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Best CPAP Pillows of 2026
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.
Our #1 Pick: Borden Textile CPAP Pillow
The best CPAP pillow we tested is the Borden Textile CPAP Pillow, a medium-firm option that prioritizes keeping your head and neck properly aligned while using your CPAP throughout the night. We’re huge fans of the thoughtful design, which boasts cutouts on each side for your CPAP tubing and mask, and we found the pillow’s fill to feel pleasantly soft and plush.
Best Overall: Borden Textile CPAP Pillow
Best Overall
7.4/10Test Lab Score
Borden Textile CPAP Pillow
Key Details
- What It’s Best For: Side sleepers or those who tend to run hot
- What We Like: The contour cutouts are specifically designed for comfortable sleeping with a CPAP machine
- Features: Made with hypoallergenic materials, comes with a pillowcase
A good CPAP pillow is one that keeps your head and neck properly aligned with your spine without jostling your CPAP mask in the middle of the night. The Borden Textile CPAP Pillow pulls off this feat thanks to a unique design that helps prevent excessive shifting of your mask and tubing.
What Does It Do?
The pillow is designed with ample cutouts on each side to allow space for your CPAP tubing and mask to rest while you sleep. This reduces the likelihood of dislodging your mask, which ultimately ensures more effective CPAP therapy. The pillow’s polyester fill is soft and plush, and it’s encased in a breathable cotton cover.
Who It’s Best For
The Borden Textile CPAP Pillow is well suited for side sleepers, since the cutout shape on the bottom allows space for the shoulder while maintaining support for the neck and head. Side sleepers are also more prone to hose and mask interference, so the cutout design is a noteworthy benefit. Back sleepers and combination sleepers will also find the cutout design advantageous for the same reasons as side sleepers.
The pillow is affordably priced compared to some other CPAP pillows we’ve reviewed. A small flat-rate fee is charged for shipping if you purchase the pillow on The Sleep Doctor.
Best for Neck Pain: Contour CPAPmax 2.0 Pillow
Best for Neck Pain
6.8/10Test Lab Score
Contour CPAPmax 2.0 Pillow
Key Details
- What It’s Best For: Warm sleepers, most sleeping positions, people with neck pain
- What We Like: You can remove foam layers to lower the profile so it best fits your sleeping position
- Features: Cover has mesh side panels, base layer is charcoal-infused for temperature regulation
Comfortable sleep can be elusive for people who need CPAP therapy, and the wrong pillow can exacerbate this problem. The Contour CPAPmax 2.0 is equipped with features intended to stabilize your mask while you sleep, preventing rainout and reducing the potential for air leaks in the process. Adjustable loft and a breathable mesh cover further boost the pillow’s appeal for CPAP users.
What Does It Do?
The pillow’s core begins with a top layer of memory foam, followed by two layers of high-resiliency (HR) polyfoam that form a stable base. All three foam layers are ventilated to promote airflow throughout the interior, and the base layer is infused with charcoal for additional cooling. You can remove one or two of the layers to lower the profile if you normally sleep on your back or stomach. Regardless of how many inserts you use, the pillow feels fairly firm.
Both sides feature cutouts to support your face mask’s tubing. A tether attachment further stabilizes the tube by preventing it from tugging on or pulling away from your mask, which in turn reduces kinks and helps maintain steady airflow. A breathable cover with mesh side panels encases the inserts. You can remove and machine wash the cover as needed.
Who It’s Best For
While the adjustable design means you can lie comfortably on the pillow in any position, the side cutouts are especially useful for side sleepers. The CPAPmax 2.0 is also a good choice for combination sleepers who use more than one position on any given night, as the pillow is easy to adjust compared to models with shredded foam fill.
Although the pillow is compatible with many mask types, you may notice restricted airflow if your mask has top-of-head tubing. You may also notice some strong off-gassing when the pillow is new. These odors eventually dissipate, but people who are highly sensitive to smells might struggle for the first few nights.
The Contour CPAPmax 2.0 Pillow is competitively priced. If you purchase the pillow through Sleep Doctor and reside in the U.S., your order qualifies for reasonable flat-rate shipping. You may return the pillow unused and unopened within 60 days of delivery.
Best Travel CPAP Pillow: Core Products Mini CPAP Pillow
Best Travel CPAP Pillow
7.7/10Test Lab Score
Core Products Mini CPAP Pillow
Key Details
- What It’s Best For: Traveling or active sleepers
- What We Like: Its small size is helpful if you travel often with your CPAP machine, or if you have a sleeping partner. It also does a good job of accommodating a variety of CPAP machines, tubing, and masks.
- Features: Lightweight, pillowcase included, made with hypoallergenic materials
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.
Best for Side Sleepers: Snugell CPAP Pillow for Side Sleeping
Best for Side Sleepers
7.7/10Test Lab Score
Snugell CPAP Pillow for Side Sleeping
Key Details
- What It’s Best For: Side sleepers (though back and stomach sleepers may also find it comfortable), shoppers on a budget
- What We Like: The unique design offers effective support and lets you mix and match the memory foam inserts to find your ideal cushioning level between the head and shoulders
- Features: Adjustable loft, ergonomic support, open corners accomodate CPAP tubing
Many CPAP users prefer sleeping on their side because this can help expand their airway and reduce snoring – but at the same time, a side sleeper’s pillow can obstruct their CPAP machine’s connective tubing. The Snugell CPAP Pillow for Side Sleeping mitigates this issue with a sloped surface and open corners to accommodate your CPAP tubing and promote steady, uninterrupted airflow. An adjustable design with four profile options also ensures any side sleeper can find a comfortable loft level.
What Does It Do?
The pillow’s unique shape consists of sloped edges and cutouts in all four corners. This helps provide elevated neck support and cradling for the head, and also frees up space for your CPAP hose to fit without becoming crimped or stuck. Four memory foam inserts – or “leaves” – are included with each order. These leaves vary by thickness, allowing you to mix and match them to find your ideal loft. Side sleepers should maximize the thickness by using two or more leaves to get the cushioning they need for the space between their head and downward shoulders. Back and stomach sleepers may find a comfortable height with just one of the inserts.
Who It’s Best For
As a pillow specifically designed for side sleepers who receive CPAP therapy, the Snugell effectively meets the needs of its niche target audience. Adjustable loft, ergonomic support, and special features to accommodate CPAP equipment all make the pillow a great match for these sleepers, and affordable pricing should sweeten the deal for budget shoppers.
If you order the Snugell CPAP Pillow for Side Sleeping through Amazon.com and hold a Prime membership, you’ll enjoy free expedited shipping with your purchase. You may return
What is a CPAP Pillow?
A CPAP pillow is a specially designed pillow intended to make CPAP therapy more comfortable. Unlike traditional pillows, CPAP pillows often feature cutouts or contoured sides that create space for a CPAP mask and tubing. These designs are meant to reduce pressure from the mask on your face, minimize air leaks, and make it easier to sleep comfortably in different positions.
Who Needs a CPAP Pillow?
Although a CPAP pillow isn’t required for CPAP therapy, many people find that the right one helps them sleep more comfortably and consistently with their mask on. They’re especially popular among side sleepers, as a traditional pillow can press the mask against your face and shift it out of place during the night.
You may benefit from a CPAP pillow if you:
- Experience mask leaks
- Notice pressure marks or redness on your face
- Sleep on your side or stomach while using CPAP
- Frequently knock your mask out of position during the night
- Feel discomfort from your mask pressing into a standard pillow
- Want additional neck support while using CPAP therapy
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.
“Side sleepers tend to need a high-loft pillow for support and to fill the space beneath the head and neck to promote proper spinal alignment. Keep your head and neck in alignment at around 30 degrees with the help of a good pillow so your airway stays open during the night, allowing air to flow from your nose to your lungs without obstruction.”
– Sarah Silverman, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist and holistic sleep wellness consultant who treats patients in New York and Florida.
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.
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.
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Logan is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a deep understanding of what it means to struggle with sleep. Her years of experience researching and testing sleep products – including mattresses, natural sleep aids, and bedding – are critical to her role helping lead the editorial team. When she’s not testing mattresses or researching CBT-I, she enjoys spending time in the sunshine with her husband and her dogs Pepper and Winston.