Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the frontline treatment for sleep apnea, a breathing condition which affects millions of Americans. While CPAP is a very effective treatment, some people struggle to adjust to the mask they must use every night. Accessories can make treatment more comfortable, and CPAP pillows are one of the most popular accessories for ensuring a good night’s sleep while using a CPAP machine.
CPAP pillows — not to be confused with CPAP nasal pillows, which are a type of low-profile mask — are pillows designed to accommodate a CPAP mask. They vary in design, but most have cut-outs or curves so that CPAP users can sleep on their side without their mask digging into their face. Other designs may be adjustable or stabilizing rather than accommodating. A CPAP pillow may also improve treatment efficacy by making it less likely for an active sleeper to dislodge their mask.
Choosing the right CPAP pillow depends on your personal preferences and budget, as well as what type of mask you use and your preferred sleep position. We’ll introduce you to our favorite models, then walk you through the most important factors to consider before making a purchase.
Product Details
Best Overall
Contour CPAP Pillow 2.0
Fill: Foam
Firmness: Medium
Who it's best for:
- Side and back sleepers
- CPAP mask users who move a lot at night
- People who experience neck pain
Highlights:
- Cutout design reduces mask shifting at night
- Tether feature keeps mask hose in place
- Foam provides strong contouring
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Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Contour Living pillows
Bottom Line
The cutout sides of the Contour Living CPAP Pillow 2.0 set it apart from other CPAP pillows on the market. The design designates a place for your CPAP mask and tubing to nestle through the night.
The Contour Living CPAP Pillow 2.0 is specifically designed to accommodate CPAP masks for many types of sleepers. The unique shape helps keep your mask in place throughout the night, regardless of your sleep position.
What Does It Do?
One of the Pillow 2.0’s most distinctive features is the cutout design on the sides of the pillow, which provides space for the mask and hose to lay without pushing against your face or pillow. A tether also keeps the hose in place. The pillow measures 13.5 inches by 21 inches and has a 5-inch thickness. A solid foam fill contours to the shape of your head and neck.
Who It’s Best For
By minimizing contact between mask and pillow, there is less potential for your mask to shift and leak at night. The teather prevents it from tugging at your mask during sleep, which is a helpful feature for restless sleepers. The medium loft is best suited for side and back sleepers, and the close contouring from the foam construction promotes healthy spinal alignment.
Contour Living ships pillows free in the contiguous U.S. on orders of $49 or more. Customers may return the pillow within 45 days for a full refund, minus shipping fees. The pillow is also backed by a 1-year warranty.
Best for Side Sleepers
PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow
Fill: 100% Shropshire wool
Firmness: Medium Soft
Who it's best for:
- Sleepers who prefer pillows with adjustable loft
- Those who enjoy very soft sleep surfaces
- Hot sleepers
Highlights:
- Fill composed of plush Shropshire wool
- Contoured shape provides shoulder support for side sleepers
- Breathable cover made of cotton sateen
Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on PlushBeds pillows
Bottom Line
From the hourglass design to the wool fill, the PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow has just the right shape and firmness for side sleepers to feel comfortable during CPAP therapy.
The PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow has an hourglass shape designed to relieve shoulder pressure while making room for your CPAP mask and hose. The plush wool fill is breathable and further enhances pressure relief.
What Does It Do?
The hourglass design carves out space for your shoulders to help avoid painful pressure buildup. The pillow contains 100% Shropshire wool and provides adequate support for the head and neck. You can customize the pillow’s loft and firmness by adding or removing the wool fill to your desired level. This pillow also comes with an additional pillowcase stuffed with extra wool so you don’t run out of fill. The cover is composed of 100% cotton in a sateen weave.
Who It’s Best For
The unique shape helps keep side sleepers comfortable while receiving CPAP therapy. The wool fill is supportive enough to keep your head elevated while providing enough cushion to cradle your CPAP mask. Sateen is known for feeling exceptionally smooth and lustrous, and the cotton is highly breathable. This helps you stay cool during sleep, and the wool has natural moisture-wicking properties to keep you dry on humid nights.
PlushBeds provides free shipping to customers in the contiguous U.S. Although returns are not allowed, the Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow is backed by a 5-year warranty.
Best Value
Medline CPAP Pillow with Memory Foam
Fill: High-density memory foam
Firmness: Medium Firm
Who it's best for:
- Back and side sleepers
- Sleepers who experience neck pain at night
- Shoppers on a budget
Highlights:
- Unique shape accommodates CPAP masks
- High-density memory foam balances contouring and support
- Foam composition helps relieve pressure buildup
Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Medline pillows
Bottom Line
If you’re a side or back sleeper who needs a balance of cushioning and support from your pillow, the Medline CPAP Pillow with Memory Foam offers the best of both worlds. The shape is also perfect for accommodating CPAP gear while you sleep.
The Medline CPAP Pillow with Memory Foam is a solid choice for sleepers seeking a pillow that removes some of the discomforts that can arise when using a CPAP mask with more traditional pillows. The Medline model has an approachable price-point compared to other CPAP pillows on the market.
What Does It Do?
The specialized shape of the pillow is meant to accommodate CPAP masks and tubes, reducing pillow interference that can sometimes jostle masks and result in leakage. The pillow measures 13 inches by 20 inches, with a 5-inch loft. It’s filled with memory foam that molds closely to the shape of your neck and head. The cover has a zippered construction and may be machine washed for easy care.
Who It’s Best For
The close contouring of the memory foam offers relief to sleepers who experience pressure buildup at night, yet the high density composition of the foam maintains enough support to keep the head elevated and aligned with the spine. This mid-range loft is best suited for side and back sleepers, while stomach sleepers may find it too thick to keep their neck aligned with the spine.
Medline pillow purchases on Health Products For You are returnable within 30 days. A refund will be issued, minus a restocking fee.
Most Comfortable
Vive CPAP Pillow
Fill: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium
Who it's best for:
- Side and back sleepers
- People who seek relief for pressure buildup in the neck
- Those needing a pillow that reduces interference with their mask
Highlights:
- Solid memory foam offers excellent pressure relief
- Cutout design prevents mask from pushing against the face
- Polyester shell is machine-washable
Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Vive pillows
Bottom Line
If your pillow is constantly dislodging your CPAP mask and hose while you sleep, the Vive CPAP Pillow might be the perfect solution. The curved design is meant to keep mask and hose in place through the night.
Traditional pillows have a tendency to push against CPAP masks at night, which can cause uncomfortable pressure against the face. The Vive CPAP Pillow has an ergonomic design that allows CPAP masks to rest with minimal pushback against the face.
What Does It Do?
The pillow is made with solid memory foam encased in a machine-washable polyester shell. The unique shape includes cutout curves that provide a space for the mask and tubes to rest, producing minimal pushback against the face. This not only feels more comfortable but also reduces the risk of your mask being pulled away from your face, which can lead to leakage.
Who It’s Best For
The foam conforms closely to the head and neck to relieve pressure buildup, which can be beneficial for sleepers who experience neck pain at night. At the same time, the pillow is firm enough to keep the head from sinking excessively deep, especially compared to down or down alternative pillows. The pillow is 13 inches by 20 inches, with a 3.5-inch loft that is ideal for back and side sleepers. Stomach sleepers will likely find the loft too high.
Vive CPAP Pillows purchased on Health Products For You may be returned within 30 days for a refund, minus a restocking fee.
Best for Neck Pain
EnduriMed CPAP Pillow
Fill: Solid Memory Foam
Firmness: Medium
Who it's best for:
- Back sleepers
- People who use a full-face, nasal, or nasal pillow mask
- Anyone looking for an extra-durable CPAP pillow
Highlights:
- More durable than its competitors
- Provides cervical support and stability for back sleepers
- Removable pad for loft adjustment
Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on EnduriMed pillows
Bottom Line
The EnduriMed CPAP Pillow is one of the most durable options on the market, offering customers both comfort and strong cervical support over its lifespan. We highly recommend it for back sleepers in particular.
While some other memory foam pillows can compress over time, the EnduriMed CPAP Pillow has a durable design that should hold its shape well without becoming firm or brittle. The pillow’s design also features a removable pad to allow users to adjust the loft as needed.
What Does It Do?
The pillow features a lower loft to allow for the natural curve of the spine, with a shoulder cut-out and molded cervical support. This design gently encourages proper cervical alignment while also stabilizing the position of your head on the pillow. Some people end up in an uncomfortable position during the night due to the extra weight of a CPAP mask and hose, but this pillow’s molded support should help prevent this from happening.
Who It’s Best For
Despite featuring mask accommodation for side sleepers, this pillow is best for people who sleep on their back. All CPAP users who sleep on their back should find the EnduriMed CPAP pillow works well for them, regardless of what type of mask they use. If you sleep on your side and still choose this model, it accommodates nasal and nasal pillow masks the best.
The pillow comes with a removable cotton cover and is backed by a 30-day manufacturer’s warranty.
Best Travel CPAP Pillow
Core Products Mini CPAP Pillow
Fill: Down Alternative
Firmness: Medium
Who it's best for:
- Back and side sleepers
- People who use a full-face, nasal, or nasal pillow mask
- Anyone who travels regularly
Highlights:
- Crescent-shaped design accommodates all sleep positions
- Fiber filling is lightweight for travel
- Excellent temperature regulation
Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Core Products pillows
Bottom Line
Many CPAP pillows are composed of memory foam, but the Core Products Mini CPAP Pillow caters to sleepers who enjoy pillows with a fluffier feel. The compact size makes it ideal for travel.
Unlike most of the other CPAP pillows on the market, the Core Products Mini CPAP Pillow has a fairly simple design and a down alternative filling. The pillow provides surprisingly robust support to CPAP users regardless of their mask type or preferred sleeping position.
What Does It Do?
The Mini CPAP Pillow features a down alternative fill with a cotton cover that cannot be removed, though pillow cases can be purchased through the official Core Products website. While molded foam pillows are some of the most popular CPAP pillows, the crescent shape is one of the original CPAP pillow designs and is still quite effective at accommodating CPAP gear. The pillow is shaped to fit against the body without any excess, leaving plenty of room for whatever type of mask you use.
Who It’s Best For
The pillow’s lightweight design makes it a great choice for frequent travelers, including for use while traveling by air. It is effective for both side and back sleepers, although its design may be an adjustment for side sleepers accustomed to a larger pillow. Active side sleepers may also dislodge the pillow, as it requires fairly precise positioning. The Mini CPAP is also a good choice if you enjoy the feel of alternative down instead of memory foam.
The manufacturer stands behind its pillow with a 1-year warranty covering common manufacturing defects and flaws.
How to Choose a CPAP Pillow
Choosing the right CPAP pillow can be confusing. There is a wide range of pillows specifically designed for CPAP users, and other types of pillows — particularly wedge, cervical, and adjustable pillows — can also be helpful for CPAP users. We’ll walk you through the details you should know and factors to consider before making a purchase. By focusing on your own needs and arming yourself with information, it’s possible to choose a CPAP pillow that provides you with personalized comfort.
What to Consider When Purchasing a CPAP Pillow
CPAP pillows are often advertised with many marketing terms that have little concrete meaning. Comfort, for example, is highly personal — the “most comfortable” CPAP pillow might be perfect for one person and less than ideal for another.
To help our readers cut through the marketing talk, we’ll examine 11 critical factors to keep in mind when choosing a CPAP pillow. Some categories may be more important to you than other categories, but considering each of them will allow you to accurately judge what pillow might work for your needs.
Sleeping Position
Your preferred sleeping position is one of the most significant factors to consider when buying a CPAP pillow. Side sleepers should look for a pillow with cut-outs or curves to provide space for their mask, while people who sleep on their back often find that cervical pillows provide the stability and comfort they need. Some pillows are also shaped differently at the top and bottom so that combination sleepers can turn them as required. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, usually find a nasal pillow mask most comfortable when paired with an adjustable memory foam or gel pillow.
Loft
A pillow’s loft refers to its height. While traditional pillows usually have one height, pillows designed for CPAP users often have dips and curves to provide cervical support or space for a CPAP mask. The ideal pillow loft also depends on your preferred sleep position, with side sleepers requiring a thicker neck support than back or stomach sleepers.
Mask Accommodation
There are several types of CPAP masks, with the most common varieties being full-face, nasal, and nasal pillow masks. Bulkier masks like full-face and nasal models require more accommodation, particularly for side sleepers, while nasal pillow masks tend to work well with most CPAP pillows. Before deciding on a CPAP pillow, consider whether the cut-outs or curves will allow enough space for your mask in your usual sleeping position.
Support
Most high-quality CPAP pillows offer excellent support through the cervical spine. This is thanks to their design, but also their materials — most CPAP pillows are made from memory foam, which provides soft comfort while still supporting the neck better than a traditional feather pillow. However, customers should make sure to choose a pillow with the right loft for their sleeping position in order to receive full support.
Firmness Level
CPAP pillows tend to range from medium to very firm. Most are intended to provide excellent cervical support while accommodating a CPAP mask, which requires firmer construction than a feather or down pillow. While softer options are available, most people quickly adjust to a firmer model and appreciate the additional support.
Pressure Relief
“Firm” doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable. A well-made CPAP pillow will contour against the head, allowing for a buoyant feeling with a supportive core. CPAP pillows made from memory foam tend to offer the best pressure relief, though latex and polyfoam options also provide gentle contouring.
Shape
CPAP pillows are available in a range of shapes meant to support the cervical spine and provide space for a CPAP mask. Different shapes may be more or less effective for the type of mask you have or for support in your preferred sleeping position. For example, a back sleeper looking for cervical stability may prefer deeply curved support around their neck, while a side sleeper mostly interested in space for their full-face mask may require a thinner central support with generous cut-outs at the sides.
Price
CPAP pillows are considered “non-essential” and are therefore not covered by insurance providers. Most cost between $30 and $75, though some models may be available for less and luxury versions can cost significantly more. As with other CPAP accessories, it’s crucial to choose the right pillow rather than the least expensive one. Pillows need to be replaced far less often than many other CPAP accessories, making them worth the investment.
Quality Materials
As with any other piece of bedding, a CPAP pillow should be made of high-quality materials. Most models use memory foam or polyfoam for support, both of which are synthetic materials that work extremely well for this use. However, latex options are available for people who prefer naturally derived materials for their bedding. A high-quality CPAP pillow will also have a soft, comfortable cover that can be washed.
Moldability
Some CPAP pillows are made from shredded memory foam that can be molded and adjusted for the right amount of support and mask space. Most CPAP pillows cannot be adjusted this way, so customers should decide on their adjustability preferences before narrowing down their options.
Temperature Regulation
Although memory foam and polyfoam are the ideal choice for most CPAP users, they do tend to retain heat throughout the night and can be uncomfortably warm for some people. Different manufacturers approach temperature regulation in different ways, with features like improved airflow and the use of gel memory foam.
Frequently Asked Questions About CPAP Pillows
Purchasing a CPAP pillow is similar to buying any other pillow, but there are enough unique factors to overwhelm and confuse many people. In this section, we’ll answer some of the most common questions our readers have about buying and caring for a CPAP pillow.
How much do CPAP pillows cost?
CPAP pillows usually cost between $30 and $75, with an average price-point of around $50. A CPAP pillow that doesn’t fit your needs can lead to neck pain, as well as making it more likely for you to dislodge your mask during the night. Because of this, it’s crucial to buy the right pillow rather than the least expensive one. CPAP pillows aren’t covered by insurance providers, but a high-quality pillow can be bought on a budget by comparison shopping or waiting for a sale.
Do I need a prescription for a CPAP pillow?
CPAP pillows are considered an accessory item and do not require a prescription. Thanks to this, they can be purchased from many online and brick-and-mortar retailers who do not specialize in CPAP items. However, specialized CPAP retailers are likely to offer a wider selection at better prices than general retailers.
Can I wash my CPAP pillow?
Most foam CPAP pillows can be washed in the bathtub with warm water and a small amount of mild soap, but using and regularly washing a pillowcase is a better way of keeping it clean day-to-day. Some CPAP pillows come with a pillowcase or cover that hugs their cut-outs and curves, which can make for a more comfortable experience. If your CPAP pillow does not have a pillowcase, an oversized ordinary pillowcase made of a soft, stretchy material like cotton jersey is the best option. When washing the foam core of your pillow, squeeze out the excess water and leave it to dry rather than wringing it out or otherwise compressing the foam.
What other pillow styles are good for CPAP users?
In addition to cervical pillows and those with cut-out accommodation for masks, CPAP users may find that wedge-shaped pillows and adjustable shredded foam pillows work well for their needs. Different types of sleep apnea pillows fit different needs, so we recommend you speak to your sleep specialist about what design might work best for you. Wedge pillows, for example, can reduce gravity-related airway compression and therefore improve the effect of CPAP treatment in some people.
Still have questions?
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] or call us at (877) 672-8966 with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
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