How to Find the Best Mattress for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans, interrupting their sleep and potentially causing serious health issues.[1] Using the best mattress for sleep apnea is crucial because your sleeping surface can either worsen or help alleviate symptoms. The best mattress for sleep apnea provides proper support, accommodates optimal sleeping positions, and enhances overall sleep quality.

If you struggle with sleep apnea, your mattress choices matter more than you think. Let’s explore what features to look for and which mattress types might help you finally get the restful sleep you deserve.

• Key Takeaways
• What Is Sleep Apnea?
• How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Sleep?
• What to Look for in a Mattress for Sleep Apnea
• Best Mattresses for Sleep Apnea
• Tips for Improving Sleep with Sleep Apnea
• Mattresses for Sleep Apnea FAQs
• Achieve Deep Sleep with the Best Mattress for Sleep Apnea

Key Takeaways

• Memory foam and hybrid mattresses offer excellent pressure relief and support, which can be helpful for positions like side sleeping, which is recommended for those with sleep apnea.
• An adjustable bed can significantly improve breathing by keeping your upper body elevated, helping to prevent airway collapse during sleep.
• The best bed for sleep apnea will maintain proper spinal alignment while allowing comfortable side sleeping to keep airways open.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep and breathing-related disorder in which you experience repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These breathing pauses can last anywhere from seconds to minutes and may occur 30 times or more per hour.^[2] The condition affects approximately 30 million Americans, with many cases remaining undiagnosed.^[1]

There are three types of sleep apnea:^[2]

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): This happens when the throat muscles relax enough to block your airway during sleep. This physical blockage prevents airflow.
• Central sleep apnea: This is less common than OSA and happens when your brain doesn’t communicate properly with the muscles that control breathing. Rather than a physical blockage, there’s a communication problem.
• Complex sleep apnea: This is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Understanding the difference between hypopnea vs. sleep apnea is also important — hypopnea is a partial blockage resulting in decreased airflow, while apnea is a complete blockage. By consulting with your doctor, you can get an accurate diagnosis to receive the proper treatment you need.

How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Sleep?

Sleep apnea significantly disrupts normal sleep cycles, preventing you from entering and maintaining the deeper, restorative stages of sleep. This fragmentation leads to excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:^[2]

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Episodes where breathing stops (typically witnessed by another person)
• Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Excessive daytime fatigue
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating during the day

Your sleeping position can help manage sleep apnea symptoms. Back sleeping often worsens the condition, as it allows the tongue and soft tissue to collapse into the airway. Choosing the right sleeping position for sleep apnea can significantly impact the severity of symptoms, with side sleeping generally recommended as the best position for keeping airways open.^[3]

What to Look for in a Mattress for Sleep Apnea

When looking for the best mattress for sleep apnea, certain features can help alleviate symptoms and improve sleep quality. The right mattress supports proper body alignment and comfortable side sleeping, which can reduce airway obstruction.

• Firmness: Mattress firmness matters for sleep apnea. A medium-firm mattress typically offers the best balance of support and comfort. Too soft, and your body may sink too deeply, affecting breathing. Too firm, and pressure points might force you onto your back.
• Pressure relief: Good pressure relief helps reduce pain at contact points like the shoulders and hips, making sleeping on your side more comfortable. This is important since side sleeping is often recommended if you have sleep apnea.
• Support for side sleeping: Because side sleeping is generally best for sleep apnea, look for a mattress that accommodates this position well. The mattress should allow your shoulders and hips to sink in slightly while supporting your waist and keeping your spine aligned.
• Breathability and cooling: People with sleep apnea often experience night sweats and overheating.[4] A cooling mattress with good airflow can help regulate temperature and improve overall sleep quality. Materials like gel-infused foam or open-cell structures promote better air circulation.
• Hypoallergenic: Allergies can worsen sleep apnea symptoms by causing nasal congestion and inflammation. Hypoallergenic mattresses resist dust mites, mold, and other allergens that might compromise breathing during sleep.
• Warranty and trial periods: Look for generous warranties and sleep trials, like Layla’s 120-night trial period on all mattresses, lifetime warranty on the Layla Memory Foam Mattress, and 10-year warranty on the Layla Hybrid and Essential mattresses. These policies allow you to thoroughly test the mattress to ensure it helps with your sleep apnea symptoms before fully committing.

Best Mattresses for Sleep Apnea

Certain mattress types tend to work better for those with sleep apnea. The ideal bed choice depends on your specific needs, sleeping position, and personal preferences.

Memory foam mattress

A memory foam mattress can be ideal for sleep apnea patients who prefer side sleeping. The material contours to your body, relieving pressure points and promoting proper spinal alignment. This contouring helps maintain a comfortable side sleeping position throughout the night.

Memory foam’s motion isolation is another benefit for those using CPAP machines, as movement stemming from a sleep apnea episode won’t disturb you or your partner’s sleep when shifting positions. The material also tends to be naturally hypoallergenic, reducing potential allergens that could worsen breathing issues.

Hybrid mattress

A hybrid mattress combines the pressure relief of foam with the support of coils, offering an excellent balance for people with sleep apnea. The coil support core provides excellent edge support and prevents excessive sinking, while the foam comfort layers offer the contouring needed for comfortable side sleeping.

Hybrid mattresses typically offer better temperature regulation than all-foam options, which is beneficial for those who tend to sleep hot. The increased airflow through the coil layer helps dissipate heat throughout the night.

Latex mattress

While Layla doesn’t currently offer latex mattresses, they deserve mention here. Natural latex provides excellent support with a responsive bounce, making position changes easier. This can be beneficial when finding the optimal position for breathing.

However, latex mattresses have some drawbacks. They typically sleep hotter than memory foam and hybrid options and may not provide the same level of pressure relief for dedicated side sleepers. Additionally, true natural latex mattresses tend to be significantly more expensive.

Adjustable bed

An adjustable bed can be extremely helpful for anyone with sleep apnea. Elevating the upper body helps keep airways open by using gravity to prevent breathing obstruction. The benefits of adjustable beds extend beyond just positioning — they can also help with acid reflux at night, another condition that affects many living with sleep apnea,^[5] which can affect sleep quality.

Using an adjustable base with a compatible mattress like Layla’s Memory Foam or Hybrid options creates an ideal sleep system for managing sleep apnea symptoms.

Tips for Improving Sleep with Sleep Apnea

While finding the best bed for sleep apnea is important, additional lifestyle changes and sleep habits can further improve your symptoms and overall sleep quality. Here are some tips to help improve your sleep:

• Improve sleep hygiene: Establishing consistent sleep and wake times can help regulate your body’s internal clock. This means creating a bedtime routine and ensuring your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet so you can get to sleep quickly.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine before bed: Alcohol can affect sleep quality and worsen sleep apnea symptoms by relaxing the throat muscles and increasing airway collapse. Try to avoid alcoholic beverages at least a few hours before bedtime. Research also indicates that caffeine and sleep have a complex relationship, so limiting caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon and evening, may help improve overall sleep quality.
• Find the right sleep position: Side sleeping, particularly on your left side, can reduce sleep apnea episodes. Consider using pillows to prevent rolling onto your back during sleep. The pros and cons of sleeping on your back should be carefully considered for anyone with sleep apnea, as back sleeping often worsens symptoms.
• Adjust pillow height: Finding the right number of pillows to sleep with can make a significant difference. A slightly elevated head position can keep airways open, but too much elevation might create neck strain.
• Use a CPAP machine: A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be prescribed. These devices deliver air pressure through a mask to keep your airways open while you sleep. Always consult with your doctor before starting CPAP therapy.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight can put pressure on your airways. Even modest weight loss can significantly reduce sleep apnea symptoms.
• Address underlying conditions: Treating underlying conditions, such as nasal congestion and nighttime allergies, can improve sleep apnea symptoms.
• Talk with your doctor: If you suspect you have sleep apnea or your symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes, consult a healthcare provider. They might recommend a sleep study to diagnose the condition properly and suggest appropriate treatment options.

Mattresses for Sleep Apnea FAQs

Do adjustable beds really help with sleep apnea?

Yes, adjustable beds can help manage sleep apnea symptoms. By elevating the upper body, you can use gravity to keep airways more open and reduce the likelihood of soft tissue collapse that causes breathing interruptions.

Is it better to sleep flat or inclined with sleep apnea?

Sleeping with a slight incline is better than lying completely flat for most people with sleep apnea. An inclined position helps keep the airway open. However, the exact angle should be comfortable enough to maintain throughout the night without causing neck or back strain.

Do firmer mattresses help with sleep apnea?

Medium to medium-firm mattresses generally work best for sleep apnea. These provide enough support to maintain proper spinal alignment while allowing comfortable side sleeping. Too soft a mattress might cause excessive sinking that can restrict breathing, while too firm a surface might create pressure points that make side sleeping uncomfortable.

Achieve Deep Sleep with the Best Mattress for Sleep Apnea

To find the best sleep apnea mattress, it’s important to consider support, pressure relief, and compatibility with side sleeping. The right mattress can significantly improve your breathing during sleep, meaning you can sleep better.

Layla’s mattresses offer the pressure relief and support needed for comfortable side sleeping, while compatibility with adjustable bases provides the positioning options that many people with sleep apnea need. Combined with smart lifestyle adjustments and proper medical care, the right sleep surface can help you finally achieve the restful sleep you deserve. Browse our collection of mattresses today.

References

1. “The Medical Minute: Don’t Snooze on Sleep Apnea.” Penn State Health News, 3 Apr. 2025, pennstatehealthnews.org/2025/03/the-medical-minute-dont-snooze-on-sleep-apnea/
2. “Sleep Apnea.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Apr. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631
3. “Choosing the Best Sleep Position.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 20 June 2024, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/choosing-the-best-sleep-position
4. Bonavitacola, J. Night Sweats Associated With Hypoxia in People With OSA. The American Journal of Managed Care. 07 September 2022, https://www.ajmc.com/view/night-sweats-associated-with-hypoxia-in-people-with-osa
5. Mahfouz R, Barchuk A, Obeidat AE, Mansour MM, Hernandez D, Darweesh M, Aldiabat M, Al-Khateeb MH, Yusuf MH, Aljabiri Y. The Relationship Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Inpatient Settings: A Nationwide Study. Cureus. 2022 Mar 3;14(3). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8980249/