We Tested Over 75 Pillows — These Are the 7 Best for Sleep Apnea

Freelance editor and health journalist Olivia Campbell tried the pillow in her own home and noted that her husband “snores very loudly and occasionally has acid reflux at night. This wedge has stopped the snoring and reflux.” While she does note that the sleep position takes some getting used to and the head pillow provided may not be enough, overall it was a hit. She says, “It does make my husband’s shoulder a bit sore, but if we can get the height adjusted and top pillow height arranged to fix that, I’d love for this to be in regular use, given the snoring elimination.” She adds, “it was just the right firmness.” 

Ikea truly has some great, cost-effective sleep products, from sheets and bedding to pillows, including this ergonomic, memory foam option. Suitable for back, side, and stomach sleeping, the memory foam is both squishy and supportive, molding to your shape. The slightly butterfly-shaped design of the pillow is also a huggable option, should you want to use it as more of a body pillow. Best of all, this pillow comes in around $50, making it less than half the cost of others on our list and no less a joy to sleep on.

Dietitian and women’s health writer SaVanna Shoemaker, RD, tested this pillow and declared it “comparable in comfort to my $100 pillow.” She liked the cutout shape and found it “immediately comfortable,” no break-in period required. She did note that she doesn’t suffer from neck issues, but “the memory foam stayed firm and didn’t collapse, so my neck stayed aligned all night.” She found it very comfortable for side sleeping, though not as suited to stomach sleeping. Overall, for a memory foam option that has such a thoughtful and comfortable design, the price is really right for a pillow that can support side sleeping so well.

If you’re a side sleeper, you know that it can be uncomfortable at times, since your arm often falls asleep, waking you up or causing shoulder pain. But if this is the position that’s been recommended for your sleep apnea, the MedCline Shoulder Relief System not only solves the issue of shoulder pain but also uses the elevated head position preferred for sleep apnea. The MedCline Shoulder Relief System is not just one pillow but a combination of three: a wedge with a slight incline that features a cutout for your arm, plus a small insert pillow for supporting your head, and a J-shaped body pillow for total body support.

“I liked how it came with its own cases, since the pillows were such an odd shape. It was also very soft but didn’t make me too hot. It provided quite a lot of support,” says our tester, food and health writer El Wilson. It took a while to land on the optimal position, but, Wilson says, “when I managed to get into the correct position, it was comfortable.” While this system is on the larger side, there are two size options. I tried a very similar system from MedCline, the Reflux Relief System, and had a similar experience. It took some getting used to, but once I was accustomed to it and found a comfortable position, I felt like it did improve my sleep and breathing, helping me wake a bit more refreshed. I also love that I can break apart the separate elements and use just the body pillow some nights or the full system together other nights, depending on what I need.

Anyone who’s woken up in a sweat knows that you can’t put a price tag on always having a cool side of the pillow to turn to, and the Bedgear Night Ice Performance Pillow is one of the coolest and comfiest we came across in our testing. It was one of the most beloved pillows we tried, and we think it just might be worth the price. The pillow comes in standard or king-size, with a choice of four heights, plus expert guidance on what will fit your frame. This pillow is equipped with air vents and specialized cooling materials, as well as a supportive fill and core, so you’ll never wake up hot and uncomfortable.

“This pillow provides the perfect amount of support for side sleeping,” says Kara Wahlgren, a women’s health and sleep writer. “I tested the 2.0 height, which was the recommended sizing. It kept my spine perfectly aligned — I felt like I got a more restful sleep with less tossing and turning, and I woke up without any of the usual stiffness in my neck or shoulders.” She adds, “This is marketed as a cooling pillow, and it seems to deliver on that. It’s very breathable, and noticeably cool when you first lie down. It never felt stuffy or sweaty.” Wahlgren notes that it feels like a true luxury product, and says that it is “one of the most supportive pillows I’ve ever slept on, and it seems to be thoughtfully designed and well made.” With the Bedgear Night Ice Performance Pillow, you can enjoy the benefits of cooling tech, without sacrificing on the stuffing. 

Sleep apnea doesn’t take a vacation when you do, and we all know that airline and hotel pillows just don’t do the job, which is why we think the Purple Harmony Anywhere Pillow is the move for travelers with sleep apnea, where support is essential. Not only does the pillow pack up for easy travel — it also provides the same honeycomb-structured support as the regular-size Anywhere pillow. It is ideal for side sleepers, whether you’re at a hotel, in a tent, or on a red-eye.

Wilson says, “It is remarkably comfortable, especially for such a tiny pillow. It is soft and supportive at the same time.” Wilson adds that it provides just what the website states: the right amount of support, plus some cooling features as well. According to Wilson, “It would make a great gift for someone who travels a lot. I could also see it being used by a kid, because of its size.” For your favorite flight-hopper, or for yourself, the Purple Harmony Anywhere Pillow might be the ticket to getting a good night’s rest and beating that travel fatigue. 

Body pillows are a favorite of side sleepers, as they provide full body support for the shoulders, hips, and back while you sleep — and the design of the Coop Adjustable Body Pillow means that the support is totally customizable too. Made from a combination of memory foam and microfiber inside, this pillow offers medium-firm support with a totally adjustable loft that is made possible by simply unzipping one side of the pillow and removing as much fill as you like. While it does run a bit warm, the soft outer shell is a really pleasant texture, and Coop also makes a cool version for those who sleep hot.

Health and nutrition writer Caitlin Beale, RDN, tried the pillow for herself and says that it is very comfortable. “I’m not used to using body pillows (except for during pregnancy), but this felt extremely comfortable. It was so soft,” she says. She notes that it was comfortable from the get-go, saying, “I sometimes notice shoulder pain if I sleep on my side, and didn’t notice it on the days I used the pillow.” She found that the pillow held its shape very well, and she could see herself sleeping on it as a regular pillow as well, especially if her hips and back feel tight. We love this pillow for the way it provides the kind of support side sleepers need, and we think it’s a perfect fit for sleep apnea folks as well.

Memory foam is a crowd favorite among the various pillow types because it gives both softness and support, while molding to your body. As opposed to other memory foam pillows, the FlexCool is made of a shredded foam and microfiber blend that provides the cushioning we love, along with the ability to remove some of the fill to decrease the loft of the pillow for a custom sleep experience. Contrary to other memory foam experiences, this pillow is ultra-cooling and received a rave review in testing.

“This pillow is soft but surprisingly supportive,” Wahlgren says. “While I didn’t need to adjust it, it’s nice that you can add or remove fill for the ideal height and firmness. The cover is soft but has a nice ‘brushed’ feel — not slick and satiny like a lot of cooling pillows. Also, sometimes shredded foam has some ‘tough’ pieces, but this one doesn’t. The fill is super soft.” While she did note that this pillow may need some refluffing, a common issue with memory foam, it’s easily done. “The cover in particular is a standout — of all the pillows I’ve tested, this is one of the best covers,” Wahlgren notes. “Cooling nylon often feels very sleek and synthetic. The outer shell on this one is a nylon-spandex blend, and it’s icy cold, but it feels almost like a Supima cotton — just very soft and luxe.”