CPAP therapy has a ton of great benefits , but it’s no secret that sleeping with a CPAP machine and mask can take some getting used to . One of the best ways to solve this discomfort is by sleeping with a pillow specifically designed for your CPAP mask.

These pillows are highly recommended because they take the pressure off your mask, reduce mask movement, and improve the strength of your mask seal. If those sound like problems you’ve been experiencing, we’re here to help by providing you with our top picks for the best CPAP pillow!

• Editor’s Pick: Contour CPAPMax Pillow 2.0
• Best Head and Neck Support: Contour CoolFlex
• Best for Side Sleepers: Snugell CPAP Ergonomic Pillow
• Best for Back Sleepers: Contour Cloud
• Best Travel CPAP Pillow: Contour Home & Travel Pillow

Contour CPAPMax Pillow 2.0 Details

The Contour CPAPMax Pillow 2.0 is an all-around great pillow for anyone who uses a CPAP machine, especially if you are still adjusting to CPAP therapy or struggle to sleep in a comfortable position while wearing your CPAP mask. This pillow offers exceptional head and neck support while eliminating most mask-related pressure points created by traditional pillows.

The CPAPMax stands out for many reasons, including a dual-sided design with cooling memory foam and a hypoallergenic pillowtop. Its unique construction allows you to change your pillow thickness to suit your preferred sleeping position. You can pair this pillow with virtually any style of CPAP mask, and it is an excellent choice for back, side, and stomach sleepers!

Why Did We Choose This Pillow?

• Three Pillow Thickness Inserts: These thickness inserts allow you to choose between four levels of pillow height, ranging from 2 ¼ to 5 ¼ inches. You can remove, replace, or rearrange these inserts until you find your perfect pillow thickness.
• Dual-Sided Design: CPAPMax allows you to choose from two unique experiences for one price– cooling memory foam on one side and a soft, hypoallergenic pillowtop on the other.
• Cooling Technology: One side of the pillow features a memory foam cushion with a 3-D mesh design that promotes airflow and creates a cooling effect.
• Hypoallergenic Pillowtop: When you flip the CPAPMax over, you will notice a soft, microfiber pillowtop filled with hypoallergenic fibers. This side offers all the same benefits as a CPAP-friendly design but with the look and feel of a traditional pillow.
• Memory Foam Material: The body of this pillow is primarily made of memory foam, which provides support while perfectly conforming to the contours of your head and neck.
• Concave Center: This pillow has a gently contoured center that aligns the spine, supports the head, and opens the airway.
• CPAP Mask Cut-Outs: Side cut-outs allow you to rest your head on a pillow without having the pillow press against your CPAP mask. This feature reduces the discomfort caused by having your mask pressed up against your face and is especially important if you are a side sleeper or sleep on your stomach.
• Extended Hose Tether: This product features an extended hose tether at the top of the pillow designed to hold your hose in place all night long.

This Pillow Is Ideal For:

• Any CPAP Mask: You can use this pillow with any style of CPAP mask. It is especially recommended for bulky masks or bulky headgear that cause you to overheat.
• All Sleeping Positions: CPAPMax provides excellent head and neck support for back sleepers, while the adjustable thickness and CPAP mask cut-outs are perfect for side sleepers and stomach sleepers.
• Active Sleepers: Thanks to the hose tether, your equipment will stay in place even if you move around in your sleep.
• Hot Sleepers: The temperature-regulating effect is a game-changer for people who get overheated when wearing their headgear.
• People With Allergies: The CPAPMax pillow is made with hypoallergenic microfibers and memory foam.
• Traditional Pillow Lovers: CPAPMax is the only product on our list that offers a traditional pillowtop design.

Contour CoolFlex Details

The Contour CoolFlex is the newest and most exciting product from the Contour lineup. It is designed to do two things– regulate your temperature while providing personalized support for both you and your CPAP equipment.

This CPAP pillow conforms to your body with memory foam that eases pressure points and maximizes comfort, even when wearing bulky headgear. Additionally, it features Contour’s new “Flexible Neck Zone,” which offers adjustable stability for your head, neck, shoulders, and CPAP mask. The unique CoolFlex design provides a universal mask fit while allowing you to sleep in any position.

Why Did We Choose This Pillow?

• Cooling Technology: CoolFlex features an innovative gel pad that offers cooling comfort whenever you feel overheated from wearing all that CPAP headgear.
• Temperature-Regulating Fabric: This pillow is covered with a temperature-regulating fabric featuring Phase Change Material (PCM), which works with the cooling gel to balance your body temperature.
• Flexible Neck Zone: The Flexible Neck Zone features two memory foam-covered arms at the base of the pillow. These can be bent in any direction for customizable head, neck, and mask support.
• Memory Foam Material: The memory foam body provides a soft but supportive touch that cradles your head and offers neck support without creating new pressure points.
• Adjustable CPAP Mask Cut-Outs: Due to the design of the Flexible Neck Zone, you can adjust each side cut-out to fit any style or brand of CPAP mask, making it a truly universal CPAP mask.
• Extended Hose Tether: The top of this pillow features an 18-inch tether for your CPAP tubing, allowing you to move from side to side without having your CPAP hose slip off the bed or pulling your mask off.

This Pillow Is Ideal For:

• All CPAP Masks: The CoolFlex is the best pillow for CPAP masks out of all the products on today’s list due to its flexible arms that adjust to fit around any CPAP mask.
• All Sleeping Positions: CoolFlex is ideal for back sleepers who need extra neck support. The flexible neck support and contoured mask cut-outs also make this one of the best CPAP pillows for stomach sleepers and side sleepers.
• Active Sleepers: This pillow features an extended hose tether that will prevent your CPAP tubing from sliding off the bed, no matter how much you move at night.
• Hot Sleepers: The cooling features make this pillow a great option for anyone who becomes overheated while wearing their CPAP headgear.
• Limited Head Movement: If you wish to limit movement at night, you can adjust the pillow’s flexible, supportive arms to encourage your head to stay in one position.

Snugell CPAP Ergonomic Pillow Details

The Snugell CPAP Ergonomic Pillow offers a unique design compared to other top competitors. But despite its interesting four-leaf clover design, Snugell’s approach is rather simple. This ergonomic pillow features contoured clover leaves that support the curve of your spine while creating a natural space for your CPAP mask.

The cushion is filled with soft memory foam shaped around a concave center that cradles your head and opens up the airway. Although there is no hose tether, the pillow offers space between each leaf that can be used to hold your CPAP tubing in place while you sleep.

The  Contour Legacy Leg Pillow  helps side sleepers fall asleep with perfect spinal alignment every night!

Why Did We Choose This Pillow?

• Four Adjustable Pillow Heights: Each leaf offers a new option for pillow thickness, ranging from 3.84 to 4.72 inches. If you need a thicker cushion, simply rotate your pillow.
• Clover-Style Design: This clover-style pillow offers a simple ergonomic design that checks all the boxes for the best CPAP pillows. It provides head and neck support while leaving space for your CPAP mask.
• Memory Foam Material: The Snugell CPAP pillow is made with soft memory foam that conforms perfectly to the shape of your body and eases pressure points created by your CPAP headgear.
• Hypoallergenic: This pillow is allergen and dust-mite-resistant, with a hypoallergenic cushion and pillow cover.
• Concave Center: The center of this pillow is slightly concaved to provide additional support for your head and neck, reducing your risk for airway obstructions and improving joint pain.
• Contours Around CPAP Mask: Each clover leaf features a gentle slope with contoured sides that prevent your pillow from putting pressure on your CPAP equipment. Ultimately, this design reduces mask movement and eases pressure points on your face.

This Pillow Is Ideal For:

• Most CPAP Masks: The Snugell CPAP pillow can be used with most CPAP masks. However, very bulky headgear may be better suited for a pillow with actual side cut-outs that leave more space for large mask shells or hose connection points.
• Back Sleepers: This pillow provides head and neck support for any back sleeper.
• Side Sleepers: The unique clover leaf design and adjustable pillow height make this pillow ideal if you are a side sleeper.

Contour Cloud Details

If you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-use pillow that feels great, the Contour Cloud is a solid choice! This three-layer pillow features a thick layer of soft memory foam that aligns perfectly with the curves of your head and neck. The lower layers provide a firm base of support for your neck and shoulders with a gentle curve that keeps your spine aligned.

While the Contour Cloud may not have all the same bells and whistles of other competitors on this list, the contoured memory foam design makes it a solid choice for back sleepers looking for extra neck support.

The  Contour 2-in-1 Leg Relief Wedge  promotes knee and spine health for back sleepers!

Why Did We Choose This Pillow?

• Unique Curved Shape: While this product does not include side cut-outs for your CPAP mask, the midline of this pillow offers a unique contoured center that comfortably holds your head in place and takes the pressure off of your headgear when sleeping on your back.
• Three Layers of Support: This CPAP pillow features three layers of material, including memory foam and two supporting layers to hold the head and encourage proper neck alignment.
• Concave Center: The contoured center holds your head comfortably in an anatomically correct position, which reduces pressure on the back of your head and opens up the airway to reduce obstructions.
• Memory Foam Material: The top layer is made of memory foam, which eases pressure points and soothes muscle aches.
• Ridged Design: The top surface features a ridged design, which encourages airflow to keep the back of your head and neck cool.

This Pillow Is Ideal For:

• Back Sleepers: This is an excellent pillow for back sleepers who wear CPAP masks thanks to its contoured shape and gentle memory foam topper.
• Side Sleepers With Nasal-Style Masks: This pillow offers a lot of head and neck support for people who sleep on their side. However, this pillow doesn’t work well with a full face mask. If you’re a side sleeper, it’s best to use this pillow only when using a traditional nasal mask, nasal cradle mask, or nasal pillow mask.

Contour Home and Travel CPAP Pillow Details

The Contour Home & Travel Pillow is another promising new addition to the Contour family. It features many of the same great characteristics of Contour’s other CPAP pillows, including a cooling gel pad, memory foam support, and side cut-outs. This is the best CPAP pillow for traveling because you get all of the benefits of a reliable brand with the added bonus of storing it in a compact carrying sleeve.

Why Did We Choose This Pillow?

• Compact Storage: When this pillow isn’t being used, it rolls up into a compact carrying sleeve that is small enough to place in your bag or closet.
• Impressive Size: When aired out and decompressed, the Home and Travel Pillow is 20” L X 11.5” W X 4.5” H, making it one of the largest CPAP pillows for travel.
• Cooling Gel Pad: Like the CoolFlex, this pillow features a cooling gel pad that regulates your body temperature and prevents overheating.
• Contoured Design: This product offers a contoured design that fits the curve of your neck and shoulders, providing added support to those areas.
• Memory Foam Material: This pillow features soft memory foam that contours around your head and neck for a personalized fit.
• CPAP Mask Cut-Outs: This pillow features contoured cut-outs on each side. This design reduces the pressure your pillow places against your mask.

This Pillow Is Ideal For:

• All CPAP Masks: Because of the shape and size of the side cut-outs, this pillow can be used with any style or brand of CPAP mask.
• All Sleeping Positions: This pillow aligns your head and neck while lying in any position, plus it keeps your head cool even when lying on your back. Additionally, the contoured edges and side cut-outs reduce neck and shoulder discomfort, making this travel pillow perfect for side sleepers and those who sleep on their stomachs.
• Hot Sleepers: The cooling gel eases temperature-related discomfort and is perfect for anyone who gets hot while wearing their CPAP gear.

The best CPAP pillows are designed to take the pressure off of even the bulkiest of CPAP masks, especially when side or stomach sleeping. The benefits of sleeping with a pillow specifically intended for CPAP therapy include:

• Less Mask Movement: Your mask is less likely to be pushed out of place when pressed against your pillow.
• Reduced Mask Leaks: Pressure from your pillow can cause your CPAP seal to become less secure, leading to mask slippage and air leaks .
• Lower Risk of Skin Irritation: Sleeping with a regular pillow causes your mask to press further into your face and neck, resulting in a higher risk for CPAP skin irritation .
• Limits CPAP Noise: When your mask is secured against your face, the sound of airflow is much quieter.
• Improves Dry Eye: When CPAP masks are not sealed properly, they can cause air to blow into the eye, causing a side effect called CPAP dry eye .

CPAP therapy can get a bad rap because of its association with discomfort and side effects. The good news is that there are many things you can do to improve these issues, including purchasing a pillow for your CPAP mask.

If you’re interested in trying a CPAP pillow , we suggest starting with our top pick for the best CPAP pillow, the Contour CPAPMax 2.0, thanks to its dual-sided comfort, excellent head and neck support, and pressure-relieving mask cut-outs!