10 Best Pillows for Snoring in 2024

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This article explains in more depth why people snore. It also lists 10 pillows that may help open the airways and reduce snoring.

• Best for back sleepers: The Brentwood Home Zuma Foam Wedge Pillow | Skip to review
• Best hypoallergenic materials: Abco Tech Bed Wedge Pillow | Skip to review
• Best adjustable design: WoodyKnows Side-Sleeping Back Pillow | Skip to review
• Best for neck support: Sissel Classic Orthopedic Pillow | Skip to review
• Best chemical-free: The Original Groove Pillow | Skip to review
• Best for traveling: Tempur-Pedic NeckPillow – Travel | Skip to review
• Best for all sleep positions: EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow | Skip to review
• Best for adjustable height: Purple Pillow | Skip to review
• Best for organic materials: Avocado Green Pillow | Skip to review
• Best for blended fill: Layla Kapok Pillow | Skip to review

Medical News Today chooses mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet the following criteria:

• Certifications: MNT will choose products that have CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means the products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
• Size: MNT chooses products that are available in various sizes.
• Materials and fill: MNT selects products made from different materials and fills, such as memory foam and latex, to suit a range of sleep preferences and lifestyles.
• Budget: MNT features products to suit a wide range of budgets.
• Firmness: MNT selects mattresses that are available in a range of firmness options to suit most people’s sleeping styles.
• Sleep trials: MNT chooses companies that offer a sleep trial.
• Shipping: Where possible, MNT will include shipping information, such as where the company delivers to and whether shipping is free.
• Warranties and return policies: MNT will include products that have warranties and clear returns policies.

Various pillows that could help reduce snoring are available to purchase online. If an allergy is causing a person to snore, it is important that they check the product’s materials to ensure that it will not worsen their allergies.

Below are seven of the best pillows to help reduce snoring.

Best for back sleepers: The Brentwood Home Zuma Foam Wedge Pillow

• Price: $54–69
• Dimensions: 24 x 24 inches (in), with a choice of height
• Weight: no information

The gradual slope of the wedge helps elevate the head, neck, and torso, potentially aiding respiratory issues and reducing snoring.

The pillow includes a removable and washable, bamboo-derived rayon knit cover.

Brentwood Home works with Climate Neutral to reduce emissions. It also holds the CertiPUR-US certification, as it produces foams and products without mercury, lead, heavy metals, and ozone depleters.

This pillow may best suit people who prefer to sleep on their back, as it is wide and large enough to support a person’s shoulders, neck, and head.

Best hypoallergenic materials: Abco Tech Bed Wedge Pillow

• Price: $26.99–39.99
• Dimensions: 25 x 24 in, with a choice of height
• Weight: no information

This Abco Tech pillow inclines the upper body and provides support.

It comes with the following features:

• choice of 7- and 12-in heights
• high-density memory foam core
• breathable design
• contouring support

According to the manufacturer, the pillow is hypoallergenic, making it suitable for people with allergies.

The pillow cover is washable, meaning people with allergies can reduce their symptoms by washing it as necessary.

Best adjustable design: WoodyKnows Side-Sleeping Back Pillow

• Price: $59.99
• Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 3 in, for the large size
• Weight: 1.5 pounds (lb)

The Columbia University Department of Otolaryngology states that certain sleep positions could make snoring worse, advising people to sleep on their side instead of their back.

This WoodyKnows pillow is a unique type of pillow that a person wears on their back. It contains an airbag to deter a person from rolling onto their back.

The manufacturer claims that the fabric is breathable and comfortable.

The company writes that the small model may best suit people with a back width between 14.5 in and 17 in, while the large may suit those with a back width of more than 16 in.

A person can adjust the pillow’s air capacity to achieve their preferred size and firmness.

Best for neck support: Sissel Classic Orthopedic Pillow

• Price: $75
• Dimensions: 18 x 13 in, with a choice of height
• Weight: 1.63 lb

This pillow provides neck support that encourages alignment of the head and spine during sleep.

The pillow may help reduce snoring by positioning the head and neck in a more natural position, allowing the airways to remain open.

Best chemical-free: The Original Groove Pillow

• Price: $59.95
• Dimensions: 23.6 x 13.3 x 4.3 in
• Weight: 2.2 lb

By providing support to the head and neck, this Original EasySleeper pillow may alleviate snoring. The company claims it reduces neck and upper back pain and stiffness and promotes a natural sleep posture.

According to Groove, this pillow contains no added chemicals and consists of bamboo-charcoal-infused memory foam, a polyester lining, and a scuba material cover.

The company writes that this pillow best suits people aged 13 years and over who prefer to sleep on their side and back.

A person can buy one Original Groove Pillow or select a set of two, three, or four pillows, with savings on larger sets.

Best for traveling: Tempur-Pedic NeckPillow – Travel

• Price: $79
• Dimensions: 12 x 10 x 4 in
• Weight: 2.16 lb

Tempur-Pedic recommends this pillow for travelers because it is compact and comes with a storage pouch. It is an extra-firm pillow that may suit people whose snoring improves with increased head and neck support.

According to the company, it supports the head, neck, and shoulders while a person sleeps on their back or side. It features a contour channel in the middle of the pillow where a person’s head rests, and the elevated edges provide support.

Best for all sleep positions: EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow

• Price: $39.99
• Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 4.2 in
• Weight: 2.8 lb

This EPABO pillow helps provide support for side, back, and stomach sleepers. It is made from memory foam, and the cover is made of a soft rayon polyester blend fabric.

It has an ergonomic design and aims to support the head, neck, and shoulders. A contour in the middle of the pillow’s edge may keep a person’s head in a neutral position while they sleep.

Best for adjustable height: Purple Pillow

• Price: from $134
• Dimensions: 23.6 x 13.3 x 4.3 in
• Weight: 11.7 lb

Each Purple Pillow comes with two pillow boosters a person can use to make this pillow the right height for their needs. The boosters are made from purple polyurethane foam. The Purple Pillow also features 3 inches of the manufacturer’s proprietary GelFlex Grid.

According to the manufacturer, the Grid is soft, supportive, cool, breathable, and durable. The Grid is made from nontoxic, hypoallergenic materials. Its honeycomb structure may promote airflow and a cool night’s sleep.

This pillow is CertiPUR-US and CleanAir GOLD certified. The polyester, spandex, and nylon cover can be machine-washed. The cushion and pillow boosters are hand washable.

Best for organic materials: Avocado Green Pillow

• Price: $109–139
• Dimensions: 19” x 25”, 19” x 29”, 19” x 35”
• Weight: 3.4 – 5.2 lb.

Made from organic rubber latex, and organic fiber from the kapok tree, and topped with an organic cotton cove. THis pillow is GOLS, GOTS, Greenguard Gold, and Vegan certified.

Each pillow comes with an extra bag of kapok fill, which a person can use to add volume to the pillow or make it last longer. The product website states that using the pillow’s zipper to add or remove the fil is simple. This makes it simple for a person to adjust the pillow to suit their preferred firmness and volume, as well as their sleeping style.

The pillow does not contain chemical flame retardants, wool, or animal products. Avocado states that they offset from than 100 percent of its emissions and qualify as a carbon-neutral company.

Best for blended fill: Layla Kapok Pillow

• Price: $109–129
• Dimensions: 18” x 28”, 18” x 34”
• Weight: 3.0–3.5 lb, 4.0-4.5 lb

The fill for the Layla Kapok pillow is a blend of natural kapok fibers and shredded memory foam. The Kapok fiber derives from responsibly harvested kapok seeds. Kapok is light, airy, and reportedly sleeps cool. The product website states that it feels similar to a down pillow.

When blended with memory foam, this reportedly provides a person with support for the head and neck, as well as a plush feeling. The pillow has a zippered polyester viscose cover, so a person can remove fill to make the pillow the right height for them.

The foam used in the pillow is CertiPUR-US certified. It has a 5-year warranty, which is one of the best for this product class. Shipping is free.

The table below compares the pillows in this article.

When looking for a pillow that helps reduce snoring, a person may wish to consider these factors:

• Price: A person should consider their budget when shopping for a pillow, as the size, design, and fill material can all influence the price.
• Sleep position: A person should consider their preferred sleep position when looking for a pillow to improve snoring. Some pillows are specifically designed for certain positions, while others are adjustable to suit a range of sleep styles. As side sleeping can improve snoring, a person may wish to consider pillows that will be comfortable for them in this position.
• Firmness: Pillows come in various levels of firmness. People should consider their preferences and usual sleep position before purchasing. Many brands offer a sleep trial so that a person can try the pillow and decide whether it is right for them.
• Certifications: Some brands hold certifications such as CertiPUR-US or OEKO-TEX. These certifications show that a product is free of harmful chemicals and substances.

When air tries to squeeze through a narrow or obstructed airway, it creates a sound. The mouth, tongue, and throat muscles may relax as a person sleeps, which can cause this obstruction. The hoarse noise of a snore comes from muscle vibrations as the air attempts to pass through the throat.

A person may snore because of sinus-related issues or allergies. Snoring can also be a symptom of a health condition, such as sleep apnea.

Research suggests that elevating the head and neck improves breathing in people with obstructive sleep apnea by opening the airways.

If a person believes that their snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, they might consider talking with their doctor for medical advice.

Certain factors make a person more likely to snore. These include:

• having excess body weight
• smoking
• drinking alcohol
• sleeping on the back

According to 2022 research, a pillow may help reduce snoring by positioning the head and neck in a way that opens the airways and improves breathing.

Aside from anti-snoring pillows, many lifestyle changes can help people stop or minimize their snoring. They include:

• sleeping on the side
• using over-the-counter (OTC) nasal strips or regular nasal rinsing to reduce a stuffy nose
• quitting smoking
• avoiding alcohol for 4 hours before bed
• maintaining a moderate weight
• doing exercises to strengthen the mouth and tongue

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, roughly half of all people snore. For most people, snoring is an occasional nuisance, but for 34% of male and 19% of female snorers, it is a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA can include periods when a person stops breathing.

OSA can increase a person’s risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cardiac arrhythmia, and stroke. People with OSA should be extra cautious about reducing how much they snore.

People with mild to moderate OSA can use OTC or customized devices that keep their airways open by moving the tongue and lower jaw forward. However, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional before doing this.

People with moderate to severe OSA may need to use a CPAP machine to help keep their airways open when they sleep. A person places their CPAP mask over their face and goes to sleep while the machine pumps in air. This device can effectively reduce stops in nighttime breathing.

There are also CPAP devices available that do not include a mask. Some have an oxygen nasal cannula in place of a mask.

Find out more about cannulas here.

In almost all cases, health insurance covers CPAP machines.

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

Does a high pillow stop snoring?

An anti-snore pillow should gently elevate a person’s head. A pillow that is too high can strain the neck muscles and spine.

What sleeping position is best for snoring?

Side sleeping may be the best position to reduce snoring. Sleeping on the back may cause the base of the tongue to relax against the back of the throat and obstruct the airway. This can result in snoring. Sleeping on the side can open the airway more.

How can I arrange my pillows to stop snoring?

A person can try arranging their pillows to elevate their head slightly while they sleep. This can prevent the tongue from relaxing against the back of the throat and keep the airways clear.

What height wedge pillow is good for snoring?

Research has shown that sleeping with the upper body at an incline can reduce snoring. One study found that a 12-degree head-of-bed elevation resulted in less snoring and better sleep. Another study found that a 20-degree angle prevented snoring.

How do I know if I need a pillow for snoring?

Most people learn they need a pillow to aid snoring because someone has told them. Additionally, these symptoms, which can also be signs of sleep apnea, can mean it is time to do something about snoring:

• loud snoring
• person seems to stop breathing and start again
• frequently waking at night
• feeling sleepy and tired in the daytime
• headaches
• dry mouth
• reduced sexual energy

It is important to note that if a person displays signs of sleep apnea, they should seek the advice of a medical professional.

Snoring happens when there is a narrowing of the airway, which causes parts of the mouth and throat to vibrate when air attempts to pass through.

Although it can be a sign of underlying health problems, a person may also snore because of allergies, sinus issues, alcohol consumption, or sleeping position.

A pillow may help improve snoring by positioning the head and neck in a way that opens the airways, making it easier for air to flow through the throat and into the lungs.