Snoring is a common sleep problem that can wake someone up and annoy their sleep partner. Some reasons for snoring, like sleep apnea, need special treatment, but if your snoring is mild to moderate, changing your pillow and making other changes to your life may help. Do you know there are pillows for snorers?

Pillows for snoring are usually made to raise the sleeper’s head and shoulders or help them sleep in a way that keeps them from snoring as much. There are many different types and materials of anti-snoring pillows, so shoppers have much to choose from.

We’ll talk about the best pillows for snoring, what makes people snore, how to choose the best pillow for your body type, and how you like to sleep. Lastly, we’ll tell you about some other changes you can make to your life to stop snoring and get better sleep.

What is Snoring?

When we sleep, our tongues relax and slightly fall back on our lips. The soft tongue and uvula in the back of our throats also loosen up. All of this makes it harder to breathe. Gravity worsens the problem, and for some people, it’s enough to make breathing hard. When you breathe, the tissues in the walls of your throat move, and if the opening is too small, that vibration makes a harsh or hoarse sound. This is called snoring.

Is Snoring Bad?

Snoring isn’t bad in and of itself. Some people can’t help snoring because it’s not something they can control. But snoring could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), especially if you wake up groggy, can’t concentrate, feel sleepy during the day, and are more irritable than usual.

Of course, if you or your partner think you have OSA, you should talk to a doctor because you’ll need more than just an excellent pillow to help.

What Causes Snoring?

The Mayo Clinic says that there are many reasons why people snore. The most popular reasons why people snore are:

• Your mouth & sinus anatomy: If your soft palate is low and thick, it can block your mouth and cause you to snore.
• Allergies or illnesses: Some allergies and illnesses can block your mouth, making it hard to breathe well.
• Alcohol consumption: Alcohol makes the muscles in your throat relax. When your muscles are relaxed, they don’t work as well and can block your lungs.
• Weight: People who are overweight are likelier to snore because the extra fat around their throats can narrow their passageways.

In general, snoring happens when your airway is too small, or your mouth has been blocked. Snoring can be caused by how you sleep or your head is positioned. Having the right pillow, which puts you in a neutral position, can open your lungs and help you breathe better.

A Quick Look at the 15 Best Pillows for Snoring

1. Best for Back Sleepers –The Brentwood Home Zuma Foam Wedge Pillow
2. Best Overall – Saatva Natural Latex
3. Best for Side Sleepers – Eli & Elm Side Sleeper
4. Best adjustable design – WoodyKnows Side-Sleeping Back Pillow
5. Best latex anti-snore pillow – Saatva Latex Pillow
6. Best affordable anti-snore pillow – EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow
7. Best adjustable anti-snore pillow – Layla Kapok Pillow
8. Best Ec0-Friendly Anti-Snore Pillow – Avocado Green Pillow
9. Best Memory Foam Wedge Pillow – Xtreme Comforts Memory Foam Wedge Pillow
10. Best for Snoring & Neck Pain – TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
11. Best Wedge – MedCline Shoulder Relief System
12. Best chemical-free – The Original Groove Pillow
13. Best for traveling – Tempur-Pedic NeckPillow
14. Best cooling anti-snore pillow: Purple Pillow
15. Best customized anti-snore pillow: Pluto Pillow

The Best Pillows for Snoring

You can buy different pillows online that might help you stop snoring. If an allergy makes a person snore, they should check the product’s ingredients to ensure it won’t worsen their allergens.

Here are the 15 best pillows to help you stop snoring.

1. The Brentwood Home Zuma Foam Wedge Pillow

The gradual slope of the wedge helps raise the head, neck, and chest, which may help with breathing problems and reduce snoring. The pillow has a removable, reusable rayon knit cover made from bamboo.

Climate Neutral and Brentwood Home work together to cut down on pollution. It also has the CertiPUR-US certification because it doesn’t use mercury, lead, heavy metals, or ozone-depleting chemicals when making foams and other goods.

This pillow is wide and big enough to support a person’s shoulders, neck, and head, so it might be best for people who sleep on their backs.

2. Saatva Natural Latex

The Saatva rubber pillow stands out among other pillows and is one of our favorites at Mattress Clarity. The Saatva latex pillow is the best choice for people who sleep on their backs and want warmth and support.

Saatva uses a three-chamber design with a soft 100% cotton cover, a plush microfiber layer, and a shredded rubber core. This mix of materials makes it great for people who sleep on their backs and want a mix of warmth and support.

If your head and neck are in a normal position while you sleep, you may be able to stop snoring. This pillow can help keep your lungs open by aligning your head with your chest.

3. Eli & Elm Side Sleeper

If you sleep on your side, getting into that neutral position that will help you stop snoring can be hard. The side sleeper pillow from Eli & Elm is unique because of how it is shaped and made.

On one side of the pillow is a U-shaped cutout that fits your shoulder and makes sleeping on your side more natural and comfy.

This was also made by Eli & Elm to be a flexible pillow. This means removing or adding latex noodles to make this pillow the right height and stiffness. It may take some practice, but sleeping in a neutral position will help you stop snoring in the long run.

4. WoodyKnows Side-Sleeping Back Pillow

The Columbia University Department of Otolaryngology says sleeping in specific ways can worsen snoring. Instead of sleeping on their back, they say, people should sleep on their sides.

This WoodyKnows pillow is a special kind that you wear on your back. It has a cushion to stop a person from rolling onto their back.

The company that makes the cloth says that it is breathable and comfortable. The company says the small model may be best for people with backs between 14.5 and 17 inches wide, while the large model may be best for people with backs over 16 inches wide. People can change how much air is in the pillow to make it the right size and thickness for them.

5. Saatva Latex Pillow

The natural rubber pillow from Saatva is customizable, so you can add or remove fill to make a pillow perfect for how you sleep. The pillow is made with supportive Talalay latex to help it keep its shape and your back in the right place.

Shredded rubber can provide support and help keep the body at a comfortable temperature while you sleep. The organic cotton cover can be washed in a machine, and the pillow won’t lose shape over time because the sides are gusseted.

6. EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow

This anti-snoring pillow is cheaper, and it’s easy to buy on Amazon. Memory foam is used to make it. Its shape is meant to keep the neck, shoulders, and back in the right place, and you can adjust the fill to make it higher or lower based on your taste.

Reviewers say that the pillow helped them with neck pain and can be used whether you sleep on your back or side. Depending on how tall you are, you may or may not need as much help. One tall reviewer said that the customer service was good and that the company even sent him extra pillow inserts so that his pillow was the right height.

7. Layla Kapok Pillow

Kapok fibers, which come from the seeds of the Kapok tree, are used to make the Layla Pillow. These fibers are mixed with memory foam that CertiPUR-US have approved. This gives the mattress a soft, shaped feel that is slightly heavier than down.

The pillow can be changed in every way, so you can add or take away filling to find the right height for a good night’s sleep. The stitched cover is made of a mix of viscose and polyester that is very soft and helps the mattress breathe so you stay cool all night.

8. Avocado Green Pillow

Avocado makes this pillow by putting organic ribbons of latex foam and Kapok fibers inside an organic jersey cotton layer. The pillow is then wrapped in an organic quilted cotton cover that can be washed in a machine with a zipper. According to the company, this makes it an utterly non-toxic choice. It has a medium-plush feel, is light and airy, and molds to the shape of your body for support no matter how you sleep.

Plus, you can change the pillows at home to make them fit your wants best. Each pillow has an extra fill bag, so you can add or take away to find the right softness, loft, and support. GreenGuard and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 are just two third-party approvals showing the pillow is made from organic and healthy materials.

9. Xtreme Comforts Memory Foam Wedge Pillow

A wedge pillow is the best way to stop snoring because it keeps the head higher than the rest of the body. Our best memory foam wedge pillow choice is this one from Xtreme Comforts. With a height of seven inches and a steep angle of 30 degrees, it lifts the head higher than regular bed pillows.

The wedge shape is flexible and can be used in different ways, such as for reading in bed or as a leg rest. Also, we love that the soft bamboo cover stays cool even in the summer. It’s also one of the least expensive anti-snoring pillows we tried, costing about $35. What’s wrong? Off-gassing gives off a strong chemical smell at first that lasts up to a week.

10. TEMPUR-Neck Pillow

You might not always be able to hear yourself breathing, but if your neck hurts during the night, you will know. Many orthopedic pillows can help with breathing and neck pain, but the TEMPUR-Neck pillow from TEMPUR-Pedic is one of my favorites.

The shape of this pillow is made to fit your head, neck, and shoulder so that your head and neck stay balanced. It works best for people who sleep on their backs or sides and want help with neck pain and support for their necks.

The primary purpose of this pillow is to help ease neck pain, but many customers said their partners stopped snoring when they used the TEMPUR-Neck.

11. MedCline Shoulder Relief System

Experts say putting your head or whole body up can help stop snoring. Wedge pillows are here! The MedCline Shoulder Relief wedge pillow will help you sit up straight and give you excellent shoulder support.

This combination wedge and body pillow comes in three main parts: the wedge, the body pillow, and a space filler pillow. You put your arm through a hole in the body pillow and sleep with it around your shoulder.

Every part of the system is filled with memory foam and has a cover that feels minky. So you should find a way to stop snoring and get rid of the pain in your shoulder simultaneously. You can also find this pillow on Amazon, which makes sending it easy.

12. The Original Groove Pillow

This Original EasySleeper pillow may help stop snoring because it supports the head and neck. The company says it lowers pain and stiffness in the neck and upper back and helps people sleep naturally.

Groove says this pillow has no extra chemicals and is made of memory foam with bamboo charcoal, a polyester layer, and a scuba material cover.

According to the company, this pillow is best for people over 13 who like to sleep on their side or back.

One can buy one Original Groove Pillow or a set of two, three, or four pillows with savings on more giant sets.

13. Tempur-Pedic NeckPillow

Tempur-Pedic recommends this pillow for people who travel because it is small and has a bag to put it in. It is a tough pillow that might work for people whose snoring improves when their head and neck are better supported.

The company says it supports the head, neck, and shoulders while a person sleeps on their back or side. It has a channel in the middle where a person’s head sits, and the edges are raised to give support.

14. Purple Pillow

This pillow is made from the same “Purple grid” material used to make Purple beds. It’s a type of foam with holes that lets air flow better and keeps you cool and comfy.

The normal height of the pillow is 3 inches, but you can add booster layers, which come with the pillow, if you want it to be taller. This can help you find the right amount of head lifts to stop snoring.

The mesh is made of a material that lets air in and can be washed in a machine. The other parts can be washed by hand. Both CertiPUR-US and Clean Air GOLD have approved the products.

Customers say this pillow keeps them cool and comfy all night and stops them from snoring. Each pillow also comes with a 100-night trial period and a one-year guarantee.

15. Pluto Pillow

The best pillow for you might be the one that is made just for you. At Pluto Pillow, each pillow is ordered based on your body type, how you sleep, and your tastes. Answer a series of questions, and the unique process will make a pillow that fits you in every way (with a 110-night trial period in case something isn’t quite right the first time). 

Each pillow has a core of CertiPUR-US-certified foam that fits your density, hardness, and thickness needs. The core is wrapped in a sealed layer filled with coated silky fibers. The width and number of these fibers can be changed to meet your needs. Lastly, it’s put in an outer layer made just for you. You can choose cooling fibers or a mix of eucalyptus that keeps your body temperature stable.

You May Find Interest: Alternatives to an Air Mattress for Better Sleeping

Comparison of the Best Pillows for Snoring

The table below compares the pillows in this article.

What to Consider When Purchasing a Pillow for Snoring

Some of the most important things to look for in a pillow for snoring are sleeping position, loft, support, hardness, and so on. Not only do these things affect how comfortable you are, but they can also affect how likely soft tissues will vibrate at night.

Many companies that make pillows to stop snoring try to make it seem suitable for all sleepers and sleeping situations. Even though these choices may work for most people, they won’t be the best for everyone because everyone has different needs and tastes. You can find the best snoring pillow for you by weighing the different things that affect your sleep against how the pillow is made.

Sleeping Position

How you sleep can affect how comfortable, straight, and loud you snore. Most people should try to find a pillow that keeps their neck straight. Letting their head hang down or pushing it up could put more pressure on their mouth and cause them to snore. Gravity pulls on the soft tissues in the throat, which makes back sleepers more likely to snore. Some people who sleep on their backs use a wedge pillow to raise their heads.

Loft

The right pillow height is important for keeping your spine in good shape and can help you stop snoring. If the model is too thick, it could push the head up; if it is too thin, it could let the head hang down. Both of these things could make breathing harder and cause more coughing.

The best loft relies mostly on your body type and how you sleep. Sleepers with broader shoulders and/or heavier heads often need a more oversized pillow to fill the space between their mattress, head, and neck while still providing enough support. Those with narrower shoulders and/or smaller heads often need a thinner pillow to provide support without too much lift.

Support

Support is important for keeping your spine in the right place and can also help stop you from snoring. If the head of a person who sleeps on their back or side presses down on a flat pillow, the neck may bend, making breathing hard. Also, if the pillow is too firm, it could force the neck to bend the opposite way, which could also pressure the soft tissues.

Finding the right amount of support is often a matter of trial and error since it can depend on how heavy your head is, how you sleep, how deep your shoulders are, and other factors.

Firmness Level

The support and comfort of a pillow depending on how hard it is. People who weigh more and need extra support to keep their heads straight may prefer a firm pillow, while people who weigh less and want to sink into their pillow may prefer a softer one.

When judging hardness, you should also consider how you sleep and how high the pillow is. Side and back sleepers usually need harder beds than stomach sleepers. But based on how it is filled, a thick pillow may not need to be as firm to feel supportive.

Shape

Different pillow shapes can be used to stop snoring based on how you sleep and what you like. Some people sleep better with regular rectangular bed pillows, while others do better with a wedge-shaped or shaped pillow.

Wedge pillows raise the upper body, not just the head and neck. This is meant to make it less likely that gravity will squeeze the soft tissues of the airway. Ergonomic, shaped pillows help keep the spine straight, which could help some people stop snoring.

Pressure Relief

Even though pressure release doesn’t significantly affect snoring, it can greatly affect your comfort. A pillow that molds to the head and neck to redistribute the weight of the head and neck can help keep pressure from building up in one spot. This can help avoid aches, pains, and “hot spots” when pressure builds up in one place.

Quality Materials

The materials used to make a pillow affect its comfort, performance, longevity, and support, so choosing a model made of suitable materials can make a big difference in how you sleep.

Most anti-snoring pillows with lower-quality parts cost less, but it may be worth spending more on a high-quality one if it works better, feels better, or lasts longer. Since allergic responses can cause snoring, people with allergies may also want to think about how easy it is to clean the pillow and how likely it is to cause allergies.

Price

Snoring pillows have a wide range of prices, just like any other pillow. Easy options on the wallet start at less than $40, while high-end options with the latest technology can cost more than $150. When considering the price, you should also consider the value as a whole. Options that last longer may not need to be changed as often, so they may be worth it in the long run, even if they cost more initially.

Moldability

How easy it is to change the shape of the pillow is what moldability means. Some snore people may like to bunch up their pillow so it fits comfortably under their head and neck and lets them sleep in any position they want. But this may mean you must work harder at night to find the right shape to keep your back straight and your airway from getting too tight.

Temperature Regulation

Even though not much study has been done on how temperature affects snoring, many experts agree that sleeping in a more open room is better. In the same way, finding a pillow that controls temperature well can make it less likely that the sleeper will get too hot and have to move around to find the cool side. Breathable types usually do an excellent job controlling temperature because they let heat escape. Some modern parts, like phase change material and foam with gel, are also excellent.

Related Read: 15 Firm Mattresses for a Supportive Night’s Sleep

How to Stop Snoring?

You can do a few things to stop snoring that are in your power.

• Using the right pillow: This guide is about choosing the right pillow. Find a pillow that will lift your head or upper chest at least 4 inches off the bed. You can use a wedge pillow or a pillow with a high loft to give yourself a sure boost.
• Use anti-snoring devices:  You may have seen ads for them on TV. Whether you use a nasal strip or a mouthpiece, the point of these tools is to keep your lungs open.
• Use a humidifier: If you’re snoring because your nose is stuffy, a humidifier can help keep your lungs moist. This will help break up anything stuck in your lungs and make it easier for your body to clear congestion when it happens.

These are, of course, just a few ways you can try to stop breathing alone. If you try these things and they don’t help you stop sleeping, and you think it might be because of something more serious, you should see a doctor. A CPAP machine will help people told they have sleep apnea.

Last Tips for Dealing With Snoring

One way to help stop snoring is to change the pillow you sleep on. You can also get personalized help from your doctor and cut down on your use of tobacco and alcohol.

Speak with your doctor: Your doctor can tell if your snoring is caused by sleep apnea and suggest any treatment you might need. Some solutions for snoring, like CPAP machines for sleep apnea and some mouthpieces that stop snoring, can only be bought with a doctor’s prescription. Doctors may also suggest Myofunctional treatment to help your mouth, tongue, and throat muscles get stronger.

Adjust your sleeping position and posture: Sleeping on your back can make you snore, but some study shows that sleeping on your side or with your upper body raised may help. You can raise your head and neck or get used to sleeping on your side in several ways, such as by putting a pillow behind your back or using a movable bed base.

Lifestyle changes: Other changes you can make to stop snoring depend on your unique risk factors. People who have been told they are obese, for example, can talk to their doctors about whether losing weight might help them stop breathing. People who smoke or drink booze before bed can also talk to their doctors about how to stop doing these things and other things that make them snore worse.

Summary

Snoring happens when the airway gets too small, making parts of the mouth and throat move as air tries to get through. Snoring can be a sign of more severe health problems, but it can also be caused by allergies, breathing problems, drinking too much alcohol, or how a person sleeps.

A pillow may help stop snoring by putting the head and neck in a way that opens the airways and makes it easier for air to flow through the throat and into the lungs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pillows for Snorers

Below are answers to commonly asked questions about pillows for snoring.

Will a Wedge Pillow Help with Snoring?

Some people may be able to stop snoring with the help of a wedge pillow. They raise the upper part of the body so that soft tissues are less likely to block passages because of position. This makes vibrations less likely to happen. Even though wedge pillows might not work for everyone, many people find them helpful based on why they snore.

Can too many pillows cause snoring?

If you like to stack your pillows and sleep on your back, having too many pillows could make you snore. If your head falls too far into your chest, you could block your lungs, making you snore.

Are wedge pillows good for snoring?

A wedge pillow will lift your upper body and head in the same way that having the right height helps. For this reason, we put the MedCline shoulder comfort system pillows on our list. Wedge pillows can also help with acid reflux, one of their many benefits.

What sleeping position is best for snoring?

Sleeping on your side might be the best way to stop snoring. If you sleep on your back, the base of your tongue may rest against the back of your throat and block your mouth. This can make you snore. When you sleep on your side, your mouth may be more open.

What height wedge pillow is suitable for snoring?

Researchers have found that sleeping with your upper body tilted can make you snore less. One study found that raising the head of the bed by 12 degrees made people sleep better and snore less. Another study found that snoring stopped at a 20-degree angle.

What is the best material for an anti-snore pillow? 

James thinks foam is the best choice because it gives your lungs stability. “Down, feathers, and hollow fiber can be very comfortable and shaped to fit your neck and shoulders, but when you move in your sleep, that support will go away.”