Are you looking for a good night’s rest but wake up feeling tired even after sleeping eight or nine hours? Maybe you are disturbed every night by the obnoxious sound of your sleep partner sawing logs. Whether you’re a snorer or sleep near one, you’re missing out on more than you may realize. Aside from the annoyance, snoring:
- Increases risk of stroke
- Increases risk of involvement in a car accident
- Decreases sexual satisfaction
Over the past several months, we’ve been experimenting with some of the many anti-snoring devices available online. If you’re thinking of trying one out for yourself, keep in mind that there are a few things you need to consider to predict which will likely prove best for your needs.
Today, we’re going to be taking a look at PureSleep vs. ZQuiet, two mandibular advancement devices that have quite a bit to offer for the right person.
How do MADs Work to Stop Snoring?
Mandibular advancement devices fit in your mouth, and they push the lower jaw forward. When your muscles relax as sleep sets in, this can cause the soft tissue and tongue to fall back into the back of the throat, thus blocking your airway.
Differences in Mouthpiece Customization
Whether you choose PureSleep or ZQuiet, you’re able to customize it to fit your mouth. Everyone’s general mouth structure is as unique as their fingerprint, and this makes it necessary to offer a way to best cater to the customer’s individuality. These two products each take their own approach.
PureSleep: Boil-and-Bite
PureSleep employs the very popular boil-and-bite customization method. It works as follows:
- Boil water, whether on a stovetop or in the microwave
- Submerge the device in water for specified time period
- Remove device and bite down according to instructions
- Submerge or run device under cold water to set dental impression
What if I Mess Up the First Impression?
Chances are you don’t have a whole lot of experience setting your dental impression into anti-snoring mouthpieces. The good news is, the process is pretty easy as long as you follow the instructions carefully. However, if you do screw up on that first try, you’re out of luck. I found this to be a little disappointing as most products we’ve tried allow you to go through the process again around three times after that initial impression.
ZQuiet- Two Mouthpieces
ZQuiet takes a different approach. They send you two mouthpieces, one larger than the other. This allows you to try each out to see which will prove to be a more effective fit. I think this could be a really great option if you and your sleep partner both snore or you know someone with a different jaw size than you who may benefit from its use.
I really liked the fit of the smaller version, and I’m a female. We typically have less protrusion in our chins and smaller mandibles. My sleep partner, however, was able to fit the larger version better.
Lower Jaw Advancement Adjustments with PureSleep
Before you go through the customization process with your PureSleep device, you’ll have the chance to set your preferred degree of lower jaw advancement. Many products come as-is and don’t allow you to play around with this aspect, so this is definitely a plus. However, keep in mind that, once you go through the boil-and-bite process, your device is set, and you can make no further adjustments.
As you determine the advancement that works for you, keep in mind that it’s not primarily about comfort. In fact, it’s perfectly normal for the right advancement to be uncomfortable for the first several nights as you get used to it. What’s important is ensuring the set advancement puts a stop to your snoring.
PureSleep vs. ZQuiet: Will They Stop Your Snoring?
Both of these products have proven effective in stopping snoring. The only thing I’d like to point out is that, if you have a large jaw, you may run into trouble with consistency using ZQuiet. This product, even the larger option, can be small, and it’s designed in such a way that allows it to easily fall out.
While it did cease my sleep partner’s snoring, it would start back up every time the device fell out. Furthermore, he found the size made drooling more of an issue. On the other hand, if you have a large jaw, you may find PureSleep to be too large. Ideally, you want to be able to keep your mouth closed when you sleep. If you have to struggle to keep your mouth shut, ZQuiet may be a better choice.
PureSleep – Dentist-Developed and Tested
Credentials count, and it’s worth noting that PureSleep wasn’t developed by just anybody. Rather, it was designed and produced by a dentist who suffered with snoring himself. His snoring was so bad it caused his wife to often go sleep in another room. Over the course of several years, he arrived at the PureSleep we know today, and he’s used it with success.
Do They Cause Discomfort?
I’m going to be honest with you. We’ve yet to try out an MAD that was comfortable upon first use. If you found one that felt fine and dandy, I’d argue it’s effectiveness in stopping snoring.
You’re likely not used to sleeping with something in your mouth, not to mention with your lower jaw jacked forward. ZQuiet is more comfortable, but keep in mind the size issues mentioned earlier. If you have a large jaw, there’s a good chance you’ll have trouble keeping it in your mouth no matter how comfortable you may feel. PureSleep may be too big for females or those with larger jaws. Even if your jaw is large, though, you will likely experience discomfort during the first week of use.
We have tried out over a dozen top anti-snoring mouthpieces on the market, and, in our experience, you do grow accustomed to having the device in. Just give it some time.
PureSleep vs. ZQuiet – Best Choice for Mouth Breathers
Although there are health benefits to be had breathing through your nose while sleeping, some people rely on mouth breathing. If this describes you, you’ll be happy to know both of these products make allowances for your needs.
In terms of which is better, ZQuiet is the clear winner. PureSleep has an air hole in the front of the device, but ZQuiet offers Living Hinge technology that allows the mouthpiece to open and clothes quite freely to the point you can even talk while wearing it.
If you have a heavy reliance on mouth breathing, ZQuiet may be a good pick. However, keep in mind it might not fit well if your jaw is large.
A Look at Price vs. Durability Expectations
One of the biggest considering factors when it comes to any purchase is the price. However, it can be easy to let that overshadow the expected durability. Just because you save a few bucks initially doesn’t mean one option is better than the other if it doesn’t last as long. Let’s break down what you can expect:
PureSleep
- $9.95 upfront payment
- If you decide to keep it after 30 days, you’re charged an additional $59.90.
- Total price: $69.85
- Durability Expectation: Approximately 3 months
ZQuiet
- $9.95 upfront payment
- If you decide to keep it after 30 days, you’re charged an additional $79.95
- Total price: $89.90
- Durability Expectation: Approximately 15 months
Although ZQuiet is going to run you an extra $20, you can see it offers a better overall value in terms of durability. When you break it down, you investment for ZQuiet costs you around $5.99 per month whereas PureSleep weighs in at around $23.28 per month.
Even though PureSleep offers a buy one get one free option, ZQuiet also offers two devices. Of course, you have to weigh the importance of other factors such as your jaw size, lower jaw advancement customization, and need for mouth breathing before you arrive at your final decision.
PureSleep vs. ZQuiet Comparison
| PureSleep | ZQuiet |
|---|---|
| Developed by a dentist who suffered with snoring | Falls out if you have a large jaw |
| 30-day trial period with the full money-back guarantee | No certifications |
| 100% made in the USA | Preferable for female snorers |
| Upper and lower pieces join together in three settings for lower jaw advancement customization, but you can only set it once | Longer durability expectations |
| Allows mouth breathing with hole in front | Two devices provided, one larger than the other, for customization |
| Buy one get one free option | 30-day trial period, but you don’t get your initial $9.95 payment back |
| If you don’t keep it after 30 day trial, initial $9.95 payment is lost | Allows mouth breathing through Living Hinge Technology that allows you to open and close your mouth freely |
| Can only go through the customization process once | Doesn’t allow for lower mandibular advancement customization |
| Durability of only two to three months | Can be cleaned with toothpaste |
| Have had complaints with the BBB | Durability 15 months |
| FDA-approved | Cannot be used with dentures |
| FDA-approved |
Conclusion
These two products have quite a bit in common. They both provide two devices, the ability to breathe through your mouth, the same trial period, and are effective at stopping snoring. It’s the differences we need to focus on to help steer you in the right direction, so let’s take a close look at them now:
- PureSleep offers dental customization and lower jaw adjustments.
- ZQuiet offers freedom of mouth movement through Living Hinge Technology.
- PureSleep cannot be customized again after first boil-and-bite process. If you set it wrong, you’re out of luck.
- ZQuiet isn’t a good fit for men or those with larger jaws
- PureSleep has had complaints with the BBB
- PureSleep can be hard to fit in smaller mouths
My sleep partner prefers MADs like PureSleep. Aside from the fact that he enjoys the advanced level of customization provided through the boil and bite method, he had trouble keeping it in place since he does have a large jaw.
I hope this comparison has helped you better understand PureSleep vs. ZQuiet. If you have any questions or comments, we’d love to mull them over. Just fill out the form below. We’ll get back with you as soon as possible!