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IF YOU HAVE a snoring problem, it's likely you've experienced the whole gamut of issues that comes from your obstructed airways. Hopefully you've already seen a medical professional to get your snoring checked out. If not, then we recommend booking an appointment ASAP. If you have received expert opinion, then you at least have a solid idea of how serious your snoring is; which then leads to the ability to pursue potential solutions in products like anti-snoring devices.
The Best Anti-Snoring Devices
What Are Some Symptoms of Snoring?
Just so you have a refresh, snoring is caused by obstructed airways."Frequent snoring is not normal and can be caused by multiple reasons, including allergies, nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, large collar size, or when the tongue falls back and blocks the throat," says sleep scientist Carleara Weiss, PhD, MS, RN. Even if you are a light snorer, Weiss notes you can experience feelings of constant fatigue, dry mouth, sore throat, headache, mood swings and more. "If a person is experience any of these symptoms, they should seek medical evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) before considering any at-home anti-snoring treatment solutions," says Weiss.
What Is the Most Effective Anti-Snoring Device?
As mentioned earlier, snoring can be caused by a number of factors. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to snoring. However, the first place you can start in looking for an effective anti-snoring device is by adjusting your sleep position and pillow. "I recommend changing sleep position—side sleep typically reduces snoring—and using a medium-firm pillow for optimal neck and head support," says Weiss. Adjusting your sleep position in this manner could help open up the airways and potentially help alleviate your snoring.
If altering your sleep position doesn't work, then you can start exploring anti-snoring products like nose dilators, mouth guards, and more. With the help of Weiss, we did the research for you on which anti-snoring devices could prove to be helpful (and which devices are worth skipping). Keep scrolling to read our full list.
Pros
Memory foam supports proper head and neck alignment for side sleeping
Breathable and temperature neutral
Encourages side sleeping which may help reduce snoring
Hypoallergenic materials
Cons
More expensive than most pillows
Back sleepers and stomach sleepers might want something softer
According to Weiss, the ideal sleeping position to potentially help alleviate snoring is going to be on your side. Consider this medium to firm style pillow from MH-favorite brand Saatva. The Cloud memory foam pillow material will help contour to your body, and its gel-infused proprietary blend top will provide bllissful cooling.
Mechanism | Better neck and spine position for side sleeping |
---|---|
Size | Queen: 28" x 16" x 7"King: 34" x 16" x 7" |
Materials | Gel-infused memory foam with latex |
Washing machine safe? | Pillow cover |
100% CertiPUR-US certified? | Yes |
Pros
Can be used for overall health tracker
Comfier than other wearables while sleeping
Up to 7 days of battery life
Durable and water resistant
Cons
More expensive than other anti-snoring devices
Oura membership required for all analytics
Loses battery charge capabilities over time
While the Oura Ring won’t stop snoring on its own, it can help you track your efforts and show how well you are sleeping. The Oura Ring includes an array of sensors, including an infrared optical pulse measurement sensor, a 3D accelerometer, and a gyroscope, to help provide detailed insights into sleep stages like deep sleep, REM sleep, and wakefulness.
Understanding your sleep habits with the Oura Ring's sleep tracking can help you improve your overall wellness. Add it to your arsenal so you can track if your sleep is improving during your anti-snoring device testing (you can't measure what you can't track, after all).
Mechanism | Improved sleep analytics |
---|---|
Materials | Titanium |
Operating System Compatibility | Apple iOS, Android |
Bluetooth enabled? | Yes |
Water resistant? | Yes (328 ft. max) |
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Pros
Potential for deeper opening of nostrils thanks to design
Can be an effective solution for snoring caused by congestion
Under $20
Cons
May not work for every individual nose shape
Can slide off during turning while sleeping
Some reviewers felt it too uncomfortable to sleep
The Air Max nasal dilator offers a simple way to promote better sleep. "This works by opening the nose to keep the airways open and ensure adequate airflow during sleep, which would ensure satisfactory brain oxygen levels during sleep," says Weiss. Many individuals credit nasal dilators with providing a more comfortable rest, likely due to at least helping relieve some of the effects of snoring (but not necessarily curing their snoring). What's nice about nasal dilators is they are affordable and come in a bunch of different designs, so you can try out ones to see which is most comfortable.
The Air Max dilator you see here is a popular seller due to the product's ability to reach up higher into the nostril to open up the passageway more fully.
Mechanism | Nasal dilation |
---|---|
Reusable? | Yes, up to 3 months |
Materials | Medical compounds which are latex, BPA, and drug free |
Pros
Under $10 a box
Adhesive is strong, but not too strong
Elastic bands help open up nasal passage
Can be worn for everyday use, if preferred
Cons
Some do not prefer the adhesive application
Some might want a stronger nasal dilator
Nasal dilators also come in a strip form (called nasal strips). Instead of entering the nostril, nasal strips sit on top of the nose and use embedded elastic bands to pull open the nostrils. Breathe Right is a top seller for nasal strips due to its simple designs and ready availability (both online and at local drug stores).
Breathe Right's extra strength strips designed for sensitive skin are the best of their lot. With up to 50% more "spring" than their original strips, this one will open up even the stuffiest of noses. Easy, convenient, and a perfect on-the-go option.
Mechanism | Nasal dilation |
---|---|
Reusable? | No |
Materials | Hypoallergenic, flexible, nonporous, and drug free |
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Pros
Silent operation and portability for traveling
No wearing anything
Many reviewers found this to be the only solution effective solution
Easy setup
Cons
Some reviews have found the auto-adjustments to hurt their neck
Three-piece system includes use of cords
Noise can awaken light sleepers
Hefty investment
Unlike traditional mouthguards or nasal strips, Smart Nora is a contact-free and non-invasive device made to help limit snoring. The tech works is by placing a small white device (called the "Pebble") on your nightstand, and then connecting it the grey air pump. The Pebble then listens at night for snoring and transmits a message to the air pump, which then activates the white inflatable pillow insert to inflate or deflate to help change your head and neck position and open up the airways.
What's cool is you can adjust the sensitivity level of the Pebble and the amount of motion in your pillow to find your optimal setting. "I think a link to new tech is always nice to see," says Weiss. "I would recommend devices like this are for snoring only, so if the person has OSA it will not solve the problem."
Mechanism | Auto-adjusts pillow |
---|---|
Money back guarantee? | 45-night guarantee |
Portability? | Yes |
Best Magnetized Nasal Strips
Intake Breathing Nasal Dilators Starter Kit
Now 20% Off
Pros
Doesn't fall off while sleeping like some strips
Durable
Pulls nose outwards instead of forward
Less adhesion means better skin health
Can be worn during workouts
Cons
More expensive than usual breathing strips
Smaller noses may fit it to be an awkward fitting
More hassle to apply than regular breathing strips
Some individuals find regular nasal strips aren't strong enough and nasal dilators are too intrusive. If you think that could be you, then consider taking a combination approach with the Intake Breathing set—a two-part system that sits comfortably on the outside of your nose and uses magnets to open up the nostril.
The magnets sit secured on a reusable band, while the breathing tabs, containing a steel disk, rest gently on your nostrils with a small tab of adhesive attached. Voila! Stronger nasal expansion and better breathing without an interior nasal dilator.
Mechanism | Nasal dilation |
---|---|
Materials | Latex and drug free |
Reusable? | Reusable magnetic nasal dilator |
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Pros
Improved oral and tongue positioning
Durable materials built to last
Great reviews from customers having improved athletic performance
Helps prevent jaw clenching and teeth grinding
No need for boiling or molding
Cons
Expensive investment
Needs to be worn consistently to achieve results
Not molded to teeth which can make it uncomfortable to wear
Sizing can be tough to determine
Weiss only recommends considering a mouthguard if you do not have OSA. "They work very well for teeth grinding and bruxism but are not the solution for OSA—which many, but not all, people who snore have," says Weiss.
Mouth guards are popular as anti-snoring devices because they are are easy to set up. We like this one from Posturepro due to its unique design that trains your tongue to stay high on the palate. The theory behind this, according to the brand, is the positioning could promote better oral and postural health, thus leading to improved breathing and reduced snoring.
Materials | 100% biocompatible and free from bisphenol, phthalates, and PVC |
---|---|
Ease of use | No boiling or molding |
Mechanism | Improves tongue posture |
Meet the Expert
- Carleara Weiss, PhD, MS, RN, Sleep Scientist
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