The Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Shoulder Pain (2021)

If shoulder pain is keeping you up at night, finding a new mattress may be your top priority. It’s difficult to find a mattress that won’t cause you any additional pain. Side sleepers require a great deal of pressure relief as well as support.

We set out to find the best mattress for side sleepers with shoulder pain. While there isn’t a single solution that can work for everyone, this article will give you some pointers and help you find what you’re looking for. Pain doesn’t have to become a part of your nightly routine, so don’t put off looking for a solution.

Without further ado, here are our top picks.

Table of Contents

The Winner
The Runner-Up
Some More Options
A Few Words on Mattresses That Can Help with Shoulder Pain
Conclusion

The Winner: Eco Terra 11-Inch Luxury Latex Mattress

Review:

Here’s a great combination of coils and latex, designed to absorb pressure and provide you with a stable and soft base. You’ll feel both relaxed and refreshed when you wake up, and the structure may help your shoulder issues as well.

You can choose between Medium and Medium Firm options. Firmness can be a detriment when it comes to shoulder issues, but you also want to avoid mattresses that don’t give you the spine and neck support that you need to sleep comfortably on your side. In our opinion the Medium option offers a great balance of softness and firmness.

What else makes this mattress a good choice? What are its downsides?

Pros:

Perfect Comfort Level for Shoulder Pain

Side sleepers frequently have to deal with the problem of painful pressure points, but that definitely won’t be a problem here.

Breathable Organic Cover

Coils are a great solution to the problem of overheating. Additionally, the cover is very breathable and won’t leave you with that sticky feeling you get from artificial materials. This mattress is one of the best possible choices for hot summer nights.

Extremely Durable

Everything in this Eco Terra mattress is made to last, from the 16-gauge steel springs to the 100% natural latex. The quilted all-organic cover is unlikely to fray.

No Offgassing or Harmful Materials

You can enjoy this mattress immediately after unpacking it, as it doesn’t come with that heavy chemical smell you get from foam mattresses. There is no need to worry about health issues. Not only is this mattress hypoallergenic, it’s also highly resistant to dust mites as well.

Handmade in the US

Every part of this mattress was constructed with care. The cover is quilted for an extremely pleasant texture and good moisture-wicking abilities. You can trust this comfort-oriented design to last a long time.

Cons:

Might Be Too Soft for Back Sleepers

If you keep turning around during the night, this product might be a little too soft for you. But you can always go for the Medium Firm option if that is the case. Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that the mattress will become slightly softer with extended use.

There’s No Extra Testing Period

Eco Terra doesn’t offer a testing period beyond Amazon’s usual 30-day return period. There is a limited warranty you can learn about here.

You Can Get Cheaper Coil Beds

This mattress costs considerably more than coil mattresses usually do, although it’s worth noting that it’s also a lot more comfortable and durable. It definitely doesn’t have the usual issues that most coil beds have, such as motion transfer or squeakiness. The latex layer makes all the difference.

Materials Analysis

The construction of this mattress made it our top pick. The bottom layer consists of a huge number of individually encased steel coils, which provide softness and ergonomic support. On top of the coils is a layer of all-natural latex. Finally, the fully organic cotton cover makes this bed a perfect example of comfort.

Who It’s Best for:

Because of the softness, the steady structure, and the excellent cooling abilities, this is the best mattress for side sleepers with shoulder pain. You can be sure that it will solve your long-standing pain issues and let you sleep through the night undisturbed. Additionally, it’s got a great cooling design and it’s absolutely the best choice if you have dust allergies.

Click the button below to find out more about the Eco Terra Luxury Latex mattress and whether it’s right for you.

The Runner-Up: 11-Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress by GhostBed

Review:

This is an affordable and extremely comfortable choice that will lift the pressure from your shoulders. This mattress is US-made from latex and memory foam. Here’s a quick look at GhostBed’s manufacturing process:

In addition to pain relief, this is another great mattress for keeping cool. You can save on A/C costs and wake up feeling fresh.

Let’s summarize the upsides and downsides of this product.

Pros:

Very Affordable Considering the Materials

Since it’s made from very high-quality latex as well as gel-infused foam, this mattress performs well and doesn’t sag over time. This makes it better than many other products in its price range.

Great Cooling Effect

This GhostBed mattress is very efficient when it comes to dispersing your body heat. The aerated latex content helps a great deal.

Washable and Amazing Durability

You can simply unzip this mattress cover. It’s machine washable and won’t tear easily. The mattress itself is firm enough to maintain its shape even after extended use.

A Generous Trial Period and Warranty

If this mattress isn’t right for you, you can return it for free within a trial period of 30 days, if you ordered from Amazon, or within 100 days if you purchased directly from GhostBed. This may require a bit of effort on your part, but it’s very important not to settle for a mattress that doesn’t work for you. There is a 20-year warranty as well.

Cons:

Motion Transfer Issues

Light sleepers should be careful with this product. There is a fairly high degree of motion transfer, meaning you may get woken up when your partner gets up during the night.

Might Be Too Firm

Despite being made of memory foam, this mattress is definitely on the firm side. This could be just right for you, especially if you have spinal pain in addition to shoulder pain. However, some find it too firm for comfort.

Takes Too Long to Expand

In some cases, it can take weeks until this mattress reaches its full size. This isn’t ideal when you want pain relief as soon as possible.

Materials Analysis:

This mattress consists of three layers. You get 7.5 inches of high-density support foam covered with 2 inches of gel memory foam. The top layer is 1.5 inches of latex, which is where the great cooling properties come from.

Layering means better durability. You should keep in mind that this isn’t a mattress you can flip over.

Who It’s Best for:

We recommend this product for plus-size people, as it will provide them with a great amount of support. Sleepers who weigh less than average may have difficulties with it. Overall, this is a firmer than average mattress, great for overheating, and it’s both affordable and durable.

If you think the GhostBed might be right for you, click the button below.

Some More Options

Here are five other mattresses that could help with your shoulder issues. While we didn’t rate them as highly as our top two picks, these mattresses are all high quality. One of them could be right for you.

Latex is a great choice for side sleepers. If you want a medium-firm mattress that will support your spine, you could try the Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress by Sleep On Latex. This entirely organic product is sure to provide you with a good night’s sleep. However, it’s considerably pricy.

The Ultimate Dreams Eurotop Latex Mattress by Dreamfoam Bedding is a more affordable latex option. This is a fairly soft mattress with an adequate cooling design but it’s not very durable.

If you want to try memory foam, the Leesa Mattress could be a good way to go. This entirely US-made, durable mattress provides support as well as considerable comfort. One downside is that it overheats easily.

Is affordability your main concern? You may enjoy using the Home Life Comfort Sleep 6-Inch Mattress, especially if you’re shopping for a mattress for your children or for a guest bedroom. This coil mattress is very soft and comfortable but it’s also too thin to provide the support that an adult needs during the night.

The Brentwood Home Cypress Mattress is affordable and extremely comfortable. It’s got a bamboo cover that provides reliable cooling effect as well. However, it tends to start sagging after regular use.

A Few Words on Mattresses That Can Help with Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is an extremely widespread issue with many potential causes. Surgical treatment may become necessary over time, but there are a few solutions you can try before that.

Getting a new mattress can be an excellent first step. It’s important to take your time while you’re shopping for a mattress that can provide you with pain relief.

If you have pain issues, you might find overheating an additional burden. After all, it can result from stress or from certain types of medication. Thus, finding a cooling mattress could be crucial to the quality of your sleep.

Should you go for a soft, medium, or firm mattress? The best level of firmness for you will depend on a number of things, including:

Your Body Weight

People who weigh more than average may need to go with firmer mattresses.

The Span of  Your Shoulders

Your musculoskeletal structure has a considerable impact on the way you sleep.

Box spring vs. Slats

Choosing a box spring or a slat bed frame can impact the quality of your sleep not only how your bedroom looks. Check out our comparison here.

Your Sleeping Position

Do you sleep with your arms to your sides? Do you tend to curl up in a fetal position?

All in all, you can’t tell for sure whether a mattress will feel right until you try it out. We recommend looking for options that come with a testing period.

Conclusion

If you’re shopping for a mattress that will help with your shoulder pain, you should go for a soft model that also provides a great deal of structural support. You should also consider going for a design that won’t let you overheat.

Even if your shoulder pain is temporary, you won’t regret buying an excellent mattress that can ease the symptoms of your condition. Waking up without pain makes a huge amount of difference to your energy levels and your overall quality of life.

Tip: You may also go for mattress toppers to improve your sleep.