Sleeping on the right mattress may relieve or prevent neck pain. But, with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know which mattress is right for you. To help you discover the best bed for your needs, we’ll share the models that our experts have found excel at relieving neck pain. We’ll also walk you through information you should know before swapping out your mattress, including other steps you can take that may relieve neck pain.
Best Mattresses for Neck Pain
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Best Overall Mattress
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WinkBed
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Best Value Mattress
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DreamCloud Mattress
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Best Luxury Mattress
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Saatva Rx
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Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
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Helix Midnight
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Best Latex Mattress
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Birch Luxe
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Best Overall Mattress
WinkBed
Get $300 off all mattresses at Winkbeds
Get $300 off all mattresses at Winkbeds
The WinkBed has an appealing, balanced feel that combines the support of individually pocketed coils with the pressure relief of a comfort system designed for varying needs. Since the mattress is available in four firmness levels, it’s easy to find an option that works for your body type and preferred sleep position.
Ideal For
All Sleepers
Firmness
Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7), Firm (8)
Feel
Plush, Supportive Surface
Value
Good Value
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Comfort layers vary among firmness options for pressure relief that’s designed for your body type
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Reinforced perimeter provides excellent support at the edge of the mattress
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Airflow through the coils and a breathable cover make it comfortable for hot sleepers
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Cons
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Medium firm and firm options provide less motion isolation than the medium soft model
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May not be suitable for couples with very different body types or mattress needs
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Not as pressure-relieving as mattresses with a memory foam comfort layer
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Our Take
While many mattresses use the same design for all of their firmness options, the WinkBed’s comfort system varies depending on the firmness level. This choice allows each model to dial in on what each type of sleeper needs, which may be ideal for people with neck pain.
How Does It Feel?
Our testers reported that while the specific feel of the WinkBed varies depending on the firmness option, they each share a balanced design that doesn’t feel too yielding or too firm. While the medium soft model has a more cradling feel, our team found that the other models have a responsive bounce that makes it easy to change positions or roll over.
Why We Like It
The WinkBed’s high-quality construction, thoughtful design, and luxury touches at a mid-range price-point make it stand out from the pack.
Different body types require different types of support, and the WinkBed mattress’ varying firmness options ensure that almost everyone can find a model that works for them. For sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds, the Plus option also features a zoned latex comfort layer that provides additional support.
Sleeper Type Ratings
The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.
Best Value Mattress
DreamCloud Mattress
Up to 50% off mattresses
Up to 50% off mattresses
The DreamCloud provides the benefits of a hybrid mattress, through a memory foam comfort layer and individually pocketed coils, at an exceptionally low price-point. Its medium firm (6) feel suits a variety of sleepers, and our testers found that it out-performed some higher-priced competitors.
Ideal For
Hot Sleepers
Firmness
Medium Firm (6)
Feel
Plush, Supportive Surface
Value
Great Value
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Extremely budget-friendly price-point for a hybrid mattress
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Features both pressure-relieving memory foam and a bouncy, responsive feel
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Light sleepers may appreciate its excellent motion isolation
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Cons
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Side sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds are likely to find it too firm
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Produces a light off-gassing smell after being unboxed
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Our Take
Hybrid mattresses are among the best choices for people with neck pain, but they have a higher average cost than all-foam beds. The DreamCloud has a competitive price for its construction, making it an appealing choice for sleepers on a budget.
How Does It Feel?
Our testing found that the combination of memory foam and polyfoam comfort layers make the DreamCloud both pressure-relieving and responsive. Our testers with partners particularly appreciated the balanced feel, as it is able to accommodate a relatively wide range of mattress needs and body types.
Why We Like It
Our testers found that the DreamCloud offers impressively high performance for its price, particularly when compared to other budget-friendly hybrid mattresses. Even with its lower price, the mattress has luxury touches such as a breathable cashmere blend cover and gel-infused memory foam.
The DreamCloud was most popular with our testers who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds, although sleepers of other body weights also found it both comfortable and supportive.
Sleeper Type Ratings
The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.
Best Luxury Mattress
Saatva Rx
$400 off mattress orders of $1,000 or more
$400 off mattress orders of $1,000 or more
The Saatva Rx was specifically designed to support people with back and joint conditions. Our testers agree that its zoned support provides a “weightless” feeling that helps relieve muscle tension.
Ideal For
People With Back Pain
Firmness
Medium Soft (4)
Feel
Plush, Supportive Surface
Value
Good Value
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Memory foam lumbar crown provides both support and pressure relief
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Microcoil comfort layer conforms to the body for a cradling yet responsive feel
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Pocketed coils are topped with memory foam for targeted pressure relief
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Cons
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Luxury price-point may exceed many budgets
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Medium-soft feel may not suit back and stomach sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds
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People who sleep very hot may prefer a mattress with more cooling features
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Our Take
While many luxury mattresses offer features to help provide additional support and comfort — including zoned support, lumbar crowns, and micro-coil layers — the Saatva Rx combines these features into a complex system that is designed specifically for people with advanced support needs.
How Does It Feel?
The Saatva Rx’s combination of memory foam, micro-coils, and targeted support gives it a unique feel that our testers likened to sleeping in a supportive hammock. Despite its medium soft (4) firmness and deep pressure relief, the mattress is easy to move around on and makes changing positions comfortable.
Why We Like It
Each layer of the Saatva Rx includes features designed to help reduce back and joint pain. Our sleep testers found the bed to be extremely effective for all sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds, regardless of their preferred sleep position.
The Saatva Rx was particularly popular with our testers who need deep pressure relief but prefer a more responsive mattress. It excels at cradling the body, while still providing a little bounce.
Sleeper Type Ratings
The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Helix Midnight
27% off sitewide + 2 free Dream Pillows with mattress purchase. Code: DOCTOR27
27% off sitewide + 2 free Dream Pillows with mattress purchase. Code: DOCTOR27
The Helix Midnight is primarily suitable for sleepers under 230 pounds, and our side-sleeping testers who fell into this category awarded it excellent scores. They found the mattress cradled their hips and shoulders to help reduce pressure points and muscle tension, without sacrificing lumbar support or ease of movement.
Ideal For
Side Sleepers
Firmness
Medium Firm (6)
Feel
Plush, Supportive Surface
Value
Great Value
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Provides side sleepers with the right balance of support and pressure relief
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Comfort system includes both memory foam and polyfoam layers
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Remains virtually silent in response to movement
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Cons
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May not provide enough support for sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds
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Sleeps warmer than some competing hybrid mattresses
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Very light sleepers may prefer a mattress with better motion isolation
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Our Take
The Helix Midnight was designed with side sleepers in mind. Its reinforced support core and deep comfort layers are intended to protect areas where pressure points can develop, and our testing team found that the mattress achieved these goals for most sleepers under 230 pounds.
How Does It Feel?
Our testers reported that although the Helix Midnight offers deep pressure relief, it did not make them feel as though they were sinking into their mattress. Instead, they felt supportively cradled through the waist and pelvis, allowing for a healthy spinal alignment and reduced muscle tension in their shoulders and neck.
Why We Like It
Although it was designed for side sleepers, the Helix Midnight also appealed to our back and stomach-sleeping testers. As long as you and your partner both weigh less than 230 pounds, this mattress may fulfill both of your needs.
Many mattresses with deep pressure relief make it difficult to change positions or roll over, but the Helix Midnight has enough bounce to make it easy for sleepers to move around as they please.
Sleeper Type Ratings
The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.
Best Latex Mattress
Birch Luxe
25% off sitewide + 2 free Eco-Rest Pillows with mattress purchase
25% off sitewide + 2 free Eco-Rest Pillows with mattress purchase
The Birch Luxe upgrades the Birch mattress with zoned lumbar support, a highly reinforced perimeter, and a breathable Euro-style pillow-top. These features made it popular among our team, particularly those testers who prefer the uniquely springy pressure relief of a latex comfort layer.
Ideal For
Hot Sleepers
Firmness
Medium Firm (6)
Feel
Responsive Latex
Value
Good Value
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Appropriate for sleepers of all body types and preferred sleep positions
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Comfortable for people who sleep very hot
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Features natural latex, organic cotton, and organic wool batting
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Cons
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Doesn’t isolate motion as well as non-latex hybrid mattresses
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May not appeal to people who enjoy the deep cradle provided by memory foam
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Shares the higher price-point of other latex mattresses
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Our Take
The Birch Luxe combines natural Talalay latex with organic wool batting and an organic cotton pillow-top to offer a versatile mattress that works well for sleepers of all types.
How Does It Feel?
Gentle pressure relief and the support provided by zoned coils made this mattress comfortable for a wide range of sleepers. However, some side sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds prefer a softer mattress to protect against pressure points.
Why We Like It
Latex is popular for its uniquely responsive feel and its natural temperature regulation. Our testers found that the Birch Luxe embraced and enhanced these qualities.
The Birch Luxe also provided a bridge between fans of latex and those who were more hesitant. Our testers who already enjoyed latex mattresses reported that the Birch Luxe lived up to their expectations, while those who usually prefer synthetic foam found that the mattress’ pillow-top gives it a cozy feel that they appreciated.
Sleeper Type Ratings
The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.
Best Overall Mattress
WinkBed
Get $300 off all mattresses at Winkbeds
SHOP NOWThe WinkBed’s high-quality hybrid construction and four firmness options help ensure neck pain relief for virtually any sleeper type.
SEE MORE DETAILS
Best Value Mattress
DreamCloud Mattress
Up to 50% off mattresses
SHOP NOWThe DreamCloud offers luxurious, long-lasting hybrid construction at an affordable sticker price.
SEE MORE DETAILS
Best Luxury Mattress
Saatva Rx
$400 off mattress orders of $1,000 or more
SHOP NOWThe Saatva Rx is a plush, luxuriously constructed hybrid designed specifically for people with chronic pain.
SEE MORE DETAILS
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Helix Midnight
27% off sitewide + 2 free Dream Pillows with mattress purchase. Code: DOCTOR27
SHOP NOWDesigned with side sleepers in mind, the Helix Midnight delivers a plush, pressure-relieving surface reinforced with coil support.
SEE MORE DETAILS
Best Latex Mattress
Birch Luxe
25% off sitewide + 2 free Eco-Rest Pillows with mattress purchase
SHOP NOWThe Birch Luxe features responsive latex that cradles your sore spots without hugging too closely or retaining excess heat.
SEE MORE DETAILS
Is Your Mattress Making Your Neck Pain Worse?
Sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t properly support your body can cause or worsen neck pain, even if your mattress feels comfortable when you first lie down. If any of the following factors apply, you might want to consider whether your mattress is right for you.
- You wake up with neck pain: If you regularly wake up to neck pain, stiffness, or a headache — particularly if your pain dissipates over the day — your mattress might be to blame. However, it’s important to speak to your doctor about any new or chronic pain before assuming it may be caused by your mattress.
- Your mattress is past its prime: Most mattresses last for 7 to 10 years, so it might be time to retire your current mattress if it’s reaching the end of its lifespan. Some signs that your bed is no longer supportive include sagging, lumps, an uneven surface, and permanent impressions in foam.
- You have trouble staying comfortable: An uncomfortable mattress can leave you tossing and turning, cause you to wake up in the night, and worsen neck and shoulder tension. A mattress that provides you with enough support should feel “just right,” neither too firm or too soft.
What Should Someone With Neck Pain Consider in a Mattress?
The best mattress for neck pain is one that supports your entire body in a way that keeps your spine aligned and allows you to relax into a neutral position while you sleep.
No single mattress is right for everyone, which is why it’s important to consider factors like your body type and preferred sleep position when choosing a new mattress. Once you understand what your body needs for proper support, it’s easier to choose from different mattress designs and features.
Sleeping Position
Each of the common sleeping positions — side, stomach, and back — have different support and pressure relief requirements.
Stomach and back sleepers tend to prefer firm beds with extra support through the pelvis to keep the lower spine in alignment. On the other hand, side sleepers are more likely to enjoy softer mattresses with enough pressure relief to prevent tension in their hips and shoulders.
Mattress Material
The feel of a mattress is largely dictated by its construction. Different types of mattresses offer different benefits and drawbacks for people with neck pain.
| Mattress Type | What To Consider Before Purchasing |
|---|---|
| Foam | All-foam mattresses are popular for their budget-friendly cost and comforting pressure relief, but they may be more likely to retain body heat. |
| Hybrid | Hybrid mattresses combine supportive coils with pressure-relieving foam, making them a popular choice for people with neck pain. |
| Innerspring | Although innerspring mattresses are less common than they once were, many people appreciate their low cost and responsive feel. Back and stomach sleepers tend to like the firmness of innerspring mattresses more than side sleepers. |
| Latex | Latex mattresses are made entirely out of latex or feature a latex comfort layer, which provides naturally bouncy, pressure-relieving support. |
| Airbed | Airbed mattresses offer the most customizable support through air chambers that adjust firmness when air is added or removed. While these beds often excel at relieving neck pain and staying cool, they also tend to carry the highest price tags. |
Mattress Firmness
While a soft mattress might sound more comfortable than a firm one, the most comfortable mattress is one that suits your needs.
Your body type directly influences your ideal mattress firmness. People who weigh below 130 pounds usually prefer softer mattresses, while those who weigh above 230 pounds often require increased firmness. Your preferred sleep position also plays a role, with back and stomach sleepers needing more firmness than side sleepers.
Zoned Support
Mattresses with zoned support generally allow the hips and shoulders to sink into the mattress a little more deeply, while providing increased support for the lower back. By providing targeted support, beds with this feature promote improved spinal alignment that may help relieve neck pain.
Pressure Relief
Many people believe their bed is too firm when it instead lacks pressure relief. Pressure-relieving mattresses conform to the shape of your body, which reduces muscle tension and cushions pressure points like your hips and shoulders.
Memory foam is extremely pressure-relieving and has a characteristic cradling effect, while latex has a bouncy feel but still conforms to your body. Polyfoam and pillow-top comfort layers fall between these two poles and vary in feel depending on their design.
Pricing, Sleep Trial, and Warranty
Mattresses can vary dramatically in price, but most people are able to find a mattress that suits both their needs and budget. Before you start looking for a new bed, it’s worth deciding how much you can spend, along with which features are most important to you and which you can live without.
Many mattress manufacturers offer a sleep trial, which allows you to return your new mattress within a set number of nights after delivery. It can take time for your body to adapt to a new mattress, but it may be worth trying a different model if you are still experiencing neck pain after a few weeks with your new bed.
Warranties vary among mattress manufacturers, though most will repair or replace a mattress with manufacturing or material defects.
How Else Can You Reduce Neck Pain When Sleeping?
Sleeping on the right mattress is an important step in reducing your neck pain, but there are other steps you can take to support your neck and spine while you sleep.
Try a new mattress on a sleep trial: It can be difficult to know if a mattress is right for you until after you’ve slept on it for at least a few weeks. Choosing a mattress with a lengthy sleep trial, and taking advantage of it if necessary, is the best way of ensuring you end up with a bed that suits your needs.
Use a pillow that’s more supportive: Your pillow should be firm enough and have a high enough loft to hold your head and neck in proper alignment while you are in your preferred sleeping position. Body type, including the width of your shoulders if you are a side sleeper, is also an important consideration when choosing a pillow for neck pain.
Pillow placement matters. You really want the pillow to be down towards the shoulder so that way we can get support all the way up through the neck and head.
Improve your sleep posture: Depending on your preferred sleep position, you can use pillows or rolled towels under your knees, the small of your back, your waist, and other places to help support your spine’s natural alignment. Adjustable beds are less budget-friendly but can also provide targeted support to vulnerable areas.
Try a mattress topper: If your current mattress is supportive but does not provide enough pressure relief, a foam or latex foam mattress topper can be a cost-effective alternative to buying a new mattress. Like mattresses, toppers vary in price, thickness, and materials, so it’s worth researching your options before bringing one home.
Speak with your doctor: Although many people think of neck pain as an inevitable inconvenience, it’s important to speak with your doctor about new or chronic neck pain. Your doctor is in the best position to determine underlying causes and recommend treatment, if necessary.
Discover More Mattress Solutions
How We Test
We don’t review or feature mattresses until we’ve put them through real-world tests guided by our rigorous product testing methodology. Our team’s many years of experience in the sleep product industry provide us with the insight necessary to turn testing results into helpful recommendations for our readers.
Mattresses can cause neck pain when they lack the right balance of support and pressure relief, which we evaluate based on a mattress’s construction and real-world performance. Different people also have different needs, so our testing team includes sleepers with a wide range of body types, preferred sleeping positions, and mattress preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best mattress for neck pain is one that supports proper spinal alignment without causing additional muscle tension, particularly in the neck and shoulders. The best way to achieve these goals is to choose a mattress that offers good pressure relief and suits both your body type and preferred sleep position.
Although all mattress types have their pros and cons, hybrid mattresses offer an appealing balance between support and pressure relief for neck pain. However, many people also find neck pain relief on airbeds, latex mattresses, and all-foam models that suit their body weight and sleep position preferences.
Soft mattresses are a better choice for people who weigh less than 130 pounds, while people who weigh more than 230 pounds should consider firmer mattresses. Choosing the right firmness for your body type and preferred sleep position will ensure your mattress offers both comfort and support, particularly when paired with pressure-relieving comfort layers or toppers.
Memory foam has excellent pressure-relieving qualities that may help relieve or prevent muscle tension and pressure points. However, a memory foam mattress without adequate support may cause poor spinal alignment that can aggravate neck pain. If you enjoy the feel of memory foam, it’s important to choose a mattress that pairs it with an appropriate support core.
About The Author
Staff Writer, Product Testing Team
Alison is a health writer with ample experience reading and interpreting academic, peer-reviewed research. Based in San Diego, she is published in the journal PLOS Genetics and the Journal of Biological Chemistry and has been a copywriter for SmartBug media. With a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Davis, she has nearly a decade of academic research experience in life sciences. She enjoys helping people cut through the noise to understand the bigger picture about sleep and health. Alison likes to stay active with rock climbing, hiking, and walking her dog.
- POSITION: Stomach Sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Neutral Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Bear
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