If your shoulder pain is keeping you up at night, or making for a less than pleasant morning, you’re not alone. Shoulder pain can happen for many reasons and is one of the most common types of pain seen by doctors. Choosing the right mattress may help reduce existing shoulder pain and prevent tension that can cause or worsen pain.
Best Mattresses for Shoulder Pain
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Best Overall Mattress
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WinkBed
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Best Value Mattress
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Silk & Snow Mattress
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Most Comfortable Mattress
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Puffy Lux Hybrid
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Best Luxury Mattress
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Avocado Organic Luxury Mattress – Plush
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Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
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Nectar Mattress
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Best Overall Mattress
WinkBed
Get $300 off all mattresses at Winkbeds
Get $300 off all mattresses at Winkbeds
The WinkBed is a durable innerspring mattress that sleeps cool and has noticeable edge support. Four firmness options provide versatile comfort for a wide range of body types and sleep positions. This means anyone with shoulder pain will likely be able to find a WinkBed model with the right level of cushioning and support for their joints.
Ideal For
All Sleepers
Firmness
Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7), Firm (8)
Feel
Plush, Supportive Surface
Value
Great Value
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Four firmness levels make it easy to choose one that provides both the pressure relief and support that your body needs
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Zoned coils and polyfoam work together to reduce tension in the shoulders
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Firmest option is designed to provide full-body support for sleepers over 250 pounds
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Cons
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Firmer models do not offer the pressure-relieving “cradle” provided by all-foam mattresses
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May be difficult couples in different weight categories to compromise on a firmness level
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Coils leave the bed susceptible to motion transfer
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Our Take
The Winkbed is 13.5 inches tall and comes in four firmness levels. We rate the Softer WinkBed as medium soft (4), the Luxury Firm as medium firm (6), the Firmer as firm (7), and the WinkBed Plus as firm (8).
The bed features a quilted Tencel cover and plush Euro-top with gel-infused foam designed to increase breathability. Another layer of polyfoam adds extra cushioning for the shoulders. A thick base of zoned and reinforced pocketed coils provides targeted support.
Why We Like It
The WinkBed is a modern take on the traditional innerspring mattress design. A substantial support core provides strong edge-to-edge support, while the comfort system cushions the shoulders. The WinkBed represents one of the highest-scoring models we tested, and its innerspring design means it may last longer than other beds.
How Does It Feel?
Our sleep testers each found a WinkBed model that offered excellent comfort regardless of their body size and preferred sleep position. The Softer WinkBed worked best for our side and back sleepers under 130 pounds. Our testers who weigh over 230 pounds preferred the sturdy support of Firmer and WinkBed Plus models. As an innerspring, the WinkBed offers more moderate pressure relief than an all-foam model. However, we found that it had above-average performance in nearly every other category, including edge support, temperature control, and durability.
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
Silk & Snow Mattress
$150 off at Silk & Snow
$150 off at Silk & Snow
The Silk & Snow Mattress’s two-layer comfort system provides above-average pressure relief for aching shoulders. High-quality materials, free shipping, and a reasonable price tag make this bed a great value. However, the medium (5) firmness and deep contouring works best for sleepers under 130 pounds.
Ideal For
Lightweight Sleepers
Firmness
Medium (5)
Feel
Close-Conforming Foam
Value
Great Value
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Memory foam contours to protect sore shoulders when side sleeping
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All-foam construction delivers above-average motion isolation
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Priced significantly lower than most competing models
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Cons
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Sleepers over 130 pounds may experience a lack of support
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Does not provide adequate support when sleeping next to the edge of the mattress
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Deep contouring can make movement difficult, particularly for people with mobility concerns
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Our Take
The Silk & Snow is a 10-inch, all-foam mattress with a medium (5) firmness level. The bed features a silver-infused polyester and spandex cover, two inches of contouring, gel-infused memory foam, two inches of polyfoam, and six inches of dense polyfoam for added support.
Why We Like It
The Silk & Snow Mattress’ all-foam design provides great pressure relief for people experiencing shoulder pain. Our team found that the top layer of memory foam conformed well to the heavier parts of their body, while the dense foam support core supported proper alignment.
How Does It Feel?
We found that the medium (5) feel of the Silk & Snow Mattress worked best for our testers who weigh under 130 pounds, regardless of their preferred sleep position. This model does a great job of relieving pressure around the shoulders, and it doesn’t transfer motion across its surface, making it a great choice for co-sleepers.
However, the Silk & Snow Mattress’ all-foam construction didn’t provide enough support for our testers over 130 pounds. These testers felt like they were sinking too deeply into the bed’s surface.
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.
Most Comfortable Mattress
Puffy Lux Hybrid
$750 off + free accessories at Puffy
$750 off + free accessories at Puffy
The Puffy Lux Hybrid features a five-layer construction designed to provide a high level of pressure relief around the shoulders, even for people who sleep on their side. The bed’s coiled support core is also noticeably quieter than other hybrids and isolates motion well for people sharing their bed with a partner.
Ideal For
Couples
Firmness
Medium (5)
Feel
Plush, Supportive Surface
Value
Good Value
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Balanced support and pressure relief for side sleepers and back sleepers under 230 pounds
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Coils promote airflow and strengthen edges to allow for full use of the bed
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Offers excellent motion isolation for a hybrid mattress
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Cons
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Too soft for most stomach sleepers
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Thick comfort section may limit movement for combination sleepers
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Not suitable for people who prefer sleeping “on” rather than “in” their bed
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Our Take
The Puffy Lux Hybrid is a medium (5) firm, 12-inch mattress designed with comfort in mind. The mattress features a stain-resistant polyester cover and a comfort system made up of a layer of gel-infused memory foam, a layer of contouring polyfoam, and a second layer of polyfoam designed to improve breathability. The support core contains a thick layer of pocketed coils and a base layer of dense polyfoam for additional support.
Why We Like It
The five-layer hybrid construction of the Puffy Lux Hybrid does an excellent job of providing ample pressure relief without skimping on responsive support. This mattress will likely be a good fit for side sleepers with shoulder pain, thanks to its plush foams and supportive coil core, all of which enhance comfort. And thanks to its solid motion isolation, the Puffy Lux is a good fit for couples and co-sleepers as well.
How Does It Feel?
The Puffy Lux Hybrid’s three-layer comfort system and pocketed coil core offered a good balance of contouring and support for the side and back sleepers on our team who weigh less than 230 pounds. However, the medium (5) firmness and closely contouring comfort system created a bit too much sinkage for those on our team who sleep on their stomach or weigh over 230 pounds.
We also noticed that the Puffy Lux Hybrid was extremely quiet when our testers changed positions or got into or out of bed.
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
Avocado Organic Luxury Mattress – Plush
Up to 20% off organic mattresses
Up to 20% off organic mattresses
The Avocado Luxury Organic Mattress epitomizes quality craftsmanship and materials, and it’s exceptionally comfortable to boot. We recommend the Plush Euro-top version of the mattress for anyone seeking a sleep surface that gently cradles and contours to their body.
Ideal For
Combination Sleepers
Firmness
Medium (5)
Feel
Responsive Latex
Value
Fair Value
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Euro-top with moisture-wicking natural fibers promotes cooling airflow
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Closely contours to absorb motion transfer and relieve shoulder tension in side sleepers under 130 pounds
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Made with natural and certified organic materials
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Cons
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Too soft to provide enough support for stomach sleepers and people over 230 pounds
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Plush surface provides lower-than-average responsiveness and edge support
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Premium price-point and taller-than-average profile that may require deep pocket sheets
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Our Take
Avocado is best known for high-end sleep products and home furnishings, and the Luxury Organic Mattress is one of the brand’s most sophisticated offerings to date. Seventeen individual layers make up the high-profile hybrid design, including a deep comfort system cushioned with organic cotton and wool, alpaca hair, silk-blend batting, and 4 inches of Dunlop latex. Certifications from the GOTS and GOLS also ensure the mattress has been crafted with sustainability in mind.
Why We Like It
Our hands-on tests show the Plush Luxury Organic Mattress is best suited to side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. While the latex adds some responsiveness to the surface, the cushioning materials create a deep cradle for the shoulders and hips — two areas of frequent pressure buildup for people who use the side position.
Temperature control is a major strength thanks to the assortment of breathable and moisture-wicking materials in the comfort system, as well as steady air circulation through the pocketed coil support core. We also found this mattress isolates motion better than most competing latex hybrids.
How Does It Feel?
Generous padding gives the Plush Luxury Organic Mattress a medium (5) feel, making it softer and more adaptive than the average latex hybrid. The latex produces a light bounce in response to movement, but the surface lacks the strong springiness you’ll find with standard hybrid models. This unconventional design has pros and cons. You shouldn’t feel much pressure buildup and motion isolation for couples is above average, but the perimeter may compress when bearing weight and some people may struggle to move across the surface without feeling stuck.
The bottom line: if you’re looking for a mattress that’s exceptionally soft and don’t mind splurging on a rather expensive model, the Avocado Luxury Organic Mattress – Plush is worth considering.
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
Nectar Mattress
Check Price at Nectar
Check Price at Nectar
The Nectar Mattress is an affordable all-foam bed designed to provide enhanced pressure relief when sleeping on your side. The bed’s dual comfort system contours closely to heavier parts of the body while still providing plenty of support, which can be helpful for side sleepers with shoulder pain.
Ideal For
Side Sleepers
Firmness
Medium Firm (6)
Feel
Close-Conforming Foam
Value
Good Value
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Appropriate for side and back sleepers of most body types
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All-foam design absorbs motion transfer
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Better edge support than competing foam models
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Cons
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Less supportive for stomach sleepers, particularly those above 230 pounds
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Close contouring reduces airflow around sleepers, making it sleep too warm for some people
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May be too difficult to move around on for people with mobility concerns
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Our Take
The Nectar Mattress is a medium firm (6) all-foam bed with a 12-inch profile. This model features a polyester and nylon blend cover designed to wick moisture and stay cool. The top layer consists of contouring, gel-infused memory foam. A second layer of polyfoam isolates movement so that motion doesn’t transfer across the bed’s surface. A final layer of thick and dense polyfoam improves support and the overall stability of the bed.
Why We Like It
The Nectar Mattress offers just the right level of contouring for side sleepers with sensitive shoulders. We also liked that the bed is reasonably priced.
How Does It Feel?
The Nectar Mattress offers the classic body-hugging feel of memory foam that can relieve pressure around the shoulders. Our testers who sleep on their side found that the Nectar’s contouring worked especially well to prevent pressure points from forming at the shoulder. Most of our back and side sleeping testers felt comfortable and supported as well.
The cushioning foam layers of the Nectar Mattress do an excellent job preventing motion transfer across the bed’s surface. However, this cushioning can also make it harder to change positions.
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.
We’ll introduce you to our picks for the best mattresses for shoulder pain and explain why some mattresses are better for different needs. If you’re a side sleeper with shoulder pain, you might be interested in our guide to the best mattresses for side sleepers. We’ve also listed the best mattresses of 2024 to provide an easy overview of what’s available.
Best Overall Mattress
WinkBed
Get $300 off all mattresses at Winkbeds
SHOP NOWThe WinkBed’s hybrid design provides strong support underneath gentle cushioning, with different firmness options available to meet the needs of most sleepers.
SEE MORE DETAILS
Best Value Mattress
Silk & Snow Mattress
$150 off at Silk & Snow
SHOP NOWThe Silk & Snow’s all-foam design provides deep cushioning for sensitive shoulders at an accessible price-point.
SEE MORE DETAILS
Most Comfortable Mattress
Puffy Lux Hybrid
$750 off + free accessories at Puffy
SHOP NOWThe Puffy Lux Hybrid uses thick layers of foam to soothe aches and pains, without sinking too deep.
SEE MORE DETAILS
Best Luxury Mattress
Avocado Organic Luxury Mattress – Plush
Up to 20% off organic mattresses
SHOP NOWThe plush version of the Avocado Organic Luxury Mattress uses top-notch, natural materials to relieve pressure and stay cool through the night.
SEE MORE DETAILS
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Nectar Mattress
Check Price at Nectar
SHOP NOWThe Nectar’s memory foam design provides serious, close-conforming cushioning to carefully cradle the sore shoulders of side sleepers.
SEE MORE DETAILS
Can a Mattress Help Relieve Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain can interfere with sleep, but just as sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause sore muscles and joints, choosing the right mattress for your needs may help relieve or prevent shoulder pain.
Most people prefer a supportive bed with excellent pressure relief, and these factors are even more important for people with shoulder pain. Poor alignment through your spine can stress your shoulder muscles, while a mattress with inadequate pressure relief can cause a significant amount of tension through the shoulders.
Although shoulder pain is common, it’s always worth speaking to your doctor for insight into what may be causing it and whether it requires treatment. Depending on the cause of your shoulder pain, your doctor might also be able to provide advice on how you should sleep while you heal.
What Is the Best Mattress Firmness for Shoulder Pain?
While a softer mattress might seem more comfortable, the best firmness level depends on your weight and preferred sleeping position. The same mattress feels subjectively firmer to people who weigh less and softer to those who weigh more. Choosing a mattress firmness level in line with your needs can help ensure you have the necessary balance of support and pressure relief.
Most people are likely to find that a medium or medium firm mattress with pressure-relieving comfort layers suits their needs. However, side sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds may want to consider a medium soft option, while back and stomach sleepers above 230 pounds may prefer a firm mattress.
Your Sleeping Position and Shoulder Pain
Since you stay in one position for a prolonged period of time while sleeping, it’s important to choose a position that doesn’t aggravate your symptoms. Research is unclear as to whether shoulder pain is associated with any one sleeping position. Since shoulder pain can be caused by a number of different conditions, the best sleeping position may depend on what exactly ails you.
During the day, it’s common to experience heightened pain when raising your arms above your head. However, contrary to expectations, some research has found that sleeping on your stomach or back with your arms above your head doesn’t increase shoulder pain during sleep. Other studies have found that back sleeping is the most favorable position, better than side sleeping or stomach sleeping.
Sleeping on your side can reduce blood flow to the tendons and may worsen shoulder pain, particularly if your mattress doesn’t offer enough pressure relief. If you experience pain in just one shoulder, you may find it more comfortable to sleep on the other side.
Video: How to Find the Best Sleeping Position for You
If you wake up with aches and pains in the morning, the position in which you sleep could be the issue. Watch as our sleep expert breaks down the best sleep position for you in order to optimize your sleep and improve your overall health.
How to Shop for a Mattress When You Have Shoulder Pain
Finding the right mattress is a similar process for everyone, but there are some factors that become more important for people with shoulder pain.
Mattress Material
There are several main types of mattresses, classed according to the materials used in their support core. Each mattress type has pros and cons when it comes to relieving shoulder pain.
With their high-density polyfoam support cores, foam mattresses help create a pressure-relieving cradle. By contrast, coil-based support cores, like those used in innerspring and hybrid mattresses, tend to be more responsive and supportive than foam but may be less pressure-relieving. Latex-core beds set a middle ground, conforming gently to the body while retaining a responsive bounce.
A mattress’s comfort system is also critical to how it feels. Polyfoam and particularly memory foam contour around your body to protect your shoulders from pressure and tension. Natural latex has a bouncier feel and contours less closely. Pillow-top mattresses featuring cotton batting or similar materials provide some cushioning for joints and help avoid pressure points, though they tend to have minimal contouring unless paired with foam.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief describes the ability of a mattress to evenly spread out your weight and avoid pressure buildup in any one spot. It is one of the most important factors when choosing a mattress to help relieve shoulder pain.
Without pressure relief your weight mostly rests against your bed in specific areas, such as your shoulders and hips. Pressure-relieving comfort layers allow these regions to sink further into the mattress, creating a supportive cradle that minimizes pressure points.
Contouring
Contouring, a feature of many pressure-relieving materials, is when a mattress conforms closely to your body rather than flexing across a wider part of the bed’s surface. Mattresses with loose contouring keep sleepers “on” rather than “in” the bed, while those with closer contouring create a deeper cradle. This can be particularly useful for side sleepers with shoulder tension and pain.
Some people enjoy the “hug” created by deep contouring, while others dislike the way it makes movement more difficult. Due to this aspect, people with mobility concerns may want to choose a bed with less contouring.
Durability
While everyone wants their mattress to be durable, it is a particularly important factor for people with shoulder pain since worn-out mattresses are less supportive and relieve less pressure.
Most mattresses have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years, although this varies depending on the mattress’ construction and how it is used. Synthetic foam, for example, degrades more quickly than natural latex.
Sleep Trial and Warranty
Many mattress manufacturers offer a sleep trial that allows you to sleep on your mattress before committing to keeping it. Sleep trial lengths and policies vary between manufacturers, so it’s worth double-checking those details if you want time to ensure your new mattress works well for you.
You should also check your chosen mattress’ warranty before making a purchase. Most warranties cover manufacturing and material defects, but manufacturers may set additional conditions.
Tips for Sleeping With Shoulder Pain
A new mattress can help with shoulder pain, particularly if your current bed is at the end of its lifespan, but there are other steps you can take to help alleviate aching shoulders. Some of these steps, such as choosing the right pillow, are worth investigating even if you also buy a new bed.
- Buy a mattress topper: Mattress toppers add another comfort layer to your existing mattress. Toppers are available in a wide range of materials and can be a budget-friendly way of improving your bed’s pressure-relieving qualities if your mattress is otherwise supportive and in good shape.
- Sleep on a pillow with the right loft: A pillow’s height, called its loft, plays a major role in keeping your spine correctly aligned. You should choose a pillow loft that ensures your spine is kept straight in your preferred sleeping position, as sleeping with your neck tilted can increase pressure on the shoulder.
- Consider a cervical or bolster pillow: Cervical pillows come in a range of unique shapes and are designed to keep your head and neck in a healthy position during sleep, while the cylindrical bolster pillow can be used to support other parts of your body.
- Try a different sleeping position: Some people find that their preferred sleep position is uncomfortable when they’re experiencing shoulder pain. Depending on what’s causing your shoulder pain, you may need to switch positions to take weight and pressure off your affected shoulder.
- Do light stretches before bed: Stretching relaxes the muscles and can help work out some of the tightness that’s built up in your shoulders throughout the day, potentially helping reduce pain that is caused by neck and shoulder tension.
Discover More Mattress Solutions
Understanding the factors you should look for in a mattress can make the buying process easier. Our guides will walk you through what you need to know before purchasing, along with introducing you to some of our picks for the best mattresses on the market.
How We Test
Mattress suitability depends on a wide range of factors — including body type, preferred sleep position, and health concerns — so we’ve assembled a diverse testing team to ensure our readers see themselves and their needs reflected in our reviews. Our team members have years of experience in the sleep product industry and are passionate about the science that goes into mattress design.
We choose our featured products after rigorous testing that follows a repeatable methodology, which allows us to compare extremely different mattresses according to their performance in important categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Different mattress types have their own pros and cons, and a mattress that might relieve shoulder pain in one person could exacerbate it in another. The goal is to find a mattress that supports healthy spinal alignment while relieving pressure points in the shoulders.
Hybrid mattresses are generally appropriate for a wider range of people, since the steel coils provide enough support for all body types. However, there are all-foam, latex, and airbed models that also suit the needs of people with shoulder pain. Hybrid or foam models that incorporate memory foam tend to offer the best pressure relief.
Choosing a mattress firmness that suits your body type and preferred sleep position is the best way of ensuring it doesn’t cause or worsen shoulder pain. Side sleepers and people under 130 pounds tend to do best on a plusher mattress, while stomach sleepers and people over 230 pounds sink in further and can handle a firmer mattress.
If you’re waking up with shoulder pain only for it to lessen throughout the day, it may be caused by your mattress. Pain that occurs when you go to bed, or during the night, might also be linked to sleeping on the wrong mattress.
As with all medical concerns, it is important to speak to your doctor if you experience new or recurring shoulder pain.
The best sleeping position for shoulder pain is one that allows you to sleep comfortably. Sleeping on your back with your arms at your sides puts the least amount of stress on your shoulders, but there is currently no evidence that other positions cause shoulder pain. You may want to avoid side sleeping with the weight on your injured shoulder.
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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