5 Best Pillows for Sleep Apnea, According to Experts
The right support can help you sleep more soundly.

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There's almost nothing more precious than a good night's sleep. It sets the tone for the entire day ahead and can make a huge difference in mood and overall health. Unfortunately, there are plenty of things that can jeopardize our sleep, whether that's a crying baby, a bad dream, a persistent cold or a health problem like persistent snoring or sleep apnea.
"Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, caused by airway obstruction," says Chester Wu, M.D., who is double-board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. "People with sleep apnea often experience snoring, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating and morning headaches," says Dr. Wu. "Sleep apnea can also increase the risk of other health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke."
For those experiencing sleep apnea, using the proper pillow, along with other modifications, can help mitigate symptoms. These are our picks for the best pillows for sleep apnea.
Our top picks:
The gold standard treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. "CPAP therapy uses a machine to deliver pressurized air through a mask that you wear while you sleep," explains Dr. Wu. "The pressurized air helps to keep the airway open and prevent apnea events." There are other modifications that can help — particularly in less severe cases of sleep apnea — including weight loss and exercise, molded mouthpieces and even the right pillow. Allergy or asthma sufferers with sleep apnea should also avoid down pillows and use dust mite-proof covers, says Lisa F. Wolfe, M.D., a professor of medicine in pulmonary and critical care at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Beyond CPAP pillows (pillows with special cut-outs and a contoured shape to better accommodate CPAP machines), the medical professionals we spoke to said there are a variety of pillow types that can help minimize snoring and other symptoms of sleep apnea. To help you find the best pillows for sleep apnea, we used the medical advice of Dr. Wu and Dr. Wolfe, as well as insight we've gleaned from testing more than 160 different pillows.
Whether you're a side sleeper who prefers the height of a contoured memory foam pillow, a back sleeper who wants a more conventional pillow or someone who needs a true CPAP pillow to comfortably accommodate your machine, here's everything you need to know about our top picks.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.


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