CPAP pillow for side sleepers: room for the mask, support for the neck
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- CPAP pillow with dual side cutouts and removable layers. Best for: Side sleepers who use a nasal or full-face mask. See options on Amazon
- CPAP pillow with hose tether. Best for: People whose tubing tugs the mask when they turn. See options on Amazon
- Shredded memory foam pillow you can mold. Best for: Nasal pillow mask users who want a softer feel. See options on Amazon
- Cooling gel CPAP pillow. Best for: Warm sleepers on CPAP. See options on Amazon
Why side sleeping and CPAP clash
Many CPAP users sleep on their side, but side sleeping presses one side of your face, and your mask, into the pillow. The Sleep Foundation says side sleepers are more prone to leaks because of how the face rests on a pillow, and that a weak seal makes therapy less effective. A regular pillow can also push the mask sideways or kink the hose as you turn.
A CPAP pillow is a bed pillow with cutouts or contoured sides that make room for the mask and tubing. The Sleep Foundation notes it is different from CPAP nasal pillows, which are a type of mask, and that it is an optional comfort item that insurers generally do not cover.
What to look for
- Cutouts that fit your mask. The Sleep Foundation says full-face and nasal masks are bulkier and need more room, while nasal pillow masks generally work with most CPAP pillows. Check the cutouts on the side you sleep on.
- Adjustable height. Side sleepers need more loft than back or stomach sleepers to fill the shoulder gap. The Sleep Foundation says some CPAP pillows have removable foam layers so you can raise or lower them.
- Hose management. Some designs add a tether that holds the tube steady so it does not tug on or pull away from your mask.
- Fill. Memory foam and polyfoam are the most common fills, and the Sleep Foundation says both support the neck better than feather. Most CPAP pillows range from medium to very firm.
- Heat. Foam can feel warm. Gel-infused foam, ventilation holes or a breathable cover can help.
- A washable cover. The Sleep Foundation says a good CPAP pillow should have a soft, washable cover.
Pair the pillow with the right mask
| Mask type | Side sleeping fit | Pillow need |
|---|---|---|
| Nasal pillows | The Sleep Foundation calls it one of the most popular types for side sleepers because it has the lowest profile | Works with most CPAP pillows |
| Nasal mask | Less bulky than full face; a reasonable option for many side sleepers | Moderate cutout |
| Full face | Generally bulky and more prone to leaks for side sleepers; often needed by mouth breathers or at higher pressures | Deep cutouts |
Mask choice is between you and your sleep team. If you keep leaking on your side even with a good pillow, ask them about a different mask type or size; the Sleep Foundation notes you can ask to be fitted at a doctor's office or sleep clinic.
One example: what a maker lists
To show what these features look like in practice, Contour Living lists its CPAPMax pillow at 20 by 13 by 5.8 inches, with side cutouts, a hose tether, adjustable layers to change height, a memory foam side and a fiber-fill side, and says it works with nasal, full-face and nasal pillow masks. The maker states that it is not a medical device and is meant for comfort and support. Many other CPAP pillows share the same basic features.
Setup tips for fewer leaks
- Put your head in the middle and let the side of your face rest over the cutout, so the mask sits in the gap.
- Adjust height until your neck is level, then recheck the seal lying down.
- Route the hose over the top of the pillow or through the tether. The Sleep Foundation notes a tangled tube is more likely to cause leaks, and top-of-head tubing suits people who change position.
- Keep the mask clean. The Sleep Foundation advises cleaning cushions daily and tubing and headgear at least weekly, and replacing cushions or nasal pillows monthly, frames and tubing every 3 months, and headgear about every 6 months, or as your supplier directs.
If you sleep raised on an incline, see the CPAP wedge pillow guide.
What to look for when you buy
CPAP pillow with dual side cutouts and removable layers
Best for: Side sleepers who use a nasal or full-face mask
Cutouts give the mask room so it is not pushed off its seal, and removable layers let you match the height to your shoulders.
Watch out: Check the cutout depth against your mask. Bulky full-face masks need more room.
See options on AmazonCPAP pillow with hose tether
Best for: People whose tubing tugs the mask when they turn
The Sleep Foundation says a tether stabilizes the tube and keeps it from tugging on or pulling away from your mask.
Watch out: A tether only helps if the hose is long enough to reach it without pulling.
See options on AmazonShredded memory foam pillow you can mold
Best for: Nasal pillow mask users who want a softer feel
The Sleep Foundation notes some CPAP pillows use shredded memory foam that can be molded and adjusted around the mask.
Watch out: It has no fixed cutout, so it may shift during the night.
See options on AmazonCooling gel CPAP pillow
Best for: Warm sleepers on CPAP
Foam CPAP pillows can feel warm; the Sleep Foundation notes makers use gel-infused foam and better airflow to help.
Watch out: Gel feels cool at first but does not keep you cold all night.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do CPAP pillows really work for side sleepers?
- They can reduce mask pressure and leaks by giving the mask room, but results depend on your mask and setup. They are optional comfort items.
- What is the best CPAP mask for side sleepers?
- The Sleep Foundation says nasal pillow masks are a popular choice for side sleepers because of their low profile. Your sleep team decides what fits your therapy.
- Can I use a regular pillow with CPAP?
- Yes, but a soft or tall pillow can push the mask out of place when you lie on your side. Pushing the pillow away from your face or using a CPAP pillow can help.
- Does insurance cover a CPAP pillow?
- The Sleep Foundation says insurers generally do not cover CPAP pillows because they are considered non-essential.
Sources
- Best CPAP Pillows (www.sleepfoundation.org/best-pillows/best-cpap-pillows), Sleep Foundation
- Best CPAP Masks for Side Sleepers (www.sleepfoundation.org/best-cpap-mask/best-cpap-mask-for-side-sleepers), Sleep Foundation
- Contour CPAPMax Pillow (contourliving.com), Contour Living