Written by Tony Klespis, Staff Writer
If you or your partner reach for the ear plugs before climbing into bed, chances are one of you is a snorer. As a light sleeper myself, snoring is something that keeps me up all night. Snoring can be caused by a variety of factors, but one of them might be using the wrong pillow.
That’s why I compiled a list of the best pillows for snoring. These pillows are all a bit different, but they’ll keep your head in a neutral position to help ease snoring problems.
Let’s dive in!
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Pillow for Snoring?
I named the Saatva Natural Latex pillow the best pillow for snoring. This pillow works really well for most sleepers because it comes in two loft options: standard and high. The standard loft option should work well for back sleepers, because it helps prevent the neck from jutting forward. The high loft is a good match for most side sleepers.
The Best Pillows for Snoring: Our Top 6 Picks
- Saatva Natural Latex Pillow – Best Overall
- Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow – Best Pillow for Snoring Side Sleepers
- TEMPUR-Neck Pillow – Best Pillow for Snoring and Neck Pain
- TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable – Best TEMPUR-Pedic Pillow for Snoring
- Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow – Best Memory Foam Pillow for Snoring
- MedCline Shoulder Support Wedge Pillow – Best Wedge Pillow for Snoring
How We Choose Our Products
Our team of Certified Sleep Experts have tested over 100 sleep accessories, using proprietary, hands-on testing for each product. These tests help inform our reviewers on how pillows perform in terms of head and neck support, which is important when it comes to preventing snoring.
The best pillows for snoring, like the ones on this list, are the ones that can help most back sleepers (the sleeping position where snoring is most common) keep their heads in line with their chest. This alignment helps keep airways open, helping to eliminate the risk of your airways collapsing, which is one cause of snoring.
Best Overall – Saatva Natural Latex
Saatva Latex Pillow
The Saatva Pillow has an organic cotton cover that is removable. Underneath is an outer pillow made up of hypoallergenic microfibers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
The Saatva latex pillow is a standout, landing on many of my “best of” lists. The Saatva latex pillow is perfect for back sleepers looking to get a combination of comfort and support to achieve a proper head and neck alignment. Saatva uses a three-chamber design: a soft outer cover made of 100% cotton, a plush microfiber layer, and a shredded latex core.
This combination of materials makes it ideal for back sleeping to get a blend of comfort and support. If you sleep with your head and neck in a neutral position, you may be able to alleviate your snoring problems. This pillow helps keep your head in line with your chest, which can help keep airways open.
What We Love About the Saatva Latex Pillow
- Thanks to the standard loft of this pillow (around 5” tall), back sleepers will be able to keep their heads and neck in a neutral position, which should help alleviate snoring.
- It won’t trap heat thanks to breathable materials, like organic cotton and shredded latex.
- The combination of the plush down alternative outer chambers and the shredded latex core help offer some pressure relief.
What to Keep In Mind About the Saatva Latex Pillow
- This pillow should be a durable and long-lasting investment. However, at full price, the pillow costs $165, which might not fit every budget.
Read my full Saatva Natural Latex pillow review.
Best for Side Sleepers – Eli & Elm Side Sleeper
Eli & Elm Side-Sleeper Pillow
If you’re a side sleeper looking for a supportive and comfy pillow, the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow has you covered. This U-shape pillow was specifically designed to alleviate neck pain and promote the proper spinal alignment.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Getting into that neutral position to help with your snoring can be tricky for side sleepers. Eli & Elm’s side sleeper pillow is unique because of its shape and design. One side of the pillow features a U-shaped cut out that will accommodate your shoulder and make side sleeping feel much more natural and comfortable.
Eli & Elm also designed this as an adjustable pillow. This means you can take out or add in the latex noodle fill to make this pillow the right height and firmness for you. It may take a little trial and error, but it can help you be snore-free!
What We Love About the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow
- The U-shaped cutout was designed for side sleepers to make side sleeping more comfortable.
- The adjustable fill makes it easy to find a loft that will get you in a neutral alignment to help with snoring.
- It won’t trap heat because the shredded latex fill and cotton cover are very breathable.
What to Keep In Mind About the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow
- If you occasionally switch from your side to another position, this pillow might not feel as comfortable.
Read my full Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow review.
Best for Snoring & Neck Pain – TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
The ergonomic shape to the TEMPUR-Neck pillow makes it an ideal pillow for anyone dealing with neck pain. This solid slab of memory foam will contour to your head and neck, giving you good support and will alleviate neck pain.
Mattress Clarity Score
3.90 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
You can’t always hear yourself snoring, but one thing is for sure: You will notice when your neck is in pain during the night. There are many orthopedic pillows that help with both snoring and neck pain, but one of my favorites is the TEMPUR-Neck pillow from TEMPUR-Pedic. This pillow has an ergonomic design that contours your head, neck, and shoulder to keep your head and neck in a neutral alignment.
It works best for back and side sleepers who are looking for some neck pain relief and neck support. While this pillow’s focus is to help relieve neck pain, when looking through customer reviews, many reported that their spouses stopped snoring when sleeping on the TEMPUR-Neck pillow.
What We Love About the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
- The TEMPUR-Neck features that classic, slow-moving memory foam that’s very firm, dense, and supportive.
- Its ergonomic design is intended to specifically target the neck, and it should help alleviate neck pain.
- It comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. All these sizes are based on shoulder width, so it fits a wide variety of body types.
What to Keep In Mind About the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
- Unless you opt for the cooling cover, which comes at an extra fee, this pillow doesn’t have any cooling features. This means it might trap heat without the cooling cover.
- This pillow’s unique design is great for back and side sleepers, but stomach sleepers will feel uncomfortable with this pillow.
Read my full TEMPUR-Neck pillow review.
Best TEMPUR-Pedic for Snoring – TEMPUR-Cloud
TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow
TEMPUR-Pedic’s TEMPUR-Cloud pillow is aptly named. It’s got an attractive and dare I say “cloud-like” white cover and a super-soft (albeit not fluffy) core.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.00 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Though the TEMPUR-Neck is a TEMPUR-Pedic pillow, the best TEMPUR-Pedic pillow for snoring is the Cloud Adjustable pillow. When it comes to getting your head and neck in a neutral sleeping position, adjustable pillows are great options.
Tempur-Pedic is known for its thick slabs of slow-moving TEMPUR material, but the Cloud Adjustable pillow is full of three different kinds of shredded TEMPUR foam that have different firmnesses and still give the pillow its slow-moving foam feel. Adjust the pillow by taking out or adding in the shredded memory foam to fit your sleeping style, be it back, side, or stomach, and find that neutral alignment. Once you’re there, you should be able to snooze soundlessly.
What We Love About the TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable
- At full price, this pillow costs around $70. While this might still seem expensive for a pillow, when compared to other options on this list, this pillow is fairly affordable.
- The Cloud Adjustable pillow will let you adjust the pillow to match your sleeping position. For back sleepers specifically, keeping the pillow at a medium loft is ideal. You’ll likely have to remove some of the fill to achieve this.
- Though TEMPUR material can trap heat, because the foam has been shredded, it allows for airflow and will sleep relatively cool.
What to Keep In Mind About the TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable
- Tempur-Pedic does not allow returns on items like pillows and sheets. This is important to note because if you don’t end up loving the pillow, you won’t be able to send it back.
Read about the most popular TEMPUR pillows.
Best Memory Foam – Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow
Tuft and Needle Original Pillow
Made with special responsive foam, the Tuft & Needle pillow feels both soft and supportive. It has many cooling features, and it’s super durable. It’s a great match for back and side sleepers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Memory foam lovers who have snoring problems should look at the Tuft & Needle Original Foam pillow. Though made of memory foam, the Tuft & Needle pillow is a bit more responsive and easy to move around on. And it still provides exceptional pressure relief. Your head won’t sink too far into this pillow, so your head and neck should stay in a neutral alignment.
Because of this, you should get some snoring relief! Many customers reported that their partners stopped snoring when using this pillow. The Original Foam pillow is also a good match for hot sleepers. The foam has been infused with graphite and gel to help you stay nice and cool throughout the night.
What We Love About the Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow
- It feels a little more responsive than traditional foam, but you’ll still get all the benefits of memory foam.
- The Tuft & Needle pillow is a medium-firm pillow that works well for both back and side sleepers who snore.
- Memory foam has been known to trap heat, but Tuft & Needle uses a foam that’s been specially designed to be more breathable than standard foam. This makes it great for hot sleepers.
What to Keep In Mind About the Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow
- Though this is my pick for the best memory foam option, if you’re someone who prefers the sinking, slow-moving feel of memory foam, this pillow won’t feel like that. Be sure to look at my list of the best memory foam pillows for options that have this type of feel.
Read my full Tuft & Needle Original Foam pillow review.
Best Wedge – MedCline Shoulder Relief System
MedCline Shoulder Relief System
This three-part pillow system alleviates shoulder pain and can help with acid reflux symptoms.
Our Expert’s Take
Experts have agreed that elevating your head and even your torso can help alleviate snoring problems. Enter wedge pillows! The MedCline Shoulder Relief wedge pillow will elevate your body and provide some exceptional shoulder support, too. This is a combination wedge and body pillow that comes to you in three main parts: the wedge, the body pillow, and a filler pillow.
You slide your arm through an open section and sleep with the body pillow around your shoulder. Every piece of the system is made from a memory foam filling and is surrounded by super soft, minky feeling covers. So you should get some snoring relief and get rid of your shoulder pain at the same time! And for convenience, you can also find this pillow on Amazon to make shipping a breeze.
What We Love About the MedCline Shoulder Relief System
- Wedge pillows help by elevating your torso, which in turn keeps gravity from compressing your airways, causing snoring.
- It’s been designed for shoulder support and can relieve shoulder pain.
- MedCline even offers you a 1:1 consultation with a sleep specialist to figure out which pillow you need and how they help.
What to Keep In Mind About the MedCline Shoulder Relief System
- Because the MedCline is a system of three pillows (the wedge, the body pillow, and the insert), it is rather bulky on the bed. This could be troublesome for those who share the bed with a partner.
Read my full MedCline Shoulder Relief System review.
What Causes Snoring?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the causes of snoring are varied. The most common causes of snoring include:
- Your mouth & sinus anatomy: Having a low, thick soft palate can obstruct your airway, causing snoring to occur
- Allergies or illness: Some allergies or illnesses can obstruct your airway, making it hard for you to breathe efficiently
- Alcohol consumption: Alcohol relaxes your throat muscles. Relaxed muscles can’t work as efficiently, and can obstruct your airways
- Weight: Overweight people are more likely to experience snoring, as the extra weight around your throat can cause your airways to narrow
Generally speaking, snoring occurs when you have a narrow airway, or when your airways have been obstructed. Even your sleeping or head position can impact your potential for snoring. Having the right pillow, which brings you to a neutral alignment, can certainly help by opening your airways.
Is Snoring Bad?
Snoring isn’t an inherently bad thing. For some people, it’s out of their control as to whether or not they snore. However, snoring could be an indicator for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), especially when you wake up feeling groggy, have trouble focusing, feel sleepy during the day, and have increased irritability.
Of course, you should consult a medical professional if you think you or your partner have OSA, as you’ll need more than just a good pillow to help out with that.
RELATED: What is Sleep Apnea?
How to Stop Snoring
When it comes to actually stopping your snoring, there are a few things within your control that you can try to do to help.
- Using the right pillow: After all, that’s what this list is all about! Find a pillow that can elevate your head or upper chest at a minimum 4” off your bed. Many pillows come with high lofts, or you can opt for a wedge pillow to give yourself a guaranteed boost.
- Use anti-snoring devices: You’ve seen them advertised on TV before. Be it the nasal strip or a mouth piece, the goal with using these devices is to guarantee that your airways stay open.
- Use a humidifier: If you’re snoring as a result of a stuffy nose, using a humidifier can help hydrate your airways. This will help loosen anything clogging up your sinuses and will allow your body to more efficiently clear congestion when it happens.
Of course, these are just a few ways you can try and handle snoring by yourself. If you try these and don’t find snoring relief, and fear it may be related to something more serious, I highly recommend that you seek out medical and professional advice. People diagnosed with sleep apnea will need a CPAP machine to help.
What is the Best Sleep Position for Snoring?
There’s one last method that can help you with snoring, and it deals with your sleeping position. More often than not, back sleepers are more prone to snoring than any other position. Though back sleeping is the healthiest sleeping position, as recommended by medical professionals, it puts you in a position for snoring to occur.
As I’ve covered in this whole list, snoring occurs when your airways become narrow or obstructed. And when you’re sleeping on your back, gravity comes into play. Lightweight back sleepers might not deal with this as much, but average to heavyweight back sleepers will face snoring more often.
One way to help out is changing your position to sleeping on your side. This can help alleviate snoring because you’re no longer dealing with the weight around your neck obstructing your airways.
The Best Pillows for Snoring FAQs
Can too many pillows cause snoring?
Yes. Back sleepers who like to stack pillows put themselves at risk of snoring. If your head is going too far into your chest, you run the risk of obstructing your airways, which will cause snoring.
Does a higher pillow stop snoring?
Experts have agreed that elevating your head at least 4” is one way to help with snoring. Back sleepers who deal with snoring want a pillow that keeps their head in a neutral position. This means your head isn’t going too far back, but it’s not going too far forward, either. These positions can obstruct your airways.
So if you get a pillow that’s around 4-5” tall, depending on various factors, a taller pillow can help you open up your airways. Be sure to check out our best pillows for back sleeping!
Are wedge pillows good for snoring?
Yes, wedge pillows may help with snoring. This is because a wedge pillow will elevate your upper body in addition to your head, which helps keep gravity from collapsing your airways.
The MedCline shoulder relief system pillows made our list for this very reason! Wedge pillows are also good at relieving symptoms of acid reflux, so they have many benefits!
