Pain is a factor that disrupts sleep, and about a third of us experience neck pain at some time in our lives. If you’re someone who struggles with neck pain—whether an acute episode lasting less than three months or prolonged (chronic) neck pain— your mattress can make things better (or worse). We think the Saatva Classic is the best mattress for neck pain overall because it comes in a wide range of sizes and firmness levels and offers a generous trial period.
Whatever your preferred sleeping position, the best mattresses for neck pain help keep your spine in ... [+] neutral alignment.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
“Neck pain is common, often because of how much we interact with our devices such as phones and laptops,” says Kin Yuen, M.D., clinical assistant professor at the University of California–San Francisco, adjunct professor at Stanford University, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “Pain also is “bidirectional,” meaning people with pain don’t sleep well and often have a heightened sense of pain the next day because of disturbed sleep.” Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best mattresses for neck pain for several types of sleepers and their preferences.
Type: Innerspring | Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm and firm | Trial: 365 days | Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
Three firmness levels
Lengthy trial period (365 days)
Lifetime warranty
Free delivery and set up service included
Cons:
Some reviewers find the plush still too firm for their needs
The Saatva Classic mattress has a 365-day trial, which is one of the best in the industry, so you have plenty of time to decide if this is the right mattress for relieving your neck pain. If you need to swap it for a different model, there is a $99 fee.
This mattress is a classic innerspring, but it comes in three different comfort levels (plush soft, luxury firm and firm) so you can choose the firmness that suits your needs. The plush 3-inch pillow top provides pressure relief, while the dual coil system promises better support and improved air flow, so you Don’t sleep hot. It’s available in a wide range of uncommon sizes—such as twin XL, split king and split Cal king—and two heights (11.5 or 14.5 inches). Free white-glove delivery means your mattress is delivered and set up by real, live humans (and the old one taken away, if necessary) without you having to lift a finger.
What the reviews say: In her Saatva Classic mattress review, Forbes Vetted contributor Lindsey Vickers calls it “a great pick for pressure relief,” although without the profound sink-in sensation of a mattress with multiple foam comfort layers. Another online review says, “I bought a Saatva Classic mattress over a year ago and I’m still loving it. It’s a great mattress that has a plushy top layer, but good support. I sleep in all positions and move around a lot in my sleep and it’s comfortable no matter how I sleep. I’ve had less back and neck pain since I bought it.”
Best Budget Mattress For Neck Pain
Wallet-Friendly With Medium-Firm Support
Casper
Casper The One (Queen)
Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm | Trial: 100 days | Warranty: 10 years
Pros:
Value priced
Lengthy trial period (100 days)
Free shipping
Cons:
Shipped in a box, so you’ll have to set it up yourself
If you’re looking for an inexpensive mattress, this mattress is a good choice for back and stomach sleepers. Constructed from three layers of foam and topped with a knit cover, the top layer has open-cell foam to promote better air flow, reducing the chance that you sleep hot.
There are no zoned layers, so it’s a uniform feel across the entire mattress. At 11 inches tall, this mattress is designed for use on a foundation, platform or adjustable bed frame.
What the reviews say: Casper is one of the most popular brands of mattresses in a box, with nearly 16,000 five-star reviews. Many reviewers comment on its ability to relieve specific pressure points. One sleeper writes, “First night was a breeze. I slept through the night and woke up with no neck or back pain. Woke up feeling refreshed.”
Best Mattress For Couples With Neck Pain
Adapts To Various Sleep Styles
Nolah
Nolah Signature (Queen)
Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Trial: 120 days | Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
Lengthy trial period (120 days)
Cooling cover
Organic certifications
Cons:
Must unbox yourself or opt for mattress removal and setup for an additional fee
If you sleep with a partner who also experiences neck pain, it can be difficult to find just the right mattress to suit you both. Nolah’s Signature Mattress is highly adaptable, so that it suits a wide range of body sizes and sleep styles, making it ideal for couples. It also comes in various sizes to accommodate couples, including Cal king and split king.
The company’s proprietary foam includes air bubbles that are designed to distribute body weight evenly for relief on pressure points, such as shoulders and hips. It also includes a cooling cover so you don’t get too hot. In addition, the mattress is Certi-PUR- and Greenguard-certified so you aren’t breathing in toxic VOCs or other harmful substances.
What the reviews say: One co-sleeper who bought it writes, “The Nolah Signature 12 is extremely comfortable. It eliminated our back and neck problems.”
Must unbox yourself or opt for mattress removal and setup for an additional fee
Side sleepers need good support in the hip area, and Nectar’s Premier Memory Foam Mattress delivers with body-contouring foam layers. These layers also reduce motion transfer. The mattress has a gel-infused memory foam layer and cooling cover to reduce the likelihood of hot sleeping.
The foam is Certi-PUR-certified so you can feel good knowing you’re not breathing in toxic chemicals all night. With its lengthy 365-day trial period (one of the best in the industry), there’s no risk in trying it out to see if alleviates your neck pain. It’s 13 inches tall and designed to be used on bed frame (with or without a foundation), platform bed or adjustable base.
What our editors say: “I found the Nectar Premier to have a slightly softer feel in my testing that works well for side and some back sleepers,” says Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. “It embodies a traditional memory foam feel that I really liked because I felt like I was being gently hugged while lying on the mattress. Its thick foam layers also did a great job isolating movements.” And a reviewer says, “I love my Nectar mattress. I've always had stiff neck and shoulder issues... Since I’ve had this mattress I sleep well... and I have no more neck or shoulder pain.”
Best Mattress For Heavy People With Neck Pain
A Hybrid For Big And Tall Sleepers
Helix
Helix Plus (Queen)
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Trial: 100 days | Warranty: 10 years
Pros:
Designed for heavier bodies up to 500 pounds
Lengthy trial period (100 days)
Organic certifications
Cons:
The mattress is shipped in a box, so you’ll need to set it up yourself
If you tend to sink too far into a mattress when you sleep, the Helix Plus may the answer. It provides a cradling sensation that isn’t hard as a rock like some memory foam mattresses can feel. It’s constructed with a thick coil that’s designed to offer support for heavier bodies and to reduce motion transfer if you sleep with a partner. This mattress also has a cooling cover upgrade, for an additional fee, if you tend to sleep hot.
The mattress is CertiPUR-US- and Greenguard-Gold certified, so you know you aren’t breathing in VOCs and toxic chemicals as you sleep. At 11.5 inches tall, it’s designed to be used with a bed frame and foundation or an adjustable base, which may provide additional pain relief because you can customize it to your most comfortable sleep position. It’s also endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.
What the reviews say: “My husband wasn’t convinced we needed a new mattress, but he’s now a believer. Neither of us are waking up with back and neck pain anymore, and we look forward to going to bed. The springs in the center of the bed are more robust than at either end, which is good for supporting heavier people,” says one online reviewer.
Saatva’s Loom & Leaf is another popular mattress, because it’s a reasonably priced memory foam model that comes with the company’s unprecedented customer service. It’s comfortable for back and stomach sleepers, though some side sleepers say it’s not as comfortable as expected on the hips. In general, it’s a good choice for anyone who prefers a more solid-feeling mattress.
It’s also CertiPUR-certified, so you know you’re not breathing in VOCs and other toxic chemicals. This mattress can be used on a bed frame and foundation or on a platform bed. At 12 inches tall, it’s not overly thick. You also can sit on the edge of the bed without it compressing too much, as can happen with some mattress models.
I’ve tested this model myself for more than a year, and I find it’s a supportive mattress for back sleepers, especially if you like a firm, solid feel. Opt for medium-firm if you’re on the fence, because the firm is likely harder and more rigid than you expect, and may not be ideal for your neck pain, depending on where you experience discomfort.
Best Hybrid Mattress For Neck Pain
A Soft Yet Supportive Hybrid Mattress With Cooling Properties
Some reviewers say even the soft firmness level is too hard
Noted for its pressure-relief properties, the Purple Restore Hybrid combines the company’s proprietary Gel-Flex grid, which dissipates heat and conforms to your body, with comfort foam and coils. The unique design feels soft and squishy and configures to your body to alleviate pain. The grid is also Certified Clean Air Gold and Certi-PUR-certified.
You can choose from two firmness levels: soft, which forms to the body; or firm, which has more bounce-back. Both firmness levels respond to your movements, so you don’t feel “stuck” like you sometimes can with memory foam. The design also contributes to better airflow so that most sleepers find it offers a cooling effect. Designed to be used on a bed frame, platform bed or adjustable base, the mattress is 11.5 inches tall.
What the reviews say: One satisfied customer writes, “One of my best investments. No more back/neck/hip pain when I wake up in the morning. I am sleeping better. Highly recommended.”
The Forbes Vetted team has written hundreds of guides on getting better sleep, and has tons of recommendations of bedroom essentials, from the best bed frames to the best sheets and more.
The author of this story, Arricca SanSone, has been testing home and garden products for more than a decade and has written pillow reviews,mattress reviews and covered a sanity-saving blanket for Forbes Vetted. Some of her other bylines are MSN, Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Good Housekeeping.
We consulted Kin Yuen, M.D., clinical assistant professor at the University of California–San Francisco, adjunct professor at Stanford University, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, on what factors can impact neck pain when it comes to mattresses.
Mattress and sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon, who oversee this article, are professional mattress testers and certified sleep science coaches.
To ensure this story and our recommendations stay fresh and accurate, it’s regularly updated. It was last reviewed for accuracy and updated in June 2024.
How We Chose The Best Mattress For Neck Pain
To create our list of the best mattresses for neck pain, we leaned on our expert’s guidance, our own editorial expertise and firsthand reviews.
To begin with, we focused on popular and well-rated mattresses that we know have attributes beneficial to sleepers with neck pain.
We asked Forbes Vetted editors for their experiences and reviews with specific mattresses. The recommendations and guidance provided in this story has been evaluated by Chapman and McKenzie, who’ve tested more than 100 mattresses.
We were led by insights from Yuen, who advised us from a medical standpoint.
We looked for options with eco-friendly certifications, a generous trial period, an easy return policy and great warranties.
We combed through hundreds of reviews, specifically looking at negative feedback. Products with a number of poor reviews were rejected, especially if the customer service did not stand up to its hype after the sale.
How To Shop For The Best Mattress For Back Pain
Firmness Level
“Mattress comfort is subjective, but in general, it depends where you need the most support to tell which mattress is best for you,” says Yuen. “Different regions of pain require different levels of support.” Also, each manufacturer has their own definition of what constitutes “soft,” “firm,” “medium-firm” and “firm.” Read the description to figure out how much you may sink in, and consult reviews to see what other customers are saying about the true firmness level. Remember that what feels too firm for you might be too soft for another person.
Trial Period
Trial periods vary from 100 days to 365 days; they’re a risk-free way to test out a mattress in real life and know for sure if it relieves your neck pain. Many allow free returns, though some charge a nominal fee ($100 or less).
Organic Certification
Choosing a mattress that does not contain harmful chemicals is better for both your health and the environment. Common certifications include:
Greenguard Gold: Products that are Greenguard-Gold certified have been tested for more than 11,000 VOCs to show they have low chemical emissions.
CertiPUR-US: CertiPUR certification means products are made without formaldehyde, phthalates, mercury, lead and other heavy metals and also have low VOCs for improve indoor air quality.
What Is The Best Mattress Firmness Level For Neck Pain?
Comfort is always subjective, but if your pain is closer to the base of the skull, such as in the first or second vertebrae (C1 or C2), you may benefit from a medium-firm mattress, rather than a mattress with a cushy feel that allows you to sink in. Medium-firm support also prevents your body from sagging, which can worsen breathing or obstructive sleep apnea issues. For people with pain where the bend of the neck protrudes (C7), a softer mattress may be a better choice than a firm or medium-firm, according to Yuen.
Is A Memory Foam Mattress Good For Neck Pain?
It can be, if it keeps your spine in neutral alignment. “But make sure it’s not too firm, or it can exacerbate muscle spasms that are common with neck pain,” says Yuen. And if you are someone who sleeps hot or suffers from hot flashes, consider a memory foam mattress infused with cooling gel for a more comfortable night’s sleep.
How Can I Tell If My Spine Is In Neutral Alignment?
To tell if your spine is aligned, Yuen suggests that you stand against the wall with your shoulder and side of your foot touching the wall, and look straight ahead. Then take a selfie in the mirror or have someone take your photo. The way your spine appears in a neutral posture (no slouching!) is how it also should look when you are sleeping on your side. A partner also can photograph you lying in bed to see if your spine is in alignment on the mattress or when using a pillow.
