Sufferers of sleep apnea will know how infuriating and concerning it can be. Disturbed sleep and worrying symptoms including blocked airways can be really bad for your health and medical treatment should always be sought in these situations. However, many people have also found that along with medical treatment there are some other changes they can make to lifestyle and sleep habits that can help tackle the issues associated with apnea. One of these is a specifically designed pillow which can help with breathing and keeping the airways open. The best pillow for sleep apnea has been discussed in this article to help you make your decision.
We’ve looked at the important features of pillows for sleep apnea and how they may help. Key features include the shape of the pillow such as whether they are a wedge or customizable shape, as well as the filling, the cover and whether it is replaceable, and even the exact size of the pillow to work out if it is suitable for you and your bed.
As always, our team has invested a huge amount of time researching what products are most suitable for this title, and we have discussed this with manufacturers, consulted reviews and reviewers and of course looked into the companies producing the pillows. Our guide is presented as an overview table, detailed reviews of multiple products which we have picked out as being the very best available on the market, and then a handy buying guide to help you to make the decision of which may be most suitable for you and your unique needs.
Extra features: two-layer design; machine-washable cover; FSA eligible
The Kolbs 12-Inch Bed Wedge Pillow is our editors choice, a two-layer wedge that pairs a plush 1.5-inch memory foam top with a high density foam core, so the 12-inch incline keeps your upper body raised through the night without the pillow flattening out. That elevation is exactly what a wedge is meant to do for sleep apnea sufferers, and it helps with snoring and acid reflux too, which often go hand in hand with apnea.
The jacquard cover zips off and goes straight in the washing machine, and it looks like a piece of bedding rather than a hospital aid. It is sold in a 7.5-inch and a 12-inch height, so you can pick the incline that suits your build and your bed.
Extra features: removable washable cover, side pockets, non-slip bottom
If you would rather avoid bamboo and polyester fills, the Cozymaker wedge is made entirely from foam: a 1.2-inch memory foam top layer over a 6.3-inch high-density core, giving a total height of 7.5 inches. That moderate incline raises your head and upper body enough to open up the airway without pushing you into a near-seated position, which is exactly what a wedge is meant to do for sleep apnea, and it can help with acid reflux and neck or back pain too.
The foam is CertiPUR-US and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, the cover is soft on the skin with mesh side panels that let heat escape, and it comes off for washing. Bear in mind that the foam insert itself is not washable, and the pillow needs up to 48 hours to expand fully after unboxing.
Extra features: 1.5-inch memory foam layer; removable, machine washable cover; also available in a 7.5-inch height
12 inch pillows can be a great choice for those looking to seriously improve their sleeping posture, and the Kolbs 12-inch Bed Wedge Pillow is one of the tallest options you will find for keeping the upper body raised through the night. It comes from a medical products company and pairs a 1.5 inch layer of plush memory foam with a high density medical grade foam core, so the surface is soft while the wedge itself stays firm and holds its shape.
The jacquard cover looks more like bedding than hospital equipment, and it zips off so you can throw it in the washing machine with the rest of your laundry. It ships compressed, so give it a day to expand fully before judging the height.
Extra features: two thickness levels via a removable memory foam pad; corner gaps keep mask and tubing out of the way; suits side, back and stomach sleepers; patented design
While a lot of the other pillows on this list were created to help with a range of issues such as acid reflux and joint pain, this product has been made specifically for sleep apnea sufferers who sleep with a CPAP mask.
The EnduriMed CPAP Pillow has corner gaps cut into the memory foam so that a full face, BiPAP or APAP mask and its tubing have somewhere to go, which cuts down on air leaks and pressure on the mask. Side, back and stomach sleepers can all find a spot to lie where the mask is out of the way.
A removable memory foam pad gives you two thickness levels, so you can keep it thick for extra loft or take the pad out for a lower profile depending on your build and sleeping position.
Extra features: two contour heights to choose from; holds its shape over time; removable washable cover; hypoallergenic and CertiPUR-US certified foam; made in the USA
This is our pick for snoring and sleep apnea because of its cervical design: a dip in the center with a raised contour on each side that cradles the head and keeps the neck in line with the spine. The medium support memory foam moulds to your head and shoulders without pushing back, and the pillow has a higher and a lower contour, so you can pick the neck height that suits you.
It is aimed at side and back sleepers, the foam is made to hold that shape instead of flattening out, and the soft cover comes off for the washing machine.
As with any contour pillow, it aligns rather than elevates, so if you need the upper body raised a wedge design will do more for your breathing.
Extra features: hypoallergenic, breathable, and machine-washable cover
The Xtreme Comforts Memory Foam wedge pillow has made our list as it is not only one of the best on the market but also the fact that it is such an affordable option.
We’ve already discussed the merits of wedge pillows for sleep apnea and a range of other pillows. The Xtreme Comforts option is made up of memory foam and an excellent bamboo material which has become very popular among affordable and unusual pillows. Bamboo is often used because it is breathable and excellent for air circulation and keeping users cool.
This is a great option if you have other issues with sleeping, too. It can relieve a variety of sleep-related aches and pains as well as being good for sleep apnea.
The wedge design is at a 30-degree angle which many health professionals have said is the optimum angle to sleep at.
Like most of the wedge pillows out there, this has a removable, machine washable cover perfect for keeping things simple.
A memory foam topping can make this feel more comfortable and shape to the contour of your neck and head. It can also be used in other positions such as under the legs.
Generally, reviews of this product are good, and if you have a few different sleep issues and are on a tight budget then it could be worth considering.
Our buying guide is designed to help you to make sure you’re purchasing the very best pillow for your own needs. People are all sorts of different shapes and sizes and have different preferences. The important thing is to educate yourself so you can choose the best sleep apnea pillow for you.
Putting it simply, a pillow can help a huge amount with sleep apnea by improving your sleeping position and posture. For instance, if you are a back sleeper then a normal pillow may lead to your tongue falling back into your throat while you are sleeping, causing breathing problems. The correct posture can be achieved by a wedge pillow which can prevent this from happening, counteracting gravity.
CPAP design pillows such as the EnduriMed CPAP Pillow are great for side and front sleepers who may experience sleep issues if using a normal pillow. Using a CPAP mask can be really uncomfortable, but a pillow with space to accommodate this and which can mold to the shape of your face is hugely beneficial.
There are schools of thought which say that all sorts of benefits come from using elevated pillows such as wedge pillows. The posture this creates can be better for your spine, relieve pain, stop acid reflux and more.
The following are the features we’ve used to evaluate the models of pillow for sleep apnea on the list. Understanding these features and which type of sleeper you are can lead to a better decision of which pillow to purchase. There are a surprising amount of different features to consider, and it isn’t just the shape and size of the pillow you need to think about, as we explore below.
Shape is undeniably a vital component of any pillow. The whole point of a sleep apnea pillow is often to provide a different shape, and in doing so give your body a different angle while you are sleeping to encourage free breathing throughout. Common shapes include:
There are a few common materials which are found again and again in the market for sleep apnea pillows. Consider what you need from your pillow and the affordability, as well as what sort of texture you prefer.
The majority of pillows for sleep apnea have some level of memory foam. This can be throughout or just for a couple of inches on the top. Some, such as the Cozymaker 7.5-Inch Bed Wedge Pillow, are made entirely out of different types of foam.
Bamboo is also a popular material for the pillows, as the fibers from within can be used to create affordable yet good quality and flexible pillows. These also tend to be breathable. Pillows can become clammy and overly hot, and some materials are designed to have a more breathable, cooling effect.
Hypoallergenic covers and materials are always wise. Even if you don’t suffer particularly with allergies it is better to be safe, especially if sharing a bed.
This is quite self-explanatory. Compare the size to your existing pillow and see what might work for your own needs. Most pillows are only available in one specific size, but our editor’s choice, the Kolbs 12-Inch Bed Wedge Pillow, comes in a choice of two heights. Think about your own build, but also what you have room for within the bed.
If you are looking to purchase a wedge style of sleep apnea pillow then you will also have to choose the height, which will impact the incline. You can usually find choices of either 12 inch or 7.5 inch heights.
The most commonly prescribed treatment for sleep apnea is to wear a CPAP machine while sleeping. This attaches to your head via a mask, which you can probably imagine is not a very comfortable way to sleep. This is especially true if you are just using the same pillow as you always have used.
Many of the best sleep apnea pillows have been modified to account for CPAP machines. For instance, the EnduriMed CPAP Pillow is designed with corner gaps that leave room for your mask and tubing once the mask has been fitted. Some wedge pillows do not do quite as good a job at accommodating your mask.
A pillow is vital to getting the best possible sleep if you have apnea, but there are a few other things you can do, and lifestyle changes you can make which should help.
It can often be the case that it is not one simple product or alteration to your life which makes every issue with sleep apnea go away, but combining new products such as a CPAP mask and a pillow for sleep apnea with a few lifestyle alterations.
Our editor’s choice, the Kolbs 12-Inch Bed Wedge Pillow gets a very high rating of 9.8. It is available in two different heights, so you can pick the incline that suits you. The memory foam top layer feels great and this has a machine washable cover.
Closely behind with a rating of 9.7 we have a very similar product, the Cozymaker 7.5-Inch Bed Wedge Pillow. This is another wedge design but this time with a memory foam finish which some find more comfortable.
The third best pillow for sleep apnea on our list is the Kolbs 12-inch Bed Wedge Pillow which comes from a medical products company and stands a full 12 inches tall, giving sufferers of sleep apnea a steep incline. We’ve rated it 9.6.
That sums up our review of the best pillows for sleep apnea – we hope we’ve helped you pick the right one for your needs!
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