We have all laughed at a cartoon depicting a character snoring with full abandon and making far more intrusive noises than otherwise would be the case. But if you have witnessed someone snoring at full throttle, then you know that it is not a laughing matter when you are lying in bed in the middle of the night.
In some cases, snoring is a serious health hazard, and we are not talking about the person lying next to the snorer, although they might suffer from sleep deprivation. Snoring can lead to obstructive sleep apnea, which is nothing other than shallow breathing – in some cases, breathing stops altogether, lasting for as long as ten seconds.
It is serious and can lead to a whole host of health problems such as strokes, heart problems, irregular heartbeat and gastroesophageal reflux issues. Other things such as a reduction in sex drive and obesity are the more visible and immediate effects.
You and your partner might have thought of everything to help stop it. But maybe you forgot about the most obvious thing. Perhaps you and your cherished loved one are sharing the wrong mattress. In this article, we want to present to you the best mattresses to counter snoring and give you the necessary information and reviews to make the right choice.
Can a Mattress Help People That Snore?
The mattress itself cannot help with snoring directly. What the bed can do in the quest to stop snoring is offer the best sleeping surface to change the snorer’s point of view.
So, why is changing his or her mind in bed so important?
The answer is simple really. During our reviewing process, we discovered that side sleepers rarely suffer from snoring. We already touched upon the reason for this in an above section. Sleeping on your side prevents the tongue from sliding backward and blocking the airway. That’s it really.
So, where does the mattress come into play in bed?
If you were reading carefully, you would have noticed in the above reviews that all of our suggested mattresses are perfect for side sleepers. This is where we thought we could help.
Let’s look at the main reason why sleeping on the side is so natural to over seventy percent of the population. In short, it emulates what it felt like in the mother’s womb – the fetus lies curled up and leans to the side.
Taking that into consideration, it is not difficult to imagine switching positions to reduce snoring. And for that, you need the right mattress that aligns the spine perfectly to the bed – use bedding as medicine.
Tips for Stopping Snoring (Breathing Heavily)
Replace Mattress
As we have just seen, replacing the mattress by itself will do nothing to prevent snoring. Firstly, a cognitive decision needs to be made that will change the way the snorer sleeps during the night. In this instance, the mattress is the excellent way to force that through.
Getting the right bedding makes all of the difference in the quest to stop snoring. The reason for this is simple really. If you feel comfortable and well supported on the side, the chances are that you will remain in that position increase by a lot. Do yourself a favor and think about changing your bed, you can get it on Amazon or purchase anywhere online.
Another thing, you will be doing your back and your partner a big favor by making this commitment. But before you decide, let’s look at the reason why a change in sleeping position is so beneficial.
Sleeping Position
Sleeping on the side is the best way to counter snoring without having to endure any medical procedures. The reasoning for this is clear. Unlike when you are lying on your back (read: our recommended beds for back sleepers), the tongue can settle in a neutral position when you are lying on your side. This stops the blockage of the airway and consequently snoring ceases.
In addition, throat muscles are forced into an unnatural position – they relax. As a consequence and in conjuncture with the tongue, air is pushed down the esophagus, drying it out and creating the unbearable noise we call snoring. This can lead to dehydration of the throat and mouth, which can lead to tooth decay and colds.
We hope you are convinced now and are ready to turn a new leaf and become a side sleeper. As we mentioned, the right type of bed is paramount when doing this. Changing position will feel unnatural at first. The perfect mattress will make this transition all the smoother and less noticeable. Also, belly sleepers should do the same.
Lifestyle Changes
As you have already realized it is not only sleeping on your back and the mattress that are the causes of your snoring. Lifestyle plays the most prominent role.
You are what you eat! Nowhere is this truer than in the bedroom. We have all indulged in a little too much spicy food in the evenings. Couple that with a late hour and you have a recipe for disaster. However, when eat unhealthily on a regular, the problem could become chronic.
Don’t forget to exercise! Experts suggest that even only partaking in a twenty-minute walk during the day improves fitness and health. Another tip, take the stairs instead of the elevator. All kinds of movement keep you fit.
A too larger glimpse into your glass – and we are not talking about finding water. Too much alcohol is detrimental to your breathing, health and ultimately to your snoring. Do yourself a favor and keep it in check.
Best Type of Mattresses for Sufferers
Latex
Latex mattresses come in two forms. Firstly, you have the synthetic model that is entirely constructed out of manmade petroleum-based materials. Then you have all natural latex derived from trees using the Dunlop technique for example. Both are good. However, when you want to be eco-friendly, Talalay latex is the way to go, and if allergic, you may need to go synthetic.
Once you have the latex bed, it is safe to say that they are very good for side sleepers. We focus on this group because we have determined that it is the most recommended way to lie to reduce snoring.
Latex mattresses promise excellent durability and body-shaping properties, making them comfortable, supportive and pressure releasing on the joints. If you can handle the high price and the weight, latex might be the right choice for you.
Hybrid
The mongrel of the bedding industry.
We in no way mean this in a negative sense no matter how depreciating the title. On the contrary, a mongrel can be resilient, strong, reliable, and loyal to a tee. The same goes for the hybrid bed.
Take a good look our recommended hybrid mattresses and the product descriptions, you will see that the hybrid takes the best from latex, memory foam and innerspring and uses excellent advantages to create the ultimate sleeping surface.
Bed manufacturers have no problem combining latex for durability with memory foam and gel for body contouring and coolness. Or maybe, combine innerspring and latex to create the optimal support and firmness that lasts.
Like the other two, the hybrid is perfect for side sleepers and consequently an excellent choice when looking for something that will make your position conversion easier.
Memory Foam
Ever since its inception by NASA for its astronauts, traditional memory foam mattress has taken over the market by storm. Contrary to popular belief, memory foam is no longer too hot and unpleasant if you do not like that sort of thing.
Instead, thanks to technological advances and vast experience in the industry, manufacturers have come up with formulae that enjoy all of the advantages of this viscoelastic material at a far better level.
Coolness need not take away the brilliant adaptation of the bed’s surface to the body, creating the ultimate sleeping surface. Conduct your reviewing, and you will see that many people swear by memory foam.
Also, we already know that this material is ideal for side sleepers. We no longer need to remind you why the sleeping position is important at this point. Just be aware that changing it will help reduce or stop your snoring.
Other Alternatives
Pillow
We are already fully aware of the fact that most snorers sleep on their back. It is no surprise that there are anti-snoring pillows on the market.
Are they worth looking at?
Yes! If a pillow is designed the right way, the head is supported and can counter the natural relaxation of the mouth. Jaw and tongue that causes snoring.
The perfect cushion supports the head so that the spinal cord is always straight. Second, they are made up of hypoallergenic materials (allergies can cause snoring). And finally, the head and shoulders must be so aligned that the airway is not blocked.
Anti-Snoring Devices
As more than forty percent of people snore during the night, it is evident that there are some anti-snoring devices that might counter this ailment. We have listed them below to support your mattress choice.
Mandibular Advancement Device – It is nothing other than a mouthpiece that shifts the jaw so that the airwave cannot remain blocked. They are effective but are also known to cause a dry mouth and sourness.
Nasal Strips – They are attached to the outer nasal bridge to clear the passage and counter any allergies. However, if you naturally breathe through the nose, their usefulness is zero.
For a short-term solution, you can always try medication – see your doctor for this.
Toppers and Pads
Choosing a quality topper and pad can also help for those who suffer from snoring. Do some reviewing to find the perfect one for your bed. But first, be aware of their difference.
Topper – this one is ideal if you have an old and lumpy mattress and you need to spruce it up with a better surface. It is a great solution when you are on a budget and cannot afford a new bed. The topper varies between two and four inches in thickness.
The pad can improve your new mattress if you want something a little cozier or maybe you need to cover the crack between two twins.
Top 3 Mattresses to Stop or Reduce Snoring
Nectar – Best for Anti-Snore
Features:
- Great comfort at a great price
- Tencel cooling cover
- The top-grade materials confirmed by CertiPUR-US
Our Ratings: 9.6/10
If you are in search of something to counter your snoring in bed, the Nectar is one of the highest-quality on the market. This company has identified the optimum levels of support firmness, comfort, breathability, and coolness. It’s fabric technology at its perfection and stuffed into a mattress that promises to help with your snoring.
Quality materials make it easier for snorers. The Nectar is CertiPUR-US certified, promising the use of only the very high-grade materials that are eco-friendly. When used properly, you can be sure that your back is supported where it is needed in the bed. No matter in what position you sleep, the right contouring to the body makes all of the difference.
You will be sure to sleep sound on this mattress thanks to excellent motion transfer and noise limitation. Slap the perpetual warranty and the 365-day trial into the mix, and you have an excellent bed.
Want to see other perks of this type? See our full Nectar examination here.
Purple – Ideal Choice
Features:
- Scientifically researched for sleep comfort
- Pressure relieving
- Perfect airflow for coolness
- Motion isolation
Our Ratings: 9.5/10
The purple is the idea choice if you suffer from snoring in bed. In many cases, sleeping on your back causes snoring. The Purple is the top-rated choice for side sleepers due to the unbeatable body-contouring capabilities. The smart-pressure relieving memory foam grid promises optimal support and sinkage.
The hyper-elastic-polymer used in Purple mattresses is patented. As already mentioned, it is a type of memory foam, but this one is ideal because it does not store the heat as traditional memory foam beds do. It makes switching the sleeping position from the back to the side all the easier for snorers – it’s so comfortable, you won’t know you’ve changed position.
Not only that, the Purple is created and manufactured in the USA and is hypoallergenic, non-toxic and durable all in one. Slap on free delivery and in-home setup along with a ten-year warranty and a 100-night trial, you have a real winner on your hands.
So, you really want this model? Click here for a complete Purple evaluation.
Nolah – Perfect Comfort
Features:
- Soft and firm
- 4 times less pressure on the shoulders
- Excellent breathability
- 120-night trial
Our Ratings: 9.4/10
Nolah claims to be more durable than latex and cooler than memory foam. We wanted to check this claim out. To do so, we had to take a look at the different layers inside of the mattress for a better idea.
The Nolah bed is made up out of three layers of foam and a natural viscose cover on the top. The foam layers deliver various advantages in the form of a high-density base, a supportive high resilience foam in the center and a cooling air-foam on the upper layer to keep the sleeper cool during the night.
We tried it out, and we have to say that like the Purple it is ideal for side sleepers. A shift from your back to the side in bed to reduce or even stop snoring. Another thing you will like is that should you change sides during the night that you will not disturb your partner thanks to optimal motion transfer in the bed.
Want to find more about Nolah? Then, go over our assessment here.
Our Final Thoughts
If you snore, you should not take it lightly. We have seen the problems it can cause at the beginning of this article, and we are not only talking about your health. The missus or the mister could be rather put out if they have to listen to the imitation of a lawnmower all night.
Do your love life a favor and invest in something that might help. You have seen the reviews and read about the best mattress options available when you snore. Why not start with a topper and a specialized cushion if a new mattress is not affordable yet. Just do something.
Resources:
- Sleep and health implications of snoring: A populational analysis. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25946644
- Snoring – https://medlineplus.gov/snoring.html