Is chronic pain in your shoulder disrupting your sleep? Your shoulder is made up of several different joints you use repeatedly throughout the day.¹ When it comes to the best mattresses for shoulder pain, the goal is to find a sleeping position that supports your body while easing discomfort, explains Christynne Helfrich, a doctor of physical therapy at Hinge Health in Lake Bluff, Illinois.

Helfrich said shoulder pain can feel worse at night. Movement during the day keeps the blood flowing to the area, which can prevent inflammation. “But at night when you’re lying still, that inflammation can build up, especially if you’re dealing with conditions like bursitis, a rotator cuff injury, or a frozen shoulder.”

The risk of shoulder pain increases after age 50, according to research.² Having a mattress that offers plenty of pressure relief and support can make a difference in your pain and sleep quality. We looked at mattresses that offered both of these features in order to choose the best mattress for shoulder pain.

Best Overall

Saatva Rx

9.5 out of /10

Relieves pressure on the shoulders while cradling joints and offering exceptional all-around pain relief

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Best for Back and Shoulder Pain

Helix Midnight Luxe

9 out of /10

Excellent at relieving back and shoulder pressure and great for all sleeping positions

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Best Hybrid

Nectar Premier Hybrid

9.1 out of /10

Excellent pressure relief for side sleepers with a soft pillow top for added comfort

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Best mattresses for shoulder pain in 2026

• Saatva Rx: Best Overall
• Helix Midnight Luxe: Best for Back and Shoulder Pain
• Nectar Premier Hybrid: Best Hybrid Mattress for Shoulder Pain
• The WinkBed Plus: Best for Arthritis and Shoulder Pain

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The best mattresses for shoulder pain of 2026 compared

How we tested to find the best mattresses for shoulder pain

Our team has spent thousands of hours researching and testing mattresses so you can trust our reviews. We work with experts in sleep, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, so we know which features matter most when searching for a mattress for back pain. 

For this review, we personally tested 30 mattresses identified through our research to offer shoulder pain relief. Older adults with pain put each mattress through a rigorous testing process to ensure we have real-world data on how they perform. Here are some of the tests we completed:

Saatva Rx: Best Overall Mattress for Shoulder Pain

The Saatva Rx meets all the criteria for the Best Overall Mattress for Shoulder Pain. It showed exceptional pressure relief on the shoulders and earned one of the highest pain relief scores of any mattress we tested. That means the Saatva Rx has the right mix of pressure relief, support, and more to help ease many types of pain—including shoulder pain. 

Our Top Pick

Saatva Rx

Best Overall

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• Saatva Review
• High pain relief score

• Cradles joints
• Relieves pressure on shoulders

Saatva Rx features

• Our pain relief score: 4.32/5
• Accessibility score: 4.04/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

Pros and cons

Pros

• Excellent pressure relief for shoulder
• May relieve pressure in all positions
• Helps maintain healthy spinal alignment
• 365-night trial period and free white glove delivery

Cons

• Edge support isn’t as sturdy as other mattresses in this review
• $99 return fee
• Most expensive mattress we reviewed

Helix Midnight Luxe: Best for Back and Shoulder Pain

We chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as our Best for Back and Shoulder Pain because it did an exceptional job easing pressure on both testers’ backs and shoulders. No matter what position testers tried, they found the same high level of pressure relief and comfort. Its combination of support and comfort may help soothe your shoulder pain. 

Helix Midnight Luxe

Best for Back Pain

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• Helix Review
• Excellent at relieving back and shoulder pressure 

• Great for all sleeping positions
• Promotes spinal alignment

Helix Midnight Luxe features

• Our pain relief score: 4.21/5
• Accessibility score: 4.06/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6/10

Pros and cons

Pros

• Relieves pressure on shoulders and back
• Above-average support in all sleeping positions
• Promotes spinal alignment
• Extra, targeted support for lower back

Cons

• Edges could be stronger
• Couples might feel each other move
• No handles, so could make it harder to move

Nectar Premier Hybrid: Best Hybrid Mattress for Shoulder Pain

We chose the Nectar Premier Hybrid as Best Hybrid Mattress for Shoulder Pain because of its high pressure relief scores for side sleeping. Testers said it provided a great mix of comfort and support without them feeling like they were “sinking” into the mattress. 

Nectar Premier Hybrid

Best Hybrid

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• Nectar Review
• Excellent pressure relief for side sleepers

• Supports back and shoulders
• Soft pillow top for added comfort

Nectar Premier Hybrid features

• Our pain relief score: 3.91/5
• Accessibility score: 3.8/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

Pros and cons

Pros

• Relieves pressure on shoulders
• Excellent support for back-sleeping
• Great balance of pressure relief and firmness
• Free one-year trial period

Cons

• Not the best for stomach sleepers
• Seated edge support not as sturdy

The WinkBed Plus: Best for Arthritis and Shoulder Pain

We chose The WinkBed Plus as our Best for Arthritis and Shoulder Pain because it eased pressure across the body (including the shoulders) in every sleeping position better than almost any mattress we tested. Testers said it kept their spines straight, which helps relieve pain from arthritis. 

The WinkBed Plus

Best for Arthritis

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• WinkBed Review
• Cradles joints to ease shoulder pain and arthritis pain/stiffness

• Good bounce to help change positions
• Great pressure relief in all sleeping positions

The WinkBed Plus features

• Our pain relief score: 4.78/5
• Accessibility score: 4.51/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 8.5/10

Pros and cons

Pros

• Cradles joints to ease shoulder pain and arthritis pain/stiffness
• Great pressure relief in all sleeping positions
• Good bounce to change positions easier
• Promotes spinal alignment
• Less expensive than other mattresses we reviewed

Cons

• Might be too firm for lighter-weight sleepers
• No white-glove service
• Not suitable for stomach sleepers
• Couples may be disturbed by partner’s movements

Understanding shoulder pain and sleep

The connection between shoulder pain and sleep quality 

Shoulder pain can lead to significant sleep disruptions, which can lead to waking up more often, waking up earlier than usual, and having difficulty falling or staying asleep. 

“People sometimes have pain at night for various reasons. They can frequently have fewer distractions at night, which makes them focus on the area of pain. Sometimes lying on a painful shoulder can make the pain worse,” said Bogowith, the physical therapist in Illinois. When you’re sleeping, you might not be aware of the position you’re in that may be uncomfortable for your shoulder. What’s more, a lack of sleep can worsen pain and inflammation, according to a 2019 study.⁷ 

Common causes of shoulder pain 

There are several conditions that can cause shoulder pain. These include:

• Arthritis: Arthritis is a general term referring to when joints, like the shoulder, become inflamed. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two common forms.⁸ Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in joints wears away, which can cause pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is when the immune system attacks joints, leading to swelling, pain, and stiffness. It’s common to have pain at night, and it can make it more difficult to sleep. 
• Rotator cuff injuries: The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that cover your shoulder and keep it in the socket. A rotator cuff injury can cause an achy pain that gets worse at night. One study found those who sleep on their side have a higher risk of a rotator cuff injury.⁹ These injuries are also higher in people over age 50. 
• Bursitis and tendonitis: Bursitis is when the small fluid sacs in the shoulder get inflamed and irritated.¹⁰ Tendonitis is when the tendons in the shoulder that connect muscle to bone become painful. Both of these conditions are similar, and the symptoms can be worse at night. 
• Frozen shoulder: This condition causes the connective tissue in the shoulder joint to thicken, which can cause pain, stiffness, and limited movement, according to Helfrich. At night, you might experience a deep constant ache in the shoulder that can get worse when you lie on it. Stiffness in the joint might also make it harder to find a comfortable position. “Some people also notice that small movements during sleep, like rolling over or reaching out, can trigger sharp pain,” added Helfrich.

Consistent pain at night that’s waking you up is worth seeing your physical therapist or physician about, since it can be indicative of a more serious problem.”
—Kelly Bogowith, physical therapist in Alton, Illinois

How the wrong mattress can worsen shoulder pain

Mattresses that are too firm can create pressure points on the shoulders. But a mattress that’s too soft can cause your lower back to dip down into the mattress, which puts stress on your spine. 

Helfrich recommends sticking to a firmer mattress rather than one that’s on the softer side. “You can always make it more comfortable and soft with a mattress topper, but it’s hard to make a soft mattress more firm. By having a more supportive mattress, your body can still remain in a neutral position, but not sink so far down that your body is bending in uncomfortable ways.”

Mattress types and shoulder pain relief

The best sleeping positions for shoulder pain relief

Our physical therapy and geriatric experts recommend sleeping on the non-painful side with a pillow between the knees to maintain spinal alignment. Try not to sleep on the shoulder that hurts. 

You can also sleep on your back if you’re having difficulty getting comfortable. According to Bogowith, use a pillow under your forearm while resting your hand on your stomach. “In this way, the shoulder and arm are supported.” You’ll also want to ensure your mattress is supportive and firm enough to keep your spine aligned.

Experts don’t recommend stomach-sleeping because of the significant strain it places on your neck and shoulders. 

My pain is in my right arm and shoulder area. As long as I sleep on my left side or flat, it does not hurt as much.” —A member of our chronic pain and sleep focus group

5 tips to manage shoulder pain at home       

Our experts provided five tips on managing shoulder pain at home:

1. Regular movement during the day can keep joints like the shoulder moving and getting blood flow. Sitting too long can cause stiffness. 
2. Gentle stretches and strengthening exercises under the supervision of a physical therapist can help with recovery and reduce pain and stiffness. 
3. Try icing the area if your shoulder pain is a recent injury. 
4. Use heat packs on the shoulder for more chronic conditions like arthritis. 
5. Try a self-massage using your hands, a foam roller, or a massage gun to loosen tight muscles and bring blood flow to the area. 

If your pain isn’t getting better, see your health care provider or a physical therapist, because it might be related to a more serious concern.

How much do the best mattresses for shoulder pain cost?

The mattresses we included in our best mattresses for shoulder pain range from $1,799–$3,295 for a queen-size mattress. Learn more in our table below.

Costs of the best mattresses for shoulder pain compared

*Most mattress brands run frequent or ongoing promotions. Sale prices are typically lower and may change often.
**Shipping and setup of new mattress and removal of old bed

Frequently asked questions

What type of mattress is best for shoulder pain?

In our testing, we found that the best mattress for shoulder pain is the Saatva Rx. But the best mattress for you is the one you find most comfortable. You want a mattress that will support your body and keep your spine aligned. Hybrid mattresses like the ones in our review can provide pressure relief and support, while also providing enough bounce and responsiveness to be able to move around more easily. 

Can shoulder pain be caused by a mattress?

Our experts said there isn’t a lot of research saying your mattress can cause shoulder pain. But sleeping on too firm of a mattress can put too much stress on the shoulder joint. If your mattress is older and you don’t find it comfortable, it could be a factor that contributes to shoulder pain.  

How do I stop my shoulders from hurting when I sleep on my side?

Try not to sleep on the side that hurts. Use pillows and hug them with your painful side so that your shoulder is supported and the muscles can relax.

Is a firm or soft bed better for shoulder pain?

It’s usually better to have a mattress on the firmer side for shoulder pain to support your spine. Medium-firm mattresses tend to be the best for their combination of support and pressure relief. 

Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.