There is a good reason why ergonomic mattress products have become more popular in recent years. The ability to raise the head of the bed is much more than just convenient for watching television, lounging, or reading; the effect can influence your overall health as well in certain situations.
Designed for comfort, as well as those suffering from various chronic problems, such as sleep apnea and acid reflux, mattress wedge options are well worth the consideration. Whether you are looking for a permanent solution, or one more temporary, these top picks are a great solution if you:
- SnoreAre concerned about the effect of sleep apnea
- Are recovering from an injury
- Struggle with GERD or occasional heartburn
- Like to read or watch television in bed
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Mattress Genie Adjustable Bed Wedge
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| #2 |  Beautyrest Polyurethane Foam Mattress Elevator
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| #3 |  Avana Mattress Elevator
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| #4 |  The Wellness Wedge
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| #5 |  Silverback Wedge Pillow
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What is a Mattress Wedge?
A mattress wedge otherwise referred to as a bed wedge or pillow wedge, is a triangular-shaped product that helps lift your upper body into a more comfortable position while sleeping. Available in various styles, you can pick from semi-permanent choices, or those that are easy to set aside when not needed. Popular for various reasons, many people like the added support they lend for lounging, as well as the upper body height tall and larger body types often struggle to find.Â
They also are excellent solutions to help reduce snoring, support treatment of sleep apnea, and reduce complications from heartburn and GERD. They allow you to avoid having to lift your bed frame to find relief, or invest in more expensive, mechanical solutions.
Why You May Consider a Bed Wedge
Although I’ve touched on the reasoning behind the use of a wedge, and why they exist, let’s delve a little deeper into their use so you can understand just how beneficial they can be.
• Comfort and Relaxation
Obviously, you don’t have to be suffering from something to consider investing in a wedge of some type. Some people are more comfortable sleeping with their upper body in an elevated position, and actually may prefer this type of support. Rather than choose to sleep in a reclining chair, you can now utilize your bed.
• Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Sleep apnea is a medical condition in which breathing is disrupted through the night. This can cause serious long term issues as well as keep you from getting a good night’s rest. Snoring may be a part of this problem, or simply be due to the tongue relaxing into the back of the mouth and throat. If you sleep on your back, but snore, a wedge can help keep this from happening.
• Acid Reflux and GERD
GERD is when acid from your stomach flows back into your esophagus. It can cause serious discomfort and is generally an issue you may have to be treated for throughout your life. However, you can reduce instances and flare-ups by sleeping in an elevated position to help allow gravity to keep acid from moving upwards. This is the same for heartburn or acid reflux sufferers.
• Sinuses and Sickness
When stuffed up due to sickness or sinus pressure, elevating your head can help drain it away and reduce the pressure.
• Glaucoma and Eye Pressure
Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve. When you sleep in an elevated position this can help take the pressure off when recovering from glaucoma surgery, or to help from worsening the condition.
• Injury Recovery and Body Support
There is a reason why hospital beds recline at an angle; it is a common position for many types of injury and surgery recoveries. Now you can take advantage of this in your own home and your own bed with the use of a wedge. Also, pregnancies require some adjustments, and many women find a wedge to be the solution they were working for to help reduce various discomforts.
You can opt for an Orthopedic Wedge Pillows to help you out in your recovery.
Types of Mattress Wedge Options
The wedge idea is very basic and they come in a variety of styles and heights. They also need to be made from a rigid material that can withstand pressure. Generally, you will see them made from a durable foam, or even a plastic depending on how it is being used.
— Under Mattress Style
These fit under the mattress and upon platform bed or box spring. They provide a gradual lift to help tilt the mattress in a gentle manner. These are often foam or plastic and are not easy to remove once put in place.
— Headboard Style
This style fits along the length of your headboard and can be either placed under or upon the mattress. It usually can be secured around the mattress and provides you a slope to lay your pillow upon. These are easy to remove when not needed, but can be semi-permanent and will not shift.
— Pillow Style
A pillow style wedge is the best choice for a temporary solution. These are large, foam options that help to gradually lift your upper body and elevate your shoulders and head. You simply place them over your mattress and remove it when not in use.
Top Mattress Wedge Picks
These top mattress and bed wedge picks help highlight the various differences between styles and comfort profiles. They are all quality choices to help you determine which might be best for your needs.
1. Mattress Genie Adjustable Bed Wedge
SPECS:
- Style: Headboard
- Material: Polyurethane
- Height: Adjustable up to 26 inches
Best Adjustable Mattress Wedge
The Mattress Genie Bed Wedge is designed to lay under the top of your mattress against your headboard. It is a durable, strong airbag that, once in place, can be inflated via a small motor you plug into your wall. It comes with a small, corded handheld remote that allows you to add and remove as much air as needed to change the position of the wedge.Â
It can be raised to 26 inches high and at a 40-degree angle for lounging, reading, and watching television. Reduce the air to accommodate injury, pregnancy, and discomforts. With the ability to hold up to 1000 pounds, it is one of the only stand-alone adjustable options you can buy without investing in an ergonomic bed frame.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This:
If you prefer an option that provides adjustability, this is it. Go from a 40-degree lift to flat in just a few minutes!
2. Beautyrest Polyurethane Foam Mattress Elevator
SPECS:
- Style: Under Mattress Style
- Material: Poly Foam
- Height: 5 inches
Best Gentle Lift Mattress Wedge
Created to fit under your mattress, this gentle declining foam wedge provides a 5-inch lift at the head to help with basic discomforts associated with acid reflux and snoring. Made from a durable foam that will not compress easily, it fits under the entire length of your mattress to provide even support.Â
Lightweight and easy to put in place, it does not offset sheets in a noticeable way, and is a perfect alternative to placing risers under a bed frame. Although the mattress may begin to slide slightly, you can also slide a rug grip between the mattress and wedge to help keep this from happening.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This:
This is a great choice for those looking for a gentle rise to help with minor discomforts. It also is a great height to help those who struggle to get in and out of bed.Â
3. Avana Mattress Elevator
SPECS:
- Style: Under Mattress Style
- Material: Poly Foam
- Height: 7 inches
Tallest Under Mattress Wedge Pick
Semi-permanent, under mattress wedges, need to be within a height range that allows for comfort and convenience, not a slop that is difficult to adjust to. This is why many are within a 4 to 7-inch range and avoid anything higher. The Avana Mattress Elevator falls in the ‘tall’ range of height for non-adjustable options and spans the length of your bed to provide a gradual incline and lift of the head of the mattress.Â
Made from a strong, dense, polyfoam, it is not prone to compression and can easily support both mattress and sleeper weight. Available in twin, full, queen, and king sizes, this is an excellent choice for anyone in need of nighttime relief and a more supportive position for their situation.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This:
A higher incline is often helpful for chronic heartburn, GERD and esophageal issues, and sleep apnea. If propping your head up with a pillow hasn’t been enough, you might want to try this.Â
4. The Wellness Wedge
SPECS:
- Style: Under Mattress Style
- Material: Plastic
- Height: 2 inches and can be stacked
Best Stackable/Interlocking Plastic Mattress Wedge
The Wellness Wedge comes in a set of two, 2 inch high and 22 inch long wedges that can be used individually or stacked to create a higher wedge. They can be used effectively on only one side of a queen or king-sized bed due to their lower profile, and allow for the ability to adjust for your needs.Â
You also can purchase more for stacking or aligning along the width of your mattress to create an even lift. These are popular due to the durability and low profile with adjustment opportunities, and allow you to customize your sleep experience a bit better than other products.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This:
These are excellent options for anyone who wants something that will last longer than a foam wedge, and likes the ability to adjust the height for various needs.Â
5. Silverback Wedge Pillow
SPECS:
- Style: Pillow Wedge Style
- Material: Memory FoamÂ
- Height: 7.5 inches
Best Pillow WedgeÂ
If you aren’t too sure if a mattress wedge is for you, or you don’t like the idea of not being able to control or remove the wedge when you want, consider a pillow wedge to place on top of your mattress. These are daily lightweight even if they are a little bulky, and are easy to use in various positions for comfort purposes.
The Silverback Wedge has a 7.5-inch height and can be tipped up to use as a backrest, or laid out to create a gentle upwards slope. The washable bamboo viscose cover is soft, stretchy and cooling to help offset any heat retention created by the dense memory foam the wedge is made from.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This:
This is the perfect choice for anyone who does not want to commit to a more semi-permanent solution and prefers the ability to not use it when it is not wanted. It also is a more budget-friendly option.Â
Conclusion
If you suffer from heartburn, GERD, Sleep Apnea, or similar concerns, a raised surface of some sort is often incredibly helpful to provide relief and a healthier sleep position. Simple to use, these products come in various sizes and styles to help you pick the best option for your needs. Whether you like adjustability, the chance to place a wedge in position and then forget about it, or want to choose when and how you use it- all the options provided above are exactly what you need to consider.