Snoring can be an indicator of underlying health issues, but in many cases it’s just irritating. If your snoring doesn’t seem to negatively affect your quality of sleep and you’re just looking for a remedy to make your partner’s nights a little quieter, you have options. We deeply researched the market and selected some of the best anti-snore devices available today. “People snore when there is turbulent airflow in their upper airway,” says Dr. Andrew R. Tomlinson of Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists in Reno, Nevada. In some cases, it’s nothing more than a nuisance for a partner, but that’s not always the case.
“It becomes a health issue when it blocks the lungs from getting air,” explains Tomlinson. That’s when you’re dealing with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), he says. If you’ve been told you appear to stop breathing while you sleep, it’s time to see a healthcare provider. While Dr. Tomlinson strongly cautions against buying expensive anti-snore devices before being assessed for possible OSA, there are a number of budget-friendly options on the market that could help curb your snoring. Keep in mind, different anti-snoring devices target different parts of the airway, which means the right option is personal and depends on your anatomy and the cause of your snoring. Still, Dr. Tomlinson says that anti-snoring devices really can be effective. These are our top picks.
Best Anti-Snore Nasal Dilator: Rhinomed Mute Nasal Dilator
Best Anti-Snore Mouthpiece: Zquiet Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece
Best Anti-Snore Nasal Strips: Breathe Right Nasal Strips
Best Anti-Snore Smart Device: Smart Nora
Best Anti-Snore Pillow: Tempur-Neck Pillow (Medium)
Best Anti-Snore Adjustable Base: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Ergo Power Base
Best Anti-Snore Nasal Dilator
Soft, Discreet And Adjustable
Rhinomed Mute Nasal Dilator
Nasal dilators are designed to increase airflow through the nose by alleviating congestion and opening the airway, which helps reduce or even stop snoring. These nestle into the nostrils and are designed to reduce how much you need to breathe through your mouth. The Mute nasal dilator from Rhinomed is made with what the company calls medical-grade, biocompatible polymers for a soft, pliable feel. It comes in three sizes, with adjustable stents (the part that fits inside the nostrils) for personalized and discreet nasal dilation. The adjustability ensures a comfortable fit that should stay in place all night. Mute is sold in sets of three and each dilator can be reused up to ten times—meaning a box should last you about a month.
According to Rhinomed, the Mute dilator is clinically tested to increase airflow up to 38% over nasal strips.
What reviews say: There are thousands of reviews for Mute, and most people find these nasal dilators work as advertised. “I tried every single product to help breathe better at night and none of them was as effective as this,” says one happy customer. “They have completely changed my life.” Another calls them “really effective” and says they “really open up my airways.” A third describes them as “not perfect but the next best thing to getting straight up septoplasty.”
Best Anti-Snore Mouthpiece
A Flexible Oral Device For Proper Jaw Positioning
Zquiet Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece
The Zquiet is a flexible oral device that fits inside the mouth and over the teeth. It positions the jaw slightly forward to keep the tongue and soft tissue from sinking when you’re relaxed at night. This helps you maintain a wide airway to reduce snoring, while also allowing for complete jaw movement. (The movement comes in handy if you want a sip of water during the night or simply need to swallow, for example.) The starter pack comes with two mouthpieces in different sizes, so you can find the one that fits most comfortably. The mouthpiece is FDA registered and doesn’t contain latex or BPA.
However, you want to be prepared for an adjustment period. The company advises that most people need time to get used to wearing a mouthpiece. Side effects, such as drooling or a sore jaw when you wake up, should fade with time and practice.
What reviews says: The Zquiet mouthpiece has its share of fans, many of whom are pragmatic about the pros and cons. One customer warns that while it does cause a little discomfort in the jaw, it takes “just a little time in the morning to return to normal.” They report going from “hours of snoring a night to about 4 to 12 minutes total,” according to a snore-tracking app. Another customer calls the Zquiet “an excellent product,” and notes that “waking up with the appliance in your mouth isn't the most pleasant experience, but it's the price to be paid for an excellent night's sleep.” They add, “Remember, these are not custom fitted. They won't fit perfectly. But considering that the custom appliance from my dentist is $1,800, I'm okay with a little bit of mass-production in my mouth.”
Best Anti-Snore Nasal Strips
Relieve Nasal Congestion To Minimize Snoring
Breathe Right Nasal Strips
Breathe Right Nasal Strips are small adhesive strips that are applied to the outside of the nose. The flexible strips feature spring-like bands that help lift and open the nasal passages as they try to straighten, making them effective for general congestion and minimizing or resolving associated snoring. Breathe Right Nasal Strips come in various sizes, colors, strengths and skin sensitivity levels, which means there are options to suit different needs and preferences. Plus, at about $10 for a box of 26, they won’t break the bank.
The strips are single-use and should be removed with care. To ensure they stick properly all night, they need to be applied to clean, dry skin. Proper positioning is important, too—the company says they should be placed right above the spot where the nose flares out and gently rubbed to secure into place.
What reviews say: Customers speaks highly of these strips. “This is simple and amazing. I wish I would have tried it sooner. I've been living with a deviated septum for the entire 42 years of my life and have a hard time breathing while working out and sleeping. I always felt like I was suffocating, but not anymore. I'd give ten stars if I could,” writes one customer. Another, who reports they “snore like crazy” puts it simply: “hallelujah, no more snoring.”
Best Anti-Snore Smart Device
Turn Your Favorite Pillow Into An Anti-Snore Device
Smart Nora
Smart Nora isn’t a wearable device. Instead, it’s an ecosystem that listens to your breathing and adjusts your pillow to reduce snoring. The Smart Nora relies on a three-part system that turns your favorite pillow into an anti-snore pillow. There’s the Pebble that sits on your bedside table and detects snoring, a padded pillow insert that fits beneath your pillow and then there’s the base, which features a silent pump that inflates or deflates the insert as needed. The system works with any pillow and for all sleep positions.
When you snore, the Smart Nora automatically adjusts the insert to reposition your head to open your airways and mitigate snoring. According to Smart Nora, this gentle pillow movement stimulates the throat muscles so you can breathe properly (minus the snoring). Plus, both the Pebble and the pillow insert are customizable, meaning you can find the audio sensitivity and inflation levels that work best.
Based on the brand’s in-house studies, Smart Nora reduces the volume of snoring so that neither the snorer nor a bed partner is disturbed. Movements begin when early snoring is detected, which can head off loud, disruptive snoring episodes. It’s a pricey option compared to the wearables on our list, but the company offers a 30-day return window so you can put it to the test yourself and make sure it’s a good solution for you and/or your partner.
What reviews say: Customers call the Smart Nora “the best device on the market” and “the only thing that works.” Happy spouses say they’re sleeping beside their partners again. One customer praises the Smart Nora because “it’s not intrusive at all.” They say, “I just click the ‘Pebble’ sensor on at night and I’m set. The inflation/deflation never wakes me up.”
Best Anti-Snore Pillow
A Pillow That Lifts Your Chin
Tempur-Neck Pillow (Medium)
This neck pillow from Tempur-Pedic doesn’t look like a typical fluffy pillow—but its contoured design is intentional. It’s made to support and align the head and neck in back and side sleeping positions. The extra-firm Tempur material adapts to heat and pressure, so it molds around your upper body for deep support. As for snoring, the ergonomic curves and design of the pillow naturally elevate the chin and gently tip back the head for perfect alignment and wide-open airways, putting your head and neck in an optimal position to limit (or prevent) snoring.
Tempur-Pedic’s Tempur-Neck Pillow comes in three sizes (small, medium and large) to accommodate different body types and frames. There is no trial window, but it does have a 5-year warranty and ships free. Plus, the cover is machine washable for easy care.
What reviews say: Happy customers praise the Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow for its support and snore-reducing prowess. “Night one of this pillow—zero snoring. Nada. Zip. Zilch on the sleeping throat thunder. Is the pillow like a cloud? I can't say that it is, but it is comfortable and gets the job done,” says one reviewer. Another writes, “This pillow has (according to my wife) cut my snoring by over 75%. Thanks for possibly saving my marriage.”
Best Anti-Snore Adjustable Base
A Smart Base That Automatically Responds To Snoring
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Ergo Power Base
The Tempur-Ergo Power base from Tempur-Pedic has all sorts of bells and whistles. Among them is a feature that snorers—and their partners—should find really appealing: Snore Response. This function senses snoring using sensors integrated into the base (the company doesn’t specify what type) and automatically adjusts the head of the bed approximately 12 degrees when it detects snoring. According to one 2022 study, sleeping at this incline shows promise as a non-invasive way to reduce snoring.
Of course, that’s in addition to features like USB ports, under-bed lighting, massage settings and Temper-Pedic’s Sleeptracker AI, which analyzes various metrics to provide personalized insights that might help you sleep better. Keep in mind this base doesn’t include a mattress (and you should double check if your current mattress is compatible), so consider it a pricey solution to snoring. However, it works with any mattress that is compatible with adjustable base—and most mattresses in a box are.
What reviews say: Customers love the Ergo base for its many features and benefits, including the effect it has on snoring. “The winner for me is the automatic snoring adjustment. Most nights one of us went and slept in the spare room because his snoring kept me up. The automatic head lifting is magic—and if it starts again the little vibrations really do the trick,” says one. Another rates it 10 out of 10 and writes, “I snore less and sleep better.”
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has extensive experience in the sleep world. Vetted contributor and author of this article Jessica Timmons has been writing sleep-related content for over a decade. We know how important it is to get expert advice and for this piece, we went straight to the specialists for their professional opinions.
How We Chose The Best Anti-Snore Devices
Before assembling our list of the best anti-snore devices, we deferred to the experts. Andrew R. Tomlinson, MD, of Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists in Reno and Kathleen Yaremchuk, MD, MSA, chair, department of otolaryngology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit both shared their feedback on anti-snore devices, including what might work, what definitely doesn’t and what people should know before purchasing.
Along with using their insights, we vetted products based on brand reputation and scoured product reviews for an idea of how well each device really works in the hands of customers like you. We made sure to include a range of different devices to suit individual needs and preferences. The final list is an array of solutions so you can find something that works for you. If you’re not ready to try a nasal dilator or strip, we recommend some less invasive solutions, like the Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow.
Other Options To Try
Both Tomlinson and Yaremchuk recommend behavioral remedies as an option worth exploring to reduce snoring. While they may lack the appeal of anti-snore devices that promise a quick fix, lifestyle interventions really can make a difference.
Weight Loss
“When individuals gain weight, there is an increase in neck circumference and even adipose tissue [body fat] deposits in the tongue itself,” says Yaremchuk. “The larger the neck circumference, the more likely it is to narrow when there is muscle relaxation.” A larger tongue is also more likely to fall back and narrow the airway, creating resistance and triggering snoring. The good news? Yaremchuk says that even weight loss of just 5 to 10 pounds can decrease snoring in some people.
Avoid Alcohol Before Bed
Alcohol is problematic for sleep quality as a whole, and it can also increase the likelihood of snoring. “Alcohol increases muscle relaxation especially during sleep and the tongue itself [relaxes],” says Yaremchuk. “The more muscle relaxation, the narrower the airway and the more snoring.” By avoiding alcohol in the evenings, you may find you can reduce your instances of snoring.
Get Enough Sleep
Fatigue has a similar effect as alcohol, creating more muscle relaxation and a narrower airway, which creates more resistance and more snoring. “The more tired you are, the more likely you are to snore,” says Yaremchuk. Consider it one more reason to prioritize a solid eight hours of sleep every night.
Be Cautious with Prescription Sedatives
Many sedatives can cause the same muscle relaxation as alcohol. If at all possible, avoid these options, advises Yaremchuk.
What To Consider When Shopping For An Anti-Snore Device
As someone who snores, you might feel pretty lonely. However, when you look at the numbers it’s pretty darn common—nearly half of all adults snore and more than 25% of snorers qualify as habitual snorers.
There are a lot of anti-snore devices out there, and for good reason. “Each one targets a different part of the airway and can be more or less effective, depending on one patient’s snoring,” says Tomlinson. Exploring different options can help you zero in on what works best for you. While all anti-snore devices are designed with a similar goal in mind, the method of treatment itself can vary. Some versions, like nasal strips and dilators, fit on or around the nose to increase airways. Anti-snore pillows and adjustable bases, meanwhile, are designed to elevate the chin, which can help open airways.
Pillows
Yaremchuk says snoring is worse if your chin tilts forward toward the chest. Because of this, the best anti-snore pillow is one that helps rotate the head slightly backwards to elevate the chin and increase volume in the throat. That can help decrease obstructions and the kind of turbulent airflow we hear as snoring.
Nose Strips and Dilators
These devices work in a similar fashion, with one key difference. “Nose strips pull the upper cartilage of the nose out to make more room in the nasal passage,” says Tomlinson. “Nasal dilators hold the lower cartilage of the nose out” to accomplish the same goal. In both cases, the idea is improving the nasal airway and keeping the mouth closed to minimize snoring.
Mouthpieces
These devices, also known as mandibular advancement devices (MADs), should be custom made by a sleep dentist, advises Yaremchuk. The personalized fit is designed to position the jaw forward, which prevents it from falling back during sleep, to help minimize or resolve snoring. However, custom devices can be costly, so an over-the-counter mouthguard is a less expensive alternative.
Adjustable Bases
An adjustable base may temporarily relieve mild snoring by taking weight off the chest, allowing for easier breathing, says Tomlinson. Still, it’s an expensive remedy that may not be as effective as other options.
Potential Risks
The options on our list can all be considered relatively low risk. Tomlinson notes that nasal strips can cause skin irritation and mouthpieces can lead to pain in the jaw joint. “Other than that, most of the ‘risk’ is financial.” He advises beginning with remedies that don’t cost anything. “Start with weight loss and better sleep hygiene and increase those options as needed.
When To See A Doctor
If snoring is disruptive enough that you or your partner are researching anti-snore devices, a visit with your healthcare provider is probably a good idea. Tomlinson also shares a few warning signs to warrant a healthcare visit:
- If you feel more tired than you think you should
- If you don’t feel rested after sleeping
- If you’re gaining weight
- If you’re having trouble concentrating during the day
- If you’re experiencing morning headaches
“Definitely see a doctor if a bed partner has noticed that you stop or pause your breathing in the night,” he says.
Which Is The Most Effective Anti-Snoring Device?
There isn’t a single most effective anti-snoring device since circumstances vary from one person to the next. The best anti-snoring device is the one that meets a snorer’s individual needs. That might mean combining a supportive pillow with weight loss or addressing a deviated septum with a nasal dilator.
Do Anti-Snoring Devices Actually Work?
Anti-snoring devices certainly can work, but there can be a period of trial and error. It’s best to avoid spending too much money on different devices until a doctor can identify what’s causing your snoring.
Will A CPAP Machine Help With Snoring?
CPAP machines can indeed help with snoring. Unfortunately, insurance usually doesn’t cover the cost if there is no evidence of OSA. “They’re focused on mitigating the health risk of OSA and aren’t concerned with the social problems of ‘simple’ snoring,” says Tomlinson.
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