but it doesn’t feel like you’ve sunken in too much.” 

But those same testers also called out that it might feel a little too soft for some. “It feels really soft,” said one tester. “When I sit on the edge it doesn’t feel secure. The edges definitely feel a little soft.” 

Another tester agreed that the Nectar Premier Hybrid’s edges and surface were a little soft. “It’s easy to get out of this mattress, but it doesn’t help you stand up,” they said. “The surface slowly restores its shape after I press down. I’d like to see the surface pop back up quicker.” Testers said they’d like to see more bounce in the Premier Hybrid to make it easier for people to sit or stand up.

It’s likely because of this perceived softness that testers thought it might be easier to feel a partner’s movements. “The movement felt pretty obvious,” said one tester. “It disturbed me, but personally I don’t think I would have woken up. It didn’t feel hard enough or jerky enough to shake me awake, but I’m a heavy sleeper.” 

Who is the Nectar Premier Hybrid right for?

We think the Nectar Premier Hybrid is best for those with neck pain looking for a mix of spring support and memory foam contouring. Side and back sleepers of any weight will likely find this mattress comfortable and supportive. Higher-weight stomach sleepers may find this mattress too soft and need something firmer. 

Nectar Premier Hybrid customer experience

• Trial period: 365 nights
• Shipping: Free
• In-home setup and mattress removal: $199
• Warranty: Lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Nectar customer service by:

• Phone: 888-863-2827, seven days per week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT
• Email: suppport@nectarsleep.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, 24/7
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • American Express
  • Amazon Pay
  • PayPal
• Discounts? Yes, military, first responders, and health care professionals
• Financing: Yes, Affirm and Splitit

Our process of testing the best mattresses for neck pain

Our team has spent thousands of hours researching and testing mattresses so you can feel confident in our reviews. We work with experts in sleep, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, so we know what features are most important when searching for a mattress to ease neck pain. 

For this review, we personally tested 30 mattresses identified through our research to offer pain relief. Each mattress was put through a rigorous testing process by older adults with pain, to ensure we have real-world data about how they perform.

Pain relief

Our pain relief score is unique to our testing. In speaking with experts and surveying older adults, we learned the qualities a mattress should have to reduce neck pain. To determine our pain relief score, we created a weighted formula including our scores for pressure relief, mattress firmness, edge support, and bounce. 

Our combined pain relief score identifies mattresses with:

• Enough bounce to adjust positions freely
• Pressure relief so the body’s weight is evenly distributed
• A firmness level that supports spinal alignment
• Edge support for easier movement in and out of bed

Pressure relief 

Our pressure relief score reflects our testers’ experiences on the mattress and the results shown on our pressure map. The pressure map uses sensors to show how much pressure the body feels when lying on the mattress. Blue and green are great pressure relief; yellow, orange, and red show places where pressure builds up. 

Spinal support

A mattress offering strong spinal support contours to the body while giving enough resistance to press back into the curves of the lower spine. When your spine is properly supported, your neck can rest in a neutral position and prevent pain and stiffness.

We specifically seek this support during our testing, and we confirm it using our pressure map results. If a mattress lacks support in the spine or neck, it shows white on the pressure map, indicating no contact or support in the area.

Firmness

Medium to medium-firm mattresses are best for dealing with back and neck pain, according to research.³ So we prioritized mattresses with at least a medium firmness. We tested firmness by having our testers lie on the mattresses in all sleeping positions to tell us how comfortable and supported they felt.

What to consider when buying a mattress to ease neck pain

When looking for the best mattress to ease your neck pain, remember that no mattress is one-size-fits-all, and the experience of neck pain can differ from person to person. But based on our extensive firsthand testing, in-depth research, conversations with medical experts, and our focus group with older adults who experience pain, we think these are the most important things to consider when buying a mattress to ease neck pain. 

Mattress firmness

Medium-firm mattresses are good for most types of sleepers, and that includes those with neck pain, according to a 2022 study.⁸ It found that soft mattresses increased the curve of the neck by almost 50%. Translation: Soft mattresses can push your neck into awkward (and painful) angles.

Mattress material

When looking for the best mattress material to ease neck pain, look for mattresses that offer a good mix of contouring and support. These mattresses tend to keep your spine comfortable and aligned, which reduces stress on your neck.

Hybrid mattresses use foam or latex with a coiling system that can give you a good combination of contouring and support, while letting you be able to move around easily. Memory foam mattresses are known for their contouring, giving your whole body a hug. They can be good to help hold your body in good spinal alignment while you sleep, though they tend to trap heat. 

Every mattress on this list is a hybrid.

Spinal support

You need a mattress that has enough support and contouring so that your spine, including your upper spine, are aligned, which preserves the natural curve of your neck. You don’t want a mattress that you sink too much into because this can put strain on your neck. 

For more information, see our review of the best mattresses for sciatica.

“Your mattress isn’t just a surface to sleep on—it’s a daily investment in your body’s recovery and long-term health. And considering we spend about one-third of our lives asleep, that investment adds up fast.”
—Bobby Koser, chiropractor

Sleeping tips for reducing neck pain

Managing neck pain also extends beyond your mattress. Here are five tips for reducing neck pain while sleeping: 

1. Use ice and heat: You can alternate ice and heat for 15 minutes at a time on the side of your neck that’s sore.⁹ The ice helps with any swelling and inflammation, and heat helps bring blood flow to the sore area—which helps with healing. 
2. Don’t sleep on your stomach: Sleeping on your stomach makes your neck turn to the side for long periods at a time, which can stress your neck. 
3. Stretch before bed: Try gentle neck exercises to ease tension before you sleep.¹⁰ You can also stretch when you wake up. 
4. Keep your spine in a neutral position: Make sure your upper, or cervical, spine is in a neutral position. Your neck shouldn’t be pushed forward or back. 
5. Practice good sleep hygiene: To get quality sleep, follow healthy sleep habits like having a regular bedtime; sleeping in a cool, dark room; and avoiding screens several hours before bed.  

Impact of pillow choice on neck alignment

Your pillow plays a big part for how well you’re sleeping. Your choice of pillow can be just as important as your mattress.

Pillow shape 

During sleep, your muscles are relaxed, and your neck depends on your pillow for the right amount of support, according to Koser, the chiropractor in Florida. “If the pillow is too flat or lacks contour, it can cause the neck to overextend and compress the joints.” This can cause swelling and muscle tightness. 

In fact, one study found that pillows that had a contoured design (meaning higher sides for side sleeping and a flatter middle part for sleeping on your back) should help the most with having good sleep posture and relieving neck pain.¹¹ 

Pillow materials

Koser said memory foam or gel-infused pillows can help preserve your neck’s natural curve while giving plenty of support. Look for a mix of softness and support. Just make sure the pillow is thick enough to keep your neck in a good position for sleep.

Pillow firmness

Consider a pillow with an adjustable loft to help customize the level of neck support. “Loft” is a fancy word for how high a pillow is. You can adjust the firmness level and height by adding or removing the shredded or solid fill to find the height you need to keep your neck aligned. 

A pillow that’s too firm will flex the neck too much, leading to stiffness and soreness.¹² 

Sleeping position and pillows for neck pain

Here are some tips for using pillows to ease neck pain based on your preferred sleeping position. 

• Back sleepers: A pillow that can flatten where the head sits and has plenty of support and cushion for the back of the neck can help keep the spine aligned when lying on your back.
• Side sleepers: For side sleeping, you want a pillow that doesn’t sink in too much or push up too high on your head, so your neck is at an awkward angle. To keep the natural curve of your spine, try a contouring or cervical pillow that has higher sides for support. For more information, see our review of the best mattress for side sleepers.
• Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleeping isn’t the best position to sleep in with neck pain. But if you can’t sleep any other way, try a very thin pillow, or no pillow at all, so that your neck isn’t strained from resting higher on a pillow. 

If you also experience back pain, try these sleeping positions. 

How much do the best mattresses for neck pain cost?

The mattresses in this review of the best mattresses for neck pain range from $1,249–$3,295 for a queen-sized mattress. 

There are other factors that can affect the price of a mattress in addition to the size you purchase. This can include the type of materials it’s made out of, certifications, and features such as pillow tops or cooling covers. While the mattresses we tested all offered free shipping, many brands have an added cost for white glove delivery, a service Saatva offers for free. 

*Free delivery and setup of new mattress and removal of old mattress

How to save money on mattresses

Purchasing a mattress is a big investment, considering you spend seven to nine hours or more a night sleeping. You want to make sure you’re comfortable with it, especially if you’re trying to avoid or reduce neck pain or other chronic pain issues. 

Here are some ways you may be able to save some money on a mattress:

• Look for financing plans that many mattress companies offer. This might be a better deal than using your credit card. 
• Many brands also offer discount codes and other offers like sales codes, to help reduce the price. 
• Purchase a mattress during holiday promotions, since that’s when most brands are offering major savings. Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Black Friday are some of the more popular holiday sales. 
• Certain groups of people may be eligible for deals such as discounts for veterans, health care workers, teachers, and students. 
• You might find a good deal purchasing a “bed-in-a-box.” But keep in mind, if you have mobility issues or certain health conditions, it can make it more difficult to set up a mattress like this yourself. 
• You might find a discount if you purchase the floor model in person at a store location. 
• Look for long trial periods and warranties. Opt for lifetime or limited lifetime warranties, and longer trial periods (at least 100 nights but 365 is best) so you can test out the mattress in your own home before you commit. 

Frequently asked questions

Questions? Reach out to reviewsteam@ncoa.org.