We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you
buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
If you regularly wake up with a sore back, hip, or shoulder, your mattress might be to blame. A mattress that’s too hard or too soft can aggravate pressure points, the areas on your body that experience the most pressure when lying down.
Where you feel pressure points depends on your sleeping style. For example, if you sleep on your side, you might experience soreness in one hip or shoulder.
Fortunately, modern mattress technology can help. Here are the 10 best mattresses designed for pressure point relief.
There’s a lot to consider when mattress shopping, particularly when you’re looking for an option that will specifically relieve pressure point pain. Here’s what we considered when putting together our list of the best mattresses for pressure point relief:
Materials: We looked for options made with pressure-relieving materials like latex and memory foam that also offer adequate spinal support.
Overall safety: Our top picks meet federal safety requirements.
Indications of quality: We prioritized brands with standards and certifications, like CertiPUR-US, that indicate a high level of quality.
Trial period: We looked for brands that offer generous trial periods since the best way to figure out if you’ll actually like a mattress is to sleep on it.
Manufacturer warranties: We also checked for reasonable warranties with purchase.
Customer feedback: We looked carefully at reviews of all the mattresses on our list to see what customers had to say.
If you’re looking for a mattress to help relieve pressure points, consider one that evenly distributes your weight. This can prevent excessive contact in any one area.
The right firmness level also plays a role. You’ll want the mattress to contour to your body without putting too much pressure on your hips and shoulders. But it shouldn’t be so soft that your spine gets thrown out of alignment.
Beyond firmness and weight distribution, however, the “right” mattress will be different for everyone. “Things like individual height, weight, age, body temperature, and preferred sleeping position all play a role in what mattress comfort means to you,” said Lynelle McSweeney, DC, in Reno, Nevada.
Here are some other factors to consider as you shop:
Mattress material. Both memory foam and latex offer pressure-relieving benefits, so these are good options to explore. Foam contours to the body when you lie down and adjusts as you move during the night. This helps ensure good support and spinal alignment and cushion pressure points. Latex has a similar contouring effect without the “sinking-in” sensation.
Trial windows. The best way to test a mattress is to sleep on it, which is why many reputable mattress companies offer some kind of risk-free trial period. Whether you’re shopping online or in a store, make a point of checking trial period details, delivery and return fees, and warranty.
Customer reviews. If you’re shopping online, it’s also a good idea to browse reviews for a better sense of what people really think after they have tried out the mattress.
Mattress types
Foam mattresses are made from multiple layers of foam of varying densities to create a blend of comfort, support, and stability. This type of mattress, especially those constructed with memory foam, tend to provide a cushioned, cradled sensation that also offers pressure point relief. That can make them a great pick for side sleepers. However, memory foam can retain heat, so you may consider cooling upgrades like gel infusions, breathable covers, and perforated foam.
Latex mattresses also offer a good amount of comfort and support. Latex can be natural or synthetic, and is a temperature-neutral material with pressure relief comparable to memory foam. But latex doesn’t retain heat in the same way and it’s also incredibly durable, which makes for a longer-lasting mattress. On the downside, it’s expensive and it’s heavy. Latex mattresses are suitable for all kinds of sleepers.
Hybrid mattresses combine foam or latex layers with innerspring coils for responsiveness, targeted support, and durability. Coil layers boost airflow for better breathability than all-foam mattresses, and they can be a better choice for back and stomach sleepers, who benefit from the extra support in the hips.
The best mattress for pressure points is supportive enough to keep your spine aligned yet cushioned enough to contour around your hips and shoulders. That makes hybrid mattresses, which include individually-wrapped coils that can respond and adapt to the body’s curves, a great option.
Mattresses in the medium-firm range tend to be a good choice. Materials like latex and memory foam are also worth exploring.
You can relieve pressure points in bed by choosing a mattress that evenly distributes your body weight and doesn’t put excessive contact in any one specific area.
You also need to pick the right firmness level for you. The goal is to choose a mattress that keeps your spine in a neutral position but still has enough give to cushion your shoulders, hips, and back as needed.
A mattress topper may be able to help relieve pressure point pain. A quality mattress topper made with pressure-relieving materials like latex or memory foam can offer additional support if your mattress isn’t doing the trick.
Yes. Memory foam is known for its pressure-relieving benefits. It responds to pressure and temperature to contour to the body’s curves and to evenly distribute body weight.
Waking up to aches and pains can have far-reaching effects on your overall wellness, and a mattress designed to minimize pressure point pain can make a big difference.
While the firmness of a mattress is a preference, it’s important to look for one that will offer targeted support for your height, weight, and sleeping preferences.
Last medically reviewed on April 30, 2024
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
