Ordinary pillows are not designed with CPAP users in mind and may interfere with the device’s functionality. This means a thorough review of every pillow option you come across before you commit to a purchase. However, we’ve already reviewed and provided a list of five of the best pillows for CPAP users with the Hullo Buckwheat Pillow as our Editor’s Choice.
Notably, we didn’t pick these five pillow options lightly. We considered features such as height, surface material, fill material, design, and extra features. These determine how well-suited the pillow is to the needs of the user. All that’s left is to read the write-up below and pick the option that appeals most to you.
Other features: auto-locking hidden zipper, 60-night money-back guarantee
The Hullo Buckwheat Pillow is the only option listed to come with the traditional rectangular pillow shape. However, it’s filled with buckwheat hulls rather than the typical synthetic materials. Covering the hulls is comfortable organic twill fabric. Additionally, it comes fully stuffed, which allows 3” of clearance from the bed. However, you can open up the zipper and remove some of the hulls if you want.
This pillow is great for anyone avoiding the heat retention of synthetic pillow materials such as foam. Also, it’s adjustable, and buyers have the option of trying it out before returning if it doesn’t work out.
Other features: 2 levels of thickness, ergonomic cutouts; works best for back, stomach, and side sleepers
Next is the EnduriMed CPAP Pillow, which works well for back, side, and stomach sleepers. It comes with multiple cutouts in its design that allow for the comfortable placement of the CPAP mask with no tangling for the tubing. Also, there are two levels of thickness to choose from once you learn how to adjust the pillow.
This pillow is excellent for people sleeping with CPAP, BiPAP, and even APAP masks. The contours ensure no tangled tubing and no air leaks while you sleep.
Other features: extra firm feel, perfect for side and back sleepers, 5-year limited warranty
The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Ergo Neck Pillow is another posture pillow for CPAP users that’s made it onto our list. Its contoured design allows for optimum neck placement and spine alignment. Additionally, the contouring will enable you to wear your mask without tangling the tubes while eliminating the risk of leaking. Also, it uses TEMPUR® material which is a slightly different stuffing material compared to regular memory foam.
This pillow is an excellent pick for side/back sleepers. It even offers precise spine alignment for these two categories of sleepers, thanks to the contouring design. Also, durability is almost guaranteed. After all, you get a five-year warranty to reassure you of the quality.
Other features: medium-firm, for side & stomach sleeping
Lastly, we have the Core Mini CPAP Pillow which features a unique pillow design. You get a blend of polyester and cotton for the pillow cover, while on the inside, there is 100% virgin polyester. Also, it is a medium-firm pillow.
This pillow is meant to service the needs of side and stomach sleepers and has a unique design to cater to that.
Other features: 2 different sides, removable layers, custom cutouts, works for back and side sleepers
The Contour Products CPAPMax 2.0 Pillow, as the name suggests, is made for CPAP use. As such, the design incorporates features meant to make CPAP mask use comfortable. Other than that, it comes with memory foam fill materials in several different layers. You can take out some of these layers, which is why the height is rated at 2¼” – 5¼”. Additionally, you can flip the pillow to either the airflow side or the fiberfill side according to your preference. It also works well for both side and back sleepers.
For those keen on the name of the pillow, you’ll notice that it’s the CPAPMax 2.0 variation. As such, it is an improvement from the previous CPAP pillow model. One of the changes is upgraded mask cutouts. These do a better job of reducing mask and tubing contact with the pillow, which reduces the chances of leaking. Additionally, users can now pick the pillow height that best suits them in the 2¼” – 5¼” range provided. The 3D mesh side is also an excellent addition.
As you may have guessed, picking the right pillow for a CPAP user is not as easy as picking a regular pillow. We break down the features and attributes that make or break your experience with the pillow in the section below. As such, you’ll find that selection is much smoother after you read this buying guide.
CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. It involves a CPAP machine, tubing, and a face mask and is used as a therapy for people with sleep apnea. The setup uses mild pressure to keep the user’s airways open, thereby helping them to breathe better as they sleep.
Just like regular pillows, a good pillow for CPAP users needs to be comfortable to sleep on. Durable and high-quality construction is another requirement. Also, it needs to take into account the CPAP setup. Remember that you’ll be hooked up to a mask and tubing that attaches to the CPAP machine. Moving the mask or tangling the tubing can lead to the machine’s inability to do its job.
Your preferable sleeping position is something that you should consider before purchase. There are side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers. In terms of comfort, most of the pillow options available are not a good fit for all three types of sleepers. One example is the Core Mini CPAP Pillow that is great for side and stomach sleepers but isn’t ideal for back sleepers.
Let’s also not forget that how you sleep will affect your CPAP setup as well. As such, be sure to check the description of the pillow to see if it works for your sleeping position.
Listed and explained below are all the features you should check for as you’re looking for the ideal posture pillow for CPAP users.
There are different preferences when it comes to firmness and support. Some users prefer firmer pillows that offer more support, while others prefer options that mold to their heads and necks. The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Ergo Neck Pillow, for instance, has been rated as extra-firm, which means very little give when you lay your head on the pillow.
Also, remember to check the pillow size to determine whether it’s a good fit for your bed. The dimensions provided are a good place to start. You can find out the length, width, and height if they are provided. Some users have complained about their pillow options being too small or too large for their beds. That said, you need to pay particular attention to the height/thickness. This will affect the alignment of your spine and determine whether you wake up with a backache or not.
Next, you check whether any aspects of the pillow are adjustable to meet your needs. The Contour Products CPAPMax 2.0 Pillow, for instance, comes with several removable layers. This means that the height/thickness of the pillow can easily be adjusted from 2 ¼” to 5 ¼”. Also notable is that there two thickness options in between the two extremes.
The Hullo Buckwheat Pillow is also moldable but in a different way. It ships fully stuffed with the buckwheat hulls. However, the zip to open the pillow cover is easily accessible, and you can use that to either add or remove some of the hulls. This allows you to adjust the thickness of the pillow to your liking.
Cutouts may give the pillow a different shape compared to the typical rectangular pillow, but they serve a purpose. The cutouts on the EnduriMed CPAP Pillow, for instance, provide a slot for the mask and CPAP tubing. This reduces the chances of the tubing tangling or the mask shifting while you sleep. Consequently, you’ll be able to sleep much easier throughout the night. However, not all bed pillows for CPAP users in the market come with cutouts, as shown by the Hullo Buckwheat Pillow mentioned above.
The material makeup of the pillow will also affect the user experience. Most modern options, whether for CPAP users or regular people, tend to have synthetic construction. This includes foam or fiberfill construction. The Contour Products CPAPMax 2.0 Pillow is one example that uses memory foam as the inner material.
Notably, memory foam is well known for heat retention, which might make some users uncomfortable. However, the manufacturer has taken some precautions against that by poking holes in the foam, which promotes airflow, breathability and reduces heat retention. The same pillow also has a charcoal-infused layer. This helps eliminate odors that might build up on the pillow over time.
Additionally, you have materials such as the buckwheat hulls in the Hullo Buckwheat Pillow. Their most endearing quality is that they don’t retain or reflect heat. As such, they’re an ideal option for people who want to avoid getting hot while they sleep.
The surface material is also just as important since some options are more comfortable to sleep on than others.
The affordability of the pillow is another factor you look into before you decide to order. One of the more endearing qualities of the Core Mini CPAP Pillow is that it’s very affordable. This makes it accessible to a large section of the population. On the other hand, spending upwards of $100 for the Hullo Buckwheat Pillow may not be everybody’s cup of tea. However, if you don’t mind spending that much on a pillow and you like the features, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get it.
Remember to check the warranty terms of your pillow as well. The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Ergo Neck Pillow, for instance, comes with a five-year warranty giving you an extra reason to buy the pillow. This will also serve as reassurance that the pillow is well made and incorporates quality materials. The Hullo Buckwheat Pillow option also comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Lastly, there are some extra features you might come across as you review the different pillows. One example can be seen in our editor’s choice option, the Contour Products CPAPMax 2.0 Pillow. It comes with a hose tether that you can use to secure the tubing in your CPAP gear. Just like a warranty, these extra features provide you with more reasons to pick one pillow over the other alternatives.
All five pillows listed above are excellent options to consider. That said, they will work differently for you depending on your needs, body type, sleep patterns, and a few other factors. The Hullo Buckwheat Pillow is our Editor’s Choice. CPAP users who have this pillow don’t need to worry about sleeping hot. Another contender for the best pillow for CPAP users is the EnduriMed CPAP Pillow which gives the Editor’s choice pillow a run for its money with regard to the cutout design.
As you may have noticed, the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Ergo Neck Pillow and the Core Mini CPAP Pillow also have very endearing qualities. For the former, the 5-year warranty is better than you’ll get with most other pillow options. As for the latter, the affordability and compact design are its best assets.
