Best Pillows for Sleep Apnea in 2026

When it comes to pillows, the best models for sleep apnea can improve both comfort and CPAP performance, often resulting in better quality sleep. Some pillow designs feature indents for CPAP masks and hoses, helping reduce the risk of face mask air leaks, while others are made to keep sleepers comfortable on their backs.

A pillow for sleep apnea may be beneficial, but it should always act as a complement to your existing care plan — not as a substitution for treatment. Here are our picks for the best pillows for people with sleep apnea.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall – Helix ComfortAdjust Cooling Pillow

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• Best for CPAP Users – Borden Textile CPAP Pillow

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• Best for Side Sleepers – Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow

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• Best Value – Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow

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• Best for Neck Pain – Layla Kapok Pillow

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Best Overall

Helix ComfortAdjust Cooling Pillow

8.6 /10

Test Lab Score

Shop at Helix

27% off sitewide with code: SF27

Shop at Helix

27% off sitewide with code: SF27

The customizable ComfortAdjust Cooling Pillow from Helix allows you to easily change the loft and firmness and sleep in any position. A blend of shredded memory foam and down alternative clusters ensures a plush, cushy surface for your head and neck no matter how much fill you use.

Price Range

$127 – $137

Fill

Shredded memory foam and down alternative fiber blend

Firmness

Adjustable

Full Details

If you live with sleep apnea and struggle to find a pillow that meets your specific needs, a model with adjustable firmness may be the best starting point. Helix’s ComfortAdjust Cooling Pillow is more customizable than most competitors thanks to zippers on both sides you can open or close to change the loft, in addition to fill you can add or remove to adjust the overall firmness. With a few tweaks, we’re confident most sleepers will be able to pinpoint their ideal pillow settings regardless of which sleep position they primarily use.

The pillow’s fill consists of shredded memory foam blended with down alternative fibers. This combo makes the pillow feel both adaptive and fluffy, with a noticeable contour around the head and neck that can reduce pressure buildup in these areas. If you sleep on your back, using all of the pill and adjusting the pillow to medium or high loft can reduce snoring — a major issue for people with sleep apnea who usually sleep in this position.

A cover made of GlacioTex fabric is engineered to dissipate body heat on contact and feel cool to the touch at all times. This can minimize how much heat the internal fill absorbs and help you maintain a comfortable temperature in bed. Standard and king sizes are available. Helix offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S., and each ComfortAdjust Cooling Pillow purchase comes with a 30-night trial period.

Best for CPAP Users

Borden Textile CPAP Pillow

7.4 /10

Test Lab Score

Shop at Sleep Doctor

Shop at Sleep Doctor

The Borden Textile CPAP Pillow delivers the plushness and loft needed to sleep comfortably in this position. Cutouts help ensure your connective tubing won’t get tangled or crimped during the night.

Credit: Sleep Foundation Test Lab

Price

$50

Fill

Polyester

Firmness

Medium

Full Details

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, switching from sleeping on your back to the side position can alleviate some of the heavy snoring associated with this medical condition. In doing so, you may need a new pillow. Side sleepers require more pillow loft to fill the space between their head and downward-facing shoulder — otherwise poor alignment can occur and pain often follows.

The Borden Textile CPAP Pillow features a cutout design that specifically caters to this position. The deep cutouts on either side of the pillow create a space for your connective tubing, which helps prevent air leaks that can occur when conventionally shaped pillows bump against the hose. The pillow is also thick enough to fill the space between your head and downward-facing shoulder, with a dimple in the pillow’s center to cradle your head. This design minimizes potential for neck and shoulder pain.

The fill is made from 100% polyester down alternative fiber, which feels soft and fluffy. This material retains minimal heat, so hot sleepers should not experience any noticeable overheating. A shell composed of 50% cotton and 50% polyester encases the fill.

The CPAP Pillow carries a reasonable price-point. If you order on The Sleep Doctor, purchases under $99 incur a small shipping fee.

Best for Side Sleepers

Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow

8.9 /10

Test Lab Score

Shop at Eli & Elm

20% off

Shop at Eli & Elm

20% off

As its name implies, the Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow is specifically designed for people who primarily use the side position. You can choose from two fill types, shredded foam or shredded latex, and all designs are adjustable for firmness and loft.

Credit: Sleep Foundation Test Lab

Price Range

$115 – $124

Fill

75% shredded latex or shredded memory foam, 25% polyester fiber

Firmness

Adjustable

Full Details

Many people with sleep apnea prefer sleeping on their side because this position helps expand the airway and cut down on snoring. However, side sleepers should choose a pillow that provides the right amount of support and loft to ensure proper alignment and minimal neck strain. The Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow lives up to its name with an ergonomic shape and adjustable design. You can add or remove the fill as needed to get the support you need for your head and neck.

Two fill types are available. The shredded memory foam is cushy and adaptive, while the shredded latex fill feels more responsive and won’t contour as closely. The latter also retains less heat, though both versions of the fill sleep fairly cool thanks to their breathable cotton covers. Please note there is no price difference between the two fill types, though you’ll need to pay a bit extra to include a pillowcase with your purchase.

Side sleepers across all weight groups on our testing team were impressed with the pillow. They appreciated the ergonomic butterfly shape, which provides extra neck support and cradles the head, as well as the ability to customize the pillow for firmness and loft. Combination sleepers who also use the back and/or stomach positions mostly gave the pillow high marks, as well.

The Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow’s sticker price is approachable, and customers in the contiguous U.S. qualify for free ground shipping. Each purchase is backed by a 45-night sleep trial, which is longer than the trial periods from most competing pillow brands.

Best Value

Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow

8.4 /10

Test Lab Score

Shop at Sweet Zzz

Use code SF10 for 10% off sitewide

Shop at Sweet Zzz

Use code SF10 for 10% off sitewide

The Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow offers excellent long-term value thanks to its approachable pricing, durable construction, and strong performance. This supportive, high-loft pillow is particularly well suited to people who sleep on their side to reduce sleep apnea symptoms.

Credit: Sleep Foundation Test Lab

Price Range

$135 – $150

Fill

Plant-based down alternative fibers

Firmness

Medium

Full Details

The Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow is both affordable and well-constructed – a solid twofer for budget-conscious shoppers looking for high-quality bedding at a reasonable price. Down alternative fill produced from botanical matter mimics the lightness and plushness of real down without triggering allergies, retaining heat, or using animal-based materials. A breathable cotton cover further sweetens the deal for hot sleepers.

Unlike many competing pillows with down alternative fill, the Plant-Based Pillow is densely packed and maintains a full shape. This construction is ideal for side sleepers because this position often requires more loft to cushion the space between their head and downward-facing shoulder. You can choose from lofts of 5 or 7 inches. The latter is best suited to dedicated side sleepers, while the 5-inch design is a good match for combination side and back sleepers looking for mid-level loft.

The pillow is also easy to keep clean. Simply toss it in your washing machine with a cold, gentle cycle, then tumble dry on low heat. Periodic laundering can also help the pillow recover its shape after prolonged use. In addition to two profile options, the pillow is also available in standard and king sizes.

In addition to its below-average sticker price, the Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow qualifies for free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. Customers in Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and Canada pay additional delivery fees. Your order includes a generous 50-night sleep trial.

Best for Neck Pain

Layla Kapok Pillow

9.3 /10

Test Lab Score

Shop at Layla

Use this link for the most current discount.

Shop at Layla

Use this link for the most current discount.

The adjustable Layla Kapok Pillow contains a cushy blend of shredded memory foam and natural, down-like kapok tree fibers. You can add or remove the fill to customize the pillow’s loft and firmness level, so any sleeper should be able to find the right settings and relieve their neck pain — no matter which position they use.

Credit: Sleep Foundation Test Lab

Price Range

$109 – $129

Fill

Shredded memory foam and kapok tree fiber blend

Firmness

Medium Soft

Full Details

Unfortunately, side sleeping and neck pain often go hand in hand. The side sleeping position often requires a lot of cushioning between the head and neck, or else the lack of support can lead to poor spinal alignment. The adjustable Layla Kapok Pillow allows you to add or remove the fill and change the loft however you see fit. Whether you’re transitioning to side sleeping after a sleep apnea diagnosis, or this is normally your preferred position but you frequently wake up with neck pain, this pillow can be major help either way.

A blend of shredded memory foam and kapok tree fiber makes up the fill. Kapok fibers are akin to natural down in terms of lightness and fluffiness, but this material won’t trigger allergy symptoms and is 100% animal-free. An inner pouch grants access to the fill, allowing you to add more or remove some to change how thick the pillow measures and how soft or firm it feels.

A breathable, moisture-wicking cover made of copper-infused polyester and cellulose-derived viscose encases the pillow. You can separate the cover from the inner pouch, then machine-wash the former in your household machines for easy care. The Layla Kapok Pillow is reasonably priced, and Layla offers free ground shipping within the contiguous U.S. and a 30-night trial period for each pillow order.

Read Our Full Layla Kapok Pillow Review

Best Overall

Helix ComfortAdjust Cooling Pillow

9.0 /10

Test Lab Score

27% off sitewide with code: SF27

Shop at Helix

A fully customizable pillow encased in a sleek cooling cover.

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Best for CPAP Pillows

Borden Textile CPAP Pillow

7.4 /10

Test Lab Score

Shop at Sleep Doctor

A supportive, hypoallergenic pillow with cutouts to prevent your CPAP tubing from bunching.

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Credit: Sleep Foundation Test Lab

Best for Side Sleepers

Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow

8.9 /10

Test Lab Score

20% off

Shop at Eli & Elm

A customizable pillow that allows you to adjust the firmness, feel, and profile to meet your needs as a side sleeper.

See More Details

Credit: Sleep Foundation Test Lab

Best Value

Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow

8.4 /10

Test Lab Score

Use code SF10 for 10% off sitewide

Shop at Eli & Elm

A pillow packed with plant-based fibers that feel plush, soothing, and breathable.

See More Details

Credit: Sleep Foundation Test Lab

Best for Neck Pain

Layla Kapok Pillow

8.6 /10

Test Lab Score

Use this link for the most current discount.

Shop at Layla

A customizable pillow filled with plush, adaptive foam-and-fiber fill you can add or remove to change the loft.

See More Details

Credit: Sleep Foundation Test Lab

How to Choose a Pillow for Sleep Apnea

The pillow you choose will affect your comfort and quality of rest. For CPAP users, a quality model can reduce the frequency of mask air leaks and uncomfortable pressure on the face. Factors such as support, pressure relief, loft, and firmness all affect the overall performance of a pillow, so shoppers should carefully consider them. For those with sleep apnea, aspects such as contouring, pillow shape, and CPAP-specific design features should also be kept in mind.

“Those who use CPAP with a full-face mask and prefer to sleep on their sides are most likely to benefit from a CPAP pillow. Wedge pillows may help to reduce the required CPAP pressure. This can increase comfort and reduce mask leak. Wedge pillows may be especially important when someone is overweight.”

Brandon R. Peters, MD, FAASM

Sleep Physician, Sleep Psychiatry Expert

Sleeping Position

Sleeping position has a substantial effect on pillow performance, particularly for CPAP users. Side and stomach sleepers often experience pressure from their mask pushing into the pillow, which can cause both discomfort and air leaks. Those who sleep on their side or stomach may benefit from a CPAP pillow with indents or C-shaped cutouts to accommodate their mask, while back sleepers can also utilize cervical and wedge pillow designs.

Shape

The shape of a pillow and how well it retains its shape are important considerations for those with sleep apnea. Side sleepers often prefer contoured designs, which can comfortably accommodate the shoulders and neck.

Specialty shapes, such as wedge pillows and CPAP pillows, are also worth considering for certain sleepers. CPAP pillows allow space for the mask and hose, making them popular with side and stomach sleepers, while wedge pillows elevate the upper body, which may appeal to back sleepers.

Mask Accommodation

Many of the best pillows for CPAP users feature design elements intended to accommodate CPAP masks and hoses. Generally, this includes indented areas of the pillow which give extra room for face masks. It may also include grooves that the tubing can rest in. This factor is important for side and stomach sleepers and for any CPAP user who has experienced trouble with mask seal or comfort in the past.

“It’s especially important for full-face CPAP masks that cover both the nose and mouth,” says sleep medicine physician Brandon Peters, MD. “The tubing may also be stabilized by a strap that attaches to the pillow.”

Loft

Loft refers to the height of the pillow. It influences the angle of the head and neck, which can affect spinal alignment, ease of breathing, comfort, and more. Some pillows have an adjustable loft, allowing sleepers to add or remove material to achieve their desired comfort level. Stomach sleepers tend to prefer low-loft pillows, back sleepers medium-loft, and side sleepers high-loft.

Support

Support measures how well the pillow holds up the neck and head and keeps the spine aligned. Some materials, like polyfoam and memory foam, tend to be more supportive than others.

Firmness Level

Firmness is measured on a scale from very soft to very firm. Personal comfort preferences, sleeping position, and body weight can all influence the desired firmness level for each sleeper. The best firmness for a sleeper typically balances support and contouring to promote spinal alignment while providing comfort.

Pressure Relief

Depending on their designs, pillows can either relieve pressure or create pressure points. A pillow’s loft, materials, and firmness level, combined with the user’s preferred sleeping position, all contribute to a pillow’s pressure relief performance. Some specialty designs have specific features intended to relieve pressure on the neck.

In the case of cervical pillows, a small indent is found in the center of the pillow, cradling the head and reducing pressure on the neck. “A cervical pillow may also tip the head back slightly, which opens the upper airway and improves breathing during sleep,” Dr. Peters says.

Price

Pillows can be found in a range of price points. Quality pillows for sleep apnea will generally be found in the $50 to $150 range. The best values are often competitively priced models with high-quality materials and design features since they balance quality and affordability.

Quality Materials

Pillows can be made with a variety of materials, although most for sleep apnea use memory foam. There are varying levels of quality within each category of materials. Regardless of the type of material, high-quality components typically enhance the pillow’s comfort, performance, durability, and longevity.

Temperature Regulation

Some pillows trap warmth more than others. For sleepers who tend to overheat at night, a pillow’s temperature-regulating properties are an important consideration. Memory foam tends to sleep warmer than many materials. However, these models often contain cooling design features intended to combat heat retention, like gel infusions or perforations for better airflow.

What Types of Pillows Are Best for Sleep Apnea?

There are many different pillow styles, each with distinct pros and cons. Pillows can differ in shape, style, materials, and firmness levels. Finding the option that works best for you depends on your personal preference and sleep position. As for sleep apnea pillows, there are a few categories that are generally best.

CPAP Pillow

CPAP pillows are specifically designed to accommodate CPAP masks. They generally feature indented areas on both edges of the pillow, which leave space for bulky full-face masks and/or tubes. These pillows are well suited to side and stomach sleepers who need the extra space to accommodate their mask, although back sleepers may find that they are too lofty.

Wedge Pillow

Wedge pillows feature a sloped design that helps to elevate the upper body in bed, often by 20 to 45 degrees. They are commonly used for lounging in bed while reading or watching TV, but some sleepers also find them useful for sleeping. Their elevation can reduce airway compression due to the effects of gravity and may also help to minimize snoring. They may also reduce the symptoms of heartburn or reflux at night.

Cervical Pillow

Cervical pillows are ergonomically designed and primarily intended for back sleepers. They are engineered to relieve pressure on the neck, often featuring an indent in the center of the pillow intended to cradle the head. As the head tips back slightly, this opens the upper airway and this may improve breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea patients who are combination sleepers or back sleepers may benefit from cervical pillows.

Standard Pillow

Standard pillows are generally filled with down, feathers, down alternative, or foam. They have a standard rectangular shape, are widely available, and are generally inexpensive. However, they do not offer any features specifically designed for the needs of those with sleep apnea.

Take Our Quiz to Know Your Sleep Apnea Risk

To understand if you could have sleep apnea, take our short quiz below to see if you exhibit any signs.

Having trouble sleeping?

Take this quiz to find out if you’re at risk of having sleep apnea.

On average, how many hours a night did you sleep in the last month?

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Do you often wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep?

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How would you describe your sleep quality?

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Do you feel rested when you first wake up in the morning?

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Do you snore when you sleep?

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Based on your answers, you may have sleep apnea risk

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes repeated lapses in breathing during sleep. Symptoms can include snoring, headaches, and excessive sleepiness. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed using an at-home test.

Given your risk level, consider our At-Home Sleep Apnea Test to get an official diagnosis today.

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Tips for Getting Better Rest With Sleep Apnea

Choosing the right pillow can help those with sleep apnea get better rest, but there are many other factors worth exploring. In addition to practicing good sleep hygiene and finding the best mattress to meet their individual needs, there are some practices that those with sleep apnea should pay close attention to.

Using a CPAP Properly

For those who have been prescribed CPAP therapy, using the machine nightly is very important. Various small steps can help improve the efficacy of the machine, including ensuring the mask fits properly and washing your face before putting on the mask.

“CPAP supplies should be replaced regularly, following the guidance of your durable medical equipment provider. As a general rule, the mask and tubing can be replaced every 3 months. It’s also important to follow-up with your sleep provider on a regular basis for review of your device’s data.”

Brandon R. Peters, MD, FAASM

Sleep Physician, Sleep Psychiatry Expert

Cleaning CPAP Components

Ensuring that the CPAP components are cleaned frequently may be important for safety, sleep quality, and general hygiene. CPAP masks, in particular, require frequent cleaning in order to reduce the buildup of body oils. A clean CPAP mask will provide a tighter seal, reducing the risk of air leaks. It’s recommended that the CPAP mask, tubing, and water chamber be cleaned with soap and water on at least a weekly basis.

Working With a Doctor

Sleep apnea is a long-term condition for many sleepers, and its severity can change over time. In particular, significant weight changes may have an effect. Sleep specialists can tailor treatment recommendations to each patient. For example, they may customize pressure settings on CPAP units based on your needs. As a general rule, patients should make follow-up appointments with their sleep specialist every year, and more often if sleep issues arise.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Body weight can have a substantial impact on the severity of sleep apnea symptoms. Excess weight, particularly near the throat, can cause airway restriction and other breathing issues.

Adding Humidification

Most modern CPAP units have built-in heated humidification. For those who do not use a heated humidifier, it may be worth trying. Humidifiers help keep the nasal passage moist, potentially reducing irritation and congestion and improving CPAP performance. This may reduce dryness and the risk of nosebleeds. It may also relieve a dry mouth or throat, potentially aiding long-term dental health.

Altering Sleeping Positions

Trying out different sleep positions may be worthwhile for those struggling with sleep apnea. Some individuals experience reduced sleep apnea symptoms while on their sides. Others prefer back sleeping, as it allows for the most comfortable fit for CPAP masks and this may reduce leak.

Lifestyle Changes

Various lifestyle changes, including reducing alcohol consumption, increasing aerobic exercise, and cutting back on smoking can all have an effect on sleep quality for those with sleep apnea.

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