Top 5 Mattresses For Neck, Back, And Shoulder Pain
- Best Cooling Bed For Pain :Brooklyn Bedding AuroraStarting at $999 Shop Now
- Pick For Couples :Helix DawnStarting at $799 Shop Now
- Most Accommodating Mattress for Neck and Shoulder Pain :Nest Bedding SparrowStarting at $949 Shop Now
- Best Pressure Relieving Mattress for Pain :Purple OriginalStarting at $799 Shop Now
- Best Memory Foam Mattress for Shoulder Pain :Nectar Premier MattressStarting at $1297 Shop Now
- Best Eco-Friendly Mattress for Neck Pain :GhostBed OriginalStarting at $895 Shop Now
What Makes These The Best Mattresses For Neck Pain
For this important post, we sought the counsel of Dr. Ranvir Sahota of Synapse Chiropractic. We discussed, in-depth, some causes of neck, back, and shoulder pain as they relate to sleep and your mattresses. We also went through an in-person demonstration and presentation about proper spinal alignment and health. We relied heavily on his professional opinion in order to assemble this list.
Even so, we do sincerely recommend you consult your physician and/or chiropractor before you purchase a new mattress or change anything in your daily routine. Even if you get the best mattress for shoulder pain in general, you may find that you have different needs.
In addition to working closely with Dr. Sahota, we spent hundreds of hours researching, testing, and producing our list and this post. We hope it helps you find the best mattress for back and neck pain.
Compare the Best Mattresses For Neck Pain
Pick For Couples
Helix is one of the most unique mattress companies out there. Unlike most companies that offer between one and three firmness levels, Helix allows you to personalize your bed, including its firmness, support, and coolness. Helix has a Sleep Quiz on their website that matches you up with the Helix bed that best suits your sleeping habits.
Helix is probably the outright best mattress for couples, given that you can personalize each side of the bed or try out a blend that works for both partners.
Beyond that, Helix offers supportive hybrid mattresses and a model for individuals who weigh over 250 lb. There’s also a mattress cover that incorporates a phase-change material that makes the bed cool to the touch.
Why we picked Helix for our best mattress for shoulder pain list —Ultimately, what we like about Helix is the sheer number of options. Rather than have us guess which bed is best for your situation, with Helix you can select whichever bed you feel is best for you.
Best Cooling Mattress
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora is possibly the coolest mattress on the market right now. Brooklyn Bedding combines 8” pocketed coils with various layers of foam and then a cover with a phase-change material woven in. The bed is cool to the touch and could possibly be too cool for some people out there. You have to sleep quite hot to want Aurora.
The Aurora mattress is basically the same bed as the Nest Bedding Alexander Signature Hybrid because Brooklyn makes both mattresses in a facility in Arizona. Aurora just comes in more firmness levels.
Why we picked Aurora — The Aurora comes in a soft, medium, and firm feel, which gives you the ability to select which firmness is right for you and your pain. As a heads up, the medium option is still quite soft. It offers plenty of pressure relief and great support thanks to those 8” coils.
Most Accommodating Mattress for Neck and Shoulder Pain
You might know this bed by its former name, the Nest Alexander Hybrid. Or maybe you don’t. Either way, the Nest Sparrow bed takes our pick for the most accommodating mattress. What we mean by that is that it’s a mattress that any average person could sleep on, no matter what sleeping style they have. That said, it’s not the best option for especially heavy people.
The Nest Sparrow features a combination of coils and proprietary foams. The cover has a thermic phase chain cooling fabric – which looks good and feels even better.
How firm the mattress is will depend on which model you choose -– that’s right, you have the choice between three firmness options. Nest offers a Medium option (more like a medium-soft to medium on our scale) and the Plush option and a Luxury Firm. We like to see beds that offer firmness options; it gives the sleeper the versatility to choose the level that suits their specific needs.
Side sleepers with shoulder or neck pain will likely want to opt for the softer options so they don’t develop any pressure points.
Best Pressure Relieving Mattress for Pain
The Purple Plus is the upgraded version of the Original Purple mattress. They are both very similar, with just a few upgrades, namely in the cushioning department. You still get that same unique Purple feel that you can’t get anywhere else. We think the Purple Plus falls around a medium on our scale, which means it has tons of pressure relief.
The Purple Grid flexes around your body and cradles all those delicate spots – shoulders, hips, and knees. Sleepers with shoulder or neck pain will love the pressure relief the Purple Plus mattress offers.
In addition to their quality and durability, Purple mattresses have a few extra perks. Purple mattresses are extremely responsive, which means it springs back after you take pressure off. This comes in handy if you’re someone who rolls around between positions at night. It also generally is regarded as a bed that will help you stay cool at night because of how airy the construction of the mattress is. Now it won’t actively cool you, but Purple will make sure the mattress isn’t adding heat to the situation as a traditional memory foam mattress would.
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Shoulder Pain
If you’re a memory foam lover with neck or shoulder pain, you might like the Nectar Premier mattress. It’s a thick, durable memory foam mattress that accommodates all sleeping positions. It doesn’t retain heat like traditional memory foam mattresses; Nectar beds have temperature regulating abilities that will keep you from overheating at night.
The Nectar Premier mattress has a true memory foam feeling. Some might describe it as a stuck-in-the-mud feeling; others love the cradling feeling it gives them. We rate the Nectar Premier as a medium on our scale, so right in the middle. It’s not the softest mattress, but it is far from what we could consider a true firm mattress. That makes it perfect for neck or shoulder pain because it has ample pressure relief and cushion. But it’s not so soft that your spine would be thrown out of alignment.
Keep in mind that both Nectar Premier mattress models are “upper tier” when compared to the flagship Nectar mattress. Of course, that means it will come with a higher price tag. There are plenty of discounts you can jump on, but it is more expensive than the traditional Nectar bed.
Best Eco-Friendly Mattress for Neck Pain
If you’re someone who values eco-friendly products and sustainable sourcing, then GhostBed Natural should be on your list. It’s even made in the USA. GhostBed Natural is free from any toxic chemicals or toxins and offers a more natural way to sleep.
The bed is covered in an organic cotton cover that’s soft to the touch and super comfortable. GhostBed Natural features layers of Dunlop and Talalay latex, which are known for their responsiveness and natural temperature regulation.
We think the GhostBed Natural falls about a medium on our scale, which is a nice balance between comfort and support. It’s firm enough that you won’t wake up with back pain, but you get plenty of cushions to make sure your neck and shoulders are comfortable.
Best Mattress For Neck Pain Pricing
Here are the prices of our best mattress for back and neck pain list. Be sure to check the individual websites and our deals information for any available sales or coupons.
| Twin | Twin XL | Full | Queen | King/Cal King | |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora | $799 | $999 | $1,239 | $ 1,359 | $1,699 |
| Helix Dawn | $600 | $700 | $850 | $999 | $1349 |
| Nest Sparrow | $949 | $1,149 | $1,349 | $1,549 | $1,799 |
| Purple Plus | $1,049 | $1,299 | $1,499 | $1,749 | $2,149 |
| Nectar Premier | $799 | $849 | $1,099 | $1,199 | $1,499 |
| GhostBed | $1,082 | $1,260 | $1,344 | $1,397 | $1,712 |
Why Trust Us
Get the kind of sleep you’ve only dreamed of with some help from our team of mattress experts. We personally test more than 175 of the best sleep solutions from over 60 leading brands on site, so you can be sure you’re getting unbiased reviews, fair comparisons and personalized recommendations.
The Review Team
Causes Of Neck And Shoulder Pain
There’s no one root cause of neck and shoulder pain. You could be experiencing pain for several reasons, including:
- Irritated joints
- Pulled muscles
- Pinched nerves
- Strained ligament
Whatever the cause, it doesn’t feel good. To find the best mattress for spinal stenosis or any other kind of back or neck issue, visit your doctor to learn more about your particular needs.
What To Look For In A Mattress If You Have Shoulder and Neck Pain
If you’re experiencing back or neck pain, here are a few things to consider:
- Look for support. You don’t want your mattress to be too soft, and a hybrid mattress with an extra supportive construction is helpful. That said, side sleepers can get away with a slightly softer mattress because they need a little additional pressure relief.
- Consider pressure relief. You want your mattress, of course, to be comfortable. But you also need it to provide pressure relief. We think mattresses with a medium firmness level provide that sweet spot between pressure relief and support.
- Look beyond your mattress. Pillows and other accessories make a big difference when it comes to proper spine alignment.
Note that firmness is subjective based on your weight. The lighter you are, the more firm the bed will feel. This is why we present firmness on a spectrum—it’s not the same for everyone.
Sleeping Styles And Mattresses For Neck And Back Pain
When it comes to neck and back pain, it’s important to pay attention to your body. If it’s not making you better, get rid of it and move on—that’s why we include so many beds with free returns. This guide to body types will hopefully help you pick the best mattress for neck pain on the first try.
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers will want beds with more pressure relief. Because you’ll be putting a lot of pressure on your shoulders, you’ll need the mattress to compress quite a bit. Firmness is up to you, but if you get too firm of a mattress you can make your existing shoulder pain worse—and it can also cause even more neck or back pain.
See also: Best mattresses for back pain
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers generally prefer firmer mattresses that make them feel like they’re sleeping on top of the mattress, not in it. That will also help to prevent your hips or shoulders from sinking too far into the mattress, which can stretch your muscles and throw your back out of alignment. Anywhere in that medium to firm range is a good idea for back sleepers.
Stomach sleepers
Stomach sleepers should firmer beds so that they don’t sink in too much. Having said that, sleeping on your stomach is not advisable if you have neck issues. It’s easy to irritate your neck while sleeping on your stomach.
If you are a strict stomach sleeper and you simply cannot learn to sleep on your side or back, get a thinner pillow to help make your pain better. You don’t want your neck overly angled upwards, as that can put extra stress on your muscles, ligaments and joints. If you’re committed to sleeping on your stomach, try to sleep flat. The more you contort and twist your body, the more you could be pulling yourself out of alignment and making your situation worse.
Pillows For Bad Shoulders, Necks, And Backs
If you have upper back and neck pain, check your pillow first. We’ve seen plenty of stomach sleepers using a too-thick pillow, which could make the upper back and neck pain worse.
Here a few we recommend in our review of the best pillow for stomach sleepers:
- Brooklyn Talalay — Best Overall
- Leesa Hybrid — Best Cooling Pillow Option
- Casper — Best Down Pillow
- Helix Pillow — Best Shredded Foam Pillow
You can also look into getting a medical pillow for shoulder pain along with one of the best mattresses for back and neck pain if you and your doctor think it could be helpful.
Best Mattress For Neck Pain Summary
| Mattress | Highlight | Firmness Rating |
| WinkBeds Classic | Best Pillow Top Mattress For Back And Neck Pain | Medium soft, medium or medium-firm |
| Nolah Original 10 | Best Foam Mattress For Shoulder Pain | Medium-soft to medium |
| Layla | Best Memory Foam Mattress | Medium-soft (Layla’s soft) or medium to medium-firm ( Layla’s firm) |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora | Best Cooling Mattress | Soft, medium-soft (Aurora’s “medium”) and medium-firm (Aurora’s Firm) |
| Helix Dawn | Pick For Couples | Firm |
Everyone is different, so there’s no single best mattress, but there are a few types of beds that we really like. For instance, if you’re dealing with nagging shoulder pain, it could be because your mattress is not pressure-relieving enough. In this instance, we might suggest a memory foam mattress or a pillow top one.
Almost all of the beds you can buy online come with free shipping, whether through UPS, FedEx, or white glove delivery.
Good news! most of the brands that sell online offer 100% free returns. Usually, they will have a 100-night risk-free trial period.
On average, mattresses will be backed by a 10-year warranty.
The short answer is yes. It’s easy to get out of alignment, especially when sleeping on your stomach on a soft mattress. Your pillow is very important, too. Make sure you have a firmness that’s good for your particular weight, and a pillow that supports your neck and spine alignment.
Since everyone is different, there’s no single “best mattress,” but there are a few types of beds that we have more confidence in when it comes to combating shoulder pain. One is memory foam, because it’s known to conform to your body and provide pressure relief.