As you drift off to sleep, your muscles relax. Unfortunately for approximately 25 percent of adults, this results in habitual snoring as the tongue and soft tissue fall back in the mouth and block the airway. This means the snorer and those within earshot are unable to fully enjoy a restful night’s sleep.
I am among the sleep partners of the world who are awoken on a regular basis to loud snoring, so we recently tried out a variety of anti-snoring devices on the market. Today, we’re going to take a look at two mandibular advancement devices. These products make an effort to stop snoring by forcing your lower jaw forward to help keep the tongue and soft tissue from falling back toward the throat.
While they each have their own unique features, keep reading to see just how Zyppah vs SnoreRx pans out. Although I definitely know a thing or two about snoring, I’m not a doctor. However, having had first-hand experience with each product on someone who suffers from obstructive sleep apnea, our information can steer you in the right direction in deciding which would likely work best in your situation.
A Look at the Boil-and-Bite Customization Method
The ability to customize is pretty important when it comes to anti-snoring mouthpieces. Everyone’s mouth is different, and a poor fit can make a big difference when it comes to comfort. Considering that you’re going to have the device in your mouth for eight hours every night, I think it goes without saying that you want it to fit right.
Both Zyppah and SnoreRx employ the use of the popular boil-and-bite method. This is a process through which:
1. Water is boiled.
2. Device is submerged.
3. The snorer bites down on the softened material to create a dental impression.
4. Impression is set by dipping the device in cold water.
Awhile back, we posted reviews for each product, during which time we went through the specific boil-and-bite process for each. They were pretty much the same. Zyppah is submerged for 30-45 seconds while SnoreRX needs to stay in the boiling water for 90 seconds. Both products are capable of undergoing the process up to three times before they begin to lose structural integrity.
Zyppah vs SnoreRX: Do They Put a Stop to Snoring?
Testing the Zyppah Mouthpiece
Testing the Snorerx Mouthpiece
The great news is that each product did put a stop to my sleep partner’s snoring. He found them both to fit his mouth pretty well, and he seems to respond positively to the concept of lower jaw advancement.
Compatible for Mouth Breathers
Snorerx Airhole
Zyppah Airhole
Ideally, you want to keep your mouth closed when you sleep. The nose works to warm and moisten the air you breathe as well as keep harmful bacteria from entering the body. However, it’s not always possible to breathe through your nose. Aside from times of illness, things like nasal polyps can make it impossible. Both of these products incorporate the use of air holes in the front to accommodate mouth breathing.
SnoreRX for Comfort
- Michael and I both agreed that SnoreRX was more comfortable. For starters, it offers its Micro Fit feature that allows you to adjust the lower jaw advancement in one-millimeter increments. This makes it possible to find the fit that’s not only the most comfortable but also the most effective at putting an end to snoring.
- Zyppah has a set position that I found to be a little too far forward to fit my mouth comfortably, although my sleep partner said it worked well for him.
Special Note for Female Snorers
For me, both products were large and very difficult to fit in my mouth. Most snorers are male, and their chins typically protrude further forward while their mandibles are usually larger than those of females.
If you’re a female snorer, I think you may find more success with a product that offers different sizes. For example, VitalSleep offers sizes for men and women, and ZQuiet provides two products when you order, one larger than the other. I think female snorers will be more likely to find what they’re looking for in devices like these.
A Look at Zyppah’s Tongue Strap
Zyppah has a tongue strap that’s designed to put pressure on the tongue to keep it from falling back and obstructing the airway. For me, this caused a pretty consistent gag reflex during the week that I tried it out. I did start to get used to it, but it felt awkward. However, if you’ve tried mouthpieces and found they didn’t completely put a stop to your snoring, I think Zyppah’s tongue strap could offer the additional help you need.
Sometimes, you have to compromise on comfort a little bit to reap the desired effect of ending snoring. Each product features the initial discomfort that most mouthpieces do. You have to keep in mind that they are designed to hold your jaw in a somewhat unnatural position, so an initial period of discomfort and jaw soreness can be expected. You do get used to it, though. We found that, if you chew some gum when you wake up, it helps work out the kinks until the adaptation period subsides.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Both Zyppah and SnoreRx allow the use of toothpaste and a toothbrush for cleaning. If ease of cleaning is a big buying point for you, Zyppah features a really smooth design we found easy to clean without many grooves and crevices.
You also have the option to purchase Zyppah’s anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial cleaning foam for $18. We just went with the toothpaste method, but if you have medical issues that make you more susceptible to illness, this is something worth considering. Of course, you can always buy the cleaning foam separately regardless of what device you end up choosing.
Unique Aesthetic Feature with Zyppah
Something we found unique with Zyppah that we haven’t experienced with other products has to do with aesthetics. My Zyppah device is green and grey, and it’s the most popular choice. They also offer periodic, limited-time designs like:
- Beauty
- Military
- Ghost
- Pink
- USA
I definitely wouldn’t recommend allowing the appearance of the device to play a large role in your decision-making process, but it does look pretty cool! Let’s face it, anti-snoring mouthpieces can look downright silly, but Zyppah makes an effort to keep you looking as stylish as possible!
Durability: Is the Tongue Strap Worth It in Your Case?
My main hang-up with Zyppah is that it’s only expected to last four to six months when properly cared for. Much of this has to do with the fact that, due to constant pressure, the tongue strap is known to come loose. Therefore, before you buy, I’d experiment to see just how big of a role your tongue plays in your snoring.
If it’s a key catalyst, Zyppah could be a better option than other products on the market. However, if not, you can save money going with something else. SnoreRX should last around nine to eleven months.
Cost Comparison
These two products are priced very similarly. You can buy your Zyppah for $99.95, and SnoreRX comes in at $99 with the option to get a second device for a total of $154. This provides a savings of fifty-five dollars. You could give the second device to a fellow snorer or keep it around for when the first device begins to wear.
Is SnoreRx the Best Choice?
Considering durability expectations, it may seem the obvious choice here is SnoreRX, and in our experience, this was the better option. However, before you mark it off your list, consider Zyppah’s trial period. You get a full 90 days to try it out, and this is plenty of time to see if its additional focus on tongue stabilization is worth the durability compromise.
SnoreRX only gives you a 30-day trial. It was able to put a stop to my sleep partner’s snoring without the additional focus on keeping his tongue stabilized. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from this feature. I’d suggest speaking with your doctor to get a better idea of how much of an impact your tongue makes on your snoring. Or, start with SnoreRX. If it doesn’t work, use your trial period, and then give Zyppah a spin.
Zyppah vs SnoreRX: Our Final Verdict
At the end of the day, my sleep partner preferred SnoreRX.
Despite his preference, this doesn’t mean Zyppah won’t work for you. For example, while neither device can be worn with dentures, Zyppah can be used if you have bridgework or missing teeth, unlike SnoreRX. It also offers the color options and can be an excellent choice for people who suffer from an enlarged tongue, which frequently causes airway obstructions.
Advice for Male vs Female Snorers
Unfortunately, if you’re a female snorer, I don’t think either of these products is the best choice unless you have a larger-than-average jaw. I had a really hard time closing my mouth with each product, and this caused them to pretty consistently fall out of my mouth as well as promoted excessive drooling. In your case, I’d check out SnoreMeds. It offers versions for men and women. Even though we had the men’s version, I was able to fit it in my mouth easily, so I think this would be a much more compatible product.
For the guys though, I would say start with SnoreRX. If that doesn’t work, Zyppah’s tongue stabilizer may be that extra feature you need, in which case I’d say the lower durability is compensated for.
If you’re still not quite sure or have some final thoughts or questions before you feel confident in making a choice for the best snoring device for your unique needs, feel free to drop us a line! We’d love to hear from you, and we’ll get back with useful information to help you arrive at the right decision.
Zyppah vs SnoreRx Comparison Table
| Zyppah | SnoreRx |
|---|---|
| No ability to make lower mandible adjustments | Stays in place well |
| Better for snorers with larger jaws | |
| Ability to customize using a boil-and-bite method | Great fit for those with large jaws |
| Aesthetically-pleasing with several design options | Customization through the boil-and-bite method |
| Can help those with a strong need for tongue stabilization | 30-day trial period with the full money-back guarantee |
| Tongue strap can come off over time which leads to a durability of only four to six months | Allows mouth breathing through V-Flow design, but doesn’t allow you to open and close your mouth |
| Great trial period of 90 days | Allows for lower mandibular advancement customization through Micro Fit feature |
| Can be cleaned with toothpaste | Can be cleaned with toothpaste |
| Not for use with dentures, but can use with bridgework or missing teeth | Can’t be used with dentures |
| Accredited by Better Business Bureau | Durability nine to 11 months |
| FDA-approved | FDA-approved |