6 Best Mattresses for Sleep Apnea 2022
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In the United States, around one-third of adults usually get less than the recommended amount of sleep. Sleep apnea, which disrupts a person’s breathing at night, is a potential cause of lower quality sleep. A supportive mattress may help people adopt a different sleeping position to ease the condition. Mattresses cannot cure sleep apnea, but having proper support for the body while sleeping may help open a person’s airways and ease symptoms. Using information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , this article focuses specifically on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and discusses six of the best mattresses for the condition. Share on Pinterest Design by Diego Sabogal
Best for keeping away allergens : TEMPUR-Adapt Memory Foam
: TEMPUR-Adapt Memory Foam Best for contouring to the body: Nectar
Nectar Best for keeping the body cool: WinkBeds MemoryLux
WinkBeds MemoryLux Best for back or stomach sleepers: Saatva Classic
Saatva Classic Best dual-sided : Layla Hybrid
: Layla Hybrid Best to pair with an adjustable base: DreamCloud
How mattresses can help with sleep apnea There is no definitive best mattress for people with sleep apnea. However, mattresses may aid people with sleep apnea by helping them adjust their sleeping position. According to a 2015 study, over half of the people with OSA experience more severe breathing problems when they sleep on their back. This position allows the tongue and throat muscles to block the airways. In the study, the researchers found that 10 people with OSA experienced a 50% reduction in symptoms after sleeping on their stomachs with their heads facing down. The participants used special memory foam mattresses that support stomach and side sleeping positions. It is important for people to note that stomach sleeping has potential drawbacks. While there are some benefits, such as reduced snoring and less obstructive apneas, stomach sleeping can strain a person’s back and neck. This can lead to poor quality sleep and aches and pains in the morning. Therefore, stomach sleeping is rarely encouraged.
How we chose the best mattresses for sleep apnea As mentioned, side sleeping is the best sleeping position for people with sleep apnea. Our list features mattresses designed to be comfortable for side sleepers. Each mattress is made entirely of memory foam or a hybrid of memory foam and coils to contour to the body and support side sleeping positions. Several other factors we consider when choosing products are: company policies
customer reviews
safety
company reputation Learn about our vetting process here.
Memory foam mattresses for sleep apnea Most memory foam mattresses are not specifically for sleep apnea relief. However, their ability to support the spine to make side sleeping more comfortable may help people with the condition. Best for keeping away allergens TEMPUR-Adapt Memory Foam This medium-firm memory foam mattress has a soft layer that reportedly cushions and supports the body, alongside a support layer that provides stability and pressure relief for the joints. The company says the mattress comes wrapped in a cool touch, antimicrobial knit cover protecting against allergens, such as dust mites, animal dander, and mold. The TEMPUR-Adapt Memory Foam mattress is available for purchase online. Best for contouring to the body Nectar Nectar offers a five-layer memory foam mattress that claims to contour to the body while supporting the shoulders, hips, and knees. The company says this medium-firm mattress contains medical-grade viscoelastic foam that meets CertiPUR-US standards. This means it does not contain harmful chemicals, such as flame retardants. It comes with a soft and breathable quilted memory foam mattress cover that reportedly helps dissipate body heat. Nectar offers customers a year-long sleep trial, and every mattress includes two pillows, a mattress protector, and bed linen. The Nectar mattress is available for purchase online. Best for keeping the body cool WinkBeds GravityLux The GravityLux mattress has four distinct layers. The company describes the top layer as containing 2 inches (in) of gel-infused foam that disperses body heat and wicks away sweat. The AirCell memory foam layer reportedly contains shock-absorbing air capsules that prevent motion transfer. The company states the middle foam layer provides targeted support with softer foam under the shoulders and legs and firmer support under the hips and lower back. The bottom layer claims to provide lifetime durability. The WinkBeds GravityLux mattress is available for purchase online.
Hybrid mattresses for sleep apnea Hybrid mattresses combine memory foam and spring coils. The memory foam cushions the body, while the coils determine the firmness. These mattresses do not treat sleep apnea, but by keeping the body aligned, they may make it possible for a person to breathe more easily at night. Best for back or stomach sleepers Saatva Classic This mattress combines the comfort of a plush foam topper with the durable support of individually wrapped coils. The company says the mattress also has a firm memory foam layer that provides extra support for the lumbar region. The mattress sits on top of 416 tempered steel support coils, which reportedly offer additional airflow, support, and long-lasting durability. Saatva offers three firmness options: soft, luxury firm, and firm. The luxury firm model claims to suit most sleep styles. The firm mattress is suitable for back or stomach sleepers. The Saatva Classic mattress is available for purchase online. Best dual-sided Layla Hybrid This hybrid mattress combines layers of copper-infused gel memory foam, 6 in pocketed coils, and breathable foam that the company says provides zoned support. It is dual-sided, so people can have plush or firm support by simply flipping the mattress. According to the company, this makes the Layla Hybrid mattress suitable for all sleep positions. Layla offers a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty on its products. The Layla Hybrid mattress is available for purchase online. Best to pair with an adjustable base DreamCloud This mattress comes with a cooling cashmere and foam top and a gel memory foam layer that follows the body’s contours. The denser foam layer underneath prevents people from sinking into the mattress. According to the company, a layer of individually wrapped innerspring coils provides targeted support that adapts to the body. The base layer adds stability and durability. This mattress is compatible with most adjustable bases. People can also purchase an adjustable base directly from the DreamCloud website. The DreamCloud mattress is available for purchase online.
How to choose a mattress for sleep apnea When shopping for a mattress for sleep apnea, there are several factors a person should consider: Materials As this study mentions, side sleeping is one of the more beneficial sleeping positions for a person with OSA. A mattress with a memory foam layer, which supports comfortable side sleeping may benefit people with sleep apnea. Memory foam can relieve pressure on joints, such as the hips and shoulders, while keeping the spine aligned. Adjustability An adjustable bed may also relieve symptoms by allowing a person to sleep with their head slightly elevated. This can reduce symptoms such as snoring. For people sharing a bed with a partner, it may be beneficial to consider mattresses that split or feature dual chambers for each individual to adjust their side to suit. Firmness There are several different firmness levels for mattresses, varying from soft to very firm. A person’s sleeping position can help determine what mattress firmness may work best for them.
Frequently asked questions about sleep apnea Are there other sleeping materials that can help with sleep apnea? Alongside a supportive mattress, people with sleep apnea may also benefit from an adjustable bed base. Adjustable bases allow a person to change the angle of their bed, such as by elevating the head. For some people, elevating the head can improve breathing and alleviate snoring. What treatments are available for sleep apnea? Depending on the severity of a person’s sleep apnea symptoms, a doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments: a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device
oral appliance therapy, or a mandibular advancement device (MAD)
positional therapy, or wearing a waist device that assists side sleeping
evaluation by an otolaryngologist Can lifestyle changes help sleep apnea? The following lifestyle changes may also improve a person’s general sleep quality: avoiding processed or fast foods
drinking fewer sugary beverages
refraining from smoking
avoiding alcohol
maintaining a moderate body weight
changing sleeping position
exercising regularly