Best Sleep Apnea Pillows

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders and its severity ranges from an embarrassing case of loud snoring all the way to serious health issues such as cardiac disease and depression, to name a few. To treat it, doctors often turn to various medical aids and devices that help you sleep healthily and peacefully, and one of the more popular choices are sleep apnea pillows.

Depending on the gravity of your disorder, there are two ways sleep apnea pillows can be handy: as an accompanying aid to a medical device such as CPAP, or on their own, as a way to keep milder sleep apnea forms under control. Before you decide on a specially designed pillow for your sleep apnea, it’s best to consult with a doctor to make sure you’re getting the best treatment for your unique situation.

Rank	Product	Highlights
#1	Mkicesky Cervical Memory Foam Pillow check price	Dimensions: Available in various sizes Material: Memory foam
#2	Relax Home Life Bed Wedge Pillow check price	Dimensions: Available in different sizes Material: High-density foam and memory foam
#3	EnduriMed Large CPAP Comfort Pillow check price	Dimensions: 22.44 x 11.81 x 5.12 inches Material: Memory foam
#4	EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow check price	Dimensions: Available in different sizes Material: Memory foam

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Despite the fact that just in the United States millions of people suffer from sleep apnea, many people are still unsure what the term really encompasses. Is it every type of snoring or not? Is it dangerous or just inconvenient? To sum it all up, sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder characterized by frequent pauses in breathing during sleep- or period of shallow breathing. As we’ve already mentioned, the severity of the issue will vary, as some people might experience trouble breathing for just a few seconds, and others could struggle for minutes, etc. Furthermore, there are three types of sleep apneas you could have:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

This is the most common form and it’s caused by the relaxation of soft tissues in your throat. As you sleep, your muscles (e.g. tongue) relax which in turn narrows or completely blocks the airway, resulting in intermittent pauses in breathing. OSA is classified as upper airway obstruction and it is more common in men, older people, people that are overweight or deal with allergies.

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

Unlike OSA, central sleep apnea is not a side effect of your body relaxing when you go to sleep- rather, it is caused by your brain. When the brain doesn’t send the necessary signal to the muscles that help you breathe properly, it causes abnormal breathing patterns and breathing to repeatedly stop and start during the night. Only one percent of sleep apnea cases are classified as CSA and it is usually related to congestive heart failure or stroke, certain medications, medical conditions, etc.

Complex sleep apnea syndrome (CSAS)

In a nutshell, CSAS is the combination of the previous two types of sleep apneas: complex sleep apnea syndrome occurs when someone who previously suffered from OSA develops CSA. In some cases, it’s the treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (CPAP device) that leads to the development of central sleep apnea, causing even more issues for the person in question.

What Are the Best Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea?

As you are probably aware by now, sleep apnea isn’t a cookie-cutter issue- so there aren’t any cookie-cutter solutions for it. Each type of sleep apnea would be approached and treated differently, with the severity levels playing an important role in the type of therapy you’ll need. Needless to say, only a doctor can correctly diagnose you and prescribe your treatment plan- here are some of the most common options for treating sleep apnea.

Continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP)

CPAP is a machine that uses either a mask or a nosepiece that is connected to a hose to deliver a constant level of positive airway pressure to the upper airway. This is the level of pressure above atmospheric pressure and as such, it can keep your airways fully open throughout the night.

Dental appliances

These custom-fit dental devices are worn only at night and are similar to mouth guards. The role of oral appliances for sleep apnea is to prevent upper airway obstruction in one of two ways: by keeping the tongue in place to allow proper breathing or to bring the lower jaw forward. To be efficient, these mouth devices should be custom made by a professional- and even then, they are mostly used for milder forms of OSA.

Sleep apnea pillows

Last but not least are the specially designed pillows that help with obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. Sleep apnea pillows can be a great choice as a preventative or treatment for milder forms of obstructive sleep apnea since their design helps ensure their proper posture during sleep and minimizes chances of snoring and breathing difficulties. However, there are also special sleep apnea pillows that are designed to be used in combination with CPAP machines. These pillows ensure that the mask stays in place during sleep and helps you feel more comfortable while sleeping with a continuous positive airway pressure device attached to your face.

Features to Look for in Sleep Apnea Pillows

The same as there are many different variations and types of sleep apnea, there are plenty of diverse designs of sleep apnea pillows to choose from. Depending on the severity of your sleeping disorder and the intended use of the pillow (CPAP aid or treatment on its own) there are some crucial features to look for that could ensure you’re making the right choice.

• CPAP compatibility

The first and foremost thing to consider is if your pillow needs to be compatible with a continuous positive airway pressure device or not. Their design is meant to accommodate the mask and hose and allow you to sleep comfortably and keep the CPAP equipment in place during the night.

• Sleeping position and firmness

As it is usually the case, the position you sleep in will play a major factor in your choice of sleep apnea pillows. Side sleepers will require a softer pillow to ease the pressure on key points of the upper body and ensure comfort, whereas back and stomach sleepers usually need something a little firmer. Most manufacturers note if their design is specially adjusted to meet the needs of certain sleeper categories- be sure to double-check before buying.

• Adjustability

The height of sleep apnea pillows is important- the right elevation can significantly minimize the chance of upper airway obstruction. Unless you already know what exact height would do best for your needs, go for a pillow whose height can be adjusted, usually by taking out or adding more fill.

• Torso vs head

Not all sleep apnea pillows can be used as a replacement for regular pillows. There are two main designs: pillows that go under your head (available in a range of different designs, though) and those that help elevate your torso, also known as wedge pillows.

Best Sleep Apnea Pillows

Mkicesky Cervical Memory Foam Pillow

Editor’s choice

The innovative cervical shape of this ergonomic pillow is what makes it stand out: it is a good choice for back and side sleepers and will help keep your head elevated enough to prevent obstruction of the airway. It is an excellent choice if you struggle with snoring or have mild OSA symptoms you’d like to keep under control without devices or appliances. Made out of high-quality rebound memory foam, this sleep apnea pillow is both hypoallergenic and offers unparalleled comfort to the sleeper.

The pillow is available in different sizes so it caters to most people’s needs, and since it comes with a removable and machine washable, it is also easy to keep clean and tidy. The unusual cervical shape might take some getting used to at first, but you’ll quickly see the benefits of sleeping on this type of pillow.

Who Should Purchase This?

In case you want to prevent blockage of your nasal or mouth breathing passages or want to reduce your snoring, this cervical memory foam pillow will be of great help. Comfortable for people who sleep on their side or back, it will elevate your head into the proper position and give you a good night’s sleep.

Pros

• Keeps head elevated in the right position
• Ideal for side and back sleepers
• Good for neck pain
• High-quality memory foam
• Washable cover

Cons

• Too firm for some people
• Takes a while before you get used to the unusual shape

Specs for comparison:

Dimensions: Available in various sizes

Material: Memory foam

check price

Relax Home Life Bed Wedge Pillow

Best wedge pillow for sleep apnea

For people that have obstructive sleep apnea that results in loud snoring and don’t use CPAP, a sturdy wedge pillow might be a good choice to keep their symptoms under control. Wedge pillows elevate your torso enough to prevent the blockage of the airway and the subsequent breathing difficulties such as snoring. This particular design is one of the more popular on the market and with good reason: it is made from high-density foam with a thin layer of body-contouring memory foam on top to combine both sturdiness and comfort into one design.

This wedge sleep apnea pillow is available in 3 different heights: 7”, 7.5”, and 12”, and you should choose according to your height and preferences. Additionally, the pillow comes with a breathable, cooling bamboo viscose cover that can be removed and washed, so this is also a great choice for hot sleepers that need a cooler pillow during the night.

Who Should Purchase This?

Sleeping with your torso elevated can help prevent your airway from collapsing so this wedge pillow is a great choice for people that have mild sleep apnea symptoms and don’t use CPAP. Furthermore, the unique elevated designs will also help with a range of other conditions such as acid reflux, heartburn, and sinus infections- to name a few.

Pros

• Multifunctional use
• Can help with snoring
• Memory foam layer for comfort
• Cooling and breathable bamboo viscose cover
• Hypoallergenic

Cons

• Some off-gassing
• Can be uncomfortable to sleep on at first

Specs for comparison:

Dimensions: Available in different sizes

Material: High-density foam and memory foam

check price

EnduriMed Large CPAP Comfort Pillow

Best sleep apnea pillow for CPAP machine

When the only treatment option for your obstructive sleep apnea is using a continuous positive airway pressure device, it can be difficult to adjust to your new nighttime routine. Sleeping with a large mask with a hose on your face can be particularly uncomfortable if you don’t have the right pillow- this is why CPAP pillows are a must if you want to both get some rest and keep your OSA in check. The one-of-a-kind contour design of this pillow allows it to give you the right support and optimal level of comfort while, at the same time, it also allows the mask and the hose to stay in place thanks to ergonomic mask cut-outs.

Made out of high-quality memory foam, this sleep apnea pillow is also very comfortable to sleep on, regardless of the position you prefer. The cradling design will suit back sleepers, side sleepers, and stomach sleepers all. This is a universal size pillow with two sides to choose from according to your needs and preferences: the density and thickness are different on each side.

Who Should Purchase This?

If you use any kind of positive airway pressure devices such as CPAP, BiPAP, or APAP, this contoured pillow is a perfect choice. The ergonomic cut-outs accommodate the mask and the tubing, and the memory foam makes this pillow super comfortable to sleep on to begin with.

Pros

• Keeps your CPAP device in place
• Makes it more comfortable to sleep with a mask on
• Memory foam for optimal comfort
• Two density and thickness levels on each side
• One size fits all

Cons

• Some people might find it too soft

Specs for comparison table:

Dimensions: 22.44 x 11.81 x 5.12 inches

Material: Memory foam

check price

EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow

Best sleep apnea pillow for side sleepers

If you’re among those people that prefer sleeping on their side, you know how difficult it can be to find a pillow that’s both comfortable for this position and good for sleep apnea issues. This particular sleep apnea pillow boasts an ergonomic contour design that is optimally suited for side sleepers. The shape of the pillow will ensure that the head, neck, shoulder, and back are perfectly aligned and elevated in a way that prevents airway obstruction. Made from high-quality breathable memory foam, this pillow will gently cradle you but still offer the proper support you need for a healthy sleeping posture.

The pillow comes in 3 different sizes to meet everyone’s needs and with a soft and silky case that can be machine washed and tumble dried. As another bonus feature, this pillow also has adjustable height: there is a removable piece of memory foam that’s about 0.8 inches thick that you can take out if the pillow is too high for your liking.

Who Should Purchase This?

This memory foam contour pillow is a great choice for side sleepers with mild sleep apnea symptoms as it will help reduce the possibility of collapsed airways that result in loud snoring and pauses in breathing. Made out of memory foam, it will ease the pressure of key points for side sleepers and make sure that your spine is properly aligned.

Pros

• Breathable memory foam
• Suited for all sleeping positions but especially for side sleepers
• Machine-washable removable cover
• Adjustable thickness/height
• Ergonomic design

Cons

• Too thin for some people

Specs for comparison:

Dimensions: Available in different sizes

Material: Memory foam

check price

In Conclusion

Living with a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea is not only inconvenient- but it can also be dangerous for your overall health. Luckily, there are various treatments available for this breathing condition, and sleep apnea pillows are a great bonus aid to help you have a peaceful night.

Meant to be used alongside a CPAP machine to ensure comfort and keep the device in place or alternatively as a treatment and preventative for milder obstructive sleep apnea cases, sleep apnea pillows allow you to get some much-needed rest without worrying about loud snoring or intermittent pauses in breathing.