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Sleep apnea is a serious disorder when a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts. There are three main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apneaⓘ Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, occurs when the throat muscles relax, blocking the flow of air into the lungs. , central sleep apneaⓘ This occurs during sleep when the brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. , and treatment-emergent sleep apneaⓘ Also known as complex sleep apnea, treatment-emergent sleep apnea occurs when a person is undergoing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and develops central sleep apnea. . Sleep apnea symptoms include excessive snoring, stopped breathing, gasping for air, dry mouth, morning headaches, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and irritability.
Unfortunately, sleep apnea raises the risk of health problems, like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, if left untreated. One of the most common treatments for sleep apnea is CPAP therapyⓘ Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for sleep apnea. A CPAP machine includes a hose connected to a mask or nosepiece that delivers constant air pressure to help users breathe while sleeping. , which is prescribed by a doctor and tailored to each person’s pressure needs. CPAP therapy consists of a CPAP mask connected by a hose to a CPAP machine. While a CPAP machine is one of the best therapies for sleep apnea, an elevated pillow can help people with sleep apnea keep their airways open and clear.
“Elevating the head can reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea by helping to keep the airway more open during sleep, reducing the chances of obstruction. This position encourages better airflow and may decrease the frequency of apnea episodes,” said Suzanne Gorovoy, PhD, a behavioral sleep medicine specialist and member of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
Some pillows for sleep apnea also include divots or concave areas to fit a CPAP mask and prevent leakage or shifting during the night. If you already use a CPAP machine or want to learn more about pillows that can help reduce sleep apnea symptoms, keep reading to see our top four pillows for sleep apnea.
We found several important factors when testing pillows specifically for those with sleep apnea, including:
The slope of the pillow, or how elevated it keeps the sleeper, is important when looking for pillows that help with sleep apnea. The pillows on this list range in slope from 5–10 inches.
The best sleeping position for sleep apnea is typically side sleeping, which helps keep the sleeper’s airway open. Pillows that are comfortable for side sleeping may help those with sleep apnea.
Many sleepers with sleep apnea use a CPAP mask during the night. A good sleep apnea pillow will include divots or concave areas for the CPAP mask and attached hose, preventing leakage or shifting during sleep.
Pillows that include memory foam can help keep sleepers elevated. Other materials, like soft-down alternatives, might not provide enough slope to help those with sleep apnea.
The Helix Wedge Pillow offers a 10-inch slope that keeps sleepers elevated, which can help prevent airways from being blocked. This pillow combines gel-infused memory foamⓘ Memory foam with small gel pods designed for cooling and polyfoam for an overall firm feel. Our testers noted that it’s likely too firm for most side sleepers and too awkward for stomach sleepers, but back sleepers should be able to rest comfortably.
While laying on their backs, our testers said their spines stayed aligned and felt well-supported. They think this pillow would work best for people who use a sleep apnea mask with a hose that comes out the top (as opposed to the bottom) for easy movement at night. Overall, we gave the Helix Wedge Pillow a 3.5 for both comfort and sleep apnea support.
The Helix Wedge Pillow also has a machine-washable cover and a 100-night sleep trial.
“This pillow was obviously designed for a specific purpose. It is not for side sleepers or people who like a fluffy down feel, but rather for people who want to be elevated to open their airways more or reduce acid reflux.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Helix Wedge Pillow has mainly positive reviews on the brand’s website, with four out of five stars out of 445 reviews. Positive reviews noted that the pillow is helpful for snoring and sleep apnea, while some reviewers complained it was hard to get used to or they didn’t like how large it is.
“I was using 2 pillows to stop snoring but this is so much better. My Oura ring I have shows my sleep score has much improved since using the Helix pillow.”
— Joe B., verified buyer on 06/10/2024
“If you have sleep apnea or just snore loudly, get this pillow. It’s not a cure. However, it will reduce your snoring by a noticeable amount.”
— Alejandro R., verified buyer on 02/14/2024
For more information about Helix, read our brand review of Helix mattresses.
Our testers said this pillow is good for all positions but especially for side sleepers. While on their sides, they were elevated without the pillow being too firm on their necks and shoulders. They said they sank in a bit but felt well-supported, with their heads and necks comfortably aligned. At a loftierⓘ “Loft” refers to how thick a pillow is. A pillow that’s 5 inches thick is considered high loft, while 1–2-inch pillows are low loft. height, our testers noted their chests were elevated, making it an option for reducing sleep apnea, acid reflux, and snoring.
Our testers liked that sleepers can choose how much down alternative vs. memory foam they want in their pillow, making it customizable. The many customizable layers mean you’ll have to keep track of eight inserts, but the pillow fits into a standard pillowcase, and the cover can be washed and dried.
Overall, we gave this pillow a 4.5 out of five for comfort and a 3.5 out of five for sleep apnea support.
“I love the customization offered with this pillow. It allows anyone with it to get a custom sleeping experience to support their needs.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
On the Luxome brand website, this pillow has primarily positive reviews, with 4.9 out of five stars and more than 1,700 reviews. Many reviewers noted that it helps with neck pain and snoring. A few reviewers complained that it’s too complex.
“I purchased these pillows a couple of years ago and absolutely love them! No headaches in the morning, no more neck pain.”
— Marcelline S., verified buyer on 10/05/2024
“We love the design of these pillows, it doesn’t take long to get them adjusted to the right height and softness. The ability to adjust the height and softness combines for an amazing nights sleep.”
— William M., verified buyer on 09/29/2024
For more information about Luxome, read why it’s one of our top picks for best pillows for back pain.
Our testers said this pillow works best for side and back sleepers, but the design does not support stomach sleepers. This pillow is compatible with CPAP machines, so sleepers shouldn’t worry about leakage or shifting at night. The head area is slimmer and the sides dip down, giving the CPAP mask space while a person is on their side. Our testers measured the highest part of the pillow at 4.25 inches, with the contoured mask area measuring 1.5 inches.
While on their sides, our testers said their heads and necks were well-supported. Due to this pillow’s small design, our testers don’t recommend it for people who move around a lot. For back sleepers, our testers noted that they generally felt aligned, but their head and spine were a bit raised.
Overall, we gave this pillow a 3.5 out of five for comfort and a 4.5 out of five for sleep apnea support.
This pillow also includes a machine washable cover and a 30-day return policy.
“The loft feels nice in terms of alignment from both the back and side sleeping position. The edge of the pillow where my neck falls off is also a bit contoured, which is quite lovely! It is pretty comfy.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
We found few reviews for this product online, but the ones we did find were positive. On Google, the pillow has five out of five stars with three reviews.
“This pillow made my cpap sleep more comfortable. As a side sleeper, I found the height perfect and the straps just molded in the pillow.
— Roni, reviewed 3/28/2023
“Very comfortable to use makes breathing easier.”
— dhl43, reviewed 3/11/2023
If you’re looking for an affordable CPAP, read about how much a CPAP costs.
Our testers said this pillow is a great design for people using a CPAP machine. The pillow has a concave area for the head to rest, divots on the sides to fit a CPAP mask, and a hose tether so your CPAP machine can move with you as you sleep.
This pillow is also customizable with flippable sides (fiberfill and 3D mesh) and three inserts of memory foam, high-resiliency foam, and charcoal-infused high-resiliency foam. When using the soft fiberfill side, our testers said it was softer but supportive, and the curved design cradled their necks nicely. The foam side was a bit firmer, but they noted it offered the same loft and support.
We found this pillow best for side and back sleepers, with our side-lying testers saying they felt well-supported. The pillow also offers good contouring and some elevation, but our testers noted they needed all three layers to feel completely aligned.
Our testers said their spines were aligned while on their backs. Their necks stayed neutral, and their spines felt great when lying on the fiberfill side. They also felt cradled while on the memory foam.
Overall, we rated this pillow five out of five for both comfort and sleep apnea support.
This pillow does not come with a cover but includes a 45-day return policy.
“I thought it was going to be way too lofty for me with all three layers, but it wasn’t. Unlike the other CPAP pillow I tried, this one feels sturdy and like I can move without the sides buckling. While there is more surface area for my head there is not as much as a traditional pillow. There is a curve built into this pillow to allow your neck to fall into place easily.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Contour Products CPAPMax 2.0 Pillow has primarily positive reviews on the brand’s website, with four out of five stars and 175 reviews. Many people praised the pillow for providing comfort with their CPAP masks, while a few complained that it was too small or firm.
“I have been using this pillow for years in fact this is my 3rd CPAPMAX CPAP BED PILLOW 2.0. I love the softness of it and it helps me sleep better as I’m a side sleeper.”
— John., verified buyer on 05/21/2024
“This is the best pillow of any kind I’ve ever slept on! I don’t yet have my CPAP yet but got the pillow in advance. My chiropractor said this was the easiest adjustment I ever had.”
— Dorothy R., verified buyer on 01/31/2023
For more information about CPAP masks, read our review of the best full-face CPAP masks.
Our Reviews Team recommends products and services we believe provide value to the lives of our readers. We have researched 28 sleep apnea pillow brands and have compared each model on a set of key specifications and features. As we perform our in-depth research, we interview industry experts to provide the most accurate review possible.
We evaluate each pillow’s suitability for sleep apnea by testing for things like firmness, elevation, and design customizations for CPAP machines. Pillows that provide the right mix of elevation, firmness, and suitability for side sleepers will score the highest.
To learn more about our testing, review our sleep methodology.
| Cost | $109 | $120 | $60 | $80 |
| Material | Pillow: gel-infused memory foam and polyfoam Cover: rayon and polyester | Pillow: gel-infused shredded memory foam and down alternative Cover: bamboo | Pillow: memory foam Cover: polyester | Pillow: memory foam, fiberfill, high-resiliency foam, and charcoal-infused high-resiliency foam |
| Our firmness rating* | Firm | Down alternative: Soft Memory foam: Firm Both: Medium | Medium | Firm |
| Trial period | 100-night sleep trial | 30-day return policy | 30-day return policy | 45-day return policy |
While no pillow can cure sleep apnea, some pillows may help reduce symptoms or make your sleeping experience more comfortable. The pillows in this roundup either feature a large slope for elevation, provide contour for a CPAP mask, or provide both. Many of them are customizable, with optional inserts to add firmness or height, allowing them to work for a variety of sleeping positions.
When looking for a sleep apnea pillow, keep your preferred sleeping position, desired materials, and available budget in mind. Some pillows on this list don’t work for all sleeping positions. Finally, look at the pillow’s material before purchasing, as sleep apnea pillows may be firmer than you’re used to.
The best position for sleep apnea is generally side sleeping because it can help keep the airway open. Elevating your upper body can also help reduce breathing difficulties, so most of these pillows have a higher slope.
While pillows cannot cure sleep apnea, those with a high slope can help keep a sleeper’s airway open. This includes wedge pillows or any pillow with a higher loft. Pillows that offer contouring or divots to fit CPAP masks can also help those with sleep apnea.
Pillows that work best for sleep apnea will have a higher slope and additional contouring or divots to allow space for CPAP masks and hoses.
Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
