Best Mattresses for Shoulder Pain

Whether you’re living with shoulder pain from joint inflammation, an injury, or a chronic illness, constant discomfort and aching in the shoulder and neck area can have an impact on the quality of your daily life. There are many options available to alleviate pain in these areas, but among the most accessible is ensuring you’re sleeping on the right mattress to prevent and reduce pain.

In this guide, we share the best mattresses for shoulder pain. These selections are meant to suit a wide variety of mattress shoppers with shoulder pain, from those who sleep hot to value shoppers and overweight individuals. Keep reading to discover mattresses that can keep the shoulders moving smoothly, encourage joint health, and will balance contouring and support for the shoulder.

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Best Mattresses for Shoulder Pain

• Saatva – Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain as a Side Sleeper
• WinkBeds GravityLux – Best Cooling Mattress
• GhostBed Flex – Best for Back Sleepers with Shoulder Pain
• Brooklyn Bedding Spartan – Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Shoulder Pain
• Casper Wave Hybrid – Best Mattress for Lightweight Sleepers
• Purple Hybrid Premier – Best Hybrid Mattress
• Nectar – Best Memory Foam Mattress

Saatva: Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain as a Side Sleeper

The Saatva comes in three firmness levels, Plush Soft, Luxury Firm and Firm, that have different ratings on the 1–10 firmness scale. The Plush Soft (4/10) and Luxury Firm (6/10) are best for side sleepers with shoulder pain. The euro-top cover, polyfoam comfort layer and memory foam comfort layer work in tandem to provide body conforming that’s generous but not so deep that the shoulder joint won’t feel supported.

The support core, made from durable bonnell coils, helps the mattress maintain an even surface to prevent sagging and further discomfort. It also comes in two heights (11.5” and 14.5”) so that sleepers can choose the option that feels comfortable when getting on and off the mattress. We recommend the Plush Soft setting for lightweight side sleepers and the Luxury Firm setting for average weight side sleepers. Heavyweight side sleepers will find proper support on the Firm setting.

See our full Saatva mattress review to learn more. Not the mattress for you? Check out our list for best mattresses for side sleepers for more options.

WinkBeds GravityLux: Best Cooling Mattress

The GravityLux is a great choice for sleepers who want an all-foam bed with more responsiveness, cooling, and durability than is usually found in foam mattresses. It’s also a great pick for people who are unsure of their ideal firmness level, since it comes in three firmness options that are broad enough to suit most sleeper types.

The GravityLux is composed of key materials including the AirCell memory foam comfort layer and the Progression Foam transition layer. The AirCell has air capsules that absorb shock, so it can alleviate pressure and push back lightly against the body for dynamic support. The Progression Foam is zoned, meaning that it’s firmer in some areas (the hips and lower back) and softer in other areas (the shoulders) making this mattress a great option for those that experience shoulder pain.

See our full WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress Review to learn more. If you would like to see more great options, check out our best cooling mattresses page.

GhostBed Flex: Best Mattress for Back Sleepers With Shoulder Pain

Although you might most closely associate shoulder pain with side sleeping, it’s a problem that can and does affect all types of sleepers. If you’re a back sleepers who suffer from shoulder pain, you will want to look for a mattress that has middle-of-the-road firmness and good pressure relief; the GhostBed Flex checks both of these boxes.

Sitting at 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, the GhostBed Flex will keep your shoulders supported and your whole body cushioned and cozy. The pressure relief rounds out the shoulder pain mitigation by cradling this sensitive area.

See our full GhostBed Flex mattress review to learn more. If the GhostBed isn’t the right fit, check out more options on our best mattresses for back sleepers article.

Brooklyn Spartan: Best Mattress for Combo Sleepers with Shoulder Pain

If you suffer from shoulder pain, you likely know how uncomfortable switching positions in bed can be. With the Brooklyn Spartan, tossing and turning doesn’t have to be a challenge. Because of its high responsiveness score, this mattress allows you to switch from back to side to stomach sleeping with relative ease, even if you have shoulder pain.

The Spartan comes in three firmness levels: soft, medium, and firm. For combination sleepers with shoulder pain, we’d recommend the medium version, as it has just enough firmness to keep you from feeling “trapped” in the top layers of the mattress. As far as your shoulder pain goes, the pressure relief in the medium Spartan can help reduce unnecessary stress to this sensitive area.

See our full Brooklyn Spartan mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Nolah, take a look at our article on the best mattresses for combination sleepers.

Casper Wave Hybrid: Best Mattress for Lightweight Sleepers

The quest for the perfect mattress for lightweight sleepers with shoulder pain can prove challenging. These sleeper types already need more conforming than average due to their weight class, and the addition of joint pain often requires them to seek even more pressure-relieving qualities. The Wave Hybrid has a thick, deep comfort system that will contour closely to lightweight sleepers, causing them to feel as though they’re sleeping “in” the mattress rather than “on” it.

The comfort materials, which contain polyfoam, blended latex and memory foam, will provide generous shoulder room in the side sleeping position as well as posterior and anterior relief in the back and stomach sleeping positions, respectively. Just as importantly, the bed doesn’t sacrifice the spinal alignment of lightweight sleepers with pain; it has an ergonomic transitional layer that supports the spine and hips in proper alignment without adding any pressure.

See our full Casper Hybrid mattress to learn more.

Purple Hybrid Premier: Best Hybrid Mattress

People struggling with shoulder pain tend to gravitate toward memory foam mattresses and all-foam mattresses which, while known for their pressure-relieving qualities, can sacrifice spinal alignment when chosen in the wrong firmness setting and create more pain. The Purple Hybrid Premier combines a luxuriously conforming comfort portion in medium and medium-soft firmness settings with 7.5” pocketed coils and a 1” transitional layer for even support. The result is a mattress that will gently buckle where pressure is applied, like at the hips and shoulders, while the rest of the mattress remains flat to encourage proper alignment of the spine.

The Purple Hybrid Premier is available in two options: 12” with 3” comfort layer and 13” with a 4” comfort layer. The 13” model conforms more closely, making it the better choice for shoulder cushioning and overall joint pain. It’s also the better option for side sleepers, who often struggle with shoulder issues from sleeping on one side more often than the other.

See our full Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress Review to learn more. Or, take a look at our full list of the best hybrid mattresses.

Nectar: Best Memory Foam Mattress

A medium-firm mattress with contouring layers, the Nectar is an affordable pick for average weight side sleepers and lightweight back sleepers who struggle with shoulder pain. It excels in balancing conforming and support, which is key to comfortable sleep for people with aches and pains. Roughly a 6/10 on the 1–10 firmness scale, this 11” mattress combines layers of cooling gel memory foam with standard memory foam to provide moderate conforming without any sagging.

Since this isn’t the most pressure relieving mattress on this list, we recommend it for people suffering from modest to occasional shoulder pain, but it isn’t the best pick for chronic pain sufferers. If you find your current mattress isn’t suitable for your shoulder condition and simply want a foam bed that’s affordable, universally comfortable and comes with great policies (the Nectar is backed by a year-long trial and a Lifetime warranty), this is a good option.

See our full Nectar mattress review to learn more. If the Nectar doesn’t sound like a good fit, check out more options on our best memory foam mattress page.

How Does Mattress Firmness Affect Shoulder Pain?

Selecting the right firmness setting when buying a new mattress is essential to the health, comfort and satisfaction of any sleeper, but it’s absolutely critical for people struggling with shoulder pain. Because of the amount of time we spend every night in bed, choosing a mattress that’s too soft or too firm for your body type, sleeping position and pain type can worsen the issue, even if your sleeping style wasn’t the root cause of the pain in the first place.

The right firmness setting for sleepers with shoulder pain depends on a handful of factors, some of which should be considered by all sleepers and some of which are unique to shoulder pain sufferers: body weight, primary sleeping position, and pain type. 

Lightweight sleepers generally need soft to medium soft mattresses, average weight sleepers should lean toward medium to medium-firm mattresses, and heavyweight sleepers most often require firm and very firm mattresses for adequate support. Your body weight is just a starting point, however. For example, lightweight side sleepers should choose softer mattresses within the aforementioned recommended range, while lightweight back sleepers and stomach sleepers need firmer mattresses to support the shoulders and hips.

Finally, taking the type and location of shoulder pain into consideration is essential. If you have pain in one shoulder, you’re likely a side sleeper and will need a softer mattress to prevent extra aches from developing. If you have pain in both shoulders, it’s recommended that you sleep on your back and therefore select a mattress with a feel that’s on the firmer side of what’s appropriate for your body weight.

At the end of the day, finding a comfortable mattress setting from the wide variety of firmness options may take some trial and error. Be sure to select mattresses with generous trial periods and free returns to make the process of finding the right one as smooth as possible. Check out our mattress firmness guide for more information.

Considerations for Shoulder Pain and Sleep

Here’s what sleepers with shoulder pain should keep in mind when shopping for a new mattress:

Firmness

While subjective, mattress firmness can impact how comfortable, pressure-relieving and rest-inducing a mattress is to an individual. As mentioned above, your body type and primary sleeping position will dictate a safe range of firmness settings to select from. From there, we recommend narrowing down based on your personal preferences and the intensity of your shoulder pain. See our lists of best soft mattresses and best firm beds for more information.

Price

The cost of a mattress can make a huge hit on your budget, as some beds cost more than $2,000. All-foam and innerspring mattresses tend to be the most affordable styles, while latex and hybrid mattresses are more expensive. Still, you can find plenty of good mattresses for under $1,000 and even under $500.

Pressure Relief

If you have chronic shoulder pain, contouring and pressure relief around the shoulder joint is crucial throughout the night. Look for mattresses that conform somewhat closely to very closely. Memory foam mattresses usually do a good job of relieving pressure in the hip and shoulder areas. 

Mattress Type

Every mattress type has pros and cons, and knowing which styles can provide the characteristics you’re looking for can make mattress shopping much easier. Here’s our guide to mattress styles.

Responsiveness

Responsiveness is the measure of how well a mattress accommodates your movements. If the responsiveness is below average then you will likely find it much more difficult to switch from one sleeping position to another, or even get out of bed. This is especially true if you have shoulder pain. For something with high responsiveness, check out our list of the best latex mattresses.

Sleep Position and Shoulder Pain

Selecting the right sleeping position can help reduce or prevent shoulder pain. Here’s a look at how the different primary sleeping positions can improve or worsen pain:

Side Sleeping

While not a recommended position by sleep experts and doctors, a large majority of people sleep on their sides. Keep in mind that sleeping on the side with pain can exacerbate issues, and sleeping on only one side all the time can create shoulder pain. Sleeping with your bad shoulder facing up or rotating sides each night is ideal. If you’re dedicated to this position, head over to our best mattresses for side sleepers guide.

Back Sleeping

Back sleeping is gentle on the shoulders, hips and other sensitive areas. Be sure to select a mattress with a firmness setting that’s appropriate for back sleeping at your body weight. See our mattress firmness guide for guidance on choosing the right setting for back sleeping.

Stomach Sleeping

Stomach sleeping is known to worsen shoulder pain and is not recommended. Instead, try training your self to sleep on your back or with your bad shoulder facing up.

Combination Sleeping

If you use more than one of the three primary sleep positions on a nightly basis, you’re a combination sleeper. This can actually be beneficial for people with shoulder pain as it improves circulation, as long as you’re not spending too much time on your bad shoulder or on your stomach. Want to check our more mattress options? Check out our Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers page.

Recap of the Top Rated Mattresses for Shoulder Pain

Mattress Model	Award (superlative)	Firmness Level
Saatva	Best for Side Sleepers	Varies
WinkBeds GravityLux	Best for Cooling	Varies
GhostBed Flex	Best for Back Sleepers	6.5/10
Brooklyn Spartan	Best for Combo Sleepers	Varies
Casper Wave Hybrid	Best for Lightweight Sleepers	Varies
Purple Hybrid Premier	Best Hybrid	Varies
Nectar	Best Memory Foam	6/10