Written by Melanie Kassel, Performance Editor
Do your shoulders and hips hurt when you’re lying in bed? Many people struggle with hip and shoulder pain throughout the night, especially side sleepers, for whom these areas are key pressure points. If you experience this kind of pain, then finding a better bed is one step you can take toward relief.
The best mattresses for hip and shoulder pain have design features that offer soothing relief to achy joints. In this article, we’ll share our top mattresses for hip and shoulder pain relief, a shopping guide for finding your new bed, and tips for minimizing nighttime discomfort.
Our Top Pick for The Best Mattress for Hip and Shoulder Pain
The Saatva HD earned our top spot due to its impressive combination of latex foam, memory foam, and springs, all of which work together to cradle the hips and shoulders while keeping the spine aligned.
Best Mattresses for Hip and Shoulder Pain
Our Video Review of the Best Mattresses for Hip and Shoulder Pain
Compare The Best Mattresses for Shoulder and Hip Pain
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| Saatva HD Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress | Bear Star Hybrid Mattress | Nectar Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Titan Plus Luxe | |
| Rating | ||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Multiple firmness options | Soft: 6/10 | Soft: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Cooling |
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| Warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | 15-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty |
| Shipping | Free white glove delivery | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping minus HI and AK |
| Trial Period | 365 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
| Best For | Hot Sleepers, Back Pain, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Joint Pain, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain, Joint Pain | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Hot Sleepers, Back Pain, Side Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers |
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
At Sleep Advisor, our mattress reviews are based on findings from in-person tests that allow us to have a genuine understanding of how the mattress feels and performs.
For this roundup, we prioritized features that are especially important for hip and shoulder pain-relief. We paid special attention to components such as responsiveness, comfort, weight capacity, and pressure relief.
The Best Beds for Shoulder and Hip Pain, Reviewed
Saatva HD Mattress
This luxurious mattress was thoughtfully crafted to support people who are heavier or want a firm, durable, and high-quality bed.
Save 15% off order of $1k+
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Saatva HD Mattress
This luxurious mattress was thoughtfully crafted to support people who are heavier or want a firm, durable, and high-quality bed.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Saatva HD Mattress
This luxurious mattress was thoughtfully crafted to support people who are heavier or want a firm, durable, and high-quality bed.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why the Saatva HD Earned Best Mattress for Hip and Shoulder Pain Overall
If your pain is spread throughout your hips, shoulders, and even your back, you’ll need a mattress that’s built to handle almost anything. The Saatva HD surely makes this its mission: it’s one of the tallest, sturdiest mattresses we’ve encountered, with a Euro pillow top that feels heavenly on the joints.
Our lead reviewer Julia said that “it does a good job of padding around hips and shoulders … [I] feel a generous amount of sink and cushion around pressure points.” As for its effect on the spine, she was similarly enthusiastic: “The firmer feel of the HD is going to keep you floating on top of the mattress, instead of melting into it. Behold, a way of breaking the cycle of waking up, having back pain, complaining about how much your mattress sucks, rinse, repeat.”
What’s the Saatva HD Made Of?
The Saatva HD is 15.5 inches high, and can support two sleepers weighing up to 500 pounds each. It starts with a 3-inch Euro pillow top ensconced in an organic cotton cover.
Under the pillow top’s inviting cushion, there’s a 1.5-inch layer of natural latex. This layer is zoned into five distinct parts that offer more or less lift depending on their location. Your lumbar spine, for example, should feel extra-boosted, whereas your hips and shoulders should feel cradled.
The latex leads into a 1.5-inch layer of memory foam that offers a deep contouring sensation. It’s backed by a denser 2-inch layer of foam that transitions into the bed’s coil unit.
There, springs made of recycled steel augment the bed’s responsiveness and durability. The unit also features a Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire that ups support around the lower back.
Below the coils, you’ll find a 2-inch base of high-density foam. There’s also a 6-inch border of high-density foam around the mattress’s edges.
Our Take: “As someone who’s 6 feet tall and comes from a family of Redwood tree humans … I know how important it is to find a bed that’s supportive enough for your body.” – Julia Forbes, Lead Sleep Advisor Mattress Reviewer
What We Liked
- Firmness that promotes spinal alignment – According to Julia, back sleepers and the Saatva HD “are a match made in mattress heaven … The HD is not going to have a lot of give to it, so your back’s not going to be slumping into weird angles.” By lending your spine a palpable amount of lift, this bed guards against future back pain.
- Cushioned but responsive – The Euro top is a lovely, soft surface for achy joints, but this mattress doesn’t take its plushness too far. “The foam hugs to my body, but responds quickly,” said Julia. “No feeling like I’m being swallowed up by the bed here.”
- Zoned latex – “What I’m most impressed with is Saatva’s zoned layer support,” Julia commented. When testing the bed, she felt the zones within the latex layer give varying amounts of pushback throughout her body, so there was “no discomfort or sinking into the mattress.”
Potential Drawbacks
- Petite sleepers may be uncomfortable – Julia cautioned that “pressure relief is going to be a bit iffy for average and lighter-weight sleepers. It may just feel a little bit too firm on your hips and shoulders.”
- Not as much motion absorption – Although small movements didn’t register as starkly, our tests detected a “good bit of motion” when Julia changed sleeping positions.
Customer Reviews of the Saatva HD
On Saatva’s site, the Saatva HD has an impressive 4.9 out of 5 stars. Customers appreciate the Saatva HD mattress for its exceptional support for heavier individuals, but some have mentioned that its higher price point may not fit everyone’s budget.
Want more details? Read our full Saatva HD review or see what beds we thought were the best mattresses of 2024.
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
Nolah’s innovative pressure-relieving abilities should be an excellent fit for side-sleepers, and if you struggle with overheating, the AirFoamICE™ technology should keep you cool all night long.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
Nolah’s innovative pressure-relieving abilities should be an excellent fit for side-sleepers, and if you struggle with overheating, the AirFoamICE™ technology should keep you cool all night long.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
Nolah’s innovative pressure-relieving abilities should be an excellent fit for side-sleepers, and if you struggle with overheating, the AirFoamICE™ technology should keep you cool all night long.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Why the Nolah Evolution Earned Best Luxury Mattress for Shoulder and Hip Pain
With 7 layers that stack up to a 15-inch height, the Nolah Evolution looks impressively luxurious even before you lie down. Once you do, though, you’ll likely be charmed by the plushness of its Euro topper and the contouring abilities of the AirFoamICE™ underneath.
Hips and shoulders in particular should benefit from these initial layers. AirFoamICE™ is a material that’s unique to the Nolah brand, and it’s reportedly even better than memory foam at relieving pressure around sensitive joints. “I really love the relief I get from the pressure in my hips,” said reviewer Liz, who sleeps primarily on her side and back.
What’s the Nolah Evolution Made Of?
The Nolah Evolution is a hybrid mattress that places several layers of foam above a robust spring unit. It begins with a cover that incorporates breathable organic cotton and ArcticTex™ fibers (which allegedly absorb and then diffuse heat).
The cover protects a Euro topper that’s quilted with 2 inches of foam. It’s also surrounded by a gusset designed to vent away excess warmth.
Below the topper are 3 more layers of foam: the graphite-infused AirFoamICE™, a supportive high-resilience foam, and a sheet of high-density foam that acts as a transitional layer between the top of the bed and its coil unit. All of these foams have the CertiPUR-US® stamp of approval, which means they’re free from certain chemicals and toxins
.The Evolution’s springs are portioned into three zones that correspond to the support needs of different parts of the back. They’re also reinforced along the bed’s entire perimeter so that the edges don’t sag. They’re positioned on top of a stabilizing base layer made from recycled plant fiber.
Our Take: “You could build your house on Nolah’s edge support.” – Stuart Petty, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
What We Liked
- Choose your firmness level – You can order the Nolah Evolution in one of three firmness levels: Firm, Luxury Firm, and Plush. Our reviewers enjoyed the Luxury Firm, but recommend a firmer model for heavier sleepers.
- Very special foam – AirFoamICE™ is a high-tech material that, according to Nolah, outperforms traditional memory foam across the board: it cools down more efficiently, lasts longer, and may provide up to four times as much pressure relief.
- Standout springs – Our review team thought the springs in this hybrid were extremely supportive and specialized. In addition to complimenting its edge support, Stuart remarked, “I could even feel the zoned support in the springs working to support my body weight appropriately.”
Potential Drawbacks
- It’s hard to transport – The Nolah Evolution is a bulky mattress. Its cover has handles that you can grip as you move it, but our reviewers noted that you’d probably need help if you want to relocate this bed after it’s unpacked.
- Too soft for some sleepers – The review team commented that stomach sleepers and plus-size folks may want a mattress that’s not so plush on top. These demographics tend to require a bit more up-front support so that they don’t feel like they’re sinking into a bed.
Customer Reviews of the Nolah Evolution
Earning a 4.9 out of 5 stars on Nolah’s website, the Nolah Evolution seems to be a hit. Customers appreciate the Nolah Evolution mattress for its superior pressure relief, but some have mentioned that the edge support could be improved for a more consistent sleep surface.
Want more details? Read our full Nolah Evolution mattress review or discover the best luxury mattresses.
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
With the Ultra-Cool phase-changing cover and gel-infused foam, the Helix Midnight Luxe is an excellent choice for hot sleepers who also need pressure relief and zoned support.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
15-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
With the Ultra-Cool phase-changing cover and gel-infused foam, the Helix Midnight Luxe is an excellent choice for hot sleepers who also need pressure relief and zoned support.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
15-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
With the Ultra-Cool phase-changing cover and gel-infused foam, the Helix Midnight Luxe is an excellent choice for hot sleepers who also need pressure relief and zoned support.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
15-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why the Helix Midnight Luxe Earned Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Hip and Shoulder Pain
Helix’s Midnight mattresses are already designed to offer enhanced comfort around the hips and shoulders. They appeal to side sleepers in particular, but as an upgraded version of the core Midnight model, the Midnight Luxe has a wider audience. Its bonus features—including an upper layer of responsive foam and coils that have been zoned into different support regions—give it the springiness and versatility that combination sleepers need.
One of our reviewers, Liz, is a combination sleeper with chronic joint pain. She found the Midnight Luxe to be “completely supportive while also cradling me,” and echoed other members of our team in being impressed by the mattress’s balanced feel.
What’s the Helix Midnight Luxe Made Of?
The Midnight Luxe has six total layers. From the top down, it begins with a quilted pillow top—the first of multiple upgrades from its core model. The pillow top welcomes sore joints with a soft, cool surface, and comes with a breathable TENCEL™ cover.
Underneath the pillow top is a layer of Helix Responsive Foam. This foam has a medium-firm feel and enough bounce to assist with movement during the night. It’s followed by a layer of copper gel memory foam and a subsequent layer of Helix’s proprietary Memory Plus foam.
Both of these comfort layers make pressure relief their chief concern.
Next comes the Midnight Luxe’s coil unit. Depending on the mattress’s size, it can contain up to 1,000 individually wrapped springs. It also boasts a reinforced zone in the middle of the unit that gives extra pushback to your hips and lumbar spine.
Finally, a base layer of DuraDense foam anchors the mattress.
Our Take: “It does live up to that Luxe title, because it’s an incredibly comfortable mattress.” – Sean, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
What We Liked
- Versatility – Our reviewers were united in their praise for the Midnight Luxe’s versatility, and they varied in body type as well as body weight—the lightest reviewer weighs around 140 pounds, whereas our plus-size reviewer weighs around 330 pounds. This means the Midnight Luxe could be accommodating for couples as well.
- Zoned support – The Sleep Advisor team were also fans of the zoned support in this bed. Emma attested that the reinforced springs in the middle of the coil unit likely helped with her body’s overall alignment as she lay down.
- Long-lasting warranty – The Midnight Luxe comes with a 15-year warranty, which is an improvement compared to the 10-year warranty on the more basic Midnight model.
Potential Drawbacks
- Too soft for stomach sleepers – If you spend most of your time on your stomach, you might want a firmer mattress than the Midnight Luxe. According to Emma, the bed felt just a bit too plush when she shifted to this position.
- Big and heavy – Our reviewers loved how tall this mattress was, but noted it lacked handles on the sides and was slightly cumbersome to move.
Customer Reviews of the Helix Midnight Luxe
On Helix’s website, the mattress scores 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers appreciate the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress for its customized support but have reported that it may not be the best option for those who prefer an exceptionally soft sleep surface.
Want more details? Read our full Helix Midnight Luxe review or check out the best mattresses for combination sleepers.
Bear Star Hybrid Mattress
The Bear Hybrid is an appealing product because it should cater to a wide variety of sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Star Hybrid Mattress
The Bear Hybrid is an appealing product because it should cater to a wide variety of sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Star Hybrid Mattress
The Bear Hybrid is an appealing product because it should cater to a wide variety of sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why the Bear Star Hybrid Earned Best Hybrid Mattress for Hip Pain
Bear mattresses are often marketed to athletes due to their innovative cover design, which features a performance textile called Celliant®. This textile can reputedly assist with the body’s recovery after a workout, and may even promote longer, higher-quality sleep.
These same characteristics make the Bear Star Hybrid a good bed for someone experiencing hip pain—its cover may encourage increased blood flow and quicker relief around sore spots. The foams and springs in this mattress should also feel pleasantly easy on the hips.
What’s the Bear Star Hybrid Made Of?
The Bear Star Hybrid’s soft cover incorporates Celliant® fibers. A performance textile, Celliant® claims to convert your body heat into infrared energy. When your body absorbs that energy, you may experience a boost in blood flow around the areas that are closest to the fabric. Increased blood flow equals more oxygen for your cells, which may in turn aid your body’s rest and recovery processes.
After the cover, there’s a layer of Serene Gel Foam that cradles your body’s pressure points. The gel inside the foam helps keep this layer from overheating. It’s backed by a layer of Responsive Comfort Foam, which adds more cushioning and permits cooling airflow.
The Bear Star Hybrid’s springs are each wrapped in tiny fabric pockets so that they compress one by one, instead of passing motion to their neighbors.
They’re perched on a base of high-density foam that serves as the bed’s foundation.
Our Take: “The responsive comfort foam offers exceptional pressure relief and support.” – Stuart, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
What We Liked
- It stays cool – Our reviewer repeatedly mentioned how “refreshing” and “cool” the cover felt on this bed. When you also consider the airflow from the coils and the gel infusions in the foam, the Bear Star Hybrid emerges as a cooling powerhouse.
- No harmful emissions – This bed is GREENGUARD Gold certified, meaning it’s been tested for chemical emissions and meets high standards for preserving clean air.
- Notable warranty – This mattress comes with a generous lifetime warranty.
Potential Drawbacks
- It’s pretty firm – Stuart noted that the Bear Star Hybrid might feel too firm for some sleepers, especially lightweight ones.
- Low responsiveness – This hybrid mattress does have springs, but due to the influence of its foam layers, it’s not particularly bouncy.
Customer Reviews of the Bear Star Hybrid
Coming in at approximately 4.5 out of 5 stars on Bear’s site, a potential downside customers noted of the Bear Star Hybrid mattress is that some users may find it too firm, but it is praised for its strong support and cooling properties, promoting a comfortable sleep environment.
Want to learn more? Read our in-depth Bear Star Hybrid mattress review or check out our best hybrid mattress picks.
Nectar Mattress
Nectar offers the deeper hug of a traditional memory foam bed but with updated cooling and a Forever warranty.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nectar Mattress
Nectar offers the deeper hug of a traditional memory foam bed but with updated cooling and a Forever warranty.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nectar Mattress
Nectar offers the deeper hug of a traditional memory foam bed but with updated cooling and a Forever warranty.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why the Nectar Earned Best Memory Foam Mattress for Hip and Shoulder Pain
The Nectar is a memory foam mainstay of the online mattress market, and a pressure-relief champion. Its foam layers easily sink beneath sore shoulders and hips before conforming around them and creating a nestled, hug-like feel.
Our lead reviewer Julia praised the Nectar for its cushiony construction. “Memory foam is such a good material for side sleepers, she said. “With the topmost foam layers made for pressure relief and responsiveness, I really like how this molds around the body.” Our tester Emma agreed: “I like the gentle cradling of the memory foam … [It feels] like I’m a tiny little swaddled baby.”
What’s the Nectar Mattress Made Of?
The Nectar is 12 inches thick and has three internal foam layers, plus an upper and lower cover.
At the top is a breathable cover made with polyethylene fibers that help to redistribute heat.
Underneath is a 2-inch layer of gel memory foam, a plush material that gently reforms around your body and doesn’t warm up as much as foams without gel infusions.
Next is a 3-inch transition layer of slightly firmer and more responsive foam. It ensures that you don’t sink too deeply into the Nectar and encourages healthy spinal alignment. Finally, a 7-inch base layer of ActiveSupport foam adds sturdiness and durability to the bed.
Our Take: “You can sink into the bed easily from the top two layers, but still feel plenty of support (especially around the lumbar) from the firm, dense foam at the base … [the layers] all work symbiotically.” – Julia, Lead Sleep Advisor Mattress Reviewer
What We Liked
- Easy on the joints – “Memory foam’s soft and cushy, so it really is a good match for side and back sleepers,” said Julia. “That’s the case with the Nectar, as I noted good pressure relief on my joints during testing.”
- It cancels motion – Foam beats springs when it comes to dampening movement, and the Nectar is a great mattress to share with a partner—even a restless one. “Since these layers are pretty dense, they’re able to stifle the feeling of motion pretty well. If you sleep with a partner and move around a lot, this helps ensure you’re not shaking them awake,” said Julia.
- Generous policies – With an attractive price, a long sleep trial, and a lifetime warranty, Nectar stands out as a customer-focused option. According to Julia, “Nectar’s policies are some of the best in the industry, if not the best.”
Potential Drawbacks
- Not built for plus-sized sleepers – Julia didn’t think the Nectar was a good choice for heavier folks: “Memory foam, even on the firmer side of things, is not my first choice for plus size sleepers … heavier sleepers need a bit more support, and the lack of coils in the Nectar mattress make me a little bit concerned for sleepers after a couple of years of use.”
- It may sleep hot – “Another thing about memory foam is that even with all sorts of added cooling components, those who run hot may not have a good time,” Julia warned. The Nectar does have cooling features, but they won’t be as effective as those within hybrid or innerspring beds.
Customer Reviews of the Nectar mattress
With thousands of reviews on Nectar’s website, the Nectar mattress has an average 4.8 out of 5 stars. One common customer complaint about the Nectar mattress is its longer-than-average break-in period, while many customers praise its excellent value and comfort once fully settled.
Want more details? Read our full Nectar mattress review, or browse more of the best memory foam mattresses.
WinkBed Mattress
WinkBed is a luxury hybrid bed with a variety of comfort features that should make it a versatile pick for most sleeping positions.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
WinkBed Mattress
WinkBed is a luxury hybrid bed with a variety of comfort features that should make it a versatile pick for most sleeping positions.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
WinkBed Mattress
WinkBed is a luxury hybrid bed with a variety of comfort features that should make it a versatile pick for most sleeping positions.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why the WinkBed Earned Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Hip Pain
If you’re experiencing hip pain, your mattress should provide two key things: enough support for proper spinal alignment, and quality pressure relief around your hips.
The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress that incorporates both foam layers and springs. The subtle bounce from the coils and the softness from the foam aim to strike that crucial balance we mentioned above. According to our reviewer, Mark, the WinkBed offered great pressure relief, which is especially important for side sleepers navigating hip and shoulder pain. “I really like that these are handmade, that they’re tufted, and that you lay down on it and you can really feel that pressure relief.”
What’s the WinkBed Made Of?
The WinkBed begins with a Euro-style pillow top. This cushiony layer features a moisture-wicking cover and gel-infused foam, both of which help the surface of the bed stay cool. The foam in this bed also includes what the brand calls a LumbarLayer™: an area of especially supportive foam that targets the lumbar region of your back.
After the foam, you’ll reach the WinkBed’s coil unit. The springs in this bed are zoned, which means that different parts of the unit provide different levels of pushback, depending on what part of the body they’re supporting.
This specialization should help sleepers feel like they’re getting just the right mix of lift and give.
The coils also have an Extra-Edge™ support system to prevent the borders of the mattress from dipping. Another of our reviewers, Sean, testified to this system’s efficacy: “I can roll right up to the edge of the bed without losing that supportive feel.”
Importantly, the Winkbed’s exact construction changes depending on the firmness level you select for your mattress. It’s available in Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm, and Plus versions, the last of which is designed for larger bodies.
Our Take: “There is quality in every single layer of this bed.” – Mark Mattei, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
What We Liked
- Multiple firmness options – Because you can order the WinkBed in one of four firmness levels, our team gives it bonus points for customizability.
- It feels strong – Sean commented that the coils and reinforced edges in this bed feel “super sturdy,” even as the pillow top contributes cozy plushness.
- It’s made domestically – Each WinkBed is handmade to order in an American factory.
Potential Drawbacks
- It’s bulky – One of our reviewers pointed out that the WinkBed is a heavy mattress—you may need help if you want to move it after it’s fully expanded.
- Motion transfer might happen – Although our review team agreed that the WinkBed performs decently at motion isolation, it will exhibit more motion transfer than an all-foam bed.
Customer Reviews of the WinkBed mattress
On the WinkBeds site, the WinkBed earns a 4.8 out of 5 stars. One drawback of the WinkBed mattress is that it might be too expensive for budget-conscious shoppers, but overall it offers excellent durability and customizable firmness options.
Want more details? Read our full Winkbed mattress review or check out our picks for the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress
The Aurora Luxe is a cooling mattress with TitanCool™ Technology, copper and gel infusions, and a temperature-regulating coil layer working together to provide exceptional comfort for those who sleep hot.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress
The Aurora Luxe is a cooling mattress with TitanCool™ Technology, copper and gel infusions, and a temperature-regulating coil layer working together to provide exceptional comfort for those who sleep hot.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress
The Aurora Luxe is a cooling mattress with TitanCool™ Technology, copper and gel infusions, and a temperature-regulating coil layer working together to provide exceptional comfort for those who sleep hot.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why Did the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Earn Best Mattress for Hip and Shoulder Pain from Arthritis?
Sleepers with arthritis should seek a mattress that reduces contact pressure on sensitive joints but still allows for easy movement. With its latex-like CopperFlex® foam, Aurora Luxe strikes a rare balance between softness and responsiveness, making repositioning easy even as the foam soothes your achiest parts.
According to reviewer Emma, “When I lay on my side, I notice that the [latex-like] layer cradles my body and relieves pressure in my shoulder and hips.”
What’s the Aurora Luxe Made Of?
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe has 6 layers (including its cover) and stands 13 inches tall. Its cooling cover is made with GlacioTex™ fibers, which should absorb excess body heat.
Underneath, there’s a layer of Brooklyn Bedding’s proprietary CopperFlex™ foam. This copper-infused foam does double duty: it cushions pressure points much like traditional memory foam, but it’s also hyper-elastic and responsive like latex foam.
Additionally, in tandem with the bed’s cover, it siphons unwanted heat away from sleepers.
The CopperFlex™ foam is followed by a layer of comfort foam, the feel of which varies depending on whether you order a Soft, Medium, or Firm model. In the Soft and Medium versions, a layer of gel swirl memory foam comes next. In the Firm beds, there’s a layer of firmer transitional foam instead.
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe’s coil unit is zoned to provide a slightly different degree of pushback to the different areas of the body. It sits atop a final layer of high-density foam that helps to anchor and support the springs.
Our Take: “It’s one of the coolest sleeping mattresses that we’ve ever received. Truly … it’s so cold to the touch.” – Emma Mattei, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
What We Liked
- Top-notch cooling – Our reviewers were astounded at just how good this mattress was at keeping them cool. Not only was it cold at first touch, but its temperature regulation persisted throughout the night.
- Lots of bounce – If you like some springiness to your bed, you should enjoy this mattress. One reviewer, Mark, said that it was “incredibly bouncy.”
- More than one firmness – This mattress is available in three firmness levels (Soft, Medium, and Firm), so you have more-than-average control over its feel.
Potential Drawbacks
- Might be too cold for some – If you’re someone who sleeps cold, this mattress might actually be too chilly for you. Our reviewer Emma found herself cozying up to her partner for additional warmth!
- No deep-hug feel – The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe doesn’t have the deep, sinking feel that fans of memory foam often covet. If you don’t like a buoyant, bouncy mattress, it might not be the best choice for you.
Customer Reviews of the Aurora Luxe
On Brooklyn Bedding’s site, the Aurora Luxe has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers praise the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress for its advanced cooling features, but some have mentioned that it is relatively expensive compared to other options.
Want more details? Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review or browse the best mattresses for arthritis and joint pain.
Brooklyn Bedding Titan Plus Luxe
This specially-designed hybrid is made for heavier sleepers to help them get better, more comfortable sleep.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Titan Plus Luxe
This specially-designed hybrid is made for heavier sleepers to help them get better, more comfortable sleep.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Titan Plus Luxe
This specially-designed hybrid is made for heavier sleepers to help them get better, more comfortable sleep.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Price Range
$$$$$
Why the Titan Plus Luxe Earned Best Mattress for Heavy Sleepers With Hip and Shoulder Pain
As a mattress line specifically made for heavier sleepers, we think Titan offers plus-size consumers an excellent match in the mattress market.
The Titan Plus Luxe features a slight advantage over the Titan Plus in this category because it includes an extra layer of comfort foam, which we think could prove highly useful for heavyweight sleepers dealing with hip and shoulder pain. Our reviewer, Sean, appreciated this bed’s ability to balance just enough support and softness.
What’s the Titan Plus Luxe Made Of?
The Titan Plus Luxe is a hybrid that stands a total of 13 inches tall. At the top is a soft cover quilted to a layer of gel memory foam. This is followed by the brand’s proprietary TitanFlex™ foam, and combined with the memory foam, should provide excellent pressure relief right at the surface.
Next comes the Energex™ foam for deeper support, followed by the 8-inch high TitanCaliber™ coils, which are individually wrapped for better motion isolation.
These coils also add bounce and airflow to the mattress. Lastly, a unit of high-density foam sits at the base of the mattress.
Our Take: “As a plus-size individual myself, something I really appreciated about this mattress was that it generously supported my weight. It was soft but not too soft.” – Sean, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
What We Liked
- It’s cool to the touch – During his testing of the Titan Plus Luxe, Sean noted how this bed feels cool to the touch. This could be great for hot sleepers seeking a bed that will provide them with plenty of cooling right at the surface.
- Specially made for heavier people – Since this bed is tailor-made for heavier people, it’s going to give these folks the support they need to avoid sinking too much into the mattress, which could otherwise make them feel like they’re stuck in the bed.
Potential Drawbacks
- Slightly higher price point – As the title suggests, Titan Plus Luxe is an upgraded model, which means it’s going to come at a higher price point than other mattresses, including the Titan Plus. If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, this could be a drawback.
- The special cooling top costs extra – While you can upgrade to the more advanced cooling top, it’s going to come at an extra cost. That being said, the Titan Plus Luxe should still be a good cooling bed as is, but if you run especially hot at night and have trouble sleeping because of it, that cooling top might be a helpful investment.
Customer Reviews of the Titan Plus Luxe
Users on Titan by Brooklyn Bedding’s site have given the Titan Plus a 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers find the Titan Plus mattress to offer exceptional durability and support, but some mention that it might be too firm for those who prefer a softer feel.
Want to read more? Check out our comprehensive Titan Plus Luxe mattress review or visit our list of the best mattresses for heavy people.
What to Look for in a Mattress for Hip and Shoulder Pain
The right mattress may help those with hip and shoulder pain and knowing what to look for in a bed can optimize your relief. Along with the type of mattress, certain preference-based features can enhance your comfort and overall sleeping experience.
Type of Mattress
Innerspring Mattresses
For many people, traditional innerspring mattresses feel too firm, and they develop uncomfortable pressure points. In other cases, out-of-date beds that have begun to sag offer inadequate support. If this sounds like your bed at home, it may be time to upgrade.
One choice is to go for a hybrid or an innerspring mattress that has incorporated a comfort system that uses foam to cradle your painful joints while the coils offer exceptional support. Coil-on-coil systems that use a layer of pocketed micro coils can also offer a unique blend of body conformance and spine alignment.
Hybrid Mattresses
By definition, a hybrid bed can contain any number of materials. Most often, you’ll find varieties that combine an innerspring core with a memory foam top layer. Sometimes you’ll find that the foam sandwiches the coil core, or you’ll see varieties that have both latex and memory foam in addition to the innerspring structure in the center.
Hybrid beds tend to combine the best of both worlds: You get the contouring and cradling of memory foam with the structure and support of a coil base. However, they can also be more expensive, and they may not be soft enough for people who regularly have nerve, joint, or bone pain.
If you decide to get a hybrid, seek out something with a supportive top layer, like medium-density foam. If the foam is too soft, it likely won’t provide support, but if it’s too hard, you may not get pressure relief. The best is to research the product’s construction to see what kind of feel and support it brings.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Not only are memory foam mattresses popular in the bedding industry, but they also tend to be the best option for people experiencing hip and shoulder issues.
If you’re unfamiliar with memory foam, it’s a material that contours to your body and helps you feel cradled while you sleep. When you lie down, the bed should contour to the shape of your body and help keep your spine in its natural curve.
With memory foam, denser and sharper areas of your body should be well-supported, increasing your chances of a pain-free night of sleep. As you shop for a memory foam bed, remember that even though you want something soft, you should also seek something supportive.
A too-soft, low-density foam could cause your body to sink rather than be cradled. That could throw your spine out of alignment and exacerbate your pain.
Latex Mattresses
While we love memory foam, it does have one drawback: it tends to run hot. As your body sinks into the surface of the bed, it can trap heat.
Latex has the same benefits as foam but without heat properties. Make sure you get natural latex sourced from the sap of a rubber tree.
This material should help keep you cooler and contains fewer chemicals. By contrast, synthetic latex is petroleum-based.
For those on a budget, natural latex is much more expensive than synthetic latex. If you want to avoid a higher price tag, consider getting a latex mattress that blends natural and synthetic forms.
Other Considerations When Shopping for a Mattress for Hip and Shoulder Pain
Sleeping Position
Back sleepers who have hip and shoulder pain will likely find the most comfort in medium-firm mattresses. This level of support should keep the body supported while still providing pressure relief for the hips and shoulders.
If you sleep on your side, you will be placing most of your weight on the hips and shoulders, which could increase your pain. While it’s a good idea to avoid sleeping directly on the side with pain, there are some cases in which you may still prefer that particular side. If so, a mattress that cradles these body parts will be important.
Stomach sleepers need to keep their hips elevated. If hips sink too far into the mattress, painful pressure can build up, and this can also lead to poor alignment for the lower back. To avoid this, these sleepers will want a supportive mattress that facilitates good alignment but still gives a slight cushion against the hips.
Combination sleepers will want to sleep on a versatile medium or medium-firm mattress with quick-responding layers that allow them to switch positions more easily.
Weight/Body Type of Sleepers
How much you weigh and your body type can affect how a mattress responds to you.
Lightweight sleepers with hip and shoulder pain typically look for softer beds that provide cradling pressure relief around their joints. Those who fall in the middle of the scale will want to look for a mattress that has a medium firmness as this can bring both support and pressure relief. If you are a heavyweight sleeper who has hip and shoulder pain, you will likely sleep more soundly on a sturdy, supportive mattress that is on the firmer side.
Firmness
Because your hips and shoulders become concentrated pressure points when you sleep on your side, side sleepers typically need softer mattresses than back and stomach sleepers. If your bed is too firm, you’ll likely experience painful pushback in these zones when you lie down.
That being said, there’s such a thing as “too soft.” You don’t want your mattress to trade crucial support for a plush feel. Make sure that you find the surface cozy and that the bed has quality support materials that will prevent it from sagging and keep your body from sinking too deeply.
If you’re experiencing shoulder and/or hip pain, we generally recommend choosing a mattress between a 4 and a 6 on our firmness scale, depending on your sleep position and body weight.
Cooling
Although staying cool may not directly affect your muscle and joint pains, it can be a feature that helps you sleep better. This is important because poor sleep is linked to worse pain symptoms1.
The coils in innerspring and hybrid mattresses and the open-cell structure of latex can prevent body heat from becoming trapped. Although the density of memory foam doesn’t make it great for temperature regulation on its own, many memory foam mattresses are infused with gel or use other technologies to keep it cooler.
Learn more: Best Cooling Mattresses
Motion Isolation
If you are experiencing hip and shoulder pain, finding a bed that prevents motion from transferring from one area of the bed to the other may decrease pain and provide better quality sleep. This is a particularly important mattress feature for couples and other co-sleepers. If your mattress doesn’t adequately absorb your partner’s movements, not only could it wake you, but it may also exacerbate your pain.
Sex
If your hip and shoulder pain doesn’t keep you from safely engaging in sex, you’ll want to find a mattress that has plenty of responsiveness and bounce. Innerspring mattresses tend to have a lot of bounce, but they don’t offer the soft cradling that many with hip and shoulder pain will need. Instead, we recommended a hybrid as an alternative for those who still want an innespring unit.
Additionally, a latex bed typically has loads of responsiveness that should help you reposition without much effort. Although it may not be as contouring as memory foam, latex should also offer some softness around the hips and shoulders.
Pressure Relief
Many people throw the term “pressure relief” around, but if you’re not in the industry, it might not make a lot of sense.
Here’s what’s meant by the term: when we lie down, our weight is heavily concentrated in two body parts – our shoulders and our hips. These are our widest parts, so when we go horizontal, our weight settles here.
If a bed’s surface is either too hard or too soft, it’ll put undue pressure on these areas. When that happens, it can cause pain, numbness, and discomfort. For optimal pressure relief, we recommend mattresses that contain comfort layers containing either memory foam or latex.
Support and Spine Alignment
When we’re in bed, our spine should be in proper alignment. What does that mean exactly?
When you lie down, your spine should look the same as it does if you were to view it from someone standing from a straight-on view. To sum up, it should look straight. When your bed is the ideal firmness, and you’re sleeping on the right pillow size, your spine should look straight.
If it’s buckled upward or dipping down, it’s out of alignment, which could lead to more pain.
Edge Support
Edge support is a term that speaks to how secure the bed feels when you’re sleeping or sitting on the edge. A sturdy perimeter allows couples to utilize the entire surface and can aid those with mobility issues when getting in and out of bed. Further, for those with hip and shoulder pain, it can provide an extra level of stability that may prevent you from jerking or twisting in a manner that may make your pain worse.
Budget
When shopping for a mattress it is advisable to determine the amount you can spend and then narrow down the beds that you like that fit within that range. Fortunately, high-quality mattresses come in at a variety of price points, and being the most expensive doesn’t always equate to being the best.
To help you save money, we also suggest shopping online since you’re buying directly from the manufacturer, which saves overhead costs. Also, mattress brands slash prices even more during major holiday sales.
Helpful finds: Best Budget Mattresses
Durability
It’s easy to find a mattress that feels comfortable for a few nights or months. However, cheaper mattresses may break down over time, and within a few years, they might sag in all the wrong places.
A sagging mattress could put undue pressure on the hip and shoulder areas, resulting in unnecessary discomfort.
If you’re buying a foam mattress, you can seek out something made of a higher-density foam at the core. And if latex is your bed of choice, keep in mind that natural is more durable than synthetic.
For innerspring mattresses, there are different types of coils, and they’re made from different steel thicknesses. Many durable innerspring mattresses will likely have either pocketed coils (individually wrapped) or offset coils. A further advantage of these two coil structures is that they should provide more contouring and conformity than most innerspring designs.
Best Accessories for Hip Pain
Body Pillows
Body pillows can help with hip pain by offering extra support and cradling in this area. These pillows are typically larger than regular pillows we use under the head. However, they come in many shapes, sizes, and firmness levels, allowing you to choose what’s most comfortable depending on the pain you’re dealing with.
Mattress Toppers
A mattress topper can help change the firmness and feel of your mattress without splurging on a new bed. You can go for a softer or firmer topper, depending on what you’re trying to achieve.
A medium firmness is typically the best, but for side sleepers with hip pain, an even softer topper may be a good option. There are many to choose from, and they are made from different kinds of materials to help match your preferences for surface temperature, body conformance, and thickness.
Adjustable Bases
An adjustable base makes it easier to customize how a mattress feels by allowing you to change the angle of the bed. There’s a range of adjustable bases moving in various ways, so you can pick based on how you want your bed to move. One thing to keep in mind is that these bases can be pricey and not every mattress is compatible with an adjustable base.
What Causes Hip and Shoulder Pain?
Bursitis
Also known as bursa inflammation, bursitis2 is when the fluid around your joints (hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows) becomes inflamed and causes pain. It can occur at any time of day but is typically worse at night as lying down can put pressure on the affected areas. Pain from bursitis differs from person to person. It may develop suddenly or it may build up slowly over time3.
Sciatica
If you’ve experienced a painful tingling that goes down the side of your leg, it may be a symptom of sciatica4. This condition is a result of inflammation in the sciatic nerve, the nerve that goes from the base of your spine at your lower back down to your feet. It’s typically caused by misalignment and injury and though treatable, is quite painful.
Explore the best mattress for sciatica pain.
Tendonitis
As we age, the tendons that connect our bone and muscle lose their elasticity and, therefore, the ability to provide cushioning and support for force and tension (hence the name, tendons). Combined with physical activity, especially high-impact like running and tennis, the tendons become irritated, resulting in tendonitis5. Proper rest, heat and ice treatments, therapy, and a mattress with adequate support can all reduce the symptoms of tendonitis.
Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of the joints, resulting in pain, weakness, and stiffness where the bones meet. There are several types of arthritis6, the most common being rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis.
In most cases, the cause is the result of an immune response that triggers the body to attack healthy tissue. Symptoms can occur at any stage in your life but often correlate with age.
Discover our picks for the best mattresses for arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis7 is often associated with the elderly because it’s the result of overuse and other causes over the course of several years. It occurs as the result of degeneration in a patient’s joint cartilage, though it can also appear as a result of an injury or infection. Osteoarthritis is highly painful and causes extreme stiffness, especially in the hips, knees, and hands.
Pregnancy
Carrying extra weight around can increase pressure on your entire body, and since the weight is concentrated in a single area, it can result in exacerbated pain in the lower back and hip area8. The third trimester is when moms-to-be experience the most discomfort and hip pain.
If you’re pregnant and have hip pain, finding a comfortable position may be challenging. However, it is usually temporary and is likely to be alleviated once the baby arrives.
In addition to ensuring you have the right mattress, it’s also imperative to sleep in the right position (we recommend trying side sleeping9) and have adequate support in the form of pillows. Many women have found success with either placing a pillow between the knees or getting a full body pillow designed for pregnancy that helps to ease pressure and discomfort, resulting in a comfortable night of sleep.
Looking to learn more? Check out our guide for Sleeping While Pregnant or explore our picks for the best mattresses for pregnancy.
Tight Muscles
Tightness in a muscle can make you feel sore, especially if you move a certain way or put your body in a position that strains the muscle further. Stretching and rest are two ways to loosen muscles and manage the associated pain.
There are a variety of stretches you can do, but the quickest and easiest one is this:
- Stand in place; cross one foot over the other at the ankle.
- Bend forward to touch your toes. Don’t worry if you can’t get all the way there. Just go as far as you can until you feel a decent stretch.
- Hold for about 30 seconds, and then cross the other foot in front.
This stretch can help ease symptoms of sciatica and loosen the IT band, a tendon that does down the side of your leg and is overly tight on just about everyone, especially those who sit all day at a desk job.
Bowel Problems
Bowel troubles10 like colitis and poor digestion can often also cause hip pain. The reason is that because our body is a connected system, a problem in one area can express itself as pain in another part of the body.
So, while you may not feel pain in your bowel area if you have some type of digestive condition and pain in your hip, the two could be related. Work on fixing that underlying digestive condition to see if it improves pain elsewhere.
For More Info: How Digestion Affects Your Sleep
Soreness from Exercise
Whoever invented the phrase “better sore than sorry” probably never had to sleep with hip or shoulder pain. Overexerting yourself with exercise, especially of the high-impact variety, may cause lactic acid11 to build up which can make getting a pain-free night of sleep virtually impossible.
If you’re feeling extra sore from a long run, overdoing it at the gym, or helping your old college buddy move across town, you might need to take it easy for a few days. If you can’t bear the thought of missing a workout, try a lower-impact exercise like swimming or walking. And remember to stretch.
How Can a Mattress Help with Hip and Shoulder Pain?
Mattresses can help with hip and shoulder pain in the following ways:
- Pressure relief – Certain types of mattresses, such as memory foam and latex, can offer those with hip and shoulder pain pressure relief at night by providing gentle cradling around the affected areas.
- Solid support – Another advantage of a quality mattress is excellent body support to promote a neutral and healthy spine alignment. A supportive bed is important because it can prevent you from sinking too far into a mattress, which could otherwise create more pressure on the hips and shoulders, as well as back pain.
- Improved sleep – Mattresses for hip and shoulder pain may improve sleep quality by alleviating your aches and pains. This is vital since worse sleep is linked to increased pain sensitivity.1
What Is the Best Sleeping Position for Hip and Shoulder Pain?
Back Sleeping
If lying on your side hurts no matter which side you try, and you can’t stand the thought of sleeping on your stomach, you may want to try switching to your back.
Although sleeping on your back can help alleviate pain in your shoulders and hips, it may cause excess pressure on your spine and possibly some issues with your neck. You can help this issue12 by putting a small pillow at the base of your back and using a supportive, ergonomic pillow for your neck.
Another option is a wedge pillow. You can place it directly under your knees, or get a second one to prop up against the headboard to create the effect of a makeshift recliner.
Side Sleeping
Sleeping on your side can put a lot of pressure and weight onto relatively small parts of your body and your mattress may exacerbate these issues, but some experts believe that this is still the best position13 for overall sleep wellness.
However, the bed should have an ideal blend of comfort and support. Again, if the mattress is too firm, the spine can tilt up, especially in the pelvic area. Similarly, a too-soft bed can allow you to sink in too deeply and lose the support you need to stay comfortable and pain-free.
Another reason side sleeping can be ideal is that most people report pain in only one side of their body. If it hurts to sleep on your right side, you can often get relief by switching to your left, and vice versa.
Combination Sleeping
Given the nature of combination sleeping, it can be tricky to find consistent comfort if you’re experiencing hip and shoulder pain. These sleepers may be served best by finding a versatile medium or medium-firm mattress that is supportive, pressure-relieving, and responsive. Support and pressure relief can help facilitate comfort no matter what position a sleeper is in, and responsiveness can help them reposition without much effort.
Furthermore, depending on the positions that you sleep in, you may be able to use pillows for additional comfort.
Stomach Sleeping
The Cleveland Clinic states that sleeping on your stomach14 is generally not recommended because sleeping on your frontside can lead to neck, back, and shoulder pain. Considering that the midsection is typically one of the heaviest parts of the body, sleeping this way could also cause the sleeper to sink too far down in the bed. This can lead to pressure buildup around this area, as well as poor spinal alignment in the lower back area.
If stomach sleeping is still the most comfortable posture for you, then your mattress should be on the firmer end of the spectrum. If it’s too soft, your hips will likely sink in and cause your back to arch. Now, you might be dealing with some not-so-fun lower back pain to add to the discomfort in your hips.
You can also try putting a pillow either underneath your stomach or pelvis. The cushion can help place your body at a more natural angle.
Tips for Better Sleeping with Hip and Shoulder Pain
- Change up your sleep position – If possible, you may want to switch to sleeping on your back as this can alleviate pressure on your hips and shoulders.
- Invest in a new mattress – A quality mattress that supports your weight and preferred sleep position may help your hip and shoulder pain.
- Add a topper – If you are not ready to invest in a mattress, a topper can be an excellent option to make your bed softer or firmer as needed.
- Practice good sleep hygiene – Establishing good sleep hygiene habits might not directly affect your hip and shoulder pain, but they can help foster better sleep overall, which can help reduce your pain sensitivity.
- Stretch – Gentle stretching before bed15 can help improve performance in the muscles and joints, as well as boost circulation.
FAQs About the Best Mattress for Hip and Shoulder Pain
Why is my shoulder pain worse at night?
The stress and movement of the day can build up and peak at night. Then when you lie down and remain still, the shoulder tends to stiffen. If you combine that with a suboptimal mattress and the wrong sleeping position, it’s a recipe for disaster.
If you lie on your shoulder, this can also increase the pain level, especially since you’re not moving and allowing blood to circulate and relax the muscles.
Can a mattress cause hip pain?
Yes, a mattress can cause or exacerbate hip pain.
If a mattress is too firm, it may cause soreness around your hips and shoulders, which are two key pressure points for side sleepers. On the other hand, if a mattress is too soft or lacks proper support, your hips may press too deeply into the bed. This may result in poor spinal alignment and contribute to possible aches and pains.
Therefore, make sure to check our list of the best mattresses to find the one that suits you the best.
Is a soft or firm mattress better for hip pain?
A soft mattress with reliable support is a good option for sleepers with hip pain, particularly those who sleep on their side.
In general, you’ll want the mattress to be soft enough to feel good on your joints but firm enough to promote healthy alignment and support.
Your desired firmness may differ from another person’s, so go with whatever feels good and benefits your hip pain the most.
How can I relieve hip pain when sleeping?
If you experience hip pain when you’re in bed16, try some of these tactics. (Of course, if your hip pain is persistent and prevents restful sleep, you should also always seek the advice of a medical professional.)
- Place a pillow or rolled-up blanket between your legs. This practice can help your spine and pelvis stay in a neutral position that helps take the strain off surrounding tissue. There are even pillows that have been contoured for this specific purpose.
- If you feel pain in one hip, switch to sleeping on the other hip. In general, take pressure off of the most affected areas of your body whenever you can.
- Try sleeping on your back instead of your side. If you’re a lifelong side sleeper, this may feel like a drastic adjustment, but we promise it’s possible to learn how to sleep on your back with practice.
- Purchase a new mattress that will be more comfortable for your hip pain. If you’d rather explore a more budget-friendly option first, you can look at pressure-relieving mattress toppers.
Should I stretch before bed to prevent hip pain?
Stretching is one of the best things you can do before bed. Your chiropractor or physiotherapist can recommend exercises for you to do daily. In addition to the toe-touching stretch mentioned above, a stretch called pigeon can be an effective hip opener.
You can do this exercise either standing, sitting, or lying down. Here are instructions if you’d like to try it lying down:
Supine Pigeon
- Lie flat on your back
- Raise your legs and bend your knees so that they’re at a 90-degree angle
- Cross your right leg loosely over your left knee; your right knee should be pointing out toward the side of the room
- Wrap your arms around the left leg; clasp your fingers if you can
- Gently pull your left leg toward your chest. You’ll feel a stretch in the back of your right leg
- Hold for 30-60 seconds
- Repeat these steps on the other side
Interested in exploring further? Follow our guide for Yoga for Better Sleep.
What if both hips hurt while sleeping?
If both hips hurt simultaneously, it can feel like an impossible task to fall asleep. Stretching and a pain reliever may help. You can also invest in a contoured body pillow that provides superior all-over pressure relief.
If you’re still uncomfortable, you’re going to need some additional help. You may want to try this experiment (and it could even be fun!):
Book a night at a hotel, preferably a good one. Try sleeping in their bed. If you wake up feeling little or no pain, you may have proof that your mattress was the culprit all along!
If you’re hesitant to splurge on a fancy hotel, consider getting a bed with a no-risk trial so you can see if that will make a difference.
Can a mattress topper help with hip and shoulder pain?
Plusher mattresses with great support systems can greatly reduce the likelihood that you’ll aggravate your pain in the night, but not everyone can stretch their finances towards a brand new mattress at a moment’s notice.
A mattress topper designed for relieving hip pain may be a fantastic alternative that can add just a touch of extra pressure relief to your bed without overextending your budget.
Read More: Best Mattress Toppers for Hip Pain
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen Size) | Review |
| Saatva HD | Editor’s Pick | $3,295 | Saatva HD Mattress Review |
| Nolah Evolution | Luxury | $2,299 | Nolah Evolution Mattress Review |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | Combination Sleepers | $2,049 | Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress Review |
| Bear Star Hybrid | Hybrid | $1,998 | Bear Hybrid Mattress Review |
| Nectar | Memory Foam | $999 | Nectar Mattress Review |
| WinkBed | Side Sleepers | $1,799 | Winkbed Mattress Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe | Arthritis Sufferers | $1,874 | Aurora Mattress Review |
| Titan Plus Luxe | Heavy Sleepers | $1,599 | Titan Plus Luxe Mattress Review |
Melanie Kassel
Performance Editor
About Author
As Sleep Advisor’s Performance Editor, Melanie writes and edits content throughout the site to ensure it’s accurate, engaging, and up-to-date.
Combination Sleeper
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