Wedge pillow: Kölbs Bed Wedge Pillow

Smart pillow: Dravel Smart Anti-Snore Pillow

Organic pillow: Naturepedic Organic Side Sleeper Pillow

Cooling pillow: CozyPlayer Ultra-Cooling Memory Pillow

Snoring is more than just a disruptive noise emanating from you or your sleeping partner; it's something that can have real ramifications on your sleep health and overall well-being. "Snoring often disrupts sleep quality, leading to daytime fatigue, irritability and difficulty concentrating," said Dr. William Lu, a sleep expert and medical director at Dreem Health. What's more is that chronic snoring can also be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, Lu said, which is tied to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and depression. That's where anti-snore pillows, which are specifically designed to prevent snoring, come into play.

"They're designed to keep your head, neck and airflow passage in the best possible position, so you're able to inhale and exhale better while you're sleeping," said Dr. Emma Lin, a pulmonary and sleep medicine physician and co-founder of ReadyO2. "Some are uniquely shaped or actually have sensors that respond when you do snore. Other pillows may have some use, but if they're not engineered to stop snoring, then they're not as effective."

Best anti-snore pillows

Kölbs Bed Wedge Pillow

Amazon

Andrew E. Colsky, a trained behavioral sleep medicine clinician and founder of the National Sleep Center, recommends this wedge-shaped anti-snore pillow that's designed to gently elevate and support the head. "It's made of high-density foam for support and has a plush memory foam top layer to contour your head," he said. "It also comes with a machine-washable cover so that you can keep it clean." It comes in multiple sizes to suit a range of needs, from standard to extra-wide, and even a four-piece set to support your entire body.

$49 From $39 at Amazon

$44 From $39 at Walmart

$52 From $44 at Target

Donama Cervical Pillow

Amazon

If you're looking for a contoured memory foam pillow to help with snoring, there's the Donama Cervical Pillow for that, which is suitable for side, back and stomach sleepers. "It's made from a breathable fabric and is designed with side flaps that allow space for your arms if you sleep on your side or stomach," Colsky said. This pillow comes in two sizes -- standard and queen -- and three colors to match your bedroom style. It also comes with a cooling pillowcase, which will feel ultra refreshing for hot sleepers.

$40 From $30 at Amazon

Dravel Smart PO1 Anti-Snoring Pillow

Amazon

For even more advanced anti-snoring technology, Colsky recommends checking out this smart pillow from Dravel. "The manufacturer states that this pillow features an intelligent positioning system that gently guides your head and neck into the optimal sleeping position," he said. "It includes height adjustment for personal comfort as well as memory foam construction and app data tracking."

$400 at Amazon

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow

Tempur-Pedic

It turns out this Tempur-Pedic neck pillow isn't just a wise option for those struggling with neck pain but snoring too. "The Tempur-Neck pillow is designed with a contoured shape to support the natural curve of the neck, promoting proper alignment and reducing snoring caused by airway obstruction," said Leah Kaylor, a clinical and prescribing psychologist who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and specializes in sleep and trauma. "Its firm memory foam provides consistent support for back and side sleepers."

From $99 at Amazon

From $99 at Walmart

From $99 at Tempur-Pedic

Naturepedic Organic Side Sleeper Pillow

Naturepedic

If you're looking for a hypoallergenic and organic option, Kaylor recommends this side sleeper pillow, which features a breathable cotton cover and a shredded latex fill designed to repel allergens like dust mites and dander. "Its adjustable fill allows customization of loft and firmness, ensuring optimal head and neck support to maintain open airways during sleep," she said.

$139 at Amazon

$139 at Naturepedic

Nitetronic Z6 Smart Anti-Snore Pillow

Nitetronic

"This pillow comes with sensors to monitor snoring, and positions your head to a tilt to reduce it," Lin said. According to the physician, this premium pillow, crafted with velvet-filled memory foam pads, is a good option for those with "mild apnea during sleep or with long-standing snoring."

$699 $549 at Nitetronic

Pyramid Pillow Anti-Snoring Pillow

Amazon

Lin also recommends this wedge pillow from Amazon, which she said is ideal for individuals who tend to snore more when they're sleeping on their back. According to the brand, its 9.5-degree wedge is said to "gravity to keep your tongue clear of your airway," allowing users to feel relief from snoring.

$97 $70 at Amazon

CozyPlayer Ultra-Cooling Memory Pillow

Amazon

This cooling memory foam pillow is an ideal pick for side sleepers, according to Lin. "The contours ensure your head and neck are set, and you have cooling foam to prevent congestion -- another snoring cause," she said. Its 15-degree tilt is also designed to create proper spinal alignment and reduce pressure for all-over comfort.

$60 $40 at Amazon

Epabo Contour Memory Foam Pillow

Amazon

According to Dr. Sandip Sachar, a dentist with advanced training in dental sleep medicine and the owner of Sachar Dental, pillows made from contour memory foam help support the natural curve of your cervical spine, which helps properly align the airway. She singles out this Epabo Contour Memory Foam Pillow as a popular option and an ideal pick for side and back sleepers.

$42 From $40 at Amazon

Brentwood Home Zuma Wedge Pillow

Brentwood Home

If your snoring is the result of nasal congestion or reflux, wedge pillows like the Brentwood Home Zuma Wedge Pillow can be particularly useful, Sachar said. It comes with a machine-washable cover and is available in three heights that help align your spine for a snore-free snooze.

$69 $62 at Brentwood Home

Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow

Coop Sleep Goods

If you're looking to put snoring to rest, Sachar recommends looking for adjustable loft pillows since they allow you to personalize height and firmness to better suit your sleep position, whether on your stomach or side. "The Coop Home Goods Adjustable Loft Pillow is a popular choice and is particularly helpful for combination sleepers," she said.

From $85 at Amazon

From $85 at Walmart

From $85 at Target

From $85 at Coop Sleep Goods

What causes snoring?

"Snoring occurs during sleep when the airflow that moves through your mouth, nose or throat becomes partially blocked," Colksy said. "As a result, the tissues in your throat vibrate, creating the sound that you recognize as snoring." According to Colsky, several factors may contribute to an airflow obstruction, including nasal congestion, your sleeping position and anatomical factors like a deviated septum.

How to choose the best anti-snore pillows

Consider the severity of your snoring

According to Lin, investing in the right pillow is one of the most simple changes a snorer can make before resorting to more involved treatments like a continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machine or surgery. That said, anti-snore pillows may not be the best option for everyone. According to Colsky, it's important to identify your level of snoring. He said that if your snoring is light to moderate, for example, a sleep pillow may help. "If your snoring is severe, you're better off getting tested for obstructive sleep apnea, as an anti-snoring pillow will probably not help this condition," he said.

Consider your sleeping position

Our experts agree that you should consider your sleeping position when shopping for an anti-snore pillow. "If you sleep on your back and snore, then you'll want to look for a contoured pillow that encourages you to sleep on your side or a wedge pillow that slightly elevates your head," Colsky said.

On the flip side, if you're a side sleeper, you'll want to look for a memory foam pillow or a contoured pillow that can help you maintain proper neck alignment and an open airway. If you're open to sticking to one particular helpful position, Sachar recommends side sleeping as your best option. "Pillows that comfortably maintain a side-sleeping position, such as body pillows or specially designed anti-roll pillows are beneficial because they help prevent accidental rollover onto the back," she said.

Look for smart pillows

While you might have the best intentions, willing yourself into new sleep positions might not do the trick, especially if you're prone to tossing and turning. Colsky recommends considering smart pillows that can detect snoring and encourage you to change your position accordingly. Similarly, Dr. Roger Washington, medical director and founder of Sleep to Live Well Foundation, said the only anti-snore pillows worth considering listen to your snoring through an integrated microphone and use mechanical adjustments to reposition the sleeper.

Go for the Goldilocks of firmness

According to Sachar, snoring fares best on a pillow boasting a moderate level of firmness. "A medium-firm pillow is often ideal because it provides enough support to maintain proper head and neck alignment without collapsing," she said. A too-soft pillow won't offer adequate support and will allow the head to sink, which could narrow the airway, while a too-firm pillow can cause neck strain and discomfort, leading to poor sleep posture.

Think about the material

Kaylor recommends looking for materials that are supportive and not too firm or too soft, like memory foam, which is "known for its ability to contour to the shape of the head and neck, providing consistent support and maintaining airway alignment," she said. Latex is also a smart option for its supportive feel and ability to repel dust mites and other allergens.

If you're looking to customize the loft and firmness of your pillow, Kaylor said to go for pillows with adjustable fills like shredded memory foam or latex. Other materials to look for include buckwheat hull pillows. While they tend to be heavier and noisier than other options, Sachar said they're breathable, naturally hypoallergenic and ideal for sleepers who want "to customize loft and firmness precisely." According to Lin, practitioners in her practice regularly recommend memory foam or wedge pillows to patients who snore or have mild obstructive sleep apnea.

Consider durability and breathability

Lu recommends considering the durability of the pillow, adding you'll want to find one that retains its shape throughout the night. Breathability is another factor you might overlook when shopping for anti-snore pillows, but it's worth prioritizing. "Heat-retaining pillows can lead to restless sleep and more frequent position changes, potentially worsening snoring," Sachar said. That's why she recommends looking for pillows made from breathable fabrics and cooling materials.

FAQs

The following FAQs have been answered by Andrew E. Colsky, a trained behavioral sleep medicine clinician and the founder of the National Sleep Center.

How do anti-snore pillows work?

"Anti-snore pillows are designed to improve your head, neck or body positioning to keep your airway open and reduce the tissue vibrations that cause snoring," Colsky said. These types of pillows are most beneficial for people who have positional-based snoring.

Should you elevate your head to prevent snoring?

According to Colsky, elevating your head can prevent or reduce snoring for some people. For example, if you typically sleep on your back and you're a mild to moderate snorer, elevating your head can keep your tongue from falling back into your throat, which opens your airways and improves airflow. Colsky emphasized that it's important to avoid elevating your head too much, since that can bend your airway, which will worsen snoring. "This is why you don't want to simply stack pillows behind your head," Colsky said. "Rather, you should look for specially designed pillows to help elevate your head without the drawbacks."

What level of firmness in a pillow is the best to stop snoring?

According to Colsky, the recommended level of firmness for a pillow to reduce any snoring should be moderate to firm, as either level can help align your head and neck. "Soft pillows are not recommended because they may allow your head to sink deeply, which can bend your neck and narrow your airway," he said.

Meet our experts

For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights.

* Andrew E. Colsky, trained behavioral sleep medicine clinician and founder of the National Sleep Center

* Leah Kaylor, clinical and prescribing psychologist who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and specializes in sleep and trauma

* Dr. Emma Lin, pulmonary and sleep medicine physician and cofounder of ReadyO2

* Dr. William Lu, sleep expert, physician and medical director at Dreem Health

* Dr. Sandip Sachar, dentist with advanced training in dental sleep medicine and owner of Sachar Dental

* Dr. Roger Washington, medical director and founder of Sleep to Live Well Foundation

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, associate editor Rachel Dennis interviewed several medical professionals for their insights on what to look for when shopping for pillows that can help with snoring.