7 Best Mattresses for Shoulder Pain of 2026

Best Hybrid for Shoulder Pain: Helix Dusk Luxe

Score: 9.9 out of 10

Visit Site

Pros and cons

Pros

• Impressive pressure relief
• Top-notch temperature regulation
• Isolates motion well

Cons

• One tester found it firmer than advertised
• Expensive

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness: Medium
• Pressure relief: 4 out of 5
• Spinal alignment: 4 out of 5
• Read more in our in-depth Helix mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Well-rounded hybrid. The Helix Dusk Luxe is one of the best-performing hybrids we’ve evaluated. Tester Karin, a 54-year-old side sleeper who experiences nighttime aches and pains, gave the mattress favorable pressure relief and spinal alignment scores across all tested sleeping positions. She also said she was surprised to see such impressive motion isolation for a bouncy bed. Our lab team has found that well-rounded beds like this one often work well for couples with different sleep preferences or comfort needs, including those recovering from shoulder pain or similar conditions. These features may justify the bed’s higher price tag.

Stellar temperature regulation. This mattress nabbed a perfect score in our cooling gun test, which was unexpected given its plush pillow top and multiple foam layers. These materials often retain heat, but the Helix Dusk Luxe held less heat and cooled faster than most beds we’ve tested. We attribute its cooling performance to two factors. Its thick coil layer promotes airflow, and it has a naturally cooling cover made from TENCEL — a brand-name sustainable fabric line made from wood pulp that helps regulate temperature and wick moisture.

Firmer than expected and pricey. Karin rated the mattress an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale, although the company considers it medium (about 6 out of 10). “This mattress is a little firmer but still has the plush topper that balances it out,” she said. If you prefer a hybrid that is closer to a true medium feel, consider the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid , which is also more affordable. At around $2,498, the Helix Dusk Luxe is one of the most expensive options on this list.

Best for Back and Shoulder Pain: DreamCloud Premier Hybrid

Score: 9.8 out of 10

Visit Site

Pros and cons

Pros

• Very good pressure relief for stomach, side and back sleepers
• Excellent motion isolation
• Respectable cooling performance

Cons

• So-so bounce
• Pricey

Features

• Materials: Hybrid 
• Firmness: Medium firm
• Pressure relief: 4.5 out of 5
• Spinal alignment: 4.7 out of 5
• Read more in our in-depth DreamCloud mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Eases pressure and aligns the spine. The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid received impressive scores in our pressure relief and spinal alignment tests across all tested sleep positions. While lying on her back, tester Donna, who is usually a side sleeper, said the mattress cradled her lower body and she felt comfortable. On her side, Donna said the bed felt supportive, while also cushioning her shoulders and other pressure points. Donna scored this bed particularly well for stomach sleeping, awarding it a perfect rating for that position. “I don’t like sleeping on my stomach, but this mattress makes it feel comfortable,” she said. “My body feels so light.”

Isolates motion well and dissipates heat. This mattress’s dense memory foam layers help minimize movement across the surface, making it ideal for couples or sleepers who are easily awoken. It received a stellar ranking in our couples’ motion isolation test. “The motion isolation was amazing,” a lab tester noted. “I felt very little movement overall.” This bed also earned a favorable score in our cooling gun test, retaining only about 14 degrees, which is a very good performance.

Middle-of-the-road responsiveness. Mattresses that isolate motion often have a tradeoff: They tend to be less responsive. And in our bounce test, a 15-pound ball rebounded 17 inches on the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid, which is an average score. If you have limited mobility that makes it hard to switch positions or get in and out of bed, choosing a bed with a springier surface may help. Plus, at $2,630 for a queen size, this mattress is pricey. However, we have seen discounts that bring the price as low as $1,099 throughout the year — especially around holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July or Labor Day.

Best for Side Sleepers with Shoulder Pain: Nolah Evolution

Score: 9.8 out of 10

Visit Site

Pros and cons

Pros

• Cradles and supports the shoulders
• Solid pressure relief
• Ideal for hot sleepers

Cons

• 14-inch height may be challenging for some sleepers
• Average motion isolation

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness: Plush, luxury firm or firm
• Pressure relief: 4.3 out of 5
• Spinal alignment: 4.3 out of 5
• Read more in our in-depth Nolah mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Soft yet supportive for side sleepers. The Nolah Evolution earned high marks for side sleeping (we tested the luxury firm model, but it also comes in plush and firm). Tester Karin said she liked how her shoulders gently sank into the bed’s soft cover. She said it offered just enough pressure relief and spinal alignment, thanks to the strong support system throughout the mattress. “I feel very good on my side. My hips are supported, and my spine is aligned,” she reported. “Even my shoulder feels great — there’s no pressure building up.”

Regulates surface temperature well. This mattress is one of the best options on our list for hot sleepers. In our cooling gun test, the surface temperature rose from about 69 to 120 degrees. But after one minute, it cooled down to 82 degrees, making it one of the top heat-regulating mattresses we’ve tested.

Might be too tall for some older adults. The 14-inch Nolah Evolution is one of the taller mattresses we’ve tested (the average is about 12 to 14 inches). Pairing it with a high bed frame may make climbing into bed difficult for shorter people or those with limited mobility. If shoulder pain or weakness makes a bed this tall challenging to navigate, consider a shorter option that’s rated highly for side sleepers, like the 11.5-inch Saatva Classic. Another potential downside is the bed’s so-so motion isolation, which may not work well for sleepers who are easily awoken by partners who are tossing and turning.

Best for Hip and Shoulder Pain: Saatva Classic

Score: 9.7 out of 10

Visit Site

Pros and cons

Pros

• Reinforced spinal support
• Eases pressure on the joints
• Easy to move on

Cons

• High bounce may disturb light sleepers
• Poor temperature regulation

Features

• Materials: Innerspring
• Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm or firm
• Pressure relief: 4.2 out of 5
• Spinal alignment: 4.5 out of 5
• Read more in our in-depth Saatva mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Quality materials and noteworthy back support. Testers praised the construction of the Saatva Classic’s luxury firm model, which we tested. “The stitching and piping feel handcrafted, and the cover is incredibly comfortable,” said tester Allison. Tester Dana, a 67-year-old combination sleeper, said this bed did “wonders” for her back, adding that the zoned support could be a contributing factor. This zoned support system is designed to make the center third slightly firmer, which helps the bed conform to the spine’s natural curves. In our lab tests, mattresses like this one with zoning tend to provide a comfortable balance of cushioning and spinal alignment.

Eases pressure on the hips and shoulders. Tester Sandra, a 76-year-old back sleeper who experiences hip and back pain, awarded this mattress top-tier marks for pressure relief and spinal support across all tested sleeping positions. “I have no pain,”she said, about lying on her side on the Saatva Classic. “There’s no pressure on my shoulders or back.” While back sleeping, she noted, “The pressure relief is great, especially since I do have hip problems.” Tester Dana also reported a positive experience while on her side and back on this bed. “My lower back feels much more supported,” she said. “I usually have trouble with that area, and this mattress offers great support. There’s the right amount of sinkage in my hips to allow my spine to align.” The Saatva Classic has consistently performed well for spinal support in our testing, which is why it also earned a place on our list of the best mattresses for neck pain.

May not be ideal if you’re sensitive to motion. If you are a light sleeper, this mattress may not be is likely not the right choice. Bouncy innerspring models don’t tend to isolate motion well, and this one fell short on that front In our ripple test — which involves our lab testers placing a beaker of red liquid in the center of the bed, making controlled movements and recording how much the liquid ripples — the Saatva Classic earned only a lackluster score. If motion isolation is a priority, consider the Nectar Premier Memory Foam.

Best for Stomach Sleepers: The WinkBed Plus

Score: 9.4 out of 10

Visit Site

Pros and cons

Pros

• Near-perfect pressure relief for stomach sleepers
• Standout edge support
• Solid motion isolation

Cons

• Weak bounce
• Retains heat

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness: Firm
• Pressure relief: 4.7 out of 5
• Spinal alignment: 4.7 out of 5
• Read more in our in-depth Winkbeds mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Upper-tier pressure relief and spinal alignment. The WinkBed Plus nabbed close to best-in-class marks for pressure relief and spinal alignment across all tested sleeping positions, including stomach. “There's good cushioning at the joints, and around my hips and shoulders,” says Patricia, an 84-year-old side sleeper. “I don't feel pressure buildup anywhere.” This bed has a targeted zoned system of individually wrapped coils — firmer for the hips and lumbar area and softer around the shoulders and legs. The shoulder cushioning is ideal if you experience soreness in this part of the body. It also can be helpful if you sleep on your stomach because the extra support prevents your hips from sinking in too much and throwing your spine out of alignment.

Sturdy edges and high-scoring motion isolation. This bed has excellent edge support, thanks to its reinforced coils around the perimeter. And testers said they could feel it. While lying on the edge, tester Patricia said, “I feel secure. I’m not close to falling off. It’s very sturdy and structured.” In our edge support test, our lab team places a 150-pound sandbag on the edge of the bed and measures how far down the materials compress. The WinkBed Plus sank only 1.5 inches — one of the best edge support performances we’ve seen across all mattresses we’ve tested. This indicates impressive stability.

This bed also isolates motion well. “The top layers of foam did a decent job muffling movement,” said Patricia, noting she didn’t think she would wake up from a partner’s movements on this mattress. If you have higher weight, share the bed with a partner or sleep on your stomach, this model may be a good fit.

Subpar cooling and weak bounce. This mattress did not perform well in our bounce and cooling gun tests. The 15-pound ball our lab team dropped onto this bed’s surface only rebounded 12 inches, which is a poor performance. A bouncier surface may make it easier for older adults with limited mobility to switch positions and get in and out of bed. And hot sleepers may find this bed warm — in our cooling test, it retained 19.4 degrees, which is an unfavorable score. If you are temperature-sensitive, you may want to instead consider a model that’s better at limiting heat buildup, such as one from our list of the best cooling mattresses.

How we tested the best mattresses for shoulder pain 

We started our process by researching the market. What mattresses are popular and why? Who has the best customer reviews — and are the reviews legitimate? After talking with medical experts, we brought 50-plus mattresses to our testing lab for in-depth assessments.

To identify the beds’ strengths and weaknesses, our lab testers performed a series of controlled, objective tests to assess metrics like edge support, bounce and temperature regulation. We also recruited more than 15 independent testers ages 45 and older, with varying body types, sleep positions, health considerations and personal preferences, to provide their unbiased feedback.

These testers answered questions like: Does the mattresses provide good pressure relief on your shoulders? Are your shoulders supported in every sleeping position? Do your shoulders and spine feel aligned when lying down? Beds that excelled in our tests made our list of the best mattresses for shoulder pain. For more details, see our mattress testing methodology.

How to choose the best mattress for shoulder pain 

While there is no single best mattress for shoulder pain, the right model may ease stress on your joints, helping you get a more restorative night’s sleep. 

Chronic shoulder pain in older adults is often due to a combination of factors, says Dr. Mariam Zakhary, a double board-certified physician specializing in physical medicine, rehabilitation and sports medicine in New Jersey. Adults 50-plus may experience natural degradation of their joints over time (for example, osteoarthritis). In addition, their sleeping position can distribute weight unevenly, putting pressure on the shoulders. “People spend approximately one-third of their lifetime in bed, which means that the comfort of their sleep environment has a significant impact on both their chronic pain level and recovery,” she says. 

Here are important factors to consider when shopping for a mattress for shoulder pain, according to experts, focus group participants and our survey respondents.

Firmness

The mattress industry ranks firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. Some firmness levels tend to work better for certain sleep positions, though these are general comfort guidelines.

• Side sleepers: Soft to medium firm (4 to 6.5 out of 10)
• Back sleepers: Medium to medium firm (5 to 6.5 out of 10)
• Stomach sleepers: Medium firm to firm (6.5 to 9 out of 10)
• Combination sleepers: Choose the firmness level that matches your primary sleep position

There is no single ideal firmness level for adults 50-plus with shoulder pain. “It’s important to find a mattress that feels comfortable to you,” says Dr. Jay Kimmel, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in New Jersey specializing in shoulder and knee disorders. 

At the same time, Kimmel recommends avoiding an overly firm or overly soft mattress. A very firm bed can put direct pressure on your sore shoulder. “Equally important,” he says, “avoid one that is too soft. A mattress that ‘lets the body sink’ can cause the spine and neck to fall out of alignment, which often leads to increased shoulder pain.” 

The bed needs to have enough support, echoes Dr. Joseph Hribick, a clinical assistant professor of physical therapy at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. “If you can maintain neutral spinal alignment while sleeping — meaning your head, neck and [torso] stay roughly in one straight line — it will help keep the shoulders in a relaxed, mid-range position that minimizes stress and compression of the shoulder,” he says.

Material and construction

Here are some characteristics of each material based on our testing results and expert insights. 

• Innerspring. These mattresses typically have a core of steel coils topped with a thin comfort layer of quilting or padding, which makes these beds bouncy, supportive and durable. Older adults with shoulder pain may appreciate that innerspring beds are responsive and easy to move on. A drawback of innersprings is they don’t always relieve pressure or isolate motion well. You can check out our list of the best innerspring mattresses to see our recommendations.
• Memory Foam. All-foam beds most commonly made of memory foam, often excel at pressure relief and motion isolation, but they may sag or trap heat if they are too soft. So if you have shoulder soreness and are considering memory foam, make sure the mattress offers soft and supportive layers. Our best overall pick, the Nectar Premier Memory Foam is a great example of this type of balanced support, per our testing experience.
• Hybrid. Hybrid mattresses combine the pressure relief of memory foam with the bounce of an innerspring, so they can be a good option for people looking for cushioning and support. Adults 50-plus with shoulder pain may find hybrids provide the plush feel and structure they need in a mattress.
• Latex. Natural and synthetic latex beds offer many of the same benefits as memory foam beds, plus they’re often bouncier and more breathable. So latex can also be a supportive material for those with shoulder issues. However, latex mattresses tend to be pricier than other types. A latex mattress topper may be a more affordable solution for those looking to keep costs down. 

Pressure relief

All of the mattresses on our list earned impressive scores in our pressure relief tests. A soft, cushioned surface can help minimize pressure on sensitive shoulders.

One focus group participant, a 56-year-old side sleeper, said pressure relief was the reason she upgraded her mattress. “My bed was too firm. I had too many [painful] pressure points on my shoulders and hips. When I lay on my side, my arm would go dead. But since I changed my bed, it’s much better,” she said. 

If you want to prioritize pressure relief, consider a memory foam mattress or a hybrid with generous contouring foam. The Nectar Premier Memory Foam, our best overall choice on this list, is a solid all-foam option with a cushioning surface that can cradle your body. For more information on easing pressure around the hips, visit our guide to the best mattresses for hip pain.

Spinal alignment

Supportive layers can help prevent sagging and promote a comfortable sleep position. All mattresses on this list earned solid scores for spinal alignment, a key factor in making sure our shoulders are not contorted in bed.

To sleep comfortably with shoulder pain, you need a cushioned bed that offers support and helps keep your back in a neutral position. In our rigorous testing of mattresses, our lab team has found that zoned coil support — a feature in some hybrids — often properly contours the midsection or lower back while providing needed pressure relief under the shoulders and hips. Several of our best mattresses for back pain and three of our top picks for shoulder pain offer zoned support. If you are shopping for an all-foam bed, look for dense or thick and supportive foam layers to complement the plush and conforming upper layers.

Sleep trial and warranty 

About one-third of our survey respondents prioritized warranty length when shopping for a mattress. Many companies offer lifetime or limited lifetime warranties that protect against premature sagging or manufacturing defects.

Also consider whether a mattress company offers a sleep trial, so you can test out the bed for a period of time — and return or exchange it if it doesn’t feel comfortable to you. All five beds on this list of our top picks for shoulder pain offer a trial period of at least 120 nights.

What mattress type is best for shoulder pain?

If you have a sore shoulder, you are the best judge of what feels most comfortable. But there are some general guidelines that might help you find a new mattress you love.

Experts often recommend pure memory foam or hybrids for people with joint pain. Dr. Shady Hassan, a board-certified sports medicine physician in New Jersey, says that a memory foam bed with dense foam can be helpful for a sore shoulder “because it molds to you and spreads your weight out instead of putting all the pressure on one spot.” 

However, the quality of the foam matters, Hassan adds. Some cheap foam beds are so soft that they can exacerbate shoulder problems. An older adult can sink in too much and “that effort to push themselves out of the dip is enough to tweak a shoulder that’s already hurt,” Hassan says. “You want one that supports you instead of swallowing you.”

What are common causes of shoulder pain at night?

Several conditions can cause nighttime shoulder discomfort. The culprit may be rotator cuff irritation or a partial rotator cuff tear, early arthritis or referred pain from the neck, says Ashley Caravelli, medical director and musculoskeletal and pain specialist at QC Kinetix in Chicago. “These conditions tend to feel worse at night because the joint becomes compressed, inflamed tissues lose the distraction they get during the day and certain sleep positions put added pressure on sensitive structures,” she says.

There are a few ways your sleep position could aggravate an existing shoulder problem, says Hribick, the clinical assistant professor of physical therapy. Side sleepers may put pressure directly on their painful shoulder and cause irritation, while back sleepers may let their arm fall into an extended position that stresses the front of the joint. 

Sleeping on an unsupportive or uncomfortable mattress can make matters worse too. But choosing a mattress that provides adequate pressure reliefand back support may help you sleep more comfortably.

When to see a doctor for shoulder pain

There are some symptoms of shoulder pain you shouldn’t ignore. Sometimes, shoulder issues require a medical evaluation or even emergency medical care. The experts we consulted recommend getting checked out by a health care provider if any of the following occur:

• Pain consistently wakes you at night or interrupts your sleep for more than one or two weeks.
• You notice significant arm weakness, numbness, stiffness or loss of shoulder motion.
• You injured your shoulder, or the pain interferes with daily activities.
• Your pain continues despite modifying your sleep position or using over-the-counter pain relief medications.

In some cases, shoulder discomfort can even be a medical emergency. Mayo Clinic recommends calling 911 or getting emergency medical care if you’re experiencing shoulder pain accompanied by difficulty breathing, sweating and chest pain, which can indicate a heart attack.

You should also get urgent medical help if you have been injured and notice swelling or any deformity of the shoulder, according to Mayo Clinic.

Tip for sleeping with shoulder pain

Getting quality shut-eye when you have shoulder soreness can be challenging. Hribick recommends finding a neutral position that minimizes prolonged pressure on the shoulder. Kimmel, the orthopedic surgeon, agrees. “I recommend older adults sleep on the unaffected [shoulder] or on their back, both of which are usually much more comfortable,” he says.

You may need to experiment to find the ideal position for you. Here are some tips that may help side and back sleepers with shoulder pain sleep more comfortably:

• Side sleepers: Place a pillow in front of your body and rest the painful arm on it so it’s slightly forward and supported. Avoid placing your arm under the pillow or your head.
• Back sleepers: Place a small pillow or folded towel under your arm and elbow on the painful side to keep it propped up. 

Stomach sleeping is typically hardest on the shoulder and neck, Caravelli notes. But if that is your most comfortable position, try to keep your arm down by your side. Combination sleepers can prevent rolling onto the painful shoulder by using a large body pillow for support.

Before bed, taking a warm shower or bath or applying heat to the affected shoulder may relax the surrounding muscles and ease stiffness, Kimmel says. 

Gentle stretching before bed may also help. Check in with your health care provider or physical therapist first to find out what is safe and effective for you.

Pillow choice matters

Choosing the right pillow when you have shoulder pain is important because your pillow helps keep your spine supported and your neck comfortable. “Sleeping posture can directly influence spinal alignment and shoulder position,” says Hribick. “These postures can impact the amount of stress placed on the shoulder.” 

Here is what to look for in a pillow based on your sleeping position. There isn’t a single right type of pillow for shoulder issues, but these general tips can help you find a comfortable option for you..

• Side sleepers: Look for a pillow that fills the space between your ear and the mattress to prevent your neck from tilting. 
• Back sleepers: Consider a softer medium-loft, or height-, pillow that supports the natural curve of your neck without pushing your head forward.
• Stomach sleepers: This position is generally not ideal for someone who has shoulder pain, but if you are most comfortable on your stomach, look for the thinnest pillow possible to reduce neck rotation.

How much do the best mattresses for shoulder pain cost?

Our top beds for people who have shoulder discomfort range in price from $1,465 to $2,856 for queen sizes. The least expensive is the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid, while the most expensive is The WinkBed Plus.

We have found that mattress companies frequently run sales throughout the year, especially around holidays, that can take hundreds off the retail price — knocking most of the mattresses on this list below that $2,000 mark. If you’re interested in one of these options but it’s over your budget, we recommend keeping an eye out for deals, or checking out our picks for the best affordable mattresses.

FAQs

What firmness level is best for shoulder pain?

There is no one right mattress firmness level for people who have shoulder pain. Generally, experts recommend a mattress that’s between medium soft (around 4 out of 10) and medium firm (around 6.5 out of 10). Side sleepers may feel most comfortable on a mattress on the softer end of that scale, while back or stomach sleepers may prefer a firmer model. Combination sleepers should choose a bed that works with the sleeping position they spend the most time in. 

Can my mattress be causing my shoulder pain? 

It’s possible. While shoulder pain can have a variety of causes, discomfort in this area could be related to your sleeping position or mattress. One way to assess whether your bed is part of the problem is to try sleeping on a different surface. If your shoulder feels less achy after a night or two on a guest room bed or a temporary mattress topper, that suggests your mattress may be to blame. Still, you could also have an underlying shoulder issue, so you may want to get checked by a health care provider.

 What is the best sleeping position for people with shoulder pain?

The ideal position if you have shoulder pain is the one that feels most comfortable and helps you stay asleep. In general, medical experts often recommend back or side sleeping for people who have shoulder issues. And they advise against stomach sleeping, as it can place your shoulders in a more rotated position. If you prefer sleeping on your stomach and need support to keep your shoulder in a neutral position, you may find it helpful to experiment with placing a soft pillow under your arm to find some relief.

Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.